Health Specialist » Depression

How Saying No Can Save Your Life

Health Specialist — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 07:15:00 +0000

In 1936, the concept of stress was defined by Hans Selye as “the non-specific response of the body to any demand for change.” He also identified the two kinds of stressors, positive and negative, which he called eustress and distress respectively. Positive stressors, or eustress, are situations that are perceived to be happy or good, such as weddings, childbirth or big family holidays. Negative stressors, or distress, are situations that are traumatizing or unhappy, such as the death of a loved one or an accident. But whether the situation is positive or negative, this rate of wear and tear we subject ourselves to eventually takes its toll on our bodies, and how we deal with the stress is important.

We are all subjected to stress on a daily basis, largely as a consequence of modern life, when we are caught up in the daily grind of work, family, and routine tasks. But its effects on our bodies differ greatly from person to person, largely dependent on the amount of stress we have in our lives and how we handle it. This is evident in the rising number of health problems that can be directly or indirectly attributed to stress, manifesting itself in any number of physical or psychological symptoms. These symptoms are often ignored until it seriously affects our health and wellbeing.

Work stress is incredibly insidious. The pressure to outperform colleagues and attain higher positions, higher salaries and bigger bonuses has become the priority for many people in their desire to reach the American dream. And while pressure is part and parcel of all work and helps to keep us motivated, excessive amounts can lead to stress. This undermines individual performance and productivity, and is costly to employers when the employees become ill.

Surprisingly, stress can easily be avoided by using the power of one word No. Many of us often try to cram too many activities into our schedules into too little time, leaving us too exhausted to do justice to any of those aforementioned activities. We must teach ourselves to say no without feeling guilty, and learn to delegate tasks to others. The job may not be done the way that you envisioned it would be, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that it was done poorly. Saying no means that we get to concentrate on the thing at hand, and by doing so, successfully accomplishing the task.

It may be difficult to say no at first, but it is infinitely better than gaining a reputation for letting people down. Prioritizing and letting go of tasks lets us avoid the pitfalls of being overextended and stressed out. We must weigh our options carefully and ask ourselves if the doing the activity is worth the stress it may add to your life. Is it a long-term or short-term commitment?

There is no need to lie when saying no. There is no shame in admitting that you have more than enough on your plate. Lying and making up bogus excuses will only complicate matters, and when your lie is discovered, people will begin labeling you as a slacker. Practice full disclosure, and be diplomatic.

Upper Back Pain Identification And Some Useful Solutions

Health Specialist — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 07:15:00 +0000

Upper Back Pain is as painful or troublesome as the pain in the lower back or the neck. An injury or a strain is the most common reason for the pain in the upper portion of our backs. Although back pain in upper portion is not a common phenomenon, it can cause significant discomfort and needs to be treated carefully. The identification of the exact cause is necessary to treat the pain in the upper back.

Muscular irritation and joint malfunction have been found to be the most common causes of upper back pain. An injury or a poor posture can also result in back pain. In recent years, it has been found that people sitting in one posture for example working in front of the computer are more prone to suffer from this type of back pain.

Lack of activity or poor strength of our muscles is a very common cause of upper back pain and can be treated through chiropractic cure, acupuncture, massage, physical therapy and various types of stretching exercises. Again an injury or strain in the joints between the ribs and the upper back can result in severe pain. Such a situation can be rectified by exercises aimed at strengthening the muscles and loosening the back. A ruptured disk or a degenerative disk disease can also result in back pain in upper part.

An appropriate posture and regular strengthening exercises are a must for avoiding the pain in the upper back. A poor posture can lead to weak muscles and a strain in our joints and ligaments and thus cause upper back pain. Osteoporosis, a disease which makes ones bones fragile and weak, a rupture in the spinal disk or any other form of injury can also result in back pain. People suffering from heart disease can also experience pain in the upper back. Such people need to consult a specialist so as to avoid any complexities.

It is important to get proper medical treatment if the cause of your upper back pain is Osteoporosis, a ruptured disk or any other injury. However, if the pain is caused by a poor posture or a strain, we can take some self remedial action such as massaging the area of pain. Pain in the Trapezius or the triangle shaped muscles of the upper back and the shoulder blades can be rectified through self massage or massage by somebody else. Also try to concentrate on improving your posture and sit straight instead of slouching.

A poor posture eliminates the natural, weight-supporting S curve in our backs and weakens them. In contrast a right posture- chest out, stomach in, and buttocks tucked under- helps one to restore the S curve in our back. Proper exercises can enable one to rectify hisher posture. Proper massage by a physical therapist, use of acupuncture techniques and physical therapy also go a long way in relieving upper back pain.

Getting Obesity Help

Health Specialist — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 07:15:00 +0000

Obesity help can come in many shapes and sizes. Family embers and friends can lodge their support by dieting with you or helping you to diet alone. Doctors can help by referring you to a nutritionist and prescribing you some appetite suppressants also known as diet pills, be wary of them. Nutritionists will help you by coming up with a diet plan which you abide by and then concentrating on an exercise routine when you can manage one.

Another new way to help people suffering from obesity is to perform surgical procedures such as extensive gastric bypass; where portions of the stomach are removed, gastric banding; placing what seems like an elastic band around your stomach, panniculectomy; removing pieces of stomach also known as a tummy tuck. These are just some of the procedures available and are only for use in drastic times. Many people can loose weight without these operations and therefore do not need to put themselves through a lot of pain which is consistent with each of these operations.

When accepting help for your obesity make sure it is a plan that you will stick to and work for as motivation does decrease very quickly, a lot of weight falls of at the beginning but when the first initial few weeks are past the weight will fall of slowly and you will start to get cravings so that needs to be taken into consideration and whatever you do dont attempt a quick fix fad diet all they will do is mess up your insides. The best way to loose weight is to eat properly and sensibly.

Obesity help is available all around you; there are adverts on the television, books, videos and programmes to help people who have problems loosing weight. Why not join a slimming class? That way you are not alone in our efforts and you meet people in the same position as you. Slimming groups tend to follow healthy eating programmes and have a weight in every couple of weeks so you can keep record o how well you are doing! They then reward people with certificates to keep for loosing weight; these certificates offer a big motivational surge and help you to keep on going.

Dont let others get you down by saying oh youve not lost that much keep your spirits high by telling yourself that at least you have lost something and you have dedicated yourself and put in a lot of effort, by doing so you will continue the chain of weight loss and inevitably make you feel a lot better!

How to Treat Achilles Tendon Injuries in a dancer

Health Specialist — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 07:15:00 +0000

Problems in the Achilles tendon are common in dancers and it is a generally poorly understood injury in many dance circles. It is important that several other issues that may give you pain in the back of the ankle are ruled out first, before trying this program, so check with a sports doctor or physiotherapist physical therapist before you go ahead. Other things that may give you pain behind the ankle include may an extra bone at the back of the ankle called an ‘os Trigonum’ and a syndrome called ‘Posterior Impingement’
If you do have a problem with the Achilles Tendon, it responds best if treatment is started at an early stage, but even then it may take a while to heal sometimes in excess of three months Long-standing Achilles tendonopathy may require an intense rehab program of up to six months. This is because it has usually developed over a long period of time, and is usually due to weaknesses or imbalances in several different areas, so it is important to correct all of these to gain a full recovery.
The keys to successful rehabilitation of Achilles tendonopathy are;
Early diagnosis and RICE treatment to prevent further damage
An Eccentric Strengthening Program described below
Correction of any predisposing factors such as muscle tightness, weakness or abnormal movement patterns
Core Strengthening Program
Appropriate progression to functional activities and sport-specific rehabilitation.
If you see a therapist, they may do some massage and mobilization techniques to make sure that all the bones in your feet are moving properly. This is very important, as stiffness in the foot may have been one of the major initial causes of the injury.
“Eccentric exercises” are exercises where the muscle is contracting while it is lengthening. This sounds odd, but is possible! While these exercises have been shown in several studies to be the best thing for rehabilitating Achilles problems, they do have the potential to cause damage if performed inappropriately or excessively. You should always start with an adequate warm-up and commence the exercise cautiously. It is normal, however, to get some pain when you begin the strengthening program and at each new load. You should only progress to the next exercise when the previous version is pain-free both during and following the activity, and on the advice of a qualified medical professional. Always ice the area on a stretch after doing these exercises.
Eccentric Exercises.
Bilateral heel drop. Place feet on to the edge of a step in a demi-pointe position use a barre for support. Slowly, lower your heels below the level of the step. Repeat for three sets of 15, twice a day. Make sure that your feet and arches stay in a good position the whole time! Arches on! Remember not to rise up from the low position. but place your feet back into the starting position. Contracting the calves via rises may aggravate the injury. Do some sets with the knees straight, and some sets with the knees bent to target the deep calf muscles more Soleus
Increase the amount of weight through the injured leg.
Single leg heel drop. Rise onto demi pointe on the edge of the step with both feet. Transfer the weight to one foot, and slowly lower the heel to below the edge of the step.
Add weights
NB Ice should always be applied following exercise.
As with any overuse injury, it is important that the predisposing factors are corrected. Things that any supervising medical professional should be looking at include
Generalized tightness of the calf muscles
Reduced range of motion in the ankle or mid foot joints
Control of arch and small toe muscles see The Perfect Pointe Book!
Pelvic Stability
Abdominal control
Return to activity should be gradual. You may usually return to dancing when any tenderness to touch has settled. Until then it is best to do a ‘Floor Barre’ to avoid extra loading on the tendons, but to maintain mobility and strength. Doing other exercises such as Pilates will help speed your return to full dancing and stop you from getting too weak! On return to activity, a small heel raise may be used to reduce the load on the Achilles tendon in both shoes.

Making Aging a Worthwhile Process

Health Specialist — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 07:15:00 +0000

Aging is an inevitable process that human beings go through. Wrinkles, memory loss, and risk of ailments like heart disease, osteoporosis, an other ailments may develop as people age. In addition to these changes, one’s metabolism may slow down, which leads to the need to avoid consumption of certain food. Some internal organs like the kidneys, prostates, and liver may become less efficient. Because of this, many aged individuals may experience changes in hydration, endurance, and sexual performance. Aging, therefore, is a natural albeit sometimes difficult dilemma for many individuals. Health experts agree that with proper lifestyle and healthy diets, people can age gracefully without having to worry about health concerns. Drinking adequate amounts of water, exercising, and eating properly can make the aging process a smooth experience.

Drinking water is essential in maintaining overall well-being and healthy aging. Water allows the body to effectively and efficiently absorb the nutrients that are consumed from food and flushes the kidneys of toxins. The internal organs perform better when they are properly hydrated. Furthermore, drinking water may also have an effect on one’s outside appearance. It may make the skin become more clearer and give it a healthy and youthful glow.

Regular physical activity is vital in healthy aging and retaining physical independence. Exercise and other physical activities may make the body stronger, tone the muscles, improve blood circulation, improve cardiovascular heart performance, and many more. These activities may also promote a sense of well-being and are often used to treat stress and anxiety. This is possible because exercising promotes the production of compounds called endorphins which may act as the body’s natural painkiller. Health specialists calls this effect the runner’s high because it makes one feel good and give a sense of highness.

Other health benefits of exercise may include

Reduced risk of dying prematurely from heart disease
Reduced risk for diabetes
Reduced risk of high blood pressure
Reduced risk of colon cancer
Improved weight control
Improved maintenance of healthy bones, muscles, and joints

Having a well-balanced and nutritious diet is necessary in making the aging process beneficial. Regular consumption of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and the right amount of protein may reduce the risks of ailments that are associated with aging. Taking multivitamins and other dietary supplements may aid in vitamin and mineral deficiencies. However before taking any supplementation, individuals should seek the approval of doctors and other health professionals.

Getting older is a part of life. How one feels when one gets old depends on many factors, which may include what health problems run in one’s family and the choices one makes. If people take care of their body through regular exercise and healthy food consumption, getting old may not become a problematic issue. Individuals who want to engage in physical activities and take vitamins and food supplements should first ask for the approval of doctors and other health professionals. They may devise a program that suits certain individuals and give their insights on supplementation and other medications. With the proper lifestyle, the aging process can be an enjoyable, productive, and fulfilling stage in life.

First Aid In The Event Of An Anxiety Attack

Health Specialist — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 07:15:00 +0000

It is rather simple to mistakenly take an anxiety attack for a real heart attack. If fact, most casual observers would not

even know the difference between the two if they see it happening right before their eyes. The clear signs of an anxiety

attack reflect the commonly known signs of a heart attack, with the differences being only apparent if one knows what to look

for. Unfortunately, this close similarity also makes it difficult for people to know what to do in the event that a person

experiences one or the other. For the most part, the only real response that people have when someone is undergoing a heart

attack, anxiety attack, or even a stroke, is to simply call an ambulance and try not to panic while waiting for it. However,

in reality, there are some basic first aid measures that a person can take in the meantime.

The first thing is to restore balance to the person’s breathing. An anxiety attack often disrupts the circulatory and

respiratory systems, causing a number of effects on their normal functioning. An attack can result in someone having a

decreased heart rate, lowered blood pressure, and an increase in the body’s circulation. Any muscle pain that a person is

feeling would also be decreased during an attack. While these signs cannot do any long-term or significant damage on their

own, but they can upset the body’s natural chemistry and trigger other changes that may cause damage. Restoring the usual

balance of breathing and blood circulation can help prevent the damage that might be done in the event of an anxiety attack.

In many ways, this can also help in the event of a heart attack.

More of a precautionary measure than first aid, keeping an eye on a person’s posture can also help people have better odds in

the face of an anxiety attack. Bad posture has a tendency to compress vital organs in the stomach and abdomen, which makes

them more vulnerable to possible damage during an attack. Bad posture can also lead to cramped space for the lungs and heart,

which in turn can make breathing difficult under normal circumstances. The problem can only be worsened when a person is

having an attack, where the lungs and heart are not working properly and other signs of discomfort such as shortness of

breath and low blood pressure are not entirely uncommon.

Diversion tactics have also been known to help someone if they are experiencing an attack, though this is usually best done

by the person himself. There are various diversionary tactics that can be employed, with most doctors agreeing that the best

effects come about if the tactics are done simultaneously. In general, anything that occupies the mind during an attack is a

good idea, so long as it does not add further stress. Most experts suggest counting to 100 at high speed, though some have

noted that most people also appear to respond to doing simple mathematical equations in their head positively. Cold water has

also been known to help, because it triggers a reflex in the brain that keeps it from focusing on the attack itself. Since

human brains are not wired to multi-task, keeping it moving can often take up enough of the body’s ability to coordinate

things to distract one from an attack, though talking on the phone about anything except the anxiety can help.

What Is Clomid-Clomiphene Citrate?

Health Specialist — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 07:14:00 +0000

Clomid-Clomiphene Citrate is commonly prescribed oral medicinal drug to increase the chances of becoming pregnant. This fertility drug can be given to certain women having difficulty with getting pregnant, typically due to ovulation issues, for example irregular or poor ovulation.

A few women fail to get pregnant after tubal reversal surgery as they dont produce and discharge eggs on a regular basis. The main reason may be that their pituitaries dont generate sufficient follicle stimulating hormone FSH and luteinizing hormone LH promptly during the cycle. For such women, the physicians prescribe , which is normally taken for five days during the menstrual cycle, starting at the dose of 50 mg. This amount can be augmented, if a need is found.

Clomid-Clomiphene Citrate works by causing the pituitary gland to release advanced levels of FSH and LH, and these endocrines inspire the female internal reproductive organ ovary to make and discharge a full-grown egg. With respect to structure, Clomid-Clomiphene Citrate is similar to estrogen, which attaches to estrogen sensory receptor sites in the brain. When these receptor sites are crammed with Clomid-Clomiphene Citrate, they can not bond with estrogen diffusing within the blood. Fundamentally, the brain is tricked into guessing that the estrogen amount within the blood is too low. In response, the pituitary makes extra FSH. The augmented FSH level sequentially energizes egg maturation within an ovarian follicle.

Generally, Clomid-Clomiphene Citrate is effectual if a woman is menstruating, even if irregularly. Women with atypical menstrual cycles discharge occasionally. They are typically excellent candidates for Clomid-Clomiphene Citrate treatment since more prevailing ovulation provides more chances to get pregnant. Clomid-Clomiphene Citrate is also helpful in handling luteal phase defect LPD.

The Clomid-Clomiphene Citrate treatment can be examined by making use of an LH-urine detector kit or keeping a basal body temperature BBT chart, can help out a woman verify if she is discharging and whether the secretory phase of her cycle is regular. The cycles secretory phase, the time duration from ovulation till the tie she undergo menstruation, has an average range of 12 to 16 days.

Some women taking Clomid-Clomiphene Citrate undergo hot flashes, premenstrual-type problems, migraine headaches, breast discomfort, spots, flashes and blurred vision. If these side effects take place treatment with Clomid-Clomiphene Citrate should be quitted at once. Liver problem, enlarged ovaries, ovarian cysts or polycystic ovaries are relative contraindications since Clomid-Clomiphene Citrate may give rise to ovarian hyperstimulation. If pregnancy does not occur within 3 or 4 months while taking the medication, it should be stopped and a fertility expert should be consulted.

Power Yoga Physical Activity and Meditation for a Overall Health

Health Specialist — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 07:14:00 +0000

Health is the real wealth of an individual. Good health does not mean the absence of physical illness but also the lack of mental and social illness. A healthy person can properly survive and easily cope with the difficulties and stress of daily living. Incorporating regular physical activities, nutritious diet, and refraining from alcohol and cigarettes are necessary in maintaining a fit and healthy body. Yoga is a physical activity that has been used in the ancient times to alleviate health problems associated with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, asthma, shallow breathing, backaches, chronic illness, and many other forms of discomfort. Nowadays, Yoga has gone from a spiritual discipline practiced by many in the Far East, into a mainstream exercise routine that has been taught in many gyms around the world. Other researches suggest that yoga may promote relaxation and reduce distress.

A new form of yoga that focuses on a more fitness-based approached has been developed. It is called Power Yoga, a method closely modeled after the Ashtanga style of practice. The term Power Yoga became widely used in the mid-’90s when many yoga teachers tried new ways to make Ashtanga Yoga more accessible to the western audience. Both Power and Ashtanga Yoga focuses on strength and flexibility. The only difference between the traditional method and Power Yoga is that the latter does not require the performance of a series of poses. It took the basics of yoga and and gave it a dose of aerobics to tone the muscles, sharpen focus, and strengthen the heart.

Other known benefits of practicing Power Yoga include

Improved strength, endurance, and stamina
Tighter abs, legs, and arms
Helps release physical tension
Helps maintain good and proper posture
Serves as a good warm up for athletes
Improves an athlete’s overall performance

Power Yoga is a very accessible exercise. To practice this new yoga method, all that is needed is a flat floor surface, a mat or towel, and enough overhead space to extend the arms. It can be performed by individuals of different ages and level of physical condition. However, not all poses should be attempted by everyone. Proper posture and alignment should always be maintained during stretch or posture to avoid injuries. These activities should be stopped when there is fatigue, pain, or dizziness. In addition, the mental component of yoga is as important as its physical activities. Concentration and meditation should not be taken for granted. Yoga should be done with an open and gentle mind when one performs yoga positions and posture. Impatience, self-criticism, and comparing oneself with others may hamper the improvement of one’s physical and mental health.

Individuals who want to engage in physical activities like yoga should consult doctors and other health professionals before taking yoga classes. Certain injuries to the wrist, back, and ankles may prevent some individuals from practicing yoga postures and positions. Furthermore, yoga should be practiced with care and precaution. Some people have reported injuries that were acquired by executing yoga postures without focus, or by attempting difficult positions without working them gradually or by not having proper supervision. Oftentimes, beginners complain of muscle soreness and fatigue after engaging in yoga. These effects may disappear with continuous practice. Yoga is a great way to strengthen the and body and improve overall health.

Teeth Whitening kits

Health Specialist — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 07:14:00 +0000

Dentists have been using teeth whitening gels to whiten teeth for decades. These teeth whitening gels are also called carbamade peroxide gels. In the past time periods, lime chloride was the main source for teeth whitening. Nowadays, carbamide peroxide is the main source for teeth whitening. The new bleaching chemical, carbamide peroxide, removes the stains left on teeth within minutes after applied. Carbamide peroxide is used by dental professional and at home people all around the world. Another popular teeth whitening chemical is hydrogen peroxide, which is similar to carbamide peroxide but has been around for over a century. Teeth whiteners have been around for over a century but since the early 1990s, teeth whitener kits have become a phenomenon. Carbamide peroxide has become more popular for at home use since the early 1990s. There are many types of forms of carbamide peroxide. Concentration levels for the carbamide peroxide vary from 10 to 36. The most popular of the concentration levels are the 22. This teeth whitener provides little to no sensitivity to the teeth while whitening the teeth at a good pace. The teeth whitening process is called oxidation which eliminates the stains from the teeth without harming the enamel in the mouth. The teeth whitening process makes the teeth lighter by eliminating the colored tooth. The teeth whitening process is very simple to do at home. It involves placing the carbamide peroxide inside thermoforming mouth trays. Each thermoform mouth tray is placed inside the mouth for up to 30 minutes daily. The longer it is placed inside the mouth the better the teeth whitening results. Results can form as quick as 5 to 6 hours.
Nowadays, teeth whitening have become a great phenomenon to do at home. With prices at a fraction of the costs compared to dental offices, many have chosen to do it at home. Teeth whitening will continue to be the number one source to whiten teeth for the decades to come.

I Like Smoking Cigarettes ???

Health Specialist — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 07:14:00 +0000

This is a great way to understand why we are smoking Lets try to define what is beautiful in smoking. Then we will try to understand the real reasons, and find out our excuses. I believe that this will help research our habit in a more profound way, and give us a new perspective on our being, our emotions, our own programming and conditioning, which on the long run surely will produce great results.
Be 100 sure that results will come after researching and trying to quit smoking. The only unknown thing is how long it will take for you to make that little click when you will really decide that its enough. But you have to make that first step, to start research and trying to quit smoking.
I believe that there is some pleasure in smoking, mainly pleasure in enjoying with me alone. For example I can work and enjoy, I can relax when I want to, because the trigger in my brain tells me that I can feel relaxed with my cigarette, I can easily program my brain to feel pleasure whenever I want to. Wow, this sound like cigarettes are nice hobby that everyone wants to have it. However, the truth is that youre killing yourself, so in a way you are shorting your pleasure in the long run. There is also the question of freedom, which tells us that there can be no free man or woman who is controlled by some habit.
So, what do you think? What is interesting in smoking cigarettes? Why do smokers smoke? Is there anything beautiful in puffing? What are the good feelings? What do non-smokers missing to experience and enjoy?
Im expecting all smart people to give there opinion. These are hard questions, so try to give your best, and dont be afraid to be honest thats not good for you.

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