Saturday, January 31, 2009

The Cost of Winning

By Jennifer Dumas

It is a growing trend to start our children in organized sports at a very young age. Mom, dad, I am sure you proudly recall watching your first born playing soccer at the age of 5. The rules are simple. Everyone plays and nobody loses. Funny how the game always seems to end in a tie. Your little guy chases the ball mixed into a cluster with the other children. It's wild kicking in that cloud of kids. Thank goodness for shin guards! Amazingly, by the end of the season, they have learned some basic positions and are no longer on top of eachother. It is in that moment that you realized that your little one has some real athletic talent.

His atletic career continues to grow. He dabbles in soccer, basketball, baseball and football until he finds the one sport he really excels in. It is then that you see his passion for the game and his true desire to win. You pay for the private instuction and make the commitment to practice and play 5 days a week or more. That hard work pay off as he and his teammates win league games, tournments and move on to thier sports version of the "World Series".

As a family, you commit to raise the money to make your child's "World Series" deam a reality. You sell hotdogs, wash cars, and seek sponsors. Your friends , family and community rally around you, contributing to the cause. You have raised the funds...the team will have their opportunity to play.

You are surprised by the athletic talent of the opposing teams as you arrive at your child's tournment. It is then that you find out that this tournment allows teams to pick up "stud" players. To stay competitive with the other teams your coach feels he must do the same. The result... Your child and many of his teammates sit on the bench.

Who makes these rules and what does it do to your child's self esteem? What message does it send to your child? "You were good enough to play on our team all season, but you are not good enough to play these kids." I say come as a team, play as a team, leave as a team!

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Friday, January 30, 2009

Two Practical Ways to Lose Fat around your Stomach

By Barry Miller

Are you having so much problem with your big belly for a long time? Have you been dying to lose fat around your stomach? Do you want to have flat abs? Do you desire to be slim without going to a liposuction or taking lose weight pills? Do you want to obtain them all without losing large money and because some of these lose fat around stomach programs have its ill effects? Give time to read this and learn effective methods in achieving the body to have dreamed of.

I certainly believe that this write-up could really help you out to achieve that most awaited dream of getting in shape and losing weight. You surely would want to get rid of those excess and unnecessary fats not just around your stomach but also within your body. In real world, many individuals from all walks of life have been having trouble with their large bellies and they could not find ways to eliminate these unwanted fats.

Because of this great matter affecting many people, I have gathered available information and facts in the achievement of having flat stomach and most of all, a healthy body. Thus, I have decided to provide these two tips to those people who might also want to lose fat around stomach as these have also been effective to me.

Exercising. First, exercise properly and regularly. Many of cardiovascular exercises such as jogging, swimming, cycling and aerobics can really be of great help. Also, you may do abdominal exercises like floor exercises as these have been very efficient methods to lose fat around stomach. Yet, remember to take it slow. You can never have a well-proportioned body over night for it certainly takes time. If you have been doing these routines for a long time, do not push yourself too much. Your body will more likely to have progress if you take it slowly.

Avoid fatty and unhealthy meals. Crash or drastic diet is never a solution. If you wish to lose fat around stomach, not eating your meals on time and in a balanced proportion are unadvisable. Sometimes, we avoid meals because we are so busy with our dealings and other tasks , be it professional or personal. I reiterate it; health must be our utmost priority. So, we should always observe and practice healthy eating. As well, eat more fruits and veggies, and prefer drinking water instead of soda or other beverages.

These are just the two of the many healthy ways to lose fat around stomach. Follow them and you will have great chances of achieving a healthy and well-proportioned body. Exercise and eat right for a healthier and happier lifestyle.

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Thursday, January 29, 2009

Mineral Makeup Ingredients: Good Stuff Inside

By Marilyn Etzel

All mineral makeup is not identical. Before choosing cosmetics, decide what you desire in your mineral cosmetics. Mineral makeup is designed to be sheer, lightweight, and natural looking at any age. Beyond that, the ingredients are nourishing to your skin.

Unfortunately, many cosmetics that say they are all natural are not. They contain a few ingredients that are natural but not enough of them are present to overcome the other not so good chemicals in the makeup. Even with mineral makeup, it is best to know what you are getting before taking their word for being a completely natural product.

The good stuff in mineral makeup not only keeps you looking natural but adds to the health of the skin. As such, your makeup won't harm your face. Here is a list of some of that good stuff.

1. Mica - You'll see this ingredient in most mineral preparations. Mica has many forms, the most common of which is serecite mica. This mineral helps the other components to adhere to your face where they are supposed to stay and stay nicely. Mica also uses the reflection of the light to hide wrinkles, large pores, and lines.

2. Titanium Dioxide - Do you have skin imperfections that you want to hide? You'll be glad that your mineral cosmetics contain titanium dioxide. This mineral provides a natural matte finish to your skin and also brighteners to simulate the natural glow of healthy skin. As with mica, titanium dioxide reflects light to conceal large pores and fine lines. You will gain sun protection with this mineral that is also found in commercial sunscreen products. For extra coverage, apply sunscreen to your skin before your makeup.

3. Zinc Oxide - You don't have to streak it down your nose or across your cheeks like beach folk. Zinc is a healthy mineral that helps to heal the body. Along with titanium dioxide, it provides a measure of sun protection even when wet.

4. Iron Oxides - Who needs dyes when you can get your color naturally? Iron oxide pigments add color to mineral makeup. It can be subtle color changes used in foundations to match skin tones or a more varied color palette as with eye shadows.

5. Silica - Oily skin is a problem for many people. Silica adds a silky finish to the skin as well as sopping up excess skin oil that can make your face shine. The powdered silica reduces the appearance of pores and those fine lines we wish were finer and less visible.

6. Boron nitride - has properties similar to other minerals in the makeup. Boron nitride absorbs oil from your skin, adds a smooth silky feel to the skin, and also a natural glow and not a shiny one.

Some mineral cosmetics can be far from natural. For sensitive or dry skin, wholesome ingredients are important to avoid skin problems. Some manufacturers add kaolin clay or rice powder. They absorb oil and shine but can irritate sensitive skin.

You know your skin better than anyone. Do what is right for you and your skin health.

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Wednesday, January 28, 2009

How to Do Home Treatment for Acne

By David Lam

The acne products which sold in stores are full of chemicals that you may not want to apply to your skin. Many people prefer more natural products and often look for home treatments for acne.In many cases, home treatment for acne has proven to be as effective as the products that you purchase in the store.

Home treatment for acne begins with proper skin care. Make sure you wash your face with a pure soap like Ivory at least twice each day. If you stay in an area where high air pollution has, you may need to clean your face more often. You should also wash your face after activities that cause you to sweat. Clean your face with warm water and do a final rinse with a splash of cold water to close the pores.

It is also important that you drink plenty of water everyday to keep your skin and your body hydrated. The proper amount of water intake will helps to encourage healthy skin and will keep your skin looking younger for a longer period of time by helping it to retain its elasticity. You also need to eat lots of fresh vegetables and fruits.

While no food has been scientifically proven that cause acne, any food which you have an allergy to will cause an acne breakout. You can have food allergies without realizing it as the only sign of the allergy may be the acne breakout. You should pay close attention to the foods that you eat and keep records of what you have eaten when your skin breaks out. You might also need to visit an allergist to find out what you are allergic to. Most people are allergic to at least one food even if they don't realize it.

Home treatment for acne also includes regular exercise. Most people don't realize the overall effect that exercise has on our bodies and minds. Exercise relieves stress as stress can cause acne breakouts.

Exercise can build our immune systems and makes us less susceptible to infections because acne is a skin infection. Exercise causes us to sweat that rids our bodies of toxins which can cause acne as well. It will be a good habit that exercises at least three times every week for at least thirty minutes.

Home treatment for acne continues with natural products to avoid or clear up acne. For instance Evening Primrose oil can be used both externally and internally to clear up acne. For internal treatment purpose, take between 3000 and 6000 milligrams per day. For external treatment purpose, apply the oil directly to the acne. Leave it on overnight and then wash it away in the morning.

An herbal tea which made from the petals of the Evening Primrose plant will help to avoid acne if you drink it regularly. Squeeze the petals or the leaves from the plant and mix one teaspoon of the herb for every one cup of boiling water. Avoid using a metal pot or cup because the metal can destroy the medicinal properties of the herb.

When buying herbs or herbal oils for home acne treatment, make sure that you get the products which have been organically grown. Don't use herbs or oils from plants that were chemically treated with pesticides or other unsafe chemicals as this actually defeats the purpose of home treatment for acne.

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Tuesday, January 27, 2009

This History of Medical Marijuana

By Dr. Julian Reindhurst

The opinion on the value of medical marijuana has been intensely contested. Some dismiss medical marijuana as a hoax that exploits our natural compassion for the sick and others claim it is a uniquely soothing medicine that has been withheld from patients through regulations based on false claims.

Proponents of both views cite "scientific evidence" to support their views and have expressed those views at the ballot box in recent state elections.

In January 1997, the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy petitioned the Institute of Medicine to conduct a review of the scientific evidence to assess the potential health benefits and risks of marijuana and its constituent cannabinoids.

That review began in August 1997 and culminates with this article.

The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) request came in the wake of state "medical marijuana" initiatives. voters in California and Arizona passed referenda designed to permit the use of marijuana as medicineIn November 1996.

Although Arizona's referendum was invalidated five months later, the referenda generated a national response.

Voters in Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington passed ballot initiatives in support of medical marijuana in November of 1998.

The Colorado vote did not count, however, because after the vote was taken a court ruling determined there had not been enough valid signatures to place the initiative on the ballot.

As of June 1, 2006, Colorado joined the growing list of states with active medical marijuana programs.

This occurred in the wake of last November's voter approval of Amendment 20, the medical marijuana initiative sponsored by Coloradans for Medical Rights and its parent group, California-based Americans for Medical Rights, and after the Colorado legislature passed necessary implementing legislation this spring.

The state registry for medical marijuana patients had sent off 150 applications to patients and received 13 completed application forms since June 7th.

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Monday, January 26, 2009

Detox Cleansing Diet - How to Lose Weight & Gain Energy!

By Dr. Janice Philner

The Master cleansing diet is the most well known of the detox cleaning diets and works wonders. This is the one that Hollywood tried to keep secrets, and even celebrities like Beyonce have used it to lose weight and become healthier. It is time you learned about all the benefits of a detox cleansing diet.

The benefits we are about to discuss are very important to your healthy well being. With these benefits and this type of cleanse you can transform your entire physical being. Here are the benefits of a detox cleansing diet.

The first benefit of this diet will be more energy and stamina. This is almost instant and you will notice this change within a few days to a week. This is because when you cleanse your body you have more energy that is dedicated to the areas that you need it the most and you can heal faster as well.

This will also provide for you more time. With more energy you will no longer take 2 hours to finish something that should take you a half hour. Plus your body will require less sleep. Could you use a couple extra hours a day?

You will also experience a renewal in your health. This is like the way we deal with the common cold. When we get sick it is all fluids and no solids. This allows our body to use our digestive energy to help fight off the cold. It is similar with a detox, but you will be healing areas that you didn't even know needed to be healed.

Your health will be better off for the renewal it will receive. Now you know that when you perform this type of cleanse you will be able to heal in areas you need to heal. You can recover from being sore or from chronic soreness much faster and much easier.

You will also be increasing your self discipline, your motivation, and your focus. A master cleanse will provide you will a test of your discipline and will force you to focus on your goal of completing it. It is not easy, but the benefits are worth it.

The last thing you will experience is the most important, Weight Loss!. This one will get most people to at least give a detox cleansing diet a try. This is because you will be able to lose as much as 20 pounds and most will lose between 5 and 7 pounds. This is done by flushing out the things your body does not need and allowing your body to feed off the fat on it for about 10 days.

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Sunday, January 25, 2009

Massage Chair Recliners Remove Stress with Reflexology Massage

By Steve Esquire

The pressures of life seem to be constant, yet the relief of such pressures is so erratic. There are simple and effective means to reduce stress and anxiety. For example, getting a foot reflexology massage can effectively help you relax. Besides just feeling great, a reflexology foot massage can relieve headaches, pain in your back and anxiety. The best massage chairs perform foot reflexology massages right in the comfort of home. Get relief from stress while feeling good with a massage chair recliner.

Reflexology has been around since ancient times in China, India, and Egypt, but was a lost art for many centuries. It was rediscovered by Dr. William Fitzgerald back in 1913. Dr. Fitzgerald noticed that applying certain pressure to areas of the hand and the foot was linked to other organs in the body. As he focused more on these areas, he noticed that certain zones of the feet and hands were linked to specific organs. As he applied pressure in these areas, he found that a complimentary healing process began for whole body healing.

At the turn of the 20th century foot reflexology was more thoroughly studied. This resulted in studying the correlations between pressure points and inducing relief in particular parts of the body. It is interesting that we put pressure on our feet all day and they end up being the gateway to relaxing the rest of the body. Foot reflexology has been found to be most effective when performed with frequency to release built up pressures.

Why is reflexology massage effective? Interestingly, the body reacts to stress or anxiety based on a flight or fight reaction. The stress reaction mobilizes the body through the nervous system. The feet are ready to run and the hands are ready to fight. The feet and hands need the support of the major organs and muscles to protect the body, so these too are mobilized. Reflexology helps to calm the feet and the major organs and muscles thus reducing the tension of stress and anxiety.

The Panasonic Real Pro Ultra and the Omega Montage Premier massage chair both offer reflexology foot massage. These reflexology massages use air compression massage. The air system will gently squeeze, hold and then release your feet. This gentle action helps to relieve tension in the feet. Additionally, reflexology nodes are built into the foot wells to induce full body relaxation. These massage chair recliners are effective in helping you to relax.

An interesting finding about Foot Reflexology massage is that it must be applied on a frequent basis. This makes a lot of sense, since stress is applied to us on a frequent basis as well. The stress if left unchecked builds up in the body. Muscles become tenser and less flexible. This tension needs to be relieved. The release of this tension must be relieved in parallel to its build up. Foot reflexology applied more frequently is found to be most effective.

If you have stress and built up anxiety, get a massage chair recliner to counteract the stress build up. The best massage chairs have full body massage capability along with foot reflexology massage. These chairs can provide the perfect way to reduce these tensions on a frequent basis. Besides just making your feet feel good after a hard day, a foot reflexology massage induces stress relief and total relaxation. Reduce your stress with the touch of a button on a massage chair.

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Saturday, January 24, 2009

Holistic Acne Treatments and Medicines

By Richard May

Acne is commonly known as an external condition and it is easy to understand why. But essentially it is an internal condition which can be caused by a few things. The external causes of acne need to be brought under control before it is possible for any kind of treatment, especially holistic acne treatment to become effective. If these are not brought under control, then combined with the problems that the internal factors cause, it is hard to overcome and cure your acne.

No doubt you have seen a range of over the counter skin cleansers available which help with the exfoliation of the skin. But sometimes these products, especially those which contain benzoyl peroxide, can cause allergic reactions and a dryness of the skin.

Therefore you can instead try soaps which are 100% natural and anti-bacterial, those containing tea tree oil are especially effective. Try to wash twice a day using these kind of soaps and look out for ones which are also antiseptic. Using these natural soaps can help overcome some of the common acne symptoms such as redness, soreness and swelling.

Try to get into the routine of steaming before washing your face. Doing this can have a very good effect on the skin over a period of time. Wet the soap using lukewarm water and then apply the soap to your face gently using your fingertips. Try to do this in a circular motion and be careful not to rub any of the soap into your eyes. Then wash your face gently and pat the skin down using a soft cotton towel to dry yourself. Remember not to wash your face too much which can increase the chances of causing irritation.

It has been shown that the regular intake of pure water everyday can help with the overall health and condition of your skin. It is recommended that you try and drink ten glasses of water a day. This is one of the ways you can have an affect on the internal factors of your acne, it can help in keeping the oil secretion balanced within your body.

As far as external skin factors are concerned, these tend to be more widely available in the form of creams and gels. In particular you should try to find aloe vera creams which are known to have a good effect on acne and are available widely. If you can, try to use a cream together with regularly steaming and washing your face for the best results.

Acne sufferers often suffer from an excess of oil on the skin combined with large pores. This is often caused by a hormonal imbalance which consequently means that the sebaceous glands produce too much oil. If this is the case with you, you can start to treat this problem by firstly not using water and alcohol astrigent. Instead of this, try to find a neutrogena soap. In particular neutrogena clear pore oil controlling astrigent which can have a very good affect on your acne condition. Apart from this you could also use a natural mask composed of egg whites or bentonitre.

However if you have sensitive skin you need to try and test out any new products or treatments on a smaller area of skin such as your chin before using it fully. Alternatively there are many holistic medicine and acne treatments around now which are very effective.

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Friday, January 23, 2009

Ankle Sprain Recovery - How Well Do You Treat Yourself

By Ferdinand Dubem

The time period for an ankle sprain recovery greatly varies from case to case. What happens in the first 3hrs after the injury happens, greatly affects the course of treatment; adherence to the orders of a physician in the aftermath determines the ankle sprain convalescence time.

True, this recovery period is also determined in great part by the overall health and age of the patient, however if the person fails to totally follow all of the rules and regulations enunciated by a schooled medical professional, there is a great chance that a complete recuperation may take months instead of weeks.

Furthermore, the ankle sprain recovery may be severely hindered by a potential for reinjuring the very one ligament that became excessively stretched or torn. This is the case when the sprain is not adequately iced, supported, and enhanced. In some cases there is also the prospect that too much weight is being put on the leg too soon after the injury happened. The use of pain killers is regrettably largely to blame for this happening. The pain associated with an ankle sprain recovery alerts the patient if she or he opts to overly strain the limb.

With the utilization of pain killers, this pain is masked and the patient may be unaware that the strain on the affected limb is too great for comfort. Without the bodily warning to take it easy and allow for a complete ankle sprain recovery, there is the potency for adding a secondary wound to the first one. Yet even in cases where the patient works hard on avoiding the strain on the ankle, there is still the risk of undergoing another injury.

This happens when the ankle sprain recovery period tempts the patient to change the way she or he applies the limb. This might indicate an uneven distribution of weight, just to avoid crutches or a wheelchair. The ligaments most at risk during this time are those tied in with the knee joint. If the ankle sprain recovery period does indeed translate into a secondary wound to the knee of the same limb, there is a great chance that this will lead to a reinjuring of the ankle joint as soon as the knee joint is in treatment. Docs may seriously consider total immobilization of the leg or even surgery to provide a thorough healing of both ligaments at the same time.

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Thursday, January 22, 2009

Beautiful Me...beautiful You...in No Time At All

By Ferda Shinsky

Imagine a healthier you, fast, and without investing very much time in your day. It's possible with just a few small changes to your life. All you have to do is truly decide to reshape your body, and this article will give you some information as to how to do it. The first step is to start gaining good habits.

So many people just sit and eat without thinking about it at all when they are lonely or bored. When you eat for entertainment, you eat things you body doesn't need, and sometimes in dangerous amounts . Eating when you are bored or lonely also trains your body to think it is hungry when you're really just bored. If you sit around and eat, all you do is store fat from the foods that you eat, a big cause of obesity. These signs and others, such as Diabetes, heart conditions, cholesterol problems, and breathing problems are distress signals from your body that indicate that it is high time you made a change in your life.

Your brain is the biggest ally and your biggest enemy in gaining a healthier you. Your current poor health is an obstacle that you need to over come on your path to becoming a newer, healthier person. You have to cover your current habits with newer, healthier thinking. Self-esteem is important, because self-esteem will eventually drive you toward your goal. Don't wait for someone to pat you on the back when you do a good job; do it yourself. Learn to reward yourself for good behavior with small rewards that keep you on your path.

The first change you need to make to find a healthier you is to reduce your consumption of high calorie food, and replace them low-calorie, nutrient dense foods. If you were going to have a cheeseburger and fries, you can skip the fries and have a garden salad with low-calorie dressing instead. If you like chicken nuggets with creamy pasta, try having chicken breast with vegetables and a high-fiber bread, or replace that creamy pasta with a low-fat marinara sauce. Instead of take out pizza, try some oven baked fish with rice and a small salad instead.

Somehow, you have to train yourself to exercise when you are bored, instead of eating. Give sports a shot. You need to go outside and get some fresh air; plan some physical activity with your best buds instead of sitting in front of the television or computer. If you're stuck inside, get a stationary bike and pedal like crazy while you watch your favorite shows. You can even try to explore your local mall, or if nothing else pace around the house; any kind of moving around is way better than sitting.

Write down everything you eat so you are sure of what's going in. Lots of people gain weight by noshing in front of the television with a big bucket of chicken. Portion your food and write it down. Because it's a lot easier to keep track of how many calories you are taking in if your food is portioned. It's time to get out of denial about how much food you really eat. Lots of overweight people claim they don't really eat much food, but sometimes they eat a lot without knowing it.

To keep yourself in track, make a log of your physical activities so you can be aware of your exercise progress. There are books that help you log your activity, and also many websites that help you log your activities and count the calories you burn.

Never fear failure; expect it. You will probably fail multiple times before you reach your goal; that's just the way it is. Those failures are the loss of small battles in an overall war for your longevity and health. You must stay the course on your path to health in order to win the war. We all have bad days. If your boyfriend yells at you, and you get angry and plop down in front of the TV and eat too much chocolate or slurp down a whole gallon of ice cream, it is absolutely not a reason to beat yourself up about it and quit. Slipping up is just a signal that you aren't there yet. Throw out the rest of the gallon of chocolate chip cookie dough and pick yourself up and right get back on track, instead of making excuses and falling back into the pattern that got you sick in the first place.

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Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Healthy methods of achieving Rapid Weight Loss

By Andrea M.

One growing problem in the U.S. is obesity. Statistics have been released showing that almost 2/3 of all Americans are significantly overweight and nearly half are obese. More attention is being focused on this problem and associated health problems, leading more and more people to seek different methods of achieving rapid weight loss. However, there are several unhealthy ways to achieve fast weight loss. A few methods of rapid weight loss are medically approved.

Paying a visit to one's family doctor is the first step along the path to rapid weight loss. We has knowledge of products and procedures that can help those who are significantly overweight achieve rapid weight loss without complicating other medical conditions. Choosing a diet plan and a doctor approved exercise plan will be part of this visit to the doctor.

The doctor may suggest certain procedures including gastric bypass surgery, liposuction, or a Lap Band for consideration along with other surgeries to relieve morbid obesity. These procedures will generally produce fast weight loss, but each one carries its own risks as well as benefits. Discussing the options with the doctor and deciding if the benefits outweigh the risks is important to the decision making process.

Appetite suppressant medications may be purchased at most pharmacies and the drug section of grocery stores. Care should be exercised in choosing and using these medications as the risks of side effects are significant. As a general rule, appetite suppressants are not suggested as a means to achieve fast weight loss.

One common misconception people have about dieting to achieve rapid weight loss is that they must starve themselves. This could not be further from the truth. Starvation diets can actually compound the problem of obesity and do more harm than good. If the body is deprived of food, it starts to produce hormones designed to take every available calorie and convert it to fat for storage until needed. The body will often break down muscle and other tissues for the protein needed to sustain major life systems while storing fat against possible long term need.

Dieting to bring about rapid weight loss often includes making fundamental changes to one's eating habits. Rather than eat 3 large meals each day, eat 4 to 5 smaller meals. Controlling the size of portions is critical to rapid weight loss. It is important to eat enough food to sustain the body without eating extra. Changing what is eaten is more critical than how much. Fresh fruits and vegetables in place of high fat, high calorie foods will help along with reducing the amount of red meat consumed and limiting starches. Done properly, the body will still feel full after eating less calories than before.

Exercise is a critical part of any rapid weight loss program. A doctor can outline a regimen of exercises that will burn more calories than one consumes without putting too much stress on body parts that are already stressed to the limit. As the weight is lost, new exercises can be added to lead to even faster weight loss.

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Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Osteoarthritis Vs Rheumatoid - What's the Difference?

By Amy Clark

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and Osteoarthritis (OA) are the two most prevalent types of arthritis, and differentiating between the two is important.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

Rheumatoid arthritis is more common, afflicting numerous individuals all over the world. This disease is mainly an inflammatory condition affecting the joint tissue. Sooner or later, the inflammation may gradually permeate through the major organs and can become a debilitating condition.

In the past, scientific studies have tried to document the origin of this condition, but the specific cause has yet to be identified. At present, the cause is believed to be a genetic factor which predisposes a person to this condition. Specific situations are also deemed to set off its symptoms.

Rheumatoid arthritis may be treated with certain drugs, such as NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), and disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), both of which can be prescribed by a qualified physician. Examples of such medications are Enbrel, Methotrexate, Celebrax, Arava, among others. Though NSAIDs and DMARDs have been known to actually work, it is still necessary to remember that these meds will at times generate adverse side effects that can worsen rather than treat your condition.

Osteoarthritis (OA)

Osteoarthritis (OA) is more prevalent among older patients, since osteoarthritis is caused primarily by joint "wear and tear" brought about by age. In OA, the water component of the cartilage rises, as its protein component is lessened. Constant stress on the joints, including gaining weight or contracting joint injury, can also cause this condition. Similarly, such factors as infections to the joint, hormonal disorders, pregnancy, diabetes, among others, can bring about OA. Methods for treatment can vary from prescribed injections of glucocorticoid and hyaluronan to surgical joint replacement procedures.

Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis & Osteoarthritis

Getting to know the symptoms of OA and RA can help patients learn the distinction between these 2 forms of arthritis.

When two sides of the joint are affected, and if there is joint swelling or reddening (i.e. inflammation), it is most likely RA. In such cases, the person typically suffers from some fever, fatigue, as well as a stiffness in the entire body for at least 15min intervals or more. Certain types of vasculitis, or a condition which affects the veins and arteries, also have the potential to develop due to RA. Additionally, rheumatoid arthritis sufferers have a higher risk of getting a a stroke or a heart attack.

Also prevalent among rheumatoid arthritic sufferers are fibrosis of the lungs and renal amyloidosis. Inflammations of the lungs and the kidney are direct or indirect targets of RA.

Conversely, osteoarthritis does not commonly affect the major organs of your body. In the majority of cases, osteoarthritis only develops as a result of old age.

It is imperative for you to know the distinction between these two most common forms of arthritis. Knowing which type of arthritis you suffer from will you lead to to obtain the appropriate treatment for your condition. As always, discussing this with a doctor is important to get a more definite diagnosis and ensuing treatment. A qualified medical doctor has the ability to prescribe the appropriate remedy and thus help in your recovery. If you feel some adverse effects from the use of prescription medications, you must contact your doctor immediately.

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Monday, January 19, 2009

Is There A Safe Method to Quick Weight Loss?

By Gabriel

People build up excess fats in their bodies, which are not discarded generally through dieting and exercising. In the 1980s, dermatologists formulated a new method of liposuction known as tumescent liposuction as a way for removing excess fat.

Tumescent liposuction is believed to be a reliable and effective surgical procedure. This technique is gaining recognition and acceptance. This is because this method has minimal side effects when compared to the conventional liposuction.

Cannulas need to be inserted in the areas where excess fat is accumulated. Tiny openings are formed on the affected skin area. Then the cannulas are inserted into the skin through these tiny openings.

A general anesthesia, lidocaine, and epinephrine are introduced in the body parts. The fluids push the areas where the excess fat is accumulated and discards it from the body with little bleeding. After the surgery, the treated area remains numb for around thirty-six hours with no additional painkillers or lidocaine.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Tumescent Liposuction:

The advantages are as follows:

1. It uses a diluted solvent of general anesthesia and several other medicaments for filling the areas containing excess fat before. Thus, the tissues become strong and puffy. 2. The time for healing is short. 3. It involves minimal fluid and blood loss. 4. The anesthesia administered does not cause any sickness or other side effects. 5. Lidocaine is an antibacterial medication that minimizes the probabilities of illness. 6. Endovenous fluid substitution is not essential. 7. The puffiness eliminates the probability of a secondary treatment. 8. The small sized incisions have minimal bruises. 9. This process eliminates the need for the patient to stay at the hospital. 10. Since the individual stays conscious during the surgery, the cosmetologists have an advantage because they can tell the patients to shift sides for good sculpting. 11. There is little uneasiness, bleeding, or scars. 12. This treatment is perhaps the best way to discard fat. 13. Local anesthesia not only minimizes the pain but also the inflammation and skin abnormalities.

Though it is well known and popular, it has certain disadvantages. It might lead to minor problems like dimpling, numbness, unevenness, infections, skin irregularities, and bruises. All these are rare incidents that can be treated safely and easily. A patient can also have the risk of fluid accumulation and lidocaine toxicity. The latter surfaces if the solvent has high lidocaine content that interrupts the body in the metabolism process.

The professional cosmetic surgeons have various cosmetic, rehabilitative, non-surgical and surgical ways for mending the transformation of the skin. It is very important to consult a cosmetic surgeon before going in for this surgery. Only an experienced and professional surgeon has the authority for performing this surgery.

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Sunday, January 18, 2009

Keeping Track Of Your Heart Rate Is Very Important

By Colon Bolden

I personally can't understand why people dont keep track of their own heart rate. Do they know its very important and so I had to find out why not? I did a short survey for myself and walked up and ask 10 people off the street do they keep track of their heart rate? Atleast 8 out of 10 people responded with the answer no. I also asked them why not and some responses were "I really don't know"; "Just dont think about it"; "I do when I have a doctor's appointment". One guy told me, "I didn't know I had one", but he was joking and I told him, "I already know the answer to that question". The true fact is people just don't worry about their heart rate.

By you reading this write-up today now ask yourself, "Do I keep track of my heart rate"? If not you can start right now. Get yourself a monitor or you can do it yourself. Much has been made of reaching a particular heart rate especially during execises, a rate that avoids too much stress on the heart and yet provides the desired result. Even doctors dont play around when you visit their office. The first thing they do is check your heart rate before they see you.

Cardiologists which is known as Heart Specialists often suggest that a desirable exercise heart rate is 220 minus your age times 75%. It can definately be difficult to count your pulse but you can check it by counting the pulse in your wrist for 15 seconds and then multiplying by 4.

You may wish to count your resting pulse also, perhaps in bed in the morning before you get up. By checking this pulse and that's if you don't have a heart problem and aren't taking a medication is a resting heart rate of about 60 beats per minute. An individual who isn't fit will typically have a resting heart rate of 75 or so.

There are no good medical data to justify particular target heart rates. You may wish to check your pulse rate a few times just to get a feel for what is happening. You should really check your heart rate more offen just to make sure your numbers are basically close to being the same.

In conclusion, if you're exercising and hopefully it's not all out because if you can't talk to a companion while you're exercising, you're working your heart rate too hard.

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Saturday, January 17, 2009

Continuing Care: Is It Right For You?

By Amy Nutt

Not everyone is cut out to pursue a career in continuing care. It requires a special temperament and personality to withstand the unique challenges and pressures that the caregiver will be subjected to. So how do you know if you have the right personality for the job, preferably before you start down this career path? This is an area where personality and ability are both extremely important.

Many medical professionals avoid this area because it requires a dedication that just doesn`t suit everyone. Looking after someone for a long period of time just isn`t the right way to go for everyone, so you`ll want to be sure that it`s the right path for you. There are a few characteristics that are common throughout the continuing care community. If you have these, then chances are, this is the right line of work for you.

Compassion: Without this, you`ll fail. It takes a compassionate heart to spend long hours caring for someone who is unable to look after themselves. If you have always enjoyed helping people and feeling useful, then this is a good indication that you`ll enjoy enrolling in a continuing care program.

Strength: Not just physical, though this is quite useful, as well, when you are lifting a full grown adult into the tub. However, mental strength is also necessary. You need to be able to deal with situations that may not be very comfortable, for you or the patient. It can be embarrassing for a teen boy to be helped onto the toilet, for example, and you`ll need to deal with thi

Patience: If you are an impatient person, chances are long term care isn`t a good place to work. This is a career that requires long hours of doing very little, simply being present in case your patient needs help. It can involve repetitive tasks, like checking heart rate and blood pressure, reading the same book over and over and hours doing tasks that would normally take a few minutes, like feeding a patient or helping someone get from one room to another. Patience is essential.

Friendliness: Continuing care involves long periods of time spent with the same patient. Unlike regular hospital care where you only see a patient for a few hours or days and never really get to know them, this career will leave you with more than enough time to get to know the people you work with. A callous attitude won`t work well, though many patients, particularly those in hospice care, will be resistant to you. A friendly attitude can go a long ways.

It can be mentally and physically exhausting working with people in long term care. You`ll be working with the elderly, the terminally ill and those who have been incapacitated in some way. It can take a toll on your personal life if you aren`t careful, so you also need to know when to take a break. You won`t be able to continue indefinitely and it`s important to be able to separate work from personal life.

Continuing care is not the ideal career for everyone. However, if you are compassionate, friendly and strong mentally and physically, with the ability to separate the life you lead on your off hours from your work, then it could be a good fit for you. The world needs people who are willing to participate in long term care, so this is an area that will always be open to more workers. It`s a good field to go into if you find that you have the right personality.

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Friday, January 16, 2009

Settlements are being made to Zimmer Durom Cup Patients

By Maxwell Schmickman

During 2006 and 2007, 12,000 Americans had hip replacement surgery and had a Zimmer Durom Cup implanted in one or both hips. Since that time, almost 6% of these devices have failed. Patients have complained of a great deal of pain after they should have been completely healed, and doctors have found that their hip implants have become loose or even migrated from where they should be. Because of these problems, patients are facing expenses caused by extra medical costs and a loss of wages. Zimmer has not come out and admitted its liability, but as patients file lawsuits against them, they have been making some settlements.

Although Zimmer has been accused of reacting to the problems too slowly and not accepting the liability for the failed implants as they should, in October, 2008 they did announce that they had set aside a fund of $47.5 million to pay lawsuit claims. They are still adamant that their research showed no defects in the product. Many physicians still aren't convinced. Zimmer took the Durom Cup off of the American market in July, 2008 and then reinstated it the next month along with an online training program which doctors must complete prior to being able to do hip replacements surgeries using the cup again. Half of all the doctors involved declined the offer saying that taking the training would be a waste of their time. Through all of this, everyone has had a lot of stress to deal with, especially the hundreds of patients with defective Durom Cups who are awaiting further surgery.

These suffering patients definitely deserve some help and restitution which is why product liability lawyers are encouraging them to file lawsuits. Zimmer has been paying some of these claims, too. However, even if the money they are being offered seems like a lot to them, in many cases patients are settling too quickly and without provision being made for ongoing problems in the future. Without waiting to find out what an actual case is worth, people may find themselves paying thousands of dollars out of pocket when further complications arise.

If you think you might have a claim against Zimmer, it won't hurt to find out for sure. Contact your doctor to find out what brand of implant was used in your surgery. If you find out that it was a Durom Cup and you've been having problems, you can then call your personal attorney to find out if you qualify to file a lawsuit against the manufacturer. I would in turn look for a national law firm that specializes in litigation against medical product defects. Find a firm has set up a special division just to handle the many Zimmer lawsuits that are being filed and will be happy to help you. Of course, you can choose to hire a local law firm that handles product liability cases, too.

If you do find yourself experiencing excessive pain and mobility problems due to your recent hip implant, be sure to schedule an appointment with your doctor to have it examined. If your physician tells you that you're going to need revision surgery to correct a malfunction, contact a lawyer immediately. Your attorney will then make sure to take the necessary steps to document the entire procedure in order to build a strong case for you against Zimmer. If you just go ahead and have the surgery and then accept the settlement Zimmer offers you directly, you stand to lose thousands of dollars.

Once you've determined that you have a valid case against Zimmer, it's going to take some time to receive a settlement. Your lawyer will want to make sure that he's covered all of your bases and is getting you the maximum amount he can in settlement. Trying to rush your case through will only end up with you getting a settlement that is too small, so be patient.

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Thursday, January 15, 2009

Disc Golf Courses : Go Play The Game

By John Rogers

Do you know how to play disc golf or Frisbee Golf? Well, the game is a lot like the normal golf game but you will not be using any golf ball or clubs. In the game of disc golf you use a specially disigned frisbee disc instead. The fundamental purpose of the game is to throw the Frisbee into various baskets with only a few throws as much as possible.

The best spot to look for a disc course is on the internet. With a fast look on-line, you will locate the nearest Frisbee Golf course in your area. The courses normally have 18 holes and a single game can take a few hours. If you're a beginner, try to look for a frisbee golf course which only has a few holes so that you can practice. Keep in mind though that all Frisbee golf courses aren't made equal. Obstacles are put in between the basket and the teeing ground which can include cliffs, ponds, woods, tall grass, etc; that's why it is really consequential to select the appropriate Disc golf course. If you can locate other disc golfers in your locale, you can look for direction from them.

So why should you play Frisbee Golf? There are many benefits to playing Frisbee Golf such as:

1. Disc golf is a good variety of physical exercise. In a single round, you can expend a few hours walking. You can even hop-skip or trot while recovering the Frisbee. This will definitely burn off some calories. The great thing about it is that it doesn't even feel like exercise and you can stay fit from playing it.

2. You can meet newfound friends and other people who possess the same pursuits. Encountering new individuals and exchanging neighborly conversation is a worthwhile experience.

3. Unlike regular golf with balls and clubs, you can start playing this game with very little expense because all you need to buy is a Disc golf disc. If you have got ten dollars, you can already play Frisbee Golf. Some disc golf players tend to accumulate discs. As you get better in playing disc golf, you can start purchasing other accessories like bags and more frisbees.

You must use the proper golf course etiquettewhen you play Frisbee golf. If you have trash, pick them up and throw them in the trash can. Don't litter on the courses. Suppose you're playing in a group and the game is a bit slow and there are other players waiting behind you. Allow them to play through so that they will not be wasting their time waiting until your group finishes the game. Always be aware of safety. If your disc is about to hit another player, you can yell at them so that they can avoid being hit by the disc.

As you go on, you will be able to get other equipment like disc putting irons, fairway drivers, and many others. But you can start playing with just one disc and that's the best thing about Frisbee golf. Novices can also take advantage of the 'set discs' sold in athletics shops because the sets are rather inexpensive.

Play Frisbee golf now even if you only have one golf disc. There is no doubt that you will have a blast. Find a Frisbee golf course in your area now and play with other disc golf enthusiasts.

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