Posts Tagged ‘Illness’
Why To Eat Nuts
Nuts are tasty, loaded with good fat, protein, fiber, nutrients and phytochemicals that are heart healthy and potentially good for the waistline. Barring allergies, there aren’t many reasons not to include nuts in your diet. Let’s take a look at some interesting studies, tips and tidbits about nuts.
Nuts and the Heart
A study of 31000 Seventh Day Adventists that ate nuts more than 4 times per week were half as likely to die of a heart attack than those who ate nuts less than once a week. The Iowa Women’s Health Study came to a similar conclusion: Women who ate nuts or seeds 4 times per week were 40% less likely to die from heart disease than similar women who didn’t eat nuts. The Nurses’ Health Study showed that those who ate at least 140g/week of nuts were 35% less likely to be diagnosed with heart disease than those who ate less than 30g/month. Nuts and Weight
Most studies have shown that adding nuts to the diet does not cause people to gain much weight, if any at all. As an example, researchers gave participants 45-70g of almonds every day (320 calories worth) and gave them no further instructions about food intake. After 6 months, participants gained a very miniscule amount of weight (.2 lbs in women, 1.4 lbs in men). This study was funded by the almond industry.
There aren’t many studies that show nut consumption to help people lose weight, but one study showed that a low calorie diet that included almonds led to greater weight loss than an equal calorie diet that did not include almonds.
The Seventh Day Adventist and Nurses Health Study showed that those who regularly ate nuts weighed less than those who did not.
The Best Nuts
Are some nuts better than others when it comes to health benefits? All nuts contain good fats, fiber and proteins, but different kinds of nuts have different nutrient profiles.
Almonds are richest in vitamin E (35% recommended daily intake) and calcium (8%) per 1 oz. (30g) serving. Brazil nuts are highest in selenium with just 1 supplying a days worth. Cashews are richest in copper and zinc Peanuts (technically a legume) contain the antioxidant resveratrol, and are highest in protein and arginine content Walnuts have the most alpha linolenic acids (plant-based omega-3’s) How much?
Nuts are healthy but are a dense source of calories. 1oz/30g of nuts supply about 170-180 calories. Here is a chart that shows how many nuts are in 30g.
Number of Nuts in 30 grams (1oz)
Almonds: 20-24 Brazil nuts: 6-8 Pecans: 18-20 (halves) Cashews: 16-18 Pine Nuts: 150-157 Pistachios: 45-47 Walnuts: 8-11 Hazelnuts: 18-20
Stephen Trenen is trainer in a sport club and he runs his own practical website about Best Diet Plans, check it out to learn more tried-out Diet Plans.
Tags: advice, blogs, diet, education, Fitness, Food, free, Health, help, Illness, sickness, weight loss
The Immune System And You
Modern civilization is unimaginable without the technology that sustains it. From cellular phones to hybrid cars and everything in between, machinery is necessary to preserve the way we live and continue to progress. Machines, however, inevitably break down and (at least for now) they are unable to repair themselves. By contrast, our bodies are naturally produced machines that do have the capacity to repair themselves, and they do so on a daily basis. It remain unfeasible to go and purchase a new body when ours breaks down, and indeed it is unnecessary due to a remarkable system: the Human Immune System.
Composed of bacteria, organs, and cells, the human immune system is an organized and efficient complex. It fears no invader, attacking and annihilating any and every internal threat to the human body. In tandem it eradicates cancerous, mutated cells and throws out cells that have died. Bone marrow and the thymus-an organ positioned just above the heart-serve as field marshals in the immune system, training and directing a host forces: Leukocytes (white blood cells) are generated by bone marrow. They patrol the entire body, slaughtering any and all invaders deemed dangerous. Trained by the thymus, B cells struggle against infections; T cells are responsible for taking the correct course of action against specialized invaders; “killer cells” obliterate cancerous cells; finally, “eating cells” literally consume harmful debris and microorganisms. Taken as a whole, the human body could not exist for very long without its immune system; it alone provides the security necessary for all other systems to function.
The immune system can be boosted through a number of means, whether scientific or natural.
In India the immune system has been preserved via the usage of herbs for centuries. A short list includes sahadevi, shatavari, gokshura, lahsuna, ashwagandha, tulasi, triphala, amalaki, and of course Hoodia. In addition, aromatherapy is widely recognized as an important, immune system-boosting therapy by most medical communities around the world.
Stress is a major contributor to a weakened immune system and the sickness that results. Meditation and yoga are two excellent ways to both eliminate and greatly reduce stress on the mind and its effects on the body.
The easiest way to increase the ability of the immune system is to take a daily multivitamin. These are both easy to find (at your local grocer) and painless to take. Furthermore, you can find a bewildering multitude of vitamins and minerals for purchase, though I would suggest speaking with a healthcare professional before putting together your own regimen, as some combinations of vitamins can be dangerous.
Perhaps the most natural way to conserve your immune system is to get the correct amount of sleep. The less sleep you get, the weaker your immune system becomes. This is because the les sleep you have, the less T cells are produced, and thus your body is less able to fight off infection. Accordingly, when you become sick and sleep even less, your immune system is damaged even more. In other words, you should sleep for at least six hours a day to prevent illness.
Creating and sustaining a good daily rhythm is the key to good sleep. Try to go to bed every day at the same time, or as close as possible to it. Once your immune system is accustomed to this, it will follow it, increasing its own efficiency along the way. Try reading a book, listening to music, etc., before bed to induce sleep. Leave work and stress outside of the bedroom by transforming it into a dark, comfortable, quiet area. Finally, do not eat anything or exercise during the two to three hours that precede the time you go to bed.
Tags: disease, Fitness, gi tract, Health, healthy, hospital, Illness, immune boost, immune system, nutrition, probiotic, probiotic immuneboost, sickness, supplement
Science-Proven Inflammation Reduction by Essential Oils
For much of mankind’s history, people have used herbal treatments to reduce pain and inflammation in joints and muscles. The bark of the Willow tree has given us ‘the wonder drug’ for pain reduction, which actually occurs due to a reduction of inflammation. Now, many professional therapists lay-practitioners are turning to essential oils for inflammation reduction and pain relief. Essential oils provide a very simple means of reaping the anti-inflammatory, analgesic potential of natural medicine, as all one need do is put a few drops of essential oil into a base oil and massage in for quick, sometimes long-lasting relief.
A quick look at the current research available on pubmed.gov gives an extensive list of scientific publications confirming the anti-inflammatory action of essential oils. The oils used in today’s therapies have been carefully distilled to retain their medicinal potency. This means that they can have very complex natural chemical structures, and depending on the plant, a powerful inflammation-reducing action. Some obvious oils are distilled from plants that they themselves have long been used for this purpose — particularly Ginger and Turmeric. Carbon-dioxide distillations (a new, cold-process method of making essential oils) of both these plants have been included in patented inflammation-reducing formulas. These CO2 distillations are readily available for any practitioner to employ in their formulas.
Further validating the inflammation reducing power of essential oils, Japanese researchers have released a study in the January 10th Journal of Lipid Research confirming this effect in MANY essential oils. This confirms the therapeutic selections of several — not just any single — essential oil for reducing inflammation. The range of oils found to have anti-inflammatory activity was very broad, from thyme and clove, to rose, eucalyptus and even bergamot; many of these oils the traditional therapist would not expect to display a significant effect. Also of interest was the notable absence in the research of what are considered some of the strongest anti-inflammation essential oils, namely Lavender, Helichrysum, German Chamomile and Ginger. This of course does not deny in any way the inflammation-reducing action of these oils; instead in bolsters their potential use by noting that even oils NOT considered the foremost inflammation reducers can have dramatic effects.
Further, some of the individual natural constituents of the essential oil were examined, and it was discovered that carvacrol had the strongest activity. Carvacrol is found in many essential oils, and is most often considered aromatherapy’s most potent anti-bacterial, and has been directly implicated in boosting immune system function in other scientific studies. There seems to be a link between inflammation reduction, immune system function and longevity (the inflammation reducing power of the essential oils studied was compared to red-wine extract, implicated in potentially extending lifespan). The study did not go so far as to elucidate the actual mechanism of reducing inflammation, but it would not be suprising if this activity were a factor — carvacrol, as well as thymol — the other major component of Thyme essential oil — are well-known antioxidants.
Many people find relief from painful muscles and joints through the daily self-massage with a pre-made or home-made aromatherapy massage formula. You can find many on the market with high-grade essential oils that can help, or you may be interested in making your own custom recipe. These formulas typically contain a concentration of 2 to 5 percent essential oils in a carrier oil (like Hazelnut or Sesame). Each one percent is made by adding eight drops of an essential oil to one ounce of carrier oil. Thus, a three percent concentration would be twenty-four drops essential oil in each ounce of carrier. An excellent example of an anti-inflammatory blend would be one percent German Chamomile, two percent Helichrysum Italicum and two percent Lavender. A little research can help you find the oils that will work best for you.
The author has made available much information about aromatherapy, such as using lemon grass and other pure essential oils.
Tags: alternative health, alternative medicine, aromatherapy, cancer, disease, essential oils, Fitness, Health, Illness, massage, natural health, natural wellness
Beginning Aromatherapy with Essential Oil Diffusers
As the owner of an aromatherapy company, I get asked all the time: “How do I get started using essential oils? Well, one of the simplest and rewarding ways of doing this is getting into the “aroma” part of aromatherapy — the inhalation and enjoyment of the scent of the oils themselves. This in fact is a gateway to utilizing the whole realm of therapy available from pure essential oils. Once you get familiar with the oils and the way they smell by diffusing their aromas, you’ll be more apt to investigate the powerful medicinal aspects of aromatherapy and its many application techniques.
“Diffusing” an essential oil simply means evaporating it into the air. In aromatherapy, this most often implies the use of a tool or machines to more rapidly release the oil into your environment than if you just left a bottle open in the room or sprinkled a little oil the carpet. Now leaving a bottle open or sprinkling a little oil on a carpet is a perfectly good way of enjoying essential oils! But sometimes you’ll want the smell to be stronger, and for may therapeutic (health-supporting) applications, you’ll want a much higher concentration of essential oils in the air than these methods provide. Here’s where the diffusers come in.
All diffusers will improve the rate of evaporation of essential oils into your surrounding space. It is important to recognize that while this may use your oils faster, there are good reasons to do this: diffusing oils so they can be smelled over a much larger space; diffusing oils in a work environment to eliminate the scents of of other activities; and perhaps the most important is sometimes diffusing high concentrations of oils such that we can absorb more oils through our respiratory systems for our health. The least expensive diffusers will use a small heating element to evaporate the oils, or a small fan which moves air more quickly over the oils for the same effect. These are usually excellent choices for a small bedroom or office. A little more high-tech are the humidifying ultrasonic diffusers, which are actually just small ultrasonic humidifiers. They do a wonderful job in small to medium environments, particularly in dry climates or during the winter with forced-air heat systems.
There are other simple, inexpensive ‘low-tech’ methods of diffusing essential oils. These are as simple as candle warmers — where a candle gently evaporates a few drops of essential oil floating on a small bowl of water above a tea-light candle (don’t forget the water! So many people report these devices burn their oils, but they’ve put them just over the heat!). A Reed Diffuser is also common, which evaporates aromatic oils through bamboo reeds and slowly into the air. Though they do most often use a synthetic dispersion agent called DPG or dipropylene glycol, which most aromatherapists will not recommend using, as at some point the diffusion process requires one breathing in its vapors.
The high end of aromatherapy diffusers are called cold-air nebulizing diffusers. The use nothing but a pressurized stream of air to make a fine mist of essential oil, which then evaporates directly into the air. The best of these units have a variable output control so they can be properly adjusted to the size of the room and/or the desired concentration of aroma in the air. The nebulizing diffuser has the capability of both simply diffusing oils for their aromatic effects, and to go so far as to deliver true therapy in aroma medicine. The classic aroma medicine texts show images of people placed in oxygen-style tents inhaling significant quantities of essential oil vapor to cure them of very serious infectious diseases. This effect can be created in small rooms, though it is important to have the guidance of a natural health professional before including this modality in a treatment program for yourself or a loved one. At the same time, these techniques are very worthwhile investigating, and the curing of infectious illness is considered one of the most promising medical application of essential oil therapy.
The choice of oils you can use in a diffuser is even more diverse than the kinds of diffusers available. It is really best to start with your desired reason for diffusing oils, then select your oils following this guideline. For general use, Citrus oils are very lovely, and combine very well to make your own unique scents. Try Lemon, Lime, Bergamot, Orange and Grapefruit together for example. Or the “evegreen” oils all blend together well: Fir, Spruce, Pine and Juniper create a very welcoming and warm atmosphere. Floral oils can be easily blended too, as can the woods and the herbs. Once you venture outside of blending oils from the same family, you’ll want to pay a little closer attention to the ratios of each oil you use, as it’s easy to make odd smelling recipes if you just start putting in “a little of this and a little of that”! On can always use a single oil at any time, particularly if you really enjoy one, but in the long run, blends can often be more interesting to the advanced aromatherapy user.
Finally, if you’re wanting to diffuse with specific therapeutic purposes in mind, you might want find some recipes from Aromatherapists created with your needs in mind. Lavender diffused during the course of the night (in very small amounts) can significantly improve sleep — this would be considered a therapeutic application. To improve mental clarity, Rosemary has shown positive results in many studies, and is a lovely stimulating aroma. To support the immune system, some therapists recommend a blend of Rosemary, Thyme Linalool, Hyssop and Melissa. You can pick and choose among the immune supportive oils that sound best for your needs — and the essential oils from herbs also seem to easily blend well together to create a fun and healing combination.
So there is a primer on diffusing essential oils. To recap, first pick the diffuser style that will suit your needs, whether you’ll just like to smell the aromas in a smaller space, or diffuse significant quantities for health reasons. Next, you can blend one oil at a time (diffusers usually do not require one to clean them between oils, nor are the therapeutic effects significantly altered by this), by a pre-blended formula, or create your own diffuser mixture. Just be sure not to include any fixed or carrier oils for diffuser use (many massage formulas can be converted to diffuser use simply by removing the carrier oil). Start slowly, remembering that you’ll generally need less oil than you think to produce the effect you need. And welcome yourself to a whole new world of natural medicine!
Tags: alternative health, aromatherapy, children, disease, essential oils, family, Fitness, Health, Illness, mothers, natural health, wellness, women
Healing from the Heart with Bergamot Essential Oil
Bergamot oil is a staple essential oil in therapeutic aromatherapy, being particularly suited to stress-related illness. Its bright, sweet (but not too sweet) aroma is universally loved. Its an oil from the citrus family, along with orange, grapefruit, lemon and lime, with similarly effective mood lifting properties. Bergamot is a cold-pressed oil, a method of extraction that imparts a fresh, tangy scent. Bergamot is actually a tree that produces what appear to be small oranges; the oil is yellow to light-green, the color of the slightly unripe fruit from which it comes. The essential oil is truly versatile, with many practical applications; here’s a quick look at how you can use this oil in your natural health and wellness program.
Originating in tropical Asia, the Bergamot tree is now widely grown in Italy, as well as the Ivory Coast, Guinea, Morocco, and Corsica. Bergamot is named after the Italian city of Bergamo in Lombardy, where the essential oil was first sold for perfumery. The fruit is not edible as the pulp is too sour, resulting in the Bergamot tree being primarily cultivated for its essential oils. It is one of the most popular essential oils used in perfumery – approximately one third of men’s colognes contain Bergamot, and nearly one half of women’s perfumes. Bergamot imparts the characteristic flavor to Earl Grey tea, and is used as a flavoring agent in pastries, root-beer, chewing gum, and toothpastes.
Fresh Bergamot essential oil has nearly 300 compounds: mainly linalyl acetate (30-60 %), linaool (11-22%) and other alcohols, sequiterpenes, terpenes, alkalines, and furocoumarins (including bergapten 0.30-0.39%). Certain furocourmarins, notably bergapten, have been found to be photosensitizing (causing an increased sensitivity to ultraviolet rays), hence Bergamot should not be heavily used on skin that will be significantly exposed to sunlight in the following 72 hours. A ‘bergapten-free’ partially-refined variety is available, and is an excellent choice for massage and skin care formulas.
Bergamot is an excellent antiseptic for use in cases of acne, oily skin, and infected skin. As a natural toner and detoxifier, Bergamot may help to prevent premature aging of the dermis. Bergamot oil is noted to have a slightly irritating effect on the skin in high concentrations, but the opposite healing effects occur when the oil is used at low concentrations (1% or less in carrier oil). Bergamot’s general deodorizing effects derive from its antiseptic properties, which are also effective against bladder and urinary infections. Adding 3- 4 drops of Bergamot to warm water bath can help bring relief to the early stages of urinary tract infections.
Bergamot essential oil is foremost a miraculous neuro-tonic, and a powerful helper against depression caused by fatigue or unreleased tensions and frustrations. Aromatic massage with the oil is naturally indicated for those with poor circulation, heart palpitations, hypertension, and general stress related dis-ease. Depression due to the stagnation of life-force energy is often the result of accumulated stress and repressed emotions of grief, frustration or anger. A protective oil by nature, Bergamot is indicated whenever the flow of natural energy is disrupted, leading to imbalanced states such as irritability, anxiety, and sleep disturbances. Bergamot encourages the release of repressed and inhibited feelings, thus helping to release and decompress. The sparkling and yet gentle floral scent gives the oil a sedative yet uplifting quality with the primary effects being calming, balancing centering and clarifying.
Bergamot is further indicated where anxiety and stress related symptoms present as a loss or change in appetite. Bergamot’s antidepressant properties and its regulatory effect on appetite offer assistance when used in cases of eating imbalances such as anorexia nervosa, emotional eating, and bulimia. A natural digestive aid and antispasmodic makes Bergamot effective in cases of colic as well as helping to reduce and relieve flatulence. Bergamot may be used by itself, or in a recipe with other digestive supporting oils like Roman Chamomile, Coriander Seed and Sweet Fennel; an excellent technique is to gently massage a low-dilution formula into the abdomen.
That Bergamot essential oil has found its way into our lives in forms that we inhale, splash on ourselves, and even eat is no mistake. Humans have certainly developed a fondness for its brilliant touch to the olfactory and gustatory senses. Its greatest potential may be as a ‘broad-spectrum’ natural antidepressant; the yellow-green color of the oil hints to its affinity to the heart and solar plexus chakras, where many of us are challenged to remain open in our daily routines. It is the opening of the heart and a fluid allowing of the emotions that lies at the center of our healing journeys. Using Bergamot through all primary aromatherapy techniques can assist in this process, opening us to freedom and joys in our everyday lives.
Bergamot essential oil blends well with Chamomile, Geranium, Jasmine, Lavender, Lemon, Orange, Neroli, Tangerine, and Ylang Ylang essential oils. Bergamot can be used by means of bath, compresses, massage, or inhalation. Blends utilizing the Bergamot essential oil’s uplifting and releasing effects are recommended as follows: To release aggravation and pressure – 2 parts Roman Chamomile, 2 parts Bergamot and 2 parts Sweet Orange. To overcome nervousness and agitation – 3 parts Lavender, 2 parts Neroli and 1 part Bergamot. When frustrated and negative – 3 parts Bergamot, 2 parts Sweet Orange and 1 part Neroli. To enhance relaxation and self-confidence – 2 parts Lavender and 1 part Bergamot. Feeling bitter and brooding – 2 parts Roman Chamomile, 2 Parts Bergamot and 2 parts Helichrysum. Blend equal parts Tangerine and Lemon and/or Orange. These blends may be used in a diffuser, or diluted to 3% total concentration in one or more carrier oils for a wonderful aromatherapy massage.
Tags: alternative health, aromatherapy, children, disease, essential oils, family, Fitness, Illness, mothers, natural health, wellness, women
Signs and Symptoms of a Stroke
The formation of a blood clot or the hindered flow of blood to the brain causes a stroke. This occurrence means that blood can no longer flow to important areas of the brain. Someone experiencing a stroke will begin to show signs immediately. Many are mild and may last for only a few minutes, however some may be severe or the mild symptoms may go on for a longer period of time. If this occurs it is very important to seek out the help of a medical professional immediately. If the stroke is not dealt with in a timely manner, irreversible damage and disability may occur.
Signals of a stroke.
- A tingling sensation in the face, arms or legs – Inability to move or weakness on one side of the body – Vision disruptions – Speech problems – Inability to understand speech – Nausea – Pain – Dizziness – Severe Headache
If you or anyone around you is having these symptoms, call 911 and get emergency medical help right away.
Stroke risks:
- Age: At age 55 the risk of stroke doubles every ten years after – Race – Gender: Typically, women are less likely to experience a stroke than men – Previous stroke – Fractures resulting in a fat embolism – Family History – Atrial Fibrillation
How to reduce your risk:
Manage blood pressure and blood sugar levels. Decrease cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Eat a healthy diet. Exercise. Quit Smoking. Take medications as prescribed by your physician.
Physicians use a CT, MRI or Angiogram to determine the location of a stroke, the amount of damage it caused as well as what type of stroke was experienced.
Medications such as clot busters or tPA must be given to the patient within hours of experiencing a stroke. For more severe types of stroke such as ischemic and hemorrhagic, surgical intervention is required.
After Stroke care:
Every patient is different and so are recovery times after a stroke has occurred. A timeline can range from a few days to over a year to recover full function. In some cases, the use of physical, occupational and speech therapy may be needed.
Medications include:
Thrombolytics – Clot busters that loosen or break up blood clots. The debris is cleaned up by phagocytic cells. Antiplatelet – Prevents platelet s from sticking together, thus preventing clot formation. Anticoagulants – Stops clots from forming, particularly those with A-fib who are prone to blood clots due to the rapid contractions of the atria of the heart.
If other diseases are present such as diabetes or hypertension, it is very important that you mange them carefully in order to ensure a lower risk of experiencing a stroke.
Having an exercise regimen at least three days a week can lower blood pressure. Blood pressure is the number one factor in bringing on a stroke or hemorrhagic strokes.
Healthy eating consisting of a diet containing whole grains and nuts, fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats, and foods low in fat and high in fiber help to lower your risks that cause strokes.
Tags: disease, Fitness, heart ailments, heart disease, heart health, Illness, medical health, signs, stroke, Symptoms, women's health
The Causes and Symptoms of Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
High Blood pressure or Hypertension is now the number one disease of today’s society. Healthy males generally have a reading of around 120/80 while females range in a number slightly lower.
Hypertension is a condition in which too much pressure is exerted on the arteries when the blood is pumped by the heart. A blood pressure reading of 140/90 can be considered suspicious. Higher readings are considered clinical hypertension. The 120 (systolic pressure) is the pressure in the arteries when the heart is in the middle of its contraction; the 80 (diastolic pressure) is the pressure in the arteries when the heart is at rest.
The diastolic is usually considered the most important; as this is the pressure the arteries are under when at rest. In a person with high blood pressure, the heart has to pump the blood through the circulatory system with greater force, resulting in added strain on the entire cardiovascular system.
The main cause of high blood pressure is still not yet known, however risk factors have been discovered; they include genetics, smoking, excessive alcohol use, drug abuse, stimulant use, obesity, poor diet and nutrition, high cholesterol, lack of stress management and sodium ingestion as well as narrowing of the blood vessels due to cholesterol and other fatty elements. In addition, research has shown that heart disease and hypertension are caused more by “unnaturally” produced oils and fats then “naturally” occurring oils and fats.
Unfortunately, no research has yet been conducted on the affects of refined unsaturated oils verses unrefined cold pressed unsaturated oils. Refined oils are of a greater risk as they change during the high temperature of processing. In addition, hydrogenated oils like margarine are extremely bad for the body as they interfere with the body’s fatty acid metabolism. High blood pressure is the number one sign of fatty acid deficiency.
High blood pressure is known as the “silent killer” because it does not display any signs or symptoms until it is in its advanced stage. By this time, it has already wreaked havoc on the body’s other organs causing irreversible and permanent damage.
Symptoms of advanced hypertension include dizziness, eye problems, rapid pulse, headache, nose bleeds, nervousness, irritability, insomnia and energy loss. More advanced cases will exhibit symptoms such as hypertensive heart disease with enlarged heart and possible left ventricular failure, myocardial infarction, possible senility, cerebral hemorrhage, paralysis and death.
High blood pressure patients should see their doctor every six months at least in order to have the disease monitored. If the disease is prolonged, other organs in the body can be affected. For example, kidneys become weakened, thus resulting in renal failure which then requires weekly dialysis or blood filtering treatments.
Tags: disease, Fitness, Health, heart, heart disease, high blood pressure, hypertension, Illness, jeart health, men's health, signs, Symptoms, women's health
Dementia: Common Causes and Symptoms
Memory function due to premature death of brain cells is what characterizes Dementia. It is estimated that more than 75% of today’s elderly population experience symptoms of this disease. It is also noted that dementia does not typically present itself in anyone under the age of 60. This debilitating disease causes a patient to experience memory loss and disorientation as it progressively kills off nerve cells in the brain. It is a degenerative disease that will continue to progress over several years.
At present, scientists have not yet found a primary cause for dementia. However, many have initiated several theories such as prolonged exposure to aluminum and copper. These elements are commonly found in antacids, antiperspirants, food and cookware. In addition, it is also theorized that genetics, environmental and pharmaceutical toxins, autoimmune factors, brain injury/trauma, cholinergic nerve destruction due to excitatory amino acids, gluten sensitivity or allergy to wheat, hypothyroidism, elevated homocysteine levels and excess cortisol from adrenals, which destroy optimal brain functioning were additional contributing factors. Finally, research has discovered that most dementia patients are also deficient in certain vitamins such as B12, zinc, selenium, potassium and boron.
The most common symptoms of dementia include memory loss, inability for abstract thought, impaired judgment, cognitive decline and the inability to carry out everyday tasks. As progression of this disease continues, short term memory lapse becomes acute memory loss. In its later stages, loss of vitality, acute anxiety, apprehension and mood swings and ineffective body movements become prevalent. In addition, intellectual ability such as inability to find the correct words or figure out simple mathematical calculations can also occur. Generally, night time can escalate these symptoms with violent behavior, belligerence, incontinence and involuntary actions; however there are some who become more docile and withdrawn.
Often times, patients do not realize that symptoms of dementia can be caused by prescription medications. They can also be linked to psychological deficits and altered behavior. Hence, it is very important that a patient be checked thoroughly before prescribing any medications. In addition, malnutrition can play a major role in symptoms of dementia. Preparing patients nutritious meals with plenty of vitamin B is vital to their brain function. Many of today’s elderly are malnourished; therefore it is highly imperative that they receive a proper diet combined with vitamin supplements to determine if this is the cause of their symptoms before turning to pharmaceuticals as the answer.
Dementia comes in two broad forms which include subcortical and cortical. Which one is present is determined by the part of the brain that is being affected.
Subcortical dementia results from a decline of function in the parts of the brain that are beneath the cortex. Typically, language difficulties and memory loss are characteristic of cortical dementias are not present. On the other hand, people with subcortical dementias, such as Parkinsons disease, Huntington’s disease, and AIDS dementia complex, tend to show changes in personality and attention span. Furthermore, thinking tends to slow down.
The outer layer of the brain or the cerebral cortex is responsible for language and memory. This is the area affected by cortical dementia. Patients who are afflicted with this disorder experience acute memory impairment as well as the inability to recall words or understand common language or aphasia. Common diseases of the cortical dementia include Alzheimer’s and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. However, there is the possibility of both areas of the brain being affected. In this case, it would be referred to as multi-infarct dementia.
Tags: alzheimer's disease, brain disease, dementia, disease, disorders, Fitness, Health, Illness, mental illness
Simple Stress Management
Relaxation plays in a key roll in leading a healthy happy life. Without relaxation it is difficult to stay on task, make good decisions, and be productive. Relaxation also has many physical benefits which include lower blood pressure, reduce muscle tension, and increased blood flow to muscle groups to name a few. Some people think relaxation takes hours, but relaxation can take place in as little as ten minutes a day.
Some people think relaxation needs to be something extreme such as a seven year sabbatical or a three month vacation, this is not the case. The key is to find something you enjoy and teach your mind new tricks! Relaxation can happen anywhere, at home, in the office or while driving.
There are many ways in which you can relax. Finding your method is really your biggest obstacle, but it is easy, just think about what you enjoy most. Maybe you like listening to music, reading, meditating or walking. Any of these activities can be a relaxation method and can be scaled down to as little as ten minutes.
Something simple like watching TV, listening to music, surfing the web and reading offer a break from regular day to day situations. Books can create a world completely different from your own as can a good movie or song. Each of these activities help your mind escape into a visually exciting place.
Meditation can help you learn to control your body’s reaction to stress through reflection and deep breathing exercises. These techniques must be learned and practiced regularly to insure maximum results. You can achieve full relaxation through ten minutes of meditation, and most people have ten minutes to spare in their busy lives.
The gym or fitness classes have an appeal to many as well. Some like to run, walk or lift weights in order to relax. Others might prefer a cycling, kick boxing or tai chi class. Running and walking burn off built up energy and are a great stress reliever, however not everyone wants to run a marathon. For them there are other classes and their purpose is relaxation, such as yoga. Many people choose to skip the classes and gym all together and simply walk their dogs in the park which offers equally as much stress relief.
Your body will tell you what it likes and what it doesn’t like, you just need to learn to listen. Take note of what worked and what didn’t while you were practicing different relaxing techniques. If one doesn’t work don’t be afraid to try a different approach. Make sure to keep yourself motivated by reminding yourself you will be healthier and happier in the end and think how nice it is to do something enjoyable.
Teaching your body something new is always a challenge, however once you get the hang of it, it is like riding a bike, your body won’t forget how. It is important to find an activity which you enjoy and know you will stick with, but you must make a conscious effort to remind and train your body to relax while performing this task. It may take time, but in the end the rewards will be fantastic for your mind, body and lifestyle.
Tags: addiction, family, Family and Friends, Fitness, health fitness, health wellness, hypnosis, Illness, quit smoking, stress, tobacco, treatments, weight loss
