Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Allergies

Allergy or sometimes called atopy is a disorder of the immune system which makes the body abnormally react to substances to some individuals. These allergic reactions are acquired from the surroundings like pollen from trees, dog’s hair, and other substances. Common allergic reactions include sneezing, wheezing, coughing, and itching in some body parts. Allergies are usually very bothersome. Some cases of allergies are very dangerous when triggered to an individual and not treated properly like chronic respiratory illness - sinusitis, asthma or even death from fatal reactions from insect venoms.

Basically, allergy is a controllable form of hypersensitivity. If the person has proper management, wide knowledge, and experience of the abnormal reaction, the patient can live a normal life. Common allergic diseases include asthma, allergic rhinitis, hives, sinusitis.

In the present technology, doctors present a series of tests to diagnose allergies of an individual depending on how they react. This includes testing the skin if it reacts to the substances it touches or thru blood examination. If an individual triggers an allergy, doctors will prescribe medicines such as anti-histamines, steroids and other oral medications, while, some doctors would require an individual to undergo special treatments like immunotherapy.


Monday, April 27, 2009

The Big Problem of Big People

Obesity has become global concern affecting the lives of millions of people. It has been a common social problem most notable in industrialized countries. Obesity is often defined as an eating disorder. However, it is not as simple as eating too much. Health experts consider this as a serious and chronic disease common in today’s society.

Results from The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III say that the number of obese adults in the United States is almost one-third on the total adult population. And approximately 300,000 adult deaths in the United States each year are directly attributable to unhealthy dietary habits and physical inactivity or obesity.

Obesity is such a problem for American adults as most eat a diet high in fat and sugar, and are physically inactive. It is not a hidden problem, but society fails to tackle it head on. Size is not the only issue in being obese but rather the most concerning fact is that it gives rise to health related illnesses like heart related diseases and high blood pressure. Diabetes, renal failure, colon cancer and strokes are examples of harmful diseases caused by obesity.

In order to fight this weight problem, you have to accept the fact that there is a problem and this problem is making your life miserable. You must be ready to seek help, guidance and advice in order to help yourself. We have to look for routines that will help us eliminate toxins form our body, as well as ensure that our metabolism functions optimally to burn fat faster. In that case, we may consider looking for a plan that make use of exercise to help preserve and build muscle tissue, and make sure that we are gaining the most out of it.


Thursday, April 23, 2009

How the Brain Responds to Stress

What is stress?

Stress is the reaction of the body to a change that requires physical, mental or emotional adjustments or response to events that cause bodily or mental tension. It comes from any situations that heightens your emotions and is caused by stress-causing factor called stressors.

What stress can do to your brain?

Stress overloads your brain with powerful hormones that are intended only for short term duty in emergency situations. The effects of these hormones damages and kills brain cells.

How the brain responses to stress?

Emotional or physical responses you have on stress are set in motion by a series of chemical releases and reactions.

Different kinds of stress:

Stress can manifest itself physically, emotionally, or mentally depending on the stressors and the types of changes or events that we are dealing.
  1. Physical Stress - this occurs when the body starts to suffer as a result of a stressful situation. The most common physical symptom is headache. Long term stress can lead to digestive problems, insomnia, fatigue, high-blood pressure, heart problems and even hair loss.
  2. Emotional Stress - stress affecting the mind and include anxiety, anger, and depression. Anxiety is a response to failure, danger or fear of the unknown. Anger is a common response to frustration or social stress. Depression is frequently seen as an emotional response to upsetting situations.
  3. Mental or Psychological Stress - Long term stress can cause psychological problems. A person with psychological stress has symptoms that include phobias, withdrawal from society, disturbing behaviors and eating disorders.
Stress symptoms can be associated with serious medical conditions and should not be taken for granted.


Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Health and Fitness Ads

Countless health and fitness center are making billions of dollars on making herbal supplements, fitness equipments and special diets through magazines and television advertisements. These commercials use different marketing methods and techniques just to get the attention from viewers and readers and buy their products.

But don’t purchase them right away because not all shown on television and magazines are real and effective. We should be aware that some of these ads shown give good effects to your body. Don’t be fooled easily with their testimonials from their customer. Visit your trusted medical doctor first before getting or buying such things.

Steroid is the most commonly used in bodybuilding and performance enhancement, however, some of these have bad side effects like accelerated male-pattern baldness, decrease sex drive and reducing sperm counts. It also causes psychological effects if abused.

Try making your own diet and fitness exercise in a natural way. Discover a better healthy lifestyle, and be in the best shape of your life. Eating fruits, vegetables, cereals and pulses, dairy, poultry, fish and meat products can keep your body healthy and fit. A healthy balanced diet of these five food groups ensures essential vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber.


Thursday, April 9, 2009

Healthy Lifestyle

At present, people have normally forgotten the importance of being healthy and fit because most of them are more concerned about their jobs and other activities that end up of hurting themselves and some may suffer illness such as fatigue. With good physical condition, a person can perform daily activities and that may results a body to become physically fit. Eating nutritious foods and exercising daily will make you healthy, however, this is not easy to attain if you are lack of motivation, discipline and patience. There are also some reasons that may hinder your healthy lifestyle like conflicts in schedule from your job, family and other important activities.

Eating a healthy food is easy, but you’ll be having a hard time when choosing the right food. You’ll get tempted to eat those tasty commercial foods that can be seen on media even if it lacks nutrients. You don’t have to change your lifestyle in a sudden by eating only fruits and vegetables. Start this habit little by little, and then gradually increase the amount of eating such healthy food. With this, you will never notice that you are slowly changing your meal into a healthy one.

Exercise everyday isn’t a bad idea; it is important because it promotes blood circulation, improves stamina and also keeps your body in good shape. A person can also practice exercise in little ways, just like changing your eating healthy lifestyle. Stop spending more time and money to fitness workouts. Take a walk or ride a bike instead especially when you’re going to the office. Take this as a habit for this is a good chance to exercise our body that doesn’t affect our daily routine that much.