7 strange health tips that work

Balance hormones with spearmint tea

For ladies suffering from hormonal problems including acne or facial hair, research has found that spearmint tea can be an effective natural treatment to its anti-androgen properties. Turkish researchers found that drinking two cups of spearmint tea a day reduced levels of male sex hormones in the body, which could be good news for women currently relying on medication including oral contraceptives to help control excessive hair growth (hirsutism) or acne.

Ease headaches with lime

If you suffer from frequent headaches or migraines try stocking up on limes, which many have found to be a good natural cure. The scent of lime is thought to be good for headaches, while the coolness of the fruit can also help to ease the pain. To help ease a headache naturally, cut a lime in half and rub the cut end across your forehead, or the part of your head which aches.

Boost your brain power with chewing gum

If you don’t have time for your morning coffee or have a busy morning and need to focus, try having a piece of chewing gum instead to feel more alert. Researchers at Coventry University have found that chewing mint-flavored gum can dramatically decrease feelings of tiredness, while separate research studies have suggested that chewing gum can improve test scores and improve memory by 35 per cent.

Cure hay fever with honey

Hay fever is a persistent problem for many. However, if you want to beat hay fever without relying on anti-histamines, honey can provide a great natural remedy. Honey is believed to cure hay fever as the bee pollen contained in it can desensitise your body to the pollen which causes hay fever. While it has not yet been proven by scientific research, many have found that taking a spoonful of local honey a day is an effective cure for their allergies.

Improve your immune system with dirt

Many of us avoid dirt and bacteria out of a fear of getting ill. However, while it is generally important to maintain good hygiene standards, a little bit of dirt could be better for you than you think. Research suggests that exposure to friendly bacteria found in soil can actually help boost the immune system and alleviate depression, making gardening and countryside walks ideal activities for giving your health a boost.

Turn off your bedside lamp to feel happier

Many of us experience bad moods or feel inexplicably down from time to time. However, an unexpected solution to your bad mood could be to make sure your room is dark before you go to sleep. Research has shown that night time light can suppress the production of melatonin; a mood-regulating hormone only produced during darkness. To give your mood a boost, try investing in heavy curtains and turn off all lights before bed, including your TV.

Prevent sore throats and headaches by being more honest

If you find yourself regularly suffering from headaches or sore throats it may be that you are telling too many little white lies! We all tell the odd fib from time, whether it is complimenting someone’s unflattering hairdo or claiming to be “on our way” before we have even left the house. However, according to research, lying can be harmful to your health due to the stress it generates. A study by researchers at the University of Notre Dame found that when people reduced the amount of lies they told, they suffered from less anxiety, headaches and sore throats. Read more on realbuzz.com...

Source  http://uk.lifestyle.yahoo.com/7-strange-health-tips-work-091209858.html

Women Heart Attack Symptoms

It is important if you are a woman and you have symptoms that you seek medical treatment immediately. The in women, the common symptoms are:

o Unexplained fatigue or extreme tiredness
o Shortness of breath
o Nausea (not relieved by antacids or even burping)
o Heart burn that won't go away with antacids and
o Cold sweats
o Chest discomfort
o Pressure low in the chest
o Panic or anxiety attack symptoms without the trigger


If you are experiencing these symptoms instead of trying to brush them off as being nothing or assume it is a panic attack. Seek medical treatment. Discussing your health with your primary medical care provider is important. If deep down you feel there is more to your symptoms you should let your doctor know that you want him to run a couple tests. More women die from heart disease than any other ailment.

Symptoms of cancer

Even if one could be a healthy person, he or she still wants to be on the lookout for numerous symptoms of cancer if they want to detect it within the initial stages itself. This could boost an individual's chances of beating the disease while not any permanent harm to alternative organs of the body or with minimum harm. Ignoring the symptoms might haunt that person later in the form of further pain and discomfort while lowering chances of recovery. Here are some of the symptoms that ought to not be ignored.

Totally different varieties of cancers

The symptoms of cancer will depend on the type of cancer that the person has contracted. There are completely different sorts of cancers that would attack an individual's body in the form of tumors or even attack the body silently without any visible lumps. Blood cancer or leukemia is one example where no tumors would be found. Similarly, prostate cancer could begin affecting native organs however may also unfold to alternative organs aloof from the prostate like the lungs, liver, etc. There also are different sorts of cancer like lung, colon, stomach, pancreas, etc that have an effect on the mentioned organs. Often symptoms are confused with alternative diseases and this may lead the doctor to a wrong treatment until it might have progressed into the next stage. A number of the symptoms of cancer are mentioned below.

Symptoms of cancer

If a serious smoker or perhaps a non-smoker starts coughing up blood then this might be a symbol of lung or neck cancer. Within the case of breast cancer, a lump might be noticed by the patient, which might increase in size quite rapidly. There might also be a discharge from a single nipple. Prostate cancer would possibly walk in unnoticed or patients might conjointly notice frequent urination or painful urination. Blood gift in urine might indicate cancer of the bladder or kidneys. In case blood is gift in the stool of the patient then it could indicate cancer of the rectum or of the intestines. Repeated sores in the mouth could indicate oral cancer while repeated itching, warts or moles could be indicative of skin cancer. Patients want to go to their doctor when they notice any changes in their body or in their daily routines. There are several ways through which a doctor might check a patient to confirm if the symptoms of cancer are indeed present in the patient.

Methods of checking a patient to substantiate symptoms of cancer

Doctors may use numerous testing methods to substantiate if the patient is indeed plagued by cancer. In case of visible tumors, a biopsy would indicate if the tumor is indeed malignant or benign. Blood tests, Pap smear tests, stool and urine tests are a number of the other tests to test for specific proteins or alternative agents which may indicate cancer. A doctor might conduct an endoscopy or colonoscopy to check for tumors inside a patient's stomach, colon or intestine. An MRI scan might additionally show tumors or abnormalities during a patient and help the doctor find the precise position of the cancer.

There are several symptoms of cancer that manifest themselves however might end up getting confused with alternative diseases. Any modification in routine ought to immediately be reported to a competent doctor and the mandatory tests ought to be conducted to either get relief or to catch the cancer within the nascent stage itself.

12 tips for raising a healthy child

Babies are born with millions of neurons that sends messages across the brain. These neurons are "wired" by forming conncections -- synapses. Genes have a role in this brain development of the early years, but it is also strongly influenced by the environment. Positive interactions with nurturing caregivers profoundly stimulate young brains.

As children get older, pruning begins. Synapses not being used, or connections not made, will be eliminated -- the "use it or lose it" rule. Connections made repeatedly in the early years stay and become stronger.
What does all this really mean? Simple: Babies' brains need stimulation to develop their full potential.The best way to accomplish this is through human interactions. Your voice, your attentiveness, your gentle touch.

The kind of care a child receives plays a big role in how the brain chooses to wire itself. Success By 6, a national initiative of United Way of America and the nation's largest network of early childhood coalitions focused on improving school readiness through community change, promotes the importance of early brain development so that all children are ready physically, intellectually and socially to begin kindergarten.
The Brain Under Construction Zone, an initiative through our local Success By 6 with United Way of the River Cities, systematically reinforces the 12 Tips for Raising a Healthy Child:

1. The first years last forever. Wiring a brain is like wiring a house; it works better if you start from the beginning.
2. You cannot spoil a baby. Be warm, loving and pay attention to your child's sounds, movements and expressions.
3. Talk, read, and sing to your child. You are your child's first teacher.
4. Have a regular schedule. Children find comfort in the same routine every day.
5. Play is the work of the young child. Encourage safe exploration and play.
6. Pay attention to your child. Be aware of how, where and with whom your child spends his time. Choose TV, radio and internet carefully.
7. Take care of yourself. You cannot take care of your child if your basic needs are not also being met.
8. Discipline to teach, not punish. Use discipline as an opportunity to teach appropriate behavior. Never hit or shake a child.
9. Choose quality child care and stay involved. For local information on approved childcare sites call LINK at 1-800-894-9540.
10. Children develop at different rates. Celebrate each child.
11. Give your child a childhood. Children need unstructured time. More is not always better.
12. Children need to know they matter. Show your children they are loved for who they are.
These messages are designed to improve and enhance parent/child interaction, starting with simple activities that parents can do with their children to stimulate learning. The goal for the Brain Under Construction Zone project is to build awarenesss and understanding of the importance of early brain development to the future success of children.

Lena Burdette is the Community Initiatives Coordinator of Success By 6 for United Way of the River Cities. Contact her at 304-523-8928, extention 7. or by email lena@unitedwayrivercities.org.

Source  http://www.herald-dispatch.com/features/x87591916/12-tips-for-raising-a-healthy-child

Diet for Healthy Weight

Weekly Diet for Healthy Weight

If you a person concern that you are thin, you may follow this diet chart to gain healthy weight.

Day	Breakfast	Food	Snack	Dinner
Saturday	1 coffee with skimmed milk, churros and 1 orange juice.	Potatoes cooked to taste, baked fish with salad and 2 tangerines.	Bread with olive oil and tomato and 1 cup low-fat milk.	Mashed potatoes, filets and 1 slice pineapple.
Sunday	1 coffee with skimmed milk, 1 slice of bread and 1 fruit juice.	Seafood paella, salad and 1 custard.	1 yogurt with nuts.	Tortilla soup, baked fish with potatoes and 1 pear.
Monday	1 plain yogurt with honey or sugar, cereals, seasonal fruit or nuts.	Lentil soup, eggs any style with lettuce and cheese.	1 serrano ham sandwich.	Cream of carrot, cod nuggets and 1 fruit juice.
Tuesday	1 cup low-fat milk with chocolate, toast with olive oil and tomato juice and 1 fruit.	Avocado salad and dumplings with vegetables.	Plantain chips with hot chocolate.	Julienne, fried chicken with tomato and grapes.
Wednesday	1 coffee with skimmed milk, biscuits with jam and 1 orange juice.	Rice with vegetables, chicken with apple and 1 fruit yogurt.	1 bread with paté and 1 fruit juice.	Kiwi and strawberries with cream cheese, roma calamari and 1 pear.
Thursday	1 coffee with skimmed milk, toast with butter and honey and 1 fruit juice.	Vegetable salad with a serving of meat and cheese and peach in syrup.	Fruit plate with yogurt.	Egg and spinach with tomatoes and 1 sherry custard.
Friday	1 plain yogurt, cereal and 1 banana.	Vegetable salad, salmon with mashed potatoes and 1 kiwi.	Cottage cheese with honey.	Chicken breast and vegetables and low-fat milk 1 cup.

Also include those:

• Drink plenty of water, at least 8 glasses a day.

• Add bread to the main meals.

• Avoid to eat fast food.

• Sleep at least 6 hours in a day.

• Regular physical exercise.

Health tips: Quality magnifiers can help sharpen low vision

When a patient is diagnosed with low vision, this means vision impairment that is not correctable by standard glasses, contact lenses, medicine or surgery. This vision loss can affect an individual’s independence and quality of life, but it doesn’t have to.

There are many tools available for these individuals to remain independent and continue to do things they enjoy — like reading, writing, crocheting, etc. Many people with low vision don’t know about the resources that are available to them.

Low vision aids keep getting better each year with newer technology. Quality low vision aids can only be purchased through low vision specialists and dealers. Magnifiers purchased from the local drugstore are meant for people with healthy eyes and good vision; these magnifiers only have a minimal amount of the power that low vision magnifiers provide.

A hand-held low vision magnifier comes with or without lights, with or without a base and in many different powers. Hand-held electronics that can be easily taken in a pocket or purse are great for viewing prices, reading a menu, writing checks and viewing books. These handy magnifiers have different contrast adjustments and a variety of powers.

Another option is a CCTV, which is a device for writing and reading that allows a much larger field of view than hand-held devices.

Lighting is another important factor in dealing with low vision. A good light directed onto what you are reading can improve what you are able to see.

If you have been diagnosed with low vision and are wondering which piece of equipment would be best for you, an evaluation with a low vision specialist is the right place to start. Always continue to have routine eye exams and monitor Amsler grids as instructed by your doctor. Call your eye care provider if you notice any changes in your vision.

Source  http://www.chieftain.com/health/health-tips-quality-magnifiers-can-help-sharpen-low-vision/article_ff53657e-06ca-11e2-b072-001a4bcf887a.html

Anxiety and your Health

What is Anxiety?

Anxiety is a state of persistent and uncontrollable nervousness, stress and worry that is triggered by anticipation of future events, memories of past events or reflections on the events of everyday life, both trivial and significant, with a disproportionate fear of catastrophic consequences.

Stimulated by real or imaginary dangers, anxiety affects people of all ages and social strata. When anxiety presented in unrealistic situations or with unusual intensity, can disrupt daily life. Some researchers believe that anxiety is synonymous with fear, which occur in different degrees and in situations in which people feel threatened by some danger. Others describe anxiety as an unpleasant emotion caused by identifiable hazards or dangers that, in fact, not a threat. Unlike fear, which is caused by actual or known dangers, anxiety may be more difficult to identify and alleviate.

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental disorders in developed countries. These disorders are a serious problem for society because of its interference with work, school and family life. They also contribute to the high rates of alcohol and drug abuse. Anxiety disorders are an additional problem for health professionals because the physical symptoms of anxiety often lead people to primary care physicians or emergency.

Types of Anxiety

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders American Psychiatric Association (DSM-IV) are recognized twelve kinds of anxiety disorders in the adult population. They can be grouped into seven categories:

Panic disorder with or without agoraphobia: The main feature is the occurrence of panic attacks, with the fear of recurrence. In clinical settings, agoraphobia is a condition that usually appears by itself, but it is typically associated with some sort of panic disorder. Patients with agoraphobia are afraid of places or situations where you might have a panic attack and are unable to leave or to seek help. About 25% of patients with panic disorder develop obsessive-compulsive

Phobias: These include specific phobias and social phobia. A phobia is an intense, irrational fear of a specific object or situation that the patient tries to avoid. Some phobias are about activities or objects that involve some risk (e.g. flying or driving), but many are focused on harmless animals and other objects. Social phobia is a fear of being humiliated, judged or analyzed. It manifests as a fear of performing certain functions in the presence of others, such public speaking or using a public restroom

Obsessive-compulsive disorder is characterized by persistent intrusive thoughts have no unwanted or repetitive behaviors that reflect the patient's anxiety or attempts to control. It affects 2-3% of the population and is more common than thought

Stress Disorders: These are stress disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder acute. Stress disorders are symptomatic reactions to traumatic events in the patient's life

Generalized anxiety disorder: anxiety disorder is most commonly diagnosed cancer and is more common in young adults

Anxiety disorder known physical causes: For example, general medical conditions or substance abuse

Anxiety Disorder Not Otherwise Specified: This final category is a separate type of disorder, but is included to cover the symptoms that do not meet the specific criteria of the DSM-IV anxiety disorders.

All diagnoses of anxiety disorders in DSM-IV criteria include gravity. Anxiety must be severe enough to significantly interfere with work performance or educational or social activities and relationships patient's usual activities.

Anxiety disorders vary widely in frequency, age of onset, family patterns and gender. Stress disorders and anxiety disorders caused by medical conditions or substance abuse are less specific for age and gender. While OCD affects men and women equally, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder and specific phobias affect women more often than men. Generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder are more likely to occur in young adults, while phobias and obsessive-compulsive disorder may begin in childhood.

Symptoms of Anxiety

Emotional and behavioral symptoms of anxiety disorders are stress, self-awareness, new or recurrent fears (such as fear of the dark, of being alone or strangers), doubt and questioning, crying and whining, concerns, constant need for security, distraction, decreased appetite or other changes in eating habits, inability to control emotions, feeling like you're about to have a heart attack, dying, or going crazy, nightmares, irritability, stubbornness, anger, regression to behaviors typical of earlier stages of development and the lack of willingness to participate in family and school activities.

Physical symptoms include: rapid heartbeat, sweating, tremor, muscle aches tension, dry mouth, headache, upset stomach, diarrhea, constipation, frequent urination, bed wetting (new or recurrent), stuttering, hot flashes or chills, throat constriction (lump in the throat), disturbed sleep and fatigue. Many of these symptoms of anxiety are very similar to those of depression and up to 50% of children also anxious depression.

In general, physiological hyper arousal (excitation shortness of breath, fight or flight reaction) characterizes anxiety disorders, whereas hypo activation (lack of pleasure and guilt) characterizes depression. Other signs of anxiety problems are poor school performance, loss of interest in activities once enjoyed, the obsession with appearance or weight, social phobias (eg, fear of walking into a room full of people) and the imaginary fears persisting for more than 6-8 years. Children with anxiety disorders tend to be perfectionists and are concerned about "doing things right", but rarely feel their work is satisfactory.

Shyness is not necessarily indicative of a disorder unless they interfere with normal activities and presents with other symptoms. A small proportion of children suffering from social anxiety, a debilitating shyness that persists for months or more, they should be treated. Similarly, anxiety before participating in sports, academics or theater does not indicate a disorder unless they interfere significantly with activity.

The separation anxiety disorder is the most common anxiety disorder in children, affecting 2% -3% of school-age children. Consists of extreme distress and disproportionate to the daily separation from parents or home and unfounded fears of harm to themselves or their loved ones. Approximately 75% -85% of children who refuse to go to school have separation anxiety. The normal separation fears usually disappear within 5-6 years, but the separation anxiety disorder usually begins between 7 and 11 years.

Causes of Anxiety

Genetics, biochemistry, environment, history and psychological profile appear to contribute to the development of anxiety disorders. Most patients with these disorders appear to have a biological predisposition to stress, making them more susceptible to environmental stimuli than the rest of the population.

Diagnoses for Anxiety

The diagnosis of anxiety disorders is complicated by the variety of causes the range of disorders that can include anxiety as a symptom. Many patients suffering from anxiety disorders have characteristics of more or symptoms of a disorder. Patients whose anxiety is a symptom of another mental disorder, such as schizophrenia or major depression are not diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. The first thing a physician usually before a patient is anxious to rule out conditions that are known to cause anxiety and then proceeds to complete patient history and medication in order to rule out side effects of prescription drugs. Most doctors will ask the patient consumes caffeine to see if the patient's eating habits are a factor. The work of the patient and family situation will also be discussed. Equally for common analysis of blood sugar and thyroid function.

There are no laboratory tests that can diagnose anxiety, although the doctor may order tests to discard specific. Although there is a psychiatric examination that can provide a definitive diagnosis of an anxiety disorder, there are several short-answer interviews or symptom inventories that doctors can use to assess the intensity of the patient's anxiety and some of the associated features.

Treatments for Anxiety

In relatively mild anxiety disorders, psychotherapy alone may be sufficient. In general, doctors prefer to use a combination of medication and psychotherapy with anxious patients. Most patients respond best to a combination of treatment methods to either medication or psychotherapy alone. Due to the variety of medications and treatment that are used to treat anxiety disorders, the doctor can not predict in advance what will be the best match for a particular patient. In many cases, the doctor will need to test new drugs or treatments over a period of 6-8 weeks in order to assess their effectiveness. Treatment tests do not necessarily mean that the patient cannot be helped or that the doctor is incompetent.

Although anxiety disorders are not always easy to diagnose, there are several reasons why it is important for patients with severe symptoms of anxiety are assisted. Anxiety does not always go away by itself, but often progress to panic attacks, phobias and depressive episodes. Anxiety disorder untreated can eventually lead to a diagnosis of major depression or interfere with patient education or their ability to hold a job. In addition, many patients with anxiety develop addictions to drugs or alcohol when they try to "medicate" their symptoms. Furthermore, as children learn from their parent’s ways to manage anxiety, adults receiving help for anxiety disorders are in a better position to help their families to manage the factors that lead to anxiety than those who are not treated.