Emphysema is a respiratory disease that continues to get worse over time. It makes it hard to breathe and causes an individual to feel as if they are constantly short of breath.
The tiny air sacs and airways in the lungs lose their elastic qualities and this in turn makes it hard to completely exhale the air from the body.
Normal lungs work like a balloon and bring in vast amounts of fresh air and then release equal amounts of Co2. When emphysema is present some of this carbon dioxide is left in the lungs and each breath becomes more difficult. As this terrible medical condition becomes worse breathing starts to come at great effort and physical activities take a great amount of energy.
Emphysema usually develops over years and there are treatments that can slow it’s progress. Some symptoms that you should be on the lookout for include: consistent shortness of breath, headaches, constant coughing, fatigue, wheezing, difficulty concentrating, tightness in the chest, irritability and a distended chest. Read more...
A yeast infection can be cured naturally without the use of drugs or even a doctor’s visit. You can cure a yeast infection with items found in your home.
But before you try any of these natural cures, you need to be certain that what you have is a yeast infection.
There are other vaginal infections that can mimic the symptoms of a yeast infection. So if this is your first vaginal infection or if it accompanied by a foul odor, you should see your doctor for a diagnosis.
If you are positive that what you have is a yeast infection, then you can try a natural, holistic medicine cure for your yeast infection. These cures are inexpensive and will product less side effects than prescription or over the counter medicine.
The first natural cure for a yeast infection is douching with apple cider vinegar. Just mix a table spoon of apple cider vinegar in a quart of water. This method will relieve the pain and itching almost immediately. Read more...
Cold sores are a patch of tiny blisters that appear on your lips and occasionally in the nose. Another name for them is ‘fever blister‘ and the medical term is recurrent herpes labialis.
At first, you can tell something is going on because there is a bump on your lip that is sort of tingly. Soon the blisters popup and becomes really painful and annoying. A scab forms over the blisters soon after they appear.
Cold sores are extremely contagious and are caused by the HSV-1 virus. If you catch this virus then it can lay dormant in your body forever and occasionally become active.
Herpes Simplex Virus type 1 usually only becomes active showing itself above the waist. This is the type that causes 90% of the cold sores we see today. It is usually picked up as a child from either a parent or brother/sister. Herpes Simplex Virus type 2 affects the tissues below the waistline causing genital herpes. Strangely enough, it is also responsible for the remaining 10% of cold sores that appear around the mouth and nose. Read more...
Bronchitis is a very common illness, especially among children. Bronchitis is the inflammation of the bronchial tubes. The most common of all bronchitis symptoms is cough. The second bronchitis symptom is the production of more mucus than normal.
There are several bronchitis types, but only two of them are common: acute bronchitis and chronic bronchitis. The second bronchitis type affects mostly adults.
Acute bronchitis is more common than the chronic one. This is when the mucous membrane is inflated. This type of bronchitis is caused either by a bacteria or by a virus.
Another acute bronchitis cause is allergens or chemical agents. Smoking or working, living in places that are full in chemical can increase the risk of acute bronchitis. In children, the most common cause of bronchitis is a virus, unlike in adults when bacteria can also cause bronchitis.
Bacteria can be a cause for bronchitis in children, but only for those that are over six years old. Furthermore, in children acute bronchitis is a mild illness and does not need any special treatment. In almost all cases, acute bronchitis is the result of cold or an infection of the respiratory system, mainly the upper part. Read more...
The term cancer covers a wide range of diseases where cells begin to grow abnormally. The DNA of normal cells become damaged and they begin to divide into new cancerous cells.
As these cells grow and divide the normal and healthy tissue is replaced and the risk of it spreading to other parts of the body increases.
When cancer spreads to other parts of the body the doctors call this metastasis. Many times, a tumor or cancer riddled tissue develops. Leukemia is an example of a disease where there is no development of abnormal tissues or tumors.
When one goes to the doctor and hears the word cancer then there is no doubt that this is devastating news to both the individual and the family.
The good news is that today many people beat cancer even to the point that it can be 100% cured. Nevertheless, cancer is a growing concern in our society and should be prevented with all measures. Read more...
Well, this came as a surprise to me as I have always thought that the holidays brought on greater numbers of suicides due to higher levels of stress and deeper depression. But, it appears that this is a common misconception.
According to UNC School of Social Work professor Jodi Flick. Flick presented “Suicide in Adults and Children: Prevention, Intervention and Postvention,” Nov. 23 at a workshop titled “Depression and Suicide: What You Need to Know” at Catawba Valley Community College.
According to statistics, the highest rates of suicide have always been in the months of May and June, Flick said. Although, some experts put the highest months in January and April.
“Severe depression and suicide have more to do with a body’s reaction to … biorhythms than what’s going on in our lives,” Flick said. “This is a real medical problem. It isn’t something a person is doing because they feel bad.”
Scientists have always speculated about the mind/body connection. It is a real phenomenon and has helped people achieve some amazing things. Through visualization, you can change the way to think and your life in general.
What is visualization? It is the process of seeing yourself achieving your goals. Through the technique, what seemed impossible before becomes a possibility worth pursuing.
What often happens in life is that we set goals and don’t achieve them. This doesn’t mean that every goal we set will be unmet. But, sometimes, when the deadline we set approaches, instead of being filled with delight we are anxious because we are nowhere near the goal. That can lead to discouragement and abandonment of the goal altogether.
Visualization has helped many people to achieve their goals for fitness and weight loss, not to mention life in general. The technique begins with mental imagery. It is easier to do something when you can see yourself doing it. Read more...
Heart disease is the number one killer out there. We often hear about women and heart disease but what about men? It is number one for them too.
Heart disease affects not only the heart but the entire cardiovascular system. When someone has a heart attack it is because blood couldn’t reach a certain part of the heart through the coronary arteries. There can be congenital defects that affect the heart as well as stenosis in the aorta and other blood vessels of the body.
When it comes to your heart, there is no playing around. Heart disease doesn’t develop all at once but over time. But the risk can be reduced and many risk factors may be reversed with proper care of your heart and the rest of your body.
Here are a few ways that men can improve their chances of avoiding heart disease in their life:Read more...
Believe it or not, a cough is the body’s way to protect itself and occurs in perfectly healthy people. Coughing is much like a sneeze in that it is not voluntary.
There are two different classes of nerves, that have endings in the lungs, which are responsible for causing us to cough.
When a person coughs, their body is trying to get rid of irritants in the air passages. Mucus is oftentimes the reason that a cough starts. The body initiates a cough in order to clear the mucus out of the air passageways.
Amazingly, a cough can force air at speeds up to three hundred miles per hour.
If a person is not a smoker and their X-rays are clear then a persistent cough usually means one of three things. Asthma, post nasal drip or heartburn. Less often, it can be because of chronic bronchitis or a side effect from prescription medicines. Coughing can also be caused by an infection in your upper respiratory tract, pneumonia, tuberculosis or acute bronchitis. Read more...
With more and more people every year suffering from some form of anxiety disorder, getting a prescription for one of the many anxiety medications that are out there can mean the all the difference for many of them.
But regardless of the specific medications used, there are some things you should take into account both before and during treatment.
1. Talk to Your Doctor
The first step is to go and talk to your doctor. He will likely have many questions to ask you as part of his diagnostic procedure. If he does diagnose you with an anxiety disorder, there are some things you should discuss before the prescription is written. If improperly prescribed or used, anxiety medications can be dangerous. Some things you should be sure and talk to your doctor about include:
Full medical history: Your doctor should have a copy of your full medical history. If not, be sure and discuss anything that you have been diagnosed with or prescribed already. Your family medical history and any medical conditions you have should also be brought up; certain anxiety medications can be dangerous to people with, say, a heart condition or predisposition towards one. Read more...
Have you ever heard of acid reflux? You probably have. Acid reflux is also known by a couple of other names. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and heartburn are all forms of acid reflux.
Chances are, if you are like most people, you have had acid reflux at least one or twice. If you are unlucky enough to be like many people, you have chronic problems with this.
You have heard of acid reflux and you know that most of the time you will need to take some type of medication, such as antacids to alleviate the sour stomach or burning sensation that you feel.
You also know that there are some foods that will cause you to have more problems than other. If you are among those that have acid reflux only occasionally, then you probably do not even give acid reflux a second though unless you have it.
However, do you really know what acid reflux, or GERD is? Read more...
As a mom of six, I have to tell you that this latest research makes me feel a whole lot better! I mean, c’mon – how many times have you looked at your kids after they’ve been playing outside – or even inside in various parts of your home – and looked at their hands and faces and gasped?
Kids are notorious for not only FINDING the dirtiest part of your home, but for apparently rolling in it!
In this day of pocket-sized hand sanitizers, antibacterial soaps, germ-killing air fresheners, dish soap, bar soaps, floor cleaners and even rug deodorizers, it sometimes seems that we are attempting to raise our kids as a modern-day ‘boy in the bubble.’
I don’t know about you, but I don’t have time to kill every germ in and around my home. And, despite that fact, I have very healthy kiddos.
This is why I found the following article soooo interesting (and reassuring). Read more...
The heart, the mainstay of all of your bodies systems. This muscular organ works hard to pump your blood through your blood vessels providing the basis for your entire body.
Cardiac care is essential in restoring its operating system at the first sign of any disturbances.
The heart beats, on average, at approximately 72 beats in a minute. It will most likely, if living past the age of 65, beats more than 2 billion times in your life.
Taking care of your heart is the most important thing that you can do for your body as all of your other systems relies on this very special organ in the human body.
The symptoms of heart disease should be acted on immediately and never ignored. It is important to be able to recognize them and seek care for them as soon as possible and without delay.
Explained below are some different types of cardiac situations that can take place with a brief description of their symptoms:Read more...
Panic attacks are very unpleasant. Those who have never had one before, and sometimes those who have, may think they’re having a heart attack.
In fact, virtually all of the symptoms are the same. Once you’ve determined that it was a panic attack and not a heart attack, you’ll certainly want to take steps to make sure it doesn’t happen again.
Medication is often prescribed for panic attacks, but that doesn’t address the entire problem. And some patients do not like the idea of taking prescription drugs.
Therapy is often helpful, but many panic disorder sufferers do not know where to get it. Here are some resources you can turn to:
* Ask your doctor. Primary care and emergency room doctors should be able to refer you to a qualified therapist. And since they’ve evaluated you already, they should have some idea of what type of therapy would be best for you. Read more...
It’s one of those days, isn’t it? Those days when you’re busier than words could describe (preparing for exams, working overtime for a client, catching a myriad of deadlines).
Sure, it’s really no big, you’ve done this before. Except that this time, you happened to have caught a cold or a flu or some other bug and now you’re so disoriented that you can’t work right.
Your nose is stuffed, your head is aching, your throat is bothering you, and you feel like crawling under a rock and just sleeping it off without other people checking up and asking what had happened to some requirement or other that you were supposed to complete by such a time.
All of this could be summed up in two words: “This sucks”. And we have to agree it does. Read more...
Individuals diagnosed with acid reflux may be treated with several drugs including those that are prescription and those that are over-the-counter.
Prescription drugs used to treat acid reflux include:
* The proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) such as Aciphex, Nexium, Prevacid, Prilosec, and Protonix
* H2 Blockers, which include Axid, Pepcid, Tagament and Zantac* Promotility agents such as Reglan
Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) deactivates the acid pumps that are located in the cells of the stomach. This is how the body produces acid in the stomach. The effect of PPIs can last for up to 24 hours.
H2 Blockers inhibit the action of histamine. Histamine can stimulate the secretion of stomach acid. These medications only partially block the production of stomach acid. These medications last anywhere from six to ten hours.
Reglan will cause your stomach muscles to contract, which aid the stomach to empty and strengthens the lower esophagus splinter (LES). Over-the-counter medications for acid reflux includes the use of antacides, H2 Blockers, antacid H2, the proton pump inhibitors and (PPIs). Read more...
ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) is a group of symptoms that affects concentration and a person’s ability to focus.
It can also cause mood swings, impulsiveness, behavioral and other social problems. Children with these problems have difficulty in completing their school work and are often in trouble with parents and teachers.
What are the causes of ADD?
There are many different causes and explanations for the symptoms of ADD including diet, allergies, food intolerances, anxiety, low muscle tone, anxiety, depression, family problems, poor discipline and even some forms of illness.
Unfortunately some doctors and therapists do not do a thorough assessment and simply prescribe potentially harmful psychiatric drugs without considering what the causes the problem might be.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a medical condition where an individual finds it difficult to stay on task. Trouble staying on task and paying attention are just a few of the many issues that those suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have to deal with. Unfortunately, many of the individuals most recently diagnosed with ADHD are children. This has caused some concern among parents.
Although there are some individuals, even those in the medical field, who claim that attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is over diagnosed, especially in children, there are many parents who are still interested in seeking relief for their children. After all, a child who finds it difficult to pay attention and stay on tasks can suffer in school. However, at the same time, the last thing that most parents want to do is encourage their children to take medications that may or may not provide relief. In fact, some claim that the medications for ADHD end up doing more harm than good. So what is a parent to do? Examine natural remedies. Read more...
Diabetes is manageable and a high quality of life can be maintained if you stay on top of your health. Once you are diagnosed with the disease you should start following a Diabetic plan for optimum health immediately.
One of the most important things that Diabetics can do is follow a meal plan. Do not leave eating up to chance. You must have a plan everyday and know what you are eating before the time to eat arrives. Not eating when you have Diabetes can lead to hypoglycemia or a Diabetic coma which can be fatal. Constructing a low carb menu and sticking to it will help you from having Diabetic episodes.
Your meal plan will be a combination of breads, meats, dairy products, fats, fruits and vegetables just like everyone else’s. When dining with friends and family you can feel free to make the same foods for them that you are eating. You won’t be having special foods or anything different from anyone else. Read more...
Men usually don’t consider it a big deal to carry a few extra pounds on their frame. However, if those extra pounds are around the middle, then you could be sporting a problem bigger than your waistline. Excess belly fat can affect the health of the rest of your body.
What do you know about belly fat? Well, for men, extra abdominal fat occurs as you age. In women, during child-bearing years, fat accumulates in the hips, thighs and also in the abdomen. For them too, extra belly fat is a concern.
With men, belly fat is usually a result of lifestyle and age. As a person ages, they lose muscle unless something is done to preserve it. After the age of forty, muscle is lost at a faster rate. What replaces that muscle is usually fat. Our lives grow more sedentary and the pounds begin to pack on. Read more...
Lemon juice cleanses are a great way to detox, meet daily nutritional requirements, improve circulation and get rid of harmful waste products. Mix lemon juice, maple syrup and cayenne pepper for a lemon juice cleanse with instructions from a nutrition consultant and clinical herbalist in this free video on nutritional cleanses.
Meridian therapy is an alternative procedure for reducing stress and freeing your body from toxins. It is similar to acupressure in its applications. Meridian therapy releases blocked energy for total body health.
The name of the therapy refers to the lines of energy that run throughout the body. There are twelve meridian lines that run along the body, six on each side.
There are also two unpaired meridian lines: one along the front midline and one along the back midline of the body.
According to ancient Oriental teachings of healing, energy runs along these lines. This energy flow or ki (pronounced chee) is the life force of the body.
The flow of ki must run unobstructed in the body for optimal health. When the flow is interrupted, then the person gets sick in the body. This sickness can manifest itself as headaches, intestinal trouble, tiredness, depression or any number of conditions that people experience every day. According to meridian therapy, their ki is blocked along a meridian and must be unblocked to restore balance. Read more...
Painkillers are ever present in American supermarket aisles and when PMS begins to rear its ugly head, many a women heads straight for these painkillers. Of course, even an only cursory perusal of the list of ingredients as well as the side effects associated with these painkillers showcases that some risks are best not taken.
One painkiller, for example, is known to greatly increase the risk of liver problems, if the woman who ingests them also has a habit of ingesting alcohol. Although the complete extent of this risk is not fully known, the fact that alcohol is as common in American homes as painkillers should give pause to anyone who is considering fighting PMS with herbs and pills.
Moreover, the reliability of the painkillers specifically formulated for use with PMS symptoms leaves something to be desired, namely effectiveness. It appears that for women with multiple PMS symptoms there is a distinct tradeoff when using pain killers. While one might make one of the conditions such as cramping more manageable, it might worsen another one, usually bloating. Even women, who may not usually experience bloating, may actually do so for the first time after ingesting commercially available painkillers. Read more...
Of all the symptoms associated with menopause, hot flashes have to be considered among the most ill-desired symptom of all. While they are an absolute annoyance, it is the hormonal imbalance within that causes them to occur. Since there are no definitive conclusions as to why hot flashes occur, let’s try to determine how to deal with hot flashes.
According to a recent report on menopause, it was determined that “lifestyle and psychological factors can increase the number and severity of hot flashes that a woman experiences. In fact, women who tested at a high level of anxiety had nearly five times the number of hot flashes as those who tested low. Women who smoked experienced twice the amount. Being overweight led to an increase in annoying hot flashes, as well.”
Hot flashes sometimes start with perimenopause, or they may not start until after the last menstrual period has occurred. Usually, they last three to five years and are usually worse during the year following the last menstrual period. However, it has been noted that for some women, hot flashes can last indefinitely. Read more...
Acupressure and acupuncture are not one in same techniques. They differ slightly because acupuncture makes use of thin needles in approaching health concerns while acupressure never breaks the skin. On the other hand, they do a have a few things in common. For instance, both are centered on touching meridians which carry energy or chi along those meridians right through an individuals’ body.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) clearly states that illness occurs due to the blockage of chi in any of fourteen different meridians. Acupressure and acupuncture both advocate the free flow of energy without obstructions. Both methods are used to treat arthritis, allergies, migraineheadaches, depression, menstrual cramps, nausea and anxieties.
Because acupuncture uses very thin, long needles to puncture the skin it should be performed by an experienced practitioner who is skilled in traditional Chinese medicine. Acupressure is much less technical; it can therefore be learned from a book and may even be; in some instances, performed on oneself. Somewhat surprisingly, acupressure was practiced long before acupuncture became known. Read more...
One of the conditions a woman must be concerned about is osteoporosis. This may usually occur right after menopause. However, there are steps you can take to alleviate it.
Osteoporosis is simply bone loss. It is inherent in aging for both men and women, although women are more susceptible to it. Because a woman’s bone density is less than that of a man, this allows more time for the bone to age. The loss of bone mass begins approximately at age 40. After menopause, there is an acceleration of five to seven years at which point it returns to its normal age-related rate.
The absence of estrogen has less to do with bone loss than aging. In fact, smoking, medications, and being underweight have a greater effect on bone loss. That’s why exercise is so important. It increases bone mass. While osteoporosis can lead to loss of height and tiny fractures, woman are also vulnerable to fractures of the hip. Therefore, it is important to take precautionary measures such as proper diet, exercise and vitamins to prevent the loss of bone mass. Further, your doctor may advise you to take a bone density test to determine just how much bone loss has occurred. Read more...
You may have come across promotions on the internet by companies giving away ‘free samples’ of their supplements. All you have to do is pay for the shipping and handling.
I see them from time to time and usually have a look to see where the catch is. More often than not you will find buried in the small print of the terms and conditions that you are committing to a regular monthly shipment of the product and that it is automatic UNLESS you specifically cancel it.
But, even that can be problematic as many of these companies do not provide phone numbers, physical addresses or even email addresses. The only point of contact is through a webform. Often these companies are not even companies at all but individual marketers working from home without the infrastructure to support customer complaints etc. Read more...
Can bad habits be cured through medical treatments? Some say yes; they have succeeded in overcoming their addictions through science. There are many medical treatments for smokers and others who want to block their cravings.
For smokers, there is a variety of nicotine replacement options. Nicotine patches are probably the most popular for bad smoking habits. They can be adhered to the skin and forgotten until the end of the day.
Or, if you are a person who suffers morning cravings, you can wear the patch all night. In any case, you do not have to be constantly thinking about your smoking.
Nicotine gum is also used by many people with these bad habits. It is handy for those who like to do something with their mouths. It cuts their urge to smoke at the same time. You just chew it for awhile, and then place it in between your cheek and gum. The nicotine will enter your bloodstream. Nicotine lozenges work much the same way. Read more...
Distance Crystal Healing (DCH) is one of the most effective healing treatments available on earth today. There is, however some very crucial information that you must know before you participate in Crystal Healing (CH). If done correctly, distance crystal healing, can change your life.
Crystal Healing
Any type of healing done with crystals can be very powerful and must be handled with respect and care. The very qualities of crystal, as an aid to alternative medicine, make crystal an ideal conduit for alternative therapies.
Crystal has been used for centuries as a proven scientific method for amplifying energy. Health and wellness can also be amplified in your energy field by safely utilizing the increased magnification of the healing treatment.
CH therapy is quite versatile and be done in many holistic health forms. For example some common alternative health methods that utilize crystals are: crystal healing music, reiki, stones, crystal wands, singing bowls, energy healing crystal, pranic healing, vibrational medicine, quantum distance healing, chakra balancing, meditation … and the list goes on and on. CH continues to be discovered for it’s many outstanding health benefits. Read more...
Oftentimes in acupressure, a fingertip moved in a circular motion can work just as well as a needle. Stimulate pressure points through acupressure with tips from a doctor of Oriental medicine in this free video on traditional Chinese medicine. Expert: Mark Brinson Bio: Mark Brinson owns Brinson Therapeutics. He specializes in pain, injury and human performance and is also an international seminar provider. Filmmaker: Christopher Rokosz…
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If you have a simple type C version of the flu ( and chances are that is all you have and versions A and B are the pandemic types and they only happen every 10 to 40 years) the simple home remedy is lots of rest and lots of fluids. A warming soup like chickensoup will do wonders for your well being. Mild over the counter pain killers can ease the heachache and muscle stiffness.
Emphysema is a respiratory disease that continues to get worse over time. It makes it hard to breathe and causes an individual to feel as if they are constantly short of breath.
The term cancer covers a wide range of diseases where cells begin to grow abnormally. The DNA of normal cells become damaged and they begin to divide into new cancerous cells.
Well, this came as a surprise to me as I have always thought that the holidays brought on greater numbers of suicides due to higher levels of stress and deeper depression. But, it appears that this is a common misconception.
Scientists have always speculated about the mind/body connection. It is a real phenomenon and has helped people achieve some amazing things. Through visualization, you can change the way to think and your life in general.
Heart disease is the number one killer out there. We often hear about women and 
Believe it or not, a cough is the body’s way to protect itself and occurs in perfectly healthy people. 
With more and more people every year suffering from some form of 
Have you ever heard of acid reflux? You probably have. 
The heart, the mainstay of all of your bodies systems. This muscular organ works hard to pump your blood through your blood vessels providing the basis for your entire body.
Panic attacks are very unpleasant. Those who have never had one before, and sometimes those who have, may think they’re having a 
It’s one of those days, isn’t it? Those days when you’re busier than words could describe (preparing for exams, working overtime for a client, catching a myriad of deadlines).
Individuals diagnosed with acid reflux may be treated with several drugs including those that are prescription and those that are over-the-counter.
