Archive for October, 2010

Oct 28, 2010 Posted Under: Allergies

Allergies: To Know Them Is To Fight Them

Being an asthmatic myself, this is a topic I’m greatly interested in, on which I’m always trying to keep up to date. So let’s summarize a bit what allergens are and what are the best ways to avoid them or at least keep them at bay.

Although you can never avoid allergens in your home or at the place where you work, there are ways to significantly reduce allergy symptoms.

There are some substances which are real triggers for allergy and asthma problems, so the best way would be for us to find out about the source, trying to minimize the effects by changing our living space.

The most common allergy symptoms are sneezing, watering and itchy eyes, runny nose.

One of the most frequent allergens is pollen, coming from weeds, grass and trees. Usually there are specific charts showing the various types of pollen emanating plants and their peak season (you can get these at your local drugstore or pharmacy). So, the best thing would be to monitor your reactions in each particular period, in this way you will be able to recognize which type of plant will be the most harmless for you and avoid going outdoors in that period (especially on windy days!). Of course, spring and summer months will be the worst periods.

So, you think that you’re safe enough staying indoors? No way, what about dust mites and molds? The same symptoms that make you look like you have a permanent cold, will make your safe homely atmosphere become hell: coughing, sneezing, obstructed nose, wheezing. Think about the underworld inhabiting your mattresses, your duvets, your pillows: a bit of a scary movie, isn’t it?

Do you maybe have a domestic pet – a cat, dog, or bird? Add some more allergy symptoms, or make those enumerated before, become even worse! Cats especially, leave a fine layer of discarded fur all around your floors. There is endless cleaning, dusting and vacuuming and you have to do it daily if you want to have peaceful sleep!
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So, is there a way to prevent all this horror, and to start living normally in a clean and allergy proof home?

I have made a little research trying to find the best remedy for me and to make my home allergy proof. There is a great choice of filters, air cleaners, vacuum cleaners that really do deliver results and that in the long run will make you breathe more easily. Amazon has a wide choice of filters and vacuums with by far the best prices and free shipping.

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Oct 27, 2010 Posted Under: Mental Health

Learn the Basics of Anxiety

Anxiety is a normal feeling experienced by a person every once in a while in his or her life. It is a subjective emotional state whenever the ego is threatened and provoked by the unknown. In simple terms, it is fear of the unknown. There are different levels of anxiety ranging from mild, moderate, severe to panic. Each level has different psychological and physical characteristics and the appropriate management that needs to be done.

Mild Anxiety is the first level of anxiety. The person with mild anxiety still has intact problem solving skills. Physical symptoms include restlessness, fidgeting, and sensations of having butterflies in the stomach, difficulty sleeping and hypersensitivity to noise. What needs to be done during this period is to assist the anxious person to tolerate the anxiety for it is the first step to problem solving.

Moderate Anxiety is the second level of anxiety which is characterized by muscle tension, excessive sweating, headaches, and fast speech. The goal of management is to reduce the anxiety and eventually understanding the cause and identifying possible ways to control it.

Severe level is the third level of anxiety that renders the person feelings of dread and horror. Excessive crying, severe headache, trembling, vertigo, chest pain and pallor are among the physical symptoms. During this level, anxiety must be channelled and lowered to moderate or mild level.

The last and most severe form of anxiety is the Panic Stage. The person who experiences this cannot effectively process environmental stimuli and has a distorted perception. Physical symptoms include becoming totally immobile or mute, increased blood pressure and increased pulse rate. Symptoms basically revolve around three possibilities: fight, flight or freeze. Management needs to be supportive or protective towards the person in panic. If a person is in a panic mode, you need to make yourself available for the person and assurance of never leaving the person must be made. A calm environment must be achieved and stressors must be limited. If hyperventilation is experienced, provide a brown bag to facilitate return of normal breathing. Encourage the person to express his or her feelings by allowing the person to cry, pace or even shout. Avoid touching the person as it may trigger the attack more. These interventions are effective in dealing with a panic attack.

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Oct 26, 2010 Posted Under: Alternative Medicine

Aromatherapy Candles

For centuries, people have been looking in all directions to search for alternatives to traditional medicines and procedures for stress relief and healing effects. Aromatherapy has been a part of the human lifestyle for centuries because of its soothing effects along with its therapeutic benefits. It has been used by royalty in the early part of history, and now, modern day spas offer this popular service to all kinds of people. Here is some basic information about aromatherapy and its benefits.

– Aromatherapy means that extracts from plants and special herbs are infused in the wax so when heated, the essence is released into the air and can bring about different healing and soothing effects.

– It is believed that the oils released into the air settles into the respiratory tract, thus, bringing about the benefits and health relief that the plants and herbs are intended to bring.

– It is widely known that some of the benefits of aromatherapy include bringing relief to health concerns such as colds, sinus and stress.

– The effect of aromatherapy can be felt almost instantly and can have a positive lasting effect for a person that has caught a cold or similar disease. Aromatherapy, when used for cold relief, is generally held during the evenings so once relaxed, the person can go straight to sleep and gain further relief from illness.

– It can also help psychologically to relieve the person of stress. Aromatherapy can alleviate the person’s mood as well. The scents can bring the mind into a calmer state, thus positively affecting the person’s whole being.

– The most popular essential oils used in aromatherapy candles are lavender, eucalyptus, chamomile, jasmine, and sandalwood. While they generally aid in making a person feel and think better, some of them actually bring relief from allergies and even nausea. Generally, only a few drops of essential oil are used per candle. For some scents, you can use three to four drops of essential oils and for some scents that are stronger, you can use just two to three drops per candle.

Aromatherapy is also used as a supplement for medical patients during their healing period. While there has not been extensive medical research on its effectiveness, medical practitioners support the use of aromatherapy. Most spa centers offer aromatherapy and you can also just as readily purchase the required supplies from local stores if you want to do aromatherapy at home. Some aromatherapy candles are already infused with the oil. You can also use an aromatherapy kit where drops of oil are heated by candles enabling the scent to be released into the air. Different people have different preferences for fragrances. You can try out various scents to see which ones you like and which scents work best for you.

Using this kit will help in the calming and relaxation process. As you set it up, this easy and simple process can be a relaxing outlet for all your stress. Even from the comfort of your home, you can get the benefits of aromatherapy, making you feel good whenever you need it.

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Oct 23, 2010 Posted Under: Asthma

Asthma Treatments

Asthma medications come in 2 main types, preventers or Bronchodilators and relievers or Corticosteroids.

Many people are afraid to take preventers because they are in fact are steroid, but are people better off to avoid them?

If you or somebody you know with asthma is experiencing asthmatic symptoms more frequently than 3 times per week, it would be recommended to you by your GP to include a preventative type medication into your asthma management plan. This can often scare people because a preventative type medication falls in the a class of drugs known as steroids or Corticosteroids to be more precise.

Steroids have earned a bad reputation because of wide spread abuse by some people, particularly in the sporting world. When people abuse steroids or are administered a dosage higher than required, side effects likely to occur.

The Most Common Side Effects Include:

Irritation of the throat and mouth resulting in hoarseness and candida
Suppression of the body’s production of natural steroids (a dependency)
Reactivation of latent infections
Suppression of growth in some children
Excessive weight gain due to an increased appetite
Aggravation of stomach and adrenal ulcers
Excessive hairiness and a moon like face
Worsen diabetes, osteoporosis, glaucoma and cataracts
They may even cause schizophrenia

However steroids can be relatively safe when used in accordance with their intended use. It is much safer to use a low dose of Corticosteroids to prevent asthma daily, than have the need to rely on a rescue dose of a relieving drug every other day.

The doctors who developed Corticosteroids for asthma management won a Nobel Prize for Medicine in the 1950’s for their work. What they developed is a synthetic version of the natural human hormone cortisol and when used correctly can greatly benefit asthmatics. These class of drugs supplement your body’s natural ability to produce the natural hormone and work in conjunction with your body, unlike Bronchodilators which work against your body’s defences and are more likely to cause dependency and make it harder to break the cycle of drug dependency.

If you are looking for a natural alternative there are many options available to you. A life of drug dependency no matter what type of drug it is, should not be an ideal you are willing to accept. I can show you a simple way that allows your body to start producing enough cortisol to effectively control your asthma symptoms without the need for supplementation.

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Oct 22, 2010 Posted Under: Other

Tooth Extraction Aftercare

It is most likely that the recovery of a tooth extraction will only take a couple of days, but there are some instructions that will lower the risk for post-operative issues (like the so-called Dry Socket) and may help on the road to recovery.

Always follow the instructions of your dentist to avoid slight or even serious problems, so: Be a good patient and pay attention to your dentist.

Here are some DO’s and DON’Ts for your after-care process:

  • Bite down hard on the moist cotton gauze the dentist placed over the extraction wound for 30-45 minutes to support a solid blood clot to form. At home a wet tea bag can serve as a replacement. If it keeps bleeding contact the dentist.
  • While the mouth is still numb because of the local anaesthesia, be very careful not to bite or burn the lip, the inside of your cheeks or your tongue.
  • Do not touch the wound with the fingers to not infect the wound with bacteria that might be on your hands.
  • Don’t rub the wound with the tongue or suck on the tooth socket, this may release the clot of blood.
  • Try to relax after the extraction. Lie down, but put a pillow under the head, lying flat may extend the bleeding.
  • Use an ice pack on the outside of your cheek in the area of the extraction for the first 24 hours to keep the swelling at a minimum. Some patients find it pleasant to melt an ice cube in the mouth to cool the inside as well.
  • Most important: do not smoke or drink alcohol for at least 24 hours after the procedure. Nicotine can break down the blood clot and cause a wound healing disorder like the painful “Dry Socket”, while consuming alcohol will dilute your blood and hence might increase the chance of bleeding. Even if you follow all advices, problems might still occur. Never hesitate to contact your dentist if you encounter too much bleeding or pain.

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    Oct 21, 2010 Posted Under: Diabetes

    Diabetes 2

    You are the first line of defense when it comes to managing your Type 2 Diabetes. Regular consistent monitoring will help you keep an eye on things to prevent complications in the long run. Measuring glucose levels is the primary monitoring done at home for Diabetes. All diabetics need to have a glucose meter at home and know how to take reading properly. This information is vital to determining if a glucose spike or plummet happens. It also gives vital information on what foods and exercises affect those same levels. If you take insulin, these readings help determine the dosage required if you need an injection. You should record all of this information in a journal for you and your doctor’s future reference.

    In addition to monitoring your blood sugar levels, you need to monitor your weight carefully if you have type 2 diabetes. Carrying excess weight can lead to higher levels of insulin resistance. By reducing weight to close to the recommended range, individuals with Type Diabetes 2 can significantly improve their ability to manage their 2 Diabetes. As a result, by routinely taking a weekly weight measurement will give you a good idea of your progress, one way, or the other. Maintaining your current weight is far better than gaining more. However, if you are excessively overweight, you need to drop the weight in order to stave off long-term problems.

    It is also important to monitor your blood pressure and cholesterol levels if you have type 2 diabetes. The disease brings a higher risk of heart disease. Your doctor will regularly monitor these numbers. However, if you are dealing with elevated numbers, having tests done more often is not a bad idea. You need to get these numbers under control before you develop severe cardiovascular problems. It may involve dietary changes as well as revving up physical activity. If these changes do not make an impact, your doctor may put you on medication to get them into line.

    It is important to maintain a full journal with all applicable information related to your type 2 diabetes. This invaluable information is critical in monitoring a individual’s Diabetes Type 2. It will show long-term trends in glucose levels as well as give vital information on what foods and activities do to the readings. When you visit your doctor or another diabetes specialist, take your journal with you. Professionals often see trends that you might not. Monitoring at home is very important. Nevertheless, it does not replace the relationship you need to develop with your doctor for long-term success.

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    Oct 19, 2010 Posted Under: Mental Health

    Fighting Phobias

    If you search for the varieties of phobias that exist among the people around the globe, you will certainly be astonished. With time, people have built up numerous kinds of phobias, most of which really don’t exist. Any sort of phobia, no matter whatever it is related to, creates an immense level of fear in the person who is facing it and it is an extremely unimaginably tough situation to be in. Many instances might be responsible for the existence of a particular type of phobia in any person. It may either be in the person from childhood itself, or it might have occurred due to any particular incident which, obviously, does not hold good memories in his/her mind. The worst thing in phobia from anything is that whenever any person experiences the situation of which he is very fearful, or even in the case if he just imagines that particular situation, a very unpleasant sort of anxiety occurs, which is certainly not a good thing to experience. The people are to blame for the conditioning of others to be fearful towards most of the things, which is a very common situation.
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    The primary step that you should take, in case you have decided to identify and combat your phobia, is to search for a well-experienced and trustworthy hypnotherapist, who can really help you out with your

    particular phobia. The best way to eradicate the problem of phobia of any person is to go deep inside the thinking of the client on various aspects of life and his past, while he/ she is in deep state of hypnotic sleep. This is where the amazing science of hypnotherapy works. Two of the most effective hypnotherapy models to remove phobias are mentioned as under:-

    Hypnosis Method:- This major type of method used to remove phobias is to identify the Initial Sensitizing Event (ISE). ISE is an event or instance which happened to you for the first time and has now become your worst fear or phobia. This does not mean the first time you experienced the fear. It focuses upon tracing the event’s first happening to you and it is quite possible that you might have ignored that event at that time but it came out to be a really fearful situation for you later on in your life. After identifying this ISE, the hypnotist feeds hypnotic suggestions in you to remove the negative or fearful feeling towards that particular thing acting as a trigger for your fear. Up to a great extent, you will find your fear diminished to a considerable level due to the hypnotic suggestion fed in you.

    Neuro-Linguistic Programming:- This NLP method is another effective method of eliminating the fear of the concerned client. This method uses the ISE aspect as well. But, the differentiating factor between this method and the normal hypnosis method is that in NLP, when the hypnotist identifies the ISE related to the client, he/she uses certain techniques and suggestions which allow the client to be free from re-living the situation of which, he/ she is afraid. Both the methods are very effective and satisfying for any person suffering from serious phobias. But, the precautions have to be present to be sure of the positive outcomes.

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    Oct 16, 2010 Posted Under: Health

    Back Pain Prevention

    Job or workplace injuries.

    All work places with a number of employees, should employ a Safety Officer or an OH&S person, or have a safety program in place that management can supervise. Any concerns by an employee regarding a health and safety issue should immediately be brought to the notice of this safety person. It is imperative that management is also on board with all the safety measures in place. It is also the responsibility of the individual to be aware of any emerging hazards and make them known as soon as possible. In a factory or workplace where repetitive actions are performed, a time and motion study should be performed to modify any over-reaching, side action movements, height limitations, lighting and where required ear-protection and or eye protection. In an office environment every care should be taken in the choice of chair(adjustable height, good back support etc) and computer desk(height and depth)

    At-Home Injuries

    The first and main person of concern is the lady of the house. One of the first measures to alleviate injury is to store all the heavy cooking utensils on the middle shelf and not the bottom one. (which is usually where most of us store the large pots and pans.) When renovating, or building a kitchen in a new home ensure the largest shelf is the middle one, at about thigh height. Also the most used condiments and additives for cooking to be no higher than shoulder height.

    If the man of the house is a do-it-your-selfer, his tools must be in good condition and cleaned properly after each use. If the tools are hanging on a wall in the garage ensure they are easy to access to stop the need for over-reaching. When working outdoors, either in the garden or lawn mowing etc, ensure the correct footwear is used. DO NOT GARDEN IN FLIP-FLOPS(we call them thongs in AUS and Jandels in NZ.) Ear and eye protection should be worn when applicable.

    As almost 90% of households have a computer or PC, the desk and chair heights must be carefully considered for each member of the family who use them. Especially the family member who spends extended time on the computer. (that’s not always the teenager in the family)

    Age Related Injury

    It is not only the older members of society that can incur injury to the neck or back. With regard to the younger members of society, injuries can be suffered through the “no fear” consciousness and it is these injuries that sometimes aren’t felt at the time but tend to show themselves at a later date.

    The older(I don’t mean OLD) person who has been very active in their early years may feel that they can just do it! Because they have been doing it, or playing it, for a long time. The biggest danger is the lack of stretching or warming up of the muscles before the activity.

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    Oct 15, 2010 Posted Under: Mental Health

    Anxiety – Causes and Medication

    If you have ever wanted to know all about anxiety, this article will deal with anxiety, signs of anxiety and how to deal with anxiety. Many of us have felt stressed when we were asked to do something and we were not able to do it. This feeling gives rise to anxiety. It is a feeling of apprehension, worry, stress tension, uncertainty etc. It can also be defined in physical terms such as palpitations, sweating and feelings of stress. When a person goes though a major life changing event like accident, illness, divorce it ends up in increased anxiety.

    The effects and symptoms of anxiety change from person to person. It is important to understand what is the triggering factor that causes it and then do what is appropriate. One of the best ways to deal with anxiety is to exercise regularly and also meditation. There are also many drugs available to treat anxiety. These drugs act by slowing down the central nervous system. The fact that these medicines help people relax and calm down has made them very popular. Such medications can also help with insomnia and muscle relaxants. Just like with any other medicines, these medications also have side effects.

    The most common and effective drug in dealing with anxiety is Benzodiazepines. There are many kinds that are available and these drugs must be carefully selected, based on the patients profile. These medications act fast thereby bringing relief in less than one hour. Their speed makes them the right choice to take at the time of an anxiety attack. They immediately help calm down the central nervous system and provide relief to the patient. When you take Benzo diazepines, the brain activity reduces. This surely helps reduce anxiety, but it can have a negative effect on the constitution as a whole. Therefore choosing the right professional to help you is extremely critical in order to ensure the right treatment plan.

    There are many side effects of these medications. depending upon individual tolerance level The common ones are drowsiness, slurred speech, feeling disoriented, depression, stomach problems, blurred vision, dizziness, impaired thinking, memory loss and reduced speed in reflexes. Some people are extremely sensitive to these medications and side effects even with low doses of anti anxiety medication. They may feel sleepy, foggy and find it hard to focus on work, school, driving etc. There may be some people who can feel the effects of the medicine even on the next day.

    As with all options in life, it is very important to take the option that is least pervasive and most beneficial. There are many natural and healthy ways of dealing with anxiety. Keeping a positive outlook on life, avoiding stressful situations and having a stress free life are some great ways to help keep it away. A regular exercise routine, laughing more, spending time with friends and family etc will go a long way to keep anxiety away. Doing work for the needy and helping out with serving them is a great way to cope with anxiety. Having a good social life and an active program of exercise supplemented with good diet will go a long way in keeping anxiety away.

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    Oct 14, 2010 Posted Under: Asthma

    Asthma Treatment

    Asthma treatment with bronchial mist is one of the ways to treat asthma with an over the counter medication for the person that does not have severe asthma. This is a medication that is known as Epinephrine and can be purchased without a prescription to treat asthma and other breathing conditions.

    This is a medication that can fill in when needed along with prescription medications as long as the physician is aware of its use so there are no drug interactions. This is a mist that is able to open the breathing passages and help relieve heaviness and wheezing.

    Even though this is an over the counter medication that does not need a prescription it still has side effects associated with it that can be severe in some cases. Some of the known side effects with bronchial mist are a dry mouth, dizziness, nervousness, sweating, upset stomach and nausea. More severe symptoms of the side effects of this medication can be shaking or tremors, vomiting and problems sleeping. If any of these side effects should occur the bronchial mist should be stopped unless otherwise advised by the physician.

    Asthma Treatment with Dexamethasone Oral

    Asthma treatment with Dexamethasone Oral is one of the types of oral medications that can help lessen the symptoms of asthma. This is a medication that is made to reduce the swelling in the bronchial tubes making it easier to breathe. This is one of the popular types of asthma medication to be prescribed as it can also help with other medical conditions like allergic reactions and other breathing conditions such as COPD.

    This is has an active ingredient glucocorticoid, which is a corticosteroid hormone known for reducing swelling in the lungs and air passages. This is one of the asthma medications that can be taken long term to control asthma symptoms.

    Dexamethasone Oral has some side effects associated with it that in most cases are mild, but in rare cases can be severe in nature. These side effects can include increased appetite, weight gain, dry mouth, sleeplessness, menstrual changes and headache. If any of the side effects are experienced it should be discussed with the prescribing physician and if they are sever the doctor should be alerted immediately.

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