How Much Exercise For Weight Loss Benefits

The problem of obesity continues to grow and studies show that over three quarters of all Americans have tried to lose weight at some stage in their life. Most people that try to lose weight struggle to do so and many who do manage to reach their goal weight struggle to maintain that weight.

Exercise is a necessary tool for losing excess weight but unfortunately some people just don't know where to start or don't know what type of exercise routine would be most effective. Sometimes they aren't sure how much exercise to do in a day, how often to exercise and what type of exercise to do.

Every person needs a minimum number of calories per day and any calories over that need to be burned off to maintain a good weight. To lose weight you need to be burning off more calories than you need and to do this you need to exercise. For the best results it is recommended to exercise for an hour every day so you find people walking for miles and wearing themselves out. When this happens they lose interest and soon forget the exercise altogether. Even a 20 minute walk a day will help to lose weight as long as it's combined with a healthy diet. If you overdo the exercising you will lose energy and struggle to cope with the rest of the day.

Some people prefer short bursts of high energy exercise and others prefer one longer exercise session. These are both effective and will improve fitness and help with weight loss. It often depends on what type of exercise routine you prefer and what fits better into your lifestyle. Some will find that shorter exercise sessions fit better into their day while others prefer to take the time out to fit in one longer session. The main thing to remember is to be regular with your exercise routine and complete them each day. Different types of exercises will burn off more calories than others so you will also want to consider that fact when deciding how long to exercise for.

If you are doing low impact, low cardio exercises then you will want to do them for a longer period than if you are doing high impact, high cardio exercises. High cardio exercises will burn more calories faster so you can do them in shorter bursts and still burn off the same amount of calories as you would in a long session of low cardio exercises.

It isn't so much the length of time a person exercises that is important but also the frequency of exercise and the rate that one performs the exercise. Less time needs to be spent on high-rate activities because they burn up calories faster than moderate activities. So choose an exercise routine that you would like to do and then take these factors into consideration when deciding how much time to spend exercising.

Abdominoplasty Cost Or Tummy Tuck Cost

What does getting an abdominoplasty cost? Well, you have to take into consideration every aspect of the operation like specific fees for any labs or medical tests needed, the surgical center fees, the surgeon, the anesthesiologist, and the prescriptions you will need for afterward. The total of all these charges may well exceed $10,000 or more. You will want to make sure you find yourself a reputable surgeon if you are going to fork over that kind of money.

An abdominoplasty is also called a tummy tuck, for those of you who are not medical professionals, and is considered a cosmetic procedure by insurance companies. The objective of the procedure is to give you a nice, flat tummy by surgically removing excess fat and excess skin. The procedure is performed with the patient being put under a general anesthesia or sedation. The surgeon starts by making an incision just above the pubic area to repair the weak and ineffective lower abdominal muscles with what is referred to as a "baseball stitch".

If there is a lot of excess skin that has to be stretched then the surgeon will cut out around the belly button and basically create a new one for you. If there is excess fat in the abdominal area then liposuction is performed to remove it then the incision is stitched closed. After the procedure you will be wrapped tightly with an ace wrap for support and a couple of drain tubes may have been placed in your incision to get rid of excess fluid that can build up and undermine the whole healing process.

Pain will be the biggest thing you will have to deal with for the first few days after the surgery and you will not be able to stand up straight for a while either. The surgeon will prescribe a narcotic pain reliever and an antibiotic to ward off infection. Do not forget to take the antibiotic and take all of it just as prescribed to be sure to keep infection at bay. Swelling will be present for at least a month and you will probably have to wear the ace wrap for the entire six weeks.

You can see why abdominoplasty cost is so high with everything that is done during the procedure. I mean, just the cost of the liposuction is anywhere from $1500 to $7500 depending on the extent of the excess fat that needs to be removed. You will have the look you want, though, when all is said and done. A flat, sexy tummy will make you feel so much better about yourself especially if you have worked hard to get the rest gone and are now at your ideal weight.

You should be sure to talk to the surgeon well before the procedure is scheduled and go over the different types of procedures that are available. You may not even need the entire abdominoplasty. You should discuss all your options so you can make the right decision based on your personal situation. Now when you take an abdominoplasty into consideration you will know what is all involved with abdominoplasty cost.

Natural Ways To Relieve A Headache-Sometimes The Old Ways Work Better

Having frequent headaches can range from being a nuisance to affecting your ability to function. Modern medicine's typical response is to shove pills down your throat and see what happens. If the first pills don't work then new pills are tried, and so on until you are able to find some relief. However, there are also some natural ways to relieve a headache so you won't have to pop pills.

A warning is in order before we get to any of those methods: Nothing in this article is meant to be medical advice. You should always consult with your doctor before trying to treat any health condition, including headaches. If your doctor has prescribed medication, then you should always take it unless they instruct to stop taking it. Okay, and now onto the good stuff!

Cold or heat therapy is one of the oldest natural ways to relieve a headache. Placing a cold pack on the head, face or neck can lessen the severity of a headache, but don't use anything that's too cold as that can make the headache worse. Heat can be applied in the same way, and excessive heat should be avoided as well. Everybody is different, so you may need to see which temperature works best for you. How this works is still the topic of discussion, but what really matters is that it does indeed work, not how it works.

The body is covered with pressure points that affect other parts of the body. You can find pressure points that will help alleviate headaches. They can be found on the temples, the bridge of your nose, the hairline, the crook of your arm, your back and certain parts of your feet. Using a bit of trial and error, you should be able to zero in on the areas that bring you the most relief; however, if you want to be more precise then you can find information that shows you exactly where to apply pressure.

Aromatherapy can work wonders on your headaches, but you need to be careful. The reason is that some people are highly sensitive to certain scents, and they could end up making your headache worse. On the other hand, there are sure to be some aromas that soothe and clam you and lessen your headache pain. Some of the more popular scents for the treatment of headaches include lavender, eucalyptus and peppermint.

Staying in good health isn't always the easiest thing to do, but it can definitely help control your headaches. After all, what could be better than preventing them in the first place? Make sure that you drink plenty of water throughout the day, eat right, exercise on a regular basis, practice stress reduction techniques and get a good night's sleep.

The cool thing about all of these natural ways to relieve a headache is that they can be done by just about anyone, and you don't have to worry about popping pills and adding chemicals to your system.

Treatment For Hypoglycemia

The best treatment for hypoglycemia is very simple, eat food. Eat good food. Food that is high in protein and low in carbohydrates is best. The carbs won't trigger more insulin to be released and the protein will hold your blood sugar steady.

Hypoglycemia can be a life threatening situation if left untreated. Seizures, unconsciousness, coma and death can occur if your blood sugar goes too low. The normal range for blood sugars is between 70 and 110mg/dl. If you fall below the 70 mark you can be in some serious trouble. Any lower and you may not be able to function enough to call for help and you also may not be able to help yourself. This is dangerous.

Do not hesitate to get something to eat if you start to feel symptoms. You may start with some blurred vision, or get a little shaky if you need to eat. These early symptoms are telling you to eat something, that your blood sugar needs to come up. If you fail to heed the early symptoms then you could be in some serious trouble in very short order. It does not take too long for things to go from bad to worse when it comes to your blood sugar. You can be fine one minute and then in the blink of an eye you could be on the floor unconscious.

Here is what you need to do as your personal treatment for hypoglycemia.

Change the way you eat. Replace those high carb, over processed foods that are so easy to make with some high protein, low carbs meal that you prepare yourself. Can't cook? Learn, it's easy!

Start reading the labels of the things you usually buy. I decided long ago that I would not eat any processed food that had more than 10 grams of carbs in it. There is not much out there that matches that criteria. Unless you make it yourself, that is.

Cooking for yourself is really no big deal. Go buy yourself a cookbook and just start to follow the recipes. Start with some simple meals and when you get proficient at them then try to branch out to more difficult meals. It just takes some practice, that's all. The more you cook the less intimidated you will feel.

Fresh foods are best and there is so much variety out there you will never get bored with the same old things. Get creative. Try new things, look for new recipes online and even get good enough to create your own. You may find things you never knew you liked.

Believe it or not, stress can play a significant role in how your body metabolizes sugar. When you feel stress, your body releases hormones that affect the absorption of sugar into your blood cells. If the sugar doesn't get absorbed into your blood cells the way it should to be used for energy then the insulin will help your body store the sugar as fat. The the excess insulin will cause you to have to find treatment for hypoglycemia.

Relieve Sciatic Nerve Pain-Shooting Pain Is No Fun

Ouch! There it goes again. Your sciatic nerve just sent a shooting pain through legs, hips and back. Now you feel like you can hardly move, and even breathing seems difficult. "There must be a way to relieve sciatic nerve pain," you say to yourself. Living with this kind of pain is hard to describe to someone who has never experienced it, but there is hope. There are a few things you can do to get the pain under control.

The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in the human body. That means that it can cause pain just about anywhere, but it also means that there are more points along the nerve for problems to occur. What happens is that when it's irritated in some way or has pressure applied to it, it causes pain or tingling; neither of which is very pleasant.

Before you do anything to relieve sciatic pain on your own, it is absolutely vital that you see your doctor. There may be more serious issues causing the pain, and you need to get a thorough check up to see if anything else is going on. Your doctor can also give you additional suggestions for treating the pain.

Anti-inflammatory medication taken each day can help keep the nerve from getting inflamed, and it can keep surrounding tissue from getting inflamed and putting pressure on the nerve. There are over-the-counter medications you can take, or you can have your doctor prescribe something.

If you don't like the idea of taking medication, then you can eat foods that help to reduce inflammation. In fact, it's a good idea to eat such foods to relieve sciatic nerve pain even if you do take medication. Wild salmon, sweet potatoes, broccoli, papaya, turmeric, and olive oil are some of the best anti-inflammatory foods.

Basic exercises and gentle stretching can sometimes bring relief. Lie on your back on a firm surface and put a pillow underneath your knees for support. This takes the pressure off and brings temporary relief. While in the same position, grab one of your knees with both hands and move it toward your chest. Don't overdo it, just hold it for a few seconds then switch to the other knee.

Changing the temperature around the problem area will often ease the pain. Everybody is different, so if a heating pad doesn't work then try an ice pack. Be careful to not make it too hot or too cold as you don't want to suffer a secondary injury while trying to treat your sciatic nerve.

Make regular appointments with your doctor or chiropractor if your sciatic nerve continues to give you trouble. The doctor can do a full medical history and do tests to see if there is something else going on. A chiropractor can make adjustments to your spine that may be able to take some of the pressure off. Whatever you decide, it's important to remember that there are things you can do to relieve sciatic nerve pain.

Garage Dehumidifier

One of the areas of your home that may have humidity problems is your garage. If this is the case you will need a garage dehumidifier to help handle the problem and reduce the chance that mold will grow and cause damage.

I think that you need a dehumidifier in your garage especially if the garage is a detached garage. When the garage is part of the house, basically, it can have some "climate control" due to the connection to the house.

Some examples of having excess humidity in your garage are on those hot and humid days in the summer, the humidity can get trapped inside the garage. Then in the winter you drive your car right into the garage with wetness like rain or snow and the snow is filled with salt and muck and grime from the road.

You may or may not have a floor drain in your garage. So where does this moisture all go? Into the air and onto everything stored in the garage. If this humidity is not reduced and kept to a manageable level it can cause mold and mildew to grow and cause metal parts or shelving to rust.

Getting a garage dehumidifier is not the only way to reduce the amount of humidity in your garage. Sometimes all it takes is proper ventilation. Set up a fan and if your garage has a window in it, open it. Let the fresh air come in and be moved around by the fan.

In the winter, You could buy a small space heater for your garage to help keep it warm and basically "burn off" excess moisture or you can splurge a little and have a garage heater installed up in one corner of the garage. The heat will help dry up any extra humidity right along with keeping the air warmer for your car, too.

Humidity can also be controlled a little better if there is adequate insulation inside of your garage. Insulation is needed to help maintain a constant temperature inside your house so why not use the same idea inside of your garage?

Maintain humidity levels in your garage by using proper ventilation, if possible, space heaters or garage heaters, and make sure your garage is well insulated.

If you are just building your garage or are in the process of remodeling your old one then you might consider placing a moisture barrier on the walls of your garage. These materials can drastically reduce the amount of moisture that gets in the garage.

They are called Vapor Barriers for a reason. The keep the moisture that can permeate the walls away, therefore, keeping the damage that can be caused by that moisture to a minimum.

Materials like plastic sheeting, stainless steel, aluminum sheeting, and reinforced hard plastics are all used for and are very effective moisture reducers. These are just some of the ways you can decrease the amount of the humidity in you garage without having to purchase a garage dehumidifier.

Information On Vocal Cord Dysphoria

Doctors don't know what the causes for vocal cord dysphoria are, but the effects of the condition are visible in the changes to your voice. The condition causes your vocal cords to spam resulting in constrained sound, hindering your speech.

I am not a doctor, so don't use this article to try and diagnose yourself. Like any medical condition you should consult your doctor to find out if you do indeed have this problem and the specifics on it. This article is just here to help you educate yourself on the condition.

There are ways you can identify vocal cord dysphoria, if you notice yourself having these symptoms you should consult your doctor.

1: If you notice changes to your voice throughout the day, such as stammering or a breathless voice then you may want to consult your doctor. Make note of how often this occurs and what you were doing at the time. It may be something as simple as just being winded, but if it happens often this may be a sign you suffer from VCD. Make sure you remember the details about when it occured as these details may help your doctor diagnose you.

2: There are quite a few potential signs that you suffer from VCD and they can range from a mild case to a severe case. Some of the signs could be that when you talk you experienced unexplained breathiness, or feel like you're losing air and are suffocating.

3: Vocal cord dysphoria is caused by your vocal cords spasming, resulting in alterations to your speech. These alterations change determining on the type of spasm, your vocal cords can constrict and make your voice have an almost strangled sound to it. Or they can expand and give your voice a light breathiness. If you experience these symptoms for more then a week you should consult your doctor immediately.

4: If you're not exactly sure what is going on with your voice you may want to make an appointment and see a doctor. The doctor can examine your throat and vocal cords to determine what exactly is wrong with you, once diagnosed he can help you find a proper treatment and get on the road to recovery.

5: If your doctor verifies a diagnosis of VCD then you probably have a variety of treatments available to you. Some of the treatments you may be able to undergo is a botox injection to your vocal cords. That may sound weird but it helps control the spasms and allow you to better control your voice. This method isn't permanent and requires an injection every couple of months. If that doesn't suit you, or isn't sufficient, you could even try getting surgery done on your larynx to control the spasms. This surgery isn't as invasive or as dangerous as you may think.

There is a lot of debate about what may cause vocal cord dysphoria and although nobody is quite sure what that cause is, there are several treatment options for you to use. Just talk to your doctor and try to find the best one for you.

How To Relieve Insomnia-Tired Of Not Sleeping

It's hard to imagine anything more irritating than lying in bed, looking straight up at the ceiling and wondering if you will ever get to sleep. We all have a night or two like that, but when it happens on a continual basis and starts to interfere with daily life, then it becomes a serious medical condition known as chronic insomnia. The question of how to relieve insomnia can be tricky to answer, but the following information can help you to finally have a good night's sleep.

One thing that never seems to work is telling yourself "I have to get to sleep now!" All that will do is add more stress to the situation and will actually do more to keep you awake than it will to help you doze off. Let's be realistic here, if you could force yourself to fall asleep in this way then insomnia wouldn't be a problem.

We just mentioned stress can keep you awake, so it's logical that removing stress from your life will help you get to sleep. The real secret is learning how to deal with stress during the day so you won't have to deal with it when you would rather be sleeping.

Breathing exercises will calm you down and take your focus off of the things that are bothering you. Meditation is a wonderful way to de-stress. However, the best way to reduce stress in your life is to change your mindset. That doesn't mean you should live in a fantasy world, but it does mean you should try to put things into a healthier perspective. Sure, there will always be things that get on your nerves, but don't let them dominate your life, and do your best to face them head on or shrug them off.

While breathing exercises are one way of how to relieve insomnia, strenuous exercise too close to bedtime can cause insomnia. However, regular exercise at the right time of day will help you to fall asleep. An exercise program will get your body into shape, and that means all parts of it will function better. You can do light exercises such as a leisurely walk or soothing yoga a few hours before bed if you like.

The food you eat and when you eat it plays a major role in how well you sleep. Try to eat several smaller meals throughout the day, and don't eat your heaviest meal last. Your body does a lot of work to digest your food, and you don't want it to be in high gear as you're trying to drift off to sleep. Also, don't use alcohol to help you sleep. While it seems like it works, that's only an illusion, and it may actually cause sleeplessness.

Having a regular bedtime will get your body in the habit of going into "sleep mode" at the same time. Give some thought to your bedroom and do whatever you can to make it a comfortable and relaxing environment. The question of how to relieve insomnia isn't always the easiest one to answer, but you now have several things you can do to get a good night's sleep.

Home Remedies To Assist With Ear Pain

Earaches can be quite severe and excruciating and when one occurs you will usually go straight to a doctor to get some help to clear it up as soon as possible. The problem with earaches is that they often occur at night and as such it isn't that easy to see a doctor in the middle of the night. When an earache occurs at a time that is difficult to get an appointment with a doctor, it is helpful if you know some home remedies that can help you in the meantime. Also, if you are susceptible to earaches and suffer from them frequently, it can be handy to know some remedies that may help with the pain.

Some home remedies can be made with ingredients that you already have in the home. Remember though that everyone is different and what works for one person might not work for another, so if one remedy doesn't work then you might want to try another one. Once you find one that works well for you then you will have that tool at your disposal whenever you need to use it.

Home remedies for earaches are all natural too which can often be better than using synthetic medications, although with severe ear infections you should consult a doctor and receive proper treatment. Home remedies will also save you money compared to prescription medications, so for a mild ear infection it is definitely beneficial to use your own home remedies.

A common cause of ear infections is fungus - sounds terrible I know but unfortunately we can have fungus growing in our ears which can cause a lot of pain. A mixture of 50% water and 50% vinegar is a great solution to get rid of fungus. Combine the water and vinegar and apply a few drops into the infected ear, let it sit in the ear for a few minutes then gently rinse with warm water. This mixture is more effective if you use it at the first sign of earache. In a severe case of ear infection this might not have as much effect.

A warm compress can also help ease the pain of earache. A warm compress works by stimulating the draining of any pus building in the ear which will then relieve pressure on the ear drum. The warmth of the compress can also help to give some pain relief. You can use a warm wheat bag or if you don't have one, put some rice in a sock, tie the end so it can't spill out and warm it up in the microwave for about one minute.

Lemon juice is also a very effective home remedy for ear aches. The bacteria that causes an ear infection are base pH. Lemons have an acidic pH so if you put a few drops of lemon juice into the sore ear it neutralizes the base, changing the pH so that the bacteria can no longer thrive. It usually only takes a few drops of lemon juice for the effects to take place.

One last home remedy is Hydrogen Peroxide which is often found in the medicine cabinet in most homes and is generally used for cleaning wounds to kill any germs. A few drops into an infected ear will help to kill any germs within the ear and it also helps to flush the ear canal helping to relieve the pain.

These are some very effective home remedies for treating earaches but you really should consult with a doctor if the pain persists or is severe. If you have a severe ear infection then you will need something stronger than these home remedies.

Fix Hangover Symptoms - Pounding Headache and Throwing Up

Need some advice on how to fix hangover symptoms quick and easy. Well, it may be easy but might not be as quick as you would like. The best thing you can do for yourself is take the time to rest and relax if you have over done it the night before. Yeah, yeah, we've all said it, "I'm never going to drink like that again." Uh huh, til next time that is. Why do we do it? Who knows.

We think we are having fun but the next morning we wonder why we had so much fun and was it really worth what we have to deal with now. Headache, sensitivity to light and sound, sound especially, feeling like something has crawled in your mouth and died there, nausea and possibly the worst thing that the human body can do, throw up. Do ya really wanna to see everything you did last night for a second time? Blech! Icky, nasty, gross! I just don't think so.

When you wake up in the morning after a night of over-indulgence the very first thing you will want to do is clean your mouth. Brush your teeth and rinse with a strong mouthwash, preferably one without alcohol in it. This will not make you feel completely better but it is a good start to fix hangover symptoms.

After cleaning your mouth, drink a glass of cool water. Not too cold otherwise your stomach may cramp and cause you to vomit. Take only sips if you have to and do not slam this first glass of water or you may just be seeing it again very soon. You need to be very nice to your stomach right now or it will rebel against you.

Next, grab some caffeine, hot or cold it doesn't matter. You just need to wake up a little bit. Do not drink more than a couple of caffeinated drinks because caffeine, like alcohol, is dehydrating and you want to concentrate on hydrating yourself today. Drinking a glass of water every hour or so will be the best thing, along with time, that you can do for yourself today.

To become even more lucid, take a nice, long, hot shower and just let the water cascade over you. I guarantee that when you are done taking your shower you will feel like a human being again. Now it is time to dress in very comfortable clothes and either return to bed and take a nap or relax on the couch. Do not do anything too stressful or exert yourself in any way, if you do you will only exacerbate your symptoms and it will only take longer to feel better.

As soon as you feel hungry, try to eat just a little something. Have some tea with honey and some toast. The honey will help stabilize your blood sugar and the toast with some butter spread on it will help get rid of the nausea you may be feeling. If you are a little shaky it probably means your blood sugar is low so make sure you get that honey into your system to help fix hangover symptoms.

Humor To Relieve Stress

There is no doubt that people are more stressed than ever before. While a lot of people think of it as an inconvenience or a minor irritation, the truth is that stress has a negative impact on your overall health. The good news is that you can use humor to relieve stress. It has long been said that laughter is the best medicine, and now there appears to be scientific proof to support that idea.

People used to think that stress was purely mental, and that it only had a negative impact on the mind. Any symptoms one had from stress were "all in the head". However, new research has shown that stress may actually change the body's cells, and it's this change that leads to physical side effects. In other words, stress and its harmful effects are very real.

Using humor to relieve stress is one of the most enjoyable ways of improving your health. You can start exercising your "laughter muscle" right away. Imagine there is a string attached to each corner of your mouth. Now imagine the strings being gently lifted upward until a smile has formed. Go ahead...give it a try.

Did you do it? No? Well, what are you waiting for? Smile! Don't worry about what anything else thinks, just smile. It doesn't matter if it's big or small, as long as it's a smile. Excellent! You're off to a good start.

You can purposely try to seek out the things that make you laugh, such as television shows (yes, it's okay to watch TV), comedy routines, funny books, comics, and so on. It doesn't matter if anybody else thinks it's funny; humor is subjective. Heck, being the only one who gets a joke can be a funny thing, too. Anything that makes you laugh is fair game.

Starting your own humor file is a great way to use humor to relieve stress. Any time you find something that makes you laugh, put it in your humor file. If it's a line from a movie, then write it down and add it to your file. Again, this is all about the things that you find humorous, so don't worry about what others think (besides, who needs that kind of stress anyway).

All of the things we have mentioned so far are external sources of humor, and they do help, but you should also develop an internal sense of stress-relieving humor. Okay, that's just a fancy way of saying "try to see the humor in everyday things." Life is funny. If you can find humor in the "bad things" and are able to laugh at yourself in a healthy way, then you will start to feel the tensions of daily life start to melt away. Using humor to relieve stress won't only put you in a better mood, but it will also help to improve your overall health, and that is something worth smiling about.

Port Wine Birthmark Remover-Laser Is Best Choice

The best port wine birthmark remover is something called a pulsed-dye laser. This type of laser reduces the appearance of the port wine stain by shrinking the blood vessels that cause it. No one knows why birthmarks happen, they just do. Most of the birthmarks do not cause medical problems but the placement of some may be cosmetically challenging.

Kids can be cruel and if your child has a birthmark on their face they will most likely come home crying at some point due to the teasing and ridicule. Console your child as best you can and talk to the school counselor and the principal about the treatment your child is getting at school. Hopefully your intervention will make a difference. No child should have to suffer at the hands of someone who can be cruel.

Different lasers are intended for different birthmark removal. As I stated earlier the pulsed-dye laser is the laser used as the port wine birthmark remover and the Q-switched lasers are used for pigmented tan or brown birthmarks.

Complete removal may be impossible in some cases but with the application of the laser light to the birthmark some lightening should be visible after the first few treatments. So, decide if the procedure is good for you and then talk seriously about the whole situation to your doctor.

Not only can the laser treatment lighten the birthmark or even get rid of it all together it can also boost your self-esteem. If the birthmark was where it could be seen and you even got teased and ridiculed as a child then having it gone should be quite the relief. Maybe it would inspire you to go get a new hair style and some new clothes. You no longer have to feel bad about yourself and embarrassed to go out in public.

Moles are usually removed by surgical means and if you have several then you can talk to your doctor about removing them. Laser treatment is used for superficial birthmarks like port wine stains or pigmented tan and brown birthmarks. Lasers cannot be used for cavernous hemangiomas that undermine the skin and other internal organs. Hemangiomas may be able to get some laser treatment to prevent them from getting bigger and ruining more underlying tissue.

During treatment, the doctor will position the laser over the affected area and apply the laser to the skin in short precise bursts of light. What happens if the capillaries that form the birthmark get burned away or at least shrunken in size this greatly reduces the appearance of the birthmark and the patient sees marked improvement. Some birthmarks may need more than one treatment depending on their size and depth of color.

Since the patient must remain as still as possible then there may be some sedatives you can take before the procedure and children may need to be put out completely. There is some discomfort, but not a lot, and a mild pain reliever may be needed after your port wine birthmark remover procedure.

Irritable Bowel Medication-Could Be The Answer

Being told you have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is never a pleasant experience. One option that's open to you is having a conversation with your personal physician about trying irritable bowel medication. Which medicine is prescribed will be based on which symptoms are the most pronounced. The reason this is done is to get the major symptoms under control so you can get back into a daily routine without letting IBS get in the way of it.

For example, if your main problem is diarrhea, then chances are good that your doctor will prescribe an antidiarrheal, such as Lomotil, or even recommend an over the counter solution for your irritable bowel medication. Both medicines alleviate the contractions in the lower intestinal tract. However, your doctor may also advise you to make several changes to your lifestyle recommendations; including dietary suggestions. In fact, if you follow the lifestyle recommendations, you may hardly need any medication at all.

If you are woman and have diarrhea due to IBS, and you don't respond well to the other medications, then your doctor may put you on Alosetron. Other medications work differently, and may be tried as well. Bile acid binders change how the body handles the bile excreted from the gall bladder. Either way, all of the medications work to decrease the diarrhea.

Of course diarrhea isn't the only major symptom associated with IBS. Constipation may be another reason why irritable bowel medication is prescribed. It makes sense that you would need entirely different medicines to treat constipation or diarrhea. People often find relief with over the counter remedies including laxatives, stool softeners and fiber supplements. If those products don't work, then by all means check with your doctor for potential relief from a prescription.

The big problem with IBS is that there is no one single symptom, and it is still not fully understood. There could be any number of reasons for why a person suffers from it, and if the underlying cause can be treated, then the IBS should subside as well.

However, the way it usually happens is that it's the symptoms that get treated, and the actual problem may be left untreated. This can be a real issue for two reasons. First, it can take some trial and error to find the right irritable bowel medication. Second, because the root of the problem is never treated, it could result in staying on the medication for the rest of your life.

Of course these things are a small price to pay if it means you can get the relief you need. Just thought of getting through a single day is enough to keep trying. Yes, it may take some guesswork and a bit of time to find the best irritable bowel medication, but it will be more than worth it once you start feeling better.

Is Alcoholism Causing Concern With Your Health

Alcoholism is difficult to overcome but when your health is becoming a concern it makes it even more urgent that you do overcome your alcohol abuse. Alcoholism has a lot of serious effects on health including increased risk of heart disease, increase risk of cancer, liver and kidney disease, mental illness and a heap of other problems. Although giving up drinking may be tough, these health problems can be even tougher. If you can overcome your drinking problem then you can avoid these health problems.

When you drink a lot of alcohol you can find that you overeat or perhaps even under-eat. Alcohol takes up space in your stomach making you feel fuller and you don't eat as much and therefore are not receiving the required nutrition each day. This can actually lead to malnutrition as your body thinks that it has met its daily food requirement, when in fact it is just the alcohol that is making you feel full. Your body can suffer with this lack of nutrition which can lead to serious health issues.

Gouty arthritis is one condition that can be caused by alcohol abuse. This is a very painful rheumatic disease that leaves deposits of spiny, needle-like crystals of uric acid.

If one drinks while pregnant it can lead to fetal alcohol syndrome in the baby. This can have many long-term negative effects on the baby's health including mental and physical growth delays, physical disabilities, deformities and developmental delays.

Alcoholism puts you at higher risk of heart and cardiovascular disease and also stroke. There is also an increased risk of high blood pressure problems that can arise from alcohol abuse.

Alcoholism can also affect your blood sugar levels in a negative way. Diabetes, hyperglycaemia and hypoglycaemia are all quite common in alcoholics.

Another health risk is kidney disease where the kidneys can become enlarged and this alters the hormone function. This can lead to kidney failure and possible death.

Liver disease is also very common in alcoholics, in particular alcoholic hepatitis or alcoholic cirrhosis. Alcoholic hepatitis can be successfully treated so is the less serious of the two, but cirrhosis is irreversible and the only treatment is a possible liver transplant.

Neuropathy is another health risk associated with alcoholism which causes a numbness and tingling. This can be very painful and is associated with nerve damage.

Dementia is also another problem that alcoholics are at a higher risk of developing.

Another risk is obesity and in itself brings along another whole range of health risks.

Then there are also the mental conditions that are very common in alcoholics such as depression, anxiety and insomnia.

If you have had a drinking problem for a while you may have some damage already occurring in your body but it isn't too late to stop and let your body heal. If you have less severe problems or the beginning stages of illnesses then your body can heal from them if you stop drinking. Even some of the problems that have lifelong repercussions can be lived with if you stop before they get too severe. There are many benefits if you stop drinking and they certainly outweigh the risks of continued alcohol abuse. Don't put yourself at any further risk but seek treatment today for your alcoholism.

Spasmodic Dysphonia Cure-You Can Find The Right One For You

Speech is the primary method for communicating with people. And while many of us take this for granted, there are those who suffer from afflictions that prevent them from speaking normally. A common ailment in this regard is spasmodic dysphonia, it causes the vocal cords to spasm causing stuttering and other sounds to get in the way of speech.

People affected by this will often search for a spasmodic dysphonia cure, unfortunately such a cure does not exist yet. However all hope is not lost, while doctors have yet to come up with a cure, they have devised treatments that can greatly diminish the symptoms of spasmodic dysphonia, and allow you to speak more easily.

One of the ways you can treat spasmodic dysphonia is by getting an injection into your vocal cords. The injection consists of a toxin that weakens the vocal cords and reduces the spasms, allowing for a more clear and natural voice.

The downsides to this method is that, like all treatments, there's side effects. Some of the side effects include a weak and breathy voice and trouble swallowing. Ontop of that it wears off after a couple months, requiring you to get injects every three to four months.

Now if that doesn't sound like something you want to deal with, there are other treatments you could try. But keep in mind, none of these treatments are full proof and it's all about finding the right treatment for you.

Another treatment you can try is voice therapy. Voice therapy will help teach you how to control the spasms in more mild cases, much the same way you'd train your hand to stop shaking. While not viable for more severe cases, it can prove to be quite beneficial for those with only mild cases.

There is also the ability to use devices that are made to help your voice. These devices can do a number of things from increasing the volume of your voice to help make it more clear, or synthesize it all together.

These devices can be quite handy for those with more severe cases, however they are not a spasmodic dysphonia cure, merely a stop gap measure. Regardless they can help you communicate with other people more easily.

If all else fails there is still one more thing you can try. Surgery on the larynx can be done to help cure the symptoms of spasmodic dysphonia. However the benefits of this treatment have yet to be proven and it is quite expensive.

No matter what treatment you use always remember that science is ever progressing. Fifty years ago we didn't have much of what we have today, so fifty years from now could look like something out of a science fiction movie.

So while there may not be a spasmodic dysphonia cure now, it may be right around the corner. Until then you just have to remain positive and try your best to deal with your condition. Those treatments may not be perfect, but they should help you in overcoming the limitations you face.

Hot Stone Massage-Aroma Therapy Oh My

Not too many things in this world are as relaxing as a hot stone massage. Some where between a Swedish massage and a deep tissue massage the hot stones will put you right in short order. Do not do this without the proper training, however, you could over heat the stones and cause burns.

Heat the stones for the hot stone massage for 15-20 minutes according to the heating unit instructions. The heating unit will heat the stones to the desired temperature so there is a reduced chance of causing burns.

If you are a licensed massage therapist and have just recently opened for business you should have a room all set up for your clients with soft lighting and aroma therapy, soft music and fresh linens for your massage table.

When your client enters the room instruct them as to what type of massage they will be receiving so they know what to expect. Show them the stones and let them feel the temperature of them so they are not surprised by the level of warmth. Leave the room and have them remove their clothes and cover up with the sheet provided.

Spread the stones out on the massage table in pairs at approximately two inch intervals along the path of the client's spine. Have them lay back on the stones. Adjust the stones as needed, they should not be touching your client's spine. Give them a few minutes to get comfortable.

Take some warmed oil and rub a little bit between your hands then rub the warmed oil on your client's face. Take four small stones from the stone heating unit and place them on your client's face. One on the forehead, one on each cheek and one on the chin.

Only uncover the body part you are working on to help keep your client warm and comfortable during his massage. Start at the leg and rub some of the warmed oil on it then pick two stones and rub the leg with them. pick four more small stones and place each one between each toe. Cover the leg back up and repeat this for the other leg.

Massage each arm with the oil, rub the arms with two hot stones and place a stone in each palm. Once this is done, leave these stones touching your client's body for about ten minutes then remove them in the order you put them on. Have your client roll to one side to remove the stones from the table.

Have them flip over to their stomach and place hot stones on their shoulders and lower back. Keep them covered. Place stones on their buttocks, the backs of their knees and calves, also.

While you are waiting for these stones to work their magic, give your client a head massage.

Clear the stones from your client, stroke their backs lightly to clear the bad energy away from them and be confident that you have given your first client a great hot stone massage.

Simple And Easy Home Remedies For Boils

Boils have been a plague on us since Biblical times when they were considered a punishment from God for wrong doings. It is not surprising then that they have emerged as a condition that is not only socially unacceptable, but also an unsightly embarrassment for anyone who has the misfortune to suffer with them.

A boil, though very painful, is a relatively harmless condition that will last about ten days and then disappear. Because they are relatively harmless home remedies for boils are often ideal ways to treat them. Boils then are basically an infection in a hair follicle or an oil gland that has been traumatized or become blocked in some way. A boil will develop and grow, turning yellow/white on the head of the boil and red and inflamed around the surrounding and nearby area of the boil itself.

Home remedies for boils often work at drawing the pus from beneath the skin and then the healing of the open sore that is left behind. Though lancing a boil is not recommended, since this will often lead to scaring once the boil heals, methods to draw out the pus from the boil are widely used home remedies for boils.

Cornmeal is a food that can be used as a poultice to draw out the pus in the boil. This is because cornmeal has properties that readily absorb moisture. Mixed up into a paste with warm water and then applied to the boil, wrapped in a clean cloth, is an ideal way to begin bringing the boil to a head.

Believe it or not, keeping the boil wet and warm is another home remedies for boils that has been proven to work well. The cloth needs to be kept wet as opposed to damp and the warmth must be maintained. It might take some organizing to keep the compress at the desired warmth and wetness, but if repeated four or five times during the day for about ten minutes each time, this is a great one to add to the list of home remedies.

In the same way as the cornmeal and wet and warm compress works, there are other food stuffs that will work just as well. Onions and garlic, for instance, have long been famous for their medicinal properties. A chunk of onion applied directly to the boil, or alternatively three or four cloves of garlic, are great ways to draw the boil to a head.

Above all, when the above methods are adopted and the boil begins to drain away, make sure that you do not allow the pus to contaminate the surrounding skin, as this will cause further problems that will need attention.

Stretch Mark Home Remedy

If you have just had a baby or have lost a lot of weight then you have no doubt seen that you have acquired some stretch marks. Now you are looking for a stretch mark home remedy.

Someone should have told you that you could minimize the appearance of stretch marks during the time you were pregnant and maybe they did but I think that stretch marks are pretty much inevitable in any case.

So a good stretch mark home remedy starts with you and having the patience to see results before you start running to the plastic surgeon for help. That step may come in time but let's try this first.

Cocoa butter is wonderful. It penetrates the skin all the way down to the dermis, moisturizing as it goes to treat even the deepest stretch marks. Apply a good amount of cocoa butter to your stretch marks at least three times a day. Remember that you may not start to see results from this treatment for several weeks to a month, so be patient.

Lanolin is another good one to use. It basically works the same way and if you can find a product that contains both cocoa butter and lanolin you will probably see results faster. Do not quote me because everyone is different and you just need to try it to find out for yourself.

Mostly, this is how you will get rid of the stretch marks, by rubbing them down with creams and emollients. If you are diligent then you should have some success in at least reducing how bad they look. If you do not see any improvement then you may want to go to see a plastic surgeon and get a consult to see what can be done. But I think with some work on your part you should see some improvement in a few weeks to a month from now.

Obviously if you are rubbing yourself down with these creams then you are also giving yourself a good massage, too. Massaging an area will increase blood flow to that area and make it feel better. Deep massage also helps to break up scar tissue and that is what stretch marks are or at least they can cause scar tissue to build up making the stretch mark area look even worse.

Ah, yes, one more suggestion, go to the store and buy some vitamin E capsules or see of you can find some vitamin E oil somewhere and rub it into your skin. Vitamin E is important for skin health and will greatly improve your skin's elasticity. If all you can find is capsules you may need to use more than one to cover the area with the stretch marks. Puncture the capsule and squeeze out the oil and rub into your skin. get as good coverage as you can.

All this plus eating a well balanced diet with lots of protein and vitamins and minerals to help your skin stay healthy is a very important and will go a long way to being a major factor in your stretch mark home remedy.

Good And Bad Cholesterol

Your body has both good and bad cholesterol. In order to increase the good and lower the bad you have many choices.

Of course, to control your good and bad cholesterol you can use medicine and diet factors.

If you want to control your cholesterol you can combine one or more of these factors.

Depending on you and what your cholesterol levels are, you may find that eating a little better and getting more exercise may be all you need to do to help lower your bad (LDL) and raise your good (HDL).

Of course, before you do anything make sure you talk to your doctor.

This is important because you may have other health issues in addition to cholesterol and your doctor can guide you through the process and help ensure that you don't make one thing worse by concentrating on another.

So, here are some ideas that may help you get the cholesterol levels you need:

1. Cut down on the amount of fat you get from your diet by cutting back on foods like meats and dairy. And not eating out at a fast food place is kind of a no brainer.

2. Cut way back on the amount of sugar you get in your diet. And when figuring out how much sugar you get, don't forget to include the amount of sugar that is in the beverages you drink.

If you start reading the labels of some drinks you will be amazed (appalled) at the amount of sugar they contain. Have you ever read the label for a so called energy drink?

Some people will substitute diet drinks but before you do you may want to ask yourself one question; is this sugar substitute really a good thing for my body?

My personal decision is to stay away from as many man made chemicals as I reasonably can. I don't drink diet soda for that reason.

I know that small amounts of sugar won't harm me, but I'm not so sure about any amount of artificial sweetener.

3. Figure out how much sodium you get in your diet and then cut back if you need to. Most people who eat a lot of processed foods will be getting a lot of sodium in their diet, possibly more than they should be.

All of these things can work together to help you keep not only your cholesterol levels in check but help keep your heart safe and strong too.

Instead of thinking that you can't eat anything, here are some foods that may be able to help your cholesterol levels: walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts, peanuts and pecans.

But, don't get carried away. If you eat too many of these nuts you will be diminishing the benefit since these nuts are all high in fat. One cup a day is plenty.

Oatmeal and oat bran have also been shown to help lower cholesterol levels when eaten on a regular basis.

Fish and other foods high in Omega - 3 fatty acids such as salmon, albacore tuna, mackerel and lake trout.

As you can see, keeping your good and bad cholesterol levels in check may be as simple as adding or deleting some foods from

What Are The Best Ear Infection Home Remedies

Whether you are an adult or a child, an ear infection can be excruciatingly painful. Ear infections often begin to hurt at night, usually when doctor surgeries are closed, so it can be difficult to find a doctor and you will often need to wait until the morning. This is where home remedies come in handy so you can at least relieve the pain somewhat until such a time that you can get to see a doctor.

There are a number of different home remedies that you can try to ease the pain of ear infection and they are all much more effective if you use them at first sign of an earache. If your earache is severe then you might not get much relief until you have visited your doctor.

One cause of ear infections is swimmers ear which is the result of a fungal infection that has developed from moisture left in the ear canal. This can occur after a person has been swimming and some water is left in the ear. Although having fungus in the ear sounds really gross, this type of infection is quite easy to treat if you start treatment early. One of the best home remedies for swimmers ear is a mixture of water and vinegar. You mix together equal parts of water and vinegar and then place a few drops into the sore ear. Let the mixture sit in the ear for a few minutes and then gently rinse with warm water.

The mixture of water and vinegar works by changing the pH level of the excess water in the ear and then the fungus cannot thrive in this new pH level. If you treat this type of infection early enough the results are usually quite fast and it can clear completely overnight. The same basic principal works for lemon juice, just squeeze a few drops of lemon juice into the ear and this also changes the pH level, killing off the fungal bacteria.

Another good home remedy is to use a warm compress against the ear. If you don't have a wheat bag you can easily create your own with a sock and some rice. You just pour a cup of rice into a sock and then tie off the top of the sock so the rice can't spill out. Put the sock into the microwave and heat it for about one minute. Placing the rice sock against the ear will help soothe the ear and relieve the pain. If you do this repeatedly it will also help encourage draining of any buildup within the ear.

Our last home remedy for ear infection uses onion, garlic and olive oil. First, chop the onion and garlic finely and then cook them in the olive oil on a low heat. When the mixture has reduced, drain the oil into a glass container. Then when the mixture is cool, place a few drops into the affected ear. This will give some pain relief and also help to shift any wax buildup in the ear.

If you don't get results from any of these home remedies or if the pain is very severe then you should consult a doctor and get some prescribed antibiotics. Don't give up after just trying one remedy though as some remedies work better for different people, if one doesn't work another might. Once you know which one works for you then you will have a great remedy on hand for the next time you have an earache.

Laser Acne Scar-Not Only Teenager Issue

Being a teenager isn't easy, but it is often made even made more difficult by unsightly acne outbreaks. What you may not know is that it's possible to have acne at just about any age, though adolescence is the most common. A mild case of acne is no big deal and will usually clear up in a few years. However, more extreme cases can last longer and may even lead to permanent scarring if left untreated. You can use many methods to reduce or eliminate scarring, and some people prefer to laser acne scars away for good.

Laser treatment for acne scars should only be performed by a licensed dermatologist who is familiar with using lasers in this way. The laser works by using a highly-concentrated beam of light that removes the outermost layer of the skin near the scar, and this promotes the growth of new skin cells. These new skin cells include collagen, and that's what will eventually cause your scars to diminish.

At first it may sound like laser treatment for acne scars is a miracle cure, and it can be. The downside is that not everybody responds to the treatment, so there is no guarantee that it will work. However, your dermatologist should have a good idea of whether or not the treatment will be good for you. At the very least, they should know how effective the procedure will be after you have gone through the first session or two.

You will have to visit your doctor's office to have your acne scars removed with laser treatments. However, it is almost always done on an outpatient basis and it shouldn't take more than a few hours at most. The doctor will numb the area to be treated, and then they will use a handheld laser device that sends pulses of light on the areas where acne has left scar tissue. The laser actually burns off some of the skin in a controlled way, and when the skin grows back its new layer, the scars are reduced or completely gone.

One of the biggest benefits of laser treatments is that they work on deep, pitted scars which are normally very difficult to treat in any other way. This can be a welcome relief to anybody who has lived with deeper scars and was under the impression that nothing could be done. Lasers can also help for more shallow scars.

Laser treatments for acne scarring can be expensive, but it's better than living with lots of bad scars. Because it's usually considered a cosmetic procedure, most insurance companies won't cover thee expense. On the plus side, many dermatologists understand this, and they may be willing to work out payment arrangements for your treatments.

Whatever you end up doing, it's important to remember that you can get rid of scars caused by acne. Some people will try medications, but choosing to laser acne scars away is a safe and effective method that more and more people are turning to.

Natural Ways To Make Acne Scars Fade - There Is Hope

Acne is a drag. Okay, that may not sound like a scientific description, but it's accurate enough. Most people probably think of acne as an affliction that only strikes teenagers, but the truth is that you can get it at any age. Not only is it unsightly, in moderate to severe cases, it can leave scars. Anything more than the most mild of scars will stick around unless you do something to get rid of them. The good news is that there are several different treatments that can help acne scars fade. Microdermabrasion, laser resurfacing, bleaching creams are a few of the more common examples. If these kinds of treatment make you nervous, then you may wish to opt for natural acne remedies first. The results may take longer appear, but they do work for a lot of people.

Before you start trying any acne remedies it's important that you clean your face. You want to get rid of any extra dirt and oil, giving the remedy a better chance of doing what it's meant to do. However, a word of caution is in order: even though you want to make sure your face is clean, you shouldn't clean it too often, or too vigorously as this will only make the situation worse. A common myth is that acne is caused by dirt, but it isn't, so excess washing doesn't do any good anyway. In fact, you can cause the skin to produce excess oil to replace what you strip away if you wash too frequently.

One of the simple home remedies to help acne scars fade is lemon juice. Simply squeeze the juice out of one lemon and stir it in with a cup or so of water. Put the resulting mixture directly on your scars for a few minutes each day (up to two times a day). You should start noticing gradual fading in a few weeks.

Some people like to use baking soda to make acne scars fade. This is typically mixed with a little bit of water to make a paste, and then used as a scrub. Rub it on the scars, but don't be too rough. Use a gentle circular motion for approximately 30 seconds, then rinse completely. This exfoliate the skin which helps smooth the skin and reduce the visibility of scars.

Various oils are used by a lot of people to help reduce scarring caused by acne. Typical oils for this purpose include rosehip seed oil, olive oil, and Vitamin E. Gently rub the oil onto the scar a few times a day. You can try leaving the oil right on the scar as it will work as a moisturizer while healing the skin at the same time.

As mentioned earlier, these natural remedies for acne may take longer than medical treatments. However, if they don't seem to work as well as you would like, be sure to talk to your doctor about other alternatives for helping your acne scars fade.

Low-Fat Weight Loss Tips

Losing weight is easy for some people. As soon as they notice they're getting a little heavy they eat a little less and the weight comes right off. These people don't struggle, and are rarely more than a few pounds overweight; then there are those of us who are normal. We have a harder time, and it's a constant battle to lose weight. With that in mind, here are some low-fat weight loss tips to get you on the right track.

1. Understand calories. You don't necessarily have to religiously count calories, but you should have a basic understanding of them. Every 3,500 calories is equal to one pound of body weight. If you take in an extra 3,500 you will gain one pound. If you get rid of 3,500 you will lose a pound. You can only take in calories through eating, but you can get rid of them through exercise, or by not eating them in the first place. The other important thing to know is that carbohydrates and protein have 4 calories per gram, but fat has 9 calories per gram, which is slightly more than double.

2. "Low-fat" doesn't mean "low-calorie". There is a common misconception that all you need to do to lose weight is to buy low-fat products. In theory it makes sense that reducing your fat intake would help you to lose weight, but that's not entirely true. It's not how much fat you consume, but rather how many total calories you take in that affects your weight. The problem with low-fat foods is that they still contain calories, and they are often empty calories. The reason is that things like sugar and salt are added to make up for the loss of fat. So, one of the key low-fat weight loss tips is to read the label, and don't assume that terms like "low-fat" are always positive.

3. You need some fat. There was a time when people thought that they to give up all fat in their diet; their goal was to take in as little fat as possible, regardless of the consequences. However, your body needs some fat to survive, and you will actually have a harder time losing weight if you don't eat some fat.

4. Choose healthier fats. This is one of the low-fat weight loss tips that confuses some people, but it's not really that complicated. To put it in simple terms, some fats are healthier than others. The latest research suggests that there is no amount of trans fats that is safe (with the exception of some naturally occurring trans fats). You should try to stay away from saturated fat as well, though you can have some. The healthiest fats are monounsaturated and polyunsaturated, which are typically derived from plant sources.

By following these low-fat weight loss tips you will be able to get rid of those extra pounds that you don't want anymore. They are simple enough to start using right away, and you'll be glad you did once you see the healthier and happier new you.

Home Remedy Treatments For Eczema

Eczema is a very common skin condition with thousands of people worldwide suffering from this condition. Home remedy treatments have been quite popular in helping to treat the symptoms of eczema. Eczema will vary in severity from person to person and can take many forms with most being quite itchy and not all that attractive.

Eczema generally appears as a red rash on the skin and can be very dry and flakey. In some severe case eczema can form painful blisters. Although it doesn't really sound that bad to have a bit of a rash, some sufferers will have it quite severe to an extent that it can cause bleeding every time something touches their skin.

It can be very painful for an eczema sufferer to do the dishes as the water can irritate the skin as well as the detergent. Washcloths and sponges can be quite painful to use. Some soaps and laundry powders can make the condition much worse. Eczema can affect people's lives quite drastically and when medications have failed, they may turn to home remedy treatments to treat their condition.

There is no cure for eczema so it is more a matter of controlling the symptoms of the condition. Prescribed medications and visits to the doctor over the years can become very expensive. Using home remedies can save money as well as preventing any unwanted side effects that prescribed medications can have.

When using home remedies you should make sure that you are not allergic to any of the ingredients you are using. Although home remedies use natural ingredients some people may still be allergic to them and you don't want anything that will make your skin condition any worse. Many natural products have healing attributes that can help to reduce the itching and rash of eczema.

Honey is one home remedy that is quite effective in treating eczema. You will need to mix honey with another ingredient such as olive oil or an unscented lotion, this will help the skin to absorb the honey.

Coconut oil is another home remedy that helps to moisturize the skin and reduce the dryness and flakiness of the skin. It also leaves you smelling good.

Having a bath with natural ingredients is a great way to relax and at the same time moisturize and soothe the skin. An oatmeal bath is very effective. Honey or coconut oil added to the bath water is also quite effective. These remedies have been used for many years to treat eczema and other skin conditions and are great for children because they are sensitive and safe.

Another home remedy is to go out into the sun. The UV rays of the sun have natural healing powers and although you don't want to be in the sun long enough to get burnt, some time in the sun can definitely help with your eczema symptoms. Tanning salons can also be useful if the weather is not good enough to go outside and bask in the sun.

The Dead Sea has been popular for people to treat many illnesses and its main healing component is actually the sea salt. You can copy this method in your own home by adding some sea salt to a warm bath. This can help to reduce the itchiness of eczema and the rash. You may need to try some different home remedy treatments for eczema until you try one that works for you.

Home Herpes Remedies

There are a few herpes remedies that can be used to minimize this painful and often embarrassing condition. However, understanding what herpes is and how it works is also part of what will make the herpes remedies themselves especially useful and worthwhile.

Herpes comes in two forms: Type 1 which will often cause sores around the mouth and lips and occasionally the genitals. Type 2 which causes sores around the genitals. Basically herpes is a virus that is passed from intimate contact but also from simple non-sexual contact. The symptoms are usually flue like and very painful open sores. Once someone has been infected, they have the virus for life, even though the episodes will often wane and disappear, the virus is still there in the body and can still be passed from person to person without even signs of an attack. Therefore it is important that precautions are always taken.

The use of baking soda as a herpes remedy is particularly useful to combat the pain and inconvenience of the open sores and blisters. The first few episodes of herpes can be very painful and vicious and using baking soda to dab on the painful open sores will help to heal the sores over quickly.

Another particularly good everyday foodstuff for herpes remedies is a tea bag – particularly an Earl Grey tea bag. A wet and cold Earl Grey tea bag applied to the sores will help to dry them out and heal the sores over. This is because the bag includes tannins which are the active ingredient in quickly healing and drying the skin cells.

Salt too can be used to heal the sores and foster quicker healing. Pour the salt into a warm bath and bathe the affected area with the salty solution. Dab the area dry with a clean towel and then if at all possible, the sores should not be dressed with anything, underwear included, they should be left open to the air to aid speedier healing.

What can also help to sooth the pain of a herpes attack is applying ice to the sore and painful area. The ice should not be applied directly onto the skin, instead place the ice inside a plastic bag or wrap the ice in a towel and apply to the skin that way.

As herpes remedies go, make sure that if you have an herpes attack that you practice good personal hygiene. Avoid the sharing of towels and other personal affects because the virus can be easily passed in this way. Also keep yourself well hydrated, especially good is the drinking of peppermint tea which may help reduce pain and the fever that can come with an attack.

Relieve Sore Muscles After Exercise - But Dont Kill Yourself

There really isn't any way around it, if you want to be healthy then you need to exercise on a regular basis. and, if you exercise like you should, you can be sure there will be times when you overdo it a bit and your muscles are sore after working out. When that happens, you want relief, and want to know how to relieve sore muscles after exercise.

Actually, not all muscle soreness comes from doing the exercise itself. A lot of people strain their muscles when stretching before partaking in physical activity. The old way of doing this was to stretch your muscles as far as you could, with the idea that you would be warming them up and allowing them to do their full range of motion when exercising. But that's no longer thought to be the best way to prevent injury.

When stretching, it's possible to tear the fibers that make up your muscles, and these tears can take quite a while to heal. Needless to say, this can further limit what you'll be able to do, and the intensity with which you can do it. This isn't good because it slows down your efforts to get healthier. If you strain your muscles too much, you may not be able to exercise at all, and that can have a long-lasting negative impact on your motivation.

But what is the best way to warm up before exercising so you won't have to relieve sore muscles after exercise? That's a great question. The current preferred method for pre-workout stretching is to go for a short walk, or use a treadmill for 5 to 10 minutes. This makes sense, because humans are designed to walk. It's a natural activity that helps warm up the muscles, with the least amount of risk of over-exerting them prior to working out.

So, what if you do all these things, but are still sore after exercising? There are a few things you can try. Some people like to use over-the-counter muscle creams. These are applied to the skin and can be quite effective at making minor muscle aches and pains go away. You may also find that taking pain relievers, like acetaminophen, will do the trick. Another thing that works for a lot of people is to apply heat to the muscle. This can be done by using a heating pad, or heat wraps. The other main method people use to relieve sore muscles after exercise is massage. Simply rubbing the effective area can be enough to make you feel better. If you are still experiencing soreness after trying all of these things, then you may want to talk to your doctor as it may be more than a simple muscle strain.

Putting the above tips to use should prevent you from being too sore after a workout, but if it should happen, you also have a few options for making yourself feel better.

Whole House Dehumidifier

If the level of humidity in your home is out of control and you feel you need dehumidification in more than three rooms you should consider purchasing a whole house dehumidifier.

You should also consider buying one if the allergy sufferer in your home has little control over their symptoms.

A whole house dehumidifier, along with decreasing the level of humidity in your home, can decrease the amount of allergens as well. These allergens like to live in a warm environment with a lot of moisture.

This moisture clings to everything, especially your carpet and upholstery. Dust mites love carpet and upholstery and they are probably everywhere because of the carpet and upholstery you have in your home. Housecleaning is a chore that no one likes to do but if you clean frequently you should be able to help keep the allergens under control.

Now, we can't live without our furniture but we can live with hardwood floors or laminate flooring and area rugs. Keeping these things clean can also reduce the amount of dust mites you find in your home. You can't see them but they are there.

Too much humidity in your home can cause you to feel sticky and uncomfortable. It also can cling to your walls and woodwork and cause mold and mildew to form. This happens frequently in your bathroom and should be dealt with immediately. You can kill mold an mildew with a mild bleach solution in a spray bottle.

When choosing a dehumidifier for your home you should first, measure the rooms that the dehumidifier will be handling and make sure that the unit you buy is big enough and powerful enough to control the humidity throughout your house.

The correct square footage matters. That is how the units are sold, by how much square footage they can handle. So, be sure to measure correctly and then multiply the length of the room by the width of the room and add all the room measurements together then buy the dehumidifier that has a range and that number is at the top of that range.

Do not be confused by all of the smaller portable units. They are only good for single rooms or areas and can be rolled from one room to the other with little effort. A dehumidifier that can control the humidity in your entire house is a bigger unit that is permanently situated near your ductwork system connected to your furnace and air conditioner.

The unit is connected directly into the ductwork so the vents in your house help disperse the drier air to all the rooms in your house. If the dehumidifier runs a while and you notice that things are getting a,little too dry then just reset the dehumidifier to a higher humidity setting.

You will not have to worry about carrying and dumping the water from your whole house dehumidifier either. It will have a drain running from it to the floor drain in the basement, or depending on where it is situated in your basement it could possibly drain to the outside of the house.

Acne Scar Surgery Options Just For You

There are a lot of different treatment options out there for those people who have acne, or have developed acne scars. What you may not know is that acne doesn't only affect teenagers. It can happen at just about any age, and it doesn't discriminate based on gender either. A lot of people find success by using creams, ointments and any number of various home remedies. However these methods don't always work, especially in more severe cases.

A quick note before we get started. The following advice is not meant to take the place of a professional opinion. You can use the information to give you a good start on having a discussion about your options with your doctor.

Assuming creams and lotions don't work, then you may have to look at acne scar surgery as a possibility. But don't just assume that's what you will have to do. Everybody is different, and will respond differently to each form of treatment. For example, if you have shallow, barely visible scars, then you probably don't need surgery to take care of the problem.

Of course, there are other types of acne scars, and determining which kind you have is the first step in figuring out which treatment is the best for you and your situation. Ice pick scars are small and deep, and look as though someone may have punctured the skin with a sharp tool; rolling scars are more mild and only somewhat indented; keloidal or hypertrophic acne scars look like raised bumps; and boxcar scars have a sharp edge to the indentation.

So, just what are the acne scar surgery options? For starters, there are laser treatments. These have the benefit of being able to be precisely controlled. Not only can they pinpoint the exact area of the scar, they can also be set to different depths, allowing the doctor to treat the problem at the most effective level. In fact, it can treat other skin blemishes (age spots, wrinkles) besides acne. Side effects--as you will see--tend to be minimal when compared to other surgical procedures for acne scars. Redness is fairly common, though some people have experienced blistering and discoloration.

On the subject of lasers, it should be noted that there are a few different kinds. Such a discussion would be rather technical for this article. But, be sure to understand exactly which laser treatment your doctor is talking about, as well as the pros and cons of each treatment they happen to offer.

Subcision, punch excision, and injected fillers are some of the non-laser acne scar surgery options you may also wish to pursue. Whatever you decide, you can take comfort in knowing that you do not have to live with the scarring caused by acne for the rest of your life. Now that you have a bit more information, it's up to you to take the next step. You can see your doctor, or get some more information on other ways of treating acne and the scars it can leave behind.

What Eyebrow Shape Suits You

Want to know what eyebrow shape suits you? More than likely it is the shape that your eyebrows already are. Not to sound cute, but most of us have eyebrows that may

need some work but usually not major reshaping.

Hey, you may love the way JLo, or Beyonce's eyebrows look, but that doesn't mean that the same shape, thickness and arch will look good on you.

So, if you want to know what eyebrow shape suits you, you may want to start by looking in the mirror. Of course, if you aren't totally satisfied with your eyebrows there are many things you can do that don't require a total restructure.

Most of us can make dramatic improvement by simply adding a small amount of shaping and /or some thinning to our existing eyebrows. It can be a little more difficult to try to change the arch of your brows.

It's not impossible, of course, but if you have never done it before, it can be a challenge. And remember, if you mess it up you will look a little goofy until everything grows back.

To compound the goofiness you also have to remember that you will also need to even up both brows so they look at least close to the same shape, thickness and size.

So, if you want to do your brows yourself make sure that you allow enough time and I wouldn't recommend you try it for the first time right before a big occasion, just in case there is a problem.

So to get the best shape for you, you should probably just start with removing unwanted hair that is growing below, beside and above your main eyebrow line.

Just removing some extra "scruff" can make your eyebrows look more manicured and attractive. You may not even need to alter the shape or arch that much, you may just want to trim them so they are more defined and not so wild looking.

If you want to remove the unwanted hair for as long of a time as possible, you should either pluck or wax. You should not shave your eyebrows since this can actually promote more growth and you will just need to do more to keep your brows looking good... and who wants that?

Though plucking and waxing does hurt, it can also provide more of a permanent hair loss. Since you are taking the hair by the root, you won't have more hair growth until the hair can grow back from the root, and that will take upwards of two months.

Hey, you don't need to reinvent the wheel. More than likely your basic eyebrow shape is perfect for the shape of your face. You may just want to "neaten" your brows up a little bit to maximize how they look.

To find what eyebrow shape suits you you probably just have to look in the mirror. If you want more than just a little "tidying up" you may want to find a professional to do it for you.

Natural Relief For Kidney Stones - Tips For Fast Relief

Only those who have ever experienced them can truly understand just how painful kidney stones can be. These stones are the result of a calcium build-up and they cause excruciating pain as they try to make their way through the urinary tract. There are a few things that can cause this build-up, including disease, infection and dehydration.

What makes kidney stones even worse is that you usually have no idea they are being formed until it's too late. If the stones are big enough, they will block the urinary system and this can be very dangerous. While there are certain risk factors associated with kidney stones, the truth is that anybody can get them.

So, what are some signs that you may have kidney stones? Pain in your lower back or groin, vomiting, pain during urination, reddish or orange urine, and pain in your lower stomach. Sometimes people think it's their appendix, but the only way you can know for sure is to see a doctor once the symptoms are present. It's important to get rid of the stone as soon as possible to prevent additional complications to your kidneys.

It sure sounds bad, doesn't it? But don't worry too much, there are some things you can do! The first thing you can start doing right away to reduce your chances of kidney stones is to make sure you drink plenty of water. This will help flush out your kidneys on a regular basis. There are other benefits to drinking plenty of water, so it's a good idea to do it anyway.

There are also natural herbal remedies that may help lower the odds of getting kidney stones. These most likely work due to their diuretic effect. Here are a few such herbs: goldenrod, juniper berry, sassafras, dandelion, corn silk, meadow sweet, horsetail and fennel. If you think you already have kidney stones, these herbs may help to some degree. However, your safest bet is always to see your doctor, so the following herbs are listed for informational purposes only, and not as a treatment or cure of any kind.

1. Catnip can help to unblock the urinary tract, making it easier for the stones to pass naturally. The downside is that catnip can cause gas and cramping in some people.

2. Hydrangea may aid in dissolving kidney stones, or reducing their size, making urination more comfortable. If the stones shrink, some of the pain may go away. Diarrhea is a fairly common side effect, but not everybody experiences it.

3. Cleavers (also known as goose grass) are a good remedy for several kidney and bladder issues. It is best taken as a tea, and drank daily.

Kidney stones are not only painful, they can also be dangerous. Therefore, you should do whatever you can to prevent them from forming. But if they form, you should try to get rid of them as quickly as possible.

Heart Murmur Sounds- An Extra Lub Dub

The definition of heart murmur sounds is "any extra or unusual sound made by the heart as it beats." When listening to normal heart sounds you will hear a "lub-dub" sound when the heart beats. There should be no other sounds associated with the heart beat. If there are that means that there is something going on that is out of the ordinary and should be investigated fully.

The normal "lub-dub" is heard when the heart's valves open and close while pumping blood to either the lungs or to the rest of the body. When the valves are damaged and blood leaks through the valve or backs up in the heart is when the heart murmur sounds are heard.

You will only be able to hear heart sounds normal or abnormal with the use of a stethoscope. Depending on where the sound occurs in the heart beat, a diagnosis can be made specific to the area damaged.

The heart muscle has four chambers, the right and left atria and the right and left ventricle. There are valves that separate these chambers that help keep the blood flowing from one to the other and make sure the blood never flows backwards. Normally, blood goes from the right side of the heart to the lungs to get oxygen. Then it comes back to the left side of the heart to get distributed to the rest of the body.

On average, the heart beats at 80 beats per minute. That means that every hour of every day the heart beats 4800 times. That is 115,200 beats every single day of your life. Your heart is no slacker and if there is a problem with it and it doesn't work right then you will need treatment. Heart disease is no laughing matter and must be dealt with as soon as a diagnosis is made to give you the best chance at a good quality of life.

If your doctor as determined that you have a heart murmur then she should send you to see a heart specialist. The heart specialist will listen to your heart beat and determine when the murmur is heard. If the murmur is heard with the first "lub" sound then it is classified as a systolic heart murmur. If it is heard with the "dub" sound then it is classified as a diastolic heart murmur.

Another classification of heart murmurs is to say they are either innocent or abnormal. An innocent heart murmur is fairly common and usually does not cause any problems. An abnormal heart murmur is dangerous and are indicative of a serious health issue. If left untreated could cause heart attack, stroke or even death. If your doctor tells you he hears heart murmur sounds make sure that he refers you to that heart specialist.

"This article is not to be considered medical advice of any kind and is only for informational and entertainment purposes only. As always you, the reader, should consult with your personal physician or another Licensed Health Professional."

Wisdom Tooth Jaw Pain- So Whoever Said The Wisdom Tooth Is Wise

Many times the wisdom teeth will need to be removed because they are impacted or are just coming in the wrong way. Wisdom tooth jaw pain go together, whether it is while the tooth is still in your mouth or because you have just had oral surgery to remove the impacted tooth. Either way, there are many things you can do to alleviate the pain and discomfort.

The need to have your wisdom teeth removed could happen at any time during your life but it tends to occur more often during the young adult years. When the wisdom tooth becomes impacted it can be difficult and painful to chew, talk or swallow. The pain can be fairly constant and not just occur when you are eating. It can also radiate up your neck.

If it becomes impacted it can become even more painful and a trip to your local oral surgeon may be in order. The actual surgery is pretty simple and straight forward. Dealing with wisdom tooth jaw pain after the surgery can be done in a number of ways.

Of course the most expected form of relief is to get some sort of pill, either prescription or over the counter. Your doctor will tell you what you can take for pain. He will write you a prescription if he wants you to have something stronger than over the counter. Make sure you carefully follow the dosing instructions.

Another thing you have to avoid after having your wisdom teeth removed is anything that requires sucking. Stay away form using straws and if you are a smoker you should stop smoking for at least a few days while you recuperate.

You will also need to be very careful about what you eat. Your mouth and jaw will be sore and the last thing you want to do is to eat any foods that are hard or really chewy. Stick with softer foods for the first week or so (your doctor will let you know when you can start eating normally again).

If you eat something hard or crunchy it could find it's way to the incision where your tooth was removed. Trust me, you don't want anything sharp jabbing you right in that spot for quite some time after the surgery.

Pain relief can also come from using hot or cold compresses on your cheek. This can offer inflammation relief which can take some of the pressure off the jaw and ease some of the pain.

Sleeping can be a bit of a challenge after the surgery if you are a side sleeper. It will only be a day or two though, in most cases, so don't worry.

Wisdom tooth jaw pain can occur before and after you have your wisdom teeth taken out. The nice thing is that after the surgery the pain will go away within a few days. Before the surgery it can last until you decide to get the teeth removed. Either way, it doesn't have to be permanent.