Carpal Tunnel Relief - Is Exercise The Solution?
September 7, 2008
Carpal Tunnel Relief - Is Exercise The Solution?
by: Jeff P. Anliker, LMT
Carpal tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is one of many musculoskeletal injuries listed under the broader terms of Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) or Cumulative Trauma Disorder (CTD). A number of other injuries listed under these terms, but that are not exclusively caused by a repetitive strain injury or cumulative trauma disorder include Guyon’s Syndrome, Tendonitis, Cubital Tunnel Syndrome, Medial and Lateral Epicondylitis and Trigger Finger.
Carpal tunnel syndrome and other repetitive strain injuries are caused by excessive overuse of a muscle or group of muscles in a unidirectional movement pattern. Examples would include typing, wringing a washcloth and using a computer mouse. All of the movement patterns involve motion against resistance in one direction - flexion. This one-way motion does not actually have to involve “repetitive” movements as the term “repetitive strain injury” implies, as it is just as common for an individual to become afflicted with a repetitive strain injury while performing activities that involve no movement of the hands at all. Examples of this would include holding onto a steering wheel, gripping a pen or a tool such as a hammer all day. With these types of activities, no repetitive type motion is involved at all, but instead, “static flexion” is utilized, which involves the overuse of these muscles, but in a manner that is stationary.
The Short Term Medical Plan Article #1 of Series Health Plan Options
September 6, 2008
The Short Term Medical Plan Article #1 of Series Health Plan Options
by: Raul Ramirez
Health insurance today is a mess. We need it but can we afford it? We have our car insured, why not the family? “I hope nothing happens to me so I won’t need to go to the hospital.” These are all notions we have as concerned people and parents. Healthcare is on the rise as well as premiums. COBRA is expensive but if you have health conditions it is necessary. Are you a little overweight or smoke? All of these are factors for getting or not getting health insurance. What can you do in the meantime while you think about it or lose the weight or quit smoking or maybe you are even between jobs?
The Plan:
Mold and Illness
September 5, 2008
Mold and Illness
by: Ben Hermsen
Molds and fungus are nearby virtually everywhere we go. For the most part these molds are relatively innocuous. Certain molds, however, do pose substantial health risks. According to Berlin D. Nelson, Ph.D., department of plant pathology, North Dakota State University, Stachybotrys Chartarum or “black mold” is the most prominent and notorious of the toxic molds (1).
Black mold is a heavy producer of mycotoxins (toxins created by a fungus). These mycotoxins cause a wide range of symptoms from headaches to flu-like symptoms, and chronic illnesses. The mycotoxins created by black mold are numerous, but fall into 3 main categories: Macrocyclic Trichothecenes, which inhibit protein synthesis; Phenylspirodrimanes and Cyclsporine, which are strong immunosuppressive agents; and Stachylysin, which can lyse erythrocytes (destroy red blood cells). With all three groups present there is little wonder why mycotoxicosis (mycotoxin poisoning) caused by black mold can lead to severe degradation in human health.
Black mold has also been linked to “sick building syndrome”, which describes situations in which the health and comfort of people is effected by time spent in a certain building or room, where there is no obvious cause.
The Green Tea Secret
September 3, 2008
The Green Tea Secret
by: Kristy Haugen
The chemical compound known as a phenol is characterized by an aromatic benzene ring with a hydroxyl group (OH) attached. This makes sense that poly-phenols refer to a chemical substance with more than one phenol group. Phenols function as potent antioxidants, reacting with free radicals. Phenols are responsible for the bright coloring in many fruits and vegetables. These fruit and vegetable phenols protect the plants from damage by disease and ultraviolet light.
Polyphenols are phytonutrients or phytochemicals. Phytonutrients are biologically active compounds in food. However, these phytonutrients are not classified as essential nutrients. This is because the body does not depend on these nutrients for proper bodily function. Phytonutrients do play a vital role in affecting our health just as significantly as vitamins and minerals do.
Polyphenols are classified as flavonoids, which is a class of phytonutrient. Polyphenols can form complexes with metal cations such as iron, zinc, and copper. This reduces the absorption of the mineral. This is beneficial because excess levels of these cations promotes the generation of free radicals. Polyphenols are potent free radical scavengers in the body. Polyphenols also protect and regenerate other dietary oxidants such as vitamin E.
Tips To Stop Snoring For Good
September 2, 2008
Tips To Stop Snoring For Good
by: Bill Dexter
If you, or someone that you know, suffers from nighttime snoring they are likely to experience a restless night’s sleep whether or not they realize it. In addition, their family may also be suffering from loss of sleep due to the distraction.
There are many remedies available, which are said to cure snoring. However, before doing anything drastic or deciding to undergo surgery, perhaps there are some tips that may help either you or your loved one curb snoring and start to have a restful night’s sleep.
One of the most common reasons that people snore are because they sleep on their back and the fatty tissue in their throat relaxes and causes air passages to be blocked. Therefore, if the individual who suffers from snoring will try sleeping on their side, they may find some relief. One way to achieve this is by having the sufferer turn over on his/her side and place a large body pillow flat on the bed and against the subject. When he/she attempts to roll over on their back, they will find it difficult due to the presence of the pillow. In addition, there are special pillows that are designed to help those who snore.
5 Steps to Staying Mentally Sharp and Preventing Alzheimer’s Disease
September 1, 2008
5 Steps to Staying Mentally Sharp and Preventing Alzheimer’s Disease
by: Frank Mangano
If you want to stay sharp and in control of your life well into your golden years, there are proactive methods to achieving the mental alertness you need. More and more research is pointing to the fact that physical activity and lifestyle choices have more to do with preventing Alzheimer s disease (AD) and other forms of dementia - once thought to be a normal part of aging - than pure genetics. So if you had a parent, grandparent or sibling with AD it doesn’t mean you have to follow the same path.
Statistics gathered from extensive research do point toward a higher risk of developing AD if you had a close relative with AD - as much as 50%, but that has less to do with genes and more to do with following their lifestyle patterns. If for example, your parents were smokers who rarely exercised, you may have developed some of the same destructive habits.
Depression Is An Equal Opportunity Condition
September 1, 2008
Depression Is An Equal Opportunity Condition
by: Belver Ladson
Depression is a serious medical condition that can affect anyone. Men, women and children are all susceptible to this disease which can have devastating effects on someone’s daily life. Depression can come on suddenly, for no reason, or it might follow a traumatic experience such as a death or some other traumatic experience.
Symptoms of depression can interfere with a person’s ability to work, sleep, study and enjoy life in a fruitful way. If you find that these symptoms persist for more than a few weeks you should discuss it with your doctor. The symptoms to look for include: sadness, irritability, no interest in hobbies and activities which once were loved, hopelessness, problems sleeping, fatigue, thoughts of suicide or death, feelings of guilt and significant weight change.
Once these symptoms start affecting the way you live your life, it’s time to seek help. M.I., who has had depression on and off for many years says, “I never really knew what was wrong with me. I would have these bouts with trying to cope with life, but all I would end up doing is staying sad and crying all the time. I couldn’t see any way out of what I was dealing with in my life, but I’m glad I hung in there. Being able to find out what was wrong with me and knowing that I could get treatment for it changed my life.”
Low Carb Diets — How Much Protein Do You Need
August 30, 2008
Low Carb Diets — How Much Protein Do You Need
by: Rita Preece
What is protein?
Millions of different proteins occur in nature. Protein is made of chains of amino acids held together by peptide bonds. There are about 20 amino acids that can be bound together in various combinations to make the millions of different proteins. There are two groups of amino acids: non-essential amino acids, which are made by your body and essential amino acids, which have to come from your food.
Why does my body need protein?
Protein is an important part of muscle fibre, cell walls, skin, nails and hair. You are losing protein all the time as you shed dead skin cells, nails and hair and it has to be replaced. At times your body needs more protein, like when you’re growing, when you’re pregnant or breast-feeding, or when wounds are healing. Protein is a source of energy for your body and the amino acids are used to make things like adrenaline and antibodies to fight disease.
How does my body digest the protein I eat?
FDA Approves Lasik Eye Surgery
August 29, 2008
FDA Approves Lasik Eye Surgery
by: Ron King
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new custom lasik procedure in September of 2005. This new procedure can now treat many patients who were previously ineligible for the surgery.
Nearsightedness
Nearsightedness occurs when the eye is too long and light rays focus in front of the retina, instead of focusing on the retina. Some of the symptoms of nearsightedness are blurred distant vision, eyestrain, and squinting, along with having a difficult time seeing at night.
Although nearsightedness can be easily fixed with glasses or contact lenses (when not too severe), many people don’t like to hassle with either one. With this new lasik procedure, folks will now be able to have pure vision.
Astigmatism
Astigmatism is the effect of the eye being shaped like a football, instead of round like a baseball. This deformity — where the light rays focus on two points on the retina instead of one — results in blurred vision, double vision, and shadows on letters when reading. Until recently, this deformity has prevented some people from even getting contact lenses. Breakthroughs in contact lenses have only helped those with slight astigmatism.
Ways To Deal With Hair Loss
August 28, 2008
Ways To Deal With Hair Loss
by: Charles Mohaney
A great many people suffer from hair loss problems during their lives, and suffering from thinning hair - particularly at an earlier age - can prove very stressful and traumatic. We often associate hair loss with old age, but the truth is that there are many causes of this problem and it can affect anyone and at any age. From small bald spots to high level loss of hair, different people can be affected in different ways, often depending on the cause of the problem. Thankfully, there are a number of solutions available these days that can help with promoting regrowth of the hair. Often the solution that is most effective will depend on a number of factors, such as the cause of the problem, the level of loss, and even your budget. However, different treatments suit different people, and you may find that a solution that has worked on a friend may do nothing for your problem.
Benefiting from hair loss solutions
