Updated August 30/2010
Page 2
Folk Remedies http://www.health911.com/remedies/rem_indx.htm
From MedicineNet: We Bring Doctors' Knowledge To You http://newsletters.medicinenet.com/cgi-bin21/DM/y/e5dk0M1ZGA0GuQ0c4w0Eg
http://www.doctoroz.com/
Here's the
web site! Pass it along to people you know.
http://www.thebreastcancersite.com
Organ and
Tissue Donation/Transplanation
http://www.organdonor.gov/
The band,
Five for Fighting, is generously donating $0.40 to AutismSpeaks
for *each
time* this video is viewed. The funding goes toward research studies
to help find
a cure for autism.
http://www.whatkindofworlddoyouwant.com/videos/view/id/408214
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VIDEO: How the Heart's Valves Work
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Overview of Heart Valve Problems
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Heart Valve Replacement Surgery: What to Expect
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NEW SLIDESHOW: The Best and Worst Juices for Your Health http://newsletters.medicinenet.com/cgi-bin21/DM/y/e62V0M1ZGA0GuQ0BhvX0EI
Video: 5 easy ways to prepare
for your next doctor's appointment -
a doctor's perspective
It's important to do some prep work and get organized before stepping into your doctor's office.
In less than 3 minutes, the Diabetes Risk Test can help determine your risk for type 2 diabetes. If you already have diabetes, you know how serious the disease can be. Help loved ones learn their risk for type 2 diabetes before it is too late. Get involved in Diabetes Alert Day on March 23 and share the Diabetes Risk Test with your family and friends.
Index
After a Loss Aug 25/10
Air pollution and your heart March 6/09
Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism-Signs, Symptoms, Effects and What You Can Do Feb 18/09
All about circumcisions Feb 24/09
All Ears April 10/09
Alternative Treatments for Headache Relief March 29/10
Are You in the Know about Safe Sex April 15/09
Aspirin Oct 21/09
Bananas and their benefits April 29/10
Basic pros and cons of epidurals during labor March 26/09
Be Proactive About Your Heart Health April 27/09
Beat the Winter Blues Feb 20/09
Better Memory: What Really Counts Feb 18/10
Birth Control A to Z Sept 9/09
Boost Your Immunity Against Swine Flu With Natural Remedies May 6/09
Brain Quiz Sept 9/09
Breast Health Oct 8/09
Breathe easy April 27/09
Brush Your Teeth: Make Toothbrushing Fun April 15/09
BUILD YOUR OWN INNER STRENGTH January 2/2010
Bust asthma, allergies and spring colds April 10/10
Cancer Cure Video Oct 15/09
Cancer Prevention Nutrition Tips and Cancer Fighting Foods Jan 20/10
Cancer Update from Johns Hopkins: Feb 24/09
carrots are a healthy food March 18/09
Changes that will quickly improve your health March 9/09
Childhood Obesity and Overweight Kids Feb 20/10
Child's Weight Affects School Attendance April 6/09
Cold sore tips to stop them March 18/09
Computer Vision Syndrome April 24/09
Connection Between Oral Hygiene and Overall Health March 6/09
Cope with Chronic Pain March 16/09
Coping with Grief and Loss-Support for Grieving and Bereavement Feb 18/09
Curb Child Constipation April 14/09
Cures for Holiday Travel Stress Jan 2/2010
Dealing with dental infection March 2/09
Dealing with diabetes and life March 2/09
Discovery of the Brainwaves of Love and Happiness Feb 27/09
DO NOT MIX THESE 2 medicines - can cause death March 31/10
Drink Tea and Reduce Risk of Breast Cancer by Thirty-Seven Percent Feb 18/09
Dyslexia-link March 2/09
Early symptoms of ovarian cancer and how to spot them Feb 24/09
EATING FRUITS July 10/09
Eating to Prevent, Control, and Reverse Diabetes Jan 20/10
Eggs: The Formerly Forbidden Food You Should Embrace April 27/10
Eliminating Forgetfulness May 4/10
Encyclopedia of mind disorders Sept 30/09
Eye Care If You Care: Proven Methods to Improve Your Vision March 18/09
Eye exercises to improve your vision March 16/09
Eye Health Aug 9/10
Factors That Increase Your Childs Risk of Skin Cancer June 3/09
Famous people with diabetes April 6/09
Fertility Myths Aug 28/09
First Aid April 10/09
First aid advice Oct 8/09
First Aid Tips May 13/09
Foods for Living Longer and Better Feb 18/09
Foods That Can Save Your Life Feb 18/10
Foods You Shouldnt Touch With a Ten Foot Pole Aug 30/10
Get in shape April 12/10
Get rid of bad breadth and eradicate halitosis Feb 18/09
Get rid of cold sores Feb 25/09
GET SMART NOW March 12/10
Get the Facts on Swine Flu May 13/09
getting through a Cold or the Flu on a Budget March 2/09
Getting Your Toddler to Wear Sunglasses March 6/09
God's Pharmacy! July 17/09
Hassle-Free Steps to a Healthier Home Aug 25/10
Headache of all Headaches - Migraine April 6/09
Health Bonuses of Curves Oct 8/09
Health Chart Oct 8/09
Health in the Blogosphere March 24/09
Health problems for the modern age March 31/09
Health Rules to Break April 10/10
Health Secrets Women Shouldn’t Keep April 10/10
Health Tips for Caregivers Oct 21/09
Health Tips for Him March 20/09
Heart Attack Prevention: Options for Women Dec 11/09
Heartburn and food: your best choices Feb 25/09
Help for Tough Headaches Dec 2/09
Help Him Live Longer, Live Better Feb 25/09
Help prevent carpal tunnel problems with Workrave March 29/10
How designer children will work March 31/09
How to end suffering May 19/09
How to Feel Young and Live Life to the Fullest Jan 20/10
How to get to sleep or stay asleep March 30/09
How to have a great day...every day Dec 11/09
How To Make Your Aromatherapy April 27/10
How to Prevent Chronic Halitosis By Learning What Causes Your Bad Breath April 1/10
How to stay young April 29/09
How will schools react to Flue Pandemic Aug 28/09
Inflammatory Breast Cancer: The Other Cancer Feb 20/09
Inside Mind-Body Healing Sept 9/09
Is Your Home Healthy March 2/09
Keeping your heart happy and healthy Feb 16/10
Kind of Breast Cancer Aug 25/10
Know the difference between a cold and swine flu Nov 2/09
Learn CPR Oct 21/09
Let It Out: The Reasons We Cry March 20/09
Listening to Your Body's 4 Secret Signs April 10/10
Little Investment That Buys You 35 Years April 22/10
Living With Chronic Pain Aug 25/10
(A) look at acupuncture and heart health Feb 18/09
Make your home healthy and safe Aug 25/10
Medical Myths May 20/09
Medication Mistakes Parents Make Oct 15/09
Menopause Survival Guide Aug 9/10
Mental Plaque - add Mental Floss vs. Dental Floss for the hard-to-reach areas April 8/09
Moves to Dodge Breast Cancer Oct 8/09
myths about high blood pressure May 3/09
National library of medicine Aug 9/10
Natural Health Remedies for Children April 10/09
Natural medecine A-Z Sept 30/09
Nutrition for Women: Eating Right to Look and Feel Your Best Oct 15/09
Organized Wisdom you will find over 100,000 health topics Nov 16/09
Overcome depression and sadness March 13/09
Pain, Pain, Go Away March 24/09
Path to health-a website Nov 12/09
Pneumonia April 29/09
Poison Prevention March 2/09
Protect Your Daughter From Cancer March 1/10
Psoriasis: Managing and Preventing Flare-Ups Jan 9/10
Questions Women Over 40 Must Ask Their Doctor April 29/10
Quick Tips Index April 27/09
Ready for Allergy Season March 26/09
Recharge Your Batteries Feb 25/09
RSI - A Pain in the Neck, Back, Arm and … Feb 1/10
Salmonella Poisoning April 27/09
Salsa is the Original Mexican Health Food Aug 9/10
Screening Tests You Should Never Skip March 20/09
Secrets to Stop Diabetes March 12/10
Shopping for Sunglasses March 6/09
Smile, Baby March 6/09
Sometimes You Have to Live With It, and Other Myths About Pain April 1/10
Stomach Flu 101 Feb 25/09
Summer Heat and Safety with Diabetes July 10/09
Sun Safety April 27/09
Teen prescription drug abuse: What parents need to know March 6/09
Teeth whitening-get better results March 2/09
Terrible Eating related disorders March 18/09
Test Your Knowledge on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome March 6/09
Things to Know Before You Get a Medical Test March 19/10
Things You Must Know About Heart Attacks Feb 20/10
Things you should do today to prepare for a pandemic flue May 3/09
Tips for Making Medications Safer March 29/109
To Vaccinate or Not to Vaccinate Feb 23/10
Top 10 bizarre but true drugs and their effects April 6/09
Top 10 bizarre medical treatments Sept 30/09
Top 10 Body-Image Bloopers of 09 Jan 18/10
Top 10 common medical myths Feb 18/09
Top 10 Craziest diets ever July 17/09
Top Ten Foods that Fight Cancer April 6/10
Truth About Hormone Replacement Therapy — Help, Hype or Harm May 29/09
Ultimate human body quiz Oct 21/09
Under Stress Express Yourself! April 6/09
Unhealthy Ways to Be Healthy March 9/09
Viagra for Ladies Dec 2/09
Ways to Cut Your Cancer Risk Oct 21/09
Ways to Dodge Breast Cancer Feb 25/10
Ways to get more energy May 20/09
What fingernails can tell you Aug 16/09
What Is Swine Flu and How Can You Protect Yourself April 29/09
What's in your stress toolkit April 6/09
why excess abdominal fat is more deadly than you think March 24/09
Winter Fruits and Vegetables Jan 18/10
Work stress and your health Feb 18/09
workout myths Feb 3/10
Your Feel Good Guide to Chronic Pain March 13/09
Scientists compared youngsters from a rural African village with another group living in Italy and found a dramatic difference. The African children had less obesity-linked bacteria, and more fatty acids which protect against inflammation.
The diet of the African children was similar to that of people living in the modern Western world thousands of years ago. Of the Italian children, only those who were still breast-feeding harbored bacteria resembling the African children's.
The trillions of microbes that inhabit your gut help you to digest food, protect against disease-causing bugs and limit inflammation.
The Telegraph reports:
"Pediatrician Dr Paolo Lionetti … and colleagues said children in industrialized countries who eat … 'Western' diets may reduce microbial richness — potentially contributing to a rise in allergic and inflammatory diseases in the last half-century."
Obesity is not the only health risk your child faces if he eats a diet consisting mainly of processed foods and snacks. As illustrated by this study, a junk food diet – with is a largely denatured diet, devoid of "live" nutrients such as healthy bacteria – can also set the stage for asthma, eczema, and a variety of allergies, inflammatory conditions and autoimmune diseases.
Sadly, as the Western-style diet spreads across the globe, much of the natural microbial diversity that is so crucial to good health is actually starting to disappear! Here, the authors stress the importance of "preserving this treasure of microbial diversity from ancient rural communities worldwide."
Indeed, the importance of eating a gut-healthy diet cannot be underestimated. Your gut plays a major role in your physical and even mental health, and having a healthy gut entails maintaining a balance of "good" and "bad" bacteria – something you simply will not accomplish by eating highly processed, "dead" foods.
Until recently, most doctors dismissed the notion that your digestive system did much of anything outside of breaking down food, but in recent years scientists have revealed just how inaccurate this thinking was.
For example, an estimated 80 percent of your immune system is actually located in your gut, so supporting your digestive health is essential to also supporting your immune system, which is your number one defense system against ALL disease.
Therefore, it should come as no major surprise to find out that lack of beneficial bacteria in your intestines will also allow allergies, inflammation and autoimmune diseases to flourish where they might not otherwise.
Common signs and symptoms that you may need to address your intestinal balance include:
· Gas and bloating
· Constipation or diarrhea
· Nausea
· Headaches
· Fatigue
· Sugar cravings, and cravings for refined carb foods
Chances are, if you or your entire family eats a lot of processed junk foods and fast foods, this list may be a description of a more or less an everyday "normal" state for you
Soda.
In my mind this is where most people will get the biggest bang for the effort involved. The average person is consuming more than one gallon of soda per week. This is one of the easiest shifts to make. Most diet sodas are worse than regular sodas as you can read in my recent review on aspartame. When people ask me what is safer to drink diet or regular soda I ask them what would they rather be hit in the head with, a baseball bat or a sledgehammer?
While many of you are not likely consuming many sodas it is vital to understand the importance of this simple change on your friends and family who are not as health inclined as you. So gentle persistent encouragement of this principle will have massively profound implications on their health.
Fortunately there are simple alternatives that are relatively easy to implement. The best is pure clean water. I just completed a four hour video interview with a leading water industry water expert and hope to share that with you in the next few weeks for more details.
For those who are really struggling you can purchase carbonated water and use flavored liquid stevias which tastes very close to most sodas. You can also use Turbo Tapping which is a highly effective free EFT tapping technique.
Doughnuts and Pasties
Overall these foods are worse than soda as they not only have sugar typically in the form of high fructose corn syrup, but they also have dangerous trans fats. The reason I did not list this one first is that they are not as consumed by as many people
French Fries
Oh they taste so good but are ever so bad for you as they are loaded with the worst types of fat on the planet. Typically highly refined GMO omega 6 oils that are bad enough if you eat them as unheated salad dressing but then they are heated to a high temperature to transform them into a health destroying mixture that is guaranteed to drag your health down.
Avoid these like the plague. Be particularly careful when ordering hamburgers and other similar foods in a restaurant as most will include fries as the default and once they are at your table they are very difficult to resist. So please sure and tell the server that you want an alternative.
Nearly All Breakfast Cereals
Breakfast is, without question, the single most challenging meal to eat outside of your home. Nearly all typical breakfast offerings will drag your health down. The most common one that many people use are breakfast cereals which are merely disguised forms of high fructose corn syrup loaded with GMO grains. But pancakes, French toast, waffles, scrambled eggs and rolls don't do much to improve your health.
The ideal ratio between the bacteria in your body is 85 percent "good" and 15 percent "bad." That's right – you need FAR more beneficial bacteria (probiotics) than you might think in order to maintain the right balance.
The key here is to avoid as many processed foods as you can. This is a challenge because over 90% of the foods that Americans eat are processed and the number source of calories is high fructose corn syrup. So the general principle is to avoid processed foods, but some foods are more particularly pernicious than others so let me give you some examples.
This ratio is essential for:
· The proper development and function of your immune system
· Protection against over-growth of other microorganisms that could cause disease
· Digestion of food and absorption of nutrients
· Producing vitamins, absorbing minerals and eliminating toxins
As you can see, probiotics perform a wide variety of functions, which renders them useful and beneficial for a number of health concerns, including the prevention or control of:
· Food and skin allergies in children
· Vaginitis
· Premature labor in pregnant women
· Inflammatory bowel disease
· Recurrent ear and bladder infections
· Chronic diarrhea
One of the ways friendly bacteria help prevent allergies, infections and inflammatory conditions is by training your immune system to distinguish between pathogens and non-harmful antigens, and to respond appropriately.
When you're deficient in these healthy bacteria, your immune system is ill equipped to address the many pathogens and antigens entering your system on a daily basis, and health problems can easily ensue.
The microflora in your digestive system is also emerging as a major player in weight management, and needless to say, junk food and weight gain typically go hand in hand.
Your gut flora is by no means the only underlying reason for this, but it does play an important part.
Multiple studies have shown that obese people have different intestinal bacteria than slim people, and it appears that the microbes in an overweight body are much more efficient at extracting calories from food.
Researchers have also suggested that certain bacteria may cause low-grade inflammation in your body, further contributing to obesity and difficulty to lose weight.
One such study found that the bifidobacteria counts taken from infants at the age of 6 months and 12 months were twice as high in healthy weight children as in those who became overweight, while S. Aureus levels were lower.
Interestingly, this finding may explain why breast-fed babies are also at a lower risk of obesity, as bifidobacteria flourish in the guts of breast-fed babies.
The breast-fed Italian babies in the study above were also the only ones harboring bacteria resembling the African children's, which indicates your "diet may dominate other factors such as ethnicity, sanitation, geography or climate," the researchers said.
Two previous studies found that obese people had about 20 percent more of a family of bacteria known as firmicutes, and almost 90 percent less of a bacteria called bacteroidetes than lean people. (Firmicutes help your body to extract calories from complex sugars and deposit those calories in fat.)
This latest study confirms those results, as here too, the African children had significantly higher levels of Bacteroidetes and far lower levels of the firmicutes linked to obesity.
Fortunately, influencing the ratio of bacteria growing in your body is relatively easy. One of the most important steps you can take is tostop consuming processed and sugary foods. This includes cutting down on grains, as most grains are quickly converted into sugar in your body.
Keep in mind, of course, that if you or your children need to lose some excess weight, balancing your gut bacteria is only one part of the equation. Regular exercise and addressing any emotional blocks are also very important.
When you eat a healthy diet low in sugars and processed foods, one of the major benefits is that it naturally causes the good bacteria in your gut to flourish.
Yet, even with an extremely low-sugar diet, there are other factors that influence your gut bacteria. Antibiotics, chlorinated water, antibacterial soap, agricultural chemicals, pollution -- all of these things help to kill off your good bacteria. This is why it's a wise choice to "reseed" your body with good bacteria from time to time by taking a high-quality probiotic supplement or eating fermented foods.
In the past, people used fermented foods like yogurt and sauerkraut to support their digestive health, as these foods are rich in naturally beneficial bacteria. This is still the best route to optimal digestive health.
Healthy choices include:
· Lassi (an Indian yoghurt drink, traditionally enjoyed before dinner)
· Fermented milk, such as kefir
· Various pickled fermentations of cabbage, turnips, eggplant, cucumbers, onions, squash and carrots
· Natto (fermented soy)
If you were to eat a diet rich in fermented foods that have NOT been pasteurized (as pasteurization kills the naturally occurring probiotics), then you would likely enjoy great digestive health without any additional supplementation.
However, if you simply do not like any of these types of fermented foods, your next best option is to use a high quality probiotic supplement.
I have used many different brands over the past 15 years and there are many good ones out there. I also spent a long time researching and developing my own, called Complete Probiotics, in which I incorporated everything I have learned about this important tool over the years.
Keep in mind, however, that processed foods in general will destroy healthy microflora and feed bad bacteria and yeast, so you can't use the drug approach to probiotics -- meaning, you can't maintain a diet high in processed foods while taking a probiotic supplement to counteract the ill effects.
You may be able to temporarily suppress some of the troublesome symptoms caused by that kind of diet, but it won't work in the long run.
Fruit
and Vegetable Allergies Soaring
Beneficial
Bacteria (Probiotics) May Halt Allergies In Babies
Dietitian
Says Eating Right Is Best Way to Optimize Good Gut Bacteria
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72 Hassle-Free Steps to a Healthier Home
http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/photos/0,,20360199,00.html?xid=hinewsletter-100525-hasslefree
By: Deborah Baldwin, This Old House magazine
When you've got a child with life-threatening
food allergies, it's easy to become anxious.
Andrea Pyros
is learning how to stay calm while keeping her daughter safe.
http://co120w.col120.mail.live.com/default.aspx?wa=wsignin1.0
Last week, I took my 4-and-a-half-year-old daughter Amelia to a birthday party for a preschool classmate. One of us was nervous about going, the other eagerly looking forward to a fun time. Amelia could not contain her excitement: "Are we going YET?" "WHEN are we going?" "Are we going NOW?" Meanwhile, I had butterflies in my stomach.
It may sound silly--a grown adult anxious about a child's birthday bash. After all, it's not like I have a fear of balloons or bubble-blowing machines. But attending parties presents a challenge in our family because Amelia has food allergies to dairy, egg, peanuts, tree nuts, sesame, and mustard. Any occasion with plenty of children eating all sorts of food in all sorts of places, and then running around puts me on edge. I worry that Amelia might put her hands in her mouth after playing with a toy that was just touched by a peanut butter-sandwich or milk-filled treat-eating kid who didn't wipe his hands.
So along with a gift for the birthday boy, I packed a "safe" lunch for Amelia and her EpiPen, which we've been instructed by her doctor to use if she ever gets sick from eating something she's allergic to. (An EpiPen releases a dose of epinephrine to stop a potentially fatal allergic reaction called anaphylaxis.) We bring her Epi everywhere--even quick trips to the library, park, or around the corner to her beloved grandparents' house. Thankfully we've never had to use it, but, as we explain to Amelia, we've never been in a car accident either, and we still wear our seatbelts whenever we drive anywhere.
Our
household may have a unique situation when it comes to our extensive list of
food no-nos, but parenting a kid with food allergies is really no different than
parenting any other child. As adults, we know that the world has its share of
dangers. How do we explain life's risks to our children and educate them about
ways to stay safe without scaring them? How do we give them the skills to handle
tricky situations on their own, rather than hover over them to the point of
interfering with their growing independence?
Sesame Street can help you teach your child to 
prepare
for emergencies.
One way
my husband Len and I make Amelia's food allergies less frightening for her is by
involving her as much as we can in our strategies for keeping her healthy. We
explain that there are certain foods she can't eat, otherwise she could get
sick. We teach her that it's perfectly safe to be around allergic foods so long
as she doesn't handle or eat them. So, for example, it is fine for her dad to
put milk in his coffee and drink it while they sit together. We also stress
habits like washing
hands
before mealtimes (a good idea for everyone, allergies or not!) and remind her of
the "no eating anything except what we pack for you" rule--no ifs, ands, or
buts. We try not to be too scary, joking about how she's allergic to sesame
seeds but
LOVES
Sesame
Street!
And if she's ever feeling worried about her health condition, we talk to her
about it and help her feel less scared. Learn about ways to communicate
with your kids about their own concerns and feelings.
Amelia handles things well (better than I sometimes do, I admit!). She doesn't grab food from other kids, she willingly washes up before mealtime, and she seems perfectly content with food brought from home. Birthday parties still make me nervous because with all the excitement, I worry Amelia won't be as cautious as she needs to be around unsafe foods. I keep a watchful eye and try not to get in the way of her fun, although I admit to swooping in and wiping her hands way more than I should, and it's hard for me to relax and enjoy chatting with the other adults because I'm preoccupied with the "what ifs." I have moments when I lose perspective and get envious of other parents, imagining they have it so easy. Most of the time, though, I recognize that Amelia is a healthy, happy kid and that I'm extremely lucky and blessed.
Amelia understands more and more about her allergies each day. She asks good questions about what ingredients are in a particular food because she sees us read labels all the time. She's increasingly interested in what other kids are eating and will ask if it's something she can have. The most recent request was for animal crackers, so with some detective work in the supermarket aisle, I found a dairy/egg/everything-free brand for her. She was thrilled--just like any other kid might be if they scored a box of cookies. Her favorite thing is when she discovers someone else she knows has food allergies because she realizes she's not the only one out there with a limited diet.
Food
Allergy Mama,
a site developed by a mother of a child with severe food allergies, has been a
great resource for connecting with others in our situation and for finding safe
recipes. Plus, Amelia was interested to learn about another kid out there who
eats like she does.
We
realize keeping Amelia healthy and safe should never interfere with her having
fun or experiencing new things. We take family vacations, go to preschool, and
attend parties just like everyone else. The only difference is that we need to
plan ahead, such as bringing Amelia's homemade cupcake so she can have her
special dessert while everyone else eats birthday cake. Check out
Sesame Street's
tips for cooking
with your kids.
Though I am happy when she enjoys delicious food, I also want Amelia to
understand that food is fuel to give us energy and help us grow--not the main
event. We attend parties and playdates to see our friends and family and have
fun, not just to eat cake or hot dogs. Find
healthy eating tips for your family at
Sesame
Street.
At the birthday party, after the kids finished dessert, they got back to running, jumping, and generally having an awesome time with each other. The party culminated in a big outdoor dance fest, and Amelia and all her friends were dancing to tunes like "Thriller" and "Hound Dog." I stood back and marveled at how energetic and cute she was, spinning and bouncing to the music. We left, and she fell asleep seconds after settling into the car. She had a blast--and so had I.
Andrea
Pyros
Sesame Workshop
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Kind of Breast Cancer
New kind of Breast Cancer - DO
NOT DELETE
Please forward to all of the women in your lives
.. Mothers,
daughters, sisters, aunts, friends, etc.
In November, a r are kind of breast cancer was found. A lady developed a rash on
her breast, similar to that of young mothers who are nursing.
Because her mammogram had been clear, the doctor treated her with antibiotics
for infections. After 2 rounds, it continued to get worse, so her doctor sent
her for another mammogram. This time it showed a mass.
A biopsy found a fast growing malignancy. Chemo was started in order to shrink
the growth; then a mastectomy was performed; then a full round of Chemo; then
radiation. After about 9 months of intense treatment, she was given a clean bill
of health.
She had one year of living each day to its fullest. Then
the cancer returned to the liver area. She took 4 treatments and decided that
she wanted quality of life, not the after effects of Chemo. She had 5 great
months and she planned each detail of the final days. After a few days of
needing morphine, she died. She left this message to be delivered to women
everywhere:
Women, PLEASE be alert to anything that is not normal, and be persistent in
getting help as soon as possible.
Paget's Disease: This is a rare form of breast
cancer, and is on the outside of the breast, on the nipple and aureole It
appeared as a rash, which later became a lesion with a crusty outer edge. I
would not have ever suspected it to be breast cancer but it was. My nipple never
seemed any different to me, but the rash bothered me, so I went to the doctor
for that. Sometimes, it itched and was sore, but other than that it didn't
bother me. It was just ugly and a nuisance, and could not be cleared up with all
the creams prescribed by my doctor and dermatologist for the dermatitis on my
eyes just prior to this outbreak. They seemed a little concerned but did not
warn me it could be cancerous..
Now, I suspect not many women out there know a lesion or rash on the nipple or
aureole can be breast cancer.
(Mine started out as a single red pimple on the aureole. One of the biggest
problems with Paget's disease of the nipple is that the symptoms appear to be
harmless. It is frequently thought to be a skin inflammation or infection,
leading to unfortunate delays in detection and care.)
What are the symptoms?
1.. A persistent redness, oozing, and crusting of your nipple causing it to itch
and burn (As I stated, mine did not itch or burn much, and had no oozing I was
aware of, but it did have a crust along the outer edge on one side.)
2. A sore on your nipple that will not heal. (Mine was on the aureole area with
a whitish thick looking area in center of nipple).
3. Usually only one nipple is effected. How is it diagnosed? Your doctor will do
a physical exam and should suggest having a mammogram of both breasts, done
immediately... Even though the redness, oozing and crusting closely resemble
dermatitis (inflammation of the skin), your doctor should suspect cancer if the
sore is only on one breast. Your doctor should order a biopsy of your sore to
confirm what is going on.
This message should be taken seriously and passed on to as many of your
relatives and friends as possible; it could save someone's life.
My breast cancer has spread and metastasized to my bones after receiving mega
doses of chemotherapy, 28 treatments of radiation and taking Tamaxofin. If this
had been diagnosed as breast cancer in the beginning, perhaps it would not have
spread...
TO
ALL READERS:
This is sad as women are not aware of Paget's disease.. If, by passing this
around on the e-mail, we can make others aware of it and its potential danger,
we are helping women everywhere.
Please, if you can, take a moment to forward this message to as many people as
possible, especially to your family and friends. It only takes a moment, yet the
results could save a life.
By Erica Jacques, About.com Guide
Updated June 01, 2010
About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board
See More About:
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Being in pain is not easy, especially when the pain does not go away. Chronic pain is a debilitating condition for the millions of people who live with it every day.
While medication goes a long way in pain treatment, it is often not enough to control all of the symptoms. When chronic pain is poorly controlled, living with chronic pain can be a challenge.
Living With Chronic Pain - Physical and Psychological Effects
Living with chronic pain limits what you can do. Chronic pain can interfere with your ability to work, to play with your children, to walk or even to take care of yourself. Pain can even cause what is known as disuse syndrome, which is the medical way of saying “use it or lose it.” To avoid pain, many people limit the amount of things they do in a day. Eventually, this causes weakness, which leads to even less activity, and a cycle is formed.
While chronic pain is not all in your head, your psychological state plays a huge role in the effect it has on your life. If you or someone you know has chronic pain, you may notice irritability, anger, depression and difficulty concentrating. The psychological side effects of living with chronic pain can be as debilitating as the pain itself. This is what makes chronic pain such a complex condition.
Living With Chronic Pain - Coping Skills
While you may see a grim picture when you think of living with chronic pain, keep in mind that these are worst-case scenarios. In reality, many people continue to live healthy, productive lives in spite of their pain. This is because they have found ways to cope with the pain, either through medications, alternative treatments or a combination of the two.
If you suffer from chronic pain, here are some additional tips for getting your life back.
Living With Chronic Pain - Exercise
Don’t lose it; use it. Talk to your doctor or a physical therapist about a safe exercise program that is right for you. When you live with chronic pain, exercise helps you maintain your mobility. It also keeps your muscles active and your joints flexible, which alleviates the symptoms of chronic pain.
Regular exercise also prevents disuse syndrome, a condition in which muscles become weak from inactivity. Weak muscles are more vulnerable to pain and can even cause other injuries.
Living With Chronic Pain - Finding the Right Medication
While it can be frustrating to trial different prescriptions, it is worth it to find a medication that controls your pain. Because there are so many types of medications that control chronic pain, it can take many months to find the one that works best for you.
You may be worried about taking medication for the rest of your life, as well as living with its side effects. You may also be concerned about painkiller addiction. While most pain medications are safe and effective when taken correctly, you should mention any concerns to your doctor. He can help you weigh the pros and cons of popular pain relieving medications, as well as fully explain the risks associated with taking them.
If you are having problems with your medications, ask your doctor about making a change. Suddenly stopping or changing your pain medication can have unexpected side effects that may be worse, or even dangerous.
Living With Chronic Pain - Exploring Alternative and Complimentary Treatments
Used alone or combined with medications, alternative and complimentary treatments (CAM's) can be a powerful tool in learning to live with chronic pain. Some examples of commonly used CAM's for chronic pain are:
· Massage
· Magnetic therapy
· Energy medicine
· Acupuncture
· Herbal medicine
Living With Chronic Pain - Learning to Relax
Stress causes muscle tension, which can increase the amount of pain you feel. Allowing muscles to relax reduced strain and decreases pain sensations. Learning to relax your body can help you control your pain without the use of additional medications. Relaxation is a pain management tool that can be used on its own, or in combination with other treatments.
Yoga and guided imagery are useful in decreasing stress and muscle tension, major contributors to the intensity of chronic pain. Yoga uses a series of poses combined with deep breathing to relax your mind and your body. Guided imagery uses meditation to calm your mental state.
If neither of these sounds appealing, try to steal a little “you time” now and then. Sit in a quiet room and listen to some peaceful music, or find a nice spot outside to read.
Living With Chronic Pain - When to Get Help
Don’t try to do everything by yourself. It doesn’t hurt to get a little help every now and then, especially on your hardest days. Let your neighbor pick something up at the store for you, or let your mom watch the kids for a few hours so you can take a nap. Use this time to rest, or to complete other minor chores that won’t aggravate your pain.
Living With Chronic Pain - Seeking Support
One in 10 Americans has suffered from chronic pain at some point in their lives. Chances are that someone close to you understands exactly what living with chronic pain is like.
Finding a support group or even a supportive friend can help you learn to live with chronic pain. Not only do your peers have advice and tips on what techniques and products worked for them, but they can be a sympathetic ear when you need to talk.
Living With Chronic Pain - Doing Your Own Research
There are several websites that exist solely to provide information about chronic pain, and many others related to specific illnesses and injuries. These sites are a great resource for general information as well as news about medications and treatments. Many sites offer book reviews as well. Keeping yourself informed and educated about your condition can help you maintain a good quality of life while you are living with chronic pain.
Here are a few good places to start:
· The American Chronic Pain Association
· The National Pain Foundation
Sources:
American Occupational Therapy Association. Tips for Managing Chronic Pain. http://www.aota.org/Consumers/Tips/Conditions/Pain/35165.aspx Accessed December 8, 2008.
America Pain Foundation. Treatment Options: A Guide for People Living with Pain. http://www.painfoundation.org/Publications/TreatmentOptions2006.pdf Accessed December 8, 2008.
Health, United States, 2007. Centers for Disease Control. Accessed December 5, 2008. http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/hus/hus07.pdf
National Pain Foundation. Tips for Dealing with Your Pain.http://www.nationalpainfoundation.org/MyTreatment/MyTreatment_Tips_For_Dealing_With_Your_Pain.asp. Accessed December 8, 2008.
By Carol & Richard Eustice, About.com Guide
Updated May 05, 2008
About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board
See More About:
Osteoarthritis Knees Arthritis Joint Pain Shoulder Pain Treatment Osteoarthritis Exercise Neck Pain Relief
Can osteoarthritis pain be effectively managed so that it does not significantly disrupt normal daily activities? Can a person living with chronic osteoarthritis pain get their symptoms under control and still live a productive and happy life? The following suggestions offer the best chance for successfully managing osteoarthritis pain:
1 - Recognize Early Symptoms of Osteoarthritis
It's important to recognize and pay attention to any new symptoms you are experiencing. In terms of joint pain, which is usually the first symptom experienced by osteoarthritis patients, consult a doctor if it persists longer than two weeks.
· Recognizing Early Osteoarthritis Symptoms: Pain in a Single Joint
· Signs and Symptoms of Osteoarthritis
2 - Consult With a Doctor You Trust
Your first consultation should be with your primary care doctor, who will do an initial evaluation of your symptoms. Being diagnosed is a process, and it best to go through the process with a doctor whose opinion you value, whom you trust and respect, and who makes you feel comfortable.
· How to Choose the Right Doctor for You
· Your First Visit to the Rheumatologist
3 - Be Compliant with Your Treatment Plan
After you've consulted with your doctor and your diagnostic test results have come back, your doctor will recommend a course of treatment. To have the best chance at managing your pain, you must be compliant with your treatment plan. Take medications as directed, and follow all of your doctor's advice. You can also keep a diary to help you remember to stay on track with your treatment regimen and to make notes when you are feeling worse or better.
· Osteoarthritis Medications - What Are My Options?
· Natural Remedies for Osteoarthritis
4 - Exercise to Help Decrease Pain
Exercise is important for osteoarthritis patients. Gentle exercise helps keep joints mobile and functioning properly. Regular exercise wards off muscle atrophy and may decrease joint pain. Walking, tai chi, yoga, water exercise, and bicycling may be good forms of exercise for people with arthritis. If you need guidance with regard to exercise, consult with a physical therapist or qualified personal trainer. Check first with your doctor.
· Exercise: Essential Treatment for Arthritis
· How to Exercise When You Have Arthritis
· More About Osteoarthritis and Exercise
5 - Eat Well and Maintain Ideal Weight
Being overweight, even just moderately, impacts weight-bearing joints and can increase the pain of osteoarthritis. As you walk, your hips, knees, and ankles bear three to five times your total body weight. For every pound you're overweight, the equivalent of three to five pounds worth of added pressure is added to each knee as you walk. In contrast, a 10-pound weight loss causes 30 to 50 pounds of extra stress to be relieved from the joints.
· Extra Pounds Increase Arthritis Pain
· Foods With Antioxidants May Ward Off Knee Osteoarthritis
· More About Osteoarthritis and Diet
6 - Protect Your Joints to Help Reduce Pain
Joint protection can reduce stress on arthritic joints and decrease pain. There are several joint protection principles which, if followed, help to conserve energy and preserve joint function. The advice is quite simple, but you must be mindful of proper movements and recognize body signals.
· Joint Protection Advice for People With Arthritis
· Proper Body Mechanics Important for People with Arthritis
· Do You Use Joint Protection Techniques? Test Yourself
7 - Try Relaxation and Distraction to Ease Pain
Everyone deals with chronic pain differently. There are individual responses to living and coping with chronic pain -- a lifelong condition that is not going away. It's important to realize that, despite that, chronic pain need not consume every moment of your life. By finding time for relaxation, however, you choose to relax your mind and body. By finding ways to distract yourself from pain, you essentially are managing your pain.
· Massage Therapy Helps Relieve Pain
· Meditation and Relaxation Techniques
· Music Therapy Eases Arthritis Pain
8 - The Value of Support is Immeasurable
It's important to surround yourself with people who understand the difficulties of living with chronic pain. Supportive family and friends can do so much just by listening when you need an ear, helping when you need assistance, relaxing with you, distracting you, and -- most importantly -- understanding. Merely sharing a joke or watching a movie together can help diminish the pain.
· Family And Friends: Do They Understand Your Arthritis?
· Problem Solving: Declare Your Independence
9 - Don't Forget to Reward Yourself
Managing osteoarthritis pain will require some sacrifice and lifestyle modifications. If you have to take arthritis medications, you may need to give up the occasional beer you enjoyed. If you are trying to maintain an ideal weight, you may need to skip the dessert course of your meal. If you have set realistic goals regarding exercise, you should eventually see positive results. Just as importantly, don't forget to treat yourself every now and do something that will boost your mood. Whether it's spending a day at the spa, getting a new haircut, buying a new pair of comfortable shoes, or all three -- you decide.
· A Positive Approach to Arthritis
· Setting Goals When Challenged With Arthritis
10 - Reassess Your Progress and Make Adjustments
After following your treatment plan for a period of time, you should reassess all that you have been doing to manage your pain. Make a list:
· Do you follow doctor's orders?
· Have you been compliant about taking medications as directed?
· Do you exercise regularly?
· Do you follow joint protection techniques?
· Have you maintained your ideal weight?
· Have you found time to relax?
Honestly assess what you have been doing, what you could do better, what has worked, and what has not worked at all in terms of managing your pain. Make an appointment with your doctor and discuss whether or not you feel your pain management is satisfactory. It may be time to try something new or adapt something you are doing. Never stop trying to improve your situation.
· Review Prescription Medications With Your Doctor
Related Resources - Managing OA Pain
Related Resources - Managing OA Pain
· Coping Tips for Osteoarthritis Patients
Related Resources - Managing OA Pain
· Arthritis Aids Make Living With Osteoarthritis Easier
· Pain Relief for Osteoarthritis
· Topical Creams for Arthritis Pain Relief
Related Articles
· Guide To Osteo-arthritis - Osteoarthritis Treatment Options
· Ask a Doctor About Symptoms - Time to Ask a Doctor?
· Your Spouse Can Help Ease the Pain of Knee Osteoarthritis
· Minor Arthritis Pain - What Is Minor Arthritis Pain
· Strength Training Eases Arthritis Pain
Carol & Richard Eustice
Osteoarthritis Guides
Be Pain Free with KalayaJoint & Muscle Pain Relief 100% Satisfaction Guaranteedwww.kalaya.ca
Fibromyalgia TreatmentFind Causes, Symptoms, Treatments & Fibromyalgia Facts at Health.comHealth.com
From Mark Stibich, Ph.D., your About Healthy Monday Editor
How much time to you give thinking about your eye health? If you are like me, the answer is not very much. That's pretty incredible when you think about just how important your eyes are. This Monday, take a few minutes and read up on eye health and learn some new ways to protect your peepers.
Protect Your Eyes from the Sun
The same ultraviolet rays in sunlight that cause sunburn can also damage your eyes. Be sure that you wear proper eye protection when you are out in the sun for a long time. Make sure your sunglasses are the correct kind for eye health.
There are thousands of sunglasses to choose from. Some are fantastic and other can be more dangerous than not wearing any eye protection. Use this guide to sport sunglasses to find just the right kind for your lifestyle and activity choices.
Protecting you peepers isn't just about keeping out the UV rays, you also need to protect your delicate eyes from injury. Luckily, a good pair of sunglasses can do both. Make sure that your sunglass will help, not harm, if there is an impact near your eyes.
Most eye injuries occur in the home while doing seemingly harmless activities. Take a moment to review these home eye safety tips and think about some of the risks you may be taking with your eyes in your own home.
Menopause
Survival Guide
How to face the change of life fearlessly
Why is it that just when we're hitting our stride
in life, our hormones have to cause havoc? Turn to our
menopause survival guide and learn how to face hot
flashes and other symptoms without fear.
Then, see
if natural remedies can help, and learn how to
keep your love life going strong during menopause and beyond.
Salsa is the Original Mexican Health Food
Lean Mexican cuisine may
sound harder to find than $1.50 a gallon gas. But if you're planning to
celebrate Cinco de Mayo, the 5th of May, at your fave Mexican restaurant,
there's plenty to order that you won't regret in the morning. Think fajitas,
black beans, refried beans cooked without lard, avocados and pure guacamole,
ceviche, grilled chicken or fish, chicken or veggie enchiladas (hold the
cheese), arroz con pollo (with brown rice), camarones (shrimp) ... and, of
course, salsa. It's the original Mexican health food. Skip the fried chips and
use it as a sauce or a dip for everything above.
The more authentic the salsa, the better. The real thing is made fresh from
tomatoes, onion, garlic, fresh green chilies (serrano, jalapeno, poblano,
habanero) or dried ones (ancho, chipotle, morito) and sometimes bits of
cinnamonlike canela and pepitas (good-for-you pumpkin seeds).
Here are five reasons to dip into salsa every day:
Tomatoes are stellar sources of folate, potassium and fiber. Slicing and dicing
them for salsa helps release lycopene, a primo anti-ager and immunity booster.
Chilies may help your memory, since they contain some luteolin, a flavonoid that
seems to douse damaging inflammation in the hippocampus, your brain's memory
center.
Onions and garlic are bursting with flavonoids, vitamin C and
blood-sugar-regulating chromium. (Chill the onions before cutting, and you won't
cry in your salsa.)
Cinnamon helps your body use glucose. It lowers triglycerides and bad LDL
cholesterol, too.
Pumpkin seeds are loaded with magnesium, which improves how your body uses
insulin, helps muscles relax and creates energy.
All that in one bowl of fiery red flavor. Dip in.
=======
The YOU Docs, Mehmet Oz and Mike Roizen, are authors of "YOU: On a Diet."
Want more? See "The Dr. Oz Show" on TV (check local listings). To submit
questions, go to www.RealAge.com. (c) 2010 Michael Roizen, M.D. and Mehmet Oz,
M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
This site brings a ton of medical information directly to the public. You can get up to date on what’s happening currently in health news, and teaches a ton of health information and medical history.
There’s also an Online Exhibitions and Digital Projects section where you’ll find extremely interesting information. I was literally wowed by what they had. You can learn about Global Health, Forensics, Dreams, Anatomy, and so much more! I highly recommend you check that section out.
The History of Medicine is also a very interesting and informative section to check out. You can check out books, journals, videos, and photographs all about medical history as well.
If there is a topic you’d like to know about – you can use the search engine on the right side of the page to look it up. For example, say you want to know about eczema. Eczema is a skin condition that my roommate suffers from, until I met her, I had no idea what it was. Now I’m researching it, to find out if there is anything she can do to prevent flare-ups or treat places that are already broken out. We discovered in our search that she can use topical hydrocortisone cream to help manage the itching. If you search eczema you’ll see just how much information comes up.
This is a fantastic resource, bookmark it today!
Have you ever caught yourself in one of the following situations?
* Driving down the road, only to forget where you are going?
* Started dinner and realized you neglected to purchase an important ingredient
at the grocery store that afternoon?
* Missed an important appointment or meeting because you simply forgot?
* Needed to reset your password or PIN because you can't remember it?
If your answer is `yes,' then Congratulations! You are human like the rest of us
and suffer from occasional forgetfulness.
Despite our best efforts, our minds simply do not have the same memory retention
capabilities as a Blackberry. Our lives are full of bits of information we are
required to remember--addresses, passwords, birthdays, recipes, directions--the
list is endless.
As much as we would like to recall from memory every date, detail, and to-do
list, it simply is not possible. Not only is forgetfulness inconvenient, it can
be downright embarrassing. It can also create a disorganized lifestyle and cause
anxiety.
Fortunately, there are several simple techniques and tips that will help you
eliminate forgetfulness and remember important information. Using these methods
you can enjoy a more organized lifestyle, complete tasks on time, and avoid the
potential embarrassment and anxiety caused by forgetfulness.
1) Make yourself a to-do list. Keep a pen and small notebook in your purse to
write down any items that come to mind throughout the day. No matter how
insignificant or small the task, writing it down in a perpetual notebook will
prevent it from being overlooked. This is especially helpful for household tasks
you recall while working, or vice versa. As you complete items, cross them off
your list and enjoy the personal satisfaction that comes with a completed page
in your book.
2) Put it in your planner--immediately! As soon as an appointment or meeting has
a set date and time, write it down in your planner or agenda. If a project has a
due date, take note of it in your agenda too. This will not only prevent missing
these important events, but avoid scheduling conflicts as well. Check your
planner every morning to help you plan for the rest of the day.
3) Email, text, or leave voicemail reminders. In the past, people would tie a
string around their finger to serve as a reminder. These days, we can use modern
technology and media to help jog your memory. Send yourself an email to serve as
a reminder of an upcoming appointment. If you are on the go when someone gives
you important information, text it to yourself and transfer it to an appropriate
location later. Voicemails are a great way to remind yourself or a loved one of
important information as well. Make a point each day to check your voicemail,
email, and text messages to ensure those reminders are serving their intended
purpose.
4) Create an acronym. An acronym is a great way to remember information that can
be recalled in any order. If your grocery list includes bread, eggs, garbage
bags, and spaghetti, you can create the word BEGS using the first letter of each
item on your list. Recollection of a single word is easier than four or more.
This is also a useful technique when studying for a test.
Maria Gracia
Get Organized Now!
http://www.getorganizednow.com
Are you a female over 40 doing everything in your power to maintain your health and vitality? Good health is not only knowing what to do, it also involves knowing what to ask. Dr. Oz is sharing 5 smart patient questions women over 40 must ask in order to detect and prevent serious medical conditions associated with aging.
Added to Articles on Tue 04/20/2010
Forty is a magical number for women’s health. Your career, friendships and relationships may all be flourishing . Yet turning 40 also means your chance of developing illnesses like cardiovascular (CVD) disease, osteoporosis or a thyroid condition increases significantly. You might not even be aware of the risks associated with these diseases. For instance, according to the American Heart Association, 23% of women 40 and above die within 1 year of having a heart attack compared to 18% of men.
Many diseases simply become more common as we grow older. And certain lifestyle habits, such as smoking or poor diet, begin to take their toll by age 40. You can’t turn back the clock, but you can learn how to protect yourself from the health problems that could destroy your quality of life. Along with the help of your physician, you need to focus not only on prevention, but on early detection of certain medical conditions.
Here are the top 5 questions you need to ask your doctor, building to the #1 most important:
Question #5: What supplements should I take?
Women over 40 need to increase their supplement intake to make up for common deficiencies such as low vitamin D. The body needs vitamin D to help absorb calcium and protect against bone loss associated with osteoporosis. Click here to learn more about the health benefits of vitamin D.
You’re at greater risk for low-vitamin D if you have dark skin, regularly wear high SPF sunscreen or live in a northern climate. To get enough vitamin D from the sun, you need about 15-20 minutes of daily exposure, which is not always possible.
To protect against bone loss:
· Women in their 40s should have their vitamin D checked with a simple blood test, practice resistance training, refrain from smoking and take a supplement.
· Women 65 and older should get a bone mineral density scan. Those who have a family history of osteoporosis, smoke or take steroids should get screened earlier. If your bone density results are below normal, prescription vitamin D and calcium, a higher intensity scan of your hips and weight-bearing exercise may be called for.
Supplements for Women Over 40
· Vitamin D
· Calcium-Magnesium
· Multivitamin
· Omega-3
Click here to learn more about critical supplements for women.
Question #4: Why am I gaining weight?
After turning 40, most women need to eat much less and move more to maintain the weight they had when younger. With age your metabolism slows, estrogen level drops and muscle mass diminishes. Weight gain can also signal hypothyroidism – an under active thyroid. Other symptoms of hypothyroidism include dry skin, fatigue and an inability to tolerate cold.
In normal thyroid function, the hypothalamus and pituitary activate the thyroid to release hormones. With hypothyroidism, the brain loses feedback from the thyroid and keeps trying to activate it, which results in the thyroid getting larger, creating a condition known as goiter.
If the muscles on the sides of your neck feel larger than usual, you might have a thyroid issue. Your doctor can perform a simple blood test to check for thyroid disease.
Question #3: How healthy is my heart?
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in their 40s, 50s and 60s. In addition to family history, the risk factors for heart disease include unhealthy eating habits, lack of exercise and smoking,
High blood pressure is the #1 cause of heart attacks. Some pharmacies have blood pressure machines that allow you to check it yourself, along with your cholesterol and blood sugar numbers.
If you smoke, seek help from your doctor. Your chance of quitting successfully using medication is about 50% as opposed to 5% when you try on your own. For help quitting smoking, visit Dr. Oz’s Kick the Habit Plan.
Get all the vital information women need about heart attacks here.
Question #2: Do I still need birth control?
A recent study shows that women over 40 are almost as likely to have unplanned pregnancies as 16-year-olds. Certain myths, like thinking you’re too old to get pregnant, contribute to women over 40 getting pregnant.
Birth control after 40
· Unless you have officially entered menopause you need to use contraception, even if you’ve had infertility in the past.
· If you don’t smoke or have any other risk factors, you can safely take the pill under the advice of your doctor. Women over 40 on the pill reap other benefits like treating peri-menopausal symptoms, PMS and fibroids.
Question #1: Is it menopause?
It’s important for women over 40 to know how to recognize menopause. Very simply, menopause is a clinical diagnosis based on not having had a period for 12 consecutive months, provided there’s no other reason, such as being pregnant or nursing. Learn more about identifying irregular patterns in your period here.
The average age for menopause onset is 51. Women have menopausal symptoms beforehand if they undergo menopause earlier or experience peri-menopause – an approximate 2-10 year time span of having periods along with some menopausal symptoms.
Common symptoms associated with peri-menopause and menopause include: missed periods, hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, forgetfulness, low libido and mood swings. Sleep disturbances, an often overlooked symptom, are also very common.
A professor at CCNY for a physiological psych
class told his class about bananas. He said the expression "going bananas" is
from the effects of bananas on the brain. Read on:
Never, put your banana in the refrigerator!!!
This is interesting.
After reading this, you'll never look at a banana in the same way again.
Bananas contain three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined
with fiber. A banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of
energy.
Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous
90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's
leading athletes.
But energy isn't the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It
can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and
conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.
Depression: According to a recent
survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering
from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because
bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into
serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you
feel happier.
PMS: Forget the pills - eat a banana.
The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood
glucose levels, which can affect your mood.
Anemia : High in iron, bananas can
stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the
blood and so helps in cases of anemia.
Blood Pressure: This unique tropical
fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it perfect to beat
blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed
the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce
the risk of blood pressure and stroke.
Brain Power: 200 students at a
Twickenham (Middlesex) school ( England ) were helped through their exams this
year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their
brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist
learning by making pupils more alert.
Constipation: High in fiber, including
bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome
the problem without resorting to laxatives..
Hangovers: One of the quickest ways of
curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The
banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted
blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.
Heartburn: Bananas have a natural
antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana
for soothing relief.
Morning Sickness: Snacking on bananas
between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness
Mosquito bites: Before reaching for
the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana
skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and
irritation.
Nerves: Bananas are high in B vitamins
that help calm the nervous system.
Overweight and at work? Studies at the
Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at work
leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and chips.. Looking at 5,000
hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in
high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that, to avoid
panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels
by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady..
Ulcers: The
banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its
soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without
distress in over-chronicler cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces
irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.
Temperature control: Many other
cultures see bananas as a "cooling" fruit that can lower both the physical and
emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand , for example, pregnant
women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Bananas
can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer tryptophan.
Smoking &Tobacco Use: Bananas can also
help people trying to give up smoking. The B6, B12 they contain, as well as the
potassium and magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effects of
nicotine withdrawal.
Stress: Potassium is a vital mineral,
which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates
your body's water balance.. When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises,
thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be rebalanced with the help of
a high-potassium banana snack.
Strokes: According to research in The
New England Journal of Medicine, eating bananas as part of a regular diet can
cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%!
Warts: Those keen on natural
alternatives swear that if you want to kill off a wart, take a piece of banana
skin and place it on the wart, with the yellow side out. Carefully hold the skin
in place with a plaster or surgical tape!
So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an
apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrate, three times the
phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and
minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around
So maybe its time to change that well-known phrase so that we say, "A banana a
day keeps the doctor away!"
PASS IT ON TO YOUR FRIENDS
PS: Bananas must be the reason monkeys are so happy all the time! I will add one
here; want a quick shine on our shoes?? Take the INSIDE of the banana skin, and
rub directly on the shoe...polish with dry cloth. Amazing fruit !!!
Eggs: The Formerly Forbidden Food You Should Embrace
Sworn off eggs? If the
thought of munching the incredible, edible "cackle berry" (as a farmer friend of
ours calls 'em) is as scary as an envelope with the Internal Revenue Service
return address on it, it's time to take a second look.
Fact is, there's more and more evidence for two things: First, for most people
the cholesterol in eggs doesn't increase the risk of heart attack, stroke or
impotence. Second, eggs really are almost as perfect as walnuts or avocados (not
quite).
Each spring, eggs are inescapable, as candy Easter versions appear in every
convenience store in North America, and then leftovers linger in the back of
kitchen cabinets for months. Here are three great new reasons to choose the real
thing over those chocolate imposters:
Better blood pressure. Your stomach converts some of the proteins in eggs into
peptides that act like the active ingredient in blood-pressure controlling drugs
called ACE inhibitors.
Easier weight loss. People on a low-calorie eating plan who had two scrambled
eggs and toast with jelly for breakfast lost 65 percent more weight than those
who had a bagel with cream cheese in the morning. Why? Eggs are uniquely
satisfying, so you don't feel the urge to overeat at lunch or snacktime.
Sharper thinking. Eggs are a great source of vitamin B-12, a nutrient that seems
to protect the brain from age-related shrinkage. In one study, people age 60 and
up who were even a little low on B-12 were three to six times more likely to
have signs of brain atrophy compared to those who got plenty.
========
The YOU Docs, Mehmet Oz and Mike Roizen, are authors of "YOU: On a Diet."
Want more? See "The Dr. Oz Show" on TV (check local listings). To submit
questions, go to www.RealAge.com. (c) 2010 Michael Roizen, M.D. and Mehmet Oz,
M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
by admin on April 16th, 2010
http://cometolakegarda.net/how-to-make-your-aromatherapy#more-45
Aromatherapy is the process of enjoying certain scents, which are commonly used in scented candles and bath salts. Many do not realize this, but certain scents have calming effects and enable the individual to feel more relaxed and free of stress.
Creating your own bath salts is a terrific way to enjoy aromatherapy at home. Surprisingly, bath salts are very affordable to make and require no harsh ingredients. In fact, the main ingredients in bath salts include baking soda, table salt and epsom salt. Each of these are commonly found in a local grocery or retail store and are safe to use. Certain bath products, which are found in the world of retail, may contain harsh ingredients that could irritate the skin. The advantage to creating your own bath salts to use as aromatherapy, however, will ensure that you know which ingredients are going into a product and the peace of mind in knowing that they are safe to use.
Individuals can make their own aromatherapy bath salts by starting with a large mixing bowl and a spoon or other similar utensil. The next step is to add 3 cups of epsom salt, 2 cups of baking soda and 1 cup of table salt into the mixing bowl. Once each of the ingredients are added, begin mixing them with your hand or the spoon. Once mixing is complete, slowly add food coloring to the mixture. Normal food coloring will work fine and should be added according to the color that you prefer your bath salts to be. Adding more drops will darken the color and adding fewer will make it softer. Some individuals enjoy mixing the colors in order to get a unique hue, but this mixture should be done prior to placing the coloring into the mixing bowl with your other ingredients.
The final step is to add essential oils until the desired scent is achieved. The best way to determine when the scent is perfect is simply by using your own judgement. Bath salts should be strongly scented in order to allow for less salts to be required for each bath, which will enable them to last longer.
Using the steps and ingredients as noted above, you can also use a bowl with a lid and shake the mixture, food coloring and essential oils until it is perfectly blended. This will save you time from stirring but, otherwise, the procedure to creating your own aromatherapy bath salts is the same.
Another common form of aromatherapy is the use of scented candles. Popular fragrances include vanilla, lavender, cinnamon, etc. These candles are commonly found at any retail store, online specialty shop and at craft fairs. Depending on the size of the candle, scented aromatherapy candles may last for up to one week with limited burn time. It is recommended that individuals select a candle that is jarred in order to avoid hot wax runoff and/or the potential for flames coming into contact with nearby items.
By: Kristopher Mckee
The Little Investment That Buys You 35 Years
Want to get in on the ground
floor of the knock-your-socks-off investment opportunity? Not up for another
Ponzi scheme? No worry! The investment: 30 minutes of exercise a day. The
return? An extra nine quality years.
Fit people in their 50s are twice as likely to celebrate their 85th birthday
than their un-fit classmates. Even better, "fit" doesn't require climbing Mt.
Everest or doing Ironman triathlons. All you need is a half-hour of physical
activity a day plus some strength training. If you've been sitting on the
sidelines, adopt this three-part plan as your stay-young investment account:
Step 1: Walk for 30 minutes every day. Make a daily, brisk, half-hour walk your
first fitness goal. Get a buddy, and you'll get younger two ways --
companionship and the walk. Or walk three times a day for 10 minutes. Aim for
consistency. Can't find 10 minutes? Then you need a course in managing your
time.
Step 2: Sweat. After 30 days of daily walking, step things up. Add something
sweaty 1 hour a week: Take an exercise class; bike; hike up hills. Go to the
health club you joined. A great predictor of how long and well you're going to
live is how well you can exercise your heart and how fast it recovers from a
maximum interval.
Step 3: Build strength. Find an extra 30 minutes a week -- in one session or not
-- to build muscle by lifting weights.
No time? Do walking meetings. And turn up the intensity when sweeping, mopping,
lawn-mowing, walking the dog or gardening to make you younger and give you more
energy.
========
The YOU Docs, Mehmet Oz and Mike Roizen, are authors of "YOU: On a Diet."
Want more? See "The Dr. Oz Show" on TV (check local listings). To submit
questions, go to www.RealAge.com. (c) 2010 Michael Roizen, M.D. and Mehmet Oz,
M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
Get in shape
for summer
Sarah Kelsey
It may be hard to believe with the snow still falling in some parts of the country, but summer - and with it bathing suit season - is just around the corner. When that reality sets in, it's hard to not want to find the fastest and easiest way to get in shape. We contacted celebrity trainer Sophie Olson to give us the summer fitness dish. A fitness, dance and yoga instructor in Los Angeles, Olson knows a thing or two about staying in shape: not only is she an actress herself, she also coaches some of Hollywood's most stunning celebrities (whose names we've been sworn to keep secret).
Sophie Olson has been a dance instructor for 17 years and has taught fitness for the last seven years. She’s also a certified yoga instructor. She does one-on-one fitness training and is a Physique 57 teacher in Beverly Hills, California. She also works as a choreographer for Hart Pulse Dance Company and has her own dance for film company S.O.D.E. (Sophie Olson Dance Explosion). We caught up with this impressive fitness professional for the best summer shape up tips. Here’s what Olson had to say.
SheKnows: What is the one thing people can do to tighten and tone their body now?
Sophie Olson: First off, it's important to remember to take baby steps. You want to tone your whole body right? Give yourself a goal and make a specific plan. Start small, like 20 minutes of cardio three times a week or focus on an upper body workout on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and a lower body workout Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. I personally don't believe in "one" thing to do in order to tone the whole body. Toning requires you to invest in a good diet, plenty of water, cardio and some sort of weight training. Start slowly, keep it simple and remember consistency and persistence is the key to transforming your body.
SheKnows: Staying motivated during a workout (or even getting motivated for one can be tough). How do you help your clients get psyched up for a workout session?
Sophie Olson: Okay, don't laugh; I have a book of quotes that I bust out before each session or class. I use scented aromatherapy oils; it helps to clear the mind. Staying energetic is key. I speak directly to my students, using their first name, to encourage them during the workout. I also try to make them laugh. Don't be afraid to get silly and laugh at yourself. Music is also important: if the music is bad, chances are the workout will be bad. Use amazing, uplifting, energizing tunes. When the going gets tough, visualize your body’s muscles working and getting toned with every move you make; for example, picture your abs flattening as you crunch forward.
SheKnows: What is your absolute favorite workout?
Sophie Olson: I love taking Physique 57 classes. Physique 57 (based on The Lotte Berk Method) is a focused cardiovascular program of isometric exercises and orthopedic stretches. The classes focus on toning your seat, abdominal muscles, thighs and arms; strengthening your legs and back; and there’s a huge focus on interval training sets using your own body weight for resistance. It's the perfect class! It shaped my body, kicks my butt and is always a challenge. I love it so much I became a teacher at the company’s Beverly Hills studio.
SheKnows: What cardio workouts do you recommend to your clients?
Sophie Olson: Do something fun and switch it up. Don't do the same thing every day because it's going to start to feel like a chore. Instead, make it fun. Try a long uphill walk, a small jog, the elliptical machine at the gym, a dance class or synchronized swimming. Make a promise to do some sort of cardio work twice a week, even if it's walking up and down the stairs in your house. Once you’ve mastered that, up your workouts to four to five times a week. Another key? Always allow yourself one day of rest each week. Your mind and body need it!
SheKnows: What about muscle toning exercises?
Sophie Olson: Let's keep it simple.
Pushups: As far as the most effective way to tone the arms, I always suggest pushups. Straight-arm pushups are the most effective, but you can always start in a modified position which is done on top of your thighs. Regardless of which pose you take, you must remember these five golden pushup rules: 1) place your hands directly under your shoulders, 2) squeeze your seat, 3) pull your navel to the spine, 4) bend your arms fully and 5) breathe! Try two sets of 10 pushups a day for a week then add more.
Ab crunches: For core work, stick to basic crunches, remembering to start and end each crunch with your shoulder blades off the floor, chin off the chest, navel squeezed in tight and your eyes focused on the ceiling.
Squats: For your legs, the most effective exercise for me is an assisted semi-squat holding onto a ballet bar or the back of a chair. In the dance world, these are known as “pliés.” Place your feet in a narrow "V", heels together, toes out and heels two inches off the floor. Pull your navel to the spine, bend your knees slightly and lower your seat a few inches down toward the floor. Then, pull yourself back up again.
SheKnows: You’re in excellent shape. What does your weekly gym routine look like?
Sophie Olson: Thank you. It's hard work and dedication. I need to switch it up. I do Physique 57 classes regularly, but some weeks, I go to the gym three times a week, get on the elliptical and crank up my music and just go for it. I do turbo kickboxing when I can. I try to add dance classes into my workout as well and yoga and long hikes with friends. I have to keep it fun or I just won't do it.
SheKnows: How important is nutrition and hydration to getting your body bikini ready?
Sophie Olson: First off, I don't wear bikinis. Well, almost never. I think there is way too much pressure on the whole "bikini ready” thing. I believe in being fit and comfortable all the time. There shouldn't be a "deadline" or a "window" where one looks "hot in a bikini." Instead, why not thrive on healthy eating six days a week. Create a steady exercise plan that works for you and makes you feel good about yourself and your body. Drink water, instead of soda, coffee or juices. We need to give ourselves permission to wear board shorts and a T-shirt to the beach and still feel "bikini ready.” That's what's important to me.
SheKnows: As an actress, you’ve also experienced the “Hollywood” pressure to stay thin. How have you been able to overcome those pressures and insecurities?
Sophie Olson: As long as you live in Hollywood, no matter how secure you are with yourself, you will feel, at some point, fat, ugly and old. No matter what you look like. It's just the culture we live in here. Yes, it's a challenge for me. Luckily, I surround myself with "real" people who enjoy food like me. I've learned, over the years, that being thin is not the most important thing in life. The fact that I have excellent blood pressure is pretty cool to me. I have good skin and my teeth are white and cavity-free. I have friends and family who will love me whether I’m 110 or 130 pounds. Most importantly? I can look at myself in the mirror and, on most days, I can say, “yeah, you’re looking good Sophie.” That's how I deal with Hollywood.
Sarah Kelsey is a health and wellness columnist for SheKnows.com as well as a freelance writer and journalist. She has written for several publications including Wish, Glow, Sweetspot.ca and Canada.com.
http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/three-health-secrets-women-shouldnt-keep
In the Bathroom
Even though 1 in 4 women over 40 suffer from some type of urinary incontinence, most are too embarrassed to talk about it. Whether it’s leaking a little when you laugh too hard, being unable to hold it until you reach the bathroom, or spraying instead of urinating in a steady stream, many women suffer unnecessarily from highly treatable problems. In fact, only 1 in 12 women will ever get help and yet 80% of the time urinary problems can be completely cured.
What You May Be Experiencing
Stress incontinence Leaking with a cough, sneeze or other kind of physical exertion such as heavy lifting. If your pelvic floor (comprised of the muscles that support your reproductive system) is weak, it can’t keep your urethra closed during everyday abdominal pressures. This is especially common for women who have given birth. It can range from being a slight nuisance to requiring you to wear pads.
Urge incontinence A sudden, strong urge to go and, often, an inability to make it to the toilet. With urge incontinence, your bladder contracts excessively giving you little warning and leading to embarrassing accidents. It can be caused by a number of factors including urinary infections, bowel problems, strokes, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and other neurological conditions. If there is no obvious cause, the term for it is overactive bladder.
Mixed incontinence The most common kind of incontinence in women combines both stress and urge incontinence and doctors are unsure of the cause.
Spraying during urination For some women, the difficulty is not when they go to the bathroom, but how their body does it. Rather than coming out in a steady stream that can be aimed into a toilet, their urine sprays (kind of like when you put your thumb over the garden hose), wetting clothes, or even the bathroom. Several conditions can contribute to spraying, such as when muscles surrounding the urethra are too tight or there is a small growth at the end of the urethra called a caruncle, which is often found in postmenopausal women.
What you should do
Go see a doctor – a urogynecologist or an OB/GYN – that you trust. Talk to him or her and get a diagnosis.
What can be done
In Front of the Mirror
A balding man is so common, few of us take note when we see one, but did you know that 40% of women also lose their hair as they age? Like men, women can inherit this tendency, but it can also be caused by anemia or other conditions, especially those that affect the thyroid.
What can be done
If you are noticing hair thinning or loss, first know that you are not alone. Then, know that there are effective solutions to the problem, including:
Cosmetic
Medications
Treatments
http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/your-bodys-four-secret-signs
Your Height
A Randy Newman song says "short people don’t have a reason to live," but it turns out they may outlive their taller peers. According to a recent study published the National Academy of Sciences, people who are below 5’2” have a greater chance of living to age 100. Researchers speculate that the gene involved with assisting in the body’s recovery from oxidative stress (the cell damage that comes from the radiation we’re exposed to every day, the environment, activity and the foods we eat) is somehow related to the gene that determines height. Their guess is that people who are taller do not respond as well to oxidative stress.
What can you do?
Regardless of your height, if you are concerned about longevity, new research points to interesting ways to lengthen your life.
Your Leg Length
British researches have discovered that women with legs between 20 – 29 inches tend to have higher levels of 4 enzymes that indicate liver disease. It’s not that leg length in and of itself contributed to liver disease, but that shorter legs are an indication of poor childhood nutrition, which may also play a role in liver function.
What you can do
Be kind to your liver by:
6
Health Rules to Break
Separate
health fact from folklore
Do you really need to
drink eight glasses of water a day? Discover the surprising truth behind this
and
6 health rules you can break.
Then, be sure to visit the all-new
iVillage Health to find all you need to know about living and staying well.
http://www.ivillage.com/you-dont-have-be-perfect-be-healthy/126292#content
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12 Ways to Bust Asthma, Allergies and Spring Colds
Learn how the
right systems, products, and household
upkeep can clean the air and keep allergens and irritants
out of your home
Simple,
low-cost ways
to keep your home's air healthier
Reduce
contaminants with
whole-house or portable filters
Minimize
allergens with
the right flooring
5
new vacuums that suck up germs, mold, and dust
Top Ten Foods that Fight
Cancer
By Leanne Ely, C.N.C.
www.savingdinner.com
Phytochemicals are the chemical substances found in fruits, vegetables and
grains, known for their anti-cancer qualities. There are many identified
phytochemicals with more being found by researchers all the time.
We all know and understand that a diet rich in fruits, veggies and grains is
critically important in maintaining health. Research shows that one in three
people will get cancer in his or her lifetime! So eating healthy stuff isn't
just to look good in a bathing suit anymore (although that's a fine side effect
to healthy eating!).
In honor of my phyting phriends, the Phytochemical Phamily, here's another Top
Ten List--this time, to keep the cancer away!
1- One Ton Tomatoes. Especially cooked tomatoes (up to 35%
more than raw), contain a large amount of the phytochemical lycopene. Lycopene
is especially important for men and prostate health.
2- Orange You Glad. There are over 170 phytochemicals in this one piece of fruit! Don't ask questions--just eat it!
3- Garlic and Onions and Leeks--oh my! The allum compounds in these lovely odiferous bulbs, stimulate anticancer enzymes and detoxify carcinogens.
4- Strawberry Fields Forever. Flavenoids are the phyters in these delectable fruits. All kinds of berries do the trick, too. You can be berry berry good to yourself by including berries in your diet.
5- All Kale the Conquering Hero. Kale, spinach and other dark leafy greens all score big time in the nutritional super hero department. Lutein, flavonoids and beta-carotene work overtime to fight off cancer. This is one food you don't want to be without.
6- Broccoli Bites. This incredible edible miniature tree is teeming with phytochemicals, including sulforaphane, which may help protect against breast and cigarette smoking induced cancer.
7- One Potato, Sweet Potato. The orange veggies have it! Beta carotene, that is. Carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin and the other orange-y veggies take the carrot cake with their beta carotene load.
8- The Egg and I. Eggs contain a large amount of the phytochemical zeaxanthin, helpful in protecting against macular degeneration as well as cancer. No scrambling on this one!
9- You Don't Soy! Phytosterols and genistein are the phabulous phytos in this powerful food. Genistein especially protects against estrogen related cancers.
10- Do What You Oat.
Tocotrienols are
found in abundance in oats. These phytochemicals reduce and suppress the onset
and proliferation of tumors.
To get your phytochemicals phlowing, you need a great recipe! Here's one from my
phabulous Menu-Mailer, www.savingdinner.com
Sometimes You Have to Live With It, and Other Myths About Pain
For persistent pain, like the
stuff that comes with migraines, arthritis and back trouble, what you don't know
might be hurting you. Let's clear up some myths so that you can get the relief
you need:
Myth No. 1: Pain is always a sign that some part of your body is hurt or
damaged.
Fact: Not all pain can be linked easily to a physical condition or injury.
Sometimes pain develops for no apparent reason, but you can manage it.
Myth No. 2: Medication is the only way to really relieve pain.
Fact: Pain has many enemies. Usually people think their options are either
over-the-counter pills for normal pain, or prescription opioid (narcotic)
medications for more severe pain. But there are many other options -- including
mind-over-matter techniques, such as positive self-talk, visualization,
biofeedback and relaxation training that lessen pain.
Myth No. 3: If OTC medication relieves your pain, it's nothing to worry about.
Fact: OTCs can work, at least for a while. But there may be something behind
your pain, like an infection, that requires early intervention. Minor ailments
normally heal in about a week, so talk with your doc if your pain sticks around
longer than that.
Myth No. 4: Pain is an inevitable part of aging, and you just have to live with
it.
Fact: Older people are more likely to experience pain, but it's definitely not a
symptom of aging. Let your doctor know about any aching, soreness or discomfort.
The truth is, you don't have to be dead to have no pain -- you should never
accept that you "just have to live with it."
========
The YOU Docs, Mehmet Oz and Mike Roizen, are authors of "YOU: On a Diet."
Want more? See "The Dr. Oz Show" on TV (check local listings). To submit
questions, go to www.RealAge.com. (c) 2010 Michael Roizen, M.D. and Mehmet Oz,
M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
http://www.freebeautytips.org/halitosis.html
I once took a class in Argentine Tango, which was set up so that men and women
constantly exchanged partners while learning the stylized steps. That was okay,
but there was one guy who had zero rhythm, and three minutes of trying to tango
with him (counting to himself and still failing his steps miserably) was like a
stumbling, cursing lifetime. But dancing with that poor klutz (I'm no Pavlova,
by the way) was nothing compared to the man whose breath was so bad, I had to
fight to hold my own breath or simply go mad.
In the few steps where we turned away from each other, I had to gasp for a fresh breath of air, then turn for the next hellish step into the miasma. I felt bad for the man at first: clearly, taking a tango class wasn't going to make him popular with women as long as he could not get rid of his bad breath. But soon, I started to hate him: how could he not know the effect his breath had on others? Why wouldn't he chew a mint, for crying out loud?
It was so bad that I actually considered telling him, a total stranger, that he should chew gum so I could bear to dance with him. I didn't have to go that far, though, because in the end, I met a lovely, sexy, middle-aged psychologist who was not only a fine and graceful dancer, but who smelled nice and liked to dance with me. He managed to show up in front of me more and more often in the partner exchanges, and soon, I hardly danced with anyone else.
--Editors Tip ----------------------------------------------------------------------
We all know that huffing your breath into your cupped hand and taking a deep
breath is no real indicator of how bad your breath really smells. It has been
proven that it is scientifically impossible for you to "smell" your own
halitosis. Our bodies prevent us from smelling our own odors, so that we have
the proper senses to smell our surroundings (i.e. danger, food, etc.).
If you don't have another person around that you feel comfortable asking to check your breath (perhaps because you are on a first date . . .), then try this new smelly breath sensing product. The Bad Breath Detective test strips from Therabreath read the amount of sulfur in your saliva, which will indicate the level of halitosis you have. These testing strips are small enough to fit into your purse for emergencies like a date or important business meeting.
If you are still interested in learning more about the causes and
treatments for halitosis, download this free health guide
The Bath Breath Bible.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I brush my teeth about five times a day, and chew gum too. I good swish of mouthwash can be quite refreshing after a garlic filled dinner as well. But there have been times when forays into Vietnamese cooking or beer-and-pizza-with-the-guys has left my mouth less than fresh, which is why I carry gum in my purse for emergencies. This is a quick, temporary solution to curing lunchtime bad breath. While some people swear by breath mints, I've found that they don't do much for eliminating your breath once they're gone.
If you don't want to get into any serious breath medications, there simpler more natural products available. For super-halitosis emergencies, you can use Breath Assure, which is nothing more than capsules of parsley oil. You don't chew them (I tried it once and was rewarded with a strong, sweet, oily taste that made me look like my friends' cat the day we tried to give him Benadryl to reduce the swelling from a spider bite. The vet didn't specify the type, just the dosage, and the liquid baby-dose Benadryl made him foam at the mouth for two hours. It was extremely unnerving.) The parsley oil works wonders, eliminating garlic breath and sweetening the breath for hours. Maybe that's why Greek, Turkish and Arabic cuisines combine parsley with lemon and garlic for relishes, salads and sauces.
If you are on a date and in a pinch with absolutely no breath prevention methods on hand, try eating the parley sprig most restaurants place of their plates as decoration. It's free, easily available, and it works! Just be discreet so your date doesn't catch on to your halitosis worries.
Bad breath that comes from food is easily finished off by brushing your teeth, scraping your tongue, flossing, gum chewing or the aforementioned Breath Assure, but chronic bad breath can be a symptom of other problems health problems such as tooth decay, sinus infection, gum disease, or stomach problems. Eating disorders can also create halitosis from the stomach acids churned up by hunger or by vomiting. If you (or the guy in your tango class) experience chronic bad breath, the first thing to do is get to your dentist for a checkup. After ruling out possible dental care issues, your dentist may recommend a visit to the doctor to rule out other illnesses.
Old mouthwashes contained alcohol and mint flavorings. New mouthwashes include zinc and chlorine dioxide. Zinc stops the process that creates the sulfur compounds in the mouth, which are largely responsible for causing bad breath. Chlorine dioxide kills the sulfur that's already present. You may decide to add mouthwash to your regular hygiene program whether or not you have other health issues that need to be resolved in order to stop chronic halitosis for good.
**************
DO NOT MIX THESE 2 medicines - can cause death
|
Do not mix these two medicines. Motrin
& Robitussin
|
Tips for Making Medications Safer
When it comes to taking
medicine, a surprising number of people aren't doing it right. In one recent
study, 70 percent of parents gave little kids the wrong dose of liquid medicine.
Other research shows that two-thirds of adults don't finish their prescriptions,
and plenty skip refills of important meds for ongoing conditions, including
heart disease and diabetes. That can be as dangerous as forgetting to put your
foot on the brake pedal at intersections. Here's how to get the right stuff at
any age:
For kids: Measure liquid meds with an oral medication syringe. To use: Suck up
the right dose, then gently squirt small amounts between your child's gum and
cheek so she can swallow comfortably.
For teens: Talk about over-the-counter medicines. Most teens didn't know the
basics about drugstore safety. Read labels and dosage directions with your
teens, and discuss the dangers of overdoing it: Specifically, liver damage from
too much acetaminophen and gastrointestinal bleeding with too much ibuprofen or
aspirin.
Adults: Refill by mail. Mail-order pharmacies are so convenient that at least
one study has found that using them led to fewer gaps in medication usage.
Seniors: Ask your doctor to simplify your prescriptions. It's tough remembering
when to take everything. See if she'll help you get on a regimen where you take
most of your drugs at the same time of day, rather than scattered throughout the
day.
========
The YOU Docs, Mehmet Oz and Mike Roizen, are authors of "YOU: On a Diet."
Want more? See "The Dr. Oz Show" on TV (check local listings). To submit
questions, go to www.RealAge.com. (c) 2010 Michael Roizen, M.D. and Mehmet Oz,
M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
Alternative Treatments for Headache Relief
You don't always have to head
for a medicine bottle when your head is pounding. Try these alternative remedies
to prevent or stop a headache:
Try the nicer needle. Acupuncture is as effective as pain drugs for treating
migraines and for reducing their frequency and severity. How? It may increase
levels of beta-endorphin, a natural painkilling substance in your body.
Just use pressure. If you're needle-phobic, acupressure may be a good way for
you to dim headache pain. Simply rub the two points on either side of your
vertebrae at the nape of your neck (right below the ridges at the base of your
skull). Also try massaging the webbed area on the top of your left hand, between
your thumb and forefinger.
Get between the sheets. But not for shuteye. Women with migraines who abandoned
the "not now, I've got a headache" phrase got better pain relief from sex than
from their usual migraine remedy. And it worked repeatedly. We'll bet it will
work for men too. Orgasm is associated with the release of a vasodilating gas
called nitric oxide.
Take some ginger. It inhibits inflammation in blood vessels, so take it when
your headache first comes on.
Tame the "shoulds." Change irrational beliefs -- those are ideas typically
prefaced with words including "should," "ought," "must" or "have to" -- that
lead to stress and head pain. Replace them with ideas that use words including
"wish," "want," "like" and "desire."
========
The YOU Docs, Mehmet Oz and Mike Roizen, are authors of "YOU: On a Diet."
Want more? See "The Dr. Oz Show" on TV (check local listings). To submit
questions, go to www.RealAge.com. (c) 2010 Michael Roizen, M.D. and Mehmet Oz,
M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
Whether for work or leisure, many of us spend entirely too much time on the computer everyday. This puts us at risk of having or aggravating Carpal Tunnel problems, but thanks to Workrave you can help to divert these problems.
Workrave helps Carpal Tunnel problems by reminding you to get away from your computer periodically. Breaking up your computer time with movement can help alleviate many computer and office related health problems. Workrave helps by reminding you to take short pauses after several minutes of computer use, and longer breaks after continued use. You can also use it to keep from using the computer for too much You time in a day. Since you can change the settings to suit you, this can be a great way to make sure you’re getting the breaks you need.
Install Workrave on Windows
If you’re using Workrave on Windows, download (link below) and install it with the default settings.
One installation setting you may wish to change is the startup. By default Workrave will run automatically when you start your computer; if you don’t want this, you can simply uncheck the box and proceed with the installation.
Once setup is finished, you can run Workrave directly from the installer.
Or you can open it from your start menu by entering “workrave” in the search box.
Install Workrave in Ubuntu
If you wish to use it in Ubuntu, you can install it directly from the Ubuntu Software Center. Click the Applications menu, and select Ubuntu Software Center.
Enter “workrave” into the search box in the top right corner of the Software Center, and it will automatically find it. Click the arrow to proceed to Workrave’s page.
This will give you information about Workrave; simply click Install to install Workrave on your system.
Enter your password when prompted.
Workrave will automatically download and install.
When finished, you can find Workrave in your Applications menu under Universal Access.
Using Workrave
Workrave by default shows a small counter on your desktop, showing the length of time until your next Micro break (30 second break), Rest break (10 minute break), and max amount of computer usage for the day.
When it’s time for a micro break, Workrave will popup a reminder on your desktop.
If you continue working, it will disappear at the end of the timer. If you stop, it will start a micro-break which will freeze most on-screen activities until the timer is over. You can click Skip or Postpone if you do not want to take a break right then.
After an hour of work, Workrave will give you a 10 minute rest break. During this it will show you some exercises that can help eliminate eyestrain, muscle tension, and other problems from prolonged computer usage. You can click through the exercises, or can skip or postpone the break if you wish.
Preferences
You can change your Workrave preferences by right-clicking on its icon in your system tray and selecting Preferences.
Here you can customize the time between your breaks, and the length of your breaks. You can also change your daily computer usage limit, and can even turn off the postpone and skip buttons on notifications if you want to make sure you follow Workrave and take your rests!
From the context menu, you can also choose Statistics. This gives you an overview of how many breaks, prompts, and more were shown on a given day. It also shows a total Overdue time, which is the total length of the breaks you skipped or postponed. You can view your Workrave history as well by simply selecting a date on the calendar.
Additionally, the Activity tab in the Statics pane shows more info about your computer usage, including total mouse movement, mouse button clicks, and keystrokes.
Conclusion
Whether you’re suffering with Carpal Tunnel or trying to prevent it, Workrave is a great solution to help remind you to get away from your computer periodically and rest. Of course, since you can simply postpone or skip the prompts, you’ve still got to make an effort to help your own health. But it does give you a great way to remind yourself to get away from the computer, and especially for geeks, this may be something that we really need!
Nine Things to Know Before You Get a Medical Test
"It's probably nothing, but
I'd like you to have this test ..." If you haven't heard it from your doc
already, prepare yourself. Medical tests are common, and whether you're getting
one due to the threat of something suspicious or the confirmation of an
all-clear, you can save yourself some nasty surprises and needless worry by
asking your doc these questions before you get it:
1. What does this test measure?
2. Why do I need it, and what could happen if I don't have it?
3. Are there any alternatives to this test?
4. How accurate is it, and how often does it return false positives (the results
show a problem that doesn't exist) and false negatives (the test says there's no
problem, but there is)?
5. How is the test performed? (Will there be clanging noises above your head?
Good to know that's normal.)
6. What can go wrong?
7. How will I feel after the test? (Can I return to work immediately?)
8. When will I get the results? If you don't get them, call your doc! About 7
percent of people with abnormal test results never hear about them.
9. What's the ideal result? Some medical tests are pass/fail, but many require
interpretation. Circle back with your doc on what the results mean, even if they
say "within the normal range."
Remember, medical care is so complex that no doc or nurse or even system can
really work for you without your help. Be a smart patient, and be a partner in
your own care.
========
The YOU Docs, Mehmet Oz and Mike Roizen, are authors of "YOU: On a Diet."
Want more? See "The Dr. Oz Show" on TV (check local listings). To submit
questions, go to www.RealAge.com. (c) 2010 Michael Roizen, M.D. and Mehmet Oz,
M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
GET SMART NOW
By JJ VIRGIN
As accomplished women, we're always doing, running, producing and then doing it
all over again the next day. There's no question that we're smart, but sometimes
we let our expert know-how of a certain subject lag a little bit because we
can't stay on top of everything. So many of us put taking care of ourselves last
on the list, which is common, but not smart.
Never fear, ladies, because I'm here to give you an instant IQ booster shot when
it comes to simple ways you can improve your health this year. Nothing I'm going
to suggest will cost a mint or require you to sign up for memberships or eat
something you can't pronounce. These tips aren't just common science, but
scientifically proven to work.
Boost your health IQ in 2010 by....
*Getting your quality shut eye for 7-9 hours a night of
unbroken sleep. (Nope, naps do not count because you don't go through all the
sleep cycles). But a solid block of sleep, research tells us, not only
rejuvenates your body, but improves your brain's ability to absorb and use
leptin by as much as 80 percent. Leptin is a hormone that helps turn off your
appetite and cravings. A new study shows that women who sleep eight hours a
night tend to be 11 pounds slimmer than those who sleep seven or less!
*Ditch your low fat foods. I wish I had a dollar for every
client who comes to see me wanting to shed 20, 30, 40 pounds and tells me how
her low fat foods haven't worked for years. You want to know why? They never
work. Many low fat foods are full of high fructose corn syrup because when they
take out the fat they need to amp up the taste by using this syrup. By the way,
high fructose corn syrup makes you want to overeat because it suppresses
hormones that tell you that you're full. Check out your fat-free yogurts and
salad dressings-if they have HFCS or worse yet, artificial sweeteners, give them
the toss!
*Exercise to break bad habits. Are you finally quitting smoking
in the new year? Congratulations and I'm so proud of you. Did you know that
research shows us that if you exercise three times a week then you're twice as
sure to give up the cigarettes for good vs. those who don't workout. Why? The
mood boosting effects of exercise help keep you firmly committed to your goals.
You will also avoid the weight gain that many experience when they put down the
pack.
*Load up on the steamed veggies to keep your blood vessels
clear. When you steam up some healthy veggies and eat them this way then the
fiber in the veggies is in perfect shape to cling to bile acids. Sounds a little
gross, but this is what we want to happen in our bodies because when this
clinging takes place then everything works perfectly to remove the bile from
your body. Your heart will thank you because when you bile levels drop, more LDL
cholesterol (bad cholesterol) gets a one-way ticket out of your body thanks to
your now happy liver. Your liver doesn't ask you for much, so please give it a
hand and steam up some nice veggies. Also using extra virgin olive oil is a
great way to kick out the LDLs. Eating avocado is another great zapper. Research
shows that people who added avocado to their diet daily lowered their LDL by 22
percent! The fruit contains cholesterol blocking plant sterol beta-sitosterol.
*Remember to eat your breakfast. By the way, another great
reason to eat breakfast is that women who don't have much higher levels of LDL,
according to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. If you keep your body
in a fasting mode for too long (sleep and then skipping breakfast) then your
insulin levels will go crazy and that makes it hard on your liver to break down
and get rid of LDL.
*Make a great tomato sauce from scratch. Add some parsley and
chopped celery. These three foods are packed with flavonoids and lower the
inflammation in your body. A study at Harvard Medical indicated that eating
foods filled with flavonoids can even possibly cut your risk of ovarian cancer
by 28 percent.
JJ Virgin can be found on www.jjvirgin.com! Check out her free LEANzine!
Type 2 diabetes can be prevented or managed – and you don't have to run marathons or eat a vegetarian diet to do so. Simple lifestyle changes can make a big difference towards better health.
But how do you get started? And how can you stick with it?
Check out these five secrets to stop diabetes from the American Diabetes Association's vast collection of expert advice. What better time to put these tips into action than during this year's American Diabetes Association Alert Day?
Also, find out more about Diabetes Alert Day, take the Diabetes Risk Test to determine your level of risk for type 2 diabetes, and learn what steps to take next.
Did you know that being an apple rather than a pear shape – more fat around your middle than around your hips – raises your risk of type 2 diabetes? To determine your shape, take a tape measure (a flexible one is best) and place it snugly (not tightly) around your waist. Compare the width of your waist to the number below. If the width of your waist is the same or bigger than the numbers below, you have too much weight around your waist and are at a greater risk for developing type 2 diabetes.
· Men: over 40 inches
· Women: over 35 inches
As portion sizes have grown in recent years, so has our perception of what is the appropriate amount to eat in one sitting. Even dishes and glasses have increased in size, so a normal-size portion looks inadequate, fueling the urge to fill a plate or glass with extra calories and raising your risk for type 2 diabetes.
Although measuring cups and spoons may be useful at home, they aren't very realistic when you eat out. A simple trick is to use your hand to help approximate portion sizes.
· A fist = 1 cup
· Palm of a woman's hand = 3 ounces
· Palm of a man's hand = 5 ounces
· Thumb tip = 1 teaspoon
· Thumb tip = 1 teaspoon
Source: Copyright © 2009 American Diabetes Association. From What Do I Eat Now?
Gestational diabetes (GDM) is diabetes that develops during pregnancy. In most cases, these mothers-to-be have never had diabetes before, and then it goes away after pregnancy. But, unfortunately, that's not always the end of the story.
Once you've had GDM your chances are 2 in 3 that it will return in future pregnancies. And women who have had GDM are more than 7 times as likely to develop type 2 diabetes as women who didn't have diabetes in pregnancy. How can you lower your risk?
· Stay active. Regular exercise can help prevent type 2 diabetes. Plus it can help you lose weight, manage stress, and feel better.
· Breastfeed. If you can, breastfeed your baby. Breastfeeding can provide both short- and long-term benefits to both your baby and to you.
· Talk to your health care provider. Be sure to tell your health care providers that you've had GDM.
· Get tested. If you had GDM, you should be tested for diabetes 6–12 weeks after you give birth and at least every 3 years after that.
· Lose weight. Are you more than 20 percent over your ideal body weight? Losing even a few pounds can help you prevent type 2 diabetes.
· Limit fat to 30 percent or less of your daily calories, and watch your portion sizes. Healthy eating habits can go a long way in preventing diabetes and other health problems.
Source: American Diabetes Association’s CheckUp America campaign
While you may try to exercise often, do you find yourself making excuses when the demands of daily life take hold? By skipping a quick walk or work-out routine, many find the pounds add up. Here are few ways to build exercise into your regular routine and lower your type 2 diabetes risk:
· When working at your desk for an extended period of time, build short breaks into your day.
· Use the stairs instead of the elevator. If need be, take the elevator part of the way and the stairs the rest of the way, then gradually increase the number of floors you climb as you become more fit.
· If safe to do so, park your car at a distant part of the office parking lot so that you can increase the amount of walking you do on your way in. If you use public transportation, get off a stop or two early and walk to your destination.
Source: Copyright © American Diabetes Association. From the "I Hate to Exercise" book
With today’s hectic schedules and daily demands, it’s easy to forget or forgo a scheduled visit with your health care provider. Plus, if you feel a little heavier, more stressed or have been eating less healthy, chances are you’ll want to avoid this check-up more than in years past. But, seeing a healthcare provider on a regular basis is one of the best ways to manage your health, ask for tools to lower your risk, and stop diabetes before it starts.
Be sure to take our Diabetes Risk Test before visiting your health care provider. And, take along these questions and healthy guidelines to make the most of your visit.
· What is the circumference of my waist? (A healthy number is 40 inches or below for men, under 35 inches for women)
· What is my blood pressure?( Less than 120/80 is ideal)
· Will you give me a fasting blood glucose test? (Maintain a schedule of being tested every 3 years after age 45 and ask your doctor to explain the test results and provide tips on how to lower your numbers if need be)
· What is my cholesterol? (Total cholesterol should be less than 200, with LDL levels less than 100 and HDL levels more than 40 mgs for men, 50 mgs for women)
· What are some small steps I can take to be healthier and avoid type 2 diabetes?
Source: American Diabetes Association’s CheckUp America campaign
Why do you want to Stop Diabetes?
Kathy Smith
With
the staggering number of people being diagnosed with diabetes and pre-diabetes
on the rise, I felt inspired to reach out to that population.
Protect
Your Daughter From Cancer
Ways to cut her breast
cancer risk for life
A new study suggests
that the same
HPV vaccine that cuts the risk of
cervical cancer may also protect against
some types of breast cancer. Has your daughter been immunized?
Then, learn the
4 best ways to cut her breast cancer risk and your own.
Plus: Understand the connection between
breast cancer and genetics.
4
Ways to Dodge Breast Cancer
Take these steps to cut
your breast cancer risk
They say an ounce of
prevention is worth a pound of cure. Learn the
4 best ways to avoid breast cancer and cross cancer off your list.
Then, discover
how to protect your daughter from breast cancer and why
ordinary aspirin may help boost breast cancer survival.
To Vaccinate or Not to Vaccinate?
To Subscribe to any of our Newsletters visit:
http://www.arcamax.com/cgi-bin/reg
As if there aren't enough
debates about raising kids, to vaccinate or not is one of the thorniest. Back in
1998, a study in The Lancet suggested that the measles, mumps, rubella vaccine (MMR)
was linked to autism. It ignited an emotional debate that scared scores of
parents right out of the doctor's office, refusing to let their kids get the
vaccine.
Since then, numerous studies failed to find this link, the safety of vaccines
improved and the measles rate rose slightly in the U.S.
And last month, the headlines changed: The Lancet retracted the study that
started the bonfire. Investigations found questionable scientific methods and
previously undisclosed conflicts of interest (some costs of the study, headed by
Dr. Andrew Wakefield, were paid by lawyers wanting to sue vaccine manufacturers,
and he had patented a potentially competing measles vaccine).
Does this seal the debate? We know it's not that easy. Our take is that parents
need to know that "safe" does not mean "without risk." And that the chance that
vaccines benefit the typical child are at least 20 times greater than the chance
of serious injury. (For more on the data and our opinions, see our book "YOU:
Having a Baby.") Your own decision may come down to:
1. What kind of person you are (trusting of the medical profession or skeptical
of it)
2. How tolerant you are of risk
3. Your family medical history -- whether you're genetically predisposed to
allergies or other conditions.
Us? Mehmet's kids completed the recommended immunizations before school (but
about a year after recommended); Mike's kids got vaccinated according to the
standard schedule.
========
The YOU Docs, Mehmet Oz and Mike Roizen, are authors of "YOU: On a Diet."
Want more? See "The Dr. Oz Show" on TV (check local listings). To submit
questions, go to www.RealAge.com. (c) 2010 Michael Roizen, M.D. and Mehmet Oz,
M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
*****************
Five Things You Must Know About Heart Attacks
To Subscribe to any of our Newsletters visit:
http://www.arcamax.com/cgi-bin/reg
For better or worse, things
rarely happen in real life the way they do in Hollywood (sorry; "Pretty Woman"
isn't real). Heart attacks are no exception. Learning about them may save your
life:
1. You might not feel any chest pain. The heart itself doesn't have pain
receptors. But nerves coming from the heart may trigger nerves in, say, the
chest or arm. Or not. Instead, you may notice unusual or extreme fatigue,
atypical or prolonged disturbances in your sleep patterns, shortness of breath,
indigestion or even pressure, tightness, aching or burning in your upper back,
neck, shoulders, arms or even in your jaw or throat.
2. Cholesterol doesn't tell you much. Just one cholesterol number -- total
cholesterol -- doesn't tell you everything you need. Better to know how much is
artery-clogging lousy LDL (should be less than 100) and how much healthy HDL you
have (should be higher than 50).
3. Cholesterol isn't the only number to watch. High blood pressure is a huge
heart-attack risk factor, and is even more powerful than LDL. Your blood
pressure should be 115/76 or lower.
4. Women are as vulnerable as men. The risk of dying from heart disease isn't
just a guy thing.
5. What's on your mind really matters. Anxiety is hard on your heart. So hard,
in fact, that highly anxious people with heart disease are TWICE as likely to
suffer a heart attack or die compared with their more mellow-minded peers.
========
The YOU Docs, Mehmet Oz and Mike Roizen, are authors of "YOU: On a Diet."
Want more? See "The Dr. Oz Show" on TV (check local listings). To submit
questions, go to www.RealAge.com. (c) 2010 Michael Roizen, M.D. and Mehmet Oz,
M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc
http://www.helpguide.org/mental/childhood_obesity.htm?source=newsletter0210
As a parent, few things are cuter than your full-cheeked baby or the chubby knees of your toddler. For some children, however, that adorable baby fat may turn into a health concern. If you’re watching your child struggle with his or her weight, you may feel alone or helpless; in reality, you are neither.
Childhood obesity affects an enormous and growing number of families around the world, but the vast majority of these cases are preventable—and can still be reversed.
Over the past 30 years, the number of kids with weight problems has increased at an alarming rate. Today, 1 out of 3 children and teens in the U.S. are overweight or obese. Those extra pounds put kids at risk for developing serious health problems, including diabetes, heart disease, and asthma. Childhood obesity also takes an emotional toll. Overweight and obese children often have trouble keeping up with other kids and joining in sports and activities. Other kids may tease and exclude them, leading to low self-esteem, negative body image, and even depression.
If you’re the parent of an overweight child, these facts may sound scary and discouraging. But here’s the good news: you can make a huge difference in your child’s life and health. With support, encouragement, and positive role modeling, you can help your child reach and maintain a healthy weight.
Understanding how children become obese or overweight in the first place is an important step toward breaking the cycle. Most cases of childhood obesity are caused by eating too much and exercising too little. Children need enough food to support healthy growth and development. But when they take in more calories than they burn throughout the day, the result is weight gain.
Many factors contribute to this growing imbalance between calories in and calories out:
MYTH: Childhood obesity is genetic, so there’s nothing you can do about it.
TRUTH: While a person’s genes do influence weight, they are only one small part of the equation. Although some children are more prone to gaining weight than others, that doesn’t mean they’re destined for weight problems. Most kids can maintain a healthy weight if they eat right and exercise.
MYTH: Children who are obese or overweight should be put on a diet.
TRUTH: Unless directed by your child’s doctor otherwise, the treatment for childhood obesity is not weight loss. The goal should be to slow or stop weight gain, allowing your child to grow into his or her ideal weight.
MYTH: It’s just baby fat. Children will outgrow the weight.
TRUTH: Childhood obesity doesn’t always lead to obesity in adulthood, but it does raise the risks dramatically. The majority of children who are overweight at any time during the preschool or elementary school are still overweight as they enter their teens. Most kids do not outgrow the problem.
Healthy habits start at home. The best way to fight and prevent childhood obesity and weight problems is to get the whole family on a healthier track. Making better food choices and becoming more active will benefit everyone, regardless of weight. And with the whole family involved, it will be much easier for your overweight child to make lasting changes.
The most effective way to influence your child is by your own healthy example. If your children see you eating your vegetables, being active, and limiting your TV time, there’s a good chance that they will do the same. These habits will also have the happy side effect of helping you maintain a healthy weight.
Source: We Can! Families Finding the Balance, U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services
Begin eating right today, as a family. Remember the importance of role modeling: there should be emphasis on what you do so that your child can follow. It is crucial to get the whole family in on the idea of eating healthfully at home and away.
Helping your child beat obesity begins with helping him or her forge a healthy relationship with food. You may need to make major changes to your eating lifestyle.
Helping
Your Kids Develop Healthy Eating HabitsBetween peer pressure and the constant television commercials for junk food, getting children to eat well sometimes seems more futile than fruitful. However, you can ensure that your children’s diet is as nutritious and wholesome as possible, even while allowing for some of their favorite treats.
Read: Nutrition for Children and Teens
Your home is where your child most likely eats the majority of his or her meals and snacks, so it is vital that your kitchen is stocked with healthy choices and treats.
|
Snacks at home: What to add and what to subtract |
|
|
· Add: Fresh fruit and vegetables that can be taken on the go or packed in a lunch. · Add: Low-fat or non-fat milk and dairy products, including string cheese. · Add: Whole grain breads and cereals, pretzels, low-fat microwave popcorn. · Add: Low-fat frozen yogurt, frozen fruit juice bars, fig bars, ginger snaps. |
· Subtract: Soda, sweetened lemonade, fruit punch, and fruit juice with added sugar. · Subtract: Hot dogs, fatty lunch meats, sausage, chicken nuggets. · Subtract: White bread, sugary breakfast cereals, chips. · Subtract: Cookies, cakes, candy, ice cream, donuts. |
How do you ensure your children eat the right amount of healthful food? How much is too much? Portion distortion is widespread, so you will need strategies to retrain you and your family’s appetites and avoid oversized servings when eating out.
Children who sit too much and move too little are at the highest risk for becoming overweight. Kids need an hour of exercise daily for optimum health. This may seem like a lot, but exercise doesn’t have to happen in a gym or all at once. Instead, try to incorporate movement into your family’s regular routine.
It used to be commonplace to find children running around and playing in the streets of their neighborhoods, naturally expending energy and getting exercise. In today’s world, that’s not always an option. If you’re not comfortable letting your children roam free, you still have options for boosting their activity level.
The more time your children spend watching TV, playing video games, or using the computer, the less time they’ll spend on active pastimes. Limits on television and computer time lead directly to your child spending more time being physically active. Remember how important it is for you to be a positive role model—yes, you may have to cut down on your own viewing habits—and have a good attitude about the change.
Making major lifestyle changes has the potential to add more stress to a child’s life. At times, your overweight or obese child might feel singled out, sad, angry, embarrassed, or discouraged. In the past, they might have dealt with stress by eating or zoning out in front of the TV. Since this is no longer an option, help them find a healthy alternative. Ask your child what he or she might like to take up as a hobby. Hobbies can help kids boost their self-esteem, relieve stress, and provide a positive outlet.
You can make a huge impact on your children’s health by being involved with the details of their lives.
Overweight and Obesity – Learn how to tell if your child is overweight, explore the causes and effects of childhood obesity, and find helpful tips for preventing weight problems. (KidsHealth)
We Can! Families Finding the Balance: A Parent Handbook (PDF) – Guide to tackling the problem of childhood obesity and making healthy changes for the whole family. (U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services)
Spotlight on Child Obesity – Article highlights recent research on childhood obesity and offers parenting tips for raising a healthy child. (Northwestern University)
Helping Your Overweight Child – Parent’s guide to helping an obese or overweight child begin to eat better and be more active. (Weight-control Information Network, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
Is Dieting Okay for Kids? – Discover why the majority of overweight kids should not diet, and find out healthier strategies for combating childhood obesity. (KidsHealth)
Childhood Obesity: What Parents Can Do – How to involve the whole family in reversing the conditions for obesity, rather than just focusing on the overweight child. (Mayo Clinic)
Be a Healthy Role Model for Children (PDF) – Ten tips for setting a good example for your child and preventing childhood overweight and obesity. (MyPyramid.gov)
Cut Back on Sweet Treats (PDF) – Ten tips for fighting childhood obesity and overweight by cutting back on added sugar. (MyPyramid.gov)
Keeping Kids Active: Ideas for Parents – Many helpful suggestions for raising your child’s enthusiasm for activity, with consideration for his or her unique personality. (Mayo Clinic)
Talking to Kids About Weight – Advice for addressing the sensitive subject of weight and offering support to an overweight or obese child. (American Dietetic Association)
Healthy at Home – List of practical tips for creating a healthy environment at home and encouraging better habits in overweight or obese children. (Get Kids In Action)
Childhood Obesity Assessment Calculator – Tool that lets you calculate your child’s Body Mass Index (BMI). (Shape Up America)
9
Foods That Can Save Your Life
Eat your way to better
health
Add these
9 foods that could save your life to your shopping list and start reaping
the benefits of superfoods.
Then, discover
more foods that can keep you well and
14 delicious ways to serve them.
A Better Memory: What Really Counts
The You Docs from ArcaMax may be non-commercially distributed unedited! Please share it! Pass it along to friends, family and associates.
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Does your antiperspirant need
to go? We hear from worried people about the link between aluminum in
antiperspirants and Alzheimer's. It's unlikely aluminum is a cause, but every
once in a while, a study comes along that makes us wonder. So if you want to
switch to underarm or other products (like water bottles) without aluminum, go
for it.
But spending time stressing about this element is like worrying about one weed
while the rest of your yard is burnt grass. In other words, focus on bigger
brain strategies, including:
Eat right and walk it off. People in their 70s who were the most active and ate
a Mediterranean-style diet (fruit, veggies, legumes, good fats and fish) were
more than 60 percent less likely to develop Alzheimer's than people who were the
least active and Mediterranean-minded.
Take DHA, the key omega-3 fat in fish oil. People who took 900 mg made as few
mistakes on a memory test as someone seven years younger would have. Get 600 mg
a day from supplements and the rest from 4 ounces of salmon or trout a week.
Consider coffee. People who drank at least three cups a day were 65 percent less
likely to develop Alzheimer's or dementia than those who were less caffeinated.
Love turmeric. Indians and mice who consume a daily curry dish or an equivalent
amount of this spice have less Alzheimer's than North Americans who don't.
Be bad at the crossword puzzle. Pushing your mind slightly beyond its
capabilities causes regrowth of neurons and dendrites, so you're banking
brainpower.
By understanding the risk factors of heart disease and making certain lifestyle choices, heart disease can be prevented.
Your heart is a veritable life-support machine. Love it and take care of it, and your heart should be good for a long and healthy lifetime. But abuse it and you may be in trouble.
According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, cardiovascular disease accounts for more deaths in Canada than any other disease. Recently, 35% of all male deaths were due to heart disease or stroke, and 37% of female deaths! So it’s a myth that women don’t get heart disease.
Here’s the good news… There’s a lot you can do to prevent heart disease.
Medical research shows that heart disease is primarily a lifestyle illness where the risk can be reduced by making appropriate choices. And it’s really not that complex. Healthy eating, exercise and not smoking can control many of the factors that lead to heart disease. The question is, are you at risk…and what can you do to keep your heart healthy?
What is cardiovascular disease?
The Heart and Stroke Foundation defines cardiovascular diseases as diseases or injuries of the cardiovascular system, the heart, the blood vessels of the heart and the system of blood vessels (veins and arteries) throughout the body and in the brain. Stroke, which is also considered a cardiovascular disease, is the result of a blood flow problem to the brain.
The risk factors
· High Blood Cholesterol Levels – Too much “bad” LDL cholesterol is a risk factor for the development of “plaques” or blockages in the arteries , including the arteries which supply blood to the heart muscles. When these plaques rupture they may shut off blood supply to the heart muscle causing what we call a “heart attack”
· High Blood Pressure – Puts unwanted strain on artery walls and on the pump. A reading of 140/90 or above is generally thought to put you in the risk zone. However, numbers can fluctuate so it’s best to talk to your doctor.
· Smoking – Every puff of a cigarette reduces the amount of oxygen your heart receives. In addition, it exposes your lungs and heart to toxins created during the burning of tobacco.
· Obesity – Obesity is considered a major risk factor for heart disease. People who are more than 30% over their ideal weight are more likely to develop coronary heart disease and stroke.
· Diabetes – Puts women and men at a higher risk of heart disease. High blood pressure and high cholesterol go hand in hand with diabetes.
· Stress – Stress, anger and feelings of hostility are often associated with unhealthy activities such as smoking, overeating and excessive drinking, all risk factors for heart disease.
· Age – The older we get, the greater the risk of heart disease. But it’s different for men and women. Men start being at higher risk for heart disease in their 40s, while for women it’s usually in their 50s after the menopause. By age 75, the risk is about the same for both sexes.
· Family History – If one of your close relatives suffered from heart disease early in life, you may be at greater risk. So, it’s particularly important to take preventative measures.
What you can do to reduce your risk:
· Don’t smoke. If you stop, no matter how much you’ve smoked in your life, your risk is reduced over time until there’s almost no added risk at all. More good news! Not smoking may also increase the amount of “good” cholesterol in your blood.
· Exercise. Your heart is a muscle, so the more you use it, the stronger it gets. And exercise is probably the best way to raise your “good” HDL cholesterol level, decrease your blood pressure, reduce stress and help you keep your weight down.
· Eat healthy and well. A healthy diet can’t always replace pills or medical intervention, but it can help you reduce your risk of heart disease. Eat more fruits, vegetables and dietary fibre.
· Opt for lean white meats and fish, which offer the added benefit of omega-3 fatty acids. Limit sodium intake to a level teaspoon, or less, of salt a day. If you use oil, choose monounsaturated fats, like olive or canola oil, rather than butter. And limit the amount of that, too.
· Control your weight. But avoid fad or miracle diets. The best way to keep a healthy weight is to eat a balanced diet, control your portion sizes, reduce fats and sweets, and exercise regularly.
· Drink alcohol in moderation. Some studies show that moderate alcohol consumption – no more than two drinks a day – can reduce the risk of heart disease. However, remember moderation is the key. Over-consumption can increase your blood pressure, the risk of heart disease, and may increase your odds of problems in other areas.
· Reduce stress. If you have a lot of stress in your life, from job, family and other responsibilities, learn to let some things go. Cut yourself some slack. Get the support you need.
· Investigate low dose ASA therapy. If you’ve experienced angina or had a heart attack or stroke, your doctors will most probably prescribe preventative ASA heart therapy. However, if you’re taking low dose ASA for your heart, many doctors recommend TYLENOL* acetaminophen for pain relief because it doesn’t irritate your stomach or interfere with ASA preventative therapy. Check with your doctor before starting a daily ASA routine.
· Have regular medical check-ups. That’s when your doctor can measure your blood cholesterol, check your weight and blood pressure and test you for diabetes. Using a scoring system called Framingham Risk Scores, your doctor can assess your 10-year risk of developing heart disease. And if there are danger signs, you can start taking preventative action early!
Keeping your heart happy and healthy is all about making the right
choices, how you exercise, what you eat and living a positive lifestyle. If you
have questions, be sure to talk to your doctor. And for all kinds of great
information about your heart, heart disease risk factors, and healthy living
tips, you can also visit the website of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of
Canada at 
.
There’s
a lot of free advice about physical activity out there these days − some
reliable, some not. It's easy to fall into the trap: A friend gives you an
activity tip, and then you pass it on to several buddies you know. One day,
you're at your weekly yoga class, and sure enough, you hear the same tip
repeated, so you figure it must be true. When you’re unsure, the important thing
is to ask a qualified fitness professional for advice. In the meantime, knowing
the difference between fact and fiction will keep you healthy, injury-free, and
on track to meeting your physical activity goals. Here are some myths that need
some challenging:
Myth #1: An aerobic workout will boost your calorie burn for hours after you stop working out.
False: Don’t confuse calorie burn with metabolism. While your metabolism will continue to rev at a slightly higher rate after you finish an aerobic workout, the amount of calorie burn is not statistically significant. In fact, you’ll only use up about 20 extra calories for the rest of the day. While there's a little bit more of a metabolic boost after strength training, it's still negligible. In other words, don’t use the fact that you worked out to eat more.
Myth #2: If you're not working up a sweat, you’re not exercising hard enough.
False: Sweating or perspiring is not necessarily an indicator of exertion. Perspiring is your body’s way of cooling itself. It's possible to burn a significant number of calories without breaking a sweat.
Myth #3: Strength training will make me "bulk up."
False: Gaining muscle mass is something you have to work very hard at to achieve, male or female. Women tend to avoid weight training because they don't want to look bulked up. However, strength training is a critical element to maintaining a healthy weight and strengthening your body. What we know is that the average woman doesn't typically gain bulk from strength training because she doesn't have the amount of hormones necessary to build massive amounts of muscle.
Myth #4: Machines are a safer way to weight train because you're doing it right every time.
False: Although it may seem as if an exercise machine automatically puts your body in the right position and helps you do all the movements correctly, that's only true if the machine is properly adjusted for your weight and height. Before using any equipment or performing any exercise, you should ensure you understand the full mechanics of the movement and the proper endpoints. Unless you have a coach or a trainer to figure out what is the right setting for you, you can make just as many mistakes in form and function and have just as high a risk of injury on a machine as if you work out with free weights or do any other type of workout.
Myth #5: When it comes to physical activity, you've got to feel some pain if you're going to gain any benefits.
False: While you should expect to have some degree of stiffness or soreness a day or two after physical activity, that's very different from feeling pain while you are working out. A fitness activity should not hurt while you are doing it, and if it does, then either you are doing it incorrectly, or you already have an injury. As for "working through the pain," experts advise against it. If it hurts, stop, rest, and see if the pain goes away. If it doesn't go away, or if it begins again or increases after you start an activity, see a doctor.
Myth #6: If I can't be active often enough, I might as well not even do it.
False: Remember: Any activity is better than no activity, even if it's only a 15-minute walk. Being physically active is important for heart health and is proven to reduce stress. So, even if you can't make it to the gym or yoga class, you can always do something active each day. Taking a walk, climbing the stairs instead of hopping on the elevator or escalator all count!
Myth #7: You can take weight off of specific body parts by doing exercises that target those areas.
False: This concept is called "spot training" and unfortunately, it doesn’t target fatty areas. When you lose weight, your body predetermines which fat stores it will use. For example, doing sit-ups will strengthen your abs but will not take the fat off of your stomach. Similarly, an activity like running burns fat all over your body, not just your legs. You can, however, complement a balanced physical activity program with a selection of weight training exercises to gradually lose weight and tone your body.
Myth #8: You will burn more fat if you exercise longer at a lower intensity.
False: The most important factor in physical activity and weight control is not the percentage of fat calories burned, but the total calories burned during the activity. The faster you walk, bike or swim, for example, the more calories you use per minute. You may still be burning more calories (and likely will be) from fat but the relative percentage of the source will be altered. So high intensity exercises will likely burn more calories total, as well as attributable energy to fat metabolism.
Myth #9: I can eat what I want because my workout will keep the weight off.
False: If you tend to eat large-portion meals such as 340 g/12 oz steaks, two to three cups of pasta, three to four slices of pizza, or high-calorie foods such as chocolate shakes and fries on a regular basis, no manner of workout will burn enough of those calories off to keep your weight in check. A healthy way to achieve and maintain a healthy weight is to combine healthy eating with regular physical activity – they go hand in hand. Need help? Try our Healthy Weights Action Plan.
Myth #10: The best time to be active is early in the morning.
False: There is no one optimal time to be active. The best time is the time that appeals to you and fits into your schedule on a regular basis. Some folks love to jump-start their day with a morning workout, while others swear that physical activity at the end of the work day is a great way to boost energy for the evening and eliminate stress. Choose whatever works for you.
Before starting any activity program, be sure to talk to your doctor or other healthcare professional.
This physical activity column was written by a certified personal trainer and fitness instructor and reviewed by a specialist in kinesiology.
Posted February 2010.
******************
RSI - A Pain in the Neck, Back, Arm and …
February 29th. It's the one day on the calendar that does not repeat, which is why it was chosen for International Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) Awareness Day. In non-leap years, it is observed on February 28th. On this day, workers, health and safety professionals, health care practitioners and others take the opportunity to help raise awareness about RSIs and the need for action aimed at prevention, rehabilitation and compensation.
What are RSIs?
Repetitive strain injuries, also known as work-related musculoskeletal disorders
(WMSDs), is an umbrella term to describe a family of painful disorders affecting
tendons, muscles, nerves and joints in the neck, upper and lower back, chest,
shoulders, arms and hands. WMSDs are a serious occupational health concern
across the world and are recognized as leading causes of significant human
suffering, loss of productivity, and economic burdens on society.
Cause
WMSDs can be caused by work activities that are frequent and repetitive, or
activities with awkward postures, including:
Heat, cold and vibration may also contribute to the development of WMSDs. These disorders are generally caused by a combination of these factors - rather than one individual factor.
Prevention
The best way to eliminate a hazard is to eliminate the source. With WMSDs, the
main source of the hazard is the repetitiveness of work. Prevention efforts
should focus on avoiding the repetitiveness patterns of work through proper job
design. Where this is not possible, preventive strategies involving workplace
layout, tool and equipment design, and work practices should be considered. It
is important to recognize these disorders early because medical treatments
become less effective the longer these injuries go on.
Preventive and control measures, in order to be truly effective, require involvement of workers, their representatives, and management.
More information
Symptons, causes and prevention tips for musculoskeletal disorders, OSH Answers (CCOHS)
Look for and listen to the CCOHS free podcast with tips to prevent RSIs, available mid February 2010.
http://www.helpguide.org/life/healthy_aging_seniors_aging_well.htm?source=newsletter0110
As you grow older, you experience an increasing number of changes, including retirement, the loss of loved ones, and the physical changes of aging. How you handle these changes is the key to aging well.
Healthy aging is about much more than staying physically healthy—it’s about maintaining your sense of purpose and your zest for life. While the specific ingredients of aging well are different for everyone, knowing the basic recipe for healthy aging will help you live with meaning and joy throughout your senior years.
Coping with change is difficult, no matter how old you are. The particular challenge for older adults is the sheer number of changes and transitions—including the loss of friends, family, your career, your health, and even your independence. It’s natural to feel those losses. But if that sense of loss is balanced with positive ingredients, you have a recipe for aging well.
Healthy aging means continually reinventing yourself, finding new things you enjoy, learning to adapt to change, staying physically and socially active, and feeling connected to your community and loved ones. Unfortunately, for many, aging brings anxiety and fear instead. How will I take care of myself? What if I lose my spouse? What is going to happen to my mind? However, many of these fears stem from myths about aging that are exaggerated or simply untrue. The truth is that you are stronger and more resilient than you may think.
MYTH: Old age means poor health and disability.
Fact: There are some diseases that are more common in older adults. However, getting old does not automatically mean poor health or that you will be confined to a walker or wheelchair. Plenty of older adults enjoy vigorous health. Preventive measures like healthy eating, exercising and managing stress can help reduce the risk of chronic disease and fall risk later in life.
MYTH: Memory loss is an inevitable part of aging.
Fact: You may eventually notice you don’t remember experiences as easily as in the past, and memories may take longer to retrieve. However, significant memory loss is not an inevitable result of aging. Brain training and new learning can occur at any age. And there are many things you can do to keep your memory sharp.
MYTH: You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.
Fact: One of the more damaging myths of aging is that after a certain age, you just won’t be able to try anything new or contribute things anymore. Quite the contrary. Older adults are just as capable of learning new things, thriving in new environments, and sharing their wisdom and experience with many generations. If you believe in yourself and have confidence in yourself, you are setting up a positive environment for change no matter what your age.
As you age, there will be periods of both joy and stress. It’s important to build your resilience and find healthy ways to cope with challenges. This ability will help you make the most of the good times and keep your perspective when times are tough.
Depression
is not a normal part of aging The difficult changes that older individuals often face—such as the death of a spouse, retirement, or medical problems—can lead to depression, especially if you don’t have a strong support system. But depression is not a normal or necessary part of aging, and with treatment and support, you can get back to enjoying your golden years.
Read: Depression in Older Adults and the Elderly: Recognizing the Signs and Getting Help
A key ingredient in the recipe for healthy aging is the continuing ability to find meaning and joy in life. As you age, your life will change and you will lose things that previously occupied your time and gave your life purpose. For example, you may retire from your career or your children may move far away. But this is not a time to stop moving forward. Later life can be a time of exciting new adventures if you let it.
Everyone has different ways of experiencing meaning and joy, and the activities you enjoy may change over time. If you’re not sure where to get started, try some of the following suggestions:
The possibilities are endless. The important thing is to find activities that are both meaningful and enjoyable. Whatever your preference, taking time to nourish your spirit is never wasted.
Laughter is strong medicine for both the body and the mind. It helps you stay balanced, energetic, joyful, and healthy. A sense of humor helps you get through tough times, look outside yourself, laugh at the absurdities of life, and transcend difficulties.
To learn more about how to harness its powerful effects, read Laughter is the Best Medicine: The Health Benefits of Humor and Laughter.
One
of the greatest challenges of aging is how your support network changes. Staying
connected isn’t always easy as you grow older—even for those who have always had
an active social life. Retirement, illness, death, and moves can take away close
friends and family members. And the older you get, the more people you lose.
What’s more, getting around may be difficult.
But it’s important to find ways to reach out and connect to others. Loneliness and isolation are major threats to aging well. Having people you can turn to for company and support is a buffer against depression, disability, hardship, and loss.
The good news is that there are lots of ways to be with other people. It doesn’t matter what you do, so long as you get out of the house (if possible) and socialize:
Don’t
fall for the myth that aging automatically means you’re not going to feel good
anymore. It is true that aging involves physical changes, but it doesn’t have to
mean discomfort and disability. While not all illness or pain is avoidable, many
of the physical challenges associated with aging can be overcome or drastically
mitigated by eating right, exercising, and taking care of yourself.
It’s never too late to start! No matter how old you are or how unhealthy you’ve been in the past, caring for your body has enormous benefits that will help you stay active, sharpen your memory, boost your immune system, manage health problems, and increase your energy. In fact, many older adults report feeling better than ever because they are making more of an effort to be healthy than they did when they were younger.
As you age, your relationship to food changes along with your body. A decreased metabolism, changes in taste and smell, and slower digestion may affect your appetite, the foods you can eat, and how your body processes food. The key is to figure out how to adapt to your changing needs. Now, more than ever, healthy eating is important to maintain your energy and health.
For more tips, visit Nutrition for Seniors: Healthy Eating Tips for Older Adults.
Many older adults don’t exercise. However, exercise is vital for healthy aging. It helps you maintain your strength and agility, gives your mental health a boost, and can even help diminish chronic pain. Whether you are generally healthy or are coping with an ongoing disability or health problem, regular exercise will help you stay physically and mentally healthy and improve your confidence.
http://www.helpguide.org/life/healthy_diet_cancer_prevention.htm?source=newsletter0110
Are you interested in doing all you can to improve your health and fight off cancer? Maybe you have a history of cancer in your family or a loved one who’s battling the disease. Maybe you’re dealing with cancer yourself or trying to prevent a recurrence. Whatever the situation, your dietary choices matter. Some foods actually increase your risk of cancer, while others support your body and strengthen your immune system. By making smart food choices, you can protect your health, feel better, and boost your ability fight off disease.
Not all health problems are avoidable, but you have more control over your health than you may think. Research shows that a large percentage of cancer-related deaths—maybe even the majority—are directly linked to lifestyle choices such as smoking, drinking, a lack of exercise, and an unhealthy diet. Avoiding cigarettes, minimizing alcohol, and getting regular exercise are a great start to an anti-cancer lifestyle. But to best support your health, you also need to look at your eating habits.
What you eat—and don’t eat—has a powerful effect on your health, including your risk of cancer. Without knowing it, you may be eating many foods that fuel cancer, while neglecting the powerful foods and nutrients that can protect you. If you change your diet and behaviors, you can minimize your risk of disease and possibly even stop cancer in its tracks.
It comes down to this: Plants have less fat, more fiber, and more cancer-fighting nutrients. These three elements work together to support your immune system and help your body fight off cancer.
The best diet for preventing or fighting cancer is a predominantly plant-based diet that includes a variety of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. A plant-based diet means eating mostly foods that come from plants: vegetables, fruits, nuts, grains, and beans.
The less processed these foods are—the less they’ve been cooked, peeled, mixed with other ingredients, stripped of their nutrients, or otherwise altered from the way they cam out of the ground—the better.
There are many ways to add plant-based foods to your diet. A nice visual reminder is to aim for a plate of food that is filled at least two-thirds with whole grains, vegetables, beans, or fruit. Dairy products, fish, and meat should take up no more than a third of the plate. Keep in mind that you don’t need to go completely vegetarian. Instead, focus on adding “whole” foods, which are foods close to their original form. Just as important, try to minimize or reduce the amount of processed foods you eat. Eat an apple instead of drinking a glass of apple juice, for example. Or enjoy a bowl of oatmeal with raisins instead of an oatmeal raisin cookie.
