Managing Hypertension in Men: Causes, Prevention, and Ready Available Advice

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a common condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease and can lead to serious health complications, including stroke, heart attack, and kidney damage. Men are more likely to develop high blood pressure than women, and it is essential to understand the causes, prevention, and ready available advice for men's health.

Causes of Hypertension in Men

The exact causes of hypertension are not always clear, but several factors can contribute to its development. The most common risk factors for hypertension in men include:

Obesity: Being overweight or obese increases the risk of high blood pressure.

High Salt Intake: Consuming too much salt can increase blood pressure and the risk of developing hypertension.

Sedentary Lifestyle: Lack of physical activity can increase the risk of hypertension.

Excessive Alcohol Consumption: Drinking too much alcohol can increase blood pressure and the risk of hypertension.

Genetics: Family history can play a role in the development of hypertension.

Prevention of Hypertension in Men

Fortunately, there are several steps men can take to prevent or manage hypertension. Here are some tips to help reduce the risk of hypertension:

Maintain a Healthy Weight: Losing weight can help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of hypertension.

Eat a Healthy Diet: A diet that is low in salt and high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats can help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of hypertension.

Exercise: Regular physical activity can help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of hypertension.

Manage Stress: Chronic stress can increase the risk of hypertension, so it's important to manage stress levels through relaxation techniques or other stress-reducing activities.

Limit Alcohol Consumption: Drinking alcohol in moderation can help reduce the risk of hypertension.

Quit Smoking: Quitting smoking can help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of hypertension.

Get Enough Sleep: Getting enough sleep can help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of hypertension.

Ready Available Advice for Men on Hypertension

Here are some additional tips and advice for men to help reduce the risk of hypertension:

Monitor Blood Pressure: Regular blood pressure checks can help identify hypertension early and provide guidance on prevention and treatment.

Manage Diabetes: For men with diabetes, managing blood sugar levels can help reduce the risk of hypertension.

Take Medications as Prescribed: For men with hypertension, taking medications as prescribed by a healthcare provider can help manage blood pressure and reduce the risk of complications.

Stay Informed: Staying informed about the latest research and guidelines on hypertension can help men make informed decisions about prevention and treatment.

Reduce Stress: Managing stress levels through relaxation techniques or other stress-reducing activities can help reduce the risk of hypertension.

Avoid Processed and Fried Foods: Processed and fried foods are high in unhealthy fats, sodium, and calories, which can increase the risk of hypertension.

Consider Supplements: Certain supplements, such as magnesium and potassium, have been shown to help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of hypertension. However, it's important to speak with a healthcare provider before starting any supplements.

Practice Mindfulness: Mindfulness techniques, such as meditation and deep breathing exercises, can help reduce stress levels and lower blood pressure.

Limit Caffeine Intake: Consuming too much caffeine can increase blood pressure and the risk of hypertension.

Incorporate Potassium-Rich Foods: Eating foods that are high in potassium, such as bananas, sweet potatoes, and spinach, can help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of hypertension.

Consider DASH Diet: The DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet, which is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and low-fat dairy, has been shown to lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of hypertension.

Use Herbs and Spices: Certain herbs and spices, such as garlic and turmeric, have been shown to help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of hypertension.

Get Regular Physical Exams: Regular physical exams can help identify risk factors for hypertension and provide guidance on prevention and treatment.

Manage Sleep Apnea: Sleep apnea is associated with an increased risk of high blood pressure and heart disease. Managing sleep apnea through lifestyle changes, such as weight loss, and using a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine can help reduce the risk of hypertension.

Reduce Sodium Intake: Consuming too much sodium can increase blood pressure and the risk of hypertension. It is recommended to limit sodium intake to less than 2,300 milligrams per day.

Stay Hydrated: Dehydration can increase the risk of high blood pressure and heart disease. Drinking enough water and staying hydrated can help reduce the risk of hypertension.

Take Time to Relax: Taking time to relax and unwind can help reduce stress levels and lower blood pressure.

In conclusion, hypertension is a significant health concern for men. Fortunately, there are several steps men can take to prevent or manage hypertension, including maintaining a healthy weight, eating a healthy diet, regular exercise, managing stress, limiting alcohol consumption, and quitting smoking.

By following these tips and advice, men can significantly reduce their risk of developing hypertension and improve their overall health and wellbeing.

Preventing Cardiovascular Disease in Men: Causes, Prevention, and Ready Available Advice

Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) is a term used to describe a range of conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels.

This includes coronary artery disease, heart attack, stroke, peripheral artery disease, and heart failure.

CVD is one of the leading causes of death globally, with an estimated 17.9 million deaths each year. Men are at a higher risk of developing CVD than women.

In this article, we will discuss the causes, prevention, and ready available advice for men on cardiovascular disease.

Causes of Cardiovascular Disease in Men

The exact causes of CVD are not fully understood, but several factors can contribute to its development. The most common risk factors for CVD in men include:

High Blood Pressure: High blood pressure can damage the arteries and increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.

High Cholesterol: High levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol can cause fatty deposits to build up in the arteries, leading to heart disease.

Diabetes: Diabetes can damage the blood vessels and increase the risk of heart disease.

Smoking: Smoking damages the blood vessels and increases the risk of heart disease.

Obesity: Being overweight or obese increases the risk of heart disease.

Physical Inactivity: Lack of physical activity can increase the risk of heart disease.

Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease in Men

Fortunately, there are several steps men can take to prevent CVD.

Here are some tips to help reduce the risk of developing CVD:

Exercise: Regular physical activity can help improve heart health and reduce the risk of CVD.

Eat a Healthy Diet: A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats can help reduce the risk of CVD.

Manage Weight: Maintaining a healthy weight can help reduce the risk of CVD.

Quit Smoking: Quitting smoking can help reduce the risk of CVD.

Manage Stress: Chronic stress can increase the risk of CVD, so it's important to manage stress levels through relaxation techniques or other stress-reducing activities.

Manage Blood Pressure and Cholesterol: Managing blood pressure and cholesterol levels can help reduce the risk of CVD.

Get Enough Sleep: Sleep plays an important role in heart health, and getting enough sleep can help reduce the risk of CVD.

Ready Available Advice for Men on Cardiovascular Disease

Here are some additional tips and advice for men to help reduce the risk of CVD:

Limit Alcohol Consumption: Excessive alcohol consumption can increase the risk of CVD, so it's important to limit alcohol intake.

Get Regular Check-ups: Regular check-ups with a healthcare provider can help identify risk factors for CVD and provide guidance on prevention and treatment.

Manage Diabetes: For men with diabetes, managing blood sugar levels can help reduce the risk of CVD.

Control Stress: Managing stress levels through relaxation techniques or other stress-reducing activities can help reduce the risk of CVD.

Take Medications as Prescribed: For men with high blood pressure or cholesterol, taking medications as prescribed by a healthcare provider can help reduce the risk of CVD.

Stay Informed: Staying informed about the latest research and guidelines on CVD can help men make informed decisions about prevention and treatment.

Limit Salt Intake: Consuming too much salt can increase blood pressure, which is a significant risk factor for CVD. It is recommended to limit salt intake to less than 2,300 milligrams per day.

Incorporate Healthy Fats in Your Diet: Eating foods high in healthy fats, such as nuts, fish, and avocado, can help reduce the risk of CVD.

Consider a Mediterranean Diet: The Mediterranean diet, which is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, and healthy fats, has been shown to reduce the risk of CVD.

Get Regular Exercise: Regular exercise not only helps with weight management but also helps improve heart health and reduce the risk of CVD.

Manage Sleep Apnea: Sleep apnea is associated with an increased risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. Managing sleep apnea through lifestyle changes, such as weight loss, and using a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine can help reduce the risk of CVD.

Consider Supplements: Certain supplements, such as omega-3 fatty acids and Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), have been shown to help improve heart health and reduce the risk of CVD. However, it's important to speak with a healthcare provider before starting any supplements.

Manage Blood Sugar Levels: High blood sugar levels are associated with an increased risk of CVD. For men with diabetes, managing blood sugar levels through medication and lifestyle changes can help reduce the risk of CVD.

Stay Hydrated: Dehydration can increase the risk of high blood pressure and heart disease. Drinking enough water and staying hydrated can help reduce the risk of CVD.

Limit Processed and Fried Foods: Processed and fried foods are high in unhealthy fats, sodium, and calories, which can increase the risk of CVD.

Stay Active Throughout the Day: Sitting for long periods can increase the risk of CVD. Taking breaks and staying active throughout the day, such as going for a walk or standing up to stretch, can help reduce the risk of CVD.

In conclusion, cardiovascular disease is a significant health concern for men. Fortunately, there are several steps men can take to prevent CVD, including regular exercise, a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight, quitting smoking, managing stress, and managing blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

By following these tips and advice, men can significantly reduce their risk of developing CVD and improve their overall health and wellbeing.

Advise/Caution

While this article should prove to be extremely valuable source of health information.

This article is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice from a Doctor.

DO NOT attempt to self diagnose a medical condition or embark on self-treatment of a serious ailment or condition - This can be dangerous.

Please, always seek the best medical treatment when needed.

If  you enjoy this article, please leave a comment.

We wish you the very best.

Copyright 2023, All Rights Reserved

TOP 7 DIABETES SYMPTOMS MEN SHOULD KNOW

TOP 7 DIABETES SYMPTOMS MEN SHOULD KNOW

HEALTH: TOP 7 DIABETES SYMPTOMS MEN SHOULD KNOW

Men folks visit less to the doctor and have a smaller number of times of the health institutions. Only when someone close warns that some symptoms of those suffering may reflect a serious pathology he is decided to visit the specialist.

Women are a different case. They go to the doctor more because, in their role as caretakers of the family group, they have more assumed the obligation to check from time to time. In addition, the incidence of periodic cytology or mammography campaigns has made them aware of the obligatory nature of the preventive visit.

The man, however, is not like that. He does not usually pay attention to minor symptoms that he almost always blames on age, and only when he gets scared or has any excessively abnormal symptoms does he go to the doctor.

The top 7 DIABETES SYMPTOMS MEN SHOULD KNOW

#1. Erectile Dysfunction

Because of the damage to the nerves and arteries caused by perpetual hyperglycemia, diabetes can triple your risk of experiencing erection problems. A study published in the Journal of International Medical Research found that 89% of men with metabolic syndrome had erectile dysfunction.

It's a harbinger that is likely to motivate people to take action: They realize something is wrong and immediately ask for help, says Margaret Eckert-Norton, a nurse who teaches at St. Joseph's College in New York. She adds that there are effective treatments for diabetes and erectile dysfunction. "Do not be afraid to be examined," she says.

#2. Yeast infections

This is indeed one among those symptoms of diabetes that is not always thought of in men. These yeast infections similar to those that would affect women, says Margaret Eckert-Norton. But not in the same place, of course, she notes that men can develop these infections under the foreskin of their penis, especially if they are not circumcised.

#3. Frequent urination

Frequent urination is a sign of diabetes. You may not notice it during the day, but at night, surely, especially if you get up every two hours. It could also be caused by an enlarged prostate, says Margaret Eckert-Norton. "A man can get prostate test and believe he's tackling the problem. Type 2 diabetes can sometimes be overlooked, "she says.

#4. Tired

Getting up all night to go to the bathroom might wear you out, but fatigue can also be caused by increased blood sugar. A good insulin level allows glucose to enter the blood cells and provide the energy your body needs to function, says Margaret Eckert-Norton. My patients sometimes experience fatigue for a year before they are diagnosed. If you feel unusually tired (and cannot attribute this to new or increasing stress), get examined.

#5. Family medical history

Do you have family members with type 2 diabetes? This could be one of the signs of early diabetes in men or the sign that they will one day develop this disease. A 2013 study of 8,000 people found that those with a family history of type 2 diabetes had a 26% higher risk of contracting the disease.

It is always a good idea to think about your family medical history and to have regular checkups to monitor blood glucose indicators such as A1c - it measures blood glucose over a period of three months.

#6. Weight Gain

It’s okay to gain weight as you get older, but you still need to watch for any upward variations in your scale: not only can blood sugar disruption affect your appetite, but continuing to adopt the same lifestyle can also cause you to gain weight. You can, of course, ignore the problem and continue to go out with friends for a few beers.

But if you do that by being prediabetic or diabetic, it can have quite serious metabolic consequences," says Margaret Eckert-Norton. Alcohol is toxic to the pancreas, which helps your body stabilize blood sugar, but the beer is also loaded with calories and carbohydrates that can contribute to weight gain

#7. Early ejaculation

In addition to sexual problems such as erectile dysfunction, the metabolic has also been linked to premature ejaculation. In fact, it can be one of the signs of diabetes in men.

A study published in European Urology reported that 23% of patients observed complained of premature ejaculation and 5% said they had problems with ejaculation. Changing lifestyle, losing weight or exercising can do as much good for your sexuality as targeted therapies, say researchers.

Conclusion

A lot of adults have prediabetes, and the majority of them have no idea. This condition increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. While some men think they are superman, the health risks are their kryptonite. Whether it's a lifestyle or some other reason, men need to be aware of the health risks outlined above and these signs are that your blood sugar is climbing.

  

Please check-out this Male Diabetes Solution — What Doctors aren’t telling men about Type-2 Diabetes

Copyright 2019

ACT TO IMPROVE MEN'S HEALTH

ACT TO IMPROVE MEN'S HEALTH

Prevention is the key to improving men's health, generally in poorer health than women. But in addition to individual lifestyle habits, the essential is above all social, says Alain Vadeboncœur. Men are not as healthy as women and therefore die more at almost every age in life. So it's a real public health problem. So, how to act to improve things? And why is it rather difficult?

When looking at the data available on this Ministry of Health website, men generally perceive themselves to be healthier than women, especially those aged 25 to 44 and over 65 years of age. We will admit that it’s paradoxical since they often die younger and are always more at risk, especially when it comes to accidents, suicides or cardiovascular diseases.

We understand that the first condition for asking for help is to recognize the existence of a problem. And if men consulted less - or too late - because they do not see themselves as they are, despite all the medical conditions (or social, in some cases) that reach them more? It is all the more unfortunate that in many cases, these problems respond to one form or another of prevention.

Let's concentrate on the first possibility, the reduction of mortality or the improvement of longevity, which is a bit like the same thing.

Male Prevention
Is there specifically male prevention? Not really. Most prevention approaches work for both men and women. So what should be done to improve health with as much impact as possible? As it is about men's health, we can analyze the main causes of premature death. Let's take a closer look at the issue from the perspective of what is called potential years of life lost.

These problems cause either a number of deaths among young men (because of the many years that normally remain to live) or a large number of deaths of older men. In the case of deaths among our youth, the prevention of road accidents, suicides and other accidental causes of death remains the priority.

Good news, prevention, including regulation and public campaigns, works well in these areas. In fact, there has been a marked decrease in fatal road accidents since the 1970s, notably because of the compulsory use of the belt, speed limits, the reduction in drinking and driving and the campaigns to reduce dangerous behaviors.

Similarly, suicide awareness and prevention campaigns have led to a significant improvement. Finally, as men are more likely to suffer serious consequences of work-related accidents, prevention remains an important public health issue.

Prevent Blockages
Circulatory diseases are another prime target for reducing the mortality gap between men and women. It is indeed the second cause in terms of potential years of life lost. Not so much because these diseases (vascular blockages causing infarction and stroke) strike the youngest, but because they affect many at the half-time of life.

These widespread problems are related to a well-known major risk factor, smoking. Men smoking more than women, so they are more affected by its direct consequences.

Controlling more tobacco use to possibly reach levels of smoking compared to those of Australia (13%) rather than our 20%, it is not only possible but perfectly possible.

For cardiovascular diseases, we also know, of course, that genetic predispositions count for a lot. You cannot change your genes yet, although the beginnings of gene therapies are starting to emerge for very sharp health problems. But the good news is that being a carrier of potentially harmful genes is one thing, while the expression of these genes is another.

If a harmful gene can express itself to varying degrees, one can indeed work to inhibit its concrete manifestations. And we understand more and more that this modulation is not only possible but that the methods are known, effective and inexpensive: it is to apply the recognized principles of prevention.

Exercise And Diet
While men are already doing a little more regular exercise than women, perhaps the potential gains would be even more important in the diet, where the male portrait is less glowing.

We know that men eat fewer home-cooked meals and fruits and vegetables than women, consume more prepared meals, so rich in salt, sugar, and fat. Let's forget about the all-too-famous (and overused) super-foods like turmeric, black radish, and blueberries.

What is important is to change the basics of nutrition and to improve it steadily. Learning to cook, especially for older men who find themselves alone, is just as important. But we must also work to democratize and facilitate access to fruits and vegetables, which are often too expensive.

Lastly, beyond individual lifestyle habits, most prevention is above all social. It is through improved redistribution, the quality of social support, access to work and a decent income, better housing policies and improved education that we can first and foremost obtain convincing results to improve health.

Copyright 2019

Top 10 Causes of Death (Men and Women) In America - Since 2010

1) Disease of the Heart

2) Malignant Neoplasms (Cancer)

3) Chronic Lower Respiratory Disease

4) Alzheimer's Disease

5) Accidents (unintentional injuries)

6) Cerebrovascular Disease

7) Diabetes Mellitus

8) Influenza and Pneumonia

9) Intentional Self-harm (suicide)

10) Nephritis, Nephrotic Syndrome and Nephosis

The good news is, there are many things we can do to avoid becoming a victim to the above awful diseases/circumstances - Sometimes life throws us a curve ball but not all the time. There are certain things we can do to help our selves -

1) get educated, don't be an illiterate
2) make certain lifestyle changes geared toward making you healthy and fit
3) eat well - We live in a world where there are now variety of good food in abundance.
4) go out, see people, make friends - Don't die alone

Copyright 2009, All Rights Reserved

8 Reasons to Start Working Out

A few good motivators to shed that extra holiday weight you've packed on.

Overeating—and drinking—is an inevitable part of the last few months. Now, like most Americans, you've probably made a New Year's resolution to hit the gym a little harder. But since most resolutions are made to be broken, we've got a few extra motivators to help you get in gear. Print them out, hang them on your fridge and get going. Or else . . .

You'll Have Bad Breath
Researchers at Tel Aviv University recently found a direct link between obesity and bad breath—the more overweight you are, the more likely your breath will smell rank to those around you. The experts reported that there's no scientific evidence that would explain their results but suggested that obese people may have a diet that promotes dry mouth or that they're less likely to have proper oral hygiene.

You'll Snore
Sleep apnea, a disruption of breathing while asleep, is commonly accompanied by symptoms of extremely loud, irregular snoring. And obesity is the factor most likely to lead to sleep apnea (about 70 percent of people who have sleep apnea are overweight). But don't despair too much: A Temple University study found that obese sleep apnea patients who lost just 10 percent of their weight showed good improvements of their condition.

You'll Spend More Time in the Hospital
A study by sociologists at Purdue University found obesity leads to more frequent and longer hospital stays. On average, overweight patients stayed a day and a half longer than those with normal weight. The experts attributed the connection to more prominence of disease, like high blood pressure, which afflicts 46 percent of obese adults. Next time you're about to dig into a plate of chili cheese fries, ask yourself if they're worth losing 36 hours of your life.

Your Doctor Won't Like You
Doctors have less respect for their obese patients than they do for patients of normal weight, reports a new study by Johns Hopkins researchers. As patient's BMI went up, docs reported a corresponding lower respect for them. Who cares what your doctor thinks of you? Previous studies have shown that when physicians respect their patients, there's a better flow of information and patients are more likely to seek medical help in general.

You Could Die in a Car Accident
As body mass index goes up, seatbelt use goes down. So say researchers at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. In a telephone survey they found that about 30 percent of overweight individuals did not use a seatbelt, compared to about 20 percent of the average population. And the seatbelt use continued to decline as BMI increased. The study concluded that obese people are more likely to be involved in fatal car accidents due to the fact that they're less likely to wear a seatbelt. So buckle up!

You'll Get Dumber
Young adults who are in shape have a higher IQ, reveals a new study carried out at the Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Sweden. The study examined 1.2 million Swedish men doing military service who were born between 1950 and 1976 and analyzed the results of physical and IQ tests when the men enrolled. The results found a clear link between good physical fitness and better results for the IQ test. Researchers attributed the intelligence to the fact that the brain gets plenty of oxygen when people are more physically fit.

You'll Have a Stroke
Men who regularly engage in moderate-to-heavy intensity exercise such as jogging, tennis or swimming may be less likely to have a stroke than people who get no exercise or only light exercise, reports a recent study. The study's more active men were 63 percent less likely to have a stroke than those who did lighter activities like walking and golfing. Strokes, by the way, are the leading cause of disability and the third-leading cause of death in the United States.

You'll Go Broke
With the recent implementation of fat-taxes, sugary and fatty foods are starting to strain people's belts and wallets. Forty states now impose extra sales taxes (up to seven percent) on soft drinks and a few snack items; and the number of taxable items is only predicted to go up. Medically speaking, a 2006 study found that obese people spent 42 percent more than people of normal weight on medical costs (a difference of $1,429). Additionally, airlines have begun enforcing policies that passengers too large to fit in one seat must purchase a second—at standard price. Makes that $12 salad look more reasonable, huh?

Source Men's Fitness

Copyright 2010

Kicking Off Toxins

It’s time for detox and all it will take is just 10 days! Learn how to go about it

After each celebration, the effects of the revelry starts showing on one’s health and mind. Late nights, impromptu snacking, partying, binging on high-calorie foods and innumerable rounds of drinks, can take a toll on one’s health. Antioxidant levels become low and trans fat levels shoot up. Instead of running for help, go for a detox.

Detox, short for detoxification, is the body's natural, ongoing process of neutralising or eliminating toxins from the body. A diet that lacks certain nutrients may also impair our natural ability to detoxify chemicals, which further leads to their build-up in the body. The cumulative load, called the "body burden", is thought to lead to illness and can lead to hormonal imbalance, impaired immune function, nutritional deficiency, and an inefficient metabolism. Signs are thought to include indigestion, bad breath, fatigue, poor skin, and muscle pain.

According to Priyancka Jaieswal, a nutritionist, “Detox should be started within two to three days of high-partying, and once started the feeling of being on a diet must be banished.” Detox diet improves energy, clears skin, regulates bowel movements, improves digestion, and increases concentration and clarity. Priyancka also reminds one to incorporate yoga and light exercises as a daily ritual.

Detox should be started within two to three days of high-partying

There are many different types of detox diets. Generally, a detox diet is a short-term diet that:

Minimises the amount of chemicals ingested (for example, by the use of organic food).

Emphasises foods that provide vitamins, nutrients, and antioxidants that the body needs for detoxification.

Contains foods, such as high fiber foods and water that draw out and eliminate toxins by increasing the frequency of bowel movements and urination.

Day 1: Go easy on the first day. There must be no sudden changes in the diet. Have normal food. Go for yoga, and brisk walk. Incorporate green tea or herbal tea with lime. Instead of snacks, go for gourd juice.

Day 2: Breakfast can be soya yogurt with about 150-200gms raw fruits.

For mid-morning snack, amla and orange juice. Amla is great for food absorption and reduces body heat naturally, and orange being a citric fruit, is high on anti-oxidants.

For lunch, have brown bread and tofu with a bowl of fresh fruit salad.

Mid-afternoon snack would include a handful of nuts or seeds.

Dinner must be over by 7pm after which there must be no carbohydrate intake.

Have loads of fruits and juices

Day 3: Breakfast would include porridge with fruit and soya milk.

Mid-morning snack would include a handful of grapes.

For lunch, say no to cereals, instead go for raw salad with cabbage.

Dinner can be green soup or boiled green vegetables.

Day 4: Breakfast would include whole wheat porridge with fruits. Mainly yellow or red coloured fruits like papaya, strawberry, water melon etc.

Mid-morning snack can be cucumber and carrot sticks.

Lunch: Spinach and tomato soup.

Dinner: One piece brown bread, raw salad with cabbage.

Day 5: Breakfast would mean, brown bread with tofu and grated capsicum.

Mid-morning snack would be, fresh fruit juice.

Lunch: Would include wheat spaghettis or wheat pasta with boiled or baked vegetables or raw salad.

Dinner: Boiled vegetables.

Instead of dieting, keep an eye on what you are having

Day 6: Repeat the chart of day 2.

Day 7: Repeat the chart for day 4.

Day 8: Repeat the chart for day 3.

Day 9: Repeat the chart for day 5.

Day 10: Repeat the chart for day 1.

Rina Das, a regular party animal, feels that detox makes one feel lighter and unlike a diet, which has to be regular, detox can be done once in a while to purify the system.

Reshmi Roy Chowdhury, dietrician, suggests banning dairy products except tofu and soya products, and non-vegetarian items except sea-fishes, for the detox to work out. “One can take two to three almonds or walnut soaked in water for breakfast. Also instead of caffeine, go for warm water with lemon or lemon tea,” feels Reshmi.

Do incorporate breathing exercises

The key to making sure the detox works is changing the timings and the food style often, so that the body doesn’t get accustomed to a particular table. With this easy to follow 10-day regime, one can be sure what to do when a festive season is round the corner.

Source The Kolkata Mirror

Copyright 2010

New plasma device may soon be used to eliminate superbugs in hospitals

New plasma device may soon be used to eliminate superbugs in hospitals

The rise of the superbug MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) in hospitals may soon be a threat of the past. A new technology prototype is being tested in England that will kill drug resistant bacteria without drugs.

The device depends on the use of a plasma containing an air suspended mixture proven to be lethal for bacteria of many types. Plasmas are common in the cosmos, usually where high-energy processes produce them. But rather than using the high energy sources necessary to strip off a whole group of atoms, this device strips off electrons from just a few of the atoms. Those electrons fly off and collide with unchanged atoms creating a gaseous cocktail of charged particles that roam about freely rather than remain contained within atoms.

This is similar to the expensive method currently used to disinfect surgical instruments. But now there is an economical delivery system for this plasma that will enable more widespread use. The economy of the delivery system is more the breakthrough than the technology itself. This new technology's delivery system can be hand held and used for less serious issues such as eliminating bad breath or underarm odors.

As researcher Gregor Morfill of the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics explained, "The plasma produces a series of over 200 chemical reactions that involve the oxygen and nitrogen in air plus water vapor - there is a whole concoction of chemical species that can be lethal to bacteria".

This procedure can eliminate the need for long periods of washing and scrubbing with no guarantee that all the bugs are killed. There may soon be no need for concerns about patients or visitors who come and go, as well as health care workers who visit different facilities as part of their duties.

In the foreseeable future, this new affordable technology can be placed in hospital halls and doorways. Everyone who walks through would be disinfected from potentially lethal superbugs that are immune to antibiotics.

Source Natural News.com

Copyright 2010

Brief History of Fad Diets

Critics say it can also cause high cholesterol and bad breath.) Its success spawned imitators like the popular South Beach Diet, a more lenient version ...


The holidays are upon us, which means 'tis the season to overindulge. But once the calendar turns, we'll have to shed some of those pounds, which is why Dr. Sanford Siegel appeared on the Today show on Dec. 14 to tout a mouthwatering diet plan: eat six cookies a day as part of a limited-calorie diet, and watch that extra weight melt away.

Forgive our skepticism, as these aren't snickerdoodles or chocolate-chip cookies but rather protein- and nutrient-packed biscuits that stretch the definition of cookie. The cookie-meal plan has actually been around since 1975, but the quest for the magic diet solution goes back much further. There's a (possibly apocryphal) story that after becoming too fat to ride his horse, William the Conqueror devised an alcohol-only diet in 1087. The monarch didn't grow thinner; instead, he died later that year after falling from his beleaguered steed, leaving his subjects to struggle with finding a coffin big enough to fit the corpulent king.
(See the 2009 Year in Health.)

Despite its dubious beginnings, fad dieting gained mass appeal in the 19th century. In 1829, Presbyterian minister Sylvester Graham touted the Graham diet — centered on caffeine-free drinks and vegetarian cuisine and supplemented by the eponymous graham cracker — as a cure for not just obesity but masturbation (and the subsequent blindness it was thought to cause). The diet became so popular that the students of Oberlin College were forced onto it for a brief period in the 1830s before they successfully rebelled through mass dissent in 1841. Thirty-five years later, an English casketmaker named William Banting became famous by pioneering the concept of a low-carbohydrate diet, which helped him lose 50 lb. He published his results in the 1864 "Letter on Corpulence," and the plan became so popular that banting became a synonym for dieting across Britain.
(See nine kid foods to avoid.)


From there, things got a little strange. In 1903 self-taught nutritionist Horace Fletcher became known as the Great Masticator for advancing the notion that one should chew food exactly 32 times before spitting it out completely. (Pleasant dinner guests, Fletcher's acolytes were not.) In 1928 dieters could choose between eating only meat and fat (sometimes in trimmings bought directly from the butcher) on the Inuit diet, or skim milk and bananas on Dr. George Harrop's aptly named bananas-and-skim-milk diet. As late as the 1960s, Dr. Herman Taller was touting the Calories Don't Count diet, which held that the quantity of food consumed was unimportant provided that you chased it with vegetable oil.

The bizarre early history of planned weight loss makes recent fad diets seem enlightened by comparison. The Atkins diet, a modern-day Banting plan that has eaters eschew carbs in favor of protein-rich meals, was written in 1972 and became in later years a weight-loss plan favored by millions. (Critics say it can also cause high cholesterol and bad breath.) Its success spawned imitators like the popular South Beach diet, a more lenient version that invokes the same low-sugar principle. But other modern diets remain pretty far-fetched. One example is the cabbage-soup diet, which promises that adherents will lose 10 lb. in a week by eating only cabbage soup. A more challenging competitor might be the lemonade diet, which requires dieters to subsist on a concoction of lemon juice, maple syrup, red pepper and hot water for as long as 10 days. While it may not rely on sound science, Siegal's cookie diet looks that much more appealing by comparison.


Source - Time (Health & Science

Copyright 2010

Health Care and Kidney Disease

More than 26 million Americans—one in nine adults—have kidney disease. Millions more are at increased risk for getting it, and most don’t know it. Kidney disease can be found and treated early to prevent more serious kidney disease and other complications.

Chronic kidney disease includes conditions that damage your kidneys and decrease their ability to keep you healthy by doing the jobs listed, according to the National Kidney Foundation. If kidney disease gets worse, wastes can build to high levels in your blood and make you feel sick. You may develop complications like high blood pressure, anemia (low blood count), weak bones, poor nutritional health and nerve damage. Also, kidney disease increases your risk of having heart and blood vessel disease. These problems may happen slowly over a long period of time. Chronic kidney disease may be caused by diabetes, high blood pressure and other disorders.

Early detection and treatment can often keep chronic kidney disease from getting worse. When kidney disease progresses, it may eventually lead to kidney failure, which requires dialysis or a kidney transplant to maintain life. Chronic kidney disease is a growing health problem in the United States. A report by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) determined that 16.8% of all adults above the age of 20 years have chronic kidney disease. Thus, according to eMedicineHealth.com, one in six individuals have kidney disease, and over 400,000 patients are on dialysis or have received kidney transplants. About 67,000 people die each year because of kidney failure.

The prevalence of chronic kidney disease has increased by 16% from the previous decade. The increasing incidence of diabetes mellitus, hypertension (high blood pressure), obesity, and an aging population have led to this increase in kidney disease. Chronic kidney disease is more prevalent among individuals above 60 years of age (39.4%). Kidney disease is more common among Hispanic, African American, Asian or Pacific Islander, and Native American people. Much info is located on their website about kidney disease: http://www.emedicinehealth.com/chronic_kidney_disease/article_em.htm .

The kidneys, a pair of bean-shaped organs, are located at the bottom of the ribcage in the right and left sides of the back, according to LabTestsOnline.org. Although the body is equipped with two kidneys, you can function with one reasonably healthy kidney if the other is damaged or removed. The kidneys receive blood from the aorta, filter it, and send it back to the heart with the right balance of chemicals and fluid for use throughout the body. The urine created by the kidneys is moved out of the body via the urinary tract.

According to LifeOptions.org, many people who have chronic kidney disease don't know it, because the early signs can be very subtle. It can take many years to go from chronic kidney disease (CKD) to kidney failure. Some people with CKD live out their lives without ever reaching kidney failure. However, for people at any stage of kidney disease, knowledge is power. Knowing the symptoms of kidney disease can help you get the treatment you need to feel your best. If you or someone you know has one or more of the following symptoms of kidney disease, or you are worried about kidney problems, see a doctor for blood and urine tests. Remember, many of the symptoms can be due to reasons other than kidney disease. The only way to know the cause of your symptoms is to see your doctor.

Note the following 10 symptoms:

1.) Symptom 1: Changes in Urination. Kidneys make urine, so when the kidneys are failing, the urine may change. How?

--You may have to get up at night to urinate.

--Urine may be foamy or bubbly. You may urinate more often, or in greater amounts than usual, with pale urine.

--You may urinate less often, or in smaller amounts than usual with dark colored urine.

--Your urine may contain blood.

--You may feel pressure or have difficulty urinating.

2.) Symptom 2: Swelling. Failing kidneys don't remove extra fluid, which builds up in your body causing swelling in the legs, ankles, feet, face, and/or hands.

3.) Symptom 3: Fatigue. Healthy kidneys make a hormone called erythropoietin (a-rith'-ro-po'-uh-tin) that tells your body to make oxygen-carrying red blood cells. As the kidneys fail, they make less erythropoietin. With fewer red blood cells to carry oxygen, your muscles and brain become tired very quickly. This condition is called anemia, and it can be treated.

4.) Symptom 4: Skin Rash/Itching. Kidneys remove wastes from the bloodstream. When the kidneys fail, the buildup of wastes in your blood can cause severe itching.

5.) Symptom 5: Metallic Taste in Mouth/Ammonia Breath. A buildup of wastes in the blood (called uremia) can make food taste different and cause bad breath. You may also notice that you stop liking to eat meat, or that you are losing weight because you just don't feel like eating.

6.) Symptom 6: Nausea and Vomiting. A severe buildup of wastes in the blood (uremia) can also cause nausea and vomiting. Loss of appetite can lead to weight loss.

7.) Symptom 7: Shortness of Breath. Trouble catching your breath can be related to the kidneys in two ways. First, extra fluid in the body can build up in the lungs. And second, anemia (a shortage of oxygen-carrying red blood cells) can leave your body oxygen-starved and short of breath.

8.) Symptom 8: Feeling Cold. Anemia can make you feel cold all the time, even in a warm room.

9.) Symptom 9: Dizziness and Trouble Concentrating. Anemia related to kidney failure means that your brain is not getting enough oxygen. This can lead to memory problems, trouble with concentration, and dizziness.

10.) Symptom 10: Leg/Flank Pain. Some people with kidney problems may have pain in the back or side related to the affected kidney. Polycystic kidney disease, which causes large, fluid-filled cysts on the kidneys and sometimes the liver, can cause pain.

According to eMedicineHealth.com, although chronic kidney disease sometimes results from primary diseases of the kidneys themselves, the major causes are diabetes and high blood pressure. Note the following medical issues that can cause kidney disease:

--Type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus cause a condition called diabetic nephropathy, which is the leading cause of kidney disease in the United States.

--High blood pressure (hypertension), if not controlled, can damage the kidneys over time.

--Glomerulonephritis is the inflammation and damage of the filtration system of the kidneys and can cause kidney failure. Postinfectious conditions and lupus are among the many causes of glomerulonephritis.

--Polycystic kidney disease is an example of a hereditary cause of chronic kidney disease wherein both kidneys have multiple cysts.

--Use of analgesics such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) regularly over long durations of time can cause analgesic nephropathy, another cause of kidney disease.

--Certain other medications can also damage the kidneys.

--Clogging and hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis) leading to the kidneys causes a condition called ischemic nephropathy, which is another cause of progressive kidney damage.

--Obstruction of the flow of urine by stones, an enlarged prostate, strictures (narrowings), or cancers may also cause kidney disease.

--Other causes of chronic kidney disease include HIV infection, sickle cell disease, heroin abuse, amyloidosis, kidney stones, chronic kidney infections, and certain cancers. If you have any of the following conditions, you are at higher-than-normal risk of developing chronic renal disease, according to eMedicineHealth. Your kidney functions may need to be monitored regularly if you have any of the following medical issues:

--Diabetes mellitus type 1 or 2.

--High blood pressure.

--High cholesterol.

--Heart disease.

--Liver disease.

--Kidney disease.

--Amyloidosis.

--Sickle cell disease.

--Systemic Lupus erythematosus.

--Vascular diseases such as arteritis, vasculitis, or fibromuscular dysplasia.

--Vesicoureteral reflux (a urinary tract problem in which urine travels the wrong way).

--Problems of the joints or muscles that require regular use of anti-inflammatory medications.

--If you have a family history of kidney disease.

Important treatments for kidney disease are tight control of blood glucose and blood pressure. Blood pressure has a dramatic effect on the rate at which the disease progresses. Even a mild rise in blood pressure can quickly make kidney disease worsen. Four ways to lower your blood pressure are losing weight, eating less salt, avoiding alcohol and tobacco, and getting regular exercise. Not everyone with diabetes develops kidney disease. Factors that can influence kidney disease development include genetics, blood sugar control, and blood pressure. The better a person keeps diabetes and blood pressure under control, the lower the chance of getting kidney disease.

According to the American Diabetes Association, once kidneys fail, dialysis is necessary. The person must choose whether to continue with dialysis or to get a kidney transplant. This choice should be made as a team effort. The team should include the doctor and diabetes educator, a nephrologist (kidney doctor), a kidney transplant surgeon, a social worker, and a psychologist. Kidneys are remarkable organs, according to the American Diabetes Association. Inside them are millions of tiny blood vessels that act as filters. Their job is to remove waste products from the blood. Sometimes this filtering system breaks down. When our bodies digest the protein we eat, the process creates waste products. In the kidneys, millions of tiny blood vessels (capillaries) with even tinier holes in them act as filters. As blood flows through the blood vessels, small molecules such as waste products squeeze through the holes. These waste products become part of the urine. Useful substances, such as protein and red blood cells, are too big to pass through the holes in the filter and stay in the blood. In time, the stress of overwork causes the kidneys to lose their filtering ability. Waste products then start to build up in the blood. Finally, the kidneys fail.

This failure, ESRD, is very serious. A person with ESRD needs to have a kidney transplant or to have the blood filtered by machine (dialysis) as previously noted. Treatment varies depending on the type of kidney or urinary disease present, according to LabTestsOnline. In general, the earlier kidney or urinary disease is recognized, the more likely it is to be treatable. Dietary restrictions, drug therapy, and surgical procedures may be appropriate. If the kidneys can no longer effectively remove waste and water from the body, a dialysis machine used several times a week can take over kidney filtration. Also, as previously mentioned, kidney transplant surgery is another option when kidneys fail. If you have diabetes or hypertension, control of your blood pressure and blood sugar is extremely important to prevent or minimize kidney damage. Until next time.

Your Best Health Care is a blog that was created in 2007 to relay information to readers interested in how to navigate various health care topics. The notes contained on each topic are credited to sources relative to the material. Not all information is original, but the blog references additional sources that have been edited for the benefit of readers. Over the past 10 years as I have been involved in the health care industry, I have found that good information gives value to people who need help finding out how things work in the health care market place. This Blog also links to other valuable sources for health care information from sources like the CDC, the Mayo Clinic, Time, CNN, and many other news feeds. This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical advice, which is only available from your doctor or a licensed health care professional. I hope you find the topics informative and helpful.

Source - Cypress Times

Copyright 2010

Questions About Swine Flu

How Can I Avoid Catching It?

Good standards of hygiene can help protect you from catching Swine Flu.

1/ Wash your hands frequently with soap and water and carry an alcohol-based hand gel to use if water isn't available.

2/ Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze, using a tissue if possible

3/ Dispose of used tissues quickly and carefully

4/ Make sure you clean hard surfaces like door handles frequently.

How Do I Know If I Have Swine Flu ?

Just like normal Flu, the symptons of Swine Flu include:

1/ a sudden fever (a high body temperature of 38C/100.4F or above)

2/ a sudden cough

Other symptons may include:

* Headache

* Sore throat

* Tiredness

* Runny nose

* Chills

* Sneezing

* Aching muscles

* Loss of appetite

* Limb or joint pain

* Diarrhoea or stomach upset

If you think you have Swine Flu, do the following:

Stay at home and check your symptons on government (or your National Pandemic Flu Service) regulated websites.

Only call your doctor, if:

1/ You have a serious underlying illness

2/ You are pregnant

3/ You have a sick child under one year old

4/ Your condition suddenly gets much worse after 7 days (or 5 days for a child)

PLEASE DO NOT GO STRAIGHT TO YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST, AS YOU MIGHT INFECT OTHERS OR BE SENT BACK HOME TO AWAIT YOUR ANTIVIRAL.

Please remember to plan ahead

1/ Ask a fried or relative to be your 'Flu friend'

2/ If diagnosed, you will be given information on how your 'Flu friend' can pick up your medicines.

Also note, when collect the Antivirals, your 'Flu friend'will need to show some form of ID for themselves and for you.

Millions at risk from fake drugs

Do not under any circumstances buy antiviral drug from unregulated websites - You may be gambling with your life.

About 1 in 7 adults admitted to avoiding the healtcare system to get 'Presciption Only Medicine' which could be counterfeit.

Fake medicines can contain harmful ingredients such as rat poison, lead paint and the insecticide additive Boric Acid.

DO NOT BE A VICTIM

For further advice and information on Swine Flu, contact your regional (or local) National Pandemic Flu Service.

Copyright 2010, All Rights Reserved

The Linden Method - Why Is it Working?

The world's premier Anxiety, Panic Attack, OCD and Phobia elimination program. Is it, really ?

This method was developed by an ex-anxiety sufferer Charles Linden, after he researched every piece of information and treatsments for Panic Attacks, Anxiety and Phobias and then systematically identified the ones which actually worked.

The Linden Method has been developed as a drug free natural Anxiety relief treatment program.

Charles Linden motto seems to be "you either decide to do this or not to do it" - You really cannot agrue with that.

To date, they have successfully treated/helped 126,668 ex-sufferers to permanently
and completely eliminate panic attacks, anxiety attacks, OCD, phobias and all the
associated symptoms that had previously dominated and ruled their lives.

This is more sufferers than any other therapist, doctor or psychologist would do in five lifetimes. Their experience in the field of Anxiety (and related Phobias) is second to none and their success rate is unquestionable.

The method obviously doesn't work for everyone (i.e. the 3.3% who fail, just don't do it correctly!) but with the 100% money-back guarantee, we cannot see why anyone should have reason to be displeased. If it works - great, if not - invoke the guarantee, as simple as that.

Remember - "Anxiety Disorder and Panic Attacks are not mental or physical illnesses. They are behavioral conditions, fueled solely by our own actions".

Startling Statistics

Nearly 7% of the American population currently suffer from Anxiety Disorders, including Panic Attacks and Phobias. There are many more worldwide. Today, his program has become one of the most highly respected treatments throughout the mental health industry.

It is endorsed by psychologists and doctors who have put The Linden Method to the test and seen incredible results among their clients.
(Click here to read about the Science Behind The Linden Method)

Try it, you have nothing to loose and a lot to gain.

The package consists of the Linden Method Manual and 6 audio CDs
which contain a mixture of 'The Method', visualisation exercises, the 'Nine Pillars'
method, interview with Charles Linden, some relaxing music tracks and 1 year of free unlimited counseling support. The staff are willing to talk for long sessions.

There are three versions of The Linden Method available to you. All three versions contain everything you will need to conquer your anxiety disorder and include delivery (where applicable):

1/ The Linden Method Downlaod Version - cost $99

2/ The Linden Method Printed Version - cost $117

3/ The Linden Method Junior Version (Age 7-15) - cost $197

If you think $197 is a lot of money for all that, you have clearly never been to see a psychologist or counsellor privately.

Charles Linden states right at the beginning of his method that "you either decide to do this or not to do it" and it is as simple as that.

Why is the Linden Method so successful? It can be attributed to a number of things:

1/ It was developed by a knowledgeable person who had suffered for many years

2/ The root cause of anxiety disorders is addressed

3/ There are no drugs involved and therefore no harmful side effects

4/ It is an easy to follow program

5/ It is soothing and gentle with nothing frightening, but at the same time extremely effective.

6/ Unlimited support and advice is available from trained and sympathetic counselors

7/ Tested and approved by doctors and psychologists, the Linden Method is on its way to becoming the number one treatment for panic attacks and anxiety disorders

Remember

1/ A Panic Attack is not dangerous and does not need to disrupt your life in any way.

2/ Anxiety Disorder and Panic Attacks are not mental or physical illnesses. They are
behavioral conditions, fueled solely by our own actions.

3/ It 100% money back guarantee - You have nothing to lose. Try It.

4/ You can make the choice today. It's so easy. Instead of existing in a state of constant Panic and Anxiety, with the Linden Method you can start living life to the full and do those things you never thought possible.

5/ A Donation from Every Linden Method Pack is Made to Unicef

About Charles Linden

19 years ago, Charles was living in Germany, travelling a total of 100 miles daily (50 miles each way to work) and working 18 hours days, when he had his first panic attack. Click here to find out more about Charles.

Copyright 2010, All Rights Reserved

The Linden Method - Science Behind It

The Linden Method is a well-known method for eliminating anxiety disorders, panic attacks and phobias. The method was developed by an ex-anxiety sufferer Charles Linden. After years of living with a severe case of anxiety, he discovered a technique that finally helped him to fully recover.

Charles Linden described his technique in the The Linden Method. This program directly affects the Amygdala – a small, almond shaped organ in your brain that is responsible for anxiety, panic and phobias. The guide explains exactly what you need to do in order to undo the changes in the Amygdala and permanently get rid of anxiety and panic disorders.

This report is taken from Nature, an international journal of science.

"The amygdala, a large structure deep within each cerebral hemisphere, is the place where the brain stores memories of fear," said University of Southern California neuroscientist Richard F. Thompson, co-author of the Nature article.

"In the presence of threatening stimuli, the amygdala signals to the prefrontal cortex, triggering the expression of fearful behavior."

Researchers at USC and the Université de Bordeaux (France) trained laboratory mice by sounding a tone and then administering a small electric shock. The mice soon learned to associate the tone with the impending shock and froze in fear as soon as they heard it. Simultaneously, the researchers detected changes in the electrical impulses measured by electrodes implanted in the subjects' prefrontal cortex. When the amygdala was then surgically removed, both the freezing behavior and the altered neuronal activity disappeared.

Lead author René Garcia, of Bordeaux's Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives, designed and completed the experiment in Thompson's USC laboratory during the summer of 1999. "While a mouse's brain is far smaller than a human's, it has essentially the same structures and operates in analogous ways," Thompson explained.

"The prefrontal cortex acts as a kind of 'executive office,' controlling other parts of the brain. It makes decisions that determine how you will react. Memories of fear are stored in the amygdala, which codes them into signals and transmits those signals to the frontal cortex for action."

"Why are you afraid when you're walking alone in the dark and hear footsteps behind you? You have learned to be afraid. Nearly all of our fears are learned fears." Anxiety disorders, such as panic attacks and phobias, are expressions of your memories of fear", said Thompson.

Thompson, director of the USC Program in Neural, Informational and Behavioral Sciences, holds the William M. Keck Chair in Biological Sciences and Psychology in the USC College of Letters, Arts and Sciences.

In addition to Garcia and Thompson, USC neurobiologist Michel Baudry and Université de Bordeaux neuroscientist Rose Marie Vouimba were co-authors of the Nature article.

The study was funded by grants from the National Science Foundation, NATO and Fondation Fyssen.

Further research on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (one of the five main anxiety disorders) announced by Psychology Today, concluded that:

"It has been found that the fear response is coordinated by a small structure deep inside the brain, called the Amygdala. The Amygdala, although relatively small, is a very complicated structure, and recent research suggests that post-traumatic stress disorder may be associated with abnormal activation of the amygdala."

Further Read: The Linden Method

Copyright 2010, All Rights Reserved

Anxiety - Caused By Memories Of Fear

Anxiety is caused 100% by 'memories of fear'

The extract below is taken from Nature, the international but UK based journal of science. These research findings confirm all of our research and theories into the way the amygdala works and confirms clearly that anxiety is caused 100% by 'memories of fear'. It then goes on to say that they would like to find a genetic or drug solution which would STOP the amygdala from signalling to the frontal cortex! No need folks, we have found a way to stop it!

Extracts from the British journal Nature, point the way toward possible treatments for anxiety disorders.

"The amygdala, a large structure deep within each cerebral hemisphere, is the place where the brain stores memories of fear," said University of Southern California neuroscientist Richard F. Thompson, co-author of the Nature article".

"In the presence of threatening stimuli, the amygdala signals to the prefrontal cortex, triggering the expression of fearful behavior".

Researchers at USC and the Université de Bordeaux (France) trained laboratory mice by sounding a tone and then administering a small electric shock. The mice soon learned to associate the tone with the impending shock and froze in fear as soon as they heard it. Simultaneously, the researchers detected changes in the electrical impulses measured by electrodes implanted in the subjects' prefrontal cortex. When the amygdala was then surgically removed, both the freezing behavior and the altered neuronal activity disappeared.

Lead author René Garcia, of Bordeaux's Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives, designed and completed the experiment in Thompson's USC laboratory during the summer of 1999. "While a mouse's brain is far smaller than a human's, it has essentially the same structures and operates in analogous ways," Thompson explained.

"The prefrontal cortex acts as a kind of 'executive office,' controlling other parts of the brain. It makes decisions that determine how you will react. Memories of fear are stored in the amygdala, which codes them into signals and transmits those signals to the frontal cortex for action."

"Why are you afraid when you're walking alone in the dark and hear footsteps behind you? You have learned to be afraid. Nearly all of our fears are learned fears." Anxiety disorders, such as panic attacks and phobias, are expressions of your memories of fear", said Thompson.

"If we could find a drug or genetic treatment that would stop the amygdala from signaling to the frontal cortex, then we could effectively treat anxiety disorders," he suggested.

Thompson, director of the USC Program in Neural, Informational and Behavioral Sciences, holds the William M. Keck Chair in Biological Sciences and Psychology in the USC College of Letters, Arts and Sciences.

In addition to Garcia and Thompson, USC neurobiologist Michel Baudry and Université de Bordeaux neuroscientist Rose Marie Vouimba were co-authors of the Nature article.

The study was funded by grants from the National Science Foundation, NATO and Fondation Fyssen.

BIG, BIG News

Dr Francis Teeney, Research Psychologist from Queen's University, Belfast has endorsed The Linden Method. FINALLY, the scientific recognition that endorses Charles Linden program as a recognized therapy.

126,668 people around the world have used The Linden Method to eliminate their anxiety, panic attacks, OCD and phobias.

"So, why is The Linden Method such an effective solution to anxiety, panic attacks, OCD and phobias?"

Copyright 2010, All Rights Reserved

Why Therabreath Is Better Than Any Other Oral Care Product

1/ TheraBreath active component are soothing and produces Oxidizing Power once it enters the mouth. This stabilization procedure permits TheraBreath to have maximum 3 year shelf life. When any of the TheraBreath products enter your mouth, a chemical reaction occurs, which permits bounty of Active Oxygenation to happen each and every time you make use of it. That’s why millions and millions of bottles and tubes of TheraBreath products are sold every week in just the U.S. single-handedly!

2/ TheraBreath has turn out to be the most “comprehensible” unsullied breath system, comprising of Oral Rinse, Toothpaste, Breath Spray, intense PowerDrops, Oxygenating Chewing Gum, (all in both normal and Extra Strength editions), together with Nasal Sinus Drops and ZOX Breath Lozenges, and Fresh Breath Strips, all intended to hit the origin of the trouble all through the day with the maximum of expediency. A few Breath-refreshing systems depend exclusively on mouthwash to get rid of Bad Breath(Halitosis).

3/ TheraBreath Toothpaste is also found in a Fluoride edition which protects against decay and tooth sensitivity, in addition to a non-fluoride edition which takes in Xylitol to protect against decay. Fluoride has also been revealed to be a successful de-sensitizing mediator. A few of the other “Anti-Halitosis” systems do not take in any Fluoride at all. In both the ways, TheraBreath Toothpaste helps to protect against decay, on top of Bad Breath (Halitosis), dreadful tastes, and dry mouth.

4/ We have added extremely strong Whole Leaf Aloe Vera to our toothpaste. Current research in Asia has revealed that Aloe Vera improves the body’s capability to form collagen, which also reinforces feeble and inflamed gums to restore to health more rapidly. Bleeding gums make available a protein source to the bacteria that produce Bad Breath (Halitosis). No other “anti- Halitosis” process takes in this type of Aloe Vera to fight this supplementary trouble.

5/ Therabreath toothpaste does not have Saccharin. A lot of other breath-refreshing products like Oxyfresh, TriOral, and Closys II have saccharin. Saccharin has been known to be carcinogenic in lab animals and the state of California has lately made available a long term research on its pessimistic consequences. In addition to this, for a few people, Saccharin produces a bitter savor, as a result of one of the chemical compounds formed during Saccharin’s chemical breakdown.

6/ TheraBreath toothpaste does not have Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (a strong detergent), which along with other things has been known to be linked to an augmented occurrence of canker sores. Nearly all toothpastes like TriOral and Oxyfresh have this chemical. Research has revealed that Sodium Lauryl Sulfate should not be applied by those who experience canker sores, those who are diabetic or those who experience dry mouth.

Toothpaste that contain Sodium Lauryl Sulfate will cause high levels of bubbles in the mouth. You will be better off rinsing out these odour-causing bacteria from your mouth by brushing more often.

7/ TheraBreath toothpaste is in reality a gel. Chemically speaking, gels are to great extent smaller molecules than pastes, permitting deeper infiltration under the surface of the tongue. TheraBreath toothpaste also have first showing tooth polishing and whitening agents, so as to maintain your smile white and dazzling, however without the harmful abrasives. They are animal cruelty-free and are not damaging to the atmosphere. And, we’ve lately got Kosher guarantee on all of our rinses, toothpastes, sprays, drops, and mints. This implies that we make use of simply pure vegetable or mineral based components – no animal or animal-based components.

8/ All of our toothpastes now have a new variety of mineral protectant known as Polypyrophosphate machinery. On the whole, these natural minerals stop calculus, tartar and plaque from attaching to tooth enamel, resulting in cleaner teeth and improved gums.

No other “breath” toothpaste has these valuable minerals. Actually, only a few manufacturers have worried to spend the funds to put in this to their formulas.

Well, I guess their bottom line comes prior to our gum line!

TheraBreath products can be found at www.therabreath.com

Copyright 2009, All Rights Reserved

Hygiene and Athlete’s Foot

Some people think that it is impossible to get Athlete’s Foot if you have clean feet. This is not true. The Athlete’s Foot infection is cause by a fungus, a bit like a mold. The fungus multiplies more easily in warm, damp, dark conditions so if your feet are constantly in tight shoes, sweaty, walking through communal shower areas etc then you are more prone to it.

The infection can cause itching, pain, skin flaking, blistering and so on. Occasionally it can lead to more serious infections. Athlete’s Foot can be treated easily in the early stages but does get more difficult as symptoms worsen. It is therefore vital to try not to let the fungi multiply and good hygiene is one step towards this.

With this 8 point step to good foot hygiene you should minimize the risk of catching the Athlete’s Foot infection:

1. Keep your feet clean. Might sound obvious but it’s a good start.

2. Keep your feet dry. Possibly even more important than (1). You can use talcum powder to help keep them dry for longer. Never put shoes or socks on damp feet.

3. Think about your shoes. Try not to wear shoes that make your feet sweat.

4. Wear socks made of natural fibres. Or better still, ones that wick moisture away from the feet.

5. Wash your towels frequently and on a hot wash, preferably after each use. This helps kill the parasites.

6. If you suffer frequently from Athlete’s Foot, also wash your bedding at least once a week on a hot wash.

7. Use shower sandals or flip flops when you are in changing rooms, poolside or a communal shower area.

8. Once a week, add a few drops of tea tree oil to a bath or a foot soak. Tea tree oil has anti fungal properties.

Of course there are other preventative measures you can take and there are many products out there which claim to help cure or prevent Athlete’s Foot, from herbal supplements to wooden insoles for shoes. Many of them do actually have some benefit but the important thing is to use your common sense and do some research before you part with large sums of money. If you do get recurrent problems with the infection and follow the points above, then see your doctor who may wish to do further tests. Remember, Athlete’s Foot is rarely serious if it is treated in the early stages so if you do suspect you are infected, then get treatment straight away.

Copyright 2009

Common Myths About Athlete’s Foot

There are so many myths out there about medical cures, and Athlete’s Foot hasn’t escaped them. Let’s take a look at some of the most common Athlete’s Foot myths around.

1. Peeing In The Shower

This was the first one that came to mind – that peeing in the shower cures Athlete’s Foot. There is absolutely no evidence to suggest this is true. It is a MYTH. Whilst urea is present in urine and in many anti fungal medications, the concentration in urine is very low so it would have no effect on killing the fungal infection.

2. Soaking In Vinegar

This MYTH seems to have come from the Far East. Some people believe that if you soak your feet in vinegar then the infection will be killed. WRONG. The vinegar can actually harm your skin and in some cases can cause chemical burns. The already tender skin is likely to become even more irritated.

3. Bleach

Bleach? Would anyone seriously put bleach on their skin? It seems so. There is a commonly held MYTH that bleach helps clear the fungus. Bleach is far too strong for human skin and can cause serious burns even if mixed with water. Stay clear of bleach for any skin use.

4. Baking Soda In Your Shoes

Another MYTH unfortunately. Baking soda in shoes will help dry them out and make the conditions for the fungi to multiply less favorable. It will also help eliminate the nasty odor associated with Athlete’s Foot. What it won’t do is cure an existing infection.

5. Soaking In Tea

This sounds like a complete waste of tea and time and is another MYTH. Tea has mildly astringent (drying) properties but is not powerful enough to dry out the skin sufficiently to kill an Athlete’s Foot infection.

6. Mouthwash

Mouthwash can kill bacteria in the mouth but unfortunately has no effect on Athlete’s Foot infections. Another MYTH.

7. Athlete’s Foot will go away on its own

No it won’t. You will need treatment and it is much easier to treat in the early stages.

8. Scratching Athlete’s Foot will make it better

STOP! No it won’t. In fact scratching your itchy feet if you have Athlete’s Foot will be very likely to spread the infection further and may also open up cuts for further, deeper infection.

The sensible thing to do if you think you may have Athlete’s Foot is go to a pharmacist first. They should be able to give you something over the counter to help. Follow the directions and if symptoms persist or get worse, then visit a doctor.

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How Serious is Athlete’s Foot ?

Athlete’s Foot is very common. Around 1 in 5 people has the infection, although mostly it is a problem for teenagers and men. This is not because women are immune to it, just that the conditions for the spread of the infection are more commonly found in environments that men use. It got the name Athlete’s Foot because athletes often wear the kind of footwear that encourages the parasites which cause the infection, and it is easily spread in communal showers, locker rooms, etc.

Although Athlete’s Foot (Tinea Pedis) is very common, and can be distressing, it is not very often serious. Complications can occur though, especially if it is left untreated. Untreated Athlete’s Foot infections can last months or even years. If the treatment regimes aren’t followed the first most common complication is the spread of the infection. As it is so contagious, it can spread simply by touching an infected area then touching another part of the body.

The most common place for the infection to spread is to the toenails. Fungal nail infections are common and can be diagnosed by dry, crumbly nails, which are sometimes discolored and thick. There are topical treatments for this, such as lotions that can be painted onto the nail.

The second most common place for the infection to spread is to the hands. When it spreads to the hands it is called tinea manuum. The symptoms on the hand are similar to those on the feet.

Thirdly it can spread to the groin area where the medical term for it is tinea cruris although it is often known as jock itch. Here it is characterized by small red sores on the upper thigh, groin area and buttocks. Anti fungal preparations can treat this very easily.

Aside from the spread to other parts of the body, if it is left untreated, Athlete’s Foot can cause problems such as blisters. These blisters, and the cracks in the skin, can be infected by bacteria. This can then lead to cellulitis which can spread through soft tissue to the blood or bones, causing serious problems. These problems can be dealt with by antibiotics and are not very common so you shouldn’t really worry too much about them other than being aware of them.

If you have Athlete’s Foot, the important thing is to be aware of any changes in it, and to continue treatment for as long as you are advised, to make sure the infection is completely gone.

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How To Treat Athlete’s Foot

Athlete’s Foot is very easily treatable with over the counter medicines in most cases. If your Athlete’s Foot symptoms get really bad or last longer than two weeks you should go see a doctor. They may do some tests to find a more suitable and stronger medication.

The usual treatment for Athlete’s Foot is an anti fungal cream. It is very important that you follow the instructions on the cream. You should make sure your feet are clean and dry before applying it, and make sure you apply it to the affected area, as well as an area 4-6 cm around the affected area. This is because the infection may have spread further but not yet be showing symptoms. Some people suggest you should soak your feet in lukewarm salted water before applying the cream, although the effect of this has not been proved. You should always wash your hands thoroughly after putting the cream on. The course of treatment varies but you should always continue it for the recommended length of time, even after the symptoms have cleared. If you don’t want to use an anti fungal cream, you can also now obtain sprays, liquids and powder treatments, usually over the counter without a prescription.

If your symptoms include really bad inflammation and itching, you could also try an anti fungal cream which has hydrocortisone in it. This will reduce the itching and the inflamed area.

Do not use a generic anti itch cream on Athlete’s Foot. It may relieve the itching but these creams are an ideal breeding ground for the parasites which cause the infection so it could actually make things worse.

There are some natural remedies that can be used alongside regular medications. There are not many studies about these so their efficacy may be more myth than reality. However, alongside regular medications they may be of use. Tea tree oil is one such natural ‘remedy’. It does have anti fungal properties but it would not be a good idea to use it undiluted. It may have some benefit added to a foot bath before applying topical medications.

Onion extract and garlic extract are also thought to be of benefit. They do both have anti bacterial properties so taken as an extra remedy with your medicated products they may help speed up the recovery time.

Whether you use alternative treatments or not, it is important to use the regular treatments too, and to maintain good hygiene at all times.

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How to Prevent Athlete’s Foot

Athlete’s Foot is a fungal infection, also known as Tinea Pedis. It is highly contagious and can be transmitted by direct person to person contact or by indirect contact. It can be very unpleasant but unless there are complications it is not serious.

If you are susceptible to Athlete’s Foot then you may want to think about some preventative measures to try and stop you getting the infection or prevent it spreading. Here are some of the most important.

1. Washing

It is really important to make sure you wash your feet thoroughly with soap and water on a regular basis, especially after sport or activities that make your feet sweat. Wash your hands thoroughly after touching your feet.

2. Drying

Make sure you dry your feet thoroughly after washing, as fungi and bacteria like moist environments. Use talcum powder on your feet to help keep them dry. Make sure your feet are completely dry before you put your socks on.

3. Laundry

Athlete’s Foot can be transferred through shared towels, bedlinen etc. Make sure you wash your towels on a hot wash after use, and change and wash your bedlinen at least once a week. This can help prevent the spread of the infection.

4. Footwear

Try not to wear tight fitting shoes, especially in the summer, as these make your feet sweat more. If you do have to wear them, wash and dry your feet afterwards. Socks should be changed at least every day and washed on as hot a wash as possible. Cotton socks are better than synthetic fabrics as they help your feet breathe, making the environment less favorable to the parasites which cause the infection.

5. Protection

If you use locker rooms, pools, bath houses etc then be aware that Athlete’s Foot is easily transmitted in such environments. Use plastic sandals or flip flops if you can, while you are in the showers or changing rooms. Make sure you wash the footwear afterwards.

These are the five most important things to help prevent the spread of Athlete’s Foot. There are also products such as anti fungal soaps which may be a good idea if you are prone to getting the infection as they may provide some protection. Also, try to keep your immune system as high as you can with a good, varied diet, exercise and enough sleep. The stronger your immune system is, the less likely you are to catch the infection.

Copyright 2009