Define Depression

What is a depression?

Depression is a mental or a psychological disorder that can occur in person in all gender, ages, and backgrounds. Depression can interfere with normal functioning like, the loss of interest, feelings of guilt, it can cause sleepless night, loss of appetite and it reflects sad or irritable mood beyond normal sadness or grief, and frequently can cause problem within the family, friends as well as in work (it will produce low productivity and absenteeism). Serious depression can affect the life of his family as well as the life of the depressed person or to anyone.

Causes of Depression

They say depression is caused by chemical imbalance of the brain, and it’s called neurotransmitter (it caries signals in your brain and nerves). Fortunately, these chemical imbalances will disappear when you will undergo proper treatment or medication.

Here are some common factors that involve depression:

1. History of the Family

Depression can be inherited from the family or it runs in the family. Genetics plays an important part in depression this seems to be the case with bipolar depression or severe major depression.

2. Pessimistic Personality

This kind of personality is common to this day. A personality or trait is present to some people, this trait that the negative outlook of life and has a low self-esteem. This kind of trait is caused by low level depression. And it has a higher risk to be depressed.

3. Trauma and stress.

Trauma and stress can cause depression because of problems they encountered such us; financial, family (when someone close to you dies or an incidence that you bump into like, you have a broken family, or you experience abuse by your father), breaking up, become stress because of life’s changes and others.

If not handled well or treated depression can lead to suicide. So, if you feel depressed hang out with your friends, watch movies, go on shopping or just talk to someone close to you.

Spa Gift Vouchers for Aromatherapy Spa Parties

Some spa resorts offer affordable spa gift vouchers for aromatherapy spa parties. As we all know, scents that waft into our nostrils have profound effect on our mood and wellness. The smell of chocolate chip cookies being baked and the smell of freshly cut grass on warm summer mornings, for example, can possibly alter our moods and attitude. These scents and many others affect and promote health and harmony of the mind, body and spirit. In a way or another, such fact is among the many reasons why aromatherapy is used as a health and wellness procedure and is common on spa parties.

A spa party is generally held to promote health and wellness via a selection of spa services provided by health professionals such as massage health therapists. Spa services include health massage therapy, facials and skin treatment and aromatherapy among others. Aromatherapy is usually incorporated with other spa services.

Massage therapists, for instance, may weave a bit of aromatherapy by using a diffuser which allows a chosen scent or aromatherapy blend to permeate the air in a light, lingering and constant manner throughout the spa session. Aromatherapy may also be integrated in spa parties and spa services by placing a drop or two of a chosen scent on the palm of the hands and holding these above the client’s face. The massage therapist may then ask client to breathe in deeply for a few times. This way, the aroma is inhaled by the client.

Another way to integrate aromatherapy in spa parties is by adding a few drops of essential oils to carrier oil and using these blends as a bodywork lubricant. This method will allow you and your guests to inhale the scents throughout the session. Such bodywork lubes will also be absorbed by the skin.

One reminder though. Essential oils have their own specific attributes, so you need to carefully choose which essential oils to use in aromatherapy. Ylang ylang essential oils, for example, is proven effective relieving muscle tension and in improving poor mood state. Roman chamomile, on the other hand, is considered the best choice for individuals with high levels of stress and anxiety. Carefully select an essential oil and follow instructions carefully. This way, you will be able to maximize the benefits of a health spa center and the goodness of aromatherapy.

Homemade Vaginal Douche Instructions

A lot of women who suffer from repeated yeast infections have had their symptoms diagnosed by a physician and know all too well the signs and symptoms of a yeast flare-up. If you are sure your vaginitis is caused by a yeast infection try this homemade douche like using a vinegar douche. Try douching with a mild vinegar or yogurt douche at the first sign of infection. For a vinegar douche, use 1 to 3 tablespoons of white vinegar to one quart of warm water; for a yogurt douche, make a dilute mixture of plain yogurt and warm water.

Routine douching is not a good idea if you don’t have vaginal symptoms. However, for women yeast infection symptoms, a mild vinegar douche can help restore the vagina’s normal pH (which is about 4.5). Douching with yogurt that contains live microorganisms lost during infection or because of antibiotic use. For the best douche results, follow these easy steps:

1. Prepare the douche solution as outlined in the first remedy.
2. Check the container, tube, and irrigation nozzle are very clean. If not, sanitized them with a good antiseptic solution.
3. Lie in the bathtub with a folded towel under your buttocks and with your legs parted.
4. Suspend the container 12 to 18 inches above the hips.
5. Insert the nozzle into the vagina with a gentle rotating motion until it encounters resistance (2 to 4 inches).
6. Allow the solution to slow slowly. Use your fingers to close the vaginal lips until a small pressure builds up inside. This allows the solution to get through to the entire internal surface. An effective douche should take 10 minutes or so.
   

It is important to have your vaginal symptoms evaluated by a physician to ensure proper treatment.

Stop Oily Skin

One of the biggest myths about oily skin is that it causes acne. Acne caused when oil becomes trapped below the skin’s pores and becomes contaminated with bacteria. When you have oily skin, the oil isn’t blocked because it’s coming to the skin’s surface. The good news about oily skin is that it keeps younger-looking. Individuals with oily skin tend to wrinkle less than people with dry or normal skin.

While you can’t alter your genetics or completely control your hormones, there are plenty of things you can do to cope with your oily skin.

• Maintain your face dirt-free. As any person with oily skin knows, the oilier the skin, the dirtier the skin looks and feels. To help prevent this feeling, it’s important to keep the skin clean. Wash your face at least twice a day with skin care products like facial cleansers.
• Try aloe vera. It helps absorb oil and cleanse the pores. Let it dry on your face two or three times a day with cool aloe vera gel (keep it in the refrigerator).
• Wipe with astringents. Wiping the oily parts of the face with rubbing alcohol or a combination of alcohol and acetone (such as liquid cleasers) can help dry oiliness. The alcohol acts as a degreaser.
• Carry tissues. Paper facial tissues can help wipe away excess oils. You can also purchase special oil-absorbing tissues from health and beauty companies that are very effective in removing excess oil between cleansings.
• Make a scrub. Facial scrubs are excellent for removing excess surface oil.
• Masque it. It can reduce oiliness. Apply it to the face and leave on for about 20 minutes before rinsing off.
• Use water-based cosmetics. Be careful in choosing the right cosmetics and beauty tools. Oily-skinned people should stay away from cosmetics as much as possible. When you do use makeup, you should apply water-based rather than oil-based types. Before going to bed, wash your face with makeup removers.

Causes of Acne

If you are a teenager, you can’t wait to get rid of it. If you are an adult, you can’t believe it’s back. Fortunately, improvements in acne treatments over the last decade mean you don’t have to put up with it anymore.

The major determining factor in who gets acne is genes, in other words, you may have inherited a skin characteristic that makes you more likely to develop acne. You have thousands of oil glands in the skin on your face, chest and back that lubricate the skin by producing sebum or oil. The oil from the glands flows through tiny ducts to the skin surface. Sometimes, these oil ducts become plugged with sebum, bacteria and dead skin cells that are shed from the lining of the duct. That’s acne. The condition often appears during adolescence because of changing hormone levels, which enlarge the oil glands and encourage them to produce more oil. Although the process is not well understood, the increase in oil appears to fuel acne, perhaps by stimulating the production of “sticky” skin cells that, when shed, tend to plug the duct. The situation usually settles down by the end of the teen years or during the early 20s.

So why do adults develop acne? There are variety reasons, among them:

• Hormones. If you have acne along with menstrual irregularities, you may want to see a physician to see if abnormal hormone levels are to blame.
• Stress. Dermatologists agree that high levels of stress can affect hormone levels.
• Cosmetics. Wearing heavy, oil makeup may clog pores and cause acne.
• Occupational exposure. Numerous chemicals in the workplace can also cause acne especially if you’re a mechanic or standing over the deep-fat fryer at the local fast-food joint. Your face may be getting assaulted by oils, some of which may case acne.
• Certain medications. Some drugs, such as Dilantin (which is used in the treatment of epilepsy), can cause acne.
  

No matter what’s causing your acne, there are acne treatment simple steps you can take to help clear up your skin.

Keys to Successful Alcohol Drug Treatment

Individuals with drug alcohol addiction need no other than drug alcohol treatment in order to get back into shape and lead happy and normal lives. This is a fact that every body else is most likely to agree. Good thing numerous organizations offer drug alcohol treatment to millions of people who are into drug addiction and have lost control of their lives over alcohol. These drug alcohol treatment centers are strategically in most countries and across the whole world.

But is it enough that there is countless drug alcohol treatment centers? Will drug alcohol addiction be abated with the number of health agencies and health professionals? To say the least, health agencies and health professionals play important roles in curbing out addiction. These professionals who work in most addiction rehabilitation centers encourage addicted individuals to seek professional help and be free from their addiction. Health professionals provide addiction treatment services that every drug alcohol addict requires.

Health agencies and health professionals are not the only ones who help solve problems on alcoholism and substance abuse. Another potential stakeholder in the fight against addiction is the government that promotes drug and alcohol-free environment. The government provides subsidies and assistance to individuals in need of addiction treatment but do not have access to addiction treatment services due to financial constraints.

Interventions from concerned individuals such as the family and friends also play great roles in saving loved ones from addiction and its ill effects. Drug alcohol addicts require love and support more than anybody else.

Harmful Effects of Smoking to Women’s Health

Smoking is not good for women’s health. It’s because there are approximately a thousand different types of chemicals found in a single stick of cigarette. And we are talking about harmful chemicals here, which is why women are advised not to even try smoking.

Cigarette smoking among women can cause many risk factors to their health. The reproductive system of the women can be jeopardized due to the harmful substances coming from cigarettes. Production of estrogen is lessened, which results to various gynecological disorders such as pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, and vaginitis. Also, scientific studies show that menopause starts at an early age because of smoking. The risk of getting osteoporosis is increased as well. This causes women at the age of 50, to experience early problems in their bones.

Smoking only contributes problems to weight. Women tend to loose weight rapidly because of this. Now, they must understand the consequences involved when their bodies are put to a risk. However, physical activities are needed in order to compensate the lost weight. They should get involved in sports, or even simple exercises such as walking and jogging are effective in balancing their weight.

The negative effects of smoking also show connections to pregnancy problems. The fertility of women is decreased due to the thinning of the uterine wall. Smoking would also produce less milk for women. And the worse case scenario which could happen when women are into smoking is the increasing risk of miscarriage, premature births, and development of abnormalities in the fetus.

What women must realize is that smoking would produce more harm than good. They are more prone to getting diseases which are in association with menstrual disorders, reproductive system problems, circulatory system disorders, and respiratory system disorders.

Fitness Tips for Men and Women

We all want a good health to keep our body strong. Being healthy is important to every person. It’s one of the most important things to consider in our daily life especially in our generation today. Experts say that we need to complete all the three aspects which are physical, mental and social well being. It’s not merely the absence of disease that makes you feel good and live longer.

Tips on how to become healthy:

• It is very important to drink at least 8 glasses of water everyday because it’s one of the smartest ways to become fit. People who are drinking huge amounts of water everyday are usually having much clearer complexion.
• Eating nutritious foods like fruits and vegetables is a way on how to become healthy. The right foods give you proteins and vitamins that the system needs. It also provides metabolism and boosts the energy of the body all the time.
• It is best to encourage yourself to have regular exercise for at least 30 to 60 minutes everyday. Exercises such as walking, riding a bike, swimming or any outdoor activities would help in staying fit and strong.
• Quitting on smoking is also the best way to becoming healthy and staying fit. Smoking is definitely bad for the body. Hard smokers suffer from different types of diseases including which includes health problems like lung cancer that causes death.
• Take the right medicine if you are sick.
• Always think positive about yourself.
• Avoid too much sugar, fatty foods and junk foods.

Exercise is Good for Our Health

Exercise is good for our health. Exercise is any movement that works your body at a greater intensity, than your usual level of daily activity. Through exercise, we can relax our body and mind. We'll be in good spirits afterwards and then can work better. At the same time, we can strengthen our muscles and trim our figures. If we don't exercise for long, we may easily fall ill or get fat. We take good care of our health with the help of exercise. Also, our mind relaxes and becomes clear.

Improvements in balance and coordination can help us to live independently in our homes. It also lengthens and improves our reaction time. With this in mind, we would be able to do our chores properly. We can also participate in sports. One example of this is swimming. Swimming is not only a survival skill but a good way to put all the muscles into play. Swimming in the sea is much more enjoyable to do than compared to the pool. Overall, swimming helps a lot in strengthening our body and improving our health.

We know that exercise has positive effects on the brain. And according to a Duke University professor who demonstrated a lecture about exercise several years ago. He said that “exercise can be an effective antidepressant”. Indeed, it is true that exercise can help alleviate depression. Other research shows that exercise can improve the functioning of the brain of an elderly. We know for a fact that active people live more and have a healthier life than the sedentary ones.

Exercising is also a source of pleasure. It increases the level of certain hormones like endorphins which acts like natural analgesics. Exercise decreases anxiety, increases self-esteem and the capacity of facing stress. Exercise makes you heart healthier, works your muscles, and improves overall health.

Physical Changes of Adolescents

The changes from late childhood to early adolescence can be detected during the physical and emotional growth of a person. The transition from childhood to adolescence is evidenced by several changes in the body. Changes in weight and height are the two observable developments at this stage of life. Genetic factor as well as nutrition significantly influences in variation, and by the time he approaches his adult height, the physical changes decelerates. Physical and motor developments are conditioned by some factors such as nutrition, family influences, sex, socio-economic status, ethnicity, intelligence, environmental stimulation, encouragement and opportunities. Well-nourished children are taller and reach puberty sooner than those who are poor. Proper nutrition also speeds up motor development unless there are environmental obstacles.

Family influences are both hereditary and environmental. Genetic factors make some children and adolescent stout and heavier than others. Environment helps to determine whether potentials will be reached. Differences in weight after puberty are due to the heavier bones and muscles of the boys who tend to have speed up motor development. Children and adolescent belonging to certain nationalities and ethnic groups are taller and bigger than others are. Children and adolescents of high intelligence tend to be taller and heavier than those with low IQ. Those with high academic achievements also tend to be taller and heavier. Their motor development is faster. Stimulation and encouragement provide opportunities for children to walk and play games as well as exposing them to physical activities, will have positive effect on physical development of motor skills.

Health and Fitness

Health and fitness are both important. Health makes us achieve the highest part of our lives. Fitness also enables us to live life to the fullest, making us energetic as well. With these things in mind, we would be able to do our daily activities in the most effortless manner possible. We can also achieve a good life that is full of enjoyment.

Health and fitness is also defined as the body regulators which maintain the shape of our body. Especially for women who are always occupied in getting exercises in order to maintain their figure and health. While for the men, they go to the fitness centers in order to do some exercises and to maintain their body shape as well. Furthermore, diet is an important thing when it comes to being healthy and fit. Eat nutritious food which our body needs so that it would result to being healthy.

Here are some tips which can help men and women achieve that total wellness. It also gives ideas on weight loss, boost immune system, and guidance on general health.

Don’t Smoke - One of the main reasons why people have decided not to give up smoking is because they believe that it helps in reducing weight. But sadly, they don’t fully know the consequences they would get on smoking.

Drink More Water - You can live three weeks without food, However you can only live for three days without water. The body is made up of 60 to 70 percent water.

Eat A Variety Of Foods - For protection from majority of illnesses such as heart disease, cancer, fever, colds, and many more. You need a variety of foods that deliver that mixes of nutrients and minerals.

Relax For 20 Minutes a Day - Relaxing for at least 20 minutes a day will go a long way to reduce blood pressure and your reactions to stress.

Floss Every Day - Flossing your teeth every day is the best way to prevent gum disease and protect your heart from possible problems.

Get More Sleep - Lack of sleep changes your hormone levels and capacity to metabolize carbohydrates so less sleep would result to poor health.

Eat More Protein - Protein stimulates the major brain chemical dopamine which keeps us alert. Try chicken or tuna salads for your meals.

The Best Acne Treatment Today

Nearly every teenage boy and around 80 percent of teenage girls will suffer from acne. Boys are also more likely than girls to have severe acne during adolescent stage. In contrast, women at the age of 20s, 30s and 40s are much likely to have acne than men because of cosmetic use and birth control pills. Women may also be more likely to visit a dermatologist for acne treatment consultation.

If you are suffering acne or acne vulagaris, you really can not wait to get rid of it. It feels like that you have been cursed and you want this be gone overnight. You may even attempt to pop up those zits of irritating little bumps which may end up your beautiful face being damaged by acne scars. It is so disappointing to say that there is no cure for acne. Not all acne treatment that absolutely works for one person will also work for another person. But technologies are now developed and the most effective acne treatment nowadays is laser acne treatment. According to surveys, laser acne treatment has the highest success rate. Although it is a hi-tech medical tool to remove acne, the patient should seek out a dermatology clinic with professional and well-trained medical staffs.

Even though your acne had disappeared by laser skin care equipment, you should still continue to maintain that clear, smooth and glowing skin. Wash your face regularly using facial cleansers or mild soap prescribed by your dermatologist. Furthermore, you should eat fresh fruits and vegetables for this will provide appropriate nutrients to prevent acne.

Tips on Bodybuilding to Avoid Steroids

You are probably thinking of ways to enhance your muscles in the most natural method possible, like what Arnold Schwarzenegger did. Go to the gym and acquire the services of a professional bodybuilder trainer. Also, it would be best to use the facilities of the gym to your disadvantage in order gain the muscles, which can help you win future competitions. Only lifting weights, dieting, and working hard can give you muscles safely, not steroids.

Here are some ideas on how to gain muscles in a safe way:

First you need to make a diet plan, in which your focus would be to add a considerable amount of protein during workout. Protein is one of the building blocks of the body, and it is an essential part of acquiring muscles. Unhealthy foods are not advisable to eat because of the different problems it causes, which compromises your health.

The largest muscles in your body which can be found at the chest, back, and legs should be worked out first. After focusing your attention on the large muscles, then the small ones would follow. Don’t forget to work out your whole body to ensure complete balance.

During bodybuilding workouts, start from the highest repetitions up to the lowest because it helps you grow muscle mass. And always keep in mind that the proper form during lifting weights and workout would avoid muscle injury.

By following a good routine on bodybuilding, you would never have to think about using steroids in gaining muscles. Remember that steroids are not the fastest way to build muscle. Instead, focus, dedication, hard work, and patience are the factors that contribute to putting on some muscles.

Simple Ways on How to Get Rid of Pimples

Pimples are the most common problem among teenagers during the puberty stage. The face becomes less attractive if it’s populated with pimples that leave blemishes. As a result, this will affect the self confidence very badly especially, when a teen guy courts a girl with a pimple in his face.

The pimples appear because our face has lots of small pores. Once these oil glands are being blocked which is cause by dirt or other factors such as dust, unclean water or even stress at school. Pimples usually build up after blackheads or whiteheads have become infected.

Pimples can be minimized or prevented if taken with proper skin care; however, it requires a lot of patience. There are many simple ways on how to take care or maintain a beautiful and smooth face:

• Make it a habit to drink eight glasses of water or more everyday. It helps purifying your body and it will protect you from pimples. It also reduces other illnesses and increase physical and mental performance.
• Wash your face after school or every night before you go to sleep with a mild soap or facial cleansers that contains no any harsh ingredients or other essentials that may irritate the skin.
• If you wear a heavy make up, make sure that it does not block the skin pores and wash your face with makeup removers before going to bed.
  
• Try to control your fingers to not to touch or squeeze the pimples. It might be infected because our hands contain dirt or germs. It will leave scars or dark spots after it heals.
• Try to search for health and beauty guide through the internet, you will learn more on how to handle these annoying pimples.
  
• If your pimples had gotten worst, you better visit your dermatologist to seek some advice and treatment.

Keys to a Healthy Lifestyle

The world has really evolved into a very stressful state. Everything moves a lot faster and you need to do the same so you can meet every demand in due time. These high pace situations is one of the factor that makes us stressed and weary. Other factors include horrible lifestyle and no adequate exercise.

Physical well being is being promoted at school and work using billboards, television, radio, flyers and health centers. The need to maintain a healthy body is rising and many people have embraced the fact that they need to take care of themselves more seriously.

Enrolling yourself in a gym can be very beneficial. Making time to spend two hours or so working out can make a difference in your physical abilities. Cardio workout, weightlifting and any types of fitness trainings are just some of the many offered programs. There are also available facilities where you can relax and unwind like pools and spas. Some have recreational facilities like badminton and basketball courts. There are gyms which are open 24/7, this way people can workout any time of day even in the wee hours.

It is necessary to keep our healthiness intact. So we could continue working under pressure. The benefits are not for other people but for us because we will suffer the consequences if we don’t. Aside from workout, we should also maintain a clean lifestyle. Less party and staying up all night, less drinking and avoid smoking. We should eat nutritious foods also. All of these are important keys to achieve a good health.

Featuring Cheap Spa Days

Are you feeling tired and stressed? Take some time off from work and head to any of the hotel spa and resorts in your area. Don’t fret about the possibility of spending large sums of money for accommodation in these hotels and resorts; you can take advantage of the various cheap spa days these businesses have to offer.

Cheap spa days are so popular these days not only among those who work in the local industry. The thing is, even highly compensated individuals who work in multinational companies take advantage of these. Why not, every one is practically affected by the economic crunch.

Cheap spa days are available in most destination health and wellness spa and provide working individuals with great opportunities to relax and rejuvenate via a wide array of spa and pampering services. These spa and pampering services include several types of health massage therapy and a collection of body treatments to choose from.

Have some time off from work and family because you also you deserve it. Visit any of the destination health and wellness spas in your area and choose a spa and pampering service to experience. These spa and pampering services are provided by individuals with intensive training and background on the different spa services and are most likely to help you feel rejuvenated and reinvigorated after the process.

Do not put yourself at risk of the various after-effects of too much stress from work and family. Allow yourself to take things easy and relax once in a while. Reap the fruit of your labor by having cheap spa days with your family or friends.

Pap Smear Results

Going to the gynecologist in order to have a pap smear check up, is one of the few things that a woman should do after becoming sexually active. This procedure is important because it can help to determine problems in the cervix ahead of time.

The procedure of doing a pap smear involves the doctor by using a soft brush to get a sample from inside the cervix. The sample would then be sent to a laboratory for further examination. The results of the examination would be known in less than a month and it will show proof of a disease or not.

While other patients are able to get a normal result, others are informed that they have gynecological problems which could include an abnormal pap smear, HPV (Human Papilloma Virus), yeast infections, and genital warts.

Detecting early problems in the cervix area can also help to avoid cancer causing cells thus, it can save many lives. A repeat pap smear is only needed in order to determine if the abnormalities in the cells would return or persist. Normally, a period of six months up to a year is the recommended time for a return visit to the gynecologist.

It is very important to know these things because of the immense assistance that the pap smear procedure can do to a women’s health and wellness. It helps determine cervical cancer, abnormal heavy menstrual bleeding, STD, and many more. The test can also provide awareness to women that signs of abnormal pap smear should be taken seriously. Immediate medical help is needed in order to get the right treatment for the condition.

Gaining Muscle Mass Workouts

As an aspiring bodybuilder, you need to consume large quantities of protein in a safe way. It’s because protein helps the body grow, function well, and develops the muscles further. Foods like egg, fish, and chicken are a good source of protein which you can eat during your training.

Vegetables can also be rich in protein. It is filled with fiber which aids in digestion as well. It balances the energy level and sugar in your body during bodybuilding routines. It provides you the needed energy and increases muscle mass as a result. A strong and fit body is guaranteed when you eat vegetables aside from poultry and meat. Besides, vegetables are much safer since it can be easily digested in your body.

Vegetables are affordable and inexpensive. If you are tight on the budget and looking for other means of getting the desired benefits, buying vegetables for a varied diet are important for a strong body. It’s a high-quality food that can provide you the right nutrients, minerals, and vitamins which your body needs.

It would also be a good thing to find a gym and a fitness trainer which can teach you the basics of bodybuilding. Lifting weights on your own and without the full knowledge and experience on the routines would possibly result to accidents. There is a need to acquire the services of a trainer, which can assist in every move you make inside the gym.

The correct posture during workout and the right protein diet are an essential part of bodybuilding which can gain muscle mass. Also, acquiring the services of a dietician or nutritionist which can add professional advice regarding on the best diet combination to follow, is beneficial for a successful training.

Substance Abuse Intervention

Intervention on substance abuse is considered as an act of reminding or informing others that their condition needs to be controlled. They are in the state where they are put at risk everything that is dear to them. A state that seriously needs to be addressed in order to avoid serious consequences like deterioration of good physical condition, gap from family and friends, joblessness, imprisonment or death.

There are several types of intervention for individuals with substance abuse. The basic and most typical type of intervention is with the family. It is them that usually start to tell an addicted individual that his/her behavior towards drugs has become very uncontrollable and it creates disturbance towards the family, marriage, friendship, work and everything important. For others who are not yet that deep in their addiction, a reminder from a family member is all it takes to catch the addicted person’s attention and turn around the situation.

Individuals that suffer substance abuse are unaware of how they are acting. They consider their behavior when under the influence to be normal. That is why it is hard to tell them that they are wrong because they deny the fact that they are sick. They rationalize that there is nothing unethical with what they do which ends up in argument and will create problem towards everything around them.

For those with substance abuse, intervention is like “tough love”. We care so much for them that even though they refuse to get help, we still give it to them.

Exercise Tips on Losing Weight

There are a lot of factors that contributes to the health of teens today. They live in a terribly polluted world. The atmosphere and water supply is now filled with toxic substances. And unless everything they eat are totally organic, chances are they’ll get sick. Not to mention fast food centers provide them with easy access to health-related problems. While online video games are making majority of teens forget about exercise and would just spend countless hours wasting their time on it.

Thanks to their parent’s advice on giving importance on exercise, teens have a higher chance of maintaining good health. Performing physical activities daily would significantly boost their metabolic rate. Exercise is more important than just sitting in the chair and playing computer games. It is highly advisable for them to do physical exercise in the mornings and afternoons.

Exercise can significantly burn calories and fats which are harmful to their health. Burning those calories and fats can help promote a well active body. This benefits them a lot because a strong body also enhances the immune system. Thus, enabling their body to fight various diseases and prevents them from getting sick.

When their body burns fat, toxins are released and are quickly carried out through sweat. Furthermore, exercise helps regulate the amount of insulin released into the bloodstream. Insulin is commonly referred to as a fat making hormone. Insulin helps control other health problems such as sleep apnea, moodiness, stress, decrease in energy, cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol, and many more. The main goal of exercise is to keep the heart healthy for a longer period of time, and for the purpose of strengthening other internal organs as well. Teens can do sports like basketball and volleyball which can strengthen muscles, bones, and helps release toxins.

Effective Cardio Exercises for Fat Bellies

Balanced diet and regular cardio exercises are effective in losing fat bellies. Plus, you need a full body training routine and exercises that can help in achieving a slim belly. Sit-ups and crunches are not enough because an overall weight loss program would be needed in order to put away those fats.

An appealing stomach is the result of getting the right set exercises and diet. The calories that are stored in your belly would be burned by exercising. The aim of burning those excess fats would be your main goal.

These are the best cardio exercises that would guarantee of eliminating those stubborn belly fats.

• Step Aerobics – It is a hard workout that is able to burn undesirable calories in your body as it targets the muscles in the hips and legs. This exercise may look complex, but with assistance from gym trainers and constant practice, you would master this within a few weeks.
• Cycling – A decent bike is all you need to burn 200-400 calories in less than an hour. However, the total calories that you would burn would depend on the distance, speed, and resistance of the terrain you are going to undergo. You would surely reap the rewards from cycling because it is an exercise which can be done indoors and outdoors.
• Running – This exercise would successfully eliminate those fats. Concentrate on this exercise for you to burn a huge amount of calories. Also, try to keep in mind that you need to check for any discomfort in your feet, ankles, legs, and knees in order to avoid injuries during running activities.
  

Unwanted fats in your belly would greatly reduce with the help of these three exercises. A flat stomach is not so difficult to achieve if only you would practice a religious fitness program. And in a few months time, a flat stomach and lean body would be yours.

Signs of Anorexia

Some teenage girls are experiencing anorexia, in which they are facing it alone. Losing weight is a big issue for these girls, in which they starve themselves. This is dangerous to their health because without the proper vitamins and nutrients to support their body, they would be prone to getting illnesses.

There are signs in which a teenage girl would be identified with anorexia eating disorder. Here are some of those signs.

• Weight conscious – You can determine if a girl has anorexic problems if she is constantly weighing herself.
• Appetite Loss – Takes little interest in food or starving herself. Others may even throw away their food secretly.
• Abnormal Menstrual Cycle – Ask the girl or check the trash bins in order to determine if she is menstruating regularly or not.
• Hair Loss – Due to lack of nutrients, the girl would eventually experience thinning of hair, or worse lose it.
• Weight Loss – The most obvious sign that could immediately determine anorexic problems.
• Exercising Too Much – If the girl is exerting too much effort on losing weight by means of exercise, then there probably is a problem.
  

In dealing with anorexia, patients must be brought to a rehabilitation center that gives treatment services like counseling and individual therapy. Regular counseling can give advices to these girls on how they would fight anorexia. This eating disorder should be taken seriously because things could get out of hand if it is neglected. Also, open communication between parent and child is needed in order to prevent the problem early on. It is very important to make the girls feel that there is someone who would listen to their problem. They need not suffer in silence because recovery is possible.

Facts about Anorexia

Anorexia is an eating disorder that can be harmful if not treated immediately. People with this disorder, are having trouble eating and constantly restricts food intake. And because the body lacks in nutrients and calories, it would eventually shut down.

There are many factors which develops an eating disorder. Some believe that the media has influences in the mind of the people because of emphasizing beauty as being slim and thin. While other factors suggest that the genes and history of early childhood abuse may have contributed to the disorder. Physical problems are noticeable on people with this disorder, and here are some of the complications that occur in the long run.

• Osteoporosis
• Anemia
• Fatigue
• Dehydration
• Heart Diseases
• Hormonal imbalance
• Malnutrition
  

People with anorexia are showing signs and symptoms such as excessive weight loss, consuming tiny amounts of food, obsessed on physical appearance, and very self-conscious.

It is very crucial to seek medical treatment for those who are suffering from this disorder. A full recovery would need long-term treatment such as counseling, providing nutritional needs, and hospitalization.

Counseling is needed in order to address the problems that lie within the mind of the patient, which could have triggered the onset of the disorder. Maintenance of weight, a healthy diet plan, and setting the importance of eating food would be the main concern of the nutritionists and dietitian. The condition of the patient would be explained thoroughly in order to fully understand the complications of the situation. The hospitalization would provide attention to any heart disease and health problems that the patient experiences. These interventions are important to the patient as part of the anorexia treatment which helps in dealing with the disorder.

What is Bulimia?

Bulimia is an eating disorder that occurs in patients who are experiencing many problems in life. It usually starts in the adolescent stage. Patients who are suffering from this condition are very hard to distinguish because most of them have the average weight, unlike anorexia which can be easily noticed. And the sad thing about this is that the patients are denying the truth that they have this condition.

Patients with this disorder tend to eat a lot of food and then suffer pain in their stomach because of overextension. After suffering the pain in their stomach, they would vomit or take laxatives in order to get the food out. The binge eating would only be stopped if only another person intervenes with the victim’s out of control eating spree. Furthermore, repeated actions of binge eating and purging can cause harmful effects to the digestive system in the long run.

Bulimia has two types which can be determined with its own characteristics.

a. Non-Purging Type Bulimia

This type of bulimia causes the patients to perform strenuous exercise routines in order to eliminate the massive amount of calories that they have eaten. It has the lowest percentage of cases among patients worldwide.

b. Purging Type Bulimia

Patients with this type would do anything just to remove the food which was consumed right after eating. They would take diuretics and laxatives for faster results of removing the food out of their stomach.

Behavioral therapy, counseling, antidepressants, and group therapy sessions are the effective treatments for bulimia. The problem is more on the psychological aspect of the patients. Doctors and therapists focuses on the root cause of the problem and behavior. The patient’s condition must be constantly monitored, which is why encouraging them to keep in touch with their doctors and therapists would help them in the process of bulimia recovery.

Maintain Healthy Lifestyle

Pleasant care of your health and well being makes you feel good about yourself in many ways. Youth and community centers are great local resources for all sorts of activities. It can keep you physically and mentally active and healthy, like inviting all of the youth to join community exercises and play games everyday. This is one way of maintaining yourself with good health and avoiding high blood pressure.

Keeping healthy in body, mind, and spirit is a personal decision and can be less stressful than you think. Feeling good about yourself and your decisions in life can make you smile and happy. This is one way of slowing down the aging process and benefits you by looking young. Push yourself to exercise daily. Always maintain your body in being fit. Tell yourself that you are indeed sexy in order to encourage yourself to be responsible, and to avoid eating foods which are not good to your body.

Eating a healthy diet with lots of fruits, vegetables, and less fat will increase your energy levels and immune system. Make small changes such as cutting out burgers and have some raw carrots instead. Try to cut down on soft drinks and coffee also. Try herbal tea or even hot water. Providing balance in your diet involves an intentional inclusion of different foods in proportion to each other, based on the value that each food has to your total goal. Meaning, you need to balance all the foods you eat everyday.

Best Anti Aging Secrets

Many products claim that they have the secret to stop aging. But in truth, exercising through workout at gyms is the best anti-aging method to stay young and this is a no secret.

This world that we live in during these days has been a great source of hardship and stress. It has tortured our wellbeing physically, mentally and emotionally. Squeezing every last inch of energy that we have until we break down and not even eating healthy foods and multi-vitamins is working. What we need to do is to get up, find a gym and start working out.

Exercise is the most natural way of getting in shape and developing a strong and young body that could fight against sickness and aging. With technologies taking its cornerstone in this era, more and more people are depending on gadgets that reduce fat and tone body parts. Though it might be effective, yet there is still nothing better than sweating it out the natural way by jogging around the block or pumping iron in the gym.

Needless to say, we should never forget to make it a habit to exercise or workout once or twice a week to maintain our healthy lifestyle. People might not see the significance of this but it is very important especially these days where life is so hectic. After a day jogging around or working out in the gym, you will feel rejuvenated.

Outpatient Drug Rehab

There is another kind of treatment method that gives you a chance to have a life outside the rehab center’s walls. This kind of method is possible for those you aren’t in the serious state of addiction or for those who have been in intense care inside rehab facilities and finish the program. Though it may sound great since you will be outside, the temptation level will be higher since there are many influences.

The good thing about outpatient drug rehab is that you can stay at home. This idea will help you are worsen your case. So the doctor will run some initial test on you whether you have the focus to stay away from temptation while on rehab.

So take advantage. Being inside treatment facilities is great since you will have all the attention you need to get through the program. But it’s tough to be in unfamiliar territory. Be eager to go to sessions and participate well in all of them.

Being enrolled in an outpatient drug rehab has its advantage. You get to stay at home, have a job or go to school, the payment is low and you still get the treatment you deserve. In other words you get to keep your life rolling in public. So take initiative and be sober. Don’t take this opportunity lightly and waste it. Don’t wait until everything is so messed up until you realize your mistake.

Menstrual Problems among Women

Women are experiencing menstrual disorders due to many factors such as pregnancy and amenorrhea, and many more. In reality, the normal menstrual period for women is 2-3 days. Others however, have undergone abnormal menstrual period which causes problems to health.

Diseases and conditions would also affect the period for menstruation. Growth of cancer cells in the uterus or ovaries have resulted to disruption of the normal flow of menstruation. These disorders have caused women to miss their work, skip school, and gets disturb in their sleep due to the problem. Their daily routines are also interrupted. The capacity to conceive and give birth would also be affected.

While some of these menstrual disorders may be prevented, it would be advisable for the women to take the necessary precautions in reducing the risks involved. And these would include maintaining a healthy lifestyle by eating a well-balanced diet. This diet would consist of vegetables, fruits, and red meat.

The possible solution to treating these disorders would only come from a thorough medical check-up from hospital facilities. Screening, laboratory tests, and imaging would determine the causes of the disorder. Checking the physical condition of the patient and medical history would also add to the treatment. The physician would then give the possible treatment after determining the causes.

The menstrual disorders can be given a solution. Early intervention is crucial to the treatment. Women are encouraged to engage in daily exercises in order to promote good health. By doing this, there is a higher chance of avoiding some of the diseases resulting from the condition.

Water Aerobics Workouts

Keeping fit and staying in shape can be accomplished through water aerobics. It’s an aquatic type of exercise that is recommended to elderly people. It’s very helpful to them, since they have fragile joints and bones which are prone to impact on land types of exercise. Making it an ideal exercise for the elderly people ages 60 and above.

Water aerobics utilizes swimming pools and equipments for the basic exercises of the elderly. The activities take place in the shallow ends of the water which ensures their safety. Professional fitness trainers would give out stretching routines first so that the muscles would be warmed up. In this manner, the muscles would be able to burn calories more efficiently.

The most intense portion of the workout is the middle part wherein most of the calories are burned. Kicking of the legs, walking, and running in the water are going to be instructed by the trainers. But it doesn’t mean that the elderly would be required to swim because the idea here is to simply move their body in the shallow water. Although the said routines may sound simple, yet it is very efficient in sweating out toxins from the body.

Floatation devices, free weights, and the ones attached to the body of the elderly would be used in the activity. In about 30 minutes or more, as much as 500 calories would be eliminated from the body because of this strenuous but low impact exercise. Water aerobics deploys fitness workouts which would guarantee burning of fats, calories, and toxins. It is also a good way for the elderly of meeting and interacting with other people.

Male Hot Flashes

Hot flash occurs commonly among women who experience menopause. There are about millions of women suffering hot flashes every year and researchers do not know exactly the basis of having hot flashes. But, did you know hot flashes occur also among men? Men can experience hot flashes as well if the levels of sex hormone testosterone drop unexpectedly and radically. There are also millions of men that ages forty to fifty-two who suffer male hot flashes and have a medical condition of male menopause or andropause.

A hot flash affects the face, neck and upper body which can cause you to have feeling of coldness, too much sweat and uneasiness. Hot flashes really disturb you while asleep at night due to excessive sweating and this may affect the relationship with your love ones because of mood alteration. If you’re experiencing any symptoms regarding hot flashes, here are several tips on how to prevent male hot flashes:

• Exercise regularly to keep your body normal.
• Instead of drinking alcoholic beverages in order you to get to sleep, try to drink a cold water, milk or fruit juice.
• Maintain the cool temperature in your sleeping area.
• Freshen up by taking a shower before going to sleep.
• Always monitor when the hot flash attacks.
• If symptoms happen frequently and cause you restless, visit your doctor and share everything you have gone through with your hot flashes condition.
  

Do not panic if you are suffering male hot flashes for it just a natural occurrence which can be remedied with medications and alternative treatment programs like bioidentical testosterone replacement therapy. The said therapy treatment is not only for hot flashes, it can also relieve other symptoms of andropause.

Teen Rehabilitation Center

In this world, life is full of temptations and pleasures. Drugs and alcohol are the main substances that make most ambiguous people relieved from all types of stresses including failures, heartaches and humiliation. The majority of this problematic people are teenagers who become addicted to alcohol and drugs because of the fact that they are left behind or simply just they want to feel great about themselves and struggling to keep up the pace. Alcohol proves manhood according to alcohol drinkers and drugs makes you feel high and mighty at all times.

If you are into drugs, of course, you’ll get addicted. Drugs contain opioids or hallucinogens that affect the central nervous system. As a result, the person suffers lost of consciousness, personality and behavior.

The disorder of addiction involves the progression of acute drug use to the development of drug-seeking mentality or behavior, the vulnerability to regression, and the decreased ability to respond to natural activity. And same with alcohol where negative social consequences tend to react with the unconditional behavior after a continued consumption of alcoholic beverages despite the health problems that it causes.

Continued consumption of alcohol is called alcoholism, a disease which results in a persistent use of alcohol despite of its negative after effects. Causing them to feel unconscious and failed to recognize others.

One way to stop drug addiction and alcoholism is being treated into the right drug or alcohol rehabilitation. A method in rehabilitation called detoxification process copes up with the withdrawal symptoms from regular use of drugs and continued consumption of alcohol. Apparently, normal functioning of the drug user will be observed, despite being under the influence of the drug. With detoxification process, it helps transform struggling users into loving and helped them became productive individuals again for the good of their families and in the community.

California rehab helped thousands of people especially teens with drug problem through therapy and addiction treatment, helping these individuals undergo drug treatment and drug rehab program.

Health Risks of Bisphenol A

Researchers from the University of Cincinnati led by Scott Belcher, PhD, have recently conducted a study about the effects of BPA (bisphenol A) to the human heart, especially to that of a woman. The team has experimented female rats and mice, exposing their hearts to BPA. The study made the researchers conclude that plastics containing BPA are most harmful to women’s health.

BPA or bishpenol A is a chemical used in making hard plastics and containers. Food product containers are usually made of this. This chemical has already been linked to have caused diabetes, breast cancer, and prostate cancer to some people. It has also been considered as a pollutant which is active with estrogen. According to Belcher, long-term exposure to this chemical might be harmful to a person’s cardiovascular system. BPA’s are most active when there’s estrogen and estrogen is found within our bodies. This is the reason why BPA can easily enter into our bodies because of estrogen occurrence. There are so-called estrogen receptors that when BPA is exposed to it, the effects of BPA are amplified causing more damage to our health especially to our cardiac muscles or heart muscles. The researchers specify that the effects are more harmful to a female heart than to a male heart, based from their experiments using female rats and mice.

The researchers put more focus on the activities in the heart muscle when exposed to BPA and estrogen. According to them, only the female heart is being attacked more by BPA’s. It rapidly stimulates the contraction of heart muscle of a female heart, causing more leaks of calcium or calcium ions found inside the heart muscle cells of females. The researchers are being sex-specific as they are also concern of the pollutant’s harmful effects to women’s health.

This recent research in medicine has paved a new way of preventing heart defects especially to women. Plastics containing BPA must be avoided because not only it is harmful to our environment but also to our own individual health.

Benefits of Getting Enough Sleep

Sleep rejuvenates the mind, body, and spirit of a person because of the overall wellness it provides to you. You can get a lot of essential benefits from eight hours of sleep. By sleeping eight hours a day, your body tissues are repaired at a cellular level, which in turn helps reduce stress, infections, and removes toxins. Furthermore, a good night’s sleep is going to give you good mood the next morning, and clearing your mind of negative thoughts.

Achieving a good night’s sleep can give you the following benefits:

• High levels of stress can be lowered with a good night’s sleep. Diabetes, hypertension, stroke, cancer, heart diseases, and other chronic illnesses as well can be avoided or prevented. Also, with lower stress levels, your body is able to regenerate cells in the organs and fight the aging process.
• You can regulate your body weight through proper sleep. Hormones that stimulate or affect your appetite are kept in a healthy range, which results to lower body mass index than those who lack sleep. This helps prevent obesity and malnutrition.
• A good sleep improves your memory and the cognitive functions of your brain. Your problem solving skills, organization skills, and creativity are going to perform well because of a good night’s sleep. While lack of sleep would only produce poor memory functions that would lead to forgetfulness even on simple things.
  

These are just some of the advantages you can get as long as good sleep is achieved. You would surely benefit mentally and physically from a good night’s sleep. Furthermore, it is also very important for you to rest and get eight hours of sleep because of its positive effects to your attitude towards other people. With good sleep comes calm and easy-going attitude that is simple to get along with. Sleep appropriately in order to achieve these advantages and benefits which would make your life longer, healthier, and stress free.

Pre Menopause

Menopause is a health condition which normally appears in women ages 50 and above. However, nowadays early menopausal signs and symptoms are evident in women as young as 15 years old. It may sound absurd but the facts are true. There are many factors however, which might have caused premature and early menopause to set at a young age for girls.

The genes play a major role in the onset of early menopause. Scientific studies show that women who only have few eggs from their ovaries when they were born, have higher chances of getting early menopausal. While others who are suffering from autoimmune disorders and abnormalities in their chromosomes, also have risks of getting menopausal.

Surgical operations that affect the reproductive system of women would most likely lead to early or premature menopausal also. Now because of this, the estrogen levels are dropping due to operations that cut off the functions of the ovaries. Thus, this would result for the women to enter early menopausal stages. Chemotherapy for cancer that can kill healthy ovarian cells has also been found to be one of the leading causes of premature menopause.

Premature menopausal are showing symptoms just like a normal menopause would do. Forgetfulness, insomnia, muscle pains, headaches, depression, and changes in body shape are some of the signs for a normal menopause. As for premature menopausal, which shows signs and symptoms consisting of mood swings, fatigue, and extreme downfall of estrogen.

Women who are experiencing early menopausal can get a therapy for hormone replacement from expert doctors. And it would also be best for the family members and friends to give emotional support during these tough times for their loved ones. This can help alleviate the depression that their loved ones are going through.

Abnormal Pap Smear

When you visit a gynecologist for pap smear medical test and your result is abnormal, being bothered or alarmed is absolutely common reaction among women. However, most cases of abnormal pap smear results do not show symptoms of having a cancer and it is essential to follow-up and undergo further diagnostic actions with your gynecologist. It usually requires frequent screening test from three to six months or Colposcopy.

Gynecologists advises all women that age 18 and older to have a regular pap smear screening test about 3 years after first having sex. This test detects a pre-cancerous cells or abnormal changes in the ovaries, uterus or fallopian tubes. But, there is no guarantee of no cancer even if a pap smear result is normal. Pap smear screening test can be safely performed during pregnancy.

Pap smear test doesn’t hurt but it might be uncomfortable for first time women. Gynecologists will just gently touch and pick up some cells from the cervix area. The collected cells will be sent to the laboratory to examine if there are any abnormal cells which might give warning signs and infection of cervical or breast cancer.

Being a proactive in women’s health can prevent cervical cancer. Women can really reduce risk of developing cervical health problems with this simple tips:

• If you are unsure with your health or never had undergo a pap smear test before, you better consult your doctor.
• Always listen to your doctor and don’t leave the office until you have fully understood this issue.
• Practice safe sex to prevent from getting sexually transmitted infections that might make your cervix unhealthy.
• If you are experiencing early cervical cancer symptoms (like pain or vaginal bleeding during sexual intercourse, vaginal discharge, abnormal vaginal bleeding), make a regular timely report to your doctor.

Anorexia: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Anorexia is a serious disorder that affects not only the physical structure of the body, but the mind as well. This eating disorder is common among teenagers, celebrities and fashion models who are seemingly obsessed about losing weight, the skin-and bone structure being the acceptable and usual body types of people who are in this career.

Eating disorder treatment centers in Los Angeles affirms that anorexia typically starts in the teenage years when girls become more conscious about their bodily shape and their weight. Other factors that may cause anorexia are the family, and the friends. Certain affiliations such as sports like ballet and gymnastics where one has to keep and maintain a specific body size may also cause anorexia. This can also happen due to unexpected stressful events such as divorce and death of a loved one.

There are various anorexia symptoms to watch out for, some of which are observable among patients with anorexia nervosa. These people generally do not see this problem within them and continue to believe that they are rather obese and have much more weight to shed off despite being underweight. Anorexic patients are obsessed with thoughts of dieting and would do everything to get more weights off their body, by exercising even when they are already ill. Some people with anorexia also use laxatives to induce vomiting and to avoid weight gain.

Persons suffering anorexia exhibit signs of starvation like feeling tired, weak, and faint; feeling cold all the time. They also have slow heartbeat and low blood pressure; brittle nails and thinning hair. It can also be observed that these persons have pale skin color on arms and legs because of poor blood flow.

Anorexia treatment is advised as early as possible. Concerned individuals are encouraged to seek professional help from anorexia treatment centers where anorexia patients can best recover from the disorder.

Celebrity Eating Disorders

With the world infested with hundreds of diseases that causes mortality rates to sky rocket, there is one not so vital illness but is the center of attention of the public. Anorexia nervosa is actually a psychiatric disorder that affects the body because of the fear to gain weight. A person with this diagnosis seldom eats and would rather starve, or if they do, they would purge, puke, exercises extremely and the worst thing is use drugs excessively.

Celebrities are commonly known and accused to have this kind of medical condition and are often the subject in gossips and news. Quite a few popular icons have been confirmed of having anorexia and some still denies it though facts show they are. The famous singer, Karen Carpenter, was diagnosed with it and eventually died due to complications. Their obsession to maintain their slim figure or to reduce to a much desirable body image ends in agonizing results. The worst thing about this is that the press indulges on the matter and uses it to sell their articles like hot cakes. Celebs going in and out of anorexia treatment centers are swarmed by paparazzi to get their malnourished images to talk about and get mocked by others.

The real score is that these celebrities are still people with emotions and should be given much attention and guidance. That these problems should be taken seriously and should not be used as a way of getting big bucks and the sooner others realize this, the sooner these people could be treated accordingly. A person with eating disorder should be recognized before hand to avoid reaching the worst point. Getting ill is not something to make fun with so if you see something like this try to offer at least you deepest sympathy and empathy.

Cervical Cancer Symptoms

Cervical cancer hit immense number of women around the world and still is increasing. Do you have basic or little knowledge on cervical cancer? Tackling with this topic would help women’s health to create preventions or actions to prevent risks of having cervical cancer. Do you know that cervical cancer is the second leading cause of death in women? That’s why women don’t want to hear this from their doctors. Another is that only 60 percent diagnosed every year with cervical cancer survived.

There are factors that triggered cervical cancer. Doctors have discovered these risk factors as causes for the disease.

• Early sexual engagement.
• History of Multiple sexual partners.
• Relationship with a high-risk partner, including partners with STDs or a history of multiple partners.
• Smoking.
• Women with lowered immune function.
• Women with a history of vaginal squamous dysplasia (precancer of the vagina).
• Women with prior Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection.
  

There are symptoms of cervical cancer but most women will not have initial symptom, that’s why cervical cancer is difficult to detect without frequent screening. Symptoms that are commonly experienced by women with cervical cancer are bleeding after sexual intercourse, abnormal bleeding of the vagina, vaginal discharge that is watery or full of mucous and has strong odor and lower back or pelvic pain that branch out down the leg.

Good news for women's health, vaccine for the prevention of cervical cancer has been developed with 100 percent effectiveness. The new vaccine is called Gardasil developed by Merck and Co. This vaccine could be used also for boys also to prevent boys from spreading the virus to their partners. The vaccine actually is used before partners become sexually active.

Always be reminded with these valuable facts and the assurance for preventing cervical cancer will be 100 percent.

Big Baby and Birth Defects

A newborn infant that weighs more than 8.8 pounds (4,000g) or more is considered a full-sized or macrosomia baby. Some of us might view these big babies as cute and healthy but in medical view, it is already considered as a birth defect. An obese or overweight pregnant mother might deliver a macrosomic baby because the fetus is being overfed with excess amount of sugar coming from the mother and this sugar will convert into a body fat.

Women with pregestational diabetes may disturb the forming development period of baby’s vital organs if the amount of blood sugar was uncontrolled during the first few weeks of pregnancy. A mother with diabetes during pregnancy may also deliver a macrosomic baby. Most birth defects can be identified during the first half of the pregnancy with ultrasound studies and prenatal diagnostic tests.

Health experts warn women to be aware on their body weight and blood sugar during pregnancy. Otherwise, the mother may suffer an increase risk of injury which can be more difficult as well for the baby. Before going into a vaginal delivery, obstetricians perform an ultrasound to estimate the fetal weight for safety. It is frightening and risky if the big baby will be going out from a mother with diabetes because the baby’s shoulder will get stuck through the birth canal. As a result, the mother may experience trauma and deliver the child through cesarean.

Pregnant women can minimize the risks of delivering a baby with birth defects by visiting regularly to a licensed physician or midwife for prenatal care. Women should undergo oral diabetes medications, in order to optimize blood sugar control during pregnancy. To prevent big baby and birth defects, women's health should be well take cared of during pregnancy.

A Study on Broccoli Sprouts to Protect Against Cancer

A study in Japan suggest that eating two and half ounces of broccoli sprouts daily for two months may protect against bacteria that causes gastritis, ulcers and even stomach cancer.

Most people don’t like the taste and texture of broccoli. But the nutritional benefits it offers cannot be disregarded. Broccoli is packed with antioxidants and other nutrients, including vitamin C, foliate, calcium, beta carotene and full of fiber.

In the study, broccoli sprouts or baby broccolis have particularly high concentration of antioxidant called sulforaphane (much higher than mature heads broccoli). Sulphoraphane is said to trigger enzymes in the gut that boost the body’s defenses against oxygen radicals, DNA-damaging chemicals, and inflammation and perhaps ultimately help prevent stomach cancer, although research is still at an early stage.

It has long been known that sulforaphane is a potent antibiotic against Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium that causes gastritis, ulcers and stomach cancer. H. pylori infection doesn’t always cause symptoms, but it can lead to stomach inflammation and ulcers. It’s also a major risk factor for stomach cancer. Studies in animals have shown that sulforaphane from broccoli sprouts elevate the protective enzymes against bacterium, and also reduce inflammation and cell damage that could lead to cancer. But not much research has been done in people.

In the new study, the researchers gave 25 people in Japan who were infected with Helicobacter pylori 70 grams per day of broccoli sprouts for two months. Another 25 infected people consumed an equivalent amount of alfalfa sprouts, although rich in phytochemicals, don’t contain sulforaphane.

Researchers monitored the participants and found out that those eating broccoli sprouts reduced the level of infections and inflammation. This suggests that the likelihood of getting gastritis, ulcer and cancer is probably reduced.

Even with its promising findings, larger studies are still needed to confirm these results and explore more whether eating broccoli sprouts does, in fact, lower the risk of stomach cancer. In the meantime, eating broccoli regularly won’t be such a bad idea as it gives us a lot of nutritional benefits.

Fetal Macrosomia: Big Baby Syndrome

Macrosomia is a situation in which a fetus is strangely large, otherwise known as Big Baby Syndrome and/or Large for Gestational Age (LGA). They are born at the weight of at least 8 pounds, 13 ounces or more. The standard birth weight for a baby is about 7 pounds. Most babies with macrosomia are born full-term, but some instances may be born in pre-term.

A baby born with macrosomia is to be likely expected to experience low blood sugar, respiratory distress, and jaundice. They are also at an increased possibility of birth defects. Macrosomia occurs in more than 10% of all pregnancies, for a pregnant woman that has no proper diet and exercise. Complications include a greater risk of Cesarean delivery, damage to the birth canal, and harm to the fetus if delivered vaginally.

The most common cause of fetal macrosomia is diabetes in the mother (because the insulin can cross through the placenta, in which it metabolizes by the fetus). A risk factor is somewhat that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition. The following risk factors include the chances of giving birth to a baby with LGA’s are: when the mother is having diabetes mellitus, mother and/or father of large size (prone for having diabetes) and excessive weight gain by the mother during pregnancy. Signs include: Birth weight of at least 8 pounds, 13 ounces to ten pounds or higher. Your medical doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and do a physical and pelvic examination.

Babies that are large for gestational age throughout the pregnancy can sometimes be seen during a routine ultrasound, although fetal weight estimations late in pregnancy are quite inaccurate. Your doctor will approximately measure the birth weight, and evaluate any dangers present for the mother and/or fetus. If the fetal macrosomia is significant enough to cause possible harm during a vaginal delivery, a Cesarean delivery may be scheduled. A cesarean delivery is recommended for fetuses that are too large to be safely delivered through the birth canal.

Feeding babies with LGA soon after birth is important to prevent low blood sugar in the baby. Macrosomia may not always be prevented, but if the mother maintains a healthy weight throughout her pregnancy, then it can help prevent a large fetus. For pregnant women with diabetes, strict control of blood sugar during pregnancy is extremely important to prevent macrosomia. Proper prenatal care can also help identify any health conditions in the mother that could cause harm to the fetus. Early findings of macrosomia can prevent complications during delivery.

H1N1 Flu Pandemic

The whole world is in turmoil due to the recent outbreak of Novel influenza A (H1N1). I had a “second degree” experience in relation to the pandemonium that’s happening. Readers, be guided that I don’t have H1N1, I only have a story to tell.

When a friend of mine went to Japan to promote Japan and Philippines Friendship recently, she had cough then. After arriving at the airport, she was quarantined with other people who are suspected of having the feared influenza. Things were worse for people who have fever because it caused the ALARMS on the airport blasting. What a sight it must have been! Luckily for my friend, their Japanese Coordinator explained to the police that the group was there for governmental reasons and more luckily enough, there had been no H1N1 case on Philippines that time yet. And of course, they were checked before going back to the Philippines so no need to worry about my friend. She’s alive and kicking.

On a serious note, different countries have officially reported a cumulative total of 117 deaths of the 19,273 cases around the globe. The World Health Organization (WHO) have published that influenza A(H1N1) is a pandemic of which all of the population have no immunity. The common symptoms of this flu are sore throat, cough, runny nose, fever, malaise, headache and joint/muscle pain. There had been a development regarding the treatment of H1N1 with the use of antiviral drugs of neuraminidase inhibitors class. But WHO strictly warns individuals not to purchase medicines to prevent/fight this new influenza without prescription.