Beat Depression With an Attitude of Service

One of the reasons depression gets such a grip on our lives, is that it's all about us. We may feel miserable and want to hide, but we are still at the center of our own little world of pain, and we may be more comfortable there than we care to admit.

As difficult as it seems, switching our attention to doing good for someone else pushes our depression to second place, and perhaps eventually out of our awareness.

But there are ego traps that can coexist with the idea of service. And if we want to appear helpful for the wrong reasons, it can just make us more resentful and depressed in the long run.

Find something you genuinely care about. All around your community there are people who need basic necessities, and agencies trying to meet these needs. It could be a soup kitchen, Meals-on-Wheels, or tutoring for people learning English. Rely on your own instincts to find somewhere that you will feel comfortable, and can provide the most help. Someone else's idea of a great way to volunteer may not be great for you.

Don't go looking for gratitude or reward. Serving people to boost your ego will do little to beat depression. Service is not about you. And that is what makes it such a freeing experience. Focus on who you want to help, and just forget about yourself for a while.

People in a food line may be truly grateful for a hot meal, but unable to express it. Many of them may suffer from some level of depression themselves, which has led them to the circumstances they are in. If you receive a smile from someone, know it is sincere, and be grateful yourself for your chance to do some good.

If you need some kind of feedback for the help you give, try an animal shelter. Animals have no pride to protect, and they let you know immediately how much it means that someone cares for them.

Start with your own family. As with any kind of caring, it needs to be focused on what people actually need or want, not what they think they should have. It is all too easy in our families to feel taken for granted by our spouses or children. So take stock of the things you do for them every day. Are you doing what matters to them, or to yourself?

Are you making yourself exhausted, for example, fixing big meals when no one is hungry, because you have an image of what a good mom is supposed to do? Maybe you really need to be a teacher, so they can learn independence. Or maybe what your family needs from you is your attention, or a listening ear.

Real service is about the attitude of giving. Feeling yourself part of a generous universe. And when you truly give from the heart you can discover the joy giving brings. The world becomes a much bigger and fuller place when it's not all about you.

Check out http://www.clearyourstress.com/beat-depression/ for more tips and great information on how to clear your stress and beat depression.

You'll also find many guided exercises and meditation methods to connect with your inner wisdom, and enjoy a balanced lifestyle >> http://www.clearyourstress.com/meditation-methods/.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Janet_Wolfe

The Spider Is Not Your Customer

The itsy-bitsy spider crawled 'cross the Internet
Cruising the websites to see what he could get.
Out came Google and Bing and ranked all the sites
And the itsy-bitsy spider went off to surf again.

In the days of my lost and misspent youth I worked in the wonderful world of retail. Specifically, I spent five years in store management. I managed stores in Riverside, CA, Laredo, TX, two different locations in Austin, TX, and my last store was in Plano, TX. Regardless of the demographics of my location, there was always one constant-contact with the customer.

In the modern era of Internet commerce many businesses have forgotten this seemingly antiquated idea as transactions become more impersonal and the focus turns toward Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Google page rankings.

Statistics say over 42% of Google users do not get past the first listing when they conduct a search and nearly 90% never get past the first page (top 10). These numbers make the importance of a well-organized and well-designed SEO campaign obvious.

Where many businesses fall short is the next step: What impression does your website make on the customer once they have clicked their way to your homepage?

Many companies have become so caught up in keywords, click-backs, and other SEO optimizers they forget it is the customer, not the web crawler, who will be buying their products and/or using their services. In short, the impression your company makes on potential customers is still as important as it was in the long ago days of brick-and-mortar businesses.

Writing for Humans

As a former retail worker perhaps I am hyper-sensitive to this issue. I cannot count the number of times I have clicked on a high-ranking link only to be disappointed by the content on the company's homepage. A poorly written homepage, regardless of how appealing it may be to the web crawlers, can turn a customer off as surely as a rude salesclerk.

What I have found is good writing and presentation are necessary to close the deal once the customer clicks through to your website. This is where the freelance writer comes in. By hiring a freelance writer your company can create a website which will appeal to both the crawler and the customer. After all, if those who visit your site do not end up buying your products or using your services, the investment made in SEO is money down the drain.

In addition, a professional writer is outside of your company. They see your company as a potential customer would and are able to use their skills to tell the world what makes your company unique. Many freelance writers also produce material for article marketing campaigns. Having the same person write your website text and articles for your marketing campaign allows for a consistent presentation of your message which will help develop your brand in the minds of current and potential customers.

Finally, since freelance writers are contract employees, you are not responsible for paying for vacation days, health insurance, Social Security taxes, or payroll taxes. You can hire on a job-by-job basis allowing your company to maximize benefits while minimizing costs. Many freelance writers value repeat business and may be open to negotiating a lower price per piece for a commitment on your company's part for specified number of jobs.

Nearly every company hires professionals such as accountants and lawyers on a contract basis to handle areas of their business for which the need of an on-staff employee is unnecessary and/or prohibitively expensive. The new healthcare law, set to take effect in January 2014, will dramatically increase the cost to employers of hiring full-time staff, thus making freelancers even more cost effective.

Therefore, it makes sense for your business to get on the freelance train now, before demand for (and costs of) freelance writers increases. Hiring a freelance writer to compose the text for your website as well as articles to help market your company is just smart business. Making sure the freelancer you hire can produce quality content aimed at the people who actually buy your products and/or use your services rather than writing solely to satisfy the search engines is even smarter.

Texas Freelance offers a Christian freelance writer who graduated summa cum laude from Dallas Baptist University with a Bachelor's of Arts and Sciences. He majored in Christian Ministries and minored in History. Currently, he is working on dual Master's Degrees in Christian Education and Theological Studies. He is an avid reader and student of history. You can find out more about Ken and his services by visiting his website:http://www.texasfreelance.com.

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How Losing and Gaining Weight Affects the Fit of Your Wedding Gown

Your wedding gown will probably be the most fitted piece of clothing you'll ever wear. And if you're like me, and your weight fluctuates all the time, it can be hard to maintain your weight exactly as it was when you got your dress fitted. So I'm going to tell you about the relationship between your measurements and your dress, and how they can get along.

I used to work at David's Bridal. When I first started out there, I fitted a bride who was easily a size -1, and she wanted her mermaid style dress to look like it was painted on. This is never a good idea for mermaid dresses. You need enough room in the hips to be able to bend, but this girl was hearing none of it. Even my boss couldn't convince her to keep it a little loose. When the dress was finished, she tried sitting down with it on and she couldn't. The dress wouldn't let her bend a full 90 degrees. Rather than admitting she was wrong, she said it was fine, and that she could just stand all night. Lesson #1: Make sure you can sit down. Even skinny girls can pop a zipper, and I often wonder if she did.

Another bride I recall had a ball gown with a tulle skirt. Tulle is a very light, airy material. To hem it you simply cut it, since it doesn't fray, which means there's no going back. The girl came for her second fitting and squeezed into the dress. She wasn't upset about the tightness; she was upset because the hem was higher on the sides than it was in the front and back... noticeably higher. She wasn't my bride, so I didn't see what she looked like at her first fitting. My boss whispered to me in the other room, "She gained weight." At David's Bridal, they take your measurements at the first fitting so that if you come to your second fitting and the dress doesn't fit, they can prove it's your fault if the measurements don't match. That sounds mean, but it's actually a good business practice since this happens pretty often when the lead times are 4-6 weeks. Now that I own my own business, I avoid this problem by getting my customers' dresses done in 2 weeks or less. Anyway, lesson #2: Your weight affects the hem. The tighter the dress becomes, the more the hem will ride up. Likewise, if you lose weight, your hem will drop lower and you could trip on it.

Another important thing to remember is that your undergarments will have a profound effect on the fit of your dress. By undergarments I'm talking about the bra, slip, shoes, and Spanx/shapers. Lesson #3: When you go in for your first fitting, make sure you're wearing all the official undergarments you plan to wear on the day of your event. If you change anything, you better believe there'll be a difference in fit. For instance, one time I had a bride come back for a second fitting and her halter strap was too loose. It was perfect to begin with, so we wondered what had happened. Well, I found out she'd changed from wearing no bra to a push-up. Now that her bust was properly supported, there was no more pressure being put on the halter strap, making it gap up behind her neck. This is something I wouldn't have even thought of had I not had this experience, so just be mindful of your underwear.

Quick lesson #4: Children grow quickly; you never know when they're going to have a spurt. If you are the mother of a flower girl or junior bridesmaid, I highly recommend you either the get the work done close to the wedding date or leave some room in the dress. A lot of junior bridesmaid dresses these days have elastic panels in the back, which is nice. Quick lesson #5: Don't come to your second fitting right after eating a meal. I would hope this goes without saying, but if you're going to do this, make sure your first fitting was right after a meal as well.

And now for a story with a happy ending: Four months before I got married, I decided to quit the job I was working and look for something more professional. Two months later, I accepted a job in a different state and moved 15 hours away from my fiancé, and my dress. I altered my dress to fit me before I left, and I knew in the back of my mind I was going to need to exercise in order for the dress to still fit when I returned for the wedding. Well, I didn't exercise. Moving to another state without my fiancé, and working at a company that had "Pizza Fridays" and birthday cake at least twice a month, I gained about 5 pounds in those two months. I was preparing myself to have to let the dress out just two days before the wedding. But when I tried it on, I was still able to zip it up. It was tight, but I could do it! Lesson #6: You don't have to completely stress out about your weight. Five pounds up or down probably won't hurt you.

You can save yourself and your seamstress a lot of grief by following these six lessons. If you're planning on losing weight for your wedding, be sure to let your seamstress know that ahead of time. When I'm told this, I usually schedule both fittings as close to the wedding date as possible, although this is not always possible with some alterations shops. Above all, be smart. I'm certainly not saying that all fit-related problems are the customer's fault. But you can make sure the liability is out of your hands by keeping this advice in mind.

Samantha is a life long lover of sewing and everything wedding-related. She owns a wedding gown alterations business in Wilmington, NC called "I Do" Alterations. Visit http://www.idoalterationswilmington.com for more information!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Samantha_Badders

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Regulations and Restrictions on Transporting Medical Supplies and Waste

Medical supplies and medical waste are among the many items transported over roadways. Just as the disposal of these items is regulated, there are guidelines and restrictions for transporting medical supplies and waste. Many medical supplies must be transported in special containers or environments. Medical waste disposal is regulated at a state level and the Department of Transportation (DOT) also has regulations in place.

Guidelines for Transporting Medical Supplies

Medical supplies can be temperature-sensitive, making it essential to maintain a refrigerated, frozen, or ambient environment during transport. To prevent damage, instruments and equipment must be stored safely and securely when being transported over the road. Safe storage also prevents transportation workers from being injured upon unloading this specialty cargo.

Blood, specimens, X-rays, and patient files are considered supplies by some healthcare facilities and are subject to regulation at a state, federal, or both levels. For example, drivers must be trained, tested, and qualified regarding blood borne pathogens and patient files and X-rays must comply with HIPAA privacy laws. Joint Commission guidelines apply to suppliers of medical equipment, who must be certified to fulfill this role.

Different Regulations for Transporting Medical Supplies and Waste

DOT regulations hold the shipper responsible for packaging hazardous materials, including regulated medical waste and infectious substances, when these materials are transported offsite. Employees involved with packaging and transportation must be properly trained and appropriately certified. Packaging guidelines include use of rigid containers and using inner packaging when appropriate.

Under DOT regulations, special rules apply to bulk and infectious substance packaging. Shippers should check with their state agencies to determine whether different or additional rules apply. The United States Environmental Protection Agency and the Council of State Governments also offer guidelines for state medical waste management. These include having a waste management plan, segregating and identifying medical waste, and ensuring that vehicles and their compartments are suitable for transport.

Monitoring and recordkeeping are part of most regulations and guidelines regarding medical waste and medical supply transport. It is important for the supplier, healthcare facility, and transporter to keep detailed records of transport and monitor the process to ensure that supplies or wastes are assigned properly and hauled to a treatment or disposal facility in the recommended manner. Transporters should have written methods regarding spill management and vehicle cleaning and disinfection. Complying with the most restrictive regulations ensures that all parties involve remain safe from penalties and other sanctions.

Do you need a medical courier service to handle your medical waste and supplies transportation? CapitalExpress.Biz is an approved medical courier and can handle all of your needs, from basic supplies to waste material. If you would like more information or want to contact us for service, please click here.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Monte_O'Hara

Flexibility: The Key to Pain-Free Joints and Muscles at Any Age

Every day at my medical practice, I see several people for different aches and pains due to arthritis, stiffness of joints, tight muscles, and combinations of these. They can be young men or women in their twenties coming in for severe low back pain, or retirees in their sixties bothered by their shoulders, hips, or knees, with limited movement in these joints.

What most of these patients need to lessen or overcome their aches and stiffness is more flexibility. When your joints and muscles stay limber and flexible, you can avoid or delay aches, pains, and stiffness. Doing flexibility exercises on a regular basis is the best way to keep your joints and muscles pain free.

Flexibility training involves stretching muscles, ligaments, tendons, and other soft tissues that are involved in movement. It limbers up joints and makes your every move smoother and more comfortable. It helps you get the most from cardiovascular and strength-training exercises. It makes everyday activities more pleasurable.

You may not realize that your body is instinctively programmed to do flexibility exercises.

When was the last time you arched your back after sitting for a while? How about tilting your head to the sides or back after watching a movie or reading a book? When you are bored or fatigued, the big yawn that you let out stretches your mouth to gulp in the air, stretching the big muscle of your diaphragm. This gives you a boost of energy.

These are all examples of natural flexibility exercises.

Choosing Your Stretching Pleasure

There are at least four systems of stretching exercise that you may want to consider:

• Sets of individual stretches: Most of us grow up doing sets of individual stretches. They include leg stretches for hamstrings, thighs, calves, and groin as well as upper body stretches for back, shoulders, arms, and neck.
• Yoga: Practicing yoga is another outstanding way to stay flexible. There are many yoga postures that promote flexibility. If you are a beginner, start with the more gentle stretches and postures. There are also advanced forms of yoga for strength-training and/or cardiovascular exercise.
• Pilates: In the early 20th century, Joseph Pilates developed a form of physical therapy combining mat work and machine exercises. Pilates focuses on stretching and lengthening muscles and improving postures with six principles: breath, concentration, control, centering, precision, and flow. It is low impact yet can be so vigorous that it too can pass as strength-training exercise.
• Tai chi: Walk into a park in China or Taiwan early mornings, and you will see people doing tai chi. Tai chi was originally developed in China as a martial art combining slow, purposeful movements and hard, fast moves for self-defense. There are several styles of tai chi, and it is now practiced worldwide, mostly for its health benefits. It improves balance, relaxes the mind, and calms arthritic pains. All of us can benefit from doing the soft movements to start, advancing to the more difficult styles if so desired.

Practice at least one of the flexibility systems described above. You can learn them from books, videos, or taking classes. Stretch at least three times a week and, if possible, every day.

Getting Started with Some Easy Stretches

Here are some easy-to-do stretches that you can do almost anywhere, even at work. Do the stretches at least three times a week for 10 to 12 minutes. Whenever possible, it is best to stretch every day, especially after moderate or vigorous physical activities.

Stretch for 10 to 30 seconds and repeat up to five times. Do it slowly, never sprinting into positions. Pay attention to how different muscles move, some relaxing and some being stretched. Feel the tension in the stretched muscle, and hold it with a low level of force. Again, it may be uncomfortable, but you should never feel pain.

Try to stretch at the end of your physical activities while your tissues are still warm. You can also do some stretches in the shower or after showering, when the circulation to the muscles is enhanced. If you want to stretch without prior physical activities, such as after sitting at a desk for a while, do the first few stretches of the same set even slower than normal.

Upper Body Stretches

• Head tilt
• Back stretch
• Upper body twist
• Shoulder stretch/shoulder roll
• Wrist (prayer) stretch

Lower Body Stretches

• Hamstring stretch
• Groin stretch
• Thigh stretch
• Calf stretch

Always check with your doctor before doing stretches if you have osteoporosis or a musculo-skeletal disorder.

Don't miss your opportunity to discover the secrets to defusing ticking health bombs that could be lurking in your body. It is possible to live longer & better. Discover what you need to do NOW to keep you & your family disease-free. Click here to learn how.

Zen-Jay Chuang, MD, is a primary care physician and Chairman of the Whole Health Alerts advisory board. Visit http://www.wholehealthalerts.com/free-reports to find out how Dr. Zen-Jay's biodynamic, cutting edge approach to ancient and modern medicine can help you achieve the best health of your life.

RE Health, Inc. 781-878-7114 100 Weymouth St, Bldg D, Rockland, MA 02370

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How Age Spot Remover Works

Age spot remover may work in several ways, depending on the ingredients. Here's a look at some of the common ingredients and what they do.

Arbutin

Arbutin is sometimes listed as bearberry or cranberry extract. It actually comes from the leaves of the plants, not from the berries themselves. The compound is one of several natural ingredients that have proven effectiveness for inhibiting melanin production.

Excessive melanin production is what causes the spots to form. The idea is that inhibiting melanin production will allow new cells to be produced that are lighter in color. Arbutin is an irritant and may cause side effects such as itching or redness.

Hydroquinone

Hydroquinone is a man-made chemical compound that is derived from benzene, a known human carcinogen. It works like Arbutin to inhibit melanin production. Like Arbutin, it can cause skin irritation.

If you had to choose between the two, Arbutin would be the best choice, because it has no carcinogenic activity. Hydroquinone is not available in some countries because of the possible cancer risks.

Nutgrass Root Extract

The effect of nutgrass root extract has not been attributed to a single compound. It does not contain Arbutin, but age spot remover containing nutgrass does inhibit melanin significantly; by as much as 41.4%. The big advantage of the extract is that it does not cause irritation. In fact, it is an anti-irritant that actually soothes the skin.

Coenzyme Q10

Coenzyme Q10 in a Nano-particle formulation can penetrate through the skin's surface and into the deeper layers. It is believed to be the nutrients antioxidant activity that works to reverse free radical damage in the skin.

In addition to reducing hyperpigmentation, the ingredient may also be beneficial for reducing wrinkles and other visible signs of aging. No side effects are caused by coenzyme Q10, although other ingredients in the ointment, cream or lotion could cause irritation.

Bioactive Keratin

An age spot remover may contain bioactive keratin to help promote the production of new skin cells. A melanin inhibitor would need to be included to provide fast results.

There is at least one cream on the market that contains nutgrass root extract, coenzyme Q10 and bioactive keratin. The three ingredients are likely to provide the fastest benefits. Some users have seen results in just a few weeks. No age spot remover can work instantly. But if you are consistent and you also try to protect the area from the sun, you should see results, especially if it contains those last three ingredients.

Gordon Hall is fervent about enabling you and everyone to live a healthy lifestyle, and is an ardent reviewer of Anti aging Sk1n Care and Cosmetic products. Visit His Website Now At http://healthy-natural-skin-site.com to discover which Anti aging skin care products Gordon recommends after far ranging and extensive research.

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Natural Remedies: Do They Work? If So, How Fast?

Natural remedies? Home Cures? Cureology? "Cure" + "Ology", literally means "the study of cures". What might work and what might not? Listen! This is a key construct to attaining your health without a lot of useless detours. Are you patient enough to look and look, or do you want to know what will work now?

Natural health solutions are all around us, but unfortunately many natural remedies are complete fiction, will not help you and may even hurt you. Other home cures are grounded in credible scientific principles as put forth by Mother Nature. Some remedies work way better than others. Which ones are they? Cureology is a method by which to help you get to the bottom line and find the best natural remedy solution fast. So, how does this work?

Cureology uncovers the best natural remedy information available from the world's scientific literature. The problem is that the internet and the published science screams INFORMATION OVERLOAD! So, a science based review is in order, followed by an explanation or summary in plain English.

We live in a "we want it all and we want it NOW" time. So, if you have a health issue, it stands to reason that you want it gone, and fast! If they are effective, just how fast do natural remedies and home cures work? Now, we all know that surgery can remove a "problem" (e.g. appendicitis or tumor) and it is over and gone, other than the "ouch" time recovery period. Along the same lines, if you have a serious allergic reaction, medications like epinephrine (e.g. EpiPen) can immediately prevent serious results and even avoid death. Can you expect the same?

What about another example, antibiotics? Well, it may not be "results in a minute", but in a few days the infection is probably on the way out or gone. For more chronic conditions, like diabetes and blood pressure, prescription medications can modify the symptoms and maybe get you out of immediate trouble (like avoiding a stroke if your BP was something sky high like 220/160). But what about natural remedies? How fast should you expect plausible home cures or a natural remedy to "work"? Remember, sometimes the tortoise beats the hare and is the better answer in the long run.

Natural Health vs. Pharma Health

Let's figure this out logically and scientifically. Clearly there are natural remedies and home cures that go a long way towards getting you back to health and keeping it that way. In that regard, we all know the concept that natural health is better than drug induced "sorta-health", at the expense of complications and side effects. Plus, as we all know, this "sorta-health" or "pseudo-health" is usually just masking symptoms and disasters, which may be necessary for a while, but is not where you want to be in the long run. So if you're trying to avoid prescription drugs, or trying to reduce your dependence on them or just want a natural remedy solution to your current health problem, when should you expect results?

What Goes Up Goes Down... Faster

Think about it this way. How long did it take for you to develop the problem? Are you having your first ever hay-fever attack or are you a diabetic with hypertension, which has taken years or even decades to progress. Or is it something in between, like starting to get indigestion a little too often or passing a kidney stone which has taken maybe a few months to form? The longer it takes for something to become a problem, usually the longer it takes to get to a lasting solution. That's not to say that you have to wait years and years to get your blood pressure under control naturally, but it won't happen in a few days either. If you are expecting such a result, then you are looking at natural remedies to be a natural "drug" and that is not what you really want. Why?

Natural substances that actually have the potency of drugs can be very dangerous as they are not purified and can have unpredictable major side effects, just like prescription drugs or worse. In some cases it is OK to use these, but only under the guidance of a licensed and experienced medical practitioner who knows how to balance the risk and benefit and keep you out of trouble. Keep in mind, that at the biochemical level, natural substance "drugs" and synthetic drugs are all still chemicals (i.e. small molecules that have specific actions on your body). You don't want to overdo it and try to fool Mother Nature's balance that was set up for your optimal health. Having said that, certainly some natural remedies and home cures act faster than others at normal non-pharmaceutical quantities. More on that in a minute.

Natural Health Naturally at Normal Speed

Looking at natural remedies from a non-emergency point of view, the best overall scientific data is for the medicinal and health promoting value of various foods. The reason? It's a more stable and long standing solution to supporting health. You can eat your way to good health, including appropriate supplementation for key micro-nutrients missing from your diet, but it will not happen overnight. Having said that, one can look at a seminal article published in the most mainstream of journals, JAMA, to see that even when you are really old and set in your ways a dietary program change can produce miraculous results. In this study, among men and women, 70-90 years of age, a Mediterranean diet showed a 50% reduction in all cause mortality. Folks, drugs that can do that simply do not exist! So, for longer term problems, like diabetes, hypertension, and other chronic degenerative conditions, diet and healthy lifestyle will go a LONG way to help you. But, don't stop taking your doctor recommended prescription meds overnight. Work with your doctor to reduce the need for these as you embark on healthier diet and lifestyle.

The Bottom Line

The longer it takes for something to get bad, the longer it will take to get it better. Again, you can mask the symptoms with either drugs or some higher dose "natural remedies", but that is the anti-natural health way to look at things and this approach can harm you. On the other hand, for simpler problems that come and go more rapidly, natural remedies can be effective and fast. Be the steward of your own health, but please don't try to be a doctor. Sometimes simple things are not so simple after all. Not seeking medical attention is a bad idea, but if simple problems are offered complex pharmaceutical drug solutions when a natural method is available, get a second opinion. These pharma quick fixes may be fine, and in some cases what you need to relieve a symptom fast, but if a natural remedy that is scientifically based is available it may be something to consider in prevention and natural health support. Assuming it is an effective natural remedy, the speed with which it helps depends upon the condition.

Discover what works, what doesn't, what is plausible and what is proven in natural health sciences.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steven_Vasilev

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3 Easy Steps For Prevention of Warts

While many people are out to look for the cure for warts, the wisdom of old lends us an infallible truth in the saying which goes thus; "prevention is better than cure." Many of the cases of warts infection can be prevented, thereby eliminating the pain, discomfort and embarrassment that accompany the infection. In this article, I will attempt to show you a few ways in which you can prevent yourself or your loved ones from having an infection.

Well, before I go ahead to show a few simple ways in which you can prevent you or your loved ones from contacting a wart infection, I will like to state the cause of warts and a few types of wart infection as not many people are aware of this. Warts is caused by a virus known as the Human Papilloma Virus (or simply HPV ) which is a group of virus identified as the cause of the deadly disease known as cancer. The Human Papilloma Virus currently has no cure but there are several ways of dealing with its resulting infections such as warts and they include surgery, exposure to some form of radiation and use of over the counter medication (OTC) especially in the case of warts.

There are different types of warts which include Planter wart which affects the sole of the feet, Genital warts which affects the genitals, Common warts which affects the face and various parts of the body among others. However, regardless of the kind of wart infection you have, a useful tip to control the infection is this; do not scratch the affected area! Yes, warts have the ability to spread rapidly when scratched so avoid scratching at all costs.

So here are three tips to help you or your loved ones prevent warts;

1. Inform your spouse of your condition and always adhere to safe sex. This is especially very important in the event of a genital wart infection.

2. Try to wash your hands often and with water and soap - This simple hygiene practice can help reduce your chances of contacting a wart infection.

3. Do not touch any warts infection - Whether it is on your spouse or friend, avoid contact with a wart infection as warts can spread quickly by contact.

As simple as these tips may seem, they could help you completely prevent ever bothering about having warts at any point in time since your risk is greatly reduced by religiously following them.

However, if you already have a wart infection and want to get rid of it as soon as you can, you should try using an over the counter medication like Wartrol. It has proved to be very effective over the years. Unfortunately, this is not sold in stores but can be purchased from the manufacturers site at a very affordable price.

I have a review of wartrol on my where to buy wartrol site which answers to " wartrol in stores?" question and I suggest you look it up before you buy.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dynast_Gideon

What Do Children's Ear Infections, Bedwetting, and Asthma Have in Common?

Chiropractic care has been active in the United States for over 100 years. The science behind chiropractic has evolved and studies have been able to prove comparison results between common medical care and traditional chiropractic care. Studies began producing conclusive evidence as early as the 1980's in regards to the positive impact chiropractic's has on children and their immune system, tissues, and neural health. Here are some highlights from various studies published in the chiropractic and medical communities:

-One study compared medical and chiropractic health care models, focusing particularly on ear infection rates in the children. 69% of the chiropractic group of children reported as being ear infection "free", while the medical children only reported 20% numbers. A 2004 study took 21 children with acute inflammation of the inner ear and bulging ear drums coupled with an internal temperature over 100 degrees F and applied chiropractic adjustments. Post adjustment numbers showed that the bulging ear drum was reversed in 95% of the children and internal body temp returned to an average of 98.7 degrees F.

-Bedwetting is an embarrassing accident for a child to have. Parents often worry that there might be a medical concern that needs to be addressed. Chiropractic adjustments have been shown to reduce the problem and in fact, often correct it all together. A 1994 study of 46 children received chiropractic care for a 10-week period. A quarter of those children receiving chiropractic care had 50% or more reduction in the wet night frequency, while none among the control group saw a reduction. A 1991 study took children with a history of persistent bed-wetting and they received eight chiropractic adjustments. Number of wet nights fell from seven per week to four. In a 1994 JMPT article, a study stated that the lumbar spine of an eight-year-old male bed wetter was adjusted once and at a one-month follow-up. There was a complete resolution of enuresis. "This happened in a manner that could not be attributed to time or placebo effect."

-Colic in infants is not only stressful on the child, but also the parents. In a small 1999 study tracking 50 infants medical versus chiropractic outcomes were compared for colic. Half received the drug dimethicone and the other spinal manipulation. At the conclusion of the two-week study, the babies being adjusted saw a 67% reduction in crying and the drug therapy group saw a 38% reduction. Another study of 316 infants suffering from infantile colic showed positive results with chiropractic care in 94% of the cases. The results occurred within 2 weeks and after an average of 3 visits.

-Suboccipital Strain (neck strain) from the birthing process was first acknowledged in the 1960's by Dr. Towbin. Since then several studies have been published including one in the 1999 Manual Medicine by Dr. Biederman in which 600 babies were treated for suboccipital strains. The main symptoms included torticollis, fever of unknown origin, loss of appetite, swelling of one side of the facial soft tissues, asymmetric development of skull, crying when the mother tried to change the child's position, and extreme sensitivity of the neck when touched. Most patients required one to three adjustments before returning to normal.

-SIDS, or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome has been a concern for parents and medical professionals alike. A study published in Forensic Science International 2002 followed 695 infants between 1 - 12 months of age who were given upper cervical (neck) chiropractic adjustments if they exhibited posture & motion disturbances in the upper neck. 47% of infants demonstrated a change in heart rate compared to control conditions. Apnea caused by heart rate abnormalities (often due to upper cervical vertebrae misalignments) are thought to contribute to SIDS deaths, leading the authors to recommend that newborns be evaluated for chiropractic adjustments.

-Asthma has become more prevalent in today's society than ever before. Parents of asthmatic children can attest to the negative side effects and impact it has on the child's life. Children themselves can articulate the challenges they face due to their asthma. Published in the Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research 1997, a study conducted was an impairment rating analysis of 81 asthmatic children before and 2 months after chiropractic care. Significantly lower impairment rating scores (improvement in symptoms) were reported for 90% of the subjects. In addition, 31% of the children voluntarily decreased their dosage of medication by an average of 66.5% while under chiropractic care.

These studies highlight just a few of the health concerns of today's children. They are a great example of the natural benefits that the chiropractic community can have on the younger age groups across the world. Beginning chiropractic care at the infant age level can prevent many common ailments and problems that could arise without. For more information, contact your chiropractor and ask them what other input they have for you!

To discover more valuable information, tips, articles, and more from Dr. Kristen, please join our free E-Wellness Community by clicking this link or visit us at www.TheBalanceDoc.com now!

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Who Should See a Chiropractor?

In today's day and age you can find chiropractic doctors in almost every city and town across the United States. The benefits of our practice can be experienced in every age demographic, societal bracket, gender and race. A core belief that a prescription cannot solve deep rooted health concerns, coupled with a naturalistic approach to healing and preventative care, enable doctors of chiropractic to have maximum impact on their patients overall health and success.

There are many readers out there that may not be as familiar with the practice and this article aims to fill in a basic understanding of what chiropractic doctors do.

Doctors of chiropractic are educated as primary-contact health care providers, with an emphasis on diagnosis and treatment of conditions related to the musculoskeletal system (the muscles, ligaments and joints of the spine and extremities) and the nerves that supply them. Educational requirements for doctors of chiropractic are among the most stringent of any of the health care professions. Typically, upon entering chiropractic school, applicants have already completed a bachelor degree with specialties in biology, chemistry, physics and psychology. Another four to five years of chiropractic study will be required before becoming licensed to practice.

The chiropractic adjustment (sometimes referred to as manipulation) is a manual procedure that utilizes the highly refined skills developed during the doctor of chiropractic's intensive years of chiropractic education. The chiropractic physician typically uses his or her hands--or like in my own practice, a gentle, small instrument--to bring alignment to the joints and bones of the body, particularly the spine, in order to restore or enhance joint function. This often helps resolve joint inflammation and reduces the patient's pain. Chiropractic manipulation is a highly controlled procedure that rarely causes discomfort. The doctor will adapt the procedure to meet the specific needs of each patient. Patients will often notice positive changes in their symptoms immediately following treatment.

Chiropractic care is widely recognized as one of the safest drug-free, non-invasive therapies available for the treatment of neuromusculoskeletal complaints. I have been asked by potential patients if there are risks or side-effects of chiropractic adjustments, and I assure them that the risks associated with chiropractic are very small. Many patients feel immediate relief following chiropractic treatment, but some may experience mild soreness, stiffness or aching, just as they do after some forms of exercise. Typically, that minor discomfort or soreness following spinal manipulation typically fades within 24 hours. When comparing the safety and side-effects of chiropractic care, it is important to note the risks associated with some of the most common treatments for musculoskeletal pain. Over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) and prescription painkillers are two examples, as these treatments may carry risks significantly greater than those of chiropractic manipulation. Here are some interesting facts to consider:

According to the American Journal of Gastroenterology, people taking NSAIDS are three times more likely than those who do not to develop serious adverse gastrointestinal problems such as hemorrage (bleeding) and perforation. That risk rises to more than five times in people age 60 and older. Regular use of NSAIDS results in about 200,000 to 400,000 hospitalizations per year. Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported that abuse of common prescription painkillers (such as oxycodone and hydrocodone) are among the leading causes of accidental death in the United States.

The natural approach to healthcare by Chiropractors seeks first to resolve health concerns and improve the body's ability to function without dangerous and sometimes toxic effects of over-the-counter drugs and prescription medications/painkillers.

Doctors of Chiropractic are especially well known for their expertise in caring for patients with back pain, neck pain and headaches. But you may not know that we care for patients with a wide range of injuries and disorders of the musculoskeletal system involving the muscles, ligaments and joints. These painful conditions often involve or impact the nervous system. The nervous system needs open lines of communication for the brain to communicate with the rest of the body systems and organ. The benefits of chiropractic care extend to general health issues as well, since our body structure affects our overall function. In my practice, along with many of my counterparts, I also counsel patients on diet, nutrition, exercise, healthy habits, and occupational and lifestyle modification.

Chiropractic adjustments are not only for adults. Infants, toddlers and teens can also benefit from properly alignment of the spine. I have had the opportunity to work with many young patients, my youngest being a week old! (In case you were wondering - my oldest patient to date is 90 years young). The incredible amounts of pressure that the child encounters during birth cause their first subluxation (misalignment) which can be easily corrected by gentle realignment of the spine. Setting the proper foundation for optimum spinal and nervous system growth enables the body to act as close to 100% functioning as possible starting at the earliest age.

Lastly, I often hear the misconception that once you begin chiropractic care, you must continue frequently visiting to maintain progress. Many patients chose to continue their chiropractic care beyond the initial reasons that first brought them into the office. The benefits of preventative maintenance and preventative care become apparent to most patients, and many of mine will visit (optionally) as often as once or twice a week. It should also be noted that many patients visit a chiropractor for pain or discomfort that has been happening for an extended period of time. The patients I see have usually exhausted many common medical responses and treatments. The extended amount of time that has gone by with a patient's spinal misalignment in place will not always be corrected permanently after the first adjustment. When it took your body a long time to become the way it currently is, it can take awhile to correct it! The spine can require frequent adjusting at the early and mid-stages of treatment to be effective and long-standing. It's similar to the concept of workout out at the gym... you don't go to the gym once or twice and look like Arnold Schwarzenegger. You have to train the body.

If you're seeking a natural, safe, and effective method of care to resolve your health concerns (or if you feel well, to improve your body's ability to function and prevent future problems) please visit a chiropractor today!

To discover more valuable information, tips, articles, and more from Dr. Kristen, please join our free E-Wellness Community by clicking this link or visit us at www.TheBalanceDoc.com now!

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How You Can Prevent Traumatic Brain Injuries

A traumatic brain injury can be caused by car or motorcycle accidents, assaults, falls and so on. In babies and toddlers, the most common cause is shaken baby syndrome. It can lead to problems with speech, walking and overall motor function, as well as cognitive deficits. There are several ways of reducing your chances of suffering from a traumatic brain injury and if you read on, you will be able to discover them.

You should endeavor to protect your head when engaging in risky activities like bike riding, skateboarding, skiing and so on. It is important to make use of a helmet that fits properly because research shows that those who wear helmets while bike riding lessen their chances of traumatic brain injuries by 80%.

Additionally, if you are minding a baby, you should avoid shaking the baby. You can take a break from a crying baby if the need arises so that you will not lose control and shake him. Parenting can be very challenging and it is possible to get overwhelmed at times. As a result of this, if you discover that you are losing your patience with a crying baby or child, you can step away in order to take a time out. During this time, you should take deep breaths and gain control of the situation.

When you are in the car, you should wear your seat belt and ensure that young children are buckled in the car seat. Car accidents can lead to traumatic brain injuries even if a car is travelling at a low speed. It is important to note that children under the age of thirteen should ride in the back seat and you should ensure that you drive a car with airbags, if you can afford to do so, in order to reduce serious injuries in case of any accident.

Furthermore, you should install lights near staircases in order to prevent falls. Young children and seniors are more prone to falls and every possible measure must be taken to get them prevented. You should fit bars and locks on windows to prevent children from opening them and bath mats should be placed in the bathtub to guide against slipping.

If you have a gun at home, it should be kept unloaded and ammunition locked. The gun should be properly kept away from the reach of children and it is important to go for a handgun safety class so that you will know the proper way of using it safely.

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Gaining Muscle - Avoiding the Wrong Foods and Working Out Right

In order to gain muscle, a lot of people simply head to the gym and start lifting weights - jumping from workout station to workout station and trying to figure things out as they go along - only to end up in a place where they are left wondering why the heck they are not gaining any muscle or getting ripped the way they would like. The mistake most of these people are making, however, is that they are not taking the time to learn about the foods they should be eating in order to gain muscle, the foods they should be avoiding, and the workouts they ought to be doing in order to maximize their results.

The first thing you want to understand, of course, is the foods you ought to be eating - and in addition to knowing the foods you should be eating, you are going to want to make sure you are eating them at the right times. As for 'the foods you should be eating,' protein is going to be one of the most important things of all for gaining muscle, as this is what your muscles feed off of. And in order to maximize your protein consumption, you should be packing in your protein as soon as you have finished your workout, aiming to get about 40 to 50 grams in you right away.

In addition to making sure you are getting protein, however, it is also important that you are avoiding the foods you should be avoiding. While most people understand that this means avoiding sugars, many people do not understand that this means avoiding breads as well! The carbohydrates in bread are turned into glucose by your body, and the body then stores glucose as fat - meaning that all breads you consume (yes, even if you are drinking lots of water!) will be putting fat onto you, instead of the muscle you want.

And when it comes to truly building muscles in your workout, the key will be understanding the manner in which your workouts should progress: you should be aiming for low reps at high weights if muscle building is your goal. In this way, you will push your muscles to the max! And after working out in this manner, you will want to give those particular muscles a break for a day before working them out again. So, for instance, you might want to work out your leg muscles one day, then rest those the next day while you work out your upper body!

Gaining muscle and getting ripped is not nearly as difficult as some people make it out to be. The key is simply understanding the right steps to take, and the right manner in which to approach your muscle building goals. When you are making sure to eat protein shortly after your workouts, are avoiding sugars and carbohydrates, and are working out with low reps and high weight - giving your muscles a rest after you have worked them out - you will be able to start gaining muscle the way you want!

Don't know how to gain muscle? Well look no further I'm here to help you gain muscle and learn some tips and the right diet have when gaining muscle. http://www.gainfastermuscle.com

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Gaining Muscle - With and Without Weights!

Okay, so you are wanting to gain some muscle - right? But the question becomes, what is the best way to go about doing this? If you start looking around for information on gaining muscle and getting fit, you will probably begin to find some great information that can help you along your way. One problem, however, you may run into if you do "too much" research is that you start to see conflicting advice. Some people will tell you to stay away from weights - and will, in fact, make compelling points as to why this is a great idea - while others will tell you that weights are the only way to go... and will present evidence that makes you feel this must be the case. And so the question becomes, which option is better?

The first thing to realize is that both sides are, in fact, correct, as working out with and without weights each have their place. However, in spite of the fact that each has its place, the "place" each has is different - which means you will want to know how what your goals are, and which option this means you ought to go with.

Are you wanting to bulk up? Are you hoping to get ripped, to a point where you are having to buy larger shirts than you've ever had before because your old shirts tear when you put them on? Well, it's unlikely you will be able to achieve this by working out without weights! In order to bulk up in this manner, you need to be hitting the gym, and you need to be working out with low reps and heavy weights.

If, on the other hand, you are wanting to go for that lean, "used muscle" look (that is, the sort of solid, toned body that appears as if it is there for practical purposes - think, for example, of a person who works on a boat and is always swimming places and pulling ropes and whatnot, and whose muscles are tight, taut, and practical-looking as a result!), putting yourself through regular, strenuous, non-weights workouts is the best way to go. Of course, you could also work out using weights, with low weight and high reps, in order to get this same look. But if this is the look you are going for, why not save the money it would cost to go to the gym, and instead work out at home (or better yet, outside!).

And no matter what sort of workouts you are conducting - or what sort of look you are going for in your workouts - it will be perpetually important to remember this simple fact: what you eat is going to have as much to do with the way you look (and with how effective your workouts are) as the workouts themselves! Eat healthy, live healthy, and build your body to a point where it is finally looking the way you have long desired for it to look.

Don't know how to gain muscle? Well look no further I'm here to help you gain muscle and learn some tips and the right diet have when gaining muscle. http://www.gainfastermuscle.com

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Never Too Old To Exercise

The word is out that we live in a very youth oriented society. That may well be true when it comes to fashion and many other things but it is not true when it comes to exercise. Thankfully there are hundreds (thousands actually) of examples of people who are continuing to exercise into their 80's, 90's and beyond. They realize that they do not have to spar with a punching dummy every day or grab a gym bag and head to a sports facility in order to make exercise a part of their lives. They just find something physical that they enjoy and do it. They swear that it keeps their spirits young and is good for their bodies too.

An amazing Indian man named Fauja Singh recently completed what he says will be his last marathon even though he will continue to run "on his own" daily. There are some amazing statistics about this man. He didn't even start walking until he was five years old because of weakness in his legs. Currently, Singh is 102 years young. He didn't start competing in marathons until after his 89th birthday and did so as a way to combat the depression that engulfed him following the death of his beloved wife and one of his sons. He runs daily. Can you imagine someone his age running daily when many people twenty and thirty years his junior are vegging on their sofas being entertained by mindless television with their only exercise getting up for food or to go to the restroom. Singh doesn't claim any "secret" or magic formula for his commitment to exercise. He claims that it was what "brought him back to life" and allowed him to reconnect with the business of living after so much sadness and turmoil had darkened his days. He credits running with saving his life and gives the following advise to anyone who cares to hear it. "Laughter and happiness is what life should be about, that's your remedy for everything". He shows wisdom even beyond his numerous years - you just have to love that man.

Singh provides an example that more of us should follow. Some estimates put the number of people between the ages of 65 and 74 who do not exercise as 3 out of 4. That is an alarming and sad statistic especially since it has been proven that exercise is exactly what is needed to ward off many of the problems that come about with aging. While there seems to be a rather pervasive attitude of "being too old, or too tired or too sick" to exercise by many seniors, it should be included in the lives of nearly all of us regardless of age. Chhandra Dutta PhD. Who serves as the Chief of Clinical Gerontology Branch of the National Institute On Aging advises seniors to exercise as a way to prevent bone loss, improve balance and coordination, lift your spirits, boost your memory, and ease symptoms of many chronic conditions. These are improvements almost anybody would like to see.

What, then is keeping older people from making exercise a part of their daily lives? For many it may be because they have never found it to be an important part of life for them even when they were younger and feel that it's useless to try to incorporate it now. The facts, however, do not support that thinking. We see evidence that it is never too late to begin an exercise routine. Start slowly. Find something that feels right for you or that interests you and set a date to begin - the sooner the better. Like Fauja Singh, you may find that it will give you a completely new lease on life.

Nancy Smith is one of the owners of RobbinsSports.com, an online retailer specializing in basketball backboards and punching dummies.

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Selecting A Basal Body Thermometer - 5 Things To Look For

A basal body thermometer is an invaluable tool to have in case you are trying to have a baby. It measures your basal or resting temperature which is supposed to increase after you ovulate. This helps you identify your fertile periods with a great degree of accuracy so that you can increase your chances of conceiving a baby. This thermometer is different from a regular thermometer because it provides a very accurate reading with very slight variations. There are quite a few of these thermometers available in the market these days which makes it quite difficult to choose the right one. The following tips will help you select the best basal body thermometer:

1. Choose a thermometer that gives very accurate readings. You cannot afford to have any mistakes when it comes to measuring your temperature since this is necessary to predict your fertile period. A digital thermometer is generally very useful because it provides readings that enable you to detect very slight variations (upto 1/100th of a degree).

2. It should work quickly. A thermometer that gives results with a minute is naturally preferable to one that takes 2 or 3 minutes to give a reading.

3. It should give its readings in Fahrenheit or Celsius, depending on what measure you are comfortable with. Using a measure you are unfamiliar with can lead to mistakes.

4. Look for useful features such as large screen, preferably backlit, and memory recall. A beeper is another useful feature without which you will have to keep an eye on your watch. Since you are expected to measure your temperature fairly early in the morning, these features will come in use. Memory recall is especially convenient since it enables you to go back to sleep after taking your temperature without even having to switch on the lights in your bedroom.

5. Check its affordability. It is always preferable to buy an affordable basal body thermometer as long as it comes with the features that you want. Keep in mind that glass thermometers are less convenient to use in most regards but they are quite affordable.

As you can see, there are quite a few features to be considered when selecting a basal body thermometer. Make sure that you study the pros and cons of each thermometer you come across before you select any particular one. This will enable you to keep a close watch on your ovulation and hopefully help you get pregnant soon.

Get useful tips on how to select a basal body thermometer. The right thermometer will enable you to get pregnant soon.

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Your OBGYN Is On Your Side

Women's healthcare is a complicated area of medicine. They have a whole set of special needs that no other people have. A doctor that specializes in women's health is called a OBGYN. These doctors are trained to help women with their medical needs from adolescence to pregnancy to menopause.

The term OBGYN is short for obstetrics and gynecology. These are both surgical-medical specialties that deal with the female reproductive organs. These doctors are trained to care for women who are pregnant as well as provide overall care for women who aren't pregnant. It is important for a woman to find a compassionate and skilled doctor that makes them feel at ease. Women have to undergo some uncomfortable procedures as part of their routine healthcare and it helps to have a physician who can keep you relaxed during your appointments.

An OBGYN office should be a stress-free environment where women feel comfortable going for annual exams, consultations and health screenings. Once a woman finds out she is pregnant she can plan on spending quite a bit of time at her doctor's office. The environment in the office should be a comfortable one for all family members since fathers and children often accompany women to their appointments. Family members often have questions and concerns that they want to discuss with the doctor during those appointments.

A woman's OBGYN will be the person delivering her child so she wants to be comfortable and confident with that person. From the time a woman goes into labor, throughout delivery and into recovery the doctor will be there every step of the way. In some cases women may experience an emergency situation during childbirth and their doctor is trained to deal with those situations as well. There are conditions other than pregnancy that these doctors deal with. All areas of pelvic and cervical health are also managed by these types of physicians. Routine yearly exams, cancer screenings and pap smears are also performed on a regular basis. They also deal with medical concerns regarding birth control, mammograms, menstrual and menopause issues.

Women's healthcare is a multi-faceted specialty that requires extensive training as well as a great amount of compassion. Physicians are required to complete a residency after they complete medical school, and some doctors pursue even more training so that they may pursue a sub-specialty such as family planning, maternal-fetal medicine or reproductive endocrinology and infertility.

It is a good idea for every woman as well as adolescent girls to be under the care of a skilled OBGYN. Many women tend to stay with the same physician for years so establishing a good relationship with their doctor is extremely important. A woman should feel comfortable enough with her physician to discuss any medical concerns or symptoms she may be having. There are many subtle symptoms that can lead to much bigger health concerns down the road. It is important for women to remember that their physician is a member of their medical team and one who is on their side.

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Cervical Spondylosis: Symptoms and Treatments

Neck pain is a common complaint experienced by many and is often the result of ageing. This is due to our cervical spine degenerating due to age, resulting in arthritis in the body. When arthritis happens in the neck, it is called neck arthritis or medically known as cervical spondylosis. One important thing to note is that cervical spondylosis is often non-life threatening. In this article, we will discuss about the causes, symptoms and treatments available for cervical spondylosis.

Causes

As we age, degeneration occurs and the interverterbral discs located between our spinal disks will start to lose its moisture content, reducing the shock absorption abilities. When this occurs, it causes the collapse of disk spaces as well as the shortening of the disk space. With a poor shock absorption capability, wear and tear will cause the cartilage to wear off rapidly, resulting in a direct abrasion between bones. The body will not allow for this to happen and thus, it begins to grow new bones. Over a period of time, bone overgrowth or bone spurs will occur and this will cause stenosis.

Symptoms

Different people will experience different sets of symptoms ranging from mild to severe. It can get worse from simple actions such as lifting your head up. Some common symptoms include experiencing pain and stiffness in the neck which gets amplified through actions, numbness in the arms and hands which is an indication of nerve injury, muscle spasms and migraines. It can get better with rest or medication.

Treatments

Treatment is classified into 2 groups namely surgical and non-surgical with the latter being preferred. Non-surgical treatments include physiotherapy and medication. Physiotherapy aims to strengthen the already weak muscles and correct the body's posture. It is often scheduled thrice a week for at least 8 weeks. Sometimes, medication will be prescribed to help combat inflammation and reduce pain to a tolerable level. Acetaminophen, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and muscle relaxants are the usual few to help to control pain.

Surgical treatments are often the last resort and are reserved for those who are suffering from extreme pain and no other non-surgical treatments are able to help at all. This is due to the high risk involved in the surgery and the high cost involved, which makes it almost impossible financially for many. Surgical procedures such as spinal fusion, foraminotomy and laminectomy are commonly performed to either reduce the pressure off the spine or remove the excess bone spurs.

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Tips on Getting a Great Haircut the Next Time You're in the Salon

You may not realize it, but you and your hair stylist have a lot of things to take into consideration at your next appointment. A good stylist asks questions and strives to give you a look that highlights your beauty and helps you look your very best. You have the power to make the most of your appointment and get a flawless look you can feel great about. Here are a few tips to make your next haircut a great one.

First and foremost, talk to your stylist about what kinds of styles you like. Most salons have everything from celebrity magazines to salon-exclusive books that highlight countless styles, ranging from classic looks that have lasted for decades to trendy styles that only the most fearless women could try. Do your research beforehand and bring reference pictures into the salon. Tear out magazine pages or print photos off the Internet that showcase celebrities or models with styles you love. Even if you know the cut isn't quite right for you, you'll be giving your stylist critical info on what kinds of looks you're drawn to, which can ultimately influence the type of cut you get.

Another big factor to consider is what kind of daily styling you're willing to do. Some women have no problem spending 45 minutes blow drying and styling their complicated hairdo to perfection, while others are looking for a more carefree style that requires minimal effort. Be honest with your stylist about the time and energy you have for hair styling every day so you can keep your hair looking as gorgeous as your stylist does instead of lamenting over too many bad hair days.

Another important factor you and your stylist will need to consider when planning a new haircut is face shape. The right cut can make you look slimmer or take attention off parts of your face that you don't like very much, benefits not many women would be willing to turn down. Women with rounder faces benefit from an off-center part and layers. And if a bob is on your wish list, choose a choppy style to shift the emphasis from rounder cheeks to your gorgeous hair. If you have a longer, more oval-shaped face, classic cuts, including bangs at the brow or long hair with a center part, will complement your shape. A super-short bob with interesting bangs or a tousled shoulder-length cut are two popular choices for women with square faces, while women with heart-shaped faces shine when they're sporting a deep part and wavy hair.

Whether you've had the same haircut for years or like to mix up your style more frequently, there's no reason to settle with so-so hair that leaves you wanting for more. Talk to your stylist about trying something new and getting a look that you will love.

Looking for a new haircut? New Orleans women can go to Salon Du Beau Monde get the style they want. Find out more by visiting: http://salonbeaumonde.com.

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Beware of Heat Illness This Summer

Summer is half over, but we can still get hurt from heat illnesses if we do not take caution. Everyone is different, and so are our body types and the ways our bodies function. There are three categorizes that heat illnesses are classified into which is: heat cramps, heat stroke and heat exhaustion. Age, pushing your body over its limit, lack of sleep, exposure to hot weather, health conditions, stimulants, drugs, are several factors that can cause you heat illnesses.

The average person's body has the ability to cool itself. So as the climate around your body changes, so does the temperature of your body as it sweats and separates the body heat from the circulation of your skin. But when you are getting dehydrated, your body is sweating and you feel exhausted, nauseated, and suffer from headaches and muscle cramps. Thus you are not able to perform well in tasks. These are all signs of dehydration and there are many ways to prevent from getting dehydrated. (Carrying a water bottle is always handy and it's a good way of keeping you refreshed all the day.)

Heat Cramps

Heat cramps occur when your body gets little amount or too much fluid which decreases the level of sodium (salt) in your body. Two common mistakes a person can make are that he can be lacking water and does not have enough fluids in his/her body to make up for the amount it lost. While others can have too much water, and not replace that water and balancing it out with a mix of sports drinks. The same way you can tell you are getting dehydrated is the same for getting heat cramps.

Heat Stroke

This is the most dangerous kind of heat illness because it happens when your body cannot cool off quickly enough. This occurs when your body couldn't separate the heat and your body temperature increases. Your heart rate also increases rapidly while your blood pressure decreases. One way to treat your body after a heat stroke is to immerse your body in cold water.

Heat Exhaustion

This basically means being dehydrated, experiencing fatigue and lacking the capability to finish or perform tasks. Signs of heat exhaustion include extreme thirst, muscle cramps, weakness, headaches, and you may lose blood pressure which can cause you to faint. You should be aware of the weather, especially if you're an athlete and should use sunscreen/hats/visors to prevent the sun from hitting you directly. You should also drink lots of water, carry a water bottle around, eat healthy meals, wear light clothing, and take breaks during the training/activities.

Athletes or those on training should remember to follow a fluid schedule. Additionally, they should not wear layers of clothing, eat well proportioned meals every day, should not miss out on sleep. Rest should be taken between the activities, and they remain hydrated but stay away from beverages that contain alcohol and caffeine. The right amount of water and sports drinks mix during also be taken, which should be ½ for both beverages.

Summer is so short, and while we enjoy outdoor activities and keeping an active lifestyle we should always be aware about heat illnesses that could take the fun away, and are dangerous to our health.

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