Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Cialis Effectively Treats ED

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common complaint in men, particularly as they age. Millions of men of all ages suffer from the condition on a regular basis. Specific medical conditions and stress can cause ED. Fortunately, there are treatments that help men confidently engage in sexual activity again. One of the most effective is Cialis. There are specific steps you can take to improve the drug's usefulness.

Seek Professional Help

It is a good idea to get a doctor to review your medical record before deciding to take any ED drug. Men who have heart problems or take nitrates are typically warned to avoid this medication. Consult your doctor as soon as you begin experiencing ED symptoms. The sooner you can begin treating ED, the better chance you have of fully recovering from the condition.

Other ED Medications

You may have also considered taking Levitra or Viagra. These are the other two leading drugs marketed for ED treatment. Generally speaking, all ED drugs work the same way. They allow blood flow to enter the penis so that men can achieve and maintain an erection after being sexually stimulated. A hard erection is the only way to obtain successful sexual intercourse.

Why Cialis is More Effective

This particular ED treatment stands out because it has a 36-hour effective period. For this reason, you do not need to take the medication daily. And you can still achieve satisfying erections during that time period. Because of its extended use period, men can be more spontaneous rather than having to plan their intimate encounters.

ED Treatment and Prevention

If you experience ED symptoms, it is important that you learn what is causing your ED. Your doctor can help identify medical problems like high or low blood pressure, heart conditions, or diabetes. But your lifestyle may also be contributing to your ED. Consuming too much alcohol or using illicit drugs can lead to your impotence. So can stress and depression. While ED drugs can help on a short-term basis, you really need to figure out what is causing your condition and address those issues as well.
Cialis can help with your ED while you work to regain a healthy lifestyle. Watch your weight, eat right, and exercise regularly to reduce stress and improve your overall health. Taking these steps will improve the effectiveness of Cialis to treat erectile dysfunction so you can have satisfying sexual encounters.

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Metobolic Syndrome and the Inability to Lose Weight

Metabolic Syndrome is defined by its four hallmark symptoms of central obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia or high cholesterol, and hyperglycemia or high blood sugar. All four of these symptoms have something in common, the patient cells no longer respond to normal amounts of insulin.

The medical model for treating Metabolic Syndrome is to treat each symptom as separate, unrelated disease. Patients are given drugs, usually six to nine of them, to treat each symptom without trying to fix the underline cause.

An increase in insulin or hyper-insulinemia is the cause and has many detrimental effects on the body.

-First in response to hyper-insulinemia the pancreas secretes an exaggerated amount of insulin in response to rise in blood glucose, which can lead to insulin resistance. Most practitioners do not focus on this. They see a rise in blood glucose and prescribe drugs to lower it, which only furthers the problem of hyper-insulimia by signaling the pancreas to produce more insulin.

-Secondly, the patient now has hypertension due to the increase in insulin and is put on an ACE inhibitor to lower blood pressure. This signals the pancreas to secrete more insulin and as a result the patient gains more weight.

-Thirdly an excess of insulin causes an increase in the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase which tells the body to produce more Cholesterol and now the patient needs a stating drug to lower cholesterol.

Hyperinsulinemia eventually may lead Diabetic symptoms. Many experts agree that by 2050 1 in every 3 Americans will have diabetes, this includes children. They also agree this will potentially bankrupt our health care budget.

Diabetes is the number one cause of blindness, amputations and kidney failure in this country. The current healthcare system spends 174,000,000 dollars per year on patients with diabetes and this 174 billion does not include one dollar spent on prevention.

`It has been long known that diet and exercise can reduce the onset of Metabolic Syndrome and Diabetes. Prevention of Metabolic Syndrome and Diabetes is a life style change and here are tips to help:

Tip 1: Get up and move, Exercise can help you:

-Lose weight

-Lower your blood sugar

-Boosts your sensitivity to insulin - which helps keep your blood sugar within a normal range

Research shows that both aerobic exercise and resistance training can help control diabetes, but the greatest benefit comes from a fitness program that includes both.

Tip 2: Increase your fiber intake

Increase in fiber may help you:

Reduce your risk of diabetes by improving your blood sugar control

Lower your risk of heart disease

Promote weight loss by helping you feel full

Foods high in fiber include fruits, vegetables, beans, whole grains, nuts and seeds.

Tip 3: Lose extra weight

If you're overweight, diabetes prevention may hinge on weight loss. Every pound you lose can improve your health. And you may be surprised by how much. In one study, overweight adults reduced their diabetes risk by 16 percent for every kilogram (2.2 pounds) of weight lost. Also, those who lost a modest amount of weight - at least 5 to 10 percent of initial body weight - and exercised regularly reduced the risk of developing diabetes by almost 60 percent over three years.

Tip 4: Do not waste time and money on fad diets.

Low-crab diets, the glycemic index diet or other fad diets may help you lose weight at first, but their effectiveness at preventing diabetes isn't known nor are their long-term effects. And by excluding or strictly limiting a particular food group, you may be giving up essential nutrients. Instead, think variety and portion control as part of an overall healthy-eating plan.

Tip 5- Receive Regular Chiropractic Care.

Spinal nerve interference has been acknowledged in scientific literature to be a contributing factor of endocrine and metabolic disorders including diabetes. Studies have shown that Chiropractic care reduces blood pressure and reduces the overall impact that lifestyle stressors have on the body. Chiropractic health care is founded on the principle that a good working nervous system is vital to the general well-being and function of the human body.

How to Get Buff - Efficient and Effective Ways

Bodybuilding is an enjoyable and prevalent sport where thousands of men and women participate. To achieve this complete and well-balanced physique, get ready to dedicate your time to specific and effective weight training, minimal aerobic workout and diet to ripen your muscle mass and gain minimum body fat. It will require comprehension of exercises that build up all muscles and demands rigorous and consistent workout. Training specific muscles to the appropriate degree is the key to a well-proportioned body. Whether "getting buff" is a hobby or an athletic endeavour; it is not impossible with a consistent and disciplined nature.

1. Increase your calorie intake - eat smart!

The most obvious step yet many skinny people fail to understand. To pack on muscles increase your consumption of healthy food rich in calories and lean protein such as soy milk, poultry, fish, eggs, grains, tofu and seeds and nuts that will protect cells from damage.. These calories are used as a source of energy to power your body during a vigorous workout, proteins aid in tissue repair. Junk food should be avoided strongly. You want to eat more, but processed food is just unhealthy fat.

How many calories and protein should you consume?

Keep a record on how many calories you burn. Consume twenty-four times your weight in pounds. For example, you weigh 190 pounds then you should take 4,560 calories per day.

A good practice is to take one gram of lean protein for every pound of total body weight. If you're 190 pounds should consume 190 grams of lean protein every day.

2. Do mass building exercises

Focus on exercises that train group muscles such as deadlifts, presses, dips, pull-ups and rows. You'll be in better shape to lift weights and train more muscle fibers. Right practice results perfect form. Don't risk injury, let your body gradually adapt to these exercises. Push your workout intensity as you progress. A crucial reminder on how to get buff: maintaining the same resistance every routine results to nothing. Building muscles include the process of tearing and rebuilding muscle fiber. Give your body some rest and the time to repair itself.

3. Have time for aerobic exercise

Brisk walking, jogging, cycling and jumping rope are examples of cardio workout. Albeit aerobics is not your main goal, cardio training will help you remove the unwanted body fat, and show your defined muscles. Engaging in aerobic exercises gives you the ability to withstand long, laborious workout. Your lungs and heart will able to work at a higher rate, delivering oxygen to the different area of your body faster. Dedicate twenty to thirty minutes for cardio workout.

4. Go for supplements

Creatine, protein and multivitamins are supplements that are recommended on how to get buff faster. They are good addition to your workout routine and diet, which help you gain muscle, mass. They come in powders and shake to gels and bars, choose what suits your convenience.

Amino acid is a component of protein that builds muscles. Supplements provide necessary nutrition that your body needs, but it is useless without proper diet and good exercise routines.

What Is Dandruff And What Are the Main Factors That Cause It?

If you ever wonder what dandruff really is and like to dig deeper to what the cause is, then there's more to it than just the old myth of bad hygiene. Its natural build-up may have been overlooked by many; however, it can have a long term effect if ignored or not treated properly.

Dandruff affects 50% of the world's adult population (can occur on infants too), is one of the common problems affecting individual's social and physical behavior. It is sometimes called scurf, a skin disorder that builds up during regeneration of the scalp's skin. Normally, old skin cells are replaced by new skin once a month without being visible to the naked eye. With dandruff infested scalp, old skin peels off rapidly and can be distinguished through their flaky formation. Basically, skin regeneration or flaking happens before old skin cells die out. This is why large skin scales are visible when having dandruff problems.

Dandruff attacks in two ways: internally or externally, or it could even be both simultaneously.

Factors of Internal Dandruff:

  • Fungus and bacteria leading to skin inflammation and allergies
  • Irregular hormonal activities
  • Weak Immune System
  • Heredity
  • Emotional stress

Most common fungus:

  • Malassezia - is a normal human scalp thriving-fungus that can cause dandruff if one of its species like Malassezia furfur disposes waste lipids that can cause irritation to the scalp skin or inflammation called Seborrheic Dermatitis. If individual's scalp is sensitive to their lipid wastes, then they are likely to encounter severe itchiness and flaking of the skin.
  • Factors of external dandruff:
  • Skin Inflammation due to strong chemical compounds found in certain hair styling products
  • soap or shampoo residues
  • weather

Most common skin inflammation caused by active ingredients:

  • Contact Dermatitis - an allergic reaction of the skin that can cause inflammation triggered by strong chemical compounds found in anti-dandruff shampoos, hair dyes, hair colors, and other hair treatments.

Dandruff easily attacks on sweaty and oily scalp. These excess normally creates flakes in cold weather resulting in dandruff build-up. Same happens with soap residues as they cause the skin to peel off if improperly washed. Besides washing, it is best to thoroughly comb the hair on a regular basis too.

Signs of Dandruff attack:

  • Itchy scalp
  • Irritating skin
  • Soreness in the scalp
  • Reddish skin spots
  • Flakes

If you are suffering from dandruff, there are several ways to prevent it from causing further build-up: anti-dandruff shampoo remedies and herbal home remedies

Active ingredients in anti-dandruff shampoos:

  • zinc pyritheone
  • Tar based shampoos
  • salicylic acid
  • selenium sulfide

Home & herbal remedies

  • olive oil
  • baking soda.
  • lemon or lime juice
  • tea tree oil
  • thyme
  • white vinegar
  • apple cider vinegar
  • baby oil
  • fenugreek seeds
  • Aloe Vera
  • milk of magnesia

Active ingredients and other anti-fungal agents in many dandruff shampoos have always been effective in slowing down skin cell regeneration and reduce fungus formation. They are quite effective; however, they can cause allergies and inflammatory reaction of the skin. The reaction normally occurs on individuals with hyper-sensitive skin. Therefore, herbal and home remedies are a safer way for them to treat dandruff. If problem persists, dermatologists do have special ointments and medications to treat those.

Skin cells normally regenerate and shed off old skin. It is unlikely for fresh skin to flake off, accompanied with chronic irritations. These are likely symptoms of dandruff in progress. If problem continues, you can always consult with your doctor, apply dandruff shampoo, try other dandruff remedies and avoid other contributing factors. It is best to treat it early, before they can affect other parts of the scalp area.

The Wonders of Alkaline Water Machines

According to Dr. John Sorenson, a leading authority on mineral metabolism, "Minerals in drinking water are more easily and better absorbed than minerals from food." This is why alkaline water machine is introduced to the market producing mineralized water specifically alkaline ionized water. Our body is comprised by approximately 70% water and plays great importance in maintaining good health, taking the consideration of the quality of water we choose to fill in our body is very important. It determines the ability of our body to fight for any of the impending illness.

The fight for wide range of diseases and ailments, alkaline water machines have been proven to provide major benefits. Alkaline water ionizers is also known as alkaline water machines paved way to improve health in several ways. To remove the harmful agents, our body should counteract the effect of over acidity in our system and neutralizing it with alkalinity which this machine is intended for by producing alkaline water.

These machines help to restore cell function by providing electrical current from the electrically-charged alkaline water to rejuvenate the cells. Also, it produce ionized water that neutralizes acids in the body by creating high pH which lowers the acidity. Americans are known of having overly acidic body but by the functions of this machine, maintaining the pH balance would possible.

Various antioxidants are being commercialized now in the market but it provides antioxidant action by helping our body to prevent or repair damage to cells, and detoxifying it.

Several brands are made available and very easy to use, by attaching it to your faucet your tap water will turn into healthy electrically charged "living" water.

These are just few reasons why alkaline water machine is considered as one of the top machines in the market. So if you want to enjoy life by achieving good health, you have your own ways, but for me it is the wonder of alkaline water machines. So, what are you waiting for? You have to be one of the wise people who wants to achieve good health for oneself and their family. You can look for providers in the internet and surely you will find a lot of reliable sources. Or if this article is not enough for you can do an extensive research yourself. It is indeed considered as one of the valuable investments that you have for you and your family.

What Your Dentist Expects You to Do After Getting Dental Braces

Once your dentist has finally placed your dental braces, you are expected to be more responsible with your oral health. The success rate of this treatment does not rely entirely on your dentist or the braces that you have. It also relies on your attitude towards your treatment. This time, you should be more conscious about activities that affect your dental condition. Your dentist expects you to take extra care of your teeth and gums because they require more attention now. Here are some of the things you can do to maintain a good oral health while having braces.

You must take oral hygiene more seriously

Now that you have your dental braces, you need to brush more often to avoid cavities. You should brush after eating. It doesn't matter if it is a big meal or not. You still need to brush your teeth because food deposits in your brackets can only be removed through brushing. It is also recommended to carry a dental kit every time you travel away from home. This way, you can brush your teeth anywhere you go. You can also use a floss pick to remove food remnants that were trapped between your teeth. Don't worry because there are available floss picks that are specifically designed for braces. You can also use a mouthwash to rinse and clean your entire mouth. Mouthwash gives you a fresh breath and removes bacteria that cause cavities.

You must visit your dentist regularly

For your dentist to properly monitor your progress, you should follow a regular dental checkup schedule. Your dentist will determine how often you need to go to his dental clinic. The frequency of your checkup will depend on the condition of your teeth. If more attention is required to properly treat your teeth, expect more dental clinic visits. During these visits, your dentist will also tighten your braces to move your teeth. This adjustment is necessary to shift your teeth into an aligned position.

You must eat soft foods

After your braces have been tightened, you will feel uneasy and uncomfortable every time you eat. You will feel a bit of ache and soreness in your gums which will make it harder for you to chew. You must eat soft foods that won't require you to chew too much so that you take less pressure on your gums. If you'll eat vegetables, cook them longer to soften them. You can also cut your food into smaller pieces so that you won't have to chew a lot.

Having dental braces is not really a tough challenge but is an additional obligation that you need to follow in order to get the best results. Your dentist will support you in this treatment and will provide the dental services you need. However, if you want to have that great smile you have always dreamed of, you should commit to achieving that goal. You should be willing to take the responsibility of maintaining your oral health and be determined to follow your dental routine.

Rogue Peas in a Field of Health Care Related Social Media

My first job (not my first career job) but my first "actual job" as a young man was working for a farming corporation. I was fourteen years old and my best friend's dad had management responsibilities for a pea seed factory in rural Idaho. He was a farmer and a cowboy through and through. That man knew how to work, and he taught it to the group of us that had the pleasure (and the pain) of working for him during our summers away from school. The big benefit...all the peas you could eat.

Managing acres and acres of pea seed required a lot of maintenance. We had the important responsibility of roguing the pea fields (hundreds of acres of them - maybe even thousands of acres). Roguing is the agricultural process of weeding "rogue" plants out of fields to maintain high quality product. It's always about quality control isn't it?

It was a different era and the work was all done by hand. Here's how our day went. A group of us (all teenagers) would meet at a central location (within walking distance of our house) at 6:00am. We'd hop in the back of our boss's truck and ride about 15 miles to the location of the office and seed silo. From there, we'd organize and head to a local (or semi-local...1-2 hours away) pea field. On arrival, we'd jump out of the truck and begin. The goal, our entire mission, was to extract pea plants with purple flowers. We'd space ourselves about 30 yards away from each other and walk up and down the fields. When you'd see a purple flower, you'd pull out the plant down to its roots. When you'd reach the end of the field, you'd dump the plants you picked and start over...and over...and over. When the field was complete, you'd move to the next field. We became pretty dang good at identifying purple flowers and keeping up. We were constantly looking for the needle in the haystack. We must have seen millions (trillions) of pea plants each summer.

Social media research is a little like this process. Instead of looking for the one "bad seed" you are looking for the one "good seed" in a field of useless information. Often times, when we evaluate social media content, even using search processes to streamline the content, we start with hundreds of thousands of pieces of information that need to be filtered out for quality, evaluated, and analyzed for its content "worth" associated with the subject. It's a rather rigorous process that requires our analysts closely evaluate the content for value. As you get involved with social media research and social media monitoring/listening, I suggest you evaluate your platform for its ability to find the needles in the haystack, the "good seed" in the field of irrelevant information.

Much has been written about Social Media and its uses for businesses but there continues to be a lack of understanding surrounding the real benefit. A recent study illustrated what social media content is capable of given the right statistical techniques and quality control processes. In the process, over 1,000 sites were evaluated for content related to the healthcare industry. The researchers ran across a lot of irrelevant content. They also identified some of the purple flowers of information. Though the study is specific to health care, the principles apply to other industries and business types. Feel free to download it, it's free and may give you some ideas of how social media content analysis may benefit you. The paper can be found here!

It's important to understand the opinions of your customers and there are a handful of very effective ways to go about it. Social media research provides a very good look at these unsolicited opinions if you can identify the content that matters to your organization in the field of information that can be left alone or ignored... i.e. find the purple flowers in the sea of green.

Baby Boomer Health And The Economy

The very first article in the October 2011 issue of the American Association of Retired Persons Bulletin, is about what we as individuals can do to reduce the national debt and improve our economy. The article lists five practical things you can do to help, and two of those have to do with you taking better care with your health. They are to reduce your calories by 150 per day, and to walk a mile every day.

The argument is that healthcare costs are huge (think trillions of dollars) and better than half of that is paid by the federal government (that's you and me).

I believe a happy retirement is about being healthy and free of worry. This makes for a better retirement and actually contributes to our economy. So, skip the cookies and reduce the national debt.

Many people want to point their finger at someone in particular as the culprit in our healthcare crises, and it is never themselves. As a hospital administrator, my first reaction is to blame the insurance companies (I also lost a sister because of bad insurance procedures). I know there are those who would point that finger right back at hospitals. But, I have tried over and over to make the point that it is just not that simple.

Healthcare is a complex emotional issue, with many stakeholders involved looking out for their own interests. Think about the number of people with ownership in the healthcare system. Here are ones that come immediately to mind for me:

  • Patients
  • Doctors
  • Hospitals
  • Hospital administrators and hospital corporations
  • Insurance companies
  • Nurses and nurse associations
  • Other healthcare professionals
  • Clinical technicians
  • Pharmaceutical Companies
  • Medical equipment companies
  • Numerous healthcare professional organizations
  • Government at several levels and in numerous ways
  • Parents
  • Political parties
  • Tax payers
  • Naysayers

With so many parties being impacted by whatever happens in healthcare, it is very difficult to find a single solution, if any solution at all. An answer can only be found if all these stakeholders are willing to recognize their role in fixing the problem and making efforts or sacrifices necessary for the good of the system.

I have always believed that we, the people, need to take ownership for our health and do our part to improve our personal health, which will help solve the national healthcare crises. And now an added incentive, is that it will also reduce the national debt. Bonus!

So the aforementioned article is right on, even the small steps of eliminating 150 calories and walking a mile each day could make a big difference if everyone in America did it. Will you?

I believe this is just one more way for baby boomers to take the lead and make America right.

6 Types of Cost Savings From Medical Billing Outsourcing

Medical billing outsourcing can save you money. Though many healthcare providers do not realize it initially, the investment in these services can actually reduce their overall costs and improve their bottom line. It is critically important to choose the right organization. Ensure the company has the ability to manage your system better than you currently do. For many organizations, the focus needs to be on the patient, not on the process of managing insurance claims or dealing with late payments. When you turn to an agency with this focus, you reduce the overall costs you are dealing with on a regular basis.

How to Save Money and Improve Efficiency

One of the key benefits of medical billing outsourcing is that it provides an opportunity for individuals to benefit from the expertise of professionals. This can be done in many ways. The goal within your practice is to serve the needs of your patients, whereas the goal of these agencies is to keep your bottom line profitable. To do this, these agencies often have experts who know the field well and who take steps to ensure the company is always within compliance.

How can they save you money? There are numerous ways, including the following, that you can save money even if your business is already running efficiently.

1. These agencies can help you to reduce your overall labor costs or at least streamline the way your office works. By freeing up your staff from the billing process, the staff can handle tasks on the floor and be more productive in doing so.

2. You will no longer have to pay payroll costs.

3. There are no costs associated with the claim submission process. You do not have to pay legal fees for collection letters. You also do not have to worry about the costs of any level of correspondence associated with the process.

4. You do not have to buy, maintain or pay licensing fees for any type of software used within this area of financial management. That alone can save you a substantial amount.

5. There are no annual support costs to pay, which can reduce your overall costs annually significantly.

6. You do not have to pay employee benefits. You do not have to worry about turnover problems, training aspects or the staffing of a medical billing team any longer.

When you turn to medical billing outsourcing, you increase your overall productivity without having to limit yourself in terms of managing your practice. You can put all of your time and energy into helping others and not into managing the actual paperwork that slows you down.

What Is Liposuction and Can It Work for You?

Liposuction is a type of procedure that allows a surgeon to remove some of the fatty tissue that accumulates in various areas of the body. One of the most common areas patients request this procedure is for the abdominal area. It is not for everyone, though. This procedure is not a type of weight loss surgery. Most often, only a few pounds of material will be removed from the area. Rather, the goal of this procedure is for reshaping or sculpting the area of the body to remove unwanted fatty tissue.

Not for Weight Loss

It is important to know that liposuction is best for those types of procedures in which the individual is looking for contouring of the body. It is best for those areas of the body where fatty tissue does not reduce even after exercise and diet. For example, women who have children may develop pockets of this tissue in the abdominal region. For some, it is very difficult to remove all of these tissues and as a result, they have a continuous bulky look in this area. This procedure, though, can help to improve it.

How Does It Work?

Doctors will insert a tube-like device into the area that uses suction to remove the fatty tissues from the area. The procedure is usually done under general anesthesia through other methods may also be used. Most people will not have to remain in the hospital long after having this procedure. Though there are risks of complications for many, the procedure is overall safe for those who choose a licensed professional and a high-quality facility. It is a good idea to learn as much as you can about the provider before you decide to work with him or her for the procedure.

This procedure can help with many areas of the body. It is effective at removing those fatty pockets in the cheeks, inner knee, hips, waist, thighs, arms and numerous other locations throughout the body. If you have a trouble spot that never seems to improve even with diet and exercise, it is a good idea to talk to a surgeon to find out if this is a good option for your needs.

In addition to having liposuction, many men and women also use this procedure along with other cosmetic procedures to improve their overall appearance further. For example, it can be used alongside breast reduction procedures, tummy tucks and facelifts to further enhance your appearance the way you want it to be. During a consultation with a surgeon, you will learn more about your options and whether this procedure is the right option for your specific needs.

How to Prepare for a Tummy Tuck

You've decided to have a tummy tuck. You want a flat belly and to get rid of the extra skin that's developed there after having children or losing a lot of weight. Now that you have made your decision, schedule a consultation to talk to your doctor about your desires. He or she will tell you what your options are and discuss any risks or complications you may have. Once you make the decision to go ahead with the process, it is necessary to start planning for this procedure. Most doctors will give you specific instructions to follow, too.

What You Should Do

Keep in mind that a tummy tuck is a major form of surgery. As such, there are risks to it. Your doctor will provide you with specific things you can do to minimize these risks. In addition, they will also provide you with instructions you need to follow to ensure you remain healthy throughout this process. Here are some of the things you can do to prepare for this procedure.

• Stop smoking or using any types of nicotine products. This includes gums. It is necessary to do this as soon as possible but at least no less than two weeks prior to your procedure. These products constrict the blood flow and can pose a risk for complications.

• Be sure to boost your antioxidant levels and eat a healthy diet in the weeks leading up to the procedure. You do not want to eat too much prior to surgery either. Your doctor will tell you if and when you need to change your diet for the anesthesia heading into this procedure.

• Be ready at home, too. Be sure to have an area where you can recover and heal with and not have to go up and down stairs if possible. Make it comfortable for you. Be sure you have everything you need in this area so you can heal without doing a lot of unnecessary moving.

• Do wear loose and comfortable clothing for your procedure. You will want clothing that is easy to put on and take off without having to be too tight around this section.

You will also likely need to have someone you know well stay with you for several days. You will need help with things like bandages and getting up and down until you heal well. Talk to your doctor about limitations on working and driving. You will likely be able to go back to living an active lifestyle sooner than you think, but you should get clearance from your doctor before you take this step. By doing these things it will help to protect you from potential complications later on.

Little Known Constipation Remedies

Day after day I receive personal emails and messages from hoards of people who are suffering the grimness of constipation. People who don't suffer from this terrible affliction have no idea what hell people go through every day that carry this burden.

How do I know?

Because I have been there myself.

I went through all of the popular constipation remedies and none of them worked. I remember many days breaking down and crying. My partner at the time tried to support me the best he could but I eventually began to suspect he could not even grasp the anguish I was going through. To be realistic, I couldn't expect him to.

My doctors told me to down my fiber, water, eat low fat foods, walk a lot more, etc. All to no avail. It wasn't long before I began to find relief in laxatives. But do you think that cured me? Of course not, they were just a short temporary relief that I would began to find was actually making my constipation worse!

Out of all the most dangerous things that I had been encouraged by my local doctor to do was increase my fiber intake. I had no idea how unnatural this practice truly is. It looks good on the surface and sometimes gets some quick instant results but I've lost count how many people have contacted me saying, 'I was eating lots of fiber and all seemed to be going really well and then "bam!!!" my bowels stopped working completely!'

Very scary!

Why did this happen? Why is increased fiber consumption dangerous as a constipation remedy?

Fiber acts as a bulking agent for stools. It forces the colon walls to grip on to and move stools through its system by the act of colonic peristalsis (the movement of stools through the colon).

But this unnatural dosage of fiber is acting as a band-aid and is ironically another type of laxative.

You read right. The very act of fiber manipulating the colon to act move stools through is just like how an over-the-counter laxative pill manipulates too.

In fact, its worse than manipulation. It's causing long-term irreversible damage that can shut down your colon completely.

Increasing fiber is just another short-term constipation remedies strategy that ends up leaving the colon in a worse state.

How?

The unnatural amount of fiber in your diet will bulk your stools to an unnatural size causing an unnatural stretch in the colonic walls.

This stretch conditions the colon to a new larger, yet destructive, size.

This ends up forcing you to eat an ever increasing amount of fiber over time just to keep the colons ability to grip your stools happening so it can continually move them to be eliminated. This unnatural stretching of the colonic walls by the fiber laxative can do major damage to the nerve endings so one day the colon cannot even tell whether there are feces ready to be moved along or not...

What's this mean?

You're never gonna be able to pass a stool naturally again with nerve damage.

As scary as this is, there is another solution to curing constipation for good with.

It lies in rebuilding the health of the whole body, especially the gut, back up again with detailed 3-step plan. This is a true constipation remedy that is working for thousands of people.

Majority of folks in our culture are eating foods that are actually damaging their bodies and they don't even know it. In fact, many of these foods are endorsed by health authorities.

Look around! Is it a coincidence that disease and ill-health are at all-time record high's in the western world, especially America right now?

The standard American diet is the highway to breakdown in the body and constipation. Nearly 'one billion' dollars is spent on constipation laxatives a year.

This shouldn't be happening....and I can show you how to cure your constipation so you can live a life of ease and joy. It never seizes to surprise me how younger people start looking when they allow the most important part of the body to start working naturally again; the bowels.

Acute Injuries To The Neck And Back Sometimes Result In Chronic Pain

Americans spend more than $50 billion each year on low back pain alone. It is the most common cause of job-related disability and the second most common cause of all disability as documented by the CDC* (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Only disability due to arthritis or rheumatism is more common. Heart trouble at number three follows.

Most of these injuries to the neck and back will be quickly forgotten and are of no more significance than a twisted ankle. Some, however, will result in a residual mechanical dysfunction that eventually leads to matters more serious. To make it simple, imagine for a moment that you forcibly hit the curb with the front tire of your car, an acute injury to the wheel, if you will. If you were lucky there may be no damage at all, simply a scary bump and you drive on your merry way, the impact soon forgotten. But, hit the curb a bit harder, at a less favorable angle, and you can bend the wheel or twist a support strut. Now what happens? Well, initially it steers a little funny, but you tell yourself it doesn't. You tell yourself that maybe it was always that way - the car is, after all, no longer new. You tell yourself that it is not really that bad and you can learn to live with it. You tell yourself that others likely have cars that pull to one side or the other too, especially on bumpy roads. Eventually, of course, you'll notice that the tire is going bald. This makes it really hard to steer, especially in the rain. Mechanical dysfunctions gradually get worse and sooner or later bald tires go flat so that you are un-able to drive the car. Likewise, degenerating discs eventually result in a dis-ability.

Disabled Is Usually Reserved To Describe Someone Who Is Not Able To Work

That day can be postponed by doing less and less which is really no different than driving your car less and less. Perhaps a steering problem would be easier to tolerate at a lower speed and if you only drove on sunny days, never in the rain. If you had a car like this would you learn to live with it? If you were unable to stand or walk or sit due to back pain or neck pain what would you call it? "Un-able", "not-able", and "dis-abled" are quite similar although disabled is usually reserved to describe someone who is not able to work and thus unable to earn a living.

Wear and tear in the wheel world results in a bald tire that eventually goes flat and leaves you stranded on the side of the road. Wear and tear in the neck and back world results in degenerative joint disease or degenerative disc disease that gradually results in a lesser and lesser ability to do the things you need to do, and to do the things you love to do. Tires and wheels can be fixed, you don't have to learn to live with it. Finally, modern medical science has a non-surgical solution to neck pain and back pain that actually works too - non-surgical spinal decompression. You no longer have to learn to live with it.

DATA SOURCE*

Data were collected in June-September 2005 by U.S. Census Bureau using the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP); CDC and the U.S. Census Bureau analyzed the most recent data and released their findings in May 2009.

http://www.cdc.gov/Features/dsAdultDisabilityCauses/

CDC. Prevalence and Most Common Causes of Disability Among Adults --- United States, 2005. MMWR 58(16); 421-426.

What to Look for in a Medical Billing Company

A medical billing company can provide a solution to healthcare providers who need to turn their attention on their patients. You are experts in your field but you need to manage the financial end of your business as well. For those in this field, it pays to turn to a company that can offer the specific services you need so you can put all of your time and attention into the patients. Hiring a business to handle your claims and billing is a no-brainer. However, not all companies offer the same benefits or provide the same attention.

Tips for Hiring the Best

Finding the best medical billing company for your needs starts with careful attention paid to the business's ability to meet your individual needs. This is often dependent on factors such as choosing the right organization to mesh with your practice. The following are some tips for finding the right company to do the job for you.

-Ensure the company offers services that you need, but also understands your business. For example, depending on your area of specialization, you may prefer to work with a company that has experience in that area. Whether you work in orthopedics or radiology, you need a business that understands your business.

-Find out about the training of the employees. Not only should they be trained, but they should be continuing to be trained. Some agencies ensure their employees receive the latest training necessary to stay up to date on all medical industry requirements.

-Who is the business hiring? Chances are good you will want to choose an agency that hires legal consultants and accounting professionals who specialize in your industry. This ensures you are getting the best possible service.

-Ensure that the business uses the highest quality document management system and that any level of automation or technology necessary is employed. This ensures efficiency and productivity that gets results.

-It is essential that anyone you hire to work with your business for these needs is highly skilled and proficient with all HIPAA requirements. This is not something to assume is the case. Investigate the business to learn what the agency really offers.

Hiring a medical billing company is a big decision that revolves around a range of key factors. However, it is never easy to find a company to work with that can meet all of your goals unless you put the time into the process. That often requires learning as much as you can about the agency's practices and successes within the fields you are in. Do not hesitate to hold off hiring a business until you feel comfortable doing so.

Osteoarthritis and Its Biochemic Treatment

Joint pain is a common complaint. It is often associated with aging process. However, it can also occur in children, young adults and middle-aged people. Arthritis is not a disease but a symptom, which indicates that "something", is wrong in a joint. Arthritis occurs at all ages but is more common in the elderly. It is least serious among the elderly while it can be serious, crippling and sometimes even life threatening in young women and children. Of the various types of arthritis, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the most common. Today we will discuss about osteoarthritis.

What is osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is destruction of the smooth cartilage covering the ends of the bones. This destruction is similar to the - wear and tear of moving machines. Over time the cartilage may wear away entirely, and the bones will rub together and in that stage may cause severe aching pain. It usually starts in the middle age without any specific cause. It may affect all joints but mainly the knee joint,elbow joint, hip joint. Of the joint pains, pain in the knee joint is the most common.

Osteoarthritis of knee joints
In early stages there is pain or catch in the knee while getting up from sitting position or changing position of the knee after a period of rest in one position. In later stages, pain is almost constant and becomes worse. On exertion at this stage rest; painkiller medicines; or oil massage relieves the pain. In advanced stage, walking is difficult and often needs a lot of effort. Going up and down the stairs is especially very difficult. The shape of the leg changes and the knee bows outwards. At this stage, the gait changes and there may be sideways lurch at every step.

What are the causes of osteoarthritis?
Common causes of osteoarthritis are: Wear-and-tear of cartilage due to prolonged use of the joint (This is the commonest cause of osteoarthritis); Defect in quality of the cartilage such as in a disease called pseudogout; Defect in alignment of the articulating surfaces; Loose structures inside the joint such as a loose cover of the meniscus; Old injury; and Previous infection. Excess Weight is one of the main causes of osteoarthritis. Excess weight puts extra stress on the weight-bearing joints, especially the knees and hips and quickens the wear-and-tear of the cartilage. If you already haveosteoarthritis, losing weight may reduce stress on your joints.

Symptoms:
1. Aching pain, stiffness and swelling of the joints.
2. Stiffness aggravates after rest and ameliorates by moderate movement.
3. Extensive movement of the joint worsens the condition.
4. Most people with osteoarthritis in knee joint complain of pain and/or creaking sound in the knee.

Traditional treatment:
Osteoarthritis is not curable. Once it starts, it remains for rest of the life. Painkillers are given to relieve pain; however, it does not reduce inflammation. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are a type of medication that help reduce pain and swelling at different doses. Cortisone may be injected into the joint to relieve severe inflammation. Cortisone is a steroid that reduces swelling as well.

Biochemic Treatment:
There is very good treatment option of osteoarthritis in Biochemic Therapy. Biochemic medicines are efficient enough to control the inflammation, swelling and pains and can control the disease in a natural way. Biochemic medicines are nothing but mineral salts found in our tissues. That is why there is no side effect of Biochemic medicines at all.

Health Checks

The benefits of periodic health checks

In conjunction with eating healthy and having regular exercise, a regular health check with your GP allows you to stay on top of your health matters.

What are health checks? And why do we need them?

Well firstly, plan to see your GP once every 3 months, whether you have a concern or not, this way you can keep a peace of mind, and enjoy your life knowing that you are fit and healthy.

Often people never know when they have contracted a particular disease, virus, bug etc... Regular visits to your doctor means that you can identify and address any issue that otherwise might have gone undiagnosed by you.

With respect to health checks, one thing to consider with reference to women's health is that the female specie has a completely different physiological development. In most cases, these health issues relate to the female genitalia and the breasts or in some cases issues brought out by hormonal changes in the female body. Remember it is very common that women develop thrush, or breast cancer, and or ovarian cancer, so it is imperative to keep a tab on all health checkups provided.

Among other issues, women should discuss or address the following with their physician; menstruation, contraception, maternal health, child birth, menopause and breast cancer. These health issues can also relate to non-hormonal causes or problems not directly related to the biology of females.

Periodic health checks are particularly important for teenagers; particularly once the individual is sexually active. Reaching puberty can suddenly kick start hormonal changes and urges that often are misunderstood by teenage girls. Teenage sexual health is an important aspect of teenage life, and certain advices are given to help teenagers have a healthier life. Your GP will have invaluable advice pertaining to safe sex, contraception, and understanding the physiological changes that are brought on by puberty.

Talking to your parents about topics pertaining to sex (seeing as they were once teenagers too) is, though not easy, is almost certainly very useful. Try to discuss sexual matters with your partner even, if you are sexually active, your girlfriends and close family.

Making sure that you have all the information you require to understand your health matters is paramount.

Periodic health checks can help you, learn about different options available to you for example contraception, how to get tested for any sexually transmitted diseases, how to get your partner tested for STIs and how to check for STI's plus much more.

STI clinics exist for those who are willing to get tested, and also for those that are looking for answers to certain questions. STI clinics offer services like testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STIs); advice about sexual health; free condoms; contraception, including emergency contraception such as the morning-after pill; HIV testing, including rapid tests that give results in about 30 minutes and counselling HIV positive people.

Remember, a healthy body means a healthy mind, and a prosperous life.

No Food Allergy or Coeliac Disease in Fiji

With Coeliac Disease and allergies to food, nuts, plants and dairy on the increase in nearly every Western country, why is the tiny South Pacific island of Fiji not as affected? The descendants of this ancient Polynesian/Melanesian race are baffled when they meet tourists who cannot eat bread, wheat, gluten, nuts or even some fruits. "You are allergic to food? We can eat everything here!" is the common response. The answer is simple. Genetics and a prevalence of wild foods in their traditional diet.

Up until very recently, not a lot was known about the origins of the native Fijian people. Most scholars agree that they probably settled on the islands some 3500 years ago from a Polynesian race who originally left their homelands thousands of years prior in South East Asia. But geneticists and anthropologists from around the world believe recent discovery of fossils unearthed in the Siberian Denisova cave in 2008 and genome studies of modern Melanesians in Fiji, propose an evolutionary new theory on who the ancient ancestors of the native Fijian people were. Although modern humans, the homosapien, are the only surviving members of hominoids that walked the earth tens of thousands of years ago, analysis of fossil remains now show other now-extinct human groups once lived alongside our ancestors, including Neanderthals, an as-yet-unnamed third lineage recently discovered in Africa and a fourth race who had an evolutionary history distinct from all - the Denisovans. Evolutionary geneticist at Harvard Medical School, Professor David Reich, and molecular anthropologist Professor Mark Stoneking at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, Germany, used state-of-the-art genome analysis to confirm that present-day Melanesians, including native Fijians, have between 4-6% of the same genomes as the extinct Denisovan race. The team of scientists confirmed that Denisovans must have roamed widely, from Siberia to tropical Southeast Asia as they left a genetic footprint not only in present-day Melanesia, but also Borneo, Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea and Polynesia.

According to immunologist Professor Robert Anderson at Australia's The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, "It would be surprising to find Coeliac disease in Melanesian Fijians, but not at all uncommon in Indian Fijians as North Indians do have HLA DQ2 quite commonly".

The genes that are susceptible to the synthetic proteins found in GM wheat, barley and rye are found in most Caucasians is what is triggering an alarming rate of this autoimmune disease. But whilst the descendants of the native Fijian's are somewhat protected against CD, they are just as susceptible to the insulin-causing carbohydrates found in wheat and the synthetic compounds found in processed oils. They are dying of diseases caused by a change in diet and lifestyle - the Western life.

So here's a thought.

If most Western people always had those susceptible genes HLA DQ2 and D8, and an increasingly number of us are now developing an autoimmune response and an intolerance to adulterated foods, isn't our body and mother nature trying to tell us that something is wrong with our food? Lucky for the native Fijian, they are genetically protected against the autoimmune disorders caused by their ancestral cousins. For the rest of us, we are what we eat.

Apple Cider Vinegar - An Inexpensive Supplement

Although apple cider vinegar is a great addition to veggies in dressings and marinades, it goes way beyond being a simple condiment.

Apple Cider Vinegar, or ACV as it is commonly known, is made when the juice of crushed apples is mixed with yeast and bacteria in order to start the fermentation process. The natural sugar of the apple becomes alcohol. Then there is a second fermentation process where the resulting alcohol is converted into vinegar by another type of bacteria. Raw, un-distilled ACV is made by simply allowing the crushed apples to sit in wood barrels and ferment on their own. This process is significantly longer, but provides a higher nutrient content in the ACV.

There are several different types of ACV. The one that is most commonly used as a supplement is unpasteurized ACV. This is because it contains beneficial enzymes and nutrients that the more processed ACV loses during the filtering and pasteurization process. Raw, unpasteurized ACV can appear cloudy due to being unfiltered. Also, you will typically see webs of matter floating around in the bottle. This is known as the "mother" and is naturally occurring. As the ACV ages, the matter will increase. There are many beneficial enzymes contained within the mother. These beneficial enzymes and nutrients can have positive health effects such as: aiding in heartburn relief, clearing up blemishes and some skin conditions, detoxification and possible weight loss benefits.

Heartburn is an uncomfortable condition which affects millions of Americans. There are many reported cases of individuals taking 1-2 tablespoons of raw ACV with the mother diluted in water and having remarkable results on their heartburn issues.

ACV is great for clearing up blemishes, as well. Applying diluted ACV with a cotton ball to a freshly washed face can help clear up residual dirt and makeup that can lead to clogged pores. Individuals that have experienced acne or other skin blemishes have experienced relief by consistently using ACV as part of a skincare routine.

ACV has been used to detoxify the body. The malic acid in ACV helps clear up lactic acid in the body. Lactic acid is responsible for muscle soreness, particularly after exercise. So, ACV can detoxify the body and help relieve soreness.

Finally, ACV is great for weight loss. It has been shown to give energy and to serve as an appetite suppressant. The detoxifying qualities of ACV can also help in reducing water retention, another way in which it can help in weight loss.

ACV is a great supplement! It's inexpensive and serves many beneficial purposes. Aside from the physical benefits, ACV is also great as a household cleaner. Try mixing ACV with water and use it on windows- it will keep them clean and streak-free!

The Human Liver - Functions and Disorders

The liver is a vital organ in our body. It helps rid the body of toxins, and produces substances that aid in processes such as clotting. The liver also manufactures blood proteins that aid in oxygen transport, and immune system function. It stores excess nutrients and returns some to the bloodstream.

Liver disease can be caused by many things. Cirrohsis of the liver is a slow progressing disease that causes healthy tissue to be replaced by scar tissue. In this case, the liver will not function properly. The scar tissue can block the flow of blood through the it and can slow the process of processing nutrients and other things essential to our body.

Some of the causes of cirrhosis include Hepatitis C, fatty liver, and alcohol abuse. These are the most common. Other things can damage the organ including fatty liver associated with diabetes and obesity; chronic viral diseases. A bile duct being blocked can cause cirrhosis. The bile duct carries bile from the liver to the intestines where it helps with digestion of fats. The ducts may become inflamed or scarred which can lead to another liver disease known as primary biliary cirrhosis.

Bouts of heart failure can cause fluid to back up into the liver.

There are also disease that are inherited that can cause liver damage. One of them is cystic fibrosis; Alpha 1 trypsin deficiency can also cause it. Hemachromatosis is a condition in which excessive iron is absorbed and deposited into the liver and Wilson's disease caused by an abnormal storage of copper in the liver.

A less likely cause is reactions to prescription drugs can also cause damage to the liver, but this is unlikely.

People who drink large amounts of alcohol can harm their livers. But not all of them get cirrhosis of the liver. Women who drink heavily are at higher risk than men for this. People who get hepatitis are more likely to suffer liver damage than from alcohol.

Another kind of liver disease is autoimmune hepatitis. This means that the liver will turn on itself and be unable to function.

Polycystic liver disease is an inherited condition. It is characterized by cysts of various sizes that are scattered throughout the liver. Some abdominal discomfort from swelling of the liver may occur. Most people do not have symptoms. This kind of liver disease can occur randomly with no apparent cause. Most cases of this are inherited.

Additional Information You Need to Know About P90X2 Workout Program

P90X2 is the sequel to Beachbody fitness and without p90x2 DVDs; you may not be able to go about them. Even the graduates as well as other brave individuals will find the new P90X2 workout a hard program to go about. To them, this is the toughest P90X2 workout in the planet that they have ever come across. P90X2 workout is a ninety-day program like its predecessor. The major difference is that the latter is based on a five day a week program. This is what distinguishes it from the P90X.

One other interesting fact to note is that Beachbody fitness and P90X pros work extra hard to provide the most challenging workout possible with the previous version of P90X2 workout. That was a very hectic thing to do but because of their guts, they were able to come up with the programs. The programs have been behind the success of many body builders and sportsmen. This is because the services the program has given to the latter have ensured that they are able to develop good able bodies that are fit for anything. Moreover, they have even enhanced Beachbody fitness to swimmers.

The development of P90X2 workout has ensured that there are maximum results from stacking intervals. Muscle confusion is one of the major improvements that have taken place with the invention of the P90X2 workout. It is seen to be more intense than the old version. Thus, it is said to give muscle confusion times two as compared to the old version. For instance, if you are a young body builder and you have all it takes for you to become a veteran body builder, it will be so simple to go for this program.

You will only need to check your health with your doctor and if you are okay, you then can go ahead and purchase the P90X2 workout. By ensuring that you follow all the instructions as regards diet, among others you will end up achieving what you desire. Discipline also matters when it comes to bodybuilding. It happens to work along with self-control. Therefore, you need that self-discipline as a body builder as it may help you conduct your training according to the instructions set for you. Once you discipline yourself, you do not need any instructor, as you will be in a position to train by yourself. The new program is said to use the same non-plateau mix up that was seen in its predecessors.

Therefore, if not familiar with muscle confusion, it is based on the fact that most Beachbody fitness routines tend to use the same movements and routines over a long period of time. The long period will eventually cause your muscles to plateau as they adapt to the limited routines. However, muscle confusion may mix things up so that your muscles will not have the chance to plateau. Nonetheless, that should not worry you a lot as you will still be working the same muscle groups but mixing up the routines frequently.

Celiac, Diabetes or Allergy Sufferers

It's no fun for those of us who suffer from Celiac's disease, diabetes or food allergies. Food shopping is tedious and time-consuming and some of us can forget about going out to eat. One wrong ingredient added to our food can set us up for painful consequences which can last for hours, days, or even longer depending on the food and how sensitive our body is to it.

One of the most common culprits today is Celiac's disease. Celiac's disease is an autoimmune disorder of the small intestine affecting those who are genetically predisposed to it. Generally, the disease is believed to affect 1 in 1750 people worldwide and 1 in 150 in the United States alone. Celiac's disease is caused by a reaction to gluten (a protein found in wheat) and similar proteins found in barley and rye. Symptoms can be quite uncomfortable ranging from diarrhea, abdominal pain, fatigue and in some cases, mouth sores. For some, it only takes a small amount of gluten to be consumed to feel the effects of the disease. Although there is no cure for Celiac's, symptoms can be evaded by avoiding foods containing gluten or in some cases milk proteins.

Diabetes is another disease where certain foods need to be avoided. Type II diabetes, otherwise known as adult-onset diabetes, is the most common and affects 90% of diabetes cases today. The other 10% is caused by type I diabetes which is believed to be immunological in origin and lastly, gestational diabetes which is due to lack of insulin production during pregnancy. Additionally, obesity has been observed as the culprit for those of us who are genetically predisposed to diabetes. Most people who suffer from type II diabetes have to change their eating habits in order to control their body's blood sugar levels. Failure to control these levels can cause damage to blood vessels and nerves which could eventually lead to blindness, kidney failure and other severe complications. Because diabetes is becoming more and more prevalent in society today, many suffering from this disease have no choice but avoid certain foods in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Dietary constraints can be perplexing for most, especially if diabetes is onset later in life.

Lastly, those of us who suffer from food allergies can be sensitive to almost anything from peanuts, tree nuts, gluten, dairy and various other foods. Changing dietary habits is not an easy task but thankfully, there are more information sites and sources such as food plans, dietary charts and cook books to guide us in the right direction. There are many useful cookbooks with enormous amounts of information, recipes and information about how to avoid the foods our bodies don't want and enjoy the food we are able to eat without feeling as if we've lost the flavor or taste of some of our favorite foods.

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Understanding Lower Left Abdominal Pain

When pain in the lower left abdominal area is felt, it is just normal for you to start worrying. We all know that when there is pain, it is a clear indication that there is something wrong with your body and that you need to pay attention. In most cases, this type of pain will easily fade since your body is designed to cure and heal itself. However, there are situations when the pain just would not go away. When this happens, dozing on over the counter medications like Ibuprofen, Acetaminophen and antibiotics is not a wise thing to do. It is important to determine the real cause and deal with the actual ailment.

Pain in the lower abdomen is more common for young adults, particularly women. However, the possibility that this will strike men and other age groups can not be totally eliminated too.

Is it really the left lower abdomen that hurts? Sometimes, the person thinks that the pain is in this area but the truth is, the focal point is actually from somewhere else. You can say that it is the abdominal area that hurts by thinking of an imaginary line that crosses the navel. The pain may be slightly above or below this line but has to be close to the imaginary line.

What causes abdominal pain on the lower left side?

Constipation-Before you even get all too anxious, the pain may just be caused by constipation. Yes, this can give you a lot of discomfort but it can also be easily resolved. Taking pills is not the only option. You can increase your water intake while eating high-fiber food to aid your digestive system.

Food Poisoning-The food that you have eaten may contain a bacteria or parasite that could cause digestive disorder. Pain in the lower left abdominal area is just a primary symptom of this problem. Food poisoning usually takes effect from 1 to 48 hours after the food is eaten. Aside from the pain, the patient may also experience vomiting, high fever and loss of energy.

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm-This is accompanied by extreme pain. It occurs when the aorta that is within the abdominal area ruptures and starts to leak. This is not a mild case and can lead to swelling, nausea and paleness. In some cases, the patient even ends up collapsing.

Kidney Infection or Pyelonephritis-Aside from the pain, there is also fever and vomiting. When the patient tries to urinate, he/she will also feel a painful burning sensation. To make things worse, this increases the frequency of the urge to urinate.

Gas-This may be utterly bothersome because of the pain but it is something that happens naturally. It will also pass in a few hours.

The range of causes for lower left abdominal pain can vary a lot. That is why, the pain can also be classified to different intensities. If you are unsure about the underlying cause of the pain that you are feeling, stop the guess work and consult a physician.

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Understanding The Causes of Chest Pain on the Right Side

There are many reasons which could cause pain in the right side of the chest. This symptom covers a wide range of health concerns, from simple ones that should cause no worry to more complex problems which need immediate medical attention. If you are experiencing chest pain on the right side, do not be too distressed right away. However, you need to discover the truth as to why you are feeling pain.

There are many organs that are located within the chest which includes the heart, lungs, esophagus and even sheets of muscles. The pain may be caused by distress in any of these. Aside from that, there are also cases when chest pain is a symptom of problems with the gallbladder or liver.

Here are some of the possible causes of chest pain:

• Overuse of Muscle-Most individuals are right handed. Hence, when they need to lift things and perform strenuous activities, it is often the right hand that exerts more effort. Of course, the chest muscles are involved in such activities. When the muscles on the right area of the chest or right pectoralis have torn tissues, this could cause pain. For minor issues, you just need to rest and let it repair itself. For badly torn muscle, it is necessary to seek help from a doctor.

• Gallbladder Disease-When your gallbladder is performing badly, this often results to pain on the right side of the chest. This illness is usually experienced by people who eat too much fatty food.

• Liver Inflammation-When the liver is swollen, the right side of the chest is affected too. However, the ache is not only on the chest but also reaches the shoulders and back. Liver inflammation is detected through various medical procedures.

• Pancreatic Dysfunction-For intense chest pain, the pancreas have to be checked too. If this organ does not perform well, the pain can really be manifested on other parts of the body, particularly the chest.

• Swelling of the Lung Tissue-Since the lungs are situated within the chest, damaged right lung will also result to pain. It is the pleura which protects the lung area. When this contracts infection, the pain that comes with it can be quite intolerable.

• Stuck Food in the Esophagus-This is easy to determine since you will know immediately if the food you swallowed would not pass smoothly in your esophagus. Mild cases can be resolved by drinking water or a good Heimlich maneuver. Serious blockage has to be dealt with in the emergency room.

• Effects of Smoking-For smokers, there is a high risk of chest pain. This could be an early symptom of various lung diseases, particularly emphysema or lung cancer.

• Viral Infection-When there is an infection or illness like cough, cold or flu, chest pain is also very common. This is the case especially for those who cough incessantly.

If you are not sure what is triggering the pain, do not self-medicate. This may just make the problem worse or result to a longer period of illness.

Top Common Causes of Lower Right Abdominal Pain

Pain in the lower right abdomen may not always be a cause of alarm but it is still important to know the reason for this. You might not need to be rushed to the emergency room but at least you know exactly what is going on inside your body.

Here are some of the more common reasons that trigger pain in the lower right abdomen:

• Constipation-This is very common for a lot of people. The difficulty of your digestive tract to push triggers pain in the lower abdominal area. This is because of the extra work that the muscles are doing which also puts pressure on the abdominal part.

• Appendicitis-This is a problem for people who are within 11 to 40. For appendicitis, the abdominal pain is also accompanied by vomiting, fever and loss of appetite.

• Hernia-This can also cause pain because of the protruding soft tissue that hits the abdominal wall. For this type of medical problem, the pain is also felt in the groin and upper thigh area.

• Testicular Torsion-For men who are suffering from coiled testicle, abdominal pain can be felt. This also comes with vomiting, nausea and pain in the testicles. The pain can come in surges but in worse cases, it would not go away. Hence, it is necessary to consult a doctor right away.

• Ectopic Pregnancy-This is a problem for women wherein the fertilized egg is situated in another area and not in the uterus. The pain in lower right abdomen gets even more intense if the fertilized egg resides in the fallopian tube.

• Cancer-Different types of cancer can also lead to pain in the lower abdomen. The reason why this type of aching should not be ignored is because it may also be symptom of bowel cancer, colon caner or ovarian cancer.

• Endometriosis-This health problem is triggered when the womb tissues grows beyond the womb. For cases like this, there is also slight swelling which can be felt when the painful area is being pressed lightly. The pain could get even worse during the menstrual period.

• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease-Women's womb may sometimes be positioned the wrong way. Pain is present in the lower right abdominal part when the womb is tilted to this side. For this disorder, pain, vaginal discharge and fever may also be experienced.

• Ulcerative Colitis-This is a disease that damages the large bowel. The pain in lower right abdomen is just one of the symptoms because this usually causes weight loss and bloody stool too.

• Salpingitis-Women who have multiple sexual partners are prone to this illness. This is an infection in the tube which makes intercourse painful and causes excessive vaginal discharge.

These are some of the more common reasons for abdominal pain on the right side. Self-diagnosis is not the best way to go since some of the symptoms may be too similar. If you want to really take good care of your body, asking for doctor's advice should be prioritized.

Friday, April 6, 2012

Topic Sensitivity in the Health Classroom

Where do students learn the most about everyday matters in their life? Here is a hint, it is not the math classroom, the English classroom, or the history classroom. That's right its the health room. Students learn more about how to deal with every day real life situations in the health room then any other classroom and can implement what they learn right away in real life situations. That makes teachers who teach health one the more important teachers in the building because they are teaching students how to live life healthy and to the fullest. The health classroom needs to be a place where students feel free to open up and express their feelings on the various topics that are brought up, and in order to do that the teacher has to encourage openness and be sensitive to certain topics that are being taught.

Anytime where a student could get upset about something being taught the teacher must be sensitive on how the information that is being conveyed is done appropriately to ensure that the student does not become upset. A topic like death and dying for instance is a very touchy subject, especially if you are teaching it in a high school. Students may have recently lost a grandparent, parent, friend, or pet that was close to them and could be going through a whirlwind of emotions. To keep a topic sensitive it is a good idea to have a solid set of class rules that encourages openness, respect, and confidentiality within the classroom.

Some topics are less sensitive and you can try and have some fun with them and possibly even encourage humor while teaching it. For example sex education will always have humor because no matter how old some people get they will still giggle when it comes to sexual topics. As long as the humor is done tastefully and respectfully, as to not offend anyone's sexual preferences or culture. Humor encourages participation, so when the topic is not too sensitive like, first-aid or family life humor should be used. However, in topics like obesity and dying humor should probably be kept to a minimum in order not to upset anyone. To encourage participation in these topics telling a personal story is a good way to set the mood of serious but open environment. When students see that you are willing to share a personal story it makes them more comfortable and are more likely to follow your example if you can be serious and share your story that may be something similar to what a student in your class has experienced.

Overall you must look at your topic and your students and decided whether or not the topic is appropriate to have some fun with or if it needs to be kept serious. After you make that decision it is up to you to find ways to encourage participation and openness from your students to make your lesson run smoothly and have them get the most information and knowledge out of it as they can.

Monday, March 26, 2012

Advantages You Get When You Buy From a Reputed Online Pharmacy

For your own convenience, you should buy your meds from an online pharmacy. This particular service has several advantages. Read on to know more about them.

Cost efficient

You may notice the prices of the medicines when ordering them online. Online pharmacies often offer lower rates on both prescription and over-the-counter drugs. You can save more and this is a good option for people who need to take meds regularly.

More choices

A good online pharmacy has a wide range of medicine brands on their inventory. You may also choose from a wider selection of both prescription and generic drugs. Most online pharmacies get their items directly from suppliers, that is why they can offer them at more affordable prices.

Convenience

If you don't have time to go out and buy medicines, you can simply order online and wait for your order. An online pharmacy may deliver items straight to your home. People who live far away from drugstores, or those too weak or too sick to leave their homes will benefit from this. Just make sure to check their delivery rates and policies. Many online pharmacies offer free delivery so take advantage of this.

Availability

Most online drugstores are available 24/7. You can place your order anytime. The delivery time usually takes a few minutes. This will depend on your area and the quantity of your order. You may also order in bulk so you can take advantage of discounts.

How do you place your order?

The process is simple. You just need to fill out the information sheet and submit your order. The form usually includes basic information like name, address, and contact details. You should also include the number of products you want to order. Some drugstores may also require you to provide your doctor's name and contact details. This information is important if you are ordering prescription medicines.

After submitting your contact details, you will now choose a payment scheme. You can pay either through credit card or e-cash.

Important things to remember:

Privacy and security policy

Make sure they have security policy. Unauthorized users may view your information and get your contact details if the website is not secure. They may send you junk mails or even steal your identity and ruin your credit rating. A good online pharmacy should keep your personal details private, and all transactions should be confidential.

Make a background check

Check their website and make sure they have the license to sell drugs online. You may consult different organizations to verify their credentials.

If you have questions, you may send queries via email to several government offices such as your city hall or the health department. You should also consider if the products are FDA approved. Be careful with online stores claiming all their products are FDA approved.

Pharmacy feedback

If you have more concerns or question about their services, you may send them through the pharmacy feedback. The pharmacy feedback is like a forum where regular customers put their comments and suggestions. The administrator usually answers customer queries in this section.

Saturday, March 17, 2012

Gluten-Free for Health: Fad or Fact?

One of my local grocery stores, part of a large chain, recently redid part of their frozen food and grocery sections to accommodate all gluten-free products. So, what's all the fuss about? Is it just another dietary craze or are there potential health benefits to be gained? Here's what you need to know.

What Is Gluten?

Gluten is a protein found in the kernel of wheat, barley and rye. It's something that most of us have been consuming all of our lives - especially since gluten in one form or another is in so many products including anything with wheat flour in it or wheat-based products such as soy sauce, malt vinegar and so much more!

Why Would Anyone Want/Need to Avoid It?

There are several reasons why people might avoid gluten. In those with Celiac Disease, autoimmune disorder that affects the lining of the small intestine and can lead to serious digestive problems and malnutrition, consuming gluten irritates and damages their bowel. These folks (some of whom are children) must be very careful and not even consume gluten free food that has been manufactured in a plant where gluten ingredients are also processed.

Another group that may avoid gluten or at least wheat and its derivatives are those with gluten or wheat sensitivity. Symptoms of this can include sneezing, unexplained runny nose, abdominal bloating, hives, diarrhea, headaches and more. (These symptoms can also be caused by other ailments; consult your primary health-care provider rather than self-diagnosing.) Chelsea Clinton reportedly served gluten-free cake at her wedding because she has gluten sensitivity.

Then there is a long-standing belief that gluten consumption can aggravate existing autoimmune illnesses such as eczema, multiple sclerosis, Crohn's disease and others. This doesn't necessarily mean that gluten consumption causes the disease but rather that it may inflame these conditions or contribute to flare-ups.

There is also evidence that gluten contributes to overall inflammation in the body, known to cause other illnesses (heart disease, cancer, etc.), joint pain, fatigue, depression and more in otherwise healthy people. [Note: There are many other factors that contribute to inflammation as well.]

Do I Need to Give Up Pasta, Bread and Cereal?

No. Fortunately, there are now many products available that are good-tasting substitutes for gluten-based products. Although once only found in health food stores, these products have gone mainstream and can now be found in most grocery stores. And while not all of these products have the same taste, texture and consistency of their counterparts, you can experiment to find ones that you like. I've managed to find a gluten-free pasta that is so good, I serve it to guests. They are shocked when I tell them it is made from rice flour rather than wheat flour. Even my Italian husband who was raised on pasta enjoys it!

But beware: Some products have more sugar or fat than similar gluten products, so read labels, and be aware of serving sizes.

The one thing that is hard to find is a good-tasting gluten free bread with a consistency that holds up for toasting, sandwich-making, and my favorite - French toast. But I have managed to find one brand that is wheat-free although not gluten-free. And if you're a beer drinker, know that many beers are made from wheat and wheat products. But don't fret; some beers are naturally wheat-free and gluten-free! Do an Internet search to find them. [Note: Everything gluten-free is wheat-free, but something that is wheat-free is not necessarily gluten-free as it may contain other forms of gluten.]

What's the Biggest Challenge?

Eating out can get tricky because you never know what's been added to a dish. But it's easy enough to ask if any wheat, barley or rye were used, including soy sauce. (Gluten-free soy sauce is available).

Another challenge is learning all the foods and food additives that may contain wheat or gluten such as: some food starch, couscous, spelt, bran, brewer's yeast and more!

The good news is that because so many people have decided to, or need to, go gluten-free or wheat-free, more and more manufacturers, food stores and eating establishments are now providing excellent products/offerings and labeling them as such.

Parting Words

There's lots of information about gluten on the Internet and in the bookstores, so do your own research. Additionally, there are tests that can be done to diagnose Celiac disease, body inflammation and allergies so consult a health-care expert for more advice and information.