ReeHart – Blogging from the Heart

Posts Tagged ‘Alternative Medicine’

Spending time looking for a cellulite solution? With so much emphasis on youthful beauty in the media today, people are looking for ways to get perfect skin. New technologies coupled with old remedies can be your ticket to smooth, cellulite free skin. Heres a look at the latest cellulite treatments ” you might need to try one of these if nothing else seems to be working!

Cellulite and Diet – A healthy diet is one of the first steps to improved skin. Our bodies were not designed to handle the large amounts of processed foods that are so readily available. What is often best for us is the stuff right from nature. This means eating plenty of fruits, veggies, lean meats and whole grains. Dont discount the power of a proper diet when looking for a cellulite solution!

Cellulite and Exercise – Another key component in the search for a cellulite cure is exercise. Exercise not only helps improve your bodys metabolism, but can firm up your muscles as well. Toned muscles will give the skin cells a smooth place to rest and thus will reduce the appearance of cellulite. Exercise can also help you lose weight and have more energy.

Massage for Cellulite – You may think a massage is just for relaxing, but it can also be a way to improve the appearance of your skin. A deep tissue massage can help get rid of unwanted toxins and waste that are stuck near the skin cells. These toxins can contribute to cellulite.

Natural Cures for Cellulite – There are many natural remedies for unsightly skin. Apart from a healthy diet and regular exercise, supplements such as evening primrose oil and fish oil can be used. Coffee grounds are another potential remedy, as it has been shown that caffeine can help eliminate cellulite. The practice of dry brushing can also be an effective cellulite solution.

Cellulite Treatment Creams – There are many new products on the market aimed at reducing cellulite. Murad, Nivea, and Clarins are all brands that come to mind. These creams contain ingredients such as seaweed and caffenine which have been shown to improve the appearance of cellulite. Many women are finding these treatment to be a cost effective way of dealing with cellulite.

Mesotherapy for Cellulite – One of the hottest trends in cellulite treatment is mesotherapy. Mesotherapy is a treatment that involves injecting a special blend of minerals and amino acids into the affected area. After a few treatments, many patients have reported smoother skin, less cellulite and a firmer skin tone. Mesotherapy helps to get rid of many of the toxins that contribute to cellulite.

Velasmooth for Cellulite – VelaSmooth is a non-invasive device that utilizes a combination of bi-polar RF and light energy. VelaSmooth has the unique title of being the only treatment approved by the FDA for cellulite reduction. There are many people who have had good success with VelaSmooth. However this is mostly because they stick with a healthy lifestyle after treatment.

Ionithermie for Cellulite – Inoithermie is another great procedure to help you get rid of cellulite. Ionithermie works by detoxing the affected area through the use of herbal ingredients and minerals infused in a body wrap. After the body wrap, the area is stimulated with an electrical device. After several sessions, patients usually notice an improvement in their skin tone.

Proellixe for Cellulite – You may not have heard of a Proellixe machine. These vibrating exercise machines are one of the newest ways to treat cellulite. The constant vibration of the Proellixe machine is thought to help break up fat deposits and tone the muscles. This includes all of the muscle groups – both large and small. The effects of this mean that you can lose weight and reduce cellulite as well as getting more toned and healthy overall.

A cellulite solution can be a hard thing to find. As you can see however, there are plenty of treatment options to pick from. With the right treatment plan, you can effectively control this frustrating skin condition.

A cause of emotional stress is often cellulite. This is especially true in women since women are much more likely to get cellulite than men. Cellulite is basically accumulated fat under certain spots of the body, such as the thighs, the hips, and the belly. Needless to say, such problems are difficult to hide with clothing, and can be a source of embarrassment.

The following are all things that can lead to cellulite:

#1 ” Heredity. Cellulite is often due to poor genes among other things. You are more likely to get cellulite if your parents and grandparents also suffered from it. It’s an unfortunate skin problem that many people deal with on a daily basis.

If you have an older relative who successfully got rid of their cellulite problem, then don’t hesitate to ask them how they did it. It’s likely that what worked for them will work for you ” after all, some things might work better for some people than others!

#2 ” Medication. Some forms of medication can trigger hormonal changes in the body. These changes can accelerate the accumulation of fat in the body. Such medications include birth control pills, diet pills, and sleeping pills. It’s always a good idea to check with your doctor before taking any medications. This is especially important if your family has a history of cellulite.

#3 ” Smoking. Cellulite is a condition that’s affected not only by the buildup of fat under the skin, but also by the condition of the skin itself. Smoking doesn’t only cause various health problems such as lung cancer and heart disease ” it also weakens the skin and thus making cellulite look even worse. Getting rid of your cellulite may be the motivation you need to stop smoking!

#4 ” Bad eating habits. Eating too much junk and fast food and drinking too much caffeine and alcohol is one of the most prominent cellulite causes in the world. It’s not unusual to see kids as young as 14 with cellulite these days, mainly because good eating habits aren’t taught well enough at home and school. Unfortunately, there are other problems caused by bad eating habits ” you can also add obesity, migraines, vertigo, impotence, and hypertension to the list.

The best diet to counter cellulite contains much less junk food including fried food, fast food, processed food ” and more of the good stuff. Green leafy vegetables and fresh fruits are always good. But you don’t have to swear off the bad stuff altogether ” you can still have them every now and then. Just remember to balance it with good food and exercise every week.

#5 ” Bad drinking habits. Believe it or not, the amount of water you drink in a single day can also affect cellulite. Water is needed by the body to flush toxins out of the body regularly. Some toxins are the leading triggers of cellulite. If you don’t drink enough water in a day, too many toxins will be left in the body, and cellulite buildup will be inevitable.

Make sure you drink at least eight glasses of water everyday to keep your skin hydrated. Water will also keep your skin from drying, improving the overall appearance of even your fatty bulges. Fruit juice is also okay, but be careful ” some brands of fruit juice have the same amount (sometimes even more) of calories as soda. This can make it harder for you to shed those unwanted slabs of fat.

Now that you know about the most common cellulite causes and how to address them, the next thing you need to remember is to start slowly. Healthy habits can be hard to stick to, but practice makes perfect! Eventually you will see healthier skin as a result of your efforts!

Patients recover very quickly from this abdominal operation and it is rare to suffer serious side-effects. Cholecystectomy produces a number of minor post-operative complications so it is important to understand these as well as the rare potential for more critical complications.

The Gall Bladder and its Removal

The liver manufactures bile and this is held in a small pouch behind it, an organ known as the gall bladder. When a person eats a meal the gut has to digest the fats in the food and to assist this bile is released into the digestive system. It is common for small stones of various kinds to develop in the gall bladder and many middle-aged or older people have them. However they are mostly not troublesome and never need surgery.

Gall bladder pain and inflammation can be the result of stones in some cases and stones may exit the gall bladder and lodge in the main bile duct which is the major connecting structure between the gall bladder and the liver. This can lead to jaundice, a yellow pigmentation of the skin, as the stones can block the bile duct and obstruct the flow of bile to the gut. This may be an example of where cholecystectomy may be necessary to correct the situation.

Is Cholecystectomy Harmful?

The gall bladder’s function is only to store bile so its removal allows patients to live an entirely normal life in its absence. Long-term complications should not occur after cholecystectomy.

How is a Cholecystectomy Performed?

Keyhole or laparoscopic surgery is by far the most commonly used surgical method for this operation although about 5 percent of operations involve the open technique with an incision several inches long. There may be several reasons why a surgeon decides that it is safer to employ the open technique and these include if there is a large degree of gall bladder inflammation, making laparoscopic removal unwise. If there is a lot of scarring between the gall bladder and the surrounding organs (adhesions) then open operation may be again preferred.

It is important to be aware that even though the surgeon may start the operation laparoscopic ally there is still a chance that the operation will have to be converted into an open operation and this is what will have happened when the patient wakes.

Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy involves four small incisions through which special surgical instruments are passed into the body. The surgeon is able to see inside using an instrument called a laparoscope. This is a form of telescope with a powerful light to which a miniature video camera is attached. This projects a clear image onto a TV screen allowing the surgeon to see the inside the abdomen and to find and operate on the gall bladder.

The surgeon needs a good view of the abdomen so carbon dioxide is passed into the cavity to increase the room for manoeuvre. An incision below the umbilicus (tummy button) is used to insert the telescope and further instruments are introduced through three smaller cuts below the right ribs. The umbilical incision is used to withdraw the gallbladder and gallstones.

Cholecystectomy via Open Operation

Laparoscopic operation may not always be possible and so an open operation is opted for, with the surgeon making an incision on the right side about ten to fifteen centimetres long under the rib cage. To enter the abdominal cavity the muscles and skin are divided, enabling the surgeon to identify the gallbladder beneath the liver and then remove it. To reduce the chance of a fluid collection in the abdomen a drain can be inserted.

The Anaesthetic

The anaesthetic is usually administered by injecting it into one of the arm or hand veins. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy typically takes about an hour and a long-acting painkiller is placed in the wound sites to reduce the pain experienced by the patient when they come round.

To give some long acting pain relieving cover after the operation the surgeon may use a suppository in the rectum towards the end of the operation. For 6-8 hours before the operation patients are instructed not to eat anything, and not to drink for 2-3 hours prior to the event. Mobilisation of the patient can occur whenever they feel well enough to get up and about and with help initially.

Non-bony Structures in the Foot

The foot does not consist only of bones but also of tendons, muscles and ligaments. Ligaments are tough, relatively non-elastic straps or sheets which are designed to hold bones together. Ligaments allow the intended movements of the joint to occur and give the joint the stability it requires for normal function. Ligament capsules surround all the many joints of the foot, stabilising these joints and allowing the synovial lining inside them to secrete synovial fluid. The plantar ligament underneath and along the foot arch is the largest foot ligament.

The longitudinal foot arch is partly supported by the plantar ligament which holds some of the energy generated in walking and releases it later in the gait cycle to contribute to the spring in our step. Plantar ligament strain gives very painful and sharp symptoms under the foot arch and injuries here can interfere with the supporting functions of the arch. The heel bone carries the attachment of the Achilles tendon, the big and powerful fibrous structure which carries the forces exerted by the soleus and gastrocnemius, the big and powerful calf muscles. The calf exerts the propulsion force we need to run, walk and jump.

The complex nature of walking has been called controlled falling but is managed easily by the majority of humans. Gait is a repeating pattern of specific bodily movements and when we stand still our weight distribution is even between the front and back of the foot. The outside border of the rear of the heel strikes the ground first as the foot contacts the ground, with weight then transferring forwards and inwards towards the big toe and ball of foot. Absorption of some of the load occurs in the plantar ligament, with the arch flattening by some amount and the foot attaining the position of pronation.

As the midfoot contacts the ground and weight is taken here the foot starts to supinate to some degree, turning outwards as the person begins to push up on their toes to take the foot off the ground. The typical movements can be exaggerated in many foot problems to do with gait. If the foot overpronates it turns inwards too much and forces increased pressure onto the big toe which normally takes about 60% of the weight load anyhow. Underpronation is the tendency for the weight to be born on the lateral, outside, border of the foot as the weight proceeds forwards.

Difficulties with Gait

As the body acts as a unit one area can have affects on another. An abnormal gait can be an antalgic gait which describes a walking pattern which is aimed at avoiding pain. There’s a man who lives nearby who walks about just using his hips and knees, his trunk gliding as if he’s on rails. I suspect he has quite severe back pain as he is employing an antalgic gait to avoid too much lumbar stress. Other people who have foot problems may walk abnormally, leading to knock on problems in other areas of the body as they struggle to reduce forces through one particular area.

Foot pain does not typically occur in children and adolescents despite the many forceful activities they pursue. However, if a young person describes a pain problem with their feet it should be noted and action taken to solve a small initial problem as opposed to a later much more major one. In the twenties it is uncommon to report any problems with the feet apart from fungal infections and sport and activity related injuries.

It’s not until we are around twenty years of age until our feet are fully mature and fully ossified. Looking at the feet of young babies it is clear they are fat and bendy, with much of the internal skeleton being made up at this age of cartilage. We can’t see any foot arch due to the fat deposits occupying this area and have to wait until walking commences before the fat reduces in size and we can observe the typical foot arch. Young children commonly also have knock knees but this tends to settle gradually by the time they are 6 years of age. The level of knock knee reduces gradually towards the adult level of seven degrees.

Many forms of insomnia are in one way or another related to the improper function of your circadian rhythm. Most people associate the circadian rhythm with a time of day, but in reality the circadian rhythm has more to do with light and darkness. Every person has an internal clock that lets us know when it’s time to go to bed and wake up in the morning.

The circadian rhythm IS the internal clock.These rhythms are to some degree governed by hormones secreted by endocrine glands throughout the day. And our body temperature and overall mental acuity and alertness are only some of the factors affected by the circadian rhythm.

Since the circadian rhythm influences alertness and our energy level, for those with have a sleep disorder related to their circadian rhythm, their internal clock is “off” and they tend to feel alert when they should be tired or sleepy, and tired when they should have much energy. This is very common for those working the grave yard shift.

Light is one of the most influential factor in regulating your circadian rhythm. When there are long periods of low levels of light there is a tendency to feel more fatigued and suffer from low energy. This is very common in the winter, especially in the northern areas where there is only a few hours of light per day.

Correcting sleep disorders caused by, or related to, your circadian rhythm can be done by light therapy specially designed to slowly reset your circadian rhythm. The light is delivered from what is called a “light box” which has the correct wavelengths of light. 30-60 minutes of exposure to the light in conjunction with a strict sleep schedule explains the therapy.

The key to success with light therapy is to time the light exposure correctly depending on your particular situation.

Many forms of insomnia are in one way or another related to the improper function of your circadian rhythm. Most people associate the circadian rhythm with a time of day, but in reality the circadian rhythm has more to do with light and darkness. Every person has an internal clock that lets us know when it’s time to go to bed and wake up in the morning.

The circadian rhythm IS the internal clock.These rhythms are to some degree governed by hormones secreted by endocrine glands throughout the day. And our body temperature and overall mental acuity and alertness are only some of the factors affected by the circadian rhythm.

Our circadian rhythms are partially responsible for us having lots of energy during some parts of the day yet feeling sluggish and tired at other times of the day. Many people who have a sleep disorder related to their circadian rhythm tend to feel tired when they should be wide awake. People who work at night or keep odd hours are the most common sufferers of this type of sleep disorder.

One of the biggest factors in regulating your circadian rhythms is how much exposure you get to very bright light, especially sunlight. When you don’t get enough light over a long period of time, such as during the winter, you may notice that you tend to feel more fatigued or have less energy when compared to the spring and summer.

Correcting sleep disorders caused by, or related to, your circadian rhythm can be done by light therapy specially designed to slowly reset your circadian rhythm. The light is delivered from what is called a “light box” which has the correct wavelengths of light. 30-60 minutes of exposure to the light in conjunction with a strict sleep schedule explains the therapy.

The key to success with light therapy is to time the light exposure correctly depending on your particular situation.

We certainly do enjoy our daily consumption of diary products, but I have often wondered ” does milk cause cellulite? Can we improve the look of your skin and get rid of cellulite simply by making a dietary change?

Have you ever thought about the connection between the foods we eat and the appearance of our skin? More specifically have you wondered ” does milk cause cellulite? Some people feel that milk does indeed lead to this skin disorder. While some of us would not enjoy giving up our daily dairy products, others might find this to be worth a shot if it means no more cellulite!

One of the biggest controversies surrounding milk is the amount of hormones contained in milk we consume. Hormones given to the cows to enable them to produce more milk are often passed on into the milk we drink. Many feel that these extra hormones can do damage to our bodies when we regularly ingest them.

Because cellulite responds to hormonal changes with in the body, it would make sense that increases in hormones in the body would trigger an increase in the amount of cellulite. Some studies have shown that a reduction of cellulite was found in women who stopped using diary products. It took about 6 to 12 months for these women to notice a difference in the appearance of their skin and get rid of cellulite.

For many women who are desperate to get rid of their cellulite and have tried many different products in the past with no success, a simple diet change may be the solution they are looking for. This can be hard however. Diary products are found in many foods we eat ” just try eating something that doesnt contain cheese!

A simple solution to regular cows milk is to use goats milk. Goats milk doesnt usually have the hormones found in normal cows milk. Be careful with yogurt too as yogurt is made from cow’s milk.

Some people may feel that there is no true answer to the question does milk cause cellulite. Many feel that this topic has not been studied extensively. This leads them to feel that no scientific conclusion can be drawn as to whether or not milk leads to cellulite. While this point is valid, it should not be used to dissuade those who are interested in eliminating diary from their diets in order to obtain better health.

Many women are wondering if milk products are the source of some of their other health problems as well. These can include things such as digestive issues, weight gain and acne. Going off diary products may be helpful for many a variety of reasons, not just cellulite reduction.

In conclusion, only you can decide if milk really does effect your cellulite. If you decide to stay away from diary products, make sure you give yourself enough time to see results. A week or so probably will not cut it as our bodies can be slow to change. You will most likely need to dedicate 6 months to a year towards this goal. While after this amount of time you may not find any results with your cellulite, you may notice that you do not crave or tolerate milk products any longer.

Pain causes the type of uncomfortableness that does not allow you to indulge in any activity comfortably or to focus on your everyday activities. If someone is hurting from arthritis pain, tendonitis pain, a headache, back pain or any type of pain, they will want to find relief as fast as they possibly can so that they can once again get back to their normal activities. If you have been fortunate enough not to have any type of pain, and then you develop some sort of pain, you realize how fortunate you have been, because some pains can completely restrict you from certain types of activities.

Do Pain Relief Creams Work?

Yes and no, depending on the kind of pain you have, but in the largest part, pain relief creams will offer effective and quick relief. There are all kinds of pain relief creams that will work on the specific pain that you are suffering from, and the most common pains are the: back and joint pain, headache, muscle ache and of course arthritis pain.

Pain relief creams work on initial stages mostly when your pain is not chronic. The best part about cream pain relievers are that they target the region of the pain when compared to drugs that have to be distributed into your whole system, but the cream pain reliever must be rubbed into the skin completely to be totally effective and work the quickest.

Different Types Of Pain Relief Creams

Some of the most sought after pain relief creams are the natural types, which are powerful enough to provide you relief and does not have any side effects. If you are suffering from any type of serious health issues, make sure you check with your doctor, but you can purchase most pain relief creams over the counter because they don’t contain any antibiotics.

There are no side effects from pain relief creams but you may encounter skin rashes, especially if you have sensitive type skin; the rashes should disappear normally without any further medication required but if they remain, contact your doctor immediately. Try not to apply more pain relief cream then shown on the tube of the cream as some are strong enough to produce a superficial burn of the upper layer of the skin where applied; using more cream will not get rid of the pain quicker but can create more damage.

Some Other Helpful Ideas

There are some pain relief creams that can have a very strong odor and can leave stains on your clothes and bed linens, so try to avoid this by getting a non-oily pain relief cream, so you can have your pain relieved and you don’t have a mess you have to clean up.

Are there any so-called “anxiety herbs?” In a word, yes. There are many herbs that have been known to man for 100′s of years and several of them have been useful in treating stress and anxiety.

Herbal treatments are less expensive than prescription medications and offer a cost effective alternative to drugs. Herbs for anxiety treatment also have fewer side effects and the side effects they do have are usually much less severe than their drug counterparts. That’s because herbs are milder. Of course, this also means they work more slowly and take more time to be effective.

That doesn’t mean that herbal remedies come with no side effects at all. These anxiety herbs definitely do have side effects, they’re just more mild. Still, you should be cautious whenever you start to take any new supplement. Talk to your doctor or your pharmacist before you take anything new.

Valerian

Valerian has a strong reputation as a sleep aid. It can help you get to sleep faster and stay asleep for the whole night. It can also be used during the day as an aid in calming and controlling the effects of stress and anxiety.

Kava

Kava was first used in the South Pacific islands where it grows easily and abundantly. There it was cultivated into a relaxing beverage used in nearly every household. From there, it made its way to Europe and the West where it is used as an effective treatment for anxiety and insomnia.

St. John’s Wort

St. John’s Wort is a medicinal herb that dates back over 2000 years to the days of Hippocrates. He used it to first treat depression but in today’s world, it has been found to be an effective treatment against the effects of moderate levels of anxiety. It comes with certain side effects though as it may increase your sensitivity to sunlight and also interfere with the effectiveness of other drugs you may be taking.

Passion Flower

Passion Flower is so named because early pilgrims to the new world thought it resembled the crown of thorns and the nails on the cross of Christ. When it was first cultivated it was found to assist with digestion. Later, its natural sedative effects were discovered. Today, it is an effective calming herb.

Wrapping Up

Most health food stores carry these herbs for anxiety so they’re easy to find. They’re sold in different forms too…teas, capsules, or liquid extracts, so you have many choices. It will probably take a little trial-and-error before you find the right form that works for you.

Capsules are the easiest to take while the extracts may be the most flexible; you can add them to just about any of your meals or beverages. Teas can be very flavorful and can give you more enjoyment. But whatever you choose, you’ll be getting some serious help from these anxiety herbs, help that can ease your anxiety and stress.

When the microorganism known as Candida starts to be produced uncontrollably by the human body, either in or outside the body, their is potential for chronic yeast infection. Controlled candida or yeast is beneficial, even needed by the body but production may get out of control due to a number of circumstances.

Chronic yeast infections can be due to two circumstances ” one is that it has become resistant to treatments or two; it has become a recurrent affliction. Whichever caused it, a chronic yeast infection may be caused by other far more serious illness, or it can cause other more serious diseases.

Systemic candidal disease or chronic yeast infections can be quite deadly. The yeast takes over the body on a massive scale. So much so that only one in four people with chronic yeast infection survive. Simple yeast infections such as oral yeast infection and genital candida that isn’t helped by common anti-fungal medication may already be causing other illnesses in the body.

Cancer, leukemia, AIDS and diabetes can all contribute to the spread and overgrowth of candida. They do this be weakening the body’s immune system thereby upsetting the balance in the yeast production. The can lead to chronic yeast infection.

Individuals with AIDS can contract chronic yeast infection in the esophagus that may lead to infection of the entire gastro intestinal system and this is a severely painful condition. Chronic yeast infection in the gastro intestinal system can lead to improper absorption of food and cause the body to become weaker. Cuts and wounds on the skin may also allow the yeast to get into the blood stream and cause chronic yeast infection. It can lead to fevers and an infection to get into brain and affect mental functions.

Fatigue, memory loss, extreme mood swings and other conditions can be directly related to chronic yeast infections.

Chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis is another form of chronic yeast infection. It is characterized by rashes in the mouth, on the fingernails, extremities and any other part of the body. It appears to be scales, scabs or lesions.

AIDS and cancer patients can easily contract chronic yeast infections. In the latter stages of the AIDS infection the patients immune system weakens to the point that the appearance of thrush is almost constant. Cancer patients not only have to deal with the weakened immune system from the spread of the cancer cells but radiation and chemotherapy can also cause chronic yeast infection.

Diabetes mellitus also makes some body parts prone to chronic yeast infection especially the mouth area. People with diabetes have high sugar content in their saliva and sugar feeds yeast fungus.

Treat even superficial yeast infections properly or you could develop chronic yeast infections. Also once contracted, chronic yeast infections have a habit of reappearing. Infections require proper diagnosis from a health professional.