Archive for July, 2009

« Older Entries

Preparation For the Hay Fever Season

Comments: 0July 31st, 2009 by admin



Once the summer is with us again then you will start to see that pain in the rear allergy called hay fever, its like a bad smell that is just there when you don’t need it. As the temperature rises so do the cases of people suffering with sneezing and the itchy nose being two of the symptoms associated with this condition. With so many medicines in the market you would of thought that they might of finally found some kind of cure which would get rid of this problem during this time of year.

Everyone has there own symptoms, but all the suffers know what hell it can be during this time of year and the funny thing is that you can take a trip aboard to places such as Spain and your have no symptoms there at all. Preparation is the main key to combat hay fever and once it gets to march you really should be taking allergy tablets which can work if your body becomes accustom to the daily routine of taking a tablet everyday.

I remember a friend of mine did this for a whole year and when the summer season came the guy had no trouble with his hay fever at all, ok no it wont work for everyone but it is worth taking the chance in doing it because if it works then you can really enjoy summer without the need of tissues and those sore eyes. Building up to the summer months with this simply plan might just work so why not give it a try if you do take medications for your hay fever during the summer.

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in Allergy And Sinus

Hawaii Vacations Elvis Style

Comments: 0July 30th, 2009 by admin



Blue Hawaii is a 1961 musical film that is set in the state of Hawaii and which stars Elvis Presley as the leading man. It is based on a character named Chad Gates, who has just gotten out of the army and who is happy to be back in Hawaii with his girlfriend and best buddies. He ends up going to work as a tour guide at his girlfriend’s agency, and one of the best parts of the entire film, besides the King himself of course, is the beautiful Hawaiian backdrop.

Most of the film was shot on location at the Coco Palms Resort on the East shore of Kauai. Besides Presley, the primary cast featured Joan Blackman, Angela Lansbury, Nancy Walters, Jenny Maxwell, and Pamela Austin. There was also a long list of legendary recording musicians who contributed to the film, besides Presley this included The Surfers, The Jordanaires, Hank Garland, Bernie Lewis, Floyd Cramer, D.J. Fontana, Boots Randolph, George Field, and Fred Tavares.

Besides the movie Blue Hawaii that we all know and love, there are also some other world-famous Blue Hawaii’s.

Blue Hawaii Vacations

The Blue Hawaii Vacations Company for instance, which is located on the beautiful island of Maui. Their vacation company began over a decade ago and since that time they have worked incredibly hard, and now sit in one of the leading positions in terms of vacation companies in Hawaii.

They offer a variety of different flights, cruises and package deals, one in particular being the Tahitia Vacations, with which you will sail in the French Polynesia on the Tahitian Princess, which features more than two thirds of the ship’s cabins with balconies and a variety of different dining and entertainment options.

The Blue Hawaii Vacations Company can help you with all of your Hawaii vacation needs, and they feature Hawaii air and hotel packages, Hawaii air and car packages, Hawaii hotel and car packages and Hawaii hotel and condo packages. They guarantee that they will give you the best service at the very lowest price, and they value your Hawaiian vacation just as much as you do and strive to ensure that you will have the most enjoyable time.

Regardless of which particular Blue Hawaii comes to mind when you hear the name, either way it is something wonderful and Hawaii itself is one of the most beautiful, exotic locations in the world, definitely one that you should make sure to check out if you have not already.

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in Allergy And Sinus

What is Cat Renal Failure? How Do You Treat it?

Comments: 0July 27th, 2009 by admin

Cat renal failure is most commonly known as kidney failure in our furry little friends. It is a very common condition that affects older cats. To give you an idea of how common it is, one out of every five cats over the age of fifteen will suffer from it.

Cat renal failure is characterized by the decrease in the kidney’s ability to purify blood in order to remove waste products from it. It is often a slow going, and gradually degenerating problem which is often irreversible.

Some of the symptoms you should look for are weight loss, depression, loss of energy or appetite, excessive thirst and urination, elevated blood pressure, poor coat and anemia. The diagnosis can be reached by visiting a veterinarian to have blood analysis done, as well as a urine test.

The first treatment often used is to give the cat fluids intravenously in order to balance their electrolytes. Sometimes this is just a hydration packet inserted under your cat’s skin. Other times it is a full blown IV drip. In some cases, cat parents learn how to give an IV to their cat. Then they do the IV treatment at home.

Cat renal failure can be controlled through diet. You should decrease the amount of protein in your cat’s diet, because protein is most responsible for the accumulation of waste products in the blood once the kidneys have stopped working properly. However, it is important that the diet is regulated with care because if you feed your pet too little protein, the condition can actually get much worse.

Additionally, lowering the phosphate content in the food appears to help prevent further damage to the kidneys. It is highly recommended that you purchase a special diet food that has been designed specifically for cat renal failure. To help your cat adjust, you can start by mixing it in with their old foods.

Ensuring your cat gets adequate intake of water is important, because cats who suffer from this disease often become dehydrated. If you find your cat is not drinking the water on its own, you can try flavoring it with tuna or chicken to make it more appetizing.

Visiting your veterinarian is the first step to diagnosing and treating cat renal failure. It is important that you get treatment started right away, as it will help prolong the life of your precious pet. We all want what is best for our furry little friends. A kidney transplant is another option, but this can easily cost anywhere from five to eight thousand dollars.

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in anemia

The Advantages of Arthroscopic Spine Procedures

Comments: 0July 26th, 2009 by admin



Until the turn of the century, people who had back injuries could choose between often ineffective medical treatments and potentially risky surgical treatments. Quite a few chose to live with the pain. In the past decade, spinal surgeons have begun to use minimally invasive arthroscopic spine procedures to treat back injuries, which have important advantages over traditional surgical treatment for back injuries.

Pain. People who have arthroscopic spine procedures have less post-operative pain and, in some cases, get better pain relief than with open surgery. Arthroscopic spine procedures can often reverse the pain from failed back surgery, too.

No general anesthesia. Arthroscopic spine procedures are done without anesthesia, avoiding the associated risks. This is especially important for high risk patients with lung or heart disease.

The patient is awake and communicative. Patients are sedated and sleepy, but easily arousable. They can participate by following directions and telling the surgeon when their pain is relieved.

There is less tissue trauma. Instead of cutting through muscles and other tissue around the spine, the surgeon nudges the tissue out of the way with the endoscope. That means there’s less pain, less damage to muscles, less scarring after surgery and less risk of bleeding or infection.

Shorter hospitalization. Arthroscopic spine procedures can usually be done as a day surgery. If hospitalization is required, it is much shorter than with open back surgery.

Faster recovery. Most people go home the same day and recover pretty quickly. Most can return to light activities within the first week. Complete recovery can take 6-8 weeks, as opposed to several months with surgery.

Direct microscopic imaging of the injured area. The surgeon has a much better view of the operative area and the view is magnified. It is not obscured by blood or other tissue.

Microsurgical capability. The surgeon can perform intricate procedures in very small areas. Instead of performing a laminectomy and removing the lamina, he can perform a laminotomy and delicately remove small slices of bone around the nerve root to relieve pressure.

Of course, there are some potential risks to arthroscopic spine procedures, too, although the risk is considerably smaller than with open surgery. Infection and bleeding can still occur. There can be complications from intravenous fluids or the medications used for sedation, and some people have muscle spasms for a few days after surgery.

Some spinal problems are not suitable for treatment with arthroscopic spine procedures and sometimes the patient and surgeon will have to determine whether it’s better to have one open surgery or multiple arthroscopic spine procedures.

We can expect the use of arthroscopic spine procedures to continue to increase as the technology improves and surgeons become even more proficient with using it.

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in flu

Ovulation and Conception

Comments: 0July 26th, 2009 by admin



Trying to conceive is not only a matter of what you do, it’s also a question of “when you do it” and during ovulation is the best time to conceive. This is because the female body is not constantly fertile all the time. Instead, every healthy woman goes through what is known as the fertility cycle, which begins when she starts her period.

A period occurs when the body sheds the lining of the womb that was prepared to accommodate a fertilised ovum (egg). If pregnancy does not occur, this lining is shed in the form of the bleeding that occurs during a period. Once that lining has been shed, the body builds itself up for the next possible pregnancy.

About fourteen days before the next period begins, which is about mid-way during the average cycle, ovulation occurs when an egg is released by the ovaries. If this egg is fertilised through sexual intercourse during this time, it will become embedded in the lining of the womb (which will have regrown by then) and will develop into a pregnancy. Therefore, if you are trying to get pregnant, you should schedule most of your lovemaking to occur during this most fertile time.

Ovulation Calendar

t is not always easy to work out when you are ovulating. Although some women’s periods work like clockwork, that is not true for most people. Therefore, you might need some help. To be more accurate, you use an ovulation calendar.

To use an ovulation calender correctly you need to be familiar with your own body, and many young women, for a variety of reasons, are not, or their periods are so irregular so you need to understand the symptoms of ovulation.

Ovulation Signs

To discover when your ovulation days fall, there are certain physical signs that you can look for:

Raised basal temperature. When you ovulate, your temperature rises 0.4 degrees or more, and this stays constant until the end of your cycle, when you menstruate again. Start taking your temperature with a sensitive thermometer from the first day of your period onwards, and after a couple of cycles you will be able to chart your ovulation period. Changes in the shape of your cervix. If you have never had a baby before, this might not be so easy to find, but by inserting a finger carefully into the vagina you can feel it there. At ovulation, it is softer and wetter than usual. Changes in cervical mucus. At this time, your cervical mucus becomes thinner, clearer, and more slippery than at any other time in your cycle. Other symptoms – some women actually feel a slight pain at ovulation. In time, you may feel it too as you get to know your body. Others, though rare, even experience slight breakthrough bleeding.

Sex is not a Chore for Conception

Remember: when you are trying to conceive, don’t only schedule sex on ovulation days. This could turn it into a dull chore with only one objective in mind. Although it is obviously better to be together as much as possible at the most fertile times, just think of it as a time to show each other extra love, and continue to be as spontaneous as you can. Hopefully, you will conceive a baby, and if you don’t, at least enjoy the extra closeness and love that you have with your partner.

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in Alcohol

Hemoglobin Around The Globe

Comments: 0July 24th, 2009 by admin



Commonly abbreviated as Hb, Hemoglobin, or Heamoglobin, is the iron containing oxygen in our red blood cells which transport metalloproteins. All mammals on earth have hemoglobin, as it is a necessary function in the blood. It contains globin, apoprotien, and four heme groups (organic molecules with one atom of iron attached to each).The gene for the hemoglobin protien can sometimes mutate. This occurence results in one or more of many diseases, but most commonly turns into Thalassemia or Sickle-cell disease.

Heme groups are located in each sub-unit of a hemoglobin [http://www.hemoglobinspot.com] molecule. A heme group consists of a single iron atom, held in a heterocyclic ring, commonly known as a “porphyrin”. Oxygen binding takes place in this iron atom. The one iron atom binds itself equally to all four nitrogens in the center of the heterocyclic ring, which lies on one plane. In addition, two bonds perpendicular to the plane on each side, are sometimes formed with the iron to produce the fifth and sixth positions.

The name hemoglobin comes from “heme” and “globin”. Globin is a generic term used for a globular protein. Since any single subunit of hemoglobin is made of a heme imbedded in a globular protein, the name makes perfect sense. There are many heme containing hemoglobins and proteins. Hemoglobin A is the most commonly known.

In adults, the most common hemoglobin is a tetramer (hemoglobin containing 4 subunit proteins) called hemoglobin A. The subunits are similar in structure, and approximatly the same size. Each subunits molecular weight is about 16,000 daltons, for a total combined molecular weight in the tetramer of approximatly 64,000 daltons. A single heme is contained in each subunit of hemoglobin, so that the overall binding capacity of human adults hemoglobin for oxygen is four oxygen molecules.

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in anemia

Ovarian Cancer Stages

Comments: 0July 24th, 2009 by admin



By the stage of a cancer we try to express how far the disease has spread. It is crucial, as treatment is mostly decided depending on the stage of a cancer. For ovarian cancer, doctors use a simple I-IV staging system called the FIGO (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) system.

Stage I means the cancer is confined to the ovaries. In stage IA, the cancer is confined to one ovary, while in IB the cancer is present in both ovaries. In stage IC, in addition to the cancer being present in either one or both of the ovaries, cancer cells may be present on the outer surfaces of one or both ovaries, or in fluid taken from inside the abdomen; or, the outer wall of a cystic ovarian tumor may have burst.

By stage II we mean the cancer has grown outside the ovary or ovaries, but it is inside the pelvis. In stage IIA, the cancer has reached the fallopian tubes or the womb, while IIB means the cancer has grown into other tissues in the pelvis, such as the bladder or rectum. Stage IIC indicates that in addition to stages IIA and IIB, either some cancer is present on the surface of at least one ovary or cancer cells are found in fluid taken from inside the abdomen during surgery, or the ovary ruptures before or during surgery.

Stage III means the cancer has spread outside the pelvis into the abdominal cavity. It is also stage III if cancer is found in the lymph nodes in the upper abdomen, groin or behind the womb. In stage IIIA, cancer can be seen under the microscope in tissue taken from the lining of the abdomen, while in IIIB, small tumor growths are found on the lining of the abdomen. In IIIC, tumor growths larger than 2cm are found on the lining of the abdomen; the lymph nodes in the upper abdomen, groin or behind the womb contain cancer.

Stage IV, the most advanced of all, means the cancer has spread into other body organs such as the liver or lungs.

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in cancer

How Cinnamon Can Lower Your Blood Sugar – A Diabetes Treatment

Comments: 0July 23rd, 2009 by admin



Diabetes, the disease which was once considered the wealthy man’s burden, is no longer affiliated to the rich. It has become a common malady that is spreading its vicious tentacles far and wide day by day. It is a major abetting factor for heart attacks, kidney failures and stroke. As time goes, diabetes causes vision impairment too.

The complexity of diagnosis and treatment is further increased by the various types of diabetes and the exclusive medication required for each type. Type 1 diabetes is caused by the inability of the body to produce insulin altogether which results in increased blood sugar levels because insulin aids in the proper dissipation of glucose into the blood. This type necessitates total dependence on insulin injections. The other type of diabetes, type 2 is the most commonly occurring form of the disease. It is caused by the insulin deficiency and the failure of the body to utilize the insulin secreted by pancreas. The stark effect of this is obesity.

We cannot feel relieved by the fact that type 2 is not as bad as type 1 because, type 2 gradually morphs into type 1 diabetes as we age and our immune system becomes weak and ultimately results in total dependence on insulin. The ray of hope in this case is that with proper exercise, healthy lifestyle and balanced diet, the type 2 diabetes can be controlled. Herbal alternatives are most sought after, due to their very minimal side effects. Cinnamon is considered as the herbal panacea for the type 2 diabetes because of its ability to reduce LDL cholesterol and glucose. Research has shown that a daily intake of minimum 1g of cinnamon reduces the serum glucose level significantly in the long run.

To understand the effectiveness of cinnamon, it is essential to understand the factors that increase the blood sugar levels. Heavy consumption of unsaturated fatty acids, in other words, hydrogenated oils result in clogging of arteries with cholesterol which makes the cell wall and artery passage thin, preventing the glucose from reaching the cells. The key substance in cinnamon, methylhydroxy-chalcone polymer (MHCP), reduces this cholesterol level resulting in better absorption of glucose. It also improves the ability of the fat cells to respond to insulin which is a key benefit for type 2 diabetes. Diabetes also triggers multiple undesirable effects. One such defect is the malabsorption of necessary salts. One such salt whose absorption is prevented is magnesium. Cinnamon is a vital source of magnesium, hence supplementing our body with the necessary nutrients. MHCP in cinnamon reduce the insulin resistance in our body and triggers the insulin receptor tyrosine kinase.

Excessive quantities of anything result in negative effect. The research world is polarized on the benefits of cinnamon in reducing blood sugar levels. A particular research even says that MHCP is just a water-soluble polymer and does not have any additional qualities. The side-effects of cinnamon are mostly restricted to a specific set of conditions and there are no definite side effects affecting everybody. Studies have shown that excessive usage of cinnamon results in oral erythema multiforme which is lip swelling and mouth ulcer. It is not advisable for persons with haemophilic problems because its anti-clotting properties will cause profuse bleeding. Due to this reason, cinnamon intake is not recommended during menstruation too. Cinnamon is also a common allergy food so it cannot be recommended for everyone.

It is proven that cinnamon is greatly beneficial for people suffering from type 2 diabetes and its side effects are pronounced only in specific conditions of health like pregnancy. But it is always recommended and advised to consult the physician before trying out alternative remedy.

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in Diabetes

Addiction, Triggers, Urges, and Cravings – How Using Mindfulness and Urge Surfing Can Help Now!

Comments: 0July 23rd, 2009 by admin



Whether our addictions have to do with alcohol, drugs, food, sex, gambling, emailing, or shopping, the addictive behavior is often preceded by some triggering event that sets off a flurry of uncomfortable thoughts, feelings, and sensations, leading to cravings and urges to engage in the addictive behavior. An important part of recovery is being able to recognize our triggers and how cravings and urges manifest in our bodies and minds. The practice of Mindfulness gives us a unique tool to slow time down and bring awareness to the thoughts, feelings, and sensations associated with the triggering event while it is occurring.

As soon as we bring awareness to the moment, we have stepped out of auto-pilot, giving the choice over our behavior back to us and in turn giving us the ability to gain back control of our behaviors and our lives. Often, cravings and urges are our longing for things to be different than the way they are in the moment. Dr. Alan Marlatt, the Director of the Addictive Behavior Research Center at the University of Washington, defines a craving as the desire to experience the effects of engaging in the addictive behavior, while an urge is a relatively sudden impulse to engage in an act such as drinking, shopping, or gambling – feeling the high.

Urges and cravings often feel like they strike without warning, but with a mindful lens, we can develop a sensitivity to the internal and external cues and an openness to the present-moment experience that counteracts our addictive behaviors. Dr. Marlatt proposes a few ways urges and cravings can be triggered. The first is through a lack of insight into the body-feeling state such as sadness, anxiety, or guilt that manifest as physical sensations in the body. The second is through defensive and distorted styles of thinking, such as denial, rumination, or catastrophizing. The third is through our automatic negative interpretations of events such as attributing a relapse to personal weakness. In practicing mindfulness, we are not trying to get rid of or avoid these difficult experiences, but instead instill an openness and curiosity about them, learning how to acknowledge them and relate to them differently, breaking the cycle of relapse. Take a moment right now to bring awareness to how your emotions, distorted thought styles, and automatic interpretations of events, can feed into cravings and urges.

In terms of emotions, a growing amount of research is pointing to an unquestionable connection between negative emotions and relapse. The internationally acclaimed Buddhist monk, Thich Nhat Hanh speaks to the importance of being aware of our difficult emotions and even approaching them with compassion rather than suppressing them. It is the natural course of emotions to come and go as it is for thoughts, physical sensations, and just about everything else. Think about if you have ever felt the emotion of sadness or joy. Did the feeling eventually pass? However, with uncomfortable emotions we often try to ignore or avoid them. It is in this struggling and avoidance where we find our greatest suffering and in turn, our greatest triggers, cravings, and urges. Mindfulness gives us the ability to become aware of our emotions and as soon as this happens, we move from auto-pilot to the present-moment and regain the ability to be in control. As we do this, we increase our awareness of the impermanence of emotions, reduce cravings and urges, and become less fearful and more confident that we can do it again the next time without resorting to addictive behavior.So what do we do, how can mindfulness help?

In concert with the fundamental principle of impermanence found in mindfulness literature, Dr. Marlatt developed a technique called “urge surfing” which uses mindfulness and breath-focused meditation to help us ride out the urge. An urge to engage in an addictive behavior can be seen as an ocean wave in that it starts small, gets bigger, crests, and finally subsides. Urge surfing teaches us to use the focus of our breath as a “surfboard” for riding the wave of uncomfortable thoughts, feelings, and sensations rather than struggling or giving in to it. Although ideally it is best to be guided through this, here are a few steps you can try to get started: First do a brief practice where you sit, stand, or lie down and notice your breath coming in and out of your body. You can think of it as keeping your breath company. This is good initial practice so when an urge comes you’ll be more likely to remember to do this. As you have the urge, you can bring awareness to the breath and let it surf the wave of the sensations associated with the urge. Noticing the physical sensation of the impulse as it changes and intensifies in the body. You may notice sweating, salivating, tightening of the muscles, or constriction of the chest. Be aware of any thoughts that arise in the mind and also be aware how they come and go as well. Many people can testify to the idea that an intense urge only lasts about 20-30 minutes, so notice the urge as it eventually falls like a wave in the ocean. As I mentioned earlier, it helps to be guided by a live person or a CD, but this is a good start.

May you be well, may you be at peace, may you be healthy, may you be free from suffering!

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in Alcohol

Is it Natural for Pregnant Women to Have Anemia During Pregnancy?

Comments: 0July 23rd, 2009 by admin



Why do most women have an anemia? Most of the mothers are affected with iron deficiency anemia due to excessive loss of blood during giving birth, menstruation and other factors like miscarriage, bleeding from the stomach, or having cancer or a parasite like hookworm. Menstrual bleeding and giving birth may reduce the iron stored in the body.

Human bodies need minerals and vitamins to function properly. Therefore, a body may not function properly, it only produce too small amount red blood cells because the iron is lacking.

Women need to take 15 milligrams of iron daily as compared to men that need only 10 milligrams. Pregnant mothers need more iron than the normal because both mother and fetus uses iron. The fetus needs iron for the development of its red blood cells and muscle.

Iron is a chief element in making hemoglobin and red blood cells and plays an important role in order for the body to function properly. Iron is needed to help the red blood cells deliver oxygen throughout the entire body.

A body gets more iron from the food you eat if you have less iron stored. But if the body already has more iron stored, its absorption will decrease. One of the reasons other women have iron deficiency anemia is that they suffered from crhon or celiac disease – the inability of the small intestine to absorb iron from the food they eat.

Women who have iron deficiency anemia feel they are weak and tired, have swelling of the tongue, look pale, and are irritable. But women cannot diagnose that they have iron deficiency because they think it is normal to experience weakness and tired after long hours of work.

What should women do to avoid or prevent anemia? Women are advised to take vitamins that contain iron to replace the iron loss during menstruation, giving birth or any situation in which a women loses blood.

They should eat nutritious foods like red meat, liver, raisins, spinach, broccoli, some fish, beans, dried fruit and egg yolks with adequate iron content so that body have a lot of iron to sustain. It is also recommended that they eat cereals that are fortified with iron.

Consult a physician for appropriate treatment to reduce or prevent the effect of anemia. Doctors can recognize a decrease level of hemoglobin and recommend the right amount of iron to take. Too much iron can cause heart and liver damage. Iron deficiency anemia if not treated will become worse.

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in anemia

« Older Entries