Smoking kills what more damaging effects of smoking do you want

Smoking kills! What more damaging effect do you want? A majority of smokers will frankly admit that they wish to give up smoking and somewhere in the past they had given up. But there is also a stubborn tribe of smokers who are not at all willing to admit the harmful effects of smoking!

Enter a conversation:

Sir Winston Churchill (the late former Prime Minister of Great Britain) was a chain smoker of cigars, lived up to the age of 85 years!

‘If he had not smoked, he would have lived up to 120 years,’ said the anti-smoking lobby. ‘What is the use of his living up to that age?’ said the smoking lobby! Die hard habits! Die hard arguments!

Who gains from your smoking, except the Finance Minister? In every budget, he tries to crush you, and the smoker is just not bothered! He cries for a while, only to forget everything soon. The smokers as well as the industry thrive!

Statistically speaking, it is scientifically proven that tobacco smoke contains over 4000 poisonous chemicals. The number and varieties of cancer it generates is in hundreds. Smoking damages practically every part of the human body, and heart takes the maximum pounding! Want proof? Count the number of ever-increasing cancer hospitals. Treating cancer has become a large-scale industry!

Just five decades ago, heart attacks used to be a rare phenomenon! The mixture of nicotine and carbon dioxide increases the rate of blood pressure and strains all parts of the body, the heart to be specific. How long can the heart tolerate this unbearable pressure? And one day, when it says that 'enough is enough’, the well-wishers of that human being, summon the ambulance and take him to the most unwanted place — the hospital!

To some hard-smokers, living death awaits at the far end of life! Smoking initially reduces and at a later stage cuts off oxygen supply to hands and limbs and the smokers will have to live through the agony of their limbs amputated!

The long puffs that a smoker takes and the attractive, designer coils that he sends in the air, may look attractive, but what about self-inflicted damage is his action leading to? Tar in the cigarette coats your lungs like soot in a chimney and sends a cordial invitation to cancer! You drag the puff deeper into your lungs for the joy and adventure of it, and the rotting process of the heart starts!

Smoking is a slow way to die, there is no other alternative or option. It is a well known fact that heart diseases and strokes are very common among the smokers. Smoking's contribution to heart attacks is maximum! To lung cancers too!

Are you happy or sorry? A foundation stone is being laid for a new cancer hospital!

Acne natural cure

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At occurrence on a skin of eels it is necessary to use cautiously cosmetics since to rub in a skin of some creams and ointments can promote disease development.
Eels it is possible to squeeze out periodically. For this purpose it is necessary to steam out a skin preliminary. In saucepan to pour boiled water and to throw a grass handful (milfoil, camomile, kalendula, mint) to incline the person over saucepan and to cover a head with a towel. To sit minutes 7-10. Hands and the person before procedure are necessary for processing carefully - a dirt from under nails to clean, wash up hands with soap and to process a skin of hands and the person spirit or cologne. If it not to make - on a place of the squeezed out eel there can be a furuncle that is much more unpleasant. After the skin will steam out, eels it is possible to squeeze out cautiously.
Treatment acne
Treatment acne should be complex to what are applied both internal, and external means.
It is useful to accept inside from two to four teaspoons brewing yeasts every morning before meal.
One of the best means of treatment acne, pustulous diseases - tincture from petals of a white lily. Fresh petals to combine in a bottle and to fill in with vodka or the dissolved spirit. Every evening to wipe this infusion the person.
It is possible to apply the juice of leaves of the aloe. Leaves to wash boiled water, to dry and 10 days to lay in a dark cool place, then to crush and wring out juice. This juice wipe a skin. It is possible also mixture from leaves to fill in with cold boiled water, taking on 1 part of the crushed leaves of 5 parts of water to insist this mix, within an hour, then to boil it 2-3 minutes to filter and apply to lotions
Help to get rid of spots and eels of a lotion and compresses from broth of birch kidneys. A table spoon of birch kidneys to fill in with a glass of abrupt boiled water and to boil 10-20 minutes. To allow to be insisted and filter. It is possible to make kidneys as tea, to insist and drink.
It is possible to use and birch leaves. Drink tea all year long and will be rewarded by health. A table spoon with a hill on a 0,5-litre thermos to insist 20-30 minutes, drink instead of tea and water. Leaves can be made in a teapot or a coffee pot, but in a thermos all the same it is better. It is possible to rinse infusion hair.
Fresh juice of the plantain big to wipe a skin, to add in masks.
2 table spoons small cut root of the primrose spring on a glass of boiling water. To insist 1 hour. To filter. To wipe a skin.
1 table spoon the flowers of the pith of the black to fill in with a boiled water glass, to do poultices. It is possible to drink infusion on a half-glass 3 times a day for blood clarification
From leaves, flowers bird-cherry it is possible to use broth for washings by Broth from a bark, kidneys, needle of the pine tree to wash the face. To use for baths
2 table spoons grass of the wormwood of the bitter on 300 ml of boiling water to insist. To use for compresses and lotions. Juice fresh ice-hole to add in masks.
Infusion from balm to use for lotions. 4 table spoons of a plant on boiled water.
Internal means:
2 spoons of leaves nettle to fill in 2 boiled water, to insist 2 ч, to drink on a half-glass 4 times a day
One a spoon crushed roots of the dandelion to fill in boiled water, to boil 15 mines, to cool 45 mines, to filter. To drink on a half-glass 3 times a day for 15 mines to meal
Infusion grass is the sage to drink instead of tea and coffee
Welcome To Natural remedies of alternative medicine

How to stave off plastic surgery naturally and attain a younger face

The world has seen great strides in medical miracles, technology and anti-aging. We see cutting edge conveniences everywhere as we live keep-up-to-date lives that have altered who we are.

We have cell phones that provide us with on-the-go communication as we download movies, music and news. Never in the history of our world have we been so closely connected as we further rely on the internet to bring us information, news, sports scores and more in real time – it’s all readily available at our fingertips.

Preventing maladies and protecting our health has become everyday news. Anyone who reads, listens to radio and watches television knows that exercise and diet are vitally important to our good health; we choose our foods wisely and know that exercise improves not only our waistlines but also our blood pressure, blood serums and it keeps dis-ease at bay.

People seem to easily live healthfully into their 70’s, 80’s and 90’s. Options for living longer means one can easily replace knees, hips, even elbows if they wear out; hearts and lungs and other organs are transplanted plus there are many, many drug and vitamin supplements that work to keep us vitally alive

We live in a youth obsessed world. We don’t want to feel old or look old; we want to look like the airbrushed models we see in magazines, billboards and television. Aging can be a painful experience as we look in the mirror and see an older face staring back at us. How and when did this happen?

Little by little facial muscles begin to lose their vitality. This loss of vitality produces noticeable sagging over time as the muscles elongate; this action drags the skin downward making one look tired, out of shape and old. One might see down turned mouth corners, a flabby neck or a lined forehead develop practically overnight. Aging in the face can alter our lives as we lose confidence in our appearance.

One option to turn back the clock is plastic surgery; it has certainly become mainstream and affordable but surgery has inherent risks such as anesthesia complications, loss of sensation, risk of infection and less than stellar results sometimes occur. Taking unnecessary financial risks and risking one’s health to attain youthfulness is a very steep investment that one should carefully consider.

Another aspect of having a surgical face procedure is that muscles continue to atrophy, pulling the skin downward. Unfortunately, surgery does not stave off the aging process; procedures just mask the symptoms and the muscles continue to weaken due to inactivity. Surgical face lifts may be repeated and little “nips and tucks” performed periodically to “freshen” the lift; again, more risk for the patient.

Injections of “filler materials” have become so popular, one shouldn’t be surprised to find them popping up in every airport kiosk. Botox® and Restylane® and Collagen are the “darlings” of the many available injections but they, too, only mask aging in the face. The results from these injections are temporary and must be repeated several times per year to counteract further muscle elongation.

What if one wants to proceed naturally? Is there a way to look revitalized when you don’t want to spend money or risk your health to look younger and fresher?

There are those “weeds” and “seeds” - people who prefer everything organic and natural to achieve better health and they would never consider plastic surgery, rather you will find them seeking the latest information from their trusted naturopath and exploring other techniques that are proven and safe.

One easy way to a non-surgical, non-invasive face lift is to practice isometric facial exercise. This is a natural way to revitalize the facial muscles and yet look at least ten to fifteen years younger in just a few weeks. Isometric movements along with resistance techniques make a huge difference when you exercise your body; the same type of exercise will lift, tone and tighten the facial muscles. You will look healthier and younger as you laugh all the way to the bank.

Your meds and your sexual health

The realm of sexual health can often be a touchy subject for some people. There are thousands of potential cultural, psychological, religious, and personal factors that come into play when talking about sexual health. However, one thing that most people can agree upon is that there are definitely physiological and biochemical factors in that sort of thing that can affect the physical aspect of the topic. Various medications, even ones that may not necessarily be related to sexual health or the areas of the body that are directly connected to it, may have side effects that alter one's libido or physical ability to “perform.” Sex-related disorders can be caused by a variety of medications, so it would be good for most people to have some idea of what effects such medications might have on the user.

There are various ways that sexual health can be affected by medication. The first thing that concerns some would be the effect that drugs might have on one's libido. There are a number of drugs that can reduce the libido as a side effect, basically causing a sharp decline in sexual desire. Another problem would be the ability to maintain sexual arousal, to the point that the ability to achieve orgasms can sometimes be affected in a negative manner. The sustainability of an erection can also be a problem in males, though there appears to be no corresponding problem for females. Whether this is due to the perceived difficulty of sustaining sexual arousal in a female or because there are no side effects of that sort for women is a matter of debate.

Antidepressants are among the many classifications of medication that can have an effect on a person's sexual health. Most antidepressants work by inhibiting various neural receptors in the nervous system and brain, such as serotonin. In most cases, this is not really a problem, because these chemicals have no known direct effects on a person's sexual health and libido. However, there are some circumstances where the mix of a person's individual biochemistry and the effects of the drug can result in any number of side effects, not the least of which can have repercussions in the sexual arena. The effects from this sort of problem usually last for about as long as a person is taking the type of antidepressant that initially caused the problem. In most situations, a simple change of antidepressant (which may or may not be a simple feat to accomplish) is enough to alleviate the immediate effects.

The flow of blood is very important to sexual performance, though the purposes of it are more painfully obvious for the male half of the species. As such, any medications or drugs that have an effect on the circulatory system can have drastic effects on a person's sexual health. Any medication used to treat hypertension and high blood pressure can potentially have effects on things like erection, arousal, and performance. Obviously, blood pressure and the overall health of the cardiovascular system can have effects on endurance and the ability to sustain physical activity. While these are not directly related to sex, it does have effects on it.

An adult bedwetting message board find out how others are coping

An adult bedwetting message board and chat line is an easy way for adults coping with enuresis to get helpful ideas from others in the same situation. There are many sites on the Internet that deal specifically with adult bed wetting issues. These sites often have medical doctors who reply to patients’ questions and offer helpful advice. Here adults can read the messages from other males and females and may get the answers they need without having to send any message. An adult bedwetting message board is anonymous, so none of your friends will know about your problem.

You can simply do an online search for “Adult Bedwetting Message” and the results will show you many message boards set up for this purpose. Here you will find messages about all kinds of bedwetting issues and read the advice that the doctors and other adults offer. Maybe one or more of the experiences may be identical or similar to your situation. This will not only help you find a solution, but will also give you relief in knowing that there are other adults with bed wetting problems.

There are also different products you can use to keep you dry at night, such as disposable bedwetting diapers and liners, but you need to buy the ones that are right for you. For example, adult male bedwetting requires different products than for female bedwetting simply because of the differences in the male and female bodies. An adult bed wetting message board is also a way of finding out about the different products and how most adults feel about using them. When you want to post a message on an adult bedwetting message board, you will probably have to register. However, you can feel secure in knowing that your information will never be made public.

The Urology Forum is a good example of an adult bedwetting message board that is monitored by a doctor. Using an adult bed wetting message board should never take the place of consulting with a doctor about your bed wetting problem. Whether it is something that occurred all of a sudden or developed over time, it could be symptomatic of a more serious problem and you need to have the necessary medical tests to get the proper treatment. It could also be a symptom of a condition that is easy to treat and you could be suffering through bed wetting episodes needlessly. Adult male bedwetting is often a source of embarrassment to men and they have a hard time dealing with it. It usually takes a lot for them to speak to a doctor about bedwetting and for these people a message board can be really helpful.

An adult bedwetting message board is not just about bedwetting. Here you can find answers to questions about all kinds of bladder and kidney related problems. Adult male bedwetting, painful urination and other topics are open for discussion. The answer you want may be waiting for the click of the mouse when you start using an adult bedwetting message board. You might also be able to help others and reassure them that they are not alone.

Goji and arthritis

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Arthritis pain can cause sadness and depression. The pain can cause you to feel like you are missing out on life and the loss of sleep can keep you from enjoying even the simple things in life.

The problems associated with arthritis causes extreme frustration because arthritis makes even the simplest of daily tasks nearly impossible. In advanced stages arthritis can be completely disabling.

We are happy to say that arthritis does not always have to limit your life. Many people are finding the incredible benefits of a remarkable new product and are awed by its unmatched health-promoting powers.

They are finding one of the most prized secrets of the ancient Himalayans who were believed to be the first natural healers, and who shared their wisdom with the ancient herbalists of China, Tibet, and India. That wonderful find is Goji Juice. Since its discovery in the Himalayas, those who know of this incredible creation are awed by its unmatched health-promoting powers.

We tend to think of arthritis as an old age disease. Perhaps that is because the most common form of arthritis – the wear and tear – degenerative condition known as osteoarthritis (OA) – is most often seen in people over 60. But the OA is not the only form of arthritis. Although many of us refer to it as if it were a single disease, arthritis is actually a catchall term that covers more than 100 medical conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus, gout ad scleroderma. Arthritis can strike at any age often without warning. In various forms, if affects more than 70 miilion adults and 300,000 children in America alone.

No matter what the source of arthritis, there is always the common factor of joint inflammation, often accompanied by pain, stiffness, restricted motion, warmth, swelling, and damage to the protective joint cartilage and surrounding tissues. This damage becomes progressively debilitating as joints become weakened and destabilized. Ultimately, arthritis can turn even the simplest daily tasks into a painful ordeal.

For those diagnosed with systemic forms of arthritis, the situation can be far worse. Systemic arthritis can affect the whole body, wreaking havoc on the heart, lungs, kidneys, blood vessels, and skin.

Leading Causes of Arthritis

It has been estimated that there are more than 200 causes of the various forms of arthritis. And yet, there are some key risk factors:

A. Cigarette Smoking
Smoking has been proven over and over again to increase the risk of rheumatoid arthritis. A recent large-scale study published in the Annals of Rheumatic Diseases concluded that even moderate smokers (6 per day) could increase their risk by as much as 1500%!

B. Obesity
Obesity is another major cause of arthritis. According to an article in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the single biggest risk factor for osteoarthritis in the hips and hands of people older than 60 is being overweight. Reducing the symptoms of this painful disease should be a great inspiration to drop those pounds.

In an Asian anti-obesity study, patients were given, goji each morning and each afternoon. Results were wonderful ith most patients losing significant weight. In a 2002 research at the Huazhong Agricultural University in China, it was revealed that goji’s master molecule polysaccharide improved the conversion of food into energy and reduced body weight.

C. Stress
Stress had been shown to be a major trigger in initiating a flare-up, thus it is important to avoid it when possible and to consider the use of relaxation techniques…and goji juice. Goji provides the energy reserves to help you handle just about any difficulty. In Asia, it is said that constant consumption of goji brings a cheerful attitude and nothing beats good cheer overcoming stress!

Yeast infection description causes and treatment

What is Yeast Infection?

This kind of infection is most common among women. However, many remain ignorant or unaware of this medical problem. It is important to know the symptoms, dangers, and related conditions of yeast infection to be able to treat it early on. It is also necessary to determine the various causes of this disease to be able to avoid it before it even happens. Finally, it will be most helpful for any female person if she is also knowledgeable of the several possible treatments for yeast infection to be able to curtail it immediately.

Not many women are familiar with the term “yeast infection”. However, more women are probably aware of or have experienced previously the symptoms of this condition. The top three signs of having yeast infection are itching, burning and pain, and discharge. Itching of any part of the skin or body is usually caused by an infestation of foreign organisms such as fungi or bacteria in a particular area of the body. In the case of yeast infection, the affected portion is the vaginal part and the surrounding areas. The infection can cause intense itching that rashes or redness usually develop secondary to scratching. Another indication is a burning or painful sensation in that area especially when urinating. The skin in a woman's vaginal part may already contain sores due to frequent scratching that when placed in contact with the acidity of urine may cause pain or a burning sensation. This feeling may be similar to that which is experienced when having urinary track infection, however, they occur at different areas of the body. Lastly, some women report of having discharges that are usually described as odorless, white, and cheese-like. At other instances, a starch-like odor is said to be observed from the discharges.

Yeast infection itself is not considered as highly dangerous, however, it can be very irritating and disturbing especially among women who are already preoccupied with other responsibilities or tasks. On the other hand, like most infections, it is highly transferable to other individuals including the opposite sex. Certain conditions of the body may make it easier for a person to acquire this disease such as diabetes and use of antibiotics.

Other health problems which are usually associated with yeast infection include urinary tract infections and possible complications during pregnancy. However, these are not scientifically-based and are yet to be proven or negated in future studies.

What causes Yeast Infection?

The scientific term for yeast infection is Candidiasis. This was derived from the the yeast organism or fungus-like Candida that causes this condition. Fungus thrives in dark and moist areas such as the vaginal area of women. Certain health conditions such as pregnancy and diabetes make people, especially women, more prone to acquiring yeast infection. Pregnancy causes a change in the metabolic balance and vaginal acidity of women which is more favorable to fungus growth. Fungus are also known to thrive among individuals with high sugar levels such as in the case of people with diabetes and those with defects in sugar metabolism.

What are the treatments for Yeast Infection?

Various oral medications such as Diflucan or fluconazole and topical treatments may be prescribed by doctors to cure yeast infection. Home remedies such as using yogurt and garlic, whether internally and externally, can also be done. It is, however, important to consult a doctor first prior to applying any of the available remedies to avoid complications and further harm.

A true bestfriend

Most dogs, because of their wonderful characteristics, never fail to attract attention wherever they go. With their soft, fluffy hair, kind round eyes, cute little noses, and joyful strutting, it is not hard to understand why a lot of people easily fall in love with them. What makes them really amazing, though, is their seeming ability to show unconditional love and loyalty to the people they live with. Also, they usually project so much liveliness and playfulness that any person cannot help but feel the same way. On the other hand, their calm disposition when they are lying on their owners' lap or anywhere nearby can also cause a certain feeling of comfort and peacefulness. These are actually the same characteristics that make it so easy for dogs to create strong bonds between them and their keepers.

Dogs are observed to bring out a lot of positive feelings and reactions from people. Because of this, a lot of recent studies had been conducted regarding their effectiveness in being instruments for relieving stress, anxiety, and depression. One study stated that having dogs can actually lessen people's stress and anxiety through improving people's moods, improving their social support, encouraging them to exercise, and eliminating their feeling of loneliness. Another study showed that men with AIDS had a lesser tendency to experience depression by keeping dogs as pets. Also, dogs had been noted to provide a sense of companionship to people and are even said to improve a person's self-esteem. They prevent people from experiencing and thinking about negative feelings and ideas, thus, lessening the possibility of those people to feel stressed, anxious, and depressed.

Among the most stressful and, possibly, depressing professions there are, considering the pressure imposed upon them by other people, are probably those of Hollywood stars. Aside from the load of work that they have to handle, they also have to watch out for possible reasons that people can find and use to criticize them. Hollywood actors and actresses are actually forced to do certain things such as to constantly show happiness, to always dress well, or to lose more weight, especially when they need to appear in public, even if that is not how they really feel or what they really like. This must be the reason why a lot of Hollywood stars keep dogs as pets. They probably need these canines to relieve them from all the stress, anxiety, and depression that comes with celebrity fame and fortune. Famous actors and actresses such as Will Smith and Courtney Cox have been noted to say that their dogs help them to become more happy aside from the companionship and sense of security that these canines provide. Another article about celebrities and their dogs reported that people in Hollywood choose to have pet dogs because “they need the unconditional love and support man's best friend provides.” Among the Hollywood stars who are known as dog lovers are Paris Hilton, Oprah Winfrey, Jennifer Aniston, Orlando Bloom, and Jessica Alba.

Aside from Hollywood stars, other famous and powerful people such as politicians, a dictator, and monarchs, surprisingly, have pet dogs. Among those personalities are George W. Bush who has a Scottish terrier named Miss Beazley. Bill Clinton has a cocker spaniel and a Labrador retriever. Adolf Hitler had a dog named Blondi. Queen Elizabeth II and Queen Koningin of the Netherlands are also dog lovers. Dogs must have made so much difference in their owners' lives that some of them are even given large amounts of inheritance after their owners die. Luxury-hotel queen Leona Helmsley and tobacco heiress Doris Duke have been reported to have left their dogs at least 12 million dollars and one hundred thousand dollars, respectively.

How to enjoy being single in a couple s world

It’s sometimes easy to forget how great the single life can be when you’re surrounded by loved-up couples and fending off your mum’s clumsy attempts at matchmaking. What’s the problem with being single? Nothing, of course – except that sometimes the sight of your coupled-up friends all over each other , or a stranger holding hands with her boyfriend in the street, can make you suffer a sudden attack of single panic – the feeling that you’re alone in a world of twosomes. But don’t despair, you just need a dash of single-survival therapy.

Many women see being single as just a waiting period between men, but there’s no better time to learn about yourself, explore opportunities and do all the things you were too busy to do with a boyfriend. All it takes is the right mindset – so follow these strategies for feeling fabulous when you go solo.

Indulge Your Desires - When you’re single, you live life on your own terms. Meaning you can move to a new city or head off to the Caribbean for a week without having to take someone else’s needs into account. Single women who have more freedom often see more of their friends and have more opportunities to do what they want, when they want. You also have time to persue interests you may have previously put on the back burner. Let’s be honest – it’s hard to squeeze in me - time when you have a man. So take advantage of this period to travel, start a course, or go on a self-improvement kick.

Savour Small, Sexy Encounters - Cursing into a situation like a dinner party where you know there’ll be lots of couples may sound scary. But, armed with the right attitude, it’s a golden opportunity. See, unlike your attached friends, you’re a sexy agent, able to flirt around the room and flirt up storm, not having to worry about a bad-tempered partner brooding in the corner. In fact, it’s those guilt-free, ego-boosting moments that make single life so much fun (especially when you’re the envy of every ball-and-chained girl in the room). Single women are often so caught up in getting a man, then don’t appreciate the coy, carefree encounters that make being unattached exciting. So train yourself to revel in those opportunities. One you’re back in a relationship, you’ll miss that anything-can-happen rush you get from meeting new men.

Don't Give In To Brainwashing - Ask yourself this: what’s so bad about being boyfriend-free? We line in a society that sends out messages to women: while the media glamorizes being single, there’s still that old-school message from friends and family that says it’s sad and pathetic. So don’t let your coupled-up friends. ‘Don’t worry, we’ll find you a man!’ into your psyche. Tune them out and you’ll realise you’re having a good time. If you’re enjoying the single status – going out with friends, pursuing you own interests – let others know. That way, they’ll quit obsessing about your single, status and you can get back to the task at hand: flirting with the hottie who whipped up your latte.

Okay, so you've get the right attitude, but what do you say to those unwanted voices?

Your parents ask: ‘So, have you met any nice young men lately?’

You say: ‘Well, I’ve been hanging out a biker bars and AA meetings, but so far nothing.’

Your ex asks: ‘Found yourself another bloke yet?’

You say: ‘Actually, funny you should ask – I;m into women now.’

Your friends says: ‘I think you’re being way too picky.’

You say: ‘Didn’t your ex live with his mum?’

3 steps to managing skin allergies

An effective approach to managing skin allergies has three components. Firstly you must understand the condition, then you must discover if anything is triggering your skin reaction, and thirdly you must look after your skin.

Many people think that allergies only affect the respiratory or digestive systems, but they can also affect your largest organ - your skin. As with other allergies the immune system overreacts to the presence of certain substances and releases inflammation-producing chemicals. Do some research and talk to your doctor. You can be confident of controlling your skin condition better if you are sure you understand what causes it.

The second component in managing a skin allergy is identifying then eliminating the allergens and irritants that start the itching/scratching cycle. There are over three thousand known triggers for skin allergies. Many are natural, but there are plenty of man-made ones too.

A common man-made trigger is latex, which comes from the sap of the Brazilian rubber tree. The natural proteins and those added in the manufacturing process can trigger an allergic reaction. Most people are aware that this can lead to reactions if you wear latex gloves. However latex is also present in baby pacifiers, balloons, pencil erasers and elastic bands in undergarments. There can also be problems when latex particles become airborne and are inhaled. If you have a latex allergy try to avoid the material and use vinyl or plastic where possible.

Nickel is another trigger. In addition to the obvious nickel-containing metallic objects like coins and jewelry, nickel is also present in everyday objects like scissors, bathroom and kitchen cabinet handles, and zippers. Mascara, eye shadow and eye pencils also contain nickel. Experts estimate that the number of people suffering from a nickel allergy has risen about 40% in the last decade. Much of this is believed to be due to the popularity of body piercing. Some foods also have natural nickel content and people who suffer severe symptoms may need to restrict their diet under medical supervision. At present there is no way to desensitize a person with a nickel allergy. Avoidance is the best strategy.

The third component of effective management is looking after your skin. The easiest thing to do is to keep your fingernails short to reduce the damage caused by scratching.

Managing your skin's condition means firstly moisturizing and softening the skin to ensure it does not dry out. Your doctor may recommend you use topical corticosteroid preparations to control the inflammation.

When you take a bath soak in lukewarm water for 20 to 30 minutes. Do not have hot baths or showers, as the heat will increase skin dryness and itching. You can add oatmeal or baking soda to the bath for a soothing effect, though it does not help moisturize the skin.

Use a mild soap or a non-soap cleanser with neutral pH (pH7). If you wish to add bath oils do so after you have been in the water so that it can seal in the moisture. Do not use bubble baths as they can form a barrier that stops the bathwater moisturizing your skin.

After the bath dry yourself by patting your skin with a soft towel. This helps retain moisture. Immediately after drying your skin apply a lotion or emollient cream to help your skin retain the moisture.

To look after your skin you will also need to avoid situations where you will experience extreme physical contact, heavy perspiration, or heavy clothing. This may mean avoiding some sports. Swimming is permissible if you rinse the chlorine from your skin as soon as you leave the pool, and use a moisturizer after drying yourself.

Follow these three steps and you will be able to control your skin allergy and minimize its impact on your everyday life.

Saunas pleasure that is safe

Saunas have been used for many years as a way to relax and to improve the body’s look and feel. If you have never been able to set foot in one, then there are some things that you should know so that you can be properly prepared and so that you can remain safe. Saunas can be soothing and exhilarating when they are used correctly.

Here are some things to remember when you step into saunas:

• Realizing that it is going to be hot is important. In some cases, temperatures can range from any place between 60 degrees to 120 degrees. They are generally at about 70 to 90 degrees Celsius most of the time.

• Because of this temperature and the level of humidity in the saunas, you will find that often heat prostration and heat stroke can occur. It is important to watch for signs of these as you may not realize it if you are relaxing.

• Also, after the sauna, it is customary to take a cool shower or even take a plunge in a cool bath afterwards. The problem with this is that it needs to be done carefully to avoid the sudden and intense increase in blood pressure that can make you dizzy.

• Saunas should not be used by individuals who have a history of conditions such as stroke or hypertension because saunas can quite affect these conditions.

In many cases, saunas are thought to help cleanse the body. Some people believe that they help the body get rid of toxins that are in the pores through sweating. In fact, in some countries it is believed that saunas can help cure diseases as well! What there is no doubt about is that saunas are a great way to relax and to enjoy some soothing time. If you have the opportunity, visit one as often as you can so that you too can experience this pleasure that is like nothing else.

What you need to know before you buy a massage chair

A large number of people are nowadays buying massage chairs for health and relaxation reasons. If you are also thinking of investing in one, then you should at least be aware of certain important facts about massage chairs. Massage chairs are not cheap by any standards and you ought to be clear about your requirements, needs and your budget before you go for buying a massage chair. Some of the main things that you need to know before you buy a massage recliner or chair are:

What are the advantages of using a massage chair?

A massage chair can give you a full body massage in the comfort of your own home when you need it. Apart from helping in relieving both mental and physical stress and tension, a massage chair helps in alleviating body aches and pains, improves blood circulation, reduces high blood pressure and helps in rejuvenating your body after a hectic day at work. Regular use of a massage chair helps in improving your over all flexibility and makes for healthier muscles.

What are the different types of massage chairs?

Massage chairs are broadly divided into Shiatsu massage chairs and Swedish massage chairs. Opinion is divided as to which one is the best massage chair. A Swedish massage chair combines kneading movements with long, smooth strokes during a massage while a Shiatsu massage chair combines patting, pressing, swaying, and rolling movements while targeting the pressure points all over the body. In both cases, a good massage chair will provide you with complete muscle relaxation and freedom from body aches and pain.

What are the features that you should look for in a massage chair?

Massage chairs range from basic to highly feature laden models and the more features you want in your chair, the more dough you will need to shell out. So it is better to decide on the number of features that you are actually going to need or use and then pick a massage recliner that provides you with only those features. Almost all massage chairs come with a number of different massage options and speeds, but most people end up using only two to three such options. So, you really do not need to go for a chair that offers too many massage options that you might not want to use.

People suffering from shoulder and neck aches need to invest in a massage chair that has particular programs for the neck and shoulder area. Similarly massage chairs with airbags in the foot or leg area are beneficial for people who suffer from pains in the lower extremities and muscle and joint pain in the legs. You may want to consider massage chairs with airbags. There are massage chairs with air systems for the buttocks and hip area. The best massage chairs in the market come with airbags for all possible body parts, but these are generally costlier than basic models. Many massage chairs do not offer a raised foot rest, which can be uncomfortable for people who are used to sitting with their legs raised while on a chair.

Others might offer a massage that is too low in intensity, which after using for a few months will not be effective in relieving aches and pains. Remember that you will need to use a massage chair for at least twenty minutes to half and hour in order to benefit from your massage and therefore, it is advised that you sit in a massage chair for at least twenty minutes before you make the decision to buy.

What pointe shoes are best for my feet

There are many different brands of pointe shoes, made in very different countries and there is no one shoe that is perfect for everyone. Different dancers have different shaped feet, and so require different proportions to their shoe to get that magic fit. Some people have very long narrow toes while others have a very broad foot with a very narrow heel. Finding (or creating) a shoe that fits well can take a lot of searching, along with a little trial and error.

One way to find the shoe that is best for you is to go to a store that has several makes of shoe to find the one that suits your foot the best. Once you find which brand suits you, a specialty store that stocks only that one brand will probably have more shoes around your size to get a great fit. Some dance teachers like all their girls to have the same brand; however the chances of all those feet needing the same shoe are pretty slim! It is better for each girl to find the shoe that fits them the best, and then find ways to make the satins appear the same for performances.

All brands make several different shapes and styles of pointe shoes, which are designed for different people and different uses. This is often very confusing for first time buyers, so if at all possible get your dance teacher, or an experienced dancer to go along to the fitting with you. The fitters in various stores can range from exceptional to very average, so it is a good idea to get a name of a good fitter on the recommendation of someone you trust.

The strength of the shank is important, yet very controversial. Some people like beginners to have a stronger shank to help support them en pointe until they get stronger, while others believe that the learner needs a softer shank to learn how to work through the shoe properly. Generally the second option is the best, especially when you have strengthened the feet and ankles properly before starting pointe. When you are beginning pointe you are only doing a few minutes of pointe work at the end of class, and so you don’t need a super strong shoe to last you the rigors of a professional class. A medium density shank will allow you to break the shoe in enough to help you work through the shoe, yet still support you en pointe.

Nature s energy booster

Before you reach that cup of coffee or that bar of chocolate, which will probably only give you an energy boost for a couple of minutes and your probably feel worse after it as your body crashes again and you end up at square one again.

Here is a breathing exercise you can use as a natural energy booster, find a place where you can relax either on a bed or upright in a chair, because this exercise can bring on a feeling of dizziness to the beginner trying it out please don’t try to do it in a standing position or whilst in your car!

Firstly get yourself comfortable position whether suiting in a chair or lying on your bed and keep your back in straight position so nothing is effecting the air flow. Close your mouth and start to breathe in and out through your nose in a rapid fashion, try to breath about 2-3 inhalations a second for about 10 seconds. I know that at the start it will probably feel awkward and you will fill your muscle are having to work harder (this is good for strengthening your diaphragm) but the more you practice it you’ll find it easier to do and when you feel comfortable and gotten over the dizzy sensations you can then increase the length of time you do this for, add up to 5 seconds more onto this but don’t get carried away... it’s better to do small amounts over the day than try to do it over too long of a period.

This exercise works because it helps to increase the amount of oxygen coming into your body and give the body and muscles the needed the oxygen they have been needing. While this exercise is great in the short term you really need to work on your breathing technique overall to improve your energy levels right through the day.

Spinal tap

The spinal column is among the core areas of the human body, representing the single largest, unbroken set of connections between the body and the brain. As such, the spinal column and pretty much anything and everything around it, are integral to human operations. However, like all parts of the body, the spinal column can sometimes be prone to a number of physical maladies, not least of which is lower back pain.

The pain is often attributed to strenuous activity involving lifting or over-exerting back muscles. This is commonly displayed for comedic effect in the media, though it occurs often enough in real life to be a concern. Lower back pain is most often an effect of improperly lifting a weight, which puts undue stress on the lower back, as well as some areas of the legs. As the body ages, lower back pain becomes more frequent. This is due to the lower back muscles losing tensile strength and flexibility, along with the spinal column slowly becoming more brittle. Lower back pain, at this stage of the game, is often seen to be just the tip of the iceberg.

Lower back pain, however, may be a sign of something more alarming in store. The spinal column is home to a number of nerves and neural connections. Lower back pain is a relatively minor concern, as more serious damage to the spinal column can result in partial or total paralysis, depending on the extent of the damage. Barring that extreme – but very real – possibility, the loss of some motor functions or feeling may also occur if the spine is damaged.

Another concern would be spinal arthritis, which can sometimes go undetected until it is too late. This is understandable, as spinal arthritis does not usually have the same visual signals as arthritis does in the rest of the body. However, the general list of symptoms of arthritis are the same.

The symptoms of arthritis may be similar regardless of what area of the body is affected, but the core problem is that some of these signs are easy to be mistaken for something else. One of the most common and prevalent symptoms of arthritis is pain in the affected areas. This is fine for other parts of the body, but for the back, most people tend to ignore it and believe it to be no different from back pains induced by muscle stress or excessive physical work. Only when the pain becomes a semi-regular occurrence do some people consider the possibility that the problem might be more than just “normal” pain.

Difficulty in movement, particularly of the lower back and lower limbs, is also among the commonly ignored symptoms of arthritis. This is sometimes speculated to be caused by people believing that these problems are merely the result of aging or improper nutrition. Indeed, difficulty in moving some muscles and bones in the body can be caused by the aging process, which generally limits the range and speed of a person's movements. Also, it is a popular conception that poor nutrition, or the lack of specific nutrients, can make moving the lower half of the body difficult. As a result, as one of the symptoms of arthritis, this is often ignored.

One of the symptoms of arthritis that people generally do not ignore, however is spinal deformity, which is the most outward physical manifestation of spinal arthritis. While this is easily confused with other possible causes of spinal deformity, there is virtually no chance that it would

be ignored.

A sleep aid to dream about

Just when one thinks that there is just one too many sleep aids available in the market, think again. A new sleep aid that can promote dreaming has been formulated by drug researchers and pharmacologists. The said is also said to be effective in improving one's memory. This medication specifically targets the orexin system, which is also associated with the urges connected with feeding and addiction. Orexin is a type of hormone that was discovered in 1998 and is known to control or induce a number of physiological reactions and conditions such as narcolepsy, a sleeping disorder where people can fall asleep several times a day and experience paralyzing musculo-skeletal contractions.

A Swiss drug company named Actelion has also unveiled a new candidate drug known as orexin-RA-1 that can block the orexin system. Laboratory rats slept soundly and performed better in maze tests the following day than rats given with only conventional sleep aids, suggesting that the drug improves memory capacity. Measurements of muscle tone and brain activity revealed an increase in the dream phase of sleep. According to Actelion CEO Jean Paul Clozel, the dream phase is when memory is hardwired in the brain. According to Clozel, older medications reduce REM sleep. Lack of REM sleep makes people still feel tired even after they just woke up.

Shahrad Taheri, a doctor from the University of Bristol, said that orexin has great potential for promoting sleep and regulating appetite. Taheri said that orexin can be used to reduce cravings for food.

The new sleep aid drug is now undergoing stage trials. Clozel says that the drug could be available in the market by 2012. He admitted that there are plans to extend its application beyond insomnia. Unlike older generations of sleep medications, orexin-RA-1 showed no signs of being addictive or of losing its effects over time. However, this type of medication should have a thorough inspection for possible unwanted side effects. Existing sleep aids being sold in the market are known to have a number of side effects. Tests should be done in order to fully analze a new drug's effects in the brain, and how it can provide other beneficial effects without harming other human internal systems.

Aside from using medications, people with insomnia should continue receiving non-medical help to overcome sleeplessness. Among the most common advice given to insomniacs by doctors and behavioral therapists include:

Cutting down on caffeinated drinks especially during hours that are too near sleeping time

Avoiding stimulating activities such as games, exercise, and watching action movies when on is about to sleep

Keeping the bedroom as a private place for sleeping. An insomniac should not do work inside the sleeping quarters.

The room must be kept dark, free from noise, and comfortable enough to induce relaxation and drowsiness.

In very severe cases of sleep deprivation, the help of medical and psychiatric professionals should be sought. Insomniacs, however, must make sure to consul these professionals first before using any sleep aid. Using sleep aids without proper consultation could lead to substance abuse and, worse, to accidental death. Sleep aid overdose is a very serious risk faced by insomniacs who use medications without the proper prescription.

Soon, however, new drugs such as orexin may help people with severe sleep deprivation gain back the ability to sleep, rest, and dream about better days and nights ahead.

The cause of back pain

While there are many factors that can contribute to back pain, one of the most common problems is poor posture. Some people get into the habit of sitting or standing improperly, and over time this contributes to pain in their backs. Understanding the causes of back pain will allow you to avoid it, and will lead to a healthier and more active lifestyle.

When someone first begins feeling pain in their back, they can easily correct it by improving their posture. However, if you don't correct your posture your joints will eventually begin to wear out over time. Studies have shown that in the long term, the ageing of joints in your back can be just as extreme as the effects of suffering a back injury.

People who continue to have poor posture will eventually feel the effects of ageing. Their poor joints will force them to stoop over, and their mobility will be greatly decreased. With the rising costs of healthcare, it will be expensive to correct such problems, if it is even possible to correct them at all. Is it not better to correct your posture while you still have the chance?

The vast majority of the deformities seen in the elderly are a result of poor posture. Often, other parts of the body are affected such as the lungs, which will not be able to get a proper amount of oxygen due to the upper body being bent over. This may also eventually cause problems with your stomach and other organs.

While many people consider weak back joints to be just a normal part of ageing, by taking a few simple steps everyday people can avoid back problems in the long term. By standing up at least once a day and bending backward, people can avoid back pain.

Doing this simple routine on a daily basis can keep your from being impaired when you get older. Walking or running can help people to relieve pain in their lower backs. Because most people drive or work in an office, they have less time for running or walking. Exercising is an important part of keeping both your back and the rest of your body healthy.

Back pain is something that millions of people suffer from, and there is not reason for them to continue. By exercising and sitting correctly, many of these problems can be avoided. Getting treatment for the problem once it has become out of control will be costly. It is much less expensive to just practice good posture and exercise on a regular basis.

Sitting improperly is one of the leading causes for back pain. Once you begin having problems in your lower back, sitting improperly will exacerbate the problem. It is also important to stand up and lay down properly also. You may find that you suffer pain in your lower back only at certain times, such as when you sleep or stand for extended periods of time. If this is the case, it can be easily corrected by practicing good posture.

Scoliosis a problem of uneven curves

Scoliosis is a condition in which a person has side-to-side spinal curves in addition to the normal curves through which the lower portion of the human back curves inwards. Standing upright cannot cure these side-to-side curves. Some of the bones of a person suffering from scoliosis also shift from their normal position, thus making his/her waist or shoulders appear uneven.

Most of the times, scoliosis develops in the thoracic spine, which is the upper portion of our back or the area between the thoracic spine and lumbar spine, which is the lower portion of our back. The curvature of the spine of a person suffering from scoliosis appears to be C or S shaped.

There are different types of scoliosis, which can occur in various stages of human life. Congenital scoliosis is a rare type of scoliosis and generally occurs in the infancy. The weakness of the spinal muscles or neurological problems can also result in the formation of sideway curves in the spine, leading to a condition called Neuromuscular Scoliosis. Degenerative scoliosis generally occurs quite late in the life and is the result of the degeneration of joints in the human back. The most common form of scoliosis is Idiopathic Scoliosis, which largely occurs in adolescents and aggravates with age.

Ideopathic scoliosis can be due to hereditary or development factors and can be treated non-surgically, if the curvature of the spine is less than 40 degrees. However, one must undergo non-surgical treatments, such as spinal exercises, which strengthen the back muscles, immediately after the detection of the condition. Spinal mobilization through various exercises aims to re align the joints in the spinal column and decompress the nerve roots, the pressure on which can often result in back pain. Pressure on the nerve roots can also lead to weakness, numbness and pain in the spinal cord.

The shifting sands of a bi-polar mind

There are very few psychological conditions that can be as devastating for a person to develop as bi-polar disorder. This mental health disorder is a vicious condition that can be traced as the cause of various problems, including suicide. It is ranked as the third most common cause of suicide around the world and the sixth leading cause of someone being classified as “disabled.” Bi-polar becomes even worse when one considers it can be a recurring problem, plaguing people that have it for the rest of their lives. It is also sad that this mental health condition is rarely understood by the general public, to the point that most people tend to associate it with violent or criminal tendencies.

What Happens When Someone Has Bi-Polar Disorder?

As previously stated, bi-polar is a mental health condition that is typically identified by the recurring shifts between mania and depression. The sudden “swings” can often make bi-polar patients incredibly difficult to predict, particularly if the condition has been left untreated for long periods. The “swings” are not regular and can be spaced years apart in some instances, but patients with the condition often have an average of eight to ten within a lifetime. Certain external factors, such as one's environment and peers, are sometimes said to aggravate the condition, but this theory has yet to be fully tested. Some patients experience psychotic episodes, particularly during the mania periods of the condition, but these occur only after very severe cases. Finally, younger patients with the condition experience chronic mania, rather than episodic, often accompanied by factors such as stress, irritability, and anxiety.

What Causes Bi-Polar Disorder?

Recent evidence suggest that there might be a genetic link that causes bi-polar. Studies have focused on twins, blood relatives, and adoption studies. According to the results, parents who have a mood-related disorder tend to produce offspring that have bi-polar disorder. Twins also frequently develop the problem together, though there are cases where only one twin develops the condition. The results have also shown that identical twins have a 43% chance of developing the disorder, as opposed to a 6% chance for fraternal twins. The studies also note that since the results for the twins study did not reach 100%, environmental factors may also play a role in the development. Whether they merely activate the genetic trigger or if they are the direct cause, however, remains to be seen.

How Do You Treat Bi-Polar Disorder?

Treatment of bi-polar disorder can be rather extensive, as it usually involves a lifetime of therapy and the use of some form of medication. Usually, the medication prescribed to accompany the therapy is a mood stabilizing drug, such as lithium, valproic acid, or carbamazepine. These medications only help suppress the mood swings and shifts, but are not known to completely remove the disorder. There is a certain level of difficulty in treating the condition as the episodes can occur with years of interval between them. In some extreme cases, anti-psychotic medication can also be given to help. Nutritional supplements have had no noticeable effects during testing, despite some claims to the contrary. Currently, the best treatment known consists of psychotherapy, mood-stabilizing medication, and psychoeducation.

Just what is back pain and some surprising stats about it

For decades the medical profession has been observing back pain to be common in society. Most noted victims to chronic back pain being our senior citizens. The annoyances of back pain causes distress and can also prevent people from their regular activities including their work schedule and play time with family. Back pain can be the most difficult and frustrating type of pain to treat for both patients and their doctors.

Here are some of the common causes of back pain:

1. Muscles strains are considered to be the most common.

2. A ruptured intervertebral disc, otherwise known as a herniated disc which can lead to discogenic back pain

3. Improper posture, heavy lifting and repetitive motion can also cause back pain.

4. At the ageing stage, the spinal cord is likely to get constricted which can cause back pain. This is known as Spinal stenosis.

5. A person suffering from arthritis in the lumber region is commonly subjected to back pain.

6. Due to generative changes, the adjacent vertebrae in the spinal cord can become unstable and start to slip, resulting in back pain. This is called spondylolisthesis.

7. Sometimes psychological issues like fear, anxiety and depression too can add to discomfort and pain.

Types and treatments of back pain:

It can be classified into two categories.

1. Acute or short-term pain - Also known as lower back pain, the pain is probably due to lower back trauma of some sort. Incurred sports or vehicular injuries may have been the root cause of this undesirable back pain.

2. Chronic back pain: If the back pain persists for more than three months, it is considered to be chronic.

Here are some interesting facts about back pain:

* Through 1997 - 2001, the average days of work lost due to back injuries was 45.

* Around 30 to 40 percent of all workplace absences have been known to be due to back pain.

* Back strain accounts for 25% of all claims to the WCB.

* From 1997 - 2001 the WCB received 63,900 claims for back strain from males and 26,800 claims for back strain from females.

* More than two-thirds of back strains are caused by lifting and other exertions like pulling and pushing.

* Lower back pain accounts for two thirds of all back pain related cases.

Victims need to consult a doctor if their back pain persists for more than 72 hours. Surgery is not a great solution at any time, sometimes pain relievers will lessen the pain followed by the consumption of anti-inflammatory medication. Certain exercises are also recommended to strengthen the muscles and to overcome back pain. But they should be practiced in the presence of a professional or else they might make the situation worse if practiced in the wrong way.

If the pain spreads to legs, numbness in legs, rectal area and foot, development of nausea, fever, stomach pain and vomiting accompanied by back pain a person should immediately be reported to a doctor.

The key to proper treatment of back pain is to understand the cause and take preventative and pro-active measures to eliminate the pain. Remember, pain is always a sign that something else is wrong and if continually ignored may lead to more serious harm.