Finding Ways To Tell If Mesothelioma Is Present And Treating It Effectively

X-rays and CT scans are, typically used to confirm suspicions and diagnosis of mesothelioma. Biopsies, tissue samples and even diagnostic surgery are also used to verify the condition, diagnosis and severity, spread, treatment and overall prognosis.

It is normally formal medical procedures, done in hospital and requires anesthesia. The diagnosis itself is done using accepted medical science and microscopic analysis of specialized stains.

Ingestion and inhalation are seen as the most common way that asbestos gets into the human internal system. Mucus of the trachea and bronchi end up being swallowed. Some of them lodge in the intestinal tract and from there they can move through the intestinal wall into deeper into the body. Fibers lodged in the lungs can be taken into the lymph system and spread throughout the body.

Asbestos is a cancer-casing element that become malignant or cancerous and can lead to discomfort and even death. We are however extremely uncertain about what exactly causes it, how and why it develops.

There is not a cure. The size and stage of the thickening, fluid, fibers, their extent, spread, type and if and how it responds to any treatment all influence the diagnosis and final outcome.

Combination therapies have become popular in response to dealing effectively with mesothelioma. It is referred to as multimodal therapy. These could include any, some or all of the following, chemotherapy and other drug-based therapies, radiation regimens, surgery, gene therapy, immunotherapy, and anti-angiogenesis drugs.

Treatment tries to counter the disease moving inward and spreading outward. It is comprehensive, in-depth and holistic in its approach. Treatments are mostly focused on reducing pain and alleviating discomfort. Improving overall health, lung function and quality of life is the focus. It cannot be cured. Debulking and X-ray therapies have also been used in experimental studies. The battle, studies and research is on going and continues.

Elizabeth Perez, the webmaster of http://www.mesotheliomamedical.com/mesothelioma.htm is a part of the Sharing Information Group that provides useful information to the public through the syndication of free articles.

What Is A Cause Of Acne In Teenagers?

Acne is a condition that affects individuals of all ages, genders, and races, but many are unsure of exactly what is a cause of acne that causes teens to break out.

Generally speaking, teenagers are more prone to having problems with acne due to the hormones associated with this time of life.

Anyone who has ever been around teens is more than aware of the raging hormones, but these hormones can not only affect an individual?s attitude, but also his or her appearance.

However, hormones should not take all the blame, as there are other issues what cause acne.

Most teens are quite active and engage in many activities, including sporting events that can aggravate acne prone skin.

If teens do not use the proper cleaners to ensure their skin is clean, they are opening their skin up to formations of blackheads or pimples.

Consider a trip to your local dermatologist?s office to find the proper soaps or face washes that will keep anyone?s skin fresh and properly cleaned to prevent infection.

Regardless of your extracurricular activities, a trip to a dermatologist is a good idea to control any potential problems and find out exactly what can cause acne given your situation.

Usually, a major factor of skin issues in teens is due to an increase of oil secretions on the skin.

This includes skin on the face, neck, back, arms, and the rest of the body.

Due to the overproduction of this oil, bacteria can infect the skin?s pores and develop into pimples or blackheads.

Although you will not be able to stop overproduction of the oil by your skin through topical creams, cleaners, or soaps, your dermatologist will be able to prescribe medication to control the hormones that cause this excess of oil.

By trying to control the problem before it erupts, you will be able to ensure your skin is clear and free from blemishes.

'Discover the Remedies and Treatment regarding Acne and Skin Care' at Acne Treatments That Will Work.

I Know I Should Drink More Water But How Much?

The importance of drinking plenty of water regularly has been the subject of a great deal of attention in health and fitness news over the past few years. Many health and diet experts have weighed in on the subject. It does seem clear that many people in modern society are chronically dehydrated, without even realizing it. And there are a host of health problems that can arise over time related to chronic dehydration, ranging from constipation, joint pain and dysfunction and low energy to hypertension, obesity and more.

Water is such a critical part of our health and physiology that when a human body gets an insufficient amount of it on a regular basis, the negative health effects are virtually endless. An excellent resource to learn the details of all the many ill health effects of chronic dehydration is The Water Cure by Dr. Batmanghelidj.

The question remains, however, how much water is the right amount? Many health experts have made a general recommendation of 8 twelve ounce glasses of water every day. This is certainly an increase in water consumption for most people, and as such following this recommendation would be an improvement for many. However, it seems to go against common sense to suggest that there is any single amount of water that is right for all people under all circumstances. People are of vastly different sizes, live in very different climates and have very different levels of physical exertion, and 8 glasses a day for all of them defies any sort of logic.

How then do you decide how much water is right for you? Fortunately, there is a simple and, in most circumstances, foolproof way to easily and ongoingly gauge whether you are giving your body enough water. This method will work even as your circumstances and water needs change

? if for example you begin to exercise much more, or move to a much drier and hotter climate. All that most people need to do to accurately gauge their water consumption needs is to note the color of their urine. Unless there is reason to suspect a health condition that would affect the color of urine, such as jaundice, then this is an excellent and sensitive way to see if you are giving your body enough water on a regular basis.

When your body is getting a sufficient supply of water, the urine will be very light in color. When urine is a dark yellow in color, this is a strong sign that your body is dehydrated and would benefit from a substantial increase in the amount of water you drink every day. Simply begin to increase the amount of water you drink slowly over a period of several days, and you will notice quickly the change in urine color.

Once you have consistently reached the point where the color is very light, you know that you are drinking the amount of water that is generally appropriate for your body and your current lifestyle. One of the best things about using this as a method for finding out your ideal water consumption is that as your body?s water needs change, due to aging, changes in diet or activity level, or anything else, you will easily be able to note the change and adjust your water intake accordingly. It really is that simple.

So give your body what it really needs, and go drink a glass of clean, healthy water!

Saved by a Model

The last time I fought depression it lasted for over three years. I had lost my ability to respond to anything good, in fact good things just hurt me more because they reminded me of what I once was able to enjoy. I had no incentive to even get out of a chair on my free time, and work was an excruciating ordeal I had to go through every day in order to earn the privilege of going back to sleep. Everything irritated me. None of the accomplishments of mankind seemed to impress me or feed me. I couldn?t even tolerate the banality of a magazine or any reading material because it seemed to trigger a painful exasperation. All I could think about was the person I used to be.

I knew that I was capable of being vitally interested in things, I had often connected with the rapt intimacy of a Muse, I had thrilled to every little detail going on around me, I had been able to buoy myself up when I experienced something ugly or discouraging. I had resilience. I trusted things, including my own judgement. I laughed a lot. I delighted in playing with words in my head, looked forward to each coming day, and most important, I felt cozy inside of myself.

When we are cozy inside of ourselves it is like we have come home. Everything fits. If there is no one else around at the time it doesn?t matter because we are so enthralled with the company of our own person. Nothing pinches us emotionally and nothing haunts us. We are completely satisfied with who we perceive ourselves to be. We feel creative and inspired, and no one can take that cozy feeling away from us. Every one of you reading this article must have felt that way at least at one point in your life.

Grab the memory and all the sensations of that time. Relive it in your mind, no matter how much it hurts that you cannot seem to recover that mental state. It will then become reinforced and will energize the parts of you which are ailing. You are reassured that yes, this condition is possible for you, so there is no reason why you could not find it again.

How do you find it again? For me, prozac was and is quite helpful. It balances your chemistry and so gives you a buffer between yourself and the raw hurts of this world. Secondly, I took a new plan of action even though I doubted my decision every step of the way. I needed to alter the physical surroundingsof my environment. Yes, those two treatments worked. But I discovered something really valuable along the way.

Many of the sensory impressions I had reacted to as being pathetic and hopeless turned out to be the the same ones that I was experiencing right now. This time, however, I delighted in them. I still am amazed when I see or hear something that would have disgusted me back in those days and I notice that this time it is acceptable and even enchanting at times. So don?t believe those hurtful impressions. I was shown that the way we perceive things is totally subjective, depending on where our own body chemistry and outlook are at the time.

Don?t let go of your model. Conjure it up every chance you get because that is the light which will guide you out of your hole. Remember that what seems unbearably negative could be tweaked into something nice if you just access the state that makes the change possible. Cheer yourself with the promise that unless you are brain damaged, you really will come back and you will feel wonderful once again. If you felt it before, then it is within your composition to feel it again.

Olga Moe, age 59, lives on an island in the Puget Sound. She is recognized primarily for her contributions to literary e-zines but has recently begun writing articles as well.

http://zelda2530.tripod.com

Hydrogenics 60 Color Contacts Fact or Fiction

When I saw how many people were searching for Hydrogenics 60 color contacts on the Internet, I had to do some of my own research. I am familiar with the brand of contact lenses, but I was not aware that they made color contacts.

And guess what?

I couldn't find any! At least not in the sense of color lenses as are usually available on the internet, for cosmetic wear. So don't expect any pitch black mirrored contact lenses!

For the record, what Hydrogenics DO make, are 1-2 week disposable soft contact lenses. The normal package consists of 6 lenses immersed in a buffered saline solution. For the more technically minded amongst you, they Hydrogenics 60 contact lenses are made from 40% polymer (ocufilcon F). The other 60% is of course water. The manufacturer is Ocular Sciences, Inc of San Fancisco, California, in the United States. What you CAN do with these lenses, is to provide a prescription online, so that you can obtain true prescription lenses, as opposed to color contacts which are usually obtainable with a 0.00 power, which means that they are normally only for cosmetic purposes.

What the contact lenses do provide is UV filtering against rays which can be harmful to the cornea. The lenses got approval from the US Food and Drugs Administration in 2002. Here is an extract from their report.

Approval for the Hydrogenics 60 (ocufilcon F) UV In-monomer tint contact lens indicated for extended wear (up to 7 days / 6 nights between removals for cleaning and disinfection). The device, as modified, will be marketed under the trade name referenced above with the following indications: SPHERICAL: Hydrogenics 60 (ocufilcon F) UV Blocking Contact Lenses are indicated for the correction of visual acuity in persons with non-diseased eyes that are myopic (nearsighted) or hyperopic (farsighted) and may exhibit refractive astigmatism up to 2.00 diopters that does not interfere with visual acuity.

TORIC: Hydrogenics (ocufilcon F) UV Blocking Contact Lenses are indicated for the correction of visual acuity in persons with non-diseased eyes that are myopic (nearsighted) or hyperopic (farsighted) and may exhibit refractive astigmatism of up to -6.00 diopters.

The overall power range is +8.00D to -10.00D sphere and pl to -6.00D cylinder. The lens may be prescribed for Daily or Extended Wear in not-aphakic persons.

When prescribing for extended wear, the eye care practitioner may recommend lens wear up to 7 days / 6 nights between removals for cleaning and disinfection.

The eye care practitioner may prescribe the contact lens for either single use disposable wear or for scheduled replacement wear, with cleaning, disinfection, and schedules replacement. When prescribing for scheduled replacement wear, the contact lens may be disinfected using a chemical (not heat) disinfecting system. Hydrogenics 60 (ocufilcon F) UV Blocking Contact Lenses help protect against transmission of harmful UV radiation to the cornea and into the eye

The article was written by Charlie Cory, who is the owner of FX Eyes, a website dedicated to providing advice about buying special effects contact lenses online.

You can visit his website about special effects contact lenses.

Growth Hormone Releasers: Forget About Supplements Exercise!

Entrepreneurs claim that growth hormone levels decrease with age, and that their products will help you combat the effects of this process. It is true that growth hormone levels drop as a person ages, but there is no evidence whatever that lack of growth hormone causes aging or that taking growth hormone slows aging, and the evidence that growth hormone grows muscle and gets rid of fat is highly controversial. Furthermore, it is against the law to sell growth hormone without a prescription, so these products do not contain any growth hormone.

Products that are sold as growth hormone releasers are just amino acids, the building blocks of protein, that are the same as the protein you get in your food. Anything that you eat can be called a growth hormone releaser because all foods raise blood levels of growth hormone temporarily. When you eat protein, blood levels of growth hormone rise even higher. Growth hormone releaser pills cost much more than food and have not been shown to raise blood levels better than the ordinary foods you eat every day.

Exercise can also be called a growth hormone releaser because every time that you exercise, blood levels of growth hormone rise. Exercise raises growth hormone levels more than and longer than eating does. Recent research shows that growth hormone levels are lowered by having lots of fat stored in your belly. However, no one knows whether these growth hormone manipulations have any effect on the aging process since we have no dependable tests for aging. The commonly used tests to measure aging actually measure fitness. To reduce the effects of aging and improve your performance on all medical tests of aging, start an exercise program. If you want to gain muscle and lose fat, reduce your intake of refined carbohydrates and fatty foods; eat plenty of the foods that come from plants (fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans and other seeds); and maintain a regular, vigorous exercise program.

Dr. Gabe Mirkin has been a radio talk show host for 25 years and practicing physician for more than 40 years; he is board certified in four specialties, including sports medicine. Read or listen to hundreds of his fitness and health reports at http://www.DrMirkin.com

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A Key to Weight Loss

It?s out with the old, and in with the new you!

If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Two thirds of Americans are overweight in the USA, and obesity has become an epidemic with serious health risk factors. Losing weight without a plan is like traveling without a map?you may get to your destination, but how long it will take, and what condition you will be in when you get there become unclear. Many of the approaches that are advertised for weight loss fail to give you the proper road map.

Most weight loss experts agree that the key to long-term weight management evolves from permanent lifestyle changes; nevertheless, hundreds of misleading services, and weight loss products are advertised in today's marketplaces--many of which are potentially dangerous, and put the user at a higher health risk from their side effects. Studies reveal that permanent health damage, and even death can result from some of the unsafe approaches to dieting that are advertised to consumers.

The Federal Trade Commission, with the assistance of Partnership for Healthy Weight Management, researched advertising for weight loss. In a report issued in September 2002, revealing strategies for achieving and maintaining a healthy weight, the results indicated that the average consumer has yet to become educated to the dangerous risk factors associated with many advertised weight loss methods.

There is a safe approach to weight loss that most people never consider?hypnotherapy; in fact, many experts say that hypnotherapy has the highest success for permanent weight loss--higher than the Atkins diet, Weight Watchers, any others. Hypnosis has been officially recognized by the American Medical Association since 1958. Hypnotherapists are often trained in holistic/naturopathic protocols. By using non-invasive, non-chemical modalities of intervention, the hypnotherapist looks at weight loss from a perspective that life changes must be made, but to change them, you must to first find what underlying causes have led to the weight gain in the first place. Once you find the causes, a map can be drawn out, and goals can be reached with lasting effects.

How you eat, and how it affects your body weight depends on many factors. Examples include learned behavior; family relationships, societal influences, food sensitivity, emotional trauma, knowledge of food & nutrition, habit/routine, exercise, quality of food, and genetic patterns/hormone structure. Other weight loss techniques tend to fail because they are too simplistic--overlooking the many factors that caused the weight gain, and how they can sabotage permanent weight loss.

Dieting and exercise alone often result in temporary success for most people; however, behavioral changes, nutrition, and naturopathic techniques need to be addressed and introduced into weight loss programs to increase their effectiveness. A fundamental reason that hypnotherapy is so successful at permanent weight loss, is because it allows you to find the root causes of the weight gain, and works on overcoming those causes. When the root causes are eliminated, in conjunction with proper nutrition, and a plan with solid goals, permanent weight loss is the end result.

If you have any existing health problems--diabetes, high blood pressure, and depression, or if you're taking prescription medications, it?s very important to check with your doctor before starting any new diet.

Crystal White CI (814) 866-2428 Erie, PA (877) 690 ? 6140 TOLL FREE Master Hypnotherapist, Habit Control Specialist; Weight Loss, Smoking Cessation, Transformational Life Coach, National Facilitator Hypnosis, Pain , Cancer, Fibromyalgia & Agoraphobia Alternative, Complementary, and Integrative Medicine

What Does That Mean? Do You Really Know What You Are Eating?

Food labels are a useful source of information on nutrition but in today?s world, food marketing can be very confusing. Manufactures make a lot of claims about there foods such as Lite, Reduced Fat or Diet but what do all these claims mean. Hopeful this article will give you enough information to shop healthier and keep your body at optimum health.

Light or Lite

Be careful with these labels check what the characteristics which makes the food ?light?. This label does not mean the product is low in fat or low in energy it means that some thing about the product is light be it colour, size, and weight. A good example of this is light olive oil. The oil has the same fat content but is lighter in color. Also be careful light foods may be lower in fat but often have the same or a greater amount of kilojoules than the regular variety

No Cholesterol or Cholesterol Free

To be labled as ?cholesterol free? the food must have less than 3 milligrams of cholesterol per 100 grams. This does not mean low fat. Vegetables do not contain any cholesterol but animal foods do. An example of this is vegetable oils are cholesterol free yet 100% fat.

Reduced Fat

This mean label means that the food contains less that 75% of the total fat of it comparable food. For example often reduced fat cheese will contain 25% less fat that regular cheese but it is still high in fat.

Low Fat

This label means that the food contains less then 3 grams of fat per 100 grams or 1.5 gram of fat per 100 milliliters of liquid.

No Added Sugar

This mean that no simple sugars have been added, but this product may not be low in sugar. It may have a lot of nature sugar like those in fruits.

Toasted This usually means fat has been added during cooking or preparation. For example, toasted muesli will be higher in fat than untoasted muesli.

Oven baked This does not have to mean anything at all. Sometimes the product is lower in fat than the standard product which does not say oven baked. Reading the nutrition information panel will help you determine the fat content.

Diet or low-joule These foods usually have artificial sweeteners in them instead of sugar, which makes them lower in calories (eg. diet soft drinks)

To make the right decision when shopping it is always best to check the nutritional information panel instead of making a decision purely on the manufactures marketing. Look for foods that have lower percentages of fat and lower overall kilojoules.

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Blood Clots: What You Need to Know

You are supposed to form clots only to protect you from bleeding, but any trauma or inflammation in your body can cause clots to form in blood vessels. If a clot breaks off from a blood vessel wall, it can block arteries to cause a heart attack, stroke or pulmonary embolism.

Clots can form wherever your body responds to injury or infection. When germs get into your body, they release chemicals that cause inflammation characterized by redness, itching, swelling, heat and clotting. Certain cells in your body, such as white blood cells and fat cells, also release chemicals that produce inflammation. Anything that damages tissue can cause inflammation, such as trauma, burns, frostbite, irritants such as corrosive chemicals, ultraviolet or other ionizing radiation, dying tissue from any cause such as lack of oxygen in a heart attack, obesity, periodontal disease, smoking, excessive alcohol, gastroesophageal reflux or allergic reactions.

Other factors that can lead to increased risk for clotting include genetic diseases such as Lp(a), dehydration, or physical blockage of arteries that can be caused by sitting in one position for a long time. Any clot has the potential to break off and cause damage, but you lessen your risk of blockage problems if your arteries are pliable and not already partially blocked with plaques.

You may remember when NBC reporter David Bloom died suddenly while he was covering the war in Iraq, from a pulmonary embolism. A clot that formed in his leg broke lose from the vein, and traveled in his bloodstream to his lungs where it blocked the flow of blood to his lungs. He had a pulmonary embolism, a deadly consequence of ?Economy Class Syndrome.? When a person sits in a small space for a long time without moving, the knees are bent, which slows the flow of blood through the veins in the back of the legs, so that a clot can form in the deep veins of the calf muscles. David Bloom had been traveling in a vehicle whose interior was designed for safety, not comfort. He had reportedly been complaining of pains in his legs, a classic warning for a blood clot, or thromboembolism. The desert heat also caused dehydration, which thickens the blood and increases risk for clots.

Embolisms of the kind that killed Bloom are responsible for an estimated 60,000 deaths in the United States each year. The underlying cause that makes people susceptible has been a mystery, but many experts believe that there is a genetic susceptibility to forming clots. Italian researcher Dr. Paolo Prandoni reports that clotting is linked to arteriosclerosis or hardening of the arteries that leads to heart attack and stroke. Prandoni and his colleagues performed ultrasound examinations to take pictures of the carotid artery, leading to the brain, in 299 patients with deep venous clots of the legs and 150 healthy people. He found twice as many plaques, the fatty deposits of atherosclerosis in the arteries of people who had suffered clots as people who were healthy.

Read my Good Food Book FREE, with 100 healthful recipes.

Dr. Gabe Mirkin has been a radio talk show host for 25 years and practicing physician for more than 40 years; he is board certified in four specialties, including sports medicine. Read or listen to hundreds of his fitness and health reports at http://www.DrMirkin.com

Free weekly newsletter on fitness, health, and nutrition.

The 6 Top Causes of Dry Hair (4 of Them Potentially Serious)

Dry hair lacks the oil and moisture it needs to give it sheen and a soft texture. As a result, hair that's dry will be brittle and dull and have a straw-like texture. Most of us will get dry hair at one point or another--either due to over-processing or exposing it to sun, wind and chlorinated swimming pools.

Dry hair that comes and goes from these external causes is an annoyance. Chronic dry hair that comes from an internal source, however, can be a sign of an underlying health problem. That's why, if your hair is dry, it's important to take a look through these six top causes and try to pinpoint yours. If conditioning treatments do not improve your hair's moisture level, it may be time to contact a health care provider.

1. Excessive Washing and Blow-Drying, Harsh Detergents

Washing your hair too often, especially with a harsh shampoo, is a surefire way to strip moisture away. Heat from blow dryers, curling irons and electric curlers will also contribute to dryness.

It's in vogue these days to shampoo every day, but shampooing doesn't only wash away dirt, it washes out the hair's protective oils, says Thomas Goodman, Jr., M.D., a dermatologist from Memphis, Tennessee, and assistant professor at the University of Tennessee Center for Health Sciences.

If your hair is dry, try washing it just two or three times a week using a mild shampoo and a quality conditioner like Giovanni Nutrafix Hair Reconstructor, which uses vegetable proteins to reconstruct extremely dry and damaged hair.

Like home remedies? Mayonnaise makes an excellent conditioner, says Steven Docherty, senior art director at New York City's Vidal Sassoon Salon. Leave it on for five minutes to an hour before washing out.

2. Environmental Dryness

The climate you live in can also dry out your hair. Areas with lots of sun, dry heat and little humidity, for instance, will definitely make your hair drier than tropical, humid locales. Likewise, if you're an outdoorsy person who likes to spend time in the sun, wind, ocean or pool, your hair also risks being dry. You can cut down on the damage to your hair from the elements by wearing a hat while outdoors and always using a swim cap when swimming in chlorinated water.

3. Anorexia

Because people with anorexia engage in self-starving to stay dangerously thin, their bodies are denied the nutrients they need to function. This includes the nutrients necessary to maintain luster, shine and softness in their hair. Dry hair (along with dry skin and hair loss) is a common side effect of anorexia, and one that may manifest early on.

4. Malnutrition

Similar to anorexia, a person who is malnourished does not take in the nutrients necessary for the body to maintain healthy hair. As a result, the hair becomes dry, brittle and damaged. In particular, dry hair can be a sign that your diet is lacking in omega-3 essential fatty acids, which can be found in salmon and fish oil, walnuts and flax seeds.

5. Hypothyroidism

This is a condition in which the body produces too little of the thyroid hormone. Dry, brittle and thin hair is an early symptom of hypothyroidism, along with weakness, fatigue, depression and joint or muscle pain. If left untreated, the condition causes the body to slow its functions, leading to mental and physical sluggishness and other symptoms that can range from mild to severe.

6. Hypoparathyroidism

Hypoparthyroidism is having too little parathyroid hormone, which causes blood levels of calcium to fall and phosphorus to rise. This can lead to dry hair, scaly skin, cataracts, muscles cramps and spasms, seizures and more. The most common cause of hypoparathyroidism is injury to the parathyroid glands during head and neck surgery.

This article was provided by the world's #1 most popular and trusted holistic living e-newsletter -- FREE to you right now at http://www.SixWise.com! The old way of thinking: holistic living pertains only to personal health. The new way of thinking: holistic living means prevention of the negative and adherence to the positive in all SIX practical areas of life: relationships, finances, career, home environment, safety and health. With the SixWise.com e-newsletter, you will get holistic wisdom from the world's top experts in all six of these areas -- completely FREE with a simple sign-up (and a guaranteed no-spam policy!) at http://www.SixWise.com.

Panic Attacks Depression Harm Your Mind And Body

A study examined the medical histories of nearly 40,000 people who were diagnosed as suffering from panic disorder.

It found that those who suffer from panic disorder are at almost double the risk for coronary heart disease, and those who suffer from depression as well are at nearly three times the risk.

Panic disorder is a syndrome characterized by repeated episodes of intense fear. These episodes are accompanied by physical symptoms, which can include chest pain, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, and abdominal distress. Roughly 2.4 million Americans experience panic attacks each year.

The way in which coronary heart disease is triggered by panic attacks is unknown. However, some stress responses to depression already have been shown to increase the risk of coronary heart disease.

Science Blog September 22, 2005

Dr. Mercola's Comment:

This should comes as nosurprise considering what a major role negative emotions play in your body's healing process. The connection betweenyour mind and yourbody is strong and well-documented by a literalmountain of scientific research; healing your mind is a crucial step in keeping your body healthy.

Unfortunately, most doctors, when faced with a patient who suffers from panic disorder or depression, will reflexively resort to prescribing potentially toxic medications as a form of treatment, even though they don't provide any meaningful benefit. This is laregely related to the incredibly effective brain washing influence that the drug companies have over their educational intervention.

How can Imake such a bold statement?

Easy, I was one of the brain washed doctors. I went into medical school fully believing in the power of your body to heal naturally and I came out a drug prescribing doctor. I think I must have but several thousand patients on antidepressants in the first few years of my practice alone. Seemed like every other patient was walking out the door with a script for Prozac or Wellbutrin.

But fortunately I finally woke up one day and began to understand that there were far more effective options that actually addressed the underlying cause of the disease.

One of my absolute favoritestreatments that can make all the difference to your health and help you deal with panic attacks or depression is the Emotional Freedom Technique, the energy psychology tool I use daily in my practice. It is particularly effective for panic attacks.

Another wonderful tool you can use is meditation. Some people use it to promote spiritual growth or find inner peace, while others use it as a relaxation and stress-reduction tool.

Panic and anxiety disorders can be debilitating and severely affect your ability to perform everyday tasks. They can also, in addition,put you at risk for a variety of physical health problems. Resolve your emotional stresses, and both your mind and your body will experience the benefits.

Another excellent meditation tool is the Insight CD, which Inow recommend to allto many of mypatients. The Insight CD is a complete tool dedicated to helping you reduce stress, explore expanded states of consciousness, and achieve deeper levels of self-awareness.

This article is reprinted from Mercola.com, the world's #1 most visited and trusted natural/alternative health website. For a limited time only, you can take the FREE Metabolic Type Test to help you learn the right foods for your particular body type so you can achieve optimal fitness & health. Just go to http://www.mercola.com/forms/mttest.htm right now to take this quick test!

Healthier Living and Organic Farming

A large part of organic agriculture involves the health of the soil and the ecosystems in which crops and livestock are raised. Foods certified as organic must be produced using growing methods that minimize soil erosion and that maintain or enhance the fertility of the soil. All the chemicals in the world can't nourish a garden as well as healthy organic compost.

Look for natural and organic alternatives to chemical fertilizers, such as the use of compost. Natural fertilizers, compost and organic materials encourage native earthworms. The soil's organic matter contributes to good soil structure, and water-holding capacity. Improve the soil with organic matter and fertilizers to develop the best soil for growing seeds and plants.

The availability of nutrients from organic fertilizers depends on their breakdown by soil organisms, which in turn depends on weather and soil conditions. Their nutrients are not available to plants until the organic matter has decomposed. In reality, you can't have a good organic garden without a good composter.

The use of disease resistance must be emphasized within an organic program. In current organic production systems, growers are not permitted to use conventional synthetic organic fungicides in their disease management program. The national organic program rules prohibit the use of conventional pesticides, petroleum, or sewage-sludge-based fertilizers, bioengineering or ionizing radiation and synthetic substances. But, there are several general things any organic gardener can do to beat those pests naturally.

Many believe that organic foods contain a higher level of nutrient minerals and much lower levels of heavy metals. As a result, the industry has understandably grown from experimental garden plots to large farms with surplus products sold under special organic labels.

Today, organic foods are available at supermarkets and farmer's markets, in restaurants and through mail-order suppliers, even here on the web.

Example - http://www.organic-items.com

Buying organic will insure that the food products you consume contain no genetically modified organisms, and are free from irradiation.

Purchasing locally grown, organically produced fruits, vegetables and meat assures you of having the very best food available for your family's table. Buying hemp, organic cotton and recycled products like home furnishings, baby clothes, and natural beauty products aid conservation of natural resources. Growing organically takes more time, requires more knowledge and skill, and, for now, costs more.

Francesca Black works in marketing at Organic Items http://www.organic-items.com and Aromatherapy Blends http://www.aromatherapy-blends.net leading portals for organic products and natural excercise.

6 Negative Effects Of Eating Fast Food

1. Fast food has a very high energy density. About 65 percent higher than a typical diet and twice as high as recommended healthy diets which makes us eat more than we otherwise would. Energy density refers to the amount of calories an item of food contains in relation to its weight. Foods with a high energy density confuse the brain's control systems for appetite, which are based solely on portion size.

2. British researchers from the Medical Research Council Human Nutrition Center and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine have determined that repeated eating at McDonald's or KFC or Burger King, people are more likely to gain weight and become obese. This is because fast food not only contains many more calories than traditional food, but also is more likely to undermine normal appetite control systems.

3. By eating a Big Mac and fries, the body consumes almost twice as many calories as you would if you ate the same weight of pasta and salad. Fast Food restaurants feed the obesity epidemic by getting people to eat many more calories than they need through persistent advertising.

4. McDonald's, KFC, and Burger King menu items using nutritional data from the fast food restaurants' Web sites, found that when we eat high energy density foods, we don't reduce the portion size so we get a lot more calories than we need. Our current society possesses a weak innate ability to recognize foods with a high energy density. Food intake is assessed by the size of the portion, yet a fast food meal contains many more calories than a similar sized portion of a healthy meal. The conclusion is we are all being fooled into eating too much food.

5. People get fat eating regular portion sizes, but since the food has a high energy density, people gain weight. In evolutionary terms, the human appetite was designed for low energy density foods. In other parts of the world where these foods are still the dietary staples, obesity is virtually non existent. Our bodies were never designed to cope with the high energy dense foods consumed in the West. That is a major reason why fast food in contributing to the major rise in obesity.

6. Another fact is that fast food may speed up people's risk of clogged arteries that can lead to heart attacks. Researchers at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in San Francisco have demonstrated that a certain type of fat, called oxidized fat, can accelerate the buildup of plaque in arteries. And many types of fast food such as hamburgers, pizza and French fries are loaded with oxidized fat. The conclusion is fast food meals are high in saturated fat and low quality carbohydrates, white bread and lots of soda. Our bodies require fiber and more healthful types of fats. Fast food represents a dietary pattern that is the opposite of what is recommended for a healthy body.

Glenn Freiboth is a Certified Health Advisor that lives in Naperville, Illinois and has helped many people lose weight. Medifast Weight Loss products and programs can be found at http://www.GetYouHealth.com

Hemophilia A Case Study

For all that we know in medicine there are so many things that we do not know.

Hypnosis is nothing new, but it is still grossly misunderstood as an adjunct therapy to the majority of health care providers. However, providers educated in hypnosis and the power of suggestion realize its real value and nature in the healing arts. Most people go in and out of hypnosis several times a day. Day dreaming is so nearly like hypnosis, some authorities consider them one and the same. The difference is that thoughts are random in daydreaming where in hypnosis, suggestions are directed.

The hypnotic state is something a person accomplishes by himself. It is a state of complete relaxation, physical and mental. It is an alternate state of consciousness characterized by profound relaxation. In this state the mind is more susceptible to suggestions. Hypnosis is accomplished by a combination of confidence and suggestion which can have marvelous results. It is not a medicine nor is it a cure-all, but rather a tool which can benefit one immensely.

Today, some twenty thousand physicians, dentists,psychologists, nurses, hypnotherapists in other medical professions, and hypno- technicians are using hypnosis in their practices. Hypnosis is being taught to members of the healing arts, police officers, lawyers, clergymen, students, salesmen and a host of others who have found it beneficial in their endeavors. Some medical schools are now including a course in hypnosis as part of their curriculum.

Tommy was fourteen and a victim of hemophilia which is a defective or deficient blood coagulation molecule known as factor VIII. Tommy required as many as six transfusions of cryoprecipitate weekly, a very expensive and time consuming treatment. Using hypnosis as an adjunct therapy, Tommy learned how to manage his bleeds drastically decreasing his need for transfusions. This was a significant change for the family financially and in Tommy?s improved mental and physical health.

Hypnosis was used in four ways. First, was ego-strengthening. Tommy was given suggestions that he no longer had to compete with his peer group to be accepted. Second, He was taught to recognize when he was bleeding into a joint very early. Early recognition of internal bleeding combined with increased self- esteem allowed him to stop what he was doing without embarrassment, decreasing the amount of injury. Third, Tommy used guided imagery to create cold at the site of bleeding to slow down blood flow. He also visualized faucets on his blood vessels that could be switched on or off. Fourth, He learned auto-hypnosis which enabled him to reinforce the post-hypnotic suggestions given by the hypnotist.

Copyright 2005

By M. Ron Eslinger, RN, CRNA, APN, BCH, CI

About the Author: Michael R. ?Ron? Eslinger, Captain, U.S. Navy, Retired is a Board Certified Hypnotherapist, Advanced Practice Nurse, Certified Hypnotherapy Instructor and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. He has served as Chief Nurse Anesthetist, Assistant Department Head for Administration Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, Portsmouth, VA. and is the Past President, Virginia Association of Nurse Anesthetists. He is Owner/Director of Healthy Visions Wellness Center in Oak Ridge, TN USA. For more information regarding hypnosis as an adjunct therapy, Ron Eslinger can be reached at The Healthy Visions Wellness Center. Email roneslinger@yahoo.com or go online to http://www.eslinger.net for more information.

Buy Lunesta Cheap By Comparing Prescription Prices Online

We all know that there's no such thing as cheap Lunesta. But when compared with the other prescription sleep aids, Lunesta is the best buy if you're looking for a way to just finally get a good night's sleep without waking up drowsy and dysfunctional. When you begin taking Lunesta, you'll enjoy another huge benefit: Unlike other sleep aids, Lunesta is the only one approved for long term use. That means you can enjoy months to years of better sleep, rather than just a few days.

When looking for the sleep aid medication with the best overall value, Lunesta is an obvious choice. But what's the best choice when it's time to buy Lunesta online at an internet pharmacy?

Many people just look for the lowest prices on their sleep medications, and they end up being ripped off. Some get the wrong pills, and some receive impure medication that doesn't work. But others never even get their order in the mail. In many markets, such as the car market, the saying that you get what you pay for doesn't really apply. But this saying is definitely true when we shop for prescription medications online.

We have taken it upon ourselves to research every online pharmacy we can find, and in most cases, the news isn't good. Many end up linking back one processing company, and only some of them are legitimate. In the interest of breathing some real life into the online pharmacy industry, we have compiled our research into a best buys website.

You can use Shoppe.MD to find the best prices on Lunesta at reputable online pharmacies. We also provide a wealth of Lunesta information and resources, as well as a Lunesta message board.

Copyright (C) Shoppe.MD and Ian Mason, 2004-2005

Compare and buy Lunesta with Ambien and Sonata sleep aids at Shoppe.MD, drug information and insomnia forums.

Octane Elliptical Product Review

When buying a trainer it?s important to first figure out what you want, and what features will be most beneficial to your workouts. The Octane elliptical line has a large number of different trainers to suit a variety of different needs, and their models are divided into home and gym. The higher level trainers will be better suited to more serious exercisers, while some of the lower end models offer many of the same benefits for beginners.

Unlike most other fitness companies, Octane only makes elliptical trainers. Many gyms use Octane trainers because they swear by their high level of durability when being used by many different people each day. Octane ellipticals are definitely one of the higher end fitness products, with the price range being between $2199 and $3599.

Most of the Octane elliptical trainers are the same, with the only noticeable difference being that the Q35 and Q45 don?t have the wireless heart rate control. The Q35 has quick start, a quick change button so you can alter your workout at any time, five different course options, a virtual trainer to offer advice, and a cool down mode.

The Q35e has many of the same features as the Q35, including a quick start option that remembers past workouts, a wireless heart rate monitor, varying intensities, and a target for lower body areas.

The Q45 also closely resembles the Q35, but has additional features like multi-grip handlebars, adjustable stride lengths to fit each user, and a specific program for upper body workout.

The Q45e utilizes all of the above options but also has five heart rate programs, a wireless heart rate monitor, and a cross-training program.

The Pro35 is a more advanced model with added bonuses not necessarily needed for a workout, but more for comfort during the workout. The pedals are more compact, and there is an accessory tray for water bottles and magazines.

The Pro350 offers things like 25 varying resistance levels, a heavier frame for users up to 400 pounds, and digital heart rate sensors.

The Pro350XL has the highest number of features, with all of these things plus a longer stride length and 30 resistance levels to offer variety and challenge to any user.

FREE Elliptical Ratings Click Here

http://www.onlyellipticalreviews.com/Elliptical-Trainers-Ratings.html

Computer Straining Your Eyes? Here's How To Prevent It!

Whilst our lives have become dependent on computers, our bodies haven't quite accepted the idea. Every day computer users complain of blurred vision, tired eyes, gritty eyes and headaches. Many start to wear eye glasses and blame their computers. Others are convinced that their computer has caused their Myopia (nearsightedness) to worsen. High tech employees worry about radiation from the computer screen. Can the computer lead to irreversible eye damage?

The good news is that extensive eye care health research in Israel and in North America has shown conclusively and repeatedly that computers do not cause eye disease. Nor has it been shown that intensive computer work can lead to or effect myopia in high tech workers. (The situation with children is slightly more controversial but this will be discussed in another article) However there is no doubt that computers can lead to many temporary eye problems most of which can be solved by simple changes in work pattern.

The sooner any symptoms begin, for instance within half an hour of commencing work, the more likely it is that there is a specific problem. Developing tired eyes after eight hours of non stop intensive visual activity is normal though. Try running the New York, London or Jerusalem marathons and see if your legs get tired.

The following are some simple tips to prevent eye strain and to enhance your eye health care for many years to come.

Have your eyes and vision checked at least once a year. Any minor vision problem will be aggravated by computer use. If you wear glasses or contact lenses, be sure they are appropriate for computer use and for the distance between you and your computer.

Be sure to rest your eyes regularly, especially if you are new to computers. Remember the 20:20 rule. Every 20 minutes, look in to the distance for 20 seconds. Continuous use of any part of the body, including your eyes, will inevitably lead to fatigue.

Your computer should be at a comfortable distance (about 30-40cm) and the top of the screen should be facing you and slightly below eye level. Adjust your desk or chair so that this is the case. Our eyes are designed to point forwards and downwards when looking at near objects, e.g. when reading. Looking upwards or sideways at your computer will rapidly lead to eye strain.

Hang any material you are copying at the same distance and as close to the screen as possible. Use a manuscript holder. This will prevent constant refocusing to differing distances and directions.

Minimise glare from your computer screen due to reflections from lights or windows. This can be done by adjusting the direction of your screen or by attaching a glare reduction filter. Your pupil changes in size according to the brightness of the screen and excessive movement of the pupil caused by multiple reflections can cause headaches. Bright sunlight from a window behind your screen will have a similar effect. Glare also causes you to screw up your eyes, which if prolonged, will lead to headaches. However make sure your desk and key board are sufficiently illuminated.

Occasional use of artificial tear eye drops (as recommended by your eye doctor) can help dry eyes symptoms. We tend to blink less when concentrating intently, and when looking straight ahead much of the eye is exposed leading to increased tear evaporation and dry eyes. Remember to blink more.

Keep your computer screen clean. Dust and fingerprints can reduce clarity.

Poor quality computer screens can lead to eye strain. Low resolution, low pixel numbers and high contrast colors can put an extra strain on the eyes when reading from a screen. The Refresh Rate of a computer is a measure of how often the display unit refreshes or redraws the picture per second. In the past rates of 60Hz were acceptable, but flickering of the screen was evident at this rate causing headaches. It is now recommended that the rate should not be less than 70Hz and most new monitors are 75-85 Hz.

Sensible use of your computer will reduce headaches and eye discomfort, and increase productivity.

Dr Andrew Fink MD

Dr Andrew Fink MD FRCOphth is a practising Eye Surgeon in Tel Aviv, Israel. He specialises in Laser Vision Correction, and Cataract Surgery. He is medical adviser to Healthylens.com, an on line discount contact lens service. (http://www.healthylens.com)

Breathing: An Ideal Marriage of the Nervous and Respiratory Systems

THE NERVOUS SYSTEM & THE RESPIRATORY REGULATION MECHANISM

The nervous system controls the flow of air into and out of the lungs. The nervous system ensures that the unconscious breathing process is carried out in a regular pattern and rate.

The respiratory centre: The respiratory process begins in this centre located in the brain stem. The centre is made up of a cluster of nerve cells. Simultaneous signals are dispatched by these cells to rib muscles, the diaphragm, and those muscles that are involved in inhalation. The diaphragm: It is a dome-shaped muscle. This large tissue lies just under the lungs. When a nervous impulse stimulates the diaphragm, it flattens. When the diaphragm makes a downward movement, the stomach cavity volume gets expanded. The cavity consists of the thoracic cavity which includes the lungs. And as the rib muscles get stimulated, they too contract. As a result, the rib cage is pulled up and out. This movement further expands the thoracic cavity. Such expanded volume causes air to rush into the thoracic cavity and then to the lungs. The fast and brief nervous stimulation also aids the exhalation process. This exhalation process takes place as the nervous stimulation ceases. As a consequence thereof, the rib muscles and the diaphragm and relax propelling the exhalation stage.

RATE OF SIGNALS

Generally, the respiratory center gives out 12 to 20 signals every minute. This means that a normal person breathes 12 to 20 times within 60 seconds. The newborn babies breathe approximately 30 to 50 times in a minute.

CONSCIOUS ALTERATION OF THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

Conscious actions can control the rhythm of the respiratory system. In fact, many yogic exercises underline the need for a person to exercise regular control of the complex respiratory system via conscious efforts. This conscious act helps the person concerned to strengthen his physical constitution and also the mental outlook.

Such conscious alteration or temporary abatement of the respiratory system is done by holding or controlling the breath. Several parts of the nervous system come into play in such an act. The portion of the brain aiding the thinking process (cerebral cortex) has a major role to play. It sends signals to the rib muscles and the diaphragm for temporarily overriding the respiratory center signals. A person can avoid inhaling noxious fumes by holding his breath. However, a person cannot hold his breath for an indefinite period.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THERE IS NO EXHALATION

When exhalation does not take place, our blood builds up a dangerous buffer stock of carbon dioxide. This accumulation makes the blood more acidic. Hiked acidity conflicts with the enzyme activity. The enzymes are specialized proteins participating in almost all biochemical reactions within our body.

Chemoreceptors: Special receptors called chemoreceptors prevent the blood from getting too acidic. The chemoreceptors monitor the blood. The chemoreceptors are located in the neck blood vessels and the brainstem.

When acid builds up in the blood, these chemoreceptors dispatch nervous signals to the respiratory center. The centre then overrides the cerebral cortex signals. This forces the person to exhale and resume breathing. Exhalations bring back the normal level of the blood acid after throwing out the carbon dioxide. Immediately inhalation brings in oxygen.

WHAT PREVENTS OVER-INHALATION?

Specialized cells called the stretch receptors prevent the possibility of over-inhalation. These stretch cells are located in the lungs. The stretch receptors measure the volume of air within our lungs. The moment inhalation crosses the danger level, these stretch receptors flicks out signals to the respiratory center. The centre immediately shuts down the inhalation muscles and stops the air intake process.

THE NERVOUS SYSTEM

The nervous system is constituted of two processes. They are the central and the peripheral nervous systems. The central nervous system includes the brain and the spinal cord.

THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM

The central nervous system processes and coordinates the incoming sensory information and the outgoing motor commands. The central nervous system is also the seat of complex brain functions such as emotion, learning, memory, and intelligence.

THE PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM

The peripheral nervous system includes all neural tissue beyond the central nervous system. The peripheral nervous system provides sensory information to the central nervous system. The peripheral nervous system also carries motor commands to the body?s tissues.

The somatic nervous system: Voluntary motor commands, such as moving the muscles for walking or talking, are controlled by the somatic nervous system.

The autonomic nervous system: determines the involuntary motor commands, such as digestion and heart beat. The autonomic nervous system is further divided into two systems, viz., the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system.

The sympathetic nervous system: The sympathetic nervous system is also called the ?flight or fight? system. It increases prepares our body for quick responses to unusual situations, activates alertness, and stimulates tissue.

The parasympathetic nervous system: The parasympathetic nervous system has just the opposite function. The parasympathetic nervous system is called the ?repose and rest? system. It conserves controls the sedentary activities like digestion and also preserves our energy.

Therefore, the Nervous System refers to those elements that are concerned with the reception of stimuli, the transmission of nerve impulses, or the activation of muscle mechanisms in an animal organism.

Nilutpal Gogoi is a writer and a freelance journalist having more than 18 years of service in several audio-visual and print media reputed organizations in North East India. He has published more than 1000 articles and a popular adventure book for children.

For more information log on to
http://www.fithealthonline.com/
http://www.healthylifelearning.com/
http://www.wanthealthylife.com/

Does Calorie Restriction Lead to Weight Loss?

Yes and no. Moderate calorie restriction helps in controlling and getting rid of fat to a certain extent.

In fact the so called low carbohydrate diets are low calorie diets.

Research proves that the weight loss in these weight loss programs is on account of calorie restriction and not due to the virtues of a low carbohydrate-high protein diet.

But the real fact about these diets is... calorie restriction is bad for health.

Firstly, these diet plans induce ketosis which according to many experts is bad for health.

Secondly, calorie restriction deprives the vital organs like lever, thyroid and adrenals etc. of required nutrition.

What this means in effect is, the very organs which are supposed to burn fat and keep you lean and healthy are making you sick because of wrong diet!

The reason? Well, very simple...

Say for example, you eat 1200 calories of fruit daily,-which is very good for the fat burning and filtering organs in your body. Now, if you suddenly you reduce it by 500 calories... what is the result? deprivation.

Now let's take another scenario... you are regularly eating 1500 calories of fast food(processed foods) and you bring it down by 500... result? great!

These junk foods were causing damage to your organs and a shift in your diet pattern wiill increase the efficiency of your body's fat burning organs.

So, you will see that it's not calorie restriction alone that was responsible for weight loss in the above example, the restriction of unwanted processed foods in your diet has a more profound effect on your health and weight loss goals.

You can get more cutting edge fat burning secrets in my Free 5 day email e-course by subscribing to my newsletter at: www.eweightlosstips.com/weightlossltr.htm

Rajesh Shetty

Expert in weight loss principles of Ayurveda Medical Science and Author of the Best selling book, Proven weight loss secrets revealed.

http://www.eweightlosstips.com

Information About Speech Therapy Courses

My name is Stephen Hill. I am thirty-two years of age and live in Birmingham, England. From the age of four I unfortunately had a speech impediment known as stuttering. This impediment basically ruined my life for eighteen years before I finally managed to overcome the stutter. This article is all about stuttering or as some people call it stammering.

Stammering or stuttering can have a dramatic effect on somebodys confidence and it certainly seemed to my crush mine. It made me accept second best in life and stopped me living my life as I wanted to.

It is extremely difficult for a fluent person to comprehend how hard it is to live your life with a speech impediment or stutter.

I now run one to one speech courses which are held in Birmingham. A couple of years ago one of my clients told me about a situation he had been involved in. He and his friends went to a bar one Saturday afternoon to have a few drinks. After a couple of pints he went up to the bar to order himself a drink. Unfortunately he could not speak all of the words fluently and the barman accused him of being drunk and refused to serve him. He tried to explain that he was not drunk but had a stutter, however the barman relpied, that's what they all say.

He returned to his friends who asked him where his drink was. He told them what had happened, this itself was very embarressing.

This is a typical situation people who have a stutter or stammer find themselves in.

Stephen Hill has a number of websites including:

http://www.stammering-stuttering.co.uk
http://www.lasik-laser-surgery.co.uk
http://www.debt-specialist.co.uk

How Does Laser Eye Surgery Affect The Eyes?

In order to truly comprehend the effect of laser eye surgery, we must first consider the vision anomalies that it treats. It is a general belief that common refractive errors, such as myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism, are attributable to certain irregularities in the shape of the cornea. Due to such anomalies, light rays entering the eye don?t fall exactly on the retina (a layer of light sensing cells) thereby resulting in unclear vision. LASIK is a surgical procedure that aims to rectify these irregularities by reshaping the cornea.

LASIK restores visual acuity through precise ablation of the corneal tissue with the aid of a high precision laser, an excimer laser, which is a ?cool? laser that precisely carves the cornea without heating or damaging the surrounding tissue. Once reshaped, the cornea enables the desired accurate refraction, since the light rays now fall precisely on the retina.

Laser eye surgery imparts enhanced visual acuity, without the need for corrective lenses. With the superlative technology at its disposal, laser eye surgery provides excellent results that are rather impressive. An estimated 98% of patients are within 1 diopter of their refractive error following surgery, possessing unaided visual acuity of 6/12 or better. Over half of the patients achieve unaided visual acuity of 6/6, which is the standard visual acuity. However, visual acuity may sometimes be worthless if vision quality is sacrificed in process. Though rare, laser eye surgery complications like halos, glare and double vision may cause vision quality deterioration, rendering blurry vision.

The complications, if any, may be a source of discomfort. The use of prescription eye drops and artificial tear drops helps in soothing the eyes thereby averting the irritable feeling in the eyes that creeps up after surgery. These side effects are known to subside within a few months and the refraction stabilizes within 3 to 6 months following surgery.

Nevertheless, LASIK is a viable, safe and efficacious procedure. Its effects are permanent on the eyes. That is, the refraction attained lasts forever unless otherwise altered due to age related eye ailments, such as presbyopia, which is known to affect almost every individual in their mid to late 40s.

If you find a LASIK surgery that you are confident with, you will be able to get more information about the effects of LASIK laser eye surgery.

The LASIK Surgery Directory - find a LASIK surgery. Nicola Kennedy publishes articles and reports, provides news and views about LASIK laser eye surgery at Your Lasik Information.

This article may be reprinted in full so long as the resource box and the live links are included intact. All rights reserved. Copyright Your-LASIK.info

Depression: What It Is and What You Can Do About It

There are three basic ways to treat depression: psychotherapy, self-help, and medication. Many people respond best to a combination of two or more methods.

Psychotherapy: Exploring one?s beliefs and ways of thinking, and learning new ways of thinking and behaving, with the guidance of a professional. Self-help: Exploring one?s beliefs and ways of thinking on one?s own. Medication: Altering one?s brain chemistry by taking antidepressant medication.

A physician may recommend medication when four conditions exist:

The patient?s depression is severe.

The patient has suffered at least two previous depressive episodes.

There is a family history of depression.

The patient asks for medication only and refuses psychotherapy.

There are four types of antidepressant medication available today:

? Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)

? Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)

? Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)

? Structurally unrelated compounds

The TCAs and MAOIs have been used for decades. The SSRIs (such as Prozac) and structurally unrelated compounds are newer and are being prescribed more and more frequently. They have fewer and less pronounced side effects than the TCAs and MAOIs.

Treatment without Medicine

One of the leading methods for treating depression is cognitive therapy. Cognitive therapists help depressed clients feel better by identifying how faulty ways of thinking are making him or her feel bad. The client analyzes his or her thoughts and beliefs, and learns to substitute more healthy ways of thinking and believing.

Many mental health professionals believe that the ideal treatment of clinical depression is medication in conjunction with psychotherapy.

Prevention of Depression

Depression can often be prevented. It is especially important to take preventive action if you are aware that you have predisposing factors such as those mentioned in the last newsletter.

Identify your risk factors and be aware of where you are vulnerable. Each of us has unique risk factors, such as things we were taught in our families of origin, values we have learned, and the presence or absence of a family history of depression. Anything that has been learned can be unlearned and replaced with something healthier.

Learn to manage stress. You can learn proven techniques for calming and relaxing yourself. Consider taking a stress management class or buying a set of relaxation tapes.

Learn problem-solving skills. Many people who develop depression never learned problem-solving skills. They need to develop the ability to see problems from many viewpoints and to look for a variety of solutions. Build your life around things you can control. Learn to recognize what you can control and what you can?t. Avoid spending much effort on situations that won?t pay off for you.

Learn self-acceptance. Instead of rejecting the parts of yourself you don?t like, learn to manage them more productively.

Become aware of selective perception. Observe how you generate ideas and opinions about people and events. Remember that these are just your views, not necessarily objective facts.

Focus on the future, not the past. Depressed people tend to be focused on the past. People who set goals and focus on the future tend to be more positive about life.

Develop a sense of purpose. Many depressed people lack a sense of purpose or meaning. This means they have no goals and nothing in the future drawing them forward. To prevent depression, develop your sense of purpose and meaning.

Strengthen your emotional boundaries and set limits. Boundaries define your role in a social situation. They determine how you will or won?t behave in a given situation. Having clear, strong boundaries is empowering, while boundary violations make you feel victimized and helpless. Setting limits means having and enforcing rules for the behaviors you expect in a relationship.

Build positive and healthy relationships. Think about what you need from others in relationships. Learn to read people and trust your instincts about which people are good for you.

Avoid isolation. Talk to others about what?s going on with you. If you keep your thoughts to yourself, you may be unaware that your thoughts are distorted. If you share them with another person, you can become more objective.

Signs That Professional Therapy Is Needed

Thinking about death or suicide. This is always dangerous and you should see a professional therapist immediately.

When symptoms of depression continue for a long time, you may need professional help. Acute responses to events are normal, but they should not last beyond a reasonable time.

Your ability to function is impaired by your depression. Seek help before your life situation deteriorates to a serious level.

You have become so isolated that you have no one with whom to test reality. Seek someone out to share your thoughts and feelings with.

Depressive symptoms have become severe.

Garrett Coan is a professional therapist,coach and psychotherapist. His two Northern New Jersey office locations are accessible to individuals who reside in Bergen County, Essex County, Passaic County, Rockland County, and Manhattan. Garrett also offers online and telephone counseling services for those who live at a distance. He can be accessed through http://www.creativecounselors.com or at 201-303-4303.

Taking Antidepressants? You Might want to Read this

According to a report by Annette Foglino of Discover Magazine, leading researchers are making landmark discoveries on genetics, the link to depression and startling revelations about antidepressants like Paxil, Prozac and Zoloft.

Per Eli Lilly and Company, Prozac proportedly works by boosting serotonin levels in the brain. Paxil CR's claims are that it can help regulate the balance of the serotinin chemical, making serotinin more readily available. Pfizer's Zoloft is supposed to help correct the chemical imbalance of serotonin in the brain as well.

However, recent findings based on a long-term project alliance among New Zealand's Dunedin School of Medicine, the University of Wisconsin and King College London, found that the 5-HTT gene (the gene responsible for regulating the chemical serotonin and message transmission in the brain) ...comes in pairs and in two sizes - long and short.1

So what does that mean? The study found that persons having ...long genes were half as likely to suffer depression as those with at least one short gene.2 Ironically, individuals who had two short genes were also found not only to suffer from depression, but also had correlating higher levels of serotonin. Because antidepressants (as the ones mentioned above) are designed to raise serotonin levels, it in fact implies that medicines such as these do not work as well as originally planned. Based on these compelling results, the seriousness of administering antidepressants to persons who already have heightened levels of serotonin could present itself with devastating outcomes.

According to the FDA's Psychopharmacological Drugs Advisory Committee, an Antidepressants Update report was made on October 18, 1991 discussing the effects of certain antidepressants with regard to suicidal thoughts, acts or other violent behavior. At that point in time, the FDA had already received several reports and testimony ...from patients, advocacy groups, and other interested parties.3 It was over a decade later, (March 22, 2004) when the same FDA released a Public Health Advisory expressing that pharmaceutical companies place warning labels on the same medications due to Worsening Depression and Suicidality in Patients Being Treated with Antidepressant Medications.

If the Public had only been made aware of this information back in 1991, perhaps teen killers Eric Harris and Kip Kinkel may never have committed the violent and horrific acts they did. But these two are only a sparce sample of the matrix of possibilities. Another report from Freedom Magazine relays how antidepressants accounted for over 40,000 adverse reaction reports, including 2,300 deaths (per the FDA) in 1998 alone.

With modern, conventional medicine advancing at the speed of light, the perilous reprecussions are only starting to unfold. Although some medicines can be very helpful, it is dangerous to withhold information regarding the effects of mood-altering drugs. If you are taking antidepressants, talk with your medical provider - become informed. Tomorrow may be too late.

References

• Discover Magazine, Pg. 69 Depression Gene Leads to Questions about Prozac
• Discover Magazine, Pg. 69 Depression Gene Leads to Questions about Prozac
• FDA - Psychopharmacological Drugs Advisory Committee - Antidepressant Update
• FDA - Public Health Advisory
• Freedom Magazine
• Science A GoGo - Latest Science News
• Wikipedia - Serotonin - Serotonin

Disclaimer: Information is intended for educational purposes only and should not substitute advice provided by a licensed health professional.

? Taking Antidepressants? You Might Want to Read This - 2004 - All Rights Reserved
Report by C. Bailey-Lloyd

About the Author: C. Bailey-Lloyd - Author of Somewhere Along the Beaten Path

Feel free to visit Media Positive Radio -- Providing a positive and uplifting listening experience - All the Time! Featuring the finest music from Independent and Mainstream musicians all focusing on the power and greatness of every individual as well as the collective power of unity and brotherhood.

NOTICE: Article may be republished free of charge as long as Author Resource Box (above) is included, and ALL Hyperlinks REMAIN in tact and active.

Drinking Tea May Guard Against Ovarian Cancer

Consuming two or more cups of tea a day over a period of time may reduce the risk of ovarian cancer dramatically, suggests a new study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine. And each additional cup of tea per day appears to provide significantly more protection, investigators found.

Because tea is the second most-consumed beverage in the world, its potential health benefits could have important implications for human health and disease prevention, says the Tea Council of the USA.

An abundance of research suggests that tea may play a role in the reduction of risk of cardiovascular disease and various types of cancer, notes Joe Simrany, president of the trade organization. These new findings suggest that drinking tea regularly may help to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer as well. This is good news and points to yet another area where tea may have a positive effect on health.

46 Percent Lower Ovarian Cancer Risk

Researchers at Sweden's National Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, examined the association between tea consumption and risk of ovarian cancer in 61,057 women 40 to 76 years of age who took part in the population-based Swedish Mammography Cohort.

The participants completed a validated 67-item food frequency questionnaire at enrollment between 1987 and 1990, and were followed for cancer incidence through December 2004.

At baseline, 68 percent of the participants reported drinking tea -- primarily black tea -- at least once a month. During 15.1 years of follow-up, 301 women were diagnosed as having epithelial ovarian cancer. The researchers found tea consumption of two or more cups of tea per day had a significant inverse association with risk of ovarian cancer.

Specifically, women who drank two or more cups of tea per day experienced a 46 percent lower risk of ovarian cancer, compared with women who drank no tea. Each additional cup of tea was associated with an 18 percent decreased risk of ovarian cancer.

Additional Health Benefits

A multitude of research studies suggest that drinking tea may contribute to overall health. Potential benefits include the following:

- Reduced risk of heart attack and stroke, and improved blood vessel function;

- Less risk of certain cancers, including colorectal and skin cancers;

- Decreased levels of oxidative DNA damage and increases in antioxidant levels in the bloodstream; and

- Oral health benefits -- researchers believe certain compounds in tea may inhibit bacteria that cause bad breath and plaque, and the fluoride content in tea supports healthy tooth enamel.

Nicole Weaver is a health journalist for Daily News Central, an online publication that delivers breaking news and reliable health information to consumers, healthcare providers and industry professionals.

Green Tea And Weight Loss

There?s recently been a LOT in the weight loss news concerning green tea.

Green tea?s weight loss effects have been causing more and more people to start sipping the ancient Japanese brew.

But just how does green tea help you lose weight? And does it really work or is it all just hype? This article gives you the real facts about drinking green tea to lose weight.

Advantages of Drinking Green Tea for Weight Loss:

1) Green tea revs up your metabolism

A study reported on in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, found that green tea extract resulted in a significant increase in energy expenditure (a metabolism 'boost').

The researchers also concluded that that over a 24-hour period, green tea extract increases the metabolic rate by 4%. These effects are probably due to the high concentrations of catechin polyphenols found in green tea. These work to help intensify levels of fat oxidation and thermogenesis (the rate at which your body burns calories).

2) Green tea inhibits fat absorption and helps glucose regulation

Experts tell us that the catechins in green tea help to inhibit the movement of glucose into fat cells. Green tea may also act as al glucose regulator. It helps to slow the rise in blood sugar after a meal. This prevents high insulin spikes (lots of insulin promotes fat storage) and the subsequent fat storage.

3) Green tea may help reduce appetite

Scientists at the University of Chicago found that green tea caused rats to lose up to 21 percent of their body weight. Rats injected with a green tea extract lost their appetites and consumed up to 60 percent less food after seven days of daily injections. This may have something to do with the blood sugar regulating effects of green tea.

4) Green tea can help you save calories on your morning brew.

We are a nation hooked on our java. Be it the regular double-cream, double-sugar standard or that mocha, dappa, frappucinno, the calories we ingest just to get our morning caffeine is wreaking havoc on our waistlines.

If you want to save mega-calories in the morning but still get your caffeine fix, try substituting green tea for coffee. Or have a green tea in the afternoon instead of that 700 calorie mocha-chillate dream. You?ll definitely notice the difference in your waistline after a few weeks.

So there are 4 ways that green tea can help you with weight loss. But how much do you actually have to drink to get these amazing metabolism boosting effects?

Experts vary but the general consensus seems to be that 3 ? 5 cups of green tea per day is optimal. Doing this can help you burn an extra 70 calories per day which amounts to 7 pounds per year. Pretty good for not exercising or cutting calories, right?

However, 3 ? 5 cups can be a lot for some people, so you might also want to consider green tea extract, green tea pills or a green tea patch.

Disadvantages of Drinking Green Tea For Weight Loss:

#1) Green tea is not a magic bullet

While some people will tell you that green tea is the be-all-end-all for weight loss success, I think the keyword here is balance. You?re not going to eat 5000 calories a day, drink a cup of green tea and make it all go away ? it just isn?t going to happen. A healthy diet and increased exercise will go a long way in helping you lose weight and keep it off.

#2) Be cautious of the caffeine if you have health problems

For some people that have heart troubles, high blood pressure or stimulant sensitivities, the caffeine in green tea may not be the best idea. If you?re worried about the caffeine from green tea, try taking green tea extract. Most green tea extract is made from decaffeinated green tea so you can still get the weight loss benefits without the caffeine.

If you think the caffeine may be a problem, make sure to consult your doctor before starting green tea for weight loss. Also make sure to consult your doctor before starting green tea if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Bottom Line: Green tea helps you with weight loss by boosting your metabolic rate, regulating your blood sugar, suppressing your appetite and giving you something else besides that high calorie, high sugar coffee beverage to drink in the morning. While it's not the magic bullet, it can definitely give you a boost in weight loss and in your overall health!

Kathryn O'Neill is a contributing writer to Diet and Weight Loss Reviews.

For more free weight loss tips and diet reviews, visit http://www.FreeToBeThin.com.

Reprint rights: All links MUST BE CLICKABLE.

Hockey Discount Tickets Thru Energy Saving Lighting

Slamming the opponent into the glass as your teammate checks him in the ribs. The adrenaline is pumping with intensity in the bodies of all the players and the fans. Such human energy is rarely felt anywhere. But that is what hockey is all about and why you want to go to the next game to see some blood and guts. But why can?t we get some discount tickets for our loyalty to the sport and all that energy we give?

Well the fact is there might actually be a way to do just that. I propose using the vibrational energy to light up the stadium of ice. Human energy is alive and well. Then I propose we use the savings of lighting costs to offset the ticket prices and give us our Hockey game discount tickets thru energy savings lighting. Of course if it is a weak game with no action and no crowd participation, then the lights will dim slightly and the lighting will need to revert back to the power grid. But in that case you shouldn?t have to pay higher ticket prices anyway and besides tough luck you are already there. You are not thinking, oh this is not possible. But it is.

By placing hundreds of large sandwich sheets with a taunt film on the vibrational side and small copper lined tubes, hundreds of them running perpendicular to the sheets, with magnets inside bouncing back and forth. These magnets will charge a capacitor and be hooked up to an LED lighting system using fiber optics or reflectors, each one hooked up to a .2 to .5 watt light. With hundreds of thousands of lights hooked up in a composite format it will light up the stadium and since the lights can shine down on the stadium and it would be like daylight without the light pollution associated with street lights in large cities.

Currently this technology is being used in those little flashlights you see advertised on television that you shake and they light, but you never need batteries. This idea of lighting up the stadium is using that technology on a larger scale with miniaturized parts making up the guts between the sandwich sheets. Let there be light, thru vibrational energy and there was and I just saved a bunch of money by switching to. . . Think on it.

Lance Winslow - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/

Brain Concussions in Sports: What's the Fuss?

If you're having difficulty understanding what a brain concussion is, and how your son or daughter's head-injury affects their further participation in sports, then you're in good company. The nature and effects of concussions are still poorly understood by many athletes, parents, coaches, news reporters and, to a certain extent, even the medical community. But because the brain is a treasured organ?one that athletes should want to keep in good working order for the rest of their lives?a good understanding of concussions is crucial.

Neurologists and neurosurgeons cringe when they hear sports-reporters make comments like, Johnny had a CAT scan and it showed that he didn't have a concussion. The truth is that CAT scans don't show concussions. They do show other serious consequences of head injuries, like bleeding within the brain, or hemorrhages that compress the brain. But concussions?while no less real?are invisible to brain-imaging tests like CAT scans and MRIs.

So what is a concussion? If a blow to the head caused unconsciousness, a concussion occurred. Most people know this. But a concussion can occur even when there is no loss of consciousness. Other symptoms after a head-injury indicating a concussion include:

impaired attention, e.g. vacant stare, slowness to respond, easy distractibility

slurred speech, or speech that doesn't make sense

clumsiness or unsteadiness

disorientation, e.g. walking in the wrong direction, forgetting the day of the week

excessive emotional reaction, e.g. easy tears, overly upset

memory impairment, e.g. asking same question repeatedly, can't memorize new facts

Other symptoms can develop hours or even weeks after the injury, including headache, dizziness, poor concentration, irritability, impaired memory, fatigue, disrupted sleep, anxiety, depression, and a lack of good judgment or insight.

You'll notice that all these symptoms share a common feature?an alteration in brain function. The normal brain processes, which depend on proper signaling among the brain's 20 billion brain cells, are out of whack.

There can also be physical damage to the brain's cells. Because brain-cells are so tiny, brain scans don't detect them. Injuries causing more severe concussions can tear apart the cells' axons (the long filaments that carry coded messages over long distances within the brain). As you can imagine, these rips in the very fabric of the brain can cause lasting impairments in brain function or require long periods of time for recovery.

One certainty about sports-related concussions is that they are very frequent. The Centers for Disease Control estimates there are at least 300,000 of them in the U.S. per year and they comprise about 20% of all head injuries. Research also indicates that the brains of high school athletes are more vulnerable to concussion than those of older athletes, and require longer periods of time to fully recover.

Individuals who have had one concussion are at greater risk for another. For example, in one study of high school and college football players, concussions occurred about six times more frequently in student-athletes who had experienced prior concussions than in those who had not. Moreover, repeated concussions can have more severe outcomes than first concussions.

A rare but particularly scary phenomenon has been called the second impact syndrome in which a second concussion occurring within days or weeks of an earlier concussion can produce catastrophic consequences?including death?way out of proportion to the apparent severity of the re-injury.

Because of the potentially serious consequences, athletes, coaching staffs and parents need to have a heightened awareness of head-injuries and their need for proper evaluation, including by medical personnel. Various guidelines have been created for decisions about when it is safe to resume participation in contact sports. These guidelines, while based more on expert opinion than on medical evidence, are still the best benchmarks we have until more studies are done.

All guidelines agree that an athlete needs to become symptom-free in all areas?thinking, memory, emotions, coordination, balance, etc.?before resuming play. After a first concussion, the athlete should have been normal for at least a week, and after a second concussion, for probably two weeks.

When should an athlete hang up his or her cleats and retire from the sport? How many concussions are too many? No one has a definite answer to either question. As Clint Eastwood's Dirty Harry might ask, Are you feeling lucky? Three concussions in the same season?or even in an entire sports career?should certainly raise concern about long-term damage to the brain.

Of course, student-athletes often pressure their parents to allow them to return to play sooner than might be wise. In these circumstances it is useful to recall that many professional athletes in football, hockey, boxing and other sports have retired from their lucrative careers rather than suffer additional concussions. If these high-profile individuals were willing to give up their big paydays in order to protect their brains, then perhaps your son or daughter will be able to follow their examples when less money is at stake. However, if you are the parent and are being pressured to allow an early return to play, you just might have to stand tall, do the right thing, and say no.

For more information about traumatic brain injury see the websites of The Brain Matters and The Brain Injury Association of America.

(C) 2005 by Gary Cordingley

Gary Cordingley, MD, PhD, is a clinical neurologist, teacher and researcher who works in Athens, Ohio. For more health-related articles see his website at: http://www.cordingleyneurology.com

Veteran Sports

No, I'm not talking about war veterans, though at times, we probably feel like it. Sport veterans are the hot topic. Even if only because I'm feeling every ache and pain of competing in my first Grand Final in twenty years. You see, I'm a hockey player. Er, that's field hockey not the icebound version. Right through from the time I picked up my first hockey stick [at age12 and not knowing what on earth it was for to the time I undertook semi-retirement to pursue a family life [I was pregnant. Including the nearly twenty years I wasn't actually playing hockey, up to last year, when I registered with a team and started playing all over again.

The whistle blew on that first game and I burst onto the field with a fervour I hadn't felt in oh so long and haven't felt since. What I have felt is every year of absence and age, groaning about the stupidity of running around a field chasing a ball with a stick in my hands at the grand old age of 41. It hasn't stopped me though. I think to myself, I'm too old for this? as the ball whizzes past, and [like one of Pavlov's dogs I automatically react. That's my ball! the hockey player inside my head says and orders my legs to start running. It would all be quite pathetic if it wasn't such good fun.

The camaraderie of the team is something I'd nearly forgotten about. The slaps on the back as we'd chased, tackled, jostled, and occasionally scored goals is a wonderful boost to moral. As is the concern when once again I've forgotten to stop running, barrelled into another player and somersaulted through the air to land with a thud on the ground. Or the shouts of Don't worry, you'll get 'em next time! when one of us has completely stuffed up a tackle or shot. The emphasis has been, and continues to be, less on winning [though that always remains our goal and more on being a team, supporting each other and having fun. It's much more fun now than when I was a teenager and winning was everything. If I can get through a whole game without gasping for the need to rest before quarter time, I'm happy. If I can manage the game without injuries I'm even happier. To score a goal is the ultimate high!

I returned to competition last year without much thought to personal fitness. That is, I did think about a bit at first, worried about it a good deal more and then realised I'd never get back into the game if I waited until I was fit, and went for it. With all good intentions, I told myself I'd get back into running, go to the gym, attend training sessions and by the end of the season I'd be as fit as ever. Season two has come and gone [with a grand final appearance, mind you and I'm still working on those intentions, planning a summer season [during which I really will get fit and having a lot of fun.

Playing a team sport is a great way to get back into something you love, competing for a goal, achieving a few plays you can be proud of and getting red-faced and sweaty with a bunch of like-minded people. You don't have to be experienced at the sport. This year, our hockey team had several players who had never picked up a stick before. Yet their kids, along side mine and several dozen others, cheered as loud as everyone else for their mums to put sticks down and start running. A few of us have teenage daughters who want to join the team next season - a mums & bubs team, of sorts.

There are plenty of sports you can go out and try - netball, basketball? hockey. Whatever you like. It won't be easy, you'll be tired, achey and quite possibly a little bruised and battered, but you'll be better for the exertion and the wrenching out of the relatively small world of family, home and job and into the greater world of The Team! Fitness, even if just a taste of it, will be yours. A lifting of your competitive spirit [much better than passively watching sport on TV will help you find a way out of any mental and emotional ruts [yes, really - once you feel stronger, you think stronger!. Being part of something bigger than yourself for 60 sweaty minutes a week is just the tonic [or sport drink a lot of us are looking for.

Find a team and start running

~~~~~~~

Trish is an independent, hockey playing writer. When she's not running around the hockey field she's writing. To read more of her articles, visit Trish at http://beginningsmiddlesends.blogspot.com/ or send an email to wordcatcher@hotmail.com

The Importance Of An Active Lifestyle

Over the past 15 years or so, we have been told that a healthy lifestyle is important. Scientists recommend we should be accumulating on average 60 minutes of exercises a day in order to maintain healthy levels. What exactly does that number mean? Over the course of a regular day, we should be doing some sort of physical activity that adds up to approximately 60 minutes. Whether it is in the gym on the treadmill or just in the garden for the afternoon, adding physical activity is vital.

First we need to know what actually constitutes exercise. The term Healthy activity can be broken down in to three categories; Cardiovascular, Resistance, and Flexibility.

Cardiovascular training

It is recommended to do cardio 2 or 3 times a week. Depending on your fitness level., cardio can consist of a nice walk with your dog, or a vigorous run on the treadmill. Ideally you are trying to increase your cardio capacity. which has many health benefits.

Resistance Training

Part of living an active lifestyle is by doing some sort of resistance training at least 2 times a week. That doesn?t mean you have to go to the gym and lift weights, you can easily do it at home by doing movements as simple as pushup and sit-ups, or by using something like resistance bands. Resistance training is just as important as cardiovascular activity and adds to your overall physical health.

Flexibility (stretching)

After you exercise, it is recommended you stretch for roughly 10 minutes, holding each stretch for 15-30 seconds. Stretching is crucial to maintain flexibility and reduce the chance of injury from exercise.

Benefits of Exercise

So now we know that working out is important, but what are the actually benefits of living an active lifestyle? Below are just 5 of the countless benefits of being active.

Reduces the Risk of Dying Prematurely - Those living a healthy active lifestyle live longer compared those who are more sedentary.

Lowers the risk of developing diabetes - Exercise keeps body fat in control and helps regulate sugar levels

Increase muscular strength - Having an increase in strength helps make daily activities less difficult.

Helps reduce the risk of heart disease - Regular exercise strengthens the heart, respiratory system, and lungs which aids to reduce the risk of heart disease.

Decreases Body Fat - Exercise along with a balanced diet will reduce body fat significantly.

As you can see there are many excellent benefits of living an active lifestyle. By adding a small amount of cardio, resistance training and some stretching to your daily routine, the overall benefits are almost endless. Essentially being healthy is about adding balance to your life. You don?t have to be a Lance Armstrong, or a Venus Williams to be considered active, you just have to add some extra activities to you routine.

For more great info on athletics visit the womens sports forum a Community to discuss women's sports and chat about female athletes.

Or for an Online Personal Trainer visit http://www.worldfitness.ca

Which Is The Right Hair Removal Treatment For You?

Here is what you need to ask yourself first about hair removal treatments:

Where is the hair to be removed? Both generalized as well as specifically determine which area or if all areas are to be treated.

What level of intensity will you need? For some, hereditary factors contribute to the growth, re-growth rate as well as the thickness of the hair. Determine if you have situations where you will likely need more treatments than others.

Can you withstand a little pain? Some of the hair removal treatment options that you have do require some pain. For example, waxing and electrolysis are two methods of hair removal that you can consider. But, both of these do offer some pain, even though it is quite temporary. Can you handle it?

What budget do you have for hair removal treatments? These can be quite costly and they can require several treatments, making them even more costly than you thought. What can you do to remove hair from your body? What can you afford to spend on treatments? This will ultimately determine which method you use for hair removal. One example is laser hair removal. It will cost you several thousand dollars to effectively have your hair removed because you?ll need several treatments done.

Do you want permanent or temporary hair removal? If you are looking for long term results, then the best methods for you to consider are both laser hair removal treatments as well as electrolysis treatments. Both have show to be significant in their abilities to remove hair. They do this through destroying the follicle?s ability to produce hair. That makes them as permanent as can be. Neither method is 100% accurate for everyone, but this is the best permanent method of choice.

Choose the method that fits your needs the best. While permanent solutions seem like the right way to go, if you can not afford it, then look in another direction. Choose the hair removal treatment that fits all of your needs.

There are many online resources that can help you with information about hair removal.

As a beauty consultant Nicola Kennedy is always evaluating new products. Visit her site at http://www.epilator.info for Epilator Resources, Views and Information to help you choose the best epilator for you.

Copyright Epilator.info. All rights reserved. This article may be reprinted in full so long as the resource box and the live links are included intact.