Nail Fungus Complications

Nail fungal infections can be painful and may cause permanent damage to your nails. They may also lead to other serious infections that can spread beyond your feet if you have a suppressed immune system due to medication, diabetes or other conditions.Fungal infections of the nail pose the most serious health risk for people with diabetes and for those with weakened immune systems, such as people with leukemia or those who've had an organ transplant. If you have diabetes, your blood circulation and the nerve supply to your feet can become impaired. Therefore, any relatively minor injury to your feet — including a nail fungal infection — can lead to a more serious complication, requiring timely medical care. See your doctor immediately if you suspect nail fungus.

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What Causes Tooth Staining?

 

Age: There is a direct correlation between tooth color and age. Over the years, teeth darken as a result of wear and tear and stain accumulation. Teenagers will likely experience immediate, dramatic results from whitening. In the twenties, as the teeth begin to show a yellow cast, teeth-whitening may require a little more effort. By the forties, the yellow gives way to brown and more maintenance may be called for. By the fifties, the teeth have absorbed a host of stubborn stains which can prove difficult (but not impossible) to remove.

Starting color: We are all equipped with an inborn tooth color that ranges from yellow-brownish to greenish-grey, and intensifies over time. Yellow-brown is generally more responsive to bleaching than green-grey.

Translucency and thinness: These are also genetic traits that become more pronounced with age. While all teeth show some translucency, those that are opaque and thick have an advantage: they appear lighter in color, show more sparkle and are responsive to bleaching. Teeth that are thinner and more transparent – most notably the front teeth – have less of the pigment that is necessary for bleaching. According to cosmetic dentists, transparency is the only condition that cannot be corrected by any form of teeth whitening.

Eating habits: The habitual consumption of red wine, coffee, tea, cola, carrots, oranges and other deeply-colored beverages and foods causes considerable staining over the years. In addition, acidic foods such as citrus fruits and vinegar contribute to enamel erosion. As a result, the surface becomes more transparent and more of the yellow-colored dentin shows through.

Smoking habits: Nicotine leaves brownish deposits which slowly soak into the tooth structure and cause intrinsic discoloration.

Drugs / chemicals: Tetracycline usage during tooth formation produces dark grey or brown ribbon stains which are very difficult to remove. Excessive consumption of fluoride causes fluorosis and associated areas of white mottling.

Grinding: Most frequently caused by stress, teeth grinding (gnashing, bruxing, etc.) can add to micro-cracking in the teeth and can cause the biting edges to darken.

 

Trauma: Falls and other injuries can produce sizable cracks in the teeth, which collect large amounts of stains and debris

Nail Fungus Infections: A General Overview –Part 2

Nail Fungus Infections: A General Overview –Part 2

Nail fungus infections are caused by various factors. It is easier for the nail to get infected when an individual is injured and when the shoes are so tight to the extent that the hoes pinch the person. It is very easy to get and contract nail fungus and it common among those who have sweaty feet, share bathrooms, swimming pools, showers and locker rooms. Also people who do a lot of standing and are on their feet frequently as in the case of runners, athletes and dancers. If an individual also has a history of athlete’s foot, has manicure and pedicure in places and salons where they do not take care of their nail files. It is also common among those who are about sixty five years old and above and people who have diabetes and other forms of circulatory diseases.It is easy to spot the incidence of nail fungus infection. This is noticeable in the color of the fingernail or toenail which becomes yellow, yellow –green or green.

Followed by the nails getting flaky, smelly nails particularly the toe nails. The nails may also collect debris under them. This is also backed by the thickening of the toenails making the shoes tight, painful, and difficult to walk or stand. Therefore, an individual who has all these symptoms would do well to see a doctor as soon as possible as it is possible that when the infection is not attended to and treated well, it will result in a worsened condition of the infection.If you’ve got all of these symptoms, then a diagnosis is in order and you need to see a doctor in the shortest time possible. If the doctor finds that you indeed have a nail fungus infection, then he’ll recommend what to do in the form of treatment options.

There are varied treatment methods that you can opt for. First on the list is oral prescription. These are oral suspensions taken by the patient to cure the infection. In cases where the toenail is infected, this form of treatment lasts just twelve weeks. Because it is an oral suspension, it works by absorption through the bloodstream only to be deposited under the nails where it attacks the fungus.

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Dry Skin Care

Dehydration is the loss of water in the body, sometimes severe enough to cause shock since the human body is composed of seventy five percent water. To address this problem you first need to know its main cause. Several factors like the environment, weather, health situation, or lifestyle is making the skin dry. Some of them are easily remedied and others will take more time and effort.

Unnatural air conditioning from home or office heating and cooling systems keeps the air dry by removes moisture from your skin. Room humidifiers can be employed to keep air moist. Humidifiers can also be installed on the home furnace to help retain moisture in the atmosphere of the home. Installing such can be a bit expensive but helpful in avoiding dry skin especially in places with dry climate such as the Midwest states. A helpful tip in keeping the house humid is to fill several pots with water and place it in strategic places in the house. They need to be refilled when the level of water becomes low.

Living in a dry climate, such as Colorado, Alaska, Utah, Arizona, and elsewhere. You can't make the air outside more humid, but you can use humidifiers indoors. Fill a pottery crock with water and place several around your house. Refill when the water has evaporated.

Excessive use of exfoliants can also dry out the skin, making it reddish and rough. Treatment is just to decrease the frequency of use of the exfoliant. Use scrub exfoliants with polyurethane beads or cornmeal since this does not dry out the skin. Also, the excessive use of topical medications prescribed for the skin like Retin-A and hydroquinone can also cause inflammation of the skin. Use should be cut down to every three days until the skin becomes normal.

Overuse of topical prescription medications for skin, such as Retin-A, benzoyl peroxide, or hydroquinone. They can make the skin dry, red, and inflamed. Cut back on use to every other day or every third day until your skin normalizes and redness is healed.

Before using any skin care product on yourself, you should try to consult a skin expert or a certified skin technician. Since there are a lot of skin care products in the market today, you should always test what will work best on your skin. If it feels too dry or flaking occurs, then it probably isn't the best product for you. Foundations used either powder or fluid, should nourish the skin, and not cause it to dry up. It will help to know the type of facial skin you have, if either oily or dry, to be able to choose the right foundation for your skin type.

Using foundation or powder that is too drying for your skin. If your skin feels tight at midday, consider switching your foundation or powder to one with more moisture and less oil absorption.

Salon treatments are a delight to indulge in. But too much of a good thing can lead to its destruction. Treatments at a salon should be done every six weeks, at the least, especially for skin peels. Consult your aesthetician for suggestions on the proper skin regimen for you. There are several medications that can lead to dehydration. If these medications are not really necessary for your body, like if it is just a supplement and not for the cure of an underlying illness, then stop using it. If this is not possible, then just try to avoid other causes of skin dehydration.

Some illnesses can also lead to skin dehydration like flu, and cancer. Flu discourages water retention thus leading to dehydration. Cancer treatments, like chemotherapy and radiation treatments can also dehydrate the skin. The best thing to do is to keep your skin hydrated even when sick by drinking lots of fluids.

Travel by plane can also cause your skin to get dehydrated. Since the cabin air is drier, especially at a height of thirty thousand feet, moisturizer should be applied before the plane takes off. Spritzing your face with a toner solution that contains humectant or much simpler, purified water, can help moisturize your skin during flights.

Pollution also plays a role in skin dehydration. You can either opt to stop pollution or just take care of your own skin by following the proper and prescribed skin regimen for you regularly.

Drinking alcohol also leads to dehydration since alcohol is a diuretic. Diuretics draw water from the body, and lower the water level in the body. A hang over is usually the result of dehydration of the body. If you are prone to dry skin, alcoholic drinks should be avoided. Smoking also produces the same effect on the body. Even if you are just the recipient of second hand smoke, it can still cause dehydration. Therefore to avoid dehydration, stop smoking.

Smoking. Smoking dries out the body both internally and externally. This affects both smokers and people subject to second hand smoke. The only solution is to stop smoking.

Drinking sodas, either the regular kind or the diet ones can result in dehydration. These types of drinks have sodium as their ingredient which causes acidity. Avoid sodas and increase your intake of purified water. Carbonated water has dissolved carbon dioxide in its composition, which is also highly acidic, so avoid other bubbly drinks as well.

A good sleep during the night helps greatly in maintaining moisture in the skin. At least six to eight hours of sleep is needed for the body to function at its peak. Avoid eating starches, white sugar, junk food, french fries, and potato chips since this may also lead to skin dehydration. There are still several causes that may lead to skin dehydration, all of them seen in our daily routine. If only people are aware of this, then complaints of dry skin can be avoided. Our modern and carefree lifestyle contributes to this skin condition. It is only by changing our regular habits that we can avoid having dry skin. After changing our lifestyle and environment, here are several tips on how to take care of your skin

The Most Effective Way For Women To Burn Body Fat

Most women at some point want to lose weight in their lives. If you fall in to this category right now, then you’ve made up your mind that you need to eat a little healthier, and you need to exercise a little more. Exercise is so broad though… what is your game plan? To walk, run, take an aerobics class? All of these are, of course, workouts but are they enough to help you lose your body fat? Unfortunately for most women, the answer is no.

The best exercise to burn body fat and keep your body trim and tight is all in weight training. Don’t let this be intimidating… women are completely different than men in our composition so you don’t have to worry about bulking up. In fact, weight lifting not only helps you lose fat during a workout by burning calories but your body works hard to recover afterwards by keeping your metabolism raised for up to 48 hours afterwards! Running and aerobic based workouts can’t claim this.

It gets better, for each pound of lean, sexy muscle you have your body will burn an extra 50 calories (roughly) daily, even if you’re sitting on the couch watching Dancing With The Stars. That is because it takes energy to keep muscle happy, it needs fuel and protein to keep it happy! Another great thing about lifting weights is that it’s never boring. The number one reason a woman quits her workout regiment isn’t because she’s not getting results, it’s because she loses motivation. Stay motivated with weight training by changing up your exercises regularly, learning new moves, and watching your strength and confidence increase from workout to workout.

If you have never picked up a dumbbell before don’t let that stop you. There are several options, of course you can ask a personal trainer at your gym for a tour and sign up for a few sessions or for a fraction of the price you can look into online personal training which is growing in popularity due to the great price.

No matter what you want to do, remember if what you’re doing now isn’t working don’t you think it’s worth giving it a go?

All weights aren’t created equal though. Just like you don’t burn as many calories walking as you do running, you get different results from different weight training techniques. Sure those weight machines span the floors of most gyms but these are small, isolated moves that create little calorie burn and little muscle toning. The best results come from total body workouts, and to get that from these machines you would have to spend a long time on all the machines available. That is why free weights are great. Not only can you work several big muscles at once, you can great large range of motion moves that will blast more body fat and give you better results faster.

If you’re ready to give it a go, here are a few of my favorite exercises:

Dumbbell squats
Split squats
Bench press
Curl to press
Single arm dumbbell clean and presses

These are just a few examples but all of them work several big muscles and will have you out of breath by the end of your set. Which takes us to the next question… how many sets and reps should you be doing? For fat burning results aim to do 2-3 sets of 13-15 reps. Use a weight that is challenging enough that you can’t go past 15 if you wanted. And that should get you great results!

7 Best tips for fast weight loss

 

There are numerous ways to lose weight fast and in this post we outline the 7 best fast weight loss tips.

1. Exercise is a must for fast weight loss
Everybody knows this; exercise is a must for a fast weight loss. With exercise you achieve a lot of things. First you burn more calories and lose weight faster, second you ensure that you will not gain the weight back and third you provide your health with many benefits. What is important is to exercise frequently and to increase the duration of exercise every couple of weeks. For starters you should aim for 30 minute sessions, 3 times per week. As you become more experienced with exercise you should aim for 45 minutes, 5 times per week.

2. Strength training is also required
Many people when we talk about exercise they think aerobics or cardio exercises. There is another form of exercise that is very beneficial for weight loss. This is strength training exercises like weight lifting and body building. These are also needed for a fast and safe weight loss and you should try and include them in your exercise schedule. Strength training exercises can help you build more muscles, can boost your metabolism and can help you achieve your weight loss goals faster.

3. Food journal
Being able to control what you eat can play a significant role in fast weight loss. To be able to do that you need to know how many calories you consume on a daily basis. It is a proven fact that people when asked about their daily diet, then tend to forget a number of things. One of the ways to make sure that everything you eat is counted in your daily diet calculations is by keeping a food journal. In this you should try anything you eat and drink during a day. Next to each item you can write the number of calories they contain and thus you can arrive at a daily total. By having this information you can then adjust the foods you eat and save the required amount of calories so that you lose weight.

4. Re – set your weight loss goals
Your weight loss goals should not simply be to lose weight. Weight loss is not an exercise you have to do once and then forget about it. A successful weight loss is when you manage to lose weight by changing your lifestyle and eating habits and not by just saving calories and making calculations. Eating healthy should become your second nature and exercising should become your daily friend. So, instead of just setting arithmetic goals concentrate on how to change your lifestyle to match a healthier living.

5. Separate eating from your other emotions
A lot of people have associated eating with their emotions. It is very common for people to eat because they are feeling stress, anxiety, depression, anger etc. This is a bad and very unhealthy habit. Usually the food you eat when in this state is unhealthy and full of fats and calories. You need to realize that food is not the medicine for your emotions. Food is a pleasure and a way to provide your body with the energy it needs to function properly. If you want to lose weight then you should seriously consider this situation and disassociate food with emotions.

6. Get all the support you can get
For long term weight loss results you need to get encouragement and support. The best way to get this support is from friends, family and from other people that are in the same situation. There will be times during the process that you will get bored and willing to quit, there will also be times that you won’t believe in yourself and you need someone to give you encouragement and motivation to continue. Do not underestimate the power and support you can get and do not be shy to share your weight loss dreams with your friends and family.

7. Start slow, plan big
All the weight loss tips explained above are valid and essential for a fast weight loss. It is necessary though to start by gradually making changes both to your lifestyle, eating and exercise habits. Do not rush and do not make too drastic changes from one day to the next. Start slowly and stay focus on your goals. As you become more experienced make more changes until you reach a point that your lifestyle, diet and exercise routine are in accordance with your weight loss goals.

Eating Out in Restaurants - Gluten Free Diet

 

Always phone the restaurant before you visit and ask to speak to the head chef or better still the manager. You will need to explain your situation to them and communicate the importance of having a Gluten Free experience. 

 

You may need to highlight to them the foods that contain Gluten and also list the foods you like that you know are Gluten Free. If you are a UK or other EU citizen, you can also inform the restaurant that any food or beverages they buy in will have the correct Gluten ingredients listed on the label, so they can look out for any to make certain. 

If a restaurant doesn’t have a Gluten Free dish you like or even doesn’t have any Gluten Free dishes at all, don’t be afraid to ask the chef to make you something off the menu. If you don’t ask you will never know, most reputable restaurants should be happy to accommodate your needs. 

Even when a meal is prepared for you, be weary of anything that may have been overlooked, for example most sauces and gravy will contain Gluten, so try avoid having any of these. 

Finally if you are uncertain about the competence and customer care offered by the restaurant then simply don’t go there…choose one you are comfortable with trusting.

Autism and Gluten Free Diet - Does It Really Work?

 

Autism is a disorder that affects children and leads to difficulties with communicating and interacting in social situations. In order to combat Autism, parents of children with this disorder often turn to alternative treatments for a solution. One alternative treatment is the gluten free, casein free diet, which some parents claim has helped to decrease the symptoms of autism in their child.

The gluten free, casein free diet, also known as GFCF, involves eliminating all sources of gluten and casein from the diet. The belief is that these two components, which are found in many foods, are causing an allergic reaction in the child with autism and exacerbating their symptoms. By eliminating gluten and casein from the diet, the parents hope to see an improvement in the symptoms of autism.

Though there is no conclusive evidence that following a GFCF diet will result in an improvement of autism symptoms, many parents still decide to try. The theory is that children with autism do not process the peptides and proteins found in foods with gluten and casein the same as everyone else. Because of this difference, it is believed that the body reacts by treating these proteins like “false opiate” chemicals, resulting in certain behaviors in the autistic child.

Eliminating gluten and casein from the diet can be difficult because they are present in so many different foods. Gluten is typically found in many grains such as wheat, barley and rye. Many baked goods also contain gluten because it works well as a binding agent. Casein on the other hand is typically found in dairy and soy products. While it may seem difficult to avoid all of these products, it is possible with careful planning and knowledge. Many supermarkets and specialty stores for example now have entire sections devoted to gluten free products.

It is important to remember that when children are put on a GFCF diet, they are going to be missing out on key nutrients and vitamins. However, these deficiencies can often be made up with the use of supplements so that the child remains healthy. Parents who are interested in placing their autistic child on a GFCF diet should always consult with their child’s physician and a licensed dietician in order to be sure the planned diet meets all of their child’s nutritional requirements, otherwise this can lead to additional health issues.

How to Quit Smoking without the Weight Gain

If you are smoking and want to make a healthy lifestyle you could start by deciding for yourself to strip off the habit from your system. But together with aiming to strip off the habit is weight gain because you will increase your appetite when you quit smoking. How can you fight this problem?Cigarettes stimulates metabolism according to smoking cessation therapist, 250 calories in the body get burned when you consumed a pack of cigarette a day. When you quit, the body metabolism slows down resulting for those calories to slowly burn and giving you extra weight. Some people gain 2 pounds once they quit for 2 weeks and with this occurrence they tend to resume smoking to prevent weight gain so quitting will then be unsuccessful. Sticking to the decision of quitting will not be that much of a burden because eventually the metabolism will normalize. Typically, smokers only gain 5-7 pounds throughout the process of quitting. And when you think about the advantages of having a healthy and smoke free living, you will feel great inside and out and not minding those gained extra pounds.You vital organs like the lungs, heart and arteries will be free of the toxins and will start to regenerate new cells after being intoxicated with nicotine.Gradually after quitting you will notice changes in your physical appearance. Your skin is free from stress and will appeal to be fairer and smoother, those yellow stains on your fingers and fingernails will disappear, you won’t have bad breath anymore, and your teeth will be free from stains and you will have healthier gums too. These are the good fallback of quitting. To lessen the cravings and weight gain, do drinks lots of water ideally 8oz glasses a day to keep you hydrated and to flush out toxins. Substitute healthy food with cigarette but not use junk foods because it won’t help you in becoming healthy. Don’t go for sugar rich and unhealthy foods. Do also have exercises so to keep you busy and increase metabolism. Join group therapy this will help you be encourage on the continuous quitting agenda, use also nicotine replacements. You have to have a focused mind to be able to fight challenging moments that will tempt you to go back to smoking.

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Quit Smoking Support – How Necessary It Is?

Quit Smoking Support – How Necessary It Is?

Smoking is highly addictive and once it becomes a habit it is very difficult to get rid of for a number of reasons. Quit smoking support usually acts as a back up system that ensures that the smokers have the most conducive atmosphere possible for getting rid of the habit. What Does Quit Smoking Support Do For You?Actually, the rate of success that smokers meet with when deciding to kick off the habit very much depends upon the quality of quit smoking support they receive.

1.    Family members – the first and the most intense quit smoking support comes from your immediate family such as your spouse, siblings, parents, etc. Once you make your decision known, they would rally to help you stay focused. Their support inside the home and outside is often critical to your success.

2.    Professional counseling – this is another very important quit smoking support that helps you understand the process and advises how to fight some of the worst withdrawal symptoms. Most people hate the withdrawal symptoms so much that they rather choose to continue smoking than to continue experiencing them. The counseling inputs would prepare you mentally for this and thus increase your ability to recognize and fight it.

3.    Quit smoking aids – it is possible to quit smoking cold turkey and many people do just that. However, for this method you need to have nerves of steel and an even stronger will power. Why not use some of the excellent quit smoking aids as your quit smoking support. This would help reduce the withdrawal symptoms, while at the same time prevent the craving for nicotine.

4.    Plan B - a good strategist would always have a stand-by plan – just in case the original plan fails. Here, you could take the example of the popular adage, ‘Use a thief to catch a thief’. Just so, you could have something else to substitute your addiction to smoking; something that is not harmful to your health – such as chewing gum, no-nicotine cigarettes, peppermint mouth fresheners, clove, cardamom, etc. This quit smoking support can reduce the urge to reach out for a cigarette and ensure your success in beating the habit.

5.    Medication – another very important quit smoking support is the medication you may need to ward off and/ or prevent some of the more unpleasant side effects of the exercise. Consult with your family doctor before you start the quit smoking process so you would have the prescribed medicines ready when you need them.

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5 Helpful Tips for Constipation Treatment

5 Helpful Tips for Constipation Treatment - Part 1

Got constipation? Well most of us do once in a while for some and frequently for others. In this article we'll look at how you can get all the constipation help you'd probably need. While this is not all inclusive in itself, you can consort other sources for all the constipation help you might need. Most people who suffer from constipation will tell that it is one of the most uncomfortable experiences they've had. There are various reasons and causes of constipation:   

1. Consumption of fast foods and foods that lack lots of fiber. This is the single major reason behind most occurrences of constipation. Because we live in an "instant" age, fast foods have become the order of the day. People just don't know what it is to eat healthily. As long as you can grab some sandwich, burger or fried chicken and the stomach feels full, everything's settled. As a result, foods are not readily digested. All the fiber necessary to stimulate bowel movement are almost non-existent.   

2. Inadequate fluid intake. People don't drink fluids these days -at least not enough to compensate for bodily needs. Hence, when the feces gets to the rectum, the little moisture remaining in it is absorbed by the rectum. Because stooling requires moisture to enable the easy passage, it becomes hard to freely pass stool. That's why there is a lot of straining to get eliminate the waste.   

3. Leading a sedentary life. People who don't take care of themselves physically, tend to easily develop constipation as a result of the fact they are not involved in any sort of exercise. One of the very first recommendations for those who need constipation help is exercise. The fact that you move around would improve your bowel movements and hasten the relief of constipation. 

4. Pregnant women also suffer from constipation as a result of a change in hormonal balance in the body and also because of the pressure of the now occupied uterus on the intestine. Since you have read some of the causes, it would be better if we moved so you can get all the constipation help you need:   

5. Eat lots of FiberDietary fiber which is also known as bulk forming laxatives is gotten from the consumption of fruits and vegetables. The easiest way to incorporate this into your lifestyle is by increasing the quantity of fruits and vegetables in your meals and cutting down on the excess of dairy and meat products. In some cases however, some individuals may find it hard to cope with the bulk of fruits needed. 

When this occurs, it is best that fiber supplements such as wheat bran, oat bran, psyllium seeds be added to the daily diet. To make this routine easier, when you have the itch to grab a snack, pick a fruit instead and you're on your way to relief. The only downside to this method is if the patient has strictures and adhesions. In this circumstance, it is advisable to consult a physician before getting on in the treatment. Also, some fibers have sugar; as a result, diabetic patients cannot take such. When this occurs, it is best that the patient gets sugar-free fibers. Fibers should not be taken in large quantities suddenly. Small quantities are best for starting. Then, it can gradually increase if the patient finds it necessary. A space of one week is adequate for each phase of increase in fiber content. Sources of fiber are fruits, vegetables, Citrucel, Konsyl Fiber, Maltsupex et.c

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Muira puama for Increased Libido

This Brazilian herb Muira puama, also referred to as murapuama, is mostly known for its effective help with erectile dysfunction and increasing libido and as an aphrodisiac - but is also an excellent tonic for increasing general well-being and mental tiredness.

Muira puama is a bush / small tree up to 5 meters in height and produces pungent flowers with a jasmine like fragrance.

The indigenous tribes in Brazil have used the roots and bark internally in a tea as an aphrodisiac, for treating sexual debility and erectile dysfunction, nervous system disorders, neuralgia, baldness, impotency, gastrointestinal disorders, neuromuscular problems and rheumatism.

Murapuama has been used as a herb in Europe for some time and is listed in the British Herbal Pharmacopoeia, a source on herbal medicine from the British Herbal Medicine Association, and is recommended for the treatment of dysentery and impotence.

It is from the Olacaceae family, and the genus is Ptychopetalum (species olacoides) and is also known as Muira Puama, Marapuama, Marapama, Potency Wood and Potenzholz. The bark and roots are used in herbal treatments.

vAlthough many people are skeptical about sexual stimulants or "herbal viagra" as such, the muira puama herb has been shown by Dr. Jacques Waynberg, a world authority on sexual functioning, of the Institute of Sexology in Paris, France, that it is effective in assisting in increasing sexual desire as well as attaining and maintaining an erection.

The action of the muira puama herb is not fully understood but it seems to assist with both the psychological as well as the physical aspect of sexual function.

Muira puama contains: The active constituents are free long-chain fatty acids, sterols, coumarin, alkaloids and essential oils. Chemically, it contains .05% muirapuamine, .4% fat, .5% alkaloids, .6% pholbaphene, .6% alpha-resinic acid, .7% beta resinic acid, .5% of a mixture of esters including behenic acid, lupeol and beta-sitosterol, as well as tannin, volatile oils and fatty acids.

Muira puama is considered a safe herb, whereas another herbal sexual stimulant called yohimbine can induce anxiety, panic attacks, and hallucinations in some individuals, as well as elevated blood pressure, high heart rate, dizziness, headache, and skin flushing.

Although some people maintain that muira puama is just a general tonic, there are far more confirmations out there in the real world from satisfied users, to the fact that it is great for assisting with erectile dysfunction and increasing sexual enjoyment.

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Resveratrol and Weight Loss

Resveratrol Antioxidants and Weight Loss: A Good Pairing?The golden rule in weight loss is pretty simple: take in fewer calories than you expend in exercise. However, as any dieter will tell you, it’s far from easy. Americans spend billions of dollars a year on weight loss supplements, exercise programs and other diet aids—and still we can’t seem to win the battle of the bulge—even when we get desperate enough to try risky surgery or fad diets.Recently a new product has come to light that may help people trying to lose weight stay on the healthy end of the spectrum: Resveratrol Select, which is unlike many diet supplements in that it uses a combination of natural and herbal ingredients designed to help the body stay healthy while losing weight.

 

How? By mimicking certain aspects of the Mediterranean diet.Studies have shown that part of America’s war with weight lies in the uniquely modern American combination of stressful lifestyle and fast-food consumption, and that the Mediterranean diet and lifestyle seem to be more conducive to healthier weight levels and longevity. In fact, much as been made on the news in recent months of the purported “French Paradox,” (how the French eat a high-fat diet, enjoy rich desserts, drink wine and still have better cardiovascular health than the rest of us). One of the biggest differences between the American and French diet seems to be the wine consumption, and red wine (a staple on most Mediterranean tables) contains one of nature’s most powerful antioxidants, resveratrol, which is a key ingredient in Resveratrol Select.

 

In addition to wine, resveratrol is also found in grape skins, blueberries, cranberries and other plants, and recent animal and in vitro studies indicate that it can have a positive effect on helping to maintain healthy cholesterol levels, supporting insulin health and optimizing metabolic and immune pathways that protect cells and improve mitochondrial function. * And one capsule of Resveratrol Select includes as much resveratrol as 200 glasses of wine—without the added calories that alcohol can add to the waistline.But consuming resveratrol alone isn’t enough to help with weight loss—so the manufacturers of Resveratrol Select also added a different type of antioxidant, Green Tea Extract (EGCG), which could make a big difference. Over time, green tea consumption helps increase metabolism, burn fat and reduce fat storage due to its caffeine and L-theanin content, which can be pivotal in helping to maintain energy for exercise. 

 

*Resveratrol Select combines these two powerful antioxidants with yet another energy boosting ingredient, Chromium, a niacin-based mineral that plays an important role in how the body uses insulin to burn sugars, carbohydrates, fats, and proteins for energy.*Although relatively new to the market, Resveratrol Select seems to be making a big splash, and many people are taking advantage of the free trial offer to see how well the product works for them. The trial offer also includes two bonus tools to help with weight loss: an e-book with over 70 weight loss tips, and a weight loss visualization audio.

 

Of course, consuming fewer calories while burning more is the most efficient form of weight loss, and it’s always a good idea to inform your doctor before taking a weight loss supplement, but this new combination herbal supplement is worth a look for those concerned about maintaining good health while losing weight. For more information on Resveratrol Select’s free trial offer and bonus materials, visit http://www.resveratrolselect.com.

 

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Hearing Loss on the Rise in Teens

Your teenager might not be practicing selective hearing loss when you tell him to take out the trash—it could be the real thing. According to a new study in this week’s Journal of the American Medical Association, significantly more adolescents have hearing loss now compared to 15 years ago. When Josef Shargorodsky, M.D., M.P.H., of Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and his colleagues combed through the data from two national health surveys, they found that hearing loss had increased by nearly 30 percent in people aged 12-19 over approximately the last ten years. While about 1 in 7 teens had hearing loss between 1988 and 1994 (the dates of the first study), the number jumped to between 1 in 5 between 2005-2006 (the dates f the later survey).

The natural assumption is to point fingers at personal listening devices, like iPods, but the researchers say that that may not be the case. In fact, other data suggests that teens from the late 80s and 90s reported similar amounts of noise exposure as those from 2005-2006.

The results of the study did not find a clear cause for the rise in hearing loss, says study co-author Gary C. Curhan, M.D., Sc.D. “This is the type of study that generates important questions,” he continues. “It underscores the need for further investigation that will help us better understand this increase in hearing loss and hopefully encourage efforts towards hearing preservation.”

10 Most Common Bulking Mistakes

1) Not Eating Enough

First off, I have to say that women tend to fall victim to this mistake a lot more than men. The reason behind this is that women hate putting on weight and after looking so good on stage the last thing that they want to do is put on FAT. So they continue to eat like they are still dieting. The result is they don’t have the energy to make any new gains or improvements to their body and, in many cases, lose muscle mass.  The off season is the time of year a person makes 95% of their improvements to their physique.

Without the energy and the fuel, via a surplus of healthy clean food, you can not make the improvements you need. Make sure that you are eating enough calories to enable you to make those improvements and show up better next time you step on stage. Though you might put on a little (note I said a little) body fat, the body fat will come off once you diet down for your next show.

2) Not Eating Enough Healthy Clean Foods

What is the first thing you do after you step off the stage with all of your trophies (let’s be optimistic)? You go directly to your favorite restaurant, or fast food place, and EAT.  Granted, it is fine to indulge in good food after the show is over. You earned it. However, don’t let a fast food frenzy spill into your off season diet. Now, above I talked about taking in enough calories so you can put on good size in the off season.

You might say ‘fast food and junk food are calorie dense so why not have them once or twice a day so I can bump up my overall calories?”  While you want to have excess calories while bulking, the majority of those calories should be from clean healthy foods: lean cuts of meat, complex carbohydrates and healthy fats.  The off season is the time to put on size but the majority of it should be muscle, not fat. A diet riddled with junk food will result in little muscle gain and plenty of fat storage. Clean it up and you beef it up!

3) Staying away from Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are a very important part of the off season diet and a great energy source, if used properly throughout the day. Simple carbohydrates (i.e., fast digesting) are great to have post-workout because they spike your insulin level and drive the glycogen into your muscles. They also help to drive the amino acids from your protein shake, that you should have post-workout, with that simple carbohydrate to aid in protein synthesis (i.e., muscle building). Complex carbohydrates provide a more prolonged energy source and are great to have for breakfast or later in the day. Examples of complex carbohydrates are oats, brown rice and sweet potatoes. Examples of simple carbohydrates are sugars, white bread and pasta.

4) No Cardio

This is a huge mistake that I see all the time and 99% of the time men fall victim to the no cardio approach in the off season. They justify it by saying “I don’t want to lose any size”. Well, I am here to tell you that three 30 minute cardio sessions a week will do wonders for your bulking phase. By incorporating a cardio routine into your workout program, your appetite will go through the roof, which will make it a lot easier to eat clean healthy food.

You also will improve your cardiovascular system, which is critical when lifting heavy. I have seen countless guys fail to reach their desired rep range because their cardiovascular system failed on them. They were strong enough to get those extra 2 reps but were too out of breath and had to rack the weight. Sooner or later you will start losing muscle if you don’t reach your desired rep range. If you want to put on that size start, then start doing some cardio.

5) Too Much Cardio

Ladies, this is where many of you slip up. You don’t want to put on those couple of extra pounds so you stick to your contest prep cardio program. Your body cannot make improvements in muscle size and shape if you are expending too much energy with cardio. Most people (guys and gals) should stick to a moderate cardio program like 3-4 low intensity 20-30 minute sessions a week. This will keep both your metabolism humming and your appetite up and, most importantly you will be working the heart, which is the most important muscle of all.

6) Too Much Machine Use

Too many trainers rely too heavily on machine use in their workout programs. With all the new fancy machines out now, who can blame them? They are comfortable, smooth and easy to use. But I have the motto “nothing in weight lifting is easy”. These machines do have benefits, when used properly and are great to supplement your program (I like to use them at the end of the workout, if I use them at all) but nothing works better than free weight basics.

Free weight basics, with barbells and dumbbells, like squats, deadlifts, rows, bench etc., should be the bread and butter of all of your workouts off season and pre-contest. They recruit the most muscle fiber use which will lead to maximum growth and improvement. Only after you have exhausted maximum energy with the free weight basics, should you think about using machines or cables. Remember, the harder you work, the better the results and nothing is harder than free weights.

7) Not Enough Rest/ Recovery Time

In the off-season, your major goal is to put on lean muscle mass. Many novice trainers don’t realize that you do all your growing outside the gym. Even some experienced lifters find it hard to stay away from the gym in the off season. They do everything right: eat clean, workout out hard, but forget to give their body’s enough rest and recovery time between workouts so gains are negligible. You break down the muscle tissue in the gym, given that you fuel your body with nutritious food.

The final piece of the puzzle is time. You need to give your body time to recover. Without adequate time to recover, you will break down already broken down muscle tissue caused by over training. There is a lot of debate over how long a muscle needs to rest/recover from a workout before you should work it out again. I am a big believer in 72 hours, or 3 days of recovery time. If the muscle still seems to be sore, give it another day of rest. The last thing you want to do is to injure yourself.

8) Scale

Worrying about the scale has caused a lot of men to put on fat in the off season. Men love stating how much they weigh, if the number is above 200 lbs. So in their pursuit to put on as much weight as possible, most of these ego driven males end up putting on a substantial amount of body fat. Your body cannot continue to add pounds of lean muscle mass each week, so if your weight continues to increase every week, you are probably putting on too much body fat. I tell my clients to focus on what they look like, not on what the scale says.

Women are the complete opposite once they see their weight go up; they either stop eating as much or do a lot of cardio. This shift is driven by the pursuit to keep in contest shape. However, this practice will make it extremely difficult to make improvements.

9) Lack of a Goal

This issue is for my competing athletes and starts immediately after your contest is over. You should talk to the judges about your presentation to help you understand where you can improve and what your strong points are.  Then, in the next week or so, sit down with your personal trainer and discuss how you are going to approach the off season and make the improvements to your physique.

I see many competitors, pros and amateurs alike, who show up every year looking the same. These individuals don’t improve and also don’t win. Judges take notice of competitors who improve on weak points and they will reward you with a higher placing. So in the beginning of the off season, make some short and long term goals for yourself; this will help keep you focused on the improvements that you need to make between competitions.

10) Skipping Meals:

This is a common mistake made by the hard gainers. They are not hungry so they either push back the meal by an hour, or worse, just skip it all together.  This is a big mistake.  Your body needs protein every 2.5-3 hours so your muscles can have a steady stream of available amino acids. You need to keep your body in a positive nitrogen balance. When your body doesn’t have enough amino acids, it goes to your muscles to find them.

Quit Smoking Pill – An Effective Way To Reach Your Goal

Quit Smoking Pill – An Effective Way To Reach Your GoalThere are many, many ways out there that would help you in your fight against the habit of smoking. Each method has its own plus and minus points and the success of your endeavor will always depend on your ability to find the method that suits your requirements best. Among the well-received aids available today is the quit smoking pill. 

Why Is The Quit Smoking Pill So Popular?The popularity of the quit smoking pill is mostly owed to the perception of the people that it offers a short cut to a difficult and troublesome trip. In this case all they have to do to ensure that they drop the habit is pop some pills in their mouth every day. Most people like this simple approach; more so when the method is indeed effective.

How Does The Quit Smoking Pill Work?This method attacks the most important of all aspects of the quit smoking process, i.e. the withdrawal symptoms.  Reports say that the reason why there are so many failures in taking the process to its logical end is that people cannot withstand the withdrawal symptoms and they are not prepared for it. The quit smoking pill negates the withdrawal effects and at the same time simulates the same feeling that the smoker would experience when they smoke. This dual effect ensures that the person stays committed to their goal for as long as it is needed to kick off the habit completely.

Though the quit smoking pill does not have any particular side effects, it is highly recommended that you consult and inform a doctor when you are using it. While it fights the more dangerous and troublesome withdrawal symptoms, it sometimes causes sleeplessness. This is not serious and would disappear without any outside intervention in the course of two-three days. In the meantime, the other symptoms would be gradually reduced to tolerable levels improving the success rate with every day that passes.

Beware Of Contraindications Of The Quit Smoking Pill As with any medication, this pill too has some contraindications. This is why it is best that you consult a doctor before and during the treatment. The drug is not suitable for people suffering from the following problems – respiratory disorders such as bronchitis, asthma, etc and eating disorders such as bulimia and anorexia. There are also some medications that would interfere with its efficacy.

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Maca Increases Libido

Historical or traditional use (may or may not be supported by scientific studies) Maca root has been an important food for the native people in the Andes of Peru, including the Incas, for at least 2,000 years.1 It is eaten baked, dried, mixed with milk, or in a variety of other forms and dishes. It is also traditionally believed to enhance strength, endurance, libido, and fertility.

Active constituents: Maca contains substantial quantities of protein, fat, fiber, and minerals including iron, which also contribute to its nutritional value. It also contains glucosinolates, the strong-smelling compounds that are responsible for the pungent smell and taste of mustard family plants. Neither these nor any other constituents in maca have definitively been shown to contribute to its actions.

Preliminary studies have shown that maca can increase libido in healthy men. It does this without influencing levels of testosterone or any other sex hormones. Healthy men who take maca have also been shown to have increased semen volume, increased sperm counts, and enhanced sperm motility.

Numerous animal studies show that maca extracts can increase sex drive and improve fertility. Other studies support that it can relieve the negative effects of stress reactions. The red cultivar, though not the black or cream, also reduced enlarged prostates in rats.

For more information Click Here

How to Stop Smoking in a Second

Cold turkey, stop smoking classes, nicotine patches, nicotine gums- people have been trying to help these smokers quit their habit and change their lifestyles. But are these alternative solutions really effective? Do they even work at all? These regimens may all seem relative to many because success can be defined by thousands of standards.In the real setting, these quit smoking programs are considered to be having minimal effect on the people that signed up for it. In another perspective though, it does not necessarily mean that they should be snubbed and not tried at all. 

A smoker’s main mentor in order for him to quit his smoking habits is none other than himself. Unless he tells himself that he can do it and that he will stick to his regimen, nobody else can help him. The success of any treatment depends on the person involved. There are those who say that smoking is an addiction and that it is a hard habit to break. But as said earlier, the smoker should be the one to decide whether or not he would quit. His confidence regarding this matter is the main stepping stone of the whole treatment. Once he makes a firm decision that he will commit himself to quitting then he won’t have such a hard time when the program starts. The main ingredient of cigarettes is nicotine which is a chemical that elevates the person’s mood, lessens the user’s anxiety and makes the person more alert. 

But like every abused substance, too much would cause the user’s bodily functions to be altered. If addiction occurs, quitting will be a problem and withdrawal symptoms will occur. Their brain would crave for nicotine and cause irritability and his focus of concentration would be hard to establish. This is why a smoker’s firm resolve to quit is essential in any program that he enlists in. 

There are a lot of groups and courses of treatment that would help a smoker to quit. Some may cost you nothing at all while some will squeeze your wallet dry. Expensive programs do not assure total renouncement of the smoking habit. It depends on the smoker and if the treatment plan is well suited for him. Always check out the program before signing up for it to get the most of your time and money. Ask yourself if you see its courses beneficial to you and if the programs suits you well. Check for the staff’s credentials to determine if they are well trained and qualified. Just remember that if you see a program promising you everything that you wanted to hear and you think that it is too good to be true, then it probably is and search for another program.

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Breast Enhancement Surgery

Breast enlargement surgery, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), was the fourth most popular invasive surgical procedure among cosmetic plastic surgeries performed in 2000. In a press release dated July 12, 2001, the ASPS says that breast augmentation was performed on 212,500 women last year.

Meanwhile, millions of women have been subjected to the ill effects of these modern day vanity contraptions that were bought in good faith.

Remember!!

Silicone gel implants were banned in 1992 by FDA.

If you have (or had) a ruptured silicone breast implant, you will be denied Health Insurance Coverage.

Saline-filled implants tend to have a higher rate of leaking and deflation than silicone gel implants, which means more frequent surgery to replace them.

In a study published in the Lancet medical journal, Dr Lori Brown of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says: "There is emerging consensus that both the incidence and prevalence of breast-implant rupture are much higher than previously suspected."

21% overall increase in cancers for women with implants, compared to women of the same age in the general population.

Implant patients were three times as likely to die from lung cancer, emphysema and pneumonia as other plastic surgery patients.The study is based on medical records and death certificates of almost 8,000 women with breast implants, including silicone gel implants and saline implants, and more than 2,000 other plastic surgery patients. ( National Cancer Institute (NCI), Boston University, Abt Associates, and the Food and Drug Administration, with Dr. Louise Brinton from NCI as lead author. )

For more information Click Here

Maca Increases Libido

Historical or traditional use (may or may not be supported by scientific studies) Maca root has been an important food for the native people in the Andes of Peru, including the Incas, for at least 2,000 years.1 It is eaten baked, dried, mixed with milk, or in a variety of other forms and dishes. It is also traditionally believed to enhance strength, endurance, libido, and fertility.

Active constituents: Maca contains substantial quantities of protein, fat, fiber, and minerals including iron, which also contribute to its nutritional value. It also contains glucosinolates, the strong-smelling compounds that are responsible for the pungent smell and taste of mustard family plants. Neither these nor any other constituents in maca have definitively been shown to contribute to its actions.

Preliminary studies have shown that maca can increase libido in healthy men. It does this without influencing levels of testosterone or any other sex hormones. Healthy men who take maca have also been shown to have increased semen volume, increased sperm counts, and enhanced sperm motility.

Numerous animal studies show that maca extracts can increase sex drive and improve fertility. Other studies support that it can relieve the negative effects of stress reactions. The red cultivar, though not the black or cream, also reduced enlarged prostates in rats.

For more information Click Here

Fact vs. Faction About Muscle

The guy lifting beside you looks like he should write the book on muscle. Talks like it, too. He's worked out since the seventh grade, he played D-1 football, and he's big.

But that doesn't mean he knows what he's talking about. Starting now, ignore him.

The gym is infested with bad information. Lies that start with well-intentioned gym teachers trickle down to students who become coaches, trainers, or know-it-all gym-rat preachers. Lies morph into myths that endure because we don't ask questions, for fear of looking stupid.

Scientists, on the other hand, gladly look stupid--that's why they're so darn smart. Plus, they have cool human-performance laboratories where they can prove or disprove theories and myths.

Here's what top exercise scientists and expert trainers have to say about the crap that's passed around in gyms. Listen up and learn. Then go ahead, question it.

Myth #1

Lifting incredibly slowly builds incredibly big muscles.
Lifting super slowly produces superlong workouts--and that's it. University of Alabama researchers recently studied two groups of lifters doing a 29-minute workout. One group performed exercises using a 5-second up phase and a 10-second down phase, the other a more traditional approach of 1 second up and 1 second down. The faster group burned 71 percent more calories and lifted 250 percent more weight than the superslow lifters.

The real expert says: "The best increases in strength are achieved by doing the up phase as rapidly as possible," says Gary Hunter, Ph.D., C.S.C.S., the lead study author. "Lower the weight more slowly and under control." There's greater potential for growth during the lowering phase, and when you lower with control, there's less chance of injury.

Myth #2

If you eat more protein, you'll build more muscle.
To a point, sure. But put down the shake for a sec. Protein promotes the muscle-building process, called protein synthesis, "but you don't need exorbitant amounts to do this," says John Ivy, Ph.D., coauthor of Nutrient Timing.

If you're working out hard, consuming more than 0.9 to 1.25 grams of protein per pound of body weight is a waste. Excess protein breaks down into amino acids and nitrogen, which are either excreted or converted into carbohydrates and stored.

The real expert says: More important is when you consume protein, and that you have the right balance of carbohydrates with it. Have a postworkout shake of three parts carbohydrates and one part protein.

Eat a meal several hours later, and then reverse that ratio in your snack after another few hours, says Ivy. "This will keep protein synthesis going by maintaining high amino acid concentrations in the blood."

Lists Eye Creams as “Must Have” for Men

There is a reason eye creams have shot to the forefront of the most purchased anti aging skin care products:  they work wonders at helping people look younger.  Whether you are a long time reader of our eye cream research blog or a new visitor to the site, it’s important you grasp just exactly what impact eye creams have on your face as you age.

In a Fox News article, a report listed eye creams as one of the TOP 10 Products Every Man Should Own.  When you see other items in the report such as “multivitamins,” you know it’s a serious list of products.  Here is a breakdown of what Fox reported in their top ten list, as well as some comments on what they had to say about eye creams.

-Scalp stimulant/hair revitalizer

-Multivitamins

-Exfoliant

-High-quality razor and shaving cream

-  Eye Cream

Here is what Fox’s report said about  “Why it fights the aging process.”
Eye cream is designed to hydrate and deliver nutrients to the sensitive, thin skin around your eyes, where wrinkles often first appear. Top products either plump up skin to minimize the appearance of any fine lines you presently have or target the cell turnover process to slow the formation of future wrinkles.

How to use it: Use an eye cream twice daily — once in the morning and again before bed. A light touch is needed when applying this product as stretching out your skin will encourage wrinkles rather than get rid of them. Dab on eye cream by moving in semicircles toward your nose underneath your eye and on your lids. Store this stuff in the fridge if you also want to depuff under-eye bags and wake up tired eyes.

The list rounds out with an antioxidant moisturizer, a good re-usable water bottle,  great mattress, sunscreen, and weights/exercise equipment.  Sounds like a lot of stuff that most men do have, sans the skin care products.

The bottom line is that “looking young” is “in,” and everyone from celebrities to major men’s web portals like AskMen.com know that.  It’s good to see that a serious top ten list was released, and not the stress is on taking care of one’s self.  If you count the razor & shaving cream as skin-related products, you have five of the ten products coming from the skin care niche.

By the way, all you men out there, a woman wrote that article, so you can see that women are once again suggesting that good skin is what they want in their man!

Hemorrhoids care

Hemorrhoids can cause a lot of discomfort, pain, irritation and scratching. More than often the person suffers mental irritation rather than physical pain. The constant scratching and discomfort makes one irritable and often you the person makes the hemorrhoids worse by scratching constantly. Appropriate hemorrhoids care should be taken. Else a mild problem can turn into an extreme one where the treatment and suffering gets more complicated and great. There are various hemorrhoids care methods. The can be preventive, curative and post surgical or post treatment.

Hemorrhoids care and preventive measures-

1. Apply affected area with a cold compress directly onto the hemorrhoid. Ask a family member to apply your compress as you lie facedown. 

2. Moisten the paper and use it after a bowel movement. 

3. Clean the area well with warm water several times a day. 

4. Do not sit for too long as it will make your hemorrhoid worse.

5. Take Sitz bath 4-5 times a day.

6. Eat fresh vegetables, whole grains and beans. They contain fiber, which helps forms stools and makes the larger easier to pass. 

7. Drink 12 glasses of water a day. This will keep stool loose and easier to pass. 

8. Exercise regularly. This will aid your digestion and make moving your bowels less difficult. 

9. Do not strain yourself during bowel movement. 

10. Don't lift heavy objects that strain the lower body.

11. Buy a doughnut shaped cushion. They are available in pharmacies and medical supply stores and can be useful to hemorrhoid sufferers. Try and sit on it as instructed.

12. Use natural or herbal plant extracts, which aid the natural cure for hemorrhoidsHemorrhoids care and curative measures-If there is only mild discomfort, the doctor may suggest over-the-counter creams, ointments or pads. 

These contain witch hazel or a topical anti-inflammatory agent containing hydrocortisone. In combination with daily warm baths, this treatment helps relieve your symptoms.The hemorrhoids may be removed surgically or through other methods in extreme cases. Three surgical procedures to remove external hemorrhoids are- a) Laser coagulation- The hemorrhoid is clotted with an electric probe which makes it shrink.b) Infrared photocoagulation- The hemorrhoid is clotted with infrared light to make it shrinks.c) Hemorrhoidectomy- Complete removal of the hemorrhoid. Hemorrhoids care and post treatment care-The hemorrhoids care after clinical or surgical treatment includes high fibre diet, drinking lots of water, safe bowel movements, etc.Always take care that the problem does not recur. If there is any discomfort in the region or bleeding or similar problems, get a check up done from your doctor.

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How to Quit Smoking without the Weight Gain

If you are smoking and want to make a healthy lifestyle you could start by deciding for yourself to strip off the habit from your system. But together with aiming to strip off the habit is weight gain because you will increase your appetite when you quit smoking. How can you fight this problem?Cigarettes stimulates metabolism according to smoking cessation therapist, 250 calories in the body get burned when you consumed a pack of cigarette a day. When you quit, the body metabolism slows down resulting for those calories to slowly burn and giving you extra weight. Some people gain 2 pounds once they quit for 2 weeks and with this occurrence they tend to resume smoking to prevent weight gain so quitting will then be unsuccessful. Sticking to the decision of quitting will not be that much of a burden because eventually the metabolism will normalize. Typically, smokers only gain 5-7 pounds throughout the process of quitting. 

And when you think about the advantages of having a healthy and smoke free living, you will feel great inside and out and not minding those gained extra pounds.You vital organs like the lungs, heart and arteries will be free of the toxins and will start to regenerate new cells after being intoxicated with nicotine.Gradually after quitting you will notice changes in your physical appearance. Your skin is free from stress and will appeal to be fairer and smoother, those yellow stains on your fingers and fingernails will disappear, you won’t have bad breath anymore, and your teeth will be free from stains and you will have healthier gums too. 

These are the good fallback of quitting. To lessen the cravings and weight gain, do drinks lots of water ideally 8oz glasses a day to keep you hydrated and to flush out toxins. Substitute healthy food with cigarette but not use junk foods because it won’t help you in becoming healthy. Don’t go for sugar rich and unhealthy foods. Do also have exercises so to keep you busy and increase metabolism. Join group therapy this will help you be encourage on the continuous quitting agenda, use also nicotine replacements. You have to have a focused mind to be able to fight challenging moments that will tempt you to go back to smoking.

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Vitamin A, Beta-Carotene And Their Safety

 

Although Vitamin A deficiency is prevalent throughout the world, retinol toxicity is a common occurrence as well. About 5% of those who supplement with vitamin A unknowingly suffer from toxicity symptoms. It should be noted that supplementation at 5,000 - 10,000 IU per day of preformed vitamin A, which is dose that is well within the range that is offered in many popular vitamin supplements is a safe effective doses, additional supplementation of vitamin A may actually lead to a cumulative toxic overdose. Additionally, accidental ingestion of one single, large dose of vitamin A, can produce acute toxicity in children, always keep vitamin A out of reach of small ones.

A large study on over 22,000 pregnant women who supplemented with vitamin A during early pregnancy found that those women taking more than 60,000 IU of preformed vitamin A per day in the form of supplements had about one in fifty-seven of a chance of a malformation attributable to the supplement. In consuming more than 60,000 IU of vitamin A, a five-fold greater risk for birth defects arises as compared to consumption of less than 25,000 IU per day. The prevalence of birth defects seems to be greatest in those women who consume high levels of pre-formed vitamin within the first seven weeks of their pregnancy. Authors of the study concluded that women who may possibly become pregnant should limit their retinol intake to below 15,000 IU, or supplement with beta-carotene instead.

Beta-carotene is the orange/yellow-colored pigment that is often found in many garden vegetables. It is a retinal precursor. The body is able to easily convert beta-carotene into vitamin A by turning the carotene molecule into two molecules of retinol as they are needed. This allows for the avoidance of toxic accumulation of pre-formed vitamin A. Once beta-carotene is transformed into active retinol, it offers the same beneficial affects. The only symptoms associated with beta-carotene supplementation are loose stools or slight discoloration of the skin. This makes beta-carotene, even at high doses, safe for the body because it does not exhibit toxicity. An added benefit of beta-carotene is that it is a much more potent antioxidant than retinol, as it provides even greater protection against oxidative challenges. The worst thing that can happen to you if you take too much beta-carotene is that you may turn orange like a carrot. However, this should not be a worry because you will be just fine.

The majority of nutrients that are used in supplementation have a large measure of safety. Unfortunately, the use of vitamin A warrants prudence and caution. This is especially crucial when it is consumed by children or those women who are pregnant. Because of this, the level of vitamin A in excess of the upper limit of intake that is prescribed by the Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine, is a crucial criterion in determining how good a product is. The criterion for potential toxicities asks whether the nutritional supplement contains vitamin A. If so, it asks whether the potency of vitamin A exceeds 100% of the upper limit of intake that is prescribed by the US Food and Nutrition Board.

To be on the safe side, take beta-carotene which has no side effects even at very high doses but exhibits the same health benefits of consuming preformed vitamin A. Look to your local or internet vitamin store for name brands like Solaray and Source Naturals for all your Vitamin A and beta-carotene needs.

Natural Hemorrhoids Treatment

What is the reason for Natural hemorrhoids treatment. Often nature cures what even science cannot think of. Natural hemorrhoids treatment can bring gradual relief from intense hemorrhoid pain. If it works it may stop bleeding and itching from hemorrhoid. With Natural hemorrhoids treatment there is no more the need for dietary supplements for the rest of your life.

The fear and pain of surgical removal is not required and it can work out more cost effective.What the natural hemorrhoids treatment should do:Improve the vascular circulation & strengthen vein tone to prevent future internal or external hemorrhoids. It should naturally treat the underlying root causes of hemorrhoids.It should help relieve the symptoms of hemorrhoids like burning, itching, and anal discomfort.Some natural hemorrhoids treatment-Japanese Pagoda Tree- This tree extract is one of the best herbal supplement for naturally treating hemorrhoids.

Clinical studies prove that this herbal extract successfully eliminated the hemorrhoids symptoms with a great success rate. The help normalize the permeability of veins and capillaries and strengthen vein walls. They provide necessary nutrients to maintain optimal vein health.Horse chestnut- This extract is said to have the ability to support vascular circulation, as well as strengthen connective tissues and vein tone.Butcher's broom- It acts as a natural vasoconstrictor with anti-inflammatory properties and has the ability to strengthen and tone veins.

Apart from these Natural hemorrhoids treatment using herbs there are some measure, which you can take at home.
1. Apply ice packs on the affected areas.
2. Sitz bath, which is a small tub and is specially designed to allow the soaking of hemorrhoids without taking a bath. In this process the rectal area is soaked in hot water for 15-20 minutes about 3-4 times a day. Not only does this helps relieve symptoms but also aids shrinkage of the hemorrhoids.
3. Buy a doughnut shaped cushion. They are available in pharmacies and medical supply stores and can be useful to hemorrhoid sufferers. Try and sit on it as instructed.
4. Try and practice healthy bowel habits. Avoid straining your self while passing stool. Don't hold your breathe will on the bowel. Get off the toilet as you are finished.
5. Drink lots of water as it smoothens your stool passage.
6. Eating fresh fruits, vegetables and fibrous food items.

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