Many people, specifically women are diagnosed with an eating disorder either anorexia or bulimia. Anorexia is considered when you are excessively concerned in losing weight. On the other hand, bulimia is characterized by bingeing and followed by self-induced vomiting. You should be aware that the two eating disorders have different signs and symptoms.
People with these conditions have psychological and behavioral symptoms that you can be easily recognized. You can become extremely underweight, which can cause you to feel depressed. This is due to social withdrawal and the negative impression about having an eating disorder. You can also have an obsession with food. You may constantly collect copies of recipes and become fond of preparing meals with specific calorie count. Aside from being diagnosed with an eating disorder, you may also have an obsessive-compulsive disorder.
If you have anorexia or bulimia, your heart rate and blood pressure may fall. These are manifestations of weight loss. You may also experience constipation because the rate of your metabolism is decreased and unstable. Severe cases can affect the endocrine system. This can result to irregularities in the menstrual cycle and possible amenorrhea. You may also have notable changes in your urinary system. You may have either an increased or decreased frequency in urination.
Women with bulimia are more prone to have weight fluctuations. Because of excessive eating that may or may not be followed by purging or self-induced vomiting, the rate of your metabolism is not constant. This may result into an ineffective weight loss. On the other hand, there are those that use other means of losing weight such as consuming diuretics and laxatives. These can affect the normal function of your urinary and digestive system.
With the eagerness to lose weight and food-related obsessions, your relationships with other people are also affected. There are instances that you become too focused in exercising that you forget to socialize with your family and friends. With the fear to gain weight, you may also tend to disregard attending family events and even a simple dinner date with your friends. You may also feel unattractive because you are too skinny. These are effects of anorexia or bulimia. Because of this, you refrain from going out with the fear that people may comment on your physical appearance. It is best that you consult a doctor if you experience any of the symptoms that were mentioned. If you have a family member that is observed to have changes in her behavior, it is also advisable that you take the liberty to bring her to a specialist.
Labels: Health, Health Care Tips, Health Tips
Food is fuel for the human body, and we eat it to get ourselves through the day. We also gather around the dinner table to celebrate special events and spend time with our loved ones. In times of grief, it's common to offer food to the bereaved. Is it any wonder that food and emotions are so connected?
Unfortunately, some people feel compelled to eat far past the point of satiety. This is done in an attempt to calm volatile emotions or to fill an emotional void.
The National Institute of Health estimates that 3% of Americans (over 9 million people) suffer from compulsive overeating, also known as Binge Eating Disorder. This disease can lead to obesity, type 2 diabetes, and feelings of intense guilt and shame.
Emotional eaters tend to be guided by their emotions rather than their hunger. Some eat when they are sad, lonely, or bored. Others eat when they are stressed out.
Most are simply carrying on behaviors learned in childhood, when food was associated with comfort and reward. Emotional eating has little to do with actual hunger, and everything to do with unfulfilled needs.
If you think you or someone you love might be struggling with compulsive emotional eating, follow these steps to start the recovery process.
Recognize the signs of emotional eating.
Emotional eaters tend to eat until they are uncomfortably full, and they usually eat alone because they are self-conscious about the amount of food they are consuming. After an emotional eating binge, they might feel disgusted, guilty, or depressed about their lack of self-control.
Learn to identify your triggers.
Every emotional eating episode has a trigger. Think back to a time when you engaged in compulsive eating. Was it a reaction to a particularly stressful day? Were you consoling yourself with food to overcome loneliness or boredom? Were you relieved that a stressful period in your life had finally come to an end? All of these situations can lead to an emotional eating binge.
Discover your true needs.
It's not always an easy process, but if you want to overcome emotional eating, you must learn to recognize and ask for what you truly need. Do you need food, or do you need affection? Do you need food, or do you need to feel appreciated? When your true needs are fulfilled, the compulsion to eat will go away.
Keep a food journal.
A food journal is an excellent way to keep track of your food intake. You can also use it to track your feelings and emotional eating triggers. This will help you identify the thought processes leading up to a binge. Once you can identify these thoughts, you can take steps to change them and head off the next binge before it occurs.
Replace food with other rewards.
Learn to reward yourself with treats other than food. If you need to feel pampered after meeting a stressful deadline, celebrate with a massage or a luxurious bubble bath. If you want to celebrate after losing ten pounds, buy yourself a new outfit or something related to a favorite hobby.
Too many of us turn automatically to food as a reward, forgetting that there are many healthier ways to splurge!
Talk to someone who understands.
Millions of people struggle with emotional eating, and you do not need to go through recovery alone. Sometimes it helps to hear from others who have beaten the disorder, and others who face the same challenges as you.
Labels: Health, Health Care Tips, Health Tips
Colon cleansing must be performed by everyone. No matter how healthy you think you are, there are actually so many toxins that are still stranded inside your body. You might not feel them by now, but later on they will develop into a more serious health problem.
We can perform colon cleansing through the use of colon cleanse pills. There are numerous products out these days which can help us cleanse our colon. There can be too many choices for us which makes it difficult to find out which of these pills are really effective. Below are the 5 best colon cleanse pills according to several online product reviews.
1. Dual Action
The Dual Action can give so many advantages being a colon cleansing product. First, it will increase the bowel movement. While undergoing cleansing, you need to flush out the wastes more frequently. This product serves as a laxative for people who want to cleanse their colon. It also improves the entire well-being of a person as it helps increase the energy levels. Colon cleansing can result to a major energy break down because the nutrients can also be flushed out together with the toxins. This product makes sure to supply the body with the needed nutrients to keep the energy levels regulated.
2. Almighty Cleanse
This pill is made of all natural ingredients. That is the reason why there is no side effect when using this product. It contains psyllium seeds that are very effective for colon cleansing. The Almighty Cleanse serves as a dual action cleansing system that will ensure that the energy levels in the body are regulated while the cleansing is being performed. It also does not have any unpleasant taste.
3. Colon xR
This is a perfect colon cleansing agent for people who are sensitive to laxatives. It has a mild formula of ingredients that will ensure users to have no reactions while cleansing. The Colon xR helps brak down the toxins and wastes inside the body into smaller compounds. That way, it will be easier for the digestive tract to flush them out. That is what makes the Colon xR one of the 5 best colon cleanse pills.
4. ColonBlow
Just like its name, what it does is actually blow the colon so the toxins and wastes will be flushed out. With just 24 hours after taking the ColonBlow, you will immediately see results as you do your bowel movement. You will notice how much wastes you are going to flush out. While in the process of cleansing, you will not feel any side effects because it is made from natural ingredients.
5. Colpurin
The Colpurin is one of the 5 best colon cleanse pills these days that contain psyllium husk. This is a very important ingredient for an effective colon cleansing. It also contains lemons peel and ginger which are packed with fibers. Fiber is needed to remove the wastes out a lot easier.
We can get these 5 best colon cleansing pills from drug stores or even order them online. They are very easy to purchase and some even offer money back guarantee as a sign of being a trusted product.
Labels: Health Care Products, Health Care Tips, Health Tips
When you start considering detoxification diet, you often get caught up in looking for the right plan for you. You may have some questions and doubts - are detox detox diets safe? How do I choose the right meals? If that questions are familiar, read on before starting your diet with wrong objectives or information.
The main point that the detox diet is based on, is that plenty of the foods we serve every day on our tables may be devastating to our health. Toxins included in those foods are usually kept in the tissue of our organisms. And there is only one way to get rid of them efficiently - detoxification. And by detoxification I mean consuming only particular types of foods, that are not processed or modified. Eating those carefully selected nutrients will help our bodies get rid of the toxic substances and improve our overall health.
Some easy and popular diets are based on the scientifically proven fact, that if you replace all the junk food with healthy ingredients like vegetables and fruits, you will eventually start losing weight. The other key factor of those diets is water - and lots of it. You should at least drink 2 litres of water a day, and skip the fizzy drinks.
But not every detox diet is so easy. There are some people that promote very strange diets - like the lemonade diet. Its main principle is drinking enormous amounts of liquids (like lemonade) and skipping all the foods, in the effort of cleansing your body from toxins. Although there are people claiming to have good results with this type of diet, they don't seem too trustworthy. In my opinion, starving yourself is dangerous for your health and should not be used as a way to lose weight.
The first thing you need to do before starting your new detoxification diet is consulting your doctor. They have the necessary knowledge to tell you if the plan you chose is safe for you to use, and if it is going to provide results. Also remember, that some diet specialists will advise methods that were not scientifically proven to work. Do your homework - visit your doctor and ask him for security measures and possible dangers of your diet plan.
After you have talked to your doctor, it's time to start your diet. Your strong will is required here - stick to the diet rules and stop eating the forbidden foods, also make sure that you consume your meals more often, but in smaller quantities. Another crucial point is physical exercise. You should create a plan for regular activities, as they are very beneficial for your health and also good mood. If you are not able to complete the exercises you planned in good form, consider lowering the amount of exercise till your fitness level goes up. If exercises make you nauseous, stop doing them. A detox diet can help you a lot, but if not done well, it may do serious damage to your body. Always remember to listen to what your body is telling you - if you feel good on the diet, that's great. If you feel sick, depressed or dizzy, you could have chosen the wrong diet.
Labels: Health, Health Care Tips, Health Cleanse, Health Tips
It should come as no surprise that arthritis pain cure comes with a lot of no's and yes's before you can figure out which one will best handle the pain you are experiencing. If you are one of the people who has been experiencing a lot of pain due to arthritis, the time has come for you to take the helm and do something about your condition. If you can sufficiently reduce your pain, you can resume your normal working life.
Don't make the mistake so many people make when it comes to arthritis pain cure. You must not avoid visiting your doctor. This is not a condition for self-diagnosis, because unintended consequences may come to haunt you. If you do go to see your doctor, you are likely to get treatments that may actually relieve a lot of your pain.
One other thing not to avoid is the search for natural remedies. These alternative treatments can be of significant value, even if you are going to use them alongside with what your doctor orders. What you need to keep in mind is that the various cures you try work together rather than against each other. Your doctor can help you with this. If you use care, you are not going to run into a situation that can make things worse rather than better. So it's a truly good idea to keep abreast of what does or does not mix without causing you more harm than good.
Arthritis cure may also involve some kind of physical therapy. A physical therapist is going to be able to help you come up with a regimen that you can do in your own home on a regular basis. Any kind of physical therapy may take time before you can actually feel the results.
With the right kind of physical therapy, you may soon find that you are regaining your mobility as you take control of your pain. If this should happen, you will undoubtedly experience a returning to the things you used to be able to do in your life.
The arthritis pain sure in your special case may simply be something unique to you. If you take drugs to control your pain, that may just be one facet of the many other things you may use in combination with drugs to alleviate your pain. This means that more than one thing needs to be employed to get the maximum relief for your condition.
Labels: Health, Health Care Tips, Health Tips
Acupuncture is an alternative therapy that comes from China and evolved out of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It is a method of natural healing that has been used in the Chinese culture for the past 2,000 years. It is becoming more and more of a mainstay in western cultures. While it is not meant to replace conventional medicine it works very well in conjunction with it.
Acupuncture is all about restoring balance and equilibrium in the body. The Chinese attribute imbalances in to a disruption of life energy or positive energy called chi. This energy moves throughout the body's invisible energy lines that are known as meridians. All of the 12 meridians correspond to various organs in the body. When chi is upset this causes illnesses and diseases to occur.
To restore the imbalance and bring the energy back into proper harmony and equilibrium it is recommended that an individual seek out acupuncture. A qualified and experienced professional will take sterilized fine point needles and gently insert them into the skin along the meridian lines, according to the problems that the patient is having. The body contains 1,000 acupuncture points.
The whole idea behind acupuncture is to improve a person's level of health. It is also to reduce pain and discomfort. This natural health healing has shown particular potential in terms of helping those who suffer from the chronic and debilitating pain that accompanies fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis. It has also shown plenty of potential with regards to fertility problems and for those who have cancer.
Using needles to help improve a health condition may seem odd to some people and may even seem barbaric to others. The important thing to be aware of is that many people have been helped by this healing process. It is also worth knowing that the needles are not inserted very far into the skin and therefore do not even pierce the skin. As a patient of acupuncture you may feel a slight sensation as the needles are inserted but you will not suffer any real pain. The goal behind this ancient form of healing is to lessen pain and not to create any more!
This therapy is one of the most popular and well known of all of the natural methods of healing. It is one that many seek out when they feel the limitations that govern Western medicine. How exactly it works is not known. But as previously mentioned, the Chinese has been using it for many centuries with plenty of success. Many people swear by it.
Many theories have been proposed about how this mysterious alternative therapy does what it is meant to do- improve the health of the person who has it. Some believe that the electrical currents found in the body are positively affected by the needles that are used. Still others believe that it stimulates endorphins that then work to counteract the discomfort that is being felt by the patient. Another idea is that neurotransmitters are released from the brain during the application of the treatment. This would then cause nerve impulses to find their way to the brain and facilitate a reduction in pain.
Regardless of which proposed theory is correct the important thing is that it alleviates pain from a variety of health conditions. Give this ancient healing art a try and see for yourself!
Labels: Health Care Products, Health Care Tips, Health Tips
Health Care Products You Should Use For Elder Care
0 comments Posted by freakymom at Wednesday, October 22, 2008Caring for the elderly whether in a care home or at your home requires a large amount of different sorts of medical supplies. These often need to be bought in bulk form, from a wholesale health supplier. They will be able to supply you with most of the equipment that you need such as wholesale latex gloves, incontinence pads and disposable plastic aprons. These are the supplies that you will be using frequently to clean up and reduce mess and to help stop the spread of diseases.
There are different types of glove available for various tasks and they come in a wide range of materials as people can often have allergies to materials like latex. You also find that some gloves contain powder where as others do not and are called powder free gloves. Powder is often put into gloves to make them easier to put on if the task you are performing means that your hands are damp. There have been issues in the medical industry with regards to powdered gloves as the powder can sometimes cause problems when performing tasks like surgery. This has meant that more medical institutions have now switched to powder free gloves in most cases, as they are a lot safer to use when you are working with wounds.
If you are interested in buying bulk medical supplies for a nursing home or for caring at home then you should visit Gompels Healthcare. Gomples provide a range of different solutions and products including Powder Free Vinyl Gloves, Incontinence Pads, Janitorial Supplies and Latex Gloves.
Labels: Elder Care, Health, Health Care Products, Health Care Tips
Heartburn (Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease) Preventive Tips
0 comments Posted by freakymom at Tuesday, June 10, 20082. Examine your diet: Avoid foods that seem to trigger heartburn like caffeine, chocolate, high-acid foods (such as citrus and tomato juices) and mint-flavored foods. Dairy foods can be triggers in people who are lactose-intolerant. Avoid fatty foods, especially animal fat. Also, it is a myth that carbonated drinks relieve heartburn. Just the opposite is true.
3. Quit smoking: Tobacco irritates the digestive tract and contributes to heartburn.
4. Avoid alcohol: It can cause and aggravate heartburn.
5. Lose weight: Losing weight even a little can alleviate heartburn.
6. Change your eating habits: Eat small, frequent meals rather than three large ones. Don't eat late at night, and don't lie down right after eating.
7. Prop yourself up: Elevate the upper portion of your body when you sleep. An extra pillow under your head won't do it. Your chest and shoulders need to be elevated, too.
8. Exercise: A regular aerobic exercise program, even a brisk daily walk, helps many people with heartburn. It reduces stress and helps you lose weight. However, don’t exercise right after a meal.
9. Reduce stress: Stress doesn’t cause heartburn, but it can make it worse. So stress-reduction may help you control heartburn.