Showing posts with label Health Care. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Health Care. Show all posts

Friday, September 4, 2009

Ring worm treatment


Pearl, you sound like an awesome big sister! Your little sister is really lucky to have someone like you watching out for her and helping her to learn about her own health. Taking her to the doctor AND making sure you understand the truth yourself is a winner combination. It sounds to me that you really are on the road to becoming a great Pediatrician
Infections by worms have been recognized since antiquity. Treating some of these infections was among the few notable successes of early doctors. Physicians adopted as their professional symbol a staff encircled by two worms. This symbol, the caduceus, is used to this day.
One of the more obvious worm infections was one which we today call cutaneous larva migrans. As the worms travel through the body just under the skin, scaly red lines mark their paths. These lines are actually inflammatory reactions to the worms.
A very similar skin finding, with raised scaly rings instead of straight lines, was also noted in antiquity.
This infection came to be called ringworm, since the worms apparently traveled in laps around a short circle, rather than in a wandering line. Ringworm typically lasted several months and then, thankfully, resolved on its own. The infection was known to be mildly contagious, but the worm itself was never seen. It was a great mystery.
Some people thought that the ringworm skin lesions looked rather like the holes made in garments by moths -- flat in the center, with a raised border. During the Middle Ages physicians began calling this infection tinea, the name of a common family of moths. Physicians added a descriptive word to the name to specify where on the body the infection was located: ringworm infections on the head were called tinea capitis, on the body tinea corporis, on the feet tinea pedis. They also had specific names for the same infection found in the groin, armpit, facial hair, or nails.
It was not until 1837 that the true cause of ringworm was found. A Polish physician looking at scrapings from the skin of people with ringworm identified a fungus (that he then massaged into his own arm!). Over the next several years, a number of investigators proved that what we call ringworm is always a fungal infection. This was the first time that any microscopic organism was ever proven to cause human disease. It has no connection at all with worms, other than the similar appearance of the skin lesions.
Fungi are tiny plants that survive by eating plant or animal material. The ringworm fungi feed on keratin -- the material found in the outer layer of skin, hair, and nails. These fungi thrive best on skin that is moist, hot, and hidden from the light. When this infection is found on the feet, it is commonly called athlete's foot; when it is found in the groin it is commonly called jock itch; and when it is found on the body it is still called ringworm. Up to 20 percent of the population has one of these infections at any given moment.
Ringworm is very mildly contagious. It can be caught from domestic animals (especially dogs and cats) as well as most farm animals. The infection can be caught from the animal directly, or from anything the animal rubs against (yes, Pearl, your sister could have gotten it from playing on the ground at the BBQ). Ringworm can also be caught from other humans, both by direct contact and by prolonged contact with flakes of shed skin (from sharing clothes or from house dust, for instance). Wrestlers commonly spread it back and forth with their sweaty contact (tinea gladiatorum!).
To catch ringworm, you have to be exposed to it and you have to be susceptible. Some people are much more susceptible than others. Those with eczema or other skin problems get ringworm more easily because the protective barrier of the skin's outer layer is less intact. Children are more susceptible before puberty. Boys get it more easily than girls. Some people are genetically predisposed, and can get it easily throughout life (like me!).
The treatment for ringworm is one of the many effective topical antifungal creams, such as miconazole (Tinactin) or clotrimazole (Lotrimin). Several of these antifungal creams are now available without a prescription. Treatment may require several weeks. Only by treating for at least one week after the resolution of symptoms (and for a total of at least 4 weeks) can one guarantee eradication. (Pets can be treated with the same medicines, but this is difficult, since they often don't get a rash with their infections. Contact your pet's veterinarian to get up-to-date information on the best treatment for animals). As soon as treatment has begun it's fine for her to play with others, but it's best not to share clothing or to let other children rub the patch of ringworm.
Rarely, when ringworm of the body is resistant to topical therapy, we use oral antifungal medications for about one month.
When ringworm is found in the nails or on the scalp the infection is much more difficult to eliminate. Prolonged treatment with a prescription oral anti-fungal medicine (as well as other topical medicines) is usually necessary. Scalp ringworm is a major cause of hair loss, and should be treated aggressively.
Pearl, I expect that your sister's patch of ringworm on her leg will clear up with the Tinactin. In the meantime, thanks for watching out for her!

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Best way to build muscle


Some individuals have an extremely hard time gaining weight and muscle mass. Millions of frustrated people search endlessly for the best way to gain muscle and increase their body mass. Diet, exercise, and supplements are the most popular methods used to aid in gaining muscle and adding weight. Individuals looking for the best way to gain muscle will benefit greatly by following a sensible diet and weight training regimen designed to stimulate the body by consuming the proper foods and building muscle tissue.
You must increase your caloric intake significantly if you want to gain weight. A diet consisting of plenty of protein and fats will give your body no choice but to gain weight. The goal is to give your body enough calories to build muscle, but not so many to cause a large gain in body fat. The best way to gain muscle is to force your body to gain mass by increasing the amount of food you consume and promoting muscle growth by training with heavy weights.
Weight training is the quickest way to build muscle mass. Weight training stimulates growth while the increased caloric intake provides fuel for the body to use in building muscle tissue. If you fail to consume the proper foods while training with weights, you will lose muscle rather than build upon it. You will gain muscle mass more quickly if you use free-weight exercises and lifting heavy weights. Your body will respond to this by building muscle.
Your body can be forced to gain weight and muscle if you eat correctly and train properly. The best way to gain muscle is to give your body the fuel and the stimulation it requires to increase your muscle mass.

Monday, August 31, 2009

Breast Enlargement Exercises

For this you will require a set of three-pound dumb bell.

Steps

1. Lie down on a mat. Hold one weight in each hand and extended your arms out at shoulder level. Raise both arms straight up together above your body, keeping your elbow slightly bent, so that the weights meet over your chest. Return the weighs out to your sides at shoulder height. Repeat the exercise 13 to 15 times.

2. Lie down on a mat. Extend your arms and hold the weights up in the air over your chest. Bend your elbows and lower the weights toward your chest, with your elbows out to the sides at shoulder level. Extend your arms straight back up over your chest. Repeat the exercise 13 to 15 times.

3. Take a weight in each hand, extend your arms out to each side and do 15 small, backward circles about a foot in diameter. Widen the circles slightly and do another 15, then repeat these two steps going forward.

Breast Enlargement and Breast Firm Exercises

Breasts contain no muscles but only fat cells, milk-ducts and glands held together in a web of soft connective tissue so by exercising you cannot increase bust size. Neither wills exercising directly reduces a heavy bust. This is especially true if your breasts are heavy if however you are over weight. A weight reducing diet combined with regular exercises will help you to reduce your weight as well as you bust size. Exercising however has several other advantages as well; it tones up the muscles on which the breast tissue lies. So if your bust-line measures less than what you would like then exercises would give you backup chest line firmer and a more prominent thus making your bust appear larger.

Pec Press: Using three-to five-pound weights, lie on your back, with knees bent. With your arms outstretched to each side, slowly bring your arms together, hold for one second and then slowly lower your arms again. Work your way up to three sets of 10 - 12 reps every other day.

Butterfly Press: Using two three to five-pound weights, sit on the edge of a chair with your back straight and arms at your sides. Slowly raise your arms to the side to shoulder level. Hold this position for a count of four, and then slowly return to starting position. Work your way up to three sets of five to seven reps every other day.

Wall ups: These are done by standing about two feet from a wall, facing it. Place your hands at chest level flat against the wall. Now, lean slowly toward the wall using your arm and chest muscles to control your motion until you have your nose against the wall.

Push back to your original position. Repeat this motion 15 times. To increase the effects of this exercise, when you reach the point of lean that stresses the chest muscles most (you'll feel it), pause and hold for a count of 10 or 15, then finish the motion.

Pectoral Push-Ups: Lie face down on the floor and raise up, as if doing conventional push-ups, but keep your forearms and elbows on the floor. Hold for thirty seconds. Repeat five times. Inverted Push Ups: Stand with your legs two to three feet from a wall and your palms on the wall. Slowly lower your chest to the wall by bending your elbows and then slowly push your body back to starting position. Repeat 10-12 times.

Useful Exercises for Bust Development: Breast Exercises

Stabdhasana:

Stand straight with your feet shoulder apart. Raise your arms to shoulder level, elbows bent so that your hands are in front of your chest and your elbows are the same height as the shoulder. Bend the wrist upwards slightly and spread the fingers of your hands. Imagine that you are pressing both hands against a solid object-hold the muscles of the hands, forearms, upper arm and chest region as tightly as if to rush the object you are holding. Focus your eyes in the space between your hands. Hold this position for 20 seconds, muscles as tight as possible, and repeat 3 to 5 times.

Dwikonasana

Stand straight with your feet shoulder apart. Extend your arms behind your back and interlock your fingers. This is the starting position. Bend forward from the hips, and at the same time, raise your arms behind your back as high as possible, without straining. Use your arms to accentuate the stretch to the shoulders and chest. Look forward with your face parallel to the floor. Hold for 30 seconds before returning to the upright position and relaxing your arms. Repeat 3 to 5 times

Sajah Stabdhasana

Sit in vajrasana (sit on your legs, with legs touching the ground), look forward and hold your arms straight on the sides so that they are in line at the shoulder level. Stretch your hands backwards as though to touch the back of the palms together. Keep your back straight and your head and neck in line with the body. Hold this position for 20 seconds and repeat 3 to 5 times.

Bhujangasana

Lie on your stomach with your legs straight, feet together and flat on the floor. Place your palms on the floor, below and slightly to the side of the shoulders, fingers forward. Point your elbows backward and close to the sides of your body. Rest your forehead on the floor and close your eyes. Relax your whole body, the lower back in particular. Slowly raise your head, neck and shoulders. Straighten your elbows and raise the trunk as high as you can, using the muscles of your back rather than your arms. Then use your arm muscles to further raise the trunk and arch your back more. Gently tilt your head backwards and look up. Keep your public bone in contact with the floor and raise your navel. Unless your spine is very flexible your arms will remain slightly bent. Hold for 20 seconds and repeat 5 times, gradually increasing the time that you hold the posture. bend your arms and lower your body to floor to return to the starting position.

Ushtasana

Sit in vajrasana. Stand on your knees and feet together (or separate if more comfortable), feet flat on the floor. If this is difficult, begin with the balls of your feet on the floor. Lean backward, slowly reaching for the right heel with the right hand and then the left heel with the left hand. Do not strain. Push your abdomen forward, keeping your thighs vertical, and bend your head and spine backwards as far as possible. Support your body weight using your arms and legs, and try to relax into the stretch. Hold in this position for 20 seconds and repeat 3 to 5 times, gradually increasing the time that you hold the posture. Slowly release the hands rom the heels one at a time to return to the starting position.

Sunday, August 30, 2009

Side Effects of Breast Enhancement Surgery


A large pair of breasts is a source of increased confidence in women. Men too love women who have appreciable breast size. That is why women with smaller breast size look out for options to increase their breast size; there are many options available for them including surgery, breast enhancement pumps, natural medicines and exercises. In this article let us find out which methods are best for your body as well as for your pocket.
Breast Enhancement Surgery
This is the most easiest way of having a large size of breasts but there are a lot of complications associated with it. First of all getting breast implants will cost you thousands of dollars and then there are side effects like problem in breast feeding, and in some cases women have experienced loss of sensation in their nipples and the surrounding area and yes implants are not permanent and not usually you will have to get the surgery done again after a certain time period. So looking at all these things it is advisable to opt for more natural methods than to go under the knife.
Alternative Methods
Aside from surgery there are also other methods which can help increase your breast size. Herbs like fenugreek and flax seeds are two very effective natural foods for increasing breast size. Increasing intake of fresh fruits and vegetables particularly green vegetables will also help in enhancing the breasts. Also doing lite exercises like push ups and dumb bell flies will help strengthen your breast muscles and in the process improving the overall look of your breasts and your overall personality.
Best Method
The best way to increase size of breasts is combining the intake of herbs, eating healthy foods and doing exercises regularly. If you follow this regime in your daily life not only will your breast size increase but your overall health will increase and people will start to appreciate your newly found healthy frame.
Finally what I personally feel is that it's not about having big breasts or small breasts, it's all about having a noble soul and people will automatically start to appreciate you. In natural medicine it is said that the purification of the body starts from the soul and it starts to reflect on your body. Be healthy.

Basic Tips on How to Get Taller


If you're very young and unfortunately you're shorter than your friends, most probably you ask yourself every day, what can you do in order to grow taller naturally?
It's normal to ask yourself that because the appearance-caused problems come with the age.
Even so, is very important to deal with a certain issue early in order to obtain the best results. Below, you'll find a list of tips that will help you overcome this situation.
1. You must sleep at least 8 hours per day.
During the sleep the body will lead the growth hormone to the parts that need it the most. This relation is very strong because better you sleep greater the dissemination. Not to mention that a good sleep will make wonders for your body.
It is very important to sleep well before making your special set of growing tall-exercises.
2. You must drink daily at least two glasses of milk (one in the morning and one in the evening).
In order to grow taller, your body needs Vitamin A, B2, D protein and calcium and all of these can be find in a glass of milk. Milk enhances the height and this theory has already been proven by scientists.
As you know, the Japanese people are usually short people, and that's why, in order to increase the height of the nation, the government started to convince the citizen about the importance of those two glasses of milk every day.
If you follow correctly the above mentioned tips you can grow taller naturally but as you can imagine, that's simply not enough. You'll need to find a great program and to follow it stringently if you want to obtain the best results. By doing that you'll know what you can and cannot do.
Remember it's very important to do all that at an earlier age because your age influences highly your body.

Post Natal Massage


Some pregnant mums have it easy. Yet others have to go through many hours of labour.
But one thing’s for sure. After the delivery process, many are just plain tired. In addition, having to breastfeed and nurse a newborn several times a night can be exhausting.
The new mum today does not have much time to rest and relax during her confinement period at home. She needs to get back to work pretty quickly and that means, facing added pressure to lose weight so that she can fit back to her office wear.
Post-natal massage therapy may just be the solution to her needs. Here are 6 top benefits of post-natal massage therapy:
1. Relaxation
2. Stress Relief
3. Relieves aches on shoulders or neck
4. Hasten the reduction of fluid retention
5. Help uterus to shrink to original size
6. Reduce cellulite and help to tone up the body.
In many parts of Asia, many women before delivery would in fact, prebook sessions with an Indonesian massage therapist for post-natal massage. The treatment is a traditional one which has been handed down several generations and even practiced today. This treatment involves the use of a massage oil applied to the stomach and a tummy wrap (bengkung), essentially a cotton cloth of several metres. The bengkung is used to wrap the body so as to push up the uterus, clear water retention, wind, spasm, shrinks the tummy and helps to reduce weight. Post-natal massage is usually done in the privacy of one’s own home.
For a mother that has delivered her baby naturally, it is generally pretty safe to go for a post-natal massage. For those that delivered by caesarian, be sure to consult your professional massage therapist or your doctor first. Most in fact, would recommend that you wait a few more weeks before proceeding with a post-natal massage.
Post-natal massage provides a sense of continuing comfort for the new mother. The aim of this massage is to give nurturing and emotional support as well as alleviate the muscle strain of labor and childbirth. Some post natal massage therapies also come with a detoxification ritual that rids the midriff of post birth bagginess.
In some instances, post-natal massage can bring about a much shapelier silhouette, compared to the one just before pregnancy!

7 Tips To Gain A Fit Body

Being a woman, it is very important to look great, have an attractive figure, and thus gain praise. A woman always wishes to look beautiful with a perfect physique. Having a perfect body is not only important to look great but also to remain healthy. Healthy and perfect looking body can be easily attained by following a few rules:
Eat Healthy Food
To remain fit, it is necessary that you intake healthy food only. Fat abundant diets must be avoided as these kinds of foods not only disfigures a person, but also are hazardous for health. With the intake of diets high in fat, blood cholesterol levels increase and invite a bundle of diseases.
For the attainment of a fit body, women adopt some specific diets. These diets include herbal diets like green tea and Acai Berry diets which are gaining popularity due to their effectiveness.
Targeted Workout
Figure out the problem areas of your body; the areas that need most of your attention. Generally, women get fat stacks around their waist. It is best to start with targeted areas workouts. When you will begin losing fat around the targeted areas, you will gradually start looking slim overall.
Time Keeping
Fix a time for workout that fits your daily routine. Try joining fitness classes so that you have a fixed time which will thus bound you to go for the daily workout. Otherwise, women are apt to become reluctant if they start doing workout at home. You must be completely dedicated towards the purpose of having a fit physique.
Monitor Weight
Weight monitoring is quite helpful in keeping up your fitness. It is the first place from where you can know that you are proceeding towards disfiguration or towards an unfit body. Body maintenance requires continuous hard work and surveillance.
Avoid Mistakes
Many people follow whatever they see others doing. It is a big mistake. Following others’ plans and strategies can be a mere waste of time as it is not necessary that what suits them must also suit you. Take guidance from a professional to begin with, and then carryon with what suits you best.
Avoid Myths
There are many fitness plans available in the market with the claim of helping you achieve the ideal figure by following them. Though it is not true that following only the diet plans can make your tummy tuck in. Other aspects also play their role. So, always keep in mind that you don’t have to buy anything claiming to be the right choice.
Sticking To Plans
Procedures of keeping yourself fit vary from person to person depending upon the BMI and body requirements. Some can achieve their goals by simply following a walking routine, whereas some have to follow extensive workout routine in order to match up with diet plans. Many people don’t get their desired figure just because they lose heart very soon. It is critically important to remain consistent in case you wish to attain a fit body. Women generally become inconsistent when they see no apparent change within a few weeks.
Louise J Brian

Tips to Gain a Healthy Body


Keep on Moving
Some simple tips to gain a healthy body. You need not be a fitness fanatic. If you can use all opportunities to move your body, in your every day life, that in itself would provide sufficient exercise for your body. Choosing stairs when you have elevators/escalators and stairs as choice, playing outdoors with your kids, doing your lawn etc can be good exercise for your body. These activities can keep your mind away from your daily problems and can act as a deterrent also.
Avoid Smoking
Remember that the Marlboro man had a miserable death from lung cancer. He did not find it romantic to die painfully of cancer. So do not start the habit. If you are a smoker, quit right now. This is one of the simplest tips in gaining a healthy body.
Reduce Fat
Try to stay away from fried foods as much as possible. Fast food items are to be used once in a blue moon only. Avoid red meat as much as possible. Use only low fat versions of milk products, mayonnaise, sauces etc. And try to eat smaller portions of food at frequent intervals.
Control Alcohol Consumption
A glass of red wine a day is good for our heart. Not more than that. If you drink too much, that will mess up your liver, kidney, pancreas etc.
Reduce your Exposure to Unhealthy Surroundings
Polluted atmosphere can wreak havoc in your health. Never go out jogging in a busy street with lots of polluting vehicles. Grow some trees in your yard and they can act as a deterrent against pollution to some extent.
Maintain Dental Hygiene
Regular flossing can improve the dental health and this will eventually help you live longer. Strong teeth is known to help their owners eat better and thus to live much longer than others.
Reduce Stress
Try to smile at your life. Keep on thinking about positive things in your life. Singing in your bathroom, walking in the woods, taking a hot shower, watching a funny movie, getting a manicure/pedicure, walking your dog, doing voluntary work etc can are some of the things which can help you significantly in reducing your stress level. Keep the company of people who make you happy.

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Tips for Taking the Fear Out of Forbidden Foods


The other day, I received a comment on my blog that really struck me: “It’s great that you allow yourself to enjoy a bagel. I’m too afraid to eat them.”
Sure, bagels get a bad rap for being full of unrefined carbs and scant on fiber, but being “afraid” of a specific food really confused me at first. It’s not like bagels are baked with poison! But the more I thought about this comment, the more it made sense to me.
Like many people trying to lose weight, I used to fear calories and fat. I kept a close eye on my calorie consumption and diligently recorded my workouts each day. While I never put specific foods in the off-limit category, I worried about eating too much of my favorites because my oversize portions were what led to my weight gain. And while losing weight is tough, it’s oh-so-easy to gain it all back!
I learned to stick with nutritional superstars like blueberries, spinach, and quinoa. It’s hard to be afraid of something that’s so good for you! And most importantly, I know that food does not make me fat—it’s the type of food and portion size that may make me gain weight.
forbidden-foods-bagel
(Getty Images)
Eat real food
It’s tough to feel anxious about a food that I know is good for me. Choosing wholesome, nutritious foods are always an easy decision. The thought of a fresh, crisp apple, for instance, never scares me!
Remind yourself that you’re in controlA big plate of buffalo chicken nachos can be intimidating. I know it’s easy to overdo it—especially when I’ve had a stressful day at work or I haven’t eaten since breakfast. And if I feel like I’ve already fallen off the diet wagon for the day, I know I may be tempted to continue to pig out. But knowing that I am in control of the situation helps me stop eating when I have had enough. A quick mental reminder before faced with “fearful” food typically does the trick! My plate method also makes me feel in control.
Pay attention to your tummy
If I choose to eat a less-than-nutritious food, I enjoy it without fear because I pay attention to my satiety cues. I eat my favorite foods in moderation, listen to my body, and stop eating before I am too full. For instance, if I want a brownie sundae for dessert, I can have one. I don’t fear it because I know I can enjoy a few bites and not eat every crumb in the bowl.

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Natural Nails


When you write down your shopping list, as you punch a phone number into your cell, while you wash dishes, do the ironing, clean the windows, or do one hundred other things that women do on any given day do you take notice of the condition of your nails?

Our hands are such an integral part of our daily lives, and constantly, we risk their health and strength, often without even noticing, because of the hustle and bustle of our day-to-day activities. Take a few moments each day, or at least a few times a week, to monitor the condition of your nails .the color, the texture, the appearance of ridges or white marks.

Make a greater effort to take good care of your nails, and you will be thrilled with the way they complement your wardrobe and your own personal style. Consider the following tips as a way to enhance the health and quality of your nails.

Great, Healthy Nails

    Apply speed-dry nail polish when time is of the essence.

    Drink lots of water. Keep your body hydrated everyday to maintain healthy nails.

    Fortify your diet with FDA approved vitamins or supplements. Your fingernails count on you to be responsible with your health and your diet. Unless instructed otherwise by your physician, increase your daily doses of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, calcium, folic acid, protein, Vitamin B12, and zinc.

    Touch up your manicure on a daily basis to prevent chips and cracks.

    Your nails depend on you to maintain a healthy diet. Take in lots.

Nail Polish tip;



    Finish with a clear topcoat to add gloss and sheen.

    Start with a base coat to strengthen and protect the nails.

    Store nail polish in the refrigerator to maintain a smooth consistency.

    Try not to store nail polish in a room that becomes cold. The nail polish bottles may break without warning, leaving you with a big mess.

To avoid breaking nails or brittle nails:

    Avoid using your nails as tools. This means no picking, scratching, digging, pinching, etc. You know who you are!

    Increase the amount of calcium in your diet.

    Use products containing alcohol, especially perfumed lotions, sparingly. These items can make nails prone to breaking.

    Wear rubber gloves when you do chores that involve continual submersion in water or contact with harsh detergents or chemicals.