Wednesday 29 April 2009

What do I need to know About the Swine Flu?

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently declared a nationwide public health emergency due to the emergence of human clusters of Swine Influenza. Investigations continue to understand the disease and its current and potential impact. While no pandemic currently exists, the possibility remains.

O'Brien's Response Management (O'Brien'sRM) is ready to respond to your planning and preparedness needs. Our team has written numerous Business Continuity Plans that include procedures for dealing with Pandemic Influenza for various local and state agencies and private businesses. We've also trained and exercised thousands of people (government officials and private industry professionals) on influenza preparedness and planning.

Here are some questions employers may be asking themselves.

Q: What is swine influenza and how do I get it?

A: Swine influenza, or "swine flu", is a highly contagious acute respiratory disease of pigs, caused by one of several swine influenza A viruses. The virus is spread among pigs by aerosols, direct and indirect contact, and asymptomatic carrier pigs. People usually get swine influenza from infected pigs, however, some human cases lack contact history with pigs or environments where pigs have been located. Human-to-human transmission has occurred in some instances but was limited to close contacts and closed groups of people. (World Health Organization)

Q: What are the implications for human health?

A: Outbreaks and sporadic human infection with swine influenza have been occasionally reported. Generally clinical symptoms are similar to seasonal influenza but reported clinical presentation ranges broadly from asymptomatic infection to severe pneumonia resulting in death. (World Health Organization)

Q: What can my company or agency do?

A: Convene emergency planning teams to review and update your flu and Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP)/Business Continuity Plan (BCP) and include specific Pandemic Influenza elements. Communicate with employees and monitor the situation. Review existing HR policies regarding employee sick leave. Also, confirm the availability of resources to support a pandemic response. If a confirmed influenza outbreak exists near your facility, consider specific additional actions according to your plans, such as employee health screening, reductions in force, and mandatory respiratory protection.


Q: Is it safe for my employees to travel?

A: As of April 28, 2009, the CDC has recommended that nonessential travel to Mexico be avoided. Current travel precautions and future updates can be found at.


Q: What's the best source of information?

A: Refer to your local health department. For national updates and guidance go the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website www.pandemicflu.gov. For international updates visit the World Health Organization (WHO) website at www.who.int.


Q: What if my company doesn't have a flu plan?

A. Consider updating your COOP/BCP and other emergency response plans to reflect flu planning preparations and response procedures.


Q: Are there any local contingency planning professionals who can help my company?

A: Yes, O'Brien's Response Management has planning professionals, including experienced public health epidemiologists and business continuity planners.


Q: What should we tell our employees who are concerned about this turning into a pandemic?

A: There is no flu pandemic currently. To minimize the spread of any viral disease in the workplace, encourage good health and hygiene practices at all times. Follow local health department guidance.

Q: Are businesses required to have a flu plan?

A: There is no government requirement but it is highly recommended that companies plan to protect themselves and their employees from flu-imposed disruptions to business.


Q: Is it safe to eat pork and pork products?

A: Yes. Swine influenza has not been shown to be transmissible to people through eating properly handled and prepared pork (pig meat) or other products derived from pigs. The swine influenza virus is killed by cooking temperatures of 160F/70C, corresponding to the general guidance for the preparation of pork and other meat. (World Health Organization)


Q: What about the pandemic risk?

A: It is likely that most people, especially those who do not have regular contact with pigs, do not have immunity to swine influenza viruses that can prevent the virus infection. If a swine virus establishes efficient human-to human transmission, it can cause an influenza pandemic. The impact of a pandemic caused by such a virus is difficult to predict: it depends on virulence of the virus, existing immunity among people, cross protection by antibodies acquired from seasonal influenza infection and host factors. (World Health Organization)

Q: Is there a human vaccine to protect from swine influenza?

A: There are no vaccines that contain the current swine influenza virus causing illness in humans. It is not known whether current human seasonal influenza vaccines can provide any protection. Influenza viruses change very quickly. It is important to develop a vaccine against the currently circulating virus strain for it to provide maximum protection to the vaccinated people. (World Health Organization)


Q: What drugs are available for treatment?

A: There are two classes of such medicines, 1) adamantanes (amantadine and remantadine), and 2) inhibitors of influenza neuraminidase (oseltamivir and zanamivir). Most of the individuals previously reported to have contracted swine influenza recovered fully from the disease without requiring medical attention and without antiviral medicines. (World Health Organization)


Q: How can I protect myself from getting swine influenza from infected people?

A: In the past, human infection with swine influenza was generally mild but is known to have caused severe illness such as pneumonia For the current outbreaks in the United States and Mexico however, the clinical pictures have been different. None of the confirmed cases in the United States have had the severe form of the disease and the patients recovered from illness without requiring medical care. In Mexico, some patients reportedly had the severe form of the disease and there have been reported fatalities.

To protect yourself, practice general preventive measures for influenza:

Avoid close contact with people who appear unwell and who have fever and cough.
Wash your hands with soap and water frequently and thoroughly.
Practice good health habits including adequate sleep, eating nutritious food, and keeping physically active.
If there is an ill person at home:

Try to provide the ill person in a separate section in the house. If this is not possible, keep the patient at least 1 meter in distance from others.
Cover mouth and nose when caring for the ill person. Masks can be bought commercially and the CDC recommends that nay mask conform to the N95 standard.
Wash your hands with soap and water thoroughly after each contact with the ill person.
Try to improve the air flow in the area where the ill person stays. Use doors and windows to take advantage of breezes.
Promptly and properly dispose of tissues and other disposable items used by the infected individual.
Keep the environment clean with readily available household cleaning agents. (World Health Organization)
Q: What should I do if I think I have swine influenza?

A: If you feel unwell, have high fever, cough and/or sore throat:

If your symptoms are severe contact your family physician, visit a hospital emergency room or call 911.
Stay at home and keep away from work, school or crowds as much as possible.
Rest and take plenty of fluids.
Cover your mouth and nose with disposable tissues when coughing and sneezing and dispose of the used tissues properly.
Wear a disposable mask or other respiratory protection.
Wash your hands with soap and water frequently and thoroughly, especially after coughing or sneezing.
Inform family and friends about your illness and seek help for household chores that require contact with other people such as shopping. (World Health Organization)

Tuesday 28 April 2009

Swine Flu

What is swine flu?

Like people, pigs can get influenza (flu), but swine flu viruses aren't the same as human flu viruses. Swine flu doesn't often infect people, and the rare human cases that have occurred in the past have mainly affected people who had direct contact with pigs. But the current swine flu outbreak is different. It's caused by a new swine flu virus that has spread from person to person -- and it's happening among people who haven't had any contact with pigs.

What are swine flu symptoms?

Symptoms of swine flu are like regular flu symptoms and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu. Those symptoms can also be caused by many other conditions, and that means that you and your doctor can't know, just based on your symptoms, if you've got swine flu. It takes a lab test to tell whether it's swine flu or some other condition.

If I think I have swine flu, what should I do? When should I see my doctor?

If you have flu symptoms, stay home, and when you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue. Afterward, throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands. That will help prevent your flu from spreading.
If you've got flu symptoms, and you've recently been to a high-risk area like Mexico, it is recommended that you see your doctor. If you have flu symptoms but you haven't been in a high-risk area, you can still see a doctor -- that's your call.
Keep in mind that your doctor will not be able to determine whether you have swine flu, but he or she would take a sample from you and send it to a state health department lab for testing to see if it's swine flu. If your doctor suspects swine flu, he or she would be able to write you a prescription for Tamiflu or Relenza. Those drugs may not be required; U.S. swine flu patients have made a full recovery without it.

How does swine flu spread? Is it airborne?

The new swine flu virus apparently spreads just like regular flu. You could pick up germs directly from an infected person, or by touching an object they recently touched, and then touching your eyes, mouth, or nose, delivering their germs for your own infection. That's why you should make washing your hands a habit, even when you're not ill. Infected people can start spreading flu germs up to a day before symptoms start, and for up to seven days after getting sick, according to the CDC.
The swine flu virus can become airborne if you cough or sneeze without covering your nose and mouth, sending germs into the air.
The U.S. residents infected with swine flu virus had no direct contact with pigs. The CDC says it's likely that the infections represent widely separated cycles of human-to-human infections.

How is swine flu treated?

The new swine flu virus is sensitive to the antiviral drugs Tamiflu and Relenza. The CDC recommends those drugs to prevent or treat swine flu; the drugs are most effective when taken within 48 hours of the start of flu symptoms. But not everyone needs those drugs; many of the first people in the U.S. with lab-confirmed swine flu recovered without treatment. The Department of Homeland Security has released 25% of its stockpile of Tamiflu and Relenza to states. Health officials have asked people not to hoard Tamiflu or Relenza.

Is there a vaccine against the new swine flu virus?

No. But the CDC and the World Health Organization are already taking the first steps toward making such a vaccine. That's a lengthy process -- it takes months. I had a flu vaccine this season. Am I protected against swine flu?
No. This season's flu vaccine wasn't made with the new swine flu virus in mind; no one saw this virus coming ahead of time.
If you were vaccinated against flu last fall or winter, that vaccination will go a long way toward protecting you against certain human flu virus strains. But the new swine flu virus is a whole other problem.

How can I prevent swine flu infection?

The CDC recommends taking these steps:
• Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Or use an alcohol-based hand cleaner.
• Avoid close contact with sick people.
• Avoid touching your mouth, nose, or eyes.
How severe is swine flu?
The severity of cases in the current swine flu outbreak has varied widely. In Mexico, there have been deaths and other severe cases. Early cases in the U.S. have been mild. But that could change. The virus itself could change, either becoming more or less dangerous. Scientists are watching closely to see which way the new swine flu virus is heading -- but health experts warn that flu viruses are notoriously hard to predict, as far as how and when they'll change.

Why has the swine flu infection been deadlier in Mexico than in the U.S.?

It is unclear why U.S. cases have been milder compared to those in Mexico. Among the first 20 reported cases in the U.S., only one patient required hospitalization and that person has fully recovered. CDC researchers are actively investigating to learn more about the differences between the cases in Mexico and those in the U.S.

How serious is the public health threat of a swine flu epidemic?

The U.S. government has declared swine flu to be a public health emergency.
It remains to be seen how severe swine flu will be in the U.S. and elsewhere, but countries worldwide are monitoring the situation closely and preparing for the possibility of a pandemic.
The World Health Organization has not declared swine flu to be a pandemic. The WHO wants to learn more about the virus first and see how severe it is and how deeply it takes root.

But it takes more than a new virus spreading among humans to make a pandemic. The virus has to be able to spread efficiently from one person to another, and transmission has to be sustained over time. In addition, the virus has to spread geographically.
The Asia-Pacific region is on high alert against the potential danger posed by the outbreak of the human form of swine flu, which the number of suspected swine flu cases in Mexico has climbed to 1,614, including 103 deaths.
The governments in the Asia-Pacific region are mobilizing resources and taking measures possible to guard against and prevent the outbreak and spread of the disease after the World Health Organization warned Sunday that an outbreak of swine flu in Mexico has spread to the United States, Canada and other countries.
Current Condition in UAE (Reference : Gulf News)
A circular has been issued to doctors in the UAE asking them to be fully prepared to deal with any potential swine flu cases, Jamal Al Turki, technical director, preventive medicine, Ministry of Health (MoH), said on Sunday.
"Currently there is no actual threat of swine flu to the UAE. We are monitoring the situation," he said.

The outbreak of swine flu was first reported in Mexico and the United States and experts have warned about its pandemic potential.
The alarming situation had forced World Health Organisation (WHO) director-general Margaret Chan to convene a meeting of the Emergency Committee to assess the situation and advise her on appropriate responses.
After reviewing available data on the current situation, committee members identified a number of gaps in knowledge about the clinical features, epidemiology, and virology of reported cases and the appropriate responses.
In a telephone news conference in Geneva, Chan said: "The situation is evolving quickly. The new disease is by definition poorly understood."
Al Turki said: "This particular type of flu can be transmitted by being close to pigs; so in this regard there is no real threat in the UAE. The disease is also not transmitted through the food chain."
"We are also keeping a close surveillance on people coming from the infected part of the world based on the slightest flu like symptoms. There is a potential for this flu to turn into an epidemic because this particular virus changes its genetic composition. It can infect pigs but human-to-human transmission does not take place," he added.

Saturday 25 April 2009

Excellent article on cancer.

AFTER YEARS OF TELLING PEOPLE CHEMOTHERAPY IS THE ONLY WAY TO TRY AND ELIMINATE CANCER, JOHNS HOPKINS IS FINALLY STARTING TO TELL YOU THERE IS AN ALTERNATIVE WAY.

Cancer Update from Johns Hopkins :

1. Every person has cancer cells in the body. These cancer cells do not show up in the standard tests until they have multiplied to a few billion. When doctors tell cancer patients that there are no more cancer cells in their bodies after treatment, it just means the tests are unable to detect the cancer cells because they have not reached the detectable size.

2. Cancer cells occur between 6 to more than 10 times in a person's lifetime.

3 When the person's immune system is strong the cancer cells will be destroyed and prevented from multiplying and forming tumours.

4. When a person has cancer it indicates the person has multiple nutritional deficiencies. These could be due to genetic, environmental, food and lifestyle factors.

5.. To overcome the multiple nutritional deficiencies, changing diet and including supplements will strengthen the immune system.

6.. Chemotherapy involves poisoning the rapidly-growing cancer cells and also destroys rapidly-growing healthy cells in the bone marrow, gastro-intestinal tract etc, and can cause organ damage, like liver, kidneys, heart, lungs etc.

7. Radiation while destroying cancer cells also burns, scars and damages healthy cells, tissues and organs.

8. Initial treatment with chemotherapy and radiation will often reduce tumour size. However prolonged use of chemotherapy and radiation do not result in more tumour destruction.

9. When the body has too much toxic burden from chemotherapy and radiation the immune system is either compromised or destroyed, hence the person can succumb to various kinds of infections and complications.

10. Chemotherapy and radiation can cause cancer cells to mutate and become resistant and difficult to destroy. Surgery can also cause cancer cells to spread to other sites.

11. An effective way to battle cancer is to starve the cancer cells by not feeding it with the foods it needs to multiply.




WHAT CANCER CELLS FEED ON:

a. Sugar is a cancer-feeder. By cutting off sugar it cuts off one important food supply to the cancer cells. Sugar substitutes like NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful etc are made with Aspartame and it is harmful. A better natural substitute would be Manuka honey or molasses but only in very small amounts. Table salt has a chemical added to make it white in colour. Better alternative is Bragg's amino or sea salt.

b. Milk causes the body to produce mucus, especially in the gastro-intestinal tract. Cancer feeds on mucus. By cutting off milk and
substituting with unsweetened soya milk, cancer cells are being starved..

c. Cancer cells thrive in an acid environment. A meat-based diet is acidic and it is best to eat fish, and a little chicken rather than beef or pork. Meat also contains livestock antibiotics, growth hormones and parasites, which are all harmful, especially to people with cancer.

d. A diet made of 80% fresh vegetables and juice, whole grains, seeds, nuts and a little fruits help put the body into an alkaline
environment. About 20 can be from cooked food including beans. Fresh vegetable juices provide live enzymes that are easily absorbed and reach down to cellular levels within 15 minutes to nourish and enhance growth of healthy cells. To obtain live enzymes for building healthy cells try and drink fresh vegetable juice (most vegetables including bean sprouts) and eat some raw vegetables 2 or 3 times a day. Enzymes are destroyed at temperatures of 104 degrees F (40 degrees C).

e. Avoid coffee, tea, and chocolate, which have high caffeine. Green tea is a better alternative and has cancer-fighting properties. Water- best to drink purified water, or filtered, to avoid known toxins and heavy metals in tap water. Distilled water is acidic, avoid it.

12. Meat protein is difficult to digest and requires a lot of digestive enzymes. Undigested meat remaining in the intestines becomes putrified and leads to more toxic build-up.

13. Cancer cell walls have a tough protein covering. By refraining from or eating less meat it frees more enzymes to attack the protein walls of cancer cells and allows the body's killer cells to destroy the cancer cells.

14. Some supplements build up the immune system (IP6, Florssence, Essiac, anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals, EFAs etc.) to enable the body's own killer cells to destroy cancer cells. Other supplements like vitamin E are known to cause apoptosis, or programmed cell death, the body's normal method of disposing of damaged, unwanted, or unneeded cells.

15. Cancer is a disease of mind, body, and spirit. A proactive and positive spirit will help the cancer warrior be a survivor. Anger, un-forgiveness and bitterness put the body into a stressful and acidic environment. Learn to have a loving and forgiving spirit. Learn to relax and enjoy life.

16. Cancer cells cannot thrive in an oxygenated environment.

Daily exercising and deep breathing help to get more oxygen down to the cellular level. Oxygen therapy is another means employed to destroy cancer cells.

Sunday 12 April 2009

10 ways to avoid diabetes complications

Diabetes is a serious disease. Following your diabetes treatment plan takes round-the-clock commitment. But your efforts are worthwhile. Careful diabetes care can reduce your risk of serious — even life-threatening — complications.

Here are 10 ways to take an active role in diabetes care and enjoy a healthier future.

1. Make a commitment to managing your diabetes.

Members of your diabetes care team — doctor, diabetes nurse educator and dietitian, for example — will help you learn the basics of diabetes care and offer support and encouragement along the way. But it's up to you to manage your condition. After all, no one has a greater stake in your health than you.

Learn all you can about diabetes. Make healthy eating and physical activity part of your daily routine. Maintain a healthy weight. Monitor your blood sugar level, and follow your doctor's instructions for keeping your blood sugar level within your target range. Don't be afraid to ask your diabetes treatment team for help when you need it.
2. Schedule yearly physicals and regular eye exams.

Your regular diabetes checkups aren't meant to replace yearly physicals or routine eye exams. During the physical, your doctor will look for any diabetes-related complications — including signs of kidney damage, nerve damage and heart disease — as well as screen for other medical problems. Your eye care specialist will check for signs of retinal damage, cataracts and glaucoma.
3. Keep your vaccines up-to-date.

High blood sugar can weaken your immune system, which makes routine vaccines more important than ever. Ask your doctor about:

* Flu vaccine. A yearly flu vaccine can help you stay healthy during flu season, as well as prevent serious complications from the flu.
* Pneumonia vaccine. Sometimes the pneumonia vaccine is a one-shot deal. If you have diabetes complications or you're age 65 or older, you may need a five-year booster shot.
* Other vaccines. Stay up-to-date with your tetanus shot and its 10-year boosters, and ask your doctor about the hepatitis B vaccine. Depending on the circumstances, your doctor may recommend other vaccines as well.

4. Take care of your teeth.

Diabetes may leave you prone to gum infections. Brush your teeth at least twice a day, floss your teeth once a day, and schedule dental exams at least twice a year. Consult your dentist right away if your gums bleed or look red or swollen.

5. Pay attention to your feet.

High blood sugar can damage the nerves in your feet and reduce blood flow to your feet. Left untreated, cuts and blisters can become serious infections. To prevent foot problems:

* Wash your feet daily in lukewarm water.
* Dry your feet gently, especially between the toes.
* Moisturize your feet and ankles with lotion.
* Check your feet every day for blisters, cuts, sores, redness or swelling.
* Consult your doctor if you have a sore or other foot problem that doesn't start to heal within a few days.

6. Keep your blood pressure and cholesterol under control.

Like diabetes, high blood pressure can damage your blood vessels. High cholesterol is a concern, too, since the damage is often worse and more rapid when you have diabetes. When these conditions team up, they can lead to a heart attack, stroke or other life-threatening conditions.

Eating healthy foods and exercising regularly can go a long way toward controlling high blood pressure and cholesterol. Sometimes medication is needed, too.

7. Take a daily aspirin.

Aspirin interferes with your blood's ability to clot. Taking a daily aspirin can reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke — major concerns when you have diabetes. In fact, daily aspirin therapy is recommended for most people who have diabetes. Ask your doctor about daily aspirin therapy, including which strength of aspirin would be best.

8. Don't smoke.

If you smoke or use other types of tobacco, ask your doctor to help you quit. Smoking increases your risk of various diabetes complications, including heart attack, stroke, nerve damage and kidney disease. In fact, smokers who have diabetes are three times more likely to die of cardiovascular disease than are nonsmokers who have diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association. Talk to your doctor about ways to stop smoking or to stop using other types of tobacco.

9. If you drink alcohol, do so responsibly.

Alcohol can cause either high or low blood sugar, depending on how much you drink and if you eat at the same time. If you choose to drink, do so only in moderation and always with a meal. Remember to include the calories from any alcohol you drink in your daily calorie count.

10. Take stress seriously.

If you're stressed, it's easy to abandon your usual diabetes care routine. The hormones your body may produce in response to prolonged stress may prevent insulin from working properly, which only makes matters worse. To take control, set limits. Prioritize your tasks. Learn relaxation techniques. Get plenty of sleep.

Above all, stay positive. Diabetes care is within your control. If you're willing to do your part, diabetes won't stand in the way of an active, healthy life.

*
See Also
* Hyperglycemia and diabetes: What to watch out for
* Hypoglycemia and diabetes: How to treat low blood sugar
* Heart disease
* Osteoporosis
* Infant jaundice
* Preeclampsia
* Diabetes and pedicures: Do they go together?
* Bone and joint problems associated with diabetes
* Diabetes: How does it affect my liver?
* Blood sugar and mood: Any connection?
* Amputation and diabetes: How to protect your feet
* Dehydration
* Diabetic retinopathy
* Kidney transplant: When your kidneys fail
* Diabetic ketoacidosis
* Diabulimia: How are diabetes and eating disorders related?
* Prediabetes
* Diabetic neuropathy
* Type 1 diabetes
* Diabetic coma
* Diabetic hyperosmolar syndrome
* Gestational diabetes

GUIDE TO CAUSES CURES And TREATMENTS

Snoring

Just about everyone snores occasionally. Even a baby or a beloved pet may snore! But snoring can affect the quantity and quality of your sleep. Poor sleep can lead to daytime fatigue, irritability and increased health problems. And, if your snoring is so loud that your bed partner can't sleep, you may end up banished from the bedroom.

Sleeping in separate bedrooms doesn’t have to be the remedy for your snoring. In fact, there are many effective treatments for snoring. Discovering the cause of your snoring and finding the right cure will vastly improve your health, your relationships, and, of course, your sleep.

How to stop snoring

Snoring can often seem like a problem without a solution – especially when it is getting in the way of a good night’s sleep for you and your partner. If you want to stop snoring, it is important to consider the cause and severity of your snoring. Identifying the cause can help you choose the right cure.

It also makes sense to try some simple non-invasive treatments first to see if they will reduce or prevent your snoring. See the section on Self help tips and remedies below for more information on these snoring cures.

* Sleep on your side
* Elevate the head of your bed
* Limit alcohol and medications
* Clear your nasal passages
* Lose weight

You may find that your snoring persists even after trying these changes. If your snoring results from a more serious cause, a cure may be more complex – but there are solutions. Your nights don’t have to be noisy! Read on to learn more about the possible causes of your snoring as well as treatment options. If you can uncover the cause of your snoring, you should be able to find a cure that is right for you.

The causes of snoring

People who snore often have too much throat and nasal tissue, or “floppy” tissue that is more prone to vibrate. The position of the tongue can also get in the way of smooth breathing. Evaluating how and when you snore will help you pinpoint whether the cause of your snoring is within your control or not. Enlist your sleep partner or keep a sleep diary to help you determine the possible cause of your snoring
Tip: The way you snore may reveal why you snore!

If you snore

* With your mouth closed: a problem with the tongue is probably the culprit
* With your mouth open: your snoring is likely related to the tissues in your throat
* Only on your back: your snoring is probably mild – improved sleep habits and lifestyle changes may be effective cures
* In all sleep positions: your snoring is more severe and may require a more comprehensive treatment

Causes and Risk Factors of Snoring
Causes out of our control Causes within our control

* Heredity - A narrow throat, a cleft palate, enlarged adenoids and other physical attributes which contribute to snoring can be hereditary.
* Being middle-aged or beyond - As you age, your throat becomes narrower, and the muscle tone in your throat decreases.
* Being male - Men have narrower air passages than women and are more likely to snore.
* Allergies, asthma, a cold, or sinus infections - Blocked airways make inhalation difficult and create a vacuum in the throat, leading to snoring


* Being overweight or out of shape - Fatty tissue and poor muscle tone contribute to snoring.
* A history of smoking – Smoking (or exposure to second-hand smoke) relaxes muscles and creates nasal congestion.
* Alcohol or medications - Alcohol and medications increase muscle relaxation leading to more snoring.
* Sleeping posture - Sleeping flat on your back allows the flesh of your throat to relax and block the airway.

Snoring problems and relationships

Snoring can get in the way of a good night’s sleep and a healthy relationship with your spouse or partner. Many couples affected by snoring resort to sleeping in separate bedrooms in order to get a good night’s sleep. This arrangement may help both people sleep better, but it can disrupt communication and intimacy.

Mild snoring that isn't related to sleep apnea responds well to home remedies. Finding a cure for your snoring problem can result in an improved quality of life for you and your loved ones.

Sleep partners of people who snore heavily often awaken over twenty times per hour. The constant sleep disruption and excessive tiredness caused by noisy snoring takes a toll on social and physical aspects of a relationship.

Many partners of snorers decide to sleep in separate rooms, and the resulting lack of bedtime chatting and physical intimacy can lead to a strained relationship. The person who snores often becomes isolated and frustrated about a problem they seemingly have no control over.

Negative health effects of snoring

The most typical health problem snoring causes is loss of sleep for both the person snoring and his (or her) sleep partner. The snoring noise combined with tossing and turning often keep both people from sleeping soundly. Sleep deprivation has significant consequences: excessive sleepiness, irritability, and lack of productivity during the day, as well as negative health repercussions.

People who snore chronically are often middle-aged and overweight, and snoring may indicate a more serious underlying medical problem.

Snoring and sleep apnea

Snoring can also be a symptom of sleep apnea, a potentially life-threatening condition. While snoring is caused by narrow airways, sleep apnea is a true breathing obstruction, which requires the sleeper to awaken to begin breathing again. A person with sleep apnea wakes up many times a night to regain breathing, but usually remembers nothing at all about the awakenings. Snoring is a common symptom of sleep apnea, but snoring by itself does not involve the cessation of breathing.

Snoring relief: Self help tips and remedies

In addition to the self-help tips listed at the beginning of the article, the following cures for snoring may be worth a try.

* Lose weight – Losing weight is often a very effective cure for mild to moderate snoring. Even a little bit of weight loss can reduce fatty tissue in the back of the throat and decrease snoring. See Healthy Weight Loss Your Way for some tips on getting started.
* Sleep on your side – If you sleep on your back and snore mildly, sleeping on your side might cure your snoring altogether.
* Elevate your head – Try elevating the head of your bed four inches, which may make breathing easier and encourage your tongue and jaw to move forward. Sleep without a pillow (or with a specially designed pillow) to make sure your neck muscles are not crimped.
* Avoid certain foods, alcohol and medications before bed - Alcohol and certain medications increase relaxation of throat and tongue muscles, which makes snoring more likely. Sleeping pills or tranquilizers may help you sleep, but they will also relax your muscles and increase the chance of snoring. High-fat milk products or soy milk products cause mucus to build up in the throat which can lead to snoring as well.
* Clear your nasal passages - Having a stuffy nose makes inhalation difficult and creates a vacuum in your throat, which in turn leads to snoring. Nasal decongestants or nasal strips may help you breathe more easily while sleeping. Antihistamines can help with allergies, but will relax throat muscles and cause snoring.

Alternative remedies for snoring – Are you ready to take up singing or a new instrument?

Singing – Singing can increase muscle control in the throat and soft palate, reducing snoring caused by lax muscles. See below for an NPR story about the Singing for Snorers program which claims to help snoring caused by weak throat muscles and reduce episodes of sleep apnea as well.

Playing the didgeridoo – Thinking of taking up a new instrument? Learning to play a didgeridoo can strengthen the soft palate and throat, reducing snoring. See below for more information.
Medical cures and treatments for snoring

If your own efforts to stop snoring do not help, consult your physician or an otolaryngologist (ENT, or ear, nose, and throat doctor). If you choose to try a dental appliance for your snoring, you will need to see a dentist specializing in these devices.
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)

To keep your airway open during sleep, a machine at your bedside blows pressurized air into a mask that you wear over your nose or face
Dental appliances, oral devices, and lower jaw positioners

Dental devices, which often resemble the mouth guards worn by athletes, can help open your airway by bringing your lower jaw or your tongue forward during sleep.

Most dental devices are acrylic and fit inside your mouth; others fit around your head and chin to adjust the position of your lower jaw. A dentist specializing in sleep disorders can help fit you for one of these devices.
Surgery

Certain surgeries, including Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP), Thermal Ablation Palatoplasty (TAP), tonsillectomy, and adenoidectomy, increase the size of your airway by surgically removing tissues or correcting abnormalities. Using a scalpel, laser, or microwaving probe (radiofrequency energy), a surgeon may remove tonsils, adenoids, or excess tissue at the back of the throat or inside the nose, or reconstruct the jaw.

The Pillar procedure, or palatal implantation, is a new surgery which has shown promising results for snoring. Small plastic implants, less than an inch-long in size, are inserted into the soft palate using a syringe-like instrument. The procedure is usually performed in a doctor’s office under local anesthesia, with little pain and mild side effects. Scar tissue builds up around the implants, causing the tissue of the soft palate to stiffen which ceases the vibrations that cause snoring. The down-side of this procedure, and any surgical cure, for that matter, is that it is relatively new and it is expensive. Most insurance plans does not cover surgery for snoring.

See your doctor or dentist to discuss the medical treatments available and to decide which might help your snoring.

Different Methods to Avoid Snoring

Snoring is a mild annoyance for most people, but for those who snore habitually, it can cause serious social and marital discord. One of the remedies to avoid snoring is by changing the lifestyle and/or by surgery. Sleep apnea is a more serious condition that can cause chronic illness if left untreated, but several effective treatment options are available to avoid snoring.


For adults who are mild or occasional snorers, can adopt an athletic lifestyle and exercise daily to develop good muscle tone and lose weight to avoid snoring.The doctor is crucial for determining the exact cause of the problem, as well as testing to see if the problem is snoring or obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This will help you to avoid snoring. Keeping away from drugs and alcohol, can cause relaxation in the soft tissues and muscles in the throat and will make snoring or sleep apnea, which is a health problem can increase the affected person a risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. This gives negative response to avoid snoring.

When polyps obstruct the nasal airway or sinus infections contribute to nasal obstruction, sinus surgery or removal of the polyps may be necessary to avoid snoring. These surgeries are typically performed through the nostrils with magnifying scopes so as to avoid external incisions. A temporary tracheotomy is frequently performed along with these operations to avoid breathing difficulty that could result from temporary swelling. By reducing the tongue size, the air space behind the tongue is enlarged. These types of treatments avoid snoring.

One another way to avoid snoring is to sew a pocket onto the back of your nightclothes and insert a tennis ball, which will make it uncomfortable for you to lie on your back and prompt you to turn on your side during sleep. To avoid snoring avoid milk products before sleeping. If congestion is the cause of your snoring, dairy products can increase mucous and congestion. Other ways to avoid snoring is to avoid alcohol, stop smoking, and to sleep on your side rather than on your back.

Friday 10 April 2009

NATURAL TIPS FOR HEALTHY HAIR

For Dandruff

1.Massage the Scalp with pure coconut oil. This will also help for growth of hair.
2.Apply coconut oil which has been boiled with small onions. Wash it off with a mixture of green gram powder and water drained from cooked (boiled) rice.
3.Apply a mixture of almond oil and gooseberry juice with finger tips on the scalp.
4.Apply the warm mixture of olive oil, lemon juice and coconut oil. Do a steam -towel- wrap for 15 minutes and wash the hair with a shampoo.
5.Apply a paste of fenugreek and mustard to the scalp.
6.Mix Shikakai powder with the water drained from the cooked rice and wash the hair with it.
7.Crush the leaves of five petal hibiscus flower and take the juice. Wash the hair with this juice.
8.Heat the oil with a little camphor. Apply the oil in the scalp and massage for 10 minutes. After 30 minutes wash the hair with a herbal shampoo. Do the steam -towel- wrap for 15 minutes.

For Healthy and Shiny hair

1.It is better to apply castor oil for a healthy growth of hair.
2.Wash hair with tea once in a week.
3.Apply besan in the hair and wash it with water drained from the cooked rice.
4.Soak a handful of gooseberry in a cup of milk for two hours. Make it as a paste and apply in the hair.
5.Apply the mixture of an egg white, 2 spoon of castor oil, 1 spoon glycerin, in the scalp and hair. Wash it after some time.
6.Massage hair with warm coconut oil an hour before washing. Let it soak. Cover your head with a hot towel and wash your hair after an hour or so.
7.Boil a few hibiscus flowers in coconut oil. Filter and use this hair oil to control hair loss and thinning.
8.Do a 'steam-towel-wrap' once in a while, if your cuticles are damaged, as this steaming opens out the pores and absorbs the oil.
9.Deep condition with curd, beer and egg.
10.Mix a little vinegar in warm water and rinse your hair with this solution. This will add bounce to dull and lifeless hair.
11.Soak 1 teaspoon fenugreek in curd and keep it for a night. Have it in the next morning.
12.Boil coconut oil with the juices of curry leaves, basil, hibiscus flower and gooseberry. Apply on hair, keep it for sometime and rinse.
13.Egg white and curd is a good conditioner for hair.
14.Take a cup of coconut and mustard oils. Soak half a cup of curry leaves in the oil mixture and keep it for a night. Next morning, heat on a slow fire till the curry leaves turn crisp. Remove from heat and add two to three camphor balls. Allow oil to cool and then strain. Apply oil to hair roots using cotton wool along the parting and massage in circular movements. Leave the oil overnight and shampoo the next morning. Repeat twice a week.
15.Add a lemon peel to a 'shikakai' and 'amla' mixture while washing your hair.

For Graying

1.Take a little Mehandi , an egg, juice of half a lemon, one table spoon of instant coffee powder. Mix it together and apply on the hair. Wash it after 45 minutes.
2.Boil one cup of dried gooseberry with 4 cups of water. Add a pinch of sugar in it. Keep boiling till the quantity of the liquid reduces to one cup. Mix 2 cups of Mehendi, an egg, juice of a lemon and the gooseberry solution and apply on hair. Wash the hair after two hours.

LIP CARE

1. You can mix one-tablespoon cranberry sauce juice with two tablespoons Vaseline for a delicious home made lip balm.
2. Apply the juice of lemon skin for avoiding black colour of lips


3. Massage your lips with coriander leaf juice for soft and rosy lips.

Eye care

* Dip wads of cotton in a chilled mixture of cucumber and potato juice. Keep this on your eyelids for 15 to 20 minutes and gently wash it off. Apply a little baby oil.
* For long eyelashes.., apply a thin coat of castor oil every night. It strengthens lashes and cools your eyes.

Massage a few drops of coconut oil around the eyes to get rid off dark circles.
* To reduce puffiness of your eyes, grate a potato; tie in a cloth and place the cloth over your eyes for about 15 minutes.
* Add a small pinch of salt in water and wash for bright and sparkling eyes.
* Mix tomato juice and lemon juice in equal quantity and apply around the eyes. After 30 minutes wash it off with cold and hot water alternatively.
* Make a paste of sandal wood and nutmeg. Apply the paste around the eyes before sleeping and wash it off in the morning.
* Crush a cucumber and take the juice. Add a little rose water and apply around the eyes and wash it after 30 minutes.

Place cotton wool swabs dipped in cold milk on closed eyes for removing dark circles.

Body care

* Mix six-teaspoon petroleum jelly, two-teaspoon glycerin and two-teaspoon lemon juice. Apply this moisturizing lotion at least twice a week if you have dry and flaky, arms and legs
* Peel and grate a cucumber. Squeeze the juice to this, mix half-a-teaspoon glycerin and half-a-teaspoon rose water. Apply this on sunburns, leave it for some time.
* If you have cracked heels, melt paraffin wax; mix it with little mustard oil and apply on the affected area. Leave it overnight. After 10 or 15 days, your heels will become smooth.
* Massage your body with a mixture of coconut oil and any of your favourite scented oils like lavender or rosemary.
* For rough palms, use a mixture of glycerin and limejuice in equal proportion.

* For cracked heals, massage the foot with coconut oil and keep the foot in warm water for some time. Wipe the water off the feet and apply a mixture of hibiscus flower(10), Henna (1 handful) and juice of half a lemon. when dry wash it off.

Remove scars on your hands and feet by rubbing them with lemon peel.

10 Essential Health Tips

1. Move More
Make it a daily challenge to find ways to move your body. Climb stairs if given a choice between that and escalators or elevators. Walk your dog; chase your kids; toss balls with friends, mow the lawn. Anything that moves your limbs is not only a fitness tool, it's a stress buster. Think 'move' in small increments of time. It doesn't have to be an hour in the gym or a 45-minute aerobic dance class or tai chi or kickboxing. But that's great when you're up to it. Meanwhile, move more. Thought for the day: Cha, Cha, Cha…. Then do it!

2. Cut Fat
Avoid the obvious such as fried foods, burgers and other fatty meats (i.e. pork, bacon, ham, salami, ribs and sausage). Dairy products such as cheese, cottage cheese, milk and cream should be eaten in low fat versions. Nuts and sandwich meats, mayonnaise, margarine, butter and sauces should be eaten in limited amounts. Most are available in lower fat versions such as substitute butter, fat free cheeses and mayonnaise. Thought for the day: Lean, mean, fat-burning machine…. Then be one!

3. Quit Smoking
The jury is definitely in on this verdict. Ever since 1960 when the Surgeon General announced that smoking was harmful to your health, Americans have been reducing their use of tobacco products that kill. Just recently, we've seen a surge in smoking in adolescents and teens. Could it be the Hollywood influence? It seems the stars in every movie of late smoke cigarettes. Beware. Warn your children of the false romance or 'tough guy' stance of Hollywood smokers. Thought for the day: Give up just one cigarette…. the next one.

4. Reduce Stress
Easier said than done, stress busters come in many forms. Some techniques recommended by experts are to think positive thoughts. Spend 30 minutes a day doing something you like. (i.e.,Soak in a hot tub; walk on the beach or in a park; read a good book; visit a friend; play with your dog; listen to soothing music; watch a funny movie. Get a massage, a facial or a haircut. Meditate. Count to ten before losing your temper or getting aggravated. Avoid difficult people when possible. Thought for the day: When seeing red, think pink clouds….then float on them.

5. Protect Yourself from Pollution
If you can't live in a smog-free environment, at least avoid smoke-filled rooms, high traffic areas, breathing in highway fumes and exercising near busy thoroughfares. Exercise outside when the smog rating is low. Exercise indoors in air conditioning when air quality is good. Plant lots of shrubbery in your yard. It's a good pollution and dirt from the street deterrent. Thought for the day: 'Smoke gets in your eyes'…and your mouth, and your nose and your lungs as do pollutants….hum the tune daily.

6. Wear Your Seat Belt
Statistics show that seat belts add to longevity and help alleviate potential injuries in car crashes. Thought for the day: Buckle down and buckle up.

7. Floss Your Teeth
Recent studies make a direct connection between longevity and teeth flossing. Nobody knows exactly why. Perhaps it's because people who floss tend to be more health conscious than people who don't? Thought for the day: Floss and be your body's boss.

8. Avoid Excessive Drinking
While recent studies show a glass of wine or one drink a day (two for men) can help protect against heart disease, more than that can cause other health problems such as liver and kidney disease and cancer. Thought for the day: A jug of wine should last a long time.

9. Keep a Positive Mental Outlook
There's a definitive connection between living well and healthfully and having a cheerful outlook on life. Thought for the day: You can't be unhappy when you're smiling or singing.

10. Choose Your Parents Well
The link between genetics and health is a powerful one. But just because one or both of your parents died young in ill health doesn't mean you cannot counteract the genetic pool handed you. Thought for the day: Follow these basic tips for healthy living and you can better control your own destiny.

HOW TO SURVIVE A HEART ATTACK WHEN ALONE?


SINCE MANY PEOPLE ARE ALONE WHEN THEY SUFFER A HEART ATTACK, WITHOUT HELP, THE PERSON WHOSE HEART IS BEATING IMPROPERLY AND WHO BEGINS TO FEEL FAINT, HAS ONLY ABOUT 10 SECONDS LEFT BEFORE LOSING CONSCIOUS.

WHAT TO DO ??

DO NOT PANIC, BUT START COUGHING REPEATEDLY AND VERY VIGOROUSLY.

A DEEP BREATH SHOULD BE TAKEN BEFORE EACH COUGH, THE COUGH MUST BE DEEP AND PROLONGED, AS WHEN PRODUCING SPUTUM FROM DEEP INSIDE THE CHEST.

A BREATH AND A COUGH MUST BE REPEATED ABOUT EVERY TWO SECONDS WITHOUT LET-UP UNTIL HELP ARRIVES, OR UNTIL THE HEART IS FELT TO BE BEATING NORMALLY AGAIN.

DEEP BREATHS GET OXYGEN INTO THE LUNGS AND COUGHING MOVEMENTS SQUEEZE THE HEART AND KEEP THE BLOOD CIRCULATING. THE SQUEEZING PRESSURE ON THE HEART ALSO HELPS IT REGAIN NORMAL RHYTHM. IN THIS WAY, HEART ATTACK VICTIMS CAN GET TO A HOSPITAL

Hand Massage

Shiatsu Self Massage

Foot Massage

The Organs of your body have their sensory touches at the bottom of your foot, if you massage these points you will find relief from aches and pains as you can see the heart is on the left foot.

Typically they are shown as points and arrows to show which organ it connects to.

It is indeed correct since the nerves connected to these organs terminate here.

This is covered in great details in Acupressure studies or textbooks.

God created our body so well that he thought of even this. He made us walk so that we will always be pressing these pressure points and thus keeping these organs activated at all times.

So, keep walking...

Health - Very Very Important Tips

Answer the phone by LEFT ear.
Do not drink coffee TWICE a day.
Do not take pills with
COOL water.
Do not have HUGE meals after 5pm.
Reduce the amount of
OILY food you consume.
Drink more
WATER in the morning, less at night.
Keep your distance from hand phone
CHARGERS.
Do not use headphones/earphone for LONG period of time.
Best sleeping time is from
10pm at night to 6am in the morning.
Do not lie down immediately after taking
medicine before sleeping.
When battery is down to the
LAST grid/bar, do not answer the phone as the radiation is 1000 times.

Blood type you can Receive

You Can Receive

If Your Type Is

O-

O+

B-

B+

A-

A+

AB-

AB+

AB+

YES

YES

YES

YES

YES

YES

YES

YES

AB-

YES


YES


YES

YES



A+

YES

YES



YES

YES



A-

YES




YES




B+

YES

YES

YES

YES





B-

YES


YES






O+

YES

YES







O-

YES



Did You Know?


Blood type and Rh

How many people have it?

O +

40 %

O -

7 %

A +

34 %

A -

6 %

B +

8 %

B -

1 %

AB +

3 %

AB -

1 %

Does Your Blood Type Reveal Your Personality?

According to a Japanese institute that does research on blood types, there are certain personality traits that seem to match up with certain blood types. How do you rate?

TYPE O

You want to be a leader, and when you see something you want, you keep striving until you achieve your goal. You are a trend-setter, loyal, passionate, and self-confident. Your weaknesses include vanity and jealously and a tendency to be too competitive.

TYPE A

You like harmony, peace and organization. You work well with others, and are sensitive, patient and affectionate. Among your weaknesses are stubbornness and an inability to relax.

TYPE B

You're a rugged individualist, who's str aightforwa rd and likes to do things your own way. Creative and flexible, you adapt easily to any situation. But your insistence on being independent can sometimes go too far and become a weakness.

TYPE AB

Cool and controlled, you're generally well liked and always put people at ease. You're a natural entertainer who's tactful and fair. But you're standoffish, blunt, and have difficulty making decisions.

Aging with a healthy body and mind

Did you know that sexual activity can keep you looking good as
you age? Studies conducted in Sweden have shown that elderly
people who have sexual partners have much more vitality and a better
memory than those who do not.
So don’t let your golden years deprive you of the pleasures of
sex !
Just forget about the obsession of having to “perform” - the final
result is less important than the stimulation itself.

Iron strong health

Without iron, there would be no hemoglobin in the blood.
Hemoglobin gives red corpuscles their color. And it is the
hemoglobin that carries oxygen to all parts of the body.
If you lack iron, an insufficient supply of oxygen in your
hemoglobin will produce sensations of fatigue, headaches and
shortness of breath.
Men don’t have to worry too much: most men have a reserve of
iron stored in their body that could last 3 years !
But women, because of the menstrual cycle, need twice as much
iron as men.
And the amount is even higher for pregnant women. Vitamin C
doubles the amount of iron the body absorbs: so it is a good idea to
add a glass of tomato or orange or grapefruit juice to every meal.
On the other hand, tea reduces the amount of iron absorbed by
50% and coffee by about 39%.

Prevent high blood pressure

Research has shown that people whose diet is rich in potassium
(vegetarians for example) are less likely than others to develop high
blood pressure.
Calcium is also beneficial. Fortunately, potassium and calcium
are abundantly present in a large variety of foods.
Fruits, vegetables, beans, fish, fowl and lean meats are full of
potassium.
Calcium is a little more restricted. Foods rich in calcium usually
also contain large amounts of sodium and fat, which can increase
blood pressure.
However, moderate amounts of milk are recommended, as well
as yogurt, almonds, bananas, grapes, broccoli, potatoes, beans, tofu
and sardines.

Protect yourself against cancer

Radical liberals are not a political group, but a kind of very
active molecule that is suspected of being one of the causes of cancer.
How can you protect yourself? Diet plays an important role here,
especially in the absorption of anti-oxidants. The strongest
anti-oxidizing agent is Vitamin E, which is found in wheat germ oil
and sunflower seeds.
Next comes Vitamin C (oranges, grapefruits, lemons, red peppers
etc.).
Beta carotene also absorbs large amounts of radical liberals.
This substance seems to act as a protecting agent against most types
of cancer.
Where do you find it? In red vegetables (like tomatoes), orange
ones (carrots), yellow (squash), and dark green (broccoli). All these
are rich in beta carotene. So make them a regular part of your menu

How to combat fatigue

First make sure you are sleeping enough.
Is your nutrition sufficient? In general women need at least 1200
calories per day and men 1500.
Avoid monotony: a varied diet will be more likely to provide the
nutritive elements you need to conserve your energy.
The sensation of fatigue may be stress-related, especially when
you experience emotional stress. Do you feel tense at work or at
home?
Lastly, don’t neglect physical exercise. Tired or not, get out in the
fresh air every day. Walking is the minimum effort necessary for
staying in shape.

Use heat to cure

Everyone has heard about how good a sauna feels, and of the
relaxing effect of a steam bath which bathes you in hot vapor.
But there are other heat treatments which are equally beneficial.
Heat relaxes the muscles and ligaments. When applied locally, for
example, with hot towels, it can ease muscle spasms. It can also
reduce arthritic pain. Heat dilates the blood vessels, which in turn
activates circulation.
Applied to a wound, it can prevent infection by helping white
blood corpuscles and fresh oxygen surround the area more quickly.

Menstrual cramps - suffer no more

To reduce the intensity of menstrual symptoms, you can change
your diet:
· Less sugar, and slightly more protein.
· Diuretic foods such as eggplant, cucumbers and parsley can help
diminish water retention.
· Calcium supplements (1 gram per day) and magnesium (500
milligrams) can help reduce anxiety (always take both).
· Vitamin B-6 (not more than 50 milligrams per day) can alleviate
symptoms of anxiety and tension.
· Vitamins E and C also help reduce the intensity of cramps.
· Aspirin has a mildly soothing effect.
· And once again you can turn to plants to relieve your pains:
* ANGELICA in infusion: 3 1/2 tablespoons of root per quart of
water.
* MATRIX (derived from the Latin for womb): 2 teaspoons of
flowers per quart of water.
* MILFOI OR YARROW which soothes and reduces overly
abundant menstruation: about 5 1/2 tablespoons of flower tops per
quart of water.
* SAGE in infusion: I 1/2 tablespoons of dried leaves per quart
of water.
In extreme cases, ask your doctor for medication to alleviate
pain.

Stop catching colds

As much as possible, avoid coming into close contact with
infected persons, especially if they cough or sneeze.
A person with a cold is extremely contagious: he or she fills the
air with fine particles of saliva or mucous which transport the virus
microbe. Even if the person is careful to wipe his nose with tissue or
a handkerchief, the microbes will be transported to his hands.
And studies have shown that these viruses are transmitted through
hand contact. So if you have to shake hands with someone who has a
cold, you would better wash soon after!
What can you do if you do catch a cold?
It is useless to take antibiotics: they have no effect on viruses.
However, there are certain substances found in alcohol which help
decongest sinuses, that is why a good hot toddy can work wonders.
But take care of your liver: a toddy is just as good with a little rum as
with a lot.
You don’t have to get drunk to get better. You don’t even have to
drink it - just sniff some strong alcohol like cognac or brandy and
breathe in the fumes.

Digest better

There is a plant for each type of digestion problem.
· AIGREMOINE is useful when the stomach problem is
accompanied by enteritis, diarrhea and/or chronic liver infection. It
helps tone a lazy digestive system. And it also helps regularize acidity
and soothe ulcers by improving metabolism.
3 or 4 cups a day. 3 1/2 to 4 tablespoons per quart of water.
· ANGELICA is a digestive, an aperitif, a stimulant, a tonic. It
decongests and soothes stomach pains and swelling.
Prepare an infusion (tea) preferably using the fresh plant: 3 1/2
tablespoons of roots per quart of water. If your stomach is very
swollen, prepare and drink 3 cups per day made of 5 tablespoons of
seeds per quart of water.
· ANISE is a soothing digestive. It aids digestion and the
elimination of intestinal gas, it soothes stomach cramps, aerophagy,
dyspepsia (contractions of the digestive organs, dizziness and a heavy
feeling after eating).
2 or 3 cups per day, after meals: 2 tablespoons of seeds per quart
of water.
· CAMOMILE: a digestive, sedative, anti-inflammation agent
and tonic. It helps painful or difficult digestion, stomach cramps,
gastro-intestinal spasms, loss of appetite, and it helps expulsion of gas

Reducing Your Cholesterol

To reduce cholesterol:
· First cut down on saturated fats. To do this:
· Eat lean meat. Select lean cuts and ask your butcher to cut off
the fat.
· Drink skim milk instead of whole milk.
Do the same for all dairy products. Note that vegetarians have a
much lower cholesterol level (almost twice as low as average) which
is perfectly understandable, since cholesterol is only found in
products derived from animals.
· Alcohol - in moderation. Not more than two glasses a day.
However, it does appear that drinking a moderate amount of alcohol
raises the number of HDL lipids (the good ones!), which break down
cholesterol. (Moderation = two 4 oz. glasses of wine or two 12 oz.
beers.)
· Do regular exercise, for example walking.
· Take Vitamin E. It reduces the risk of coronary disease.
· Calcium brewer’s yeast, Vitamin C and Vitamin B-6 also
combat the accumulation of cholesterol. And don’t forget lecithin,
which helps fight excess cholesterol, arteriosclerosis, hypertension
and angina (as well as psoriasis, anxiety and diabetes - and reduces
the likelihood of contracting cancer). Losing weight is a good way to
raise your HDL level.
· Use poly-unsaturated, non-hydrogenated, cold pressed oil: corn
oil, sunflower seed oil, soy, flax etc. A mono-unsaturated oil like
olive oil can even raise your HDL level.
· Daily consumption of fish would be ideal for preventing
cardio-vascular problems, as demonstrated conclusively in a number
of studies on fish-eating populations (Eskimos for example). Ideally,
you would eat fish twice a day. And as strange as this sounds, you
should select the fattest kinds: mackerel, sardines, herring, salmon etc.
As for the oil in the fish, it is used to treat arterial disorders. Its
effects can be felt in about six weeks. Fish oil contains two
poly-unsaturated fatty acids which are very beneficial for the arteries.

Thursday 9 April 2009

A miracle remedy

If we offered you a miracle remedy that prevents cardiac disease,
certain types of cancer, diabetes, obesity, tooth decay and varicose
veins, would you buy it? Certainly you would.
There is such a product. But it is not a recent discovery and you
won’t find it in a pharmacy but at the grocery store. We are talking
about fiber.
A study conducted in Holland on 871 men, over a period of ten
years, showed that subjects who had a low fiber diet were three
times more susceptible to mortal disease - causes notwithstanding -
than those who ate a lot of fiber (Future Youth).
This said, it cannot be confirmed at present that fiber prevents
the above mentioned diseases in all cases. But there is conclusive
proof that they occur more frequently in populations with low fiber
diets which is precisely the case in the west.
According to The Lancet (the British Medical Journal) a diet
which contains at least 37 grams of fiber per day (the equivalent of
one cup of bran, one apple, one potato and a half cup of cooked
spinach) can effectively protect the organism against chronic illnesses
common to western society.
So fiber is useful in combatting many disorders
besides constipation.