Health Topic

[C. Breezy]

Exercise to Keep Your Brain Healthy and Increase Cerebral Blood Flow

The benefits of aerobic activity are well documented regarding overall physical health and well-being. Many studies have also shown an association between aerobic activity and cognitive function, but the mechanism was unclear. Now, we may know the reason. A new study presented at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America reported that adults who exercise regularly exhibit increased blood flow to the brain, as well as more small vessels in the brain, compared with those who do not exercise regularly. This study posits that the differences in blood flow between exercisers and non-exercisers could explain why physical activity prevents cognitive decline as people age.



The researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill evaluated 12 adults, aged 60 to 76 years old. Six of the subjects reported participating in aerobic exercise for 3 or more hours each week for the past 10 years. The remaining 6 subjects reported exercising less than 1 hour each week. The researchers conducted MRI scans and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) of the patients’ brains and created 3-D models of the blood vessels. According to these models, the inactive group experienced more unpredictable blood flow through the brain, as well as possessing fewer small blood vessels than the active group. As we age, our body — and brain — undergoes changes that can lead to physical and cognitive decline. Among these is the narrowing and loss of small blood vessels. Exercise reverses this blood vessel destruction in other parts of the body, so it is not surprising that it may have the same effect in the brain.
To date, most studies examining exercise and cognitive function focused on aerobic activity, and used prospective or retrospective study designs. Randomized clinical trials are needed to fully assess the impact of exercise on cognitive decline. Likewise, resistance exercise and other types of physical activity need to be considered, in addition to aerobic exercise, as beneficial in cognition. We already know that resistance exercise reduces morbidity and mortality in senior citizens, including decreased fall and fracture risk, and overall physical disability associated with aging.
Physical activity is valuable in the healthy aging process. Regular activity not only improves cardiovascular, respiratory, and muscular fitness, but also has positive effects on motor function, cognitive speed, memory function, and auditory and visual attention. Exercise also significantly improves mood in seniors and improves overall quality of life. The newest research demonstrates, once again, that the benefits of regular exercise are limitless. Routine physical activity should be encouraged for most patients, as part of a healthy aging process.


Source:

برای مشاهده محتوا ، لطفا وارد شوید یا ثبت نام کنید

[C. Breezy]

Chemicals 'may reduce fertility'

Chemicals commonly found in food packaging, upholstery and carpets may be damaging women's fertility, say US scientists.

A study published in the journal Human Reproduction measured levels of perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) in the blood of 1,240 women.
Those with higher levels were more likely to take longer to become pregnant.
UK experts said more research was needed to confirm a link.
PFCs are useful in industry because they are resistant to heat, and have the ability to repel water and oil.
However, high concentrations have been linked to organ damage in animals, and the chemicals have the ability to persist for long periods in the body.





PFCs may make it more difficult for some women to get pregnant


The researchers, from the University of California in Los Angeles, analysed blood samples taken at the time of the woman's first antenatal visit, then interviewed the women about whether the pregnancy was planned, and how long it had taken them to get pregnant.
The levels of the chemicals varied from 6.4 nanograms per millilitre of blood - a nanogram is a billionth of a gram - to 106.4 nanograms per ml.
When the group of women were divided into four groups depending on these levels, they found that, compared to women in the group with the lowest readings, the likelihood of infertility - taking more than a year or IVF to get pregnant - was significantly higher for women with higher levels of PFCs in their bloodstream.







Dr Chunyuan Fei, one of the researchers, said that earlier studies had suggested that PFCs might impair the growth of babies in the womb.
She said that more women in the groups with higher exposure to PFCs had problems with irregular menstrual cycles , which might suggest that interference with hormones was the reason.
'Tenuous link'
Professor Jorn Olsen, who led the study, said that the team were now waiting for further studies to confirm the link between fertility problems and PFCs.
Tony Rutherford, chairman of the British Fertility Society, said that the findings were "interesting".
"This research shows a tenuous link in the delay to conception in women with the highest levels of two commonly-used perfluorinated chemicals.
"It is an important finding and certainly warrants further detailed research, particularly in those trying for a family.
"The study emphasises the importance of remaining vigilant to potential environmental factors that may impact on fertility."


Source:

برای مشاهده محتوا ، لطفا وارد شوید یا ثبت نام کنید

[C. Breezy]

?What Are Colds



What are colds?

Everyone gets a cold from time to time. Children get more colds than adults.

Colds usually last 1 to 2 weeks. You can catch a cold at any time of year, but they are more common in late winter and early spring.

There is no cure for a cold. Antibiotics will not cure a cold. If you catch a cold, treat the symptoms.
What are the symptoms?

Lots of different viruses cause colds, but the symptoms are usually the same:

* Runny nose and sneezing
* Red eyes
* Sore throat and cough
* Headaches and body aches

You will probably feel a cold come on over the course of a couple of days. As the cold gets worse, your nose may get stuffy with thicker mucus.

A cold is not the same as the flu. Flu symptoms are worse and come on faster. If you have the flu, you may feel very tired. You may also have a fever and shaking chills, lots of aches and pains, a headache, and a cough.

If you feel like you have a cold all the time, or if cold symptoms last more than 2 weeks, you may have allergies or sinusitis. Call your doctor.



What can you do for a cold?

Good home treatment of a cold can help you feel better. When you get a cold:

* Get extra rest. Slow down just a little from your usual routine. You don't need to stay home in bed, but try not to expose others to your cold.
* Drink plenty of fluids. Hot water, herbal tea, or chicken soup will help relieve a stuffy nose and head.
* Take aspirin, ibuprofen (such as Advil or Motrin), or acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) to relieve aches. Do not give aspirin to anyone younger than 20. It has been linked to Reye's syndrome, a serious illness.
* Use a humidifier in your bedroom and take hot showers to relieve a stuffy nose and head.
* If you feel mucus in the back of your throat (postnasal drip), gargle with warm water. This will help make your throat feel better.
* Use paper tissues, not handkerchiefs. This will help keep your cold from spreading.
* If your nose does get red and raw, put a dab of petroleum jelly on the sore area.

Don't take cold medicine that uses several drugs to treat different symptoms. For example, don't take medicine that contains both a decongestant for a stuffy nose and a cough medicine. Treat each symptom on its own.

A nasal decongestant spray can help your stuffy nose, but make sure you don't use it for more than 3 days in a row. You could get a "rebound" effect, which makes the mucous membranes in your nose swell up even more.

Do not give cough and cold medicines to a child younger than 2 unless you've checked with the doctor first. If your child’s doctor tells you to give a medicine, be sure to follow what he or she tells you to do. Using saline drops or a humidifier may help thick or dried mucus to drain. To remove mucus from your baby’s nose, use a suction bulb to gently suction the mucus out. This is a safer way to treat your baby's stuffy nose.



When should you call a doctor?

Call your doctor if:

* You have trouble breathing.
* You have a fever of 104 ° F (40 ° C) or higher.
* You have a fever of 101 ° F (38.3 ° C) or higher that has not come down after 12 hours of home treatment. Or you have a fever of 100 ° F (37.8 ° C) to 101 ° F (38.3 ° C) that has not come down after 3 days of home treatment.
* You have new symptoms that are not part of a cold, like a stiff neck or shortness of breath.
* You cough up yellow, green, or bloody mucus.
* Mucus from your nose is thick like pus or is bloody.
* You have pain in your face, eyes, or teeth that does not get better with home treatment, or you have a red area on your face or around your eyes.
* Your cold seemed to be getting better after a few days but is now getting worse with new symptoms.

How can you prevent colds?

There are several things you can do to help prevent colds:

* Wash your hands often.
* Be extra careful in winter and when you are around people with colds.
* Keep your hands away from your face. Your nose, eyes, and mouth are the most likely places for germs to enter your body.
* Eat well, and get plenty of sleep and exercise. This keeps your body strong so it can fight colds.
* Do not smoke. Smoking makes it easier to get a cold and harder to get rid of one.


Source:

برای مشاهده محتوا ، لطفا وارد شوید یا ثبت نام کنید

[C. Breezy]

Acne



Serious skin conditions affect around seven million of people in the UK alone.
They can cause significant emotional distress as well as physical discomfort.

What is it?
Acne is an inflammatory skin condition that causes spots. Spots result from the build up of dead skin cells and grease that block the pores or hair follicles, typically on the face, upper arms, upper back and chest.
It is not contagious and is nothing to do with not being clean.
Hormonal changes, such as those related to puberty, menstruation and pregnancy, can contribute to acne.
Some medicines will also make it worse, including some contraceptive pills and steroids.



Who gets it?
Most people experience acne at some time in their lives, typically as young adults. Girls tend to develop it slightly earlier than boys - around the ages of 14-17 compared to 16-19 years, respectively.
Acne can occur later in life. Around five per cent of women and one per cent of men aged 25-40 continue to have acne after adolescence.






What are the symptoms?
As the pores of the skin become blocked, blackheads develop and small, tender, red spots appear. These can turn into pimples or whiteheads filled with pus.




What is the outlook?
Usually it is a mild condition, most commonly during young adulthood, and will resolve by itself. But for 15% of people it is severe.
The spots can become infected and cause significant scarring, particularly if they are scratched or squeezed.






How can it be treated?
Mild acne does not need treating as each inflamed spot will eventually heal. Eating a healthy diet and drinking plenty of water will help keep the skin healthy.
Keeping spot-prone areas clean by washing the affected area twice daily with an unperfumed cleanser can help. However, excessive washing and scrubbing of the skin will not help and may make the inflammation worse.
More severe acne may need treatment. The aim is to clear the spots and prevent scarring.
Treatments work by either unblocking blocked pores, reducing the amount of grease or sebum made by the skin, reducing the inflammation or fighting the bacterium that infects the lesions.
Creams, gels and lotions that can be applied to the skin are available to buy at pharmacies without a prescription. These usually contain antibacterial agents such as benzoyl peroxide, which also works by drying out the skin and encouraging it to shed the surface layer of dead skin.
There are several more potent oral tablets that can be prescribed by a doctor if the acne persists.
Make-up can be used to cover blemishes but heavy use of concealer may make acne worse.
Any scarring will improve with time. Laser therapy, chemical peels, dermabrasion and other treatments have been suggested for acne scarring.
Acne can be extremely distressing and it is important to seek help if you are anxious or depressed about it.






Source:

برای مشاهده محتوا ، لطفا وارد شوید یا ثبت نام کنید

[C. Breezy]

How to Get Really Gorgeous Skin

- Never hit the bed with your make up on. If you do so the make up will get in to your facial skin pores and may close them and eventually may mess up your skin. You need to wash your face twice at night, once to get rid of the make up and the second one to clean your face.




- Make sure you exfoliate every day. You need to do this after washing your face at night. Use a scrub that is soft on your skin. Sugar or oatmeal can be used as a scrub as well.

- Regular use or even daily use of facial masks is good for your skin. You need not buy it always. You can make one on your own using mashed fruits or vegetables like banana, avocado etc. One of the best natural mask is plain yogurt.

- Apply some skin treatment or moisturizer always on your face, either day or night. Give importance to your skin and apply some skin treatment, once you wash it at night. The treatment could be any thing like alpha hydroxy acids, vitamin A, vitamin C or some type of special cocktail treatment. Once it is set, apply a coat of moisturizer over it. Repeat the same process every morning as well.

- Never go for the costliest or cheapest cosmetic products. Products in the medium range are known to give the best results. Those products have quality ingredients and they usually deliver great results also. The only way to find the right product for you is by doing the good old "Trial and Error" method. Keep on experimenting with different brand products until you find the right product for you.

- Keep on hydrating your skin all along the day. You can create your own product by adding a few drops of rose essential oil or chamomile on to a spray bottle of distilled water. You can spray it on regularly over the day even on top of your make up, shaking it a little bit before each use. You may use a commercial product as well.

- Be gentle on your face. Pulling, tugging, scrubbing etc. on your face is not advisable. Never treat your face roughly while cleaning it, moisturizing it or applying make up on it. Thus you can reduce the possible number of wrinkles or skin damage on your face.





- While in sun, try to hide your face from sun light. Even if you have a really pretty face, it will not be smart to show it off in sun. Put on a good sun screen, put on some good sun glasses and a hat which covers the maximum of your face from sun.

- Drinking a lot of water and eating fresh food is good for your skin. Do not eat dead food; that is food which is not really fresh. Eating a lot of vegetables, nuts and drinking lot of water will increase the shine on your skin.

- Try to stay relaxed always. Even the best cared for skin will show your level of stress on your face. You have to indulge in some thing which is your passion, be it shopping or going for a walk. Outside world can read what is in your mind from your face.

Source:

برای مشاهده محتوا ، لطفا وارد شوید یا ثبت نام کنید

[C. Breezy]

How Money Makes You Crazy

Are you someone who drives an extra three miles to save a nickel on a can of turkey noodle soup, only to blow your budget the next day on a $70 throw pillow? If so, you're not alone. These days, people are making a lot of shortsighted decisions that can hurt their finances and health. A growing field called behavioral economics is uncovering why we act this way, and we’ve got the goods on how you can improve on it, free of charge. How’s that for a bargain?

Sacrifice smartly, not automatically. Sometimes when we try to pinch pennies, we end up making sacrifices that penalize us without providing much benefit. A recent example cited by several economists: turning into couch potatoes when gasoline prices spiked. In a nation obsessed with fuel costs, people didn't want to spend an extra $100 for a low-cost family visit or camping trip that could have renewed and refreshed them. Instead, they hung around the house, and in many cases spent at least that much on "staycation" activities such as movies and restaurants. Experts use the term "loss aversion" to describe this practice of scrimping in one area but not cutting expenses overall.




Get your priorities straight. It's a great idea to set budgets and control spending, but do so thoughtfully. Consider your priorities: If your gym membership keeps you fit and sane, cancel your cable TV instead. If you can't make yourself use your home exercise machine, have a yard sale and use the money for fitness activities you enjoy, such as biking or skating


Beware of bargains. You know the type—they drive all over town hoping to "save" a few cents at the pump, clip coupons for products they dislike, and buy a five-gallon drum of nutmeg at a warehouse store because the cost per ounce is such a bargain. Perhaps you're even one of them.

It's in our nature to want a bargain, but before buying, ask yourself if it's a good deal for you. Something you don't need, can't use or don't really want is no bargain.

Be sure to know the difference between needs and desires. Recent sales figures show that purchases of luxury items, such as flat-screen TVs, plunged at electronics stores but jumped at discount stores, apparently because consumers wanted to believe that saving a few dollars meant it was okay to splurge on costly non-essentials during an economic meltdown. Be honest with yourself, and don't try to pass off your 82-inch TV or titanium cookware as "investments"—they are expenses.



Face the future. You've heard it over and over and over: You need to exercise, you need to eat better, you need to lose weight, you need to quit smoking, you need to stop wasting money. You know you should. You know you could. You know you will—tomorrow. Think of all the money you'll save. Think of how much better you'll feel. Yet every tomorrow becomes just another today.

Why do we keep doing this to ourselves? Because there's no time like the present, or so the brain is wired to think. People often behave irrationally because they devalue the future. For instance, most workers who are passively offered thousands of dollars a year in matching 401(k) contributions from their employer will turn it down; they'd rather dispose of their "disposable income" on the latest fashions or hot new restaurant. However, when required to make active decisions on their retirement plans, most employees do take advantage of the free money, Harvard University behavioral economist David Laibson has found. When living in the “now,” it makes sense to make pre-commitments, because the next stage of “now” is closer than you think.



Weigh information individually. You know the routine: You go in for an oil change. As usual, the mechanic/salesman tries to upsell you to a more expensive procedure. You politely decline; all you want here is to use your oil-change coupon. Then one day he warns that your differential fluid must be changed. You figure it's another scam, say you'll think about it and ignore him. Terrible and terribly expensive things happen to your engine.

You may have had similar experiences with a plumber, electrician, computer technician, dentist, doctor, investment adviser or real estate agent. The lesson to learn: It's up to you to consider the merits of each piece of information you receive. An occasional liar isn't necessarily a constant liar.

You can simplify things by dealing with honest, reliable professionals. They do exist, and you can find them by seeking recommendations from people you know, consulting the Better Business Bureau and doing Web searches. These businesses might not offer coupons, but you'll save money and peace of mind in the long run



So the next time you stop and admire that $70 throw pillow on your way back from picking up turkey noodle soup, stop and think. That’s all it takes to stop your money from making you crazy.


Source:

برای مشاهده محتوا ، لطفا وارد شوید یا ثبت نام کنید

[C. Breezy]

What to Do About Stress

There is always some seemingly minor event to which our response sometimes appears to be out of proportion. Road rage is, I think, the best example. It takes only one straw to break a camel’s back, so when it comes to our health the "trigger" that finally upsets our body-mind’s natural balance and stimulates cancer’s unrestrained and rampant cell growth can be anything from smoking to bereavement, sunbathing to poor diet. In most instances, the interval between the cause and the effect is so great we fail to locate the cause of our disease, blaming it on something or someone else, preferably something that occurred more recently.



Where there is a clear connection, it is foolish to avoid doing something about the trigger. For example, if you used to smoke and have been treated successfully for lung cancer, it is absurd to take up smoking again; if you have unresolved issues, you have to attend to them. To do so effectively, you will need to stiffen your resolve and show you are not afraid; discover that life is to be celebrated, death not to be feared. You probably can’t change the stressful situations around you, but you can change your attitude, your perspective and your priorities. The greatest courage you can show is to face reality head-on and allow yourself to be seen for who you really are—and to accept this as one of the ultimate truths.



So how can you restore order? Can your immune system learn new tricks, forget old patterns? Can you enhance your immune function? Let’s look at the facts.

When we say we’re "stressed out," or that our "stress level is too high," what we really mean is that we’re in pain, are having problems or conflicts that are making us distressed. Distress is our reaction to stress: anger, worry, fear, depression. Distress is our response to any situation over which we feel we have little or no control. Your distress levels could be so high they’re affecting your response to your treatment, slowing down your recovery, and diminishing the quality of your life. You may be unusually intolerant of those around you or indifferent to what happens next. You may find difficulty in making decisions or experience memory problems.



Distress can reveal itself in various other ways—when we’re feeling panicky, uneasy, angry, powerless, depressed, grief-stricken, isolated, trapped. At a physical level, distress is revealed through symptoms such as fatigue, heart palpitations, confusion, tightness of chest, sweaty, dry mouth, muscle tensions, insomnia, irritability, loss of --- drive, decreased appetite. You know you are distressed when you think thoughts such as, "I can’t breathe, I can’t do it, I’m trapped, I’m not going to get out of here, I can’t manage alone, and no one will help."



Clearly, if your response to stressful situations is always the same, you reinforce the effects and condition your body-mind to repeat old patterns. Behavior that is not rewarded does not continue. If you train yourself to respond differently, you can break the cycle. What your body-mind learned through past experience, you now have to teach it to unlearn. There is no quick solution, but if you persevere you can succeed.



Facing cancer can challenge even the most optimistic person, but if you can try to see your cancer as a "fight or flight" situation, you can use the energy it gives you to keep going, to try to understand more about it (the stress) and yourself (the distressed), so you won’t see yourself as helpless or dependent, and give up. If you adopt the "flight" response, you will discover that the best place to run is not to a place, since there is nowhere to hide, but to a space you create when you meditate or do nothing; if you adopt the "fight" response, you will discover it’s not your cancer you have to fight (leave that to your cancer specialist), but your fears.

If you have any health or illness related questions you would like me to answer, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below. My answers to your questions will be posted on our blog and it is my sincere hope these will be helpful to you.


Source:

برای مشاهده محتوا ، لطفا وارد شوید یا ثبت نام کنید

[C. Breezy]

Attention, Walkers: How to Ease Into Running

Ease into running—and double your calorie burn—with this streamlined plan.





Getting started. Warm up your joints and muscles before each running session with an easy 3–5 minute walk. Do each workout below 3 times per week for at least 3 weeks before progressing to the next level. Listen to your body: Moving on before you’re ready can cause aches and pains.



Weeks 1 through 3. After every 3–5 minutes of walking, run for 30 seconds–2 minutes; repeat for a total of 30 minutes. Not into numbers? Run until you’re tired, then walk until you’re bored.

Weeks 4 through 6. Alternate 3-minute stretches of walking and running for a total of 30 minutes. If that leaves you winded, try cutting the intervals to 90 seconds, then gradually build up your time.



Weeks 7 through 9. Alternate running for 4–5 minutes with walking for 1–2 minutes; repeat for a total of 30 minutes.

Weeks 10 through 12. Run for 8–10 minutes, then walk for 1–2 minutes; repeat for a total of 30 minutes. Or run 1 mile, then walk for 2 minutes; repeat 3 times.



Week 13 and beyond. Try to run 30 minutes straight. If you have to take a midrun breather, don’t despair. Keep trying, and soon you’ll be sailing through your run, no walk breaks needed!

[C. Breezy]

Are We Exercising Pain Away? Not So Much.

exercise can help people deal with and alleviate chronic neck and back pain, a new study shows that health professionals may not be prescribing it as often as they should.

Less than half of the nearly 700 people surveyed -- all of whom had seen a physician, chiropractor or physical therapist in the past year for chronic back or neck pain -- were prescribed exercise, the study found.

The results, based on a telephone survey by researchers from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, showed that those who were given instructions to exercise were nearly twice as likely to have received the order from a physical therapist than from a physician or chiropractor. Roughly a third of physical therapists' patients, though, still did not receive an exercise prescription.

Although most of those surveyed said they had seen a physician, their doctors prescribed exercise for just 14 percent of them. However, some people were referred by their doctors to physical therapists, who ultimately prescribed exercise, according to the survey.

Women, people with a higher education level, and those receiving workers compensation were more likely to have been prescribed exercise, the survey found.

"Considering current evidence on the efficacy of exercise, these findings demonstrate that exercise is being underutilized as a treatment for chronic back and neck pain," the authors wrote.

The findings are published in the February issue of Arthritis Care & Research.

The authors suggested that future studies look at barriers to prescriptive exercise.

Source:

برای مشاهده محتوا ، لطفا وارد شوید یا ثبت نام کنید

[A r c h i]

Three things you need to know about burning fat

You probably have heard various theories on how to burn fat. Some may be true, some may not. The reality is that there is definite science behind how you burn and metabolize calories, and for that matter, fat. Here is some basic information and rules of thumb to ensure that you maximize your fat-burning during exercise:

1. Exercise Type: To effectively burn fat, you need to incorporate both aerobic exercise and strength training into your workouts. Strength training increases your muscle mass, which in turn increases your metabolism (meaning you will burn more calories in an average day). Aerobic exercise does not have the ability to permanently raise your metabolism the way weight training does, however, it is most effective in burning calories and fat.
2. The ‘Fat Burning Zone’: This refers to a target heart rate (THR) zone where your heart rate is essentially in the most effective zone to burn fat. This zone allows you to work at a level that is intense enough to burn fat and calories at a productive rate, but not so intense that you will burn-out or become exhausted too quickly. Use the following calculation to find out your personal fat burning zone:

Fat Burning Zone = (220-Your Age) x (.75)

Your fat burning zone is basically 75% of your maximum heart rate (MHR). (To quickly gauge your Fat Burning Zone, look at this quick reference chart using your age and 75% column.) You should aim to stay within 10 beats of the number.
3. Timing of Your Workouts: When you exercise, you first use up your carbohydrate stores (glycogen), then your fat stores and then muscle. It takes about 20 to 30 minutes of exercise to use up your carbohydrate stores before you start tapping into your fat stores. For this reason, there are two ideal times to do aerobic exercise:
* In the morning before you eat. Assuming you didn’t go on a pasta or carbohydrate binge late the night before, you don’t have any stored carbohydrates in the morning (you slept most of them off), and as a result, your body will use your fat stores for energy. For this reason, you can burn up to 300% more body fat than at other times of the day.
* Right after strength training. If you are not a morning exerciser, the next best time to do aerobic exercise is right after you do your strength training. Assuming you do strength training for about 30 minutes, you will use most of or all of your carbohydrate stores prior to starting your aerobic activity.

If you do aerobic exercise at times other than those mentioned above, you will have to exercise for 20 to 30 minutes to burn off your carbohydrate stores and then an additional 20 minutes or so to burn a reasonable amount of fat, making this a much less effective way to burn fat.

If you adhere to these three simple rules, you should see a difference in how much fat you burn as compared to before, hopefully resulting in a greater lean body mass and lower body-fat percentage. Both of which are good for your health.
l