Avoid Bad Breath

Bad breath can be a serious issue.  No one wants to be known as having bad breath.  However, brushing regularly and mouthwash may not always be effective.  Here are some tips about avoiding bad breath.

If you are suffering from bad breath, brushing and rinsing your mouth  may not be an effective remedy.  There are many reasons why people have bad breath.

Besides eating potent foods such as onions and garlic, most dentists have found that the top bad breath contributors are a dry mouth or sinus infection.  Even if you are following an oral hygiene regiment, these two contributors can still cause bad breath.

 If you have dry mouth you can easily counter by constantly keeping your mouth moist by a lozenge or drinking water regularly  However, if you have a sinus infection, you will need to see a doctor for a prescription to rid yourself of it..  Most people don’t even realize that they have a sinus infection, but bad breath can be an indicator of one.

So if you are trying to avoid embarrassment look into these tips or see your dentist or doctor to avoid bad breath

How to Get Rid of Bad Breath with Home Remedies

   

A Healthy Approach To Stress

Different people get bothered for different reasons. A big sports game, an office presentation, deadlines at work, even other people and relationships --- all these can cause us stress. This feeling of mild anxiety can cause different outcomes, even negative consequences. A student can fail his or her exam simply by being stressed out or when he encounters a mental block that prevents effective study or getting the right answers to an exam.

Stress, as a normal human reaction, is the body's reaction to rising challenges and tough situations.  Everyone, in some way or another, encounters stress whenever possible. It is simply inevitable.  People and events tend to clash, therefore resulting in stress. People work, play, study, do things everyday, and it is impossible not to feel stressed at one way or another. At this point, when people do not want to experience any much of this, they turn to medications for anti stress, also associated with anti-anxiety for instant relief.

A healthier approach to relieving stress is by practicing stress techniques that can maintain the person's state of balance and regulation in both body and mind.  Exercise is a stress technique that is not only good for your physical health but also helps relieve a person's tension and frustration.  Sports and other fitness routines are excellent ways to relieve tension.  Many people who want to manage stress go to a boxing class, join a cycling club,  or engage in other exercise activities that would allow them to release their stress.

Aside from exercise, another useful technique is to practice deep breathing, which gives the person a feeling of relaxation.  Proper breathing counts and rhythm is used as stress techniques that eventually lead to more relaxation.  Relaxation activities such as Yoga or Tai chi can also eliminate stress by relaxing the mind and body, and thereby relieving stress patterns around the body.  Yoga and tai-chi also helps develop concentration and positive body awareness.

These Oriental arts have been practiced by millions of people for centuries and medical research have documented the beneficial effects of these modes of exercise. By moving slowly with ease and always in a state of relaxation, the person performing these activities will feel good, and soon the feeling of relaxation will follow.  Muscle relaxation also works in relieving stress.

By deep breathing and constant contraction and relaxation of different body parts, the person will feel relaxed every after contraction, which also releases stress. Massage therapy also helps fight stress. Massaging your scalp, putting pressure on your shoulders or even your eyes can really decrease stress in that certain part of the body.

People should take a second look at these stress techniques. But for those who have tried every massage or stress management technique, taking a prescription drug may very well be the last option.  However, the use of these medications almost always have side effects. But with proper doctor's advice, the use of safe and proven drugs may help people who need fast relief.  There are a lot of healthy ways to beat stress.

Breast Cancer: What Women Should Know

From relative obscurity, breast cancer has become one of the leading causes of deaths among women in the world. In 2001, about 200,000 cases of breast cancer have been reported in the United States, making it the second leading cause of cancer death in the US. It is, in fact, the most common malignancy problem that is affecting women in North America and Europe today.

But what is breast cancer and how do people get it? 

Breast cancer occurs when malignant tumors in the breast grow and start to affect other tissues in the body. There is still no clear indications how tumors are created but what is often observed is that cancerous cells usually comes from ducts or glands.

Although women’s health organizations advise women to massage the breast daily and to feel for any lumps, it may a long time before a cancerous cell get big enough for us to feel it. By that time, it may already be too late. Doctors make use of mammograms for their diagnosis.

Breast at risk

All women are actually at risk, with the risk increasing with the presence of some risk factors that are already part of the natural cycle, for example, aging. Family history of breast cancer can also significantly affect the prognosis as heredity has been found to play a role. Women who got their periods before they were 12 years old and those who never had or had children after 30 years old are also more likely to develop breast cancer.

There are also risk factors that medical science can help alter such as hormonal problems through replacement therapies. Women are also advised to decrease their consumption of alcoholic drinks, exercise every day and decrease the use of birth control pills. Breastfeeding has been found to decrease the risk of breast cancer development.

Although there are some factors that women can avoid to prevent breast cancer from developing, cause and effect relationships between these factors and breast cancer is still debatable. For women who are already at high risk, doctors often recommend a drug called Tamoxifen, which is known to decrease the risk by as much 50 percent when taken in five years. Still, like all medications, Tamoxifen has side effects such as hot flushes, vaginal discharges and sometimes even blood clots. Taking the drug can also lead to pulmonary emobolus, stroke and uterine cancer, although these are all isolated cases.

Another avenue that women can go to is Vitamin A, which some studies show to be effective in decreasing the risk. Still, research is still in the initial stages and nothing has been proven yet. Other things that are being linked to the breast cancer fight are phytoestrogens, which can be found in soya, Vitamin E, and Vitamin C.

But until something concrete is found in research, the only thing that women can do to ensure that they are safe from breast cancer is early detection. This can be done through daily self-examinations as well as annual check ups and mammogram tests. It is also important that women know the beginnings of breast cancer. Here are some of the signs that they should watch out for.

Lumps in the breast and in the underarms
Scaling of the skin of the breast and of the nipple
Redness in the skin of the breast and of the nipple
Changes in the size of their breasts
Discharges from the nipple

If these signs are observed, it is best to consult a specialist so that you can know whether you have breast cancer or not.

How to Check Yourself for Breast Cancer

  As defined, breast cancer is a malignant growth that begins in the tissues of the breast. Its cause is still quite uncertain, but it happens when there is an abnormal growth of breast cells. It is considered to be the most common cancer in women, although men can also suffer from it. 

 Older women are more prone to developing breast cancer, however, in rare cases; younger women have been diagnosed with the illness. Learning how to check yourself for breast cancer involves several steps that you can do personally or with the assistance of experts or specialists. Time is essential and early detection is the most important thing

A Life With Scoliosis

Scoliosis is a medical condition that refers to a lateral or rotational curve and deformities in the spine.  There are different types and causes of scoliosis. A congenital scoliosis is a condition that has developed after birth while an idiopathic scoliosis develops as a secondary symptom of another condition. Scoliosis can affect anyone and serious cases can be physically debilitating.

Scoliosis causes the spine to develop or curve into a C-shape or into other directions.  It is often painful but some conditions during adolescence not cause too much discomfort except for the obvious physical or skeletal imbalance. Celebrities who have been diagnosed with scoliosis include Isabella Rosellini, Renee Russo, Liza Minelli, and Sarah Michelle Gellar.

To get proper diagnosis, a person must consult an orthopedist who specializes in spine diseases and bone abnormalities.   The orthopedist will usually ask the patient to undergo the following examinations:

Physical Examination – Your doctor will check your  back, chest, hips, legs, and even the skin.  The doctor will look for imbalances or structural abnormalities in your shoulders, legs, and chest.   Specifically, the doctor will look to see of your head is centered over your shoulders, and whether opposite sides of your body look even.  Another easy way to detect scoliosis is to examine whether your pant legs drop at equal length.

X-ray – If you have unusual, persistent low back pain or a large spinal curve, the doctor will ask you to take an x-ray examination.  The x-ray of your back will give a more detailed picture of the spine and the curvatures.

Curve Measurement -  Using the X-ray image, the doctor will measure the curve and determine what kind of therapy or treatment is needed based on the degree of curvature. Curves that are greater than 20 degrees need immediate medical treatment, which may include surgery.


Kinds of treatment for scoliosis

There are different approaches in the treatment and management of scoliosis, as shown below:

Bracing - This is recommended for children or adolescents whose curves progress to 30 degrees and beyond. Bracing allows the spine to be held in a straighter position and prevents the progression of the curve.

A brace will not make your spine straight but it will help improve the posture and reduce the curvature.  The commonly prescribed brace is called the Milwaukee Brace which consists of metal uprights attached to pads and positioned on the hips, rib cage, and neck;  and the Underarm Brace which is made of plastic and is placed around the rib cage, abdomen, and hips. Bracing is also prescribed for other types of neuromuscular disease such as spinal muscular atrophy.

Surgery – When bracing fails to give the desired results, surgery is often seen as the next option. Bracing might not work for everyone. The main purpose for surgery is to join together the bones of your curve and realign the vertebrae.  The surgical procedure is called spinal fusion.


Coping with scoliosis

To cope with scoliosis, some patients get a massage or a similar therapy session that helps improve body alignment, flexibility, and posture. Aquatic exercise can also improve a scoliosis patient's posture and balance. Acupuncture is also used as an alternative method for reducing pain and discomfort brought about by scoliosis.

Your world need not stop from spinning just because you have a spine problem.  Scoliosis patients can still lead happy, active lives.  People with scoliosis can still participate in sports and other physical activities.  Remember, physical fitness is important for people with back and spine problems.

Scoliosis Surgery-My recovery

This is my surgery and recovery video from scoliosis/spinal surgery. Going into it I was scared for my life, and looking at these other videos to recovery didn't help much. I documented my process through everything and it turned out to be a phenomenal recovery! I was up and walking the day after the surgery and by the third day I could do a lot on my own. So anyone with scoliosis, I say surgery was a great decision for me and could be for you too! It IS possible to have a fast recovery! Maybe someday I can change someones life through this video.

Baldness Cures and Treatments

The most common cause of hair loss, especially in men, is androgenetic, or male pattern baldness.

 Mid-teens or puberty starts the ‘balding’ process for individuals whose genetics predispose them to baldness.

The normal production of hair by the follicle is altered by the pubertal increase in testosterone production resulting in an increased production of DiHydroTestosterone.



Hair strands become thinner, grow slower and fall out at shorter lengths with each cycle until eventually the follicle stops production altogether.  The case becomes severe when the follicle is lost permanently and hair production literally comes to a halt.

In an attempt to obtain a normal looking head of hair or to slow hair loss, American male population alone reportedly spend hundreds of millions of dollars annually on lotions and potions, tonics and aerosol spray cover-ups, toupees, and hair-plug transplantation.  And then there are the more sensitive procedures like hair transplant and scalp surgery. The great lengths of search for baldness cure goes on.  As such, the U.S. economy generates something close to $1 billion annually in revenue generated by the treatment of baldness.

Indeed, the great hair cure has been sought for centuries, however, until recently men has come to their senses that when they age between 18 and 80 they loose their hair at a rate closely related with their age.  This is no hair fluke, so to speak.  Research revealed that 12% to 80% of men ranging in ages from 18 to 80 experience cosmetically moderate to significant hair loss from the front to rear crown area of their head.  Of the respondents, younger men where in early stages of hair loss, while older men were completely bald over the entire crown area of their heads.  In this regard, “It comes with age” appears to be a qualified statement.

And so, over the last 40 years, medical doctors have sequentially stumbled upon several hair loss cures and treatments loss.

Exotic topical creams and liquids in the form of lotions and potions, even shampoos and conditioners with ‘natural ingredient’ claims may simply regenerate hair growth.

Aerosol hair spray cover-ups are merely colored powders or fibers that simply color the scalp and thicken thinning hair.  The appearance of an almost natural thick-looking hair is temporary and deceiving.  Its name actually says it all – cover-up!
Several highly publicized alternatives offer real potential promise.  One potent alternative is a topical drug called Minoxidil® which has been proclaimed to somewhat slow hair loss and in very few cases, to stimulate hair regeneration, albeit limited.  Very recently the brand Rogaine® -- a topical alcohol mixture consisting Minoxidil® is demonstrating relative effectiveness.  Sufficient scalp penetration is advised to achieve best results.

The latest hair loss product is generically called Finasteride, an antiandrogen that inhibits the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone.  It is being branded in the market as PROPECIA® and PROCAR®.  The pill taken orally/once a day claims that it can regenerate hair growth on bald or balding areas of the scalp.

Another alternative discovery that is slowly gaining popularity is rather procedural and involves meticulous process. The technique uses surgical scalp transplants to redistribute remaining hair on the scalp to balding or completely bald areas of the scalp.  But the procedure, however credible, is not easily accessible to majority of the balding population because of its high cost and maintenance.

With the still growing concern for hair loss, a more realistic and easier to achieve method now runs on prevention rather than cure.  This observation is regarded as more practical approach since most cases of progressive baldness can be identified at an early stage.

Best review hair loss cure for men-women + Hair loss treatment and regrowth

Birth Control Considerations for Teenagers

Teen pregnancy is one of the most difficult experience amidst a young person's life. It can interrupt school or other plans in their young lives. It can create an emotional crisis resulting in feelings of depression, shame and fear.  The stress of how a teenager go through to break this news to her parents might be even greater, and finding help may seem an impossible task.


There are researches that indicate that sex education and access to effective contraception are essential in preventing unplanned pregnancy in the teenage population. Some teenage pregnancies occur as a result of young women's sexual inexperience and an inadequate understanding of their reproductive cycle. Th research suggests that knowledge about reproductive matters and access to contraception are necessary to prevent unintended adolescent pregnancy.


According to another research, it has shown that the number of births to teenagers has decreased considerably over the last few decades. This decrease is most likely due to the increased availability of abortion and birth control, rather than a decrease in sexual activity.

There has been an increase in abstinence and the use birth control methods among teens in the late 90s, although this does not attribute the changes to sex education alone. With so many methods available and so many factors to consider, choosing birth control can be difficult. Teenagers now have a lot of options and making a choice can be a bit difficult, if not outright confusing.  The key is to carefully check available product literature and sources of information about birth control methods. Making an informed decision is the consumer's responsibility before using a birth control product or whatever product there is.

One of the first considerations a teenager might wish to have is whether she wants a permanent or temporary birth control.  This is a decision that will affect the rest of her life and can be made only after thinking it through carefully. If a teenager knows that she will not ever want to conceive or get pregnant, tubal ligation or tubal implants may be the appropriate method to use.

An unplanned pregnancy would seriously impact a teenager's plans for the future and thus, choosing a birth control method that is highly effective is a must.
Some people argue that sexual abstinence is not a true form of birth control. But, birth control is any act, drug, or device that is intended to prevent pregnancy.

This means that choosing to abstain is really a contraceptive. Among teens, abstinence is the most popular method of birth control. Among people aged 15-19, fewer than half have ever had sex. Over one in ten women of reproductive age have never had sex at all.
If a teenager has health problems or other risk factors, some birth control methods may not be right for them. Other health problems that might keep one from using a particular birth control method are relatively rare, especially in young women. However, before using any method, it is definitely important for a teenager to seek and talk with a health professional.

Bodybuilding And Overtraining

One of the biggest problems a newbie bodybuilder faces is determining how much to train. When they start a bodybuilding program, after having never exercised with weights before, the body generally responds relatively fast. The new bodybuilder can see gains in muscle size and a firming of the body within the first few weeks and this encourages them to train harder.

This is where the problems start to begin. After the initial burst of muscle development, the body will begin to plateau for a while, and increasing the training will only lead to a case of over training. Over training occurs when the muscles haven't had sufficient time for recovery.

When the muscles are subject to weight training, the main process of development occurs during the recovery period when the muscle cells are rebuilt, to cope with the increased demands of the weight lifting. It is during this 'rebuilding' process that the muscles become bigger, and without sufficient recovery the muscles won't have time to rebuild the cells.

This leads to the muscle getting over worked and growth is stunted. Without the correct knowledge, the newbie bodybuilder thinks that they need to train even harder to maintain the gains that they were seeing in the initial stages of their weight lifting program. Thus begins the downward spiral of more and more over training, and the resultant lack of muscle growth and fatigue.

With correct guidance the bodybuilder will be able to see when they are getting into a state of over training and allow themself a little more time to recover. This might involve having a few days rest from exercise, or more rest days between training sessions. Alternatively, the over trained bodybuilder might need to reduce the amount of weights lifted during a training session.

Reducing the intensity of the training will help to eliminate the possibility of injury and other health related problems as the body's immune system is put under stress.

People who are just beginning bodybuilding for the first time need to be made aware of this process before they start training so they can plan their weight lifting program in such a manner that they will continue to see gains in muscle size and fitness and reduce the possibility of the plateau periods where they appear to be making little or no progress.

Acquired Brain Injury

There are two main ways brain injury can occur, insidious onset (tumors, neurological diseases, and substance and alcohol abuse) or outside onset (infection, lack of oxygen, trauma, and strokes). Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) is brain damage suffered after birth.  




The main causes of ABI include disease (AIDS, Alzheimer, cancer, Parkinson or sclerosis), alcohol or drugs, prolonged lack of oxygen, physical trauma (such as those suffered in car accidents or fighting sports) and strokes (the breaking of a blood vessel causing brain tissue destruction).

Acquired brain injury affects patients in numerous ways. Many patients experience mental and physical fatigue, visual dysfunction and slowed mental processes such as problem solving or planning.  Personality and behavior modifications can also appear, with some people even becoming a threat to society.

It is published that 1.5 to 2 million Americans suffer a brain injury each year, mainly due to falls, acts of violence, sports injuries, and, most frequently, motor vehicles accidents. The even more disturbing news is that 2.5 to 6.5 million Americans are living with ABI. The good news is that thanks to evolutions in medical care, more people are surviving brain injury every year.

Acquired brain injury is a serious matter.  ABI can result in an incredible life change for the suffering party, family disruption, loss of income or earning potential, and expenses resulting from the victim’s lifelong need for support. There are several institutions that offer care for ABI patients, and doctors can diagnose and treat many ABIs, so it is vital that people suffering a head injury get medical attention to prevent or cure symptoms.

A Sleep Aid to Dream About

Just when one thinks that there is just one too many sleep aids available in the market, think again. A new sleep aid that can promote dreaming has been formulated by drug researchers and pharmacologists.  The said is also said to be effective in improving one's memory.

This medication specifically targets the orexin system, which is also associated with the urges connected with feeding and addiction. Orexin is a type of hormone that was discovered in 1998 and is known to control or induce a number of physiological reactions and conditions such as narcolepsy, a sleeping disorder where people can fall asleep several times a day and experience paralyzing musculo-skeletal contractions.

A Swiss drug company named Actelion has also unveiled a new candidate drug known as orexin-RA-1 that can block the orexin system. Laboratory rats slept soundly and performed better in maze tests the following day than rats given with only conventional sleep aids, suggesting that the drug improves memory capacity. Measurements of muscle tone and brain activity revealed an increase in the dream phase of sleep. According to Actelion CEO Jean Paul Clozel, the dream phase is when memory is hardwired in the brain. According to Clozel, older medications reduce REM sleep. Lack of REM sleep makes people still feel tired even after they just woke up.

Shahrad Taheri, a doctor from the University of Bristol, said that orexin has great potential for promoting sleep and regulating appetite. Taheri said that orexin can be used to reduce cravings for food.

The new sleep aid drug is now undergoing stage trials. Clozel says that the drug could be available in the market by 2012.  He admitted that there are plans to extend its application beyond insomnia. Unlike older generations of sleep medications, orexin-RA-1 showed no signs of being addictive or of losing its effects over time. However, this type of medication should have a thorough inspection for possible unwanted side effects.  Existing sleep aids being sold in the market are known to have a number of side effects. Tests should be done in order to fully analze a new drug's effects in the brain, and how it can provide other beneficial effects without harming other human internal systems.

Aside from using medications, people with insomnia should continue receiving non-medical help to overcome sleeplessness.  Among the most common advice given to insomniacs by doctors and behavioral therapists include:

Cutting down on caffeinated drinks especially during hours that are too near sleeping time
Avoiding stimulating activities such as games, exercise, and watching action movies when on is about to sleep
Keeping the bedroom as a private place for sleeping.  An insomniac should not do work inside the sleeping quarters.
The room must be kept dark, free from noise, and comfortable enough to induce relaxation and drowsiness.

In very severe cases of sleep deprivation, the help of medical and psychiatric professionals should be sought.  Insomniacs, however, must make sure to consul these professionals first before using any sleep aid.  Using sleep aids without proper consultation could lead to substance abuse and, worse, to accidental death.  Sleep aid overdose is a very serious risk faced by insomniacs who use medications without the proper prescription.

Soon, however, new drugs such as orexin may help people with severe sleep deprivation gain back the ability to sleep, rest, and dream about better days and nights ahead.

A Quick Guide to Hypnotherapy

Hypnosis has been around for thousands of years. From ancient Egyptian times even through today, hypnotism has been used in religion, medicine, mental therapy, and even entertainment. Patients often undergo hypnosis to help release stress or to overcome certain challenges in their lives such as smoking habits, obesity, anorexia, bulimia, insomnia, depression, and other conditions.

Hypnotherapy is similar to psychotherapy except it is undertaken when the patient is in a state of hypnosis. Hypnotherapy is meant to help modify the patient's behavior, attitude, and emotional state for positive life changes. Hypnotherapy is usually performed by a professional hypnotherapist. In many cases, the hypnotherapist will train the patient in self-hypnosis so the patient can benefit from hypnotherapy at any time when needed.

What Happens During Hypnosis?

Before the actual hypnosis begins, both the patient and the trained hypnotherapist agree to the process. Hypnosis cannot be forced on the patient. There will usually be an informal talk between the two with questions and answers as well as an explanation of what is about to take place.

Next is the actual hypnosis. The hypnotherapist leads with his or her voice to gently guide the patient into a state of relaxation in mind and body. The patient may appear to be asleep, but is awake enough to be aware of what's going on - especially in the parts of the mind that can effect beneficial changes. The patient is led into comforting, pleasant thoughts and begins to daydream about happy times or hopes for the future.

When under hypnosis, the patient often feels very relaxed. It's similar to the warm comfort of a bed when one is very sleepy. The patient can terminate the session at any time if he or she begins to feel uncomfortable. When the session ends, the patient is able to ask questions and discuss the experience of hypnosis.

Hypnosis Today

Today, there are many different ways people can enjoy the benefits of hypnotherapy. They don't even have to leave their homes to take advantage of hypnosis. There are Internet sites that offer guides and tips on hypnosis, along with hypnosis training for those who want to become a trained hypnotist.

For self-hypnosis, there are great products available online, such as hypnosis MP3s and hypnosis CDs. With these tools, a person is able to enjoy the long-term benefits of hypnosis without paying high costs to visit a trained hypnotherapist.

These products are very helpful when times of stress arise or when you just needs a boost of self-confidence. They are fast, easy, safe and effective tools to help you tackle common life situations. On hypnosis MP3s and hypnosis CDs, the messages are positive and subliminal, offering exact trance-inducing frequencies. The hypnosis MP3 files are downloadable onto an iPod or MP3 player so you can take it with you wherever they go.

Hypnosis and hypnotherapy are not cure-all solutions, but they can be helpful in renewing your positive outlook on life and learning to overcome obstacles.

Beauty consciousness and Stretch Marks

Almost all human beings are conscious about their beauty and they adopt all means to improve or maintain it.  The quality of skin is having priority in the field of beauty care. Skin is considered as the mirror of the human body and it reflects the physical, mental and emotional status of every person.

The number of people attending beauty clinics and dermatologists is increasing day by day. Even though skin diseases are having low mortality, people are worried about skin problems because of the social stigma.


A person having a disease of some internal organ may not be worried but another person having a skin disease on the face may be depressed because of the simple reason 'others will come to know about my disease'.

Human skin has got several functions like protection, heat regulation, water balance, excretion etc. It gives protection and support to the deep body tissues and has got the ability to stretch to some extent due to the presence of protein fibers in the dermis. But too fast enlargement of the body parts cause excessive stretching on the skin resulting in breaking of collagen and elastin fibers of the dermis.

This causes slightly depressed discoloration called stria atrophia or stretch marks. Initially these marks are slightly pinkish and later become white or silvery in appearance.

Stretch marks are found in conditions like pregnancy, puberty, obesity etc. It is usually seen in places like abdomen, thighs, breasts, buttocks, shoulders etc. Once these marks appear, time is required for them to be less prominent.

Both men and women are the victims of stretch marks but it mainly affects women due to their beauty consciousness and causes psychological trauma leading to depression. On the other hand there are women who are least bothered to get rid of stretch marks and consider them as a badge of mother hood. Still the number of people visiting clinics to remove stretch marks is increasing day by day.

Because of the increasing need for the stretch mark treatment modalities, there are number of products in the market to deal with stretch marks cure. But most of those products are not proved effective scientifically but few of them give results in many cases. Modern treatment methods like plastic surgery and laser surgery for stretch marks have been proved effective in the treatment.

How To Look 5 Years Younger

How is this possible? By taking steps to improve your overall health and well-being so you will look and feel younger as you get older. Good nutrition, exercise, sleep, sun protection and a good skincare routine can help you maintain your youthful appearance and well-being at all stages of your life.


Your skin is the most visible indicator of your general health and the condition of your skin is often the first signal of illness nor nutrition problems. Sallow, dull or blotchy skin often reflects a disease or nutritional deficiency. A vibrant glowing complexion reflects a state of good general health.

Your skin needs protection both inside and out. Inner and outer nutrition are really two sides of the same coin. It makes sense to nourish the body within to obtain the correct balance of nutrients, because a healthy body is reflected in healthy skin. A correct balance of vitamins and minerals is essential for a wonderful, vibrant, healthy glow to your skin. Eating plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables and using a high quality multivitamin supplement can do wonders for your appearance.

Your skin also needs specific nourishing. Skin also needs protection from damaging environmental conditions like exposure to sun, wind and pollution. This is why a regular skin care regime is so essential at any age. Our skin is the barrier that shields us from:

· Physical impact such as pressure and knocks

· Thermal influences from heat and cold

· Environment effects, such as chemicals, the sun’s UV radiation and bacteria. The skin contains secretions that can kill bacteria and the pigment melanin which provides a chemical defence against ultraviolet light.

To maintain healthy, glowing skin ensure:

· Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day to hydrate and cleanse your skin

· Wear sunscreen on all exposed areas throughout all seasons

· Eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables

· Top up with a good quality vitamin and mineral supplement

· Be vigilant with a morning and evening cleansing, toning and moisturizing routine

Hair analysis test for diagnosis

The decision of when to perform a laboratory evaluation or a hair analysis test in women experiencing hair loss should be made on an individual basis by the hair restoration specialist. In this article we briefly describe some of the situations where a hair restoration doctor may order lab tests. It is important to note that this is just an overview for your general information so you can understand the reason and the result if you are asked for hair analysis or laboratory tests.

When a hair loss specialist or physician orders some laboratory tests, these hair analysis tests are ordered only after specific clinical information or after observing and carefully evaluating your hair loss. Understanding the basis of these hair analysis tests helps you to understand the cause of your hair loss and also helps you to make an informed decision for a particular hair loss treatment.

While hair loss directly due to a deficiency in a nutrient is believed to be rare, a large industry has developed in recent years based on nutrient "hair analysis". Several clinics and laboratories claim to be able to define a deficiency of a nutrient or vitamin through analyzing a sample of your hair. The Internet enables these clinics and laboratories to advertise worldwide and a quick search should provide you with numerous web sites offering hair analysis.

These investigations have a simple yes - no question, is the drug, toxin, or heavy metal there or not? There is also the advantage that most of the metals and toxins looked for have a fairly stable chemical nature. They are un-reactive compared to nutrients so they are less likely to change with exposure to the environment. With nutrient analysis the laboratory is attempting to define shades of gray - exactly how much of the nutrient is there? This has been shown to be virtually impossible to do. Even sending hair samples from the same donor to different analysis labs yields contrasting results.
Each vitamin and most minerals are present in blood in extremely small concentrations. Blood also contains a great number of chemicals and molecules and many of these tend to interfere with vitamin and mineral tests. For this reason, a procedure like HPLC (high pressure liquid chromatography) that separates the vitamin or mineral from contaminating substances is usually performed prior to conducting the actual test.

Following separation or purification by HPLC, the vitamin or mineral is detected by a color reaction or fluorescence reaction. In these reactions, the amount of color or fluorescence that is formed is proportional to the amount of vitamin or mineral in the sample, allowing the amount of nutrient present in the original sample to be calculated. In the case of some nutrients, the purified factor of interest is reacted with a special chemical (reagent) prior to detection.

Hair analysis helps the hair loss specialist to reach a diagnosis on hair loss. There can be several Causes of Hair Loss in Women and Hair Loss in Men and after a correct diagnosis is made, the correct women hair restoration treatment can be suggested.
This is not to say all hair analysis is invalid. Analysis of hair is a very useful method of defining exposure to heavy metals. A hair analysis can reveal whether a person has had a chronic exposure to chemical toxins in the environment. And of course hair analysis can be used to show that an individual has been using illegal drugs. The test is known as Hair Follicle Drug Testing. These forms of hair analysis are looking for the presence of a particular chemical that is not normally found in hair, or looking for expression over and above that which is known to be safe.

Are You Nutritionally Fit?

A recent survey of nearly 700 Americans showed that 72 percent believe they are healthy eaters, yet government data proves otherwise.

The USDA recently revealed that Americans get plenty of protein and carbohydrates, but often fall short on key nutrients such as magnesium, potassium and vitamins C and E.

"Fifty years ago, we only recognized extreme cases of vitamin deficiencies, like scurvy, which is caused by a lack of vitamin C," said Carroll Reider, MS, RD, Nature Made vitamins director of scientific affairs and education. "Science has advanced. We now know that even small amounts of vitamin deficiencies hurt us much more than people realize."

While most Americans appear well fed, a key question is: Are you nutritionally fit? To assess your nutritional condition, Reider posed the following questions:

Do you shun the sun? People who wear sunscreen, live in northern climates or have darker skin may not receive optimal levels of vitamin D, which is made following exposure to sunlight. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium and may also promote ovarian, breast, prostate, heart and colon health. Reider suggests 1,000 IU of vitamin D daily for people who spend most of their time indoors and those who don't synthesize vitamin D easily, such as darker- skinned individuals and the elderly. Vitamin D food sources include milk and fatty types of fish; however, it is hard to achieve optimal intake through food alone. It is also available in supplement form.

Do your meals lack color? Does dinner typically consist of meat, starch and the same green vegetable? For optimal health, add more colors to your diet. Vegetables such as steamed carrots, peppers and red cabbage add vibrant hues to the dinner plate while citrus wedges brighten the standard bed of greens. Eating a variety of fruits and vegetables maximizes nutrient intake and provides antioxidants, which help fight free radicals that may cause premature aging. "A multivitamin formulated for your age and gender is also a good way to compensate for dietary imbalances," Reider said.

Is fish a regular dish? The American Heart Association recommends two servings of fish per week. Reider suggests salmon and tuna, which are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Some studies suggest omega-3 fatty acids may promote heart health. Other sources include walnuts, flaxseed or vitamins.

Pleural Mesothelioma

What is Pleural Mesothelioma?

Pleural Mesothelioma or malignant pleural mesothelioma is cancer in the layer of the lungs that can spread to the lungs. The spread of the tumor over the pleura results in pleural thickening. This hinders the reflexivity of the pleura and encases the lungs in an increasing restrictive belt. With the lungs thus restricted, they get constricted in no time and a person is always out of breath.

Pleural mesothelioma can be:
- Diffuse and malignant (carcinogenic)
- Localized and benign (non-cancerous)                                  

Benign pleural mesothelioma can be removed surgically, but the malignant tumors are the real terror heads.

Most common among other mesothelioma cases, Pleural Mesothelioma is caused due to exposure to blue asbestos for a longer period of time, say 20 years, in which time the disease incubates only to show its fearful countenance via certain symptoms.

The symptoms of Pleural Mesothelioma

The symptoms of Pleural Mesothelioma include difficulty in breathing, difficulty in sleeping, pain in the chest and abdominal regions, blood vomits, weakness, weight loss, loss of appetite, lower back pains, persistent coughing, hoarseness of voice, sensory loss and difficulty in swallowing.

Diagnosis of Pleural Mesothelioma

The first step is to go through a chest X-ray or a CT scan (computed chest tomograph), which will reveal a pleural thickening and an effusion. This is followed by a bronchoscopy. However, it should always be left to a medical practitioner for a better understanding of the respective cases. Another method is a biopsy, which can be a needle biopsy, an open biopsy, or a thoracoscopy, where a mini camera is inserted inside the body and with that a tissue sample is attained for further diagnosis.

Treatment of Pleural Mesothelioma

Treatment is directly proportional to the time of the revelation of the disease, i.e., at an early stage the tumor can be removed through surgery.

A pioneering mesothelioma treatment option is immunotherapy, e.g., intrapleural inoculation of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) is a useful mesothelioma treatment in which an effort is made to intensify the immune response.

Radiation treatment and chemotherapy is probably then the answer to the malignant pleural mesothelioma, but this can aid the pain management only; there's no escaping death with Pleural Mesothelioma.

Side effects of Treatment

The side effects and penalty of mesothelioma lung cancer treatment are more than its treatment, which is damaged healthy tissues, a state of absolute fatigue ness; excessive radiation causes the skin to become red, dry and itchy.

Other side effects of radiotherapy are nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, urinary discomfort and a sudden reduction in the number of white blood corpuscles.

The average life span of a person with Pleural Mesothelioma is up to 6 months to a year and the maximum can reach up to 5 years - the magnesium-silicate mineral fibers take its toll that's more than painful.

Other factors that may accelerate the possibility of pleural mesothelioma are chronic lung infections, tuberculous pleuritis, radiation (Thorotrast), exposure to the simian virus 40 (SV40) or mineral fibers (Zeolite) and tobacco smoking to a certain extent.

Pleural Mesothelioma does not give a person the avenue for fair play. Though the existence depends much on the various stages of the disease, it is an ultimate killing menace that sucks out the life of the common man.

Elegant Not Strangled

I know most men don't like wearing neckties and bows except during desperate times (job interviews, meeting your girlfriend's folks, your wedding). But admit it, neckties and bows add a certain elegant appeal to your get up. Sometimes, you even catch yourself saying, "Bond.. James Bond".

Though ties make you think that your girlfriend is a sadist (Hon, you look dashing when you can't breathe..), you have to admit that she's right. You do look good in ties. Besides, it's not so bad since there are many tie styles to choose from. Aside from making you choke and look good, ties also offer a subtle way to change your look. Though learning how to choose good tie material is important, learning which tie style looks best with a certain shirt or proper occasion is key.

Nowadays, there are four tie styles commonly in use. There is the four-in-hand, half-Windsor, Windsor and Pratt knot. The three mentioned first are the classic knots. They have been choking, I mean adorning men's necks years and decades before.

Pratt knot is a recent tie style having been around only since 1989. Of course, talking about tie styles are not complete unless we talk about the disadvantages and advantages of these styles of neckties and bows. The four-in-hand style is the best style for those only starting to wear ties. For one, they are easily mastered and suit almost all occasion. However, they are suited best for shirts with narrow collars since they are asymetric and would look sloppy with wide collars.

Half windsor style knot is more difficult to tie. They do suit most occasions and shirt styles because of their symmetry and formal look. Windsor knots are best for formal occasions. This is a wide tie style and is best for shirts with white collars. Conversely, they would look over the top and improper with narrow collars. The more modern Pratt knott is the most versatile tie style. This is not too wide nor narrow and suits every shirt style. It can also be used for occasions. Plus, it also gives you a neat and polished look without sacrificing a relaxed vibe. However, for more formal occasions (weddings, high society affairs) a bow tie is preferred.

Quit whining when presented with neckties and bows. With a variety of styles to choose from, you could always choose the one you're most comfortable with. You'll feel good, fashionable, and most of all distinguished. After all, it is better to feel choked than look and appear sloppy.