semmik blog

What causes migraines is still somewhat of a mystery. Doctors believe that it has to do with the blood vessels in the head contracting and then expanding. This happens from time to time to most people, but with migraineurs this tends to be more intense and painful. The exact cycle of events taking place in our brains during a migraine attack is still not fully understood.

Why You Should Know Your Triggers

Knowing what triggers attacks is a major step towards preventing them. If you can avoid the triggers, then you can avoid the pain and suffering of the attacks, right? Well, not quite.

There are many possible triggers for migraines and they differ from one migraine sufferer to another. Sometimes you’re not dealing with one single trigger at a time, but with a combination of potential triggers, which makes it all the more difficult to determine what exactly it is that you need to avoid.

Of course, knowing that something may trigger your migraine doesn’t always mean you can avoid it. Some possible triggers, such as certain weather conditions, or certain times of the month for us ladies, may be unavoidable.

However, preventing even some of your potential migraine episodes can be a blessing. Every migraine avoided means less suffering and an enhanced quality of life. It won’t mean that your migraines are cured, but that your condition becomes more manageable.

Possible Triggers of Migraine

The list is very long and if you’re serious about identifying your own migraine triggers, you need to look at ideas from more than one website, as well as do some thinking of your own… I will try and list a few common triggers to get you going.

Food-Related Triggers

First of all, for many people, going without food can trigger a migraine. For some migraineurs skipping a meal is all it takes.

Cheese (especially the old smelly type), alcohol, nuts and alas, chocolate are the prime suspects in the food department. Also, anything that contains nitrates (such as sausage and hot dogs), Monosodium Glutamate and certain artificial sweeteners.

The Menstrual Cycle

Many female migraineurs report a correlation between their menstrual cycle and migraine episodes, often with migraines coming prior to, or during menstruation. Another fact that links migraines and female hormones is that many women no longer suffer from migraines once they reach menopause. For some migraine sufferers, though not all, pregnancy can bring about a change in the frequency and intensity of migraines.

Environmental Triggers

You may find it hard to avoid them, but for some people, environmental changes can trigger a migraine. Changes in temperature, humidity and barometric pressure are all potential migraine triggers. A change in altitude is also a possible trigger.

Stress and Depression

Blaming your mental state for migraines is a wee bit problematic. You see, for centuries, female migraineurs have been looked upon as sensitive, or even hysterical, women with a bad headache. Today, migraine is acknowledged as a serious neurological condition and patients are no longer “blamed” for their condition. The national Migraine Awareness Group (MAGNUM), takes special care in their website to stress that migraine is a purely physiological disorder and not a psychological one.

However, many other resources include stress and depression on the list of possible triggers. Some even go to say that a migraine maybe triggered by the end of a stressful situation, so that when it’s time to relax - your body lets go… and gets hit with a migraine.

Keeping a Good Record

You may find it easy enough to identify what triggers a migraine for you. Maybe it’s as simple as the date of the month, eating lots of chocolate, a spell of dry weather or skipping a meal. Or maybe that explains only some of your migraines, but not all of them.

If you’re not sure what triggers your migraines, you may want to start keeping a record. Like a little migraine diary. Following a migraine, you will have to write down what happened during the 24 hours previous to the attack. Make sure you note your schedule for that day, what you had to eat, how much sleep you got, environmental conditions and your general state of mind.

A final note: Please remember that a good doctor is your best ally when it comes to diagnosing, preventing and treating migraines. The information contained in this article is for educational and entertainment purposes only. In no way is the author of this article engaged in providing medical advice via this article and she will not be liable for any damages of any kind arising from the use of this article.

About The Author

Anne Moss is a web developer and a freelance writer. She is also a migraine sufferer and the owner of Migraine-Notes.com. Visit her website for more articles about Migraines, Anne’s migraines blog and personal stories by fellow migraineurs. This article may be reproduced on your website, provided that you keep this resource box and an active link to http://www.migraine-notes.com.

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Each year millions of dollars are spent on vitamin pills in the United States. Over two-thirds buy them because their doctors have recommended that they do. Others do so independently.

Those who do so independently either take one pill each day and expect that it will deliver all the vitamins that are needed for the whole day or take an arsenal of pills, and powders.

No two people have the same nutrient requirements. I may need a bit more Vitamin C, or you may need a bit more Protein than I do. Not only are we different genetically, but our lifestyles affect our nutrient needs.

Physical disabilities and illnesses also affect the amount of supplements we need to ingest on a daily basis. Another factor is the amount of medications you take.

What risk is involved when we take too much of one kind of vitamin supplement??

Taking vitamins A and D alone can cause an overdose , which has serious ill effects.

Powdered bone is a poor source of Calcium as it has been found to have large amounts of lead.

Kelp tablets have been found to contain raised levels of arsenic.

Vitamins C and E in large doses are toxic in some people.

Example:

Jane is a middle-age woman who is concerned about bone loss. She decides to take a Calcium supplement by its self. The problem here is that calcium needs Vitamin D to help the absorption of Calcium. Her body will eliminate the unwanted Calcium, therefore she is receiving no benefit from the calcium. The money she has spent on the Calcium has been wasted.

It is vital that when you begin to take a vitamin, mineral and other supplements that you take a multivitamin which has the balanced nutrients that we require.

Take only the recommended dosage.

Absorption is the key to a successful vitamin supplement regime. The truth is our bodies will regulate how many nutrients we need each day.

How do we know if we need a vitamin, mineral, or other supplement?

You eat irregularly for long periods of time.

You eat a large amount of fast foods and prepared foods.

Your exercise regime warrants the need for more nutrients.

Your doctor has recommended that you do so.

You consume less than 1500 calories each day.

The fact remains that the best way to maintain a healthy body and mind is to have a balanced source of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. The main source should be through our daily consumption of foods. But as our lives move at a faster pace it is necessary to take steps that will help us ensure we are receiving the nutrients we require daily.

It is important to find the balance between nutrition through food and nutrition through a multi-vitamin supplement.

About The Author

Tina Rideout

For more information visit her at: http://www.clean-living-nutritional-supplements.com

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Recently, The New York Times published an article entitled - “U.S. calls for major cholesterol reductions” and which was also printed in numerous local papers.

Sounds like a great way to fight heart disease, right?

Let’s take a look at what the article does not tell you about lowering your cholesterol. Because you must understand the effects of artificially lowering your cholesterol levels without implementing other strategies which are crucial to your health.

Because the fact of the matter is the Framingham Heart study - which has followed people for over 5 decades - proved without a doubt that LDL cholesterol is just one of many misleading factors of heart disease.

In fact, LDL cholesterol levels are only a very minor factor of heart disease and only under certain conditions.

Here is a quote from Christie Ballantyne, M.D., a cardiologist from the Baylor College of Medicine - “The majority of people who end up having heart attacks or stroke don’t have high cholesterol.”

Here is another quote from an article in the Red Flags Daily By Malcolm Kendrick, M.D. who talks about the Framingham Study results as published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

“There is a direct association between falling cholesterol levels over the first 14 years and mortality over the following 18 years.”

You guessed it, the mortality rate goes UP.

Scientific research has also proved without a doubt that as people lower their LDL cholesterol level, their chances for stroke go up.

Using cholesterol lowering drugs may artificially lower cholesterol levels, however, they will also increase the death rate from stroke. And because of toxicity to the body, you will also face liver and kidney failure.

You see, your body not only produces cholesterol, it also needs cholesterol for a variety of functions. Cholesterol is an essential part of each and every cell membrane.

Cholesterol also provides the critical starting point and building block for the steroid hormones in our bodies. These hormones include testosterone and estrogen.

As you can see, cholesterol itself is not bad. It is the oxidation of cholesterol which is just one of the factors of developing heart disease.

Oxidation of cholesterol is the more specific problem which would enable the cholesterol to become “sticky” and start to form plaque in the walls of the arteries.

We have all seen an apple cut open and watch as it turns brown - this is oxidation. Your body will oxidize on the inside unless steps are taken to help prevent this.

The way to keep oxidation from damaging your cholesterol is to zap them with antioxidants!

You can keep oxidation of cholesterol in check by eating plenty of food and supplements which are rich in anti-oxidants.

A few of the most powerful anti-oxidants are:

CoenzymeQ10
Vitamin E
Vitamin A
Vitamin C

And the mother of all anti-oxidants - Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA).ALA is produced naturally by your body but, as you age, your body produces less and less.

Low cost food sources which you can easily get, which are high in omega 3’s and the right fats to help keep your cholesterol levels in balance.

Garlic
Ginger
Olive oil
Olives
Almonds
Walnuts
Flaxseed
Eggplant
Okra
Organic Eggs
Fresh fruit

These are easily purchased, safe, proven and natural ways to prevent cholesterol from becoming a problem.

And if you are someone who truly needs to lower their cholesterol, there is an organic plant alcohol from sugar cane which is one of the most powerful ways to reduce bad cholesterol levels. It’s called - Policosanol.

As for the majority of you, focus on raising your HDL cholesterol levels because as you raise your good cholesterol it decreases the concern about your LDL levels of cholesterol and gives you a better total cholesterol profile.

Some of the best ways to improve your “Good” or HDL cholesterol is through:

Exercise.

Vitamin D
Niacin
Moderate alcohol consumption is associated with raising HDL cholesterol levels

Sources:

Framingham Heart Study conducted on healthy people since the 1950s. cholesterol misleading as only one of 240 factors in heart disease.

Health Sciences Institute e-alert “Cholesterol Cowboys”, August 2nd , 2004, Jenny Thompson

Dr. Al Sears Health Confidential for Men - “Ignore the hype focus on cholesterol that matters” April 4, 2004

Hyman, Mark M.D., Liponis, Mark M.D., Ultra-Prevention, The 6-Week Plan that will Make you healthy for life, New York, Scribner, 2003

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When it comes to health, fitness and working out, you and I carry many misbeliefs, as you’ll quickly realize when you hear this story.

I was down in Tampa recently visiting my good friend Matt when he told me this story about a misunderstanding he had with his three year old son, Frank.

Matt and his wife were getting ready to go visit his parents, and to make things just a little easier on themselves, they decided to stop at Wendy’s for dinner on the way.

They ordered chicken nuggets for Frank.

As it turned out, Frank really liked ‘em.

A few weeks later, they had gone out to eat dinner at a family restaurant. When asked what he wanted for dinner, Frank said “chicken nuggets”.

But once the waitress brought their dinner to the table, Frank felt that something was amiss.

He immediately announced that what the waitress brought him was indeed NOT chicken nuggets.

Of course Matt knew better, but the more he tried to convince his son Frank that the meal on his plate was indeed chicken nuggets, the more Frank resisted.

You see, since Frank already had chicken nuggets in the past, he had already formed an opinion as to what chicken nuggets were, and now that his opinion was being challenged, he was resisting.

And to be honest, it’s really no different with us!

Even as adults, we have this mistaken philosophy that the first thing we learn about a subject is right, and anything we hear thereafter must be false.

But nothing could be further from the truth.

Let me give you a personal example.

I’m about ready to turn 39.

When I was in high school, back in the early 80’s, I distinctly remember my teachers telling me that the way to be successful in life was to go to college, study hard and get a good education. That way I’d be able to get a great job that would last me the rest of my life.

My teachers had no reason to lie to me, so I believed them.

But over the course of the last 20 years, I’ve found this advice to be totally wrong.

In fact, I’ve lost track of the amount of jobs I had.

You can probably relate.

How many jobs have you worked in during the course of your life?

In case you haven’t noticed, things have changed. In this day and age, I venture to say that none of us will work for one company our entire life.

What used to be true years ago is simply no longer true today!

While my teachers may have meant well, the advice they gave me was incorrect. And the sad thing is, many people still swear by this advice to this day.

I tell you this to make a very important point:

Like the story of Frank, and what my teachers told me years ago, much of what you’ve heard or been told about health and fitness is also incorrect.

But it doesn’t have to be that way any longer!

About The Author

Kevin Thompson is a national authority on indoor air quality and health issues. His free Health Articles and News Update service gives you instant access to the world’s most respected and sought after health experts in 67 categories, including Men’s Health, Women’s Health and Children’s Health just to name a few. Find out how this free service is changing people’s lives and how you too can live a longer, healthier and more prosperous lifestyle… beginning today. Go to www.healtharticles.org/subscribe.html

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As the Webmaster for a site dedicated to helping people save money when they go to the dentist, I find myself having to consistently fight two different and distinct battles; one against the average Americans reluctance to pay the high cost of modern dental care and the other is the same Americans belief that seeing a dentist regularly just isn’t that important.

The first battle I have a decent chance of winning but the second battle I’ve had to throw my hands up in surrender; I mean if someone doesn’t care about their teeth enough to have them taken care of by a dentist, what can I possibly say to convince them otherwise?

How about this; “Did you know that your next visit to the dentist could prevent a heart attack?”

Medical researchers have known for years now that there’s a definite link between gum disease (i.e. gingivitis) and persons’ risk for a heart disease (see http://discountdental4u.net/gumdisease.htm). Evidence is mounting, however, that information gleaned from a routine panoramic dental X-rays-wide-angle frontal images –taken to establish the baseline condition of teeth and surrounding bone– may serve as an accurate early-warning system of risk of dying from heart attack or stroke.

According to researchers at the University of Buffalo School of Dental medicine, a study of 818 teeth and jaw x-rays of Pima Indians in Arizona found that those who had a build-up of calcified plaque in the carotid arteries were twice as likely to die from heart attack or stroke. Normally, calcified plaque is present in only about 3 percent of the general population.

An earlier study of 2,700 dental patients showed calcium deposits on each side of the carotid arteries can be spotted in x-rays of the teeth and jaw bone.

It makes sense that the dental x-rays would see the carotid artery –which carries blood from the heart to the brain and back– so dentists should be aware that it is screening tool for cardiovascular disease. If they see signs of calcification in dental x-rays, they tell the patient to see his or her doctor ASAP.

BOTTOM LINE: Most dental insurance plans allow you a yearly dental exam at little or no cost so schedule a complete check-up, including x-rays, with your dentist ASAP. If you don’t have dental insurance, consider enrolling in a discount dental plan that fits your budget and then go see a dentist ASAP.

About The Author

Kenneth Kowalsky is the webmaster of DiscountDental4U.net, a web site devoted to helping people to save money on dental care, including advice on choosing the best dental plan for you, inexpensive tips on easing toothache pain, little-known ways to lower your dentist bills, etc. You can contact him via e-mail at DiscountDental4U@yahoo.com or via this toll-free number 1-877-534-4808.

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Baby boomers beware! What you have been told all these years about silver fillings may not be all they are cracked up to be. Truth is, it may be time to retire those old silver fillings, also known as amalgams.

Post WWII children grew up in an era in which there was a high consumption of sugar-laden foods. Foods like your favorite cereal, sodas, candy bars and desserts. The amount of sugar filled foods for that generation and the current generation is staggering. Additionally, during this period the tooth strengthening benefits of fluoridated water were still undiscovered.

These two factors combined were a major contributing factor to reception rooms of every dentist office in America overflowing with unsuspecting patients. Unsuspecting in that the solution dentistry provided for all of these teeth pitted with cavities and resembling the surface of the moon was an inexpensive silver tooth patch invented in 1894.

Most people were led to believe that silver fillings were actually good for them. Unfortunately, when the dentist patted you on the head, sent you on your way with your lip hanging off of your face and a shiny toy ring in your pocket, he or she failed to tell you, “Oh by the way, your shiny new teeth are packed with mercury and they are going to wear out someday. Only next time there won’t be a pretty ring in your pocket - just a hefty bill.”

Why Do Fillings Wear Out?

Several factors cause the demise of amalgam restoration. Size, personal hygiene, and diet seem to have the greatest influence on their life expectancy. When a tooth is filled, amalgam is packed into a hole created by bacteria and your dentist’s drill. The bigger the hole, the larger the filling used to repair the damage is and the weaker a tooth becomes. Weaker teeth are doomed to fracture because a large filling acts like a wedge, similar to a wedge used to split firewood.

Chewing even soft foods wears the surface of each filling and intensifies the wedging. Hard foods like Corn Nuts and ice wreak havoc on your teeth and should be completely avoided. Acids found in citrus products, coffee, cola products, and foods containing sugar cause the surface of the filling to become rusted and pitted, like a rusty old tin can.

The Truth About Mercury

There are two primary areas to consider regarding mercury. One is how pliable a material it is. The other is how toxic it is.

Mercury is placed in thermometers for a reason; it is very sensitive to temperature change. Even a two-degree difference will register on a thermometer due to the mercury expanding. With mercury being as much as 55% of the substance in an amalgam filling, imagine what that is doing to your tooth structure.

Incredibly it seems that temperature fluctuation in the foods we eat cause the most dramatic breakdown effects in the teeth. When we eat hot or cold foods our fillings expand and contract more that the teeth they are placed inside. Since these fillings are packed tightly into the tooth there is absolutely no room for change.

A can of soda pop placed in a freezer provides an example of two materials expanding at different rates, left long enough and it will explode. Although not as dramatic, the pressures associated with changing mouth temperatures does create microscopic fractures in your teeth, similar to cracks in the windshield of a car. These cracks continue to grow and provide a convenient hiding place for cavity causing bacteria. Even the best brushing and flossing techniques are little match for this type of cavity, and left untreated they can cause large portions of your tooth to break.

Many people don’t realize that the mercury in your silver fillings just happens to be number two on the list of the most toxic elements known to man. In California all Amalgam manufacturers, as of December 1993, must display the following warning.

Warning - This Office uses amalgam-filling materials, which contain and expose you to Mercury, a chemical known to the state of California to cause birth defects and other reproductive harm. Please consult your dentist for more information.

Some countries have actually banned the use of mercury altogether. In the United States dentists cannot just throw old mercury down the sink. They have to treat it like the toxic waste it is.

Treatment Options

Fortunately there are now alternatives to silver fillings. New types of replacements have revolutionized dental care. Tooth colored restorations made out of porcelain or plastic can be safely bonded (glued) into place creating a much stronger and more stress resistant chewing surface.

However, there is a downside. Be prepared to pay a little more for these types of restorations because the materials used are more expensive and more difficult for your dentist to place. Also, don’t be surprised if your insurance company saddles you with more of the share of the additional fees. It may take years for them to discover how long term benefits of bonded fillings out way the increase of up front costs.

The question you must ask yourself in any health decision you make is, “What is my health worth?” Your answer will help you find your own silver lining while maintaining a safe, healthy and beautiful smile.

About The Author

Dr. Scott Kiser has been practicing general dentistry in Salt Lake City, Utah for over 20 years. Dr. Kiser has used only mercury-free substances in his treatments since the mid 90’s and concentrates his practice in the areas of sedation dentistry and complete smile makeovers. Consumer Research Council of America selected him as Utah’s Top Cosmetic Dentist of 2003 - 04. Visit www.greatsmilesutah.com to sign up for a FREE monthly online newsletter or for more information on Dr. Kiser and all of his services.

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Many times, understanding the meaning of a word can give us great insight into the issue at hand.

What is agitation?

Extreme emotional disturbance. (The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language)

A stirring up or arousing; disturbance of tranquility; disturbance of mind that shows itself by physical excitement. (Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary).

A mental state of extreme emotional disturbance, the feeling of being agitated; not calm. (WorldNet 1.6).

Many Alzheimer’s patients experience agitation in addition to memory loss. In the early stages of the illness, people with Alzheimer’s may encounter changes in their personality, such as irritability, anxiety or even depression. But as the disease progresses, these symptoms can worsen and become more difficult to live with. They may include sleep disturbances, delusions and hallucinations. Many times Alzheimer’s patients cannot get in touch with or express their feelings. So when they experience agitation, it is often difficult for the caregivers to understand and to help.

When a person with dementia displays agitation or other “symptoms,” you must try to determine what they are trying to communicate.

Good communication is an important part of any relationship. When caring for a person with dementia, the ability to communicate becomes more and more difficult. Both expressing and processing information becomes impaired. This inability to express and process can be frustrating and can manifest itself as agitation.

Following are some suggestions that may allow you to improve your communication with your loved one who has Alzheimer’s:

Approach from the front to prevent startling him or her.

Maintain eye contact.

Lower the tone of your voice. A high pitch may indicate that you are upset.

Smile and be pleasant.

Talk with a calm presence.

Speak slowly, clearly and directly.

Identify yourself.

Use short, simple sentences.

Ask one question at a time.

Eliminate background noise.

Give plenty of time to respond.

If he/she cannot find words, sometimes it helps if you finish the sentence.

Repeat information when needed - repetition is good.

Frequently affirm/praise him/her, even for the smallest things, i.e. “Good job,” “Thank you,” “You’re the best!”

Validate feelings.

Use touch. Touch the shoulder, knee, back, hand.

Give hugs many times a day.

Don’t argue - you’ll never win.

Laugh together.

If your talk becomes “heated,” stop. Go back and try again later.

Don’t talk down. Respect him/her as an adult.

Don’t’ correct him/her.

Don’t demand. Ask nicely.

Don’t take adverse behavior personally.

Slow down! Hurrying increases frustration.

Another issue in agitation is non-verbal communication. Non-verbal communication is important to be aware of, both in what we are communicating to our loved ones, and what they are communicating to us. Non-verbal communication is expressed by persons with dementia through body languages, facial expression and tone of voice.

At times, the Alzheimer’s patient can look into your eyes and seem to read your soul, almost like a “sixth sense.” They are sensitive and intuitive to people and things around them. They know when someone is being sincere or not. Body language is as important as their facial expressions. For example, if your loved one suddenly gets up and walks around, that may indicate the need to go the bathroom. Be alert to those signs and give big hugs as much as possible. A gentle touch will make their life much easier and relaxed.

Environment can also cause agitation. Examples would be where temperatures are too cold or too hot, or lights too strong or too dim. Try to set up an environment that is relaxing for your loved one. It will make his or her life easier. And as your loved one with Alzheimer’s relaxes, so will you.

About The Author

William G. Hammond, JD is a nationally known elder law attorney and founder of The Alzheimer’s Resource Center. He is a frequent guest on radio and television and has developed innovative solutions to guide families who have a loved one suffering from Alzheimer’s. For more information you can visit his website at http://www.BeatAlzheimers.com.

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It was so tough in those early years. Not knowing what was wrong. I didn’t know what to think. Was I going crazy? The doctor said I have a nervous stomach. I’m not a nervous person.

Then I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease. Even though it’s a chronic disease without a cure, it was a relief to know what was wrong. But then the reality set in. How was my life going to change?

And change it did. In 1985 I was admitted into a hospital suffering from a stomach obstruction. A surgeon had to remove a foot and a half from my small intestines. The pain was terrible. I never, repeat never , want to go through that pain again. Ever.

After going through the pain of an operation, knowing that people with Crohn’s Disease can have more than one operation, I couldn’t help but wonder what I could do to help my situation? It occurred to me that, in the least, I could learn to handle the stress from the disease and the stress from life itself. I knew that stress, in and of itself, could cause my symptoms to worsen.

No, the stress didn’t cause Crohn’s Disease, but it sure could affect the amount of pain I would experience. I knew it was possible for me to deal with my stress better than I had dealt with it in the past. Before the operation, I was fairly motivated to work at controlling my stress. After the operation, I was highly motivated. I was determined to do everything in my power to improve my situation.

So how could I handle life’s stress better? I had to learn what I could about dealing with stress and to then develop the necessary skills to make it happen. I learned about the close relationship between relaxation and stress relief. I learned to meditate, I learned to set reasonable expectations about my life and desires, and I learned to be more objective about what was happening to me physically and mentally.

I’ve come to the conclusion that people with Crohn’s Diseases can do a lot to help themselves with the stress in their life. Not only can we do a lot to help ourselves, but we can also get support from loved ones as well as others going through the same circumstances.

I have three steps to offer others to help them control the stress in their lives. The first is to learn to meditate, the second is to learn visualization and the third is to get support.

By watching my emotions closely, I could know quickly when the stress in my life was building up too fast. I could then take a little time to meditate. I learned the different strategies of meditation and found one that worked good for me.

In addition to meditation, I learned visualization. Whenever I felt myself getting stressed out, I could visualize myself at St. Simon Island, a place I love and go to once a year. Just thinking of the different locations on the Island, I could feel myself relax. And with practice I’ve got quite good at visualization.

Finally, there’s the Crohn’s Disease message boards on the internet. What a wonderful resource they are. To be able to talk with people who are going through the same situation. You can’t put a price on that. It’s invaluable. I highly recommend everyone with Crohn’s Disease to use this resource.

I believe that anyone with Crohn’s Disease (or any chronic disease) can improve their life by taking the time to learn and implement the three part strategy I’ve outlined above. It’s has worked wonderfully for me and I believe it can work for others as well.

About The Author

Ed Kalski has had Crohn’s Disease for over 25 years. He has created a website for people with Crohn’s Disease that provides a lot of valuable information and links to many resources.

Visit the website at: http://www.crohns-disease-and-stress.com.

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Arthritis pain has never been easy to treat and arthritis symptoms have often been managed by the use of possibly toxic or unpalatable arthritis medication. Acupuncture can result in powerful arthritis pain relief and it can provide an alternative arthritis remedy for many pain sufferers. Arthritis treatment by acupuncture is described below.

Arthritis pain relief with acupuncture - what is acupuncture?

Acupuncture has been used for arthritis pain relief in traditional Chinese medicine for many thousands of years. It has recently become a widely used technique in western medicine - both by doctors and others.

Acupuncture claims good results in the treatment of arthritis pain. Arthritis pain relief and joint pain relief are among the most common reasons for using acupuncture in Western countries. Many people who suffer from osteoathritis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, degenerative arthritis and gout seek pain relief from acupuncture - either alongside, or instead of, their arthritis medication or other arthritis treatment.

Acupuncture involves the insertion of very fine needles into several points around the body. These acupuncture points are often near to the site of your arthritis pain and may be very tender to touch before the needle is inserted. Other acupuncture points used for arthritis pain relief may be quite a way distant from the affected joint - acupuncturists usually call these areas “distal points.” It depends on the particular style of practice used by your acupuncturists but you should expect to have anything between two and twenty needles inserted each time you go for treatment

Most arthritis pain sufferers need from three to six treatment sessions before they begin to get relief.
The needles are extremely fine - not much wider than a human hair - and are often left in your skin for more than twenty minutes during a treatment session.

There is no way to predict how much arthritis pain relief you will get from acupuncture - it really is a matter of try it and see what happens.

How is acupuncture used in arthritis pain relief?

Your first acupuncture session may last about an hour and subsequent appointments are often shorter in length. From two to twenty very thin needles are put in place and left there for several minutes. Having needles stuck in your body may not sound like fun but most people say there’s only a slight stinging sensation as the needles enter, and no pain at all after that. Your therapist may stimulate the needles by turning or rotating them quickly during your treatment session.

Acupuncture needles are very thin and solid with a smooth point and having them inserted may not be as uncomfortable as getting an immunisation having blood taken for a blood test. The number of sessions needed varies. Long-standing and complex chronic pain problems like arthritis might need one or two treatments a week for several months.

Most people do not experience side effects from acupuncture therapy but a few of us can have problems such as bleeding or infection. Some people who have never experienced acupuncture may feel dizzy after their first acupuncture treatment.

If you suffer from arthritis then do consider trying acupuncture - it may provide the arthritis pain relief that you have been longing for.

You can read more about arthritis pain relief and other aspects of joint pain on my website where you’ll also find useful information about other frozen shoulder and other joint and muscle pain conditions.

Dr Gordon Cameron is a specialist in joint pain based in Edinburgh, Scotland. He is an expert in frozen shoulder treatment and in whiplash injury.

He has also written about using acupuncture for high blood pressure.

Dr Cameron has also created an electronic book on the subject of frozen shoulder. Explore the book for free and download a copy on his website by following the links to Frozen Shoulder above.

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Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional disorder of the colon (large intestine) that causes crampy abdominal pain, bloating, constipation and/or diarrhea. The symptoms of IBS can include:

1.Gas

2.Pain

3.Bloating

4.Nausea

5.Vomiting

6.Mucous in the stool

7.Constipation

8.Diarrhea

There are 3 different forms of IBS:

1.Diarrhea-predominant

2.Constipation-predominant and,

3.Switching constipation and diarrhea

Some of the guidelines may help in improving the conditions of IBS; eating several smaller meals during the day, rather than three large ones (large meals may result in cramping and diarrhea). Additionally, it may be helpful to keep meals low in fat and high in carbohydrates such as whole-grain breads, pasta, rice, fruits, vegetables, and cereals. A low fat, high protein diet may also help with pain experienced after eating. Fiber which is soluble in nature has several benefits that may also reduce symptoms of IBS.
Fiber may prevent spasms because it keeps the colon somewhat distended. It also absorbs water, which helps to keep stools soft rather than hard.

Initially switching to a high fiber diet may increase gas and bloating, but these will subside in a few weeks time as the body adjusts to these parameters.

Bloating can be decreased by reducing the intake of foods that cause intestinal Gas. Carbonated beverages (such as soda pop or sparkling water) are the major ones which lead to abound bloating and intestinal gas. Foods that may cause Intestinal gas include Bananas, Beans, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Garlic, Leeks, Nuts, Onions and Raisins.
Foods high in soluble fiber include; Barley, Brown rice, Currants, Dried beans, Figs, French bread, Fresh peas, Oat Bran, Oatmeal, Pasta, Prunes, Ishagula (Psyllium husks),Raisins, Rice, Whole wheat bread, Soy etc.
Supplements may be helpful in adding the necessary fiber to the diet. Soluble fiber supplements like Psyllium, Methylcellulose, and Polycarbophil can be taken on a daily basis as per the recommended dose. Psyllium can be taken every day to bulk up stool, making it easier to pass. Methylcellulose is a fiber that is non allergenic, since it is created from the cell wall of plants. It absorbs water to create a softer stool. Its better than Psyllium, as it is less likely to cause intestinal gas. Similar to methylcellulose, Polycarbophil is created from plants too, and is not absorbed by the body. It absorbs water in the intestinal tract and creates a bulkier and softer stool. Polycarbophil is less likely to cause bloating and can be used long term.

Last but not the least; please refrain from drinking Coffee, as Coffee is a known bowel irritant. The caffeine contained in coffee is bad for the digestive system. Caffeine speeds up every system in the body, including the colon, which can lead to diarrhea. Well, even decaffeinated coffee is not good for IBS patients as it contains acids that can increase stomach acid production, further triggering the symptoms of IBS.

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