Kidney Infection Symptom

Kidney Kidneys are the main vertebrates? emunctories (that lead out all final products of metabolism). Vertebrates for example like snail also have organs fulfilling a similar secretory function and sometimes they are called kidneys but they differ from vertebrates? kidney for their structure and evolutionary descent.

Function. The main function of kidneys is to move out of organism water and final products of metabolism. Vertebrates? the main such product is urea. It is a principal final nitrogenated product of protein disassimilation (protein metabolism). Birds and reptiles? principal product of protein metabolism is uric acid. It is a insoluble matter and it is a white paste in excrement. Human uric acid also forms and moves out by kidneys (its salts are urates).

Human kidneys move out about 1-1.5 liters of urine in 24 hours. Though these numbers can vary strongly. On increase water consumption kidneys answer increasing production of more dilute urine. And so they keep up normal water content in organism. If the water consumption is limited kidneys make for saving it in organism. And they use as little as possible water for urine formation. The urine volume can decrease till 300 ml per day and the concentration of moving out products will be accordingly higher. The urine volume is regulated by antidiuretic hormone (ADH) also known as vasopressin. This hormone is secreted by posterior lobe of pituitary gland (it is a gland that located at the base of brain). If an organism needs to save water ADH secretion increases and the urine volume decreases. And vice versa when there is a plenty of water in organism ADH does not educe and so daily urine volume can reach 20 liters. Though urine excretion doesn?t exceed 1 liter per hour.

Structure. Mammals have two kidneys which located in abdominal cavity on both sides of backbone. Total weight of both human kidneys is about 300 gr. or about 0.5-1 % of body weight. In spite of their small size kidneys have rich blood supply. During 1 minute about 1 liter of blood run through renal artery and come out by renal vein. Thus in 5 minutes blood volume equal to the total amount of blood in the whole organism (about 5 liters) goes through kidneys to eliminate products of metabolism.

A kidney is covered with connective tissue membrane and serous tunic. On kidney?s slit one can see that it is divided on two parts. They are called cortical and medullary substance. The most part of a kidney consists of huge number of superfine gyrose tubule which are called nephrons. Every kidney has about 1 million of nephrons. The total nephrons length of both kidneys is about 120 kilometers. Kidneys are responsible for liquid formation that finally becomes urine. The nephrons structure is the key to understanding his functions. On the one side of each nephron there is a distension. It is a round formation that is called renal corpuscle. It consists of bilaminar so called Bowman's capsule which include capillary net that form a glomerule. The rest part of a kidney is trichotomic. Twisted part that is the nearest to glomerule is called proximal convoluted tubule. Then thin-walled straight part that turns round sharply and makes loop so called Henle's loop. It is distinguished (in series) descending part, turn and ascending part in it. A tortile third part is a distal spiral tubule which is run (with other spiral tubules) into a receiving tube. Urine goes from receiving tubes to renal pelvis (in fact it is a dilated end of ureter) and then further along the ureter in an urinary bladder. Urine is led out from an urinary bladder along an urethra in certain terms. Cortical substance includes all glomerules and all gyrose parts of proximal and distal tubules. Henle's loops and receiving tubes which are located between loops are in medullary substance.

Urine formation. In glomerule water and attenuated in it substances go out from blood through capillary wall under the influence of blood pressure. Interstices of capillaries so small that stop blood cells and proteins. Therefore glomerule works like filter that let pass only water without proteins but with all permeates in it. This liquid is called ultrafiltrate, glomerule filtrate or primary urine. It is undergo control while going through other parts of nephron.

In a human kidney the volume of ultrafiltrate is about 130 ml per minute or 8 liters an hour. As the total blood volume of a man equal about 5 liters it is evidently that the most part of ultrafiltrate should be absorbed back into blood. If to assume that about 1 ml of urine is formed in a human organism per hour so the rest 129 ml (more than 99%) liquid of ultrafiltrate is necessary to return in bloodstream before they will become urine and will go out an organism.

Ultrafiltrate contains a lot of valuable substances (salts, glucose, amino acids, vitamins and so on) which an organism can?t lose on a substantial scale. The majority of them are exposed reabsorption in proportion as filtrate goes along proximal nephron tubules. For example glucose reabsorbes till it disappear from filtrate at all (till it concentration reaches zero). As the glucose transfer back in blood where its concentration is higher goes against the density gradient so the process needs additional energy and it is called active transport.

As a result of glucose reabsorption and salts from ultrafiltrate the concentration of solutes decreases. Blood turned out to be more concentrated solution than filtrate and it is draw water from tubules. It means that water passive follow actively traveling salts. It is called passive transport. With the help of active and passive transport 7/8 of water and solutes are absorbed back into from the contents of proximal tubules. And the speed of filtrate volume decreasing reaches 1 liter per hour. So now inside tubules liquid include mainly slag as urea. But the process of urine formation hasn?t finished yet.

The next segment is the Henle?s loop. It is responsible for the creation of very high salts concentration and urea in filtrate. In ascending part of loop an active transport takes place. At first they are salts which gather round an interstitial fluid of medullary substance where as a result a high salt concentration is created. And because of it part of water from descending part of the loop (pervious to water) is drawn off and immediately goes to capillary. At the same time salts gradually diffuse in it and reach the highest concentration at the curve of loop. This mechanism is called countercurrent concentrating mechanism. Then filtrate goes to distant tubules where other substances can transform to it due to active transport.

Finally filtrate gets into discharging tubules. Here it is determined what quantity of liquid will be made out extra and therefore what is the final urine volume. It means the final or secondary urine volume. This stage is regulated by presence or absence of ADH in blood. Discharging tubules are located between numerous Hentle?s loops and goes parallel to them. Under the influence of ADH their walls become pervious. As the salt concentration in Hentle?s loop is very high and water have a tendency to follow salts the water in fact is drawn out discharging tubules. And it leaves a grout with high concentration of salts, urea and other solutes. This grout is the final urine. If ADH is lacking in blood so discharging tubules stay low-permeability for water. Water doesn?t go out of them and the urine volume stays large. So it turned to be diluted.

The main kidney diseases. Renal calculi are sediments of salts in kidneys. They are formed under high salt concentration in urine or increase of urine acidity. It means under conditions that are conductive to salt crystallization. The main types of calculi are oxalates, phosphate or urates. Small calculi (sand) go out through ureters practically without any harm. Bigger ones may get stuck in ureters and it is accompanied by excruciating pain (renal gripes). Still bigger calculi stay in pelvises and cause pain, infection and kidneys dysfunction. The consumption large quantity of water decreases the probability of formation of calculi.

Renal calculi are eliminated by surgical treatment or with the help of lithotripsy (therapeutic use of ultrasound to shatter calculi to small pieces which can be moved out of the organism). Such method doesn?t make any harm to soft tissues of a kidney.

Renal insufficiency and hemodialysis. There are many causes as renal infection or destruction attached to diseases such as pancreatic diabetes which could lead to dysfunction of kidneys right up to renal insufficiency. On chronic renal insufficiency acid-base disequilibrium and accumulation of nitrogenous slag (urine first of all) in blood takes place.

Those who suffer from renal insufficiency could be treated with the help of hemodialysis (artificial kidney). Its principle lay in that blood from artery (usually from forearm) goes through artificial kidney apparatus and returns to the vein of patient. In apparatus blood run through microscopical tubules which are circled by thin plastic membrane. On the other side of membrane dialysis liquid is. If instead of dialysis liquid there was water this case all solutes (salts, sugar and so on) will be washed out of blood plasma. It means that all solutes went out through membrane to water. To avoid it liquid grout that contains all those components and in those concentrations as blood plasma (but those which should be removed for example urea) is taken for dialysis. At the time of hemodialysis these solutes go out of plasma so in the vein of patient entire blood returns. Hemodialysis could have been run for years. While visiting dialysis center regularly patients still keep on living normally.

Kidneys and urinary infection. Kidneys infection (glomerulonephritis, pyelonephritis) and urinary infection (cystitis) occur more often at women (in view of anatomic peculiarities). More than usually women with slowed immune system suffer.

All about Kidney infection.

5 Diet Fitness Tips You Can Use Today

Are you ready to live a more powerful life by taking control of your weight and physical condition? If so, here are five ideas that can start you on the path to a healthier, slimmer body today.

1. Stop using remote controls. Remote controls are the bane of a prospective weight loser. They may be remarkable gadgets by themselves but from the weight loss point of view, they just aren't very helpful.

They really encourage us to take a laid back kind of attitude towards life itself. In fact if remote controls were not there, the television would not have become so popular. It is because of remote controls that people can remain where they are and switch from one channel to the other. And they only have to twitch a finger muscle to achieve this.

Now, I have nothing against multi-channel television sets but what I strongly advocate is that you get up from where you are and change the channel of the TV each time you want to do so.

2. Try massaging your partner on a regular basis. This is a fun way to lose weight. It is something that can give your partner a lot of pleasure and at the same time can give you a lot of exertion there by leading to weight loss.

The attitude should of course be you scratch my back I will scratch yours. It should not be a one sided effort or else the interest will soon dwindle.

In fact, it is a good idea if couples take up weight loss routines together. They can keep watch over each other, help control those urges to eat and motivate each other to stick to the routine.

There are a lot of things that couples can do together that can help them to keep physically active...

3. Try breathing exercises. You might be surprised to know that breathing exercises too can lead to weight loss. If you are doing the breathing exercises properly, you will find that you can exert a lot of pressure on the muscles around the mid section.

You can feel a tightening of these muscles each time you breathe in or breathe out. So go ahead and breathe properly, it is good for you.

4. Join a dance class. Dancing is a wonderful way to burn off those extra calories. It is true. When you dance you are in fact burning away a lot of calories. Of course we are not referring to the slow ballroom kind of dances in which one person actually leans on the other one for support. We are talking about fast dances.

The best way to do it is by joining a jazz or hip-hop dance class because they will really work you out. I would suggest that you wait for a couple more pounds to vanish before you think of becoming a ballerina.

5. At the very least, do things like fetching, turning things off and on by yourself. Often when we come back tired from work, we tend to get others to do simple chores for us. These things are no big deal. They are things that we can very well do for our selves but we don't.

That is why we often ask our kids to fetch us this or take away that.

Training your pet is a wonderful thing indeed. It is quite remarkable how some people get their dogs to fetch them something. But the fact is that while you may be making sure that your dog is getting a lot of exercise, you are neglecting your bit of the story!

James B. Allen is the publisher of Power Living Press. He invites you to come learn more about living a healthier, wealthier, more beautiful and more powerful life TODAY by visiting:

http://www.PowerLivingPress.com

Lung Cancerthe Ultimate Destiny of All Smokers!

BRONCHOGENIC CARCINOMA :

A number of benign and malignant tumours occur in the lungs but the primary lung cancer, commonly termed bronchogenic carcinoma, is the most common. The lung is also the commonest site for metastasis from carcinomas and sarcomas. A histologic classification of various benign and malignant tumours of lungs as recommended by the World Health Organisation

It is the most common primary malignant tumour in men inindustrialised nations and accounts for nearly one-third of all cancer deaths in both sexes. Currently, the incidence in females in the United States has already exceeded breast cancer as a cause of death in women. Cancer of the lung is a disease of middle and late life with peak incidence in 5th to 7th decades, after which there is gradual fall in its incidence.

ETIOPATHOGENESIS

1. Smoking

2. Atmospheric pollution

3. Occupational causes

4. Dietary factors

5. Genetic factors

6. Chronic Scarring

TUBERCULOSIS

Tissue response in tuberculosis represents classical example of chronic granulomatous inflammation in humans.the causative agent is tubercle bacillus or Koch�s bacillus called Mycobacterium tuberculousis causes tuberculosis in the lung and other tissues of the human body. The organism is a strict aerobe and thrives best in tissues with oxygen tension like in the apex of the lung.

Mode Of Transmission

1. Inhalation of organisms present in fresh cough droplets or in dried sputum form an open case of pulmonary tuberculosis.

2. Ingestion of the organisms leads to development of tonsillar or intestinal tuberculosis. This mode of infection of human tubercle bacilli is from self-swallowing of infected sputum of an open case of pulmonary tuberculosis, or ingestion of bovine tubercle bacilli from milk of diseased cows.

3. Inoculation of the organisms into the skin may rarely occur from infected postmorten tissue.

The author is the owner of a Successful Weight loss program. Also the author maintains a blog on General Medicine.

Issues in Diagnosing Acute Bronchitis

Acute bronchitis is a common respiratory disease that causes inflammation of the bronchial mucosal membranes. Unlike chronic forms of the disease, acute bronchitis has a rapid onset and generates more intense symptoms. However, acute bronchitis doesn?t have a recurrent character and thus its generated symptoms don?t persist in time. Due to the fact that the clinical manifestations of acute bronchitis are unspecific, pointing to various types of respiratory diseases, sometimes it can be difficult for doctors to quickly find the correct diagnosis. Thus, doctors usually perform additional tests in order to confirm the presumptive diagnosis. However, even laboratory tests can sometimes fail to reveal conclusive evidence of acute bronchitis. Considering this fact, the majority of patients with suspected acute bronchitis are commonly diagnosed after they receive elaborate physical examinations.

Most symptoms of acute bronchitis are outwardly visible. The disease generates symptoms such as mucus-producing cough, chest pain and discomfort (intensifying with deep breaths), wheezing, difficult, shallow and accelerated breathing. Sometimes, these manifestations of acute bronchitis can be accompanied by mild or moderate fever. The presence of high fever is an indicator of complications, suggesting severe infection with bacteria or mycoplasmas. Prolonged, intense fever may point to spreading of the respiratory infection at the level of the lungs (pneumonia).

Mucus-producing cough is usually the most revealing symptom of acute bronchitis. Although the presence of cough is not sufficient for diagnosing acute bronchitis, the intensity and the frequency of this symptom are major indicators of respiratory diseases such as bronchitis. Cough is usually the first symptom to occur among people with acute bronchitis, intensifying within the first days after the period of incubation. Some patients with acute bronchitis may have this symptom for less than two weeks, while others may be confronted with cough for more than six weeks. If this symptom persists for more than 8 weeks, it may point to chronic bronchitis.

The texture and the color of the expectorated mucus are major indicators for the seriousness of the disease. For instance, the expectoration of clear, colorless mucus may disclose infectious forms of acute bronchitis. By contrast, abundant expectoration of yellowish or dark-colored mucus may point to bacterial infection of the bronchial membranes. Blood-producing cough usually points to severe forms of acute bronchitis, suggesting that the lungs are also affected by the disease. The majority of patients with acute bronchitis may experience an exacerbation of cough during the night or in the first hours of the morning.

Although doctors often perform laboratory analyses of mucus samples, tests such as Gram staining aren?t very accurate in revealing traces of bacterial infection. Even in the cases of serious infection, most laboratory tests may only reveal the presence of benign bacterial flora at the level of the respiratory tract. In spite of medical progress and the wide range of medical techniques available nowadays, the presence of acute bronchitis in patients is rarely revealed by routine laboratory tests. Thus, acute bronchitis is usually diagnosed according to the results of more elaborate physical examinations.

Radiography, spirometry and pulse oximetry are rarely used in the process of diagnosing acute bronchitis. These tests are recommended to patients with complicated forms of acute bronchitis that involve spreading of the disease at pulmonary level.

More informations about acute bronchitis or chronic bronchitis can be found by visiting http://www.bronchitis-guide.com/.

What is Edema and Can Adjustable Beds Really Help?

There have been quite a few articles written about how an adjustable bed can assist with the symptoms of an affliction called edema. I have not seen, in any of these articles, any mention of exactly what edema is and how an adjustable bed can possibly help. Most articles I have researched on the subject only make a general and vague connection between the disease and the bed. This article is intended to clarify both shortcomings and shed a little light on a possible easing of someone?s ailment.

Edema is the medical term used to describe an accumulation of fluid between cells in the soft tissue of the body. Edema can develop in any part of your body. The fundamental cause may be much more serious than the accumulation of fluids. Often times, edema is an early warning sign for a much more intense illness such as: Cirrhosis of the liver ? Diabetes - Vena Cava Syndrome ? Allergies ? Infection ? AIDS.

The symptoms of edema include redness, heat and tenderness in the affected area. There may be swelling and fluid in an individual arm, ankle, leg, abdomen or in your fingers. You may have puffiness in your face or around your eyes or notice that your shoes never seem to fit like they used to. If you notice any of these symptoms, consult your physician.

Swelling involves the enlargement of organs, skin, or other body structures. It is caused by excessive buildup of fluid in the tissues. This buildup can lead to a rapid increase in weight over a short period of time. This weight gain can occur within a few days to a few weeks. Swelling can occur throughout the body (generalized) or it may be limited to a specific part of the body (localized).

Localized swelling can include: Ankle, feet, and leg swelling - Swollen gums - Swollen glands - Facial swelling - Swelling in the abdomen - Scrotal swelling - Joint swelling - Breast enlargement. Slight edema of the lower legs is a common occurrence in the warm summer months, especially if a person has been standing or walking more than usual.

Generalized swelling, or massive edema (anasarca), is a common sign in severely ill people. Although slight edema may be difficult to detect, especially in an overweight person, massive edema is very obvious as swelling takes on absurd proportions. Edema can be an indication of a chronic and progressive medical illness.

Edema may be generally described in one of two ways: Pitting edema -- When you press a finger against a swollen area for 5 seconds and then quickly remove it, an indentation is left that fills slowly. Nonpitting edema -- When you press a finger against a swollen area for 5 seconds and then quickly remove it, no indentation is left in the skin.

Common Causes of edema include: Too much salt or sodium intake ? Burns ? Sunburn ? Malnutrition - Too little albumin in the blood (hypoalbuminemia) ? Pregnancy - Nephrotic syndrome - Chronic kidney disease - Heart failure - Thyroid disease - Liver failure from cirrhosis - Acute glomerulonephritis - Nephrotic syndrome ? Certain Drugs ( Androgenic and anabolic steroids, Antihypertensives, Corticosteroids such as prednisone (causes sodium retention), Estrogens, Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, Calcium channel blockers)

One of the main options recommended by medical experts for easing localized swelling and prevent skin breakdown from chronic edema, is the use of a pressure reducing mattress and to keep your limbs elevated above the level of your heart when you lie down. That is what an adjustable bed is specifically built to do. The link between an adjustable bed and edema is justified due to it?s functionality.

You could try to prop pillows and other soft materials under yourself but with an electric adjustable bed you will be able to effortlessly position your body to attain an optimal comfort and swelling-reducing level. Just pick up your remote control unit and push the buttons! If you or a loved one suffers from edema and are considering the purchase of an adjustable bed, I hope you find this article useful. An old Portuguese saying , roughly translated, says it all Whomsoever has health, has it all!

Emmanuel DeFreitas is the administrator for Adjustable Bed Center providing detailed information on electric, medical, cheap, and used adjustable beds, as well as adjustable airbeds and adjustable bed reviews. http://www.adjustable-bed-center.com

Roles of Parents in Teenage Obesity

Obesity has been an unending medical nightmare for man through the ages, especially in communities and societies where the standard of living is good enough. But in recent times, there seems to be a turn of events. What we are experiencing now looks like an obesity epidemic in children. And in most cases, we all seem to miss the point. There is so much noise about losing weight and not about preventing weight gain in the first place, which is the problem.

Parents play a vital role in the weight of their children; it's really part of parental care. Understandably, obese parents tend to have obese children. Not just because of the genetic factors, but because it is more likely that these parents will pass down their poor eating and sedentary lifestyles to their children. Children are always very close to their parents and in most cases, see them as role models. They are therefore more likely to followthe habits, norms, attitudes and beliefs of their parents. If this is understandable, what about parents that aren't obese?

The first problem or cause of obesity in children is over eating. Children love eating and eating junk foods. Any diet that deprives children of junk food is very likely to fail. And because parents condone their children's eating habits, they become part of the cause of obesity in their children. As part of parental love and care, parents must learn to criticize children's eating habit and teach them at an early age to eat just enough food for satisfaction. Making children eat slowly is an effective way to curb excesses in eating. Food getting into the stomach takes about 20-30minutes to stimulate the satiety center of the brain that brings the sense of fullness. Eating slowly, therefore, will help children to eat to satisfaction without overeating.

Parents should also learn to build the right eating habit in children from an early age. Eating the right type of food to avoid overweight is a key instrument in avoiding childhood obesity. Implementing a diet rich in fruit, vegetables, whole grain and other healthy food types will allow your children to enjoy eating good food without the dangers of overweight. Cooking together and eating together as a family will make eating enjoyable enough without the need to overeat. The ease and availability of fast food restaurants is another cause for concern. Most parents award their children's brilliant performance or a job well done with a trip to a fast food restaurant. It's not wrong to take children out once in awhile, but it is parts of parents' care to limit such outings to within a reasonable limit.

The sedentary lifestyles and reduced activity in most children is another cause for concern. Children spend hours on end watching TVs or playing video and computer games. The digital generation we live in today has not help matters. The number of hours spent daily in these sedentary activities pile up gradually and is a sure precursor to weight gain. Parents can create a healthy active lifestyle in their children by leading active lifestyles themselves and taking their children along. Biking, taking an evening walk together or swimming are activities that parents can do with their children. It is better for parents to encourage their children to take up some type of sports, dance, martial arts or any form of activity that will cut down sedentary living styles in their children.

Obesity is perhaps more psychologically tormenting for teenagers than for adults. They don't have the intelligence to make all the right decisions. It is part of your parental responsibility to guide them towards a better living. Their happiness at the end will bring you the joy and satisfaction that comes with a job well done.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Parental Control.

Eat Healthy for Life

Let?s not talk about diets. Diets are punishment ? like being sent to bed without dinner. Diets take some of the fun out of living. Many diets or supplements are harmful to your health or even dangerous, if you have certain risk factors.

Forget any past diet failures and push aside any guilt or shame you harbor about your weight. It?s time to look forward; not back. You have the whole future in front of you to get better every day. It's time to eat healthy.

This is not a short term fix. Isn?t your health more important than your weight? Let?s be sensible and talk about eating healthy for life.

Don?t get me wrong ? diets do help many people lose weight ? for a time. Almost any restrictive diet can give one a jump start on weight loss; and many people are so encouraged by the rapid weight loss that they are motivated to stay on the diet.

Studies have shown that the only diets that work are the ones you stick to. That why the majority of people who successfully lose weight on a restrictive diet run into trouble when they move to the maintenance phase. So again I say, you need a plan to eat healthy for life.

As with most things in life, there?s no ONE solution that suits everyone. When choosing to eat healthy, a plan for the rest of your life, you want to find one that YOU can live with.

If your choice of plan starts with an initial (less than nutritious) restrictive phase, consider what supplements you ought to take during that phase. Also be sure that the maintenance part of the program meets generally accepted nutritional guidelines or that you can make it do so with minor adjustments or supplementation. You definitely need to think long term when choosing to eat healthy.

What We?ve Known All Along

With all the diet programs, books, ads and fads these days, it?s easy to lose sight of some really basic facts of some very convincing long term health studies that can guide us to healthier eating.

1.Calories In vs. Calories Expended

The human body is a marvelous machine. It can be pushed to great lengths, like pre-exam all-nighters, or to perform amazing feats, like running marathons or scaling mountains. But it is a machine. It needs to be cared for and properly maintained.

The more it is abused or pushed to the max, the greater the chance that parts will break down prematurely or beyond nature?s ability to repair them. Like any machine, it needs fuel to operate. Give it improper or insufficient fuel and it won?t run as well, if at all. Give it too much fuel and that will gum up the works. Now here?s where the analogy breaks down.

With a man made machine, excess fuel simply overflows and makes a big mess. Unfortunately, the human machine has the amazing capacity to create unlimited new storage tanks for excess fuel ? even to the point of death. Further, once that excess fuel is stored, it is difficult to dislodge ? but not impossible. That?s the Calories In part of the equation.

The fuel you take in is burned by every single movement you make: breathing smiling, kissing, walking, dancing, chewing and even digesting your food. The more you move, the more fuel (calories) you burn.

The part of your body that has the ability to move other parts is muscle. Ergo the more muscles you have and the more you use them, the more calories you burn. In fact, every ounce of muscle you add increases your basal metabolism ? the rate at which your body burns fuel.

One pound of fat contains 3500 calories. If you cut 250 calories from your daily diet and burn another 250 calories with exercise, you can lose one pound in a week!

The most efficient way to eat healthy operates on both sides of the equation. Monitor your fuel intake of course; but just as importantly, get moving to burn that fuel. And better yet, build new muscle to boost your metabolism ? the rate at which YOUR body burns fuel. This way you?ll burn more calories every hour of every day for the rest of your life.

2.Secrets of the World?s Healthiest Populations

Global epidemiological studies have identified some unusually healthy populations and linked their health to diets that differ in significant ways from the typical Western diet.

Japan, which has some of the world's lowest rates of obesity, heart disease, cancer and diabetes has a diet which is very rich in carbohydrates. The Japanese enjoy rice, vegetables, beans, and fruits at most meals.

They have a diet that is very low in saturated fat and red meats, but high in fish which contain protective omega-3 fatty acids.

Other recent and very interesting studies lead to more healthful eating tips. The Mediterranean food pyramid is based on research showing low rates of heart and other chronic disease in certain countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea compared to the West.

Research has isolated key dietary habits that are believed to account for the difference. (Monounsaturated) olive oil is the preferred fat and fat consumption (at 40% of total calories) exceeds the American Heart Association?s recommended max of 30%.

Whole grains and pastas form the base of the pyramid, so this is not a low carb eating style.

The choice of proteins in order of preference is cheese and yogurt, fish, poultry, eggs and (last and least) red meat. Further, proteins are grouped at the top of the pyramid so they account for only about 15% of daily caloric intake.

It?s also important to note that the Mediterranean lifestyle incorporates more natural physical activity ? as distinct from the Western variety of mandatory exercise. You know, the ?I just gotta get to the gym today? or ?I have to miss my weekly tennis game Saturday. Now what can I do?!? variety.

If you?re interested in following any low carb plan, limit the time you follow the restrictive phase and take the information above into account when you plan your maintenance program.

3.Health Risks of Long Term Restrictive Diets

In choosing to eat healthy for life, be sure to consider well-founded dietary advice such as recommended by the American Cancer Society for optimal cancer prevention:

Eat five or more (optimally nine) servings of fruits and vegetables daily; include fruits and vegetables at every meal and for snacks. Aside from the fact that many fruits and vegetables are good diet food because they have low calorie density (high water and fiber content), these foods are loaded with phytochemicals which work to prevent illness, cancer, and other diseases.

Choose whole grains in preference to processed grains and sugars. Choose bran, whole wheat bread, brown rice, oats, and whole grain cereals as well as beans and legumes.

Limit consumption of red meats, especially processed meats and those high in fat.

Current estimates are that nearly 33-50% of cancers can be prevented through a eat healthy diet. The recommendations above come from hundreds of research studies which show a link between cancer prevention and a high intake of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes. Hundreds of studies also support the link between a high fat diet, high intake of red meats and increased incidence of cancer

4.Magic Pills

Don?t be taken in by some of the full page ads you see with before and after pictures that promise weight loss just by taking some magic pill. In some of them you can even tell that the same head has been pasted onto the fatter body or the faces look dissimilar enough that you think, ?That?s NOT the same person?.

If you?ve read this far you know about the calories in, calories out equation. Sorry, but it?s simple math and simple physics. A pill alone will never do it.

However, that doesn?t mean that there are no little magic pills that can help you lose weight in the context of a healthy eating and exercise plan. There is a lot of exciting research showing that certain supplements can boost and sustain your metabolic rate as you age, increase muscle tone and even help the body develop more muscle, such as Green Tea Extract or DHEA.

Weight loss often results when people switch their focus from dieting in order to get thin to choosing foods for health. This is especially true if they also pay heed to the other side of the calories in, calories out equation and get moving.

Common sense strategies, yes, but these are the only ones proven to work long-term. Now, are you ready to Eat Healthy for Life?

This article is for informational purposes only. It does not purport to offer medical advice.

Jean Bowler is a life long fitness freak. She was a ballet dancer and teacher, a private fitness trainer and more. Visit her site, http://www.ageless-beauty.com for advice on diet and nutrition, skin care and more.

Coping With Psoriasis & The Psychological Effects

Any damage to the skin is good enough a reason for a person?s self-esteem to take a nosedive. This happens most especially when the lesions have spread all over the body which no amount of clothing can conceal. The way the affected person looks at himself may not differ much from how the world sees him. This first, and probably the most important, step is to choose a doctor that is not only intellectually fully-equipped but can provide psychological guidance as well.

The patient must learn how to communicate with his doctor in order to be able to make educated treatment decisions. This will help a great deal in controlling one?s psoriasis. Another step is to accept the situation at hand. While it could prove to be really difficult to accept the fact that ones physical makeup will not be that of the norm anymore due to the lesions in his body, it is very crucial to embrace the situation. When he starts to recognize what is and what is not, that is when he will be able to assess the situation at hand and start figuring solutions out.

Aside from communication with the doctor, the patient should also communicate well with family and friends. It is important for one to feel that he is not isolated from the rest of the world just because of the difference his lesions have created in his look. Also, loved ones are the best people to provide a support system for the patient. Family members and friends, on the other hand, should learn to act towards the patient and make sure that he does not lose his sense of self-worth.

Finally, the patient should learn how to ignore reactions from the less discreet people who might react to the lesions appearing on his skin.

Psoriasis facts in plain English by Jason Herbert the webmaster of Vitiligo
Info. http://www.vitiligoinfo.com

It Is Your Right To Receive The Home Health Company Of Your Choice

There seems to be a common misconception in our country regarding the reception of home health services.

First of all, too many people needing home health are under the impression that if they are to receive home health services, they must accept the ongoing or company assigned to them by the discharging hospital or referring physician. This is not only a common myth, but it is also very illegal.

The fact is, if you are needing home health services, all you need is a physician's order for home health services to satisfy Medicare.

Many physicians are affiliated with rehabilitation companies or home health companies and try to lead you to believe you must take what they give you. Patients are many time too timid to ask for something different.

Nothing could be further from the truth!

When you receive an order for home health services, you can request a specific home health company. In fact, you can even request specific therapists, nurses, or any other facet of home health service or therapy that you like. The discharging hospital or referring physicians are obligated to accommodate your wishes, within reason.

Too many medical groups have created the impression that you have to take what they recommend. This is because many of them have some kind of vested interest in you receiving what they prescribe.

Some physicians have even told patients that if they didn't accept the home health company or therapist they specified, they would not write the order.

Again, this is illegal and Medicare would be very interested in finding out this information.

Moreover, Medicare is very interested in hospitals or physicians who are only looking after their own interests. Medicare would like to be contacted whenever a physician insists upon you using a certain home health company, rehabilitation group, or medical supply company.

This is called a conflict of interest and again, is very illegal. The reason for this is because many of the physicians referring these services, receive kickbacks in the form of financial amenities, or other bonuses. Many times, a physician doesn't own the company. However, they may own the building the home health company or rehabilitation company works from. When they refer patients for home health services or rehabilitation services, the company receives reimbursement from Medicare. In turn the physician will charge is company outrageous rent fees, and is able to collect by referring patients. This is an indirect form of receiving kickbacks, and again, is illegal.

How To Avoid Being Victimized

You must first be knowledgeable with Medicare laws and regulations. You must also inform your physician that you know the Medicare laws, regulations, and more importantly, your rights as a patient.

Never accept a home health company from your physician if you don't feel completely comfortable with their services. Even if you receive a referral to receive home health services from a specific company and find that you're not happy with this company, you have the right to change companies. Furthermore, if you find that the nurses or therapists are not to your liking, you can change nurses or therapists. Many home health companies display behavior that is not consistent with the best interest of the patient. The nurses or nurse liaison, or therapists, may be rude, money driven, or power-hungry, or all of the above. What you need to do is inform the home health company that you wish to change companies and that you are informing your physician of this information.

Next, contact your physician and request a different home health company, nurse, or therapist. Most of the time, your physician will be cooperative. However if you need to be more insistent, you can inform your physician or the referring nurse, that you are well aware of the Medicare laws and regulations. Let them know that you will indeed file a complaint regarding this matter if your wishes are not respected.

Filing A Complaint With Medicare

It is always a good idea to let the physician know that you are knowledgeable of your rights, along with Medicare rules and regulations. If your physician is stubborn, or resists your wishes, it is your right, and obligation, for other patients, to file a Medicare complaint.

To file a Medicare complaint all you need to do is go to the Medicare government web site and inform them of the complaint. You can also contact Medicare through a contact hotline on the telephone to communicate with them. The Medicare hotline is 1-800-447-8477. You can contact Medicare and get more information regarding home health care and your rights at via their website at http://www.medicare.gov/HHCompare/Home.asp

Remember, you not have to take the home health company that is assigned to you. It is your right to receive the home health company, the nurse, and the home health therapist of your choice. It is your right to change home health care companies if you are not completely satisfied.

William Riopelle, MS PT, is a senior physical therapist with over twelve years experience working with people in the area of Home Health. His popular website provides more information, in downloadable audio format, for family and care providers on Alzheimer's Disease: http://www.audiomedicalscience.com

Detox Guide: Types of Detox Drinks for Effective Cleansing of our System

There are literally hundreds of detox drinks available on the internet and in health-food stores however the vast majority of them have a number of ingredients in common, many of which act as diuretics (to flush out toxins) and laxatives (to flush out toxins in a slightly different way!)

There are three major types of detox drink though and these are juices, water and herbal teas.

Juices

Pretty much any fruit and vegetable can be made into a detox juice drink with a juicing machine. In this way, your fruit and veg retain much higher quantities of vitamins and antioxidants which in turn benefit you. According to detox experts the best juices for detox purposes include celery, cucumber, carrot, apple, pineapple, lemon and ginger however any drink that you want to try can be tries ? experiment is the key.

You should try to buy organic produce fresh from a farm shop or somewhere similar so that you know it has only been picked in the last 24-48 hours. The longer a fruit or vegetable sits on a shelf the more of its vitamin content it losses and the less it will help your detox.

Water

Distilled water or mineral water is essential during a detox programme because it is the main flushing-out ingredient. One point though ? the water needs to low-aluminium because aluminium is a heavy metal and a toxin in its own right.

It is recommended that you try to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day however you should be careful not to go overboard as it is very easy to upset the body?s natural and very delicate water balance.

Herbal teas

There is a whole range of herbal teas suitable for detoxing however you must make sure that the one you choose is naturally caffeine free. Many people automatically think that green tea is a detox drink however normal green tea contains caffeine so be sure to find a caffeine free alternative.

Dandelion and Burdock tea is especially good for detoxing as is jasmine and lemon tea. Try a number of different varieties until you find a few you like. Some can be quite bitter however a touch of honey works wonders.

Detox drinks are as important to a detox regime as the diet itself so find a couple you like and stick to them. You can always try a few more next time you detox.

Find out more about Water Detox

Copyright 2006, Leroy Fong and Detox-Guide.com

Reprinting this article is allowed provided all references and acknowledgement to the author, the website, and the URL remain intact.

Leroy Fong
Detox Guide Liver Detox Colon Cleanse

Obese and Diabetic People could have Problems with Longterm Memory

Some years ago, scientists had determined that fat releases leptin, and this hormone effects appetite and Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR). They had discovered a mechanism that defends against getting too fat, but it's a mechanism that gets broken when you eat too much junk food. No junk food was available on an evolutionary time scale.

But other studies of leptin levels give other results. It's not as simple as more fat meaning more leptin in the blood. It is generally accepted that this hormone secreted by fat cells tells us when to stop eating.

Recently, a scientific team concluded that in obese people leptin doesn't reach the brain to help regulate appetite. More than that, in obese people leptin affects the processes going into the brain, compromising learning and memory. The team claims that low levels of leptin could be associated to cognitive deficits in patients with disorders like type 2 diabetes. This condition could explain why patients who have diabetes also may have troubles with their long-term memory.

Last findings belong to a geriatric team at Saint Louis University School of Medicine. Testing an animal model, they found that mice receiving leptin were able to better navigate a maze. They also find that leptin works better in older mice than in young ones, even at a lower dose.

Evie Lampard is interested in items connected to obesity and diabetes.

Wigs: The Good The Bad And The Ridiculous

While many people purchase a wig to change their style or to create a dramatic look for a special night, others wear wig hairpieces on a daily basis to conceal thinning hair or to cover baldness resulting from an illness. But no matter why you choose to wear a wig, there are a few things that you should keep in mind before you purchase one and incorporate wigs into your style.

There are many different types of wigs available and they can range from being inexpensive to extremely expensive. For the most part, the old saying, you get what you pay for, is true when it comes to purchasing wig hairpieces. The more you spend, the higher quality wig you'll get in return. And a higher quality hairpiece means that it will remain beautiful versatile for years to come.

Perhaps the most deciding factor that will help you decide how much to spend on your wig is how you are going to use it. If you are only going to use your wig occasionally for special events, you may be able to get by with an inexpensive wig. But since most inexpensive wigs are made with synthetic hair, it is almost impossible to match them up with your existing hair color or to achieve a truly natural look. Inexpensive wig hairpieces are also not finely wefted. That means that more hair is sewn into one weft of the wig instead of distributed throughout the wig evenly resulting in a baby doll hair look if you're not careful.

Other things to consider before you go by an inexpensive wig, is how you are going to style the hairpiece. Synthetic hair cannot be colored, permed or curled with thermal tools. So, your styling and change-out options with an inexpensive wig are limited.

All of these drawbacks make the natural-hair wig your best bet especially if you wear a wig on a daily basis. While this hairpiece may be a little more expensive, you can color it, cut it and curl it just like you would your own hair because it is real hair. Wig hairpieces made with natural hair also look more natural in sunlight and under certain lights than do wigs made with synthetic hair strands.

Even natural hair wigs, though, come with a wide variety of prices. The prices vary according to quality and length of the hair used and the craftsmanship of the hairpiece itself. Again, you get what you pay for.

If you plan to wear your wig daily, you should also look for wig hairpieces that are light and finely woven. The wig should allow a good amount of air to circulate through the wig and onto your scalp. This is not only for your own comfort but for the well being of your own hair. Tight and constrictive wigs can cause friction and cut off the blood supply to your scalp resulting in hair loss.

So, before you buy a wig, investigate all of your options carefully. Choosing a good wig now may save you money in the end because you will probably never have to replace it.

Michael Barrows' website gives great advice for good hair. Get your free ebook packed with hair style and hair care tips and advice, visit the great hair styles website

Heart Attack: Sudden Cardiac Arrest? Do You Know the Difference? Does It Matter?

There is often some confusion between what a heart attack is compared to cardiac arrest. They are actually quite different things.

First, let's cover some basics so we have a good foundational understanding of why heart attacks occur in the first place.

The heart is a muscle that pushes blood into the body an average of 72 times a minute. Like any muscle, the more the heart is used the healthier it tends to be. This doesn't mean that athletes can't have heart attacks, but it does make them less likely to suffer from heart problems that seem to plague the world today.

The body could be considered a very intricate plumbing system. It is made up of miles of conduit through which blood is circulated. The body is a closed system, meaning that the blood continually circulates, first collecting oxygen from the lungs, then delivering it throughout the body and to all of the vital organs, before being pumped back to the heart and around the body again.

Just as with a regular plumbing system in a house, if one of the main pipes becomes fully or partially blocked it creates less of a flow. This is basically what a heart attack is. Fatty deposits on the walls of the coronary arteries gradually cause a narrowing on the inside. The increased buildup of fatty material begins to encroach upon the inner channel and starts to interfere with the free flow of blood through the coronary artery. As this continues harder plaques develop on top of the fatty deposits. If the plaque's surface ruptures or tears, as it often does, a blood clot may occur. If the clot causes only a partial blockage, the person may develop chest pains and some other heart attack symptoms. But when the blood clot significantly or totally blocks the flow of blood through one or both of the coronary arteries, a heart attack normally results.

As mentioned at the beginning of this article, there is a difference between a heart attack and cardiac arrest. Unlike heart attacks, cardiac arrest involves a shutdown of the heart muscle. It often happens abruptly, without much in the way of symptoms. Also unlike a heart attack, it involves an electrical malfunction. Part of the heart's electrical system short-circuits, causing fibrillation. Fibrillation is a quivering of the heart muscle, where instead of actually beating, it quivers or shudders. In this condition it is unable to pump blood to the body and vital organs. If help is not on hand within minutes of the attack, the victim will first suffer brain damage, then die.

Where a heart attack victim normally has time to seek medical help and eventual recovery, a person suffering sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) has just four to six minutes before brain death and body death begin. It is estimated that over 95% of victims die before even reaching a hospital.

What's the answer?

Again, unlike heart attack victims, medical help is needed within minutes of cardiac arrest. If help is available it is best found in the form of a defibrillator. This is a device that sends an electrical shock through the heart, momentarily stopping it, but in so doing allowing the heart to recalibrate its rhythm and kick itself back into regular motion again. Amazingly, survival rates soar to somewhere around 75% when defibrillation is used on a cardiac arrest victim within several minutes of the episode.

Now here's the kicker:

Although it would seem from what you've just read that defibrillators are unnecessary for those prone to or suffering heart attacks, sudden cardiac arrest is more often than not preceded by one or more heart attacks.

So, should heart attack sufferers consider owning a portable defibrillator? You bet!

It wasn't too long ago that the only people using defibrillators were medical crews, hospital technicians, or other medical professionals. But times have changed for the better (although not enough people are aware of it), and you can now buy home-use defibrillators that are completely portable, simple to use, safe, and relatively inexpensive.

If you or a close family member have suffered a heart attack, are at risk of having heart attacks, or have been advised by a doctor that you a are high risk patient, consider purchasing a portable, automated, external defibrillator. It may be the best money you ever spent.

Graham Hobbs is a successful Webmaster and publisher of The Automated External Defibrillator. where you can find out more about Heart Attacks than you could shake a stick at on a hot day.

http://www.defibrilator-automated-external.com

Maturing Well Instead of Aging Poorly

One of the signs of aging is chronic pain and stiffness in various areas of the body and restrictions of various movements. By the time people reach their thirties, many have these restrictions. According to popular opinion and medical science, that is to be expected. Popular opinion and medical science don't say why it is to be expected, except perhaps to blame (without an illuminating explanation) our genes. While bodily changes are linked to our genetic destiny, there is another factor, one which is within our power to control.

This article provides an illuminating explanation as to why pain and restriction often appear with aging -- and what you can do about it. The illuminating explanation has to do with a common, seemingly innocuous condition underlying the movement restrictions of aging in nearly all persons -- the accumulation of muscular tension. By preventing tension from accumulating now, one can prevent the damage that leads to poor aging later; by eliminating accumulated tension, one can reclaim much of the physical grace and comfort one had years earlier.

THE OBVIOUS SIGN OF DECREPITUDE

How can you tell an aged person at a distance? It's by their posture, isn't it? Posture is a habitual way we have of moving and positioning ourselves, using the muscular system.

Much has been said in recent years about osteoporosis -- loss of bone density -- being responsible for changes of posture. While that is true in some cases and to varying degrees, muscular tensions have much more to do with the postural changes of aging than does osteoporosis. The posture of aging reveals muscular tensions that a person has accumulated and may have carried for years.

Along with postural changes, the mythology of aging has two key features: pains and stiffness.

Is it possible that chronic muscular tension alone can create the pains and stiffness of aging?

SOURCES OF PAIN AND STIFFNESS

When muscles get tight and stay tight, they cease to be elastic; they restrict movement. That sense of restriction is what people call stiffness, and it exists quite apart from the effects of arthritis.

Those same muscles, held tight for days, weeks, and years, get tired, sore, and prone to spasm. That feeling of muscle fatigue and soreness produces much of the chronic pain of aging. The effects of muscle tightness on joints is another factor that adds to pain and stiffness; tight muscles pull bones together at joints, creating pressure.

Most people are sore to the touch in one place or another -- not because they are old, but because they are tight, and their muscles, overworked.

The problem exists, however, not in the muscles themselves, but in the brain that controls them -- why is why massage and stretching provide only temporary relief. Muscles obey the brain, and if the brain says, contract, muscles contract -- massage and stretching notwithstanding.

There is nothing wrong with people's brains, however, and they don't need medication or a brain-scan; they need to learn -- or relearn -- to relax. They need to break their tension habits, formed over a lifetime.

People go through their lifetime of experiences doing either one of two things: tensing or relaxing. Think back to an earlier time in your life when you were in a new and possibly stressful situation -- one that you knew might last a while or that lasted longer than you expected. Notice how you feel when thinking about it. Are you tense, or relaxed? Can you tell? How were you, then? Did you manage your tension or did you turn your attention to more important things? Did you get used to your tension? If so, you probably lost some of your ability to relax. Over a lifetime, did you get more flexible, or more stiff? That's how you know, and that's one way a person's brain gets conditioned to maintain a level of tension.

Another way is through a physical injury. When we get hurt, we guard the injured part by pulling it in and out of action. The event of injury may make such an impression upon us that we may (and many people do) continue to guard the injured area in memory of the injury for decades. Thus forms a tension habit that leads to accumulated tension, pain, stiffness, and sometimes joint damage -- arthritis. Even without arthritis, accumulated tension adds drag to movement and makes it more difficult; people feel tired all the time, old.

Even physical fitness programs can lead to chronic tension. Many kinds of fitness training emphasize strength and firming (tightening) up. Rarely do they teach a person to relax. More often, they teach a person to stretch and warm up, which is not the same as teaching relaxation. So many fitness programs (or at least the way some people do them) cause them to form tension habits.

So, it's not so much our years as the tension habits we form over those years that determine whether we develop the pains and stiffness of aging and lose that part of our youthfulness.

A WAY BACK TO MORE YOUTHFUL COMFORT AND MOVEMENT

The pain and stiffness of aging start out as temporary tensions that become learned habits. Those habits can be unlearned.

The odd thing is that our tension often seems to be happening to us -- rather than something we are doing. Much of it exists below our threshold of consciousness. We're used to it; we don't notice it. So, the first step to breaking a tension habit is to become conscious of it. Only then can we stop tightening ourselves up.

Somatic exercises effectively break the tension habit. The word, somatic, means self-sensing and self- controlling -- the way you sense and control chewing. There are a number of systems of somatic exercises that accomplish this goal.

Somatic exercises improve posture, make you feel younger, improve flexibility, and ease or eliminate chronic pains. They pain spontaneous movement without pain possible, again.

The clinical form of Hanna Somatic Education clears up especially painful or persistent problems.

Either way, you gain freedom of spontaneous movement without pain, better coordination, more complete relaxation, and more strength guided and helped by the coaching of a somatic educator.

Improvements are stable and require minimal upkeep -- a few minutes of somatic exercises as part of ones daily regimen. Once a problem has been resolved, those exercises can keep you comfortable and supple for a lifetime.

So, if you thought pain and stiffness are the inevitable result of aging, consider the possibility that you can forestall or reverse those effects and decide whether it's worth the effort to you to do it.

Lawrence Gold, bio page
BRIEF:
Lawrence Gold served as Associate Instructor with the Novato Institute for Somatic Research and Training and for two years he was on staff at the Wellness and Rehabilitation Center of Watsonville Community Hospital, California.

He has written and published advanced handbooks of practice for professional practitioners and movement therapists, and self-care instructional programs for back pain and general health, for the general public.

Illustrated instructions for somatic exercises are found in The Magic of Somatics (For a free preview, send email to (POINT AND CLICK:) free preview

See also: Somatics : Reawakening the Mind's Control of Movement, Flexibility, and Health (Perseus Books); available in several languages.

HeadachesHome Remedies and Lifestyle Changes That Work

Americans spend more than $4 billion each year on over-the-counter pain relief for headaches, says Rita Mullin at healthdiscovery.com. Migraine sufferers alone lose more than 157 million workdays to headache and related symptoms each year and other garden-variety headaches are responsible for another 2.8 million lost workdays. Time lost from work and resulting medical expenses due to headaches are estimated to cost American industry $50 billion each year.

Not to mention the pain and suffering.

Yet often simple lifestyle and habit changes can make a difference in the frequency and severity of headaches. Here are several things you can try with very little effort or expense:

Get enough sleep. Sleep deprivation is common, affecting perhaps a quarter of the adult population. The ability to survive on little sleep seems to be a skill that elevates us to superhuman status; yet the fact remains that humans need a certain amount of sleep to function properly. How much is enough may vary somewhat from individual to individual, but most experts agree that adults need at least seven hours per night. Sleep less, and you will suffer.

Control your stress factors. This is a big enough topic for an entire book, but just being aware of how you react to stressors in your life may help you avoid headaches. Even the facial expressions you habitually wear can make a difference; for example, frowning and clenching your teeth can definitely cause headaches. When you're under stress, be aware of your breathing. Are you hyperventilating or holding your breath? Practice breathing slowly and deeply.

Experiment with your diet. Some foods can trigger migraines. Migraine sufferers might benefit from avoiding aged cheeses, such as Brie, Gruyere, and cheddar; alcohol; and black tea. So can many food additives, such as MSG. Coffee--because it contains caffeine, a vasoconstrictor--can relieve a headache; conversely, suddenly stopping or cutting back on caffeine consumption can cause a headache. And don't skip meals--that can trigger a headache.

Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water, and remember that caffeine is a diuretic; the more caffeinated beverages you drink, the more water you will need to replace the fluids. Also note that drinking alcohol is doubly harmful, for besides being a direct cause of headaches, it is also a diuretic. So are sugary drinks. Stick with water as much as possible.

Keep your feet warm. This is obviously more of an issue in the winter. Keeping your feet well covered with socks and closed shoes will draw blood away from your head to your feet, thus relieving the blood pressure in your head. At night, cover your feet with plenty of layers at the foot of your bed; you might consider wearing socks to bed.

Use heat and cold to your advantage. When the headaches starts, applying an ice pack to your head (on the top of your head or your forehead) can provide quick relief. If that sounds too uncomfortable, soaking your feet in hot water can have the same effect; some people have had success with soaking their feet alternately in hot and cold water. Try applying a heating pad to your neck. Finally, try taking a hot bath.

Check your lighting. This too is more of an issue in winter, with its short days and indirect light. It's worse for people who work in windowless buildings, unwittingly subjecting themselves to concentrated doses of artificial light. If this is your situation, spend as much time as you can outdoors, especially in the middle of the day, or at least indoors near a window. Finally, if you have any fluorescent lights in your home or workplace, do your best to replace them all with full-spectrum lights, available in a wide variety of fixture styles.

Try massage and/or biofeedback. A massage can relieve stress by relaxing the muscles in your neck and other parts of your body. Biofeedback also can be effective in preventing and relieving headaches by changing and controlling the body's vital functions such as temperature, muscle tension, and blood flow. In thermal biofeedback, commonly used for migraines, relaxation techniques are used to increase blood flow to the extremities.

In some cases, prescription medications and, as a last resort, surgery may provide the only relief. Only your healthcare provider can say for sure. Yet these eight fairly simple and do-able tips are definitely worth a try. They may save you your share of that $54 billion spent on pain relievers and lost productivity each year.

? Lisa J. Lehr 2006

Lisa J. Lehr is a freelance writer and Internet marketer specializing in direct response and marketing collateral. She holds a biology degree and has worked in a variety of fields, including the pharmaceutical industry and teaching, and has a particular interest in health, pets, and conservative issues.
Please visit her blog at http://hopeforheadaches.blogspot.com
If you?re looking for a copywriter, go to http://www.justrightcopy.com Just Right Copy--because words sell.

Two Nutrients That You Must Have to Prevent Hair Loss

There are two nutrients that you have to make sure you have plenty of every day, if you want to minimize your hair loss. These nutrients are Vitamin A and the B vitamins. To digest and absorb these nutrients you cannot use antacids.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is a key component to developing healthy cells, tissues in the body, and reducing hair loss. Additionally it works with silica and zinc to prevent drying and clogging of the sebaceous glands, the glands vital to producing sebum. Sebum is an important lubricant for the hair follicle.

Vitamin A deficiencies commonly cause thickening of the scalp, dry hair, and dandruff. Air pollution, smoking, extremely bright light, certain cholesterol-lowering drugs, laxatives, and aspirin are some known vitamin A inhibitors. Liver, fish oil, eggs, fortified milk, and red, yellow, and orange vegetables are good sources for vitamin A, as are some dark green leafy vegetables like spinach.

Be particularly careful if you take vitamin A supplements, as vitamin A is fat-soluble, allowing the body to store it and making it easy for the body to overdose on vitamin A. Vitamin A overdoses can cause excessively dry skin and inflamed hair follicles, and in some cases ironically can cause hair loss.

A safe dose of vitamin A is 10,000 IU or 25,000 IU. Most Vitamin supplements are sold in these quantities. Also take all supplements during meals unless you are working with a Nutritionist that recommends otherwise.

B-Vitamins

B-vitamins work interdependently and therefore all levels of B vitamins need to be sufficient in order to maintain proper health. Vitamins B-6, folic acid, biotin, and vitamin B-12 are all key components in maintaining healthy hemoglobin levels in the blood, which is the iron-containing portion of red-blood cells.

Hemoglobin?s primary function is to carry oxygen from the lungs to the tissues of the body, so if these vitamins were deficient in your body, then hair and skin would suffer. Fortunately some of the tastiest foods contain these vitamins. Vitamin B-6 is found in protein rich foods, which is excellent because the body needs a sufficient amount of protein to maintain hair growth. Liver, chicken, fish, pork, kidney, and soybeans are good sources of B-6 and are relatively low in fat when they are not fried.

Folic acid is found in whole grains, cereals, nuts, green leafy vegetables, orange juice, brewer?s yeast, wheat germ, and liver again. Meat, fish, poultry, eggs, and other dairy products meanwhile provide healthy amounts of B-12.

Biotin deficiencies are rare unless there is a severe case of malnutrition or a serious intestinal disorder, since a healthy gut produces biotin through good bacteria found there.

There is one more important fact in making sure you are absorbing the B-vitamins. If you have heartburn, acid reflux, or GERD and are taking any antacids or drugs to reduce your stomach acid, you will reduce your ability to digest and absorb B-vitamins. Antacids make your stomach acid more alkaline, which does not support the digestion and adsorption of the B-vitamins.

If you are taking over the counter antacids, you decrease your ability to use the B-vitamins that you eat or take as supplements.

Rudy Silva has a degree in Physics and is a Natural Nutritionist. He is the author of Constipation, Acne, Hemorrhoid, and Fatty Acid ebooks. For information on constipation and other remedy ebooks go to: For more information on hair loss go to: http://www.hair-loss-remedies.for--you.info

Insider Secrets to the Business of Teaching Yoga Part 3

In my early years of teaching Yoga, all I accomplished was to run myself ragged and have nothing to show for it. I knew how to find work, as a Yoga teacher. That?s the marketing part of the Yoga business, but I needed self-esteem, which I found in audio books from the self-improvement and business sections of bookstores.

These types of audio books serve as an inexpensive coach, and when you put some of the knowledge into practice, you will see results. The number of times you play them back is important too. This will burn the lessons deeply into your memory. Yoga teachers need to build their self-esteem too.

Since that time, I am never frustrated in traffic. I am not wasting all my time listening to a song for the 300th time, disc jockey antics that have lost any shock effect, or commercials. Seriously, I listen to the radio once in a great while, but the programming and songs don?t change much.

Here is a list of audio books I recommend for the knowledge and the positive attitude adjustment. Some are no surprise, and most are classics.

How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

The Power of Positive Thinking by Dr. Norman Vincent Peale

Can't Lose Sales Tips From The World's Greatest Salesman by Joe Girard

How To Close Every Sale by Joe Girard

Creating Your World the Way You Really Want It by Wayne Dyer & Deepak Chopra

Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill

Zig Ziglar's Secrets of Closing the Sale by Zig Ziglar

I can hear some of you now. ?I want to teach Yoga, not learn how to sell cars.? Personally, I never bought a car from a salesperson I didn?t like. Think about that, the next time you show a prospective Yoga student around your studio.

When human contact is involved in the selling process, people virtually buy the salesperson or the ?Yoga instructor.? You as a Yoga teacher, sell something everyday; it?s a ticket to better quality living. If a Yoga student stays long enough, he or she learns that Yoga works and you told them the truth.

My wife, Marie, and I bought five consecutive cars from the same salesperson because we liked her and she was honest. We would buy another from her, to this day, except that she retired.

? Copyright 2006 ? Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial arts, with multiple Black Belts, four martial arts teaching credentials, and was recently inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors in the greater Providence area. Recently he wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students, who may be considering a new career as a Yoga teacher. http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html

Top 10 Exercise "Mistakes" and How To Fix Them

This is a list of ten common mistakes made during exercise. Quite often the exerciser and even the personal trainer or coach is unaware of these mistakes, decreasing the effectiveness of the exercise and even risking injury. This list describes each ?mistake? but follows with a suggested ?correction?. You may find this list helpful in grading yourself or even your personal trainer.

Ineffective warm up prior to a workout

The purpose of a warm-up is to gently prepare the body for the increased stress from the upcoming exercise session. A 5 ? 10 min bout of moderate intensity cycling, treadmill walking or elliptical work or even sports specific type movements to induce a mild, sustained stretch will be sufficient. These activities have the effect of increasing blood flow to the muscles (including the heart) and increasing the core muscle temperature for improved joint flexibility and range of motion, possibly helping reduce injury. Quite often exercisers go to the extreme when it concerns a warm up, they either do not perform one at all, or ?prefatigue? by running at a high intensity for 15 ?20 minutes (or more) before their session. This has the effect of draining valuable muscle carbohydrate stores (glycogen) needed for the upcoming strength training/bodybuilding exercise session. If the goal of exercise is to lose weight, it is actually better to perform extended aerobic exercise or interval training at the end of an intense strength training session as the body will be likely to burn more fat as a fuel due to the decreased glycogen stores.

Ineffective stretching

Many individuals and personal trainers lack the knowledge to perform stretches effectively. For example, when performing a static hamstring stretch on the floor with the leg straight up in the air it is essential to press the opposite leg onto the floor to prevent excessive posterior (backward) tilting of the pelvis. Posterior tilting will decrease the effectiveness of the stretch. When performing a dynamic stretch like a lunge to stretch the groin and thigh muscles, the spine (and pelvis) must remain erect and perpendicular to the floor otherwise the effectiveness is lost. Exercisers that stretch in the standing position while holding onto or pressing against some external source of stabilization deprive themselves of full benefit. It may beneficial to perform dynamic stretches with good technique in unsupported standing and lunge type positions at the beginning of the session. This has the effect of simultaneously targeting balance (core stability) and flexibility while preparing the body and joints for movement during the strength training workout to follow. Static stretching may be more effective at the end of the workout session as the muscles will be warm and pliable.

Excessive use of machines

As mentioned in other articles on this website, exclusive use of exercise machines deprives the core muscles of stimulation and forces muscles to work either in isolation or in static, non functional patterns. While some machines such as leg press machines and assisted pull up/dip machines have merit; exercises that accentuate the body?s own internal stabilization mechanism (core) are excellent for increasing movement function and also allow for much more creativity and fun. Exercise machines are good for an introduction to resistance training and for bodybuilding, but it is not advisable to use them as an exclusively. A good suggestion is to strike a balance between exercises that challenge the body?s own stability and balance (free weights, standing/lunging exercises) and traditional machine and supported exercises, which allow for greater muscle work

Poor exercise technique

Ultimately quality is the factor that matters most when exercising not necessarily quantity. It is easy to sacrifice form for function and perform many more repetitions of an exercise with poor technique than to perform the same movement with strict biomechanically correct technique. It makes sense then that correct technique is the most difficult aspect to learn and control as it is often only gained through experience and trial and error. An inexperienced exerciser should invest in the services of an experienced and credentialed personal trainer to minimize the learning curve and get it right from the start. For example, an excellent method of assessing the quality of you or your instructor?s form in a squat is to view the back of the head in relation to the back of the heel. If the spine is straight (not curved) and the back of the head remains in line with the back of the heel (flat) throughout the entire movement, then the technique is good. Essentially, the barbell should move in a near vertical line throughout the movement. Should the bar move forward, it places increasingly heavy loads on the spine and intevertebral discs, much like the arm of a crane. Lifting in this manner increases the likelihood of injury to the spine and the connective tissues such as discs, muscles and ligaments.

Holding the feet down and throwing the legs during abdominal exercises

An exerciser?s feet should never be held down or hooked under a bed/door when performing multiple sit ups as this will allow for a majority of the work to be performed by the hip flexor (groin) muscles. The lower abdominals are responsible for fixing the pelvis in a sit-up by pressing the low back into the floor. If the abdominals fatigue or are not strong enough to hold the low back flat and the feet are fixed, the hip flexors may cause a forward tilting of the pelvis and the development of a ?hole? in the lower back. Performing sit-ups with a forward tilted pelvis tends to strain the low back and actually stretch and weaken the abdominals instead of strengthening them. The same problems can occur while lying on the back when both legs are raised straight into the air and are thrown by a partner toward the floor. If the lower abdominals cannot fix the pelvis flat as the legs approach the floor, this type of exercise can seriously strain the lower back muscles. An alternate leg scissor action is reverse curls or hanging knee lifts are a better substitute for concentrating on the lower abdominals.

Holding onto the front or side rails of a treadmill

This is a common sight in any gym of fitness facility - a person gets on a treadmill and starts to progressively crank up the speed and incline. The incline approaches maximal and the individual is holding onto the front or side rails for dear life to avoid being thrown off the machine. The rail holding essentially cancels out the benefit of the increased intensity demands gained from the incline since the arms are literally holding the body up. Holding the railings also negatively affects natural walking/running biomechanics ? the lack of arm swing may unnecessarily strain muscles and connective tissue - especially those of the pelvis and low back. Rail holding also has the effect of reducing the core/balance training stimulus required to walk/run in the unsupported condition. Lastly, since most people use treadmills as a means of performing aerobic exercise to lose weight why stop the arms from moving as this contributes to energy expenditure?

Ineffective exercise progression

Any exercise session should have some logical order to maximize results. Often exercisers and trainers do not place a high priority on exercise order; switching from one exercise to another with no apparent sequence. Exercise order is very important on the eventual results and should be motivated by the neuromuscular and energy system demands of the chosen exercises. For example, core exercises which require a great deal of concentration and precise form to perform effectively, should be performed when the person is ?fresh?- right after a short warm-up and stretching. Core training may be followed by power training (if appropriate) since this form of exercise also requires that the exerciser be rested and fresh to perform effectively. Multiple joint strength training (exercises like squats, lunges, bench press, shoulder press ect.) should follow power training since these exercises require large energy reserves. A good variation here is to alternate between upper and lower body exercises or use the ?pull/push? rule ? that is, follow a pulling type exercise with a pushing type exercise. Since most isolation exercises such as tricep extensions, bicep curls and sit-ups have much lower energy requirements, these can be performed near the end of the session.

Trying to perform stabilization and mobilization exercise together

You may recall from our series on core training, (Core Stability Training For Sport ? Parts 1 & 2) that the core muscles stabilize the pelvis in its ?neutral? position (as in standing upright with perfect posture). The muscles like the hamstrings, large back muscles and hip flexors that are attached to the pelvis are mobilizing muscles and do just what their name implies ? they tilt the pelvis forward and back, side to side and rotate it to allow for bodily movement. It is very difficult to train stability and mobility in a single exercise since technically they are opposite actions. For example, performing squats (requires movement of the pelvis) on a BOSU ball or while standing on inflatable discs or foam rollers is probably of little benefit to strengthening the core. Likewise, performing curl-ups on an exercise ball is unlikely to improve core strength as this exercise is targeting the muscles that tip the pelvis backwards. Core exercises are best performed in static positions such as bridging and standing. It is beneficial then to concentrate on stabilizing strength and mobilizing strength separately and not together. Build a foundation of core stability and flexibility first before trying to work the arm and legs. Much more leg strength can be trained when the foot is in contact with a firm surface (like the ground) - besides this is how we operate in daily life anyway.

Faulty exercise progression

Quite often exercisers, personal trainers and even coaches fail to understand functional exercise progressions. They observe other people performing a particular exercise and decide to incorporate it in the their or their client?s routine. It may be however that the person they observed performing the exercise had progressed to that point correctly in a functional and systematic manner. If an exerciser attempts to perform an exercise that they are physically unprepared for, there is increased risk of injury and performing the movement with poor technique. The brain remembers and stores both good and bad motor and movement patterns, so the old adage JUNK IN = JUNK OUT holds true for exercise too. A good suggestion is strengthen form the ?inside out? and not the ?outside in? by focusing on flexibility and stability. These are the prerequisites to the successful performance of functional movements such as squats, lunges and sport specific movements. So static stability training and stretching progresses to dynamic stability training, which then progresses to strength and finally power training. To attempt to strengthen and condition the body from the ?outside in? instead of from the ?inside out? will fail to give any satisfactory results. Any exercise program should look first to develop a base (core stability, cardiovascular fitness) and then progressively ?build? on this base to improve performance, strength and function.

Placing blocks under the heels in a squat

Placing blocks under the heels is a common technique used by trainers and exercisers alike to compensate for tight calf muscles (soleus) or to concentrate work on the quadriceps (thigh muscles). Often exercisers see other individuals performing squats in this manner and they aim to copy them. This practice is not advisable since one is essentially ?giving in? to the lack of flexibility at the ankle and failing to increase the quality of this highly functional movement. Raising the heels also places the ankle in an unstable, plantarflexed position making it more susceptible to injury ? specifically a lateral ankle sprain. In this position, the body?s center of mass shifts from the midfoot to nearer the toes, increasing the likelihood of a loss of balance and possible injury. A safer method to target either the quadriceps or the hamstrings and glutes is to control the bar placement on the back. In the high position the bar rests on the posterior deltoids (shoulder muscles) at the base of the neck, this has the effect of targeting the quadriceps muscles. In the low position, the bar rests further down the back across the posterior deltoid at the level of the middle trapezius (top of the shoulder blades) this positioning will translate into a greater load being shifted towards the hamstring and glute muscles.

This article has aimed to highlight the common mistakes that people may make in their exercise routines. Very often just an awareness of the mistakes can often remedy the situation while other problems may take time and experience to deal with like learning correct exercise technique. It is hoped that this article served the purpose of informing the reader so as to allow him/her to get the most out of their exercise routine and allow them to make educated assessments of themselves and other exercise professionals.

David Petersen is a Personal Trainer/Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and the owner and founder of B.O.S.S. Fitness Inc. based in Oldsmar, Florida. More articles and information can be found at http://www.bossfitness.com

NOTE: You're free to republish this article on your website, in your newsletter, in your e-book or in other publications provided the article is reproduced in its entirety, including the author information and all LIVE website links as above.

Advanced Medical Transport

Certain medical situations cannot be adequately met even by state-of-the-art medical transport facilities. Such situations can include multiple traumas (such as in serious multi-vehicular accidents) involving on-the-spot life or death matters. In such cases, the time involved in responding to a call and transporting patients to a medical facility is critical.

Advanced medical transport comes in various shapes and formats, but often involves online contact with medical specialists while patients are in transit, the ability to transmit medical readings such as EKGs via the Internet for instant evaluation, etc. The operative factors in advanced medical transport are specialized paramedical personnel and reduced response time.

The services offered by such a facility invariably include a full complement of critical medical procedures, including intravenous administration of life-saving drugs, artificial respiration, the ability to reverse diabetic reactions and drug overdoses, advanced pain control and management via specialized drugs, life support for prematurely delivered babies, etc.

Advanced medical transport facilities maintain a round-the-clock staffing of their rescue treatment units, be it by land, sea or air. The service may be a paid one, but most American states also feature the availability of advanced medical transport outfits that are not operating with a profit motive. These are entirely community-oriented services that are not subsidized by taxpayers? contributions.

Advanced medical transport calls for extremely refined communications and computer-aided dispatch systems that respond to an emergency call within a matter of seconds. Vehicles used in such a service are generally state-of-the art and are kept on constant alert. Such services also operate on a constant rotating duty system of specialized staff, so that medical professionals are literally always on call.

Medical Transport provides detailed information on Medical Transport, Medical Air Transport, Advanced Medical Transport, Emergency Medical Transport and more. Medical Transport is affiliated with Medical Alert Bracelets.

Watch Your Cholesterol Level

A high cholesterol level leads to hardening of arteries, which in turn, may lead to heart disease or attack. Keep your intake of food healthy, limit the amount of sugar you eat, and have your cholesterol checked. If it is higher than 200, ask your doctor for ways to reduce it.

If you think about losing weight, more importantly than weight is the amount of body fat you are carrying around. This fat is measured with what is called Body Mass Index, or BMI. For women, if you are fit, your percent of fat should range from 21% to 31%. If you are in incredible shape, that could be as low as 10%. For men, fit should be between 14% and 25%, and excellent shape, as low as 2%.

If you want to calculate you?re the fat part of your body, write down how much you weigh (be honest ? no one will see this but you). Multiply your weight by 703. Next, write down your height, in inches. Multiply by that same number. Then you will divide your weight number by your height number. That is your BMI. For example, if your weight were 150 pounds x 703, your weight answer would be 105,450. If your height is 5?4?, that would be 64 inches x 64 for a total of 4,096. Taking the 105,450 divided by 4,096, you come out with a BMI of 25.7.

Read Food Labels Carefully

You should get into a habit of reading the labels on food. While they may have messages such as ?Low Fat? or ?Reduced Calorie? written all over the front of the package or can, when you read the label and understand what you are looking for, you will probably be surprised. Regardless of what the claim may be, the label may tell another story. The FDA provides these important guidelines, therefore, should be what you look for. If the message and label do not jive, move on to a different product.

• Low Cholesterol: 20 mg or less cholesterol per serving and 2 grams or less saturated fat per serving
• Cholesterol-Free: Less than 2 mg cholesterol per serving, and 2 grams or less saturated fat per serving
• Sugar-Free: Less than 0.5 grams of sugar per serving
• High-Fiber: 5 grams or more fiber per serving
• Less fat: 25% or less fat than the comparison food
• Low fat: 3 grams or less of fat per serving
• Light (fat): 50% or less of the fat than in the comparison food (ex: 50% less fat than our regular cheese)
• Fat-Free: Less than 0.5 grams of fat per serving, with no added fat or oil
• Lean: Less than 10 grams of fat, 4.5 g of saturated fat, and 95 mg of cholesterol per (100 gram) serving of meat, poultry or seafood
• Extra Lean: Less than 5 grams of fat, 2 grams of saturated fat, and 95 mg of cholesterol per (100 gram) serving of meat, poultry or seafood
• Saturated Fat Free: Less than 0.5 grams of saturated fat and 0.5 grams of trans-fatty acids per serving
• Low Sodium: 140 mg or less per serving
• Very Low Sodium: 35 mg or less per serving
• Sodium-Free or Salt-Free: Less than 5 mg of sodium per serving
• Reduced Calorie: At least 25% fewer calories per serving than the comparison food
• Low Calorie: 40 calories or less per serving
• Light (calories): 1/3 fewer calories than the comparison food

Terje Brooks Ellingsen is a writer and internet marketer who enjoys to write about weight loss and fitness issues like training and workout and low cholesterol negative calorie food. Check out his website 11-Weight-Loss.net

Alternative Breakthrough Treatment for Prostate Cancer

Your alternative breakthrough treatment for prostate cancer is to follow the encouraging example of John Fox. He has shown the way for baby boomers to respond proactively to the dreaded diagnosis and beat it with a combination of techniques.

Active Personal Internet Research on Alternative Treatments

In 2003 John Fox received the diagnosis no baby boomer wants to hear. Prostate cancer. John's first technique was determination to use the Internet to get the information needed to make informed decisions about the intervention needed to rid his body of this unwanted visitor.

Once the traditional intevention had been presented by his urologist he decided he didn't want the side effects of incontinence and impotence.

His Internet research revealed a little known technique called LRPS. John discovered laproscopic radical prostatectomy is a precision micro surgery procedure. What impressed this baby boomer most was the patient recovery period was only a fraction of other traditional methods. Better still the likelihood of incontinence and impotence was greatly reduced.

Never Give Up

At this stage John had become a highly motivated researcher on prostate cancer interventions.

He made two more discoveries because of his digging down. He found the ideal doctor living less than a half hour drive from his New Jersey home.

The second discovery was this doctor had developed an improved system for LRPS treatment. It uses robotics for high level of surgical precision.

John's treatment saw him out of hospital the day after surgery and total recovery time was less than four weeks.

You can be blessed by this breakthough treatment for prostate cancer. Embrace John's belief that your personal Internet research is able to help you find the best alternative treatment by a leading urologist (the name of John's is Doctor Michael Esposito) using the latest technology.

Copyright 2005 Kenneth Little

Kenneth Little is a writer, teacher, public speaker and the publisher of a re-released classic - in a revealing ebook- that will show you how to get the best of health and wealth out of all your future years. Find more on this at: http://www.Young-at-Sixty.com

True success will be yours no matter what your age. Amazing How I Became Young at Sixty brings renewed strength to your body, hope to your mind and increased prosperity to your lifestyle. You Can Get your Free ebook How I Became Young at Sixty by going to: http://www.Young-at-Sixty.com/get-your-f-r-e-e-ebook.htm

Pilates: A Relaxing Way To Exercise

It is perhaps the Hollywood glitz and glamour that has everyone into the dieting and exercising fad. One of the most popular exercise programs is Pilates, which is especially designed to stretch, strengthen and balance the body through a series of routines. It combines both body movements and breathing patterns.

Pilates is known to increase lung capacity and circulation through exercises that focus on breathing. It also promotes strength and flexibility in the abdomen and the back muscles as well as improving on the coordination of the mind and the muscles. And because the program centers and emphasizes the importance of balance and posture, general health improves along with bone density.

It is perhaps these numerous benefits and the fact that Pilates can be tailor-made and incorporated in routines that make each class costly. Prices for classes range from $10 to $20 for group classes and about $50 to $100 or even more for individual lessons with trained instructors.

How did this start?

Joseph Pilates is a performer and a boxer in England. His fascination for exercise and health issues stem from his being a sickly child. Determined to strengthen his body, he studied, practiced and developed exercises that will improve his health. True enough, he grew to be really strong, choosing professions that would utilize body strength and endurance.

When he was detained with German nationals in Lancaster, he taught fellow camp members the concepts and exercises he developed through years and years of self-study and training in yoga and Zen, not to mention all the other Greek and Roman physical regimens.

It was at this time when he began to devise a system of original ?Contrology? exercises now known as ?matwork,? which refers to exercise routines done on the floor. When he was taken to another camp where he served as caretaker, he devised equipment that would help rehabilitate his ?patients.

The equipment that he made was not much different from what is being used today by people who subscribe to the Pilates program. Spring tension straps are also used in routines to hold the feet and to support the shoulders, neck and head in routines.

Because of its focus on balance and flexibility, Pilates holds much appeal for dancers and performers. Some celebrities, actresses and models, in fact, are enamored by the graceful movements that are incorporated in each routine. Not only does Pilates help improve health and well-being, it also develops proper posture and blood circulation, preventing the occurrence of osteoporosis.

What is more, Pilates does not involve a lot of muscle stress because the routines are gentle and slow similar to dance. There is no running and jumping around. Practitioners do not even need to lift heavy things. This is the reason why doctors often recommend Pilates to patients who have back and spine injuries as well as those afflicted with Arthritis and other muscle ailments. The routines are also good for people who are undergoing rehabilitation and physical therapy.

Pilates is also good for people who are a bit older and those who are overweight. It is in essence a relaxing exercise program, which not only helps in the reduction of weight and improvement of health but also in de-stressing and relaxing the body, mind and the spirit.

Shannon Brown is the editor of PilatesFactor.com. This site caters to Pilates enthusiasts. You can visit the site at: http://www.PilatesFactor.com