Medicines to Treat High Blood Pressure

By Richard Bean

Adrenergic Beta-Blockers

Propranolol (Betalong, Betaspan, Ciplar, Corbeta, Inderal), Metoprolol (Betaloc), Atenolol (Betacard, Tenolol Tensimin), Acebutolol (Sectral-400), Oxprenolol (Trasicor)

These drugs result in slow and gradual reduction in blood pressure. However, they may be useful in patients with coronary artery disease like angina or after acute myocardial infarction or arrythmias. These drugs reduce the rate of re-infarction. Elderly patients are less responsive to then than the young.

These drugs reduce the blood pressure by reducing both force and the rate of the heart contraction of the heart. In patients who are also receiving diuretics, the total peripheral resistance (resistance against which blood flows) is reduced. They also inhibit release of the biogenic substances, rennin and noradrenaline, which may contribute to their anti-hypertensive effect.

Dosage: Propranolol is given in a dose of 20 to 40 mg 2 to 4 times daily. It may be increased to double the or up to a maximum of 480 mg if necessary. Its long-acting preparation is given in a dose of 40 to 80 mg once daily.

Atenolo is given in a dose of 25 mg once daily and increased to 100 mg once daily. It is presently the most commonly used drug.

Acebutolol is given in a dose of 400 mg once daily and increased to 800 mg daily necessary.

Meloprolol is given in a dose of 50 mg and increased to 100 to 300 mg daily, if necessary.

Oxprenolol is given in a dose of 160 mg daily and increased to 480 mg daily.

Bisoprolol is given in a dose of 2.5 to 10 mg once a day.

Carvedilol (Carloc) has antioxidant effects also. It is used in a dose of 12.5 to 25 mg once a day.

Nebivalol (Nebicard) has as blood vessel dilating effects. It is useful in a dose of 2.5m (in elderly) to 5 mg once a day.

Adverse Effects: These drugs may precipitate congestive heart failure in borderline patients. Some elderly patients develop cold hands and feet. The sudden stoppage of these drugs may precipitate an attack of angina or even myocardial infarction and, in rare cases, sudden death.

These drugs increase airway resistance and in patients with a history of bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis, or any other lung disease, may provoke asthmatic attacks. Although the newer cardioselective beta-blockers like metoprolol, atenolol and bisoprolol may be safer for such patients, yet these drugs should be used very cautiously.

These drugs prolong the blood sugar-lowering effects of anti-diabetic drugs and mask the symptoms of hypoglycaemia or low blood sugar. This is more pronounced in children during a period of restricted food intake and prolonged exercise. The adverse effects on the central nervous system include fatigue, lethargy, vivid dreams, depression, memory loss, hallucinations, delirium, psychotic reactions, and loss of sensation in the limbs or paraesthesia. Atenolol which does not go to the brain, may be worth a trial in patients who experience such adverse effects with other beta-blockers. Blood lipids may increase by propranolol like drugs.

These drugs should be avoided during pregnancy as they may cross the placenta and produce adverse effects of low blood pressure and blood sugar in the newborn. These are also excreted in milk. Beta-blockers may cause sexual dysfunction such as decreased libido (sexual desire) and impotence. Fever, rash, disorders of the muscles and joints, ulcers in the mouth, baldness, and disorders of blood formation are also rare adverse effects of adrenergic beta-blockers.

Precautions

Propranolol should not be used in patients suffering from respiratory diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, or emphysema.

They should be used with caution in patients of diabetes.

The prescribed drug should be withdrawn gradually over a period of 1 week as sudden discontinuation may cause a severe heart attack.

Doctor should be consulted if the heart rate (pulse rate) is less than 60 beats per minute.

If there are any adverse effects on the nervous system, the doctor should be consulted whether switching to atenolol or another drug is advisable.

Alpha-Adrenergic Receptor Blockers (Prazosin, Terazosin, Doxazosin)

Prazosin is the third or fourth durg in the treatment of hypertension, and preseribed when thiazides and propranolol fail to control the blood pressure. The first dose of this drug produces a curiously powerful effect and should be kept as low as 0.5 mg and preferably be given at bedtime. It blocks sympathetic receptors and has a direct relaxant action on the smooth muscles of the blood vessels. All of these drugs are effective in increasing flow of urine in enlarged of the prostate. A major benefit is that these drugs do not change blood lipids.

Dosage: Its usual dose is 2 to 5 mg depending upon the response. Terazosin is usually given in a dose of 1 to 2 mg. It can be increased up to 40 mg, depending on the response.

Adverse Effects and Precautions: These can be postural hypotension, dizziness, and palpitation due to increase in the heart rate. Swelling of the feet and impotence may occur. The dose should be kept as low as possible particularly if aother diuretics are already being taken when this drug is started. It should be 0.5 mg or even 0.25 mg given at bedtime to avoid a sudden fall in the blood pressure in the elderly.

About the author:
AdvCare is one of the leading Canada pharmacy website. First established in January 2000, its mission is to become the number one site for Discount Drugs and Generic Prescription Drugs searches.

Medicines and Drugs to Treat Major Mental Illnesses

By Richard Bean

Butyrophenones

Haloperidol (Serenace), Trifluperidol (Triperidol), Pimozide (Orap, Mozep)

These are some drugs of this class which are used in the treatment of major mental illnesses. They cause a higher incidence of extrapyramidal symptoms (abvormal movements) than phenothiazines, but the fall in blood pressure is less common. In rare cases, they may affect the, bone marrow to cause a decrease in white blood cells. The toxicity to the liver is also considerably less. Some reports have indicated that the drug may convert a manic reaction into depression. Pimozide (MOZEP), a sister drug which has similar actions is given in doses of 2 to 5 mg. It has longer duration of action, therefore, is good in maintenance therapy. It may cause a disturbance of heart rhythm. The usual oral dose of haloperidol is 2 to 6 mg per day and of Trifluperidol 0.5 mg per day.

Precautions

It has been reported that most psychotic patients fail to take the drugs regularly. In such cases, fluphenazine decanoate, a long-acting preparation, can be injected at weekly.

Anti-psychotic drugs enhance the effect of respiratory depressant drugs and therefore, sleeping tablets or potent pain relievers like morphine and pethidine should be given cautiously to patients taking these drugs.

These drugs should be used very cautiously in patients with heart or liver diseases.

If the muscle rigidity is troublesome, the dose may be reduced or anti-parkinsoman drug may be administered.

If the treatment is to be stopped, the dose should be reduced gradually to prevent precipitation of severe psychotic reaction due to the drug withdrawal.

If there is any evidence of allergic reactions as characterized by sore throat or fever, the particular drug should be stopped and another substituted.

Those patients who are taking blood pressure lowering agents, antihistaminic and levodopa concurrently should be monitored closely to avoid adverse interactions.

Clozapine (Clopaz, Lozapine, Sizapen, Tab. 25 mg, 100 mg)

It is effective In resistant cases and does no cause extrapyramidal symptoms (abnormal movements). It does not raise prolactin level also. It may decrease white blood cell count( Agranulocytosis in 0.8% cases) and therefore a weekly white cell count is needed to detect any change. It may precIpItate convulsions.

Resperidone (Respidon, Rozidol, Zisper 1 mg, 2 mg, 4 mg)

A potent antipsychotic, useful in acute psychosis. It is least likely to precipitate convulsions. Usual dose is 1 to 4 mg per day. It can, sometimes, cause postural fall in blood pressures.

Olanzapine (Lozap, Oliza, Olapin Tab. 2.5 mg to 20 mg)

It is a broad spectrum antipsychotic and improve positive and negative symptoms in schizophrenia. It can be combined with lithium/sodium valproate for mania.

It causes dry mouth, constipation and weight gain. It is epileptogenic but rise in prolactin level does not occur.

Quetiapine (Quel, Quiticool Seroquin 25 mg to 200 mg), Loxapine (Loxapac 10 mg to 50 mg cap.) and Aripiprazole (Aaprito, Real one 10 mg to 30 mg Tab.) are other agents.

In conclusion, the skill of using these anti-psychotic drugs depends upon the selection of the adequate dosage levels, knowledge of what to expect, and the judgement as to when to stop the therapy or change the drug. Sometimes it may be necessary to combine two drugs to obtain the maximum anti-psychotic action with minimum adverse effects. The anti-psychotic agents should improve the acute symptoms within 48 hours. A demonstrable positive response may take about 3 weeks and the full effect may require 6 weeks to 6 months. It may be necessary to continue the treatment for several years. It has been found that there is a relapse rate of about 30­ 40 per cent after the treatment is stopped.

About the author:
AdvCare is one of the Canada leading pharmacy website. First established in January 2000, its mission is to become the number one site for prescription drug and drug store searches.

Medicines and Drugs to Treat Elderly

By Richard Bean

Every type of machinery functions normally for some years but starts giving problems with age. This is true for a bicycle, a car, a railway engine, or an aeroplane. The body functions also, do not remain as efficient in old age as in youth or middle age. Besides physiological changes associated with ageing, other factors such as the multiple disease processes, nutritional deficiencies, inability to adhere to drug-schedules, and the decline of financial resources multiply problems in old age. Besides these, in those who are not aware, lack of proper physical exercise and the ability to modify the diet suitably are also responsible for causing undesirable responses to drugs. The doctor who treats the elderly has to be more knowledgeable, more careful. As individuals age, they are more likely to have disability and side effects of drugs.

Before 1947, the average age of an Indian was 37 years, which has now increased to 67 years. This means that the percentage of older people in this country has increased considerably. In many ways, our situation is coming close to countries of the west where the average age is as high as 77 or 78 years. These countries have learnt to overcome the problems of old age, including those of altered drug response.

This chapter discusses the mechanism of altered clinical responses of drugs in the elderly and outlines a preferable approach to therapeutic management with examples of disease entities.

Altered Organ Functions Result in Changes in Drug Effects and Disposal

Ageing affects many a physiological function of the body. The functional capacity of most the major organs like the kidneys, heart, liver and lungs shows a continuous decline after the age of 45. Besides this, the elderly have a reduced lean body mass (as % of body weight), reduced body water (as % of body weight), and increased body fat (as % of body mass). The impact of these changes, coupled with a progressive decline in functional capacities, results in an altered handling of the drug by the aged body in terms of its absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion.

Metabolism of Drugs in the Elderly: The capacity of the liver to metabolise drugs does not appear to decline with age. Yet, certain extra hepatic diseases like congestive heart failure may dramatically reduce the ability of the liver to metabolise drugs.

The cognitive effects of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) is a controversial topic which is incompletely understood. Effects in the elderly are of particular interest as this group is particularly sensitive to these effects and relatively understudied. Many cognitive studies in patients with epilepsy are difficult to interpret, however, as variables such as seizure improvement may be the actual source of differences. This study has the advantage of using healthy volunteers and a crossover design, eliminating confounding factors of unrecognized seizures and polytherapy and limiting influences of interindividual variability. Doses were reasonable (target 800 mg carbamazepine and 2400 mg/day gabapentin), and treatment was long enough to overcome acute effects although relatively brief (six weeks). It should be remembered that AEDs could have different effects in epilepsy patients independent of seizures, perhaps due to influences on interictal discharges. Nevertheless, this represents a well designed, rigorous study utilizing a number of neuropsychological effects and a reasonable approximation of chronic therapy.

About the author:
AdvCare is one of the Canada leading pharmacy website. First established in January 2000, its mission is to become the number one site for prescription drug and drug store searches.

Importance of Herbal Medicines

Submitted by Rebheka

"It is evident that the American medical system is the leading cause of death and injury in the United States"—Gary Null

Have you ever keenly observed what your family doctor tells you every time about modern medicines? Do not be surprised if your family doctor tries to talk you out of using drugs or into using fewer drugs, next time. Although modern drugs are certified as harmless by the government, manufactures themselves aren’t sure about the harmlessness of their products.

It is a fact that consumers do not get all of the needed information, especially the truth about the dangers of modern medicines. Do you know that several experienced druggists themselves do not take drugs at all or at least avoid long-term use? Have you noticed the change in the recent trends, even cosmetics companies have started to label their produce as ‘herbal’?

It is unfortunate that most of us have little knowledge about the perilous drugs we use in the name of modern medicines in our daily life, while we insist so much on herbal cosmetics to ensure the safety of our external beauty. Wondering what else could work for the betterment of your health? The time-tested and ever prevailing herbal healing is the only means that can help you in all you remedial needs.

Herbal healing had been the forerunner of all medicines and has made a come back in this century to save us from the perils of modern drugs. Among the ancient Herbal Healing programs, Chinese herbal remedy, which has been used from time immemorial to cure all sorts of ailments, is still in practice. It’s a proven method of treating diseases and doesn’t have any harmful side effects. Apart from healing properties, natural herbs have the divine power of strengthening your body’s defense mechanism. Herbal vitamins are far superior to those that are chemically synthesized.

Do you want to grow your hair? Are you in search of an effective weight loss program, or just looking for supplements to maintain your health? Natural Herbs have it all. There are healing herbs that have the power to grow your hair, weight loss herbs that can reduce your weight with out any harmful effects, and herbal supplements that can keep you healthy all the time. Herbs are best weapons to fight against baldness, arthritis, and heart diseases. They not only repair the damage but also improve your immune system.

A simple research in the internet could enlighten you on the dangers of using modern medicines and the benefits of natural herbs. These mystical herbs are abundant in the tropical forests and are gathered by companies producing herbal products. Although some of them grow only in certain climate and soil, many of the life saving herbs can be comfortably grown in your backyard as well. This kind of gardening is called as herbal gardening. Apart form giving you the pleasures of home gardening, herbal gardening can sustain your good health and be of great help when you desperately need them.

HerbalHeals.com : In view of promoting global health through natural herbs, herbalheals.com provides useful information on herbal healing. You can find information about Chinese herbs, backyard medicinal herbs, and herbal remedy for arthritis.

Are Natural skin care products the answer to all problems?

By: Ellen Biddle

"When it comes to skin care products", you will find that a lot of people are very particular 'about using only natural skin care products". They treat all the synthetic products as harmful to the skin.

So, "are natural skin care products the answer to all of our problems'? What if a natural skin care product is not available for the treatment of a particular skin disorder? Are the synthetic skin care products so harmful that they should be banned?

Different people have different answers to these questions. However, the reality is that due to presence of synthetic preservatives, it's really tough to find a natural skin care product that is 100% natural. There are natural skin care products that have natural preservatives, but their cost might be detrimental. Moreover, such natural skin products have a shorter shelf life and hence are not preferred by the manufacturers of natural skin care products.

Some people carry a wrong notion that since natural skin care products are natural, they cannot cause any harm to the skin. The suitability of a skin care product is not based on whether it is synthetic or natural. An unsuitable natural skin care product can harm you in almost the same way as a synthetic one. So, use natural skin care products, but be open to synthetic ones too (you might need them when a natural solution is not available)

Your selection of a natural skin care product should be based on 3 factors:

1. The skin type (dry, oily, normal, sensitive) of the person who will use that natural skin care product
2. The climatic conditions in which it will be used e.g. hot and humid condition would warranty the use of oil-free natural skin care products.
3. The process for application/use of the natural skin care product. A good natural skin care product (in fact any product) can seem useless if not used in the proper way.

You can also make natural skin care products by yourself, by using the recipes that are readily available on the internet and in the books at book stores.

Use of organic fruits and vegetables is also popular as a natural skin care procedure. Some essential oils, herbal oils, are useful too and are known for their moisturising and antiseptic properties

However, using a natural skin care product does not mean that you can exercise carelessness with other aspects of skin care. Natural skin care products should be used like supplements to the following 'essential' recommendations: healthy eating habits (avoiding oily food), regular exercise, drinking a lot of water (8 glasses everyday), and cleanliness. This will then form a perfect and completely natural skin care routine that will help maintain a healthy beautiful skin for longer time.

Find more on skin care here: www.ultimate-cosmetics.com/beauty/skin-care.htm

Author Bio
Ellen for www.ultimate-cosmetics.com. Find lots of makeup and beauty tips here with loads of information on skin care. Also find about puffy eyes.

Lotions vs. Skin Care Creams

By: Ellen Biddle

"There is no dearth of skin care creams and lotions in the market". Name an ailment, and "you will find hundreds of skin care creams", lotions and other products for it. As a result of ongoing research and due to ever increasing demand, "the number of skin care products seems to be on the increase. Skin care lotions and skin care creams are the most popular forms in which these products are available" and there always seems to be a debate on which form is better?

Well, there is no definitive answer to this. It seems more like a matter of personal choice. However, greasy creams are surely less popular as compared to the non-greasy (or less greasy) ones. Since the application of skin care creams is easier, they seem to be preferred (over lotions) in cases where the skin care product is not to be removed immediately after application. So, skin care creams seem more popular as moisturisers than as cleansers or toners. For toners, lotions seem to be preferred over skin care creams. There are some skin care creams that acts as toners too, but generally the toners are available in liquid form only. For cleansing, lotions and skin care creams are equally popular; however, the tilt seems more towards lotions.

Creams are known to be most effective in keeping skin moist; hence, the most popular form of skin care creams is moisturisers. Due to the same reason, a lot of people tend to associate skin care creams with dry and sensitive skin. Though it is true to a certain extent, skin care creams are not used only for dry skin, they are also used for making products for oily skin e.g. vitamin A creams and sulphur creams that help reduce the rate of sebum production.

Skin care creams are also used for products that cater to skin disorders especially for disorders that require the application of product over a small localised area. This is again due to the fact that skin care creams are easier to apply (without wastage) on the affected area. However, in cases where skin needs to be washed using a medicine/product, lotion is a better choice. Mostly, the manufacturers too realize this fact, making it easier for you to choose between a lotion and a skin care cream

Eye-creams and anti-ageing creams are other examples where skin care cream is preferred over its lotion counterpart.

Whatever your choice be (cream or lotion), knowing how to use it effectively, is more important than anything else.

Author Bio
Ellen for www.ultimate-cosmetics.com. Find lots of makeup and beauty tips here with loads of information on skin care. Also find about skin vitamins. Our forums - forums.ultimate-cosmetics.com

Natural Beauty Care

By: Ellen Biddle

Everybody longs for that healthy glow, for sparkling eyes and shiny hair that bounces with every step. Millions of dollars are spent every year in beauty products to make skin that much clearer, wrinkles that less visible and lips pout that much more. And while there are cosmetics that do work, you shouldn't underestimate the value of natural beauty products. Remedies that are available with nature. They're easy to find, won't put a hole in your pocket, and don't have a trace of any harmful chemicals. Read on to see what gifts from nature can make you your most beautiful self.

For your hair (www.ultimate-cosmetics.com/beauty/hair-care.htm)

Lemon juice:
Lemon juice when used on your hair is an effective treatment for dandruff. Its citrus property cleanses the hair. Squeeze a lemon onto your hair and massage into the scalp, and then wash it out using water and your preferred shampoo.

Coconut Oil:
Coconut oil is used in several parts of the world as an aid to beautiful hair. It has enriching vitamins and nutrients that help your hair to grow long and lustrous. In addition, it also combats dandruff.
Massage into the scalp before washing hair. If possible, do so a night before, so the oil can soak in overnight.

Vinegar:
Vinegar is great to add some bounce and vitality into dull and lifeless hair. Mix a little vinegar into warm water, and then rinse your hair with the solution. You hair will look revitalized.

For your skin

Water:
The important of water cannot be stated enough. It is one of the most important contributors to beautiful skin. It flushes out toxins and battles breakouts. A person should drink at least eight glasses of water per day. Warm showers are also very beneficial to the skin. When your skin is well hydrated, it looks young and healthy.

Roses:
They're more than just pretty flowers! Rosewater is extremely good for the skin. It purifies the skin, and leaves it wonderfully scented. Combined with hazel, it is especially good for oily skin.

Turmeric Powder:
If you want your skin to naturally get fairer and more radiant, you could try turmeric. Just mix a piece of turmeric with curd and apply it onto your skin. Leave the paste on for about ten to fifteen minutes, and then wash off using cold water.

For your body:

Fruits:
Fruits are one of the best gifts that nature can give you. Most of them are low in calories, and can give you a whole lot of energy. In fact, almost all diets have fruits as an essential part of them.

Spinach:
Spinach leaves are very, very healthy. There's a reason why Popeye enjoyed spinach so much! It helps to make your body stronger, and more resistant to illnesses and ailments.

Author Bio
Ellen for http://www.ultimate-cosmetics.com. Find lots of makeup and beauty tips here with loads of information on skin care and skin disorders.

Why Almost Everyone Is Wrong About Stomach Exercises And Abdominal Muscles

by: David Grisaffi

"Stomach exercises" are among the most frequently asked about and searched on (via internet) yet misunderstood subjects in the entire field of health, fitness and exercise. Regardless of age, experience or gender, everyone wants a flat "stomach" because the abdominal region is the true showcase of your physique. Since the abs are usually the last place to "shape up" and "lean out," then most people would say that if you've got abs, you've got it all.

Well, in my way of thinking, this is only partially true. There's more to a complete physique than "abdominal exercises" and "six pack abs" and most people are completely wrong about "stomach exercises" and ""stomach muscles." (you'll find out why in just a moment)...

The Difference Between "6-Pack Abs" And Truly "Fit Abs"

Having a great looking set of abs is very much a matter of low body fat. But make no mistake, just being lean and seeing a "six-pack" doesn't mean you are strong, fit or conditioned. Real fitness means more than visible muscle development, it means strength, endurance, and stability, and this type of true functional fitness does not come from merely eating the right foods or reducing your body fat.

Nutrition is so important that you could even say that "abs are made in the kitchen, not in the gym" and you would not be telling a lie. But this clever maxim is not telling the whole truth either. Great abs come from nutrition AND training, not one or the other. The training develops them. The nutrition uncovers them.

Don Juan Ponce de Leon arrived in America in 1493 looking for a fountain of youth and today in the "stomach exercise" marketplace, it seems that far too many people are looking for a "magic fountain" in order to flatten their waistlines.

Ponce never found the fountain of youth and you will never find a magical solution for flat abs. There are no short cuts. It takes a change in lifestyle to get a change in health, physique and performance. That includes nutrition AND training. There's No Such Thing As "Stomach Exercises"

THIS is your stomach! Proper choice of exercise is a critical factor in your quest for a firm and flat waistline. But you will never get a great "stomach" from ANY "stomach exercise" because your stomach is a part of your digestive tract, not your skeletal muscular system! So let's get the terminology straight, shall we? The area of you body you really want to improve is called your "core region." Many people refer to it as the "abdominal region."

However, training only with "ab exercise" is NOT the optimal approach. The abdominals only include the front (anterior) side of your body and if the only type of training you do is abdominal training, you may be unwittingly setting yourself up for lower back problems. If you don't think this is serious, then consider this statistic: According to the

American Chiropractic Association, more than 31 million Americans are suffering from low back pain at any given time. So would you like to trade great abs for a bad back? I didn't think so. The good news is that you can kill two birds with one stone. You can develop great abdominal muscles, great core muscles and a strong, pain-free back by using exercises that focus not on the "stomach," (which is not a muscle you train at all), not on the "abdominals," (which is only part of the muscles you need to target), but on the entire core.

The core is the key to your success. The core is the entire complex of muscles around your hip and waist region from your lower rib cage to the bottom of your pelvis. If you just focus on "abdominal exercises" alone (or "stomach" exercises, LOL), you will develop what I refer to as a "one dimensional body." I focus on training the body as a whole, or "multi-dimensional training" to develop a complete person and to develop effective and powerful athletes.

What every program I write has in common is that I do not attempt to "isolate" the abdominals (or train the "stomach muscles!") It's all about the core and about integrating your body as a unit so you function better in daily life. As you do core-focused exercise programs you are improving not only your muscular system but also the systems that drives your muscular system - that is, the nervous system.

This may very well be the most important secret for getting better results in your workout programs. The more efficiently your nervous system works, the better your results will be. Core workouts that improve both muscular strength and conditioning while also improving neural drive and develop stronger neural control of the associated muscles.

This type of training for your core may very well be the most important secret for getting better results in your workout programs.

* THIS is why my "brand" of core training gets results in women who have had C-sections, or other abdominal surgeries when nothing else worked

* THIS is why the core exercises I recommend will flatten out a "pooching" belly, which is a result of deep muscular weakness and lack of neuromuscular control (It's NOT just a body fat problem!)

* THIS is why my clients have overcome lower back when all else failed

* THIS is why my workout program have helped men and women recover from embarrassing incontinence

* THIS is how I have helped hundreds of new moms regain their flat and firm midsections after having their babies

* THIS is why my clients remain injury free, while so many other training programs are actually the CAUSE of injuries * And THIS is why my type of training - PROGRESSIVE CORE TRAINING - develops amazing athletes - top wrestlers, PGA golfers, and pro boxers with powerful punches and abs of steel. I've written an entire book about core training ("Firm And Flatten Your Abs), which you learn more about on the Flatten Your Abs home page, as well as dozens of articles which you can read elsewhere on this site (or you can subscribe to my biweekly newsletter).

The purpose of this article was not to give more workout routines (there are plenty of core training workouts to be found on this site and in my book and lots more to come in upcoming issues of my newsletter). The purpose of this article was to "install" 3 incredibly important lessons into your brain:

* You can't train your "stomach" because your stomach is an internal organ of digestion not a skeletal muscle!

* You can't totally "isolate" your abdominals because your abdominals do not work in isolation, they work in conjunction with the rest of your body (and "isolation" as with only doing crunches, is not the optimal approach anyway).

* You get more by training your core! You become a better athlete, you help prevent injuries, you get stronger and you get that coveted 6-pack abs look. I hope the "morals" of these lessons have already sunk in and will become a part of your own fitness philosophy... and the next time you hear someone talk about "stomach exercises", you'll now be able to get a good chuckle out of that.

About The Author

David Grisaffi is a Sports Conditining Coach and holds multiple certifications including three from the prestigious CHEK Institute: Level II Corrective Holistic Exercise Kinesiologist, Golf Biomechanic, and Nutrition and Lifestyle Coach. Plus he is also the author of the popular selling e book, "Firm and Flatten Your Abs," which teaches you how to develop a ripped abdominal region. Lean how to shed bodyfat and eliminate low back pain and receive his free newsletter by visiting: http://www.flattenyourabs.net

Acne Scar Treatment

by: Darren Brent

With human skin being our living outer organ of protection from many types of injuries and most infections, we may take for granted as to how important our skin truly is until scaring occurs. All types of scarring, including acne scars varies depending upon several factors. Variations of each person's scar is connected with our genetic heredities, our age, our ethnicity, the size and how deep the wound originally is and even if you are male or female makes a difference. Scars left from acne affect the facial appearance that most always affects our self confidence much more than most other types of scars upon the rest of body. This would explain as to why acne scar treatments are so high in demand.

Out of the main four types of scarring, acne scars are the ones that tend to really bother us the most. Within the group of acne scarring, there are several types of acne scars. They may be scars with deep pits to wavelike or angular in appearance. The American Academy of Dermatology defines acne scars as areas of the skin that has lost or gained tissue during the acne affected area healing process. The one type of naturally disappearing acne scars are called "pseudo scars". These are scars that leave a redness or inflammation called post inflammatory pigmentation. These are the acne scars that will disappear within 6 to 18 months on their own. But for those seemingly permanent types of acne scars, treatment options will vary.

There are over the counter ointments, gels and even easily accessible prescription creams for those types of acne scars less extreme in depth and appearance. To use these types of treatments, a dermatologist recommendation for the right product to purchase is advised, so to get the best results for your dollar and the correct product the first time around. Natural applications like essential oils, mud packs and herbal skin treatment products are known to create wonders and reduce scars. However, these take time to erase the scars so, for very severe cases, Laser skin resurfacing is a milder form of top layer skin removal compared to dermabrasion and chemical peels, but all allow for newer and healthier skin to appear within a few weeks. Augmentation and punch techniques are for deeper scares and allows for the scar to be raised by collagen injections or even skin grafts deepening on pitted scar depth.

About The Author

Darren Brent writes for the http://www.onestoptreatment.com We provides information on all aspects of finding Acne Treatment,The information provide by our SKIN CARE EXPERT!. You can find more details and tips about Acne Treatment in our education center.

Natural Oils - Best Skin Care Products

by: Darren Brent

Skin care is a priority with today's generation of people, especially the ones who are developing signs of aging. The increase of chemicals in our lives and the side effects of it have turned us towards a chemical free life with fresh fruits and vegetables. As our skin absorbs all the chemicals that are present in the skin care lotions and creams so we need to turn to organic skin care. Herbal skin care is manufactured of bio degradable, organic herbal elements.

Natural skin care products are healthy and rejuvenate the skin fast due to high presence of anti oxidants. Few anti aging skin acre products also have intensive organic products like almond which is a good source of ketones. It rebuilds collagen which is what provides the elasticity and suppleness in the skin. Usually herbal based skin care products have special nutrients and minerals that can only be found in sea weeds and many plants. Many exotic sea minerals and plant extracts are added to skin products to make your skin soft, smooth and young looking.

After the age of 30, skin starts to lose its elasticity and if you do not take proper care, signs of aging can be seen. Drinking a lot of water and eating nutritious meals will not only benefit your skin but control your weight also.

While the best organic skin products for your skin are those which do not have animal fat or have high levels of oils in their composition. People with sensitive skins should be even more careful about the ingredients that the cosmetics and skin care products contain to avoid having skin irritations, rashes and allergies. With a big demand for herbal skin care products, companies have products suiting every skin type so whether you have a dry skin or a normal one, there are many products to suit your need and the suitable products have just the right ingredients to make you look beautiful and young again. Apart from providing you moisturizing and softening your skin most of them protect your skin from the harmful rays of the sun.

Sage, lemon, almond, chamomile, lavender are just a few of the herbs or plants which can do wonders to your skin. Using pure natural oils are effective moisturizers. Almond oil, olive oil, coconut oil, avocado oil is known for therapeutic qualities especially if one is suffering fro skin rashes and allergies. As bases in cosmetics and skin care products, these make wonderful moisturizing products.

About The Author

Darren Brent writes for the http://www.onestoptreatment.com We provides information on all aspects of finding Essential Oils,The information provide by our SKIN CARE EXPERT!. You can find more details and tips about Essential Oils in our education center.

How To Use Aromatherapy Oils To Your Advantage?

by: Darren Brent

Aromatherapy oils are therapeutic essential oils derived from plants proven to bring holistic physical and mental health well-being. Essential oils have a different chemical composition from other herbal products, because of the distillation process. Essential oils are comprised in a richness of monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, aromatic compounds, esters, organic sulfides non-terpene hydrocarbons, along with several other VOC substances. In herbal oils from plants, the distillation process will only bring lighter types of phytomolecules.

The (mostly westernized) term of aromatherapy is in reference of the many traditional ways in making use of essential oils. Essential oil use comes from the ancient times of over 6000 years ago, and proven to be utilized back in the cultures of the Greeks, Egyptians and Romans. There were known essential oil usages in massages, bathing in the essential oils were used for running off communicable illnesses too. In the days of Egyptian physicians like Imhotep and Hippocrates, the ways of aromatherapy were strongly believed in as a part of doctor's regime of healthy healing.

The basic modes of aroma-therapeutic applications are aerial diffusion, for environmental dispensing of desired fragrance or dispensing through the air for aerial disinfection. There is also direct inhalation for respiratory disinfection, decongestant, expectoration as neurological wellness effects. Aromatherapy oils have been used as topical applications for many centuries for general massage, baths compresses, and therapeutic skin care. The last set of aromatherapy oil usage is oral, rectal, and vaginal interfaces for infection, congestion, parasites, and of course, perfumes for our body along with fragrances for anointments.

Aromatherapy is known to ease several types of ailments. Many aches, pains and injury discomforts can be physically relieved throughout the body when using the right aroma-therapeutic essential oils in the correct manner. Aromatherapy has also been proven to act on the central nervous system in giving relief from depression and anxiety by reducing stress, contributing to a more relaxed mode, uplifting spirits through sedation or stimulation. Aromatherapy restores both physical and emotional well-being without the modern medical remedy side effects.

When wanting to use aromatherapy throughout your home, there are several ways to use. As an air freshener, there are the benefits of a better smelling home, but also the mental effectiveness physically depending on the therapeutic essential oils chosen. After choosing your oil or mixture of oils, add up to 10 drops of oil or mixture of oils to every two cups of boiling water. You can also go throughout your home putting a few drops in garbage cans, laundry wash, water drains, vacuum filter bags, and on tissue for setting in the drawers of your dressers.

About The Author

Darren Brent writes for the http://www.onestoptreatment.com We provides information on all aspects of finding Aromatherapy Oils,The information provide by our SKIN CARE EXPERT!. You can find more details and tips aboutAromatherapy Oilsl in our education center.

Medication for Anxiety Disorders – The Various Options

by: Greg Frost

There are many different anxiety disorders, but their one common underlying characteristic is the overwhelming and incessant worry and fear experienced. For those who suffer from anxiety disorders, there is a variety of treatments available to help you overcome this illness and live a normal life free from panic attacks. These range from medication to therapy and alternative medicines. Often, the different treatments can be combined together, depending on each individual’s needs as well as the particular anxiety disorder experienced.

Medications is a common treatment of anxiety disorders used to alleviate the symptoms of anxiety disorders and panic attacks, and are consisting of anti-anxiety drugs, beta blockers and antidepressants. Whilst this may seem ideal, it is always better to cure the problem at its roots – identify the cause of your panic attacks and overcoming it through behavioral cognitive therapy. Medication is a quick fix but it does not cure the problem. Also, it may cause a myriad of severe side effects, such as nausea and dizzy spells.

Anti Anxiety Drugs

Benzodiazepines are sedatives used to treat symptoms of panic attacks by slowing down the nervous system. They have few side effects, but the human body adapts to the intake of this drug and with time, higher dosages are necessary to see any effect. Generic brand names often prescribed are Clonazepam, Lorazepam and Alprazolam, anti-anxiety drug used for social anxiety disorders, GAD and panic disorders. There is a high danger of being addicted to these drugs, and it is necessary to slowly wean off it as you may experience withdrawal symptoms if you halt medication consumption.

Azapirones are a newer variety of anti anxiety drugs which take a longer time to take effect, ranging from 2 weeks to a month. They are usually prescribed for GAD and obsessive compulsive disorders (OCD), and are less addictive with minimal withdrawal symptoms.

Anti Depressants

Anti depressants have been used for treating anxiety disorders, and take a longer time to see the effects, ranging from 4 to 6 weeks. They are often prescribed in place of anti anxiety drugs as there is less risk of addiction, but they have severe side effects including suicidal thoughts and agitation. They may also increase depression.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are used to assist neurotransmitters by acting on the serotonin in the brain. They have severe withdrawal effects as well as side effects, although these are of a lesser magnitude than the older varieties of anti depressants. They are commonly prescribed for OCD, GAD and panic disorders.

Tricyclics and Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are older classes of antidepressants. Tricyclics can be combined with SSRIs for anxiety disorders except for OCD. However, MAOIs should not be taken with SSRIs as they react to produce hallucinations, seizures and blood pressure changes.

Beta Blockers

Beta blockers are used to treat heart conditions, but are also prescribed for anxiety disorders. By blocking the effects of norepinephrines, it is able to alleviate symptoms of panic attacks such as tremors and heart palpitations. They are hence useful for situations where the user is aware of the possibility of panic attacks occurring, such as before public speaking.

Anxiety disorders are treatable via medication, and usually treatments are a mix of different medications and combined with therapy. You should always seek your doctor’s advice in determining the type of anxiety disorder, and the appropriate medication that is suitable. Do not give up on medication if you do not see immediate effects, as it is possible that your body takes more time to react to the drugs. Alternatively, you may feel that another variety of treatment may be more suitable as well.

About The Author

Greg Frost is a leading innovator in the field treating anxiety attacks and the director of http://www.AttackAnxiety.org which specializes providing a whole range of Anxiety Treatment topics to assist you in your life.

Various Forms of ADHD Medications

by: Greg Frost

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) occurs in children as well as adults, and cause symptoms such as restlessness, inattentiveness, aggression, agitation, inability to focus as well as hyperactivity and learning disorders in children. It should be seen as a serious and debilitating condition, and if you suspect you or your child of suffering from any of these symptoms, it would be wise to seek a professional opinion. ADHD is one of the most common neurological diseases in America, but it is not without cure. With proper medication and treatment, you can lead a normal life too, without the severe effects of ADHD.

Majority of ADHD sufferers turn to stimulants such as methylphenidate (Ritalin) and amphetamine (Dexedrine). These stimulants serve to increase dopamine and norepinphrine in the brain, increasing the communication and connection between different regions of the brain. Stimulants can be separated into 2 separate categories, based on the time duration of the medication.

Ritalin is the most commonly prescribed medication, and can be used on children who are older than 6. It is a fast acting medication, and can last for up to 4 hours. Dexedrine is also extremely popular as it can be used on children who are older than 3, and can last for up to 5 hours. The duration of the medication varies from each individual.

There are also stimulants that last for longer durations, such as Metadate CD and Concerta. Metadate CD is a recent medication that also contains methylphenidate, and can last up to 8 hours. It comes in capsule form that can be swallowed or mixed in with meals. Concerta can last up to 12 hours.

For those who have children unable to swallow pills, research by FDA is underway for the release of Methypatch, which is adhered to the skin to deliver the chemical into the body. There is a huge range of medication available, each with different durations and some of these have harmful side effects. These range from headaches, stomach upsets, loss of appetite, insomnia, anxiety, depression and irritability. Speak to your doctor who will be better able to recommend one that suits your condition the best. It is also important to take note that these medications may be addictive if consumed in the long run.

For individuals who find stimulants unsuitable due to its side effects or existing medical conditions, there are alternative treatments available as well. Usually, a second medication is mixed with the current stimulant. For individuals who find stimulants ineffective, a complete substitute of medication may be necessary.

Common non-stimulant medications include atomoxetine (Strattera), which whilst more expensive, can be used for adults and is taken once a day. It works by strengthening the nerves that rely of norepinephrine for communication in the brain. However, it is not without its own set of side effects, similar to stimulants. Buproprion SR and XL have also been used for treating adults, but it is less effective compared to amphetamine.

Antidepressents such as SSRIs, tricyclic antidepressents and MAOI may also be prescribed for treating ADHD.

About The Author

Greg Frost is an authority figure in the ADHD field and director of http://www.Attention-Deficit-Disorder.net , a company that provides a variety of ADHD Medications content to help people deal with attention deficit disorders.

A Simple Plan to Diagnose and Treat Low Thyroid Function

by: Mark Hyman, M.D.
It’s an epidemic problem -- and you could have it.

Low thyroid function affects more than 30 million women and 15 million men. And it can lead to problems losing weight; decreased sex drive; depression; anxiety; thinning hair; and poor quality, thick, cracked fingernails.

So what’s responsible for low thyroid function and why are so many people affected?

Chronic thyroid problems can be caused by many factors, including environmental toxins such as pesticides, which act as hormone or endocrine disruptor\'s and interfere with thyroid hormone metabolism and function.

In one study, people released pesticides from their fat tissue as they lost weight.

This interfered with their thyroid function and caused hypothyroidism. The toxins slowed metabolism and prevented them from losing more weight.

This study is significant, because it shows exactly how toxins interfere with thyroid function.

Heavy metals such as mercury can also affect thyroid function. I see many people with chronic hypothyroidism and other thyroid problems because mercury interferes with normal thyroid function.

The other big factor that interferes with thyroid function is chronic stress. The more stress you are under, the worse your thyroid functions. Correcting poor thyroid function must address the effects of chronic stress and provide support to the adrenal glands.

The next major factor that affects thyroid function is chronic inflammation. The biggest source of this chronic inflammation is gluten, the protein found in wheat, barely, rye, spelt, and oats. This common allergen affects about 10 to 20 percent of the population. This reaction occurs mostly because of our damaged guts, poor diet, and stress.

I also think eating so-called Frankenfoods, such as hybridized and genetically modified grains with very strange proteins, makes us sick.

Our bodies don’t recognize these foods and create antibodies to fight them. This chronic inflammatory response interferes with thyroid function -- and contributes to the epidemic of inflammatory diseases in the developed world.

Lastly, nutritional deficiencies play a big role in thyroid dysfunction. These include deficiencies of iodine, vitamin D, omega-3 fats, selenium, zinc, vitamin A, and the B vitamins.

There are so many reasons for low thyroid function, yet conventional doctors tend to ignore them.

One young female patient of mine had more than 30 percent body fat and was unable to change her body, no matter how hard she worked. She ate perfectly, exercised with a trainer every day -- and her body still wouldn’t budge.

She also had a slightly depressed mood and other vague symptoms.

So I treated her with a low dose of Armour Thyroid, which is a natural thyroid replacement.

What happened?

Well, she not only lost 20 pounds and improved her body composition, but her mood improved and all her other symptoms went away.

I knew she had low thyroid function because I did the right tests.

Most doctors just check something called the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), which doesn’t give a full picture of the thyroid. In fact, even the interpretation of this test is incorrect most of the time.

The newer guidelines of the American College of Endocrinology consider anybody with a TSH level over 3.0 as hypothyroid. Most doctors think that only anything greater than 5 or 10 is worth treating.

Unfortunately, this leaves millions suffering unnecessarily.

Other tests, including those for free T3, free T4, and thyroid antibodies, are essential.

I also look for associated problems such as gluten intolerance, food allergies, and heavy metals, as well as deficiencies of vitamin D, selenium, vitamin A, zinc, and omega-3 fats.

Low thyroid function is one of the most common problems I see, and treating it properly makes one of the biggest differences in my patients’ quality of life.

Unfortunately, by using the old guidelines and thinking, conventional medicine misses millions who suffer with hypothyroidism.

In fact, in one study, researchers tested everybody who walked through the gates of a county fair with conventional thyroid testing. They found that according to even conservative conventional standards, half of all the people who had hypothyroidism were undiagnosed, untreated, and suffering.

Once you have confirmed that a sluggish thyroid is contributing to your symptoms, the good news is that there are many, many, many things you can do to help correct thyroid problems.

I have developed a seven-step plan to address hypothyroidism:

1. Identify and treat the underlying causes of hypothyroidism, like food allergies, gluten, heavy metals, nutritional deficiencies, and stress.

2. Support your thyroid with optimal nutrition, including foods that contain iodine, zinc, omega-3 fats, selenium, and more.

3. Eliminate adrenal exhaustion and minimize stress by engaging in a comprehensive stress management program.

4. Engage in thyroid stimulating exercise, which boosts thyroid function.

5. Use supplements to help enhance thyroid function, including all the nutrients needed for proper thyroid metabolism and function.

6. Use saunas and heat to eliminate stored toxins, which interfere with thyroid function.

7. Use thyroid hormone replacement therapy to help support your thyroid gland.

I believe a comprehensive approach is needed to address chronic thyroid issues and to diagnose them. Most of the options for healing by conventional care are quite limited and only provide a partial solution. But by following my seven-step plan you can achieve optimal health and UltraWellness.

About The Author

Mark Hyman, M.D. is a pioneer in functional medicine, practicing physician and best-selling author. A sneak preview of his book "The UltraSimple Diet" is available. See The UltraWellness Blog for more on Hypothyroidism: http://www.ultrawellness.com/blog/Hypothyroidism

Osteopathy For Babies And Kids

Written by Shaun Parker

It is a common misconception that babies and children have no problems with the structure of their body as very little stress or strain is placed upon their muscles, joints or bones. But this isn't true and symptoms can start to develop that if left unchecked, can lead to pain and discomfort through their early life and into adulthood.

Babies have to go through considerable stress during childbirth as they are forced through the birth canal. Their remarkable skulls have soft overlapping bones that shift to squeeze the head into a shape that will allow it to pass. Their chin is also pushed down into the chest to decrease their total diameter. This compression means the baby will have an odd-shaped head on delivery but over the coming days it will remould itself as the baby moves, cries and yawns. However, this natural remoulding does not always take place as it should and the baby could be left with a variety of associated problems.

If a baby is constantly irritable and will only calm when carried, it could be because they are feeling pressure in the head when lying down. If they are taking a long time when feeding it could be due to nerves in the tongue having been damaged by the birthing process as the skull received pressure to the head, face and throat. Sickness, colic and wind problems and regurgitation of milk could be due to the nerve that runs to the stomach having become irritated by the skull compression or from the diaphragm having been stretched which will affect the stomach's ability to retain food.

As your child grows, the remoulding issue could throw up yet more problems. If the skull hasn't moulded correctly the child could become vulnerable to infection as their immune system has been depleted during the early stresses placed upon it. Ear infections can be caused by the compression of the skull during childbirth putting strain on the bones around the ear which impedes successful drainage. These infections never fully clear and the child suffers one after another and eventually loss of hearing. Persistent colds and overcrowding of teeth can occur due to the sinuses and bones being impaired from the skull's moulding compression.

Other problems like asthma, persistent headaches and even behavioural issues can be seen later in life and may be caused by the compression babies have to endure during childbirth. If treated at an early stage with specific osteopathic techniques, these problems could be avoided.

Cranial osteopathy is a specialised treatment that is safe and effective and commonly used on babies and children. A trained osteopath can apply gentle pressure around the head (and body) enabling a release of the stresses of the retained moulding to the skull. A baby or child will often feel relaxed after the treatment and have a good sleep. Sometimes they can react with a heightened sense of alertness while others may be irritable. These are perfectly normal reactions and each baby or child is different.

The treatment should take place ideally before the child reaches the age of five and the earlier it starts the better. It may take more than one session for the remoulding to fully release and typically up to six sessions are sufficient. It is advisable to consult a GP before making an appointment and to find an osteopath that is registered with the General Osteopathic Council. Many osteopaths specialise in this field so check to see if there's a practitioner in your local area.

About the Author:

Shaun Parker is an expert on therapy and alternative medicine. He helps people that are looking for osteopathy find a osteopath near them.

Anthroposophical Medicine

by J Graf

Anthroposophical medicine, one of the many initiatives launched by Rudolf Steiner, is a holistic approach to healing that entails an in-depth assessment of the fourfold human constitution - wherein the inter-weave of physical, etheric, astral and egoic bodies of the individual are delved into. It’s practitioners are commonly full M.D.s, although there are also naturopaths and other holistic healers who use anthroposophical principles in their practice.

Treatment can entail attention to any or all of the four bodies, often using homeopathic and herbal remedies manufactured by quality-focused companies, such as Weleda Products, who apply both in-depth research and rigorous practices in the manufacturing process.
High-level considerations in medicine translate as remedies that facilitate the body’s natural healing processes. Rather than simply masking symptoms, as is often the case in allopathic medicine, the holistic approach looks to symptoms as signs of imbalance within the body. By seeking an understanding of how the body is naturally working to heal itself, holistic medicines are then formulated to stimulate a patient’s innate self-healing powers.
Also, the following standards are applied, under ideal conditions of remedy production:
- ideal plant sources use biodynamic methods of cultivation
- recognizing the affinity of human to nature - the bridge that leads naturally to the optimal remedy for a given ailment.
- fair trade and ecologically sound growing principles

Materialistic science tends to view disease as nothing more than an enemy to eradicate. In contrast, the spiritual-scientific perspective of Steiner indicates that illnesses are often the cure for a soul condition.

Childhood illnesses can be of significant value to an individual’s destiny. Young children have more mutable DNA than adults. Children often incarnate into a body which they feel does not suit them. In effect, they experience discomfort, a feeling of being not-at-home in the body. The spirit of the child which, in its over-lighting wisdom, knows what is best for the overall development of the child, can use a high fever as a catalyst to transform the DNA so that the body is made more suitable for the individual soul inhabiting it. Immunizations can interfere with this process, resulting in a child having to live with allergies and/or asthma for the rest of its life.

Another related issue entailing modern medical practice emerges when some illnesses are eradicated for the general population. Because we require a particular “medical challenge” to remedy a given imbalance on the soul level of our being, the pool of human consciousness seeks out new illnesses to fill the gap. Accessing the challenges and/or conditions needed to complete a soul-quest becomes the issue. Curtailing diphtheria and tetanus, for example, necessitated humanity’s subconscious search for replacement illnesses.

This dynamic does not mean that we stop striving to alleviate suffering. We continue with this, of course. But with greater understanding decisions pertaining to illness can lead to more optimal overall and long term benefits.

Steiner once recounted the tale of a man who had developed restricted breathing on one side of his chest. After an operation the man could breath normally. However, his spirit had actually created the breathing restriction because of a weakness in one of his lungs. The unrestricted breathing that resulted from the operation shortened the man’s life, due to complications in the lung. He would have lived longer had he left his condition as it was.

Extensions of anthroposophical medicine include artistic therapies such as eurhythmy (the science and art of movement to speech and music), music, and painting.

From Wikipedia: “A study of anthroposophic treatment of chronic illness found that Anthroposophic therapies were associated with long-term reduction of chronic disease symptoms, improvement of health-related quality of life, and health cost reduction."

A few examples of effective alternative remedies include:

Iscador - a homeopathic dose of mistletoe for treating cancer, immune deficiency, or burnout. From Wikipedia: “This treatment is widely used in Central Europe, where up to two-thirds of all oncology patients' treatment regimen includes mistletoe.”

Bidor - a homeopathic treatment taken over a span of time to help ameliorate chronic migraine headaches.

Infludo - for influenza

This article, and others, can be found on the Insight21 website - www.insight21.net

About the Author

J Graf is the coordinator of Earth Vision and Insight21 - doorways for the 21st Century - at http://www.evsite.net and http://www.insight21.net

Vitamins For Promoting Hair Growth

by Mike Braun
What you eat doesn't just affect your health, it will also influence the growth of your hair. Just like other parts of our body, hair also needs vitamins in order to be healthy. Taking certain vitamin supplements or eating certain foods can help you improve the health of your hair. You should be careful not to take too much of a vitamin as this can actually harm you and even cause hair loss.

The first vitamin that is needed for healthy hair growth is vitamin A. It helps you maintain the oils in the scalp. Foods containing this vitamin include milk, eggs, cabbage and spinach.

B Vitamins like B9, B6 and vitamin B complex are also essential for healthy hair. You can find these vitamins in food such as beans, soy and eggs. Vitamin B supplements can also be taken and may be helpful in certain cases of hair loss.

The vitamin called biotin is also good for your hair. Some use it to prevent male pattern baldness. You can find this vitamin in things like brown rice, soy, lentils and walnuts or in supplements.

While it is preferable to eat a healthy diet and just get all of your vitamins from food, in some cases supplements can be a more convenient way to get them. If you are interested in hair growth supplements you should try to only use vitamin capsules or tablets. Things like shampoos and oils are not as effective.

By looking around on the internet you shouldn?t have too much trouble finding hair growth supplements. Before buying them you should consult a physician in order to get the right product for your needs.

About the Author

My name is Mike Braun. I started health blog "Healthy Tips For A Healthy Lifestyle" with the intention to make people more aware of their health.

How to Choose the Best Anti Wrinkle Eye Cream

by Lan

There are many anti wrinkle eye creams on the market today. While having product choices is empowering, multiple choices can become overwhelming. Here’s how to whittle down that list and select the best anti wrinkle eye cream for you.

Get specific about your eye area problems

Most women have more than one issue they want to address. Write down all the problems you want an eye cream to remedy. Here’s my list as an example.

• Fine lines
• Dark circles
• Unsightly bags
• Dull, dry looking skin
• Wrinkles between the eyes

Having a list will support you in eliminating products that won’t meet all your specific needs. Why tolerate the cost of purchasing several products if there is one product that can do it all?

Circle only the products that meet all your requirements

Most products list key ingredients and how those ingredients work to restore the aging skin around the eye. Write down the key ingredients that the product manufacturer states will accomplish your desired results.

Pay attention to key ingredients and expert endorsements

Learn all you can about the key ingredients of a product you’re considering buying. The information should be logical to be believable.

Who are the experts? When it comes to wrinkles and anti aging creams, most women trust endorsements from plastic surgeons and dermatologists. Endorsements by models or actresses whose livelihood depends upon a youthful appearance and whose reputation would be damaged by endorsing inferior products are also highly regarded.

Think twice before eliminating a product that appears too expensive

Remember that products containing higher quality ingredients usually cost a bit more to produce but are usually worth it. These products generally last longer, achieve results quickly, provide even greater results with extended use and end up costing less in the long run.

Consider the alternatives when weighing the cost of an anti wrinkle eye cream. Even the highest quality eye cream will be less expensive than plastic surgery or Botox injections 2 to 4 times a year.

Look for that money back guarantee

Eliminate any product that does not offer a money back guarantee. Almost all of us have one or more products sitting on our shelves that didn’t do the job they promised. Why add another?

Companies that do provide a money back guarantee are confident that their product will provide you the results advertised.

Check out the product that I chose

Lifecell topped my list. I found one product that meets all my needs.

Lifecell was created by a plastic surgeon and is endorsed by the former Director of Ford Models. It was even awarded special recognition for ‘Ingredients Potency’. Plus, they’ve eliminated all the risk by offering the most amazing money back guarantees, both a 30 day free trial and a 120 day money back guarantee.

About the Author

Improving the performance of your PC starts by ensuring you've got a healthy Windows registry system. Without it everything else is going to run slower then needed. This article is a primer on improving the performance of your computer using registry repair programs.

What are the Causes Acid Reflux

by ANGELA MWEMA

To understand the causes of acid reflux, you should first understand the disease. This is the reflux of gas and sometimes fluids up the oesophagus. This is as a result of a faulty esophageal sphincter which connects the stomach and the oesophagus.

When we eat,hydrochloric acid is produced by the stomach to digest the food. This acid may reflux in to the oesophagus causing the disease. We should therefore try to make sure that the stomach ph is balanced.

Acid Reflux Causes include overeating, smoking, taking alcohol, fatty foods, spicy and over seasoned foods and sugary foods. This make the stomach produce more hydrochloric acid to digest the food. Smoking corrodes the oesophagus and the esophageal sphincter. This increases chances of getting acid reflux.

When we overeat more acid is produced. Chances are some of it may reflux into the oesophagus. Lifting weights after a meal is also an acid reflux cause. Going to bed to soon after a meal can also be an acid reflux cause.

Some women get the reflux when in their last trimester of pregnancy. This is as a result of the stomach being pushed up into the diaphragm by the growing baby. Wrong sitting positions during pregnancy can also be acid reflux cause. Eating should be in small portions more frequently throughout the day.

In babies, the acid reflux causes vary. To some babies. a digestive system that is not fully developed is the cause. Feeding methods can also be acid reflux causes. When feeding the baby you should always allow time for the gas swallowed with the food to be expelled out of the stomach. other acid reflux causes in babies include feeding too much, going to bed too soon after a meal, wrong sleeping positions and giving a baby wrong foods.Angela Mwema Researches and Reports on Acid Reflux. For More Information on Acid Reflux Disease, Visit Her Site at ACID REFLUX DISEASE

Acid Reflux Foods

by ANGELA MWEMA

Acid reflux is a result of acid refluxing into the oesophagus

mostly after a meal. The good thing is to most people it is not life

threatening. WE should therefore get to know what triggers it in the

fast place. You will find that the triggers are different in people.

But the secret is to eat healthy foods. This will not only reduce

your chances of having the reflux but it will also reduce your

chances of getting other diseases too. It will also make you stay fit

and in shape.

Acid reflux foods to avoid are lots of sugar, fatty foods,

caffeinated beverages. Coffee whether decaffeinated or not falls on

this list. Acidic fruits, over processed foods and alcohol should

also be avoided. These raise the acid level in the stomach and

increase the chances of having acid reflux. Overeating should also

be avoided since it overworks the stomach.

Acid Reflux foods to eat include all whole grain foods,

vegetables, garlic, water and fruits. Water helps in lowering down

the ph in the stomach. Water is neutral in nature. One is supposed to

take between 6 and 8 glasses of water daily. When you go to the

toilet and notice that your urine is dark yellow in color, you should

realize that your water intake is below the actual amount of water

your body needs. Water will ensure that your body is always cleaned

off of harmful substances. Many diseases today can be avoided today

if only, people took lots of water.

Garlic is a natural antibiotic and it can help get rid of harmful

pathogens in the body and especially the stomach that make acid

levels in the stomach to rise. Garlic should not be eaten in excess

because it can also cause the reflux.Angela Mwema Researches and Reports on Acid Reflux. For More Information on Acid Reflux Disease, Visit Her Site at ACID REFLUX DISEASE

Do you know the Acid Reflux Medicine

These are advised if the symptoms of acid reflux persist. Some

are over the counter drugs that one can take to help the stomach

empty the gas. One should consult a doctor first before starting on

any medication or when changing the drugs.

For mild acid reflux medicine one can use antacids. These include

Maalox, rolaid and riopan. These are made from magnesium, aluminum

and calcium. Many other products in the market use these three

ingredients. The antacids also have there side effects too. Magnesium

can cause diarrhea while aluminum may cause constipation. These two

together balance the effects. Please let yuor doctor know if yuo are on other medications too.

Magnesium and aluminum are very strong base or alkaline products.

They therefore neutralize the acid in the stomach.

Other products used are foaming agents that cover the stomach with

foam to avoid a reflux. There are also drugs that help strengthen the

lower esophageal sphincter. Other products help the

stomach to clear its contents faster. Other drugs

help reduce the amount of acid produced by the stomach.

For children medication should be given strictly with a doctor's

prescription.

Acid reflux in most cases does not require medication. A

modification of ones lifestyle in most cases stops the symptoms. In

chronic cases which are rare, medication does not help. In these

cases one may need surgery. One should not jump to this conclusion

without exhausting all the other options they have. This though is a

great alternative to a lifetime of discomfort and drugs.

Angela Mwema Researches and Reports on Acid Reflux. For More Information on Acid Reflux Disease, Visit Her Site at ACID REFLUX DISEASE

Acid Reflux Natural

Acid reflux is the movement of acid from the stomach into the

digestive track. This may be caused by many factors highlighted in

our Causes of Acid Reflux section. The effects may be mild, but to

others it might affect the quality of life.

The good thing is most of the time the symptoms are not severe and

we can go on with our every day lives without a major setback. There

are home remedies that can help ease the discomfort. As we know Acid

Reflux is caused by ACID getting its way up the digestive track. So

what we should do is try and make sure that the ph in our

stomachs is always balanced. We can do this by taking a lot of water

daily. The recommended amount is 8 glasses of water in a day.

Water is a Natural remedy for balancing the ph in our systems.

Another thing is taking a lot of garlic. It is a natural antibiotic

which kills the harmful pathogens in our systems especially the

stomach. You will find that these pathogens increase the acidity of

the stomach.

Other things you can do is eat foods that are not acidic like

citrus fruits. Avoid overeating. Bending after eating also causes the

reflux. Vegetables are a natural remedy for acid reflux. So are

cereals and unprocessed foods.

If you are obese try lose that extra weight. If pregnancy is the

cause of the discomfort the Natural Remedy here is to eat small

amounts of food more often and try not put too much pressure on the

stomach like when you sit upright. Though this will only bring

temporary relief but after birth the problem will disappear.

Hopefully never to come back.

As you have seen you can actually come up with the Natural

Remedies yourself without spending a single penny on drugs.

Angela Mwema Researches and Reports on Acid Reflux. For More Information on Acid Reflux Disease, Visit Her Site at ACID REFLUX DISEASE

Hair Replacement for Hair Loss

A person experiences hair fall of up to 100 hairs everyday. But when there is hair loss, it would be more than this number of hair falls.

Hair loss may run in the family. This leads to hair getting thinner or even total baldness. Other factors of losing hair are diseases and medicines. Hair loss can be an unpleasant thing to live with. It can sometimes transform the way a person looks.

Fortunately, there are different ways to treat hair loss. One way is through hair replacement. Hair replacement is the universal phrase used when discussing the replacement or disguising the appearance of balding. It may through the use of wig, hairpiece or toupee, or a medical remedy that can promote the growth of hair follicles. Use of synthetic hair is also another type of hair replacement. Synthetic hair is a fibrous artificial hair that can be used to plait into real hair so as to create a facade of a fuller hair.

Hair transplantation is another type of hair loss treatment. It is a procedure wherein skin is moved from the healthy hair bearing part of the scalp to the area where hair has stopped growing to spread the existing hair evenly across the scalp.

Trichology is the field of science which studies hair conditions and explores possible treatments for hair loss. For hair loss treatments, a person may see a Trichologist. A Trichologist is a professional who specializes in all aspects of hair and scalp. When experiencing hair loss, it is best to contact a Trichologist.

Cherry Bonachita offers hair replacement methods for baldness. Know the extent of your hair loss and find appropriate solutions here.

Other Causes of Hair Loss

Excessive hair loss is not normal. If you are balding, you might want to consider thinking of hair replacements.

Other accepts their fate in baldness especially if the cause is hereditary. However, having a balding head cannot be solely blamed on genetic composition. Below are other causes of hair loss:

* A powerful cancer treatment that destroys cancer cells called chemotherapy may also cause hair loss. * Different kinds of stress coming from different sources like illnesses, surgery, work related or even physical stress. * Excessive use of different hair tools like hair dryers, curling iron and hair strengtheners. Also hair damage and hair loss may be due to frequent hair beautifying treatments like dyeing of hair. * Growing older makes your hair grow less which means hair tends to get thinner and breaks more easily. * Poor diet like lack of protein or iron. * Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism disorders * Common to children, hair loss may be caused by ringworm Indication of hair loss depends on the kind you are experiencing. Hair thinning happens slowly so you may not become aware right away of the hairs falling out. When clumps of hair fall out, there is the general hair loss where hair is lost all over the scalp, and there is the focal hair loss meaning only one area of hair is lost. Thinning all over the scalp in women may also mean inherited hair loss while men naturally have balding areas on top of the head or just around the forehead.

Because a person’s hair is very important to overall appearance, hair loss is a difficult thing to live with. It may sometimes cause having a low self-esteem especially in women and teenagers. With severe hair loss, it would be the time to explore having hair replacements.

Cherry Bonachita offers hair replacement methods for baldness. Know the extent of your hair loss and find appropriate solutions here.

Hair Loss Tests Before Recommending Possible Hair Replacement

Before deciding on what hair replacement may be best for you, the first thing you must do is to consult a doctor. You may go to a dermatologist or to a Trichologist. A Trichologist is a professional who specializes in all aspects of hair and scalp conditions and their treatments. Whether you’re seeing a dermatologist or a Trichologist, expect to be asked some questions. Questions like when did your hair loss started, how much hair are you losing, and if you might have inherited the hair loss from either of your parents must be answered so as hair loss problems may be diagnosed. Your scalp will be looked closely into and patterns of hair loss may be checked. One test that may be done is the gentle pulling of hair.

If cause of hair loss is not clear, a blood test or hair and scalp sampling may be done. Samples of your hair and scalp may be examined under a microscope.

Hair replacement is one of the many treatments you may choose in treating your hair loss. Hair replacements may be as simple as wearing of hairpieces like wigs or toupees. Some people choose different ways of styling their hair like dyeing or parting on a different side.

What treatment you choose to take care of your hair loss depends entirely to the cause and your feelings. You may even settle on no treatment at all and just live with thinning of hair or baldness.

Cherry Bonachita offers hair replacement methods for baldness. Know the extent of your hair loss and find appropriate solutions here.

Treating Hair Loss: Knowing What To Ask

Hereditary hair loss may be cured with medicines or with medical surgery such as hair transplant. Some people choose hair replacements by wearing different hairpieces like wigs or toupees. Still, others choose to style their hair differently. Other kinds of hair replacements may also work to disguise the appearance of fallen-out hair. But if hair loss is because of stress, medicines or anything you have control over, all you have to do is to get rid of the cause. Hair loss due to hair damage and stress most often grow back after taking away the cause. But if that doesn’t help, you may then think about getting hair treatments.

Whatever treatment you may choose, there are some things to consider and questions to ask:

· What are the different available treatments?

· Which procedure has the highest probability of working?

· How long will the treatment take?

· Will the results be permanent? If only temporary, how long will it last?

· What are the risks? Will there be any side effect? Some medicines and surgery may have side effects, be sure to discuss with your doctor all possibilities.

· How much will the procedure cost? What are the terms of payments? And will my insurance cover it?

In thinking of treatment, always keep in mind that not all treatments work for everyone. Some treatments may help prevent more hair from falling out and help grow them back but there is always the possibility that you won’t get all your hair back. Generally though, hair treatments and hair replacements may boost your lowered self-esteem caused by your hair loss.

Cherry Bonachita offers hair replacement methods for baldness. Know the extent of your hair loss and find appropriate solutions here.

Learn Not to Ignore the Limits of Botanical Skin Care

If you are like me, you probably read carefully, the information about botanical skin care products. That information points to the presence of plant extracts. The online information claims that such products are beneficial for support of healthful characteristics in the skin.

Note that such information does not link botanical skin care to creation in the skin of healthful characteristics. Botanical skin care products simply augment the valuable biochemical processes that take place in a normal skin cell.

Now that does not mean that a wise consumer should pay no heed to information about botanicals. Some top quality products can and do contain plant extracts. Still, premium skin care requires more than the application of plant extracts.

Premium care demands use of products that have the proper pH. If the pH balance in the skin has been upset, the skin can loose its needed hydration. In the absence of such hydration, the cells loose their ability to retain moisture. They also find it more difficult to fend-off bacteria.

Premium skin care products recognize the fact that plant extracts contain proteins. When people have an allergy, their cells display an abnormal response to proteins. The ideal botanical skin care products are ones that are also hypoallergenic. Plant extracts can not benefit the skin, if they cause an allergic reaction on the skin's surface.

Premium products have undergone careful testing procedures. The ingredients in such products have been analyzed and studied by dermatologists. Sometimes the makers of a product plan to sell an item as something that aids the care of a small baby. In that case, the product creators should arrange for that product to be examined by pediatricians.

Premium products might contain plant oils, but they do not contain mineral oil. Mineral oil is no more than a by-product of petroleum production. Do you really want to smear that sticky by-product on your skin?

The above information should make clear this one fact: A good regimen does not begin and end with botanics. Optimal care requires more than a dependence on botanical skin care products. While they support the healthful characteristics in the skin, they can not create such characteristics.

Good skin care recognizes the manner in which time changes the cells that cover the outer layers of the body. Aging skin cells loose their ability to make collagen and elastin. Good skin care provides aging cells with a substance that stimulates the lost production of those two proteins.

Why is important for skin to retain the ability to make collagen and elastin? Consider the function of those two proteins. Collagen has fiber-like characteristics. It gives skin cells added tensile strength. It makes those cells firmer. When skin contains an adequate amount of collagen it does not tend to wrinkle and sag.

Elastin allows the body's epithelial cells to be firm, but also flexible. Skin becomes subject to many outside forces. When skin cells hold an adequate amount of elastin, then they have the ability to return to their original location, after they have been pulled or stretched.

Good botanical skin care products stimulate cells to continue making collagen and elastin. Such products do not simply "coat" the outermost organ of the body with a cream that contains those two proteins. Such a coating could easily wash-off of the body.

Make no mistake about it, good botanical skin care gives cells added vitality. They help them to create the well-toned and healthy appearance associated with a more youthful face. Now you know.

Laurel is a dedicated researcher of skin care health and products. She shares her research on her website http://www.beautiful-skin-site.com. If you have unwanted wrinkles, fine lines and damaged skin, visit http://www.beautiful-skin-site.com now to learn about the skin care line Laurel personally recommends.

The Truth About Pure Water Systems

Don't buy pure water systems until you compare actual performance. There are many companies that claim to provide a pure water system, but when you look at their performance data, you will see that what they provide is not really "pure".

You have to realize that using words like "clean" and "pure" are advertising gimmicks. People in advertising know that certain words attract customers and they use those words frequently.

While the use of any purifier may be a little better than drinking straight from the tap or buying bottled, many people have ordered what they think are pure water systems, only to find that they are not purifiers at all. Read some product reviews and you'll see what I mean.

There are many choices for purification. Since kitchen countertop units are the most popular and can remove the widest range of contaminants, let's compare a few of the major brands, starting with the Ever Pure Water System.

Ever Pure water systems remove 96% of the chlorine, 97% of the lead and 99% of cysts. The list of things that they do not remove is much longer; THMs, VOCs, lindane, alachlor, Atrazine, benzene, TCE and MTBE.

THMs, benzene, alachlor and TCE are known carcinogens. THMs are byproducts of chlorination, so they are found wherever chlorine is used. Benzene and TCE are commonly used in industrial settings and have been found in groundwater. Alachlor is commonly used in weed killers.

The other contaminants are either suspected of causing cancer or known to cause illness. Some are only considered "slightly toxic" to the human body. But, if you are going to invest in a purifier, why not get something that removes them all.

The Aqua Pure water system is better than the Ever Pure water systems. The Aqua pure water system removes all of the contaminants mentioned above, at least to some degree, except for MTBE. But, the price is three times higher than what you would pay for another product that does a better job.

Then there is the highly advertised "PUR" unit. It does not remove THMS, VOCs, TCE or MTBE. Nor does it remove alachlor or benzene. It is very inexpensive to purchase, but the cost of use is high, because replacement filters have a very short lifespan. It is only effective for 100 gallons, as opposed to the 500 that you would get in a better system.

The best pure water system removes at least 97% of every contaminant mentioned here. They are not highly advertised, which explains the reasonable price. Whenever a company elects to forego television and print advertising, they can charge less for their products, so the consumer gets a better deal.

The cost of use is less than a dime a gallon, so it is much more economical than buying bottled. The replacement filters last for 500 gallons. For the average family of four, that's about three months.

There many purifiers on the market, but now you see that there are "really" pure water systems and others that are not really that good. Shop for the best and you'll be safer and happier in the long run.

Laurel Tevolitz is a dedicated researcher of critical issues that affect health and well-being. Visit her water purification blog now at http://www.safewaterpurifier.com to discover which water purification system she recommends after extensive research.

Discover How Pure Distilled Water Is

How pure is distilled water? What is the best pure water solution? These questions are actually more difficult to answer than you might think.

First of all, you have to decide on a definition of "pure". The definition supplied by dictionary.com is: "free from anything of a different, inferior, or contaminating kind".

Using that definition and looking at how pure is distilled water, you have to say that the purity is questionable, at best. It depends on the contaminants that are present, but it would only be a pure water solution if all contaminants were removed.

Distillation devices do not remove anything that has a lower boiling point than water or is gaseous in nature. So, a number of chemicals are not removed by this "pure water solution".

Many industries use distillation because it removes minerals that could damage their equipment or cause other problems. If you use the definition, "free from anything different", you would think that purity means de-mineralized.

But, the answer to how pure is distilled water would still be "not very". It may remove minerals, but there are still many contaminants present. Those contaminants may not interfere with film production or cause rust, but they can still cause harm to individuals who use it as a pure water solution for drinking.

Research has shown that drinking distilled waters on a regular basis causes digestive problems and nutritional deficiencies. The complete biological reaction behind this is mostly unknown, but it appears that mineral free waters absorb minerals from the foods that we eat and then carries them out as waste.

You may realize that natural is better. So, you might understand that there are no naturally occurring mineral-free waters anywhere on the planet. There is always sodium and potassium. In some areas there is calcium and magnesium. In a few areas, there is manganese. It all depends on the minerals that are present in the soil.

There are always some minerals present in groundwater. Due to industrialization, there are usually many chemicals, as well. Whereas springs were once considered the best pure water solution, today it is necessary to have them tested, before drinking.

Another aspect of how pure is distilled water has to do with the distillation device that is used. When scientists look at the effectiveness of distillation devices, they are not looking for a pure water solution.

The primary applications include laboratory uses, industrial uses, uses in herbs and perfumes and food processing. The systems were originally designed to increase the alcohol content of fermented beverages. At that time, they needed no pure water solution, because unless their source was contaminated by the population, there were no contaminants in groundwater.

Today, the best pure water solution is a multi-stage device that removes chemicals, chlorine, THMs, VOCs, cysts, lead, pesticides, herbicides, traces of drugs and industrial solvents. These are the most common contaminants that we have to deal with.

Distillation could remove cysts, but that's about it. So, hopefully this answers your questions about how pure is distilled water and you know the right choice to make for drinking.

Laurel Tevolitz is a dedicated researcher of critical issues that affect health and well-being. Visit her water purification blog now at http://www.safewaterpurifier.com to discover which water purification system she recommends after extensive research.

Learn About Home Water Treatment Systems

Some home water treatment systems are not worth the investment, regardless of the price. There are wonderful water treatment products for today's homeowner. You just have to know what to look for.

The really inexpensive home water treatment systems provide little protection from common impurities. On the flip-side, the most expensive purifiers are not necessarily the most effective. In some cases, they include steps that are unnecessary.

Before I get to what you need to look for in water treatment products, let me take a moment to mention something that you probably do not need; reverse osmosis or RO.

Reverse osmosis water treatment products for home-use were originally designed for those people who live in rural areas that have highly polluted sources, such as a river or lake. Of course, reverse osmosis was only one step that they needed to take. They also needed effective disinfection, pre-filtration and sometimes, depending on their source, chemical removal.

Home water treatment systems that could do all of those things cost in excess of $10,000. But, today, we see companies like GE and Ever-Pure that include a reverse osmosis step for less than a thousand dollars. What's the difference?

Those less expensive designs are for people with pre-treated waters. In other words, their market includes those of us who are serviced by a public provider; a utility or a public treatment facility, not a rural homeowner with multiple purification needs.

The truth of the matter is that people who have publicly treated waters do not need RO. Now, here's what you do need.

The EPA warns that parasitic cysts may be present in any supply and even in some bottle water brands. A cyst infection can kill certain at-risk individuals, but any of us can become ill by ingesting them.

You should filter anything that you drink, brush your teeth with or wash fresh fruits and vegetables with. You need to look for water treatment products that are certified to filter down to "one micron". The best purifiers filter down to .5 micron, just to be safe.

The Environmental Working Group recommends that anyone with chlorinated water should have home water treatment systems that include granular carbon or a carbon block. Research suggests that chlorine byproducts are even more hazardous.

Most water treatment products (PUR and Brita, for example) do not remove the chlorine byproducts. They must contain specific filtering material to remove them. Look for certified performance data and the listing "THMS removal" to be sure.

Then, there's lead. The metal was used for many years to line pipes and solder joints together. Chlorine eats away at the lead, allowing it to enter the supply and the household.

The best step for lead removal is called ion exchange. It's a complicated process, but, simply put, it "exchanges" ions of lead and other metals for ions of sodium and potassium. This step improves the pH level and the taste, as well.

Home water treatment systems that combine ion exchange with dual stage granular carbon and carbon blocks with a submicron porous structure will remove the widest range of contaminants, practically anything you can think of, at a reasonable price. That's what you should look for.

Laurel Tevolitz is a dedicated researcher of critical issues that affect health and well-being. Visit her water purification blog now at http://www.safewaterpurifier.com to discover which water purification system she recommends after extensive research.

Information on Insulinoma

Insulinoma is one of the most common neuro-endocrine tumors of the pancreas. Insulinoma involves the beta cells in the pancreas of the ferret that develop into tumor, and is unfortunately fairly common in ferrets aged 2-4 and up. It is this tumor(s) that causes the excess production of insulin. High insulin levels cause low blood sugar levels. They usually occur as single, small tumors in adults. They are very rare in children. Most children with hyperinsulinism have multiple areas of overactive insulin-secreting cells in the pancreas, rather than a single tumor. Most insulinomas are benign only 5 to 10 percent are cancerous.

People with the genetic syndrome called multiple endocrine neoplasia Type I (MEN I) are at risk for developing insulinomas. The typical symptoms that patients complain about are related to the development of low bloods sugar and include tiredness, weakness, tremulous and hunger. The low levels of sugar in the blood may even lead to a loss of consciousness, seizures, and coma. Surgery is the normal treatment for insulinoma. Surgical removal of the tumor is the treatment of choice. More than 90% of patients will not require any further treatment after removal of the tumor. Tumors may be solitary or multiple.

Solitary tumors are removed, but patients with multiple tumors usually need partial removal of the pancreas. Octreotide is used to suppress insulin secretion in some patients. Medication is also used to alleviate the patient prior to surgery. Medications such as diazoxide and somatostatin can be used to block the release of insulin for patients who are not surgical candidates or who otherwise have inoperable tumours. Streptozotocin is used in islet cell carcinomas which produce excessive insulin. Prednisone is usually the first drug used, with a typical dosage range of 0.5 - 2.5 mg/kg twice a day.

High doses of proton pump inhibitors may be effective for reducing acid levels and relieving symptoms temporarily. If no tumor can be found, or if the patient is not a candidate for surgery, the drug diazoxide may be given to lower insulin secretion and avoid hypoglycemia. If cancerous tumors have spread to other parts of the body, chemotherapy may help reduce the number of tumor cells and the levels of gastrin in the blood. However, such therapy does not cure the cancer, which is ultimately fatal. Exercise may aggravate hypoglycemia in patients with insulinoma.

Juliet Cohen writes articles for http://www.hairstyles-picture.com/, http://www.onlinehairstylestips.com/ and http://www.hairstylesphoto.com/ .

Information on Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction

Intestinal pseudo-obstruction labels a rare group of diseases that may lead to failure of gut functions. Intestinal pseudoobstruction is the decreased ability of the intestines to push food through, and often causes dilation of different parts of the bowel. It can be a primary condition or caused by another disease. This disorder may be seen at any age, but is most common in children and the elderly. In this disorder, the bowels (small or large intestines) become very quiet and lose their ability to contract and push food, stool, and air through the gastrointestinal tract.

There is some risk factors intestinal pseudo-obstruction, such as being bedridden, taking narcotic medications, or having cerebral palsy or other neurologic disorders. Symptoms of pseudo-obstruction vary in presentation and severity. Symptoms of intestinal pseudo-obstruction include abdominal pain, diarrhea, or constipation. Over time, pseudo-obstruction can cause bacterial infections, malnutrition, and muscle problems in other parts of the body. Many children with congenital pseudo-obstruction also have bladder disease. Treatment may comprise medications, such as antibiotics to treat bacterial infections and pain medication.

People with intestinal pseudo-obstruction often need nutritional support to prevent malnutrition and weight loss. Special diets are usually ineffective, although vitamin B12 supplements may be used for patients with vitamin deficiency. Intravenous fluids will replace fluids lost from vomiting or diarrhea. A medication called neostigmine may be used to treat pseudo-obstruction of the large intestine. In severe cases, surgery may be needed to divert or decompress the bowel. In a sub-set of patients, when pseudo-obstruction is limited to an isolated segment of the bowel, surgical bypass may be considered.

Juliet Cohen writes articles for http://www.health-disease.org/ . She also writes articles for http://www.makeup-care.info/ and http://www.hairstyles-picture.com/ .

Information on Jackson-Weiss Syndrome

Jackson-Weiss Syndrome (JWS) is a infrequent genetic disorder characterized by foot abnormalities. The feet show very broad big toes and webbing of the skin between the second and third toes. Additionally, the toes are angled inward. Bony foot defects apparent on X ray comprise short, extensive foot bones and fusion of some of the foot and ankle bones. The hallmark skull differences associated with JWS are caused by the premature closure of skull sutures, or skull plates. Other features include a small jaw, flattening of the nasal bridge and the middle third of the face, and a beaked nose.

People with Jackson-Weiss syndrome usually have normal intelligence and a normal life span. The range and severity of symptoms and findings may be extremely variable, including among affected members of the same family (kindred). However, primary findings may include premature closure of the fibrous joints (cranial sutures) between certain bones of the skull (craniosynostosis); unusually flat, underdeveloped midfacial regions (midfacial hypoplasia); abnormally broad great toes; and/or malformation or fusion of certain bones within the feet. Mutations in the FGFR2 gene cause Jackson-Weiss syndrome.

The FGFR2 gene produces a protein called fibroblast increase factor receptor 2. Among its several functions, this protein signals immature cells to become bone cells in a developing origin and fetus. A change in a specific part of the FGFR2 gene alters the protein and causes prolonged signaling, which promotes the premature fusion of bones in the skull and feet. This condition is inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern, which means one copy of the altered gene in each cell is sufficient to cause the disorder. Treatment of Jackson-Weiss syndrome is usually treated by doctors and therapists who specialize in head and neck disorders.

Juliet Cohen writes articles for http://www.disordersatoz.com/, http://www.health-care-guide.org/ and http://www.diseasesatoz.com/ .

Information on Jarcho-Levin Syndrome

Jarcho Levin syndrome is a genetic birth defect which causes malformed bones in the spine (vertebrae) and ribs. The chest has a characteristic crab-like appearance. Childs born with Jarcho Levin syndromes have intricacy breathing due to their little, malformed chests. Infants born with Jarcho-Levin syndrome have short necks, limited neck motion due to abnormalities of the cervical vertebrae and short stature. In most cases, infants with Jarcho-Levin syndrome experience respiratory insufficiency and are prone to frequent respiratory infections (pneumonia) that effect in life-threatening complications.

The vertebrae are fused and the ribs fail to develop properly, therefore, the chest cavity is too small to accommodate the growing lungs. Infants born with Jarcho Levin syndrome have difficulty breathing due to their small, malformed chests, and therefore are prone to repeated respiratory infections (pneumonia). There are apparently two forms of Jarcho-Levin Syndrome that are inherited as autosomal recessive genetic traits and termed spondylocostal dysostosis type 1 (SCDO1) and spondylocostal dyostosis type 2 (SCDO2). Jarcho Levin syndrome affects both males and females.

Symptoms of Jarcho Levin syndrome may comprise malformed spine bones (vertebrae) such as synthesis of the bones. The malformed spine bones trigger the spine to curve outward (kyphosis), inward (lordosis), and sideways (scoliosis). The malformed spine bones and abnormal curves make the trunk small and cause short stature some of the ribs are fused together and others are malformed, giving the chest a crab-like appearance. Distinctive facial features and mild cognitive shortage may sometimes happen. Treatment usually consists of intensive medical care, including treatment of respiratory infections and bone surgery.

Juliet Cohen writes articles for http://www.healthatoz.info/, http://www.health-disease.org/ . She also writes articles for http://www.makeup-care.info/ .

Ginkgo Biloba: the all-in-one medicine

For nearly 2800 years, the Chinese have used extracts from the Ginkgo Biloba tree to treat a variety of conditions. In Chinese herbal medicine, Ginkgo Biloba is used to relieve wheezing and to lessen phlegm. The leaves are traditionally used for treating asthma and the herb’s anti-allergenic and anti-inflammatory actions make it a particularly useful remedy.

Studies published in medical journals show that Ginkgo Biloba works for a variety of conditions:

- It significantly increases circulation to the brain and can be used to treat cerebrovascular insufficiency, migraine, headaches, vertigo tinnitus and memory impairment.

- It has been shown to be an effective free-radical scavenger, with particular affinity for the central nervous system, and thus it protects brain and nerve cells from destruction by free radicals and from ageing.

- It also inhibits blood-platelet aggregation, providing a strong measure of protection against stroke and coronary thrombosis.

- It alleviates coldness in the extremities known as Raynaud’s disease.

- Ginkgo Biloba has been shown to successfully aid in the treatment of varicose veins, leg ulcers and hemorrhoids. Clinical research indicates that Ginkgo Biloba promotes vasodilatation and improves the rate of blood flow in capillary vessels and certain small arteries. Mild cases of high blood pressure and arterio-sclerosis can be treated with Ginkgo Biloba as the herb improves blood flow.

- Ginkgo Biloba is also beneficial for urinary problems such as scant frequent urination, bladders infections and for stubborn cases of involuntary ejaculation or impotence.

- Ginkgo Biloba has been shown to significantly increase the synthesis of dopamine, norepinephrine and other vital neurotransmitters in the brain, thereby enhancing important cerebral functions such as learning, memory, alertness, information processing and biofeedback with the endocrine system. This makes it an effective preventive and treatment for premature senility, dementia, brain damage, and a wide range of cognitive disorders. It improves memory and protects against degenerative diseases of aging. More significant are the research and medical studies being conducted in order to determine how effective Ginkgo Biloba may prove to be in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.

Ginkgo Biloba Chinese herbal medicine is mostly find in a liquid preparation. There are no contraindications in taking Ginkgo Biloba Liquid Leaf. It is 100% natural and there are no side effects.

Herbalspan specialises in traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine and herbalspan stocks whole range of chinese herbs and herbal products. Visit Ginkgo Biloba for details.

The Importance of Antioxidants in Skin Care Products

Antioxidants fight the free radicals that harm the cells, causing damage and premature aging. In other words, antioxidants skin care products help in preventing future damages and repairing past damages in the cells.

Antioxidants used to be found only in food, oral intake used to be the only way we get to use these. After people recognized the ability of antioxidants, they were combined with skin care products and they became part of how we take good care of our skin. Antioxidant skin care made it possible to counter the free radicals our skin may suffer from. Wrinkles and fine lines can be minimized with the use of antioxidants skin care products.

Skin care focuses in maintaining healthy, youthful dermis, preventing premature aging, reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles, and keeping proper moisture. With the large number of products available, it is hard to know which ones have the ingredients that can harm the skin.

Vitamins E, A, and C, zinc and selenium are just some of the nutrients found in the properties of antioxidants. The use of antioxidant skin care products will help the body get the nutrients it needs, excluding the conventional way, which is to eat foods rich in antioxidants. All of these are important in keeping a healthy skin. Antioxidant skin care helps in achieving a youthful skin, and maintaining it.

While antioxidants are available in many foods, it is not like we get to obtain and use as much as we can and want. Using antioxidants skin care products make antioxidants available and within reach almost anytime.

Antioxidants also assist in the production of collagen and elastin. As one ages, the production of these two weakens. Collagen keeps the skin firm. Elastin adds and maintains elasticity. In other words, it helps prevent wrinkles and fine lines. It also adds resistance that helps prevent the skin from sagging.

A lot of products have indeed come out. It is best to know which ones are the most beneficial. Antioxidant skin care is approved and recommended because of the abilities antioxidants have. Being able to fight free radicals and being able to apply them topically was an advantage that was brought by this breakthrough.

While there are already antioxidants skin care products our in the market, companies are still trying to come up with the best blend of antioxidants. After all, the stronger the antioxidants are, better care and protection can be provided to the skin. These blends need to be proven as beneficial, that is why companies are taking their time in producing formulas. From the initial target of skin care, which is to help skin retain moisture and keep it firm, the goal has been moved up after realizing that antioxidants can minimize wrinkles and lines, and can even make you skin resistant to damages.

Its not like every other product is not safe, however, antioxidants skin care products are much safer and more beneficial in many ways. Nowadays, knowing what is good for you and your skin is a must. These products are proven effective, and at the same time less harmful. The only danger with these products is the possibility of incorrect usage. Check the instructions carefully, follow them, and if these are not enough, ask a professional for some assistance.

Christy S endorses Lim Cher Sern who is a natural skin care researcher with more than 7 years of experience in natural skin care products. Please visit http://www.BeautySkinCareCream.com for more free information on how to choose the best skin care products.

Medicines and Drugs to Be Avoided During Pregnancy

By Richard Bean

Cortisone & Prednisolone: These are corticosteroids. If taken during the later part of pregnancy, these may cause deficiency of adrenal hormone on withdrawl of the drug. They delays growth and promote infection.

Cyclizine : The effects are the same as chlorocyclizine.

Cyclophosphamide: This has the same effects busulphan.

Dexamethasone: Its effects are the same as cortisone.

Dexamphetamine : This is used as a slimming drug. It may cause developmental defects of the heart in the foetus, if taken during pregnancy.

Diazepam: An anti-anxiety drug, if taken in a large quantity during late pregnancy, it may cause lowering of the body temperature and muscular weakness in the newborn baby.

Diazoxide: It may lead to abnormal distribution of foetal hair formation and hypoglycaemia in the new born baby.

Dicoumarol: Its effects are the same as bishydroxycoumarin.

Dihydrogesterone: It is likely to produce male characteristics in female babies.

Estrogens: If taken during pregnancy, they may cause vaginal cancer in the female children at a later age and feminization of male offspring.

Ethionamide: This is an anti-tubercular drug. Its use during pregnancy may cause physical defects in the foetus.

Ethisterone: The effect of this drug are similar to dihydrogesterone.

Furosemide: This is a diuretic (increases urine output), it should not be used during pregnancy as it may cause the death of the foetus due to decreased circulation.

Glibenclamide: It may cause prolonged hypoglycaemia in neonates (newborn babies) if taken during late pregnancy.

Hydralazine: It increases the heart rate of newborn babies.
Hydroxy progesterone: The effects are the same as those of dihydrogesteron.

Ibuprofen, Indomethacin & other pain relievers: This drug is sometimes used in rheumatoid arthritis. If used during the early part of the pregnancy, it may cause physical defect (premature closure of ductus) in the foetus.

Iodides: These are ingredients of many cough mixtures and also used in a hyerfunctioning thyroid. Their use during pregnancy may alter thyroid function in the newborn babies. It may also affect their mental functions.

Lithium Carbonate: This is an antidepressant drug. If taken during the first trimester it may cause physical defects in the foetus and poor suckling in the neonate.

Meclizine: Its effects are common to chlorcyclizine.

Melphalan: This has the same effects as busulphan.

Methyldopa: Destruction of red blood cells (hemolytic anaemia) and decreased activity of the intestines occurs.

Morphine: A potent pain reliever, it is an addiction causing drug. The newborn babies of addicted mothers may be premature and exhibit withdrawal symptoms. The chances of death among such babies are very high.

Nitrofurantoin: Commonly used in urinary tract infection its use should be avoided during the last few days of pregnancy as it may cause bursting of red blood cells, specially in individuals who are genetically deficient in certain enzymes:

Norethisterone: The same effects occur as in dihydrogesterone.

Norethynodrel: The same effects occur as in dihydrogesterone.

Opium: The same effects occur as in morphine.

Oral contraceptive: These are used by women for birth control but if by any chance pregnancy occurs, the doctor should be consulted because of the possibility of adverse effects on the foetus.

Pethidine: The same effects occur as with morphine.

Phenobarbitone: The effects are the same as with barbiturates.

Phenytoin: This is an anti-epileptic drug. If taken during the last few days of pregnancy, the newborn baby may suffer from bleeding disorders (hypoprothrombinaemia and haemorrhage). The use of anti-epileptic drugs may cause physical defects in the foetus.

Prednisolone: This produces the same effects as cortisone.

Primaquine: It is an anti-malaria drug. If taken during pregnancy, the newborn baby may suffer from haemolysis and jaundice.

Primidone: The effects are the same as with phenytoin.

Progesterone: The same effects occur as with dihydrogesterone.

Propranolol: This is used in some heart disorders and high blood pressure. Its use should be avoided during pregnancy as it may cause slowing of the heart rate and decrease of blood sugar in neonates.

Propylthiouracil: The same effects occur as with carbimazole.

Purgatives: These are used in constipation. Strong purgatives may cause abortion.

Pyrimethamine: Sometimes used in malaria, its use may cause foetal malformation.

Quinine: Now quinine is used in chloroquine-resistant cases of malaria. Use in early pregnancy may cause abortion. It has been associated with deafness and vision defects in offspring, if taken during pregnancy.

Salbutamol: It increases the heart rate in newborn babies.

Stilboesterol: The same effects occur as with estrogen.

Streptomycin: This is an anti-tubercular drug. It may produce deafness and weakness of the muscles in the newborn baby if taken during pregnancy.

Sulfonamides: These drugs should be avoided during the last few days of pregnancy as they may cause jaundice in newborn babies. These drugs may also combine with the haemoglobin of red blood cells (methaemoglobenaemia) rendering it unable to carry oxygen.

Tetracyclines: These antibiotics, if taken during pregnancy, are deposited in developing bones and lead to discolouration of teeth and impair bone growth of the foetus.

Tolbutamide: The effects are the same as with glibenclamide. It may also cause a decrease in platelets, causing bleeding.

Trimethoprim: This drug is used in certain infections. It may increase blood bilirubin.

Valproic acid: This can cause defects of spinal cord.

Vitamin A & Isotretinoin: Large doses, if taken during pregnancy, may cause developmental defects of head, face, in the urinary and genital system, in the foetus (Isotretinoin never used).

Vitamin D: Very large doses should be avoided during pregnancy. It may cause mental retardation and defects in bones.

Vitamin K : Large doses during pregnancy may produce jaundice in the newborn.

Warfarin : The same effects occur as with bishydroxycoumarin.

Note: Exposure to X-ray radiation must be avoided during pregnancy especially in the first six months as it may cause malformation of the foetus.

About the author:
AdvCare is one of the leading Canada Drugs Store website. First established in January 2000, its mission is to become the number one site for Prescription Medication and OTC Drugs Canada searches.

Medicines to Treat High Blood Pressure

By Richard Bean

Adrenergic Beta-Blockers

Propranolol (Betalong, Betaspan, Ciplar, Corbeta, Inderal), Metoprolol (Betaloc), Atenolol (Betacard, Tenolol Tensimin), Acebutolol (Sectral-400), Oxprenolol (Trasicor)

These drugs result in slow and gradual reduction in blood pressure. However, they may be useful in patients with coronary artery disease like angina or after acute myocardial infarction or arrythmias. These drugs reduce the rate of re-infarction. Elderly patients are less responsive to then than the young.

These drugs reduce the blood pressure by reducing both force and the rate of the heart contraction of the heart. In patients who are also receiving diuretics, the total peripheral resistance (resistance against which blood flows) is reduced. They also inhibit release of the biogenic substances, rennin and noradrenaline, which may contribute to their anti-hypertensive effect.

Dosage: Propranolol is given in a dose of 20 to 40 mg 2 to 4 times daily. It may be increased to double the or up to a maximum of 480 mg if necessary. Its long-acting preparation is given in a dose of 40 to 80 mg once daily.

Atenolo is given in a dose of 25 mg once daily and increased to 100 mg once daily. It is presently the most commonly used drug.

Acebutolol is given in a dose of 400 mg once daily and increased to 800 mg daily necessary.

Meloprolol is given in a dose of 50 mg and increased to 100 to 300 mg daily, if necessary.

Oxprenolol is given in a dose of 160 mg daily and increased to 480 mg daily.

Bisoprolol is given in a dose of 2.5 to 10 mg once a day.

Carvedilol (Carloc) has antioxidant effects also. It is used in a dose of 12.5 to 25 mg once a day.

Nebivalol (Nebicard) has as blood vessel dilating effects. It is useful in a dose of 2.5m (in elderly) to 5 mg once a day.Adverse Effects: These drugs may precipitate congestive heart failure in borderline patients. Some elderly patients develop cold hands and feet. The sudden stoppage of these drugs may precipitate an attack of angina or even myocardial infarction and, in rare cases, sudden death.

These drugs increase airway resistance and in patients with a history of bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis, or any other lung disease, may provoke asthmatic attacks. Although the newer cardioselective beta-blockers like metoprolol, atenolol and bisoprolol may be safer for such patients, yet these drugs should be used very cautiously.

These drugs prolong the blood sugar-lowering effects of anti-diabetic drugs and mask the symptoms of hypoglycaemia or low blood sugar. This is more pronounced in children during a period of restricted food intake and prolonged exercise. The adverse effects on the central nervous system include fatigue, lethargy, vivid dreams, depression, memory loss, hallucinations, delirium, psychotic reactions, and loss of sensation in the limbs or paraesthesia. Atenolol which does not go to the brain, may be worth a trial in patients who experience such adverse effects with other beta-blockers. Blood lipids may increase by propranolol like drugs.

These drugs should be avoided during pregnancy as they may cross the placenta and produce adverse effects of low blood pressure and blood sugar in the newborn. These are also excreted in milk. Beta-blockers may cause sexual dysfunction such as decreased libido (sexual desire) and impotence. Fever, rash, disorders of the muscles and joints, ulcers in the mouth, baldness, and disorders of blood formation are also rare adverse effects of adrenergic beta-blockers.

Precautions

Propranolol should not be used in patients suffering from respiratory diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, or emphysema.

They should be used with caution in patients of diabetes.

The prescribed drug should be withdrawn gradually over a period of 1 week as sudden discontinuation may cause a severe heart attack.

Doctor should be consulted if the heart rate (pulse rate) is less than 60 beats per minute.

If there are any adverse effects on the nervous system, the doctor should be consulted whether switching to atenolol or another drug is advisable.

Alpha-Adrenergic Receptor Blockers (Prazosin, Terazosin, Doxazosin)

Prazosin is the third or fourth durg in the treatment of hypertension, and preseribed when thiazides and propranolol fail to control the blood pressure. The first dose of this drug produces a curiously powerful effect and should be kept as low as 0.5 mg and preferably be given at bedtime. It blocks sympathetic receptors and has a direct relaxant action on the smooth muscles of the blood vessels. All of these drugs are effective in increasing flow of urine in enlarged of the prostate. A major benefit is that these drugs do not change blood lipids.

Dosage: Its usual dose is 2 to 5 mg depending upon the response. Terazosin is usually given in a dose of 1 to 2 mg. It can be increased up to 40 mg, depending on the response.

Adverse Effects and Precautions: These can be postural hypotension, dizziness, and palpitation due to increase in the heart rate. Swelling of the feet and impotence may occur. The dose should be kept as low as possible particularly if other diuretics are already being taken when this drug is started. It should be 0.5 mg or even 0.25 mg given at bedtime to avoid a sudden fall in the blood pressure in the elderly.

About the author:
AdvCare is one of the leading Canada pharmacy website. First established in January 2000, its mission is to become the number one site for Discount Drugs and Generic Prescription Drugs searches.

Medicines and Drugs to Treat Major Mental Illnesses

By Richard Bean

Butyrophenones

Haloperidol (Serenace), Trifluperidol (Triperidol), Pimozide (Orap, Mozep)

These are some drugs of this class which are used in the treatment of major mental illnesses. They cause a higher incidence of extrapyramidal symptoms (abvormal movements) than phenothiazines, but the fall in blood pressure is less common. In rare cases, they may affect the, bone marrow to cause a decrease in white blood cells. The toxicity to the liver is also considerably less. Some reports have indicated that the drug may convert a manic reaction into depression. Pimozide (MOZEP), a sister drug which has similar actions is given in doses of 2 to 5 mg. It has longer duration of action, therefore, is good in maintenance therapy. It may cause a disturbance of heart rhythm. The usual oral dose of haloperidol is 2 to 6 mg per day and of Trifluperidol 0.5 mg per day.

Precautions

It has been reported that most psychotic patients fail to take the drugs regularly. In such cases, fluphenazine decanoate, a long-acting preparation, can be injected at weekly.

Anti-psychotic drugs enhance the effect of respiratory depressant drugs and therefore, sleeping tablets or potent pain relievers like morphine and pethidine should be given cautiously to patients taking these drugs.

These drugs should be used very cautiously in patients with heart or liver diseases.

If the muscle rigidity is troublesome, the dose may be reduced or anti-parkinsoman drug may be administered.

If the treatment is to be stopped, the dose should be reduced gradually to prevent precipitation of severe psychotic reaction due to the drug withdrawal.

If there is any evidence of allergic reactions as characterized by sore throat or fever, the particular drug should be stopped and another substituted.

Those patients who are taking blood pressure lowering agents, antihistaminic and levodopa concurrently should be monitored closely to avoid adverse interactions.

Clozapine (Clopaz, Lozapine, Sizapen, Tab. 25 mg, 100 mg)
It is effective In resistant cases and does no cause extrapyramidal symptoms (abnormal movements). It does not raise prolactin level also. It may decrease white blood cell count( Agranulocytosis in 0.8% cases) and therefore a weekly white cell count is needed to detect any change. It may precIpItate convulsions.

Resperidone (Respidon, Rozidol, Zisper 1 mg, 2 mg, 4 mg)

A potent antipsychotic, useful in acute psychosis. It is least likely to precipitate convulsions. Usual dose is 1 to 4 mg per day. It can, sometimes, cause postural fall in blood pressures.

Olanzapine (Lozap, Oliza, Olapin Tab. 2.5 mg to 20 mg)

It is a broad spectrum antipsychotic and improve positive and negative symptoms in schizophrenia. It can be combined with lithium/sodium valproate for mania.

It causes dry mouth, constipation and weight gain. It is epileptogenic but rise in prolactin level does not occur.

Quetiapine (Quel, Quiticool Seroquin 25 mg to 200 mg), Loxapine (Loxapac 10 mg to 50 mg cap.) and Aripiprazole (Aaprito, Real one 10 mg to 30 mg Tab.) are other agents.

In conclusion, the skill of using these anti-psychotic drugs depends upon the selection of the adequate dosage levels, knowledge of what to expect, and the judgement as to when to stop the therapy or change the drug. Sometimes it may be necessary to combine two drugs to obtain the maximum anti-psychotic action with minimum adverse effects. The anti-psychotic agents should improve the acute symptoms within 48 hours. A demonstrable positive response may take about 3 weeks and the full effect may require 6 weeks to 6 months. It may be necessary to continue the treatment for several years. It has been found that there is a relapse rate of about 30­ 40 per cent after the treatment is stopped.

About the author:
AdvCare is one of the Canada leading pharmacy website. First established in January 2000, its mission is to become the number one site for prescription drug and drug store searches.

Medicines Used in Parkinson's Disease

By Richard Bean

Levodopa+Carbidopa

One of the problems with the use of levodopa is its high dose. Only 1 % of this drug goes to the brain and the remaining 99% remains in the peripheral region, going waste and also goes to the unwanted adverse effects. Carbidopa inhibits the metabolic break down of levodop in the peripheries and thus allows greater penetration of this drug to the brain. This allows considerable economy in the use of levodopa and also reduces the distressing adverse effects like nausea and vomiting. This combination is, therefore, positively superior to the single drug. In fact, it is used in almost all of the patients requiring levodopa. The combination is available in three strengths and this allows selection of appropriate doses required for a patient. An advantage with this combination is that Vitamin B6 or multivitamins can be given together. Levodopa is also available in combination with benserzide and this has the same effect as the combination with carbidopa and is sold under the trade name BENSPAR.

Impact of Drugs: Despite good initial response, the benefit with Colevodopa (levodopa+carbidopa) progressively decreases. It is at this time that the addition of other drug& may offer further benefit. However, after a few year (5-7 years), there is a loss of benefit from, dopaminergic drugs probably due to decrease in critical number of nerve cells (degeneration i& ongoing) in the basal nuclei. Physical and social rehabilitation remain the last options for advanced cases.

Drugs for Correcting the Effects of Excess Acetylcholine

Prior to the introduction of levodopa, various drugs were used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Of these the most effective were belladonna alkaloids (anti-cholinergic drugs), obtained from the plant Atropa belladonna, and some synthetic drugs. These drugs rarely produce more than 10-25% improvement, and the disease invariably progresse. One thing is certain though: these caused great improvement in tremor. These are the only drugs effective in drug-induced movement disorder particularly acute dystonia/dyskinesia. They have a role in early and mild form of Parkinsonism disease also. All these drugs had adverse effects like dryness of the mouth, blurring of vision, constipation, urinary retention, and delirium. Orphenadrine has some stimulating effect. Other are sedating.

Precautions

These drugs should not be administered to patients having difficulty in passing urine due to the prostate or stone in the urinary tract.

These agents should be avoided in patients suffering of glaucoma raise pressure in the eyes.

The medication should be wIthdrawn gradually. Sudden stopping of the drug may cause an increase in the symptoms of Parkinsonism.

Other Drugs

Amantadine (AMANTREL) is another drug which is now employed in the treatment of parkinsonism. It brings about beneficial effects by releasing dopamine from the storage site. It is effective in 66% cases but the effect lasts only for 2 to 3 weeks, after which it declines.

Bromocriptine (PROCTINAL 1.25 mg, 2.5 mg) is an expensive drug. Though this drug provides the maximum benefit, but it may cause nausea, vomiting, headache, constipation, dizziness, postural hypotension, and drowsiness. In women it increases lactation. Intitially it is given in a dose of 1.25 mg daily with meals and gradually the dose is increased upto 5 to 10 mg per day.

Piribedil (TRIVASTAL-LA) is also like levodopa in action and is given in doses of 50-200 mg daily. It should not be given in pregnancy or heart disease.

Entacapone and Tolcapone reduce fluctuations in the response due to levodopa+carbidopa and enhance the effect of latter. They are useful in advanced stages only.

Selegiline (L-DEPRENYL, SELGIN 5 mg Tab.) is a new drug used as an adjunct to levodopa+carbidopa in a dose of5 mg in the morning and 5 mg at lunch. Additional doses are not beneficial. Because selegiline causes loss of sleep, it should not be taken at night. It is an interesting drug because there is some evidence to show that it may slow the process of neurodegeneration. It allows reduction in the dose of carbidopa+levodopa. It should not be given to epileptics and in chronic tardive dyskinestia. It may cause anxiety, confusion, restlessness, sexual dysfunction, tachycardia, hypertension and syncope.

In 1997 two new drugs, pramipexole and ropinirole were introduced. These have fewer side­ effects than levodopa and are put to use as an adjuncts or alone.

A number of surgical methods and even implants to be put in the brain have been developed with considerable success. These are yet to be introduced in India. One such method is implantation of dopamine-producing cells obtained from human foetus. These cells start producing much needed substances (dopamine) in the brain.

About the author:
AdvCare is one of the leading Canada pharmacy website. First established in January 2000, its mission is to become the number one site for Discount Drugs and Generic Prescription Drugs searches.

Medicines and Drugs Used in Tuberculosis

By Richard Bean

Pyrazinamide (Pza, Pyraldina, Pyzina)

It has become a first line drug in recent years, specially for short course chemotherapy of tuberculosis. It is also used for conventional chemotherapy by some doctors along with rifampicin and isoniazid until the results of susceptibility studies are available (8 weeks), specially when resistance to isoniazid is suspected. It kills (bactericidal) the intracellular tubercle. Its use with other drugs reduces relapse significantly.

Adverse Effects: It causes dose related hepatotoxicity. But this which is less common in the subcontinent. The currently used smaller dose of this drug (25 mg/kg daily) rarely causes hepatotoxicity, especially when used for a short period of 2 months. It causes an increase in the uric acid in the blood (hyperuricemia) and may cause gouty pains in joints. If the symptoms in the gout (pain in joints) occur, the drugs which increase excretion of uric acid may be used along with it. Sometimes diabetes becomes worse with its use. Skin rash and fever may also occur.

Precautions

Serum enzymes should be measured every 2 to 4 weeks to assess the liver function.

If you develop any pain in the joints, ask the doctor to recommend drugs which increase uric acid excretion.

Avoid its use during pregnancy and lactation.


Ethambutol (Myambutol, Combutol, Themibutol)

Since this inhibits the synthesis of cell metabolites, resulting in inhibition of the growth of tubercle bacilli, it is a bacteriostatic drug. It is used as an adjunct to the bactericidal anti-tuberculosis drugs, isoniazid and rifampicin. It has good patient acceptance and fewer adverse effects, and has therefore replaced aminosalicylic acid (described later). It is considered to be a substitute for injected Streptomycin. It prevents development of resistance during treatment.

Adverse Effects: Ethambutol causes a dose-related toxic effect on the eyes. After an initial dose of 25 mg/kg daily for 2 months, followed by 15 mg/kg daily for several months, there may be diminution of vision or loss of color perception in about 1% cases. This adverse effect reverses within a few months of stopping the drug. In rare cases, the recovery is delayed for one year or more. The toxicity increases in patients with impaired kidney function. Other adverse effects include numbness or decreased sensation in the legs, headache, confusion, and increased uric acid levels. Since children (below 6 years) cannot report the changes in visual acuity exactly, ethambutol should not be used for childhood tuberculosis.

Precautions

A complete examination of the eyes should be done before starting this drug. It should not be used if there is optic nerve damage.

The doctor should be informed immediately if any adverse effects like numbness or headache occur.

If higher doses are taken for a prolonged period, eye examination should be repeated an drug should be stopped if changes in visual fields occur.

About the author:
AdvCare is one of the leading Canada pharmacy website. First established in January 2000, its mission is to become the number one site for Discount Drugs and Generic Prescription Drugs searches.

Medicines and Drugs Used in Common Eye Diseases

By Richard Bean

Sulfacetamide (Albucid, Locula, Optisol; 10%. 20% or 30% drops), Chloramphenicol (Paraxin, Vanmycetin 0.4% drops), Gentamicin (Genticyn, Garamycin 0.3% drops)

Any of the above drugs may be selected by the treating doctor depending on the sensitivity of microorganisms present. Chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, tobramycin, ofloxacin, gatifloxacin, sulfacetamide are cheaper and effective drugs against majority of eye infections. After application of eye ointments, the drops are ineffective until some time has elapsed hence ointments should be preferably used at bedtime. It also avoids the visual difficulty faced after application of the greasy ointment.

If there is any irritation in eye due to drug, the doctor should be informed immediately. In non­specific irritations of eye due to environmental factors, zinc-boric eye drops (ANDRE, OPTIVIZ) can be used.

Antibiotics and Corticosteroids Mixtures

Mixtures containing fixed dose combinations of antibiotics and corticosteroids such as Genticin-B, Dexosyn-C, Mycidex, Pyrimon should be avoided for ordinary problems. They reduce resistance to infection and may worsen the condition if the invading organism is resistant to the antibiotic. Due to anti-inflammatory effect of corticosteroids, the patient gets immediate relief but may have a prolonged illness in some cases. Their long-term use can lead to glaucoma and cataract, which may result in blindness. These should ordinarily be used by a specialist who can judge the situation.

Cataract

Cataract is loss of transparency of the lens. The most common cause of cataract is ageing. It may also be due to injury to the eye, serious infection of eye and diabetes mellitus. The chief symptom of cataract is a gradual dimming of vision, although vision may be better in dim light. An entirely opaque lens is 'ripe' while the one that retains some transparency is 'immature'.

Treatment of 'immature' cataract during the period of dimming of vision comprises of wearing accurately prescribed spectacles. Ultimate treatment of cataract is removal of this opaque lens surgically and implanting an artificial lens after proper calculation of its power. One should not wait for the maturity of lens.
Spectacles will be required for near vision after cataract surgery and may also be required for distance vision for any residual correction.

Dry Eye

It is a common cause of eye discomfort affecting majority of people specially those working on computers and those wearing contact lens. Patients complaints of redness and straining of eye along with dryness. There occurs deficiency of tear film in such people, which should be treated with tear supplements. This conditions is more commonly seen in computer operators due to decreased eye blink rate so they are advised to blink more frequently. Some commonly available tear supplements are Hydroxypropyl cellulose (MOISOL) and methyl cellulose (TEAR CELL).

About the author:
AdvCare is one of the Canada leading pharmacy website. First established in January 2000, its mission is to become the number one site for prescription drug and drug store searches.

Medicines and Drugs Used in Disorders of The Heart

By Richard Bean
Calcium Entry Blockers

Drugs Blocking Calcium Channels in Heart Muscle: Verapamil (isoptin), Nifedipine (Nicardia), Diltiazem (Dilzem)

These drugs (except nifedipine) block the calcium channels in the cells of the heart muscles and blood vessels, causing decreased contraction of the heart muscles and dilation of the blood vessels in the body and heart. Of these, the first three are used widely in clinical practice. Although all three of them are potent coronary vasodilators, they differ in their action on the blood vessels and the contraction of the heart. Nifedipine is a more potent vasodilator than either verapamil or diltiazem, Similarly, verapamil inhibits the contraction of the heart more than that of nifedipine or diltiazem.

Verapamil (Isoptin)

It reduces anginal attacks by relieving the coronary artery spasm, increasing oxygen supply, and reducing the oxygen demand by decreasing the heart rate and reducing after-load (back pressure of blood from the body to the heart). Verapamil is effective in angina prevention in dose of 40-80 mg, 3 times a day. It is also useful in slowing very rapid heart rates in paoxysmal Atrial Tachycardia (PAT).

Adverse Effects: Constipation is the most common adverse effect of verapamil. It may cause headache, vertigo, weakness, nervousness, gastric upsets, and allergy in the form of itching, flushing or rash, and decreased pumping action of the heart (congestive heart failure). Rebound angina may occur following a sudden withdrawal of verapamil. Heart blocks may occur, however occurance of heart arrest is rare.

Precautions

Do not use it with a beta blockers quinidine or disopyramide. It can be a dangerous combination.

Digoxin levels in the blood increase when verapamil is taken along with it. These drugs should be used cautiously if taken together.

Rifampicin and other drugs which stimulate or induce the enzymes in liver, decrease the effect of verapamil. The doses of verapamil should be adjusted when given with them.
It is found in human milk and should be avoided during pregnancy and breast feeding.

In patients with severely impaired liver function, its dose should be reduced to 30%.

Nifedipine (Nicardia, Nicardia-CD, Calcigard Retard)

This has a potent vasodilator property with little depressant effect on the heart. It prevents coronary artery spasms but may promote 'coronary steal' (diversion of blood flow from the occlude coronary artery to a healthy area of the heart). Due to its relatively selective action on the vascular smooth muscles, it reduces the blood pressure and may sometimes cause a reflex increase in the heart rate. It increases oxygen supply to the heart muscle by relieving coronary artery spasms and decreases demand by reducing the after-load (back pressure of blood from the body to the heart). The beneficial effect of nifedipine in angina is mostly because of the latter action. The usual dose is 10 to 20 mg, 3 to 4 times a day. Retard preparations are given twice a day. Long acting preparations (NICARDIA CD) do not cause that much tachycardia and are preferred. Many other longer acting alternatives such as amlodipine (2.5 mg, 5 mg), nitrendipine (10 mg, 20 mg) and felodipine (2.5 mg, 5 mg) are also available.

Adverse Effects: Nifedipine may cause headache, palpitation, dizziness, weakness, nausea, flushing, a transient decrease in blood pressure, and allergic skin reaction. Swelling of the feet due to vasodilation is common.

Precautions

If the attack continues to be frequent and severe, other anti-anginal drugs may be substituted.

If a blackout or any visual disturbances (due to reduction in blood supply) occur, the drug should be stopped and the doctor consult.

Diabetic patients should get their blood sugar checked more frequently as the drug may, at times, elevate blood glucose levels.

The drug should not be withdrawn suddenly as this may cause a rebound attack of angina.

About the author:
AdvCare is one of the Canada leading pharmacy website. First established in January 2000, its mission is to become the number one site for prescription drug and drug store searches.

Hospital & Healthcare Management

By: Manivarma

Hospital & Healthcare Management



Hospital & Healthcare Management is a leading B2B arena designed for the healthcare sector, representing the most advanced healthcare industry
information it allow our members to reach both ends of the healthcare
facility procurement chain.




Organizations
Here We Describe about the organizations who are there into the Healthcare business as manufacturing and Healthcare Devlopers, Industrial Contractor in Healthcare.
Knowledge Bank
The knowledge bank section of Hospital & Healthcare Management features latest news, industry reports, research insight, market moves, techno trends, case studies and articles & interviews on various spectrums within the sector



Events & Exhibitions
In this Section we wil have all the Events & Exhibitions of the Healthcare Organizations in the world.
Industry Updates
We work to enhence the visibility of our clients through various online marketing & promotional activities like suppliers profile, whitepapers, webinars, online audio & video media presentations.


Suppliers Profiles
In this Section we introduced All the Companies or Organizations who are into the Healthcare, Medical, Surgical Equipments Manufacturing.

Audience
In this Section we have discussed about all the countries, who are there in our distributors for our clients. we mentioned the website address of their companies also.


E-Newsletters
Healthcare Insights is the monthly e-newsletter of Hospitals Healthcare Management published by Avni Media. Healthcare Insights covers the most recent information with in the healthcare sector and updates you through articles,interviews, technology trends, projects, case studies, white papers and more.
Contact Us
Here you can remember us. Because we are one of the leading B2B Companies in the world.

DNA Testing Experts for paternity DNA Testing

By: Jessica Castro

Today, DNA testing has evolved into a widely used, affordable and efficient tool for verification of identity and family relationships. A DNA test may be performed for both private and legal purposes, and virtually any type of human biological material may be used for testing, often in trace amounts. The most common type of sample used is a buccal swab, which allows for non-invasive and painless sample collection. A buccal swab sample is collected by inserting a buccal swab tip into the inner cheek and scraping oral epithelial (surface) cells by using a rolling motion with the swab. This technique will transfer DNA-containing cells to the swab tip. Once at the lab, DNA is extracted from the swab tip through a series of washes and then amplified by a process called PCR (polymerase chain reaction).

PCR will create many copies of the DNA sequence(s) for the purpose of maximizing visibility in a genetic analyzer. A genetic analyzer is a machine which detects and reads alleles, or forms of genes and produces DNA profiles from the PCR product. The analyzer will create a graph-like interpretation of the DNA profile(s), which an analyst will use to further interpret and report. When a comparison study is performed, as in a paternity test, for example, the analyst will compare the DNA profiles obtained from the tested parties, i.e. alleged father and child, to determine the number of common alleles shared and calculate a probability of relationship, i.e. paternity. Today's DNA tests are highly sensitive with positive identification reported at 99.9999+% accuracy. To add to the efficacy, test turnaround can be within as few as 24 hours, as well