Protecting Your Family from the Avian Flu
Fear of an Avian Flu pandemic has reached epic proportions and with good reason. If it becomes a fully mutated strain that is easily transmittable between humans, the result of this sickness on the human population would be disastrous.
Avian Flu: The Potential Crisis
Currently, the Bird Flu has been affecting Asia and Europe. The rest of the world is keeping a close eye on this illness to make sure that it doesn’t cross any more borders. Avian influenza, though common with wild birds, can devastate domesticated birds swiftly and quickly, completely eradicating all that were infected with the virus. The potential crisis is in the fact that humans do not have built in immunities to this virus. If it mutates and infects humans, they would not be able to fight it off without medical intervention. Since the strain hasn’t mutated yet, there isn’t a medicine that can cure it. The only way we can fight this potential crisis is through prevention.
Avian Flu: Symptoms
H5N1 virus symptoms are very similar to other symptoms of Influenza. Symptoms include fever, sore throat, malaise, and coughing. It can progress to Pneumonia and other serious conditions. A person who has contracted bird flu will need a lot of fluids and should be treated by a physician immediately. If the condition is untreated, it can lead to death.
Avian Flu: Prevention is the Key to the Future
Precaution is the best tool that we have to prevent a worldwide pandemic. Taking simple steps such as washing your hands frequently and sneezing and coughing into tissues can go a long way in preventing the spread of germs and viruses. It is also important to make sure that you stay up to date with yearly flu shots. The shot won’t prevent Avian Flu, but it will help to ensure that you don’t come down with Influenza. If someone were to have Influenza and then contract the Avian Flu at the same time, that would be the perfect mix for mutating the Avian Flu strain. By staying current with your shots, you will help minimize the risk of that happening. If you are visiting a foreign country that has had cases of Avian Flu it is important to use care and precaution. Stay clear of areas that host wild birds or birds for sale in open markets. Also, make sure that all of the food that you eat has been cooked thoroughly. Precaution is the best tool to prevent a worldwide pandemic.
Preparing Your Finances for a
Love Being a Woman – Mastopexy
Breasts are a woman’s biggest asset. They contribute to their confidence and overall appearance. Hence cosmetic or reconstructive surgery for the breasts is common practice. Mastopexy is the enhancement of the breasts which reshapes and firms breasts which are sagging. A breast lift also includes inserting implants depending on an individuals needs. While on technicalities, the surgery takes up to 1-3 hours. You could very much be awake during the entire procedure depending on the type of anesthesia, local or general. This surgery is performed either outpatient or inpatient. Recovery for this procedure is fairly quick, takes a week or a little more to get back on your feet.
Breast lift cosmetic surgery is usually done on women who wish to retain or gain back the youthful look the breasts had before age and before gravity onset and everything started heading downhill and sagging. After the surgery there will be some mild soreness, but the physician is well aware of this and will provide you with medication. Rest and relaxation after these surgeries is a must. It is better to get a list of ‘to do’ and ‘not to do’ things from your physician. Not paying heed to his advice could lead to some serious trouble. Though this surgery comes under the normal surgery category one must not take it lightly. Following your physician’s advice could save you from complications.
There are advantages of getting a breast lift. They improve the appearance, they look elevated and full. Implants can also be added to make them look bigger. Self confidence increases for women along with a feeling of youthfulness. Now there is no need to worry if your breasts get saggy or go out of shape. Life has become so much easier with these surgeries. The Plastic Surgery Institute of California provides you with the best surgeons for your particular needs at very competitive prices to ensure you have a safe and satisfying experience. They have experienced consultants at all their centers which include Beverly Hills, Newport Beach, Pasadena, San Diego and Huntington Beach. They will guide you through your decision making process and answer any questions that you could have.
There are various other surgeries carried out at The Plastic Surgery Institute of California: Liposuction, Breast Augmentation, Tummy Tuck, Facelift, Rhinoplasty, Gynecomastia to name a few. Breast Augmentation is another form of plastic surgery that offers women options to change the size and shape of her breasts. Technology and medical procedures have come a long way in recent years, and this type of cosmetic surgery has become far less invasive than it was in the past years.
For more info visit us at plasticsurgeryinstituteofcalifornia.com plasticsurgeryinstituteofcalifornia.com
This article is by Ihab Kharma, who is a freelance writer. He is well read on cosmetic surgery. If you want to know more about plastic surgery, read regular updates on psicalifornia.blogspot.com psicalifornia.blogspot.com
Shaping Exercises Build Just As Much Muscle
One of the biggest misconceptions that has been around for decades is that in order to gain muscle mass and gain weight you “must” do certain exercises.
9 times out of 10 those recommended are “the big compound movements”, like bench presses, squats, and military presses.
Most advise to stick to these “basic” movements if you are looking to build muscle fast, and to avoid so called “shaping” exercises, such as crossovers, flyes, laterals, and leg extensions.
Some competitive bodybuilders don’t use shaping movements until the final few weeks of their contest preparation.
The misconception behind this rational is that big, compound movements are for building mass, and shaping exercises are for defining a muscle.
Wow, that couldn’t be further from the truth!
Just take a step back and look at the whole picture for a second.
Do you really think that a muscle has any idea whatsoever if you are doing a “compound” movement or a “shaping” movement?
The only thing muscle fibers recognize is resistance, stress, and tension, regardless if that’s coming from bench presses or flyes…regardless if it’s coming from free weights or cables…regardless if it’s coming from a compound or a shaping exercise.
The whole idea that isolation / shaping exercises are only good for defining a muscle and not for building size is one of the biggest myths around.
Regardless of what specific exercise you are performing, if you are providing enough tension the muscle is only going to do 1of 2 things, stay the same or grow…not define itself.
Any weight exercise works the muscle fibers which, when done properly, will build it.
So, yes, flyes will help your pecs grow.
Yes, side laterals will make your shoulders bigger.
Yes, leg extensions will add size to your quads.
If you are taking your muscles to their limit with the correct bodybuilding workout technique, the muscle is going to grow, period.
Competitive bodybuilders think that shaping exercises help bring out more definition or “striations” in their muscles, when in fact what’s bringing that out is the fact that they are dieting any body fat that’s covering up that muscular definition.
It has nothing to do with the exercise.
Let’s get one thing straight: weight lifting exercises build muscle…period.
Definition, shape, striations, etc., comes from a proper bodybuilding diet that will burn body fat.
Also, it’s easier to get a deep muscular pump with isolation exercises.
Isolation exercises work the muscle in such a way that no compound exercise can because it “isolates” the intended muscle you are working more.
So, include both types of exercises in your workout program for the ultimate development.
For More Myth-Exposing Articles By Jonathan Perez Check Out—-> FromSkinnyToMuscular.com/articles.html Workout Program Myths Articles
Copyright (c) 2006 Jonathan Perez
Postnatal Depression
I can’t seem to love my child, the problem I have isn’t so mild.
‘Baby blues’ is the expression, the proper words are post natal depression.
The child I have I just want dead, I wont take her it’ll be me instead.
The sweetness in her I can’t see, Just a devil child that came from me.
The problem I have I cannot discuss, for I look at my child and feel disgust.
Family can’t understand what I’m going through, why I feel how I do.
I think why oh why give birth to this thing, and have all the problems a child will bring.
I feel I should kill her and just get rid, why have the problems, why have the kid.
I feel I’m alone in the position I’m in, Does that make me bad and full of sin.
I can’t find the love that I feel I should, I dont love this child and don’t know if I could.
People stare and think I’m mad, They don’t know how I feel, in ways I’m glad.
All I feel is guilt and shame, but I’ve been told I’m not to blame.
All I want is to love this baby, I might find it one day and get lucky maybe.
Please don’t look at me and think I’m wrong, I’ve wanted to love her all along.
Don’t look at me and think how heartless and cold, all I want is my baby near me to hold.
I can’t help this feeling of being so low, please don’t think of me as a stupid psycho.
There are many women who as well as me went through post natal depression. It is a horrible thing to go through and very harsh. I felt so alone when I was going through it I couldn’t explain how I felt. This is for women who are going through it to reassure them that they are not alone. There is other women out there who feel the same.
Popular Medications For Beating Insomnia
In this fast-changing world, sleep is becoming a “necessary evil”. It seems that a growing number of people would love to do without it. Everyone just wants to work more and party more, but no matter how much energy you seem to muster, you still need to get proper sleep at the end of the day.
Gone are the days when ancient doctors would recommend you to count countless sheep before bedtime. If you are suffering from chronic insomnia, then head to your physician for a quick check-up. Insomnia may root from both psychological and physiological malfunctions. Your doctor would recommend proper medication once you diagnosed with insomnia.
To give you a little overview on possible medications of insomnia, here’s the popular list:
• Valium is the controversial sleeping pill that is commonly prescribed for insomnia. Up until now, the uses of these sleeping pills are still a subject of debate since it is found to contain addictive properties. Patients who are taking Valium for a couple of days are observed to have independence from the pill once they stopped medication. Although much has been said about the negative side effects of Valium, its effectiveness remains uncompromised.
• Antihistamine is commonly used as a sleeping aide. These over-the-counter- pills are also used in conjunction with diphenhydramine and pain relievers to give insomniacs an instant feeling of sleepiness. A 50mg capsule of this pill will definitely make you stay asleep for hours. The only downside of this medication is the feeling of drowsiness and it can even cause blurred vision. The dizziness doesn’t allow you to have a “restful” sleep, but it is an effective sleeping aide nonetheless.
• Valerian is an herb common to Europe and Northern Asia. Supplements made from Valerian are effective sedatives. The difference between these herbal supplements and synthetic sedatives (like Valium, benzodiazepines, etc.) is that when you wake up the next day, you won’t feel like a train hit you. You’ll wake up totally refreshed and recharged.
• Melatonin is a hormone secreted by the pineal body in the brain. It affects other endocrine glands like the thyroid, adrenals, and the gonads. Synthesized as a supplement, it boasts of antioxidant properties aside from sleep promotion. The “hit” is gentle. There’s no heavy drowsy feeling, and it would help you achieve a complete night’s rest. You’ll sleep for as long as your body needs to.
Melatonin and Valerian are both found to be non-addictive. Although there may be sleeping aides that can be bought over-the-counter, never try to self-medicate. It is best to consult your doctor before taking in any pill. If you want to free yourself from insomnia the natural way, a balanced diet, proper exercise and serious discipline might simply do the trick.
Jason Rickard is the owner of Your Favourite Shop – Offering yourfavouriteshop.com White Noise and Relaxation CDs – Visit hapahapa.com Hapa Health for more articles.
Are You Being Troubled by Sinusitis?
It is said that around 30 per cent of all people suffer from sinusitis or sinus infection at least once each year. Sinuses are little air pockets inside the skull bones. They are located to either side of the nose, behind and in between the eyes, in the forehead, and behind the head. Sinuses contain mucus that drains into the nasal passageways through pin holes in the sinuses.
A sinus infection happens when the paranasal sinuses on either side of the nose get inflamed. This happens during a cold or an allergy attack, when more histamines are produced in the paranasal sinuses. The inflammation blocks the narrow passageways, making the mucus collect there. This collected mucus soon becomes a breeding ground for bacteria. That’s how a sinus infection begins.
The body produces histamines during allergic reactions. Histamines are neuro-transmitter chemicals. Though histamines are always present in our body, an allergy attack causes more histamines to be released at the site of the allergy attack. When a mosquito bites, for example, histamines are released at the area of the bite making the skin there turn red and itchy. When histamines are released, they cause inflammation and constriction of the muscles.
The symptoms of a sinus infection begin with headache, facial pain, nasal congestion, fever, green or yellow discharge, a heavy face feeling, etc. The infection usually lasts for three weeks or more.
Structural problems such as deviated septum, nasal polyps, etc. are conducive to a sinus infection.
The cure for sinusitis is steam inhalation, nasal irrigation, hot fluids such as tea or chicken soup, and plenty of rest. Aspirin or paracetamol tablets and decongestants are some of the medicines commonly prescribed for sinus infections. If the symptoms continue for more than 48 hours, the pateint should be started on antibiotics or nasal steroids. If you don’t treat the sinus infection pretty early, it could even cause bronchitis and pneumonia and damage the sinuses and cheekbones. You would then have to go for nasal surgery to repair the damage.
When the sinus infection refuses to respond to medication, Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS) is the most efficient treatment.
Prevention is always better than cure. Stop smoking, because smoking is one of the chief stimulants of sinusitis (sinus infection). Take an oral decongestant or a short course of nasal spray decongestant, especially before air travel. Drink plenty of fluids, so the nasal discharge remains thin, and use antihistamines for controlling allergy attacks. Allergy testing can also increase tolerance towards allergy inducing substances.
An allergic reaction is an unnecessary, and even dangerous, immune response that should be prevented. Antihistamines counteract these immunological inconsistencies. One of the factors that cause our immune system to go awry is the increasing presence of toxins in the environment. These toxins also touch off allergy attacks in the body.
Recent research has found that a new group of sugars called glyconutrients could represent the next frontier in building a robust immune system. Eight of these essential sugars have already been discovered. They play a major role in the some of the body’s most fundamental chemical processes, and also have a role in keeping the human immune system in perfect order.
Consuming glyconutrients through natural dietary supplements could go a long way in regulating histamine-induced disorders and allergies, and in preventing sinus infections.
Lisa Hyde-Barrett, a registered nurse and wellness advocate, understands the relationship between good nutrition and good health. She’s become passionate about the new research behind sugars, specifically
Herbs As Remedy
Among the curatives used in ancient medicine were all types of plant, animal (all parts nearly) and mineral compounds. The use of these compounds led to an extensive compendium of curative recipes, some still available today. For example, yeast was recognized for its healing qualities and was applied to leg ulcers and swellings. Yeast’s were also taken internally for digestive disorders and were an effective cure for ulcers. Herbal ingredients are common in the old medical formulations. Ancient medical prescriptions books contain large variety of herbal species used to make the remedies for different diseases. Usually herbs are used to prepare a tea or decoct, but healers also used juice from fresh herbs, or extract from root or fruit, etc.
One of frequently used herb is Sweetclower. The Yellow Sweetclover or Meliot has aromatic, emollient and carminative properties. It was formerly much esteemed in medicine as an emollient and digestive and is recommended for many complaints, the juice for clearing the eyesight, and, boiled with lard and other ingredients, as an application to veins and ulcers. One of the most popular plants for use in the medical purposes was Papaver Somniferum (Opium Poppy). The drug collected from Opium Poppy was known in very remote times and the Greeks and Romans collected it. It is probable that the physicians of the Arabian school introduced the drug into India, as well as into Europe. It was originally used only as a medicine. Opium Poppy is used by medieval medicine like “cure for all diseases” and it may be found in different prescriptions, from cures for the skin diseases to the psychiatric illness.
Today medicine and pharmacy kept many of those herbs for those proven healing effect in the ill conditions. In fact active ingredients derived from those herbs are unavoidable part of today pharmacotherapy.
As the conclusion, it will be wise to read again and again old medical prescriptions, determine which diseases are cured by specific herb or mixture of herbs, found what are chemical constituents of those plants and is there a possibility for use in modern medicine. This task is not a easy one, especially analyzing chemical constituents of herbs, even today is impossible to determine all chemical ingredients for some plants. Chicory for example, precise chemical constituents of the herb have not yet been recorded.
Vladeta S. Jocic Medical doctor, General surgeon, Magister of science at Belgrade University, Chef of the surgical department at Health Center Obrenovac. Webmaster of oldpreparation.com oldpreparation.com
Choosing Colored Contact Lenses Is A Must
There was a time when we used glasses that changed color in sun. They were the two-in-one option of the bygone days. Now, we have contacts with the same two-in-one function. These are colored lenses that correct the vision and give a different color to your eyes.
There are a number of well known brands offering them. It is advisable that you settle for a known brand rather than going for something cheap manufactured by the unknown aliens, for saving in this area may not only be unhealthy but may also make you pay much more in medical bills. Besides, what’s the point in purchasing a cheap lens and then imagining all the damage it might be doing to your eyes. That would mean buying a lens and getting a headache for free.
The next step is to buy the right lens. In this category there are mainly three different kinds of lenses available. These are visibility tints lenses, opaque color tints and light filtering tints. These lenses are made in emulation of our own eyes, which makes them look astoundingly natural. It’s much like wearing an additional eye and if you buy a good quality lens it feels comfortable enough for you to forget you are wearing a lens at all.
While choosing lenses you must consider your complexion as well as the color of your eyes so that whichever lens you pick looks best on you giving you an all round makeover. So, for those who are fair the right colors are blue, light green and violet, and if your complexion is rather dark settle for something bright and reflective.
If you are one of those with a reddish tinge on skin or hair, what looks particularly good on you is light brown. Green or gray are your colors if you have those crystal clear blue eyes.
However, visiting the eyes specialist is a must for those who have a vision problem so that the right kind of lenses could be chosen for you. Moreover, it is important that you take medical advise on whether or not you should wear lenses at all. Most of the time there is no problem wearing lenses but this additional precaution ensure that possible individual complications are detected beforehand and do not catch one unprepared.
Eyes are precious, delicate and complex, so every possible care should be taken to keep them healthy. Regular visits to the eye specialist is one of the important precautions that one must take.
To get more information on best contact lenses,
Depression Keeps 19 Million Adults From Being Productive
Approximately 19 million American adult workers allow depression to limit their productivity. According to the American Medical Women’s Association, this includes 5 million women, many of whom will quit or loss their jobs directly due to the depression.
Symptoms of depression include emotional elements such as restlessness or loss of pleasure, or physical elements like headaches, aches, and pains. These symptoms result in a lowered ability to work, sleep, eat, study, or enjoy pleasurable activities.
Internationally known motivational speaker, Connie Podesta, feels there is a link between depression and the blend of one’s home life and work life. “One major reason for depression is the feeling of guilt in having to choose between family and work”, points out Podesta. By taking control of your life, you reduce the tension from having to make excuses to your boss, friends, and family for spending excessive time from one to the other.
There are six keys to balancing your life:
==> People need a healthy, functional environment. People need a place that is safe, a place where they can go to escape the negatives of a bad day. They need a sanctuary to rebuild their spirit for the next day. Fair rules and boundaries are a key to creating this environment.
==> People need positive relationships. You must seek out positive relations and repair, constrain, or eliminate negative relationships. But it must be done right, keeping important relationships.
==> Dealing with negative experiences. We choose how to react to every situation. By dealing positively with negative life experiences, we can keep our life in perspective.
==> Building positive self-esteem. Thinking positively about yourself is not easy. Don’t expect people to pour compliments over you. Seek ways to build your self esteem on a continue basis.
==> Making timely decisions. Too many people have a problem making either the little decisions or they struggle with big decisions. Some people have problems with both. Failure to make timely decisions affects mental and physical health, throwing life into imbalance.
==> Learning how to handle personal problems. Being able to identify the magnitude of personal problems and resolving the problems quickly and positively eliminates their impact on longer-term happiness.
Although you may have mastered one or more of these aspects already, true balance will elude you until you reach the point that you have had moderate success in all six areas.
For those that want to evaluate their current balance skills, there is a free Balance Challenge on the Internet at getmaximpact.com/Evaluation-balance.html getmaximpact.com/Evaluation-balance.html. It provides some interesting aspects of how one would attain the highly coveted life-balance.
Rick Weaver is President of Max Impact, a national leadership and organization development company based in Rochester Hills, Michigan. Rick is an accomplished business executive with experience in retail, market analysis, supply chain and project management, team building, and process improvement. He has worked with hundreds of companies to improve sales, processes, and bottom-line results. MaxImpact offers leadership and organizational development services along with employee assessments and background checks. Contact Rick at 248-802-6138 or via email, mailto:rick@getmaximpact.com rick@getmaximpact.com. MaxImpact is on the web at getmaximpact.com getmaximpact.com.
The Menopause Years
“The Change” – Menopause happens to every woman and is a part of the natural aging process. Estrogen and progesterone production slows down and menstruation ends.
Menopause is not an illness or a disorder, but a natural biological transition. The signs and symptoms of menopause vary widely for each woman and can typically occur between the ages of 42 and 56. Some women experience very mild symptoms while some women suffer more. Some of the symptoms include:
* weight gain
* depression
* hot flashes
* mood swings
* night sweats
* insomnia
* fatigue
* joint pain
* short-term memory problems
* urinary tract infections
* itchy skin
* dry eyes
* vaginal dryness
* bowel upset
While you can’t stop the symptoms from actually occurring, there are a number of remedies to help ease the discomfort. Hormone therapy (HT) has been widely used in recent decades to relieve the signs and symptoms of menopause and — doctors thought — to prevent diseases associated with aging. However, new long-term evidence has demonstrated that HT may actually increase the risk of serious health conditions, such as heart disease, breast cancer and stroke.
Many women are seeking safer alternative treatments for menopause. Herbal supplements with components that are similar to the estrogen found in a woman’s body are leading the way. Herbal supplements generally have no side effects and can bring relief for the multitude of symptoms associated with menopause.
There are several excellent products on the market that are specially formulated for menopausal symptoms. Native Remedies has developed several formulas to help women ease discomfort of their specific symptoms. It is very important for women going through the menopause transition to eat healthy and exercise.
Menopause is not the end of life, but a new stage of life. Many woman worry they will not enjoy sex after menopause but many women discover a renewed or even redoubled libido after the menopause.
It is important to remember that women can and do enjoy active and fulfilling sex lives throughout their menopausal years.
For more information about Herbal Relief for Menopause please visit us at the
herbalbuyersguide.com/ Herbal Buyers Guide