Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Three Healthy Foods That Cause Body

Body odor
is caused primarily by what we put into our bodies. If what we put into our bodies is dead, then what comes out will also smell of death. And this is the case with most processed and animal foods. They are no longer alive when they go into the mouth, and thus do not have a chance at being neutral when they come out through the skin.
In some cases body odor is caused by a certain disease or a health problem, such as cancer, diabetes or a metabolic disorder. But for the general population any odor that arises during a sweat is brought on by what was put into the mouth. Most are unaware of this, nor are they aware that some of the healthiest foods on their plate are the direct cause of body odor.
The reason these foods cause body odor is because they become toxic in the body even though they have a lot of nutrients to offer the body. This simply because the human body was not designed to digest large amounts of animal foods or any type of artificial food.
Meat and Meat Products
Meat is considered to be a staple food in the western countries because it is high in protein, which is an essential component for the human body. The thing with meat and meat products, however, is that they are very difficult for the human body to digest. The human digestive system is a long passageway through which the meat must travel through, and the longer it stays in the body the more toxic it becomes and the more toxins are absorbed into the body.
Some alternatives to meat include avocados, nuts and seeds, legumes and soy products.
Eggs are also known to cause body odor no matter how you prepare them. As with meats, they are also difficult to digest and cause toxins to build up in the body if consumed on a regular basis. In addition, they are high in cholesterol and other fats that take a long time to leave the stomach.
If using eggs in baking, one can substitute with oil, avocados, bananas, oil or other high-fat foods. Tofu and egg substitutes can be used instead of scrambled eggs.
Dairy and Dairy Products
Dairy is hard on the digestive system as well and can bring about a foul odor. It contains lactose, which not only messes with the digestive system, but it can also bring about other allergic reactions as well.

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Tips for Summer Activity

It's the summer season and time to think about eating well and getting in plenty of activity. If you haven't been very active this year, now is the time to get out and enjoy the warmth and the sunshine. Developing a routine of regular physical activity is important for both your physical and mental well being. And what better time to either build or refine your routine than the long, warm days of summer. Here are some tips to having a healthy, productive season of activity:
Mind the temperature- Considering that it can get dangerously hot in many places during the summer, it's important to choose your activities wisely and to get out during the right time of day to prevent heat stroke and dehydration. The early morning and early to late evening are usually the best times to get outside since afternoon temperatures can often reach dangerous highs. If you must work out in the heat of the day, try to do so in a shady area. Otherwise, you're better off going to the gym or waiting until the sun is lower in the sky.
Focus on a balanced diet- Eating well is an essential part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle and is a great way to feel a little better during the day. Whole grains, fresh fruit and vegetables, and lean meats are good alternatives to the high fat, sodium packed food that we all sometimes use to fuel our day. Portion size is also important to good digestive health and balanced consumption. Too much at once and your body is going to expend a lot of energy digesting and you'll feel bloated and weighed down; too little and you won't have the blood glucose level to stay motivated and keep exercising. A good idea is to keep some healthy snacks on hand (like dried fruit or nuts) between meals to maintain good energy.
Stretch well and choose a fulfilling activity- Before you go running a triathlon or hiking the highest mountain in sight, make sure you warm your muscles up with a solid stretching routine. Never underestimate the power of stretching before any physical activity--you'll always perform better. Don't worry if you're not that flexible--just take it slow and gradually increase your flexibility. When it comes to finding your niche, you only need to dedicate yourself activities that interest you and give you satisfaction. Whether its hiking, jogging, racquetball, rock climbing,or yoga, you'll be more likely to maintain an active lifestyle if you're passionate about the activity--don't force it too much.
Outfit Yourself- Wearing the right exercise apparel will help you perform in whatever activity you're doing. You don't have to spend a small fortune on clothing, but having a selection of comfortable shoes and quality workout apparel will help you feel better about your performance. The point is to be comfortable and feel good about being active.

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Physicals and Why You Should Get One Every Year

Due to a variety of reasons - expense, inconvenience, etc. - most people have a hard time keeping up with their preventative health care. Even those who place a premium on eating right and getting exercise may not see their doctor as often as they should. Today, more people than ever are without a primary care physician at all. Even if this is the case for you, it's time to stop overlooking the importance of annual physicals. No one wants to spend the afternoon in a doctor's office, but a couple of hours once a year is hardly a major inconvenience for the sake of your health. Here are some of the reasons this checkup is so important.
Early Detection
If you've ever spoken with a mechanic, they will tell you that the earlier a problem can be diagnosed, the more they can do. The same principle holds true with your body. Disease that is caught early can often be treated successfully. When you wait until it has caused serious symptoms, it may be too late. Physicals are the health equivalent of getting a full service oil change. Your doctor will take a look at your vitals and perhaps run some tests. If nothing is wrong, then you'll have the peace of mind that comes with good health. If something is found, you can get it taken care of before it turns into something untreatable.
Warning Signs
Of course, physicals aren't just designed to detect a major disease before it spreads. It is particularly effective at identifying warning signs with your system that you should be aware of. Most people with high blood pressure, for instance, aren't going to experience many symptoms. Almost no one with high cholesterol will have any reason to know that they have it unless their arteries start getting clogged up. By getting checked out and having some blood tests run, you can identify these issues before they manifest into bigger problems. By themselves, high cholesterol and high blood pressure aren't really problems. But they can and will lead to serious health conditions if not treated.
Address Nagging Concerns
Most of us live with small health concerns that we don't address because they are annoyances more than anything else. You don't want to make an appointment with a doctor because of your flaky eyebrows, for instance, or because you feel a bit more tired than usual. Physicals present the perfect opportunity to bring these problems to a doctor's attention. You can get a recommendation for treatment or perhaps set your mind at ease that you aren't dealing with something serious.

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Common Repetitive Strain Injuries

You may not be aware of it, but you may develop conditions due to your very busy lifestyle. If you are working so hard and engaged in extreme physical activities, you may develop repetitive strain injury or RSI. RSI is damage in the muscular system, skeletal system and nervous due to the following reasons:
· Repetitive tasks that requires thinking and energy
· Too much exertion of force
· Vibrations
· Pressing the body or parts of the body against hard surfaces
· Awkward positions
These activities require your body to stretch more and work harder than what the body normally does. However, most cases of RSI are found in the upper limbs or the arms. Studies show that RSI are linked to the jobs and recreational activities a person performs. Also, studies have figured out that RSI is lined to computer-related injuries that is why kids are more likely to get it as today's generation use most of their times online. Its symptoms are experienced longer than other injures and there are times that it would stop and come back again. There are some specific repetitive strain injuries like the following:
· Epicondylitis- this RSI is acquired from overusing of tendons and muscles in the body. Elbows are the most common parts being affected by this RSI. This is common to athletes including tennis players and golf players.
· Dupuytren's Contracture- this RSI affects the lower arm down to the fingers. However, this is a very rare case in which a person has his or her finger/s bending on his or her palm. This is due to exhaustion of the tissues found in the palm.
· Diffuse RSI- is an undiagnosed condition. You may feel pain and stiffness in parts of your body and complain it to a doctor. However, examination would not see anything wrong about that area of your body.
· Carpal Tunnel Syndrome(CTS)- this RSI is a condition diagnosed in the carpal tunnel in the wrist. The nerves are being compressed in this area making it hard for the blood to flow to the hands and fingers. The person may experience total numbness and pain on his or her hand and fingers while having this kind of condition.
· Bursitis- an RSI condition dealing with the inflammation of the bursa, or the fluid filled sacs that serve as a cushion to the bones so it will move freely and smoothly. When a person has Bursitis, he or she may experience pain at the affected area.

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Instill Good Eating Habits in Teens

Set a good example. Your teen pays attention to what you do and say. If you try to insist that they eat fruit while you eat a cupcake, they won't believe you think nutrition is important. Let them see you making healthy food choices and they are more likely to follow suit.
Don't bring unhealthy snack foods into the home. You may not be able to control what your teen does when you're not around, but having only healthy foods in your home will make healthy food choices easier for them.
Establish regular meal times and insist that each family member be present. Obviously this isn't going to work for everyone, but having regular meal times can be a great encouragement for your teen to choose healthy foods.
Encourage them to eat breakfast each day. Experts say breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Do what you can to ensure they eat it each day.
Dieticians will recommend eating three small meals and three snacks per day to keep blood sugar levels stable. This is something that can be beneficial for everyone.
Make as many dishes from scratch as you can. Homemade meals are healthier than those created using pre-packaged items. You have more control over what goes into the meal as well as what doesn't.
Enlist your teen's help when preparing family meals. Once your child reaches their teenage years, it won't be long before they have to fend for themselves. Take time to teach your child about healthy eating. Have them help you plan family meals, go to the grocery store to purchase the necessary items and then come home to cook it. These skills will be so important once they move out, there's no time like the present to begin.
Keep healthy snacks on hand. Fresh fruits and vegetables, dried nuts, whole grain snacks and healthy drinks will give your teen the nutrients they need as well as keep them from empty calories from other snacks.
Experiment with new foods. Perhaps your family has never tried different ethnic foods. Perhaps you can try a different ethnic food once or twice a month. Encourage your family to try new foods and enlarge their palate.
Perhaps you weren't as concerned about what your teen ate as a child because there wasn't as much emphasis on healthy eating as there is now. Even if your teen hasn't always had good eating habits, you can start now to help them make healthier choices.

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

How First Aid Can Help Bleeding Victims

A person may get wounded in an accident, which may start the bleeding. Bleeding can either be external or internal. Excessive bleeding can be very dangerous as it may cause unconsciousness and even death as a result. Therefore, it is essential that bleeding be controlled first thing after an injury occurs. A first aid course will teach you how to control bleeding and stabilize the patient. Once the bleeding is controlled there is lesser chance of an infection to occur. First aid is a good skill to learn as it may come in handy at any time.
There are five ways how first aid can help bleeding victims. They are:
• Internal bleeding is dangerous as you cannot see it on the outside. However first aid is helpful as it teaches you to understand the signs of internal bleeding. Blood appearing in the vomit is a sign of internal bleeding and the victim should immediately be taken to your healthcare facility.
• When an artery is injured and bleeding occurs, it becomes essential to stop it immediately as an artery is an important blood vessel delivering pure blood to the heart. First aid teaches you to control the bleeding quickly and prevent the victim going into shock.
• In case of an injury to the head, it is essential to bandage the wound in a way that it doesn't cause more harm. Knowing first aid is important when you try to help a victim with a head injury. You must know that an unconscious patient must not be moved unless absolutely necessary. First aid teaches you to be calm in such situations and respond quickly as time is an important factor when dealing with critical cases.
• When administering first aid, you must be aware of certain hygiene practices in order to avoid spread of infection. Using gloves, cleaning agents to clean blood and other body fluids, and applying a bandage on any cuts on your body can prevent the spread on infections during first aid administration.
• When the bleeding occurs due to damage to capillaries, there is a greater chance of infection. A first aid course will teach you techniques that will help prevent the victim contracting an infection.
Minor injuries can be treated with bandages but a serious injury may be very harmful. Bleeding of wounds may even lead to brain damage, shock, heart damage and damage to any other organs in the body. The larger the open wound, the greater the blood loss and higher the chances of the injury becoming fatal. Immediate treatment given to control bleeding may greatly improve the victim's chances of survival and reduce the risk of infection. When the bleeding is due to avulsion injuries to parts like toe, finger or ear, administering first aid and then shifting the victim to the nearest hospital can stabilize him. Therefore a victim with excessive bleeding can be saved with the right aid given to him at the right time. First aid may actually save his life.

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Factors That Affect IVF Success Rates

So what is In vitro fertilization, which is also referred to as IVF? This process is a type of fertility treatment that was first invented in 1978. It involves joining the sperm and the egg outside of the womb. The resulting zygote is placed inside of the mother's womb. Most doctors implant multiple embryos in order to increase the chances of success. The mother may use her own eggs or make use of donor eggs.
What are some of the factors that affect IVF Success rates?
It is estimated that 27 percent of mothers who have one round of IVF will get pregnant. Approximately 43 to 57 percent of mothers will get pregnant after a third round. Nearly 71 to 80 percent of women will get pregnant after a sixth round. However, it is important to note that there are several factors that can affect the actual success rate.
The quality of the egg is one of the major factors that affects the success rate. Women who are under the age of 35 usually have the best quality eggs. It is estimated that women who are under the age of 35 have about a 50 percent chance of becoming pregnant from in vitro. Women who are between the ages of 40 and 45 only have about a 25 percent chance of conceiving. Egg quality begins to drop slightly after the age of 30, and then it begins to drop sharply after the age of 35. The man's sperm has to be of good quality also.
The timing of the protocol is another factor that will increase or decrease a mother's chance of conception. Because many women who opt to get in vitro do not ovulate on their own, the specialists will have to use artificial methods to induce ovulation. A woman has a very low chance of conceiving if the egg is not place around the time ovulation is induced.
Women should also be cognizant of the fact that their lifestyle choices can boost or decrease their chances of conceiving. Women are strongly advised to quit smoking at least three months prior to getting IVF. Furthermore, being overweight can also decrease the chance of conception. Women are also advised to lose weight prior to getting this treatment if they are more than 30 pounds over their ideal body weight. Additionally, it is very important for women to pick a clinic that has a relatively high success rate.