Sunday, March 23, 2008

15 Effective Stress Banishing Tips

Stress is a reality for most of us from time to time, and it has even been suggested that a little is in fact normal, and can improve our performance.

However, when it becomes something more permanent, instead of protecting us, it can eventually make us more vulnerable to health problems, including headaches, high blood pressure, and even heart disease.
Here are 15 simple yet effective ways to deal with stress, before it escalates out of control:
#1 Breathe deeply

Merely focusing on your breathing may seem a little too easy, but it really does work. Deep breathing helps to ease tension, causing you to feel more relaxed almost instantly.

Try closing your eyes and inhale slowly through your nose, hold the breath for a few seconds, then exhale slowly. Visualizing a relaxing scene, such as watching a beautiful sunset, or walking on the beach, can also add to the feeling of calm.
#2 Count to 10

Reacting negatively to situations which stress you will only serve to make you feel worse. Instead, take a few moments to step back and count to 10, gather your thoughts, take a few deep breaths, and then carry on.
#3 Mini massage

With the thumb of one hand, massage the palm of the other hand by making small circles, working every area of the palm and fingers also. Switch and do the other hand. This is surprisingly very relaxing!
#4 Stretch

Stretching can be a very simple and effective way of de-stressing.

* Move your head from one side to the other, and also up and down.
* Shrug your shoulders up toward your ears, and then relax.
* Bring your arms high above your head and reach alternately toward the sky, then drop your arms and reach toward the floor.
* Try the “child pose.” Kneel down on the floor, sit back on your heels, then lean your body forward, putting your forehead on the floor with your arms alongside your legs, palms up. Hold there for a few moments, concentrating on your breathing.


#5 Pressure points

Putting pressure on specific points on the body can help ease away the stress:

* Scalp soother - place your thumbs behind your ears while spreading your fingers on top of your head. Move your scalp back and forth slightly by making circles with your fingertips for 15-20 seconds.
* Easy on the eyes - close your eyes and place your ring fingers directly under your eyebrows, near the bridge of your nose. Slowly increase the pressure for 5-10 seconds, then gently release. Repeat 2-3 times.
* Sinus pressure relief - place your fingertips at the bridge of your nose. Slowly slide your fingers down your nose and across the top of your cheekbones to the outside of your eyes.
* Shoulder tension relief - reach one arm across the front of your body to your opposite shoulder. Using a circular motion, press firmly on the muscle above your shoulder blade. Repeat on the other side.
* Neck tension relief - on the back of the neck slightly below the base of the skull, about half an inch to the left or right of the spine.

#6 Write it down

If you tend to worry continually, restrict yourself to a half hour each day when you allow yourself to think about worrying matters. During this time you can write down your concerns, and evaluate them.

However, throughout the rest of the day say to yourself, “I’ll think about that later.” This will help reduce the amount of time you spend each day worrying unnecessarily.
#7 Just say “NO!”

Are work commitments getting too much for you? If they are, remember there’s no shame in saying no to your boss, friends or family. You don’t have to, nor can you, please everyone - so don’t try!
#8 Get enough sleep

Lack of sleep is a big contributor to how we feel, and react, and it can also have detrimental effects of our overall health. While most of us experience a few sleepless nights from time to time, chronic sleep loss can be a major problem, contributing to a number of health problems, such as heart disease, stroke, obesity, diabetes, and depression.

* Try to create a regular schedule by going to bed and getting up at the same time every day, including weekends.
* Get optimum sleep every night – an average of 8 hours is recommended.
* Aim for sleep in one continuous block, if possible. This way your body receives better mental recovery, as it is allowed to reach a deeper sleep cycle.

#9 Smile…even if you don’t mean it!

Smiling instantly gives you a lift, making you feel more relaxed and happy, and helping to relieve some of the stressful tension.

So, if you want to reduce stress, anxiety, and muscular tension, just smile. But, remember a smirk doesn’t count, you need use your mouth, cheeks and eyes for the full effect!
#10 Laugh at yourself, or others!

It has been said that a hearty laugh is like internal body exercise. It also helps to improve our quality of life by reducing stress, elevating our mood, connecting us with others, and generally making us feel better.

So, bring laughter into your life whenever possible. Make it your aim to see the funny side to life, rather than getting stressed about things that come your way!

Check out this hilarious animal video from YouTube.
#11 Enjoy your surroundings

When you feel stress levels rising, focus on something positive. Take time to get up and look out of the window, look for something natural to captive your imagination, for example the green trees, a nearby river, or the blue sky.

Better still, go outside to enjoy the fresh air, some breathing space, and a little time to reflect on your current situation.
#12 Listen to music

Crank up your ipod with whatever makes you feel happy; maybe it’s classical, gospel or even something upbeat. Just make sure you’ve got a good selection to suit every mood and circumstance!
#13 Talk to friends

They say, “A problem shared, is a problem halved,” and there’s much wisdom in that saying!

Sharing our troubles helps us to gain perspective on the situation, and friends have a great way of making us feel cared for. Often our problem may not be as bad as we think, and a friend can point this out to us!
#14 Eat healthy foods

It’s vital to eat well everyday. A healthy diet is a major factor in achieving a healthy mind and body.

* Start each day with a healthy breakfast - think of your body as a car, it doesn’t run well on empty, does it? It’s the same for your body. Choose a high fibre cereal, such as porridge, or wholegrain bread, with fresh fruit, and low fat yoghurt, or milk.
* Regular meals and snacks are extremely important - this will ensure that your body has a steady energy supply, helping to maintain your blood glucose levels, which in turn will help control feelings of stress.
* Choose high fibre carbohydrates at each meal - this will provide the fuel your bodies needs, and also provide a source of B vitamins, which are beneficial for nerve and brain cells.
* Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables - they contain essential antioxidant vitamins, and other nutrients, which help to counter free radical damage, thought to be heightened during times of stress. Choose a range of brightly coloured fruits and vegetables for maximum benefit.

#15 Make time to exercise

Regular exercise is very effective in helping to manage stress by releasing endorphins which elevate our mood, and also giving us an energy boost. If you exercise outside you will have the added benefit of natural surroundings to further trigger your relaxation responses.

Try to find an activity you enjoy such as walking, jogging, swimming, playing tennis, or go all out and try rock climbing, or scuba diving!
Finally

When you feel stressful thoughts coming on, ask yourself, “Are these negative thoughts helping me in any way?” This is a good way of re-focusing your mind on what is really important.

Try making time just for you to relax and unwind on a daily basis. Can you set aside at least 30 minutes, where you do something enjoyable on your own? Perhaps listen to your favourite cd, take a relaxing bath, or read a book. This should be a time when you have no interruptions - think of it as recharging your batteries!

Best wishes!


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Monday, March 17, 2008

Health Tip: If Your Child is a Vegetarian

(HealthDay News) -- If your child is a vegetarian, it's important to make sure that he or she eats a varied, balanced and healthy diet.

Here are some guidelines, courtesy of the U.S. National Library of Medicine:

  • For children up to age 1, breast milk or a fortified, soy formula should be the primary source of nutrition.
  • Do not limit dietary fat for children younger than age 2.
  • Young children should drink plenty of milk or a fortified substitute to make sure they get enough calcium, protein, vitamin D and riboflavin.
  • Give your child a vitamin B12 supplement if no animal products are eaten.
  • Make sure your child gets plenty of iron from foods such as spinach, raisins, iron-fortified cereals and whole grains, prunes and prune juice


Friday, March 14, 2008

How can Herbal Remedies Help Women with Hair Loss?

Compared to men, hair loss can be more disturbing for women. Since the way a person looks is very important, female hair loss is not generally accepted, they usually find way to treat it or prevent it.

As part of the women’s beauty, these women must have healthy and thick hair. Healthy hair support women to stop from worrying about hair loss, and prevent hair loss.

You can use herbal remedies like provillus with your hair loss. With provillus for women you can prevent unwanted hair loss and it will help your hair to be healthy, and full of shine. This herbal remedy specifically formulated for the specific hair loss problems that women experience. Provillus supports hair re-growth and also keeps the hair full-bodied and healthy by supplying enough nutrients.
In the United States female Pattern Baldness (FPB) affects 1 out of every 4 women. For women as for men, hair loss can happen. Time and again, menopause is the most common time for female to suffer from hair loss.
Both men and women can suffer hair loss but the order and appearance of this hair loss happens differently. What can herbal; remedy does for the women’s hair loss? There are some benefits that you can get from hair loss treatment, like it helps prevent hair loss rejuvenates hair follicles and with this, there is no prescription needed.

There are different causes of hair loss. Medications that you are using with your illnesses can cause hair loss but as soon as the illness is treated, hair with grow back again. Using chemicals in your hair such as bleaching and hair dye can cause hair loss, so it is best to stop using chemicals that can damage your hair. There is also another cause of hair loss which is called alopecia, this is hereditary thinning of hair and it usually happens to women.

The hormone imbalances are one of the causes of women hair loss. Thinning hair can happen when you are having under active and over active thyroid gland. This type of female hair loss usually helps when thyroid disease is treated. In women child birth may also result in unexpected hair loss. After pregnancy it is common for many women to notice hair loss, as soon as they gave birth. It’s also cause by hormone.

This day and age, you do not have to let hair loss get your confidence away from you, since there are plenty of ways to gain back that beautiful hair you once had. With the use of herbal remedies, you can gain healthy hair. Just make sure to find the right herbal remedy for you. You can do a bit of research, check on the ingredients and how it works to assure if it can help you fight hair loss.

Eliza Maledevic Ayson
http://www.primeherbal.com/hair_loss

Sunday, March 9, 2008

Symptoms Of Mesothelioma

The early symptoms of mesothelioma can be varied and can mimic many other diseases. Only your personal physician can review your symptoms and can differentiate between a diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma versus a less serious diagnosis.

Malignant mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer, in which cancer cells are found in the pleura, the sac lining the chest, in the peritoneum, the lining of the abdominal cavity, or in the pericardium, the lining around the heart. Once the cancerous cells begin to invade the body and crowd out the healthy cells, then many of the early symptoms of mesothelioma begin to appear.

Because of the long period of time between the exposure to asbestos and the development of symptoms of mesothelioma it can be very difficult for even the most experienced physician to diagnose mesothelioma. The challenge for your physician is that the early symptoms of mesothelioma are generally non-specific and this may lead to a delay in diagnosis. The early symptoms are so general and non-specific that they could be attributed to numerous common diseases, such as pneumonia.

Some patients with pleural mesothelioma, the most common type of mesothelioma, may present to their personal physician with a persistent cough, chest pain, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, weight loss, difficulty swallowing, swelling of the neck or face, a change in the voice, such as the development of a raspy voice, fever, night sweats or perhaps something as simple as just not feeling well. Initial work up by a physician might include a chest x-ray as well as a complete physical exam. However, it is equally as important to remember that some patients may show no symptoms of mesothelioma at all.

Peritoneal mesothelioma, one of the less common types of mesothelioma, may present with early symptoms such as loss of appetite, weight loss, nausea, vomiting, bloating or abdominal pain. This type of mesothelioma begins in the abdomen and can progress from the abdomen to other parts of the body. If the mesothelioma cancer has invade other areas outside of the abdomen, the patient can also present with difficulty breathing or chest pain demonstrating that the chest region may already be involved. Peritoneal mesothelioma patients like those with pleural mesothelioma can be very difficult to diagnose.

The least common type of mesothelioma is pericardial mesothelioma. In this type of mesothelioma cancerous cells invade the sac lining the outside of the heart and can metastasize, or spread, from there. The earliest symptoms of mesothelioma involving the pericardium include chest pain, palpitations or what is commonly described as feeling like the heart is racing, shortness of breath, and a persistent cough.

Since we know that most patients diagnosed with mesothelioma do not begin to show symptoms until decades after exposure, it is critical that a diagnosis be made as quickly as possible after symptoms appear. Tell your physician if you suspect that you were ever exposed to asbestos. This would include either working directly in an area where you might have been exposed to asbestos dust or even if you were the person handling the clothing or laundry of a family member that might have been exposed. This knowledge will allow your physician to have a more complete picture when evaluating your situation.

The early symptoms of mesothelioma can be varied and can mimic many other diseases. Only your personal physician can review your symptoms and can differentiate between a diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma versus a less serious diagnosis.

Malignant mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer, in which cancer cells are found in the pleura, the sac lining the chest, in the peritoneum, the lining of the abdominal cavity, or in the pericardium, the lining around the heart. Once the cancerous cells begin to invade the body and crowd out the healthy cells, then many of the early symptoms of mesothelioma begin to appear.

Because of the long period of time between the exposure to asbestos and the development of symptoms of mesothelioma it can be very difficult for even the most experienced physician to diagnose mesothelioma. The challenge for your physician is that the early symptoms of mesothelioma are generally non-specific and this may lead to a delay in diagnosis. The early symptoms are so general and non-specific that they could be attributed to numerous common diseases, such as pneumonia.

Some patients with pleural mesothelioma, the most common type of mesothelioma, may present to their personal physician with a persistent cough, chest pain, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, weight loss, difficulty swallowing, swelling of the neck or face, a change in the voice, such as the development of a raspy voice, fever, night sweats or perhaps something as simple as just not feeling well. Initial work up by a physician might include a chest x-ray as well as a complete physical exam. However, it is equally as important to remember that some patients may show no symptoms of mesothelioma at all.

Peritoneal mesothelioma, one of the less common types of mesothelioma, may present with early symptoms such as loss of appetite, weight loss, nausea, vomiting, bloating or abdominal pain. This type of mesothelioma begins in the abdomen and can progress from the abdomen to other parts of the body. If the mesothelioma cancer has invade other areas outside of the abdomen, the patient can also present with difficulty breathing or chest pain demonstrating that the chest region may already be involved. Peritoneal mesothelioma patients like those with pleural mesothelioma can be very difficult to diagnose.

The least common type of mesothelioma is pericardial mesothelioma. In this type of mesothelioma cancerous cells invade the sac lining the outside of the heart and can metastasize, or spread, from there. The earliest symptoms of mesothelioma involving the pericardium include chest pain, palpitations or what is commonly described as feeling like the heart is racing, shortness of breath, and a persistent cough.

Since we know that most patients diagnosed with mesothelioma do not begin to show symptoms until decades after exposure, it is critical that a diagnosis be made as quickly as possible after symptoms appear. Tell your physician if you suspect that you were ever exposed to asbestos. This would include either working directly in an area where you might have been exposed to asbestos dust or even if you were the person handling the clothing or laundry of a family member that might have been exposed. This knowledge will allow your physician to have a more complete picture when evaluating your situation.

Symptoms of mesothelioma are symptoms that can easily be mistaken for symptoms of a less-threatening disease. Seek out a competent physician, one who will listen closely to your history and will complete a physical exam and screening based on your symptoms and your history. Listen to your body…symptoms of mesothelioma are ones that deserve to be taken seriously and deserve to be checked out completely are symptoms that can easily be mistaken for symptoms of a less-threatening disease. Seek out a competent physician, one who will listen closely to your history and will complete a physical exam and screening based on your symptoms and your history. Listen to your body…symptoms of mesothelioma are ones that deserve to be taken seriously and deserve to be checked out completely

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Mesothelioma - Information

According to The National Cancer Institute malignant mesothelioma types are a rare form of cancer in which malignant cells are found in the sac lining the chest called the pleura, in the lining of the abdominal cavity called the peritoneum or in the lining around the heart, called the pericardium.

The lining of the chest, the abdominal cavity and the heart is called the mesothelium which is where the name “mesothelioma” comes from.

Malignant mesothelioma is also known as “asbestos cancer” because approximately 75% of all mesothelioma patients have a known exposure to asbestos. Because tumors of the mesothelium are rarely benign or non-cancerous, malignant or cancerous mesothelioma is usually referred to by the shorter name of "mesothelioma".

Even with all of the recent history of mesothelioma and its proliferation throughout the news media and the spawning of numerous legal issues, mesothelioma is still a relatively rare cancer; even though new cases have certainly increased in the past 20 years. Every year in the United States approximately 2,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed. Mesothelioma occurs more often in men than in women and the risk of occurrence increases with age, but this disease can certainly appear at any age and can appear in either men or women.

Because so many of the symptoms of mesothelioma are very similar to those of other conditions, including lung cancer, it can be quite challenging to diagnosis mesothelioma. Also, once malignant mesothelioma takes hold it can be a very aggressive disease and so early diagnosis and treatment of is critical.

Although a small number of people who of have contracted mesothelioma have never been found to have been exposed to asbestos, approximately 75% of mesothelioma cases have actually been linked to some level of asbestos exposure. Working with asbestos is the major risk factor for eventually being diagnosed with mesothelioma.

Most incidence of mesothelioma stems from people who have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles, or have been exposed to asbestos dust and fiber in other ways, such as by washing the clothes of a family member who worked with asbestos, or by home renovation using asbestos cement products. One of the biggest challenges with this rare disease is that this cancer may not even begin to demonstrate symptoms until 20, 30, 40 or even 50 or years after the first exposure to asbestos.

Although malignant mesothelioma is rare, it is a serious, deadly disease. But with the ever emerging new treatments for cancer, there is hope for patients diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Pancreas Cancer: What Are The Symptoms Of Pancreas Cancer?

Pancreatic (or pancreas) cancer is a type of cancer that affects the body through the pancreatic gland. It typically takes the form of a malignant tumor in the pancreas, which then creates problems throughout the rest of the body. The problem is that many of the symptoms of pancreas cancer, also resemble symptoms found in other diseases, and other forms of cancer. The symptoms of pancreas cancer, especially in the early stages are fairly cut and dry.

One of the symptoms of pancreas cancer resembles a strong stomach ache, or in some cases appendicitis. The pain begins in the upper part of the stomach, and slowly changes its location. Some sufferers who have experienced this symptom of pancreas cancer have described it as a sharp pain in their chest, or the upper part of their stomach or torso. The pain sometimes shoots around the body to the back as well. Those who has suffered through this symptom of pancreas cancer have also found that when they move their body forward, or rest their weight on their knees, the pain disappears. This symptom of pancreas cancer have led many to mis-diagnosis their condition. They believe they are suffering from a sprained back, or indigestion, and try to fix the problem with over the counter medications, rather than seek medical attention.

Another one of the symptoms of pancreas cancer that are sometimes diagnosed as something else, are a loss of appetite and an increase in weight loss. In the early stages of pancreas cancer, an individual might notice that they suddenly lose their appetite, or cannot eat the same amount of food as they previously did. They may also notice that their clothes are hanging looser on their bodies, or that they’ve suddenly gone down a few sizes. Some attribute the weight loss to the fact that they aren’t eating very often, and ignore the implications. These symptoms of pancreas cancer are symptoms of a multitude of other diseases. If this is their only symptom, the doctor might check for the other diseases before ever considering pancreas cancer. Some individuals do not seek medical attention at all for these symptoms, instead ignoring the problem.

One symptom of pancreas cancer that occurs once the disease has spread, is the appearance of jaundice. Jaundice is a yellow color that appears on the body, most notably on the face and torso. The skin doesn’t become a bright, flaming yellow but just a slightly sallow greenish-yellow tone. Once the jaundice appears, it’s a sign that the tumor has grown much larger, and it turn has blocked the common bile duct inside the pancreas. Other symptoms of pancreas cancer include depression, and the sudden appearance of a large number of blood clots.

The problem with all of these symptoms of pancreas cancer are that they can all be signs of another type of disease. Many people wait until it is too late too late to seek medical attention, and by then, its too late for the doctors to do anything to help, except to treat the symptoms

Sunday, March 2, 2008

Pancreas Cancer: What You Need To Know About Pancreas Cancer

Pancreas cancer is one of the most prevalent forms of cancer striking individuals across the world. While the United States has a high prevalence of individuals who are diagnosed with pancreas cancer every year, the amount of diagnoses in Europe are almost double that. In one year alone, the United States sees over 30,000 cases of pancreas cancer, while in Europe that number is over 60,000. Sadly enough, the long term prognosis for those diagnosed with pancreas cancer are extremely poor. Most individuals pass away within five years of the initial diagnosis.

Pancreas cancer is a difficult diagnosis to live with for most individuals. Not only is the cancer not treatable for many, but their chances at a future are very slim. While most are given an outlook of 3-5 years, many more pass away long before that amount of time has passed. The problem is that the disease isn’t something regularly checked for, except in the cases where people have a family history of this type of cancer. For everyone else, they are seldom checked for pancreas cancer, unless the symptoms have already presented.

The other problem is that many of the symptoms can be related to another disease. Some individuals experience a change in appetite, and an extreme weight loss, which can be attributed to many other diseases. An individual who presents with these types of symptoms, and have no history of pancreas cancer, are likely to be tested for a variety of other diseases before cancer is even mentioned. Still many others are tested for other forms of cancer that run in their family, long before the pancreas is examined. By the time doctors check for pancreas cancer, the disease is usually full blown and no longer treatable.

Doctors are quick to point out that a diagnosis of pancreas cancer is not a death wish. In fact, many individuals have gone on to live far beyond that initial diagnosis. The difference between those who continue to live a healthy life, and those who succumb to the disease, are often a matter of personal attitude. There are those who refuse to believe that a diagnosis of pancreas cancer is a death sentence, and then there are those who simple wait for the end to come, and give up all hope in the early stages.

Pancreas cancer is in fact a disease with a poor chance of recovery. In general, even the chances of remission, or when the cancer stops moving for a short period of time, are rare and only happen in a small number of cases. Still, there are a number of individuals who do not give up hope, and who continue to keep fighting, even when the pancreas cancer begins to take over their body. These people continue to attend their children’s school functions, continue to work, and continue to spend time with their families. They hold onto that hope right up until the very end.

Pancreas cancer is a serious disease, with little chance of recovery, but it is not a death sentence.