Showing posts with label health tips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label health tips. Show all posts

Friday, August 12, 2011

Diary Of A Recovering Addict




Victorianna's Diary


The deceitful web of addiction affects millions of people. This is just one story. It is unique because it is my story, but it is not unusual...


Part I
The Road To Detox

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Dealing with Fibromyalgia




It just hurts!


Physical Comfort for Pain Management

Fibro = fibrous tissues (ligaments that attach to bone and tendons that attach muscle to bone)
myo = muscle
algia = the Greek word for pain


You hurt all over, and you frequently feel exhausted. Even after numerous tests, your doctor can't find anything specifically wrong with you. If this sounds familiar, you may have fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by widespread pain in your muscles, ligaments and tendons, as well as fatigue and multiple tender points - places on your body where slight pressure causes pain.

Fibromyalgia occurs in about 2 percent of the population in the United States. Women are much more likely to develop the disorder than are men, and the risk of fibromyalgia increases with age. Fibromyalgia symptoms often begin after a physical or emotional trauma, but in many cases there appears to be no triggering event.


         May is Fibromyalgia Awareness Month ~ Take Action

American Pain Foundation

American Pain FoundationMay 2011 Action of the Month

Learn the Facts about Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia affects an estimated six million people in the U.S. but is an invisible condition. You can't tell someone has fibro by looking at them. Chances are that you, or someone you know, has fibromyalgia. May is Fibromyalgia Awareness month, and APF's Action of the Month is to learn the facts and share the Is Fibro the Cause? toolkit with friends and family members.

The valuable toolkit is full of helpful tips, resources and vital information on how to recognize fibromyalgia's signs and symptoms as well as guidance on seeking treatment. Inside is a worksheet to help track symptoms, nutrition tips to overcome fatigue, ideas for alleviating stress, and essential strategies on coping and living well.

Please visit the American Pain Foundation for more information.


What does the word mean?

Fibro = fibrous tissues (ligaments that attach to bone and tendons that attach muscle to bone)
myo = muscle
algia = the Greek word for pain

Symptoms of Fibromyalgia

Symptoms of FibroSigns and symptoms of fibromyalgia can vary, depending on the weather, stress, physical activity or even the time of day.

Widespread pain and tender points
The pain associated with fibromyalgia is described as a constant dull ache, typically arising from muscles. To be considered widespread, the pain must occur on both sides of your body and above and below your waist.

Fibromyalgia is characterized by additional pain when firm pressure is applied to specific areas of your body, called tender points. Tender point locations include:

* Back of the head
* Between shoulder blades
* Top of shoulders
* Front sides of neck
* Upper chest
* Outer elbows
* Upper hips
* Sides of hips
* Inner knees

People with fibromyalgia often awaken tired, even though they seem to get plenty of sleep. Experts believe that these people rarely reach the deep restorative stage of sleep. Sleep disorders that have been linked to fibromyalgia include restless legs syndrome and sleep apnea.

Co-existing conditions

* Chronic fatigue syndrome
* Depression
* Endometriosis
* Headaches
* Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
* Lupus
* Osteoarthritis
* Post-traumatic stress disorder
* Restless legs syndrome
* Rheumatoid arthritis

Many people who have fibromyalgia also may have:

Diagram of Tender Points

Fibro Tender Points
The American College of Rheumatology guidelines for making a fibromyalgia diagnosis require pain at 11 of the 18 tender points on the body.

Newly Diagnosed with Fibromyalgia?

Robert Bennett MD

National Fibromyalgia AssociationThe Symptoms of Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia patients have widespread body pain which often seems to arise in the muscles. Some FM patients feel their pain originates in their joints. Pain that emanates from the joints is called arthritis; extensive studies have shown FM patients do not have arthritis. Although many fibromyalgia patients are aware of pain when they are resting, it is most noticeable when they use their muscles, particularly during repetitive activities. Their discomfort can be so severe it may significantly limit their ability to lead a full life. Patients can find themselves unable to work in their chosen professions and may have difficulty performing everyday tasks. As a consequence of muscle pain, many FM patients severely limit their activities including exercise routines. This results in their becoming physically unfit, which eventually makes their fibromyalgia symptoms worse.

In addition to widespread pain, other common symptoms include a decreased sense of energy, disturbances of sleep, and varying degrees of anxiety and depression related to patients' changed physical status. Furthermore, certain other medical conditions are commonly associated with fibromyalgia, such as: tension headaches, migraine, irritable bowel syndrome, irritable bladder syndrome, premenstrual tension syndrome, cold intolerance, and restless leg syndrome. Patients with estalished rheumatoid arthritis, lupus (SLE), and Sjogren's syndrome often develop FM during the course of their disease. The combination of pain and multiple other symptoms often leads doctors to pursue an extensive course of investigations, which are nearly always normal.

Diagnosing Fibromyalgia

There are no blood tests or X-rays that show abnormalities diagnostic of FM. This initially led many doctors to believe that the problems suffered by FM patients were "all in their heads," or that fibromyalgia patients had a form of masked depression or hypochondriasis. Extensive psychological tests have shown these impressions were unfounded. A physician's diagnosis of FM is based on taking a careful history and the finding of tender areas in specific areas of muscle. These locations are called "tender points." They are tender to palpation and often feel somewhat hardened if the muscle is stroked.

The Long-Term Outcome for Fibromyalgia

The musculoskeletal pain and fatigue experienced by fibromyalgia patients are chronic problems that tend to have a waxing and waning intensity. There is currently no generally accepted cure for this condition. According to recent research, most patients can expect to have this problem lifelong. However, worthwhile improvement may be obtained with appropriate treatment. There is often concern on the part of patients, and sometimes physicians, that FM is the early phase of some more severe disease, such as multiple sclerosis, lupus , etc. Long-term follow-up of fibromyalgia patients has shown that it is very unusual for them to develop another rheumatic disease or neurological condition.

However, it is quite common for patients with "well-established" rheumatic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus, and Sjogren's syndrome, to have fibromyalgia also. It is important for these patients' doctors to realize they have such a combination of problems, as specific therapy for rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, etc. does not have any effect on FM symptoms. Patients with fibromyalgia do not become crippled with the condition, nor is there any evidence it affects their lifespan. Nevertheless, due to varying levels of pain and fatigue, there is an inevitable contraction of social, vocational, and avocational activities that leads to a reduced quality of life. As with many chronic diseases, the extent to which patients succumb to the various effects of pain and fatigue are dependent upon numerous factors, in particular their psycho-social support, financial status, childhood experiences, sense of humor, and determination to push on.

The Treatment of Fibromyalgia

The treatment of FM is frustrating for both patients and their physicians. In general, drugs used to treat musculoskeletal pain, such as aspirin, non-steroidals (e.g. ibuprofen), and cortisone, are not particularly helpful in this situation. As in any chronic pain condition, education is an essential component that helps patients understand what can or can't be done as well as teaching them to help themselves.

It is important for a patient's physician to discover whether there is a cause for sleep disturbances. Such sleep problems include sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, and teeth grinding. If the cause for a patient's sleep disturbance cannot be determined, low doses of an anti-depressive group of drugs, called tricyclic anti-depressants or short acting sleeping medications such as zolpidem (Ambien) may be beneficial. Patients need to understand these medications are not addictive when used in low dosages (eg., amitriptyline 10 mg at night) and have very few side effects. In general, routine use of sleeping pills such as Halcion, Restoril, Valium, etc., should be avoided as they impair the quality of deep sleep. It is claimed that Ambien (zolpidem) avoids this problem.

There is increasing evidence that a regular exercise routine is essential for all fibromyalgia patients. The increased pain and fatigue caused by repetitive exertion makes regular exercise quite difficult. However, those patients who do develop an exercise regimen experience worthwhile improvement and are reluctant to give up. In general, FM patients must avoid impact loading exertion such as jogging, basketball, aerobics, etc. Regular walking, the use of a stationary bicycle, and pool therapy utilizing an Aqua Jogger (a floatation device that allows the user to walk or run in the swimming pool while remaining upright) seem to be the most suitable activities for FM patients. Supervision by a physical therapist or exercise physiologist is of benefit wherever possible. In general, 20 minutes of physical activity three times a week at 70% of maximum heart rate (220 minus your age) is sufficient to maintain a reasonable level of aerobic fitness.

Drugs such as aspirin and Advil are not particularly effective and seldom do more than take the edge off FM pain. Opioid analgesics (propoxyphene, codeine, morphine, oxycodone, methadone) may provide a worthwhile pain relief in a subgroup of severely afflicted patients, but fibromyalgia patients seem especially sensitive to opioid side effects (nausea, constipation, itching, and mental blurring) and often decide against the long-term use of these drugs. The use of opioid analgesics (narcotics) in the management of non-malignant pain has been a controversial issue for many doctors, with the usual reasons for concern: addiction, oversight by state medical boards, and criminal diversion of drugs. However, recent research has shown that addiction seldom occurs when these medications are use in chronic pain states. It is important to understand the difference between addiction and dependence (which occurs with all these drugs in the majority of patients (see Addiction/Dependence). Two particularly useful weak opioids in the management of FM pain are tramadol (Ultram) and the combination of tramadol with acetaminophen (Ultracet). Neither of these two medications is a FDA scheduled drug (i.e. they have minimal addiction potential).

Particularly painful areas often may be helped for a short time (2-3 months) by trigger point injections. This involves injecting a trigger point with a local anesthetic (usually 1% Procaine) and then stretching the involved muscle with a technique called spray and stretch. It should be noted the injection of a tender point is quite painful (indeed, if it is not painful the injection is seldom successful). After the injection, there is typically a lag of two to four days before any beneficial effects are noted. Other techniques that directly help the tender areas on a transient basis are heat, massage, gentle stretching, and acupuncture.

Meniere's Disease - How to Beat it




What is Meniere's Disease? Is it as hopeless as people think?


I have lived with Meniere's Disease since 1996, but since 2002 I've been symptom free. There are very good reasons for that. I hope if you are reading this and you either have Meniere's yourself or someone you care about has it, this will give you some hope and helpful information.

You can read my own story in full here:menieres-help.com


What helped me beat Meniere's Disease

Listen to how I was able to live symptom free after years of vertigo and dizziness. I was sceptical about this but it certainly worked for me....if you want to know more about the system of supplements I take, go to: Menieres-Help.Com/System.php






         What Is Meniere's Disease?

Firstly this condition is not technically a disease as such. It is what is known as an 'idiopathic' condition. A medical dictionary would define this as 'self originated' or of an 'unknown cause'. Basically they do not know what causes it. But it is a degenerative condition, meaning it gets worse with time.

It is a disorder of the inner ear, where it is believed that a build up of fluid puts pressure on the hearing and balance nerves. The fluid gathers in the 'endolymphatic sac' at the end of the labyrinth that is the inner ear. The sac balloons, which results in the pressure on the nerves. You may hear this referred to as 'endolymphatic hydrops'. Experts think that the sac ruptures, causing two inner ear fluids that should be kept separate to mix, causing the worst symptoms of Meniere's.

This is what they "believe" happens, but there is no way for sure to find out as this part of the ear is impossible to see.
The theories as to the cause of Meniere's and the focus of scientific investigation include possibilities such as noise pollution, viral infections, middle ear infections, head injuries, syphilis, bacterial infections, stress, fatigue, alcohol, smoking and allergies. None of these have been clinically proven yet.

There are many other possible 'triggers' that seem to have a common theme among sufferers. (see the 'Triggers and what to do about them' page)

What does all this mean for the actual sufferer? Well, this condition is not fatal, nor is it contagious. It is a chronic condition however. It seems to affect everyone slightly differently and can range from troublesome at best to totally debilitating and terrifying at worst. Some people only experience one or two symptoms; others the whole lot.
If there is such a thing, classic symptoms of Meniere's include: fullness in the ear, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), dizziness, vertigo (shocking abnormal sense of movement, usually spinning uncontrollably) and hearing loss.

Meniere's sufferers will talk about brain fog, disorientation, confusion, inability to concentrate, sudden exhaustion, light sensitivity and noise sensitivity. It is a very lonely condition to have to live with and can lead to depression and a sense of hopelessness.

A bout of vertigo can lead to severe exhaustion and the sufferer can be incapacitated for the rest of the day afterwards, sometimes longer. This makes holding down a job very difficult and people often find themselves having to give up work altogether. Some are even afraid to go out of the house alone for fear of what may happen. Even the lights and aisles of the supermarket may spark attacks. It is a miserable existence.

Anybody can get Meniere's, male or female, young children to old age pensioners.

Existing treatments vary from drugs like antihistamines, anticholinergics, sedatives, anti-emetic agents, diazapam or diuretics, to surgery like endolymphatic shunt implants, vestibular nerve sections and various steroid injections into the ear. All of these are designed to relieve symptoms. They are not cures. They do not tackle the root cause.

For a more detailed description go to: menieres-help.com

Monday, August 8, 2011

Cool and simple advice for better health wellness




Suggestions for FIT health

Now a days, People are crazy and worried about their health. As most of professional people are busy in their career and work scheduled then unable to take care of themselves even with better and fresh food.

Following are some of the suggestions on this that may help to achieve the freshness in your life..with simplicity..

Eat less: I used to eat until I was full, and then snack as a hobby. And sometimes I still do. But, more and more, I decide when I've eaten enough, leave room for a treat later, and simply choose to eat a little less.

Drink more water. I used to try to drink 8 glasses a day, but I usually ended up either losing count...or just going to the bathroom a lot. Now, on my way to the table I stop by the sink and grab a glass of water. I figure that's more water than most people drink, it probably helps me eat less, and sometimes it reminds me to drink even more. Close enough.

Eat more fruit. Benjamin Franklin said, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away." I just know apples, a banana, some grapes or something "exotic" like a mango or a kiwi tastes good, and it's the fastest, most portable and convenient food I've found. A handful of those little baby carrots beats a sandwich by a good 90 seconds!

Eat your vegetables. Yeah, still listening to my mother. But on the positive side, they're so easy! No sauces, no mixing or blending or nothing! Raw, steamed or microwaved, they're great for adding color to a meal (greens, yellows, and beans in all sorts of colors). I know fresh and organically grown is best, and sometimes I buy them that way....

Eat more rice and baked potatoes. I score points with my doctor, my "significant other" and again, it's about the easiest cooking I've figured out.

Stretch when you feel like it. I used to follow a routine that recommended stretching and yoga for about 30 minutes every morning. Wonderful stuff! Very healthy. And someday I'm going to give it another try! For now, every morning, and several times during the day, I stand up and try to reach the ceiling. I bend, twist, shake my shoulders, breath deep, whatever seems to feel good at the moment. Then I get back to work.

Avoid exercise and elevators. OK, I believe jogging and sweating and lifting weights are good for me. And I do some of it. But I also find it useful to walk around the block to get the mail (the box is across the street) or take the stairs instead of the elevator. I walk the dog, push the lawnmower and play tennis and golf with my friends. That way I figure I'm exercising and leaving the gyms open for the rest of you.

Spend time with friends. Talking, sharing dreams, giving and receiving support, solving life's great mysteries and debating politics or religion with a friend does wonders for the soul. And, hugs are good. And if you have a life-partner, I find talking regularly seems to avoid a number of other problems, as well!

Laugh every day. Tell a joke, wrestle with your dog or play with the kids next door, but have some fun! Life's short.
Plan for dessert! At the end of the day, I really like something special to top it all off. So, I plan for a bite of chocolate or a cup of low-fat pudding or yogurt or a handful of fresh grapes. It sure seems to beat restlessly searching the cupboards and refrigerator for "something" and ending up with a big bowl of ice cream!

This lense may provide for those simple and cool advice that they easily can apply this in your life without affecting any of your regular task.

Enjoy your health Be happy always...SMILE and make yourself and other laugh..

 Cool and simple advice for better HEALTH

Apply this tips to get change in your life

LOW fat food tipsJunk food and fat food items are receiving a high position in our daily diet in modern life. Give special attention to reduce the consumption of fatty food items. Avoid food items like burgers and fried products. Try to take dairy products like cheese, milk etc in low fat ways. Never eat sauces, butter and sandwiches in large quantities. Try to replace them with low fat content items like fat free cheeses and substitute butter.

Remember, Health is very precious ever in our life than anyother

If you are taking special effort to avoid such food items, you will never have to dedicate special time for taking care of your health.

Have a look on below points and try it in your day-to-day life..

SLEEP BETTER

1. Get into good habits: Go to bed at the same time every day. If you can't fall asleep within 20 minutes, get up and only go back to bed when you feel sleepy. Ensure that your bedroom is dark and quiet.

2. Take baths not showers: A bath 30 minutes before going to bed improves sleep, say researchers at the University of Texas.

3. Use lavender: According to research in France, the aroma of lavender oil can be as effective as prescription tranquillisers. In a research study in London, an insomniac enjoyed her first complete night's sleep for four years after using aromatherapy oils. Lavender oil can be used in massage or in the bath.

4. Take exercise: Researchers at Stanford University found that adults who took part in 16 weeks of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise significantly lessened their sleep problems. The best time to exercise is five to six hours before bedtime, and it should be strenuous enough to make you sweat.

Try to lose some weight but don't Crash Diet, beware of fad diets, consider supplements, eat calcium, take small bites, use your sense of smell, try to get a good night sleep, try to eat more vegetable and pure veg. food rather than non-veg that will cause no to increase more weight..in your body.

Try to be happy, make and feel yourself as happiest person in the world. Think and create positive ideas think about nature around you, take fresh air by getting up early in the morning.

TAME YOUR HORMONES
BY:Get moving, try red clover extract,get tested, resist carving, Practise reiki, take evening primrose oil, eat well, try melatonin,

LIVE LONGER

1. Shed some weight: For every excess kilogram you carry, you cut 20 weeks off your life expectancy. Doctors who have analysed 25 years of research claim that this may explain why women, who generally have smaller bodies than men, live longer.

2. Be a vegetarian: Being vegetarian for 20 years or more adds four years to the average lifespan, according to a study based on 7,100 Adventists, who largely do not eat meat. A UK report also shows lower mortality rates among vegetarians.

3. Have a happy marriage: Being happily married for more than 10 years increases life expectancy for both men and women. But divorce and remarriage raises the risk of dying early, says a report in the journal Health Psychology.

4. And have an intelligent wife: Being married to a more intelligent woman can halve a man's risk of heart disease and premature death, according
to research based on 20,000 men.

5. Be religious: Regular worshippers live longer, and are generally healthier. The social aspect of religion is thought to be significant.

6. Get a pet: People with pets live longer. Pets make their owners feel optimistic, relaxed and less stressed, all of which lower blood pressure. Families who own a dog or cat make fewer visits to their doctors, according to research at Cambridge University.

7. Avoid lie-ins: People who sleep for more than eight hours a day have shorter lives. According to research in the Archives of General Psychiatry.

Benefited to your health by apply this:

1. Set out some easy-to-eat fruit: I struggle because I have a sweet tooth. One thing that has helped me cut back on candy is to have grapes, dried mangoes, prunes, clementines (fast and easy to peel) and other sweet fruits readily available. That way, when I wonder into the kitchen looking for an easy snack, the fruit is right there. And it's sweet enough to satisfy my craving - most of the time.
2. Replace one drink per day with water: Instead of that sweetened "sports" drink, or that soda, drink water. Replace one can/Big Gulp/20 oz. bottle each day with water. If you must have flavor in your water, there are low calorie options that lightly flavor your water for you. Even drinking a glass of lowfat milk is better for you than a 20 oz. soda. At the very least, downgrade the size of the sweetened drinks you are guzzling.
3. Daily relaxation: If you take 15-20 minutes each day to relax, via yoga, meditation, some sort of journal writing, or non-demanding reading, you can improve your health by reducing stress. It can even help you lose weight more efficiently when combined with other healthy behaviors!
4. Slow down at mealtime: Give your body time to register that it is consuming food and getting full. This way, you will consume fewer calories, and possibly enjoy your food more. Not to mention you can enjoy extra time with your family.
5. Replace one meat entree a week with a vegetarian alternative: You can boost your health by eating less red meat. Pick one entree a week, and replace it with a tastyvegetarian entree. Not only will you boost your health, but you will be living greener. At the very least, replace one beef, chicken or pork entree with a fish entree.
6. Walk a little more: You've heard the advice about parking your care further from the store. This is actually good advice! You can walk a little more throughout the day. Take five minute mini-walks two or three times a day when you go on break. Adding more vigorous exercise to your schedule is even better.
7. Replace white bread with brown: White bread, rice and pasta is less healthy than brown varieties. You'll be surprised at how flavorful whole grain bread can be, and amazed at the different varieties (and colors) of rice available. You can ease into whole grain pasta by getting the mixed pastas that combine white and wheat.
8. Add variety to your salad: Replace boring iceberg lettuce with flavorful spinach (which is much better raw than cooked, IMO), red lettuce and other leafy vegetables found in "spring mix" bags. These colored leaves are higher in nutrients, and they can add a little more variety to your meals.

Every country has their own traditional way of healthcare activities:

In India, The two main forms of traditional medicine practiced are the Ayurvedic -meaning science of life system, which deals with causes, symptoms, diagnoses, and treatment based on all aspects of well-being -mental, physical, and spiritual, and the unani so-called Galenic medicine herbal medical practice. A vaidya is a practitioner of the Ayurvedic tradition, and a hakim -Arabic for a Muslim physician is a practitioner of the unani tradition.

Ayurveda literally translated means the "knowledge of life." It is the traditional healthcare system of India. Ayurveda is based on the idea that a life and lifestyle of harmony is the basis for optimum health. It can be said that where there is harmony there is health and where there is disharmony there is disease. Ayurveda is the science of creating harmony between a person and their environment.
It is well accepted that stress is the greatest threat to the well being of people. Stress weakens the immune system making the host (you and I) more attractive to the multitude of pathogens present in the world. As the strength of the host diminishes, the ability of the microorganism to penetrate its defenses increases. Stress plays a role in the onset of just about every disease people face from the common cold to heart disease. Not only is stress invisible, it is created by the person who is affected by it. This realization helps people understand that just as they have the ability to create the experience of stress, they also have the ability to create the experience of peace of mind. Ayurveda, and its sister science Yoga are a path to personal power helping people learn how to gain control over the mind. Once in control, a person is no longer the slave of their thought process but rather its master.

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