A lot of studies have been conducted in Europe to determine just how effective probiotics are for children with eczema. It is unfortunate that those doctors who practice conventional medicine do not trust these studies but instead state that they are limited and that they do not deserve much support. Still, there are several naturopathic doctors that recommend using probiotics as an eczema natural treatment for your children.
Young children, including infants and toddlers, belong to a high risk group to developing eczema. Eczema is a type of skin disease that can cause skin reddening, inflammation and constant itching. In worst cases, skin can appear to be flaky. A recent study shows that 65% of the people with eczema are under 1-year-old and 90% of children will have a case of eczema before they are 5-years-old.
Parents would often not know what to do and how to go about helping their child with eczema as he or she can be constantly itching and in pain. A kid I came across would often strip himself throughout the day as he needed to scratch badly and find that his clothes are hindering him to scratch to his heart’s content.
Probiotics are microbial organisms that protect and live in the digestive tract. Probiotic bacterial cultures are intended to assist the body’s naturally occuring gut flora to rebalance themselves. They can stop the growth of bad bacteria, thus strengthening one’s immune system. Some people theorize that eczema is related to being exposed to bad bacteria during the early years of childhood. If so, naturopathic doctors say that probiotics can effectively prevent eczema because it can fight and counter the spread of bad bacteria throughout the body.
Eczema may possibly be related to food allergens. Adding probiotic to your kid’s diet can strengthen his digestive system and protect it against bad bacteria. This will help to balance the ratio of good and bad bacteria in the body, thus reducing a person's risk of developing eczema.
Good sources of probiotic for eczema includes yogurt, buttermilk, miso, kim chi and other fermented foods and products. Make sure that your children eat more of these type of foods.
Of course, you should always check with your doctor about whether he recommends probiotics for your child with eczema. It will also be useful that you keep yourself updated on the latest research on supplementing eczema patients with probiotics. Probiotics for eczema can also be taken in supplement form.
Evelyn Lim publishes a newsletter on Eczema Natural Treatment. Thousands have read her articles and are captivated by her story from ailing to healing skin. Gain access to free tips, her story and reviews on natural skin care products here at http://www.eczematreatmentsecrets.com
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Quit Smoking: Why People Do Bad Things
Do you do Bad Things? Even though you know you shouldn't?
It's not your fault. It really isn't. You know you should stop doing it, but no matter how much you know that, and how much you try, you just can't stop!
Everyone knows how to lose weight. Don't eat fattening foods. Exercise. Everyone knows how to give up smoking. Don’t light the cigarette. Yet having this knowledge just isn't enough. Sometimes even having the desire isn't enough! Time and again I hear about people who get really close to quitting smoking. They can get all the way down to one or two cigarettes a day, but just can't give up those last two. Many even make it all the way down to zero, but the cravings, oh the cravings! They are wretched, those cravings. Most will go back to smoking within the first few days. They can cut away most of the "stuff" that keeps them glued to the cigarettes, even not be addicted to nicotine anymore(!), but there is just something deep in their core that magnetically pulls them back in, like two lovers who know they are bad for each other but just can't help themselves.
What is this thing? What is at this core?
Let me take a step back for a moment. How many adults do you know who are happy? I mean really, truly happy? Think that question is foolishness? Let me ask you this. How many people do you know who love their work? I'm talkin' jump out of bed in the morning, can't wait to start. Sadly, the percentage is very small. Why is this?
We live in an interesting quick-fix culture. People don't really have to deal with their issues. We've got:
* television
* movies
* shopping
* toys
* and hitting the gym
to distract us and make us feel better. Even more than that, many people's issues are quite buried. Think of dreams that were squashed when we were young. "An artist? You could never make a living at that! You should be a doctor!" People often forget what their dreams once were.
As a result, I see an awful lot of unhappy, unfulfilled people walking around. They don't know what is bothering them, they just have that gnawing feeling that there must be more. Advertisers pray on this, selling us more and more bottles and gizmos to give us that ever elusive Happiness.
True inner needs? People either:
* think they're impossible to fulfill
* are too scared and resigned to fulfill them
* or are so disassociated from those needs that they don't even know what they would be even if they had to guess!
All those "bad" things -- smoking, overeating, gambling, alcohol, the list goes on and on -- are easy ways to fill the void. Smokers will be able to relate to this one -- if you've just had a fight with your family, what do you do? You go for a smoke. Smoking makes it feel like the problem goes away. (I call this the "smokescreen." Har har!)
I'll let you in on a little secret--the real reason it's so hard to quit is not the nicotine. It's this void-filling. When you quit smoking (or any bad habit), you're suddenly faced with real life. All those stresses and needs that you've been avoiding? There they are, pulling at your coat tails, yelling, "Pay attention to me! Pay attention to me!" If you got in touch with your real inner needs and took baby steps to start fulfilling them, you would actually have little desire for cigarettes. It's true! I see it happen time and again in my Stop Smoking Coaching practice.
How do you do that, you ask? Here are some baby steps that you can start trying out now:
* Next time, instead of taking that quick fix--stop.
* Have a little quiet time and listen to what your insides have been trying to tell you.
* Try journaling -- don't edit your thoughts, just write.
* Some people find meditation and yoga to be great accesses.
* Try deep breathing.
* Go for a quiet, leisurely walk by yourself.
* Personally, I find it easiest to just start noticing where in life I seem to be avoiding things the most, or if I want something more immediate and active, doing a mindmap (a word drawing) to figure out what I'm really thinking.
For each person, the key to figuring out your needs is different. Play around with it, don't give up! You'll be glad you did!
It's not your fault. It really isn't. You know you should stop doing it, but no matter how much you know that, and how much you try, you just can't stop!
Everyone knows how to lose weight. Don't eat fattening foods. Exercise. Everyone knows how to give up smoking. Don’t light the cigarette. Yet having this knowledge just isn't enough. Sometimes even having the desire isn't enough! Time and again I hear about people who get really close to quitting smoking. They can get all the way down to one or two cigarettes a day, but just can't give up those last two. Many even make it all the way down to zero, but the cravings, oh the cravings! They are wretched, those cravings. Most will go back to smoking within the first few days. They can cut away most of the "stuff" that keeps them glued to the cigarettes, even not be addicted to nicotine anymore(!), but there is just something deep in their core that magnetically pulls them back in, like two lovers who know they are bad for each other but just can't help themselves.
What is this thing? What is at this core?
Let me take a step back for a moment. How many adults do you know who are happy? I mean really, truly happy? Think that question is foolishness? Let me ask you this. How many people do you know who love their work? I'm talkin' jump out of bed in the morning, can't wait to start. Sadly, the percentage is very small. Why is this?
We live in an interesting quick-fix culture. People don't really have to deal with their issues. We've got:
* television
* movies
* shopping
* toys
* and hitting the gym
to distract us and make us feel better. Even more than that, many people's issues are quite buried. Think of dreams that were squashed when we were young. "An artist? You could never make a living at that! You should be a doctor!" People often forget what their dreams once were.
As a result, I see an awful lot of unhappy, unfulfilled people walking around. They don't know what is bothering them, they just have that gnawing feeling that there must be more. Advertisers pray on this, selling us more and more bottles and gizmos to give us that ever elusive Happiness.
True inner needs? People either:
* think they're impossible to fulfill
* are too scared and resigned to fulfill them
* or are so disassociated from those needs that they don't even know what they would be even if they had to guess!
All those "bad" things -- smoking, overeating, gambling, alcohol, the list goes on and on -- are easy ways to fill the void. Smokers will be able to relate to this one -- if you've just had a fight with your family, what do you do? You go for a smoke. Smoking makes it feel like the problem goes away. (I call this the "smokescreen." Har har!)
I'll let you in on a little secret--the real reason it's so hard to quit is not the nicotine. It's this void-filling. When you quit smoking (or any bad habit), you're suddenly faced with real life. All those stresses and needs that you've been avoiding? There they are, pulling at your coat tails, yelling, "Pay attention to me! Pay attention to me!" If you got in touch with your real inner needs and took baby steps to start fulfilling them, you would actually have little desire for cigarettes. It's true! I see it happen time and again in my Stop Smoking Coaching practice.
How do you do that, you ask? Here are some baby steps that you can start trying out now:
* Next time, instead of taking that quick fix--stop.
* Have a little quiet time and listen to what your insides have been trying to tell you.
* Try journaling -- don't edit your thoughts, just write.
* Some people find meditation and yoga to be great accesses.
* Try deep breathing.
* Go for a quiet, leisurely walk by yourself.
* Personally, I find it easiest to just start noticing where in life I seem to be avoiding things the most, or if I want something more immediate and active, doing a mindmap (a word drawing) to figure out what I'm really thinking.
For each person, the key to figuring out your needs is different. Play around with it, don't give up! You'll be glad you did!
Friday, March 9, 2007
Symptons of Pregnancy
How can you tell if you are pregnant? There are a number of signs and symptoms to watch for. Chances are you will only experience a portion of the symptoms. Each pregnancy is different, and the same mom to be can experience different pregnancy signs each time she gets pregnant.
Pregnancy symptoms can begin for some mothers immediately after conception. Some pregnancy signs require that you chart your cycle, noting your daily basal body temperature.
Implantation
While a rare minority will experience pregnancy symptoms sooner, typically the first pregnancy signs occur when your baby implants around 8-10 days after ovulation. Implantation causes an increase in progesterone levels, which can lead to higher temperatures giving you a tri-phasic chart. If you temperature remains high for fifteen or more days after ovulation, you may be pregnant. Some women will see a slight temperature drop at implantation. Implantation bleeding sometimes occurs and can be pink, red, or brown in color. You may also have lower abdominal cramps.
Positive Pregnancy Test
The next and best sign that you are pregnant is a positive pregnancy test. Home pregnancy tests measure the pregnancy hormone hCG in your urine. The most sensitive home pregnancy tests will show a positive result when the hCG levels reach 20, which can happen as early as four days before your period is due, or approximately 10 days after ovulation.
False negatives are common when testing early with a home pregnancy test, so I recommend you wait to use one until eighteen days after ovulation to avoid false negatives. The usual recommendation is to wait until 14 days after ovulation before testing. Blood serum pregnancy tests performed by your doctor are much more sensitive. They can detect hCG levels as low as five. If you continue to experience pregnancy symptoms, but your home pregnancy test continues to show negative, you can make an appointment with your doctor to confirm your pregnancy.
Missed Period
One of the most common pregnancy signs is a missed period. For women with a standard 28-day cycle, their period is late if it has not arrived fifteen days after ovulation, or twenty-nine days after the first day of their cycle. Elevated basal body temperatures for 15 or more days will typically accompany the missed period.
Frequent Urination
Frequent urination is a very common early symptom of pregnancy. You may find yourself unable to be away from a bathroom for more than hour at a time, or waking up in the middle of the night to urinate.
Morning Sickness
Morning sickness can begin as early as 2 to 4 weeks after conception. The term morning sickness is something of a misnomer, as you can experience the nausea and vomiting throughout the day. Morning sickness typically is worst during the first trimester, and most pregnant women will have their morning sickness symptoms lessen or subside completely during the second or third trimester.
Breast Changes
Breast tenderness usually begins around 3 to 4 weeks after conception. This can also be a sign of your impending period. Usually the degree of breast tenderness is much stronger with pregnancy than with your period. You may also notice a slight tingling sensation.
Another change to your breasts early in pregnancy is the appearance. Your areolas can become larger and darker.
Fatigue
Fatigue can be an early sign of pregnancy. This symptom is not just being a little tired; it is more like feeling totally wiped out. Your normal daily activities can send you to complete exhaustion.
Body Discomforts
The physical and hormonal changes you experience with pregnancy can cause a long list of body changes that are annoying and uncomfortable. You may experience headaches, backaches, acne, constipation, heartburn, mood swings, constipation, diarrhea, bloating, indigestion, and abdominal cramps.
Food Cravings
Food cravings are a very common pregnancy symptom. Approximately 85% of women will experience some type of food craving during their pregnancy.
Food Aversions
The other side of food cravings is food aversions. They are also a very common sign of early pregnancy. You may find that a favorite food suddenly makes you feel nauseated just thinking about it.
Smell Aversions
A heightened sense of smell may cause some odors to seem stronger than normal when you are pregnant. Some smell aversions can cause food aversions.
Baby Movement
You can feel your baby moving as early as 16 weeks, but for first-time mothers may not feel the baby moving until 20 weeks or more.
Intuition
For some women, they just “feel” pregnant, even though they have had no other signs or symptoms. A mother's intuition is frequently accurate.
It is possible to experience some of the signs and symptoms of pregnancy, yet still not be pregnant. It is important that both you and your baby get under a doctor’s care as early as possible. If you think you might be pregnant, treat your body as if you are pregnant until you know for sure. Take a home pregnancy test if you miss your period. If the test shows positive, then you are pregnant. Congratulations!
Elleth Faewen is a wife who has lost three pregnancies, one to stillbirth, one to miscarriage, and one to an ectopic pregnancy. She founded Baby Talk Zone as a friendly online resource for those pregnant, trying to conceive, and adopting. Elleth is currently on the waiting list for IVF. You can visit her online forum at http://www.babytalkzone.com
Baby Talk Zone provides a free pregnancy due date calculator http://www.babytalkzone.com/duedatecalculator and a free downloadable monthly ovulation cycle chart in both Fahrenheit and Celsius http://www.babytalkzone.com/chart-your-monthly-cycle
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Elleth_Faewen
Pregnancy symptoms can begin for some mothers immediately after conception. Some pregnancy signs require that you chart your cycle, noting your daily basal body temperature.
Implantation
While a rare minority will experience pregnancy symptoms sooner, typically the first pregnancy signs occur when your baby implants around 8-10 days after ovulation. Implantation causes an increase in progesterone levels, which can lead to higher temperatures giving you a tri-phasic chart. If you temperature remains high for fifteen or more days after ovulation, you may be pregnant. Some women will see a slight temperature drop at implantation. Implantation bleeding sometimes occurs and can be pink, red, or brown in color. You may also have lower abdominal cramps.
Positive Pregnancy Test
The next and best sign that you are pregnant is a positive pregnancy test. Home pregnancy tests measure the pregnancy hormone hCG in your urine. The most sensitive home pregnancy tests will show a positive result when the hCG levels reach 20, which can happen as early as four days before your period is due, or approximately 10 days after ovulation.
False negatives are common when testing early with a home pregnancy test, so I recommend you wait to use one until eighteen days after ovulation to avoid false negatives. The usual recommendation is to wait until 14 days after ovulation before testing. Blood serum pregnancy tests performed by your doctor are much more sensitive. They can detect hCG levels as low as five. If you continue to experience pregnancy symptoms, but your home pregnancy test continues to show negative, you can make an appointment with your doctor to confirm your pregnancy.
Missed Period
One of the most common pregnancy signs is a missed period. For women with a standard 28-day cycle, their period is late if it has not arrived fifteen days after ovulation, or twenty-nine days after the first day of their cycle. Elevated basal body temperatures for 15 or more days will typically accompany the missed period.
Frequent Urination
Frequent urination is a very common early symptom of pregnancy. You may find yourself unable to be away from a bathroom for more than hour at a time, or waking up in the middle of the night to urinate.
Morning Sickness
Morning sickness can begin as early as 2 to 4 weeks after conception. The term morning sickness is something of a misnomer, as you can experience the nausea and vomiting throughout the day. Morning sickness typically is worst during the first trimester, and most pregnant women will have their morning sickness symptoms lessen or subside completely during the second or third trimester.
Breast Changes
Breast tenderness usually begins around 3 to 4 weeks after conception. This can also be a sign of your impending period. Usually the degree of breast tenderness is much stronger with pregnancy than with your period. You may also notice a slight tingling sensation.
Another change to your breasts early in pregnancy is the appearance. Your areolas can become larger and darker.
Fatigue
Fatigue can be an early sign of pregnancy. This symptom is not just being a little tired; it is more like feeling totally wiped out. Your normal daily activities can send you to complete exhaustion.
Body Discomforts
The physical and hormonal changes you experience with pregnancy can cause a long list of body changes that are annoying and uncomfortable. You may experience headaches, backaches, acne, constipation, heartburn, mood swings, constipation, diarrhea, bloating, indigestion, and abdominal cramps.
Food Cravings
Food cravings are a very common pregnancy symptom. Approximately 85% of women will experience some type of food craving during their pregnancy.
Food Aversions
The other side of food cravings is food aversions. They are also a very common sign of early pregnancy. You may find that a favorite food suddenly makes you feel nauseated just thinking about it.
Smell Aversions
A heightened sense of smell may cause some odors to seem stronger than normal when you are pregnant. Some smell aversions can cause food aversions.
Baby Movement
You can feel your baby moving as early as 16 weeks, but for first-time mothers may not feel the baby moving until 20 weeks or more.
Intuition
For some women, they just “feel” pregnant, even though they have had no other signs or symptoms. A mother's intuition is frequently accurate.
It is possible to experience some of the signs and symptoms of pregnancy, yet still not be pregnant. It is important that both you and your baby get under a doctor’s care as early as possible. If you think you might be pregnant, treat your body as if you are pregnant until you know for sure. Take a home pregnancy test if you miss your period. If the test shows positive, then you are pregnant. Congratulations!
Elleth Faewen is a wife who has lost three pregnancies, one to stillbirth, one to miscarriage, and one to an ectopic pregnancy. She founded Baby Talk Zone as a friendly online resource for those pregnant, trying to conceive, and adopting. Elleth is currently on the waiting list for IVF. You can visit her online forum at http://www.babytalkzone.com
Baby Talk Zone provides a free pregnancy due date calculator http://www.babytalkzone.com/duedatecalculator and a free downloadable monthly ovulation cycle chart in both Fahrenheit and Celsius http://www.babytalkzone.com/chart-your-monthly-cycle
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Elleth_Faewen
Friday, December 29, 2006
St Johns Wort and Depression
The bright yellow flower of the St Johns Wort (hypericum perforatum) with it's ray-like petals, represents the power of the sun that forces away the darkness. This already points to the anti-depressant effects of the St Johns Wort which are highly respected, even in conventional medicine.
St. John's Wort, a perennial plant, has been used for hundreds of years to treat depression, unrest and anxiety disorders as well as nerve pain. For a long time, doctors and herbalists alike have known about its use as a sedative, but also as treatment for wounds, burns, insect bites, stomach ulcers and more. It is still used widely today and it's effectiveness has been proven to a point where some insurance companies are now covering the treatment.
It is not a powerful drug -- when used to treat depression -- in the sense of bringing a quick recovery, but shows excellent long term results in many patients. The herb assists body and soul in the healing process and helps to build a solid foundation for a complete recovery.
St John's Wort was tested in a double-blind study of 105 male and female patients in the 20 to 64 year age group, suffering from mild to moderate depression. They were divided into two groups and monitored over a period of four weeks. One group were given 300mg of St Johns Wort extract three times daily, and the other received a placebo. All of the patients had psychiatric evaluations before the start of the study and after four weeks of treatment. The results revealed that, 67% of the St Johns Wort group had responded positively to the treatment without any adverse side effects whereas only 28% of the placebo group showed any signs of improvement.
St Johns Wort is available as tea (flowers and leaves), liquid extracts and pills or capsules. It is normally taken thrice daily and it will take one week or more to notice any improvement in the condition. Treatment can be continued for long periods of time as the herb does not normally produce any side effects. But St Johns Wort can interact strongly with other medication e.g. cancer and HIV drugs, contraceptive pills and others. So it is vitally important to consult a medical specialist first before starting a course of treatment.
One effect of St Johns Wort is, that it makes the skin more sensitive to light. It is therefore important to keep out of the sun as much as possible while using the herb.
There is growing evidence to suggest that St. Johns Wort is a safe and effective, natural remedy for the treatment of mild to medium depression.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is presented for information purposes only. The material is in no way intended to replace professional medical care or attention by a qualified practitioner. It cannot and should not be used as a basis for diagnosis or choice of treatment.
Mireille Gautschi is a qualified Flower Essence Therapist and Herbalist who has many years experience with the developement of natural herbal remedies. Her products can be found on the Hillside Herbal Products website that also offers a very informative newsletter.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mireille_Gautschi
St. John's Wort, a perennial plant, has been used for hundreds of years to treat depression, unrest and anxiety disorders as well as nerve pain. For a long time, doctors and herbalists alike have known about its use as a sedative, but also as treatment for wounds, burns, insect bites, stomach ulcers and more. It is still used widely today and it's effectiveness has been proven to a point where some insurance companies are now covering the treatment.
It is not a powerful drug -- when used to treat depression -- in the sense of bringing a quick recovery, but shows excellent long term results in many patients. The herb assists body and soul in the healing process and helps to build a solid foundation for a complete recovery.
St John's Wort was tested in a double-blind study of 105 male and female patients in the 20 to 64 year age group, suffering from mild to moderate depression. They were divided into two groups and monitored over a period of four weeks. One group were given 300mg of St Johns Wort extract three times daily, and the other received a placebo. All of the patients had psychiatric evaluations before the start of the study and after four weeks of treatment. The results revealed that, 67% of the St Johns Wort group had responded positively to the treatment without any adverse side effects whereas only 28% of the placebo group showed any signs of improvement.
St Johns Wort is available as tea (flowers and leaves), liquid extracts and pills or capsules. It is normally taken thrice daily and it will take one week or more to notice any improvement in the condition. Treatment can be continued for long periods of time as the herb does not normally produce any side effects. But St Johns Wort can interact strongly with other medication e.g. cancer and HIV drugs, contraceptive pills and others. So it is vitally important to consult a medical specialist first before starting a course of treatment.
One effect of St Johns Wort is, that it makes the skin more sensitive to light. It is therefore important to keep out of the sun as much as possible while using the herb.
There is growing evidence to suggest that St. Johns Wort is a safe and effective, natural remedy for the treatment of mild to medium depression.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is presented for information purposes only. The material is in no way intended to replace professional medical care or attention by a qualified practitioner. It cannot and should not be used as a basis for diagnosis or choice of treatment.
Mireille Gautschi is a qualified Flower Essence Therapist and Herbalist who has many years experience with the developement of natural herbal remedies. Her products can be found on the Hillside Herbal Products website that also offers a very informative newsletter.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mireille_Gautschi
Thursday, December 28, 2006
How to Uncover the Reason You Can't Sleep Tonight
If you are like me ...you love your sleep!
Sleep deprivation has numerous positive but also negative effects. It may break our sleep neurons due to long times of sleeplessness causing malfunction. This will result in bad conduct or bad interaction or bad speech towards others.
Studies also illustrate that people deprived of sleep experience difficulties in thinking imaginative thoughts or terms. Also they suffer difficulties in delivering their declarations well. Without sleep, our brains grow weaker, and our actions and deeds will be affected.
Good sleep promotes regeneration of our system and maintains our good health and immune system function.
Physical and Other Dangers
Lack of sleep also poses dangers to ones body. As we have learned earlier, lack of sleep damages the brain and causes behavioral damages and because our brain controls the other functions in our body, sleep deprivation may also damage them.
It seems that people who lack sleep get sick more often. Also, sleep deprived persons are prone to accidents (particularly car accidents). I have found out in the internet that around 200,000 accidents are caused by sleeping drivers on their sleeping wheels.
The person who experiences sleep deprivation may also suffer financially. Because the brain (again) is affected, the person produces low-quality work. This may cause him to be kicked out of office or fired by his boss.
Sleep deprivation may also affect the person mentally. Studies shows that people who don’t get enough sleep experience difficulties in remembering things and expressing their thoughts creatively.
Researches also suggest that people who lack sleep seem to age quicker than those who get enough sleep.It seems lack of sleep affects you in many ways and you need to take action where you can rather than accept it just happens to everyone.
You could be suffering from depression or anxiety problem of some kind.
Think about events and stresses you have at present from young children crying to horrible work environments. Something is causing this and its not always one factor but can be many.
A proper bedtime routine
Every time before you go to sleep, you listen to your favorite classical tune. Then the day came when you have to go on a business trip and you forgot to bring the classical tape with you. Night comes and you simply could not get yourself to sleep without listening to that music first. That classical melody is the anchor. It signals your brain to prepare for dreamland.
Anchors could be a very powerful instrument to put you to sleep. Some people could not get to sleep without having a midnight snack. Having a light snack may have a sedative effect and is not bad at all. But eating too much before going to slumber may affect the quality of your sleep.
There are certain anchors that you do not want to be associated with sleep. Avoid watching TV in bed, because it can stimulate your senses. Do not make your bedroom an office, because you might associate your work with sleeping time. As a general rule, your bedroom is designed only for sleep.
Researchers prove that using an alarm clock to wake you up is not good. They say that alarm clocks used to wake people disrupt the sleep cycle and keeps the sleeper from having a complete, natural, and high quality sleep.The use of alarm clock also promotes sleep problems for the following days.
Don't take naps if you have sleep problems.Just go to bed when you feel tired.A nice warm shower can relieve stress and relax your system.
Couple that with low light and some soothing music, and you’ll feel much better when you go to sleep. You may even add some herbs like lavender, chamomile, or passion flower for a more pleasant experience.
Finally, just try and stand back and look at your present life circumstances and ask yourself are you content or feel stressed. Stress is bad for your body long term and you may have symptoms of depressive illness.
For more related information visit: http://www.DepressionSymptomsTreatment.com - a site that offers advice for avoiding, coping with depression. Get professional knowledge on dealing with symptoms, drug side effects and improving your life!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christopher_Ruane
Sleep deprivation has numerous positive but also negative effects. It may break our sleep neurons due to long times of sleeplessness causing malfunction. This will result in bad conduct or bad interaction or bad speech towards others.
Studies also illustrate that people deprived of sleep experience difficulties in thinking imaginative thoughts or terms. Also they suffer difficulties in delivering their declarations well. Without sleep, our brains grow weaker, and our actions and deeds will be affected.
Good sleep promotes regeneration of our system and maintains our good health and immune system function.
Physical and Other Dangers
Lack of sleep also poses dangers to ones body. As we have learned earlier, lack of sleep damages the brain and causes behavioral damages and because our brain controls the other functions in our body, sleep deprivation may also damage them.
It seems that people who lack sleep get sick more often. Also, sleep deprived persons are prone to accidents (particularly car accidents). I have found out in the internet that around 200,000 accidents are caused by sleeping drivers on their sleeping wheels.
The person who experiences sleep deprivation may also suffer financially. Because the brain (again) is affected, the person produces low-quality work. This may cause him to be kicked out of office or fired by his boss.
Sleep deprivation may also affect the person mentally. Studies shows that people who don’t get enough sleep experience difficulties in remembering things and expressing their thoughts creatively.
Researches also suggest that people who lack sleep seem to age quicker than those who get enough sleep.It seems lack of sleep affects you in many ways and you need to take action where you can rather than accept it just happens to everyone.
You could be suffering from depression or anxiety problem of some kind.
Think about events and stresses you have at present from young children crying to horrible work environments. Something is causing this and its not always one factor but can be many.
A proper bedtime routine
Every time before you go to sleep, you listen to your favorite classical tune. Then the day came when you have to go on a business trip and you forgot to bring the classical tape with you. Night comes and you simply could not get yourself to sleep without listening to that music first. That classical melody is the anchor. It signals your brain to prepare for dreamland.
Anchors could be a very powerful instrument to put you to sleep. Some people could not get to sleep without having a midnight snack. Having a light snack may have a sedative effect and is not bad at all. But eating too much before going to slumber may affect the quality of your sleep.
There are certain anchors that you do not want to be associated with sleep. Avoid watching TV in bed, because it can stimulate your senses. Do not make your bedroom an office, because you might associate your work with sleeping time. As a general rule, your bedroom is designed only for sleep.
Researchers prove that using an alarm clock to wake you up is not good. They say that alarm clocks used to wake people disrupt the sleep cycle and keeps the sleeper from having a complete, natural, and high quality sleep.The use of alarm clock also promotes sleep problems for the following days.
Don't take naps if you have sleep problems.Just go to bed when you feel tired.A nice warm shower can relieve stress and relax your system.
Couple that with low light and some soothing music, and you’ll feel much better when you go to sleep. You may even add some herbs like lavender, chamomile, or passion flower for a more pleasant experience.
Finally, just try and stand back and look at your present life circumstances and ask yourself are you content or feel stressed. Stress is bad for your body long term and you may have symptoms of depressive illness.
For more related information visit: http://www.DepressionSymptomsTreatment.com - a site that offers advice for avoiding, coping with depression. Get professional knowledge on dealing with symptoms, drug side effects and improving your life!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christopher_Ruane
The "Perfect" $1 Protein Shake
Millions of people drink protein shakes every day. They're the ideal health food: delicious, convenient, portable, and (usually) highly nutritious. Whether you're trying to lose weight, build muscle, or just improve your health, protein shakes can be an incredibly effective way to reach your goals.
A good protein shake can help you:
- increase your energy levels
- boost your metabolism to burn fat quickly (and safely)
- increase your lean muscle mass
- enhance your immune system
- reduce/eliminate your appetite and food cravings
- increase your heart health
- lower cholesterol and blood pressure
- promote healing and recovery
Unfortunately the tasty, often expensive, concoctions you get at your local "smoothie" shop probably aren't your best options. The recipes used at these places are geared much more toward taste than nutrition. Simply put, they're loaded with sugar -- often 30 grams or more -- and frequently have no more than 10 or 15 grams of protein. That nutritional profile is much closer to a milk shake than a protein shake!
If you really want to enjoy all the great health and fitness benefits of a protein shake, it's best to make your own. You can control exactly what goes into it and "optimize" it for your own goals: less calories/fat for weight loss, more protein for muscle building, etc. But maybe the biggest benefit of making your own shakes is that you can load them up with ultra-healthy ingredients that you may not eat otherwise (eg. flax seeds, coconut oil, fresh/frozen berries, etc.)
Here's my personal recipe for what I call "The Perfect $1 Protein Shake" -- an extremely healthy, energy-boosting, muscle-building shake you can make in about 3 minutes. If you buy the ingredients in bulk like I do, the total cost-per-shake should be about a dollar. Not a bad price for something much healthier than your average fast-food meal and just as convenient...
(Note: The following recipe actually makes enough for about 2 medium-sized shakes... or 1 really big shake! Feel free to add more or less of each ingredient to suit your own tastes and needs.)
Put all of the following ingredients into a large, heavy-duty blender and blend until liquefied:
16 oz. Low-Fat, Organic Milk -- A very tasty "base" for the shake with slow-digesting casein protein, calcium, and several vitamins/minerals. If you don't drink milk you can substitute soy milk or filtered water.
2 - 3 Scoops Whey Protein Powder (Generally 30 - 50 grams of protein, depending on the brand) -- If you haven't already heard, whey protein is an incredibly healthy substance that isn't just for bodybuilders. No other protein feeds your muscles or boosts your immune system like whey. Just about anyone can benefit from this amazing food! (Note: Try to avoid protein powders sweetened with the artificial-sweetener aspartame.)
1 Cup Frozen Berries -- Packed with fiber and antioxidants -- with a very low glycemic impact -- berries are some of the healthiest foods you can eat. Unsweetened frozen berries can be purchased year-around and are a great substitute for ice in any protein shake recipe.
1 Tbsp. Virgin Coconut Oil -- A "good" saturated fat with a variety of health benefits that is full of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), a great source of energy.
1 Tbsp. Natural Peanut Butter -- A great-tasting, highly filling nut butter with healthy mono- and polyunsaturated fats. Recent studies have shown that peanut butter is great for dieters because it reduces hunger and food cravings more than almost any other food.
1 Tbsp. Ground Flax Seeds -- Flax seeds contain all-important omega-3 fatty acids, a vital component to good health. They also contain lignans (powerful antioxidants) as well as healthy dietary fiber. Many people prefer the nutty flavor of ground flax seeds over the "fishy" flavor of flax seed oil.
1 Medium Ripe Banana -- A good source of potassium, fiber, and healthy carbs, a ripe banana is a great way to sweeten any protein shake.
Optional sweeteners -- If you want to sweeten this (or any) protein shake, two good low-calorie sugar-alternatives are stevia and xylitol, both of which can usually be found in health food stores.
As you can probably tell, my "Perfect $1 Protein Shake" isn't exactly low-calorie. In fact it has quite a bit of healthy fat and a decent amount of carbohydrates. But keep in mind that you don't have to, and probably shouldn't, drink the whole thing at once -- unless your primary goal is to pack on muscle (in which case you might want to drink 2 or more a day!). What I like to do is make a blender-full in the morning, drink a glass for breakfast, take some with me to have as a "pick-me-up" in the afternoon, and then drink the rest at night.
Remember, there are literally thousands of ways to make a protein shake. Find some recipes you really like and don't be afraid to experiment. As long as you base it around whey protein, just about any shake you make should have plenty of health benefits!
Jamie Clark is a long-time health researcher/writer who is a co-editor of FreshHealthyUseful.com. To learn more about the best protein shakes, be sure to visit: http://www.freshhealthyuseful.com/main/protein-shakes/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jamie_Clark
A good protein shake can help you:
- increase your energy levels
- boost your metabolism to burn fat quickly (and safely)
- increase your lean muscle mass
- enhance your immune system
- reduce/eliminate your appetite and food cravings
- increase your heart health
- lower cholesterol and blood pressure
- promote healing and recovery
Unfortunately the tasty, often expensive, concoctions you get at your local "smoothie" shop probably aren't your best options. The recipes used at these places are geared much more toward taste than nutrition. Simply put, they're loaded with sugar -- often 30 grams or more -- and frequently have no more than 10 or 15 grams of protein. That nutritional profile is much closer to a milk shake than a protein shake!
If you really want to enjoy all the great health and fitness benefits of a protein shake, it's best to make your own. You can control exactly what goes into it and "optimize" it for your own goals: less calories/fat for weight loss, more protein for muscle building, etc. But maybe the biggest benefit of making your own shakes is that you can load them up with ultra-healthy ingredients that you may not eat otherwise (eg. flax seeds, coconut oil, fresh/frozen berries, etc.)
Here's my personal recipe for what I call "The Perfect $1 Protein Shake" -- an extremely healthy, energy-boosting, muscle-building shake you can make in about 3 minutes. If you buy the ingredients in bulk like I do, the total cost-per-shake should be about a dollar. Not a bad price for something much healthier than your average fast-food meal and just as convenient...
(Note: The following recipe actually makes enough for about 2 medium-sized shakes... or 1 really big shake! Feel free to add more or less of each ingredient to suit your own tastes and needs.)
Put all of the following ingredients into a large, heavy-duty blender and blend until liquefied:
16 oz. Low-Fat, Organic Milk -- A very tasty "base" for the shake with slow-digesting casein protein, calcium, and several vitamins/minerals. If you don't drink milk you can substitute soy milk or filtered water.
2 - 3 Scoops Whey Protein Powder (Generally 30 - 50 grams of protein, depending on the brand) -- If you haven't already heard, whey protein is an incredibly healthy substance that isn't just for bodybuilders. No other protein feeds your muscles or boosts your immune system like whey. Just about anyone can benefit from this amazing food! (Note: Try to avoid protein powders sweetened with the artificial-sweetener aspartame.)
1 Cup Frozen Berries -- Packed with fiber and antioxidants -- with a very low glycemic impact -- berries are some of the healthiest foods you can eat. Unsweetened frozen berries can be purchased year-around and are a great substitute for ice in any protein shake recipe.
1 Tbsp. Virgin Coconut Oil -- A "good" saturated fat with a variety of health benefits that is full of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), a great source of energy.
1 Tbsp. Natural Peanut Butter -- A great-tasting, highly filling nut butter with healthy mono- and polyunsaturated fats. Recent studies have shown that peanut butter is great for dieters because it reduces hunger and food cravings more than almost any other food.
1 Tbsp. Ground Flax Seeds -- Flax seeds contain all-important omega-3 fatty acids, a vital component to good health. They also contain lignans (powerful antioxidants) as well as healthy dietary fiber. Many people prefer the nutty flavor of ground flax seeds over the "fishy" flavor of flax seed oil.
1 Medium Ripe Banana -- A good source of potassium, fiber, and healthy carbs, a ripe banana is a great way to sweeten any protein shake.
Optional sweeteners -- If you want to sweeten this (or any) protein shake, two good low-calorie sugar-alternatives are stevia and xylitol, both of which can usually be found in health food stores.
As you can probably tell, my "Perfect $1 Protein Shake" isn't exactly low-calorie. In fact it has quite a bit of healthy fat and a decent amount of carbohydrates. But keep in mind that you don't have to, and probably shouldn't, drink the whole thing at once -- unless your primary goal is to pack on muscle (in which case you might want to drink 2 or more a day!). What I like to do is make a blender-full in the morning, drink a glass for breakfast, take some with me to have as a "pick-me-up" in the afternoon, and then drink the rest at night.
Remember, there are literally thousands of ways to make a protein shake. Find some recipes you really like and don't be afraid to experiment. As long as you base it around whey protein, just about any shake you make should have plenty of health benefits!
Jamie Clark is a long-time health researcher/writer who is a co-editor of FreshHealthyUseful.com. To learn more about the best protein shakes, be sure to visit: http://www.freshhealthyuseful.com/main/protein-shakes/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jamie_Clark
Double Double Boil and Trouble - How to Cure Your Boils Naturally
Boils are not a pleasant topic, but it is something that most of us will experience at some point in our lives. This article will show how you can cure your boils naturally by using inexpensive natural remedies.
What is a boil? Another name used to describe a boil is a skin abscess, but basically it's just an infection deep in the skin. I like to describe a boil as being a really big zit because that's what it looks like. Below are several different types of boils:
Cystic acne -- An abscess that forms when the oil ducts become infected or clogged. This type of boil is found mostly on the face and primarily effects teenagers.
Furuncle or carbuncle -- An abscess of the skin caused by Staphylococcus aureus. This type of boil may cause a fever or chills.
Pilonidal cyst -- This abscess is usually found in the crease of the buttocks . People who sit a lot or travel over long distances, like a truck driver, are more prone to getting this kind of boil.
Hidradenitis suppurativa -- This is when you have multiple boils that form in the arm pits and groin area and are associated with the sweat glands.
Why do we get boils? The most common cause is believed to be clogged sweat glands or hair follicles that become infected. It is also possible for a scratch or any other break in the skin to become infected and turn into a boil. Believe it or not, an ingrown hair can cause a boil. People with compromised or suppressed immune systems are more likely to get boils. That includes people with diabetes. Medications can also suppress the immune system -- especially cortisone, prednisone, prednisolone and medications used by cancer patients.
How to cure boils naturally? If you have been searching the Internet for information on how to cure boils, you probably found that most Websites recommend that you go to your doctor and be put on antibiotics. I think that's a bit radical when most boils can be effectively cured at home. If, however, after you have tried to cure the boil yourself, but it doesn't work, then go to your doctor immediately. Below are four natural cures you can try:
Turmeric -- Turmeric taken internally can help dissolve and heal boils in as little as three days. It has anti-inflammatory and blood purifying effects on the body. Just take one teaspoon of turmeric powder in warm water three times a day or buy turmeric in capsule form and take about 450 mg each day. You can also make a paste out of the turmeric powder and place it directly on the boil and cover it with gauze. Be careful as turmeric can stain your skin and your clothes. The stain on your skin will go away in about two weeks.
Tea Tree Oil -- Tea tree oil is a natural antiseptic that is able to help in the healing of all kinds of skin problems. All you have to do is apply one drop of tea tree oil directly on the boil everyday after bathing until it's gone.
Castor Oil -- Put some Castor oil on a cotton ball and place it on the boil. You will need to secure it with gauze or a band-aid. Castor oil will draw the poison right out of the boil and can heal it in as little as two days.
There are other remedies that I did not mention as I felt the three above were the best. Some other remedies are iodine, a paste made out of baking soda or you can take an epson salts bath.
Kathy Love is the creator and webmaster for http://www.natural-cure-remedy.com where she has compiled information about natural cures and remedies for various health issues.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kathy_Love
What is a boil? Another name used to describe a boil is a skin abscess, but basically it's just an infection deep in the skin. I like to describe a boil as being a really big zit because that's what it looks like. Below are several different types of boils:
Cystic acne -- An abscess that forms when the oil ducts become infected or clogged. This type of boil is found mostly on the face and primarily effects teenagers.
Furuncle or carbuncle -- An abscess of the skin caused by Staphylococcus aureus. This type of boil may cause a fever or chills.
Pilonidal cyst -- This abscess is usually found in the crease of the buttocks . People who sit a lot or travel over long distances, like a truck driver, are more prone to getting this kind of boil.
Hidradenitis suppurativa -- This is when you have multiple boils that form in the arm pits and groin area and are associated with the sweat glands.
Why do we get boils? The most common cause is believed to be clogged sweat glands or hair follicles that become infected. It is also possible for a scratch or any other break in the skin to become infected and turn into a boil. Believe it or not, an ingrown hair can cause a boil. People with compromised or suppressed immune systems are more likely to get boils. That includes people with diabetes. Medications can also suppress the immune system -- especially cortisone, prednisone, prednisolone and medications used by cancer patients.
How to cure boils naturally? If you have been searching the Internet for information on how to cure boils, you probably found that most Websites recommend that you go to your doctor and be put on antibiotics. I think that's a bit radical when most boils can be effectively cured at home. If, however, after you have tried to cure the boil yourself, but it doesn't work, then go to your doctor immediately. Below are four natural cures you can try:
Turmeric -- Turmeric taken internally can help dissolve and heal boils in as little as three days. It has anti-inflammatory and blood purifying effects on the body. Just take one teaspoon of turmeric powder in warm water three times a day or buy turmeric in capsule form and take about 450 mg each day. You can also make a paste out of the turmeric powder and place it directly on the boil and cover it with gauze. Be careful as turmeric can stain your skin and your clothes. The stain on your skin will go away in about two weeks.
Tea Tree Oil -- Tea tree oil is a natural antiseptic that is able to help in the healing of all kinds of skin problems. All you have to do is apply one drop of tea tree oil directly on the boil everyday after bathing until it's gone.
Castor Oil -- Put some Castor oil on a cotton ball and place it on the boil. You will need to secure it with gauze or a band-aid. Castor oil will draw the poison right out of the boil and can heal it in as little as two days.
There are other remedies that I did not mention as I felt the three above were the best. Some other remedies are iodine, a paste made out of baking soda or you can take an epson salts bath.
Kathy Love is the creator and webmaster for http://www.natural-cure-remedy.com where she has compiled information about natural cures and remedies for various health issues.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kathy_Love
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