Health Altnetconf: July 2009

Friday, July 31, 2009

Thrush Natural Treatment

Treatment for thrush must be chosen carefully; after all, this is a condition that often affects infants and we all know that babies are sensitive when it comes to taking medications. Women who have babies should take note of such natural remedies to avoid potential side effects on their children.

Home cures for thrush can be easily prepared and are relatively safe since most of them are made from herbal and natural ingredients. If any member of the family is suffering from oral Candidiasis or thrush, here are some treatment options that can be easily made at home.

Yogurt

Eating a cup of unsweetened yogurt everyday will help prevent thrush from developing. This is not only good for curing thrush but is also effective in other types of Candidiasis, particularly vaginal yeast infection. Women with vaginal Candida infection can either eat it or use a tampon dipped in yogurt and insert it in the vagina.

Ginger

Ginger juice mixed with hot water can sooth tongue soreness and is also effective in getting rid of oral thrush. For infants, a mild solution should be made using warm water since ginger can be hot on the mouth. If the patient cannot take an almost-pure ginger drink, mix a thumb-size, crushed ginger with tea and make it an afternoon or evening refreshment.

Calendula or marigold

Crushed calendula mixed with tea can also cure thrush. A purer remedy can be made by using a dropper and dripping the solution on the tongue and areas of the mouth where the white curd-like substance - a common symptom of oral Candidiasis - is found.

Baking soda

A single teaspoon of baking soda diluted on water is also a highly recommended home cure for oral yeast infection. Soak a cotton ball in the solution and swab the tongue and the insides of the mouth to treat thrush. For women who breastfeed, the remedy should also be used to swab the breasts, particularly the nipples and the areas around the areola to make sure that the infection will not be transmitted to the baby.

Vinegar

For adults suffering from thrush or yeast infection in other parts of the body, dabbing a vinegar-soaked cotton ball on the affected areas will greatly help alleviate the burning sensation and itchiness. If it will be used on a baby, mixed it with a small amount of water to lessen the sour taste and to make it easier for the baby to take it.

Home treatment for thrush is relatively safe and most options are highly effective. If you don't like taking chances with over the counter remedies, particularly for your baby, using a natural cure is a good alternative.

posted by Healthy Life @ 9:51 AM

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Breast Feeding And Diabetes

"Breast milk is still best for under two years," the pediatrician says. And a mother must believe it because not only is it advisable for her child's health, it also lessens the chance of her getting diabetes.

female who have less chances of suffering from diabetes. A study conducted by the World Health Organization shows that more than 1.5 million babies die because they are not breast-fed. These are babies from third world countries. Their mothers' health are also in jeopardy that they don't have enough nutrition or milk in their bodies to save neither themselves nor their babies.

These social workers who educate mothers often go to the developing countries such as Nigeria and teach them the proper way to care for themselves and their infants. Good parenting at a young age would also result to the proper mental development of their infant.

That's why people must be educated when it comes to how important breastfeeding is for the infant and the mother. Not only is this beneficial for the baby's health, it will also have a better effect on the emotional aspect of the mother-child relationship. Breastfeeding is an early form of mother-child bonding that could occur at this young stage of the baby's life.

Some mothers prefer pumping their milk to a equipment as it hurts them when the child bites into their nipples. That must not be the case. It takes some getting use to. Breastfeeding will give the child the nurture, the love and the care that she deserves to have. Activists on the situation are recommending a movement to a decree that announces neglect on mothers who stop breastfeeding their children who are less than two years old.

There are some mothers who rush on to their daily activities that they prefer the bottle-feeding than breast-feeding. This often applies to a high-powered career woman. As much as possible, she should also fit into her schedule the time for her boy.

Some mothers consider that the good thing about bottled milk is that it has water and breast milk has less. However, breast milk also has water. The water contained in breast milk is in fact healthier for the infant than water that us adults drink. Notice also that babies accommodate better after they are breast-fed than after they are bottle-fed.

Breast milk prevents diarrhea. Diarrhea is a illness that often attacks babies. Developing countries lose a lot of their newly-borns to this sickness.

Breast milk also helps the child grow properly making him less prone to diseases. The child will also be more exceptional because his being breast-fed allowed his brain to develop better.

As for the women, there is a link to diabetes and breast-feedings. Women who engage in breast-feeding their infant will not have diabetes. While they're feeding their babies, they are lactating. Therefore, the hormones they release in this process protects her against aneamia and cancer.

In short, breast-feed your infant. Not only will you and your child be good in health, you will also have bonding time together. It helps to start training your child now at a young age because there's a lot of room for improvement and growth. Also, the mother has something to benefit from this evolution. She wouldn't have diabetes.

If scheduling is the problem, it's all about time management. When your child is about to go to school and off to an Ivy League school, you know your hard work paid off.

posted by Healthy Life @ 7:39 PM

Monday, July 27, 2009

Cayenne Pepper for Flavor and Weight Loss

Cayenne, a spice derived from Chili peppers has been used for centuries to give dishes an added kick. Named for the city of Cayenne of in French Guiana, the pepper is a relative of bell peppers and jalapenos and has been used to treat digestive problems and a host of other ailments as well. Today, the diet industry has grabbed a hold of this years old kitchen spice and discovered that Cayenne is also able to trigger satiety when you eat it.

Cayenne is made of capsaicin (the chemical that makes it hot and also the active ingredient in pepper spray), Vitamin A, and numerous antioxidants, but it is the capsaicin that is responsible for this pepper’s positive results in numerous studies on mice. Human studies on its digestive properties show Capsaicin works as an appetite suppressant when digested, and stimulates warmth inside the abdomen and giving it a “full” feeling. Many participants reported feeling fuller when eating food containing Cayenne. Other studies also show a more curious side effect of Cayenne — its ability to stimulate metabolic production.

Again, here are some of the bonuses of using Cayenne for weight loss: first, it is inexpensive and natural, commonly found in grocery stores as a way to add flavor to food so anyone can use it! It has studies to back it up and it has been shown to improve circulation and blood flow, and treat chronic pain and sore throats—very cool. Cayenne has no serious side effects compared to typical weight loss ingredients. Do note that Cayenne is not recommended for people with digestive problems or those who are at risk for ulcers and you’ll need other supplements if seeking fat burning effects or drastic help achieving weight loss goals. Of course, eating lots of Cayenne does not mean you don’t have to exercise so be sure to commit to a consistent exercise regimen and adhere to a well balanced and healthy diet for the best effects.

This article was republished from http://www.weight-loss-pills.pro/ - your diet pill review website.

posted by Healthy Life @ 8:28 PM

Sunday, July 26, 2009

For Acne Does Azelaic Acid Work

Azelaic acid is a natural chemical that's produced by the action of a particular yeast. It is a naturally occurring acid that may be found in grains like wheat. This chemical has three main and very distinct properties that have elevated its role in acne treatment:

1. The ability to fight off anaerobic bacteria (P. acnes) that cause the pustules and lesions on the face, back, neck and chest.

2. The ability to reducing inflammation (though its relative strength is low compared to specifically designed anti-inflammatory products).

3. It also has the ability to reduce the number of comedones in affected areas.

Acne Products that Contain Azelaic Acid

Is azelaic acid popular? Culturally, no. However, you can find this ingredient in the following products:

- Finevin
- Azelex

Only a small amount should be used. If you think you have acne-prone areas, then it's time to hit those areas with a small amount of whatever preparation you're using.

Will it work right away? Well, a month or so is better than nothing. The gradual clearing of the skin would take place if there are no adverse side effects and you have been able to faithfully place a pea-sized amount of the stuff on your acne spots.

To maximize the benefits of azelaic acid, make sure that your face had already been washed carefully and patted dry. The skin has to be clean so that the active ingredient would be able to penetrate the skin as deeply as it could.

How Does Azelaic Acid Work on Acne?

If topical antibiotics, retinoids and benzoyl peroxide are popular with the medical establishment, why do azelaic acid and weaker ingredients still flourish in the acne treatment market?

There are instances that the most popular treatments for acne do not suit the patients themselves. If the allergic reactions are intolerable, doctors shift down to milder substitutes. Remember, acne treatment differs from one person to another.

There is no 'ideal' acne treatment for everyone, if we are to be truthful to what we known physiologically about the human skin and its properties (both chemical and genetic).

Azelaic Acid Side Effects on Acne

Azelaic acid treats acne and acne-like disorders like rosacea but it cannot cure these problems. The cure for acne is yet to be discovered. It can take around 4 weeks or more of azalaic acid use before you notice positive improvements on your skin. If you haven't seen some benefits yet, don't get discouraged. A lot of people give up just when they are about to see some positive results.

This chemical is non-toxic and is tolerated fairly well by most users. However, some people, particularly eczema sufferers and those with extremely sensitive skin, reported some side effects like mild dermatitis, scaling and redness.

Some users reported some discoloration of their faces, especially pregnant women or women on the pill. To be safe, use azelaic acid-containing products only if you really, really need to and you're presently breastfeeding.

If you experience serious side effects like a sudden rash breakout, consult your doctor or dermatologist immediately.

posted by Healthy Life @ 7:45 PM

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Fear - The Body Mind Connection

According to one definition, fear is defined as "a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, pain, etc., whether the threat is real or imagined; the feeling or condition of being afraid."

The element in the definition that I want to highlight and work with is the part of the definition that states "whether the threat is real or imagined". There is a good clue in that statement.

What it tells us is that our physical, mental and emotional response is exactly the same whether the threat is real or imagined. What this means is that we cause ourselves a huge amount of grief by imagining events and scenarios which are completely imaginary and have no basis in reality.

How often do we waste hours and days imagining possibly dangerous and/or damaging outcomes only to have everything work out and nothing bad happen? While it is wonderful that we managed to escape the manifestation of our fears in a real-world environment, what toll have we taken on ourselves in terms of the impact we've caused on a physical, mental and emotional level?

By understanding that our body chemistry reacts in exactly the same way whether the threat is real or imagined, and now that it's been scientifically proven that under stress our body chemistry literally changes and negatively impacts our immune response, it means that we need to minimize the amount of fear to which we expose ourselves. It means that we have to become fully present and aware of what thoughts we allow to run through our minds.

We all know that it's so much easier said than done. The concept of being fully present and monitoring one's thoughts is an easy one to understand, and can be extremely difficult to execute. However, there is no other answer. NOW is all we have, and all we need. We will never have yesterday, the minute that just passed or the minute that's still to come. All we have is NOW, and if we hope to have a next "now" that is to our liking, then we need to make sure that we've taken care of the current "now" to the best of our ability.

Only by being fully present in THIS moment now, and giving whatever it is that we're doing in this moment our full attention, can we assure a good outcome in the "future".

We can take a lesson from the animals in the wild. They have no worries or cares from one moment to the next while they wander around to find their food and water, and just generally enjoy the day. They don't wander around wondering about whether they will be attacked by a predator sometime that day, or the next day or in three weeks time.

Until there is actually a predator that is around them, they are calm, content and at peace with themselves and the world. As soon as a predator comes into their environment, they react appropriately in that moment. As soon as the danger has passed, they are back to being calm, content and at peace, and don't worry about when the predator may come back.

Being present in each moment takes a lot of discipline, but in the long run the benefits far outweigh the effort required. Energy Medicine is particularly effective in helping to shift old patterns and help us overcome being stuck in a fearful state.

posted by Healthy Life @ 10:08 PM

Thursday, July 9, 2009

A Factual History of Yoga

The History of Yoga

The word Yoga means, "to join or yoke together". The practice of yoga postures joins the body and mind together into one united experience. While many people are just discovering the benefits of yoga and many fitness facilities are just starting to offer yoga classes, the classical techniques of Yoga date back over 5,000 years. The exact origin date for Yoga is unclear, but it most likely predates written history. Illustrations of Yoga positions have been found in archeological site stone carvings in the Indus Valley dating back 5,000 years.

The physical practice of yoga is called Hatha Yoga. It was developed by Yogis who went into the jungles thousands of years ago to meditate. During meditation, these Yogis observed animal movements. The development of many of the yoga postures comes from their observations of nature and animals. Although yoga has a long history, its rise to popularity in the United States has been only in the last 50-75 years. However, Yoga has now found its away across the continents to take root in American culture.

Yoga as we know it today has its seeds of origin within the Yoga Sutras written by Pantanjali about 800 BC. Though Pantanjali identified eight limbs of yoga, most people are initially drawn to only one of the limbs, Hatha Yoga. The foundation of Hatha Yoga includes exercise and breathing. Yoga breathing is a unique process regulating the inflow of breath in the two nostrils. The exercises of Yoga are designed to engage the human glandular systems, thereby increasing efficiency and total health. Breathing techniques are based on the concept that breath is the source of life in the body and mind and that a quiet mind allows silence and healing from everyday stress.

The power of yoga lies in its simplicity and most of the postures in yoga (called Asanas) are relaxing, refreshing, require no special equipment or clothing and can be performed by men, women and children above 16 years. Hatha is derived from Ha meaning the Sun and Ta meaning the Moon. As mentioned above, the word yoga is derived from the Sanskrit term 'Yug' which means "yoke"or' unite'. The two terms together denote the unification of the Sun and the Moon.

Hatha Yoga postures leads to coordination and harmony between the different organs of the body. Thus Hatha Yoga helps in restoring normal health to the whole body, conserving energy and purifying the body from all impurities. Praanayaama and the relaxation techniques of yoga generally help regulate the breathing, enhance the oxygen absorption into the blood stream, control the mind and act on certain nerve centers to ensure delivery of vital energy to the body and restoration of normal health to the nervous system, endocrinal glands and all the vital organs of the body.

The concept of yoga includes union or binding of body and mind. Yoga helps in development of coordination and control of all the forces within the body, leading to perfection in the functioning of all the organs. Yoga gives the ability to control the normal stresses and strains in life and handles the overall functioning of all the vital organs of the body. Health of a person is determined by holistic health, a mixture of physical and mental health. Yoga helps maintain this holistic health of a person, which involves great discipline not only of the body, but also of the mind. Yoga instills in the minds of the people a hope full of optimistic approach towards life.

Yoga probably arrived in the United States in the late 1800s, but it did not become widely known until the 1960s, as part of the youth culture's growing interest in anything Eastern. As more people learned about the beneficial effects of Yoga, it gained acceptance and respect as a valuable method for helping in the management of stress and improving health and overall well-being.

References:

A short History of Yoga by George Feuerstein.
History of Yoga by the American Yoga Association.

posted by Healthy Life @ 10:25 AM

Thursday, July 2, 2009

How to Meditate Successfully

We all know that meditation is great for you, but how do you meditate? In this article I want to give you some suggestions of what you need in order to set-up a successful meditation practice, and I will also teach you how to meditate. These peripheral parts of a meditation practice should not be ignored, as one of the most important aspects in order to reap the rich rewards of meditation is consistency, and these suggestions below are the key ingredients for setting up a long-term, consistent practice.

1. Meditation Space:

First you need to set aside a space in your home for meditation. Having such a space will help you create the right environment to succeed in meditation. The space should be clean and if possible, used exclusively for meditation only. This way, once you enter this space, automatically your body and mind will tune in and settle down, allowing for you to travel deep within during your meditation session.

2. Meditation Time:

One of the most important keys in order to have a consistent practice, is to set a regular time for daily meditation. As best as possible, you should try to meditate at this time. Setting up such a time will go a long way in helping you integrate meditation into your daily life. One final note with regard to setting a regular time for meditation, is that if this can be set to early in the morning, that is preferable. During the early hours, the mind is fresh and the air it purer, both of which are helpful to meditation.

3. Meditation Tools:

You should also not be shy to use some helpful meditation tools which will ultimately help you sit better and longer. Tools such as proper attire which does not constrict blood flow and meditation cushions which take the strain off the back and knees are important parts of a daily practice and you should use them to help you in learning and mastering this wonderful spiritual art.

In addition, if you are planning to do breathing exercises or yoga as well, it is ok to use music to help motivate you during these physical practices. During meditation though, I don't suggest using music, so that you can develop the art of watching the mind and thoughts, which is key to advanced meditation practice.

Finally, also feel free to use a picture, incense or other such devices which inspire and help you get into the meditative mood. Meditation is a long term practice, so you will certainly run into phases where you will need some extra inspiration to keep going strong.

How to Meditate:

Once you have your space, time and tools in place, it is time to actually meditate. So let us learn how to meditate now. For this, take a nice tall posture, keeping your spine straight. You can place your hands on your knees, or place them in your lap, then follow the instructions below which will teach you a fundamental and very effective meditation technique.

* Once you take your posture, close your eyes and then remain absolutely still.

* Next bring your awareness to your breathing and begin to count your breaths from 1 to 10, with each inhalation and exhalation incrementing the count. Once you get to 10, come back to 1 and start over. So you would do 5 completes breaths to get from 1 to 10. What is important here is that you actually pay close attention to the actual sensation of the breath. It is a very physical practice, and you should concentrate of feeling the breath, as opposed to just thinking about it. So you should be aware of the depth, texture, temperature, etc of the actual air as it passes through your nostrils.

* If your mind wonders during this time, simply see your thought, let it go and return to your count. Thoughts will arise, but endeavor not to get caught in the story line, instead just see them and let them go and return your attention to your breathing.

* If you do get lost in your thinking, then again, simply see the thoughts that carried you away, let them go and return to 1, and start over. Don't judge yourself harshly if you so get lost in thinking, it happens to everybody. In time your concentration will grow and your mind will calm down much faster, thus allowing you insight into the true nature of reality which lies beyond thoughts and duality.

posted by Healthy Life @ 10:25 AM

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