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Archive for August, 2008

10 Tips for a Longer Life and Great Health - Back to the Basics

Sunday, August 31st, 2008

In today’s fast paced lifestyle, many of the basic foundations of good health have gone by the wayside. Take the time to remember the tried and true steps to great health and you’ll live a longer, happier life.

1. Prevention is a lot better than a cure. Living a healthy lifestyle is a lot easier than trying to get over any kind of disease.

2. Balanced living is important. Not all work, not all play. Not too much stress. Some meaningful relationships, but also meaningful time alone with God. Some service to doing good and helping others, but not so much as to consume all your quality time with God, your family and your friends.

3. Eating habits. Lots of fruits & veggies. Fiber and bowel cleansing are extremely important. Eat raw foods everyday. Raw foods are important as they add enzymes that assist in digestion. Several helpings of fruits and veggies daily will help your health.

4. Good bowel movement daily. Consume plenty of fiber and drink lots of water.

5. Watch your weight ! Raw fruits and vegetables are low in calories and aid digestion. Do not eat a lot of refined carbohydrates, such as sugar, white bread, white spaghetti, instant rice, crackers, etc. Obesity in this country is rampant, leading to an epidemic in Diabetes.

6. Get adequate exercise. Simply taking a daily walk burns calories and aids in digestion and elimination.

7. Refresh your body with sleep. 8 hours for most people. Sleep without distractions and have complete darkness if possible.

8. REMOVE THOSE TOXINS !. We are exposed to many toxins throughout our lives. Exhaust fumes, cleaning supplies, mercury, lead, aluminum, parasites, etc. Fortunately, our bodies do get rid of most toxins. However, we don’t throw off all toxins, and over the years, toxins will build up. It is important to eliminate toxins since a build-up of them can contribute to a host of diseases.

9. Take good quality vitamin and mineral supplements. Generally, we don’t get everything we need from foods. High quality supplements can help in preventing illness and disease.

10. Have a benefits plan in times of need. Todays Health Care in America is in total chaos. Corporations and employers are claiming extreme Medical, Dental, Prescription, and Vision costs are driving them toward bankruptcy. Healthcare is changing toward consumer driven benefits plans. There are plans available to keep you from personally ending up in financial straits.

Gary Dunaway authors informative Health related articles, in relation to todays lifestyle. In addition, he offers affordable discount Health Benefit packages to those in need. He will send you a free DVD describing these benefits by going to his site : garysdental.net garysdental.net - or contact him at - mailto:garysdental@fuse.net garysdental@fuse.net

Natural Weight Loss - A Diabetic Perspective

Sunday, August 31st, 2008

For natural weight loss, you don’t need special diets. You need the tortoise mindset and, very possibly, a new wardrobe.

Okay, raise your hand if you think a natural weight loss method is better for a diabetic than an “un-natural” one. Good, almost everyone raised their hand.

Now, I cannot find where anyone has properly defined the term natural weight loss, so I have to give you my definition. Simply put, it is the opposite of natural weight gain.

This consideration excludes the loss of weight gained during pregnancy or removal of heavy clothing or jewelry (if that’s possible). Even though shedding the weight gained by those means could be considered “natural,” we will confine this argument to the process of reversing obesity without surgery, pills, or potions.

By natural weight loss I also mean much more than the temporary results implied and delivered by many Internet weight loss programs. People with real life issues such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease, do not need temporary weight loss. We need long term results.

If you just want to lose some weight so you can appear on the Oprah Show, or American Idol, then health may be secondary. A natural weight loss approach may not get you there in two weeks, so the claims of the quick weight loss diets on the Internet might look more appealing.

If you need to change your lifestyle, you’re talking about a change in life habits. For long term or permanent benefits, your diet should pattern the way we were created to eat. You should follow the natural laws of health.

Remember the tortoise

The weight loss ads often conjure speed. “Quick weight loss” is an attention getter on any form of advertising. It glosses over the risks associated with removal of tissue that has been deposited over many months and years.

But for effective and permanent results, there almost always has to be a change in behavior as well. This means running like the tortoise and not like the hare.

Don’t take the circular route

Many popular weight loss products and programs work on a cycle. It’s like going around in circles. The result they produce is cyclical.

Unlike natural weight loss methods, they make you lose weight by stimulating hyperactivity. You then expend more energy than you would normally. So you burn more calories and you do lose weight.

The problem with this is that it’s not normal to be stimulated like this all the rest of your life. After you lose some weight you are still left with your eating habits and the process of weight gain repeats itself. It’s like doing circles, and the older you get the more difficult it is to break the cycle.

Then again, if you need to lose weight just for improving body image, or to get on a TV show, then the intermittent weight loss may not matter. Realize though, that being overweight is a health risk at any age.

If you already have some lifestyle health issue, such as diabetes or hypertension you shouldn’t even give those temporary weight loss fixes a thought. Use a natural weight loss approach.

What is needed

How is natural weight loss effective? What is really needed for most people to maintain their normal weight? Some people believe we need books, tapes, diets, regimens, pills, and even surgery. This question is addressed in

Prevent Hair Loss and Treatments

Sunday, August 31st, 2008

If you are a man who is losing his hair, you want to try to do something about it. You probably know it is next to impossible to prevent hair loss completely. There are some things you can do now, that will enable you to slow down or prevent hair loss.

There are many different formulas on the market today, that claim to treat or prevent hair loss, but how many of them really work? One product to prevent hair loss is Procerin. Procerin benefits are greatest for younger men between the ages of 18-35 and for those whose hair is still in a growth phase. This product is not suitable for women. This product has been shown to have an 88 percent success rate.

Another product to prevent hair loss is Profollica. A revolutionary regrowth formula, it is designed to combat androgenetic alopecia. This is the main cause of male pattern hair loss. This product has been shown to have an 85% success rate.

A product called Hair Genesis, is based on a scientifically studied hypothesis and was developed by a hair-restoration research expert. This scientist is mostly responsible for the development of the 3-part HairGenesis treatment line. This product has been shown to have an 85% success rate.

Propecia is one of the first products that were widely known to prevent hair loss in men. Propecia was well tolerated in clinical tests. There were only a very small number of men, who were shown to have sexual side affects. This occurred in less than 2 percent of the men tested. Some sexual side effects included less desire for sex, difficulty in achieving erection and a decrease in the amount of semen secreted. When men who experienced these side effects stopped using the product, the symptoms went away. Propecia is the only prescription medication that has FDA approval for the treatment of male pattern baldness. Propecia was shown to have only a 66 percent success rate.

Before you start using any product to prevent hair loss, be sure you know the risks and the side effects you may be facing. Losing your hair is not the end of the world, and there are products out there that can help aid you in the prevention of hair loss and give you a more confident demeanor at the same time.

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Pro And Home Gym Equipment

Sunday, August 31st, 2008

Exercise has become an integral part of everyday life of most people. An individual spends at least some part of his life in exercise. Exercise can be done with equipment or without equipment. Gym equipment helps in exercising a specific part or group of muscles or organs of the body. Today a wide range of gym equipment are available in the market.

The most common gym equipment are multigyms, treadmills, swiss balls, dumb bells, bar bells, rowing machines, exercise bicycles, balance boards, abdomen exercisers resistance bands and punching bags. There are various facilities, equipment associated with gym equipment like heart rate monitors, sauna baths, swimming pools etc.

A multi gym consists of incremented weight plates that move up and down on steel guides. It usually consists of attachments for exercise of chest, arms, thighs, calves, shoulders and pectorals (sometimes called wings or pecs).

Treadmill is an equipment used for running without moving any distance. It consists of a conveyor belt which slides on rollers on which the individual can run or walk.

Swiss ball or yoga ball is a rubber ball of 50 to 85 centimeters which is used to develop balance and exercise the abdominal and back muscles.

Dumbbells and bar bells are the traditional gym equipment. They consist of variable or fixed free weights attached to a small or long bar. They are lifted against gravity to tone muscles like biceps, triceps, forearm muscles, chest and shoulder muscles etc. They usually come in pairs.

Rowing machines are gym equipment designed to stimulate rowing in water. They are used to exercise pecs and back muscles.

Exercise bicycles are stationery bicycles with resistance discs for wheels. They are used to exercise thigh and calf muscles.

Balance board consists of a board fixed on a bearing. It is used to develop balance.

Abdomen exerciser consists of an inclined board with leg rollers for doing sit ups. It is used to exercise the stomach and abdomen muscles.

All the above equipment except free weights have attached electronics to monitor number of cycles and other parameters. Resistance bands are elastic bands and in these the resistance of the band to stretching is used to exercise muscles like quadriceps and deltoids.

Punching bag consists of sand filled cushioned bags or other rugged material bags for practice by boxers. They are either hung from the ceiling or fixed on a stand.

Most professional gyms have the above mentioned equipment along with other facilities like swimming pools, sauna baths, steam baths etc.

For a home gym, a multigym with a few dumbbells and barbells are sufficient for workout of the entire body. The starting price of a multigym is around 1500$. The cost of other equipment varies according to the make.

Keith George always writes about valuable news & reviews.
A related resource is best-gym-equipment.info/ Gym Equipment
Further information can be found at find-medicine.info/ Questions & Answers

Natural Joint Pain Relief

Saturday, August 30th, 2008

The first line of treatment that a doctor may suggest for joint pain usually involves aspirin and non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drug use. Over the years, more and more people are becoming aware of the power that natural ingredients and treatments possess in not only treating joint pain, but also an infinite number of medical concerns. Not only do natural remedies help in the management of joint pain, but extra benefits also come from the use of substances, such as antioxidants, fatty acids, and vitamins.

The protection and repair of vital cartilage, as well as the reduction of inflammation are just some of the things a patient suffering from joint pain may look forward to. Below you will find a few natural joint pain relief options to consider the next time you are looking for an alternate method of treatment:

1. Antioxidants

To reduce the tissue damage and inflammation that leads to joint pain, one may utilize vitamins, such as A, C, and E, as well as the mineral, selenium. Taking a high amount of antioxidants (especially vitamin C) also decreases the chances of suffering from loss of cartilage.

2. Essential Fatty Acids

The regulation of joint inflammation may take place when essential fatty acids are taken into consideration. The types of and amount of fat that a diet delivers plays an influential role in the amount of pain and inflammation one may experience in their joints. It is believed that omega-3 fatty acids can be used as an effective defense against joint pain and the symptoms of conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis. One may include primrose oil, black currant oil, or barrage seed oil in their diets to combat joint pain.

3. Vitamin D

When simplysmarthealth.com” target=”_blank joint pain is caused by osteoarthritis, a patient may consider incorporating a vitamin D supplement into their diet. Numerous studies have found that the vitamin plays a role in slowing down progressive knee damage. A deficiency in the vitamin may also cause the body to inefficiently repair damaged bones and cartilage.

4. Glucosamine and Chondroitin

In order to reduce the pain and inflammation associated with joint pain, patients may use glucosamine and chondroitin supplements to regenerate cartilage. When looking for an effective supplement one should be on the lookout for products that contain ingredients, such as hydrochloride, hydroiodide, n-acetyl and sulfate. Chondroitins are present in animal tissues (such as meat gristle), but also come as chondroitin sulfate supplements that are easily absorbed by the body.

5. Enzymes

When it comes to treating muscle injuries, bromelain has a reputation of working against the inflammation that causes joint pain. This particular enzyme is present in the stem of the pineapple plant and has the ability to block the triggers that lead to joint inflammation.

simplysmarthealth.com/flex_protex.html Flex Protex Capsules are a nutritional breakthrough that provide nutritional support designed to help ease minor every day aches and pains, support joint health and enhance flexibility. You can get a free bottle of Flex Protex by visiting simplysmarthealth.com/flex_protex.html simplysmarthealth.com/flex_protex.html

The Best Diet For High Cholesterol - 10 Ways To Reduce LDL And Increase HDL Cholesterol Part 2

Saturday, August 30th, 2008

Read part one of ‘The Best Diet For High Cholesterol - 10 Ways To Reduce LDL And Increase HDL Cholesterol’ to find out which high fiber foods help your heart, and how much caffeine increases cholesterol. Then read on for the other 6 ways diet can assist you to better heart health.

4) Spice up your life. Research indicates cinnamon has proven heart protecting and healing properties. Cinnamon assists in the breakdown of bile sales which can reduce cholesterol. Generally using more spices and herbs to flavour your food allows you to reduce processed salt usage. If you eat a primarily whole food diet (minimal food in packets) you will need some extra salt use unprocessed mineral rich sea salt.

5) Moderate Alcohol intake. You have heard the stories that your heart likes a regular glass of wine. It’s true that a little each day, with a meal, can benefit heart health. This means two glasses or less! Anything more for women will increase the risk of liver disease and increase the risk of breast cancer by a whopping 60%.

6) Replace saturated fats with monounsaturated fats particularly olive oil. Unlike most other vegetable and seed oils, olive oil does not affect your good HDL cholesterol. This is why the olive oil rich Mediterranean diet gained popularity in the healing of high cholesterol.

7) Eat more omega oil loaded fish. Studies are clear that HDL levels are highest in fish eaters.

8) Stop deep frying and avoid heating vegetable and seed oils. Vegetable and seed oils are fragile and easily damaged by heat. Once damaged and unstable, these fat molecules may boost LDL cholesterol levels.

9) Use polyunsaturated fats like vegetable and seed oils in smaller amounts. Popular cooking oils like canola, soya, and sunflower do not usually help your cholesterol. They can be consumed in smaller quantities, providing you have an antioxidant rich diet (lots of vegetables and fruit). Plenty of antioxidants seem to balance the negative effects of polyunsaturated fats.

10) And remember, some fat is good! Becoming the anti-fat police is dangerous and depressing. Focus on the type of fats you consume instead. It is vital that you do eat healthy fats in your diet. Your body needs healthy fats for connective tissue repair, brain function and healthy cells. The best fats are monounsaturated (olive), omega oils and smaller amounts of polyunsaturated fats from nuts and seeds.

Lifestyle choices are equally important as diet. For the best chance of lowering LDL cholesterol stop smoking and get moving. 30 minutes exercise most days of the week and a smoke free body can raise the HDL cholesterol and lower LDL cholesterol.

You do have the power to be healthier, by choosing the best diet for high cholesterol and combining this with positive lifestyle choices. Inevitably the recommendations here may assist you to feel better and have more energy in all areas of your life. Be good to yourself. You deserve it!

P.S About eggs and cholesterol… Researchers from the University of Connecticut reported in 2006 that people’s bodies digest the cholesterol from eggs in a way that is least likely to harm the heart. This is partly because eggs contain half monounsaturated fats (like olive oil) ,which supports HDL cholesterol. So the LDL is balanced by the HDL. They also discovered that the cholesterol molecules are larger in eggs and less likely to become arterial plaques.

Copyright Wild Health and Anna Wilde 2007

Anna Wilde works with people who want to improve their health naturally.
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Hepatitis A - The Common Jaundice

Saturday, August 30th, 2008

Most of us are aware of and have probably been vaccinated against hepatitis B. Given the fact that so many of us are protected from hepatitis B, have you ever wondered why we still have so many cases of jaundice especially in the months of summers and monsoons?
The reason is jaundice due to poor food, water and sanitation, meaning hepatitis A and hepatitis E virus.

The most important thing to realize that taking hepatitis B vaccination will not protect you against these forms of jaundice since they are caused by a different virus.
Hepatitis means inflammation (swelling) of the liver. While there are many infections that can cause this, in India the commonest cause in children and one of the most common causes in adults is Hepatitis A. If symptoms are present, they usually occur abruptly and may include
• fever,
• tiredness,
• loss of appetite,

• nausea,
• abdominal discomfort,
• dark urine, and
• jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes).

Symptoms usually last less than 2 months; a few persons are ill for as long as 6 months. The average incubation period (i.e., time taken from transmission from one person to the other) for hepatitis A is 28 days (range: 15–50 days).
The diagnosis can be made with a blood test (IgM Hepatitis A antibody- cost approx. Rs. 600/-), since the symptoms of all types of hepatitis are the same. Other tests like the liver function tests are useful in finding out the extent of the disease.
Treatment is essentially supportive, and with adequate rest and minimum use of anti-fever and anti – vomiting medicines a patient should generally recover within 15- 30 days. However 15 % of patients (mostly adults) may have a prolonged course of illness lasting even as long as 6-9 months!

Prevention rests on maintaining a good personal hygiene. Always wash your hands after using the bathroom, changing a diaper, or before preparing or eating food. Avoid outside food and water especially food that is undercooked/ uncooked (like salad etc.). Since proper food and water in India is still a pipe-dream, a more feasible way is to take the Hepatitis A vaccine. This is a very safe and highly effective vaccine (more than 90 % effective) with no major side-effects. It can be given to anyone above 1 year of age. Two doses are needed for life long protection and these need to be given 6 months apart. The vaccine is effective a month after the first dose is given.
Dr. Gaurav Gupta is a practicing pediatrician in Chandigarh, India. Other than being a member of the American and the Indian Academy of Pediatrics, he is also published many papers and written in various medical journals. He writes a bimonthly column is in Indian Pediatrics, official journal of the Indian Academy of Pediatrics. He writes a medical blog, and contributes regularly to local newspapers and magazines while also answering online question about common parenting questions and kids health’s

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Calorie Counter

Saturday, August 30th, 2008

If you are thinking of creating a weight loss plan that probably means you would like to lose weight. Great – that’s the first step: deciding that weight loss is important to you. But before you begin, ask yourself a few more questions about a weight loss plan. How much do you want to lose – just a few pounds or many pounds? Why do you want to lose weight – for health reasons, to improve your appearance, or both? Understanding your motivations for weight loss will help you create a plan that’s right for you based on your needs. This is because real weight loss is an element of an overall healthy and long-term way of living: a permanent lifestyle change.

When you look at a weight loss plan based on understanding your own needs and motivations, you can create a plan that’s tailored to your goals. Once you have this understanding, your plan is more likely to be successful. Set realistic goals for weight loss that include healthy and moderate weight loss over a long period of time – don’t aim for too much weight loss too quickly. Effective weight loss involves realistic weight reduction goals lost slowly but consistently. After you have established your needs and goals, start to develop a concrete plan for weight loss. Successful weight loss plans that last over the long-term tend to share two other common characteristics: healthy eating patterns and regular exercise. Assess your eating habits. Do you eat healthy, nutritious foods in the right portion sizes? You can use a calorie counter to lookup nutrition information on foods including foods from restaurants and fast foods places. Calorie counting is an important element of a healthy diet. Learning how many calories you need is an important part of successful weight loss. If figuring out the number of calories seems like a hassle, use a calorie counter. Efficient and portable, calorie counters provide data on thousands of different foods – whether you are at home or on the go. Calorie counters provide accurate nutrition information for the serving size that you choose.

Exercise is an equally important component of a weight loss plan. Exercise burns calories and improves your health. In addition to showing you the number of calories in your foods, calorie counters can show you how many calories you burn during exercise. Possessing this information, you’ll be a step ahead in your weight loss plan.

Do not fall for short-term gimmicks. A happy healthy body is yours if you follow a steady consistent weight loss plan.

Coheso, Inc. ( coheso.com coheso.com) makes handheld devices and other products for diabetes management and weight loss. CalorieSmart is a handheld calorie counter helps people tailor their weight loss plan. More information about CalorieSmart can be found at coheso.com/caloriesmart-d.html coheso.com/caloriesmart-d.html

Track3 is a small customizable handheld carb and calorie counter that helps individuals self-manage their diabetes. Information about Track3 is at coheso.com/track-d.html coheso.com/track-d.html

Nosebleeds-Bloody Nose-The Simple Facts And The Cures

Friday, August 29th, 2008

Why do some people get a Nose bleed: Bloody Nose: The nose was built for bleeding a doctor once told me. He said the nose was filled with numerous blood vessels, and many of these are thin and are on the surface of the inside of the nose. It takes very little damage to break one of these blood vessels which can cause severe bleeding. A smack or blow to the nose can lead to severe bleeding, as well as dry air in the winter causing the nose lining to crack, picking the nose can easily break a vessel, as well as blowing or even snuffing the nose. Even high blood pressure or bending down can cause enough pressure to break a vessel inside the nose. Smoking cigarettes can dry and crack the nose lining, and taking medications that thin the blood can cause severe nose bleeds.

Stopping a Nose Bleed - Bloody Nose: Once a nose starts bleeding what can you do to stop it, basicaly nothing except sit and wait. There are two things folks tell you to do. 1. Sit down and remain calm, keep the head elevated and just relax until the bleeding stops. 2. Sit and keep the head elevated, but gently pinch the sides of the nostrils together and hold for a few moments until the bleeding stops. Whenever I get a bloody nose I just sit and keep my head tilted slightly back and wait until the bleeding stops, pinching seems to make things worse for me. Once your nose stops bleeding, leave it alone, any rubbing, sneezing, picking or much activity can easily get it bleeding again, even a day or two later while it heals. After you have had a nose bleed, often the inside of the nose will feel crusty, this is clots and scabs forming. Do not blow the nose hard or pick at it for at least 24 hours or you risk getting it bleeding again. Any severe nose bleed, that lasts more than 15 minutes should warrant a trip to the local Emergency Room or doctors office. When I was a kid the right side of my nose wouldn’t stop bleeding, my parents took me to the local Hospital where the doctor cauterized the blood vessel, the right side of my nose has never bled since.

Simple things you can do to help prevent a Nose Bleed - Bloody Nose: When I was a kid I always got nose bleeds it seemed. If I was digging my boogers I could get a bad bloody nose. If I had a cold and blew my nose much it would bleed, if I bumped or had my nose smacked it would bleed. If I drank hot chocolate it would often bleed. It seemed I spent most of my childhood holding my head up because my nose was bleeding. Then finally after gushing more blood then what was probably spilled in a slaughter house, the doctors discovered something, ‘Duh! I was sensitive or allergic to aspirin’. Aspirin thins your blood, and it can cause severe nosebleeds in some people. Once my parents stopped the aspirins my nosebleeds slowed a lot, and when I learned to baby my nose they stopped even more. I had to blow it very gently when I had a cold, or just softly wipe it, I had to pick it gently etc. Now I may get a nosebleed once every 4 years or more, and when I do it bleeds very little. The strange thing is, my daughter often gets nosebleeds too, so I guess it’s something I passed down to her. Anyway, if you or the kids have them, the first thing to stop is any aspirin or anacins, anything but tylenol. I take tylenol by the handful and it never gives me a bloody nose.

How to keep a nose healthy: Keep the inside of the nose moist year around. There are nasal gels you can purchase in many drug stores. Run a Humidifier in the winter to keep the air from getting too dry. Keep your blood pressure under control. Watch your intake of blood thinning medications such as aspirin. Don’t dig or pick it, or blow it sharply. When you sneeze open the mouth to let the pressure or force escape.

There is a website that provides cures, facts and great information on Nose Bleed - Bloody Nose and numerous other medical conditions, the website is called: All About Health, and can be found at this url:

rb59.com/medical-health-info

By Robert W. Benjamin

Copyright © 2007

You may publish this article in your ezine, newsletter, or on your web site as long as it is reprinted in its entirety and without modification except for formatting needs or grammar corrections.

Robert W. Benjamin has been in the software business on the internet for over 5 years, and has been producing low-cost software for the past 25 years. He first released products on the AMIGA and C64 computer systems in the late 1970’s-80’s.

Dog and Cat Facts

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What to Do When You Encounter Back Pain

Friday, August 29th, 2008

“Ouch– my back hurts,” you moan, reaching for your sore, pinched, or strained backside. This is an all-too common scenario for many of us. More than 65 million Americans suffer from back pain every year. It is the most frequent complaint from people seeking medical care.

Advances in medicine have created many treatment options for people seeking back pain relief. Alternative treatments have increased in number and availability as well. However, there is still no “miracle cure” able to rid the world of back pain once and for all. Since the intensity, causes and specific conditions vary with each patient, you need to discuss treatment options with a health care professional in order to tailor treatment to your specific condition.

Patients have an almost daunting number of choices of medications, some of which alleviate not only back pain but reduce inflammation, muscle tension, and spasms too. Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) include aspirin, ibuprofen, and a host of prescription medicines. Taken regularly, these medications can significantly reduce inflammation and resulting back pain, and also provide back pain relief when taken during acute episodes. One common side effect of NSAIDs that should be taken into consideration is their propensity for causing gastrointestinal upset.

Acetaminophen comes in many over-the-counter medications. It acts as an analgesic, and is often used to treat acute pain. These medications can be taken alone or in conjunction with NSAIDs. Potential harmful side effects of acetaminophen include liver and kidney damage.

Doctors sometimes prescribe opioids or muscle relaxants for severe pain, but these medications can be habit-forming.

Acupuncture has been used in China for over 2,000 years and was first popularized in the United States in the 1970s. This ancient alternative to traditional ‘Western’ medicine has received validation by research studies which have documented acupuncture’s beneficial effects on patients, but many within the medical community are wary of relying too heavily on this form of treatment, as modern medicine has not been able to fully explain how acupuncture works.

Another alternative treatment, chiropractic, is based on the understanding that a properly functioning nervous system is essential for good health. The spinal column is quite literally the ‘backbone’ of the nervous system, because the spinal cord is encased inside it, as well as nerve roots that branch out into the entire body. Chiropractors adjust the spine of patients, aligning the vertebrae and correcting stress-inducing imbalances.

Your doctor may prescribe physical therapy, which helps patients build strength and increase flexibility. Physical therapy combines exercise with massage, heat/cold therapy, ultrasound, and electrical stimulation.

It is essential that you know what is causing your back pain so you can get the right treatment for you. Your doctor plays a crucial role in diagnosing and prescribing treatment for your condition, but in order to achieve the most effective treatment, you must take an active role in your healthcare also.

i-painrelief.com Pain Relief Info provides detailed information on arthritis, back, joint, lower back, natural, chronic, neck, sciatica, knee, fibromyalgia, and muscle pain relief. Pain Relief Info is the sister site of e-acidreflux.com Acid Reflux Web.