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health

Men’s Health: Running the Bases

June 18, 2010 – 9:06 pm

Let’s face it, men and women are different. It’s a fact. And when it comes to taking care of their bodies, men and women are very different.

Men drink more (alcohol), smoke more and see their doctors less than women do. They are less likely to wear a seat belt (22% of teen men say they rarely or never wear a seatbelt v. 15% of teen women). And they consume red meat at an alarming rate.

All that said, those facts refer to the “average” American male. There are plenty of men, who eat their vegetables, drink the requisite eight glasses of water a day, and kiss there wives and children before they go to bed precisely at 9:30p.m. every night. If you belong to this group, you are perfect, and you need not read a word more.

If you think you might belong to the first (average) group, though, read on. You might just get a peek at what the future holds for you.

The Wake Up Call – 7:00p Thursday

Whether you are a man or a woman, an average Joe or not, at some point, you need to decide to take your health seriously or you may just get an unwelcome wake up call.

Nothing pains me more than to visit my local city park on a week night in early spring. It is there where I will find many of aging brothers hitting the ball around for the first time after a long winter of sitting. It is usually Tuesday or Thursday when the over 40 recreation softball league has its games. It’s a bunch of guys from all walks of life. Some are business men taking a few hours away from the kids and the office to toss the ball around. There might be a high school baseball coach getting his playing time in. You might see the produce manager from your local grocery store and a fireman or a police officer or two.

Before the game starts, you see some stretching, some talking, and one or two having a beer. Then the game begins, and they get to work. The guys are chatting it up, laughing about nothing in particular and razzing the batter. Good clean guy fun. But inevitably at some point, one of those guys pulls something, tears something or pops something out of alignment. The game stops while they help him off the field. And once he’s on the bench (or on his way to the hospital), the game starts up again.

I always wonder what happened to that one guy. Was the injury serious? Or did he spring back in a couple of days? Did he wake up to the fact that he is 47 years old and start working out regularly and stretching before games? Or did he decide he was “suddenly” too old to play kids games anymore and quit?

Over 40 And Going it Alone

Now, if I were more of an opportunist, I would make a point of going to those first few games of spring. And I’d bring my business card and a sign up sheet for treatment. But I can’t bring myself to do it. And anyway, I would really rather get new patients BEFORE injury strikes.

Now, ask yourself, am I the guy on the bench or one of the guys still playing? Don’t know?  

Well, if it’s been awhile since regular exercise and stretching were a part of your routine, you might just be the guy on the bench. You see, within the human body, there is something called “Fascia”, a pliable, protective sheath that covers every cell. To your muscles and  joints, Fascia is like the elastic in your underwear. If it is kept intact and healthy, it holds them up and holds them together, giving them strength and stability. As it ages, though, and if not cared for properly, fascia loses its elasticity, and you lose range of motion and strength. Before you know it, you can’t bend down far enough to catch a ground ball, and throwing to first base feels like a hot poker in your shoulder.

If that is you, don’t walk to my office, run (or move as fast as your tight muscles will allow). I will work with throughout a 10-session series to soften and strengthen your fascia, and ultimately to bring back movement and muscle you forgot you had. By next softball season, you will be in game shape.

Information for this article came from these additional sources:

Test Your Knowledge about Men’s Health; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Health and Human Services.
Found August 8, 2007 http://www2a.cdc.gov/od/menshealth/test.asp

Joseph Ackerman “Joe Ackerman of www.CoreStructuralTherapy.com specializes in Structural Integration which is a system wide process of deep bodywork and movement education. It is designed to improve the Structural and Functional abilities of the human body in its relationship to the field of gravity.

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Individual Health Insurance Reform Future Proceedings Easy To Insure Me

June 2, 2010 – 9:46 pm

MARCH 26, 2010

This Week in Health Care Reform     

Health care reform legislation passed the House this week on a party-line vote. Late Sunday night, House Democrats approved the Senate health care reform package, sending the legislation to President Obama for his signature. On Tuesday, President Obama signed the underlying bill into law, yet the House has yet to finalize the package of “fixes” that will alter the final implications of the legislation.

Health Care Reform Negotiations

House Democrats Pass Health Care Reform Package: The House of Representatives approved the Senate health care reform bill Sunday night by a vote of 219 to 212. The vote marks the climactic finale to a year-long debate over health care reform. In the final vote, 34 Democrats joined all House Republicans in voting against the measure. Shortly thereafter, the House also passed a package of “fixes,” by a vote of 220-211, that was sent directly to the Senate for its approval through reconciliation. On Tuesday, President Obama signed into law the Senate health care reform bill, called the “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.”

Republicans Force Senate to Send the Reconciliation Bill Back to the House: Shortly after the President signed the Senate bill into law, Senators began deliberations on the reconciliation bill. Reconciliation protocol restricts Senators to 20 hours of debate on the measure, but it does not limit the number of amendments that can be filed. In an expression of opposition to the bill, Republicans filed 29 amendments to the reconciliation package.

After 10 hours of continuous debate, Republicans were successful in eliminating two provisions related to college financial aid in the non-health care portion of the bill. The Senate parliamentarian ruled early Thursday morning that those two provisions violated the chamber’s rules, sending the legislation back to the House for a new vote. As a result, on Thursday afternoon, the Senate voted on the reconciliation bill without those two provisions and sent the bill  back to the House for a vote on final passage. The House vote will likely come Thursday evening.

What Does This Health Care Reform Legislation Mean: While the health care reform bill extends insurance coverage to 32 million more Americans by 2019, the legislation has other far-reaching implications that will be phased in sooner, during a multi-year implementation period.

Several features of the new health care overhaul bill that would take effect in 2010 under the measure passed Sunday include:

* New product requirements beginning 6 months after enactment, including:
o Coverage for dependents up to age 26
o No lifetime maximum benefit limits
o And no cost sharing on preventive care for certain policyholders
* Temporary federal high risk pools;
* Tax credits for small employers; and
* Prohibition on pre-existing condition exclusions for children (beginning 6 months after enactment).

Most Americans will have until 2014 to purchase insurance or pay a penalty. Other elements of the bill that will not take effect until at least 2014 include insurance marketplaces called “exchanges”; rules requiring insurers to accept all applicants regardless of pre-existing conditions, and an expansion of state Medicaid programs.

A number of experts question whether health care reform will really drive down insurance premiums. America’s Health Insurance Plans ( AHIP), the trade group representing health insurers, outlines a series of concerns related to the legislation including a lack of provisions that address underlying health care costs, improve quality of care or ensure a stable risk pool. In addition, AHIP expressed concerns regarding new taxes on health coverage, which will likely increase premiums.

Additional Activities

Obama’s Executive Order on Abortion Funding: On Sunday afternoon, prior to the final House vote on health care reform, President Obama agreed to issue an Executive Order that would uphold the ban on federal funding for abortion . In so doing, he secured about a half-dozen votes from anti-abortion Democrats, led by Rep. Bart Stupak (D-MI), who previously opposed the legislation. On Wednesday, President Obama signed the Executive Order banning the government from spending federal money to pay for abortions through plans offered on the insurance exchanges created under the measure.

States Filing Lawsuit to Fight Provision of Health Care Reform Bill: In response to the new health care reform legislation, states across the country have filed lawsuits asking the courts to declare the law unconstitutional and to bar its enforcement. On Monday,Attorneys General in 13 states, led by Florida, filed a joint lawsuit claiming that the new health care reforms violate state government rights in the U.S. Constitution and will force massive new spending on hard-pressed state governments. Joining Florida in the suit are Alabama, Colorado, Idaho, Louisiana, Michigan, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah and Washington.

At the same time, the Attorney General in Virginia filed a separate suit contending that Congress has exceeded its power in mandating that people buy health insurance. Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli argues that the new law’s requirement clashes with Virginia law that exempts citizens from federal fines imposed for not having health insurance.

Senate Voting to Extend COBRA Until May 5:  Senate Democrats plan another short-term extension of unemployment aid this week, setting up a face-off with Republicans, who are vowing to fight the extension if the $10 billion cost isn’t offset with spending cuts. The bill, currently set to expire on April 5, would extend a series of emergency programs – including funding for unemployment insurance benefits and COBRA health coverage for the jobless  – and would hold off a deep cut in reimbursement rates for doctors who serve Medicare patients. The long-term extension has already passed in both the House and Senate, but the two measures are not expected to be reconciled and sent to the President’s desk until after the Easter recess.

President Obama Heads to Iowa to Speak on Health Care: President Obama headed to Iowa on Thursday to increase support for his health care legislation. This was President Obama’sfirst trip out ofWashington since signing health care reform legislation earlier this week. He spoke at the University of Iowa, in the city where he first announced his health care proposal during the Presidential campaign.

Public Opinion

Most Americans Want Republicans to Fight Health Care Reform Bill: In a recent CBS News poll, 62 percent of Americans said they want congressional Republicans to continue challenging the bill, while 33 percent said they should not. Disapproval of the bill has remained steady, with 46 percent saying they disapprove, including 32 percent who “strongly” disapprove. A majority of Americans continue to say that they find the bill to be confusing and do not understand what it means for them or their family.

American’s Split on Health Care Reform Passage: In a recent USA Today/Gallup poll, 42 percent of Americans said they were angry or disappointed with the recent passage of health care reform legislation. When asked to reveal party affiliation, 79 percent identified themselves as Republicans.

Polling Shows Support for State Lawsuits Against Government: National polling reveals significant opposition to the individual mandate. In a newly released Rasmussen report , 53 percent of those polled oppose the new mandate requiring every American to buy or obtain health insurance. Further, 49 percent of voters are in favor of their state suing the federal government to fight the mandate. Fifty-one percent say individual states should have the right to opt out of the health care plan entirely.

Looking Ahead

After this week’s final health care reform vote, President Obama plans to travel the country in the next few months to discuss the new law. Republicans have begun their own discussions of the law, with an eye towards the November elections.

Author Resource. Easy To Insure ME http://www.easytoinsureme.com

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Breast Change and Breast Cancer: a Women?s Health Issue

May 31, 2010 – 6:41 pm

There is a wide incidence of women in the Western world who experience breast changes that are a direct consequence of their menstrual cycle and it is believed that as high as 70 percent of women are so afflicted. These women may find their breasts have become very uncomfortable due to their becoming tender, swollen or lumpy. This is one of the many women’s health issues that need to be studied and understood if one is to be able to treat the ailment and provide much needed succor to the patients. It is important to find an explanation for the condition and know which natural and medical treatments are available for this women’s health issue.

Breast Health: The Facts

Broadly speaking, women’s health issues can be categorized into several important concerns, of which include: breast problems, cystitis, endometriosis, fibroids, heavy periods, hysterectomy, irregular periods, menopause, miscarriage, no periods, osteoporosis, ovarian cysts, PMS, polycystic ovary syndrome, pregnancy, prolapse, thrush and vaginal infections. Women also face problems such as weight control and infertility.

In the case of breast cancer, one can safely say that it is widely prevalent in women living in the United States. This means that such an important women’s health issue needs to be better understood and this involves knowing the stage of the disease, new diagnostic methods versus recurrence, the woman’s age as well as prior treatments. Mostly, different women would respond to the crisis of having breast cancer in different ways but what is most important is for them to know and obtain as much information as possible so that they are better educated about the disease.

It is important that this women’s health issue be taken notice of, and a study of the risk factors involved with contracting breast cancer needs to be undertaken as some factors may have stronger links to breast cancer than others. These important risk factors are: gender, age, personal history of breast cancer, family history of cancer, high breast tissue density, breast hyperplasia, long term estrogen exposure, menopausal hormone replacement therapy, not having children or having first child after age 30, exposure to radiation, Ashkenazi Jewish heritage, genetics as well as diet, environment, and smoking. There is no denying the fact that breast cancer is an important women’s health issue for which no amount of research and development can be said to be enough.

Roland Parris Jefferson III is an online researcher based out of Los Angeles, California. For free tips, resources and expert advice on Women’s Health, please visit our Womens Health Issue Resource.

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health

How To Create Healthy Powerhouse Sandwich Recipes

May 26, 2010 – 9:07 pm

Making healthy sandwiches allows you the opportunity to utilize your creative talents in the kitchen once again. Sandwiches can be created as an entire meal, providing all the nutrients necessary for your healthy living.


To create a healthy powerhouse sandwich, use your imagination, by including herbs such as fresh basil leaves, cilantro or fresh parsley. Fresh watercress gives a sandwich a great nippy taste; in addition it gives an appealing look and has virtually no calories. Did you know that watercress is a good source of beta carotene, calcium, iron and potassium?


Fresh chives, which contain sulphur oil (which may lower blood pressure if one consistently eats a large amount), fresh romaine lettuce, is low in calories and high in fiber. Try to choose the dark green leafy lettuce; spinach which is full of vitamin A and folate, and high in Vitamin C and potassium, is an excellent choice for sandwiches as it is also a vegetarian source of protein.


When creating your sandwiches, try using sliced whole rings of green, red, or yellow peppers, as they are not only colourful, but an excellent low calorie source of Vitamin C.


Try using sandwich style sliced dill pickles (patted dry)or cucumbers sliced. Crisp fresh snow peas, are low in calories and high in Vitamins A and C. Snow peas, besides containing protein, help to create a nutritionally complete meal when combined with whole grain products.


Sliced beef steak tomatoes make a great addition to any sandwich. Try using asparagus or green capers on top of your filler. We have only the a few “green” and some red vegetable and herb ideas to season your sandwiches.


Fillings for healthy sandwiches are where we need to use care in calorie use. Always use a light Miracle Whip, light cream cheese or Dijon mustard. Light Miracle Whip and cream cheese taste just as good as the regular products and are one half or less than the calories and fat.


The most favorite fillings for sandwiches are hard boiled eggs, tuna, shrimp, roast beef, thinly sliced ham, smoked salmon in thin slices with cream cheese and capers, various light cheeses, such as Edam, Light Mozzarella, Provolone, Asiago, avocado sliced or in a spread, artichoke tapenade, Black Forest Ham, chicken salad spread, chicken breast slices,


Avocados, which incidentally, are fruits, are high in the “good” fats, meaning mono-saturated, but always remember they are high in calories and fats. These are only a few ideas, but, add the greens previously mentioned and you will have a deluxe healthy sandwich when a good protein is added to your greens.


The last item I will write about is bread, one of the most important items. The healthy breads to look for are logically the ones that contain whole grains, oat, flax, spelt bread, rye bread. These breads contain the “good” carbohydrates that constitute a healthy food choice.


White flour breads have no nutritional value for our bodies. Please try to introduce these good choice breads to your children at any early age, so they will become accustomed to eating healthy bread for healthy living.


Creating healthy appealing powerhouse sandwiches is a learned craft; you will be using all the necessary nutrients of a healthy meal for healthy living. There are a multitude of other types of healthy sandwiches, party sandwiches, rolled sandwiches, pinwheel roll-up sandwiches and even wraps to enjoy creating for you and your family.


You will be surprised at just how creativity bursts out in you when you start making these healthy recipes. These breads taste marvelous, but, it is sometimes a chore to talk children into them. Start children with a good 100% whole wheat bread that is fresh. I am certain that once you add the choice of good healthy items for the sandwich covered with the good bread, your child will love it. Later on, you can slowly introduce other varieties to him/her.


Fortunately, we now have available to us bagels, crusties, and many breads with 100% whole wheat plus many other nutrients in the breads for healthy living.


If you are making sandwiches with sauces, it is easy to eliminate butter or margarine. Replace it with mustard, low-calorie Mayonnaise, light cream cheese. It will eliminate 100 calories to your sandwich.


We have given you a start on your creative power sandwich making. Use your imagination and run with it.

Learn all about the healthy vegetables and how to use them for power sandwich making for healthy living.

Carole-Anne Stanway has been a creative healthy recipe cook for years and is proud to offer you her recipe secrets. Learn how you too can create and bake many healthy recipes at healthyrecipes

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Building a Healthy Relationship – How to Have a Richer, Fuller, More Satisfying Life Experience

May 20, 2010 – 9:08 pm

 

Building a healthy relationship is such a worthy goal to have. So many people simply drift through life and the experience of their relationship suffers as a consequence.

 

 

 

They can be like two strangers living together, simply going through the motions of daily activity, without any real connection between themselves, and lacking any elements of a healthy relationship.

 

 

 

This can mean, a couple get together, and before they know it, they have children. Given the time and effort required to raise children, this is their priority.

 

 

 

Building a healthy relationship does not even come into the equation. Children grow up and leave home, and couples end up in the empty nest position where they wonder what to do with themselves, living in an unhappy marriage. There is no indication of any traits of a healthy relationship.

 

 

 

Before long grandchildren fill the gap. This is now their focus and life goes on in an accustomed manner, and any signs of a healthy relationship are non existent.

 

 

 

It is easy to identify people in this situation, especially as they get older. They are the ones you see in restaurants or cafes, sitting opposite each other with barely a word being said between them. They look lost and lonely.

 

 

 

Whereas when people have building a healthy relationship as their goal, their experience of life is totally different. It means this is their priority, everything else fits in around them. They see each other as someone special.

 

It means couples make time for each other, they do not allow the distractions of life, such as work and having children, take precedence over this primary concern.

 

 

 

They always communicate, knowing how the other is feeling and managing their life. They have meals together, and organize having special moments, such as going to the movies or the theater, and having time away together. They have a very healthy relationship.

 

 

 

Building a healthy relationship also means each person has total respect for the other. There is no place for nastiness, aggravation or resentment in such an arrangement.

 

 

 

These latter traits, are some of the characteristics of unhealthy relationships, that eat away at people, and can literally lead to ill health.

 

 

 

Not only that, people can just feel so awful generally, and many people get stuck in these situations as patterns are established,and they end up in an unhappy marriage.

 

 

 

It can make their experience of life very depressing. In my view life is too short to remain in such circumstances, especially when there are opportunities for building a healthy relationship.

 

 

 

They don’t know, or realize, they do have a choice. They don’t have to stay in these types of relationships. Alternatively they could see a professional to help them make the changes required to have the characteristics of a healthy relationship.

 

 

 

If a couple were to do that, it is crucial they be clear about their motivation in order for there to be any satisfactory outcome.

 

 

 

Other aspects of building a healthy relationship include acknowledging each person in the relationship is of equal status.

 

 

 

This means there is no one in charge in the relationship. It is a partnership between two equals. I realize there will be some who will disagree with this view based on beliefs you may have, according to your understanding of scripture, or whatever.

 

 

 

When I shared this view with a group of Mormons I was asked to give a talk to, I got a standing ovation in response.

 

 

 

When each person holds the same status, it follows there is no longer any room for set roles in the relationship, which is usually to the woman’s disadvantage with no signs of a healthy relationship.

 

 

 

Now the building of a healthy relationship is demonstrated by each person sharing in the domestic and parental responsibilities.

 

 

 

No longer, when men are involved in these activities, is it viewed as helping, which has an inference that it is the man helping the woman do what is viewed as her responsibility.

 

 

 

I’m sure you will agree with me, when we talk about building a healthy relationship in this way, it makes such a difference to how we all can experience life.

 

 

 

This is to everyone’s advantage. It is a true win/win. This leads to us all having a more satisfying, richer and fulfilling life.

 

 

 

Leo Ryan is a counselor with over twenty years experience in the field dealing primarily with relationships.


He has given many talks, seminars and workshops on the subject, as well as being interviewed by all sectors of the media about his work.


He is passionate about people having great relationships, and his website is dedicated to that purpose.


He is the author of the ebook “How to Have An Extraordinary Relationship”.

http://www.relationship-tips-for-you.com

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Children and Hypothyroidism

January 23, 2010 – 7:50 pm

Hypothyroidism affects children just like it affects adults. Unfortunately it is often misdiagnosed in children because it is so rare. Most doctors do not check for the disorder except when the child is a newborn.

The consequences of children having hypothyroidism is much more dire than that of adults. A child’s brain is not fully developed causing the lack of thyroid hormone to affect their physical growth as well as mental growth. The key to preventing extreme side effects in children is making sure that you recognize the symptoms and seek care for them immediately. It is also important that you be advocate for your child. If you believe that your child has hypothyroidism, ask your doctor to do a test.

The thyroid gland is controls many systems in the body, it is located in the front of throat. Some of the things it can effect are heart rate, menstrual cycle, cholesterol, vision, strength, and mental state, as well as many other functions.

In children, it is important to look out for a bulging in the throat. This would show an enlargement of the thyroid gland. It is difficult to diagnose a child under 2 years of age. Some symptoms they may present are trouble feeding, increased sleepiness and poor muscle tone.

Older children can exhibit numerous other symptoms. Those symptoms include an increased sensitivity to cold, tiredness, constipation, a hoarse voice, poor mental development, slow development of permanent teeth. Some other symptoms are a horse voice, a puffy face, loss of appetite, growth changes, depression. Pain or stiffness in joints, and frequent choking.
Most of these symptoms could indicate something else so it is important to tell your doctor if your child is considered to be at risk.

There are risk factors that help to determine if a child is more likely to have hypothyroidism. One such risk factor is if a close relative, such as a parent or grandparent has the disorder.

Diagnoses and treatment today is fairly simple. If it is suspected that a child has hypothyroidism, a simple blood test is administered. If the test comes back positive, a doctor will place the child on a synthetic thyroid tablet. The doctor may also place the child on hormone treatment if their growth is stunted. This helps the child become more like their peers.

If a child goes untreated, mental retardation would likely occur. The child’s physical growth will also be affected. It is imperative that early treatment is sought so that the horrible side effects can be kept at bay. The symptoms caused by hypothyroidism set children back mentally and physically.

It is critical that children get tested frequently, especially if they are exhibiting symptoms or if they are at risk. Without testing and proper treatment, children are likely to suffer from lifelong problems. However, if the disorder is caught early and treated consistently, most children will not have any lasting effects.

Often, the symptoms of hypothyroidism indicate to doctors that it could be something else. It is quite possible that if your child has the symptoms mentioned above, your doctor will assume it is something else entirely. It may well be something else, but isn’t it worth it to at least rule out hypothyroidism with a simple blood test?

At hypothyroidism diet you can learn more about hypothyroidism and its causes, cures, symptoms and what is the optimal thyroid diet. Also Go to: Hypothyroidism in ChildrenArticle Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/children-and-hypothyroidism-1771825.html

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Acid Reflux Symptoms In Children

January 17, 2010 – 6:24 am

                    

Acid Reflux Symptoms In Children

Acid Reflux Symptoms In Children

There are many different causes of acid reflux, but through diet, lifestyle changes and sometimes medication the symptoms may be managed. Acid reflux can be potentially dangerous if left untreated. Not only is it painful, it can be hazardous if the stomach contents are aspirated into the lungs. Acid reflux can also be harmful to the esophageal lining, causing irritation, pain and damage.

Chronic acid reflux sufferers may have several different things that produce acid reflux and heartburn. The objects that contribute the most to acid reflux are: tea, coffee, other drinks containing caffeine, chocolate, tomatoes, fried and fatty foods, alcohol, tobacco, large meals, eating before bedtime or late night eating, citrus fruits and juices and wearing tight clothes.

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Foods that should be eaten rarely to avoid acid reflux are fruit juices, berries, garlic, onions, leeks, sauerkraut, scallions, ground beef, chicken salad, eggs, hot dogs, ham, milk, cheese, granola, alcohol, cola and fattening or fried foods.

Alcohol has adverse effects on acid reflux sufferers. Alcohol increases the production of stomach acid and relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter, allowing stomach contents to reflux into the esophagus. Alcohol can also lead to stomach ulcers, which hinder healing of the esophagus or stomach.

Avoid alcohol as much as possible, but it can be consumed in moderation once in a while. To lessen alcohol’s effect on the stomach and esophagus, you should dilute any beverages with club soda or water, have only 1-2 drinks and drink white wine instead of red.

Stress may also cause acid reflux. Everyone has stress in their lives, but it must be managed in order to lead a healthy life without acid reflux. Stress isn’t a direct cause of heartburn, but can lead to behaviors that cause acid reflux.

Regular exercise not only helps to relieve everyday stress, it also helps acid reflux symptoms. Exercise releases endorphins, which make the acid reflux sufferer feel better and also aid with digestion. Heartburn may be a problem during exercise. If so, you should discuss this with your doctor. Avoid jarring type exercises and do less jarring exercises like bike riding, swimming or walking. An antacid may also be taken before exercise to bring relief.

Seven to eight hours of sleep a night is a must to keep stress levels down. Various studies have shown that sleep-deprived people have higher levels of stress.

Another stress-reliever is to take a quick mental rest. Visualize a relaxing place in your mind. A favorite vacation spot or somewhere you would like to go to one day; anywhere that relaxes you to think about it. Imagine seeing the place, smelling scents and hearing sounds. This visualization technique will help you to relax.

Balanced, low-fat meals also help with acid reflux. Avoid foods that cause acid reflux, but eat plenty of vegetables, fruits and fish. Drink plenty of water also, as it rids the body of toxins.

Smoking is another factor that worsens acid reflux symptoms. Smoke reduces the production of saliva. Saliva helps to defend damage to the esophagus by acid reflux. Smoking also stimulates the production of stomach acid, which could worsen the effects of acid reflux and weaken the lower esophageal sphincter. The LES is the valve at the junction between the stomach and esophagus. Smoking causes decreased gastric motility while smoking, which can cause less efficient digestion because the stomach takes longer to empty.

There are many factors to acid reflux, but with some of the previous suggestions, it can be managed. Always consult your doctor first; medication may be needed in addition to diet and exercise.

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Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/acid-reflux-symptoms-in-children-1735761.html

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health

The Benefits Children Receive from Gardening

January 12, 2010 – 2:32 am

Apparently, we can see how nature is treated these days. It is a sad thing to know that people do not pay attention so much anymore to the environmental problems. What can we do about this? It’s as simple as starting with the children. It is good to see the children’s involvement with environment-friendly activities. One such nature-loving activity that children could easily get their hands on is gardening. Why should you consider gardening for your children?

Here are the benefits that gardening could easily provide the children with:

1. Science

In planting, children are indirectly taught the wonders of science like the plant’s life cycle and how human’s intervention can break or make the environment. They can have a first hand experience on the miracle of life through a seed. This would definitely be a new and enjoyable experience for the kids.

2. Life

Watching a seed grow into a tree is just as wondrous as the conception to birth and growth of a child. In time, kids will learn to love their plants and appreciate the life in them. Gardening could actually help simulate how life should be treated — it should be with care. The necessities to live will be emphasized to kids with the help of gardening – water, sunlight, air, soil. Those necessities could easily be corresponded to human necessities, i.e., water, shelter, air, food. By simply weeding out, one could educate how bad influences should be avoided to be able to live life smoothly.

3. Relaxation

Studies show that gardening can reduce stress because of its calming effect. This is applicable to any age group. More so, it stimulates all the five senses. Believe it or not, gardening may be used as therapy to children who have been abused or those who are members of broken homes. It helps build one’s self-esteem.

4. Quality Time with the Family

You can forget about your stressful work life for a while be soothed by the lovely ambience in the garden. You can play and spend quality time with your children. You can talk while watering the plants or you can work quietly beside each other. The bottom line is, always do what you have to do, together with your kids. You might discover a lot of new things about your child while mingling with them in your garden.

Let kids become aware of their environment’s needs. And one way to jumpstart that environmental education may be through gardening. It’s hitting two birds with one stone — teach them to respect life while you bond with them.

Want to find out about transplanting bamboo and indoor bamboo? Get tips from the Bamboo Flower website.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/the-benefits-children-receive-from-gardening-1702480.html

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