Health Care

By: Vita Man

We have all heard this before. As teenagers from our school coaches who would constantly belt out the proverbial “no pain, no gain” concept, this ridiculous idea that unless we exercised like crazy people, we would not likely see the benefits of our effort, and then from family and friends commenting on our lack of success in weight loss. “If there is a will, there is a way” we were told, or in other words, the reason we were overweight was simply because we just didn’t really want to lose weight.

That is not to say of course that to achieve any of the above goals doesn’t require effort and dedication on our parts. It does.. And lots of it. But research has shown that the majority of people with substantial weight problem have become pre-conditioned to the inevitability of their current situation and thus, their attempts to lose fat become more compromised with the failure of each diet. Putting them (or yourself) down for being fat or overweight may feel like a powerful motivational tool in the reverse psychological perverse sort of way, but in fact, it actually hampers any efforts to change our eating habits.

Talk to any weight loss doctors who were once overweight and successfully lost their excess weight and fat, and chances are you’ll be told that food cravings and weight gain are not always the result of a lack of willpower.

! Most of us who are chronic dieters have one thing in common then. We are not short of willpower (feels good just writing this again!) and likely suffer from a metabolism that produced too much insulin due to an addiction to carbohydrate.

So what’s the deal with insulin? Well:

Insulin tells your body when to eat
Insulin sends food energy wherever your body needs it
Insulin instructs your body to save food energy which is then stored in fat cells for the time when food becomes unavailable.

This overproduction of insulin levels caused by the over absorption of carbohydrates causes a chain reaction which then leads to hunger pangs. Put in another way, the more carbohydrate you eat, the more insulin your body produces. This causes an imbalance which then leads to a cycle of overpowering cravings for more carbohydrates, such as breads, pastas, snack foods and cakes which then leads to even more insulin and so on..

You are a carbohydrate addict if:

You are hungrier after breakfast and before lunch time then if you had skipped breakfast all together.

You are tired and sluggish after a large meal (particularly in the afternoon)

You have been on diet after diet and have as much weight to lose (or even more) as when you started.

You want to eat when you are bored or tired

You feel that you are not satisfied, even after a meal

You find it harder to lose weight then when you were younger.

If you answered “yes” to any two of the above six question then you are mildly carbohydrate addicted. You are moderately addicted if you have answer “yes to three to four questions, and you have a severe carbohydrate addiction if you said “yes” to five or all of the above questions.

If you are serious about losing weight this fat burner supplement has been successfully used by dieters worldwide.

Article Source: http://www.eArticlesOnline.com

Many medical health care professionals claim antibiotics to be 'the lifesaving drugs' of the twentieth century. No doubt, antibiotics are the most widely used and the most talked about class of drugs ever used, on the vast majority of people and animals, across the globe. What does the term antibiotics actually mean though?

Here is Wikipedia's definition of the word term meaning for antibiotic. An antibiotic is a chemotherapeutic agent that inhibits or abolishes the growth of micro-organisms, such as bacteria, fungi, or protozoans. Antibiotic is now used to refer to substances with anti-bacterial, anti-fungi, or anti-parasitical activity.

Antibiotic's widespread overuse has recently been questioned over the last decade, by many concerned health care experts, due to their apparent, and oftentimes, ineffectiveness. And, many health care scientists are also beginning to recognize the fact that, unfortunately, not all the bacteria that dwells inside our bodies aim to harm us.

Antibiotics do perform a sometimes useful function in killing off large numbers of harmful bacteria in our bodies that can lead to life threatening infections. It is a self sacrificing trade-off, however, as there is no discrimination between the chemotherapeutic killing off of all bacteria, whether it be good or bad germs, in the gastrointestinal tract.

Since the 1940's, modern medicine has mainly focused on the killing off of harmful disease causing bacteria via newly discovered antibiotics. This practice came about with not much understanding of the role, in the advantages, that good micro-organisms (bacteria) played in maintaining good health.

Good bacteria (probiotics), is a modern new term used to describe live, beneficial organisms (bacteria) which, when taken in adequate and consistent amounts, offers many different health benefits to the host. Two very subtle improvements are often noticed right away, in a stronger immune system and a healthier digestive tract.

Probiotics is not a fad, says Gary Huffnagle, an immunologist at the University of Michigan and author of The Probiotics Revolution. It is really is a new scientific understanding about how the body works.

Do an internet search on the word term 'probiotics' and you will find that there has definitely been a shift, now days, in the way medical scientists think about bacteria (germs). It is finally getting a much deserved, more focused awareness and attention than ever before.

Probiotics have been found to aid with the absorption of nutrients, production of vitamin K, and helps with the necessary and balanced maintenance of good bacteria in the intestines. They are also believed to inhibit the overgrowth of disease causing harmful bacteria, by crowding them out. Probiotics can be the most helpful to those who have just recently taken antibiotics, by re-establishing colonies of good bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract which, sometimes, can be quite difficult to do.

The best sources of good bacteria (probiotics) comes from fermented foods, beverages, or supplements. Probiotic supplements are available in many health food stores either in capsules, powders, or liquid forms. And, while many nutritional experts agree that most of us would benefit in some way from a daily dose of probiotics, learning how to ferment your own foods or beverages at home is a more superior source of good bacteria nutrition. Not all probiotic supplements can necessarily be trusted to deliver what they say they can.

Besides, learning to ferment your own food and beverages at home can be a healthy, fun, and nutritious hobby. Most experts on this subject will agree, that anything you can easily make at home is far better for you than any commercialized product that you could buy. The reasoning behind this idea, is that you will have more control over the whole process in what you are ingesting, and you also have the option of buying the most natural ingredients to use for the end product.

Here is a small list (there are many more that are not listed) of different types of fermented foods and beverages:

1. yogurt
2. aged cheeses
3. kefir
4. kombucha
5. pickles and olives
6. sauerkraut
7. sourdough bread
8. soy sauce
9. vinegar

Just like the spurs that cowboys sport, bone spurs are projections capable of causing great pain. Older people are prone to heel spurs because as you age, there is an increasing likelihood of developing heel trouble. In addition, as you grow older, the natural fat pads that cushion the sole of your foot including your heel can wear down, like pads under a carpet. They do not provide the shock absorption they once did. Here are some ways that you can blunt heel spurs.

1. Try Massage

Gently massaging the heel really helps. Stroking the pained area brings up extra blood, further reducing inflammation. Sitting in a chair, support the sore heel on the knee of your opposing leg, then stroke the aching area with your thumb, applying gentle pressure in a circular motion. It is recommended doing this for five minutes whenever your heel hurts.

2. Throw Away The Worn Ones

Shoes should be replaced every 300 to 350 miles. You do not have an odometer on your shoes, of course, but the mileage is pretty easy to figure out. If you wear one pair of shoes twice a week and walk 3 to 4 miles each day you wear them, you might consider buying a new pair of shoes once a year.

3. Try Over-The-Counter Drugs

It is recommended over-the-counter anti-inflammatory painkillers such as ibuprofen to reduce pain caused by bone spurs and reduce further inflammation. Be sure to take these with a meal to prevent stomach distress.

4. Apply Heat

Keep inflammation in check with daily heat applications. Hold a heating pad or a hot-water bottle, as warm as can be tolerated and wrapped in a towel, on the affected area for 10 to 15 minutes four to five times a day.

5. Reduce Inflammation

Acute pain can be reduced by applying ice to the inflamed area four to five times a day. Hold an ice pack wrapped in a towel or cloth on the area for 10 minutes, then remove the pack for another 10 minutes. Repeat this procedure several times, or until the throbbing subsides.

6. Try Padded Cell

When you are buying new shoes, select supportive, well-padded shoes – the kind with shock-absorbing insoles and a rigid heel support. In addition, shoes with laces will provide more support than slip-on shoes or sandals.

7. Avoid Flat Shoes

Unless you find that they really provide adequate support and shock absorption, steer clear of flat shoes. They stretch the ligament on the bottom of the foot even farther. Sandals, sling-backs, and canvas tennis shoes are a bad choice for people with heel spurs. These styles provide little to no heel support and control.

Lisa Clark is a freelance writer. She is the author of various factual articles as well as short stories. She is currently working on a novel about a TBI survivor.

Are you plagued with stomach cramps, pain in your abdomen, reoccurring heart burn, bloating, diarrhea or constipation? I certainly have experienced each one of these through my own life and I am sure you may have too. These symptoms plague everyone at one point or another in their lifetime and are related to good digestion. Good digestion includes both the stomach and our gastrointestinal tract (GIT).

Our GIT is over 30 feet in length which processes food and nutrients, including the vitamin supplement regimen you take on a daily basis. As you grow older your digestive system begins to work less efficiently. Most people in their middle and later years can benefit from taking some form of digestive enzyme.

Food intolerance our bodies react differently to different foods, for example, our bodies react to some foods by producing gas. If you have a problem with gas, it may be because your body is having trouble digesting these foods we eat. The following list may be some source foods to try avoiding.

Possible sources

1. Apples
2. Dairy products
3. Cruciferous vegetables
4. Onions
5. Corn
6. Nuts
7. Carbonated beverages

However, if you can’t live without your favorite fruit (apples) or corn and dairy products, try taking two Plant enzyme capsules at the beginning of each meal. A more serious GIT problem can lead to what is called irritable bowel syndrome. Irritable bowel syndrome is a chronic disorder that is characterized by abdominal pain, intestinal gas and diarrhea, constipation or both. The watch list of foods to stay away from includes the list above as well as eliminating wheat, coffee, tea, citrus fruits, potatoes, additives, preservatives and white sugar. Though you may find yourself having to deal with a gastro irritation it is important to consider (i) what you eat (i.e. the food combinations one employs) and (ii) supplementing your diet to help your body digest food (i.e. taking two Super Enzyme capsules before each meal).

Bowel Problems

Constipation can become a chronic problem if it is not taken seriously. Steps should be taken as soon as possible correct constipation. Constipation is toxic, and according to the Harvard Health Letter, constipation is responsible for 2.5 million visits to the doctor and gives reason for the $400 million dollars spent on laxatives each year. To begin finding relief and recovery from constipation problems, start by watching your diet and its relation to the pattern of consistency in your stool and the ease of evacuation (ease of bowel movement). To help facilitate a consistent and frequent bowel movement try taking before bedtime one tablespoon of apple psyllium powder mixed with one packet of Effer-C dissolved in a large glass of water. Also, a lack of water in the diet can cause constipation. If a lack of water is the problem, drinking 1 gallon of water each day can help. Some may think that it is impossible to drink 1 gallon of water each day, but in fact it is relatively easy to do so. Keep a glass of water by your desk all day long at work taking sips every 15 – 30 minutes can help you get the needed water your body needs to cleanse its self effectively.

Digestive enzymes contain nutrients that feed friendly bacteria which are involved in cholesterol production, regulating energy, activating immunity, repairing cell damage, and elevating constipation. Therefore, it is imperative to stimulate the growth of these friendly micro-organisms. Adding a good probiotic to promote a healthy balance of intestinal flora, and regulate various digestive processes that are going on in your body can improve digestion and assimilation and restore the balance of normal intestinal function.

About the Author:

by: Darrell Miller

For more information on probiotics, fiber in capsule or powder visit http://vitanetonline.com/ where one can find a large selection of supplements to help improve health.

Article Source: www.iSnare.com

Toss the microwave ovens - the sooner the better! I would imagine that most of us have seen warnings about using microwave ovens for some time. The first ones I recall were way back in the radical seventies, when I learned that our standards for allowable microwaves were 100's of times less stringent than the world leading authorities in microwaves - the Soviet Union (the same folks that constantly bombarded our embassy in Moscow with microwaves). I also read reports that the incidence of cataracts among microwave users was alarmingly high - especially those that stood close to the microwave while it was in operation. And what made the cataracts really stand out was that they were "anterior cataracts" which formed further within the eye than normal cataracts which formed near the lens surface. Hard to miss the connection with microwave ovens, which cook food from the inside out.

I recall seeing a Dr. Edward Fujimoto (manager of the Wellness Program) at the Castle hospital on a TV program where he explained this health hazard. He was talking about dioxins and how bad they are for us. He said that we should not be heating our food in the microwave using plastic containers.

This applies to foods that contain fat. He said that the combination of fat, high heat and plastics re leases dioxins into the food and ultimately into the cells of the body. Dioxins are carcinogens and highly toxic to the cells of our bodies. Instead, he recommends using glass, Corning Ware, or ceramic containers for heating food. You get the same results, without the dioxins.

So such things as TV dinners, instant ramen and soups, etc., should be removed from the container and heated in something else. Paper isn't bad but you don't know what is in the paper. It's just safer to use tempered glass, Corning Ware, etc. He said we might remember when some of the fast food restaurants moved away from the foam containers to paper. The dioxin problem is one of the reasons.

To add to this, Saran wrap placed over foods as they are nuked, with the high heat, actually drips poisonous toxins into the food, use paper towels.

I had heard those warnings before, at least the ones about dioxins from the plastic. For proof that microwaves do something to plastic, just cook a dinner a bit longer than recommended and see where the plastic melts and turns to some kind of slag, and also mixes in with your food! Of look at some of your old Tupperware so-called microwavable dishes that have been used a long time and look at the mottled and dimpled surfaces where repeated zapping has altered the plastic. What I had not seen before though was the warning about freezing water bottles.

After getting this latest warning, I decided to not just put my blinders on and continue making carcinogens. I thought, OK, I will just use corning ward or tempered glass. Just to make sure, I did some checking on microwaves. What I found was startling!

To put it quite simply, whereas traditional cooking heats food with temperature and cooks food from the outside in, micro waved food is cooked from the inside out by bombarding the food with microwaves. Furthermore, microwaving alters food and creates chemical compounds that the human body has not evolved or adapted to handle.

I found that scientific clinical studies had been conducted by the Russians (THE microwave authorities) the Swiss and the Germans. In some instances these studies have been suppressed by industry, particularly where industry had charges brought against a researcher in Switzerland, and, after initially having the researcher convicted, fined and given a gag order, industry lost on appeal and had to pay the researcher for damages.

Here are the consensus conclusions of the studies conducted in the three countries:

1). Continually eating food processed from a microwave oven causes long term - permanent - brain damage by "shorting out" electrical impulses in the brain [de-polarizing or de-magnetizing the brain tissue].

2). The human body cannot metabolize [break down] the unknown by-products created in micro waved food.

3). Male and female hormone production is shut down and/or altered by continually eating micro waved foods.

4). The effects of micro waved food by-products are residual [long term, permanent] within the human body.

5). Minerals, vitamins, and nutrients of all micro waved food is reduced or altered so that the human body gets little or no benefit, or the human body absorbs altered compounds that cannot be broken down.

6). The minerals in vegetables are altered into cancerous free radicals when cooked in microwave ovens.

7). Micro waved foods cause stomach and intestinal cancerous growths [tumors]. This may explain the rapidly increased rate of colon cancer in America.

8). The prolonged eating of micro waved foods causes cancerous cells to increase in human blood.

9). Continual ingestion of micro waved food causes immune system deficiencies through lymph gland and blood serum alterations.

10). Eating micro waved food causes loss of memory, concentration, emotional instability, and a decrease of intelligence."

Perhaps instead of thinking of the minutes we save from the microwaves, we should think of the years and the nutrition we may be losing! My suggestion: if you want to save time, try a good convection oven. Whatever you cook with, do not overcook. It costs nutrients and causes carcinogens, even in foods besides meats

About the Author:

Tony Isaacs, is a natural health researcher and author of books and articles about natural health, as well as song lyrics and humorous anecdotal stories. Mr. Isaacs also has The Best Years in Life http://tbyil.com website for baby boomer's and others wishing to live longer, healthier, and happier.

by Judy Wellsworth

You know the drill. You see the white, foul-smelling discharge and you feel the constant itching and painful burning. You have a yeast infection. And while these infections are generally more bothersome than dangerous, they can still be quite uncomfortable to grapple with. You want relief, and you want it yesterday. The good news is that learning how to get rid of a yeast infection can be easier than you might think.

The first step in learning how to get rid of a yeast infection is to see your doctor. This will ensure that you get an accurate diagnosis of your condition, since other problems can masquerade with the same type of symptoms as a yeast infection has. Once your doctor has definitively diagnosed your infection, he can help you learn how to get rid of a yeast infection by recommending or prescribing the best treatment options for you. This might include an over the counter antifungal ointment or a prescription oral medication that will help you to say goodbye to your infection once and for all.

What Kind Of Foods Do You Require For Foods Prevent Yeast Infection?

It is thought that tight clothing can cause moisture that yeast then feed on and grow. It must be understood that everyone has a specific balance of yeast in their bodies to start with. A yeast infection occurs when the yeast begin to grow out of control. Tight clothing, or under garments that don not allow moisture to be evaporated, can cause a yeast infection. Panty hose have been a problem for many women with recurring yeast infection problems.

Additional issues for women with recurring yeast infection problems are women who are having hormonal changes. This can be due to pregnancy or even menopause. A change in hormones causes the balance to change within a woman's body. These new balances, throw the yeast into overdrive, causing the women to experience recurring yeast infections.

Treatment For Yeast Infection:

To treat the itching and burning associated with a yeast infection, you can try ice packs or a warm bath. An application of apple cider vinegar can also keep these symptoms at bay. Some women find that drinking a glass of water that is treated with olive leaf extract and grapefruit seed extract can also be an effective way to treat a yeast infection.

Whether you decide to learn how to get rid of a yeast infection through medications or home remedies, there are plenty of options available. Talk to your doctor today about the best way to treat your yeast infection, and you will be on your way to more comfortable days in no time at all.

About the Author

You can also find more info on vasectomy and male yeast infection and yeast infection and HIV. YeastInfectionTreatment.org is a comprehensive resource to help individuals with yeast infection to identify symptoms, prevention and treatment options.

By: Craig Ballantyne

The best way to burn belly fat is a shock to most men and women. Even most personal trainers usually guess, "Crunches", "Situps", or "aerobic cardio" as the best way to lose stomach fat. But none of those work best, or even work at all!

In fact, I often get asked, What's the best way to burn fat and lose my belly? Do aerobics work better than interval training? Does resistance training help at all? What should I eat to lose stomach fat? All of those are common questions.

And now here's the truth. Cardio is not the best way to burn fat. In fact, I've met very few people who have successfully used cardio to lose stomach fat. And most of those people were young men, and anything works for them when they want to burn fat.

If you want to lose stomach fat fast, you need to increase the intensity of your workout by using both resistance training and interval training to lose stomach fat.

Australian researchers, such as Professor Steve Boucher, even believe that interval training can lead to a spot reduction of belly fat. That's something that no amount of abdominal training can do!

While bodybuilders and young guys without any cares in the world can spend an hour a day on cardio - and sometimes get results - men and women who only have 45 minutes, 3 times per week for exercise just can't depend on slow cardio workouts to burn belly fat.

Let's take a look at the perfect workout plan to get you maximum fat burning results in minimum workout time.

Here are the keys. First, start with a circuit of bodyweight exercises to prepare your body for a fat burning workout. This should only take 5 minutes.

Follow that up with supersets of resistance training using multi-muscle exercises for maximum metabolism boosting. This works so much for post-exercise calorie burning than slow cardio workouts. That will lead to more belly fat burning as well.

After 15 minutes of resistance training, finish with 15-20 minutes of interval training. Use a warmup, then do a few intervals, and then cool-down. You don't need a lot of intervals to get great fat burning results.

With that workout schedule, you'll be in and out of the gym in 45 minutes, three times per week.

Compare that to what most people do, which is run, jog, cycle or use the cardio machines for 45 minutes straight. Sure, that will burn calories, but it doesn't build a better body.

Men and women love the fast fat burning results they get from short burst exercise sessions. Your body was not meant to run marathons. Instead, it was meant to perform quick bursts of exercise, and that is why resistance training and interval training sculpt a better body than long, slow cardio.

The best way to lose stomach fat is to use the following three exercise methods.

1) Bodyweight circuit training to warm-up the body

2) Resistance training supersets to boost the metabolism

3) Interval training to burn belly fat

Put those three, short exercise methods together into one great belly fat burning workout if you want to lose stomach fat fast!

If you want to burn more belly fat, then download the free report, "The Dark Side of Cardio" from www.TurbulenceTraining.com. Craig Ballantyne exposes fat loss myths and useless foods that make you gain fat. Plus, you'll get fat burning exercises to lose stomach fat and sculpt your body.

Article Source: http://www.eArticlesOnline.com

By:IC

Men suffer from erectile dysfunction although there is not a man out there who likes to think about it. It is just a natural occurrence that can happen due to psychological or physical reasons and men should realize there are drugs available to help them with their erection problems. One of these drugs is kamagra. Kamagra is a phosphodiesterase inhibitor and it works simply because it allows a man to get an erection and keep it throughout the act of lovemaking. There are many other erectile dysfunction drugs on the market as well like Viagra, penegra, caverta, and more. There are generic versions of name brand drugs that cost significantly less than the other drugs and allow men to affordably handle their erection problems.

Men with erectile dysfunction who are looking for help with this problem may choose to use kamagra. There are of course many other drugs out there that may work as well or better, but kamagra is just one of the options. One of the benefits of kamagra is that it may be taken within half an hour of making love and is still effective. Many men enjoy this aspect of the drug because it allows some spontaneity. Few men actually want to plan sex on a regular basis and actually prefer the spontaneity of sex that just happens when the two partners are in the mood. When this moment occurs an individual can take kamagra, enjoy a half hour’s worth of foreplay, and then enjoy an erection that will endure the full time of lovemaking.

Men also appreciate that with kamagra they only get an erection when they are turned on. An erection at the inappropriate time can only cause problems and embarrassment for men. That’s why it is so great that kamagra doesn’t just cause an erection by taking it but rather allows a man to get an erection should he become turned on during the effective time frame of the pill. Kamagra should not be taken more than once per day.

Men can enjoy their regular diet while using kamagra, however it should be known that high fat foods may reduce the effectiveness of the pill or delay the onset time. One food that should be avoided is grapefruit. The reason why is the acid in the fruit can interfere with kamagra and reduce the effectiveness of the drug. You should not prescribe the medicine to yourself, however, and should see a doctor first. The reason why is that you don’t know the interactions, health conditions, and side effects to look out for. Also, you may give yourself the wrong dosage. Make sure you talk with your doctor before taking kamagra for your erectile dysfunction.

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com

Hyaluronic acid (HA) – also known as hyaluronan- is found in all tissues and body fluids. What this article will describe is what HA does in the joints, particularly the knee.

HA is a major component of synovial fluid. Synovial fluid is the naturally-occurring lubricant found in joints.

HA has a variety of functions within the joint including lubricating effects, water balance, and stress distribution through what are termed “viscoelastic properties.” What this means is that at low levels of impact (standing and walking), HA has mostly lubricating properties. At high levels of impact (running and jumping), HA functions to cushion the joint.

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is often used as a treatment for osteoarthritis (OA), particularly in the knee. HA therapy supplements HA in the knee, restoring the synovial fluid's ability to cushion, lubricate, and protect the knee joint.

A number of different mechanisms of action are thought to be responsible for the beneficial effects of HA. These include fluid replacement, inducement of the body’s own HA production by the knee joint, increase in cartilage synthesis, reduction in cartilage degradation, inhibition of inflammation, protection of the cells that make cartilage, and decrease in pain through inhibition of pain stimulus on nerve fibers within the joint.

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. Its hallmark is the progressive breakdown of cartilage. As cartilage becomes progressively more damaged, changes in the HA within the joint also occur. Both the concentration as well as the molecular weight of HA undergo change.

The reduced concentration and molecular weight of HA lead to worsening of cartilage damage, increase in inflammation within the joint, and further reduction of function of synovial fluid.

Synovial fluid in patients with OA no longer performs its normal viscoelastic function. This perpetuates a cycle of reduced cushioning and lubrication leading to more damage and inflammation, and so on.

Both the American College of Rheumatology and the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons list HA therapy as an alternative and supplement to oral drugs for patients in whom non-drug therapy and treatment with acetaminophen (Tylenol) has failed, especially if non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) and COX-2 inhibitors are contraindicated.

The advantage of HA is not limited to just restoration of the synovial fluid's ability to cushion, lubricate, and protect the knee joint. HA also leads to pain relief and improvement in knee function and health-related quality of life. Finally, it is a localized therapy with no systemic side-effects.

There is also some data that HA therapy may actually postpone the need for knee replacement surgery in some cases.

Side effects of HA are minimal. The most common are local injection site reactions. Different forms of HA are available and these include Hyalgan, Synvisc, Supartz, Orthovisc, and Euflexxa. Most HA products are derived from chicken sources.

The exception is Euflexxa which is bioengineered from a different source.

Different injection schedules are required for the different preparations. Some require weekly injections for 3 weeks; others are weekly injections for 5 weeks.

The important things to remember are that HA should be administered by an experienced rheumatologist or orthopedic surgeon. Either ultrasound or fluroscopy should be used to ensure proper location of the needle and accuracy of HA injection.

Contraindications include active infection of the joint or skin near the joint, history of sensitivity to chicken prodcuts (except for Euflexxa), and prior allergic reaction to HA.

Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com

About the Author:
Read out Plastic surgery. Also check out for medical doctor and rosacea symptoms

If your neck had the flexibility of a crane or a swan, trying to parallel park would be no problem. Neither would sitting at a keyboard for hours as you input data into a computer, read email or write reports. And it certainly would make watching fireworks or craning your neck to watch a play or musical from the back rows easier. In reality, our necks don’t have much flexibility. And if you keep your neck in unusual position too long – jutting forward, for example, or sleeping in an awkward position – you risk an irksome episode of neck pain. Okay, so for whatever reason, your neck hurts. Relax. Here are some ways to get rid of the pain.

1. Head For The Freezer

Applying an ice pack or ice wrapped in a washcloth can ease the acute pain and stiffness. Try it for 15 or 20 minutes.

2. Stretch Those Muscles

Stretching don’t take much time, but they ease neck stiffness. And you can do them at home or at work. One example: Turn your head all the way to one side, then back to the center so you are facing straight ahead, and then all the way to the other side. Look down at the floor, bring your head back to a straight-ahead position, next look up at the ceiling, then bring your head back. Repeat a few times a day, as needed.

3. Take A Load Off Your Shoulder

A heavy purse on one shoulder strains your neck as well as your back and shoulders. Switch to a fanny pack or backpack or carry your pulse across your chest. Load heavier belongings into a suitcase on wheels, as do many flight attendants and travelers. Or buy the wheels and a couple of bungee cords from a discount store and roll your luggage along.

4. Tilt Your Chair Back

Often, neck pain is caused by jutting your head forward. The solution? Bring your reading material to you. When you read or watch television, recline your chair so that your head is supported by the back of your chair or a wall. It is fine to sit on a couch or an easy chair, as long as you change positions frequently, so that your neck doesn’t get stiff.

5. Adjust Your PC Monitor

If you work at a computer, make sure you don’t have to crane your neck to look at the monitor. Adjust your monitor so it is at eye level.

6. Get A Copy Holder

You can easily strain your neck from looking back and forth from the computer to copy off to the side and lower than the screen. A copy holder attached to the monitor at eye level will allow you to read documents without straining your neck.

7. Trade Up To A Down Pillow

To keep from waking up with a stiff neck, choose a pillow made of down or other pliant material or one of the orthopedic pillows instead of solid foam rubber. A good pillow follows the contours of your neck instead of leaving your neck unsupported. And sleep on your side or back, not your stomach.

Source: Free Articles

About Author

By Lac Tran

Alcohol withdrawal: accompanying symptoms
Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal
(http://concernrelated.mitamins.com/General-Health/symptoms-of-alcohol-withdrawal.html) include mild to severe hangover that lasts several days, stomach upset; headache, shakes or jitters; feelings of generalized anxiety or panic attacks; and insomnia that may be accompanied by bad dreams. There may be also be increases in heart rate, breathing rate, and body temperature. In a small proportion of alcoholics, withdrawal may result in severe symptoms, such as hallucinations or generalized seizures.

Improve your diet for successful alcohol withdrawal

Some of the nutritional deficiencies associated with alcoholism can be caused by a poor diet - a factor that needs correction on an individual basis. Improving the overall diet should be done in conjunction with a doctor. Sometimes liver or pancreatic disease associated with alcoholism also contributes to nutritional deficiencies. These problems require medical assessment and intervention. A special alcohol withdrawal diet including fruit and wheat germ and excluding caffeinated coffee, junk food, dairy products, and peanut butter will build your post-alcoholic strength. Most experts agree that alcoholics must have a diet abandoning the drinking of alcohol completely in order to overcome addiction. Moreover, before nutritional supplements(http://www.mitamins.com/) can take effect, a complete avoidance of alcohol is important.

Medicating your alcohol withdrawal
Medication while withdrawing from alcohol is one thing, but detoxification has even greater effects. Eating only fruit for a while, or drinking only juices will offload a lot of toxins from hard to reach places in your system. While you must balance your deep cleanse with periods of rebuilding and strengthening using techniques such as a healthy diet(http://www.mitamins.com/), supplements, yoga, and a strong support network. When you perform a cleanse, please try to keep the body warm, comfortable, and feeling as nurtured as much as possible. The more difficult cleanses such as those from alcohol dependence, are therefore easier to perform in warmer weather. When the body is being medicated away from alcohol dependence through cleansing, whether through a cleanse technique or simply a positive change in lifestyle, you may experience what is called a healing crises, which might include a fever, headache, skin eruptions and emotional irritability.

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com

Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee is one of the most common problems seen by both rheumatologists as well as orthopedists in the office. The standard forms of therapy include maintenance of proper weight, exercise, application of cold, bracing, analgesics (pain killers), anti-inflammatory medicines, steroid injections, and viscosupplementation. This latter type of treatment involves the injection of a lubricant directly into the knee.

These lubricants consist of a purified form of a protein called hyaluronic acid (HA). These preparations are effective in relieving pain. pain relief from OA of the knee starts between the 5th and 13th week follwoing injection. While HA is felt to be effective for pain relief, it has been unclear as to whether there are any other benefits.

Two recent studies have demonstrated that viscosupplementation may actually forestall the need for eventual knee replacement surgery and also may represent a long term cost savings.

The first study from Louisiana State University surveyed patients from a large orthopedic practice. A total of 863 patients (1187 knees) were evaluated. All patients had grade 4 changes, meaning they had “bone on bone” and were candidates for total knee replacement.

Using survival analysis of the data, it was estimated that total knee replacement was delayed approximately 3.8 years in 75 percent of the knees receiving viscosupplementation (Waddell DD, et al. J. Managed Care Pharm. 2007; 2:113-121.)

In another study, investigators in Thailand studied one hundred and eighty three patients with knee OA (208 knees) who failed conservative treatments and did not have contraindications for surgery were enrolled. All patients were treated with one course of three hyaluoronic acid injections at weekly intervals and followed up for a minimum 2-year period. In case of successful treatment (response group), repeated doses were recommended. If the patients did not improve within one month after completion of the injections, they would be classified as a non-response group and total knee replacement surgery was considered. Cost of direct medical costs (drugs), hospitalization, and resource utilization were recorded and analyzed.

They concluded that IA-HA (joint injection with HA) should be considered as a medical intervention before surgical procedures in knee OA patients who failed conservative treatments. Even though the cost of IA-HA treatment would increase the total costs of treatment and some patients might fail, it was only 6.44% of the total costs. On the other hand, if patients responded to IA-HA treatment, then the surgical procedures were not required. This treatment would represent a savings of 63.26% of total costs. (Turajane T, et al. J Med Assoc Thailand. 2007; 90;1839).

While, the exact analyses and conclusions of these two studies are different, they do suggest that HA may be cost effectve in delaying the need for total knee replacement.

There are five HA preparations available. They are Hyalgan, Synvisc, Supartz, Orthovisc, and Euflexxa. Only Euflexxa is not derived from a chicken source.

The number of injections required varies from 3-5 depending on the preparation used. Hyalgan and Supartz generally are given as weekly injections for 5 weeks while Synvisc, Orthovisc, and Euflexxa are given as weekly injections for 3 weeks.

Thes injections should be administered using either fluoroscopic or ultrasound needle guidance to ensure accuracy.

Side-effects are minimal when administered by trained specialists.

HA injections are worth a try even with grade 4 knees if patients wish to delay surgery.

For decades, thousands of people looking for “the fountain of youth” flocked to the spa-like clinic of Dr. Ana Aslan in Bucharest, Romania. They came to the spa not only to rest and relax but to get their supply of Gerovital H3 (GH3), a drug popularized by Aslan in the 1950s.

Although Aslan left this world in 1988, her legacy remains. Gerovital is still the main attraction of several spas in Romania and the promises are plenty. Regular shots of the drug will supposedly reverse aging and prevent a wide range of diseases. For elderly tourists in search of a cure-all, Gerovital guarantees smooth skin, improved memory, increased vitality, freedom from depression and heart disease, and a pain-free life.

These claims have been swallowed by the rich and famous. Among Aslan’s many clients were John F. Kennedy, Marlene Dietrich, Kirk Douglas, and Salvador Dali. Sylvester Stallone also reportedly takes GH3 shots to remain sexy. Some doctors prescribe Gerovital for impotence. Others use it to make hair grow and treat mental disorders.

But it’s unlikely that Gerovital will deliver what it promises. The reason is simple: Gerovital’s active ingredient is procaine or novocaine, a numbing agent similar to cocaine. Procaine is an excellent anesthetic widely used by dentists but it has no anti-aging effect.

The reason some people swear by Gerovital is because oral procaine dilates the superficial blood vessels of the face and scalp, causing a “flush”. This strange feeling creates the impression that the drug works. That plus the program of exercise and much personal attention one gets from Gerovital spas can easily make one feel better. However, studies show that Gerovital is nothing more than an anesthetic.

“GH3 is a two percent procaine hydrochloride solution to which minute amounts of the following have been added as ‘stabilizers’ or ‘buffers’: Benzoic acid, potassium metabisulfite and disodium phosphate. The procaine (which is the same novocaine anesthetic that you get when you go to the dentist) is supposed to be the active ingredient. Procaine, however, is rapidly hydrolized (decomposed) once it enters the bloodstream, even after buffering or stabilizing agents are added, and there is no evidence - or even any good reason to suspect - that these additives can sustain the activity of procaine long enough to produce the claimed benefits,” according to Dr. Sheldon Saul Hendler in “The Doctors’ Vitamin and Mineral Encyclopedia.”

To this day, Gerovital remains in the US food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) list of unapproved drugs. The agency automatically confiscates commercial shipments of oral and injectable forms of Gerovital and its sister products – KH3, Zell H3, GH3 Cream, etc. Still, many products continue to enter the United States from various areas under the guise of “free medical samples”.

“Over the past two decades the US FDA has taken several actions against companies marketing Gerovital but the drug always resurfaces. Despite lavish health claims, its main ingredient has been shown only to have mild antidepressant effects. In some brands tested by the FDA, even that ingredient was missing,” said the editors of Consumer Reports.

For this reason, it’s best to avoid the drug rather than take chances. While nothing can stop the aging process, there are many ways of staying young. One of them is Dermaxin, a safe and natural cream that nourishes and hydrates the skin to eliminate the signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles. Visit http://www.dermaxin.com for more information.

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com

About the Author:
Janet Martin is an avid health and fitness enthusiast and published author. Many of her insightful articles can be found at the premiere online news magazine http://www.thearticleinsiders.com.

By Robert Baird

What do doctors call this condition?

Neurologic bladder dysfunction, neuropathic bladder

What is this condition?

Neurogenic bladder refers to all types of bladder problems caused by disruption of normal nerve impulses to the bladder. The complications that follow neurogenic bladder include lack of bladder control, failure to completely empty, urinary infection, stone formation, and kidney failure. A neurogenic bladder can be spastic or flaccid.

What causes it?

At one time, experts thought neurogenic bladder was caused by spinal cord injury. Now it appears to be linked to such conditions as acute infectious diseases, dementia, heavy metal toxicity, certain types of cancer, and many additional disorders.

What are its symptoms?

Neurogenic bladder produces a wide range of effects, depending on the underlying cause and its effect on the structural integrity of the bladder. Usually, the person with this disorder has some degree of mcontmence.

If the person has a spinal cord lesion, a spastic neurogenic bladder may produce involuntary or frequent scanty urination without a feeling of bladder fullness and, possibly, spontaneous spasms of the arms and legs, hypertension, and headaches. Flaccid neurogenic bladder may be linked to overflow incontinence, diminished anal sphincter tone, and a greatly distended bladder that the doctor can feel. The person may feel no bladder fullness because the senses are impaired.

How is it treated?

The doctor will work to maintain the integrity of the upper urinary tract, control infection, and prevent urinary incontinence through evacuation of the bladder, drug therapy, surgery or, less commonly, neural blocks and electrical stimulation.

The person may be taught to empty his or her bladder by applying manual pressure over the lower abdomen. He or she may be taught how to insert and remove a catheter. Generally, a man can perform this procedure more easily, but a woman can learn self-catheterization with the help of a mirror. Intermittent self-catheterization, in conjunction with a bladder-retraining program, is especially useful for people with flaccid neurogenic bladder.

If conservative treatment fails, the doctor may use surgery to correct structural problems by modifYing the bladder neck, widening the urethra, removing part of the sphincter muscle, or building a new route for urine. Implantation of an artificial urinary sphincter may be necessary if permanent incontinence follows surgery for neurogenic bladder.

About the Author

Discover how you can cure various diseases and ailments with various remedies available. If you wish to publish above article, you may do so, provided you are willing to provide a back link (Direct, Live Link) to authors website at : http://www.health-diseases.org/blog/

by: Ann Stewart

Pernicious anemia is a condition caused by insufficient red blood cells due to a lack of vitamin B12 in the body. In the anemic person, the blood cannot carry enough oxygen to the cells of the body. The blood cells are larger than, and do not split like healthy ones.

The name "pernicious anemia" was coined in 1872 by the German physician Anton Biermer because it was often fatal as there were yet no treatments available. The disease, even today, can be severe if it is not treated in time. It is especially common in older adults.

Vitamin B12 deficiency can be caused by a number of factors. A diet low in this vitamin, like a strict vegetarian diet that excludes meat, fish, dairy products and eggs is the main culprit. However, most of the average North American diets of today are sadly lacking in B12. Breastfed infants of strict vegetarian mothers can develop anemia in a short time because they dont have enough vitamin B12 stored in their bodies.

Chronic alcoholics and the aged are prime targets for this disease as they tend not to eat nutritious meals and have digestive troubles. The main causes are insufficient stomach acid, or Intrinsic Factor, to digest food in the intestine, parasite infections, an overabundance of intestinal bacteria, and medicine. B12 is very hard to digest and is dependent on sufficient Intrinsic Factor to be absorbed from the intestines into the blood stream. Celiac disease, a genetic disorder of intolerance to gluten, and Crohns disease, an inflammatory bowel disease, can also precipitate anemia.

The main risk factors for developing pernicious anemia include a family history of pernicious anemia, diabetes, a malfunctioning thyroid, and intestinal disorders.

The most common symptom of anemia is feeling tired and weak. As anemic blood is not carrying enough oxygen, it causes the heart to work harder to get enough oxygen to the bodys organs and tissues. There is a plethora of other symptoms. These include a smooth bright red tongue, pale or yellowish skin, low-grade fever, mental changes, nervous disorders, dizziness, shortness-of-breath, heart palpitations, tingling and numbness in hands and feet, giddiness, and digestive disorders.

As mild to moderate anemia may have no signs or symptoms, it may initially be hard to discover.

Anemia is usually diagnosed by a general practitioner by means of checks on your family and medical history, physical examinations, and diagnostic tests and procedures including a complete blood count (CBC).Depending on the symptoms and/or conditions, neurologists, cardiologists, hematologists and gastroenterologists may diagnose your condition.

Typical treatment for pernicious anemia is lifelong vitamin B12 injections. A lack of folic acid, however, can also cause anemia. Due to the lack of vitamin B12 and folic acid, the arteries of an anemic person are clogged with homocysteine as well. Without treatment, therefore, pernicious anemia can cause serious problems and can be fatal.

People with pernicious anemia also have an increased risk for developing stomach cancer and should be closely monitored by their health professionals.

The good news, and yes there is good news, is that you can not only prevent this condition, but also treat it naturally and without painful, expensive injections! A tiny sublingual tablet combining B12, B6 and Folic acid is now available to cleanse arteries as well as boost both mood and energy speedily as it dissolves directly into the blood stream! These three vital vitamins each work best when combined with the others.

Enjoy your health. Its your most precious commodity. Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!

Disclaimer:

All material provided is for informational and educational purposes only, and is not to be construed as medical advice or instruction.

It is of utmost importance that you do your own due diligence. Consult with your physician or a qualified health professional on any matters regarding your health and well-being or regarding any findings expressed herein.

If you are taking any prescription medication, consult with your physician about possible side effects before taking any supplement.

Ann Stewart, author, inspirational writer and wellness coach, shares tips on how to fight off disease and feel your best in her weekly newsletter: http://youthmakeover.com

source:searchwarp.com

We have all heard to cut alcohol out of your diet when you are attempting to lose weight. Alcohol is empty calories if you look at from the calorie perspective. There are good qualities to alcohol assuming that the consumption is moderate and not associated with any addiction. Different alcohols or spirits can be a part of a good weight loss or healthy diet. The best may be the Bacardi and Diet Coke.

First we have to look at alcohol being consumed in moderation. The liver can remove 2 glasses of beer or wine, and one mixed drink per day. Sorry, you are unable to save them up to have 10 on the weekend. On the LIVE Nutrition Plan one light beer, glass of wine, or distilled spirit is one fat exchange. The average person will have 3-4 fat exchanges throughout the day. Remember what we said about your liver, using all of your fat for alcohol would not be a good idea for the health of your liver.

Alcohol has many stress relieving properties. Alcohol is a depressant which means that it will support your ability to relax. Drinking alcohol in moderation, less than two a day, has been demonstrated to lower stress so that you live longer than people who drink no alcohol. Just remember two or less.

Light Beer on a Diet

Light beer seems to be the obvious choice when on a diet. The average lite beer is less than 100 calories with some of the new ultra beers having even less. If you can keep your consumption of these beers to two or under a day this is a good choice. The problem with lite beer is the quantity that most people can drink. Many people can consume multiple light beers with ease. Though each beer has few calories they start to add up having if you have 4-6 on a night.

Microbrews on a Diet

Wow, I get to drink dark beer on a diet? Aren't dark beers more calories? The answer is yes dark beers are more calories; the good thing is it is easier to drink just one. The average person who could drinks 5 light beers will probably only be able to drink one dark beer, and the total calories. You total calories from one dark beer will be less than the 5 light beer calorie total.

Diet Wine

Wine in moderation has been known to lower the risk of heart disease. It doesn't seem to be wine specifically, but the stress relieving properties of alcohol, as long as they are consumed in moderation. Wine works the same as light beer, less than 100 calories per glass and one fat exchange on the LIVE diet plan.

Bacardi and Diet Coke

One Bacardi and Diet Coke has 66 calories. Two of these mixed drinks are only a few more calories than one beer. Two Bacardi and diet Cokes are a lot less caloric than many beers on the market. This isn't Bacardi specific, most distilled spirits and diet soda are going to be around the same number of calories. Remember that even though they have less calories, your liver doesn't care when it comes to the amount of alcohol. Moderation of 2 or less is still best. Bacardi and Diet Coke is simply the most popular, which I found out while in Puerto Rico touring the Bacardi Distillery.