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Thursday, December 17, 2009

Infants and acid reflux

Infants and Acid Reflux

by: Seth Miller

Infant acid reflux is quite common. People of all ages, especially infants because they consume only liquids or soft foods, suffer from mild heartburn or acidic regurgitation on occasion. As in adult cases, infants experience acid reflux when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is relaxed. The LES acts as a valve between the esophagus and the stomach. It opens up to allow food into the stomach and then closes in order to protect the esophagus and other organs from acidic reflux. Unfortunately, it is difficult to determine if an infant has developed a chronic form of heartburn called gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD.

In order to determine if an infant has a chronic form of heartburn (GERD) you should consult your pediatrician. Look for clues such as sleeping problems, coughing, weight loss, lack of appetite, spitting up frequently, and apnea. Acid reflux disease can cause respiratory problems including pneumonia, strictures and ulcerations on the esophageal wall, and malnourishment. Infant acid reflux symptoms usually include recurrent coughing, bad breath, spitting up frequently, unusual irritability and crying, chest pain, and sore throat.

There are several causes of acid reflux in infants. Many of the causes are exacerbated by the fact that infants, much more so than adults, consume mostly liquids and spend a great deal of time on their backs or in a supine position. Combined with the backwash potential of liquids, lying down puts pressure on the LES (esophagus valve) and increases the chances for reflux. Other causes could be attributed to the anatomy of a childï¿½s stomach position, poor eating habits, smoking (second hand), being overweight, and food allergies.

In addition to GERD, infants can be diagnosed with a functional version of acid reflux. This condition can be improved with simple modifications such as changing eating habits, keeping the child upright after eating, and encouragement. GERD, or the chronic disease, requires medical treatment by a physician, prescription drug therapy, as well as lifestyle changes.

Acid Reflux provides detailed information on Acid Reflux Disease, Acid Reflux Symptoms, Acid Reflux and Diet, Infant Acid Reflux and more. Acid Reflux is affliated with GERD Diets.

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Stress skills for teens..

Stress Skills for Teens

by: Amy Otis, RN

>
Ways
to Deal with Stress! (Without
Totally Losing Your Cool).

Get rid of what's causing
the stress - if you can, (no, that doesn't mean
your younger brother or sister or your parents).

Change your attitude toward what's causing the
stress. (Easy to write, harder to do). Write down
what is causing you stress and how you react to
it. Then take a nice deep belly-breath.

Face up to what's causing the stress until it
isn’t stressful anymore. See “
the Bullying” article if need be.

Avoid hassles. Identify the things that stress
you out and eliminate them or prepare yourself
to cope with them. Take a day off, that's what
weekends are for.

Pursue a new hobby or sport. Take time to do what
you enjoy, not what other people want or 'expect'
you to do. Start keeping a journal. Writing down
your thoughts and emotions can relieve a lot of
stress and also help you see your creative side.

Don't deny or repress your emotions, this only
compounds stress. Don't be afraid to cry, crying
can relieve anxiety and let out bottled-up
emotions which will relieve feelings of stress.

Work on creating a stress-free
place in your home. Your room should be a safe
stress-free place for you to go to. Decorate it
so you find it calming, soothing and safe.

Family and Friends. When you can talk to your
parents in a loving and secure family, then that
can help relieve a lot of the stress that you
bring home from other places. BUT home is not
heaven for a lot of teens and you can often run
into many stressful situations there as you would
anywhere else. You may have a close friend or
a friend's parent(s) that you can talk to instead.

If you feel you simply cannot handle the stress
in your life, consider outside help. You may be
able to talk to a guidance counselor at school,
or you may want to consult a qualified counselor
or other practitioner who can help you handle
your problems and learn effective stress reduction
techniques. It’s often beneficial to talk
with someone who can offer an objective response
whether a trusted friend or a professional counselor.

Don’t
be afraid to try new ideas. Try Yoga,
or Tai Chi, both are good for
you and you don't necessarily have to be a jock to do them
or benefit from them. Chill and good luck from coolnurse

Stop By CoolNurse.com

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Leg cramps

Leg Cramps

by: devika

A leg cramp is a pain that comes from a leg muscle. It is due to a muscle spasm which is when a muscle contracts too hard. It usually occurs in a calf muscle, below and behind a knee. The small muscles of the feet are sometimes affected.

A cramp pain typically lasts a few minutes. In some cases it lasts just seconds, but in some cases it lasts up to 10 minutes. The severity of the pain varies. The muscle may remain tender for up to 24 hours after a leg cramp. Leg cramps usually occur when you are resting - most commonly at night when in bed. (They are often called night cramps.) They may wake you. It can become a distressing condition if your sleep is regularly disturbed.

Leg cramps symptoms:

1. Severe leg pain
2. Muscle tenderness
3. Inability to move the leg

Causes of Leg Cramps:

1. Dehydration
2. Rigorous exercises
3. Muscle fatigue due to overexertion
4. Over weight
5. fluid imbalances
6. Diminished blood supply
7. Nerve abnormalities

Home Remedies for Leg Cramps:

1.A glass of lukewarm milk before going to bed is a simple, yet effective way to treat the leg cramps.
2.Prepare chamomile tea and have it at least 5 times a day, for about 2 weeks. For every cup of water, take two or three teaspoons of chamomile flower. Bring the water to a boil and let the flower steep in it for a few minutes. Strain, add sugar or honey, and drink warm.
3.A hot shower before going to bed is effective in curing leg cramps. Pour some hot water on the painful area as well.
4.While you are on bed, stretch the legs as far as you can and keep it in the same position for half an hour. While standing, push your heel onto the floor and bend your toes upwards. This is a good way to treat leg cramps.
5.For people who often face the problem of leg cramps, press your toes against the wall and stretch the calf muscles. Repeat this 15-20 times.
6.A cup of red raspberry leaf tea, consumed in the morning and evening, is good for relieving a person suffering from leg cramps. Bring a cup of water to a boil and add a tsp red raspberry tea to it. Let it steep for a few minutes, strain and drink when still warm.
7.Mix one tbsp of calcium lactate, one tsp of apple cider vinegar and one tsp of honey in half a glass of lukewarm water. Have this once a day. It will be helpful in treating leg cramps.
8.Massaging the affected area with essential oils, like lavender oil and rosemary oil and eucalyptus oil. After massaging, wrap the affected area with a towel dipped in hot water.
9.Take 1 raw clove of garlic every day. This clove can be fried in ghee (clarified butter) or castor oil. Take for 2 months.
10.Drink a cup of papaya seed tea six or seven times daily for two or three weeks for relief from joint pain.

Vitamin and Mineral Therapy:

To prevent leg cramps take a daily vitamin E supplement of 400 international units. If the Vitamin E alone doesnt stop them try adding 500-1000 milligrams of calcium and up to 1000 milligrams of magnesium daily.

Preventive Measures:

Dehydration causes leg cramps. It is especially important to stay well hydrated during workouts.
Drink plenty of fluids before, during and after exercising.
Stretching prior to starting your exercise routine is extremely important.
Stretches help relax muscles and thus prevent leg cramps.
When beginning a workout regime, it is imperative that you do so gradually. A sudden increase or changes in physical activity levels can cause leg cramps. Keep rolled up bed sheets or blankets at your feet to prevent your toes and feet from pointing downward while you are asleep. Riding a stationary bicycle for a few minutes before bedtime could prevent cramps from developing during the night.

Knowledge and Persistence leads to success
I have always been fascinated by the question ,why some people can and others cant. I spent years trying to figure this out. At first it was mainly for myself. I remember growing up with little confidence and under the impression that others were more capable than I was. The fact was that this impression was true. It was true because i believed it.
Reference: HealthOnclick

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BDNF Prevents and Reverses Alzheimers Disease

BDNF Prevents and Reverses Alzheimer�s Disease

by: Byron J Richards

Researchers at the University of California, San Diego, have provided ground-breaking proof that a natural protein called BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) can prevent and treat Alzheimer�s. The study was carried out in a variety of animal models including mice, rats, and monkeys.

�The effects of BDNF were potent,� said Mark Tuszynski, MD, PhD, lead researcher. �When we administered BDNF to memory circuits in the brain, we directly stimulated their activity and prevented cell death from the underlying disease.�

The researchers reported that �In each case, when compared with control groups not treated with BDNF, the treated animals demonstrated significant improvement in the performance of a variety of learning and memory tests. Notably, the brains of the treated animals also exhibited restored BDNF gene expression, enhanced cell size, improved cell signaling, and activation of function in neurons that would otherwise have degenerated, compared to untreated animals. These benefits extended to the degenerating hippocampus where short-term memory is processed, one of the first regions of the brain to suffer damage in Alzheimer�s disease.�

As I recently reported in my article, Top 10 Health Breakthroughs of 2008, BDNF may well be the molecule of the year, as BDNF is key to keeping your nerve cells alive and stimulating the growth of new nerve cells. Since your nerve cells are important for regulating everything else, keeping them in top working condition not only means that your mind will stay sharp it means you are likely to live longer and healthier. This new study adds significantly to the power of BDNF because it was able to prevent and reverse Alzheimer�s independent of the amyloid plaque tangles.

The great news is that BDNF levels can be naturally boosted. Aerobic exercise boosts BDNF. The most important nutrient that helps is pantethine, providing the needed basic compound (cysteamine) that nerve cells need in order to make BDNF. Nutrients that also help make BDNF or protect it from declining are acetyl-l-carnitine, fish oil, blueberries, and curcumin.

This gives a solid two-pronged natural approach to preserving your nerves. On the one hand, you can boost BDNF. On the other hand, other new research has shown that grape seed extracts will prevent amyloid plaque tangles from forming in the first place.

It is very important to understand that adverse changes within the brain that eventually result in disease are progressively happening during the aging process. Older adults with sharp memory and cognitive function have far less brain wear and tear than �normal� aging adults who are loosing function and heading in the direction of more serious cognitive decline and potential Alzheimer�s. And now it is rather sad to report that Alzheimer�s is beginning to happen to adults in their 40s, as individuals burn out their nerves at ever younger ages.

BDNF is the closet thing to the fountain of youth yet discovered.

Byron J. Richards, Founder/Director of Wellness Resources, Inc., is a Board-Certified Clinical Nutritionist and a world renowned natural health expert. Richards is the first to explain the relevance of leptin and its link to solving obesity.

For Byron's Free E-Health News Letter

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Muscle building tips do's and don'ts..

Muscle Building Tips: Do's and Dont's

by: Jasdeep Singh

Packing on Muscle mass involves a lot of dedication and care. At times, trying too hard can have its negative effects too. Right guidance and proper techniques make the perfect recipe to MUSCLE BUILDING. Muscle Building is no joke, but at the same time, very much possible. The bottomline is to workout in the right direction and not to harm your body. Here are some Do's and Dont's for Muscle Building.

Muscle Building Tips: Do's and Dont's

1) Popping a pill to reach your health and fitness goal is not the answer! Results are temporary and effects the body adversely in the long run.

2) Remove the tag " Short cut" from your workout schedule. There is no such thing as quick-fix. Dedication and hardwork hold the key for MUSCLE BUILDING.

3) Dietary Supplements can be helpful in achieving your goals. Supplementation is designed to supplement your healthy eating and exercise habits.

4) Dont go in for any supplement you come across. Before taking a supplement, consult your trained or a physician. Always buy supplements from a reputed DRUGSTORE. Do your research before taking in a supplement. One such reputed and recommended online store for drugs is Drugstore.com. Read Drugstore.com Reviews at http://www.weightloss-health.com/Drugstore.htm

5) Supplements shouldnt be misunderstood as steroids. Steroids should be a BIG NO. Gather more knowledge on supplements at http://www.weightloss-health.com/Supplements.htm

6) Muscle Building Diet: It occupies a prominent area in MUSCLE BUILDING pie-chart. You should be highly careful related to your muscle building diet. Always ask your trainer to write down a diet schedule for you.

7) Give rest to your body between two sets, say for two minutes.

8) Not work on more than two muscle groups at a time. Train those mucles in a group which work with each other. This technique has proven to be effective. For eg: Chest and Triceps or biceps and backs.

9) The most effective time to do muscle building exercises is in the morning. You have consumed a lot of carbs by evening. So, carbs become the source of energy for you when you do your exercises in evening. But in morning, body depends on its alternative source i.e FAT for energy. Hence fats get burned up more in morning.

10) Last but not the least, Dont be biased to any body part. Proper balance is a necessity. Having big upper body and skinny legs is no good. Work out on entire body.

About the Author:

Jasdeep : for http://weightloss-health.com/ your complete and most comprehensive family guide on Health.

Look out for highly effective and recommended muscle building programs from the best in this field and a chance to go through other informative articles targetting various health issues at http://weightloss-health.com/Articles.htm

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Male menopause

Male Menopause

by: Kevin Stith

Male menopause is the result of decreased levels of the male hormone, testosterone. Most commonly, reduced testosterone is reported by those suffering from underlying medical conditions such as diabetes, obesity or high blood pressure. These diseases are common in men over the age of 45.

While some reduction in testosterone levels occurs normally as men age, there are several conditions in which there may be a more rapid decrease. Testosterone production can be interrupted at any age through damage to the testes. The testes make testosterone, and they may be damaged due to an injury, surgery, radiation, infection, or chemotherapy. Testosterone production is mediated by parts of the brain called the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. So if either or both are damaged or not working properly at any age, they do not send the signals required for normal testosterone production to the testes, resulting in reduced testosterone levels.

When testosterone levels drop, men may experience symptoms similar to what women experience when going through menopause. These symptoms include reduced libido, erectile dysfunction, depression, fatigue, and muscle weakness. Testosterone deficiency has also been linked to osteoporosis in men.

Significant testosterone deficiency can be treated with hormone replacement therapy. However, most men experience a very gradual reduction in testosterone levels as they get older, and do not require any treatment. Also, hormone replacement therapy carries an increased risk of prostate cancer, and should be carefully considered. If a decision is made to undergo hormone therapy, the treatment can be administered through injections, oral medications, implants and patches. To treat symptoms such as depression, doctors may prescribe anti-depressants. Because obesity is a major factor implicated in testosterone deficiency, a doctor may also recommend certain lifestyle changes such as a healthy diet and regular exercise.

Early Menopause provides detailed information on menopause, early menopause, male menopause, menopause and osteoporosis and more. Early Menopause is affiliated with Endometriorsis And Infertility.

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