Sunday, October 31, 2010

A Guide on Coming Off Birth Control

Using birth control methods for safe sex and to protect yourself from unplanned parenthood is always a wise decision. But when the times comes that you and your partner decides to start a family, coming off birth control in order to conceive is often a tricky process. This is especially true if you have been using hormonal birth control methods like injectable or oral contraceptives. Here is a guide if you want to get off birth control for possible conception and pregnancy:

1. Complete your current cycle.

According to Frank Chervenak, MD, chairman of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department at Cornell University, it is advisable to complete the current cycle of your birth control pills or BCP instead of stopping mid-cycle in order to conceive. He says that continuing with your current BCP pack lessens the risk of irregular bleeding.

2. Stop pill intake at least two or three months before you plan to conceive.

This allows your body to resume its natural hormonal cycle without help from the pill. It also allows hormones from the pill to get out of your system. Stopping two or three months or cycles before you want to conceive also allows you to regulate your ovulation so you can chart when are you most fertile.

3. Use a barrier method after getting off the pill prior to the time you want to conceive.

Although this may seem nonsense after getting off the pill, it is advisable to use an alternative barrier method to prevent an earlier conception than you planned. Barrier methods such as condoms can prevent you from getting pregnant while your body is still trying to get accustomed to life without BCP. Also, using a barrier method or another means of alternative birth control saves you from constant worrying and hoping for a pregnancy. Irregular or missed periods soon after you got off the pill are common occurrences but these do not necessarily mean that you are pregnant.

4. Discontinue habits that can affect your ability to conceive.

Habits such as smoking, drinking, and taking in too much caffeine can affect your ability to conceive even if you got off the pill. Also, these bad habits can cause birth defects in your baby just in case you have an undetected pregnancy soon after getting off the pill. Irregular and missed periods are common and you can get pregnant while assuming that your body is just adjusting to the lack of pill hormones. To be on the safe side, discontinue or temporarily quit these habits after getting off the pill.

5. Take folic acid supplements and fertility medication.

Folic acid prevents defects during the early development of your baby. Since it's hard to be sure whether or not you are pregnant soon after quitting BCP, take folic acid supplements just in case you are pregnant. You can expect to conceive and get pregnant two to six months after coming off birth control but still, it is not unusual if getting pregnant takes longer than that. Consult your gynecologist or a Planned Parenthood doctor for fertility medications you and your partner can take to increase your chances of having a baby.

Saturday, October 30, 2010

A Guide on Choosing Organic Skin Care Products

Take a stroll along any beauty or skin care aisle and you will be bombarded by products claiming that they are “all-natural” or “organic.” The high demand for organic skin care products had drive major skin care product and cosmetic producers to mass-produce. Unfortunately, while this seems like a good news, mass producing skin care products and cosmetics is not practical unless manufacturers use preservatives and other chemicals to increase the shelf like of their supposedly “organic” products. As such, care must be taken in choosing organic skin care products to ensure authenticity and quality. Here is a guide to help you in choosing authentic organic skin care products:

1. Look for the USDA organic seal of approval.

The USDA has imposed several requirements for organic skin care products. Every product claiming to be organic must bear the USDA organic seal of approval. This means that the product has been tested and had met the quality standards set by the USDA for safety. The USDA sign means that the product and its components has passed tests conducted by the USDA for antibiotic and hormone use in livestock and crops.

2. Check beyond face-value.

Do not take the manufacturer's word for what it is. Instead, read the label to get a thorough idea of the ingredients used for the manufacture of the product. When manufacturers put “organic” or “all-natural” labels on their products, they might be stretching the truth a bit. Some unscrupulous manufacturers may have used an organic ingredient but this does not make their products “organic.” Instead, check and read labels thoroughly to ensure that the product you are going to buy is indeed organic. Whenever possible, take note of some ingredients you don't understand in the label and look it up online prior to your purchase to ensure that they are not preservatives or chemicals.

3. Be familiar with USDA organic ranking.

The USDA grants its organic seal of approval to products that passed its organic standards. In addition, the USDA also implements a system that designates a product as purely organic or not. Being familiar with this system ensures that you won't be fooled when it comes to choosing an organic product. First, only products that used purely organic substances in their manufacture can be labeled “100% organic.” Second, products with 95% or more organic ingredients can be labeled “organic” in their primary label. Third, products with 70%-95% organic ingredients can only be described as “made with organic ingredients” with three of these organic ingredients listed on the label. Lastly, products with only 70% organic ingredients or less can only use the word “organic” in their ingredient section.

By understanding what the manufacturers mean when they label their products as organic, you can minimize the risk of purchasing scam products masquerading as organic skin care lines. Better yet, research on the Internet for reviews and recommendations on the best organic skin care products around to make your choice easier.

Friday, October 29, 2010

A Glimpse Into The Holistic Approach To Medicine

If you've been listening to the medical community intermittently recently, you may have heard the word “holistic” dropped every so often. You might have heard it, but you may not have much of an idea of what it means and simply dismissed it as medical jargon. The term is used to describe an approach of medicine that performs the usual task of diagnosing and treating a problem, but spreads out to encompass other aspects of the patient. Essentially, the “holistic approach” hopes not only to improve physical health, but also to bring a balance between the body, mind, and spirit to improve health in the long-term. As such, holistic medicine also touches upon aspects such as lifestyle and social interactions. This medical philosophy can be applied to everything from pain relief to muscle training, from physical training to social skills.

The philosophy itself is neither new, nor Western in origin. Traditional Chinese Medicine, along with the offshoot systems in Japan and Korea, as well as the Indian Ayur Veda system are both holistic in approach. Essentially, both systems focus on correcting the physical and mental imbalances that cause problems in both the body and mind. This stands in contrast to Western medicine, where problems are taken as separate considerations from the general state of the body. For example, while a Western doctor who abides by Western medical philosophy might recommend mild doses of Tramadol for pain relief, a TCM practitioner or someone who believes in the holistic approach might be more inclined to ask the patient about things like his emotions or personal problems. This is done because it is believed that the body's negative responses can be reflective of imbalances of the mind or spirit.

The main focus of most holistic medical systems, regardless of their country of origin, is to return the body to a state of balance. The body is generally viewed as a combination of different parts and elements, which come together harmoniously when a person is in imperfect health. An imbalance occurs when one of those aspects becomes greater than the others, which in turn is attributed to the physical ailment that a patient suffers. For example, if part A and part B are in equal amounts, then they counter each other and are in balance. However, if there is too much part B, then it may cause pain in the joints or limbs. In such a case, the best way to bring about pain relief would be to restore the balance between part A and B, either by reducing part B to part A's level, or making part A equal part B.

The term “holistic” bas been used to describe a number of alternative systems of medicine and health, such as the aforementioned TCM and Ayur Veda. On occasion, it has also been used to describe more modern systems that focus on natural cures and treatments. In more recent times, some doctors with Western training are employing the holistic approach in their diagnosis and treatment procedures, which is an approach that is welcomed among Western medicine practitioners in the Far East. This combination of two philosophies once seen as conflicting is not quite common, but is reportedly starting to catch on in Korea, China, Taiwan, and Japan.

Thursday, October 28, 2010

A Generic Viagra pill may have a different appearance from the brand name.

When given the opportunity to save money when buying a product, we usually check out whether any differences may exist between brands. If we find no differences between the brands, we usually buy the cheaper one, even if it is not a well-known brand name item.

It is just as realistic to make the same comparisons when buying products for erectile dysfunction. When the well-known brand does not have any qualities which make it better than a lesser-known brand, the wise choice is to buy the one which costs less.

Considering pills for erectile dysfunction, low price Generic Viagra and low price Generic Cialis , are as effective, as safe and lower-priced than the original brand name products. The generic name hides no facts about the pills. They have the same ingredients as the brand name pills and work as effectively. The labels on the bottles and the color or shape of the pills have nothing to do with how well they solve the erectile dysfunction problem. Just as the original brand name product, they were designed for a specific purpose, the same purpose as the original brand name pill.
There is no gain from paying more for the well-known brand when the generic accomplishes the same result for less cost.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

A Generic Cialis sample pack.

Do you think that you must spend lots of money to get what you truly want? Many people think that they have to pay lots of money to get the "quality" associated with that price tag. Really, something of a generic nature with a cheaper price can be just as good if not better than the name brand product. This has been proved by timeless taste tests and product comparisons. Generic medications are no exception; the only problem is that the difference can matter much more if there is one between products.

Most generic products are indeed as good as if not better than their more expensive counterparts. When it comes to medications, there are a few ways to compare without having to take a health risk: customer testimonials and direct comparison of product composition. A comparison of a generic item and a name brand item can look equal on paper. It is when a person who has used the product and can tell about their experiences that the true essence of a comparison comes alive.

Customer testimonials on our web site will do just that: bring out the true experiences of the use of a product. Our site will compare Generic Cialis and compare Generic Viagra to their more expensive forms and prove that a generic is as good as the name brand medicine. The only difference is the price!

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

A Funny Get Well Card Can Brighten Their Day

It can be nerve-wracking and worrisome when a friend or family member is sick, injured, or undergoing surgery or a medical procedure. For adults, elective surgeries are accompanied by many of the same risks as emergency surgeries. When the patient is a child, he or she can easily be frightened by unfamiliar surroundings and the team of medical professionals. Often, an ill or recuperating adult will appreciate the ways in which a funny get well card can lift his or her spirits, while a child can be comforted by a thoughtful gift or card.

It's appropriate to send a funny get well card to those who expect to have a speedy recovery, or to those who are having elective surgery or a common but distasteful medical procedure. For example, if a friend is having a colonoscopy, a card that depicts a patient standing on an exam table with his pants down while a doctor with a clipboard looks on, and a caption that reads, "Life can sure be a pain in the butt," is sure to be appreciated.

Likewise, if a friend or family member is getting breast implants, a get well card that shows a man with large breasts sitting in his doctor's office, with the doctor saying, "Sorry for the mix-up. It seems that there were two Bobby Smiths in the O.R. at the same time," can add levity to what is often a rather painful recovery.

Similarly, if a loved one is dealing with a rash or hives, a funny get well card might depict a man sitting on an exam table with beehives attached to various parts of his body and a doctor saying, "I must say, Harold. You have the worst case of hives I've ever seen."

A funny get well card doesn't have to relate to your loved one's specific medical procedure or surgery. For example, virtually any man with a sense of humor would appreciate a card that illustrates a patient on the operating table of a vasectomy clinic. The doctor has lifted up the sheet and turns and says to the nurse, "Nurse, looks like we'll need to use the pediatric instruments for this one."

If you know a sick or injured child, you understand that gentle humor will help lift his or her spirits. A get well card with a drawing of a bunny with a cast on his arm that says, "Being sick sure isn't much fun" on the outside and, "But being spoiled is!" on the inside might bring a smile to the kid's face.

Often, though, kids appreciate a thoughtful get well gift. For example, a soft, plush kitten that comes with removable casts and bandages would definitely appeal to a child who is sick or injured.

Even parents and parents-to-be appreciate gifts that will help them prepare for those inevitable times when their children are injured. A red pouch that contains a reusable ice pack serves two purposes: to ice an injured area without the harsh effects of direct contact, and reducing the child's fear by hiding blood. Even an emesis basin (for vomiting) can be appealing - if it's covered in cartoons and comes with a sealable lid.

Whether it's through a funny get well card or a thoughtful gift, you have the ability to lift the spirits of loved ones who are sick or injured.

Monday, October 25, 2010

A Full Body Detox

Body detox is among the best ways of keeping ourselves clean and healthy, besides other methods such as special diets, vitamin supplements, natural therapies, and so on. An important step in a full body detox is to restore or also to replenish energy levels to make you more alert in different areas of your life, such as at work. A body cleanse or body detox is also a great way to give your body a boost after a night of over-indulgence, eating all the wrong foods and consuming more alcohol than is healthy. That is why body detox is needed because some mortals are having this kind of lifestyle.

The human body has a built in detox system that removes harmful substances from the body through excretion but when we put pressure on it by eating unhealthy foods, drinking too much alcohol and not getting enough sleep the system is weakened. At one time, the need for a natural body detox seemed to apply only to those who suffered from some form of drug or alcohol dependency. The pollution your body is exposed to daily, and your consumption of various types of junk food, coffee, aerated drinks, alcohol etc leads to the accumulation of various toxins in your body. Initially known for elimination of excessive alcohol and drugs from the body, detox is now being used more extensively for the process of elimination of any kind of toxins that may be present in the body. A full body detox diet plan using raw vegetables and fresh fruits is especially recommended for young individuals whose bodies have been subjected to high levels of alcohol, burgers and pizzas.

Todays refined diets, stressful lifestyles antibiotics or other health problems can deplete the body's natural store of these little miracle workers and upset the delicate balance or eubiosis. There are numerous other methods to detox your body, such as through herbal tea and supplements, in addition to specialized diets and spa programs. Body detox diets vary but typically involve eating or drinking nothing but raw, steamed or gently stir-fried vegetables and fruit, pulses, sprouted seeds, thin soups, juices and plain cereals such as brown rice, millet or buckwheat. Mediterranean diets are low on fat and carbohydrates and they provide us with healthy alternative to the oily food we consume every day.

Start using the benefit of exercise to cleanse and detoxify your body. Exercise increases oxygen to your system and raises your body temperature, in effect combining oxygen therapy and hyperthermia. Exercise detoxification is an effective method of cleansing many vital organs simultaneously and should become a regular part of your life. There are tons of exercise programs and plans out there, or just walking for at least 12-15 minutes a day is beneficial to the colon function. The simplest form of administering oxygen therapy is through a simple deep breathing exercise.

The increase in the amount of toxins in the body results in stress in the immune system that eventually breaks down due to overwork. If you are interested in the idea of detoxing and want to receive the fastest results possible, then what you are going to want to do is find a quick detox diet, a body detox that is going to offer you quick results. Some methods are used individually as body detox solutions while other individuals use several methods together to achieve the best possible results. If you want to receive optimum results from your detox, you should consider taking some supplements for detox. It is also good for keeping track of detox intervals or a detox schedule, body detox is not just a one time thing, for best results it should be done on a regular basis throughout the year.

While our body is not totally defenseless against toxins as we have an effective built-in natural detoxification system but body detox is still a must to help keep your body free of toxins. One of the much-desired benefits of body detox is weight loss. Liver and Kidneys detox is excellent to use before and during a weight loss program, as it will improve weight loss results. In conclusion, making your own home remedy for body detox is much better and less expensive way to pursue long term health as compared to eating detox pills.

Sunday, October 24, 2010

A Fitness Routine for Six Pak Abs

The goal of six pack abs mainly depends upon losing weight by completing exercises that focus on the muscles in the abdominal area. There are literally dozens of such exercises including many that are meant for other major muscle groups, but that can be modified to include a workout for your abdominal muscles. Here are just a few of the major abdominal emphasis exercises.

CRUNCHES

Crunches are done by lying on the floor either on a mat or not, with your arms crossed in front of your chest. Many people do crunches with the hands behind the head, but this can create lower back problems because of the pull on the head and neck. A slightly different position has the finger tips placed behind the ears, rather than crossed on the chest. It is important not to pull on the neck or on the ears for assistance in rising off the floor. Instead, suck the abdomen back toward the spine and inhale through the nose at the same time. Raise the shoulders toward the knees using only the muscles in the abdomen. The entire back should not be lifted from the floor, as this is likely to create back strain. No additional benefit to the abdomen is gained by raising the entire torso. The key part of the crunch is the initial flexing of the abdominal muscles as the shoulders are lifted off the floor. As the shoulders clear the floor, exhale through your mouth. Complete the exhalation with a gasp to expel the last of the air from the lungs as your shoulders stay clear of the floor. Lower the shoulders back to the point where the shoulder blade touches the ground while inhaling. It is important to maintain the proper breathing control and muscle flexing to get maximum benefit from crunches.

SIT UPS

Once again start in a position on the floor with your feet flat and your knees bent. The fingers should be placed behind the ears, or you can cross your arms on your chest. Slowly raise the entire back off the floor while inhaling deeply and exhale as you reverse the move. This exercise can be made more challenging in several ways. For instance, you can do sit ups from an incline with your head lower than your lower body. You can then add weights on the chest to lift while you are sitting up. Weights can become heavier on an incline bench. The next difficult step can be attained by holding the feet off the ground while doing sit ups or making a bicycle peddling motion while doing sit ups with your legs. These exercises may not be easy, but are very beneficial to the abdominal area.

LEG LIFTS

Leg lifts begin with the legs straight and the hands at your sides while lying on the floor. Lift both legs up at the same time without bending the knees until the legs are at a ninety degree angle or a close as possible. Not everyone is flexible enough to reach the ninety degree angle. Lower the legs as close as possible to the floor without actually touching and repeat several times. Increase the challenge of this exercise by adding weights to the legs while lifting them. Another challenging exercise for improving definition and musculature in the abdomen is to hang from a pull up bar while lifting both legs to a ninety-degree position. As with most other exercises, try to stay conscious of breathing while slowly doing the routines.

JACKKNIFE SIT UPS

This exercise begins by lying flat on the floor with the hands at your sides in order to provide better balance. At the same time you raise your knees, bring your torso up slowly till the face and knees meet. Return slowly to the original position while in full control of the movement. The jackknife name comes from the natural tendency of the legs to bend at the knee with the feet dropping to the hips presenting the shape of a jackknife. The difficulty level of this position can be increased by holding a weight between the feet while performing the sit ups.

V UPS

This exercise begins with you on your back on the floor with the arms extended over your head. Bring both legs and torso up at the same time without bending the knees or the arms. Keep the pace slow and steady and reach for your feet with your extended hands at the top of the arc. If possible, try to touch your feet, but this move can be tricky until your level of flexibility increases. As with other exercises, adding weight between the feet increases the difficulty level.

Saturday, October 23, 2010

A Few Simple Tips To Lose Weight

Weight loss is a tough result to obtain regardless of weight or level of physical fitness. There are many different ways to lose weight, some more unhealthy than others, but the ones that work are most times the most complicated to pull off.

Some people may recommend eating less to lose weight, and in some cases eating less is a key component of losing weight, but in most cases, eating is a necessity if one wishes to lower their own weight. Without food and the calories they supply, your body has no energy to burn and in turn will turn your existing muscle into fat. In order to lose weight you must make a commitment, a commitment that must not be broken if you desire results.

Do not misconstrue this for the idea that you can never indulge during your diet, but just be sure that you have set reasonable limits for yourself that you are ready to commit to. If you are on a strict diet, a "cheat" meal here and there will go a long way to keeping you happy.

To be successful in achieving your goal of weight loss: set multiple, smaller, more easily attainable goals for yourself. These will keep you self motivated and more likely to obtaining your overall goal of a happier and healthier life.

Friday, October 22, 2010

A Few Simple Ideas to Mix Up Your Routine

Every now and then I catch myself stuck in the same routine and my workout starts to get a little boring. I know this is starting to happen when it gets easy to miss my regular workout. Recently, I noticed this had happened when I easily talked myself out of going to the gym for almost 2 weeks straight. Obviously, something needed to change. So here are a few ideas that I use from time to time just to spice up my workout. Give them a try, and I’m sure you’ll find some new excitement to your workout as well.

Change your Grip!

This is a small change compared to most of the others you can do, but one way to spice up your workout from time to time is to change the way you’re gripping the bar when doing barbell or machine exercises. One of my favorite grips is the palm grip. In fact, I’ve read several articles from fitness trainers and other professional athletes that suggest that on exercises like the bench press, you should only be using a palm grip.

So what is a palm grip? Let’s use the bench press as an example for the palm grip. Many of us have been guilty of using a standard grip on this exercise, myself included. A standard grip would be where you wrap your hand around bar as if you were holding a baseball bat. If you want a more effective bench press, try not wrapping your thumb around the bar. You might think that you’ll lose some stability by doing this, but I’ve never had that problem. You might have to bend your wrist a little more to compensate, or lower the weight just a little bit. The main benefit to using a palm grip on this type of exercise is that by putting your thumb in this position, you are reducing the amount of effort that your forearms will put into the exercise. Therefore, you chest and tricep muscles will have to work even harder to do the lift. Try this, and I’m sure you’ll notice a difference the next time you perform a bench press.

Try Trisets!

You’ve probably heard of super sets, where you do two exercise consecutively without resting in between. Have you ever tried doing three different exercises? This works extremely well with bicep exercises. The benefit to doing a triset with a bicep workout, is it allows you to hit the bicep really hard in three different ways. Here’s an example of a bicep triset: standing barbell curls, hammer curls, reverse barbell curls. You’ll also notice in this sequence that you have to change your grip with each set of the triset. This is the best way to utilize a triset. Here’s an example of a triset with triceps: straight bar cable push downs, rope cable push downs, reverse cable pushdowns. Again, the key here is to change the grip on each exercise. Give these a try, and I’m sure you’ll feel a new pump in whatever body part you utilize them with!

Change you Split!

Have you been following the same split routine for two long? Has your split routine consisted of chest and triceps, back and biceps, or something similar for several months? Try reversing your split or doing a 5 day split instead of a 3 day split. Do chest and biceps, back and triceps just to mix it up a little.

These are just a few basic ideas, but its always a good idea to mix up your routine on a continual basis. That way you can keep your body guessing and growing to adapt to the changes in stress that you place on your muscles.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

A Family Affair for Hair

Out of the hundreds of procedures he performs each year, the last thing hair-transplant surgeon Dr. Robert Dorin expected to do was perform surgery on his father.

Robert M. Dorin Sr. had been losing his hair for many years, but few people knew how much it bothered him. Then, one day at a family function, the elder Dorin casually mentioned to his son that he was considering treatment.

"It surprised me because my father knew what type of work I do and he never said anything," Dorin said.

Caught unawares, Dorin was nevertheless delighted that his father was taking matters into his own hands. "My father's hair loss finally reached a point where most of the hair in the frontal area had fallen out," he said.

So Dorin decided to come up with a surprise of his own.

"Given that it was a week before my dad's birthday, I figured it was a great opportunity to give him a gift that he would enjoy for the rest of his life," he said. "I scheduled a procedure for my father for the very next week."

On the day of the surgery, the two discussed the details of the procedure and what to expect.

"I could feel and see my dad's excitement grow as things took shape," Dorin said. "He realized just how much hair he had lost over the years and how much I would be able to put back in just one procedure."

The procedure required 1,571 hair-transplant grafts and took about 7 hours. Three weeks later, there are no telltale signs of the hair transplant. He should begin enjoying his new look in three to six months.

"Working on my dad was something extra special for me," Dorin said. "It was an honor to be able to do something that would have a lasting, positive impact on his life. It is very similar to the way his actions and support have shaped my life."

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

A DNA Link between Diabetes and Obesity

There is no known reason for what causes diabetes. There are certainly risk factors that
make the likelihood of you being diagnosed with the disease higher. One of the only risk
factors that you have control over is your weight. If you are obese, the single best thing
you can do for your health and the prevention of diabetes is to lose weight. Even in small
increments, when you shed pounds you are increasing your health benefits.

These may be easier said than done. There are new studies that are now showing that
there is a genetic factor or mutation for people who are obese and have diabetes. This
genetic malfunction affects how the bodies use energy and insulin – two key elements in
the functioning of your body and the cause of diabetes and obesity.

The studies also state that this is not a cause and effect case. If you carry this defective
gene you are not guaranteed to be obese or have diabetes. But the link is there and it can
be prevented. You may have to work harder at it than others to maintain a healthy body
weight and put off diabetes but it can be done. Discuss with your doctor options and
ways to prevent or put-off the onset of diabetes.

The gene that researchers have discovered as a precursor to diabetes has been found in
young children. It is scary to know that children in their preschool years are being
diagnosed with obesity and type 2 diabetes due to genetics. But parents can reduce or
prevent these things from happening by giving their children healthy lifestyle choices.
Now that a DNA link has been found, the research can focus on finding a way to fix or
prevent this from happening at some point in the future.

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

A Dieter's Miracle Molecule-P57

Hoodia Gordonii is heralded as the world's greatest weight loss product. The truth is the Hoodia Gordonii plant has very little to do with it. The appetite suppressing qualities that Hoodia seems to possess, are derived from one molecule that is found in the plant. This molecule is known as P57.

P57 was not discovered until the Hoodia Gordonii plant was being studied by a British company, This company, PhytoPharm has never published all the details of this study. A few bits and pieces have been released, but it is a pretty safe bet that the findings were quite promising. I base this on the fact that British health food giant Unilever Inc.(makers of SlimFast) entered into a contract with PhytoPharm to develop Hoodia Gordonii as a diet supplement. To date, Unilever has spent 21 million on research and development of Hoodia Gordonii products.

Prescription pharmaceutical companies have also taken notice of P57, several are rumored to be attempting to develop a synthetic form of P57. If this is successful a new prescription product would be produced and sold at much higher profit margins. This research is also reportedly running into the millions of dollars.

One thing is certain, there is no shortage of people who are claiming that the product is indeed miraculous. Many of the users claim to have lost almost all appetite urges, this in turn gives the power to control their eating habits.

Monday, October 18, 2010

A diabetic can use this guide to buy Generic Viagra online.

If you are a first time visitor to our shopping guide, we want to avoid confusing you with our online information. Please view our shopping guide like the signs in a traditional pharmacy. Such a pharmacy has signs over the aisles. Those signs sometimes indicate what products are found in that aisle.

The headings on our shopping guide are a lot like the aisle signs. Under those headings is more information. That information is like the labels on the shelves of a traditional pharmacy. A customer does not read every label on the store shelves. Someone using our shopping guide does not need to read all of the guide's facts.
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Sunday, October 17, 2010

A Detoxing Cleansing System is the Key to Weight Loss

If you're like most people who have a weight problem, you've been on every diet imaginable. Chances are, you've lost plenty of weight over the course of your lifetime. The problem is, you most likely gained back all of the weight you lost - and then some. Like many people, you were probably looking for a quick fix - that magic bullet that would cause instant weight loss and that would keep you slim for life.

As you no doubt have realized, no such magic bullet exists. The key to successful weight loss is acknowledging that you need help, having the determination to learn new habits and adopt them for life, and finding the right tools to help you get the job done.

Detoxing

Because the typical American diet is high in substances that act as poisons to our bodies - things like saturated fats, sugars, and food additives and chemicals - the first step in any successful weight loss program is detoxing. This detoxification process is a cleansing process that gets the harmful substances out of your body's blood stream and tissues. Such a cleansing process has the added benefit of weaning you off of the toxic substances you may have been consuming for years. It breaks the addiction to sugar, caffeine, and the insidious preservatives that are so much a part of the American diet.

There are many cleansing system products available that can help you in the detoxing phase of your weight loss plan. It's important to find one that is natural and organic, and that does not contain some of the potentially harmful substances found in many over the counter products. Read the labels carefully, and choose one that has vitamins, enzymes, and ionic trace minerals.

Jump Starting Weight Loss

While there's no magic bullet that will cause you to lose weight and keep it off, there are products available that will help jump-start your weight loss. Often in the form of meal replacement shakes, these products are helpful for three reasons. First, the best shakes are natural, and are chock full of organic whey protein, enzymes, vitamins and minerals. While you're reducing your caloric intake, these shakes can help speed up the fat burning process. Second, they're easy. Learning new dietary habits is fraught with the perils of temptation; having an easy-to-prepare shake makes it easier for you to keep temptation at bay. Third, it's heartening to see immediate results. If, for example, you were to lose ten pounds in ten days, you're more likely to continue on with your weight loss plan. The power of success can't be underestimated.

Staying With the Program

Quick weight loss may be emotionally satisfying, but remember that, in order to actually keep the weight off this time, you'll need to make a commitment to changing the habits that caused you to gain weight in the first place. A regular exercise plan, a support group, and a food diary are all helpful tools in staying with the program.

Success for Life

For many people, weight loss is the first step on the path to health, energy, and wellness. This natural healing journey can and should begin with a detoxing cleansing system that rids your body of its toxic build-up.

Saturday, October 16, 2010

A Depressed Mind Equals A Depressed Head

The words “mind over matter” are more than just three words randomly strung together to make something that sounds somewhat sensible. “Mind over matter” is more than just a myth, because there are times when a person's state of mind has considerable effects on matters of the flesh. Performance anxiety can make someone do a sub-par job on physical activities, like missing critical free throws and over-extending left jabs. Mental health can have an effect on a person's physical performance, with certain issues having more noticeable effects than others. As an example, there is the connection between depression and sexual impotence.

Impotence is one of those problems that an increasing number of men have difficulty coming to terms with. It takes a significant amount of courage to even consider talking to a physician about the possibility of a problem. It can even be harder to admit to others that the problem is there, whether they are undergoing treatment for it or not. Sexual impotence as seen as being highly damaging to the measure of a man, by modern socio-cultural standards. Fear of failure and extremely stressful situations can wear down a man's ability to “get it up,” but very few can make the problem as long-term as depression can.

In what might be the worst possible case of “mind over matter” than any red-blooded male can imagine, depression can effectively cripple a man's ability to function sexually. The emotional problems caused by depression can have serious effects on the hormones and biochemical transmitters that the body uses to signal or initiate an erection. Obviously, if a man can't attain a proper erection – or has difficulty maintaining it long enough to be of any importance – then he's going to be classified as impotent. Sadly, if the problem is left untreated long enough, there's a very good chance that the condition would just worsen.

Once a man begins to believe he has entered a state of sexual impotence, he may actually become even more depressed. This is because of a psychological loss of gender identity as dictated by socio-cultural factors. With equal rights and women's liberation, men have lost the part of “manliness” that involved being the sole provider for one's family and loved ones, forcing a socio-psychological focus to rest on that other aspect that supposedly defines masculinity. Essentially, society has made men think that to be classified as men, they have to be virile and sexually potent. Once they lose that critical part of their gender identity, then life just starts to go downhill that bit faster for them on a psychological level. This, in turn, not only worsens his relationships but also makes it harder for him to overcome his impotence.

There are drugs to help fight impotence, but those drugs are often best suited to treating men who have problems rooted in the body. Lack of proper circulation, damage to muscle tissue, and a variety of other physical ailments can also cause impotence. Implants and corrective surgery can fix those issues, but they are likely to do little for a man with problems deeply rooted in his own mind. For that, physical repairs may have some appreciable change, but they won't have the same impact that they normally do unless the mind is also given proper treatment and care.

Friday, October 15, 2010

A Day At The Doctor's Office

Do you ever wonder when you go to the doctor each time the receptionist ask you for your insurance card? I sure do. I went to the same doctor for 10 years seems they would know me by now or have made a copy of my insurance card. Have you ever read the sign that says payment due when services rendered, just to hear the lady ask you for your co-payment before you've even had the chance to sit down? Or how about after sitting for a long time in the waiting room, they call you back just to take your blood pressure than send you back out in the waiting room again. Or they call you back just to have you wait in another area.

I have always felt this was a tactic to make you feel like your getting somewhere when your really not. How about while waiting, your Doctor happens to see you, and he does all he can do not to make eye contact with you, or if you do they act like your a perfect stranger. How about that study I heard where the average time actually spent with the doctor is about three minutes. I then have to ask myself the question, why am I waiting so long in the waiting room. Or how about the one when the pharmaceutical rep just walks in asking for the Doctor and they tell them to come on back. I guess those free game tickets, or the free day at the spa is really more important than my health. These are just some of the mysteries I have never figured out when going to the doctor.

Those days are history. Knowing what medications I need each month, knowing already my diagnosis, obtaining prescription medications online is the wave of the future. If I need to get my pain medication, I have a consultation with a U.S Physician. I receive a 90 day supply of pain medication. You get the initial scipt filled, plus two refills which can be filled on the 25th day. Same goes for my treatment of my anxiety. All medications are written by U.S Physicians and filled by U.S. Pharmacies. Such medications as Hydrocodone, Vicodin, Lortab, Xanax are available. When receiving other non controlled medicatons for my migraine headaches, high cholestoral, ocassional depression, and a few other meds, I receive a free conslultation from a U.S. Physician and filled again by a U.S. Pharmacy.

These medications are shipped usually by overnight delivery. With this type of service available, more and more people are turning to the internet for their medication needs. Why wait hours in a doctors office, why pay the outrageous office visit fees, why feel treated like a number and not a person, when you can get the meds you need delivered to your door at a great low price. With so many people losing their healthcare benefits, losing their insurance, more people will be getting their medication online. So days at the doctors office to get your prescriptions are numbered. I hope this article has given you

Thursday, October 14, 2010

A Cure For The Age Old Problem Of Hair Loss

Men aren't the only ones looking for a cure for hair loss. Some women are also affected. One solution is delving into the Internet for answers. Cyberspace will provide you with a number of solutions to this confidence-breaking problem. You can even sift through a variety of reviews posted by individuals who have tried specific products.

Depending on what you're willing to spend, there is surely a cure for hair loss suitable to you. I recall when my older brother began losing his dew toward the end of high school. I felt awkward about this I must admit. Why do some guys start losing their hair at such a tender age? Much actually depends on genetics and stress. I'm guessing it was stress in this case since my mother's father has a full head of hair.

If you watch television, then you've most likely spotted a hair loss commercial or two. Those sometimes quirky, yet cheesy ads don't offer much solace when we start going bald up top or the forehead starts to expand. Luckily there are quality solutions at hand. The first step you should take concerning a cure for hair loss is consulting a family doctor or possibly a trichologist. He or she will be able to present you with some decent options.

The good news is many of these products are effective, but not so expensive these days. You can get your hair back. You just need to exhaust your resources in order to pinpoint that perfect cure for hair loss.

This certainly is the simplest choice, but it doesn't have to be your only option. You can find an effective cure for hair loss if you do your homework. In the cosmetically advanced world we currently reside in, there's no reason why you have to take your hair loss like a man.

Are you in desperate search of a cure for hair loss? Many men across the world are going through a daily struggle with hair loss. The inevitable affliction sadly becomes a reality for many of us. Although most men do not prefer a bald scalp, some are taking this route and avoiding the struggle altogether.

This can be helpful in your search for the right and ideal cure for hair loss. You've simply got to love the Internet. If you discover an over-the-counter cure for hair loss, you can likely pick it up at any corner drug store.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

A Cure for Near Sightedness - Radial Keratotomy

Radial keratotomy (RK) is a refractive surgical procedure employed to correct myopia or nearsightedness. Radial Keratotomy came into existence by accident rather than through meticulous research. The procedure was discovered by Dr. Svyatoslav Fyodorov when he operated one of his patients who had met with a bicycle accident. The boy wore eyeglasses, which broke on impact, and the glass splinters lodged into his eyes. The doctor had to make several radial incisions in the corneal tissue in order to extract the glass. When the cornea healed, the doctor found that the boy’s eyesight was significantly improved.

In radial keratotomy (RK), a series of micro-fine incisions are made in the outer portion of the cornea with the aid of a high-precision calibrated diamond knife. The surgeon administers a local anesthetic, since the incisions are superficial and the procedure is fairly painless. The corneal thickness of the patient’s eye is measured prior to the surgery. Before the incisions are made, the diamond-edged cutting instrument is precisely set under the operating microscope. Thus by flattening the curvature of the cornea in such a manner, RK can easily correct myopia or nearsightedness.

Radial keratotomy was first introduced in the United States in the 1980s. Initially it was much of an investigational procedure, with doctors operating only one eye at a time and waiting for at least 3 months to observe the results, before operating on the other eye. But the surgeons gained experience over time and now they could well operate both eyes simultaneously. Now, radial keratotomy is a minor surgery that takes about 15 to 20 minutes for each eye.

Radial keratotomy is constantly improving, owing much to the rapid advances in technology, and the fact that a number of such procedures have already been performed successfully. However, RK is not as precise as LASIK and PRK. Since, RK is less predictable, only a few surgeons now perform this procedure.

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

A Controversial Solution to Babies Having Babies

The birth control pill, also known as an oral contraceptive or simply referred to as “The Pill,” is hailed as one of the most important innovations in women's health. Before the advent of the Pill, many women were forced to endure multiple pregnancies, having no reliable way of preventing conception. Some women died from giving birth because their bodies were too weak or too exhausted to carry another child to term, or gave birth to malformed children.

After her mother's death from birthing her eleventh sibling, nineteen year old Margaret Sanger became a nurse and advocate for the development of contraceptives for women. She later found an ally in Katherine McCormick, the wealthy widow of an inventor who funded the research for the creation of the birth control pill. Gregory Pincus, an American doctor and researcher had been studying hormonal biology and steroidal hormones, saw the role that hormones played in the conception of rabbits. With the financial backing from McCormick and Sanger, Pincus approached pharmaceutical company Searle to help them develop the birth control pill. Although Searle declined in the beginning, largely because of the austere birth control laws of the day, an accidental discovery by one of his scientists coupled with Pincus's research led the pharmaceutical company into production of the first oral contraceptive for women. In 1960, the United States Food and Drug Administration approved the use of Enovid, the first birth control pill. It was later found that Enovid caused terrible side effects, mostly because the dosage at the time was about ten times higher than was needed.

Today, after continuous research and development, women now have the birth control pill and other contraceptive drugs and devices to choose from to prevent unwanted pregnancies. This is a long way from the stifling laws in place from 1873 to 1965, when the Comstock laws deemed contraception as illegal. As society becomes increasingly permissive and open about sexual matters, the barrier between what is liberal and what is possibly immoral is constantly being challenged and often bewcomes the subject of heated debate.

One such moral debate is currently underway. A decision made by officials from King Middle School in Portland, Maine has sparked a national debate in the United States. The controversy stems from their resolve to offer a full range of contraception, including birth control pills, to students aged from eleven to fifteen belonging to grades six to eight. This extends the range of contraception available to students in this age group who previously had access only to condoms from the local sexual health clinics. Although they will need parental consent to use the city-run health care clinic, the students will now be able to obtain prescriptions for birth control pills and other forms of contraception without their parents finding out. This comes after a request from the school's health center to make the pills available to children of high school age who were still attending middle school.

But many protest that these children are simply too young to have free access to such forms of birth control, and fear that this will lead children to think that having sex at such a young age is correct. But advocates of the decision say that they would rather give children these options than see a twelve year old become pregnant, citing the rising number of teenage mothers in the United States. Nationwide, one study showed more than 17,000 pregnancies for girls 14 or younger.

Besides, advocates contend, the children will receive extensive counseling before being given the prescription. The idea of making birth control pills available to that particular age group is not to promote promiscuity but to keep students safe, and in school. Many children who don't have a strong parental advocate at home need someone they can turn to and trust to answer questions regarding their sexuality at a time when they are constantly bombarded with sexually suggestive images.

In the end, whether one is for or against the scheme, it is important to strike an appropriate balance between addressing the growing problem of teenage pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases and upholding a moral standard for all students. People must recognize the significant role that parents and other family should play in educating children about sex and its consequences.

Monday, October 11, 2010

A Constipation Remedy Using Potassium and Prunes

Potassium and prunes are a natural constipation remedy that you can quickly use to help you get constipation relief.

Potassium is needed in your colon walls to insure that peristaltic action occurs. Without potassium, colon walls are weak and unable to respond and contract properly when fecal matter needs to be move.

Potassium in your colon wall tissues brings in more oxygen, which is required for good cell function and elimination of toxins. In addition, potassium creates an alkaline environment inside and outside the cell, which help protect cell walls from bacteria, fungus, and other pathogens.

Potassium is a powerful source when it comes to cleaning, feeding and building your colon walls. Removing the thin layer of buildup – harden mucus, dried fecal matter, waste derby, heavy metals - against your colon wall can be accomplished by eating those foods that are high in potassium.

Excess buildup on your colon walls of fecal matter and toxins is a cause of continual constipation. This build up prevents your colon walls from functioning properly.

Potassium is necessary for reducing anxiety and depression. These conditions can affect peristaltic movements of your colon. Lack of it causes muscles and organs to sag and lack tone.

Potassium, also, draws water out of the body. So when potassium is in your colon it attracts water and pulls it into the fecal matter. This makes your fecal matter softer and easier to move along the colon.

To get more potassium into your diet make a constipation remedy drink by,

Pouring hot water over dried prunes and waiting 10 minutes. Then eat the prunes and drink the juice Do this on an empty stomach in the morning.

The high concentration of potassium and vitamin A, in prunes, stimulates enzymatic processes. These processes melt down fecal wall wastes and dissolve blockages. They also activate peristaltic action to move this waste out through your rectum.

The foods to eat that are high in potassium are:

Kale, cabbage, yellow tomatoes, spinach, carrots, broccoli, cucumbers, cauliflower, alfalfa sprouts, goat milk, sesame seeds, wheat germ brewers yeast, flax seed, grapes, green peppers, pineapple, beets, potatoes with skin Blackstrap molasses

If you have any kidney disease, do not take potassium supplements unless directed by your doctor. If you are pregnant, take potassium only under a doctor’s direction.

If you are on any type of drugs, do not take potassium unless directed by your doctor.

When you have constipation it is best to take potassium supplement. Once you have your constipation eliminated back off on the potassium you are taking and depend on your potassium dose from the foods you eat.

My recommended Potassium dose is 1000 – 3000 mg each day taken with meals.

Sunday, October 10, 2010

A Constipation Home Remedy - Cayenne

Cayenne is a constipation home remedy that is effective in producing peristalsis in your colon and aids digestion. It can be used regularly at every meal and when needed for constipation. Cayenne pepper is known to help thin the blood. So, it is good for improving blood circulation.

Cayenne is available in capsules of different strengths, from 5,000 heat units (HU) to 100,000 and even higher. In addition, cayenne when used with other herbs helps to deliver these herbs more efficiently to where they are needed in the body.

As a constipation home remedy, start with one capsule of 40,000 HU and always take it after you eat. You will feel a hot or slight burning feeling in the upper stomach and that’s when you know its working. The feeling is like when you get heartburn. This burning sensation will pass as your body gets use to you using cayenne.

Do not use cayenne seeds, as they can be toxic. If you are pregnant or breast-feeding do not take cayenne supplements. Use cayenne only as directed on its container and only as capsules.

Cayenne has the ability to block the ulcer producing effect of NSAIDS. It also has shown to increase the body’s absorption of theopylline, a drug used to treat asthma.

In his book, Left for Dead, Dick Quinn tells how Cayenne pepper saved his life after coronary bypass surgery failed to restore it. In this book, Shannon Quinn, say,

“One of the most effective stimulants, mostly, cayenne targets the digestive and the circulatory system. Cayenne regulates blood pressure, strengthens the pulse, feeds the heart, lowers cholesterol, and thins the blood. It cleanses the circulatory system, heals ulcers, stops hemorrhaging, speeds healing of wounds, rebuilds damaged tissue, eases congestion, aids digestion, regulates elimination, relieves arthritis and rheumatism, prevents the spread of infection and numbs pain.”

Use the recommended dose shown on the bottle of cayenne you use.

You can also add cayenne pepper into other foods. Add cayenne to soups, salads, and other foods you like.

In soups or salads break open a cayenne capsule and mix it in. You can add 1 – 2 capsules, but first start with 1/4 or 1/2 capsule so you can get use to the hot taste.

If you are pregnant, it is considered safe to use cayenne.

Use this constipation home remedy and you will see results. It definitely has the power to eliminate constipation and keep you regular and has many other benefits, especially for your heart.

Saturday, October 9, 2010

A Colon Detox Can Improve Your Colon Health

A healthy colon is a vital part of a healthy body. The colon, along with the small and large intestines, are a major area where the nutrients in food are absorbed. If the colon is not clean, it cannot fulfill this important task. Not only that, the impacted fecal material that builds up in the colon and intestines releases toxins into the bloodstream. You are in effect getting toxins instead of nutrients - not a very good trade.

Symptoms that a colon detoxification might be in order include tiredness, PMS, headaches, and of course, constipation. There are a variety of ways colon cleansing can be done, including colonic irrigation, enemas, dietary fiber, and laxative herbs. These methods can help, but each has negative points.

Another natural option for colon health is to use an oxygen based colon cleanser. This method uses magnesium oxide that has been treated with oxygen and ozone. This substance will react with the hydrochloric acid in the stomach to release oxygen. The oxygen gets into the bloodstream to nourish all parts of the body, but it does more than that. It also nourishes the favorable bacteria that live in the digestive tract.

Unfavorable bacteria in the digestive tract will give you vomiting, diarrhea, and cramps. Favorable bacteria compete with the unfavorable ones for living space. An oxygen based colon detox will encourage those good microbes, for better all around health. So how exactly does it work?

An oxygen based colon health product creates a chemical reaction that releases oxygen and melts the impacted material in the intestines and colon into gas and liquid. It will make you need to stay close to a bathroom for a day or so while you eliminate the material from your colon, but you will feel much better afterwards.

Look for an oxygen based colon detox product that is available in a capsule form. Make sure it does not include ascorbic acid among the ingredients because ascorbic acid is an antioxidant. An antioxidant will undo the good that could be done by the oxygen. A good ingredient to look for, however, is GE-132. This is the germanium-132, which is good for the health of the immune system. It also facilitates and adds oxygen. It is considered to be a nutrient that is helpful for many ailments.

Cleansing the colon can help with weight loss. Many people who have eaten an average diet for years have accumulated ten to twenty pounds of impacted fecal matter in their colons. An oxygen based colon cleanse will help the body eliminate this material, resulting in a quick loss to jump start your weight loss plan. Follow up the cleanse with reasonable portions of healthy natural food. You should have enough energy after the cleanse to start an exercise program, too.

There's a lot more to learn about colon cleansing, and you can do it at http://www.colon-cleaners.com

Friday, October 8, 2010

A Closer Look on the Side Effects of Birth Control Products

Research and studies have been made on the effectiveness and reported risks of using birth control products, with results as varied as the number of the said products being sold today. These products actually deserve that much attention most especially since there is now about 100 million women worldwide who currently use birth control pills. Since its introduction in 1960 as a new method of birth control, these pills have somewhat influenced how society, and women in particular, view the issues of sexual health, reproduction, and population control. Still, the deep level of acceptance of such a method does not belittle the urgent matter of monitoring the safety of these types of medications. The potential health risks posed by some birth control products that underwent very short, inconclusive field testing makes further research a great necessity.

According to a Belgium-based research, they said that the long-term use of birth control pills can increase buildup of debris or plaque in the arteries, making the user of the drug more exposed to risk of heart disease. Another study claims that 1,300 healthy women aged 35 to 55 had 20 percent to 30 percent increase in prevalence of arterial plaque for every ten years of oral contraceptive use. While the said arterial plaque identified were small and not large enough to block an artery, any plaque is thought to raise your risk of heart disease. Many of the women in the study had used older, first-generation birth control pills, which had twice the estrogen levels as most oral contraceptives used today. Such side effects of birth control may seem ordinary to the naked eye and hardly noticeable during the early years of use, so women should be aware of their current health condition.

Moreover, the use of birth control pills for non-contraceptive purposes is rarely justified. If in case a woman only uses birth control pills for controlling menstrual cycles, irregular bleeding, cysts, or endometriosis, then they are not treating their underlying condition. Instead, they may simply be increasing their risk for other conditions such as cervical and breast cancers, and an abnormal increase in blood pressure. If these products are used without a prescription or doctor's approval, some women may experiences side effects of birth control such as faster thinning of the bones and higher risk for osteoporosis. Some oral contraceptives contain the synthetic hormone called desogestrel which doubles a woman's risk of having fatal blood clots.

Many women also report side effects of birth control, and some of which are awful and is undoubtedly due to the artificial hormones that run throughout a woman's body when taking birth control pills. Side effects of birth control usually include migraines and nausea, irregular bleeding or spotting, weight gain and mood changes, breast tenderness, yeast overgrowth and infection, among others. Barrier methods and natural family planning usually are the safer alternative. However, there is now a new generation of oral brith control medication that is much safer and more effective that the ones released decades or even just a few years ago. Since the side effects of birth control cannot be taken lightly, it is best to consult a doctor or visit online pharmacies that feature valuable information about various oral contraceptives.

Thursday, October 7, 2010

A Closer Look on Daughter's Fertility

A new research study has found and identified a chemical pathway by which a mother's smoking before and after pregnancy might reduce her daughter's fertility by as much as two thirds. As we all know, cigarette smoking during pregnancy is a definite no-no, and has been shown in retrospective studies to affect the fertility of a woman's offspring. But this would be the first study that attempted explanation of the biology behind this effect, according to the Canadian scientists behind the research. The research was performed by a team from the Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto that studied and investigated on the impact of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), a byproduct of smoking, on mouse fertility.

The study included injections of a low dose mixture of PAH to three groups of female mice. One group received PAH before conception and again when they were providing milk for their pups, while one group received PAH only before conception, and the third group received PAH only during lactation. A fourth control group did not receive PAH but were mated at the same time as others. The total amount of PAH given to each mouse over the three-week injection cycle was equivalent to 25 packs of cigarettes, according to researchers. The exposed mice did not have fewer pups in their own litters, but when the researchers investigated on the number of eggs in their female offspring, they found about 70 percent fewer follicles available to produce eggs.

According to the lead researcher Dr. Andrea Jurisicova, the mother (mice in this case), exposed to PAHs—environmental pollutants found in cigarette smoke, car exhaust, smoke produced by fossil fuel combustion, as well as in smoked food—before pregnancy and/or during breastfeeding, but not during pregnancy, can cause a reduction in the number of eggs in the ovaries of their female offspring by two-thirds. This limits the window in which the daughter will be able to reproduce.

The new data provides biological support for epidemiological results, such as the previously observed reduction in fertility among daughters of smoking women. According to Dr. Norman Edelman of the American Lung Association, “if we do our job right and these results get good press thus this data could remind women of what they are doing to their unborn fetuses.” Dr. Amos Grunebaum of New York Weill Cornell Medical Center also added that this is an interesting study, but does not add much, since other studies have also shown similar outcomes. The key point here is that women should quit smoking before they even think of getting pregnant.

Although the findings do not define the length of time between quitting smoking and healthier fertility in offspring, Jurisicova noted that previous studies have shown that women who smoke have better results with “in vitro” fertilization one year after they quit smoking. The mice in the current study conceived up to two weeks after their final PAH injection, which is approximately equivalent to three menstrual cycles in women. More research is still needed for this, but mothers should be aware of the dangers that smoking can bring to their future offspring even after knowing this specific research study.

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

A Close Encounter with GAD

Watching a child struggle with anxiety can be very difficult for parents. Anxiety may begin to mask their perception and

convince them that their child is already psychologically or emotionally impaired. Many parents find it helpful to keep

track of the child's accomplishments and abilities so that they don't begin thinking of their child as overly anxious and

fearful. Instead they can recognize what abilities their child has that might be useful in dealing with anxiety. A little

anxiety isn’t always a bad thing. In fact, it can even be used to help motivate a person. Being aware of one’s anxiety can

also help a person better respond to danger.
Anxiety, the body’s reaction to a perceived, anticipated or imagined danger or threatening situation, is a common and normal

occurrence among children. All children experience anxiety. Anxiety in children is expected and normal at specific times in

development. For example, from around 8 months through the preschool years, healthy youngsters may show intense distress

(anxiety) at times of separation from their parents or other persons with whom they are close. Anxious children are often

overly tense or uptight. Some may seek a lot of reassurance, and their worries may interfere with activities.
There are different types of child anxiety. One such anxiety disorder very common among them is Generalized Anxiety Disorder

(GAD). GAD is defined as chronic, excessive worry and fear that seems to have no real cause. Children with GAD often worry a

lot about things such as future events, past behaviors, social acceptance, family matters, relationship, their personal

abilities, and/or school performance. Although younger children can show signs of excessive worry, children usually develop

GAD at about 12 years old. Studies also revealed that many children with GAD also have other anxiety problems. The most

common of which are social anxiety, depression, separation anxiety, and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Worrying too much about things before they actually happen or being too concerned about friends, school or activities are the

most common symptoms of GAD. However, each child may experience symptoms differently. It may also include:
constant thoughts and fears about safety of self and/or safety of parents
refusing to go to school
frequent stomach aches, headaches, or other physical complaints
muscle aches or tension
sleep disturbance
excessive worry about sleeping away from home
clingy behavior with family members
feeling as though there is a lump in the throat
fatigue
lack of concentration
being easily startled
irritability
inability to relax
Several anxiety medications are available for the effective treatment of GAD. A few of these medications include Zoloft,

Paxil, Xanax, and Prozac. All of these medications are known as SSRIs, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. These

medications are all fairly new anti-depressants and have very little side effects. When a child takes any of these drugs, he

or she may experience overly nervous at first. However, after several weeks the feeling typically fades away. Some side

consequences of anti-depressants that children may experience are: sleepiness, tiredness, and confusion.
These medications should only be taken after consultation with the child's physician. A physician's decision on what

medications to be taken by a child depends on the child's physical structure, blood chemistry, as well as how severe the

child's anxiety is.
Parents should not discount a child's fears. Aside from the symptoms mentioned above, anxious children may also be quiet,

compliant and eager to please, thus their difficulties may be missed. Parents should always be alert to the signs of severe

anxiety so they can intervene early to prevent future complications.

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

A Clinical Thermometer Is Essential: Part I

Copyright 2006 Peter Nisbet

Every household with young children should possess a clinical thermometer. Young children, especially babies and infants, cannot properly describe their symptoms when they become ill. Many childhood diseases are associated with a raised temperature, sometimes inadequately described as a ‘fever’.

The term ‘fever’ means different things to different people and I prefer to refer to a ‘raised temperature’. Serious diseases such as encephalitis and viral and bacterial meningitis start off with fairly simple symptoms. Take measles, for examples. Measles can kill young children, and if it does not, can leave them with serious side-effects or complications such as hearing and visual defects, learning difficulties and brain damage.

The initial symptoms of measles are similar to those of a cold. A runny nose, a bit of a sniffle, a cough and eventually a sore throat. Temperature also rises to over 38 Celsius (100.4 Fahrenheit). If you think that your child has measles, or if temperatures stays at or goes over 38 Celsius, you should inform your doctor immediately.

If you do not have a clinical thermometer, you cannot determine the child’s temperature! You may notice your child becoming a bit flushed, and may feel warmer than normal to the touch. However, it is far better to be able to measure this accurately.

With measles, the temperature starts to drop after a day or two, then increases again as the spots appear and go as high as 40C (104F). You should definitely have contacted a doctor by then, but if you have no thermometer you may not have noticed the increase in temperature.

In many cases the temperature increase is the only indication that your child has more than just a cough and a runny nose. There are various types of thermometer available suitable for children. The old glass type with the kink is not recommended for young children. Digital thermometers are better, though disposable ones in the form of plastics strips with temperature sensitive dots are very useful. One side is self adhesive to stick to the skin under the armpit and the dots change colour at different temperatures. They can be used while the child is asleep and are disposable or re-usable for a certain period of time.

An alternative safe method to this is the ear thermometer which measures the infrared heat emission from the eardrum. An infrared probe is inserted into the ear and the temperature measured. This is safe because the probe is too short to reach the eardrum, and is larger than an infants ear canal. This is the type of system employed in hospitals, and is available for purchase either online or from good pharmacies for from around £30 ($50). Forehead thermometers are also available, and traditional glass rectal thermometers can be used with infants by trained staff.

The second part of this article will give more detail on thermometer types and how they are used, and also discuss ‘normal’ body temperature and its natural fluctuations.

Monday, October 4, 2010

A Child's Web Of Sleep

The average person associates sleep problems with things like stress and anxiety, such that they do not immediately believe some groups can have trouble sleeping. However, it isn't merely the pressures of work, society, and relationships that can take a toll on a person's ability to get good sleep quality and quantity. Other things can play a role, such as mood or behavioral problems, food intake in the immediate hours preceding sleep, and a whole milieu of little things. Recent studies show that children are just as likely to have problems getting to sleep as adults are, though the reasons are not quite the same. What's worse is that this lack of sleep may bring about a problem more serious than being sleepy in class: obesity.

Recent studies have shown that children below the age of six can experience difficulty in getting to sleep and staying asleep. The study was prompted by some statistics that show children are getting less sleep, with the aim of finding out why this was happening. The results showed that children who watched certain types of TV shows, particularly police dramas and news broadcasts, had difficulty getting to sleep at night. The study found that the longer the child spent watching shows of that nature, along with other violent or disturbing programs, the longer it took for them to get to sleep. In some cases, the data was also correlated with the child experiencing breaks in sleep. The more they watched, the more frequently they woke up in the middle of the night.

Background TV exposure also seemed to play a role. According to the research, sleep problems can also appear if the child is not directly watching TV. The types of programs remained the same, but the nature of exposure was changed. Background TV exposure, such as hearing bits and pieces of a broadcast but not being in front of the TV itself, caused the same sleep problems that directly watching programs did. However, the research also revealed that the risks were lower than with direct viewing. Not by much, but they were noticeably lower. However, a lack of sleep caused by this can cause a child to eventually become overweight and obese as part of the side effects, according to another study.


The study recorded the Body Mass Index (BMI) and the sleep patterns of children in both the third and sixth grade. The results were that, as the children obtained less sleep for a variety of reasons, their BMI also went up, with some skirting the risk of obesity as early as the fifth grade. Factors such as genetics, environment, medical history, and sex, race, and education were eliminated to ensure that the results were as accurate as possible. The results showed that BMI did experience an increase as the hours of sleep decreased, though there could have been some variables that were not taken into account while the study was being planned. These factors include things such as personality and financial status, along with the inevitable lack of physical activity due to the lack of sleep.

Sunday, October 3, 2010

A Case on Emotional Eating

People normally eat more whenever celebrations arise, such as birthdays and the holidays. We tend to ear more whenever these kinds of events occur. In line with this, a new study found out that people who have the tendency to eat in response to external factors, such as holidays and celebrations, have lesser problems in dealing with their weight loss than those people who eat in response to their emotions (considering internal factors). The study also found out that emotional eating was associated with weight regain for people who lost weight.
Lead author Heather Niemeier of Miriam Hospital's Weight Control and Diabetes Research Center states that they have findings that the more people report eating to respond for thoughts and feelings such as when one is lonely, the less weight they lose in a behavioral weight loss program. The findings also showed that among those who have successfully lost their weight, those who report for emotional eating, were more likely to regain. The authors noted this as important, since one of the greatest challenges in facing the field of overweight and obesity treatment remains the problem of weight regain following the weight loss. According to Niemeier, participants in behavioral weight loss programs lose an average of ten percent of their body weight, and these losses are associated with significant health benefits. Unfortunately, the majority of participants return to their baseline weight within three to five years.
In this particular study, the researchers analyzed the individual's responses to a questionnaire that is widely used in overweight and obesity research called the Eating Inventory. The Eating Inventory is a tool designed to evaluate three aspects of eating behaviors in an individual such as cognitive restraint, hunger, and disinhibition. For a more specified research, Niemeier and her team only focused on the disinhibition aspect of the Eating Inventory. Although, past studies have suggested that disinhibition as a whole is an accurate predictor of weight loss, the scale itself includes multiple factors that could separately forecast outcomes. Niemeier said that the disinhibition scale will evaluate the impulse eating in response to emotional, cognitive, or social cues. Their goal was to examine and isolate the factors that make up the disinhibition scale, and then determine if these factors have a specific relationship with weight loss and regain.
Those included in the study are divided into two groups. The first group was composed of 286 overweight men and women who are currently participating in a behavioral weight loss program. The second group on the other hand included 3,345 members of the National Weight Control Registry (NWCR), an ongoing study of adults who have lost at least thirty pounds and kept it off for at least one year. According to the study, by examining these two different groups, they were able to evaluate the effect of disinhibition on individuals attempting to lose weight, as well as on those who are trying to maintain weight loss. Upon further examination, the researchers found that the components within the disinhibition scale was to be grouped in two distinct areas: external and internal disinhibition. External disinhibition describes experiences that are external to the individual, while internal refers to eating in response to thoughts and feelings, which includes emotional eating. Results showed that in both groups, internal disinhibition was a significant predictor of weight over time. For those people enrolled in weight loss programs, the higher level of internal disinhibition, the less weight is lost over time.
Their research has suggested that attention should be given to eating that is triggered by thoughts and feelings, since they clearly play a significant role in weight loss. Internal disinhibition, however, predicted weight change over time above and beyond other psychological issues including depression, binge eating, and perceived stress. By further modification of treatments in order to address these triggers for unhealthy eating and at the same time help the patients learn alternative strategies could improve their ability to maintain weight loss behaviors, even in the face of affective and cognitive difficulties.

Saturday, October 2, 2010

A Brief Ovierview Of Lasik Eye Surgery

LASIK, an acronym for Laser-assisted In Situ Keratomileusis, is a form of refractive laser eye surgery procedure performed by ophthalmologists intended for correcting vision. The procedure is usually a preferred alternative to photorefractive keratectomy, PRK, as it requires less time for full recovery, and the patient experiences less pain overall.

The LASIK technique was made possible by Dr Jose Barraquer (Colombia), who around 1960 developed the first microkeratome, used to cut thin flaps in the cornea and alter its shape, in a procedure called keratomileusis. This procedure was developed and pioneered by the world leading Barraquer Clinic, based in Bogota, Colombia.

LASIK surgery was developed in 1990 by Dr. Lucio Buratto (Italy) and Dr. Ioannis Pallikaris (Greece) as a melding of two prior techniques, keratomileusis and photorefractive keratectomy. It quickly became popular because of its greater precision and lower frequency of complications in comparison with these former two techniques.

In 1991, LASIK was performed for the first time in the United States by Drs. Stephen Brint and Stephen Slade. The same year, Drs. Thomas and Tobias Neuhann successfully treated the first German LASIK patients with an automated microkeratome.

Patients wearing soft contact lenses typically are instructed to stop wearing them approximately 7 to 10 days before surgery. One industry body recommends that patients wearing hard contact lenses should stop wearing them for a minimum of six weeks plus another six weeks for every three years the hard contacts had been worn.

Before the surgery, the surfaces of the patient's corneas are examined with a computer-controlled scanning device to determine their exact shape. Using low-power lasers, it creates a topographic map of the cornea.

This process also detects astigmatism and other irregularities in the shape of the cornea. Using this information, the surgeon calculates the amount and locations of corneal tissue to be removed during the operation. The patient typically is prescribed an antibiotic to start taking beforehand, to minimize the risk of infection after the procedure.

The operation is performed with the patient awake and mobile; however, the patient typically is given a mild sedative (such as Valium or diazepam) and anesthetic eye drops.

Lasik is performed in two steps. The initial step is to create a flap of corneal tissue. This process is achieved with a mechanical microkeratome using a metal blade, or a femtosecond laser microkeratome that creates a series of tiny closely arranged bubbles within the cornea. A hinge is left at one end of this flap. The flap is folded back, revealing the stroma, the middle section of the cornea. The process of lifting and folding back the flap can be uncomfortable.

The second step of the procedure is to use an excimer laser (193 nm) to remodel the corneal stroma. The laser vaporizes tissue in a finely controlled manner without damaging adjacent stroma by releasing the molecular bonds that hold the cells together. No burning with heat or actual cutting is required to ablate the tissue. The layers of tissue removed are tens of micrometers thick.

During the second step, the patient's vision will become very blurry once the flap is lifted. He or she will be able to see only white light surrounding the orange light of the laser. This can be disorienting.

Currently manufactured excimer lasers use a computer system that tracks the patient's eye position up to 4,000 times per second, redirecting laser pulses for precise placement. After the laser has reshaped the cornea, the Lasik flap is repositioned over the treatment area by the surgeon. The flap remains in position by natural adhesion until healing is completed.

Performing the laser ablation in the deeper corneal stroma typically provides for more rapid visual recovery and less pain.

Friday, October 1, 2010

A Brief Overview Of Baby Acne

Small babies may develop acne because of the lingering maternal hormones after delivery, which may cause stimulation to the baby's sebaceous glands. Your baby receives these hormones from the placenta, after the delivery.

Don't worry if your baby has pimples. About 20% of the newborn babies are affected by baby acne, also known as acne-neonatorum.

Let’ know the various aspects of this peculiar type of acne. First things first, the treatment for infantile acne is not the same as that of acne treatment for any other age group.

Infantile acne is gender-biased. Male babies are more affected than their female counterparts. Normally babies have the acne attack at the age of 3 weeks. Some babies have it from the time of delivery. Generally the types of acne you find in infants are papules and pustules. Papules are red bumps and pustules are whiteheads. They have a collection of pus.

Some babies also have acne on the scalp. Acne in babies does not require treatment as such. The lesions will take care of themselves within a period of four months. But do take the normal care of the baby as you would take care of its other body parts.

Use mild baby soap and gently clean the face once in a day with water. Do not try harsher methods by using oil and other lotions which you think are good. They may at times, worsen the condition. Know for certain that infantile acne will disappear when it has to.

In your anxiety to photograph the baby, don't stuff his/her cheeks with cosmetics and if at all you need to have the touch-ups, do it in an imaginative way.

If you or your family doctor feel that the baby has severe acne, treat it with benzoyl peroxide, keratolytic agents or topical creams like retinoids.

The ways of acne are indeed mysterious. If you have a family history of acne, that doesn't mean that your baby will have acne. And just because the baby has acne, it doesn't mean that, it will suffer from the attack of acne, when it grows up. Acne has its own working style and attacking strategy.

Infantile acne, which normally appears after the age of three months in a baby, quietly disappears after the age of 12 months. No special efforts of treatment are required. In some babies, the condition may last up to three years. It is due to the genetic makeup of your baby. You have something to contribute to it, as the hereditary part.

You have nothing to do with the infantile acne, relating to the treatment part. Just observe its arrival and departure. Well, arrival with anxiety and departure with pleasure!