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Archive for July, 2005

What Is a Water Massage and What Are Its Benefits?

Sunday, July 31st, 2005

One of the newest in massage treatments, is a dry hydrotherapy, also referred to as water massage. This treatment is administered through specially designed tables, which are completely enclosed, so that the water never touches the patient.

It operates by shooting jets of water up against the underside of the table surface, where a client is laying. A bar moves along the horizontal length of the table, taking the water’s impact from one end of the body to the other.

Because dry hydrotherapy utilizes heat, and employs the same beneficial techniques as a whirlpool, it is quickly becoming one of the preferred methods of treatment for a wide variety of conditions from injury, to stress, to chronic illnesses.

The heat level can be adjusted to the client’s comfort level, as can the impact of the water, which may run at anywhere from 2-32 PSI. This flexibility allows the hydrotherapy to be delivered as efficiently as possible, even through a hot or cold pack, which intensifies the quality of the treatment.

As with all massage techniques, water massage can improve circulation to the skin, blood circulation, and enhance the function of your lymphatic system, which clears wastes away from the muscles and out of the body.

The very flexibility of water massage, means a better chance to reach the optimal level of muscle relaxation in each client, which means that further treatments can be administered more easily, and have more lasting effects. When muscles are relaxed, a client can then benefit from the relief of pain and a sense of well being that comes from the extra release of endorphins.

Jamie Freeman specializes in teaching others to provide therapeutic massages. For more free massage tips visit massagehowto.com massagehowto.com

Insomnia Sleep Disorder - What Causes Insomnia

Sunday, July 31st, 2005

The inability to sleep soundly for the duration normally required by the body is called insomnia. The disorder has many causes, and it may be transient or persistent, if it lasts more than a few days.

Women are more susceptible perhaps because they undergo hormonal changes more intensively and frequently than men. Insomnia may be brought about by a sedentary lifestyle or an underlying medical condition. Insomnia can be the side effect of prescribed medication or be a natural part of the process of aging. Like many phenomena, insomnia may well be the outcome of a confluence of factors.

Some of the known causes of transient or intermittent insomnia are emotional stress, crossing over time zones and such environmental stressors as increased noise levels, temperature variations of more than a few degrees, and excessive light. Something as mundane as traffic noise or second-hand snoring can make sleep temporarily elusive. There may even be instances when sleeplessness is learned behavior.

Medication is generally not recommended for transient insomnia since, being temporary, it will go into remission by itself or when the individual acts to bring about appropriate situational changes.

Chronic or permanent insomnia is more serious. In general, its severity will be determined to a large extent by what the underlying causes are. Sufferers of chronic or permanent insomnia need to consult with a health professional who can help narrow down possible sources of the disorder. Sometimes, obtaining relief from insomnia can be as simple as refraining from ingesting caffeine a few hours before bedtime.

The causes of persistent insomnia vary considerably and may come in combination. Lifestyle factors include narcotics and caffeine habit, and shifts in work hours. Psychological sources of the condition include anxiety and depression. Kidney and heart troubles, restless leg syndrome, Parkinson’s disease, asthma and sleep apnea are candidates for underlying physiological cause of insomnia.

The process of pinpointing an underlying causative factor may require many tests and evaluations, but these tests have to be done. Once known, the cause of insomnia may be treated by medication or via a behavioral approach.

Because sleep has subjective elements to it, diagnosing insomnia can sometimes be more complicated than searching for an underlying cause. What may be adequate slumber for one person may be deprivation for another. Telltale signs of sleeplessness include declines in alertness and in the faculty of concentration. Sleep journals and sets of questions relating to sleep or its lack are evaluative tools that may help the specialist arrive at an accurate diagnosis.

For more information on Sleep Disorders and alkenmrs.com/sleep-disorders/ways-to-cure-insomnia.html Ways to Cure Insomnia visit alkenmrs.com/sleep-disorders/ Sleep and Sleep Disorders Guide a popular site about sleep disorders and how to get good nights sleep. Also includes how your bed and mattress can prevent you getting the quantity and quality of sleep you need every night.

ADD in Schools

Sunday, July 31st, 2005

Attention deficit disorder (ADD), also called attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), is a condition that exhibits symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It becomes apparent in some children in preschool and early school years. A child with ADD faces a difficult but not insurmountable task ahead. Statistics show that as many as five out of every 100 children in school have ADHD. Boys are three times more likely than girls to have this disorder.

Inattentive children display difficulty concentrating on tasks requiring sustained attention. Children who show hyperactive symptoms always seem to be in motion. They dash around, squirm in their seats, roam around the room, or talk incessantly. Children who have impulsive behavior seem unable to curb their immediate reactions or think before they act.

School can be hard for children with attention deficit disorder. A student’s achievement in school depends on his attention and controlled behavior. But these are the areas where children with ADD have problems. They often feel difficulty adjusting to the structured environment of a classroom and focusing on their assigned schoolwork.

Today, most schools offer a proper learning environment to accommodate the special needs of students with ADD. They make special seating arrangements near the teacher’s desk. Students with ADD cannot easily adjust to changes, so teachers exclude them from tasks that demand concentration of the mind. A stimuli-reduced study area is also very helpful. By allowing all students access to this area, a student with ADD will not feel different or as if he stands out.

Symptoms of ADD are also seen in many “normal” children, but at a low level; hence, it is important that the child receive a thorough examination by a professional psychologist or physician. Medications combined with behavioral and cognitive therapies are normally used to cure ADD symptoms.

e-AttentionDeficitDisorder.com Attention Deficit Disorder provides detailed information on Attention Deficit Disorder, Adult Attention Deficit Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Attention Deficit Disorder Tests and more. Attention Deficit Disorder is affiliated with i-ADHD.com Children with ADHD.

The History of Tumescent Liposuction

Sunday, July 31st, 2005

Liposuction is also referred to as lipoplasty, suction-assisted lipectomy and liposculpture. It is the most commonly performed cosmetic surgery today. Since its inception in 1974, great methodological and technological advances have created more options for patients. One of the most utilized techniques in liposuction is the tumescent technique.

In the past, liposuction required patients to have pre-operative blood transfusions, since the loss of blood was so significant. The tumescent technique is relatively recent and is considered one of the safest options in liposuction; this technique can greatly reduce the swelling, pain, and bruising usually associated with the surgery. Though not completely risk-free, the tumescent method is a good option for many patients.

Any patient that is a good candidate for traditional liposuction is considered a good candidate for tumescent liposuction. The tumescent method can be used on any area of the body but is usually performed on areas that require more detailed sculpturing, such as the face, neck, ankles, arms and calves. A patient that has a large area of fat needing treatment may also be considered a good candidate. This should be an option that is discussed in detail with the qualified physician.

The tumescent technique involves injecting a rather large amount of anesthetic liquid into the excess fat being treated. This fluid injection causes the fat pockets to swell, thereby leaving a pathway between the excess fat and the muscle tissue. This enables a hollow steel tube, called a canulla, to move with ease and precision through the treated area. This method assists in controlling blood loss and swelling.

General anesthesia can be a risk in any surgical procedure; doctor and patient should carefully consider any underlying health issues when discussing anesthesia. Typically, patients undergoing the tumescent method require only a local anesthetic, and many doctors may allow the tumescent solution used in the procedure as the only means of anesthesia.

As with nearly everything regarding plastic surgery, options and results will vary from person to person. Advertisements portraying dramatic before and after results are not always a reflection of reality. A reputable physician should make clear that results vary. Maintaining an open mind is a key factor in being satisfied with the results of the surgery.

e-liposuction.com Liposuction Info provides comprehensive information on the costs of standard, tumescent, and abdominal liposuction, “before and after” information, liposuction alternatives, and more. Liposuction Info is the sister site of e-tummytuck.com Tummy Tuck Web.

What is a Glycemic Index Diet?

Saturday, July 30th, 2005

When you decide to follow a glycemic index diet you have to have a list of foods that you can and cannot eat. There are both high and low glycemic foods. The glycemic index is a ranking of the carbohydrates in foods that cause a marked increase in blood sugar levels after you eat them. Foods that have a glycemic rating of 70 and over are considered high glycemic foods because they are rapidly digested and absorbed by the body. This they cause the blood sugar level to rise dramatically. They are usually used to replenish the fuel muscles need after strenuous exercise.

Diabetics usually follow low glycemic index diet, especially if their blood sugar levels are really high. These foods usually have a glycemic index of 55 or less and because they take longer for the body to digest they also take longer to raise the blood sugar level. This kind of diet has been proven to improve both the glucose and lipid levels of diabetics. This diet can also help with weight loss because the foods are usually more filling and you won’t get hungry as quickly.

A low glycemic index diet will help to reduce insulin levels and the body’s resistance to insulin. You should always have foods that have a low glycemic index in your diet because they help you to have better long-term health. You don’t have to eat only low glycemic foods because you can simply substitute one high glycemic food, such as potatoes, with a low glycemic food, such as pasta.

Following the glycemic index for a glycemic index diet will not provide you with a well-balanced diet. Such a diet will help you to lose weight, but you should alternate the foods so that you do have some high glycemic foods in order for your body to get all the essential nutrients it needs.

For lots of information on

Healthy Eating Tips: Test Your Food I.Q

Saturday, July 30th, 2005

Healthy eating tips include more than just avoiding “bad” foods.

Did you know that some medical and scientific studies have shown that adding certain foods to your diet may help to prevent or ease certain medical conditions?

Of course, this isn’t a prescription to start treating your illnesses and medical conditions with food. You should always see a doctor for medical advice and proper diagnosis before starting any treatment plan.

But you may want to discuss with your doctor if he or she thinks that eating certain foods may help you (or at least, not hurt you).

Be especially careful if you take any medications because some foods can cause adverse effects.

But with those warnings in mind, let’s test your “Food I.Q.”

1. Which food(s) may help with emphysema and chronic bronchitis?

a. Onions

b. Tabasco sauce

c. Chile peppers

d. Soybeans

2. Which food(s) may help to reduce “bad” LDL cholesterol?

a. Baked beans

b. Oat bran

c. Apples

d. Grapes

3. Which foods(s) may help to relieve constipation?

a. Prune juice

b. Apples

c. Wheat bran

d. Potatoes

4. Which food(s) may help to control gout?

a. Sardines

b. Cherries

c. Organ meats

d. Mussels

5. Which food(s) may be effective in treating diarrhea?

a. Baked beans

b. Onions

c. Blueberries

d. Mushrooms

6. Which food(s) may help to prevent (though not necessarily treat) ulcers?

a. Yogurt

b. Fresh cabbage juice

c. Broccoli

d. Grapefruit

7. Which foods may help to reduce high blood pressure?

a. Milk chocolate

b. Dark chocolate

c. White chocolate

d. Cranberries

8. Which foods may help to prevent (though not necessarily treat) urinary tract and bladder infections?

a. Beer

b. Cranberry juice

c. Cauliflower

d. Rice

9. Which food(s) may help to prevent cavities?

a. Milk

b. Coffee

c. Tea

d. Oat bran

10. Which food(s) may help to prevent blood clots by thinning the blood?

a. Olive oil

b. Garlic

c. Ginger

d. Cauliflower

The answers appear below the disclaimer.

Important Disclaimer: This information is presented for educational purposes only. This isn’t medical advice and it’s not a substitute for any advice or treatment from your physician. You should always see your doctor before starting any new diet plan for losing weight or if you have a medical condition or illness.

Answers: 1. a, b, c. 2. a, b, c. 3. a, b, c. 4. b. 5. c. 6. a, b. 7. b. 8. b.

9. a, b, c. 10. a, b, c.

Copyright (c) 2006 Debbie Fontana

Want to find out more about the healthy effects of foods? Debbie Fontana sends Special Reports about health, weight loss, and nutrition to her subscribers. You can also discover how Debbie used an easy and delicious diet plan to reduce both weight and blood pressure in her I Love to Cheat lifestyle diet. For more information and a free subscription to her Special Reports, visit ilovetocheatdiet.com Healthy Eating Tips Weight Loss Diet Plan

How To Prevent Acne

Saturday, July 30th, 2005

Then the dreaded acne struck. I would rather die than face family and friends with those ugly blotches all over my face. This is the effect that acne has, it destroys self image and confidence.

I became withdrawn and depressed. I thought that the acne would never improve. I think I tried every acne treatment on the drugstore shelves during that time. Finally I got fed up and decided that none of the available acne medications worked.

It took some time for me to get it together and to realize that medication does have a place in the treatment and prevention of acne.

The first thing I did was to reduce the amount of refined food in my diet. Not only did it help my skin problems but it also helped to stabilize to my weight.

What does this have to do with acne relief? Well when I cut out artificial chemicals, antibiotic and preservatives my acne began to clear. Especially if you have yeast infections you will find a great improvement in your acne.

Develop a gentle and healthy skin care process. I never use a cloth on my face. All of this has reduced the need for acne medications because the breakouts are not as bad and are easier to clear up without the use of acne medications.

So if you want to prevent acne, you need to eat a healthy diet, eliminate or at least reduce the intake of highly processed foods that contain a lot of chemical additive and establish a gentle daily cleaning routine and use less acne treatment medication as a method of how to prevent acne.

More about acne prevention: acne-adult-skin-care-products-and-treatments.com/adult-acne-prevention.html acne-adult-skin-care-products-and-treatments.com/adult-acne-prevention.html

Nina is an expert freelance writer. She is a cake decorator and a certified naturopath. Presently she is happily RV-ing with her husband.

Why is Walking the Best Exercise to Start With if You Have Arthritis?

Saturday, July 30th, 2005

One form of exercise that almost anyone with arthritis can do is walking. What’s nice about it is that you can do it alone or with a friend. It’s pretty easy to do, and requires no special equipment other than comfortable shoes. It also costs nothing and can be done just about anywhere.

Walking has multiple benefits. Since it burns calories, it helps with weight control. It actually helps the knees since the action of walking stimulates cartilage growth and the flow of synovial fluid within the knee. It also strengthens the muscles that protect the knee.

Because it is weight-bearing it also helps strengthen the muscles that protect the hips. At the same time it strengthens bones therefore reducing the likelihood of fracture due to osteoporosis. By strengthening the core muscles of the spine and abdomen, walking helps reduce the chance for getting low back pain.

The increased effort required for walking helps the heart to pump more strongly. This helps reduce blood pressure with the subsequent risk for stroke and heart attack.

Increasing respiratory rate (breathing rate) promotes increased flow of oxygen to the rest of the body and also helps eliminate the buildup of carbon dioxide. A major plus is improved energy.

There is some evidence that exercise such as walking increases endorphin production which helps relieve pain, reduces serum cortisol levels which helps relieve stress, and may also decrease the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

So how do you start a good walking program?

Pretty simple. The first thing is to make sure you have a good pair of walking shoes. If you have a history of flat feet, you should use orthotics.

Do not try to do too much at the very beginning. You should gradually increase the amount you walk. A good target is 10,000 steps per day, which is roughly 5 miles. If that seems like a lot, remember, most people already walk about 3,000 to 5,000 steps a day during the course of a routine day.

Your goal time wise should be about half an hour a day. Obviously, you should start more slowly… maybe 5 minutes a day to start.

How fast you walk will depend on you. Start slowly. A moderate pace you can work up to is about 2-3 miles an hour. A good rule of thumb is that you should be breathing faster and feel your heart rate going up but still be able to carry on a conversation.

How often should you walk? If you’re doing other types of exercise regularly you don’t have to walk every day. However, if walking is your major form of exercise, you should do it daily.

Remember, it’s important to keep up your routine. If the weather is bad, you can either use a treadmill, try to tough it out outside (although you must be careful), or go to a local mall.

Should walking be the only types of exercise you do? The answer is no. It’s important to incorporate light weight-training and stretching into all your exercise programs. Walking is a good complement to other types of aerobic exercise such as biking, swimming, ballroom dancing, etc.

However, walking is a good start.

Nathan Wei, MD, FACP, FACR is a rheumatologist and Director of the Arthritis and Osteoporosis Center of Maryland ( aocm.org aocm.org). He is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and consultant to the National Institutes of Health. For more info: arthritis-treatment-and-relief.com/arthritis-treatment.html Arthritis Treatment

Weight Loss - Setting Realistic Goals

Friday, July 29th, 2005

We all want it, we all dream of it. Let’s face it: weight loss is one of the highest and noblest ideals of modern men and women. With a lot of tasty food within easy reach and with a lifestyle split between the office chair and the home couch, putting on weight has never been easier. However, beauty standards have changed since the days of Rubens, a painter famous for his penchant for beautiful buxom ladies. Today’s ideal of beauty tends to borrow some of the traits of Siamese cats; the skinny body and the intense look. And thus, many people voluntarily subject themselves to hard diets hoping to shed some of those pounds separating them from beauty standards.

One of the most important parts of a successful weight loss effort is to set a realistic goal. A target weight that is neither too high nor too low. Setting the goal too high is among the biggest mistakes overweight people make. Every diet has a different pace and this pace is modified still forward by the metabolism and genetic makeup of each individual. This means that not all diets will help one shed pounds at the same rate and that not all people following the same diet would lose weight in the same way. Setting the goal too high opens the door to disappointment, loss of motivation and failure when the target weight proves to be still far away after weeks of restrictive dieting.

Setting the goal too low is also a bad idea. If the diet is not a true test of willpower then it’s all for nothing. A lax diet that features all kinds of treats can hardly be called a diet and losing four pounds in four months is hardly a challenge or an achievement. A danger that many occasional dieters ignore is the response of their own bodies to diets. The body learns to see diets as periods of low consumption and makes it harder to shed the fat it sees as crucial for survival. Frequent and half-hearted diets are likely to trigger this response sooner.

One last advice for all people interested in diets is: take care. Health care experts agree that the maximum weight lost in a week’s time should stay around 1 pound (half a kilogram). This is a realistic target for most people and a safe one, too. Losing weight too fast could mean that the body is not getting all the minerals and nutrients it’s supposed to get and will result in too few energy being available for the internal organs. Dieting or not, one should always watch the intake to make sure one is not overeating nor starving oneself.

Author Victor Comulada
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Adult Acne And Benzoyl Is A Wonderful Thing

Friday, July 29th, 2005

Benzoyl Peroxide is very effective if you are suffering at all with adult acne. The last time I had acne was in my teenage years. And now that I am in my 40’s it has come back. But one thing I can say, I do control it and benzoyl peroxide has been my strength. This stuff has worked better for me than any other medication I have tried.

Benzoyl Peroxide has been around since 1930. (And that should tell you something right there.) It actually does kill acne. If only 2.5% of this cream or gel works for you on the first try, then it will always work. Now when you start using this, you cannot have irritated skin. If you pick your skin or if you are scrubbing your skin with a rough washcloth, then do not use benzoyl. Your pores are wide open and you will make your acne worse. Don’t use if you want this cream to work properly. In clearing your acne, this requires non-irritated skin. Make sure your face is not irritated in anyway before you start using this peroxide. If you have open sores/pimples, then you should wait for a couple of days so these pimples/sores can heal.

The first step in getting this adult acne under control is finding gentle cleansers for your skin. There are many out there that are available to you.

The second step is to look for creams or gels that have only 2.5% benzoyl peroxide. When first starting out, you need less irritation to the skin as possible. Then after a few weeks if you need to, you can opt for using a stronger cream with benzoyl. The reason you want to start off easy is because your skin has to get comfortable with this cream first. So start out slow for the first week with one application per day. And be careful when you are making your purchase and read the labels because most products will contain 10% benzoyl instead of the 2.5%. Just make sure you read the labels well. What you should also do is test a little on your skin first. This way you will know soon enough whether you are allergic to this cream or not.It has been known that some people will experience swelling of the skin. If you experience any swelling, then stop using immediately.

The third step is to use a moisturizer. You need to use this so your skin does not become too dry. Always moisture. This is very important. And make sure the moisturizer you use is oil free.

So the 3 steps are again: Cleanse you face with gentle cleansers. Add 2.5% benzoyl to your acne and then use an oil free moisturizer. Do this in the morning and in the evening. And ladies, try not to wear any make-up at all until your skin starts to heal and becomes clear. And if you choose to, then use very light make-up.

Benzoyl peroxide is a great medication in preventing acne. Use it everyday and you will see a difference in your skin. Your adult acne will be in control. I promise. You will love your skin again.

More i-got-adult-acne.blogspot.com adult acne info is available. Always be better informed.