Archive for the ‘Health’ Category

Orthopedic Pillows: an Answer to Body Pain

Friday, July 23rd, 2010

orthopedic pillow for expecting mothers

What you are most excited about after a very exhausting activity is to get inside your room, change your clothes and immediately lie on your bed and have some good lengthy sleep. Unfortunately, as you rest and close your eyes, you become conscious that you are having a hard time finding your most relaxed sleeping position. You twist and turn trying to locate your spot. But you just cannot. And then you realize it’s not your position’s fault, not even your bed’s defect. It’s actually your pillow.

But thanks to human intelligence, you can now rest and relax wherever you like and whenever you want through the medical innovation in pillow technology: the orthopedic pillows.

An orthopedic pillow aims to correct the posture of the body while lying down on any surface. There are different orthopedic pillows available today. They are stiffer and firmer than ordinary pillows because they are designed to support a specific body part. They conform to the contours of the body to provide it comfort and relief. For this reason, orthopedic pillows are also called as therapeutic pillows. They reduce the symptoms of sleeping disorders like sleep apnea, insomnia and snoring. There are also claims that orthopedic pillows lessen problems in blood circulation, lower back pain, whiplash, sciatica pain and neck pain.

Neck orthopedic pillows are designed to give relief to the neck. They are shaped like a horseshoe so that the neck can fit into it. This type of pillow is best used while traveling, reason for it to be called travel pillow. It can be placed on the car seat and can be used while sleeping in a sitting position.

For an expecting mother, however, getting some sleep and rest could be very difficult. The weight of her tummy makes it hard for her to find comfort when lying down. That is why there is an orthopedic pillow specifically designed to help pregnant women: the pregnancy pillow. This pillow is designed to assist the body of an expecting mother. It makes it easier for them to locate a position that supports their whole body while giving them comfort by lessening muscle pain and tension on their back and joints.

Lastly, the wedge pillow is used for supporting the head and the upper body. Shaped like a wedge, this pillow is believed to relieve acid reflux symptoms and GERD during sleep.

What You Need To Know About Whiplash Injury

Thursday, July 15th, 2010

neck and shoulder painWhen a powerful force throws your head forward and then it abruptly returns it to its original position, you experience a terrible pain. Then you start to feel dizzy, your arms and legs feel weakness, and the pang starts to crawl from your neck to your shoulders and up to your face. You don’t know what to do and you feel like you are gravely injured. It seems that your spine is badly damaged and you will no longer be able to move forever. Do not worry too much. You are just suffering from whiplash.

Whiplash is a neck injury caused when the neck is suddenly thrown back and forth like a whip. It is usually associated with motor vehicular accidents, especially when the car is hit at the rear. That is the reason why whiplash has been one of the main injuries that is covered by most car insurers in the United Kingdom. While whiplash indeed happens most of the time during vehicle accidents (430,000 people claimed they suffered from whiplash in 2007 in U.K.), this neck injury may also transpire in accidental falls (from chairs, ladders, bicycles and even horses).

The symptoms of whiplash injury include neck and back ache, shoulder pain, sensory disturbance in the arms and legs, headaches, dizziness, and numbness and weakness in different parts of the body (most especially in the face and limbs). These may show up immediately after the accident, yet it could also take several days ― even a span of one week ― before the symptoms manifest. The graver the injury, the sooner the unpleasant sensations appear.

An injured person is usually strapped firmly on a strong board while wearing a collar neck in order to prevent any movement that might aggravate the situation. The patient is then examined by a doctor. More often than not, the injured is required to undergo X-ray examination. Sometimes, a doctor might even deem CT-scan necessary.

The Quebec Task Force has categorized the extent of whiplash-associated disorders into four:
1. Grade 0: absence of neck pain, stiffness, or any physical damage.
2. Grade 1: complaints of neck pain, stiffness and inflammation but the examining physician does not detect any physical sign.
3. Grade 2: complaints of neck pain and the physician finds out that there is a decreased range of motion and point of inflammation in the neck.
4. Grade 3: complaints of neck pain with neurological signs (decreased reflexes of deep tendon, weakness and deficiency in senses.
5. Grade 4: complaints of neck pain and presence of fracture or dislocation, or damage in the spinal cord.

Luckily, whiplash may be treated by physical exercises and therapies, medications like non-narcotic analgesics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and rest.

Foods that Help Solve Trouble Falling Asleep

Tuesday, July 13th, 2010

It is recommended to sleep around 7 or 8 hours a night in order to function at maximum capacity. Hence, many of us experience occasional problems of disturbed sleep. Insomnia is characterized by the inability to fall asleep when you go to bed and/or waking during the night and not being able to get back to sleep. Scientific studies show that a lot of people who do not sleep soundly for seven to eight hours a night tend to have a lower immune system making them less strong in warding off diseases. Most of us would like to have the desired range of normal sleep but doesn’t know how to. Foods found in your kitchen could help us solve this problem. As people become more health conscious, there’s a growing interest in natural products to treat various problems that puts health at risk, including trouble falling asleep. Listed below are atop of those that could help loosen your muscles up, calm your mind, and stimulate your body hormones such as serotonin and melatonin, helping you in having continuous uninterrupted sleep.

• Warm Milk
Mothers usually give their young children warm milk before going to bed to help them relax and rest. Milk has a tryptophan, the amino acids which has sedative effect and contains calcium that helps the brain utilize tryptophan to promote sleep.

• Banana.
Banana has a small quantity of serotonin and melatonin and is a good source of magnesium that stimulates muscle relaxation.

• Honey
To add sweet taste in our milk or tea, we typically add a bit of honey. The presence of sugar in small amount increases our energy. Sugar can notify our brain to degrade the performance of orexin which is a neurotransmitter associated with your consciousness.
• Potato
Having steamed potatoes or baked potatoes at night will not definitely increase your weight. Potatoes are able to clean unnecessary acids that can disrupt the function of tryptophan in the body.

• Wheat Bread
Combining a loaf of wheat bread and tea will help to stimulate insulin in the body thus helping the performance of tryptophan in the brain; this is converted by the body into serotonin to tell the brain to sleep.

• Oatmeal
Eating oatmeal at night will surely solve your sleeping problem because it stimulates the production of melatonin in the body at night.

• Almonds
Almond peanut is fine for heart organ but it is also composed of tryptophan and magnesium that helps the person to sleep.

• Flaxseed
It is rich in omega-3 acids that can help improve your mood. When a person feel stressed or depressed, it is recommended to consume an amount of flaxseed because it will make your sleep more comfortable.

• Chamomile Tea
This tea has calming effect which reduces the physical and mental stress of the body thus making it a perfect beverage to be consumed prior to sleep.

• Turkey
Turkey meat is a very good source of tryptophan. However, bear in mind that tryptophan is most effective when the stomach is basically empty, not full, and when there are some carbohydrates in the stomach, not lots of proteins.

Measuring Your Oxygen Levels Anytime, Anywhere

Saturday, June 26th, 2010

finger oxygen monitorAre you having enough oxygen in your body?

For most people, oxygen intake seems to be one of the most neglected considerations. We focus more on our nutritional intake, the security of our shelter, and the availability of water and natural resources ― overlooking the fact that oxygen is first and foremost one of the most essential elements that determine our existence. And today, in a world full of taxing activities and recreation, not to mention the huge volume of air pollution in the air, we, humans, unfortunately are often deprived of this basic, most important need― oxygen in our body.

Before, people used to have their oxygen blood saturation checked in the clinic or hospital. The procedure is done through an invasive method; a direct blood sample is needed. However, there are neither clinics on very high or very low altitudes, nor are there any medical institutions that are accessible for athletes who do their daily routine in a peaceful, remote area. Gladly, through the intervention of medical technology, observing the level of oxygen in our blood is no longer impossible and out of reach. Thanks to finger oxygen monitors, one can measure and determine his level of oxygen anywhere, anytime.

An oxygen monitor is a medical tool that determines the presence and levels of oxygen either in ambient air or in the body. One type of oxygen monitors is the pulse oximeter, or usually called the finger pulse monitor. This device enables a patient or an ordinary person to monitor the saturation of oxygen in his blood. The method is non-invasive, therefore requiring less effort and does not cause pain. The gadget is attached to a translucent part of a body, usually on a finger or ear lobe. It releases lights that contain both red and infrared wavelengths. The ratio of the changing absorbance of these wavelengths will determine the measure of oxygenation (the percentage of hemoglobin molecules that are bounded with oxygen molecules) in the body.

Currently, there are more than 40 finger oxygen monitor models that are being sold on the market. These monitors observe and measure the level of oxygen and the pulse rate of the person. Some models function well in an area with volatile temperature or in a setting that is vibration-prone, such as in a vehicle. Some latest models of this type have a warning alarm when the battery power becomes low.

Simple Steps to Manage Halitosis

Friday, June 25th, 2010

Halitosis, better known as bad breath is embarrassing. Millions suffer from such. Halitosis is often caused by bad oral hygiene. Having dental prosthesis and other cosmetic dentistry products may also be contributory factors if not given proper care. About 85% of people who have persistent bad breath despite religious tooth brushing and constant use of mouth wash has underlying dental conditions. These include periodontal disease, dental caries, and oral or tongue cancer. If you have chronic halitosis, better visit a dentist to rule out any of these problems. As a foul breath is disturbing, it can lower your self esteem. It can make people avoid you or could make you spend thousands to cope with cosmetic dentistry prices in fixing something which could have been avoided. Hence, there’s always a solution to every problem. Listed below are easy steps to help you manage halitosis.

Never miss a breakfast.

An empty stomach stimulates bad breath. While food provide you with the necessary energy needed for your everyday activities, they also clean the back of your tongue and neutralize stomach acidity that causes bad smell.

Choose your food.

Yogurt contains yeast that eats up present bacteria’s in the mouth. Any apples or other rough skinned fruits or vegetables will help eliminate food particles trapped in your teeth causing plague build up. Parsley, coriander, basil, rosemary, thyme, wintergreen, cardamom seeds, cinnamon bark, clove, fennel or anise seeds are also great breath fresheners. Hence, according to Richard H. Pria DMD of the American Dental Association, foods like coffee, protein, onions, garlic, and other spices must be avoided as they help increase chances of having bad breath.

Love water.
Drink plenty of water every day. Water helps to wash bacteria from the mouth and your tongue, where bacteria grow. It also prevents dry mouth.

Be with the right mouthwash.
Mouth wash helps diminish mouth odor. Hence, not all mouthwash available in the market are as helpful as you think. Those with dyes and alcohol may contain cetylpyridinium chloride, chlorine dioxide, sodium chlorite, or zinc that may in turn serve as an antibacterial agent, As they gain control in the number of anaerobic bacteria in mouth, they disrupt the nature and balance of our mouth’s micro flora.

Do tooth brushing and flossing.
Flossing plays a significant role in keeping bad breath down. In addition, according to the National Dental Association, brushing your teeth regularly after each meal and/or three times a day can keep plague at a minimum which causes bad breath.

Say no to smoking.

Smoking is one of the leading causes of bad breath. When you smoke the chemicals in the smoke create a lining on the tongue which causes a lingering smell of stale tobacco.

Visit your dentist.

Visit your dentist at least every six months for cleanings and checkups to keep your mouth free of plaque buildup and other problems that may lead to bad breath. If you have tried all the suggested ways yet you still have problems with bad breath, you may be suffering from a more complex medical condition such as acid reflux or problems with your tonsils.

Deep Breathing and the Stress in Your Life

Thursday, April 8th, 2010

The technique to deep breathing is simple. Make sure you are sitting up straight. This will expand all of your inner organs, including your lungs. This is an important step for the deep breathing, because you can’t get a full lung of air if it is squished inside of your ribcage. And, with deep breathing, it is essential to grant your lungs a full, expansive breath of air.

Once you are sitting up straight (whether you are at work at your desk, in the drivers seat of the car, or just sitting on the couch), breathe in slowly through your nose. Feel your lungs fill up completely with air. Now hold it in…hold, hold, hold. Try to count to five or ten. Now, when you exhale, let the air out very slowly. The exhale should last longer than the inhale. Now, try it.

Didn’t that feel good? You can also practice deep breathing while lying down if it is possible to do so. Or, as you lay down for the evening, apply your technique to your bedtime routine to eliminate the stresses of the day. Now, you can attempt to grab a restful night of sleep.

Regardless of whether it’s your job, your children, or the traffic pile up that you sat in for four hours today, you can calm the stress levels in your body. Before you have your next melt-down moment, and the whole world falls apart, practice your deep breathing technique, and exhale the stresses of your world.

Clean Acne Overnight Starting With Today

Sunday, November 29th, 2009

dropsoflemon-clearningacneThis is a well known title that most acne products use in order to spread the word and make a few sales. What we are going to discuss about today is the impact of such campaigns on people’s way of thinking and mentality. It’s nice to see that some of those that we have recently talked to aready acknowledge the fact that for some reason prevention is the key to be free from the acne problem starting with today. On the other hand, those that are thinking for ways to clean acne overnight are making a big mistake, because everyone knows that results can’t be obtained in the last day. It’s late and the problem is not acne, but in this particular case you are the problem. Let’s try and make something clear about how to get rid of acne.

I remember the times when I wanted to know myself a lot of methods regarding how to clean acne overnight but it seems each time something happened to happen (hehe) and I was simply unable to follow the indications till the end; is this the possible reason why I never succedeed in treating my acne problem in one single day? Is it really that true? I think not and I might try to explain what I mean in this article. Well ladies and dear gentlemen that I know plus all the other readers and visitors that might stumble on this little piece of text. It’s not a mystery that humans have potential of understanding how things really work in this life and for this particular reason I gave up on wasting my time on seeking one night acne cleaning options even last year.

Now, you simply can’t imagine how happy I am that it all went through and that no one is creating problems again by trying to tell me to reveal my secret overnight acne cleaning system that only I know. This is stupid for the very reason that something like this doesn’t exist and that most of the people who think it does are making big mistakes. Never underestimate the power of your own intutition because sooner or later it will tell you what is good and what is wrong. Now, for one more time let’s say that when you encounter something like the ultimate thing and method that is going to show you how to clean your acne overnight starting with today simply start being more careful then usual because it’s all about advertising.