Women and Stress

Women plays the role as the caregivers at home yet at the same time, mothers may also play the role of the breadwinner of the family. Because of these women are more prone to experience stress and fatigue.Women may experience "chronic" fatigue. This eventually leads to premature aging, compromised immune function and increased possibility of disease. 

Symptoms of a chronic fatigue includes: feelings of exhaustion, feeling rundowns or overwhelmed, joint pains, depressed mood, loss of energy or "blah-ness", lightheadedness, dependence on caffeine,  poor short term memory, confusion and irritability. 

Fatigue can be caused by several things. It may include lack of sleep, emotions and stress, lack of proper nutrition, nutritional deficiencies dehydration or inactivity. TI can also be caused by infection, thyroid problems, pre-menstrual syndrome, or even menopause.

What can you do if you experience chronic fatigue? Seek help and get some tests. It will also help if you establish a good sleeping habit.  Eat proper diet. Drink lots of water and more importantly RELAX.

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What Tai-Chi Can Do For You

There are several Chinese martial arts that focuses on physical well-being. Tai-Chi is an ancient Chinese martial arts that aims to improve felixibility and balance. It was first used by monks to enhance their concentration. 

This martial arts involves slow and gentle movements with grace and accuracy. Tai chi aims to enhance strength and coordination and at the same time improving inner peace. This exercise is ideal for elderly people. Even the disabled can do tai-chi while in a sitting position. 

Tai chi can help you enhance your stamina, improve your breathing, helps you achieve better balance, enhance your posture. It also reduce the stiffness in your joints, increase your energy level and helps relieves stress.

According to myoptumhealth.com, "the most effective plan to prevent falls among older adults is activity that improves strength, movement and flexibility. Tai chi may help to achieve these goals. In one study, older people taking part in a 15-week tai chi program reduced their risk of falling by almost half. After the course, many were no longer afraid of falling."

Resolution for 2009: Better Health

2009 is just around the corner.

This is the time of the year where we set our resolutions for the upcoming year. Hopefully you will include health related resolutions for 2009.

Here are some ideas:

• - Avoid smoking—the leading cause of preventable risk
• - Achieve and maintain a healthy body weight
  - Don’t drink and drive
  - Exercise regularly at an appropriate level
  - Consume alcohol only in moderation
  - Get regular preventive health care and checkups
  - Protect yourself against sexually-transmitted diseases
  - Check “alternative” practices with your doctor
  - Use seat belts on every trip
  - Keep your teeth and gums in good condition
  - Install and maintain a smoke detector in your home
  
  May you have a healthier 2009!
  
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Sugar Cravings Explained

Holidays are here and sugar is everywhere, and because of that it is indeed very difficult to resist sugar cravings. The truth is, once we start with sugar, it seems impossible to stop.

Sweets provides instant energy. It is also a very emotional food. It can remind us of our childhood or even a past relationship. Parents often use it to reward their children whenever they do something good.

Research has determined that our brains “reward” us by releasing serotonin and beta-endorphins (mood-enhancing hormones) when we eat sugar or other refined carbohydrates that are easily converted to glucose (the simplest sugar). In other words, sugar affects our brain in a very similar way to drugs.

Possible reason for sugar cravings:
* Stress - stressful situation increases cortisol levels, which increases our hunger.
* Hormonal fluctuations - women who experience pre-menstrual syndrome craves for sweets.
* Excess of Acid - forming foods
* Intestinal Yeast or systemic candidiasis - Yeast thrives on sugar. If your intestinal (and vaginal) bacteria are out of balance, they are less likely to keep yeasts like Candida in check.

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High Protein Meals Help Overweight Burn Fat

New study shows that high-protein meals may help obese people burn more fat.

According to a recent Australian study, obese men and women burned more post-meal fat when they ate a high-protein breakfast and lunch than when they had lower-protein meals. According to Dr. Marijka Batterham of the University of Wollongong in New South Wales, "Our research suggests that people with higher body fat burn fat better after a high-protein meal than people with lower levels of body fat,". This may be because protein is better in suppressing appetite than fat or carbohydrates.

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Tips on Staying Energized

Here are ways to get back on productive groove!

1. Listen to relaxing music - listen to classical music. Harmony of the instruments relaxes your mind.

2. Deal with job burnout - relax and give yourself a break. Schedule a vacation to avoid work burnout.

3. Get some sun - National Institutes of Health recommends getting 10-15 minutes of sun every day. This will help you improve your mood and energy.

4. Work during your energy peaks - schedule non-thinking tasks during your "low-energy" time. Schedule work during your peak hours to be more productive.

5. Power nap! - rest for a few minutes and energize. 20 minute nap enhances alertness and concentration, elevates mood and sharpens motor skills. You can drink a coffee before you nap. The effect of the caffeine will take effect when u wake up.


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Heart Burn or Heart Attack? Know the Difference

Holidays are the season of festivities and great food. With overeating people often experience heartburn. Amazingly (and alarmingly), the symptoms of a severe heartburn can be strikingly similar to the symptoms of a heart attack That is why it is important to know the signs and be able to differentiate heart attack from having a heart burn.

Here are some symptoms that indicate heart attack according to Dr Nick Zenarosa, emergency medicine physician on the medical staff at Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas:

- Breaking into a cold sweat

- Pain moving from the chest into the jaw, shoulder or arms

- Increased pain when you exert yourself

- Rapid onset of fatigue

- Shortness of breath

- Turning pale

- Slow or no response of symptoms to antacids

- Nausea and possible vomiting

If you are experiencing any of the signs mentioned above it is better to go to a nearby Emergency Room or hospital for medical assistance. With heart attack, time is very crucial. It is important that clot-busting drugs and other artery opening treatments are started right away for greater chances of survival

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Tips on Reducing Frequency of Migraine Attacks

With a very busy world and with hectic schedules, migraine headaches have become very common. Migraine is a very painful kind of headache that occurs on one side of the head. It is at times accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and changes in vision. It can be aggravated by exposure with light.

There is a 4:1 ratio among women and men who suffers from migraine. It is mostly women who get affected. However, for most of the affected women, migraine disappears during pregnancy.

"The typical migraine headache is one-sided and pulsating, lasting 4 to 72 hours. Accompanying complaints are nausea and vomiting, and a heightened sensitivity to bright lights (photophobia) and noise (hyperacusis). Approximately one third of people who experience migraines get a preceding aura, in which a patient may sense a strange light or unpleasant smell. ….Other symptoms of the aura phase can include auditory or olfactory hallucinations, temporary dysphasia, vertigo, tingling or numbness of the face and extremities, and hypersensitivity to touch. "

Here are some tips on how to reduce the frequency and severity of migraine according to chinese medicine:

1. Eat natural foods such as fruits, vegetables, organic meat. Avoid processed foods.
2. Avoid "fire inducing" foods such as alcohol, soda, and processed foods
3. Meditate daily to 20-30 minutes per day to calm the mind.
4. Practice deep abdominal breathing several times per day.
5. Use acupuncture and acupressure points to help balance chi flow
6. Drink more water

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Cell Phone Application To Track Fitness

As technology grows and develops, more and more cell phone applications are now available for downloads, offering a variety of features.

Researchers at the University of Washington together with Intel, created newest applications to track workouts and green transportation. These applications aim to change people's behavior and lifestyle for the better. They are called UbiFit and UbiGreen.

Researchers conducted a 3-month experiment among UbiFit users. Results show that uBitFit users managed to keep up with their workout routines despite the slack-off season. According to Science daily, "Current versions of UbiFit and UbiGreen use an external sensing device (the Intel Mobile Sensing Platform) clipped to the user's waist. The device includes an accelerometer to sense the user's movement. The programs could run on phones with built-in accelerometers, such as the iPhone and the new Android G1, with no need for external equipment, Landay said. UbiGreen also relies on changing cell phone tower signals to determine whether a person is taking a trip."

According to Consolvo, a researcher at Intel Research, "This background display proved motivational. Participants using the UbiFit background screen maintained their workout activity through the holiday months, while people using a version of UbiFit without the display let their workouts slide."

This is technology at its finest!

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Natural Ways To Enhance Sex Drive In Women

Instead of thinking of buying medications to boost your sex drive, why not try this natural ways to enhance your sex drive:

Avoid Stress, chill out and relax - too much stress decreases testosterone.

Exercise - Spend more time with aerobic exercise to improve blood flow to sex organs and boost your mood. This helps increase your testosterone levels

Have fun with your partners - engaging in new activities together as a couple helps fuel sex drive. Could be a night out with other couples, or a weekend getaway.

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Survival Guide for Holidays

Its holiday season once again, and during this time of the year, most people gain extra weight due to holiday festivities and meals. Here are some tips on how to survive holidays:

* Avoid buffet tables, candies and snacks.
* Keep a low-calorie drink in your hand or substitute with low calorie snacks
* Eat a bowl of broth-based soup before heading out the door to fill you up before the meal
* Grab a smaller plate to avoid loading tons of calories.
* Create a list of things that make you feel good that doesn't include food.
* Fill your fridge with healthy snacks instead of candies and chocolates.
* Don't go to a party with an empty stomach.


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What Your Leg Pain Might Be Telling You

Do you experience leg pain when climbing up the stairs? Do your legs hurt more frequently?
Your leg pain might be telling something...

You could be suffering from peripheral vascular disease (PVD), a disease of the blood vessels outside of the heart and brain. It happens when plaque buildup in the inner lining of artery walls causing narrowing of the blood vessels.

According to Thomas Livingston, MD, a radiologist at Baylor All Saints Medical Center, This can be caused by smoking, high amount of certain fats in the blood, hypertension and diabetes.

Symptoms include numbness, aching or heaviness in leg muscles, pain, and leg cramps. However 50% of the patients inflicted with PVD don't have symptoms.

PVD can be treated. Patient should change his / her lifestyle, quit smoking, work on lowering blood pressure and regular exercise, medications or surgery.


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Weight Loss and Post Workout Snack

If weight loss is one of your goals, you should not eat right after working out.

According to Barry S. Braun, director of the Energy Metabolism Laboratory at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, "If people are going to go out and exercise to benefit their health, they should not be eating back the calories immediately upon finishing, or within a couple of hours of finishing. In order to maintain the benefits, you need to be in this calorie deficit."

Researchers conducted an experiment to see the outcome of post workout snack to weight loss, and found out that exercise increased the insulin efficiency by 40% for those who did not eat afterwards. However, that was completely wiped out to those who had a high-carb drink afterwards.


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Steps on How to Prevent Lower Back Pains

Here are some recommendations on how to prevent lower back pain:

Increase Strength - do regular exercises that involves the whole body specifically the stomach, back, and pelvis.

Pay attention to posture - avoid sitting for long periods of time. Get up every 15 - 30 minutes and move around or stretch to increase mobility.

Use proper lifting mechanics - stand with a wide stance and slight bent at your hips and knees when lifting. Do not arch or bend. Avoid carrying objects on only one side of your body.

Stand Straight - heads up, shoulders straight, chest forward and stomach in. Avoid the same position for too long.

Get a good sleep - avoid using a sag mattress. Try to sleep in a postion that allows you to maintain the natural curve in your back.

According to Darell Barnes, a certified athletic trainer, “The human body is an incredible machine that adapts to the stresses we give it every day.”

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Tips on How to Avoid Weight Gain This Holiday

Most of us are prone to gain more weight during the holidays.

Here are some tips from Dr. Andrew Weil on how to avoid weight gain during the holidays:

Choose Fiber Rich Fruits and Veggies - try to stay away from foods that have high fat saturation and sodium.

Be aware of what you eat - be aware when you are eating and control yourself to stop when you are already full.

Don't starve yourself to justify eating more at dinner - this is more tempting to overindulge later in the day

Concentrate on portion control and planning - Do not put in more than you can consume. Choose only those that you love to eat. Eat slowly and enjoy the food.

Get Up from the table when you're done to avoid nibbling.


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Do You Have Diabetes?

Diabetes have become one of the most common diseases of modern times. The estimated number or people with diabetes worldwide today is 246 million!

Here are some common symptoms of diabetes:

You're always thirsty and hungry - excessive thirst and urination is a sign of diabetes. You may also be hungry even after a meal.

Vision Problems - blurred vision is a sign of diabetes. It can also contribute to cataracts and glaucoma.

Feel Tired and Moody - the endocrine system has trouble burning glucose this affects our stress levels. Increased fatigue, obesity, high blood pressure. This eventually causes irritability, mood swings, or depression.

Slow healing wounds - people with diabetes may take a longer time for even a simple wound to get better. This is because the blood supply isn't as good and immune cells do not function properly.


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Reduce Stress - Time Management

Most of us feel overwhelmed by our seemingly endless to-do lists and our hectic schedules. We sometimes feel 24 hours isn't enough for us to finish all our tasks and duties.

Time management is difficult to accomplish but it's do-able.

Here are some tips on how to manage your time:

Plan each day . Create a schedule. Write a To-Do List and Organise it according to urgency and importance.

Determine your priorities.

Delegate tasks. See the things that you can easily delegate to a housemate, colleague.

10 Minute Rule - Work on dreaded tasks for 10 minutes each day. Once a task is started, you may be able to finish it.

Evaluate how you spend your time. Create a diary, look for patterns on how you spend your time. See what's eating too much of your time and analyze whether you can minimize it.

How Emotion Affects Our Health

Most of us know that only physical activities, genes and lifestyle affects our health. What many people still don't know is that our emotional experiences also affect our health.

One research called the ACE Study was conducted to find the link between emotions and adult health. Researchers found out that this study “…documents the conversion of traumatic emotional experiences in childhood into organic disease later in life.”

According to Marcelle Pick, OB/GYN NP, "The truth is that all emotional experience affects our health, whether positive or negative, and whether it occurs in the past or the present. But negative experiences appear to have more lasting health effects, perhaps because we don’t deal with them."

Stress triggers the adrenals to produce cortisol and adrenaline. High levels of cortisol have destructive effects on the body such as hypertension, high cholesterol, weight gain.

Unresolved emotional issues affect systemic inflammation and contribute to diseases such as cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer's. Emotions also affect certain organs. Type A personalities, for example, have much greater risks of heart disease.

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High Fat Diet and Memory Loss

Two new studies have been conducted that link high-fat diet with memory loss and Alzheimer's disease.

A group of researchers from Baycrest Health Center in Toronto conducted a research with humans who have Type 2 Diabetes. Results show that participants who were given high-fat diet performed 25% worse than the controlled group.

Another groupd of researchers from Medical University of South California and Arizona Statue University conducted a similar research on rats. Results show that the rats who had high-saturated fat group also performed worse than those who had eaten soybean oil.


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Risks of Drinking Alcohol Before Age 15

We are all aware that alcoholic beverages are dangerous for our health. We may have been educated already of the risks of taking in alcoholic drinks. Now a recent study has shown that drinking alcoholic beverages before age 15 even puts higher risk of developing alcohol problems.

According to Deborah Dawson, author and a staff scientist at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism said in a news release from the institute, "The key finding of this study was that people who started drinking before age 15 and to a lesser extent those who started drinking at agest 15 - 17 were more likely to become alcohol dependent as adults than people who waited until 18 or older to start drinking,"

Researchers believe that this would likely develop into frequent heavy drinking even at a very early age. They analyzed the results of a study conducted to 22,000 US drinkers of 18 years and above.

It is very, very important for parents to be involved in order to prevent early drinking to avoid developing AUD's (alcohol use disorder).



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Guide on How to Avoid Alzheimer's disease

According to Alzheimer's Association's 2008 Facts and Figures, one person develops Alzheimer's disease every 71 seconds. It is also the 6th leading cause of death in the United States. This is an alarming fact. It is important for us to know the steps on how to avoid Alzheimer's. So, read on.

Some of the physical symptoms of Alzheimer's include impaired judgment, difficulty in speaking, swallowing or walking, changes in behavior, disorientation and confusion.

To prevent Alzheimer's disease, it is important that we upgrade our lifestyles. This includes avoiding cigarette smoking, alcohol, and doing regular exercise. This will not only keep us physically fit but also mentally as well.

Eat more fruits and veggies. It is recommended by Alzheimer's Association that we eat the recommended amount of folate to lower the risk of developing the disease.

"A lifetime of intellectual curiosity and mental stimulation" may help to promote brain health, according to the Alzheimer's Association. In fact, numerous studies suggest that stimulating your brain as you age can ward off dementia and cognitive decline. Activities such as going to the movies, playing cards and visiting friends are fun yet brain stimulating.

Avoid Head Injuries. It is important to always take precautions such as seat belt or helmets while driving or riding a car or a motorcycle.

It is also important to avoid psychological distress such as worrying, insecurities and nervousness). Adults who suffer from depression have higher possibilities of developing the disease.


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Ways to achieve younger looking skin

We are all not getting any younger, each of us go through the point of aging and that also we experience changes in our body. One permanent thing in life is change and that old age brings changes especially to our skin. Some things that might happen to you when this time comes are:

-The production of collagen is beginning to slow down; this element helps the skin to be firm.
-The production of elastin is decreasing; this element makes the skin elastic.
-Cells that are fat are disappearing which may result to sagging of skin.
-Skin losing its ability to retain moisture.
-Lines are gradually appearing due to muscle contractions
-Dead skin do not shed quickly

We had known the result of these changes as wrinkles, sagging, dryness, thinness in the skin and perhaps discolorations such as “age spots”. The skin that had lost its youthful glow can actually age you a bit. And according to a study from the University of Gottingen in Germany, they found that people looked five years younger when skin discoloration was removed from their photos. A digital smoothing of wrinkles lopped off a whopping 15 years!

And to maintain a looking younger skin must be aware of the following:

- Cut back on sugar and refined cards
- Drink more water
- Indulge in fruit and veggies
- Consider taking alpha lipoic acid
- Take the antioxidant CoQ10
- Lay off the harsh soaps and cleansers

These can help you achieve the youthful glow in your skin keep in mind and take it in action and the skin you wish is just a way far from your hands

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Fructose Diet Prevents Appetite Hormone

Fructose, the sugar naturally found in fruits, was once considered a good substitute for sucrose (table sugar). However, because fuctose is a form of simple sugar, just like sucrose, more and more studies are showing that too much fructose can be just as bad as too much sugar.

Excessive intake of fructose can prevent the appetite-controlling hormone leptin from doing its job and increase the risk of obesity, a University of Florida study of rats suggests. There is a proof that a little amount of fructose may help your body process glucose properly. However, excessive fructose at once may overwhelm the body's ability to process it.

Fructose is good if it is within the recommended dietary allowance. Most of the carbohydrates we eat are made up of chains of glucose. When glucose enters the bloodstream, the body releases insulin to help regulate it. Fructose, on the other hand, is processed in the liver. To greatly simplify the situation: When too much fructose enters the liver, the liver can't process it all fast enough for the body to use as sugar. Instead, it starts making fats from the fructose and sending them off into the bloodstream as triglycerides. It is really bad in our body with this three reasons:
• High blood triglycerides are a risk factor for heart disease.
• Fructose ends up circumventing the normal appetite signaling system, so appetite-regulating hormones aren't triggered--and you're left feeling unsatisfied. This is probably at least part of the reason why excess fructose consumption is associated with weight gain.
• There is growing evidence that excess fructose consumption may facilitate insulin resistance, and eventually type 2 diabetes. However, some of this effect may be from chemicals in soda which reacts with the high fructose corn syrup.
The study was published in the American Journal of Physiology -- Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology.

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Tips on Avoiding Infections

We can get infections everywhere: at home, at school, at the shopping malls or even at the gym. That's why it is very important that we know how to avoid them. Here are some ways to avoid getting infections at the gym.

* Avoid sharing - In terms of personal hygiene, it is not advisable to share towels. Do not use someone else's towel. It is recommended that you have your own equipments such as mats. Bacterial, fungal and viral infections can be found in mats that are not regularly cleaned.

* Check for wounds before jumping in the whirlpool or sauna - Microbes can live even in hot water. You can get infected by "hot tub rash" in public hot tubs. To prevent it, shower after you use the tub.

* Check if the equipment is clean - Most of the equipment inside the gym is being shared with other gym-goers. It is recommended that you wipe the machine off with an anti-bacterial wipe or with at least 60% alcohol.

* Wear slippers inside the shower room - Gym-goers are prone to getting athlete's foot by using their public shower. It is best to protect yourself by wearing slippers or flip-flops inside. Dry off your feet afterwards.

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Exercise and Heart Failure Patients

Heart failure is a condition where the heart malfunctions and fail to supply enough blood flow to meet the needs of our bodies. For those who suffered from Heart Failure, quality of life became difficult.

According to researchers at Duke University Medical Center, "Heart failure patients who regularly exercise fare better and feel better about their lives than do similar patients who do not work out on a regular basis."

A recent study called the HF-ACTION study was conducted. Researchers found out that exercise is safe for heart failure patients and it also helps improve the quality of their lives. Regular aerobics and exercise can help heart failure patients extend their lives and also have a positive impact in their outlook in life.

Heart failure patients who exercise experience improvements in walking, bathing, and even the ability to dress. They also get to be more physically active and even get to visit family and friends.

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Bee Pollen May Enhance Your Sex Drive

According to NaturalNews, "Bee Pollen is not only great for sex drive, it will also make you feel great, have more sustained energy, increase your endurance, relieve stress, enhance your immunity, and reduce allergies... as well as improve your sex life."

Research shows that bee pollen supports men's sexual health in many ways. Bee pollen helps increase sperm count as well as increase male fertility. Research shows that sperms swim faster and last longer with bee pollen. They also seem to be more motile and viable. Since bee pollen contains Zinc, it also helps in increasing sex drive in men.

Men with prostate problem will also benefit from it. It will reduce the pain while enhancing the sexual drive. Male infertility is also caused by free radicals. Bee pollen is effective in countering free radicals.

Other benefits include increase of energy and endurance, and reducing stress. It is also packed with nutrients.

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How to Prevent Dangerous Allergies

Do you fear getting an allergic reaction? It is known that over 54 percent of Americans have allergies which causes them to have symptoms like sneezing, congestion, watery/itchy eyes, and a runny nose. According to studies in the Archives of Internal Medicine, almost 15 percent of the population in the U.S. may be at risk of severe allergies.

Allergies occur when the immune system overreacts to substances that normally don't cause a reaction to the body. This sets off a chain reaction that results to allergy symptoms. There are several allergies that can cause a life-threatening reaction:

1. Food
2. Insects stings
3. Drugs
4. Latex

There are things you can do to prevent an allergic reaction from the above. With food allergy, be sure to read the food labels carefully. Do not eat out since you can't be sure of what's exactly on the food in restaurants. The best way to avoid insects stings and bites is to be cautious if they're nearby, but do stay calm, move slowly away from them and resist slapping them. If you have allergy to some medication make sure that your doctor and pharmacist are aware of it, so that they can recommend you another medicine.


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How Stress Affects Women's Health

Regardless of our status, age or race, we deal with different kinds of stress every single day. In fact, stress can be one of the root causes of different physical ailments that we experience. Each of us has different stress levels. What is stressful for one person might not be stressful for another. This alone makes it more difficult to manage or treat it.

Short term or acute stress is what we experience when we are beating a certain deadline, looking for the keys or a missing jewelry or any short term problems. This kind of stress comes and goes and is not permanent. Some symptoms include increased breathing, increased blood pressure, irritability, decreased memory, and muscle tension.

Meanwhile, long term or chronic stress stays with us for months or even years. This kind of stress is associated with our life stories. It can be because of a traumatic event during our childhood years or even events that affected our adult years. This kind of stress can lead to diseases.

According to Dr. Marcelle Pick, OB/GYN NP "In both acute and chronic stress, the power of the mind-body connection is clear. What we perceive as a stressful or dangerous situation — whether it truly is dangerous or not — has implications in the body. For example, if you’re standing in the street and you think you hear a truck coming, your body physically prepares you to move out of the way, even if the sound is something else entirely. Likewise, our past emotional experiences can color the way we see current situations. If your father had a volatile temper that scared you as a child, you will likely feel scared as an adult when a boss, a husband, or some other male authority figure gets angry, even when that anger isn't directed at you. So the stress we feel as children can repeat itself and have a lasting effect on how we think and experience life as adults."

Women undergo different stress compared to men. Women have to undergo the stress of giving birth, taking care of children and families, etc. Women nowadays try to do more and more by themselves which puts them in a stressful situation.

Here are some tips and strategies shared by Dr. Marcelle Pick to reduce stress:

• Start with quality nutrition
• Fill in nutritional gaps with a high-quality multivitamin/mineral complex.
• Explore relaxation practices

It is important that we try to find ways to reduce stress in our lives. Not only will it put us in a better mental and emotional state but it will also help us improve our physiological health.

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Itching Can Be Caused By Stress

Our skin serves as our external barrier from bacterias and also the first line of defense of our bodies. It is also a place where white blood cells attacks bacterias and viruses that threatens to invade our bodies. This however can cause an over-reaction in our skin.

Patients who are suffering from inflammatory skin conditions such as psoriasis and dermatitis are some examples of over-reaction of skin. This condition can be aggravated by stress. Experts say that stress can increase the number of immune cells in the skin.

According to Dr. Petra Arck of Charité, University of Medicine Berlin and McMaster University in Canada, "that stress activates immune cells, which in turn are central in initiating and perpetuating skin diseases. "

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The Cons of Oversleeping

Sleep is very important in order to keep our bodies healthy and fit. It is very important to get at least 7-9 hours per day.

The amount of sleep that we need depends on our daily activities as well as our age. It is also affected by our lifestyle habits and overall health. Every person has different levels of sleep. People who sleep more than 9 hours per day are called hypersomniacs. People who are suffering from this medical disorder experiences extreme sleepiness throughout the day and is not relieved with napping. They also sleep unusually long periods at night time.

However, oversleeping may be linked to several medical disorders as well. People who oversleep are at a greater risk of diabetes and heart diseases. Aside from that, oversleeping can also lead to obesity. People who oversleep are more likely to experience headaches, back pains, and depression.

Aside from completing the 7-9 hours sleep per day it is also important that you follow a regular schedule of bedtime everyday. Also, avoid caffeine and alcohol close to bedtime. Exercising regularly and make your bedroom a comfortable environment that's conducive to sleep will help you get the amount of sleep you need.

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Are Bottled Waters Really Pure?

One of the most common steps I see people taking to protect their health is to drink bottled water rather than tap water. They assume that bottled water is safe, pure and clean. But is it?

Environmental Working Group released the results of an examination they conducted with 10 major bottled water brands. The results: 38 low-level contaminants turned up in the water, with each brand containing an average of eight chemicals. Disinfecting products, caffeine, Tylenol, nitrate, industrial chemicals, arsenic and bacteria were detected.

EWG also found out that Wal-Mart's bottled water contained trihalomethanes, which form when naturally occurring materials in water combine with chlorine. This particular chemical has been associated with instances of cancer and miscarriage.

According to EWG "lab analyses showed that the Wal-Mart water and a brand sold on the East Coast (but not in California) by the Giant supermarket chain were "chemically indistinguishable from tap water. The only striking difference: the price tag."

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Sunlight and Male Infertility

There are a lot of factors that affects male infertility. Drugs, alcohol and smoking are among them. However, a recent study links lack of sunlight to male infertility.

We get Vitamin D from sunlight, this helps regulate the levels of calcium and phosphorous to generate healthy bones. Vitamin D and folate deficiency are known to be associated with infertility in women.

But a recent Australian study has revealed disturbing levels of vitamin D deficiency among men who are unable to impregnate their partners.

The study conducted by specialist Dr Anne Clark screened the blood of almost 800 men with fertility problems, finding almost a third had lower than normal levels of vitamin D.

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How Music Affects Us

Music has been proven to have impact in emotional well being. Several researches have been conducted to prove the effects of music. For example, listening to classical music during pregnancy is believed to enhance the brain development of the baby inside the mother's womb.

Music also sets our mood. Music is a great way to pump you up while jogging or working out.

Health professionals and doctors believe that music relieves stress. According to Pediatrician, Linda Fischer, "It's healing music that puts the patient in a special place of peace as far as the music's rhythm, melodies and tonal qualities."

Music is also believe to stimulate memories, ease labor pain, and reduce depression.

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Grapes Help Keep Our Hearts Healthy

Fruits are known to be beneficial to our health and body. Each fruit contains essential nutrients and vitamins that helps different parts of our body.

Grapes are among the fruits known to be very healthy. A new research was conducted to find out if grapes could really help to fight hypertension from a salty diet. Results shows that grapes may have an effect in lowering blood pressure, enhancing heart function, reducing inflammation and lessening heart muscle damage. The effect is thought to be due to the high level of flavonoids in grapes.

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Relexation Techniques for Computer Geeks

Whether you work at an office that requires you to sit in front of a computer or whether you work from home, working in front of the computer can be stressful. It may result to a neck and shoulder tension as well as eye irritation.

Here are some eye-neck relaxation techniques.

-Sit comfortably erect in your chair so that your head and neck are free to
move. While looking straight ahead, place the tips of your ring, middle and
index fingers of both hands on the back of your neck on each side of your spine,
with the ring finger just below the base of your skull. Let your fingers relax
so that they can gently sense the movement of the muscles.

-While facing forward, move only your eyes to look to the extreme right and then, to the extreme left. Continue looking from side to side a few times, keeping your head
still. As your eyes move, feel with your fingers the movement of your neck
muscles. Most likely you can feel the slight tightening and relaxation of these
muscles as your eyes shift back and forth.

- While you did this exercise, were you breathing? If you held your breath, repeat the above while breathing from your diaphragm. Use the above awareness exercise to remind yourself that neck tension and holding your breath tend to occur concurrently while looking at the monitor

- Take periodic vision breaks to reduce your neck and shoulder tension. Practice some of the following during your workday: Relaxed blinking. Allow your eyelids to drop down and softly close your eyes every minute or so (e.g., while waiting for the computer, at the end of a column of numbers, while talking on the phone, etc.).

- Drop you hands to your lap and gently shrug your shoulders or wiggle your head during a micro-break. Slowly turn your head from side to side while keeping your eyes soft and feeling a softness in the muscles in the back of your head.
Breathe diaphragmatically, feeling heavier (like a sleeping pet or baby) for three or four breaths every 15 minutes.

Click here to read the article from Health World

Occassional Smokers, Still At Risk?

Smoking is well known to have its negative effects on both active and passive smokers. But what about occassional smokers, are they still at risk?

A recent study conducted at University of Georgia researchers "found that the arteries of otherwise young, healthy adults who smoked less than a pack a week were 36% less responsive to changes in blood flow than nonsmokers, even if it had been days since their last cigarette. This lack of responsiveness, known as impaired flow-mediated dilation, is an early sign of the arterial damage that typically foreshadows the development of cardiovascular disease."

That's bad news for the occasional smokers and "weekend smokers" . Regardless of how many cigarettes you smoke in one day or one week, smoking is still one of the worst things you can do for your health.

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Acupressure Used to Calm Children

Children who are about to go to surgery are normally given sedatives prior to anesthesia. However, sedatives can cause nausea and even prolongs sedation among kids.

According to Dr. Zeev Kain, "Anxiety in children before surgery is bad because of the emotional toll on the child and parents, and this anxiety can lead to prolonged recovery and the increased use of analgesics for postoperative pain. What's great about the use of accupressure is that it costs very little and has no side effects."

Accupressure uses the same principle of accupunture, except that it doesn't use needles. Because of that, it is less invasive and less frightening to kids, making it sometimes more effective overall than sedatives.

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A Closer Look At Fruit Snacks

Nowadays, there are lots of products that are fruit flavored, be it drinks, candies, yogurts, etc. However, a recent study conducted by the British non-profit Food Commission, shows that most of them has no fruit at all.

Some products are even being advertised as "all - natural" or "strawberry-filled" for example. Consumers should be very cautious in reading the labels to find out the content of the product. Even such products may not content fruit at all.

In the study, the contents of 28 strawberry-flavored products sold in U.K. stores were analyzed. Less than 40 percent of them contained any fruit at all. Of the 11 products that did contain strawberries, five of them contained less than one percent real fruit. The product with the highest strawberry content, at 6 percent.

Manufacturers may tend to use coloring and flavoring instead of putting in real fruits to primarily cut down manufacturing costs. However, consumers are not aware of this. Like most of us, we just purely "listen" to what the ad says and most of the time forgets to double check the labels.

As a rule of thumb, packaged and processed foods should not be part of your daily diet. But if you do buy a fruity flavored snack, take sometime to read the label first and double check.

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Aging and Weight Gain

Most of us believe that weight gain may be relevant to age. That as we all grow older, the probability of gaining more weight also increases.

As we age, our muscle mass tends to decrease, and our body fat percentage tends to increase. Our bone mass also decreases as we age. Genetics is also another factor for weight gain.

Exercising is one of the most important things you can do to offset aging-related weight gain .

Diet is also as important as exercise. As we get older, there is a need for us to change our diet. Because your metabolism tends to slow down, eating too much and eating the wrong kind of foods will have bigger consequences as we age.

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Tips on Preventing Severe Stroke

A recent international study was made to evaluate whether exercise can limit the possibilities of having a severe stroke.

They found out that "people who exercised the most prior to their stroke were 2 1/2 times more likely to have a milder stroke when compared to those who exercised the least. And participants who put in the most active hours were also twice as likely to experience a better long-term outcome."


For those who have already reached the age of 50's - 60's it is still very important to spend time for exercise. Reaching that certain age of retirement doesnt mean less physical activity, in fact this should be a time for us to be more careful and cautious with our health. Light exercises or even just engaging to physical activities such as ballroom dancing, gardening etc can help our bodies stay fit.

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Tips on Getting the Most Out of Your Sleep

Getting enough sleep plays an important role in keeping our bodies healthy. It helps repair our bodies from stress, helps control weight and enhances our memory.

W. Here are some tips on how to get the most out for our sleep:

1. Perfect your sleep environment - Keep your room cold and dark. If you work during the graveyard shift and have to sleep during the day, you can use thick curtains to darken your room and block the sunlight to avoid interruption in your sleep.

2. Lower the volume - avoid as much noise as needed. Keep your kids and pets out of your room, turn off the television and radio, and close the window if it's noisy outside.

3. Maximise your mattress - Invest in good quality mattress to provide you good support while you sleep.

4. Follow your body clock - follow a routine schedule of the time you sleep and wake up daily.

5. Nix the vices - avoid caffeine, tobacco, and alcohol before bedtime. It increases your chances of getting quality shut-eye.

6. Exercise - it helps boosts metabolism and improve the quality of sleep. Some people have a hard time relaxing if they exercise too close to bedtime. If that's the case with you, just avoid doing exercising 3-4 hours before going to bed.

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In Exchange of Gym Time

In the past posts, I have reiterated the importance of exercise in maintaining a healthy body. According to the new federal guidelines, kids should get at least one hour of exercise a day, and adults should get two to two and a half a week.

Now, the good news is that this does not mean "gym time" only. Aside from going to the gym, there are other activities that we can do to enjoy exercise or physical activities.

For kids for example, activities such as playing on the playground, skipping games or climbing trees are already physical and yet children enjoy it much more than doing formal exercises.

For adults, aside from going to the gym, activities such as bicycling, ballroom dancing, and gardening are already physical activities. Getting at least 2.5 hours a week of physical activities is equivalent to 2 hours of gym time.

Here are some of the Health and Human Services Department newly released guidelines:

• For healthy pregnant women: at least 2.5 hours of moderate exercise per week during pregnancy and the postpartum period.
• For disabled adults: 2.5 hours of physical activity per week for those who are able.
• For adults over 65: 2.5 hours per week, depending on capability. Seniors at risk for falls are recommended to perform exercises to help with balance.

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4 Ways to Reduce the Risk of Breast Cancer

October is the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Last year alone, 170,000 cases of Breast Cancer were diagnosed.

American Institute for Cancer Research shared several everday choices that helps protect from breast cancer:

1. Maintaining a healthy weight with low body fat - excess body fat causes postmenopausal breast cancer. Eating healthy food choices such as vegetables and fruits will help you maintain a healthy weight.

2. Get Regular Physical Activity - Include exercise for at least 30 minutes per day in your calendar. Even as simple as walking, running, or even gardening.

3. Limit Alcoholic Beverages - AICR recommends to keep one drink a day.

4. Breastfeed - "Hormonal changes, physical changes in breast tissue cells and shedding of breast tissues may all be responsible for the decrease in risk that has been documented in many studies."

With Breast Cancer, early detection can save lives. It is important for women to regularly conduct monthly self examination. Women should also get a mammogram and a clinical breast exam regularly.

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Acupuncture Cure for Hot Flashes

One subject of active scientific research in this time since the late 20th century is the acupuncture. Not familiar with it? Acupuncture comes from a Latin word “acus” which means “needle”, and pungere, “to prick”. Acupuncture is a technique of inserting and manipulating fine filiform needles into specific points on the body with the purpose of relieving pain and for the therapeutic purposes. This was originally came from China and according to one traditional Chinese acupuncture theory, these acupuncture points lie along meridians along which qi, the vital energy flows. But there is no specific anatomical or histological basis for their existence.

Acupuncturist in modern times tends to view them in functional rather than structural terms. It came from China and is most commonly associated with traditional Chinese medicine. Acupuncture has been part of their medicine of curing some sicknesses. Acupuncture has been adopted and applied to medicine by many countries not only China and until this moment they are still finding what other illness be possibly cure of it.

It has been discovered that acupuncture was one best way to cure hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms that can accompany breast cancer treatment as an alternative of drugs. Its effect on the person on the benefits last longer than of that drugs which are associated with some bad side effects on the person. Acupuncture has no bad side effect, researchers attest.

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Childhood Ear Infections and Adult Weight Gain

Who would've thought that childhood ear infections and adult weight gain can be relative to each other?

According to APA Online, "Researchers presented findings that children who suffer from repeated middle-ear infections, or otitis media, are much more likely to be overweight as children and as adults."

Derek Snyder, a Yale University neuroscience graduate student, explained that an important taste nerve, the chorda tympani, runs from the tongue up through the middle ear and into the brain. If the middle ear is infected, the nerve can get damaged. The effect is that certain nontaste sensations, like the creaminess of fat, get intensified. Repetitive ear infections may lead to changes in food preference (fatty and creamy foods) which may, in time lead to obesity during adulthood.

A piece of advice, we should in total control of ourselves. We control our wants and desires. It is important that we have self-discipline in order to avoid becoming obese. Despite these results, we can still control our food intake and food preference. Lets filter and choose the foods we take wisely. If you have had repetitive ear infections and have noticed the change in your food preference, then try to discipline yourself by controlling your intake. It is still better to avoid being overweight and obese than regret it in the end.

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OEA Wards Off Hunger

A recent study conducted at the University of California, infused a fatty acid that is found in olive oil and other heart-healthy mono-unsaturated fats can ward off hunger. These fatty acids are converted into oleolethanolamide (OEA).

According to Piomelli, A message goes up to the brain and tells the body, in effect, that it's full. "This is different than compounds that make you eat less at a given meal,". The end result is that we will eat less.

This study will play in an important role in the development of new ways to help loose weight.

Since this development will be more beneficial in the near future it is important that we take measures on how to stay healthy and fit. Eating the right kind of foods, and regular exercise is still the best ways to loose weight and be healthy.

Signs of Breast Cancer

More and more men and women are being afflicted with breast cancer. Prevention is still better than cure. That is why it is important to recognise the signs and symptoms of breast cancer.

National Cancer Institue suggested that we need to look for the following signs:

1. A lump or thickening in or near the breast or in the underarm area
2. A change in the size or shape of the breast
3. Nipple discharge or tenderness
4. An inverted nipple
5. Ridges or pitting on the breast (resembling an orange peel)
6. A change in the look or feel of the breast, areola or nipple (such as temperature, swelling, redness or a scaly feel)

If you are already experiencing some of these, it is best to consult your doctor. Women who are over 40 years of age maybe required to go through mammogram.

Breast cancer is hereditary, so if you're family have history of breast cancer it is important to know the signs as well as regularly consulkt your doctor regarding this matter. Lifestyle, diet and exercise can also affect breast cancer risk. It is also important to perform self-examination monthly as well as an annual exam by your doctor.

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The Marshmallow Experiment

Do you consider yourself impulsive? Can you control your impulses?

An experiment was conducted at Stanford regarding impulses and it must have been one of the most popular psychological studies performed. This is called the "Stanford Marshmallow Experiment"

Walter Michel of Stanford created a simple test of the ability of four year old children to control impulses and delay gratification. Children were taken one at a time into a room with a one-way mirror. They were shown a marshmallow. The experimenter told them he had to leave and that they could have the marshmallow right then, but if they waited for the experimenter to return from an errand, they could have two marshmallows. One marshmallow was left on a table in front of them. Some children grabbed the available marshmallow within seconds of the experimenter leaving. Others waited up to twenty minutes for the experimenter to return. In a follow-up study (Shoda, Mischel, & Peake, 1990), children were tested at 18 years of age and comparisons were made between the third of the children who grabbed the marshmallow (the "impulsive") and the third who delayed gratification in order to receive the enhanced reward ("impulse controlled").

The third of the children who were most impulsive at four years of age scored an average of 524 verbal and 528 math. The impulse controlled students who scored 610 verbal and 652 math! This astounding 210 point total score difference on the SAT was predicted on the basis of a single observation at four years of age! The 210 point difference is as large as the average differences between that of economically advantaged versus disadvantaged children and is larger than the difference between children from families with graduate degrees versus children whose parents did not finish high school! At four years of age gobbling a marshmallow now v. waiting for two later is twice as good a predictor of later SAT scores than is IQ. Poor impulse control is also a better predictor of later delinquency than is IQ (Block, 1995).

This study shows that IQ and impulse control is relative. Studies have shown that people who do well in life have high IQ and high impulse control.

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Health Insurance in the Eyes of the Candidates

After so many years on work you were sometimes dreaming of a long, fun and relaxing vacation. People are becoming more practical. We want to make sure that our future is really secure. Knowing the candidates stand on health insurance is also very important for all Americans.

Tax Policy Center analysts estimated that McCain's proposal would reduce the number of Americans who are uninsured from a projected 67 million to 65 million in a decade, while Obama's proposal would leave 33 million people uninsured.

Mc Cain's proposal aims to expand the coverage by allowing people to shop for health insurance and by replacing the current tax exemption for employer-provided insurance with tax credits of $2,500 for individuals and $5,000 for families. He also suggests employer contributions to insurance plans they provide to employees would be taxable.

Meanwhile Obama's plan seeks to expand coverage by offering a mix of private and public group health insurance options. He suggests that all employers would be required to offer health insurance to the people they employ or contribute to the cost.

The cost of McCain's health care plan over a decade was projected to be $1.3 trillion, compared to $1.6 trillion for Obama's plan.

here are some tips to getting Health Insurance when retiring early.
1. do a reality check meaning that before you get carried away you had make sure that you can afford to buy it on the open market.

2. Get in better shape, the healthier you are the more chance you can get the insurance and the lower your premiums.

3. Probe the paperwork your medical records may paint less flattering portrait due to errors or omissions. So tell your doctor to set aside time to review your medical history with you for accuracy. Then you should stay with the company that you are in now. Then if you are ready you can now search for an insurance that would fit you and wait for the time you can benefit on it.

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