Tuesday, November 30, 2010

A Look At Allergy Products

Do allergy products really make a difference? Plenty of specialty products exist, and if you are looking, you can you find products for every room in the home and practically every part of your body. HEPA air filters and filters for your vacuum cleaner; 100% pure cotton bedding and pillows; masks that you can wear at work, at play and at home; cleaning supplies; cases to stuff your mattresses in; throat moisturizers; cosmetics; dehumidifiers; toys that can be washed; the list goes on and on.

Take a peek on the Internet and you’ll find pages of websites offering allergy products of all sorts and all price ranges. Allergy products are big business and to allergy sufferers, these products look to be the answer to all of their suffering.

If you suffer from allergies, you too might be tempted to jump on the allergy products bandwagon. Before you do, it’s important to realize that the answer to whether any of these products work or not is a bit more complicated than it seems on the surface.

Several allergy-related issues need to be addressed before you whip out your credit card. Otherwise the allergy products you select might not be the great deal you had expected. First of all, be certain you know what it is you are allergic to. Are you allergic to pet dander, dust mites, food, grass, or what? If you know, that’s great. If you don’t, you might want to first go through a round of allergy tests to determine your nemesis.

Once you know what it is you are allergic to you then need to spend some time reading the descriptions of the allergy products before you purchase any. Why? Because the allergy products you may be interested in might not be designed to alleviate the allergens that cause your problems. For example, the purpose of an air filter is to remove airborne allergens, the ones that spend the majority of their time suspended in air, like pet dander.

Dust mite droppings are only in the air a short time, when they’re first released or when a vacuum cleaner stirs them up from their resting place on the ground. An expensive air filter won’t benefit you if you are sensitive to dust mites. However, a casing to enclose your mattress or your pillows will, as these are designed to keep the allergens from coming into contact with you.

Getting back to air filters, most are not effective for dealing with plant-based allergens, even though these are considered airborne allergens. In the case of ragweed, grass clippings and other such irritants, it is better to keep these from entering the home in the first place by closing doors and windows and running an air conditioner.

Are you beginning to understand what is involved with selecting the right allergy products? When in doubt, the best advice is to discuss the subject of allergy products with your allergist. You’re more likely to get an accurate, unbiased answer to your questions about allergy products.

Monday, November 29, 2010

A Little Phobia Knowledge Goes A Long Way

Everyone is afraid of something. This is one of those rules of life that can't be avoided, and even people who appear fearless are scared of something. It is often merely a matter of being able to hide just how scared a person is. Fear is something that can be overcome or hidden under normal circumstances. However, some people who cannot seem to overcome their fear are most likely suffering from a phobia. A phobia is significantly more difficult to handle than the average encounter with fear because of the psychological nature of it. Unlike fear, it is purely irrational and generates a much stronger reaction, owing largely to faulty thought processes or the recollection of traumatic memories from the formative years.

The nature of a phobia and how it forms is such that anything and everything can become a trigger for it, though there are a few common causes. People who are caught in a situation where they are forced into contact with the trigger of their phobia, nearly anything can happen. Heart palpitations, sweaty palms, increased heart rate, and shallow breathing are just some of the many possible physical effects. People who tend to be prone to anxiety are also prone to some severe reactions to a phobia attack, with some experts theorizing that the psychological propensity towards one also lends to the likelihood of suffering from the other. However, the real long-term damage lies in how it affects the mental processes.

People who have a phobia are adept at picturing scenarios of being trapped with the object, situation, or thought that triggers the said irrational fear. These thoughts often come with an incredible level of detail, which only serves to enforce the fear that is the root of the image. Patients with this condition also become adept at making excuses to avoid being put into a situation that forces a real life confrontation with their fears, such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator and faking excuses to avoid going to high places.

The positive side of this condition is that it forces people to be creative, because the adrenaline rush caused by a fear reaction can only last so long. The mind becomes adept at creating scenarios and making conjectures that force the body to keep the adrenaline coming. The negative of this, however, is that the mind is incapable of discerning between reality, perception, and imagination whenever a fear trigger is fired.

A person with a phobia is not always easy to detect. Some of the more common triggers for an attack are very similar to things that most people are afraid of, such as heights or snakes. The significantly more intense reaction is often dismissed by most casual observers. Similar to depression, a person that has one of the many types of phobias may not even recognize that he has a problem that needs to be dealt with. Most experts in the field believe that, like the numbers representing depression and social anxiety disorder, the number of people with phobias is inaccurate because most cases are not even being reported.

Sunday, November 28, 2010

A Little Known Fact When Quitting Smoking And How To Stay Quit

Have you ever gotten yourself in a situation where you have quitted smoking for perhaps 1, 2 or 3 weeks, sometimes even months or years only to find yourself crawling back to square one as it if it was a snake and ladder board game?

You find yourself picking up the cigarette and lighting it away again? I have to admit. I did. That is because I was lacking of something, of which I had to learn the hard way. And maybe this is perhaps why I am sharing my experience with you so you could avoid this mistake in the future.

I’m sure you would know that most of time, smokers use the excuse of “releasing stress” to smoke. For some reason, this “release stress” has become a reality which in fact is not. The only reason you feel relaxed are due to the soothing of the nicotine addiction. The fact is... you do not need cigarettes in your life!

The problem: Many have associated cigarettes can actually release stress that it became the truth.

So after awhile, when a person which is going through the process on quitting smoking is incapable of handling stress, guess what he turns to? Cigarettes!

The solution for this is, not only must you quit smoking, you must also:

Find The Alternatives For Relaxation And To Release Stress!

When you have established this simple concept, you are more capable of handling stress from other methods rather than turning back to the dark side of the road.

Among the ways of alternatives for relaxation and releasing stress are:

• Exercise
Somehow people get turn off this word alone. By nature, did you know that our human body needs exercise regularly at least twice a week? But somehow in this modernize world, exercise is deemed uncommon. My personal favorite is swimming. It really relaxes me to the full potential and enables me to get a good night sleep without disturbance.

• Meditation
Meditation techniques such as Tai Chi and Yoga has been proven for hundreds of years to have positive effect and to boost one’s energy

• Take A Hot Bath
Pamper yourself by taking a hot bath with light music at the background at dim lights.

• Reading
A good way to “escape from reality” for a moment and to entertain yourself.

• Listen To Comedies
Have you not known by now that laughter is the best medicine?

• Massage And Spa
Splendid way of relaxing and releasing decades of stress accumulated.

I’m sure you get the picture by now. Whatever it is, make sure you have an alternative to relax and release stress instead of finding “the” excuse of turning back to cigarettes. It may sound simple, but very effective. Try it and you’ll be surprised how all those can help you on the journey to be smoke-free forever.

Saturday, November 27, 2010

A Little About Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer affects an estimated one out of every six males. Therefore it's understandable that most men want to know at least something about prostate cancer, especially as they are approaching their 40s. This article is going to touch on some of the symptoms and treatments, as well as some of the side effects that come from prostate cancer and prostate cancer treatment. This article is not intended to be a substitution for your doctor's advice, so make sure that you seek a professional opinion if you feel that you may have prostate cancer.

One thing that's important to note is that you may not suffer any symptoms at all. That is why it's very important to be checked for prostate cancer frequently, and especially more so as you get older because they can find the prostate cancer before any symptoms show up at all in most cases. Some men that have prostate cancer may experience some of the following symptoms. Frequent or difficult urination, as well as a weak urine flow, erectile dysfunction as well as painful ejaculation and blood in the urine or semen.

There are many different treatment options for prostate cancer and you will want to discuss these with your doctor or healthcare professional before any decision is made. A few of the choices are active surveillance, radiation or hormone therapy, chemotherapy or surgery. There are also other choices and as I said before you should discuss these with your doctor.

One of the best things that you can do for your prostate is to make sure you take care of it in the first place. This may reduce your risk of prostate cancer. Just knowing some simple things such as taking vitamin E, eating plenty of fruits and vegetables and being informed about eating fats and red meat can reduce your risk of prostate cancer.

Friday, November 26, 2010

A Lighthearted Look at Bedwetting Alarms

The reactions of an older sibling are greatly enhanced by enuresis. Training is quick and easy – one shared bedwetting episode generally does the trick. It is however not as easy to train the bed wetter to adopt the same fully-awake, upright posture in the bathroom, irrespective of the distance away, as it is to have a bed-sharing sibling do so.

Primary bedwetting, usually prevalent from the ages of three to seven years, also induces a disproportionate sense of terror in the male species when junior creeps through in the middle of the night and crawls under the sheets between mom and dad. Mom, generally speaking, continues her slumber but dad, as if by genetic disposition, starts experiencing REM (rapid eye movement) and false warm feelings.

For all marketers of bedwetting alarms: take advantage of this gender disparity – fathers are generally more product-susceptible when buying alarms than mothers. Not to suggest that mothers are insensitive to the practicalities of bed-wetting; they are just not equally disposed to the midnight stark-staring-mad eyes look when urinated upon in their own beds. The hangover smell of stale urine in the children's room and the washing of bedding is far more likely to trigger a buying signal in mothers than the prospect of being drenched.

All infants wet the bed… it's perfectly normal so we are left to argue for how long enuresis should continue and how best to hasten its demise.

Enter the bedwetting alarm. The vote is normally unanimous – parents, siblings, grandparents and camp-out buddies united in squandering part of the child's inheritance on any device that will speed up the process.

The majority of bedwetting alarms are aural aids to the enuresis sufferer. (A notable exception is the vibratory alarm, which is tactile.) They are meant, according to product brochures, to gently remind the wearer to wake up and use the bathroom.

Given that sound is the prime source of reminder, be aware that what sounds like a moderate beep in the supermarket may take on the qualities of a World War II Klaxton air-raid siren in the quiet of the night. Cheaper models may resort to a common vehicle alarm. You aren't trying to stop the child from urinating for life; just to waken them sufficiently to move activities to the bathroom. If in doubt about the volume of the device, choose a model with volume adjustment.

Bedwetting alarms comprise a few parts. A moisture sensor, a wire, batteries and an alarm are generally the sum of the whole. Read the insert to get some idea of the model being contemplated. (No madam, you don't tie the wire around the tip of his tinkie.)

The moisture sensor is at the sharp end of the enuresis business. This front-rank member should be safe, comfortable to wear and washable. Too sensitive and it will go off during the sweat of hot weather - too insensitive and immersion in a bucket of urine won't trigger it. Testing the sensitivity in the supermarket by licking it is generally considered a no-no.

Comfort is paramount. If it is uncomfortable enough to keep a child awake, it's bad. Mind the chunky sensor type.

The sensor's connected to the…ay-larm. The ay-larm's connected to the… sorry, old songs are terrible things. A wire runs through it and you don't want the wire around the windpipe. Check this safety aspect carefully. Some fancy models even have a remote facility to an alarm in the parent's room – guess who's going to get up – that facilitates checking that the child has woken up and gone to the bathroom.

Don't buy any model that plugs into the mains, if there are any such models still available. You're trying to train the bedwetter, not invoke the death penalty.

After selecting a model, you're still faced with the prospect of getting the victim to wear it. Passing it off as a "Captain…n…n…n Bladder!" suit works with the gullible, but it may come back to haunt in later years. Getting the child's buy-in to wearing the device usually takes bribery, corruption and threats. Peer, not pee'er, pressure works for the campout types but don't enlist the tent bully's help.

Many models recommend inserting the sensor into a sanitary towel to make sure it hits the enuresis spot, especially with boys. Passing the sanitary towel off as "shoulder pads" can have embarrassing consequences when taking your toddler shopping and they brandish a pack, declaring loudly that you have forgotten the "shoulder pads."

Models differ. A few aspects that may lead to failure are:

· Missing the point… girls are easier to line up than boys. Make sure the sensor can be kept in place without resorting to uncomfortable devices.
· Sharp edges on any part... if the device is uncomfortable, the child is not going to wear it.
· Ease of use… the device should be simple enough for the child to reset it without parental assistance.
· Durability… sooner or later the device will accidentally end up in the toilet bowl.
· Hygienic design… you should be able to disinfect the sensor easily.
· Tangling of the sensor / alarm connector wire… wireless models are available, if your budget runs to this.

Bedwetting alarms are an aid to preventing enuresis and there are other factors to consider. Remove the fish tank from the child's bedroom. That lovely gurgle-bubbly water sound… you get the picture. Have soft lighting in the bedroom. Stumbling over discarded toys, the furniture or the cat in the dark with an alarm going off in your ear doesn't endear the process to the child. Ultimately, be patient. It is usual for the process to take a few months.

Copyright © Jared Winston, 2006. All Rights Reserved.

Thursday, November 25, 2010

A Life With Scoliosis

Scoliosis is a medical condition that refers to a lateral or rotational curve and deformities in the spine. There are different types and causes of scoliosis. A congenital scoliosis is a condition that has developed after birth while an idiopathic scoliosis develops as a secondary symptom of another condition. Scoliosis can affect anyone and serious cases can be physically debilitating. Scoliosis causes the spine to develop or curve into a C-shape or into other directions. It is often painful but some conditions during adolescence not cause too much discomfort except for the obvious physical or skeletal imbalance. Celebrities who have been diagnosed with scoliosis include Isabella Rosellini, Renee Russo, Liza Minelli, and Sarah Michelle Gellar.

To get proper diagnosis, a person must consult an orthopedist who specializes in spine diseases and bone abnormalities. The orthopedist will usually ask the patient to undergo the following examinations:

Physical Examination – Your doctor will check your back, chest, hips, legs, and even the skin. The doctor will look for imbalances or structural abnormalities in your shoulders, legs, and chest. Specifically, the doctor will look to see of your head is centered over your shoulders, and whether opposite sides of your body look even. Another easy way to detect scoliosis is to examine whether your pant legs drop at equal length.

X-ray – If you have unusual, persistent low back pain or a large spinal curve, the doctor will ask you to take an x-ray examination. The x-ray of your back will give a more detailed picture of the spine and the curvatures.

Curve Measurement - Using the X-ray image, the doctor will measure the curve and determine what kind of therapy or treatment is needed based on the degree of curvature. Curves that are greater than 20 degrees need immediate medical treatment, which may include surgery.


Kinds of treatment for scoliosis

There are different approaches in the treatment and management of scoliosis, as shown below:

Bracing - This is recommended for children or adolescents whose curves progress to 30 degrees and beyond. Bracing allows the spine to be held in a straighter position and prevents the progression of the curve.

A brace will not make your spine straight but it will help improve the posture and reduce the curvature. The commonly prescribed brace is called the Milwaukee Brace which consists of metal uprights attached to pads and positioned on the hips, rib cage, and neck; and the Underarm Brace which is made of plastic and is placed around the rib cage, abdomen, and hips. Bracing is also prescribed for other types of neuromuscular disease such as spinal muscular atrophy.

Surgery – When bracing fails to give the desired results, surgery is often seen as the next option. Bracing might not work for everyone. The main purpose for surgery is to join together the bones of your curve and realign the vertebrae. The surgical procedure is called spinal fusion.


Coping with scoliosis

To cope with scoliosis, some patients get a massage or a similar therapy session that helps improve body alignment, flexibility, and posture. Aquatic exercise can also improve a scoliosis patient's posture and balance. Acupuncture is also used as an alternative method for reducing pain and discomfort brought about by scoliosis.

Your world need not stop from spinning just because you have a spine problem. Scoliosis patients can still lead happy, active lives. People with scoliosis can still participate in sports and other physical activities. Remember, physical fitness is important for people with back and spine problems.

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

A Lesson From The Past: Press On

How do people call you again? Servants of the Almighty, followers of Christ, disciples of Jesus, Jesus freaks – these and other names are connected to but one cluster of people, Christians. At this juncture, you might be having problems being a person who professes to know and believe in Christ. Just like a soldier who must conform to the ideals of his superior, so you are supposed to be “transformed in likeness of the Master.” Being like Jesus. No more, no less.

However, this is where the problem comes in. No matter how rigidly the military presses conformity, no amount of continuous encouragement and persuading could push you to reach your ultimate goal. You have tried it all but no matter how you convince yourself– it's just preposterous. You end up doing nothing because you think it's impossible. Far fetched, even.

If you share the same sentiments, well, without a doubt, you are having performance anxiety. This distressing feeling of fear, worry and apprehension can take away the real joy of your pursuit – conforming to the character of Christ. Biblically speaking, all humans are created “in the image of God, not necessarily the physical looks. With this, it's just but normal to say that being Godly isn't that much of a problem because we are created as such. Chronic fear and anxiety brought by the wrong notions will not help you from “hitting the mark.”

Paul, which is one of the early apostles, had his share of performance anxiety. He openly admitted that he had a “thorn in the flesh.” This was described to be a struggle or an overwhelming fear. A paradigm that no matter what he does, he's just not enough and will never be like Jesus. But he was determined to get ahead this faith-challenging obstacle as he “chose to suffer for Christ.” He too understood and experienced those fear and anxiety related predicaments in following Christ.

He was shipwrecked a couple of times, jailed and stoned like an atrocious criminal because of his beliefs. However, just to get ahead of any hint of fear and anxiety brought about by his condition, he just put in mind that, “he is a prisoner of Christ and no longer live for himself.” In this light, he was never bothered by any threat or obstacle believing that no amount of threat could further enslave him.

Ultimately, even after a series of performance anxiety blocks, he managed to utter this proverbial Christian quote, “Imitate me as I imitate Christ.”

It's but normal for a Christian to feel inferior because, in comparison to Jesus' image, we are but “a fleeting memory.” However, we are urged, no matter how hard, to live like Christ. Just keep on pressing on to reach that mark. It's tediously arduous, however, like Paul, let me say this last thing. “I am not telling you these things because I already have reached perfection, but by the grace of God, I keep on pressing towards the goal to win the prize.”

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

A Lesson From Rooney

Copyright 2006 Robert Ryles

It has become 'The Rooney Metatarsal'. The good old metatarsal has been around for, well as long as we have. Funny how it takes a celebrity to make such an innocuous bone important or even famous. I have to admit, as a Chartered Physiotherapist or Physical Therapist, whichever you prefer, I doubted whether young Wayne would be fit in time for The World Cup. Fit he is though. So well done to Wqyne and to all his team.

I know Wayne well, as I was his 'physio' at Everton. He is a precocious talent no doubt, strong as an ox, with an enormous will to win and a high pain threshold. If anyone was going to defy the odds it was him. A less strong attitude may not have won through. The oxygen therapy has likely had a major effect on maximising the healing time. These factors together with the fact that there have been no complications have seen Wayne return to match fitness in the shortest possible time.

One thing is for sure though, Mother Nature will not be kidded. She will only heal at her own rate and makes exceptions for no one. Ask anyone who has suffered any kind of long term injury and been sidelined or unable to perform their normal activities of daily living. Frustration, sometimes of the highest order, is the word I think you may be looking for.

Such situations demand patience. If it is not there, it will be taught. In my weird and wonderful career of treating and rehabilitating people through injury, I often come across the situation of The World's most impatient person being taught a lesson in sitting, waiting and thinking whilst an injury heals. Initially the intolerable discomfort of having to let 'important' stuff go undone is enough to send them into sheer apoplexy. This is closely followed by the 'this just cannot be, I'm just to busy for this to be happening to me' symptom. How so many of us think we are indispensible and almost above the laws of nature that govern everyone else. Cynic that I can be at times I often think that if you don't learn to slow down and live life at a pace acceptable to nature that she will have no alternative but to slow you down herself. Injury and sometimes severe injury or illness may be her way. Call me weird, but I have seen so many examples of this type of scenario.

Just recently I have been reading a book about slowing down and changing how we think about time. At the same time as I have been reading Terry Waite's autobiography about his time as a hostage. Talk about learning to have patience and appreciating the little things in life. Funny also that at the time of reading these books I was fortunate enough to be relaxing at my Dad's villa in a totally magical part of Southern Spain where goat herding, fruit picking and riding on asses are still the norm. I had to smile as I engaged all of this around me and lapsed into this pace of life, lazing around the swimming pool yet still getting the urge to nip and check the mobile phone and e mail. Thankfully such urges died away naturally as the slow days meandered on.

Anyone who has been to Africa will relate to being able to pick up the 'beat of life' that the continent has. It is magical and so powerful. This is what I am feferring to. This is not an article about selling up and going to live on a deserted island and giving up everything because you feel stressed, mmmmm but then again. It is just a faint reminder that in some way everyday a little gardening, time with your pet or children, a walk, a book, a day away or even a nap are enough to bring the beat of life to its healthier rhythm.

Who said that we should be in this world but be not of it. I think may be they were saying the same thing. So take a minute, take a time out, call a valued friend, or just chill and meditate. It is injury prevention in its purest form. It could even save your life.

Monday, November 22, 2010

A Juicy, Fun Way To Take Your Vitamins

While kids want great taste, you want to give them the vitamins, minerals and fiber their growing bodies need. Serve watermelon and you can both be happy.

Watermelon is a fun, nutritious way to make sure active kids don't get dehydrated; it's 92 percent water.

A two-cup serving of watermelon is an excellent source of vitamins A, B6 and C, and it provides 7 percent of the recommended daily value of potassium, with only 80 calories.

Watermelon is fat-free and also contains fiber. Its beautiful red color comes from all-natural lycopene, an antioxidant that can help keep kids' bodies healthy.

Watermelon can be eaten at any meal, breakfast, lunch or dinner, and it's a wonderful snack for the whole family. Delicious on its own, watermelon is a fantastic ingredient in recipes, too. Previously just a summertime treat, tasty watermelon is now available year-round.

A watermelon carving makes a great addition to a kids' party buffet, and the birthday boy or girl can help make it. The salad inside can be as simple as a mixture of blueberries, seedless green grapes and balls of watermelon, cantaloupe and honeydew melon. It's colorful and kids love it.

Carving Instructions for Watermelon Fish

Slice 1/4 inch off the bottom lengthwise to provide a stable base.

With a melon baller, cut half circles over half the top of the watermelon in a rectangular shape, remove and set aside. This piece will be used for the top fin and tail.

Scoop out the flesh.

Cut out the tail shape and the melon balled fin-piece from the rectangular piece set aside earlier. Attach the fin and tail with sturdy, round toothpicks.

Cut out eyes using a melon baller. Trim around the outside of the eye socket, then place it back in, rind side out.

For the mouth, point a paring knife at a downward angle above the stem and slice through 3 inches on either side of the stem, cutting through the rind. Push out the mouth from the inside. For the side fin, cut 3 cuts into the side using the melon baller to make the curves on the back of the fin. Then slice straight cuts to form the top and bottom of the fin.

Sunday, November 21, 2010

A Journey to Begin Losing Pounds

Usually we all seek to lose weight as fast and easy as possible, and in top of that we want results right away. And if we don’t get them, we just quit and move along.

Frequently we become objective (to lose 1 kilo every week) and if in one week it lowers solely half kilo or what is worse, nothing happens, I get frustrated and that can lead me to no longer continue with the plan I set and then I just quit it.

Even there are times the people unconsciously set goals that are too hard to obtain so that I can leave it quickly, nobody (and I include myself) wants to follow a diet!!!

We make it because it is healthy but when we choose what it tastes better.

Does anybody likes lettuce?

If you want to follow your plan you need to set reasonable and reachable goals. A study stated that when people lower 500g per week, those people maintain long term descent.

It is the best objective that we can intend, to lower 500g for week and knowledge that some week won't lose weight. If you want to lower quick we can also help you, of course, but I have to be conscious that in some moment losing weight rate won’t be the one as desired. And I don't want to frustrate myself for that reason, the following week I will achieve the results.

The body is not something that reacts mathematically, the weight it depends on many factors, as the retention of liquids, the intestinal evacuation, the time in which weigh myself, that ingested the previous night, if I ingested pizza or another very salted food I will surely retain liquids, the same as if I began with an intense activity the previous day.

Another cause of failure in a diet is to be very strict with what you have to eat.

If I go to a party and I don't eat anything, or same at home if I am extremely strict it is very difficult to be able to maintain the plan and in the first time that comes out, you will think “I cannot make diet" or "this is not for me", frustrating me once again, abandoning and feeling badly.

These 2 forms of thinking "if I don't lower 1 kilo per week every week I’m not doing anything good at all" or "I can’t make the diet because I ate an ice cream." are forms in that consciously or unconsciously plot us the diet to ourselves.

In fact I don't want to make diet. Let us accept it!

Nobody wants to make it, but they want to lose weight. Unfortunately these 2 factors are really hard to join them together and make it work|Regrettably the 2 things join are not able to work together}.

Perhaps it is time that you start making choices, and make decisions in order to choose which path you want to go. By just choosing to remain healthy, you will get results.

Saturday, November 20, 2010

A Home Gym and Walking = a Great Exercise Program

With the busy lifestyles today few adults with families can afford to take the time necessary to go the health club or neighborhood gym on a regular basis. Heck, even if it's within a short distance, we're talking about several hours commitment per session. Who has time for that!?

Still, we all recognize that exercise is just downright good for you. If you name any random 10 medical conditions and diseases, I'm willing to bet money that some form of frequent exercise is a good treatment or preventative measure for at least 9 of them. Diet and exercise pop up as treatments and preventative measures in so many of the diseases that ail us today, and both of these areas are a good place to focus on if your concerned about your health. Even just some simple walking for exercise can go a long way to improving your health. Walking for exercise is fun, easy, and is a great stress reducer but more on that in a minute.

Another idea is that of home gym equipment. now we're not talking about enough equipment to fill up the basement or several bedrooms. What you want is something that you enjoy that can be done in the privacy of your home whenever you desire. My son, who's working on his muscle tone has a resistance weight training program with 1 piece of equipment. The wife likes the aerobic action of a small trampoline and treadmill. The idea of home gym equipment need not be a daunting enterprise, just something that will save hours and allow the exercise program that your desire right from your own home. Another great workout however is simply walking!



The great thing about walking for exercise is that you can do it anywhere. You have absolutely no excuse for not getting up and walking around for at least 30 minutes a day. So it’s raining out? Take an umbrella! Seriously, just get out for a short walk around the block a couple times and you'll thank yourself for it later. If its absolutely miserable out, just walking around your house or apartment a while is better than nothing.

Walking for exercise is extremely low impact, and so anyone of any age can do it safely and frequently without worrying about damaging themselves. Running and other more strenuous forms of exercise can cause all kinds of joint pain and soreness, and isn't recommended unless you are in otherwise good shape.

A lot of recent studies into different forms of exercise are showing that walking is every bit as good for you as running or other more vigorous exercises, you just need to do it longer. If you are walking for exercise, go for at least 30 minutes or even an hour. The more the better, as you can't hurt yourself by walking too much.

There are a lot of exercise programs that are beginning to realize the benefits of walking for exercise. As it is something virtually anyone that can walk can do, there is a huge target market for walking programs. I'd recommend any program that motivates you to walk frequently. Even without one, there are hiking and walking clubs all over the place to join. Not only can walking for exercise be a way to maintain good health, but it can be a good way to meet new people and form new networks.

With so many benefits and virtually no cons, you can't go wrong with walking for exercise. Its only drawback is that it takes time to do, but it is time well spent. What is the value of good health and longevity? Add on a favorite piece of gym equipment and you have everything needed to develop a healthy workout and exercise program without the inconvenience of going to the gym all the time.

Friday, November 19, 2010

A Heart To Health Talk

Almost 14 million Americans have a history of heart attack or angina. It is now one of the leading causes of death in the United States. More than 1 million Americans have heart attacks each year. A heart attack, or myocardial infarction (MI), is permanent damage to the heart muscle. “Myo” means muscle, “cardial” refers to the heart and “infarction” means death of tissue due to lack of blood supply.


Nutrition and energy are delivered to the entire body by blood from the pumping heart. The heart itself requires constant energy in the form of oxygen and nutrients, which all come from the blood that delivered through the coronary arteries. A blockage in the coronary arteries prevents blood flow and causes the heart muscle to starve. The medical term for such starvation is ischemia, a condition that is accompanied by a chest discomfort called angina. If the blockage is severe, some of the heart muscle actually dies. When heart muscle dies, this is called a heart attack or myocardial infarction.


Fortunately, modern medicine already offers medical treatment acute heart attack. Preventive measures have been identified and are now being taught to prevent such an attack from occurring or recurring. Beta blockers are medications used to decrease heart rate and blood pressure. These can be given through an intravenous (IV) line or by mouth. Oxygen is used via nose plugs or a facemask if a person is having a heart attack. This is useful if breathing is difficult or the amount of oxygen in the blood is low.


Aspirin is used to decrease blood clotting. It works by preventing platelets from sticking together. Plavix (clopidogrel) is an additional platelet blocker given to those having a heart attack. Both aspirin and plavix are pills given by mouth. Clotting inhibitors called heparin, lovenox, and 2B3A are given via the IV and can help prevent the blockage from getting worse. A statin, or cholesterol pill, is often given to those having a heart attack. This too can stabilize a blockage and prevent it from getting worse. Chest pain can be decreased with nitroglycerine. This is given in a variety of ways, a dissolving pill under the tongue, a paste on the chest, or via the IV. Nitroglycerine helps dilate the coronary arteries allowing more blood to flow through. Morphine is another medication to control chest discomfort and ease anxiety. These medications mentioned work to stabilize a blockage, however, they are not very effective in removing one that has already formed. This job is done by “clot buster” medications or thrombolytics. T-PA (tissue plasminogen activator) and similar medicines can break apart a blockage and restore blood flow. Alternatively, this can be done with a balloon and stent procedure by a cardiologist.

However, there are practical ways that can lessen the chances of having a heart attack. Consuming at least five fruits and vegetables daily, exercising at least 2.5 hours per week, maintaining a healthy weight and not smoking can decrease your chances of heart trouble by 35 percent, and the risk of dying by 40 percent, compared to people with less healthy lifestyles. Research have shown that people who eat a balanced diet and exercise more can substantially reduce their risk for cardiovascular disease and death even if they're in their 50s or 60s. Most experts agree that a health-promoting lifestyle such as eating well, being active, and not smoking can cut overall risk of heart disease by 80 percent. Indeed, adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle makes a difference.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

A Healthy Guide to Good Nutrition

Whether you are at your ideal weight or striving to reach your weight goal is it simply a matter of burning more calories than you take in? The answer, I suggest, is no! Overall body health improvement as well as weight gain or loss must be factored in to the equation or you could be heading for problems. Correct nutrition can help to reduce the risk of a miriad of health-related problems, the most frightening of which are surely heart disease and cancer. Proper nutrition, however, entails eating many different foods, monitoring your consumption of some food and beverage items, and counting calories. Good diets offer balanced nutrition that reduces cholesterol, blood pressure, and helps with weight control.

To function properly, your body must have the correct combination of nutrients:

Carbohydrates. They are the primary source of ammunition in your diet. The body uses carbohydrates to build glucose which can be used immediately or stored in your body for later. Too much glucose, however, is stored as fat. There are two types of carbohydrates - simple and complex. Sugars are simple carbohydrates. Starches and fibers are complex carbohydrates.

Proteins. Proteins help your body build and maintain muscles and other tissues. They also function in the creation of hormones. Like carbohydrates, excess protein is stored as fat.

Animal and vegetable are the two major types of proteins. Too much animal protein can cause high cholesterol, as it is high in saturated fat.

Fat. Strange as it may seem; fat is another nutrient your body requires. It comes in both saturated and unsaturated forms. Saturated fat puts you at risk of health problems. Unsaturated fat is healthy, but if it goes through any type of refinement process, it can become saturated fat.

Vitamins. These are also required nutrients. Different vitamins perform different tasks within the body. They can work with the metabolism to help with energy levels for any task you can think of that you need your body to perform. It has also been noted that certain vitamins can prevent disease.

For example, vitamins A, C, and E, also called antioxidants, can assist with the prevention of coronary artery disease by keeping build up from occurring on artery walls. Vitamin B-1 is needed for digestion and proper nervous system function. Vitamin B-2 is needed for normal cell growth. Vitamin B-3 helps to detoxify your body. Folic acid assists with production of red blood cells. Vitamin D assists with the absorption of calcium. Vitamin K helps your blood clot.

Minerals and trace elements. These are another nutrient your body requires. Both are used in many different body processes. Minerals like chlorine help make your digestive juices. Phosphorus helps build strong bones. Both can be found in the foods we consume, but with a trace element, your body just needs a tiny amount. Salt is one final nutrient your body requires. You should not consume more than 2400 milligrams per day, though, as it might raise your blood pressure.

You should follow several guidelines to create a well balanced, nutritional diet. First, try to consume two and one half cups of vegetables and two cups of fruit each day. When making your selections for each day, be sure to choose a good variety. A good rough guide is to eat as many different colors as possible, this will help you to select from all five vegetable subgroups at least four times per week.

You should eat at least three ounces of whole grain products each day. At least half of your grain intake should be whole grain based. Milk should also be part of a healthy diet. Consume at least forty-eight ounces of low fat milk or milk products on a daily basis. Your total fat intake should only be between ten and thirty percent of your calories. Most of the fats you consume should be in the form of unsaturated fats, as saturated fats can do much to damage your health. Meat, poultry, dry beans, and milk or milk products should all be lean, low-fat, or fat-free. Less than ten percent of your calories should come from saturated fats, and you should always try to avoid trans-fatty acid.

Fiber-rich fruits, vegetables and whole grains should be a regular part of your diet as should potassium rich foods. Alcoholic beverages should only be consumed in moderation.

Excellent nutrition is the basis of a healthy diet.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

A Healthy Diet to Beat Anxiety

Everyone experiences anxiety. In fact, being unable

to do so can be a sign of a serious psychological

problem. In our hazardous world, anxiety is a

strategy the body uses to help the mind recognize

danger and keep well out of its way. As with most

mental illnesses, it's not the presence of anxiety

alone that creates problems. It is more about how

severe it is and how much it gets in one’s way of

life or quality of living.
Most people feel anxious at some time in their lives.

However, only about five per cent of people

experience severe anxiety and rarely seek

professional help. Anxiety is a mixture of physical

and mental symptoms. They are part of what

psychologists call the “fight or flight” response.

When the body is under threat it automatically

prepares either to defend itself or run.
Anxiety is a normal reaction to stress. It helps one

deal with a tense situation in the office, study

harder for an exam, or remain focused on an important

speech. In general, it helps one cope with the tasks

and demands of everyday life. But when anxiety

becomes an excessive, irrational dread of everyday

situations, it can become a disabling disorder.
Fortunately, effective treatments for anxiety

disorders are available, and research is yielding new

and improved therapies that can help most people with

anxiety disorders lead productive and fulfilling

lives.
However, studies have shown that having a healthy

diet may reduce signs and symptoms of anxiety.

Although food can't cure an anxiety disorder,

consider some diet changes and that would benefit a

severely anxious person:
• Avoid or limit caffeine intake as much as

possible. Caffeine is present in many soft drinks,

not just in tea and coffee and it can set up its own

vicious cycle. It can speed up heart rate and disrupt

sleep --- which later on become prevailing signs of

anxiety. Trying to overcome tiredness by drinking

more caffeine only makes the long-term problem worse.
• Avoid too much alcohol. Similarly, alcohol

can worsen the symptoms of anxiety, and disrupt

sleep. Many people reach for a drink to calm their

nerves, but the consequences of overindulgence can

outweigh the benefits of initial relaxation. For

some, a hangover, insomnia, and dehydration make one

feel worse than before one had a drink. In excessive

amounts, alcohol can actually act as a depressant,

making the drinker feel sluggish or more anxious.

Alcohol, like a simple sugar, is rapidly absorbed by

the body. Like other sugars, alcohol increases

hypoglycemia symptoms. It also causes mood swings.

• Eat complex carbohydrates, also known as

carbs. During anxious times, turn to comforting

carbs. These foods act as a mild tranquilizer by

increasing the amount of serotonin, a calming

neurotransmitter in the brain. Complex carbs such as

potatoes, wholewheat bread, and pasta take longer to

digest than sugary simple carbs like white bread.

That way, one can stay fuller longer and blood sugar

is likely to stay steady, eliminating stress and

anxiety.
• Be sure to drink eight or more glasses of

water a day. Dehydration can lead to fatigue,

headaches and stress. One should be well-hydrated and

drinking lots of water a day can decrease symptoms of

anxiety.
• Take multivitamins and mineral supplements. B

vitamins, whose role is to unlock the energy in food,

are crucial. Vitamin B-6 helps manufacture serotonin

in the brain. Choose a daily supplement that supplies

100 per cent of the daily recommendation of all

vitamins and minerals.
Although tension and daily stresses are unavoidable,

one can relieve tension and manage stress and anxiety

better by watching out for what one eats and what one

does not eat. Remember that a healthy body and a

healthy mind are often one and the same thing.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

A Healthy Diet Check Up...From The Neck Up

If you have tried every so-called healthy diet plan on the planet and every exercise program from the latest fitness guru and repeatedly failed to achieve your weight loss goals, you probably need a “healthy diet check up...from the neck up.”

There's no such thing as a healthy, fast, weight loss diet plan. Successful weight loss doesn’t just happen. It took more than a few days to reach the point where you are at right now. Give yourself a break and expect it to take awhile before you see measurable results. Take a leap of faith and follow some basic principles in your diet plan.

Begin with your “self talk.” This is the conversation that runs through your brain continuously. What kind of conversation do you have with your self talk? What type of negative self talk has kept you from reaching your weight loss goals in the past?

If you had a chance to do it over again, would you change the dialogue? That’s a no-brainer isn’t it? Well, the good news is that you can turn the tide of negative self talk beginning right now. It’s never too late to begin and you start by reprogramming your self talk and beginning a whole new weight loss diet plan.

A good starting point is to begin with positive affirmations. Positive affirmations, spoken aloud with authority and belief, positively affect your attitude, focuses your thinking and lead to a course of action that will help you become the person you want to be and have the things that you want to have.

Begin by writing your weight loss affirmations on paper. You can begin with something like, “I want to lose 25 pounds before Christmas.” That’s a worthy goal and attainable, but we need to put some work into structuring the affirmation.

First of all, “I want” gives the impression that what you desire is always in the future. In order to re-program your self talk, you need to trick your mind into believing that you have already achieved weight loss success. This is how your subconscious mind functions.

Your subconscious mind has no capacity for understanding the concept of time. Everything is in the moment. . .here and now. When you tell your subconscious mind that you “want”, that is exactly what you will get. . .want. . .without ever achieving fulfillment. Unless you change your mental tape recorder, you will achieve exactly what you are telling your subconscious, that you “want to lose 25 pounds.” You will “want to lose 25 pounds” for the rest of your days unless you change your self talk.

If your weight is 150 pounds and you desire is to weight 125 pounds, then you need to “be” 125 pounds from the moment you make the decision to change your self talk. What if you write your affirmation to read something like this: “I am healthy and fit, weighing 125 pounds.”

It is extremely important that your affirmation is crystal clear because what you affirm is exactly what your subconscious mind will bring you.

You needn’t limit yourself to one affirmation either. Write another one that reflects your new exercise program. “I enjoy my healthy new diet plan,” or, “I love the healthy foods I eat.”

Write and rewrite until you are absolutely certain that you have written your weight loss goals “in the here and now” AND represent precisely what you desire. Only then do you begin to speak it aloud and do so several times a day.

Remember to use the present tense. “I acknowledge achievement in all my weight loss goals.” “I have the skill and talent to exercise every day.” “I am a winner.” “I am grateful for all of my accomplishments no matter how small.”

At first you will feel awkward and uncomfortable and you may not feel or believe what you are saying. It doesn’t matter, continue to speak them aloud with as much conviction as you can muster. It’s taken a long time to train your subconscious to use negative self talk. If you will persevere with speaking your affirmations aloud, firmly and confidently, you will be amazed at how quickly you can turn your thoughts around.

You didn’t hop on a bicycle the first time and just take off down the street. It took practice to train your body to balance on those two wheels. This will take some practice as well. Continue to repeat your affirmations aloud, several times a day for the next 30 days and you will be amazed at how much you change your thinking and attitude.

Above all, take action. Do nothing and nothing gets done. Do something and many things are placed in motion.

Regardless of what you are doing in life, you need to take action. Do something every day to put your plan into motion.

Monday, November 15, 2010

A Healthy Colon Is Imperative For Keeping The Body Healthy And Detoxified

With today's active life style's and less than adequate eating habits a healthy colon is imperative for keeping the body healthy and detoxified.
Part of the reason so many Americans have an unhealthy colon is the lack of fiber benefits to their diet. Having a healthy colon is the key to long term health and finding good colon healthy recipes is one way to help keep your body healthy. Constipation, digestive distress, and mucous in your stools are just a few signs that your colon might not be completely healthy, and a healthy colon is absolutely necessary for a healthy body.

Don't let an unhealthy colon become a breeding ground for toxic poisons, parasites, disease and death. Colon therapy can also help rid the body of
parasites without a need for the heavy drugs usually prescribed to treat them. There are a number of colon cleansing products on the market today
that will cleanse the colon as well as expel parasites.

Diets of saturated fats, meats, sugars and processed foods contribute to impacted feces along the inside of the colon wall. However, eating a diet with insufficient fiber is like cleansing dishes without a sponge. A healthy diet full of fiber and probiotics (good bacteria and yeast),
plenty of rest and water, and regular exercise keeps your colon healthy. The problem is that no one who eats a "normal" diet is able to escape
the gradual formation of caked deposits and build-ups on the lining of the colon. Many people might be amazed and disgusted at what actually comes
out of an average "healthy" person during a colonic treatment.

If you want to prevent colon toxicity, chronic disease and premature aging, cleansing your colon is essential. Colon cleansing is the best defense
against colon toxicity developing, as well as maintaining a healthy diet and active lifestyle. Take charge of this important bodily function: Get
started cleaning your colon today. There are several products that we believe work very well for getting and keeping a clean and healthy colon and digestive tract. A colon cleansing can actually assist in weight loss as well, in fact some have reported up to a twenty five (25) pound loss almost over night.

A normal healthy colon is the cornerstone of a sound nutritional program assuring normal assimilation of nutritional supplements as well as dietary
food nutrients. A healthy colon is truly essential to one's overall health, especially when you consider that literally everything you eat ends up in your bowels as toxins. One of the most important things you can do to keep a healthy colon is to cleanse your body of toxins, pollutants and impacted fecal matter. The recommended amount of fiber everyone needs to maintain a healthy colon is generally between 20 and 35 grams of fiber a day.

We place significant importance on the products we use to brush our teeth, wash our hair, and cleanse our bodies. Find out as much information as possible, and speak to people who have actually used colon cleansing products and services. The elimination of undigested food and other waste products are as important as the proper digest and assimilation of food stuffs. Psyllium husk and bentonite clay based herbal colon cleansing products are safe and we recommend them as part of your overall getting healthy plan.

Sunday, November 14, 2010

A Healthy Approach To Stress

Different people get bothered for different reasons. A big sports game, an office presentation, deadlines at work, even other people and relationships --- all these can cause us stress. This feeling of mild anxiety can cause different outcomes, even negative consequences. A student can fail his or her exam simply by being stressed out or when he encounters a mental block that prevents effective study or getting the right answers to an exam.

Stress, as a normal human reaction, is the body's reaction to rising challenges and tough situations. Everyone, in some way or another, encounters stress whenever possible. It is simply inevitable. People and events tend to clash, therefore resulting in stress. People work, play, study, do things everyday, and it is impossible not to feel stressed at one way or another. At this point, when people do not want to experience any much of this, they turn to medications for anti stress, also associated with anti-anxiety for instant relief.

A healthier approach to relieving stress is by practicing stress techniques that can maintain the person's state of balance and regulation in both body and mind. Exercise is a stress technique that is not only good for your physical health but also helps relieve a person's tension and frustration. Sports and other fitness routines are excellent ways to relieve tension. Many people who want to manage stress go to a boxing class, join a cycling club, or engage in other exercise activities that would allow them to release their stress.

Aside from exercise, another useful technique is to practice deep breathing, which gives the person a feeling of relaxation. Proper breathing counts and rhythm is used as stress techniques that eventually lead to more relaxation. Relaxation activities such as Yoga or Tai chi can also eliminate stress by relaxing the mind and body, and thereby relieving stress patterns around the body. Yoga and tai-chi also helps develop concentration and positive body awareness. These Oriental arts have been practiced by millions of people for centuries and medical research have documented the beneficial effects of these modes of exercise. By moving slowly with ease and always in a state of relaxation, the person performing these activities will feel good, and soon the feeling of relaxation will follow. Muscle relaxation also works in relieving stress. By deep breathing and constant contraction and relaxation of different body parts, the person will feel relaxed every after contraction, which also releases stress. Massage therapy also helps fight stress. Massaging your scalp, putting pressure on your shoulders or even your eyes can really decrease stress in that certain part of the body.

People should take a second look at these stress techniques. But for those who have tried every massage or stress management technique, taking a prescription drug may very well be the last option. However, the use of these medications almost always have side effects. But with proper doctor's advice, the use of safe and proven drugs may help people who need fast relief. There are a lot of healthy ways to beat stress.

Saturday, November 13, 2010

A Healthier Life Through Diabetes Resource and Information Sites

If you or someone close to you suffers from diabetes, you know what a life-altering condition it is. Diabetes-the inability of the metabolism to generate the insulin necessary to properly process blood sugar-affects millions of people in the United States alone. If properly diagnosed, diabetes in and by itself is not a fatal condition. However, keeping it under control is essential and that requires proper treatment and constant monitoring. And the more you know about the disease the better your chances of being able to live a normal life with diabetes.

There are three forms of diabetes, two of them chronic and one temporary. The chronic ones are Type 1 diabetes where the body simply does not produce insulin (a hormone that causes cells to store glucose), and Type 2 where tissues and cells are not responding to insulin. Pregnant women may develop so called gestational diabetes where certain hormones cause insulin resistance. Gestational diabetes usually disappears once a baby is born. Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes require treatment.

It all sounds pretty simple, but it's not. Even after proper diagnosis, diabetes symptoms and diabetes treatment greatly vary from person to person. With Type 1, insulin injections are almost always required, but dosage varies, and diet and lifestyle can make a big difference. Type 2 can often be managed with dietary changes, exercise and supplements but, again, it varies from person to person. The difference between controlling diabetes properly and letting it go unchecked can be the difference between a normal, healthy life and one with serious complications that can result in deteriorating health and life-threatening conditions.

One thing that can help is being informed. And that doesn't mean just a half-hour consultation with your doctor although that, of course, is mandatory and the start of all treatment. My physician told me to do my own research and educate myself as much as I could. He said knowing about a disease and its various treatment options would allow me to determine what is right for me. He even gave me links to some information websites.

The problem with gathering diabetes information is not that there isn't enough, but that there is so much and in so many different places. That's why it makes sense to seek a website that specializes in diabetes and offers diabetes news, articles, a comprehensive diabetes information directory, and links to important resources. I found one that was easy to navigate and covered all aspects of diabetes, with a directory to over two dozen diabetes-related topics such as exercise, diets, drugs, symptoms, testing, treatments, prevention, blogs, forums and more. The site also contained a large number of original articles by diabetes experts or just people who have learned to live with diabetes and wanted to share their knowledge and experience.

There is a great deal of useful information on diabetes out there, but it doesn't help much if it is scattered all over the web or written in incomprehensible medical jargon. This is why a site dedicated to diabetes and diabetes resources of all kinds makes sense and should be on top of your browser bookmarks.

Friday, November 12, 2010

A Hair Loss Cure For Men

Procerin is a natural remedy for hair loss has been found effective in reversing hair loss in men caused by androgenetic alopecia, the most common cause of male hair loss, thinning hair and receding hairlines often reffered to as widows peak. Basiclly men suffering from androgenetic alopecia have extremely high levels of the chemical dihydrotestosterone, a by-product of the major male hormone testosterone, so when this hormone is converted into DHT the results are hair loss and this is where Procerin steps in and blocks the production of DHT and unlike other medications does not with react with testosterone.

Procerin has been scientifically designed to help men retain and regrow their hair. The 17 active ingredients are all-natural herbal, vitamin, and mineral DHT inhibitors and include, Saw Palmetto Berries, Gotu Kola, Nettles, Magnesium, Zinc Sulfate, Siberian Ginseng, Vitamin B-6, Pumpkin Seed Meal, CJ-11 Factor, CJ-9 Factor, and Mura Puma Root, because the Procerin hair loss product for men contains only natural ingredients the only known side effects are mild stomach discomfort for the first few days, if you are suffering an illness it is wise to consult your doctor before use especilly if you are currently taking a MAOI inhibitor.

Studys have shown that Procerin is more effective as a natural hair loss remedy in men aged between 18-35 and those whose hair is still in a growth phase. Men that still have growing hair experience an increase in hair count, and improvement in both hairline and thinning at the crown of their head, becuase hair grows at an extremely slow rate ( about 1" every two months) it best to take Procerin for at 1-2 months before results can be expected, but some users of Procerin have reported good results after only 2 weeks, most men take 1-3 months before before significant increases in hair count occur, not bad comparing to Propecia that can take upto 6 months for good hair growth results.

So does Procerin work? Procerin has had many good results with many success storys and the companys boasts that Procerin the natural hair loss remedy works with 92% of men who suffer androgenetic alopecia the most common cause of hair loss plus Procerin is a cost effective alternative to other hair loss products like Propecia & Rogaine and unlike prescription medication Procerin is backed by a 90-Day Unconditional, No questions asked Money Back Guarantee so you have nothing to lose except your hair of course.

Thursday, November 11, 2010

A Guide to Natural Sleep Aids

Everyone has experienced occasional lost sleep. But, lost sleep on a regular basis is a cause of concern and might be a symptom of insomnia. If you are one of the many suffering from insomnia, you can choose from a wide variety of sleeping aids. One such option you can choose is by using natural sleep aids. These all-natural sleeping aids are usually herbs, foods, or methods that are used to promote sleep. Some of the most popular natural sleeping aids include the following:

Valerian

This herb's use as a sleeping aid can be traced back to centuries ago. Interestingly, valerian works similarly to conventional sleeping pills. By increasing the levels of GABA, a calming neurotransmitter in the brain, valerian induces drowsiness and sleepiness. You can take valerian an hour before bedtime as an extract, tea, or capsule. You can experience its full effect after a week or two of regular intake.

Light

The level of light the body is exposed to produces different reactions. A lot of light signals the body to wake up while a decrease in it induces the body to sleep. However, slight differences in the level of exposure may confuse the body and cause irregular sleep. For example, if you stay indoors with minimal lighting during the day, the body might not recognize the shift between night and day. To increase chances of better sleep, expose yourself to more light by walking around the neighborhood in the morning or early afternoon.

Aromatherapy

This form of therapy relies on your body's response to certain olfactory signals. Scents like lavender, chamomile, and ylang ylang work well in calming your body and mind. You can try putting lavender sachets in your pillow or adding lavender oil to your bath water. You can also try sipping chamomile tea before going to bed.

Relaxation Techniques

Insomnia or lack of sleep is often due to the stress you feel. Practicing relaxation techniques prior to your bedtime increases your chances of having a better sleep. Some methods you may want to consider include deep breathing, visualization, yoga, and progressive muscle relaxation.

Sleep-friendly Diet

Different foods have varying effects on your sleeping pattern. Whereas caffeine and sugar-rich foods can disrupt your sleep, foods rich in tryptophan and magnesium can help you sleep better and longer. Including foods like milk, turkey, legumes, dark greens, and nuts in your diet is a good way to boost your body's tryptophan and magnesium levels.

Music

According to studies, slow and soft music can soothe and relax the body. By playing soft tunes before bedtime, your body becomes primed for sleep. Sounds of nature like water flowing through rocks or chirping birds are also good choices.

Exercise

Regular physical activity boosts your body's endorphin levels. Endorphins, also known as the body's feel-good hormones, relax and soothe the body. Exercise also relieves muscle tension and stress which promotes deep sleep. However, keep in mind not to exercise close to one's bedtime as this can increase adrenaline levels and induce insomnia.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

A Guide to Men's Sexual Health

Most information available on sexual health are primarily geared towards women. However, men, particularly those who are sexually active are also at risk for sexual problems. Whether gay or straight, sexual health is an important aspect of a man's life and must be paid particular attention to. Threats on men's sexual health must be prevented and diminished, not only for their safety but also for that of their partners.

Parameters of Male Sexual Health

Men's sexual health is usually determined by several factors. These factors include the following:

* Physical Health

Men who are physically fit and healthy generally have better sexual health than men who do not look after their diet or practice regular physical activity. Weak cardiovascular constitution, underdeveloped muscles, and poor blood circulation also contribute to poor sexual health. A weak body is also more prone and susceptible to infections which can weaken a man's resistance to sexually transmitted diseases and infections.

* Psychological Health

Contrary to popular belief, a man's physical constitution is not the sole determinant of sexual health. Often, some sexual problems are direct effects of a man's emotional problems. For example, it is commonly observed that physically healthy men who suffer for erectile dysfunction have a serious lack of confidence or are riddled with anxiety performance disorders.

* Social Activities

Men who are in monogamous sexual relationships are at lesser risks for sexual problems compared to men who enter polygamous relationships. Drug addiction also puts a man at a greater risk for infection especially if he uses intravenous drugs.

Risks to Men's Sexual Health

Male sexual health can be threatened by several diseases and disorders. Some of these risks include:

* Ejaculation Disorders

There are three common forms of ejaculation disorder in men. These are premature ejaculation, retarded ejaculation, and retrograde ejaculation. Premature ejaculation happens when due to an excess of sexual arousal, anxiety, or loss of control, a man ejaculates before or soon after penetration. Retarded ejaculation occurs when an ejaculation comes too slow that prevents orgasm. Retrograde ejaculation happens when the ejaculate is forced back into the bladder instead of being released at orgasm.

* Erectile Dysfunction

Another term for this disorder is impotence. This happens when a man is unable to have or sustain an erection long enough for sexual intercourse and ejaculation. As such, he is unable to introduce his semen into his partner reproductive system to induce a pregnancy. This is often caused by psychological trauma or an effect of certain medications.

* Inhibited Sexual Desire

This can be loosely translated to a loss or decrease in a man's libido levels. Often associated with low testosterone levels, inhibited sexual desire may also be triggered by medications, psychological problems, and some illnesses like diabetes and high blood pressure.

* Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Infections

Men usually get infected with STIs and STDs following unhealthy and unprotected sexual relationships with an infected partner. Usual signs of STDs and STIs include: difficulty in urinating, bloody urine, foul penile discharge, sores, lesions, and excessive itching in the genitalia.

Immediate medical assistance must be sought when it comes to problems concerning male sexual health. Diagnosis is usually done through physical and psychological exams, as well as a thorough evaluation of medical history. Treatment usually comes in two phases: medical treatment for physical symptoms and psychological therapy for mental and social factors.

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

A Guide To Hypnosis

There are many stories about hypnosis and hypnotherapy being dangerous, turning people into chickens, people not being able to wake up, and unscrupulous hypnotists exploiting their 'vulnerable' patients. However there are many people who are adamant that it has helped change their lives, helping them succeed in their goals. Millions of people swear that it has helped them with many issues such as weight loss, quitting smoking, other addictions, confidence, phobias, stress, success, IBS, and many more issues.

Many people are missing out on this powerful yet safe therapeutic tool because they are too afraid to use it. I hope to dispel these fears by answering these common questions about hypnotherapy.

Can I be hypnotized? Most people can go into a hypnotic trance. The only types of people that cannot be hypnotised are ... 1. Those suffering from psychosis or a thought disorder 2. A person with a low IQ 3. A person does not want to be hypnotised. It is very easy to resist hypnosis if you want to. What is a hypnotic trance? It is a normal and natural state that most of us experience several times a day. It commonly happens when people are driving. Have you ever driven somewhere and not really remembered the journey? It also often occurs when reading a book or watching TV. Sometimes you can be so absorbed in the book or TV programme that you are not consciously aware that someone is talking to you. Hypnosis is the focussing of the conscious attention in such a narrow corridor of influence. The conscious mind is so intensely focussed that other influences are not being critically analysed by the conscious mind. We still hear them, although we are not always aware. A good example of this is when you are in a place where there are several conversations going on at once. They may all sound like a mass of background noise. However if someone in one of those conversations mentions your name, you then consciously focus on that conversation. How did you know someone said your name? Your subconscious mind (which is far more powerful than your conscious mind) was listening to EVERY conversation AT THE SAME TIME! That is perhaps a reason why you can sometimes "just know" something. Your subconscious mind has absorbed it without you consciously being aware.

What does hypnosis feel like? When in a trance you feel more mentally and physically relaxed. It is a very pleasant experience, and you can tell that you are still in control. You can still hear exactly what is going on around you, unless you choose to drift your attention away. You become aware that you can easily stand up, talk, or move whenever you want. A lot of people (me included) when they first experience a hypnotic trance move their fingers or hands in order to test whether they can move at will. Sometimes a patient can be a little difficult to wake up. This is not a sinister thing as it has been portrayed. No one has ever been stuck in trance. It is more a case that a patient just "can't be bothered" to wake up as it feels so pleasant. However they soon become bored and will wake up pretty soon. One trick the old hypnosis pro's use is to tell the patient that they are charging for the time. It's amazing how quickly they then wake up!

Is hypnosis dangerous? A hypnotic trance is actually a very natural state that almost everyone goes into several times per day. In 1955 the British Medical Association set up an inquiry which favourably reported hypnosis as a therapeutic tool. It even recommended that it should be taught at medical schools. Hypnosis was also approved by the Council of Mental Health of the American Medical Association in September of 1958 as a safe practice with no harmful side effects. Since then there has been acceleration in the establishment of hypnosis societies for doctors, dentists, and psychologists. No one has been seriously hurt with hypnosis.

Can I be made to do things against my will? You could never be made to do anything against your will or contrary to your value system. If this was actually possible, would there not be criminals learning the art of hypnotherapy in order to hypnotise their bank managers to opening the vaults and handing over a large sum of cash?! In a trance, you would not unknowingly reveal your deepest secrets. You can even lie when in a trance, which is one reason why testimony in hypnosis is not permissible evidence in a court of law. It is only used by police to help with the investigation. A person will only act upon suggestions that serve them in some way or reinforce an expected behaviour, anything else their subconscious will just ignore. Most people develop these misperceptions from seeing or hearing about a Stage Hypnosis show. However they largely achieve their results from showmanship, selection of the more extrovert people, and peer pressure.

How long will it take before I notice a change? In one session, you can expect to become more relaxed than you are right now. Most people do not relax enough, and some people never seem to relax! Being more relaxed can help most mental and physical problems that you may have. I have often had patients report back to me that people noticed that they seemed more relaxed after just one session. In the past I have significantly helped problems such as IBS, skin complaints, and addictions, simply by doing relaxation work. Hypnosis can bridge the gap between your head and your heart, making your goals much more emotionally compelling, and therefore increasing your chances of permanent change. Depending upon the intensity of your session and the number of times you have listened to the recording, you will notice suggestions for the desired behavioural changes spontaneously popping into your conscious mind almost immediately.

Monday, November 8, 2010

A Guide to Hair Extension Salons

It can be difficult to find a hair extension stylist near you, and you don’t always have the time to drive hours to get your hair done. Luckily, several online resources are available to help.

Here is a helpful, condensed list:

The Hair Extension Salon Locator

This site lists hair extension salons by state. It also features articles on the care of hair extensions and hair loss information. Additionally, they have supplies and training resources.

HairBonz

This is the website for the HairBonz hair extension system. You can call 1-888-693-HAIR to find a listing of hair extension salons using the HairBonz system.

Hair Boutique

This informative site has links to hair extension salons. Unfortunately, the information is listed alphabetically and cannot be searched by city or state. However, if you have the patience to scan the listings you just might find a local salon.

Black Beauty Care Directory

This site is specifically for African-American beauty concerns, and lists salons that cater to African hair. Information is categorized by state for easy access.

Another way to find a local hair extension salon is to type “Houston hair extension salons” or “hair extensive salons near Houston” in a search engine. Of course, use your own city name in place of Houston!

You can also use your Yellow Pages to find hair extension salons.

One of the best ways to find a top-quality salon is by word of mouth. If a friend or family member has beautiful extensions, ask for a reference.

No matter where you located your hair extension salon, make sure that your stylist is qualified to apply the extensions. He or she should be a licensed cosmetologist with ample experience in applying the type of extensions you are considering. Many experts recommend that you meet some of the stylist’s other clients and find out if they are happy with their extensions. At the very least, ask to see a portfolio with before and after pictures.

Sunday, November 7, 2010

A Guide To Discount Contact Lenses

Contact lenses are more expensive than regular glasses. Even when the lenses are available on sale, the solutions to keep them clean and the eye drops would make up for the rest. Despite the high price, many people prefer contacts to glasses.

When it comes to contact lenses, it pays to shop around to find the best deal. Buying contact lenses usually involves paying for a whole package that might include the eye exam, contact lens, the solution, and eye drops. Some eye clinics keep a store of contacts that can be bought from their pharmacies. However, almost all the shops that deal with contact lenses usually have a doctor on board who can do a checkup in the shop itself before recommending the right pair of lenses.

Price checks can be conducted online where many websites provide comparison charts for easier decision making. Another alternative would be to visit a few shops and get a good knowledge of various types, models, and packages available and the wide range of discounts being offered for each. Comparison-shopping helps in getting the best bargain. Any optical shop would be able do a checkup on the premises, so the best option is to compare the prices on the whole deal instead of looking at the price of only one pair of contacts.

Optical shops provide the best deals since they are always trying to make money and increase their market share. It is wise to invest in a well-established contact lens package than in cheaper ones because there might be a possibility of eye problems later on with the cheaper brands. Some online optical shops offer mail-in rebates. They can be ordered online and are sent by a mail order, which can prove to be very convenient. Some websites specialize in taking mail orders and can be very reliable as well.

Saturday, November 6, 2010

A Guide To Dental Health

People begin to learn about dental health from a very young age, when teeth first begin to show up. But in spite of such early awareness, many people fail to maintain good dental health through their adult life. Good dental health comprises brushing and flossing your teeth every day, and regular visits to a dentist or dental hygienist as well. Besides, people supplement their dental care with the use of products like mouthwash or advanced mouth care systems. You should keep it in mind that the lack of adequate dental care practices will result in cavities and gum disease.

It is generally advised that you use a toothbrush with softer bristles so as to protect your gums. Some people, however, prefer power brush systems that help break up plaque and bacteria in your mouth. But it takes more than brushing to keep your teeth in good health. Some other steps need to be taken to ensure that people do not lose their teeth as they become old.

To begin with, you should understand your own oral health needs, as your oral health depends on your diet, the type and amount of saliva in your mouth, your overall health and your oral hygiene routine. Try to follow a daily routine in consultation with your dentist.

As fluoride strengthens developing teeth in kids and prevents decay in adults, toothpastes and mouthwashes containing fluoride should be used. You should brush at least twice a day, if possible three times or after every meal. You should also floss at least twice a day. Brushing and flossing will remove plaque, a complex mass of bacteria that constantly forms on your teeth.

Limit the consumption of snacks and follow a balanced diet plan. Tobacco in any form will enhance the risk of oral cancer and cause stains on your teeth. Visit your dentist regularly and get your mouth examined.

Friday, November 5, 2010

A Guide To Balding Men's Hairstyles

It’s unbelievable how difficult it is to find any decent information on the internet about balding men’s hairstyles.

You’ll know this yourself if you’ve ever tried to do a search on Google for ‘balding men’s hairstyles’, ‘hairstyles for balding men’, ‘balding hairstyles’ or any other amount of variations on the theme.

This is surprising considering how many balding men there are who deserve a decent hairstyle as much as any one else…

So… faced with this injustice I’ve put together my own guide to balding men’s hairstyles…

It’s a fact that 95% of all balding or bald men suffer from male pattern baldness. Male pattern baldness usually starts with a receding hairline at the front and is frequently accompanied with thinning at the top.

Over time, this thinning turns into a full fledged bald spot, and the bald spot grows to cover the head, apart from the sides and around the back.

Regardless of this, as long as there is a single hair left on my head I’ll still demand a stylish coiffure. So, what balding hairstyle options are available?

The worst balding men’s hairstyle is the comb over. This is the classic look beloved of men of a certain age whereby the hair is grown longer on one side of the head and ‘combed over’ the bald area to the other side.

This strategy only spells disaster even in the slightest of breezes and is to be avoided at all costs.

But assuming you already know this, what are the other do’s and don'ts to balding men’s hairstyles?

The first common mistake is combing the hair straight back. This may cover bald spots, but it only exposes the forehead and draws attention to the receding hairline.

The second is growing your hair longer at the back to make up for what's lacking on top. This unbalances the head and draws even more attention to the scalp and the baldness.

Younger men with thinning hair might be tempted to use gel… but this isn’t recommended. Gel clumps your hair together and reveals the scalp.

Likewise, growing your hair long in an attempt to cover up actually causes hair to separate and show more scalp.

So, what are the do’s?

Get more natural looking fluff to your hair by using mousses and conditioners.

Grow your remaining hair by a few inches, get it layered and brush it forward to break up the receding hairline.

If your hairline isn’t receding too badly, but the top of your head is thinning, you can get away with keeping the front long and combing your hair straight back to cover the bald spot.

Eventually however, your bald spot will expand.

The ultimate balding men’s hairstyle when faced with a shiny bald dome, is to go the whole hog and shave it off or at least a very close trim.

You’ll probably be amazed at people’s reactions and the compliments you’ll get – the shaved look is a totally acceptable balding hairstyle these days.

Start with electric clippers like you find in the barbers. After you've clipped the heavy stuff, lather up with shaving gel. This gives you a closer, smoother shave than shaving cream.

Then using a razor, start at the top and shave down with the grain taking care at the back - it’s recommended to watch what you’re doing with a small mirror.

Shaving your head only takes a few minutes and you don't need to do it every day (two to three times a week is fine).

Taking care of your new shaved head is much like taking care of your face. Wash regularly with moisturizing soap, rather than a harsh deodorant soap that can dry out the skin on your head.

Also use a good quality moisturizer after every wash – cheaper moisturizers will just clog up your pores.

For the summer, find a moisturizer with a sun protection factor of at least 15 to avoid sunburn on your head. And you'll need a warm hat in winter to maintain your body heat.

If shaving doesn't tickle your fancy then you can always opt for a hairpiece as a last resort - though I wouldn't recommend it :-)

Thursday, November 4, 2010

A Guide to Agency Nursing in the UK

The NHS, as an institution, is one of the largest employers in the UK, if not the World, with responsibility for a large budget totalling billions of pounds. Most nurses in the United Kingdom are either working for or have worked for the NHS in the past 5 years.

Employer/Employee relations within the NHS are generally neutral with many nurses considering themselves to be underpaid for the work that they do. This pushes nurses towards Nursing Agencies to top up their salaries, forcing Trusts to pay higher salaries to cover absence and sickness.

Nurses do have choice when it comes to doing extra hours:-

Join the local Trusts Nurse Bank – This is convenient to most nurses as they are more in control of the work that they can get. However nurse banks generally offer low rates of pay and don’t have the required infrastructure to be effective in the placement of nurses. Nurses tend to be a number on a Data base.


Join a Nursing Agency – this gives nurses the opportunity to experience different working environments and at the same time benefiting from much higher rates of pay. Some agencies will pay for one 10 hour shift the same as nurse banks pay for a 20 hour shift. There is no guarantee that you will get the work that you are looking for but when you do you will get paid quickly for the work you do.


Do neither of the above – This of course is a loss to the NHS. Nurses that choose this option will generally only be tempted to do extra work with the offer of good hourly pay rates.
Nursing Agencies in the UK fall into two clear groups:-

They are signed up to the NHS National Framework Agreement – These agencies have agreed contractual terms with the NHS to provide nurses at a fixed rate of pay. This rate of pay has been known to be lower than the NHS’s own agency, NHS Professionals and some of the local Nurse Banks. This has neutralised the benefits of this contract and has forced a number of agencies to withdraw from the Framework Agreement. Agencies signed up to this agreement need to be operating a scaled up business which has the effect of increasing costs but without realising the profits from the NHS. A number of high profile agencies have called in receivers as the money owed to them by the NHS had not been paid forcing their Bankers to call in the invoices.


Nursing Agencies operating outside of the NHS Framework – These agencies tend to work more in the private sector or on more specialised placements in the NHS such as ITU, Paediatrics, CCU, HDU, Theatre. Recovery, Renal Dialysis, Mental Health, Occupational Health and Practice Nursing. They tend to have a broader mix of placements available at higher rates of pay.
For further information on Agency work available in the UK please go to www.team24.co.uk or call 0871 288 2424.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

A Guide To Acne Skin Care

Acne is a problem faced primarily by teenagers across the world. However, it is not uncommon to find acne in individuals aged between twenty to forty years. Acne is a skin problem characterized by blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, and lumps. It generally occurs on the face, neck, upper arms, and shoulders.

Bacteria, excessive oil, dirt, make-up, and sweat are some of the factors that cause acne. Therefore, acne skin care must be targeted at keeping the skin clean and reducing its oiliness. Individuals with acne should wash their faces with warm water and soap or face wash that is specially manufactured for acne-prone skin. Products containing tea tree oil are supposed to be beneficial. While application of a sunscreen with SPF of 15 or higher is essential while going out during the day, night cream should be avoided. Astringent can be used to cleanse and tone the skin, followed by the application of a mild, water-based moisturizer.

Pimples should not be touched frequently or squeezed, as this often aggravates the problem and leaves behind stubborn marks. Tomato, mint, or cucumber juice can be applied on the face and the neck. They provide a blemish-free complexion. In addition, a weekly face mask made of almond powder, milk, and rosewater can prevent pimples and lead to glowing skin.

Oil-based make up should not be used on acne-prone skin. Although a variety of concealers are available in the market to hide skin blemishes, they offer only a temporary solution. In fact, some concealers add to acne problems. Apart from following a skin care regimen based on suitable products, diet needs to be controlled to prevent or cure acne. This is because acne also results from digestive disorders. Intake of fried food, sweets, tea, coffee, soft drinks, and alcohol should be cut down. Instead, fresh lime, tomato, or carrot juice can be taken in-between meals. These help to cleanse and hydrate the body internally, and only a healthy body can possess flawless, glowing skin. Therefore, a mix of internal and external care is required to combat acne.

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

A Guide on Switching Birth Control Pills

Birth control pills are one of the most common methods of contraception aside from condoms. However, unlike men who just have to look for the right size and fit to find one that is suitable for them, women cannot just use a pack of pills and switch to another for their next cycle. Similar to dating, most women may have to try and endure different pills and their side effects before finding the right one. For women who are thinking of switching birth control pills, below is guide on making the switch as smooth as possible:

1. Discuss plans to switch pills with your gyne.

Your gynecologist is your primary ally in your quest for better sexual health. Discuss the effects of your current pills with your gynecologist and how these affect your daily activities. Your gyne can help you determine whether these side effects are normal or are in excess. If you have a specific brand of pills in mind, confide in your gynecologist. There are two kinds of pills, combination pills and progestin-only pills. Depending on the kind, most pills have similar formulations. Your new pill of choice may have the same formulation as your current pill which will make the switch ineffective.

2. Continue taking your old pill while waiting for the go-signal to switch.

When your gyne warned you about stopping and switching to another pill during the middle of your cycle, heed the advice. Stopping and switching to another pill during the middle of your cycle can cause breakthrough or heavy bleeding and other symptoms like nausea and headaches. Aside from these, switching at the wrong time increases the chances of unwanted pregnancies and decreases the effectivity of the new pill.

3. Take your placebo or inactive pills while waiting.

Birth control pills are usually on 21-day cycles with 7 days of free-pill days before you start on a new pack. If you and your gyne agreed to switch on the next cycle, take your placebo pills during the 7 days in between your cycles. This will cause you to have a period and prime your body for the next cycle and new pills.

4. Use additional birth control method.

Pills need 7 days in your system to be fully effective in preventing pregnancies. So after starting your new pill pack, consider and use another birth control method when you engage in sexual intercourse. Additional birth control methods can come in the form of condoms or spermicides.

5. Give your body time to adjust.

Allow yourself a few cycles of using the new pill before deciding whether it is suitable for you. It is normal to experience irregular symptoms after your first cycle of taking the new pill. It may take a long time before your body can get accustomed to the switch and change in hormones. You may have to endure a few side effects like headaches, excess weight, or heavy bleeding during this adjustment period. If the symptoms really worry you, consult your gyne about them.

Monday, November 1, 2010

A Guide on Sexual Health and Aging

In most movies and television shows, scenes that are sexual in nature often show young and smooth-skinned people “getting it on.” But age is not a reason to let your sex life slide. Intimacy with your partner is an essential part of any relationship whether you are in your 20s or 50s. Aside from boosting your personal relationship with your partner, sex also promotes better sexual health – a must regardless of your age. Below are some tips that can help you age gracefully, sexually:

1. Accept the changes in your body and strive to improve.

Do not be turned off by the sagging skin on your forearms or your protruding belly. Instead, welcome these changes but do your part in minimizing them. Keep an age-specific skin care routine, an exercise or fitness regimen, a healthy diet, and fashion style. Confidence is a prime sexual booster and looking good and being healthy are parts of it. However, accept that you may not be able to fit in the jeans you wore when you were 20 or sport the abs you had back in your college days. Just strive to be healthy and feel good in your own skin.

2. Take note and communicate about your and your partner's changing sexual needs.

At 20, you may feel up and running the instant your partner walks through the door. However, age does affect your sexual responses and that of your partner. Age can make your body require more stimulation to feel aroused or orgasm. Similarly, your partner, provided that he or she is of the same age range, may feel the same needs like longer stimulation to get in the mood. Knowing what clicks for your body and your partner is essential in communicating your sexual needs to each other.

3. Expand your definition of sexual relationships.

Actual intercourse can be very tiring especially if you have aching joints. Understand that intercourse is only one of the ways you can achieve sexual intimacy with your partner, not the only way. Often, passionate kissing, touching, massaging, and other forms of sexual contact can be fulfilling enough for both partners.

4. Veer from routine.

If you and your partner have been having sex after a long day at work for the past 10 years of your relationship, you might want to consider morning sex as an alternative. A simple change in routine can rev up your sex life and start making things exciting again. Alternatively, instead of jumping onto the sack instantly, try setting the mood with a romantic dinner and some dancing.

5. Consult your doctor.

Sometimes, the changes your body undergoes may be too severe that they can impair your sexual performance. Surgeries, chronic illnesses, and medications can affect how your body responds to sexual stimulation. Talk to your doctor about the possible side effects of the medications you are taking on your sexual drive and response. Likewise, a lengthy discussion about chronic illnesses like high blood pressure, heart problems, and their effects on your sex life is also in order to ensure your health safety when doing the deed. Alternatively, you can ask your doctor for a prescription of medications that can help increase your sexual vigor and boost your libido.