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Archive for January 6, 2010
Fitness Hell: Is that what my life has become?
Jan 6th
That’s what my life has become – a fitness hell. Ever since my spouse started reading every health and fitness magazine he could get his hands on… cover to cover. Good grief, he even reads the ads.
It started innocently enough. At the age of 38 my spouse has reached the age where any extra morsel magically metamorphoses into ye olde spare tyre. For some reason I assumed he wouldn’t be sensitive about a little good natured joshing in regards to ‘more of him to love’ – as opposed to his help mate, who couldn’t bear to admit that she was starting to buy her pantyhose one size larger and took the petite size from the grocer’s shelf only when he was looking. Surprisingly, he was just as vulnerable to my mention of his ‘love handles’ – the difference that he didn’t burst into tears.
He decided that changing our eating habits and starting an exercise program was what we needed. I didn’t see any point in changing our dietary patterns. After all, we ate plenty of fish and skinless chicken (well, I ate the skin). We steamed our vegetables and ate butter substitute on our potatoes. What’s there to change? And as for physical exertion – wasn’t my desk job bad enough?
My idea of working out was to wear chic, comfy elasticized sweat gear and gossip with my girl friends in the darkened corner of an aerobics class. My husband thought differently.
Right away he started buying fresh vegetables, salads and fruit for his lunches. He stopped drinking any form of caffeine, boasting, ‘I drink nothing but water and wine,’ the ratio of water far outweighing the wine. He drinks a minimum of 120 ounces of water compared to his 4 ounces of wine with dinner. Dinner didn’t change too drastically. We still grilled our fish and fowl and treated our vegetables with Lilliputian amounts of boiling water.
No More Pizza for Breakfast
Breakfast underwent major surgery… gone are the days of having cold pizza and soda or a processed, packaged burrito for breakfast. If I even look at something that contains mayonnaise I’m subject to a punishment worse than death – espousal guilt. Gads. You don’t even want to know the penalty for sodium.
Our body boot camp began just as swiftly as the sustenance rations. We started lifting weights three nights a week. My appendages ached so badly the first week, I couldn’t believe that someone I loved was asking me to willingly inflict pain on my cute, rather Rubensesque body. This was his idea of fun?
They say you don’t really know people until you’ve lived with them. Ha. You really discover their dark, sinister side when you work out with them. The gnashing of teeth, the Eddie Murphy language, the growls… this just during the consumption of the protein drinks and vitamins. But the clanging of weights and machinery really does something for one’s relationship – drowns out the nagging ‘Cmon, honey… one more set… good for the old rump roast. Yeah, maybe you should cut back on the brewskies and watch football from an exercise bike. Carb out, drop the fatty foods and empty calories…’ Ho hum, I can ignore those muffled suggestions.
At first I thought I was safe. Big deal, go to the gym with him a few nights a week. Humor him. Eat the healthy breakfast and hearty supper. I still had anywhere from 9 – 10 hours by myself during the day to do whatever my body dictated. I didn’t have to sacrifice the chill fries and cold, frosty (lite) beer at lunch, did I?
The Eye of the Beholder
Well, my viewpoint began to change when I first saw his body change. About three months into this fitness fixation I noticed my husband’s physique – for as long as I could remember he had a body, a frame, something to house his bones and intestines. Now, standing before me was a man with a physique, a bod. My spouse was a hunk. I looked in the mirror and saw a ruddy version of that legendary Doughboy. Uh-oh.
My beefcake bridegroom could not understand my frustration – if I was eating exactly the way he was and doing the same amount of exercise, why wasn’t I transforming also? Oh, what a tangled web we weave when first we slip chocolate chip cookies up our sleeve. You’d be amazed at what you can consume unconsciously while developing your ‘secretarial spread’. My office was a nutritionist’s nightmare. A breeding ground for adipose tissue.
In the back of my mind I was determined not to lose my honey bunny puddy bear to some hard bodies muscle queen. I had conjured up all kinds of wild hallucinations that had him running off with some tall, scrawny, blond, pop tart aerobics instructor while I turned into a mere bulbous, globular amoeba in his life.
With that vision in my head the locomotion of junk food and trash that I was devouring came to a screeching halt. I learned to like fruit and vegetables. I started drinking so much water that I stopped retaining the stuff – always a big problem in the past. My ample, mean, fighting machine was going to get clean. During the first week concentrating on my intake of complex carbs (and increasing my H2O) I noticed that I didn’t want to snack as much as before. Then I could focus more sharply on eliminating the unnecessary lard, tallow and suet from my diet (ignoring the internal debate that chocolate must somehow be a necessary fat). I discovered healthy alternatives: olive oil, avocados, etc. This was going to be my fun. My husband and I became culinary wizards with our new found foods.
The release of athletic endorphins came much slower. I just couldn’t get hyped about this gym business. I hated it in high school and I was sure I’d hate it as a grown woman (especially since I’d grown by 10 years and 15 pounds). Surely I would lose all dignity and grace by becoming a sweaty, red faced Harpy in front of my husband.
On the contrary, I’ve begun to smile at the pain and tolerate the sweat, and he finds it all quite delightful. I’m starting to enjoy his compliments about my ‘definition and symmetry’ and appreciate it when his concerned about my fiber intake. I’m grateful for his vocal support during my forced reps and ungodly burns.
I’ve lost 6 pounds in five weeks and I can fit into my tight jeans again. I can hardly wait until our vacation. What dashing figures we’ll cut on the beach or at our friends’ pool parties. I guess there’s something to be said for this ‘Togetherness Training’. It has enhanced our bodies and brought a whole new dimension of sharing and caring into our relationship. W have more energy, we feel stronger and more balanced. We are appreciative of our own and each other’s bodies. I find that I’m beginning to look forward to our workouts and the time together when we discuss and plan our meals. This is fun.
They used to tell me. ‘You’ll have to go through hell before you get to heaven’. Well, I’m here to tell you, it isn’t such a bad trip
Every 15 Minutes Concord (Part 1 of 3) Program by Guava Films
Jan 6th
one of our favorites! For more information on Guava Films, go to: www.guavafilms.com Related tags are: Every 15 minutes program drunk driving DUI concord guava films guavafilms high school fifteen minutes MADD car crash teen teenager student program prevention education plumb 2009 west ranch california chs Related tags are: Every 15 minutes program drunk driving DUI concord guava films guavafilms high school fifteen minutes MADD car crash teen teenager student program prevention education …
Alcohol Addiction Symptoms and Signs
Jan 6th
Alcohol is a word that appears so much in our daily lives and culture that it is difficult for a non-alcoholic to imagine a life of alcohol addiction. Yet, no matter how much one may despise the term and the addiction, psychiatrists describe an alcoholic as one who exhibits any or all of these qualities: an irresistible thirst for alcohol, total loss of control once he or she starts drinking, and a certain tendency of relapse into the addiction after a session of rehabilitation.
Effects of alcohol: Alcohol dependency can have serious and deleterious effects on the individual’s health, and more importantly, on the family.
Some of the physical effects of alcohol addiction are liver cirrhosis; damage to the nervous system and pancreas, heart disease, alcoholic neuritis, and sexual dysfunction and related disorders, any of which can be a cause of death in the alcohol addict.
By far, the greatest reason for which alcohol is considered a social evil is the effect it has on the family. Children of Alcoholics (COAs) experience the effects of having an alcoholic parent or sibling from the earliest stages of their upbringing. Alcoholic parents are proven beyond doubt to be vastly inferior as caregivers.
Most alcoholic parents generally discourage their children from socializing. They are known to be unpredictable, volatile and inconsistent in dealing with children. They transmit most of the symptoms of their addiction to their children, who suffer psychosomatic ailments like depression, headache, eating disorders, stomach upsets and insomnia. COAs are almost certain to develop learning disabilities.
Worst of all, these negative influences and effects grow into their adulthood, since childhood impacts emotional development of later life greatly. Such children normally have tendencies like fretfulness, undue nervousness and maladjustment with society, and usually become unsuccessful parents themselves.
It is common to find that the education of such children gets disrupted because huge portions of the family income get spent on alcohol consumption by the addict in the family. When these children, bereft of love, try to find other avenues from which they can fill this lacuna at home, there are good chances of their ending up looking for the missing emotional comfort with the wrong people. This can lead to further family and social tensions. They could find solace in such habits as drugs or alcohol itself, or worse, crime.
Domestic violence, one of the most important products of alcoholism, costs the American economy anywhere between $ three billion and $ 10 billion a year by way of losses caused by absenteeism, healthcare costs, reduced employee turnover and so on.
Withdrawal symptoms: these can often lead to various complications. These include nausea, sweating, nausea and continuous shaking of the hands.
Addiction treatment programs: alcoholism addiction treatment programs take up long term, step-by-step methods in helping the addict deal with the addiction. A detox center first rids the body of the toxins the addiction would have brought in.
Drug and alcohol rehab centers try to inculcate coping techniques in the addict. A treatment center comes up with detailed counseling, supportive programs and encourages interaction with self help groups. Some rehabs encourage harm-reduction techniques such as group therapy, psychotherapy, medication, rationing and moderation of the drink and nutritional supplementation.
How to Treat Gouty Arthritis?
Jan 6th
Gouty arthritis usually referred as to “gout”. This type of condition, the joints become irritated, swollen, stiff and red due to the development of urate crystals. Urate crystals formation comes from uric acid that is not removed within the body when urinating. This sort of arthritis mainly begins within the big toe and it can actually spread to different joints. Treatments for gout arthritis include both home remedies and conventional methods.
Most people use pain relievers or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs that are often sold over-the-counter. These medications can help lessen the inflammation and pain. Some of these NSAIDs medicines are ibuprofen and naproxen that is also available is a much higher dosages. Another is Prednisone which is a corticosteroid that can be implemented to you by a doctor. This is directly injected into the joints where gout is appearing. This is also taken through oral prescription.
Some arthritis patients are prescribes by their physicians the medication known as colchicines. Its active component is acquired from the seeds of an autumn crocus plant. A patient who is suffering from gout arthritis also needs to increase water consumption. Waters provides a lot of benefits within the body. And if you really have gout, water can also cleanse your blood and urine of uric acid. As what is always advice better drink at least 8-10 glasses of water daily. Avoidance of alcohol is also essential. When alcohol is consumed in controlled amounts, often there is no major impact within the body. But when you have gout, it is much better if you will avoid drinking alcohol. According to the Mayo Clinic, alcohol can actually hinder the discharge of uric acid that can really cause a severe pain.
Sore Throat Treatment
Jan 6th
This article tells you about the benefits of tulsi. It is also well known as the holy basil. This herb is very common and important symbol in the Hindu religious tradition. In India people use to worship tulsi in the morning and evening. It is found in almost every Indian home. It is a small plant and has green leaves. Tulsi is used as herbal remedy for lots of common health problems.c
Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase some of the side effects of Skelaxin. Cold or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety can add to sleepiness caused by Skelaxin. Tell your doctor if you regularly use any of these medicines, or any other muscle relaxer.
There isn’t any real treatment for hand foot mouth disease other than to try to relieve the pain and fever with acetaminophen. You also want to give the person that is infected with this illness plenty of water and fluids. Often times it is nice to offer them foods that are soft and bland, and beverages that are either cool or warm but never hot. Another thing that might help the mouth pain either fruit pops or fudge sickles. Just something to help numb the mouth.
The secondary stage of syphilis symptoms is noted for its skin rashes and mucous membrane lesions. The rash will appear as rough, red, or reddish brown spots that are not especially itchy. These rashes may appear differently, however, and this leads to misdiagnosis. Other symptoms include fatigue, fever, hair loss, headaches, muscle ache, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, and weight loss. As with primary stage symptoms, these symptoms will clear up on their own, but this does not mean the syphilis has gone away.
It is imperative to realize that sinus infection can be a difficult condition, especially for those with a weakened immune system. The selection of the right treatment is really important and this rests solely at the discretion of the doctors. ENT specialists would normally prescribe third generation antibiotics that is more aggressive in treating chronic sinus infection.
Syphilis is a highly curable disease. It is so important that the disease is detected early to prevent further health damage to the patient. A single intramuscular injection of penicillin is the standard treatment for primary, secondary, and early latent syphilis. However, there are people who ae allergic to pennicilin, they may rather take antibiotics such as tetracycline, doxycycline, minocycline, erythromycin, and ceftriaxone.
The vaccine will be available shortly pretty well everywhere and tests have found it to provide almost 100% protection from the H1N1 virus. There is certainly no reason to panic which some people tend to do. It is true that this may be somewhat frightening, but by taking the right precautions, you will be able to greatly reduce the chance of infection.
The treatment that doctors initially recommend to a patient who has a sinus infection is usually an over the counter drug like Tylenol. If there is no improvement after a week, then he or she can assume that it is a bacterial infection and treat it with a proper antibiotic
Gout – Causes And Treatment
Jan 6th
Before we discuss the connection between diabetes and gout, let’s review exactly what diabetes is. Diabetes is a disease where sufferers inject insulin to treat high levels of sugar in the body. A diabetes sufferer doesn’t make enough insulin by themselves so they need injections on a daily basis. Sometimes, patients need multiple injections per day to remain healthy.
Gout is a form of acute arthritis caused by hyperurecemia which is an elevated level of monosodium urate, or uric acid, in the blood. Due to an inability of the body to purge this excess of uric acid, uric acid crystals could form, usually in the soft tissue of the joints, which could cause the patient great pain. Inflammation, tenderness and intense pain, particularly in the big toe, are all indicators that a patient has gout. Gout causes severe joint stiffness and pain. Gout can affect manual dexterity and mobility for those who suffer from this condition. There is no permanent cure for gout.
There are risk factors linked to the causes of gout:
Heredity – gout is hereditary. If other family members have developed gout, there is a higher risk within that family
Alcohol – when men drink more than two drinks daily and women drink more than one daily, it increases the risk of developing gout.
Obesity – children who are obese and adults who carry extra weight are at a higher risk.
Sex – men are more likely to have gout due to higher uric acid levels in the body. However, following menopause, women’s bodies produce more uric acid and are at a higher risk of getting gout.
Age – Men between the ages of 40 and 50 are at the age when gout seems to occur the most often. The age for women varies, depending on when menopause occurs.
Medical conditions – There are certain diseases that increase the possibility of gout developing. These include diabetes, high cholesterol, leukemia, high blood pressure, arteriosclerosis, and hyperuricemia.
Medications – some medicines used to treat the diseases mentioned above, (and others), can sometimes increase uric acid levels in the body, which could lead to gout.
Treatment
1. No meat in dinner- Not if you are suffering from gout! You should avoid eating meats because all meats contain purines. Purines lead to higher levels of uric acid (cause of gout) in the blood stream and cause gout problems.
2. Flush Uric Acid- Water is the main source of flushing anything! Think of your toilet in this case. A good way to flush the uric acid that causes gout is to drink enough water and eat enough water-soluble fiber. In other words, you should drink at least 12 glasses of water per day and eat 5-7 servings of fruits or vegetables.
3. Reduce Alcohol- Alcohol has been shown to inhibit the amount of uric acid the body can flush. Therefore, drinking too much alcohol can keep uric acid in the body. We suggest only 1-2 drinks per night and following it with a tall glass of water.
4. Alfalfa- This herb is a great source of minerals and nutrients. But it also has been shown to neutralize uric acid in the body. Its simple and can be found in health food stores.
Abort The Idea That ‘Drinking Causes Abortion’
Jan 6th
Alcohol and pregnancy don’t go together and it is better and safe to abstain from drinking intoxicating stuff during pregnancy. Drinking alcohol during pregnancy may lead to Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder FASD). This condition is very dangerous for the unborn baby.
Moderate Alcohol Consumption
In Italy, researchers have proven that moderate alcohol consumption is definitely not harmful. But, still it is better to avoid alcohol during pregnancy.
Alcohol and Abortions
Many women may have consumed alcohol even before they discovered they were pregnant. Certain doctors advise such women to have an abortion in case the alcohol they consumed had harmed the fetus. However, this type of advice is not always right. A moderate consumption of one or two drinks per day is okay. However, hard core drinking is a real problem.
Abortions out of Fear
It is not necessary to have abortions out of fear that the alcohol you drank would have harmed your baby. In Australia, the guidelines ask pregnant women should have a maximum of two drinks per day or a maximum of just seven standard drinks in a week. This seems like sensible idea.
Abort ‘abortion’ ideas
In case you had a drink or two before discovering that you were pregnant. then contact your health care practitioner and discuss the issue. Check and recheck whether you need an abortion. In 95% of the case, it may not be necessary. And, once you know that you are pregnant, abstain from consuming alcohol for the safety of the fetus and you.
A Healthy You and A Healthy Baby
Jan 6th
Women who are of child bearing age should begin taking a multivitamin regularly. This ensures that she is getting enough nutrients, especially folic acid. Folic acid can be found in multivitamins as well as in food. This is important because it can decrease the risk of neural tube, which later develops into the baby’s brain and spinal cord, defect such as spina bifida. Studies have shown that healthy women who start taking a multivitamin regularly before pregnancy also reduce the risk of preeclampsia, or toxemia. Toxemia is where the mother’s blood pressure shoots up to dangerous levels and could prove lethal to mother and baby.
The food we eat may not contain the proper amounts of vitamins and minerals our bodies need. A multivitamin will add those important nutrients to our diet. Taking a multivitamin before and through the first trimester of pregnancy will provide the mother and baby with proper nutrition and lessen the risk of malnutrition. Taking a multivitamin does not mean that you can eat a diet that is lacking the nutrients your body needs. Multivitamins are meant to supplement, and not the sole source of these nutrients. Although women need to eat plenty of healthy foods before and during pregnancy, once she is pregnant there are certain foods a woman should stay away from. Women should avoid soft, unpasteurized cheeses, unpasteurized milk, juices, and apple cider, foods containing raw eggs, raw or undercooked meats, fish containing high levels of mercury, and processed meats.
In addition to regularly taking a multivitamin, women should begin a weekly exercise routine. If your doctor says it is safe to do a low-impact exercise during pregnancy, it has been shown to be extremely beneficial. Exercise during pregnancy can prevent excess weight gain; reduce back pain, swelling and other pregnancy related problems; improve sleep; increase energy; and lessen recovery time. If you have an active lifestyle before pregnancy it is okay to continue, but with moderation. Most exercises are safe as long as you don’t overdo it. Safe exercises include swimming, walking, elliptical machines, and other low-impact exercises.
Even though you should drink more fluids while pregnant, women should stay away from caffeine and especially alcohol. Water is the best way to get enough fluids. Drinking more water is important. It helps flush out toxins in the body. It is recommended that women should drink at least one gallon of water a day. Water helps your body prepare for all the changes it is going through and alleviate and discomfort you may have. Studies have shown that if you drink more water, you will retain less water because you are properly hydrated. Drinking enough water helps protect the baby by keeping the amniotic sack wet. Adding to the list of benefits from drinking water is preventing premature birth and lessening morning sickness.
It is important for women to take care of their bodies before, during, and after they become pregnant.
Taking a multivitamin regularly before becoming pregnant will lessen their chances of delivering the baby prematurely. It will also lower the chances of malnutrition. Pregnancy is one of those times when the body needs water. It carries nutrients from you to the baby. Make sure you take the multivitamins, exercise and drink enough water for a happy and healthy baby.
Why Liver Is So Important
Jan 6th
Your liver is the largest organ inside your body. It is also one of the most important. The liver has many jobs, including changing food into energy and cleaning alcohol and poisons from the blood. It is a vital organ located in the upper right-hand side of the abdomen. Somewhat larger than the size of a football and weighing about 2-3 pounds, it performs numerous functions for the body: converting nutrients derived from food into essential blood components, storing vitamins and minerals, regulating blood clotting, producing proteins and enzymes, maintaining hormone balances, and metabolizing and detoxifying substances that would otherwise be harmful to the body. The liver also makes factors that help the human immune system fight infection, removes bacteria from the blood, and makes bile, which is essential for digestion.
This organ plays a major role in metabolism and has a number of functions in the body, including glycogen storage, decomposition of red blood cells, plasma protein synthesis, hormone production, and detoxification. It lies below the diaphragm in the thoracic region of the abdomen. It produces bile, an alkaline compound which aids in digestion, via the emulsification of lipids. It performs, control and regulate a wide variety of high-volume biochemical reactions requiring highly dedicated and specialized tissues, including the synthesis and breakdown of small and complex molecules, many of which are necessary for normal vital functions.
It is the largest organ in the body. It is found behind the ribs on the right side of the abdomen. The liver has two parts one is right lobe and other is smaller left lobe.
The liver has many important functions that keep a person healthy. It removes harmful material from the blood. It makes enzymes and bile that help digest food. It also converts food into substances needed for life and growth.
The liver gets its supply of blood from two vessels. Most of its blood comes from the hepatic portal vein. The rest comes from the hepatic artery.
There are many kinds of liver diseases. Viruses cause some of them, like hepatitis A, hepatitis B and hepatitis C. Others reason can be the result of drugs, poisons or drinking too much alcohol, if the liver forms scar tissue for the reason that of an illness it is called cirrhosis. Jaundice, or yellowing of the skin, can be one symptom and sign of liver disease. Liver cancer is sometimes called silent disease because in an early period and stage it often does not cause symptoms. But, as the cancer grows, symptoms may include:
* Pain in the upper abdomen on the right side; the pain may extend to the back and shoulder
* Swollen abdomen (bloating)
* Weight loss
* Loss of appetite and feelings of fullness
* Weakness or feeling very tired
* Nausea and vomiting
* Yellow skin and eyes, and dark urine from jaundice
* Fever
The most important treatment for liver disease is prevention. Treatment of liver disease involves protecting and supporting remaining liver function, minimizing further damage and complications, and addressing the underlying cause of the damage. Talk to doctors to determine the best treatment options for condition.
How to Properly Talk with Your Doctor about Menopause
Jan 6th
Some women find the issue of menopause rather difficult to address when they need to ask their doctor about it and about what they need to do when menopause begins to wreak havoc on their system and on their lives. Some women even find it difficult to ask about solutions to the many problems that menopause can bring about. How does one talk about menopause with their doctor and what questions should be asked? When should a woman ask her doctor about this phenomenon and should she ask long before symptoms even emerge or should she just ask about this when she starts going through it?
How to Broach the Subject with Your Doctor
The topic of menopause should not be difficult when talking with your doctor if you are comfortable with your medical practitioner. One of the things you need to remember when you talk about menopause is that it is not an illness or a disease. It is a condition that women go through at a certain age and you can experience certain symptoms that can make life somewhat difficult. What you need to think about when you need to address the subject of menopause with your doctor is the fact that they know what needs to be done to help ease the discomfort a woman feels with menopause. Thinking of the subject in this light will make it somewhat easier for you to open up about the topic of menopause – how to alleviate the discomfort that symptoms bring about and what to expect when you are going through this stage to help you better prepare for it.
What to Ask Your Doctor
For you to be able to ask your doctor about what to expect and what to do when menopause starts to show signs that it may be starting, here are some tips you might want to follow:
Make a list of the questions that you might want your doctor to answer. Making a list of your concerns and your questions will give you better insight on what menopause is and what you might expect from it.
Make another list of the symptoms you are feeling should you feel that your menopause is starting. Try to be as detailed as possible so that your doctor can give you concise advice on what you might need to do to help ease the discomfort that these symptoms are causing.
Give your doctor a thorough accounting of your activities (sexual or otherwise), your diet, your medical and sexual history, and what medications you are taking as well as what supplements you are ingesting and what allergies you have. A history of alcoholism and drug use must also be shared with your doctor for him to give you a thorough diagnosis and don’t forget to talk about other doctors that may have treated you in the past as well.
If tests are to be administered, ask questions about these as well. How long these take, what preparations need to be made, any side effects these tests may have and when to expect the results.
Try to go to your doctor with some moral support. Have your spouse, close friend, or family member come with you to help understand some of the points your doctor might bring up.
