Ambien is a hypnotic, or sedative, medication. It treats insomnia by altering the levels of certain chemicals in the brain. Unfortunately, Ambien also causes numerous side effects, including memory loss, daytime sleepiness, confusion and sleepwalking. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, abrupt discontinuation of Ambien may also cause withdrawal symptoms, especially if the drug has been used long-term. Stop taking Ambien gradually and safely to prevent experiencing these symptoms.
Instructions
1. Continue taking Ambien as prescribed until you have consulted with your doctor. If you stop taking Ambien suddenly, you may experience severe symptoms, including muscle cramps, nausea, vomiting, behavioral changes, hallucinations, depression, stomach pain, tremors, anxiety and seizures.
2. Visit your doctor for a new prescription of Ambien. Your doctor will likely prescribe you a lower dose of the medication, when possible, to enable the drug to gradually be eliminated from your system.
3. Reduce your dose according to your doctor's instructions, being careful to take the medication at the same time each day as you did prior to your decision to discontinue Ambien. If multiple dose reductions are required, take each new prescription for a period of two to four weeks before stepping down.
4. Avoid taking other medications or herbs to induce sleep unless specifically ordered to do so by your doctor. Even on a reduced dose of Ambien, taking similar medications at the same time may exponentially increase the risk of side effects and overdose.
5. Call your doctor immediately if severe withdrawal symptoms occur. Your doctor may be able to prescribe something to help ease your symptoms. Rarely, hospitalization may be required to prevent seizures and psychotic symptoms from developing.
Tags: taking Ambien, your doctor, Ambien also, same time, side effects
Bamboo is an eco-friendly and sustainable resource
With over 300 species cultivated worldwide, bamboo (Bambusa vulgaris) is actually a giant grass. Bamboo has been used for more than 7,000 years for food and for making a wide variety of useful things, including weapons, paper and building materials. Prized for its hypoallergenic qualities, bamboo can be used indoors in its many forms by individuals who may be highly sensitive to other plants and natural fibers. However, houseplants commonly called "bamboo" are in fact unrelated to the common bamboo and can cause allergic reactions.
Significance
Almost all parts of the bamboo plants can be used
Because of its rapid growth, regenerative powers, and beauty, bamboo in its many variations offers a healthy, eco-friendly alternative for food, fabric, home furnishing and decoration. Bamboo is used in products ranging from diapers to deodorant, and cultivated both indoors and out as an attractive addition to landscaping and home decor. Since almost all parts of the bamboo plant can be used, it is a versatile, renewable and healthful resource, according to online resource Bamboo Grove.
Uses
Bamboo is a hypoallergenic option for home furnishings
Bamboo can be used to make many implements and objects, including canes, water pipes and furniture. Its fibers create hypoallergenic bedding and pillows. Silky, soft bamboo fabric soothes the skin, wicks moisture and offers comfort to those with allergies to fibers such as wool. Bamboo shoots add nutrition and taste to Asian dishes of all kinds, and with its antibacterial and deodorant properties, bamboo constitutes a key ingredient in natural body products. Traditional Asian medicine also relies on the healing properties of bamboo for a variety of remedies, according to the Institute for Traditional Medicine.
Benefits
Since it is highly hypoallergenic, bamboo can be a good home decorating choice for those with sensitivities to houseplants. Bamboo fabrics, floor covering and furniture can also reduce allergic reactions in individuals who are sensitive to natural fibers or wood. Bamboo Grove's Bamboo Blog also reports that bamboo contains a natural bacterial agent.
Cautions
Although bamboo is considered a hypoallergenic plant, it isn't completely allergen or reaction free. Raw bamboo shoots contain hydrocyanic acid, which can cause cyanide poisoning. In people with rhinitis, asthma, and atopic dermatitis, a contact dermatitis involving reactions to numerous environmental allergens, bamboo plants or fibers can stimulate allergic responses, according to online resource All Allergy. Individuals who are allergic to wheat and other grasses may react to bamboo plants in the home. Bamboo clothing and diapers, which offer a breathable, comfortable alternative to traditional fibers, can cause skin reactions in some hypersensitive individuals, although chemicals in the processing may also cause these reactions.
Warning
Lucky bamboo is not a true bamboo plant
A "bamboo" plant frequently used for indoor decor is not bamboo at all. Called "Lucky Bamboo," Dracaena sanderiana is an attractive, low-maintenance plant with stems that resemble true bamboo. A relative of the corn plant, lucky bamboo is often grown and sold hydroponically, its stems trained into decorative shapes and placed in bowls or vases filled with gravel or glass beads. According to University of Connecticut Extension, while dracaena plants are not toxic to humans, touching or eating them may cause a reaction in those who are sensitive. The plants are toxic to pets.
Tags: bamboo plant, bamboo plants, according online, according online resource, allergic reactions, Bamboo Grove
Ham is the perfect addition to a Sunday dinner. Unfortunately, if not prepared correctly, a ham can be a bit unhealthy. It doesn't have to be this way though. There are a few simple steps you can follow to make your ham as healthy as possible.
Instructions
1. If your ham came with a sauce packet, throw it away. These sauces are loaded with sugar and calories. Plus, they cover the flavor of the ham. This is one of the easiest ways to make your ham healthier.
2. Use the chef's knife to score the ham. Drag the knife along the ham several times in one direction, about 1 inch apart. Then go in the opposite direction and repeat the process. This will create diamonds on the skin of the ham that will let excess fat drip away.
3. Remove the top rack in your oven. Once you place the ham and meat rack in the roasting pan, you will need extra space to fit the ham in the oven.
4. Place the ham and meat rack in the roasting pan. The purpose of using the meat rack is to it allow the excess fat to drip away from the ham. If you don't follow this step, the ham will sit in its own fat, which would prevent you from getting rid of as much fat as possible.
5. Bake the ham according to the package directions.
Yu Jin is an herb used in food and alternative medicine.
Yu Jin is the Chinese name for turmeric root tuber. Yu Jin's pharmaceutical name is Tuber Curcumae. It is an herb used in cooking and in alternative Chinese medicine.
Manufacturing
Yu Jin comes from a plant that is harvested, dried and ground. The packaged herb should be stored in a cool, dry place.
Cooking Uses
Yu Jin is a component of curry. It is sometimes used as an ingredient in mustards and relishes. Yu Jin is also used for coloring food.
Medical Uses
Yu Jin is used in alternative medicine for pain relief, gallbladder, lung and liver function, jaundice, headaches, premenstrual syndrome and depression. Yu Jin is also used in combination with other herbs to form different preparations. The herb is thought to be an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antacid and cortisone producer.
Dosage
When used in alternative medicine, the average dose of Yu Jin is 1.5 to 3 grams per day. This is the dose whether used alone or in combination with other herbs.
Side Effects
As of November, 2009, no side effects of Yu Jin have been recorded.
Tags: alternative medicine, with other herbs, also used, combination with, combination with other
Wearing a retainer might seem anticlimactic after celebrating the removal of your braces. But your retainer does exactly what the name suggests: it retains the corrected position of your teeth. Metal retainers come in all different colors, while clear retainers are designed to be invisible on your teeth. Even if you remove your retainer while eating and drinking, the acids from saliva in your mouth, along with natural bacteria, create a cloudy, foul-smelling buildup on the plastic surface. Cleaning this buildup makes your retainer more comfortable and pleasant to wear.
Instructions
1. Brush your retainer with toothpaste and a toothbrush to remove any easily-loosened surface particles.
2. Rinse your retainer with cool water. Always avoid using warm or hot water on your retainer; the heat will alter the plastic mold.
3. Pour 1 cup of vinegar into a small bowl and submerge the retainer face-up for 1 1/2 hours.
4. Empty the bowl and add fresh vinegar. Submerge the retainer again face-down for 1 1/2 hours. The vinegar becomes less effective as the retainer buildup dissolves, necessitating the need for fresh vinegar.
5. Remove your retainer from the vinegar and brush it again using toothpaste and a toothbrush. Soaking in vinegar loosens and dissolves some of the buildup, but the final brushing actually removes the buildup from the plastic of your retainer.
Tags: your retainer, fresh vinegar, retainer with, toothpaste toothbrush, your retainer with
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome is a disorder of the jaw that can cause severe pain and can even lead to abnormal "clicking" sounds in the jaw that may also be associated with pain. TMJ can sometimes cause very painful headaches. TMJ disorder is usually caused by a misalignment in the jaw or by stressed, tightened, or weak muscles around the area. Although medical professionals will suggest treatment in the form of pain relievers and other medicines, there is no true cure for TMJ disorder. However, there are a number of helpful exercises that you can use to help alleviate symptoms.
Exercise 1
The first exercise to help alleviate the symptoms of TMJ disorder is simple and easy to perform. Begin by placing the tongue at the roof of the mouth and holding it in place as you slowly open your mouth as wide as possible. When you reach the moment where your mouth cannot open any further or the tongue cannot remain in place, hold that position as you breathe in and out for counts of two. You should repeat this exercise 10 times as a warm-up for the next exercise.
It is important to note that depending on the extent of your pain and symptoms associated with TMJ, you may not be able to open your mouth completely or to do so without pain. This exercise will help you to stretch the muscles and loosen them for further use throughout the day.
Exercise 2
The second exercise is to make a fist and place the knuckles underneath your chin. Hold your first in place and balance the weight of your jaw on the fist. Keep the fist in place as you open your mouth. You will need to press your fist upwards toward your chin to deliver additional resistance. Open your mouth slowly and hold for a count of ten. Close your mouth and repeat the exercise 10 times to help build strength in the jaw muscles.
This exercise will help you to relax the jaw bone as your perform the stretch. The pressure of your fist may cause your jaw to click as you do the exercise. Do your best to avoid this while you are performing this exercise so that you do not worsen the TMJ disorder.
Exercise 3
The third exercise involves putting pressure against the side of the jaw with your fist. Take your fist and press it against the right side of your jaw, just below the hinge where your mouth moves. This spot is usually halfway up your cheek and close to the ear. Put constant pressure against the jaw and push for a count of 10. Release the pressure for a count of 10 and then perform the same exercise again 10 more times.
When you have finished exercising the right side of your jaw, take your left fist and place it on the left side of the jawbone to exercise the other side of the muscles. This will provide equal stretching and therapy to both sides of your jaw and should help loosen pressure in your muscles while strengthening them at the same time.
Tags: your mouth, your fist, fist place, open your, open your mouth
Bedbugs are reddish-brown, six-legged, wingless insects that grow to only 0.2 inches in length. They have flat bodies, and people often mistake them for ticks. Bedbugs hide during the day and feed on human and animal blood at night. Because bedbugs are so tiny, spotting them can be difficult, and you'll often see their bites on your skin before seeing the actual bedbug.
Instructions
1. Look for small itchy red bumps on your skin. These bumps are called papules or wheals, which commonly occur in a clusters or lines from repeated bites by a single bedbug. More severe skin reactions can also occur, including blister-like skin inflammations, clusters of small sacs of pus, and skin rashes similar to hives.
2. Get a diagnosis from your doctor. To diagnose a bedbug infestation, your medical professional must examine the bites and rule out other skin infestations, such as fleas, scabies, and body lice.
3. Look for signs of bedbugs in your bed. Small bloodstains on your sheets and mattress may be a sign of a bedbug infestation. Also look for fecal stains, egg cases, and shed skins in crevices and cracks on or near your bed.
4. Inspect your furniture for bedbugs. Look for insect excrement near the entry of hiding places, in furniture crevices, and on walls. Pay special attention to antiques and secondhand furniture in your home.
5. Inspect the rest of your home for signs of bedbugs. Look for specks of blood behind wallpaper and picture frames or other suspected sites of heavy infestation. You may also notice an intense, sweet scent that is a sign of bedbugs' oil secretions.
Tags: bedbug infestation, bedbugs Look, signs bedbugs, your home, your skin
When cleaning an air purifier, your best resource is your purifier's manual. If you do not have the manual any longer, do a search online for the manual. You will need to know the maker, model and serial numbers of your air purifier to find the manual online. If you still cannot find the information, try these simple, generic steps to clean your air purifier.
Instructions
1. Locate the air purifier's filter. Many times this is located underneath and toward the back of the air purifier. Note where it came from and what direction it was placed in the air purifier.
2. Carefully pull out the filter. Place disposable filters in a plastic bag and take them to a store for comparison and find the exact replacement filter. If it's a reusable filter, clean gently with warm water and mild soap. Rinse thoroughly until all suds are out of the filter. Shake out the filter to remove any excess water. Set the air purifier's filter aside when finished.
3. Disassemble the air purifier as much as possible. Make sure you keep track of what you are doing so that putting it back together is easier. You may want to take notes for easier assembly later.
4. Use a damp cloth wet with warm water to wipe down the entire purifier and all its parts. Wipe out all the grooves really well.
5. Leave all the air purifier's parts on a clean surface to dry completely. This may take several hours, depending on the consistency of the filter.
6. Reassemble your air purifier once it is dry. It is now clean and should be working properly.
Tags: your purifier, purifier filter, purifier parts, warm water, with warm, with warm water
Buerger's disease is an odd name for a blood disease that causes a blockage of the small and medium-sized arteries found throughout the body. Also known as thromboangiitis obliterans, the condition is caused by an inflammation of blood vessels.In most cases, the arteries of the arms and legs are afflicted with this condition, which is experienced typically by men between the ages of 20 and 40 who are also heavy smokers. In recent years however, more women are also being diagnosed with the disease, though they are most often in their 50s.While there are no specific preventative measures that may protect against Buerger's Disease, risks are known to increase for cigarette smokers or through use of smokeless tobacco.Learn identify symptoms of Buerger's disease in order to receive prompt treatment and to help prevent complications such as blood blot formation, ulcers and in severe cases, even amputation.
Instructions
1. Be on the alert for sensations of numbness in the toes, fingers, feet, hands, arms or legs. This is often the first indication that blood circulation or flow has been compromised or interrupted.
2. Pay attention to pain in the feet or legs during normal daily activities such as walking or while exercising. While pain may be felt in the fingers, hands or arms, it is most commonly found in the lower extremities due to inadequate blood flow. If left untreated, the pain will worsen as the condition worsens.
3. Watch for signs of Raynaud Syndrome in the hands, which causes them to turn either red or a bluish tint when they are exposed to cold. This symptom produces the color change much as would occur if you were exposed to severe cold such as snow, even though you are indoors.
4. Look at the extremities and watch for any signs of open sores or ulcers that are slow to heal. These sores may worsen and become infected, which may lead to gangrene if left unattended. These ulcers are most commonly found on the fingers and toes.
is a cleansing practice used to cleanse the posterior sinus.
Neti Pots clean the nasal passageway. People use the devices to pour a saline solution into the nostrils. The liquid washes away dirt, bacteria or allergens that may be present. Once you have mastered this first stage of Neti, you can try a more advanced practice. The second stage of Neti is called sinus bellowing. Advanced Neti is said to cleanse the posterior sinus passageways, which can be effective for treating coughs, sinusitis and throat problems.
Instructions
1. Fill your Neti Pot with saline solution. Purchase the saline solution at your local pharmacy or make your own by dissolving 1/8 tsp. non-iodized salt in 8 oz. of distilled water.
2. Perform a basic Neti Pot cleansing by placing the spout of the pot into your right nostril. Tip your head and allow the solution to flow through your nasal passageway and out of your left nostril. Blow your nose gently to release mucus. Switch to the other side and repeat.
3. Blow your nostrils gently to remove any mucus that may have been loosened during the basic Neti cleansing.
4. Placing the spout of the pot into your right nostril and seal in into place by twisting the spout inward.
5. Tip your body forward to allow the saline solution to flow into your nose. Move slowly and continue breathing through your left nostril.
6. Draw in your breath slowly in one, long inhalation while the saline is in your nasal passageway. The liquid will bubble as you inhale and it will drip down into your throat. Avoid quick, sharp inhalations as this can cause the liquid to move into your sinuses.
7. Complete the inhalation by drawing all of the saline solution from your nasal passageways into your mouth. Spit the water out into a sink.
8. Repeat Steps 4 to 7 on your left nostril.
9. Dry the interior of your nose by bending forward from the waist and allowing your head to hang upside down. Allow water to drain from your nose for 10 to 20 seconds.
10. Return to a standing position. Take a deep breath then exhale quickly and sharply 10 times from both nostrils. Repeat until your nose feels dry and comfortable.
Tags: into your, saline solution, your nose, Advanced Neti, left nostril, nasal passageway
The spleen is an organ that is not always taken seriously. Much of that has to do with the fact that many people have ruptured their spleen and are living healthy lives without it. But the spleen does have benefits, such as fighting infection and balancing body fluids, and when a spleen is removed, other organs have to take on bigger roles. So to keep fighting off infections with a healthy spleen, you need to know what food you can eat to strengthen your spleen.
Instructions
1. Eat more fruits, vegetables, and grains in your diet. These foods are all easier to digest. Raw fruits and vegetables keep many of the enzymes that are lost in cooked, processed foods, making less work for the spleen.
2. Buy more organic food. The spleen needs to process the pesticides in conventional food, treating them as chemicals that shouldn't have been in the body in the first place. Even if you wash your food, many of the pesticides have already been absorbed. However, organic food can pass right through. But since organic food is often more expensive than conventional food, try purchasing organic food that is in season to save money.
3. Don't eat too much at a time. The body can only digest so much food at a time, so when you overeat, food gets backed up, straining the spleen.
4. Chew your food thoroughly. Like overeating, not chewing your food creates more work for your entire digestive process.
5. Eat your larger meals earlier in the day when your spleen is functioning at its highest levels. Organs get more tired as the day goes on.
Tags: organic food, your food, conventional food, fruits vegetables, your spleen
Andropause stems from decreasing testosterone levels in men over 40.
Andropause, commonly called "male menopause," typically affects men over 40. As they age, hormone levels in a man's body --- specifically testosterone --- begin to slowly diminish. A reduction in testosterone can lead to both physical and psychological symptoms, including decreased sex drive, lack of energy, nervousness, difficulty sleeping, diminishing fitness and general decrease in motivation or lack of interest in activities he once enjoyed. As a trainer, assisting an andropause sufferer involves a multidimensional approach to increasing testosterone levels. It should only be attempted by trained professionals.
Instructions
1. Review the medical history of the client. Make sure he has recently undergone a physical exam by a doctor, and that the results do not suggest other causes for andropause symptoms. For example, weight loss or a diminishing physical condition can have many other causes. Evaluate the results of the the exam to gauge the level of physical and mental activity the client can safely endure. It is important to avoid putting strain on him that his doctor feels is inappropriate. Have a conversation with the doctor, if necessary. Do not start the program until the client has submitted his medical history to you.
2. Ask the client about any past or current hormone therapy he is taking for andropause. It is important to understand how his current treatment may affect his ability to complete an exercise program. His andropause hormone therapy may prevent him from being able to experience excessive physical strain. If you are unsure about the effects of the client's hormone treatment, consult his doctor.
3. Design a cardiorespiratory endurance training regiment that is appropriate for the client's age and physical condition. This can be as simple as regimented jogging or include specific aerobic exercises. Consistent exercise may help promote higher serum-testosterone levels, and can also improve the patient's mood.
4. Create a resistance-training program. This will increase the man's physical strength, and help him regain some of what was lost to andropause. Start slowly and build up to free weights. Calibrate the intensity of the training to his age and capabilities.
5. Counsel the client on his diet. He should be ingesting foods high in protein and low in carbohydrates to promote higher testosterone levels and build muscle mass. Calcium and Vitamin D are imperative for bone mass. Fats, including saturated fats, should not be entirely removed from the diet, as they are necessary for making testosterone.
6. Monitor the client closely, adjusting your approach by gauging his response to various aspects of the program. Do not hesitate to consult the client's doctor at any time if you have any questions or feel his health may be at risk.
Tags: testosterone levels, history client, hormone therapy, medical history, medical history client
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is a simple series of steps developed to provide laypeople a means of providing care to an emergent patient until more complicated care arrives. Properly performed, it can mean the difference between life and death. While designed to be straightforward and easy to remember, there are some subtleties to its practice that may escape many people. These steps focus on the assessment of the patient's breathing and clear up some common misconceptions. Follow them in order to provide the best care possible.
Instructions
1. Ensure that the unconscious patient's airway is open. When a person loses consciousness, their tongue and epiglottis (the valve that lets air into the lungs) become flaccid and can easily collapse into a position that blocks the movement of air. Carefully position the patient so they are lying on their back, and tilt their head backward so they are looking up (as if they were sniffing the air). Alternatively, you can perform the jaw-thrust maneuver, which involves pushing the patient's jaw forward with your hands. Be mindful of the possibility of trauma to the patient's spine as unnecessary movement can worsen their injury or lead to paralysis.
2. Lean over the patient's face. Position yourself so your ear is near their mouth and you are looking at their chest. In this way you can both listen, watch and feel (with your hand on their chest) for breathing. Oftentimes, opening the airway is sufficient to restore spontaneous respiration.
3. Give two slow rescue breaths if you are unable to detect any signs of breathing. If the patient's chest does not rise during the breaths or you do not feel the air being exhaled, then there is a strong possibility of an obstruction in the airway. Reposition the patient's head to try and open the airway again, and search for a foreign body in the patient's mouth or throat. Then attempt the two slow rescue breaths again until you observe the proper response.
4. Continue with CPR as you have been taught if the rescue breaths are entering the patient's lungs adequately and there is no sign of the patient breathing on their own.
Optic neuritis is an inflammation of the optic nerve, which is the nerve that transmits impulses from the eyes to the brain. It usually affects adults under 45 years of age, and more prevalent in women than in men. Causes of this condition can be either idiopathic or can be brought about by an autoimmune disease such as multiple sclerosis. Precipitating inflammation of the optic nerve results to swelling and damage of its protective covering called the myelin sheath. This will then lead to abrupt abnormalities of vision in the affected eye associated with pain.The defects of vision may worsen within 7 days, naturally remains stable from 3 to 8 weeks, and then followed by a progressive visual improvement. Most of the patients undergo good recovery within the period of 6 months from the time of onset. But good chances of recovery may only be possible on those with optic neuritis that is not associated with any disease. Patients with optic neuritis resulting from multiple sclerosis often results to a poor visual effect. Symptoms of optic neuritis are presented below.
Instructions
Symptoms of Optic Neuritis
1. Notice if there are any changes in your vision. Progressive loss of visual acuity is a type of symptom that is characterized by blurred vision that worsens within the period of 7 days before it stabilizes.
2. Think about if you have any pain when moving your eyes. Existence of pain during movement of the affected eye is common. Its occurence tends to increases within a week and then eventually ceases over time.
3. Remember the last time you had a headache. Occurrence of a dull headache that can be a generalized one or one that happens only around the area of the affected eye.
4. Consider how well you are seeing colors. Diminished or impaired color vision is common among optic neuritis patients. They are unable to identify the sharp clarity of colors since their vision makes them see it lighter or darker than what it really is.
5. Observe abnormal appearance of phosphenes. Phosphenes are luminous impressions that take place when the retina undergoes nonluminous stimulation. In normal eyes, phosphenes are seen when someone rubs the eyes with the lids closed. After rubbing the eyes, there will be an appearance of diffused color patches (phosphenes). In the case of optic neuritis patients, phosphenes are encountered simply without pressure. When patient moves his eyes horizontally or maintain a side gaze with lids closed, phosphenes appear and become more apparent when in a dark room. Phospenes can also be triggered when patient hears sudden noises in a dark area or areas with dimmed lights.
6. Notice if your vision is impaired around bright lights. Most optic neuritis patients are better off seeing things with a darker background. Their pupils are unable to react normally to bright lights making it difficult for them to see things with a more luminous background.
7. Try to see if you have any blind spots. Presence of blind spots merely on the central vision of the patients eyes. Central vision is a vision that normally allows a person to see straight ahead. For optic neuritis patients, having a blind spot on that area makes it difficult for them to read, write, drive, or do any activities that has a need for them to see things in front or way straight ahead.
Quit Line can help you quit smoking by walking you through the process.
Quit Line is a free website that offers resources and materials to assist people in quitting smoking. The first step in the plan is answering questions to come up with a Quit Plan. This will help you evaluate your current situation and addiction level, along with providing methods of coping with the withdrawal symptoms that you might experience. You will be required to set a Quit Date and will be walked through the entire process. Additional resources are available if you need them.
Instructions
1. Open a Web browser, and visit the Quit Line website (see Resources).
2. Click "My Quit Tools" on the top of the page, and select "I'm Ready to Quit" from the menu.
3. Click "Make a Quit Plan" and enter your name, age and how long you've smoked into the appropriate boxes. Click the arrow on the bottom of the page.
4. Fill out the rest of the pages in the Quit Plan, which include information about your current smoking habits, things that trigger you or make you want to smoke and coping mechanisms you're going to use after quitting.
5. Print out your Quit Plan and hang it somewhere prominent, such as your refrigerator.
6. Follow the steps suggested by Quit Line for quitting: pick a date you're going to quit, reduce your smoking up until that date, tell everyone about your plan so they can be supportive, figure out what causes you to want to smoke, get rid of all cigarettes so you're not tempted, buy lots of gum and candy and find someone who is willing to quit with you.
7. Wait until your scheduled quit day, then give up cigarettes completely. Quit Line suggests that you wash all of your clothing, exercise regularly, drink lots of water, avoid alcohol, avoid triggering locations such as bars and get rid of things such as ashtrays that remind you of smoking.
8. Contact local resources if you need additional support. These can be found by accessing the Local Resources page of Quit Line (see Resources) and selecting your county from the drop-down list.
Tags: Quit Line, Quit Plan, about your, want smoke, your current
The final stages of a terminal illness are emotionally and physically
devastating to both patients and caregivers. Hospice provides critical
at-home care and eases the burden for the whole family as they transition
toward death. Knowing when and set up hospice care
requires much thought and planning.
Instructions
1. Determine if hospice care is appropriate. When a life-limiting illness no longer responds to cure-oriented treatments, hospice care can provide comfort and support to patients and their families. The patient, family and/or physician can initiate a hospice information or referral call.
2. Know what expectations the hospice will have from the patient and the patient's support system, and what kind of support and training program the hospice has for caregivers.
3. Research insurance coverage and payment options. Hospice care is a covered benefit under Medicare for patients with a prognosis of six months or less, and Medicaid covers hospice services in 41 states. Many private health-insurance policies and HMOs offer hospice coverage and benefits as well. Frequently, hospice expenses are less than conventional care expenses during the last six months of life.
4. Investigate the hospice. Find out if its accredited by a national organization like the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), Medicare certified, and certified by your state, if required. Also check it out with the Better Business Bureau (bbb.org) and/or the state attorney general's office and ask for references.
5. Verify that the hospice's policies and philosophy are a good fit with your family's medical, financial, emotional and spiritual needs. Ask about specialized services, billing procedures, planof- care document, designated caregiver requirement, flexibility with balancing the family's other responsibilities and the hospice's procedure for resolving issues. Also pay attention to the general level of concern and competence you observe when communicating with hospice employees.
6. Ask for help. Family members, friends, co-workers, clergy and people who belong to community organizations can all pitch in. Some can help with planning, and others can help with carrying out those plans and giving support.
7. Talk to the hospice about the challenging role of caregiver and find out how they will support you. You will be tending to the patient's constant physical demands, supporting his or her spiritual concerns and helping resolve unfinished business, in addition to dealing with health professionals, family and friends, and taking care of your own needs. Hospice can provide trained volunteers to offer respite care to give family members a break.
8. Be clear and firm about what you want when working with health professionals. Prepare lists of questions and concerns, and have all the information they may need ready when you call.
9. Get help as you and your loved one move into the final stages. Hospice offers a variety of bereavement and counseling services to families before and after a loved one's death. In addition, publications like "Journeys," a monthly newsletter to help in bereavement published by the Hospice Foundation of America, can help during this difficult time.
Tags: hospice care, final stages, health professionals, help with, with health
Hours of thought and consideration went into the design of your tattoo, right? When you finally sat in the tattoo artist chair you were sure that tattoo was going to be your defining factor, a meaningful distinction between you and the rest of humanity. Fast forward a few years and not only has the tattoo changed but so have you. You have different values, ideals and character. So, now what? Professional tattoo removal is expensive, time consuming and painful but there are several DIY tattoo removal options that are equally as effective but much less costly.
Instructions
1. Dermabrasion is a technique used to remove the top layer of skin and effectually draw the ink closer to the surface of the skin. Once the ink is drawn closer to the top of the skin, it too can be removed. This technique is done by using an abrasive substance to exfoliate the skin. In the early days a salt peter and vinegar mixture was used. Rubbed vigorously and left on the skin for days, it removed layers of skin. Today, a less painful technique of dermabrasion is to use a hand held skin buffer purchased from any department stores health and beauty section. Use as much pressure as you can stand on the tattooed area several times a week for best results. A very light grain sand paper can also be used but may be slightly more painful.
2. A chemical called Trichloroacetic Acid can be applied to the skin over the tattoo to slowly peel away layers of skin and eventually the layer which contains the ink. It is a safe chemical that is used by dermatologists to remove acne scars, fine lines and wrinkles. It has been tested as a tattoo removal method and proven to have some success. It can be purchases online and in various pharmacies. Applied directly to the tattooed areas, it will cause the skin to begin peeling in two to three weeks. It should be reapplied after all peeling skin has been removed.
3. There are several tattoo removal creams available online and in department stores and pharmacies. They do work but can be a bit expensive. While they do work to considerably lighten a tattoo most do not completely remove the tattoo. The trick to getting the most out of this method is to use them exactly as the instructions say. Make sure to apply and leave on the skin according to directions. They can be purchased from any department store or pharmacy as well as online.
Tags: tattoo removal, department stores, from department, layers skin, purchased from
Millions of people suffer from joint pain due to arthritis, injury or overexertion. Not all your grandmother's home remedies work, but using cabbage leaves to help relieve joint pain just might. Along with other nutritional benefits, such as being high in Vitamins C and K and phytonutrients, the dark outer leaves of cabbage heads are bursting with glutamine, a powerful anti-inflammatory. Though there is no scientific proof, cabbage leaves have been used for years to treat joint pain.
Instructions
Cabbage Might Do the Trick
1. Place dark green cabbage leaves on a hard surface and cut the stem part out with a sharp paring knife. Using a rolling pin or wine bottle, roll over the leaves, slightly bruising them, to release some of the juice.
2. Set the leaves on a plate and cover them loosely with plastic wrap. Heat the leaves in your microwave for about 10 to 20 seconds, just until they are warm to the touch and somewhat pliable.
3. Wrap the painful joint with the warm cabbage leaves, layering them as you go along. (If they feel too warm, let them cool down to a more comfortable temperature.) Wrap the joint with the self-stick gauze to hold the leaves in place and wrap again with plastic wrap to help hold in the warmth.
4. Keep the cabbage wrap on the joint for at least one hour. You may want to repeat the process, using new leaves. Some people apply the leaves at bedtime and keep the poultice on overnight.
5. Discard used leaves and enjoy the possibility of less pain and more mobility. Since cabbage is relatively inexpensive, if this method works for you, it will be a cost effective way to manage your pain without the side effects that come with many pain medications.
Detox foot soaks are a beneficial way to clean out the toxins from the body. When you have a detox foot soak, you will be able to get rid of toxins and heavy metals that have accumulated in the body. The detoxification process returns the body to its natural healthy state, by releasing waste that has been built up in the body for many years. Take a different detox foot bath each day to achieve optimal results. Many foot detox soak recipes can be made at home, cheaply and easily with ingredients you have in your pantry or refrigerator.
Simple Concoctions
To make a simple foot soak bath, combine one cup of Epsom salts with two tablespoons of ginger in one cup of water, then add to the water in your foot soak. Make sure the water is not too hot. Soak your feet for about thirty minutes. This foot soak will open up pores, eliminate toxins and ease pain.
To counteract the effects of radiation from x-rays, or cancer radiation treatment, you can combine one cup of baking soda with one to two cups of coarse salts, Epsom salts or sea salts. Soak your feet in this mixture for about twenty minutes for a great detoxification.
Tea Detox
If you spend all day on your feet, make this great tea detox recipe to relax and soothe your feet after a long day. Combine one cup of Epsom salts with one unopened peppermint tea bag, and one unopened chamomile tea bag, placing all items in a basin of warm water. Soak your feet for thirty minutes. This is a wonderful detox, and also has the benefit of being a deodorant foot soak.
Honey Foot Bath
Make a honey foot bath using honey, liquid soap, vanilla extract and sweet almond oil. Take about 1 tablespoon each of the honey and liquid soap. Combine with one teaspoon of the vanilla extract, and two tablespoons of the sweet almond oil. Mix these ingredients together for your detox foot soak. Pour into your foot bath with enough warm water to cover. Let your feet soak for at least twenty minutes. Honey has many wonderful properties, including being an antibacterial, which helps to detox your feet. It also acts as an antioxidant, and is a wonderful, natural moisturizer.
Alternate between these foot detox soak recipes during the week, and see if you are feeling more spring in your step.
Tags: your feet, foot soak, Epsom salts, foot bath, Soak your, Soak your feet
A chlamydia infection is the most common sexually transmitted disease among sexually active people. Most people with a chlamydia infection do not show any symptoms. Even without active symptoms, chlamydia can be passed on to your sexual partners.
Burning Sensation
For men and women, one of the early symptoms of chlamydia is a burning sensation while urinating. It may or may not be accompanied by intense itching. The burning sensation can be mild or severe. In men, it is often the only symptom they experience if they have chlamydia.
Discharge
Women are more likely than men to experience discharge. Vaginal, penile or rectal discharge caused by chlamydia will look like mucus or pus, and be milky or yellowish in color. The discharge may or may not have an odor associated with it.
Pain
Men might experience pain in their testicles or penis. Women might only notice pain during sex but can experience vaginal pain at other times as well. Both genders can experience rectal pain if they have a chlamydia infection passed on during anal sex.
Treatment
Chlamydia is treated with oral antibiotics. It is unlikely a person can build up immunity to chlamydia, so all sexual partners should be treated or a person risks reinfection.
Prevention
Limiting sexual partners and using barrier protection, such as a condom, can help prevent a chlamydia infection. If you have had unprotected sex with a nonmonogamous partner, you should be tested for chlamydia and other sexually transmitted diseases because you can be infected and not have any symptoms. This is especially true for men.
Tags: chlamydia infection, sexual partners, burning sensation, Early Symptoms, Early Symptoms Chlamydia, have chlamydia
As you age, your bones can lose mass, which can lead to fractures and broken bones. By maintaining a regular exercise routine even if you've been diagnosed with osteoporosis, you can help strengthen bones to prevent fractures and other injuries. Water aerobics is a great way to increase bone density without straining muscles or causing injury.
Instructions
Do Water Aerobics with Osteoporosis
1. Stretch before entering the water. You should stretch leg and arm muscles, back and shoulders and other muscles to prevent cramping or soreness after a workout.
2. Enter the exercise pool. Slowly walk back and forth for at least ten minutes. Water resistance will help you build muscle which allows you to increase bone density.
3. Stand up straight and lift your right leg. Use your left leg for support. Lower your right leg and repeat 10 times. If you need additional support, lean against the wall of the pool. Switch legs and repeat exercise using your left leg 10 times.
4. Stand with your arms to your side. Extend your right arm and push away from your body. Lower your arm and repeat 10 times. Repeat this exercise with your left arm. For added resistance, use water resistant dumbbells made specifically for water aerobics.
5. Hold on to the side of the pool. Kick both legs in a scissor motion as you would if you were swimming. Try to perform this exercise for at least three minutes. You can also use a kickboard for additional movement.
Tags: your left, your right, bone density, increase bone, increase bone density
Raw rice can bring you relief in a rice therapy bag.
A rice therapy bag is a pouch of fabric containing raw rice and, in some cases, fragrant essential oils. When heated, the pouch can relax sore muscles and provide relief for a toothache or even labor pains. When frozen, the rice bag can act as a comfortable cold pack, reducing swelling and pain of acute injuries or relieving a tension headache. While a common rice therapy bag is about 6 inches by 9 inches, you can make yours in a size that is convenient for you, based on how you will use it.
Instructions
1. Place the fabric rectangles with the right sides together. Using a sewing machine or needle and thread, sew a small running stitch around the rectangle, leaving a 1/2-inch seam allowance. Leave a 2-inch section of the rectangle open. The fabric bag will be filled through this opening. Sew around the rectangle again, this time leaving a 1/4-inch seam allowance. This will prevent rice from slipping out between the stitches.
2. Turn the pouch inside out so the right sides are now facing out. If necessary, use an unsharpened pencil or the dull side of a knitting needle to form the four corners.
3. Pour the rice into the pouch, using a funnel. If desired, sprinkle a few drops of essential oil onto the rice first, and mix well. Some popular scents include cinnamon, lavender and orange.
4. Tuck in the ends of the 2-inch, unsewn section, and sew it closed with a running stitch. Shake the pack to evenly distribute the rice and the oils.
5. Store your rice therapy bag in the freezer so it will be cold when you need it. If you want to use it warmed, heat in the microwave for one-and-a-half to two minutes, keeping a close eye on it to prevent scorching. If desired, you can spritz the bag with water before heating to create a moister heat.
Tags: rice therapy, around rectangle, right sides, running stitch, seam allowance
Pain from a pinched nerve can range from mild aches to sharp or stabbing sensations. A pinched nerve results from trauma or simple aging. A nerve can get pinched anywhere in the body, but the back is a common problem spot, sending pain down the legs, arms or neck. Different methods can alleviate the pain caused by a pinched nerve.
Instructions
1. Rest. It is best to alleviate pain from a pinched nerve through the most conservative treatment method. Take a break from a hectic schedule, especially if you overuse the part of your body that hurts. Rest alone may resolve a minor case of compressed nerve pain.
2. Take an over-the-counter non-steroid anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). These medications, which include acetaminophen and ibuprofen, can reduce the irritation of the nerve. Speak to your doctor if over-the-counter strengths do not result in adequate relief.
3. Consult a physical therapist. Physical therapy can alleviate the pain from a pinched nerve in several ways. Manually manipulating the painful area and using traction may release the vertebrae or other obstructions from the nerve. A physical therapist can teach you strengthening exercises that support the muscles near the area of injury to decrease pain.
4. Reduce severe pain through more aggressive treatments such as injectable drugs. Corticosteroids are powerful anti-inflammatory medications can be injected directly into areas such as the knee or hip. These medicines are usually used for short-term relief only, not as long-term treatment options.
5. Consult a surgeon. Long-term pinched nerve pain that does not respond to other forms of treatment may be resolved through surgery. Surgical treatment includes removing an obstruction (e.g., a bone calcification) or fixing a herniated disc that is pressing on the nerve.
Tags: pinched nerve, alleviate pain, from pinched, alleviate pain from, from pinched nerve, nerve pain, physical therapist
Agate is a common translucent variety of quartz (silica) of various colors and waxy luster. Agate is the most common form of quartz and has been used as a gem and ornamental for a long time. Agate resembles flint, jasper, tiger's eye and petrified wood in both chemical composition and physical properties. Sometimes agate is found accompanied by opal. Agate is characterized by colorful, banded rocks primarily used as an inexpensive gemstone and in the production of grinding machines.
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Formation
Agates can occur in various kinds of rocks, although they are mainly associated with volcanic rocks and ancient lavas where they formed from silica within the molten mass spewed forth from volcanic eruptions, which was slowly deposited into nodules and cavities in the host rocks. Agates are composed of silicon dioxide. The siliceous matters are often deposited in regular layers forming a banded appearance similar to the rings of a tree trunk.
Occurrence
Agate is found all over the world. Important sources of agate are the United States, Brazil and Uruguay. In the United States, it is found in many western states like Washington, Montana, Idaho and Oregon. Arizona is famous for its petrified wood agate. Petrified Forest National Park is the source of petrified wood agate in the U.S. Petrified wood agate ranks third in commercially valuable gemstones worldwide.
Characteristics
Varieties of agates are characterized by brightness in color and peculiarity in shape. The outer layer of a raw agate is rough and sometimes pitted with cell-like cavities. Agates are chemically coagulated gel composed of alkali and silica. Many agates are empty inside. Agates are extremely weather resistant.
Types of Agate
A riband agate has straight bands. In eye agate, these bands appear as circular, in various colors. The moss agate contains matter of green, red, golden and black or other color combinations in the form of filaments or other shapes that resemble moss. In dendritic agate, manganese and iron oxides give rise to fern-like patterns suggestive of trees, bushes or landscapes.
Uses
Agates are used in the creation of ornaments like brooches, pins, marbles, paper knives, seals and inkstands. They are employed in the manufacture of grinding equipment to crush and mix chemicals because of their great rigidity and ability to resist acids. Agates are also used in the making of mortars and pestles.
Tags: wood agate, agate Petrified, petrified wood, United States, various colors, wood agate Petrified
Nobody wants to have to make the decision to put their loved one in an Alzheimer's care facility, even when it becomes clear that this is best. Despite how difficult the process may be, though, you can ensure that your loved one is getting the best care possible by knowing what things to ask about Alzheimer's care facilities.
Staff Training
What kind of care your loved one receives is directly dependent upon the staff. The Alzheimer's Association and several other organizations offer numerous training courses and even certifications in Alzheimer's care for nurses, nurses aides and other long-term care facility staff, so be sure to ask about this and about the overall level of staff experience with questions like:
Is your staff certified or formally trained in Alzheimer's care?
How long have most of your staff members worked here? (If a lot of the staff members are fairly new, within the last six to nine months, you should be wary and investigate further.)
What kind of patient-to-staff ratio do you have?
Are staff members consistently assigned to the same patients? (This is important because most Alzheimer's patients do not adapt well to change, even if it seems they do not remember staff. Staff who know the patient well will be able to handle problems more effectively or notice changes more quickly.)
Daily Activities
Of course, you'll want to know that your loved one isn't simply sitting in her room all day and so you should inquire into the daily activities the facility has available. Be sure to take the opportunity to talk with the facility Activities Director and ask things like:
Can I see a schedule of today's or this week's activities?
Will you arrange individual activities for my loved one, if desired?
What if my loved one becomes impatient or leaves the activity in the middle?
Will you come and get my loved one for activities if he is not ambulatory (in a wheelchair)?
Do the patients ever go outdoors or to other places, and if so, what security measures are in place?
Policies Regarding Falls, Injuries and Conflict Between Patients
Many Alzheimer's patients are prone to falls and injuries due to decreased equilibrium and the mere forgetfulness to be careful, and it is important to know what the facility's policy is regarding falls. For example:
Will you notify me every time if there is an injury or only if my loved one requires hospitalization?
What measures do you take to prevent falls or injuries?
Additionally, sometimes the nature of this disease causes individuals to become combative with staff or other patients, and although facilities do everything they can to try and prevent any injury to other residents from a combative patient, there is the risk that this could occur. Be sure to discuss this with facility administrators and staff, including asking:
What is the policy regarding combative patients? How is this handled?
What would happen if my loved one became combative, would he be forced to leave the facility?
What would happen if my loved one was injured by another patient? Would I be notified of this?
General Inquiries
Of course, it is also important to ask the questions you would ask of any other kind of long-term facility regarding your loved one's care. For instance, how much help does your loved one need with things like showering, dressing, eating, etc., and what level of care does this facility provide? Additionally, you should ask questions like:
Who can I call if I have questions? Can I call my loved one anytime?
What are visiting hours, or can I come at any time?
Will my loved one share a room, and what would happen if she and her roommate did not get along?
How often will my loved one receive a shower or get her hair done?
When are mealtimes? What if my loved one does not eat, or wants something to eat outside of scheduled mealtimes?
Are there any restrictions on the kind of items my loved one can have in his or her room (i.e., TVs, jewelry, glass figurines, etc.)?
Will my loved one still be able to see their current doctor or will we have to switch to a facility physician?
Also, it is very important to check out the facilities ratings by the state and regulatory boards. Reports regarding the safety, cleanliness, and overall functioning of the facility can be found online at the U.S. government's Medicare website.
Tags: your loved, Alzheimer care, staff members, would happen, Alzheimer patients
Sleep apnea is one of the most common and most severe of the sleep disorders that can affect people. According to ApneaGuide.com, between 12 and 20 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea to some varying degree. There are two main types of sleep apnea, obstructive and central. Central is related to a malfunction in the brain signals, but obstructive is due to tissue blocking a person's airway during the night and is by far the most common type.
Significance
Obstructive sleep apnea is significant because of the seriousness of the condition. According to HelpGuide.org, if you wake up countless times in a night because you cannot breathe, you will be at an increased risk of developing medical issues down the road. While medical treatments exist for sleep apnea, there are also home remedies you can try on your own.
Types
According to the Mayo Clinic, there are two main types of home remedies for obstructive sleep apnea: lifestyle changes and changing sleep patterns. Lifestyle changes include losing weight and abstaining from alcohol before bed. You can change your sleeping patterns by sleeping on your side, sewing a tennis ball into the back of your pajamas (so you cannot comfortably sleep on your back) and raising the incline of your bed.
Function
Since the airway blockage is caused by fatty tissue collapsing when the muscles relax at night, losing weight will begin to reduce the amount of tissue, says the Mayo Clinic. Alcohol consumption can cause the muscles to relax even more than normal, so reducing this can help to keep the situation in check. HelpGuide.org says that the sleep pattern changes discussed above can help mitigate the amount of blockage in the airway, because lying on your back is the worst position for sleep apnea.
Benefits
When you increase the amount of sleep you are getting, especially without the interruptions during the night due to the apnea, you will feel increasingly refreshed throughout the day. If you have suffered from past episodes of being drowsy or sluggish during the day, then that will gradually improve as your sleep apnea improves. If you have other ailments related to sleep apnea, like heart disease and high blood pressure, by reducing sleep apnea episodes you may see improvement in these areas too.
Considerations
If you suffer from sleep apnea or suspect that you do, it is important to see a doctor to have the condition confirmed with testing. Home remedies can certainly help to improve your symptoms, but medical treatments are crucially important for improving the condition. In addition to getting a doctor's help and treatment, lose some weight and begin to sleep on your side to see improvement in your obstructive sleep apnea symptoms.
Tags: sleep apnea, sleep apnea, during night, from sleep, from sleep apnea
Black walnut (Juglans nigra) or American walnut is a native American hardwood tree that yields edible nuts in shells. The timber, bark, shells and nuts all have uses. It is native to the eastern and central United States.
Black Walnut Shells Are Used in Cosmetics
Dried, milled black walnut shells are used for self-tanning cosmetics. It is a big business in Europe at 200,000 pounds annually.
Industrial Uses
Ground-up black walnut shells go into products used for metal cleaning and polishing, oil well drilling, paint and explosives. They are used to clean jet engines, electronic circuit boards, ships and auto gear systems. The paint industry uses the shells to make plaster-effect paints. The ground-up shell also can be used as a natural stain. The shells are used as filler in dynamite.
Herbal and Dietary Supplements
There are many links on the Internet advertising black walnut products in herbal or dietary supplements. Such supplements are not regulated by the government, so take care in using them. People have used home remedies made from black walnuts, shells and bark for centuries. The husk of the shell has been chewed for colic, used as a poultice for swelling, and used to cure fungal infections of the skin, hair and fingernails.
Other Uses
Crushed black walnut shells are used as a cleaning agent for guns. Walnut shelling plants in Lodi, California, and Stockton, Missouri, sell the shells as fuel for cogeneration (steam and electricity-producing) power plants. Black walnut shells make gritty agents for soaps and dental cleansers. The husk of the black walnut shell may be spread on pastures or other land areas when the walnuts are processed. It is plowed under to break up the soil and encourage the grass to grow.
Tags: walnut shells, black walnut, black walnut shells, shells used, Black walnut, black walnut
Myelofibrosis leukemia is a chronic condition in which scar tissue supplants the cells in bone marrow responsible for creating blood. This causes the red blood cells to become abnormally shaped and causes swelling of the spleen. The disease can occur on its own or escort other blood conditions.
Identification
Myelofibrosis leukemia is usually diagnosed when a patient has a swollen spleen or abnormal blood counts, according to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. A determination can be made after a complete blood count if the results indicate a decrease in red blood cells or an increase in white blood cells or platelets. In addition to blood work, a bone marrow biopsy will be conducted to see if any abnormality exists.
Effects
Those with myelofibrosis leukemia may suffer from fatigue, sluggishness, difficulty breathing, loss of weight, night sweats, bone soreness and an increase in the size of the spleen. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society states that it is possible for someone with myelofibrosis leukemia not to show any symptoms at all.
Expert Insight
The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society reports that nearly 20 percent of patients with myelofibrosis leukemia can survive 10 years after being diagnosed with the condition by receiving treatment. In most cases, a person has five years to live after the leukemia is detected.
Warning
The Metzger Law Group, a California firm that concentrates in litigation of toxic injuries, reports that myelofibrosis leukemia may be caused due to being exposed to certain toxic substances, such as ionizing radiation. Workers at petroleum refineries or chemical plants can be at risk of myelofibrosis leukemia.
Prevention/Solution
The Quincy Medical Group in Quincy, Illinois, reports that there is no specific treatment for myelofibrosis leukemia. The goal of treatment is to provide relieve from the symptoms. Treatment can include blood transfusions, chemotherapy, medicines to increase red blood cell creation and removal of the spleen. Bone marrow transplants sometimes help the prognosis in younger people.
Radiation therapy, given in higher doses, can control many cancers. However, due to this method's inability to conform to a specific irradiation pattern, tissues that surround cancerous cells may suffer damage. This fact alone forces many physicians to use less than the desired dose of radiation to minimize damage and side effects. With proton beam therapy, however, full or higher doses are used to treat prostate and other cancers.
Proton Treatment
According to the National Association of Proton Therapy, more than 200 thousand men are diagnosed with prostrate cancer each year. Before proton therapy was available, there were only two choices that were primarily considered for prostate cancer treatments: conventional radiation or surgery to remove the prostate.
Proton therapy is a highly precise delivery method using radiation. Proton therapy has proven to be highly effective in treating the prostate without the real dangers of conventional radiation or the drastic measure of surgically removing the prostate. Since 2001, proton therapy has proven to be the most effective treatment available for prostate cancer that has not metastasized (spread outside the prostate).
The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis. The usual length of treatment is approximately five to seven weeks. Time spent in the treatment area is about 20 minutes. The actual treatment itself last only one minute or so.
There is no pain associated with the proton beam itself, although some minor side effects may occur but are usually mild in comparison to conventional radiation. Common side effects may include skin reactions at the site of proton entry, fatigue and hair loss.
History
The Proton Treatment and Research Center at Loma Linda University in Loma Linda, California, had was dedicated in December of 2007 to a physicist who thought that subatomic particles could cure cancer. The center, now called the James A. Slater, M.D., Proton Treatment and Research Center at Loma Linda University, opened its doors in 1990 to a new perspective and vision for the future of cancer treatment. This center was the first of its kind in the United States of America.
Tags: conventional radiation, Loma Linda, Proton Treatment, side effects, Center Loma, Center Loma Linda, higher doses
There are many symptoms of a toxic liver such as feeling bloated or rundown, unexplained weight gain, allergy-like symptoms or dry brittle skin, fingernails and hair. This procedure will cleanse the liver and put you on your way to regaining your health.
Instructions
1. First and foremost let me say that I AM NOT a doctor and this procedure IS NOT meant to be medical advice or a prescription for any illness. If you have any question as to the validity of this cleanse you should consult a physician that is knowledgeable in alternative and/or natural healing remedies. Use this information at your own discretion. I have done this several times over the last 2 years and I am amazed at how much better I feel.
2. For three days before the actual cleanse you will want to mini-fast. Eat as little as possible and only eat raw unprocessed fruit and/or all vegetable salads with no dressing. Every day drink at least one quart of unfiltered, high quality apple juice, preferably home-made. You should have to shake the apple juice up to mix the sediment from the bottom of the container.
3. Chose a day to do the cleanse when you have the next day free as well to rest. Take no medicines, pills or vitamins that you can do without. Eat a no-fat breakfast of fruit and a fat-free light lunch with no dairy products.
4. Do not eat or drink anything after 2:00pm. Prepare your Epsom salt mixture at this time. Mix 4 heaping tablespoons of Epsom salt, 3 cups of water and 1/2 teaspoon of Vitamin C powder together in your jar. This is four, 3/4 cup servings.
5. 6:00 PM. Drink one serving (3/4 cup) of the Epsom salts water.
6. 8:00 PM. Drink one serving (3/4 cup) of the Epsom salts water. Get everything done now that you normally do before bedtime. Be prepared to spend the rest of the evening relaxed and alone. Timing is critical for the rest of the process so do not be more than 10 minutes late or early for any of the remaining steps.
7. 9:45 PM. Pour the olive oil and the 3/4 cup of combined lemon/grapefruit juice into the second jar. Close the jar and shake vigorously until the ingredients are well mixed.
8. 10:00 PM. Be prepared to go to bed and STAY in bed. Take the oil/fruit juice mixture to your bedside and drink it standing up. Take four of the Ornithine capsules if you have them to help you sleep through the night. Get everything down as quickly as possible and lie down immediately. Lie on your right side in the fetal position with your knees pulled up to your chest for at least 30 minutes.
9. After the 30 minutes have passed you can turn onto your back with your head on a good thick pillow. Try to keep perfectly still, relax and go to sleep.
10. 6:00 am the next morning drink your third 3/4 cup of Epsom salts water. It's best that you don't get up so bring the water to your bedside table the night before when you go to bed or have someone bring it to you. Remain in bed staying still and relaxed.
11. 8:00 am take your fourth and final 3/4 cup of the Epsom salts water and go back to bed if you like.
12. 10:00am Drink some fruit juice and 30 minutes later you can eat some fresh fruit. An hour or so later you can start to eat regular food again but keep it light and uncooked. Also drink more water than usual to replenish your body with lost fluids. By suppertime you should be fully recovered and feeling re-energized.
Tags: Epsom salts, Epsom salts water, salts water, apple juice, Drink serving, Drink serving Epsom, Epsom salt
While gout is best controlled with weight loss and changes in diet and lifestyle, occupational therapy can also help. The therapies recommended for people with gout include regular stretching and exercise to help prevent flare-ups and aids like braces and crutches to ease pressure on joints during a gout attack.
Regular Exercise
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure and that's the case with gout. In addition to avoiding foods that lead to the buildup of uric acid in joints, which causes the pain and inflammation of gout, you should also exercise. Regular exercise improves blood flow, keeps joints flexible and helps control weight (overweight people are most susceptible to gout). One of the best exercises is swimming in a heated pool or any water-based exercise, since it is low impact and reduces pressure on joints that could be effected by gout. Walking and cycling are also good alternatives.
Assistive Devices
When you have a gout flare-up, the key is to reduce pressure on the affected joints. Since the most common site of gout attacks is the big toe, it could be a good idea to use a cane, a brace or crutches during a gout flare-up. Putting less pressure on a joint will help it heal faster and speed your recovery from a flare-up. Also wear loose-fitting clothing or footwear to keep pressure off the afflicted area. And if the area around your big toe is swollen and painful, consider wearing a steel-toed boot to protect if from being stepped on if you're going out and expect to be in a crowd. The same approach can be taken to protect swollen joints in other areas of the body with padding.
Stretching Exercises
Another way to preempt gout attacks and make them more bearable when they occur is to stretch regularly. Simple stretches like knee bends and bending down to touch your toes can loosen up joints and keep them stronger and more flexible. The same can be said for range of motion exercises like yoga, pilates or tai chi, which stretch muscles and help relieve stress. Stretching is particularly effective if gout affects large joints like the knee, elbow or ankle. And always incorporate a proper diet into any exercise regime that restricts foods with purines (red meat and most shellfish) and keeps alcohol to a minimum, especially beer.
Tags: during gout, gout attacks, gout best, gout flare-up, like knee
Theologists argue over the Biblical understanding of the composition of man.
A good deal of theology is dedicated to identifying the Biblical understanding of the composition of man. One such interpretation is the trichotomy, the belief that people are broken down into body, soul and spirit. In this set of beliefs, the spirit and soul have different functions, come from different places and represent different things. There are those who believe that Biblical passages don't support the trichotomy, and that only a separation of body and spirit is expressed, while others believe there is no separation at all.
Greek Translation
The words for soul and spirit in the original Greek of the New Testament had different meanings, and were also distinguished in Greek philosophical traditions older than the Bible. Soul is the translation of the Greek word psyche. This word also meant something similar to mind, and it is where we get the word psychology. Spirit is the translation of the Greek word pneuma. To the Greek Stoic philosophers, a tradition a few centuries older than the Bible, pneuma was in all of the cosmos, and when a person died, the pneuma within them reunited with the celestial pneuma.
Soul is Animal, Spirit is Godly
Those who believe in the trichotomy believe that the soul is the element within people that brings them to life. This is only the animal life, however, and the same force is present in all living creatures. Trichotomists believe the spirit is the force of God-consciousness within man, and that man was created with body, soul and spirit, but the spirit was lost with the fall of man only to be regained in Jesus Christ.
Soul is Individual, Spirit is Collective
Another abstract difference between soul and spirit, the trichotomists believe, is the individuality of the soul versus the collective nature of the spirit. This is similar to the Stoics understanding of the spirit (pneuma) as something found throughout the cosmos. Human will lies in the soul, giving an individual the ability to make free choices and to sin. The spirit is the element needed for godliness. In First Corinthians, Paul writes, "that we might know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual things to spiritual men," suggesting that understanding of spirit, not soul, is needed to understand "the things given freely to us by God."
Substance Dualism
Many reject the view that the soul and spirit are different at all, and that there is only a division between body and soul. This belief is called substance dualism and most Christians subscribe to it. They believe that trichotomists take key passages of the Bible out of context to develop their beliefs. When both words are used in the same sentence, for instance, they maintain it's only meant as emphasis. They also believe that trichotomist beliefs are irreconcilable with other passages in the Bible, and that since the Bible contains no inconsistencies, the trichotomy cannot be valid.
Tags: soul spirit, believe that, body soul, Biblical understanding, Biblical understanding composition, body soul spirit, Greek word
Old memory foam toppers break down and compress over time -- resulting in loss of the support that new toppers provide. When this happens, you can attempt to sell or give away the topper, throw it away, recycle it at a recycling facility or reuse it. Many people choose the last option as the old topper foam usually has enough expansion left to it that it can provide some support or protection in many areas around a home or office.
Instructions
1. Place your old memory foam topper under a new one on your bed to provide a little additional thickness and support.
2. Place pieces of the foam in a box as packing material for mailings or when moving to help prevent packed items from breaking or shifting around. If you have collectibles items such as glassware or miniatures, cut the foam into sheets and lay collectibles carefully between the pieces inside of storage or travels cases.
3. Cut the topper into one or two inch thick strips of varying lengths and duct tape the pieces to sharp edges and corners on furniture, cabinet doors and other areas to protect children and the elderly from injury.
4. Make pillows, lumbar supports, seat cushions or pet beds with the material. For example, to make a simple pillow, locate a pillowcase that's roughly the size of the pillow that you want, shred the topper into pieces to use as filler, fill the pillowcase with the material and sew the opening shut with needle and thread or a sewing machine.
5. Glue a piece of fabric you like to a 2 inch by 2 inch square, or larger piece, of the memory foam to make a pin cushion.