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The Hidden Benefits of Castor Oil

Posted by: healthy editor Posted date: April 05, 2017 / comment : 0 , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,



In recent years, there have been rumours as to its ability to prevent greying hair, reduce arthritis symptoms and boost immunity - so it seems there is no ailment this natural ingredient cannot cure.

It is stable oil, making it great for use in cosmetics as it last for years without turning rancid. It has excellent moisturising properties due to its high fat content, which is absorbed into the skin very slowly, creating long-lasting shine and moisture.

For reasons widely unknown, the substance has been used for many centuries to induce labour in pregnant mothers. These days, however, it is not recommended that the substance be ingested due to its unpleasant side effects such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. For this reason, it is often used in folk medicine as a natural laxative to treat chronic constipation.

In some cases, it has actually been known to cause foetal complications in pregnant women, so it's best avoided as an induction technique. If you're not pregnant, however, the ingredient can be used as an effective stomach cleanser when mixed with milk. Rumour has it than when combined with orange juice, castor oil can also be a great hangover cure.

However, it does have a variety of other uses, all of which are incredibly beneficial to the body, skin and hair. It is regularly used in massage blends to treat the whole body due to its slow absorption. It also draws in dirt, so it is ideal for cleaning or cleansing products.

Its sticky consistency means that is provides hair, nails and skin with a beautiful shine. It is ideal when combined with sweet almond extract, apricot kernels or jojoba. These combinations can help revive tired skin or hair and even reduce eye bags. It can also be used in rejuvenating face masks with ingredients such as camelina, avocado or moringa.

It can also dramatically reduce pigmentation marks or spots on the skin's surface and improve the overall quality of the skin. You'll need to mix 90ml of it with 8g melted beeswax, 1ml Vitamin E and 25 drops of lemon essence. These ingredients can be found in most health food stores or through an online specialist in natural cosmetic ingredients.

To create your own Castor Cleanser for use at the end of a long day, you'll need to combine 60ml of organic castor oil with 29ml of apricot kernel, 10ml of jojiba, 1ml of Vitamin E and a small amount (0.5ml) or any other essence of your choosing. This last step is optional, but can provide the cream with a nice scent - for example, lavender or chamomile.

Alternatively, if you intend to use your product for massage purposes, you can create a moisturising Swedish Massage Blend by combining 30ml of castor oil with 29ml of jojoba; 20ml of olive oil; 10g of coconut butter; 0.5ml vitamin E and 10ml of thistle.

Castor oil is incredibly thick, sticky and resistant, so it should only be used in very small quantities. If in doubt, find a natural ingredient supplier online and ask them which concentration you should use it in for your chosen homemade product.

If you're keen to reap the benefits of this natural ingredient, there are plenty of online recipes that will also offer instruction and guidance.

Aromantic is a leading UK-based provider of natural cosmetic and beauty product ingredients. The company provides 100% organic, natural ingredients, recipes and courses to customers, allowing them to make their own beauty products. Aromantic provide over 700 high-quality ingredients, ecological packaging and equipment to enable individuals or business owners to create their environmentally responsible and nourishing skin, hair and makeup products. Their natural, active ingredients will produce incredible results in hair, skin and body care and are suitable for all skin types and conditions. The company is also a renowned stockist of high quality essential oils, natural perfume concentrates, natural fats and waxes for the body. They can provide starter packs, educational materials and courses for both professionals and beginners. Visit: http://aromantic.co.uk/

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Choose Coconut Oil to Boost Your Immune System

Posted by: healthy editor Posted date: April 04, 2017 / comment : 0 , , , , , , , , ,

You may have noticed that a short while ago a certain product was reported to be unhealthy for humans, and then a few years later new research proves that in fact the product offers health benefits. Chocolate was 'bad' for you and now it is a good source of antioxidants, so long as you avoid products high in sugar. Sometimes, the change in posture reflects real scientific discovery, and sometimes it is simply the result of misunderstanding or miscommunication. Over the last decade or two, not too many products have experienced the degree of change in public support that coconut oil has.

Coconut oil was listed as a dangerous high saturated fat at a time when the food industry was attempting to convince the world that margarine was a healthier alternative to butter. To be clear, the oil from the coconut that is partially hydrogenated may contain high levels of trans fats that are known to be harmful to human health. Similarly, highly refined oil may be created because of potentially harmful chemical applications to extract the oil from the coconut flesh. The magic, however, lies in the unrefined or virgin coconut oil that is extracted via cold press or other techniques without the use of chemicals or high temperatures that damage the oils.

Virgin coconut oil contains high levels of medium chain triglycerides (MCT) rather than long chain fatty acids common in other plant oils. MCTs are not easily absorbed and stored as fat on our bodies. Medium chain fatty acids differ from long chain fatty acids in one crucial area; they do not contribute to high cholesterol levels or heart disease. In fact, MCTs may help to lower the risk of heart disease and atherosclerosis. Most long-chain fatty acids, including the soy-based oil that is popular in many processed foods, contribute to lowering good cholesterol (HDL) and raising bad cholesterol (LDL).

The inability of our bodies to absorb MCTs makes the oil a good choice for supporting weight loss and improving body mass by losing more fat than muscle tissue. MCTs also help to improve glucose tolerance, which helps to balance insulin action and reduces the risk of type II diabetes. Coconut oil also tends to supply a slightly lower number of calories per ounce than most other oils. Virgin oil is rich in polyphenol and tocopherol antioxidants, which have been shown to reduce oxidative stress on body tissue in laboratory animals.

When shopping for coconut oil, look for unrefined or extra virgin oils. Avoid partially hydrogenated oils for cooking and make sure you look carefully at the labels of packaged foods for products containing these harmful oils. The oil can be a great substitute for butter or other oils used in cooking. The taste of some foods will be enhanced with the sweet flavor of coconut and may take a little getting used to. Stews, curries, salads and baked cookies will all benefit from the addition of the oil. Have fun with it as you discover the magic from the coconut.

Patrick is a coach, speaker, and trainer to individuals and business leaders. He helps leaders to achieve success by clarifying their vision, strategic plans, leadership, change management, brand and marketing strategy. He helps individuals to remove self-limiting beliefs and fears that prevent them from acting on their goals and dreams. 615-261-8585 http://www.patrickgsmyth.com

Seven Hidden Health Benefits of a Lemon

Posted by: healthy editor Posted date: March 20, 2017 / comment : 0 , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,


Ancient Egyptians consumed many lemons, as they believed that lemon juice protected them from a variety of diseases and poisons. The latest scientific findings have confirmed this belief. Indeed, lemons have numerous health benefits, the most illustrious of which are strong antibacterial and immune-boosting properties. However, this little yellow fruit can do much more than just protect your body from infections. Here are 7 hidden health benefits of a lemon that I bet you have not heard about.

1. Cures Acne

As most citrus fruits, lemons are rich in vitamin C which is known for its amazing antibacterial properties. Thus, it can kill a number of bacteria, including those that cause acne. The citric acid contained in lemons can help get rid of acne scars. The easiest way to get rid of acne is to apply fresh lemon juice on the affected skin area and leave it overnight.

2. Removes Anxiety and Fatigue

Lemon balm is proven to have an excellent calming effect. Numerous researches show that it can remove anxiety, fatigue, dizziness, nervousness and a number of other unpleasant emotional states. When used as a room freshener, it can boost employees' efficiency.

3. Heals Canker Sore

Strong antiviral and antibacterial properties of a lemon juice hasten canker sore healing process. Rinse your mouth with a mixture of a freshly squeezed juice of one lemon and a glass of warm water and you will soon forget about cankers.

4. Cures Calluses and Corns

Lemon is an effective remedy for corns and calluses. To get rid of callused skin, apply lemon poultices on the affected area. Just put a slice of lemon on a callus or corn, fasten it with a bandage and leave overnight. Repeat the procedure until you get the desired result.

5. Removes Eczema Symptoms

Lemons help get rid of several skin diseases, like eczema. To make a healing poultice, mix one cup of 
warm mater, eight drops of essential lemon oil and one tablespoon of honey. Soak a bandage in this mixture and apply it on the affected area for fifteen minutes, 2-3 times a day. Such poultice will ease the infection and itching.

6. Eliminates Halitosis

Unpleasant breath odour caused by insufficient salvation, consumption of certain foods (garlic, onion or other spices), cigarettes or alcohol can be easily removed with the help of a lemon juice. To freshen your breath, just rinse the mouth with a mixture of freshly quizzed lemon juice and warm water or chew a small lemon slice.

7. Improves Digestion

Lemon acid improves stomach muscles activity and stimulates the production of stomach acid. Thus, if you want to improve your digestion, make it a rule to drink lemon water after each meal.

Lemon juice is widely used in medicine, commercial and home-made cosmetics. If you want to find comprehensive information on how to use lemon juice for acne [http://www.lemon-info.net/lemon_juice/lemon_juice_for_acne.php], visit our website. You will also benefit from studying information about lemon diet [http://www.lemon-info.net/general/lemon_diet.php].

Benefits of Drinking Enough Water

Posted by: healthy editor Posted date: March 13, 2017 / comment : 0 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,



Our bodies comprise of many different components, of all of the chemicals and elements that our body is comprised of though, one stands out above the rest H2O. We are of course talking about water, our bodies are approximately 60% water, this alone should stress the importance of staying hydrated, if we are 60% water it would stand to reason water is very important to the healthy function of our body.

Even though it is staring us in the face, many people around the world do not get enough water. Now we are not talking about the individuals that do not have access to clean water (they want to drink water it is just not available). We are talking about the people around the world for whom water is readily available, and yet they choose to drink unhealthy alternatives such as soft drinks.

Even drinks like Gatorade and PowerAde do not yield that many health benefits for the average person as water does. Sports drinks are packed full of electrolytes and performance enhancing nutrients that is true. They are also packed with preservatives and chemicals that our bodies don't need, so unless you are an athlete (or have an illness) there is absolutely no reason to drink them. Everything that they provide is readily available from more natural sources and in quantities that make more sense for the average person. Leaving out all of the negative aspects.

We have put together a list of the various benefits of drinking water. Hopefully some of these will strike home and help you to realize you need more H2O in your life.

Fluid Balance - As stated we as humans are 60% water and we need to consume between 9-16 glasses of water a day to maintain a healthy fluid balance. This helps our body transport nutrients better as well as keeping us feeling better.

Calorie Control - Forget the latest diet fad, drinking a glass of water before every meal will help you feel full. This means you will likely consume less calories.

Muscle Fuel - When we exert physical force using our muscles they use the water that they normally store. Drinking enough water will help prevent cramping during a workout, and it will also limit the amount of muscle fatigue you feel later on.

Kidney Function - Our kidneys process 200 quarts of blood every single day. They filter out all the toxins that we take in. However, in order to remove those toxins from out body the kidneys need to be able to make use of water to transport the toxins to the bladder where we expel them.

Fatigue Relief - Set the coffee down, our bodies don't "need" caffeine, it is a drug that tricks our body into feeling more awake and energetic. You don't need it though, drinking enough water every day will give you the same feeling of alertness and energy.

Boosting the Immune System - This ties back into the first point we made. Our bodies are mostly water, so it would stand to reason the white blood cells that make up our bodies defense against illness need water to function at their best. Drinking enough water can be crucial to maintaining your health.

These are but a few of the reasons we should all make sure that we drink enough water every single day. Don't wait go grab a glass!

Sporting a positive Outlook on Life and living healthy visit http://www.keegandix.com

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Your Body is Your Temple -- Treat it That Way

Posted by: healthy editor Posted date: February 24, 2017 / comment : 0 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

How many times in your life have you heard the statement, "your body is your temple?" It's one of those ideas that sneak into your consciousness and you don't know where you actually heard it.

Think about it for a moment. Do you believe that your body is your temple? Maybe it doesn't make sense to you at first. Let's see what the dictionary has to say about a "temple" and then you tell me.

· a place dedicated to worship

· having within it a divine presence

· a place reserved for a highly valued function

Let's take a look at them one by one.

Your body is a place that needs to be dedicated to worshiping itself.

If you don't worship your own body, who will? And what exactly does worshiping your body mean? Worshiping your body means taking care of it. Worshiping your body means doing what is best for it, not just on the outside but on the inside as well. Worshiping your body means nurturing it with proper nutrition, regular exercise and sufficient sleep. Worshiping your body means learning about it and listening to it. When your body is sick, it's letting you know that something is missing. It requires something that you are not giving it. I'm not talking about worship in terms of becoming obsessed with how you look. I'm talking about treating your body with respect, compassion and care.

Your body has within it a divine presence.

Doesn't it make sense that a divine presence resides within your body? You don't need to be religious to believe that we are all one with the universe. How else can we explain the miracle of our body. Just think for a moment about all the functions it performs without our even thinking about it. Our heart beats, our eyes blink, we breathe, we swallow, we digest--all with no conscious thought. We have countless hormones, enzymes, muscles, bones, organs, all working in perfect harmony. It is amazing, given how many of us treat our body, that it continues to work as well as it does. Who can possibly explain such an amazing machine without realizing that a power more powerful than we are dwells within us.

Your body is reserved for a highly valued function.

Wouldn't you agree that your body is reserved for a highly valued function? Without your body, you would have no vehicle to carry you through this life, no way to fulfill on what you see as your life's purpose, no way to do those things that are important to you. I suspect you can see that is a highly valued function. After all, what could be more important? Using your body to accomplish all those things you need to do every day. And, beyond that, being able to use your body to do everything you want to do. I'm going to get a little personal here. I've been in a position where my body was "sick" and I simply couldn't do many of the things I needed and wanted to do. It's no fun. Many of us take our body for granted. Unfortunately, it took a crisis for me to learn that lesson. Don't wait until you have a crisis in your life to begin to appreciate your body.

So, can we agree that your body really is your temple?

And, can we agree that, as your temple, your body deserves to be treated with the utmost respect and care?

Many of us tend to focus much of our attention on cutting, coloring and arranging our hair, keeping our nails impeccably polished and making sure our makeup is perfect. But what do we do about everything below our neck? How much time do we spend tending to those parts of us?

How many of us pay careful attention to the nutrition we feed our body? If you don't put the right kind of fuel in a car, it simply won't run. How many of us make sure that we are giving our body enough exercise to keep it in good working order. Here comes the car again! You might know that, if you don't drive a car but simply leave it parked in the garage, it won't run very well. You won't be able to depend on it when you need it. Well, our body is no different. We need to use it. The more we use it, the better it runs.

Since you're reading this, I'm betting you've already realized what you've been doing to destroy your "temple". Insufficient exercise, poor nutrition, inadequate rest, stress. And, if you've made it to this paragraph, I imagine you're very interested in repairing the damage and learning how to take good care of your body from now on. Let me be the first to encourage you to begin healthy nutrition and exercise practices right now. You will never make a better investment in yourself. Your temple will thrive on it.

Marilyn is a successful exercise/nutrition trainer and coach who works with women who are 50+. Her website [http://www.fitandfabulouswoman.com] provides fitness information, fitness products, fitness services, fitness advice and on-line personal training that support mature women in being their best...one-stop shopping for a healthy body, a clear mind and a soaring spirit.


5 Low Cost Ways to Soothe the Sting of Sunburn

Posted by: healthy editor Posted date: January 01, 2017 / comment : 0 , , , , , , , , , , ,



Each of us most likely has at least one memory of a nasty sunburn. Whether experienced personally, or by a close family member or friend, the symptoms are likely to include anything from red hot skin - either tender or painful to touch, to nausea, dehydration, blistering and flaking or peeling of the skin.

As anyone who has experienced bad sunburn will verify, the amount of time spent causing the sunburn, is largely disproportionate to the length of time that can be spent suffering the consequences of its effects. In this respect, and depending on the severity of burning, -- pain and discomfort can persist for several days after the event, as the body works to heal and recover from the unprotected UV exposure.

Unless the symptoms are severe, (in which instance you may need to consider medical treatment), here are 5 simple home remedies that will cost you next to nothing, and which will assist in soothing the sting and pain of sunburn:

1. Cool baths: Soaking in a cool bath is one of the best ways to draw heat from the skin and soothe the pain and discomfort of sunburn. (Avoid 'cold' as this can cause the body to go into shock.) Here are some additional things to add to your baths for further relief:

a. Add 10 drops of so of essential oil (chamomile or lavender) to the bath. Soak for 15 minutes or until relief is felt.

b. Adding baking soda (or oatmeal) to a lukewarm bath can also relieve sunburn pain. For this treatment to work best, try to make sure that all affected areas are submerged. Bath water can be poured over your body using your hands or a soft washcloth. Burned facial areas can be gently dabbed using the cloth, or alternately you can splash water directly onto your face. After soaking, lightly pat the skin dry with a soft towel (preferably cotton). If you've taken an oatmeal bath, let the light coating of oatmeal that clings to your skin remain.

c. Adding vinegar to the bath water will help in taking the sting out of sunburn.

2. Rubbing alcohol: Because it evaporates so quickly, dabbing on rubbing alcohol will quickly cool and ease the pain of sunburned skin.

3. Vinegar: Vinegar is an effective and cooling treatment for sunburn. Soak towels with it, and apply to the burned areas. Alternately you can fill a spray bottle and spray it directly on the skin as needed.

4. Egg Whites: If your burn is painfully hot, separating the white from the yolk of an egg, and then spreading the white over the affected area will help to cool the burning instantly. This can be repeated as often as needed.

5. Potatoes: Potatoes can also be used to relieve the pain of sunburn. Take 2 potatoes and wash them well. Cut them into tiny chunks and place in a blender to liquefy. (If the result appears too dry, add some water). Pat the affected areas with potato juice. Wait until dry, and then rinse off in a cool shower or bath.

Remember that as well as causing varying degrees of discomfort and pain, repeated sun exposure and sunburn also accelerates the aging process and can increase the risk of cataracts and skin cancer. Prevention therefore should also always be considered more preferable than treatment!

DISCLAIMER: These are home remedy tips only, and should not replace your regular health care provider. If in doubt at any time in relation to your sunburn, please seek the appropriate health care assistance.


How Alcohol Causes Insomnia

Posted by: healthy editor Posted date: December 25, 2016 / comment : 0 , , , , , , , , , , ,



Many people like to drink wine, beer or other alcoholic beverages after work or in the evening, and because of the muscle (and mind) relaxation that occurs, may believe that alcohol helps them sleep.

Ironically, while a few drinks may bring on a sleepy state, they will disrupt the normal sleep cycle and create very restless sleep. The reason for this is that once asleep, the body starts to metabolise the alcohol and this affects brain activity. Alcohol in the blood stream actually disrupts the normal sleep cycle which involves cycling four or five times a night through deep, restful sleep and more active periods of dreaming and high brain activity. Alcohol disturbs the sleep pattern and makes it erratic.

Studies have found that alcohol consumed six hours before bedtime disrupts the second half of the sleep period. Active  alcoholics experience specific sleep disturbances such as needing increased time to fall asleep, frequent awakenings and poorer sleep quality as well as daytime fatigue. Further, these people undergo a vicious cycle when they try to stop drinking since an abrupt reduction or end to drinking usually triggers alcohol-withdrawal difficulties as well as pronounced insomnia and sleep disturbance.

Beyond withdrawal, sleep patterns may never return to normal in people with alcoholism. After years of abstinence, alcoholics tend to sleep poorly, with increased nighttime wakefulness contributing to daytime fatigue.

In addition to the effects of alcohol on the brain, drinking high quantities of any beverage before bed is going to increase the need for urination during the night, creating a further sleep disruption.

The occasional evening of drinks is not a problem, but a pattern of heavy drinking can set up insomnia problems. It can also lead to sleep apnea where the throat's soft tissues can relax to the point of obstructing breathing during sleep.

Cutting back on alcohol consumption, or stopping it entirely is advisable for people keen to restore restful sleep.

For many, many more options for overcoming insomnia, visit Good Night Sleep [http://www.a-good-night-sleep.com/index.html]. You are welcome to reprint this article on your health-related website, as long as you reprint it in full, including this resource box.

What's the Best Treatment for Dandruff?

Posted by: healthy editor Posted date: December 17, 2016 / comment : 0 , , , , , , , , , , , , ,


Dandruff affects the scalp and causes the scalp to flake - it is a common condition. Our skin cells are continually renewing themselves. When the skin cells on our scalp are renewed the old ones are pushed to the surface. If you are a person who suffers with dandruff the renewal process is faster, making the dandruff more of a noticeable problem.

The exact cause of dandruff is not known, although it is believed by some professionals to be associated with an over-growth of Malassezia, which is a fungus commonly found on the skin and scalp. Dandruff can be a long-term problem or it can be the result of certain lifestyle changes or stress. If you have dandruff you may also notice itching and redness on the scalp. Excessive flaking may be caused by an underlying illness or condition, such as psoriasis, a fungal infection, or even head lice.

Having dandruff can be a real blow to a persons self-esteem, knocking ones confidence. Therefore, finding an effective treatment for dandruff may be important for both physiological and psychological reasons.

How to help prevent Dandruff.

Before we start with the cures and for getting rid of dandruff let's have a quick look a some of the steps we can take to help prevent dandruff.
  1. When you shampoo your hair, try not to scratch your scalp too much.

  2. Try to avoid putting to many chemicals on your hair such as hair dye.

  3. Try to manage your stress better. Good quality sleep and meditation could help you de-stress.

  4. Brush your hair at least once a day. Shampoo it at least three times a week.

  5. Cut down on your use of hair products such as gel and spray until your dandruff calms down.

  6. Clean your comb everyday. Try using a good quality barbicide (The blue liquid you may have seen your barber or hairdresser using to store their combs and clippers etc)

  7. Get more Vitamin B in your diet. Include more seafood, fresh vegetables and nuts in your diet.

  8. Don't wash your hair in hard water. If you live in an area with hard water, have a filter fitted, or wash your hair with bottled water.

  9. Change your shampoo. Sometimes you may be using a shampoo which just doesn't agree with your scalp and can actually agitate the sebaceous glands and cause dandruff. Once you've found a shampoo that works for you, stick with it.

Okay, that's the preventative stuff out of the way... what about the cures?

How to get rid of Dandruff Naturally.

For those of you who prefer to do things the natural way there are plenty of options available to you. If you prefer to using commercially available medicated products instead of going the home remedy type route, then you can skip the next few paragraphs.
  • Yogurt makes an excellent hair conditioner. After washing your hair, try rubbing some plain yogurt into your scalp. Leave it for 10 of 15 minutes to do its stuff. Rinse your hair through with a vinegar water mix (you don't need much vinegar, just a tablespoon in a bowl of water). After you've rinsed with the vinegar water, rinse it again with warm water until it's clean. You can then wash your hair through with a little shampoo if you wish.

  • Boil the peels of a lemon or two in 1 liter of water for 15-20 minutes. Let it cool and rinse your hair with this solution about once a week.

  • Mix the juice of half a lemon with 4 tablespoons of warmed olive oil (obviously not hot, just warm. You don't want burn yourself). Rub the mixture into the roots before washing your hair with a mild shampoo.

  • Get some boric acid powder. This is available at the chemist or online and it is usually used as an eye wash. Warm any natural oil such as olive oil, coconut oil or castor oil, add one teaspoon of boric powder and allow it to dissolve. Part your hair into separate sections and apply the oil and massage it well into the scalp. Keep it on for 2-3 hours or ideally overnight if you can, and then wash your hair in the morning. Do this procedure once a week and if your dandruff is stubborn, try it twice a week.

  • Mix two tablespoons of malt or cider vinegar into a mug of warm water. After you have washed your hair and rinsed it of shampoo, do a final rinse with this vinegar mix. Do this two of three times a week.

  • Take 2 tablespoons of fenugreek seeds, leave them to soak overnight. In the morning grind them into a fine paste. This paste should be applied on the scalp and left for half an hour. The hair should be then washed thoroughly with mild shampoo.

  • Add a drop of tea tree oil to your regular shampoo. Tea tree oil has been used for centuries and is a highly effective anti-septic and anti-fungal substance. It's works great to combat dandruff.

Over the Counter Remedies.

If the natural home-remedies aren't helping to get rid of dandruff, you might want to try some of the many medicated shampoos that are available over the counter, T-Gel and Head & Shoulders being two which spring to mind. Try to get a trial sized sample of any brand medicated shampoo before making a purchasing. Some brands my work better for you than some others, because they can be quite harsh some medicated shampoos may even worsen your dandruff problem by irritating your skin. So shop around until you find one that works.

What if treatments don't work?

If you have tried all the above methods and nothing has seemed to work for you it could mean there are underlying problems. You may need to speak to a doctor or dermatologist so that they can diagnose what the problem is exactly.

Shoulder Health For Swimmers

Posted by: healthy editor Posted date: December 16, 2016 / comment : 0 , , , , , , , , , , , , ,


The Achilles' Heal of Swimming

Swimming is a low-impact, safe, fun, and challenging form of exercise. If you have a history of injuries in your legs, then it's a great alternative form of cardio. Studies show that swimmers live longer and are less prone to various diseases, even compared to people who engage in other forms of exercise, including running, rowing, and cycling. Swimming can counter some of the negative effects of sitting and driving all day. It's a sport that actually elongates the spine.

Swimming promotes flexibility in many ways, but improving your shoulder health is crucial for optimal performance. It takes some time to promote shoulder health, and many swimmers often ignore it because they feel they don't have enough time. The other problem is that a stretching routine will only prevent injuries, so the benefits are subtle. But the cost of not doing it is an injury. The benefits outweigh the investment of time. You'll perform better, reduce the chance of injury and recover better.

Mike Harris is an aspiring professional swimmer in Northern Virginia. Harris was swimming everyday as an undergraduate college student for his team. His typical distance per week usually hovered around 50-60,000 meters. He felt strong but was always feeling sore in his shoulder after workouts. He had no recovery plan and continued to push through the pain. "I live for pain in the water, that's what I'm good at, but not this kind of pain. Very little strength training was involved in my routine. Almost all my training was done in the water along with the occasional 'extended stretching and flexibility' I would do on my own just to say loose.

He had been swimming his entire life since he was the age of. None of his coaches had ever shown him basic exercises to keep his shoulder healthy. While he learned some basic stretches that swimmers usually do before diving into the pool, he never learned how to properly recover from his long and intense workouts. Most of his coaches were a poolside presence, and prescribed a few dryland exercises.. Although he has a strong and large upper body, his shoulder health was becoming a limiter to his performance.

When I met Mike I introduced him to dryland exercises that he needed to do if he was going to keep his shoulder healthy, and if he was going to ever realize his dream of becoming a professional swimmer. These exercises were totally new and completely foreign to Mike. "Immediately after Kevin designed a dryland routine for me based on my personal workout load and training needs, I felt more flexible and able to perform drills with greater ease. Mobility is a must in my training schedule and is done every day."

Before your implement this program, it's important to have a basic understanding of the anatomy of the shoulder joint. The glenohumeral joint actually comprises four muscles that surround the joint, and are referred to as the rotator cuff: the supraspinatus, the infraspinatus, the teres minor and the subscapularis. When they're flexible and strong, you'll avoid any kind of injury

The following program is the same one Mike uses to not only maintain his shoulder health, but to feel even more flexible and stronger in the water. He does them every day, including days he doesn't swim. He prefers to do them right after workouts.

Of course, you're probably not a professional swimmer. But even recreational swimmers and triathletes should include this program if they want to continue swimming without any problems. The program includes active-isolated stretching, a Swiss ball routine, and some dumbbell exercises.

Active-Isolated Stretches

Created by Aaron Mettes, the premise of active-isolated stretching (AIS) is that prolonged static stretches greater than two seconds actually decreases blood flow within tissue creating ischemia and lactate build up. AIS allows the target muscle to optimally lengthen without triggering the stretch reflex. AI stretching activates the opposing muscles, which contract, and force the target muscle to elongate. The body them remembers this new range of motion. Thus, the muscle is activated in this new position and isn't just stretched and released. AIS also increase blood flow and can increase core temperature.

Arm circles

Bend over and let your arms drop. Spin your arms in circles 10 times in each direction.

Horizontal Abduction

Bring your arms out and back. Hold stretch for 2 seconds and repeat 10-15 times. Extend your arms as far as you can.

Hyperextension.

Stand straight. Bring arms up behind body with fingers pointing towards ground. Hold for 2 seconds and repeat 10-15 times.

External Rotation

Stand straight Lifts arms out to sides with elbows 90 degrees and hands making a fist. Knuckles should be pointing towards the sky. Rotate backwards and hold for 2 seconds and repeat 10-15 times
Internal Rotation

Stand straight. Bend your elbows at 90 degrees. Knuckes should be pointing towards the ground. Rotate shoulders fowward. Hold for 2 seconds and repeat 10-15 times.

Horizontal Flexion

Stand straight. Bring one arm across body. Place other hand on elbow that is crossing the body. Hold for 2 seconds and repeat 10-15 times.

Horizontal Flexion

Stand straight. Bring one arm across body and place it over your shoulder. Place other hand on shoulder. Hold for 2 seconds and repeat 10-15 times.

Triceps stretch

Stand straight. Bring one arm up and back with elbow bent. Place other hand on elbow. Hold for 2 seconds and repeat 10 times

Posterior hand clasp

Stand straight. Clasp hands in each direction. Try to grab the hands. If you cannot, you can use a towel. Always strive to reach the hands. Hold for 2 seconds and repeat 10-15 times.

Ys

Lie on the stability ball in a prone (face down) position. Place feet on the floor and stomach on the ball. Hold light dumbbells (weighing no more than a kilogram or 2.5 pounds), and lift the arms to form a Y. Bring the arms towards the floor and then lift again. Lower your arms and repeat. Make sure the top of your abs or on the middle of the ball. Retract your shoulder blades down and back

Ts

In the same position, hold the dumbbells straight down along the side of the ball. Lift the dumbbells to your side and repeat Pul your shoulder baldes in toward your spie and extend your arms to the sides. Keep your arms at 90 degrees. Lower your arms and repeat

Ws

In the same position, hold the dumbbells straight down. Bring your hands towards your chest and bend your elbows and repeat. Squeeze your elbows toward you ribs. Take your thumbs and rotate them back toward the ceiling, squeezing your shoulder blades together to form a W

Ls

In the same position, hold the dumbbells straight down. Bring the arms up and bend the elbows 90 degrees. Turn the forearms forward. Turn them backwards and then drop the arms to the original position. Flex your elbows until they are 90 degrees with your upper arm. Squeeze your shoulder blades together to raise your upper arms so they're 90 degrees to your torso. Once they form an L, externally rotate your upper arms so that the backs of your hand stretch toward the ceiling

Side-Lying External Rotation

This is a great exercises for the infraspinatus and teres minor, your shoulder external rotators. Lie on your side and hold dumbbell in your top arm. Your arm should be 90 degrees and the dumbbell should be just above the floor. Rotate your elbow until your arm is parallel to the floor. Slowly lower to the starting position.

Noticeable Benefits

Swimmer usually ignore dryland exercises, because they don't perceive the benefit or value. They simply don't think that stretching or strength training will improve their times like the thousands of meters they swim in the pool. But Harris disagrees: I believe that strength training is a must for any athlete who wants to achieve next level success. Every tool must be used in order to maintain a consistent level of peak performance," Harris says. Without a detailed strength training plan, my training intensity and load would steadily decline over time due to fatigue and strain. It's comforting to know that I can get the most out of every workout without losing a day to "being drained", or physically tired."

While you certainly won't set a world record or double your speed in the pool, that's not the point. A balanced strength and stretching program could give you the extra edge in a sport where hundredths of seconds separate 1st and 2nd place. "Times drop on a consistent basis and muscle fatigue has drastically decreased, which is great for any athlete to insure performing and drilling at the upper levels of your ability every time," Harris says. For Harris, the lack of stretching and strengthening was his 
Achielle's Heel, and it might be yours.

Kevin Burciaga is a personal trainer and head of Testosterone Lab, a personal training and nutrition service in Falls Church, VA. You can reach him at [http://www.testosteronelab.net] and automatically get a monthly
health and fitness newsletter, as well as free special reports.

Possible Dermatologist Concerns for Babies

Posted by: healthy editor Posted date: December 10, 2016 / comment : 0 , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,


A dermatologist is the medical specialist that we go to when we have concerns about our skin. They are educated and trained to diagnose, maintain and treat or correct any conditions that appear in this area. Since the dermis is the first line of defense that our body has against diseases and other sicknesses, it is understandable that we get concerned when we find something unusual or new with it. For the most part, adults have developed a good defense against many of the outside factors that tend to make our outer layer break out or develop rashes. Babies on the other hand have little or no immunity when they are born with regards to skin infections and other diseases that occur in this organ.

Possible Conditions

A diaper rash is one of the most common things that can happen to the infant's dermis during its first year. A dermatologist is usually consulted to bring it under control since babies feel discomfort and sometimes pain when the rash becomes too prominent. The main cause of this condition is the predictably warm and moist atmosphere that occurs within the diaper that comes in close contact with the infant, namely the buttocks and genital area. If the diaper is soiled by urine, many parents do not immediately notice this or do not change it yet thinking that the diaper is absorbent.

Although the diaper does absorb the urine, the outer layer closest to the skin retains some of the moisture and the elements of the urine which can cause sensitivity. Prolonged or regular exposure to this environment can trigger the rash. Feces should not be allowed to stay too long in contact with the dermis in order to prevent the rash getting worse. Changing soiled diapers often is the best thing that parents can do for their babies.

Another condition that warrants a visit to the dermatologist is intertrigo. This is a condition that develops in chubby babies or in those that have plenty of creases that do not often see the light of day or are not exposed to air. The most common areas for these to develop are the neck and groin areas where he baby may be sweating excessively or may have drooled on. A barrier cream made of zinc-oxide may be recommended by the doctor to prevent the rash from developing to a raw one. 
Cradle cap is a rash that often develops in the babies' head and sometimes eyebrows. For some, it may look like a mild case of dandruff but a dermatologist will say otherwise. Although the cause is not known, a local remedy is to rub a little olive oil or baby oil on the area to relieve the scalp and eyebrows of the scaly growth. Do not let the oil come close to the eyes.

These are just a few of the more common kinds of skin conditions that parents should be aware of. They do not need to panic when these occur, just bring the infant to the dermatologist to get a proper diagnosis.

Total Body Cleanse - The Best Post-Holiday Detox

Posted by: healthy editor Posted date: November 15, 2016 / comment : 0 , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,




We all overindulged this past holiday season and are eager to get back into shape or, in the case of some of us, get into shape. One of the most common New Years resolutions is to lose weight and get fit. Sales for gym equipment and nutritional supplements skyrocket in the month of January. The poor UPS driver experiences a large increase in the number of elliptical trainers and treadmills he has to unload and deliver. And everyone starts researching products that help us get started. "Detox" and "body cleanse" are entered into search engines at lightening speed. In the age of instant everything, we expect to find easy remedies for bad habits.

Unfortunately, there really aren't any quick fixes for bodily abuse. You didn't end up overweight and flabby overnight and the problem isn't going to get fixed without that old fashioned stand-by called effort. But, if you're ready to commit to a lifestyle change, a healthier and leaner body can be achieved. And it doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg nor does it have to involve drinking disgusting concoctions while fasting and feeling weak. As a matter of fact, the worst thing you can do is restrict calories by fasting. It puts your body in starvation mode and tells it to save fat.

The other day I made myself a berry, citrus, kale, apple, banana smoothie for breakfast. I couldn't finish it so put the rest in a tall glass, covered it with plastic wrap, and stuck it in the fridge. When I got home, it didn't look all the appetizing so I went to dump it out in the sink. I held the glass upside down and nothing came out. The kale and fruit sediment had apparently absorbed all the liquid and it all became kind of a solid mass. It was a great illustration for what happens in the colon when we don't consume enough liquid to keep things flowing. So, number one on the hit parade of products that we need for a total body cleanse is good, clean water. Sip water all day long. Set a water consumption goal. Increase it daily until you are drinking a healthy amount. An average sized woman needs about 70 ounces of water daily. Drink more if you're physically active.

Nature has provided all you need to keep your body healthy. Manufacturers cannot successfully duplicate what is already available. Fruit and vegetables help clean up your body just fine. The only caveat here is to add them slowly if you're not used to all that fiber. Add one serving each of a fruit and vegetable to your diet daily until you are eating healthy amounts. Kale packs a great nutritional punch. Citrus is a great fruit for cleansing your insides. What you want to avoid is twisting your gut up with too much too soon. Drink lots of water so you don't get clogged up like that mass in the glass I had yesterday. Make a good vegetable fruit smoothie and sip throughout the day. Add some ground flax seed to thicken and add fiber. Flax seed is a great source of Omega 3's and fiber and also has some anti-oxidant properties.

Digestion begins in the mouth. Chew well. Eat slowly. Make sure you're dining in a relaxed atmosphere. Avoid refined sugars and carbohydrates. Switch from coffee to green tea. Add some chamomile in the evening. Dandelion root tea helps clear the system so sip a cup in the afternoon. Have a nice salad for dinner. Make sure to include healthy greens like spinach. Leave out the iceberg lettuce as it has very little nutritional value. Use a basic salad dressing that has an olive oil base. Throw on a few walnuts for protein.

Transit time is important to keep track of so you know you are eating properly and keeping your engine clean. Every now and again, add some beets or some other "dye" to your diet so you can see how long it is taking for food to travel from one end to the other. Carrot juice is a favorite of mine. Experts differ on what constitutes a healthy amount of time for food to commute from to coast but 12 to 24 hours is average for someone consuming adequate fiber.

There's no magic bullet for detoxing or maintaining health. Stay away from recipes that involve putting Epsom salts in any open orifice. Don't spend good money on tinctures that promise quick results. Good nutrient rich food is all any normal body needs to get and stay as clean as nature intended.

Breakthroughs In LASIK Surgery

Posted by: healthy editor Posted date: August 10, 2016 / comment : 0 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,


LASIK surgical procedure is actually fairly new, if compared to the hundred years that refractive surgery treatment in general has been in existence. Since the FDA's approval of the Excimer Laser in 1995, nevertheless, LASIK has already made leaps and bounds with regard to breakthroughs.

What Is The Excimer Laser?

The Excimer Laser is actually a process using a broad beam of laser energy to be able to reshape the cornea. It has quite a bit of technical hardware and software required for this method, and also the electricity coming from the laser rapidly wore down all of the optical mirrors and lenses used in the procedure. As a result of continual fixes being made to the units, this got to be fairly pricey.

In 1998, the FDA approved a whole new selection of Excimer Lasers that employed a very accurate laser. All of these more recent Excimer Lasers employed a form of scanning system to discover the specific placement of the eye which really needed modification, and as soon as that point was determined, deliver the ray of energy to it. This method was actually a great deal more patient friendly, because there was indeed significantly less anxiety on the individual to remain perfectly still, because the piece of equipment calculated a person's eye defects on its own. It actually was far more accurate when compared to a laser
eye surgeon previously could possibly be plus didn't come along with as much deterioration than the prior lasers did.

Higher Speeds Lasers

Yet another advancement in LASIK is definitely the development of a higher speed laser. Throughout the 90's, laser devices would typically need to have between 30-90 seconds of being exposed, based on just how major corrections were. At this point, laser treatments need to have between 2-30 seconds of exposure. That's really considerable, specially when considering the fact that when the longer the cornea is subjected to this type of atmosphere, there can be increased assortment regarding results.

Utilizing Wavefront Technology

Wavefront technological know-how is an additional advancement in LASIK. Wavefront technology draws on a theory employed by astronomers for several years. Light is sent inside the patient's eyes, and also the light that is replicated back to the PC is in fact recorded. With such calculations, the laser eye surgeon will be able to identify virtually any errors or distortions in the individual's vision.

Utilizing this type of data, the computer could certainly create a 3-D map of the individual's eyes. The technological innovation has the ability of computing aberrations for example nearsightedness and also farsightedness, and halos and starbursts. Wavefront technology has generated exceptional final results. In VISX's FDA medical study, a year after the procedure, 98% of participants got 20/20 eyesight, or even better, not to mention did not really need eyeglasses or even contacts.

All-Laser LASIK

The most up-to-date advancement regarding laser eye surgery is all-laser LASIK, an entirely bladeless surgery. The iFS IntraLASE Femtosecond laser happens to be providing a lot more people the chance to have vision surgery who prior to this were advised they were not hopefuls. Step one with this eyesight procedure is the development of the corneal flap, that prior to this was initially carried out utilizing a microkeratome blade. While using the innovative technology, a laser is in its place employed in this stage, creating a a lot more correct flap faster.

What Color Should Your Teeth Be?

Posted by: healthy editor Posted date: August 09, 2016 / comment : 0 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,


Although we live in a society that highly regards shiny white teeth, is that really the way we were meant to look? It seems that more and more people are decided to bleach their teeth beyond recognition because it is considered to trademark a healthy appearance. You are probably aware that drinking coffee or tea will tend to stain your teeth yellow, but were you aware that the aging process actually changes the colour of your teeth?

Have you ever seen an old piano? Think about it. All piano keys used to be made of ivory; the tusk bone of an elephant. These were gleaming white at the beginning, and now those pianos sit decrepit in a corner with yellowed, cracked keys which may even have warped out of shape. This is what is naturally in store for your own teeth, although you should not worry too much; yellowed, warped piano keys are often twice as old as you will ever expect to be! The point is that the tissues that make up your bones and teeth will change over time and as you age will become more yellow. This colour change can be confusing, and often foods and drinks are blamed instead of pure genetics.

Younger people will have the most naturally white teeth of anyone, but even if you look closely at them you will see that few can be said to have perfectly white teeth. This is because on the whole, white is not a natural colour! Certainly close shades are in existence and are very flattering, but there is no escaping the slow colour shift from near white to nearer yellow. Sad, but true! Regardless of this fact, you have probably already armed yourself (to the teeth) to defend a whitened front.

Essentially, teeth whitening can be seen as another way to stop the aging process. In the same way that you use moisturising creams to stop wrinkles and hair dye to keep away the grey, various teeth whitening products such as toothpastes, polishes and adhesive strips are being used to make teeth whiter and more youthful. It is a somewhat unconscious effort by Westerners to remain in the blossom of youth for ever longer; white teeth are the trademark of preteens and teenagers, but certainly not of the middle aged and retirement set! Whatever the conscious and subconscious reasons for whitening your teeth, it is best to come into the venture with the knowledge that you may not ever have a perfectly white set. But that is no reason to despair!

You know there are plenty of teeth whitening options available, so choose one that is right for you and do the best you can to bleach away stains and natural colour changes. Society (especially North American society) is cultured to put a lot of value on teeth, and obviously you are not expected to be any different. Medically speaking, teeth whitening is a safe procedure so long as you have it professionally done or pay close attention to packet instructions.

Do not be tempted to over bleach or you can damage your gums and the roots of your teeth, a painful situation that is best avoided. It can be appealing to squeeze a tube of bleach on the enamel and leave it overnight, but believe me, it is not worth it! Be patient, be safe, and most of all be understanding to the fact that your teeth are not horribly stained, they are just growing older like the rest of you! There is nothing wrong with that, now is there?

7 Powerful Winter Home Remedies For Acne

Posted by: healthy editor Posted date: August 07, 2016 / comment : 0 , , , , , , , , , ,



We are in the middle of winter (well in most countries, anyway) and if you have acne, you might have noticed that your acne can worsen during the winter months. Or if you never had acne, you've just seen your first pimples flare up on your skin, mostly on your face.

Many people notice a drastic change in their acne during the winter months, particularly when they live in areas where winters are quite harsh and cold. If you have light acne in summer, you will see that your acne will really liven up during the winter season. Also your acne scars will become much more visible, because the summer tan is gone so there is nothing to hide them.

Before panic sets in, you need to know the most important things you can do by yourself to keep your skin clear of acne, or at least how to avoid worsening it.

What is with winter and acne anyway?

During the winter, we are mostly indoors, which means we are exposed to dry air pretty much all the time. Well, except when we go out to the biting cold, so we're then exposed to a sudden change in the air temperature. If you think you're skin will not suffer due to these factors, you're sadly mistaken. Our skin is the first contact with the outside word, so it is greatly affected by pretty much everything going on around us.

Here are some proven tips and acne home remedies that you can employ right away from the comfort of your home, to help you go through the winter unharmed.
  1. Put a vaporizer in your bedroom. This will moisture the already dry air due to the constant heaters. Also you can use a humidifier for better results. When I was a kid, and all these gadgets were not available, I remember my mom every night putting a bowl of water in the room. This kept the air moist and it really helped. I guess old home remedies are still some of the best, even if now we have these modern gadgets that do it faster and more effective.
  2.  Open your windows for about 10-15 minutes every morning. This will allow to mix the air a bit, so the dry air leaves your room, being replaced with fresh air. Just make sure you have an extra blouse or a warm robe on you, so you don't catch a cold. Some people are more sensitive than others, so make sure you know what works for you best.
  3. Drink lots of water to keep yourself hydrated. This tip is good all year around, not only for the winter months. However, you might feel less thirsty in winter (because heat promotes thirst stronger), so do not forget to drink your 7-10 glasses of water per day (at least).
  4. Change your skin cleaser. You might not be aware of it, but there are different cleansers for different types of weather. For example if you're using cleansers containing benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, they are not the best in winter. Why? Because they dry your skin - which you definitely want to avoid in winter. Switch for the winter months to milder cleansers, such as Dove or Neutrogena, they're available pretty much everywhere.
  5. Keep your skin moist by using moisturizer. If you haven't used them yet, now it's the time to start. Make sure you use a moisturizing gel or lotion, not cream.
  6. Cut back on using over the counter acne fighting medication, such as creams and lotions. They are great but definitely dry your skin (since one of the ways of fighting acne is to dry out the pimples). Winter is not the best time to have a dry skin, so I don't say stop using these, but use them every second day instead of every day, at least for the next 1-2 months until the weather is improving. Note: if you have doctor prescribed treatments, make sure you do not change those, not at least without your doctor's consent.
  7. You need a way to sweat out the toxines during the winter. This is maybe one of the most overlooked home remedy that you can employ in winter. Basically what happens is, during summer, with exercise, sports, jogging, you sweat. Then you drink plenty of water. Which means, through sweating you release all the toxins out of your body. However during the winter, people become more sedentary in nature, and exercise much less than in summer. So you need to find a way to release those accumulated toxins during the winter as well. Find a nearby sauna (unless you're one of the lucky ones to have a sauna at home), go to a gym, but don't stop exercising in winter.
There are much more things you can do, but if you adhere to these 7 only, you will get through winter with a clear, shiny face.

Should I Have A Face Lift?

Posted by: healthy editor Posted date: August 07, 2016 / comment : 0 , , , , , , , , , , ,



Good question! A face lift is major surgery and surgery means blood, mess, discomfort, stitches and time out to recover. A face lift is expensive too.

There are risks to consider, one is hematoma when the blood collects under the skin and has to be surgically removed. Damage to the nerves that control your facial muscles is another although this is less common. Slow healing time can also be a problem although this is found mainly in smokers. Oh! and don't forget the usual risks that are involved with anesthesia.

On the plus side, the effects of a face lift are quite dramatic. It is without a doubt the fastest and most permanent way of shedding your 'old' face and regaining some of that youthful beauty you were born with..

If you've considered these things and decided that the final outcome is worth it, then proceed, but first please ask yourself these questions.

Why do I want a facelift?

Am I doing this because its going to help me find the job that I really want? This is a valid reason for going ahead. It shouldn't matter to those that hire people how old the applicant is or what they look like, but in the real world we know that these things do play a part. If you have a job that has a lot of public exposure, this may also be a good reason to proceed.

Am I doing this because my partner wants me to?
Red alert! Never let anyone else talk you into having a facelift. It is a very personal decision and one only you should make. Ask yourself why are you with someone who values you only for your appearance. Honor yourself, you are more than your face! Perhaps you should be working on your relationship and leaving your face alone!

I'm thirty five and have lots of wrinkles around my eyes and cheeks, and my neck is all mottled
A face lift won't help this situation. You are better off exploring the avenue of laser resurfacing or even chemical peels, they will strip the old layer of skin off and reveal a smoother younger appearance. It sounds like you have a lot of sun damage, get educated on the use of sunblock! Its everybody's most important cosmetic.

I'm depressed and don't feel good about myself. Maybe a facelift will help me feel better?
It may for a little while, but it sounds like you have a self esteem problem. Learn to love yourself the way you are first. Then if you still feel a facelift would give your morale a boost, go ahead.

I'm in my early fifties and notice my face is starting to sag quite badly. I can afford the surgery and reckon I might just do this for myself. A good idea, you've thought it through and decided its something you want not something you need.

Find a professional surgeon in your area and follow all his/her advice on how to prepare for your face lift. Don't forget to mention any medication you are taking and if you are a smoker, stop two weeks before surgery is scheduled. It will speed your recovery time. Good luck!

Exercise Tips Without Joining a Gym

Posted by: healthy editor Posted date: August 05, 2016 / comment : 0 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,


Exercise. I know.... I know, that word makes most people cringe, but it doesn't have to be that way. You don't have to join a gym, you can exercise at home. Many people pay high gym membership fee's and never go back!! That's just crazy!!

No, I'm talking about the things we do everyday, like . This is known as low impact exercise and is especially good if you are extra weighty as they will put very little or no stress on the Hip, Knee and Ankle Joint.
Walking, Gardening, Swimming or riding our Bikes

Anything that raises our heart rates, gets you slightly out of breath and makes you feel warmer is classed as Exercise, but whatever activity you choose, you should always, always start slowly and build up gradually, even if it's only Walking. Start off by doing 30 minutes and build up from there. If you take on too much, too soon, you could injure yourself by pulling a muscle, then you won't get any Exercise done at all.

I think 30 minutes per day for 5 plus days a week is good enough. Even with a busy schedule, I'm sure most people could fit in 30 minutes per day, even if it just means walking briskly around your house or garden, or going up and down the stairs a few times.

The benefits of exercise are endless. You will be amazed at how much better you will feel after you get into the swing of it. Talking about swing, keeping fit should be fun, so when I do my 30 minutes, I just pop on my favorite CD and dance to my hearts content. "Exercise isn't Exercise when you are enjoying yourself".

Water is essential for your good health and well being, but even more important when you are Exercising, as you will need to replenish what you are losing through sweat.

For healthy exercise, before you start your 30 minutes, it's important to do some warm up stretches, to warm your muscles through and get them ready for action and is equally important to do more stretching at the end. Do this for about 10 minutes each time and it will help prevent any muscle stiffness. So go find yourself a dance partner and Have Fun getting fit.



Kidney Infection Or Lower Back Pain? How To Distinguish Between The Two

Posted by: healthy editor Posted date: July 31, 2016 / comment : 0 , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,


Back pain is a part of our lives and can affect anyone at any point in time. Back pain may occur periodically, remain for a short time, and then quickly disappear. This is known as acute back pain and can be taken care of with medication and rest. The pain would be deemed chronic back pain when it remains for over three months. Many people are on constant medication for back pain.

However, if you are experiencing back pains near the kidney area, its time to pay a visit to the doctor. Kidney infection may cause pain, which is similar to lower back pain. The kidneys are located on either side of the spinal column just above the hip. That is why any kind of pain in that area may be diagnosed as kidney infection. The pain originates in the kidney and radiates to the lower back. This is known as referred pain. Therefore, very often kidney infection is confused with lower back pain.

So how does one distinguish between pain caused by kidney infection and lower back pain? One symptom is that pain due to kidney infection comes on rapidly and disappears once the course of medication is over. With back pain, the pain continues even after the infection has cleared up. The symptoms of kidney infection or kidney stone could be pain during urination, blood in the urine or fever with accompanying chills. If the doctor presses on the kidneys at the time of physical examination, there will be shooting pain in the area. If, on the other hand, you have a stretched, torn or twisted muscle, the pain will be specific to the area. The pain may occur either in the lower back, or between shoulder blades, below the waist or over the spinal column. This type of pain will get worse with movement and ease away while resting. Kidney infection can be safely ruled out in this scenario.

If you happen to suffer from kidney infection, the pain will occur on one side of the back, above the waist but just below the rib cage. The pain may increase as the bladder gets full or it may travel to the genital area. During the time you may have bouts of vomiting, pain while urination, blood in the urine and even fever. Lower back pain could be another symptom of kidney infection. These are general guidelines, which give an idea how to diagnose the pain in the lower back area. If you still are not sure what you are dealing with, any such symptoms call for an urgent visit to the doctor. It is always better to be safe than sorry. If there is an earlier history of kidney infections, then there may be another attack coming on. On the other hand, it may just be a stretched back muscle. Therefore, it is better to visit the doctor so that he can make the proper diagnosis and begin treatment for the pain or kidney infection as the case may be. The kidney infection and resultant back pain will probably clear up with a dose of antibiotics. Lower back pain treatment may call for physiotherapy or medication in the form of pain relievers.
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