Saturday, May 5, 2012

3 Measures for Avoiding Risks of Bloodborne Pathogens Due to Indirect Contact

Bloodborne pathogens are known to cause many contagious diseases including some that do not have any definitive cure, thus making them one of the biggest threats in the healthcare field. Realizing that taking adequate preventive measures is the best way to keep such diseases at bay, premier healthcare organizations and even the industry has stressed on the importance of bloodborne pathogen certification courses which impart the requisite knowledge to the employees for avoiding the ever-present risk of such infections.

Recognizing symptoms of such diseases, understanding and following the exposure control plan formulated by your employer and using the proper gear during the administration of minor treatments and for invasive medical procedures like surgeries are taught in such courses. However the threat of bloodborne pathogens continues to remain high even after administering treatment due to faulty and outright unsafe follow-up practices.

In addition to certain prominent topics like universal precautions and infection control a bloodborne pathogen certification also teaches you to avoid threats due to indirect contact by adopting the following 3 measures.

• Safe Disposal: Just because the treatment procedure is complete doesn't mean that you are no longer at risk from bloodborne pathogens. You can still contract diseases if you come in contact with carelessly discarded needles and other contaminated materials like used gloves, bandages and gauze. Some of the organisms remain potent for a number of days even if the blood or fluid dries up. One of the modules in your training will also tell you the importance of safe disposal of used materials. This will include using a sharps container for putting used needles, broken glass and any other sharp and disposable instruments so as not to injure yourself as well as others. Also any other contaminated items must be put in special bags meant for the purpose and promptly taken to the designated area for disposal by the waste management workers.

• Proper Labelling: A training course will further teach you the importance of labels and also how to identify standard signs and symbols used to indicate hazardous materials and areas. When disposing of contaminated materials you must ensure that the bags and containers are properly labelled so that the other staff will be cautious when handling the same. Similarly fluid and blood samples for testing must also be labelled and stored safely. In addition you will understand the danger of storing food and eating near places where such infected materials are kept.

• Maintaining Hygiene: Another important but oft neglected aspect of healthcare is the maintenance of proper hygiene. The course will tell you how following a set of simple hygiene steps are the most effective ways to prevent infection due to such pathogens. It will tell you the proper techniques for hand washing when performing routine duties and even in cases of accidental exposure.

Studies have pointed out that the risks of infection in a healthcare facility continue to be high due to poor implementation of safety measures. A bloodborne pathogen certification course will tell you the importance of such measures and also how to implement them for increasing safety.

For more information, please visit our bloodborne pathogens certification website.

Natural Cure for Emphysema With Some Recommended Herbs

If you're one of the millions of people who have been on cigarettes for a long time, there is a big probability that you already have acquired emphysema. The scientific definition of emphysema is "a chronic, irreversible disease of the lungs characterized by abnormal enlargement of air spaces in the lungs." In short, this is a lung disease that as of yet has no known scientific cure. Symptoms include being easily fatigued, shortness of breath, and having difficulty taking in oxygen after exerting even the slightest movements.

The process of how emphysema is dangerous is actually a simple one. The body needs oxygen to live. We take in oxygen and give out carbon dioxide. People with emphysema have a hard time doing these two simple things. This can cause a lot of complications, including erythrocytosis, which means the person's blood contains an unusually high level of red blood cells. Symptoms may include dizziness, lightheadedness, headaches, and many more.

Most people who suffer from emphysema are guilty of having been long-term smokers. The problem with this is that the symptoms do not generally come out until years after the start of smoking. It usually comes out when the individual's physical attributes start to deteriorate and this is where emphysema starts to work.

There are a few cases where emphysema is genetic in nature (for example, alpha 1 antitrypsin). Majority, though, are chain smokers. Tobacco or marijuana, it doesn't really matter. If they're regular smokers, they have a big chance of developing this dreaded disease.

Here are some of our recommended natural cure for emphysema:

   1. Astralagus - Chinese herb that speeds up the healing in the bronchial tubes and clears the lungs for better breathing.
   2. Clearlungs - an herbal combination from Ridgecrest that promotes healing from shortness of breath and other respiratory-related symptoms.
   3. Cordyceps - works within the Chinese belief that the kidney and the lungs are in synergy, and cordyceps produce excellent oxygenation for the kidneys.
   4. Ephedra or Thyme - are also great for respiratory orders. Be warned though, ephedra is not recommended for those suffering with anxiety, glaucoma, or heart disease.
   5. Licorice extract - they help increase the energy levels and also improve internal organ functions. Be careful not to overuse this though (not more than 7 days in a row) as it can rapidly elevate blood pressure.
   6. Other useful herbs - Alfalfa, Fenugreek, Fresh Horseradish, Mullein Tea and Rosemary.

There is one Natural cure for emphysema that is gaining popularity across the medical fields because of its simplicity yet powerful healing nature. This is the self-administered oxygen therapy. All diseases (emphysema, AIDS, cancer, heart disorders, etc) are caused by viruses or bacteria, this is the basic truth. They need a body almost devoid of oxygen to thrive. Therefore, logic suggests that by supplying oxygen to the body, these bacteria cannot survive. If the body has the right amount of oxygen, the viruses and microbes cannot live. IF you are interested in knowing more about this revolutionary therapy, explore it and we can help you.

3 Reasons Why First Aid Certification Is So Vital For First Responders

First aid is the procedure for providing immediate assistance in case of injuries or illnesses to stabilize the person till a more advanced medical help takes over treatment or until the person reaches a hospital. The versatility and range of this initial procedure is such that it can address certain minor issues entirely and can even prevent fatality in a life threatening situation.

During an emergency the first responders on the scene provide the required first aid. At times they can be members of the public who happen to be nearby and have had some prior training in first aid, however in a majority of cases professionals like paramedics and even firefighters and the police arrive first and have to administer suitable first aid.

The nature of the job of first responders is such that completing a first aid certification course is a must; the following points will bring out the importance.

• Increased Threats: The environment you live in today is changing rapidly where constant advances in the society and economy have a huge impact on your lives. While such development has its advantages, the increase in population, number of vehicles, increased traffic, reliance on machinery and electronic gadgets, more high-rises, and changed lifestyle have all lead to an increase in the number of accidents and also cause a significantly higher number of health problems. In current times the first responder has to tackle many more cases and that too of diverse types. A first aid course will ensure that such a professional learns about all the different possibilities and the ways to handle them.

• Stress Management: The job of a first responder is extremely stressful. These professionals arrive on the scene when the person's condition is the most precarious and to add to that they do not have the support of any kind of prior knowledge or test reports unlike the hospital staff, and have to ascertain the situation and proceed to administer treatment as quickly as possible. Moreover there is often a group of bystanders at such places who might make the movement difficult. More often than not first responders will find themselves in chaotic and rather unfavorable circumstances and thus come under a lot of stress. First aid training teaches such professionals how to manage stress and still provide the most effective treatment to the victim.

• Safety: A scene of an accident often poses several safety issues like fire, falling debris, live wires, oncoming traffic, poisonous gases and rapidly flowing water. Besides effective management of the victim a first aid course will teach you to look for any potential dangers nearby before approaching the site because the safety of first responders is as important as that of the victim.

Getting a first aid certification is required if you want a job as a first responder like a paramedic, but in addition such training is advantageous as it will give you the competence to address any unknown threats and in better management of the victim, onlookers and even your own self

Tennis Elbow Treatment - Braces and Supports: Why They're a Bad Idea

Tennis Elbow Treatment: Should you wear some kind of support, such as a brace, splint, wrap or strap to treat your Elbow Tendonitis?

In most cases, NO - You shouldn't actually!

Not if your goal is healing, and not just pain relief, anyway.

Yes, it's true that most of the "authorities," medical websites and various blogs do advise you to utilize some kind of support for a few weeks in the name of "resting, protecting and healing your Tennis Elbow,"

And it certainly sounds like the right thing to do - BUT, there are several reasons why "supports" do not support healing, (in most cases) and why those supports can actually hurt you instead.

(The exception being while you're playing Tennis, golf or some other sport that involves dynamic, forceful activity, because you've decided to keep playing in spite of your injury.)

Okay, but what about the rest of the time?

Tennis Elbow, along with most other forms of Tendonitis, is usually not the kind of injury that benefits from being bound up or immobilized with some kind of restrictive brace or support for days or weeks.

In other words, restricting movement with a brace:

    * Doesn't help this kind of tendon injury heal...
    * Although it may very well feel a lot better temporarily!
    * Which is deceptive because having less pain and feeling better is one of the ways we can tell that an injury is healing and getting better.

The problem is that even though there are a lot of things you can do to make your Tennis Elbow feel better, (like icing, rest, anti-inflammatories, painkillers, creams and Cortisone shots.)

All these so-called treatments do is trick you by easing and postponing your pain for a little while - None of them will help you heal. (Some, like Cortisone shots, can damage you!)

And unfortunately, "supports" are no exception.

So, why then doesn't bracing or supporting your muscles, tendons or your entire elbow help your injury heal?

If you broke your arm, then you'd certainly have to put in a cast while the bone heals.

If you sprain your ankle badly then you'd have to wrap it for a few days - No question.

So what's so different about Tennis Elbow!?

First of all, it has almost nothing in common with a broken bone, and generally very little in common with a sprain.

It's not a sprain or a strain (usually) - Meaning there is usually no major tear (strain) in the muscle or tendon that needs to be protected from movement, in which case a brace or support probably would be needed at first.

Tennis Elbow is a tendon injury, and most of the time the tendons that are injured are NOT badly torn in one big, traumatic event - They're damaged gradually.

    * And the key problem is that Tendons heal much more slowly, in part because they have a much smaller blood supply
    * So slowly, in fact, the biggest risk with tendons is that they don't heal at all - and that they gradually break down instead - (Technically this is called 'Tendinosis', by the way.)

And that's what's really going on more often than not in the typical case of Tennis Elbow: Gradual breakdown and degeneration.

(Forget about the InflammaSCAM / inflammation myth, too, by the way, but that's another story.)

And the very last thing you want to do is to reduce that circulation and blood supply to your tendons even more as they're trying to heal.

Unfortunately that's exactly what wearing a brace, splint, band, strap or any other kind of so-called support does; it tends to reduce the circulation in the area you're wearing it around.

It does that in two ways:

   1. First indirectly by restricting the movement of your muscles, tendons and elbow joint. Less movement = Less circulation, because muscle movement is essential for good blood (and lymph) flow,
   2. And second by directly compressing the tissues and blood vessels in that area. Yes, even if it's not that tight.

Naturally, the tighter and more restrictive it is, and the longer you wear it the worse it is.

Then there's the Scar Tissue issue. The other big downside with supports.

The compression and reduced mobility tends to encourage sticky scar tissue, which further binds and restricts your muscles and tendons.

I'm sure you will agree losing your flexibility to a bunch of nasty Scar Tissue and having your healing process stall are the last things you want!

Muscles and tendons actually need gentle movement and mobility to heal - (except right after a major tear, which I've already mentioned is rarely the case with Tennis Elbow).

Gentle movement during most if not all of the healing process helps the repair process and helps to prevent excessive Scar Tissue build up.

In conclusion, most of the time it only makes sense to wear a brace or support:

   1. If you're sure you've suffered a significant tear,
   2. Or when you're on the tennis court or golf course or engaging in some kind of short-term forceful activity, like hammering nails or digging in your garden.

In the latter case to protect your injury somewhat from the risk of further damage.

But never during the day while you're walking around, sitting at your computer - or worst of all while you're working (unless your work is high force / high impact, like construction).

Forget the idea that wearing a support hours at a time, for days, weeks or months is an effective treatment for Tennis Elbow. It's not going to help you heal.

Want to learn more facts about Tennis Elbow treatment, dispel more myths - And discover how to help speed your tendon healing naturally?

Then I invite you to visit my Tennis Elbow Classroom: A self-help video guide to easily learning to do your own Tennis Elbow treatment

(No outrageous "miracle-cure claims," gimmick selling - OR affiliate offers. I promise!)

I'm the Neuromuscular Therapist who "Wrote The eBook" on Tennis Elbow Tendonitis ten years ago. I've been treating it successfully even longer - And I'm ready to be your personal or your virtual 'Tennis Elbow Tutor'

Health Club Marketing - Are You on Autopilot? You've Got It All Wrong

Even in the advertising, this industry is notorious for running a reflection of these misguided assumptions. The fact of the matter is, we push these cookie cutter images of "fit people" as if everyone who comes to us has the same ideal look, or physique.

The challenge is, there are a lot of people on autopilot. Even if we do a half hearted job of asking the prospects what their goals are, I'd imagine most of them can sense the insincerity, and give us vanilla, autopilot answers that merely echo what we hear from anyone else we ask. I actually think its because they know what we want to hear, because they sense that we might be on autopilot too.

I learned a long time ago, while running a Women's Only facility, that the real reason my members joined was never as simple as "I want to drop a few pounds", or "I just want to feel better". Had I let these basic answers fly, then it may have been the only responses I ever received, which begs the question why even go through the motions, if we already know the answer? However, once I learned to ask more probing questions, and more importantly, display the fact that I truly cared (autopilot, off) what my guests wanted to accomplish, and the real reasons why they came to the club, a whole new revelation became apparent. People will share with us, their true "very personal" reasons for wanting to exercise.

It doesn't take very long to dig beneath the surface and find that people's motivations are firmly rooted in psychological reasons, and not physical outcomes. People want to feel different about themselves, or have others feel a certain way. A woman may say she wants to lose weight but really she wants to be more attractive to others, because of the confidence it can provide. They may want to get in shape for a wedding, because they are starting their lives with someone and want their mates to be excited about the future, and strengthen the bond. Athletes want the increased performance because people in their lives count on them, to win the big game. They are pushed to perform better because they want to make mom and dad proud, and they can imagine themselves basking in the glory of the winning touchdown, or stolen base that seals the game. Heck, it may even be related to getting into college, on a scholarship, so they can go to an expensive school.

The most effective sales people will always be able to dig below the obvious, and continue to flush out their prospects true emotional reason for the goals they have. What is important is going beyond the obvious, and sharing with them how you can help them satisfy the emotional needs they have. When someone says "I want to drop a few pounds", it is our job to ask why they want to lose the weight. How will that make them feel? How will this weight lose improve their life? Where do they see themselves, once they have accomplished this weight loss goal?

Some fit pros are uncomfortable with the probing nature of these questions, but if you are serious about helping your clients achieve results, then you need to understand why they want to achieve certain things. This not only helps you sell the program on the benefits, it will also provide the solution to their problems. It is probably more important to motivate them, to continue to push, when working towards their goals.

Don't just glance over your questions, or assume everyone has the same set of goals. Think of why you do what you do. Is it as simple as earning a paycheck? No? So what is it? When you figure this out because I asked, then I bet you will be more motivated to do good work.

Do you own a health club and like what I have to say? Join me in my efforts to change the landscape of the health club industry with unique health club marketing strategies, membership sales techniques, steps for opening a gym, tips to retain your existing members, and much more. We're in the office Monday - Friday, until 8pm EST, and can be reached directly at 904.807.5950. I am your trusted friend and partner as you strive to operate a more successful health club business. I look forward to the opportunity to serve you and all of your fitness business needs.

Curtis Mock

The Importance of Using Glycerine Soap

The earth is polluted with many chemicals, and it is upon us to protect our skin from this toxic environment. You can achieve this very efficiently by using natural skin-care products such as glycerine soap. Such soap will assist you in protecting your skin as well as your health in general. It usually has a rich, transparent and dark amber colour. It is this transparent property that makes it easy to differentiate from other soaps. The soap appears clear due to the soap molecules' arrangement found in this kind of soap, which can be induced through addition of sugar and alcohol. Here, the molecules are prevented from becoming opaque.

There is a high probability that you may have used some soap without realising that it is glycerine soap. This soap, as the name suggests, is made up of glycerol, a biochemical element which is composed of fats and oils. Glycerol is derived from vegetable oil and animal fats. This involves extraction and a rendering process in which lye is used. After extraction is when you add it to any soap mixture to produce a clear soap.

Even though most people take a bath on a daily occasion, they find out that they still suffer from dry flaky skin from time to time. The main cause may be the soap that they usually use was made from chemicals that readily react with their delicate skin. These are soaps that are commercially produced and are mostly made from petroleum. They are readily available at local stores and supermarkets making them an easy option comparing with making your own soap.

However, if you make your own soap using glycerine, you stand a chance of not only saving your money but also saving your skin from unnecessary harm. Glycerine attracts moisture and will make your skin look healthier, fresher and radiant all day. Some of the skin disorders such as eczema and psoriasis can be prevented using these soaps. They can also be really effective in removing pimples thus ensuring your skin always appear smooth and healthy. Since you use the melt and pour method in making them, you can easily make your own by following simple instructions.

Glycerine can be also used in making a decorative soap giving it a transparent and beautiful appearance. The purpose of making a decorative soap is to beautify your house or giving it away as a gift to a friend. You can make it have a pleasant smell by adding synthetics or additives.

We provide the best info about glycerine soap and decorative soap. For further details please visit the provided links.

Is the Head-To-Toe Physical Exam Practically Worthless for Healthy Patients Who Are Asymptomatic?

As a health economist, I try to keep abreast of new trends in health care insurance. One trend I have found is that consumers can now purchase short term health insurance policies that will pay for doctor visits if the patient is sick, but they will not pay for the standard "complete physical" associated with an initial visit. Some primary care doctors will not see a new patient unless the doctor can bill insurance for $350 - $500 for a comprehensive visit. If you search on the Internet for "head-to-toe physical" and "outdated," you will find many web pages that provide arguments and evidence that the complete physical is indeed not necessary but may be reassuring for some patients. In contrast, the blood tests are ten times more important than a complete physical for new patients.

We often hear the argument that a good baseline physical exam with lab work is important and can help engage the patients in their own care as well as identify those patients at risk for heart disease, diabetes, and other problems. The patient centered medical home model is built on coordination of care, not sick care. For standard health insurance policies (those polices other than short term policies), at least one annual "physical exam" or wellness visit is covered 100% by insurance and no cost to the consumer.

I am looking for a new primary care physician and will be seeing one at the end of the month. This appointment is for a new patient and will be coded for insurance as "wellness visit, physical exam" even though there will be little or no physical exam. Instead, I plan to use the time to tell the doctor what blood tests I want on this visit to establish a baseline, and in the process of explaining why I want them, he will learn about my medical history. I doubt there will be any time remaining in the appointment for even a limited physical exam, but we shall see.

My cholesterol numbers are not simply excellent, they are outstanding. The same is true for my C-reactive protein (a measure of heart attack risk) and homocysteine (a measure of stroke risk). I have not had a complete physical exam in over 20 years and have not missed them one bit. I find it appalling that any physician would palpate my abdomen and then tell me I don't have any tenderness there, as if I did not already know that. I am all in favor of preventive health care, but I agree with the U.S. Preventive Health Task Force that the complete physical exam has not been shown to be cost effective at preventing disease. Blood testing, on the other hand, is critical to monitoring overall health and critical to formulating a strategy to prevent diseases and medical conditions.

I have been asking primary care docs for several years now if they have ever found an abnormality on physical exam in an asymptomatic patient that was not picked up as part of standard screening (PAP smear, colonoscopy, lab testing, etc.) There have been minimal positive responses. (One doctor found an oral cancer). Standard screening could be done much more effectively and efficiently by non-physicians as part of a public health campaign: think of the Polio vaccination campaigns of the 1940s and 1950s.

Having said that, a consultation with the patient/client for health planning purposes -- identifying what is important to him/her and the impact of health issues on those things that are important and then coming up with a mutually acceptable plan on how to achieve those goals -- is probably invaluable, especially if the physician has no financial interest in the choices that are made.

Yet we find an amazing lack of evidence to support "annual physicals exams" leading to early detection of health problems. I invite the proverbial interested reader to click on the link*at the bottom of this article to find the reference for the National Institute of Health's pubmed link related to annual physicals.

In examining a population of junior high and high school student athletes who were required to get "participation physicals" in order to play on sports teams, one study found of 1268 students, 5% were referred to specialists, but only 0.2% were disqualified from playing the sports activity. The author concludes that the majority of those disqualified would have been discovered by obtaining a detailed medical history alone. Another study of 763 student athletes found 3 positive referrals total. Factoring in the cost of all the health workers involved, each of these three findings came at a cost of $4563. In addition, a total of 16 medical problems were found during the course of the 763 student physicals, BUT 15 of the 16 problems were, and could have been identified, from taking the patient's medical history alone.

How do you think most primary care physicians would react if a new patient went over his medical history but declined more than a cursory physical exam in favor of getting his desired blood tests? Would the typical primary care doctor simply note "patient declines complete exam" and move on, or would he/she badger the patient into getting a complete physical, because that the way the doctor always handles new patients? One problem with health care is that patients are generally obsequious and fall into lockstep patterns of getting certain exams or tests even though they have little to no benefit on overall health.

I frequently hear from foreign-born and foreign-trained medical doctors that "here in the US, doctors spend too much time on treating people after they get ill and not enough time of preventing the illness from occurring." But what does this mean in practical terms? (1) doctors should be ordering more blood tests to determine average glucose levels (HbA1C test) such that all patients know their HbA1C numbers and whether they are inching towards diabetes. Other helpful blood tests would include a hormone panel for all middle-aged or older patients, and then the doctors need to learn about optimal levels for these hormones, rather than ignorantly dismissing results that fall in the "normal average" range but may be sub-optimal. (2) doctors need to have staff who can answer patients' health questions, e.g., whether the patient should start taking magnesium, without placing a burden on the doctor to answer all these questions. (3) patients need to be given targets for HbA1C, HDL, total cholesterol/HDL ratio, cortisol, etc., to achieve through their own proactive, informed selection of food choices.

I can't think of any blood test that would be ordered solely to make a patient aware. As a general rule, no physician would be able to estimate the results from a blood test, e.g., no physician can estimate HDL cholesterol or total cholesterol just from talking to a patient and getting his medical history. When insurance companies stress preventive health, they always emphasize doctor exams over laboratory tests. But again, no doctor exam can reveal 3-month average glucose, or iron deficiency, or elevated liver enzymes. It sounds like some insurance companies want to do preventive health on the cheap, and with that attitude, they should not be surprised that the limited type of preventive care they support is next to worthless.

To say that the annual physical is worthless without reinforcing to the public that some monitoring of health is necessary probably sends the wrong message. After all, it is hard to argue that monitoring of hypertension, lipidemia and diabetes is not worthwhile. FDA has generally indicated by its refusal to approve OTC versions of the maintenance medications that the public cannot be trusted to monitor or manage these maladies.

I am all in favor of monitoring hypertension, lipidemia, and diabetes. In fact, where the Affordable Care Act recommends diabetes checking for people with hypertension, I would go further to say everyone should know his or her HbA1C number (3-month average of glycated hemoglobin). But why shouldn't those values be checked in an ordinary preventive health visit, without the need for a head-to-toe physical? None of the articles have said that lab tests are worthless; they tend to question the value of the "annual physical" for an asymptomatic healthy adult. Indeed some doctors have recognized this fact and give patients a more limited and directed physical exam. That approach seems more sensible than the "one size fits all" approach with head to toe exams.

The FDA has generally indicated that the public cannot be trusted to monitor or manage these maladies. I strongly disagree with the FDA and question its motives in preventing cholesterol and hypertension medications from being accessible OTC. I hope in my lifetime that they do become available. An enlightened individual can use the Internet to learn about drugs that lower blood pressure, glucose, and lipids, along with the drug's side effects. At-home blood pressure devices are more effective in monitoring real-world blood pressure than periodic visits to a doctor's office. An enlightened patient can precisely individualize dosing of anti-hypertensive medications to bring their blood pressure to optimal levels (below 115/75 mm Hg in most people).

For an expanded version of this article, please see http://www.michaelguth.com

Michael A. S. Guth, Ph.D., J.D., directs Health Economics & Outcomes Research (HEOR) at Risk Management Consulting, a contract research organization based in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, where he has successfully managed the HEOR consulting business for the past ten years. He is also a licensed attorney at law with an active practice of more than 200 clients and has developed expertise on the Affordable Care Act and its implementing regulations.
Dr. Guth's principal research focus has been preventing the onset of age-related diseases known collectively as the metabolic syndrome. In the area of diabetes, he is familiar with all of the drugs used to treat the disease and their potential drawbacks. Low thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) may represent one of the most unrecognized and under-treated causes of prediabetes status affecting some 75 million Americans.
His current research comprises the optimal design of health care insurance and total health/wellness programs including preventive health strategies and employee health engagement and resiliency. Working as part of a global benefits team, he creates an integrated wellness-benefits strategy and executes programs aimed at changing mid- and high-risk behaviors. He positions wellness and disease-prevention as part of a larger strategy for medical cost containment, and contributes innovative ideas for achieving this desired result. He demonstrates thinking "outside the box" to rein in health care spending costs and reform patient utilization of medical services.
A second area of current research is the use of Clomiphene in men for hormone modulation to prevent cardiovascular disease and other consequences of the metabolic syndrome. He is Principal Investigator of a clinical study that compares use of Clomiphene with external sources of testosterone given to men; the study includes safety, efficacy, cost, and value comparisons.

5 Ways to Make Health Class More Interesting

Students walk into your Health Class and you know what they hear: "Wah wah wah," just like in Charlie Brown. There is a chance to save your Health Class and possibly even your job. I have developed 5 ways to make your Health Class fun for everyone and students will enjoy attending your class.

1. Tell stories on a topic you wish the class to learn about. You can tell real life stories or make them up but show the students that you are a regular person just like them and have passion for your job. Make sure the story has some kind of twist or interesting where the students are surprised. "Wow Mr. Smith I didn't think you would do something like that!" Comparing stories with the class will make them relate more to you and they will enjoy your company.

2. USE PROPS! Bring in puppets or dolls or anything you find necessary or appropriate for your classroom. Every grade level will enjoy doing skits especially when they get to use a prop. People will become more comfortable in your class and have fun. They will also show what they learned in class without listening to you lecture them on the topic and the information will stick in their head. The class will always remember those skits and talk about them years later.

3. Socratic Seminar. By using a Socratic Seminar your class will debate a topic while you take a backseat and allow them to run the discussion. Not only will the students learn and give their opinions but it will make your job easier. You may be surprised to see how great Socratic Seminars are and how much your students will enjoy them. IF YOU DON'T USE THEM, YOU ARE LETTING YOUR CLASS DOWN! Do not be afraid to try something new and go outside the box with Socratic Seminar.

4. Be funny, tell jokes. Start the class off with a joke you think your class will enjoy and get a crack out off. Obviously it must be something appropriate and if possible relate it to the topic for the day. For example, "What do you call 10 rabbits walking backwards?... A receding hare line," let the class laugh about it and maybe even make fun of yourself about your hair. Then your can go on to say "Today we will be talking about the effects of age on the body." Not only does it make the class laugh but it was good way to get their attention on the topic.

5. Current Events. Use current events to get your class started on a discussion. It will not be a homework assignment but you will give them a few minutes to write down or think about a question on a current topic. The topic must be appropriate but you will be surprised how much students will enjoy talking about their side of the story. Make sure the topic may not become very controversial and if you find out it is cut the discussion short.

After reading this article your Health Class will be the talk of the school. If you incorporate these new 5 fun techniques into your classroom your students will be excited for your class and have fun while learning. Do not hold anything back and do not be afraid to go out of the box.

Valuable Ways Orthopedic Surgeons Heal Their Patients

From childhood to old age whenever you have an unexplained pain, discomfort or injury, you quickly learn that you don't leave anything to chance; you have to notify someone that can help you. Typically the first doctor you will see is your general physician; however, when the aches, pains, tears, brakes or fractures occur to the musculoskeletal network you will be referred to one of your area's board certified orthopedic surgeons. He or she specializes in using x-ray data, physical examination and surgical knowledge in combination with their extensive education and continued research to determine how they can apply their surgical or non-surgical techniques and tools to your condition. They offer diagnosis, treatment and management methods for musculoskeletal trauma, congenital disorders, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors, and sports injuries. You need your muscles and your bones to not only comfortably but effortlessly sit, stand, walk, run, play and communicate, to whatever degree your birth intended and whatever degree age will allow; there is no reason to allow your body's mechanisms to diminish before its time. There are several ways that your body can come to ail you and there are several means to repair and overcome the processes of age or disease and orthopedic surgeons can help.

Orthopedic surgeons treat your musculoskeletal variations for the variety of ways that it impacts the bones, muscles, joints, tendons and nerves. These doctors do not work alone; they are often accompanied by neurosurgeons as well. They understand that musculoskeletal complications can begin as early as during development with congenital disorders ranging from clubfoot, dwarfism or pectus excavatum, which a condition where the upper chest is inverted causing a physical abnormality but also some shortness of breath during physical activity because of the lack of room for lung expansion. A few of the musculosckeletal traumas that one can encounter includes, a fall or accident that combines complex injury to the bones, muscles, joints and tendons. These injuries include rotator cuff tears, compound brakes, or fractures along the vertebrae. Infections and tumors affecting the muscles, bones or joints can sadly occur at any age; however, an orthopedic surgeon can help to preserve musculoskeletal strength and use for post-op success. Whether you are lucky enough to avoid all of those instances, there is always the effects of aging coming with time, where degenerative diseases like osteoporosis or arthritis gradually destroys the bones and joints. But regardless of a patients pre-existing condition or recent injury there are tools, devices, techniques and non-surgical regenerative medicine and physical therapy to help you overcome and work with what you have.

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5 Tips To Help You Achieve Your Ideal Fitness Goals

You have just signed up for that super platinum gym membership... or not, but you have decided to start your workout regimen to lose some weight and get healthier for 2012. Every year, we all become well-meaning and go about making resolutions that are destined for failure because we do not have a plan of attack. Here are 5 tips which may be just what the doctor ordered to help you in your quest to lose weight.

1. To begin with, you have to set realistic weight loss goals, both short and long term. The ideal fitness goals for you must be attainable, especially in the short term to create some successes which will motivate you for the longer term goals.

Remember that you did not gain weight overnight, so don't expect lose it withhn a short period. Your body will burn fat at varying rates depending on your metabolism. Some weeks you will lose more than others but over the long haul, you should average about 2 pounds per week.

2. Be specific. How much weight do you want to lose by the end of the year (12 months)? How many pounds (a specific number) do you want to lose? This is your ultimate weight loss goal. How do you get there? Divide your specific number by 12 (12 months) and that's your goal per month. Divide that result by 4 and that's your weekly goal. Now, forget about your 12 month goal and focus on the weekly number that is more manageable.

Question: How do you eat an elephant?
Answer: One bite at a time.
The key is bite-size pieces. Get my drift?

3. It is most important to find a "why" ...the reason you want to lose the weight. It must be your why and nobody else's. You are doing this for you. It's not enough to say that being overweight is an unhealthy condition. That's too clinical. It must be EMOTIONAL and PERSONAL. There is a paradox in that making it personal, may involve other important people in your life, such as a spouse, kids or grand kids. Making it emotional and personal will undoubtedly motivate you to follow through to your stated weight loss goal.

4. You need to write down your goals which should include milestones, which in your case would be weight loss and due dates. If you just keep it in your head, it becomes only a wish. It is also important to post it where you can see it at all times and someone, whom you trust, could be a workout buddy, must know about your goals so you can be accountable to someone other than yourself.

5. Find someone to be accountable to during your quest. This should be someone whom you trust to get you up when you don't feel like working out or call when you feel that you are straying from the planned path. This person will be that little guy on your shoulder reminding you why you are doing what you are doing.

Your good health is the most important gift you can give to yourself and your loved ones. It is, therefore, your responsibility to ensure that you deliver. You will need some help in that regard. It is always easier to follow in the footsteps of someone who has gone before. The Ideal Fitness System is a blueprint you can use to achieve your fitness goals.

Your quest to lose weight should not be too stressful which would be counterproductive because stress does produce the chemical, cortisol which contributes to weight gain around the mid-section. Rather endeavor to make it fun which will encourage you to persevere to the end. Your mantra should be FUN... FUN... and more FUN.

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The Dangers of Aspartame Toxicity

Your body needs food for energy and so that you can stay alive. But occasionally, in the incorrect proportion and ratio, food can be destructive. As a matter of fact, there can be some foodstuffs that directly affect somebody's vigour. Some foods may even result in lowered longevity. To maintain a healthy life, you should know the hazardous foods that should be avoided. One particular instance is artificial sweetener, or as we frequently call it, aspartame.

The composition of aspartame is the following: 50% phenylalanine, 40% aspartic acid, and 10% methanol. Aspartame is composed of two amino acids. Methanol is a wood alcohol that binds the 2 acids together. It is also highly toxic, especially given that it can break down into formaldehyde, the fluid used in embalming. Another possibly dangerous spin-off of methanol is formic acid or ant sting toxin.

Did you know that aspartame was permitted by the FDA in 1981 as safe? Sounds great, right? On the other hand, before this year, individuals that used aspartame have complained about it being toxic. When FDA finally approved it as a great sweetener for slimming, there are individuals that still remember what unwanted side effects if could induce. Yes, the aspartame unintended effects are still there. Aspartame toxicity is real and it could victimize a person. First off, you need to know that aspartame is not really a no-calorie sweetener. It is thought of as no-calories since of the FDA's definition of a commodity being no-calorie if it consists of less than 5 calories.

And aspartame has four. So if you add 2 packs of this no-calorie sweetener in the beverage, that means 8 calories unknowingly added to your diet. It may be enough to upset your daily calorie count if you utilize more than 5 packets during the day.

As many refined goods utilize aspartame instead of sugar, it's more complicated to approximate a real calorie count. You don't know how many they add to attain that sweet taste that you simply love.

Synthetic products just like aspartame may have uncontrolled negative effects that you do not know about. Obesity and diabetes are two of the possible circumstances you may get from not being careful with sweets loaded with aspartame. Some research studies listed 90 different negative effects of aspartame poisoning. An aspartame side-effect, named diketopiperazine, has been linked with brain cancers. Sometimes, your body tells you you've eaten something noxious and you do not know about it. Some indications may be memory loss, lack of sleep, depressive disorders and mood swings. Always make sure if there's aspartame in the goods you use every day.

Click here to learn extra regarding aspartame poisoning. Check the page for further knowledge regarding herbal remedies.

Curing Yeast Infections Naturally Through Food

A yeast infection, known in medicine as candidiasis, is a common infection caused by a fungus that affects approximately three in four women at some point in their lives.

The human body, if uncared for, is a mecca for bacteria, fungus and other pathogens (harmful living organisms). Yeast infections almost always occur in areas of the human body, which are warm, moist from sweat or other bodily fluids.

While there is never an absolute with infections, research has determined that the most commonly effected areas are the vagina, the mouth, the nail beds (higher rate at the toes), and a few specific areas of the skin. Certain kinds of infections also affect the Gastrointestinal tract (stomach and intestines).

The human body already has a certain amount of this type of yeast growing on it; however it is in such minute amounts that it is harmless. The primary reason for it being benign is the presence of bacteria in your body that keeps this yeast in check. When there is a bacterial imbalance caused by the use of antibiotics for some illness, the yeast can overwhelm the bacteria through growth and eventually lead to a yeast infection. Other causes include hormonal imbalance caused by the use of birth control pills and pregnancy, high blood sugar levels, stress, insufficient or poor nutrition, steroids and even things that one might not consider at all, like wearing tight clothing or coming into contact with certain chemicals.

Common symptoms experienced by women who suffer from a yeast infection are problems in digestion (mainly due to the bacterial imbalance), a white coating in/or around the mouth, itch around the vagina, chronic fatigue and the oozing of fluids from the vagina.

While curing yeast infection women make a general mistake. They use lotions, drugs and various creams that for the time being do cure the infection, or at least it appears as such, but in actuality all these cures really do is counter the symptoms like an itch around the vagina or cure the digestive problem. A study shows that 97% of all market cures only provide a temporary solution and not a permanent cure. The more permanent cure lies not in these items but in your food. Your diet can help prevent and cure any existing yeast infection.

According to studies conducted by the University of Maryland Medical Center or UMMC, some of the best remedies for curing a yeast infection lie in the food you consume. The UMMC study suggests that a patient can reduce the current infect and prevent any future ones through reducing the sugar in his/her diet. The study further points out that consuming yogurt, which is rich in probiotics (healthy bacteria that controls yeast population in check), can help towards curing a yeast infection. Other item like nuts, garlic, fish, whole grains, cinnamon, oregano, berries, olive leaf, Pau'darco rich tea, citrus fruit rich in vitamin C and most cloves are a treasure trove for someone looking to cure and in the future prevent yeast infections.

The use of such food will definitely help cure any yeast infection however one must also be careful in avoiding things that might help the infection grow. One must deny the infection a favourable place to grow by avoiding wearing moisture trapping nylon. Try using more airy clothing, like loose fitting underwear made of cotton that will not produce heat through friction against your skin. Do not at any given point in your treatment share a towel with any one since the infection can and will travel from it. Use and wash your own clothing and other toiletries. Taking all the above mentioned food items and precautions should cure your infection and prevent any future infections.

For additional articles regarding the topic of Yeast Infection, please visit Yeast Infection Fast Relief.

Diet, Exercise, and Consistency

CONSISTENCY IS THE KEY TO SUCCESS When was the last time that you obtained something that was of value without hard work? My guess is that it rarely if ever has happened. I have heard more times than I care to count the phrase: I've tried everything to lose weight, and it just won't come off. What I want to say to them this is: 'Okay, tell me the last 100 actions you've taken to lose weight' (really the goal should be to lose FAT, but I digress). A common response would be, 'well, I haven't done a hundred things'. 'Okay, tell me the last 50'. 'Well, I haven't done 50'. 'Okay the last 25'. At this point, the point has been made, and they see where I'm going with it. The thing is, they haven't done 100 things, 50 things, 25 things, or even 5 things usually! Here's what most people have done:

1) Started a 'diet'. When I say 'diet' there was no structured plan, they didn't have a breakdown of macro's (carbs/fats/protein), and rarely do they even have a caloric goal. They just try to 'eat less'.

2) They set a goal to lose X lbs. (I'm not a big fan of this, and I'll go into why in a different article).

3) They go to the gym, walk on the treadmill for a half hour, try and work on a machine or two and head home.

4) The weekend comes along, and they fall off the wagon, and gorge, and when it comes time to weigh themselves, they haven't loss any weight. DIETS DON'T WORK they say! I CAN'T LOSE WEIGHT! In actuality all that has been done is they have developed poor habits, and frustrated themselves because they didn't have a plan. They have also convinced themselves that diets don't work, and they can't lose weight.

Here's the deal, the absolute most important piece of a body transformation is this:
CONSISTENCY. Consistently following a properly calculated diet, consistently following a properly laid out exercise program which entails resistance training and typically cardio (however depending on your goals, cardio may or may not be necessary, resistance training though ALWAYS is). I don't mean to beat up on those that have tried to lose fat and failed, I commend them for trying. I think it is great they have taken the initiative that is the first step. Heck, I was there myself a few years back. I would go to the gym five days a week, during the week my diet was on point, but the weekend came, and I would indulge a little here, a lot there, and guess what happened? I didn't get the results I wanted. I convinced myself that I couldn't lose the weight and get the body I wanted because I was cursed, or my body just didn't want to lose it or that I had poor genetics. Now, I know how full of garbage that is, and I was in complete denial. At one point, I decided enough is enough.

If somebody else can get ripped, so can I. So guess what happened? Over the next 14 weeks I went from 18% bodyfat down to 7.1% bodyfat. I didn't miss a single gym session. I didn't half-ass a single gym session; I didn't stray from my diet once. I wrote down everything I ate. I hit my calories and macros. In a word I was CONSISTENT and guess what happened? I got results! I don't say this to toot my own horn. I say it to impress upon you the importance of being CONSISTENT. It is frustrating that it took me 32 years to realize this ever important principle, but I'm just thankful I was able to figure it out. So I ask each of you this:

Can you honestly say to yourself that you are giving it 100%? Both with your diet and in the gym? I'll let you think about that for a bit. My next article will discuss HOW to design a diet & workout program. Till then, train hard, & stick to your diet.

Exploring Chronic Sinusitis Treatment and the Effects to Your Immune System

Every year people have to deal with sinusitis. Sinusitis is also known as sinus infection, is the inflammation of the sinus cavities. The sinuses are the air-filled pockets around your cheeks, nose and eyes. Some of the symptoms of sinusitis are pressure around the eyes, jaw pain, runny nose, bloody mucus, and dizziness. For most people these symptoms are acute. That means they have a sudden onset, and will go away with proper treatment. For others, those symptoms are always with them. For those people they need to find some form of Chronic Sinusitis Treatment.

There are several ways to treat sinusitis, both chronic and acute. One is with antibiotics. Medicines like Zithromax and Biaxin have a high success rate for getting rid of acute sinusitis. They get rid of the underlying infection. Once that's gone, there are no problems for the affected person. But, antibiotics do cause problems with a person's gastrointestinal tract. They also cause problems as they weaken the immune system. They also lose effectiveness after a while because they kill off some of the bacteria, but the ones that don't die just get stronger. Antibiotics can help acute sinusitis some, but they aren't good for a long-term Chronic Sinusitis Treatment.

Since antibiotics weaken the immune system, the suffer of chronic sinus infection keeps getting the infection back due to the breaking down of the immune system.

Many chronic sinusitis patients don't want to add chemicals into their bodies. They prefer to use a natural chronic sinusitis treatment. There are several to choose from. They range from using saline wash or spray in the sinuses or changing the environment. Saline solutions, either as wash or spray, moistens dried out tissues, and can kill bacteria. A simple saline spray can be bought at any pharmacy. Or there are products like a Neti pot that can be used to pour a saline wash into the nose.

For an environmental control for the chronic sinusitis sufferer, getting rid of dust and filtering the air helps a lot. An air purifier is an easy way to do it. It also helps to get rid of any allergies that might be causing the ongoing sinusitis.

Chronic sinusitis is defined as lasting 12 weeks or more, with no relief. Or a person who will have the infection coming back several times a year. Using a natural chronic sinusitis treatment can help a person get rid of it and get some relief for the affected person.

Some plant extracts have proven to be very helpful in fighting sinus infections for chronic sufferers since they do not affect the immune system, but rather concentrate only on the sinus area.

Natural remedies are a great alternative the harmful man made drugs that cause so many terrible side effect. After all, natural remedies were here before man made drugs.

If you are suffering from issues that are threatening your life, then by all means, you should be taking your doctor's advice. However there are many illnesses and pain causing issues that can be eliminated with the right combination of plant extracts.

Take a look at our site and see what others have to say about these incredible plant extracts and how they have helped their situation.

You can not loose anything because this all natural remedy comes with a full Money Back Guarantee. You will get immediate relief. Go take a look and see for yourself how this combination of plant extracts can help you with your sinusitis.

7 Tips for Using Isochronic Tones - Get the Most From Your Brainwave Entrainment Sessions

Using isochronic tones is an excellent way to access a variety of states of consciousness, and explore your full potential. Although isochronic tones are not yet as well known as binaural beats, they are more powerful and are becoming increasingly popular. If you're interested in seeing what isochronic tones can do for you, here are some tips to ensure that you get the most from them:

1. Listen regularly

For best results, you should listen to your isochronic tone recordings regularly, as the effects can be cumulative - like anything, you'll get better with prabtice! So do your best to set some time aside each day to listen! It might seem hard to make this time at first, but once you've got into the habit, you'll find you don't want to miss it. Isochronic tones can be kind of addictive!

2. Listen in a suitable environment

Following on from the above point, it's important to make sure you practice with your isochronic tones in a quiet environment where you won't be disturbed. So make sure that other people in the house know not to interrupt you, and try to keep kids and pets away for the duration of your practice.

You'll also want to wear comfortable clothing and have a comfortable surface to sit or lie down on. Sitting upright in a supportive chair might be the best option, as many people find that they drift off to sleep if they lie down. But it's best to experiment and find what works for you.

3. Use headphones if possible

One of the big advantages of isochronic tones over binaural beats is that they don't require the use of headphones. This is great news for those who can't use headphones for whatever reason, and it makes brainwave entrainment more accessible. However, if you can use headphones and have some handy, it's still a good idea to use them when listening to isochronic tones, as they do help to cut out external distractions, making the session more effective.

4. Get the volume right

Isochronic tones need to be audible to be effective. However you shouldn't make the mistake of turning the recording up too loud, as this can result in a headache. So make sure you listen at a comfortable volume, especially if you're using headphones.

5. Give it time

We talked about the importance of listening regularly above. Related to this is the need for patience and consistency - in other words, while many people do experience fantastic results from brainwave entrainment recordings the very first time they listen, this isn't always the case.

Does this mean the recording is a dud, or that brainwave synchronisation just doesn't work for you? Not necessarily. Sometimes it takes several sessions with a recording to begin to experience the full benefits. Also, some people appear to be more resistant to the effects of isochronic tones and other brainwave entrainment methods. If you're one of them, this doesn't mean it'll never work for you - just that you might need to give it more time and effort than others. Assuming you've obtained your recording from a reputable source, at least give it a few weeks of consistent use before writing it off.

You might also want to experiment with different technologies - if isochronic tones don't work as well as you'd hoped, try binaural beats instead.

6. Using isochronic tones for delta work?

Some brainwave entrainment recordings aim to take you down into the delta brainwave range (< 4 Hz), which is associated with bodily healing and very deep trance states. Some people claim that isochronic tones don't work for delta entrainment. While I think it's a bit much to claim that they don't work at all, what is certainly true is that many people find the sound of the isochronic pulses to be somewhat unpleasant and distracting in the delta frequency range, and find that binaural beats provide a more pleasant and effective experience.

So if you want to delve into the delta range, this is something to bear in mind. I think that as always, it's worth experimenting and seeing what works for you personally.

7. Use high quality recordings

It's very important to use good quality isochronic downloads from a reputable source. It's pretty easy to find isochronic tones online - a quick search will turn up various sites with downloads available, often for free. While there's some good stuff here, there's also a lot that's not so great.

So how do you sort the wheat from the chaff? One way is to download everything you find, and test it out. While it's true that nothing beats first-hand experience, it's also true that you won't necessarily experience great results the first time your listen (as discussed earlier), and that it can take time to get the full benefit of a recording. Do you really have a few weeks to devote to working with every recording you find? Imagine the frustration of trying out download after download, only to find that you don't get the results you want, and have just wasted even more time!

This problem can be avoided by using recordings that you know are of great quality to start with. I personally like using the alpha and theta meditation recordings from Brainwaves-T.U.S®, which is an integrated brainwave entrainment Android application with 80+ isochronic tones to explore your own potential!

Top 4 Teeth Whitening Bleach Options

Top 4 teeth whitening bleach options are discussed here to help acquire that killer smile that gives you confidence and happiness.

Teeth whitening refers to the act of restoring a tooth's natural color by removing dirt and debris using ordinary products such as toothpaste. Any product that is used to clean teeth is a whitener

You bleach teeth to whiten them beyond their natural color. The FDA allows the term 'bleach' to be used only when a product contains bleach. Sodium Peroxide or carbamide peroxide is an example of products that contain bleach.

You have 4 main options to whiten your teeth properly and safely. The four methods are discussed below.

1. In dentist's office whitening:

If your teeth are badly stained you may need an in-office whitening solution because a professional touch will produce the desired result safely. The main benefit of in-office whitening is the level of safety involved and the significant color change in a relatively short period of time. The process involves the use of controlled use of a high concentration peroxide gel which is applied to the teeth by a trained professional. He or she has to protect your gums with a paint-on rubber dam. In most cases this process will not take more than one hour to complete successful.

2. Home whitening kits:

Professionally dispensed take home tooth whitener kits is an option that is favored by most dentists because they believe that this solution will produce the best results in the long haul. Professionally dispensed take home kits contain an easy to use lower-density peroxide gel that can remain on the teeth for longer even overnight if need be. The lower the concentration of peroxide, the longer it can remain on your teeth safely. Custom made trays are used to apply the gel to the teeth.

3. Over-the-counter whitening option:

Compared with the other 2 options discussed above, this one is the cheapest. It involves the use of store bought tooth cleaning products that feature a bleaching gel with a density lower than that of the professionally dispensed take home kits. Over the counter kits may not whiten all the teeth because the gel is applied to the teeth via one-size-fits-all trays.

4. Zero peroxide teeth whitening:

All the 3 options discussed above involve use of chemical based tooth whiteners. Zero peroxide is a natural tooth whitener that does not contain dangerous chemicals in its composition. You will experience zero irritation and zero sensitivity teeth whitening. With this option you need only 20 minutes to have your teeth sparkling white. Zero peroxide is recommended by dentists because it's known to strengthen tooth enamel and prevent sensitivity.

For more information on teeth whitening bleach visit the author's website now.

The author is an expert in health and fitness with a bias on teeth whitening.

Universal Healthcare Reform on a Personal Level: Improving America and Ourselves

The United States is a great nation filled with great people. I love this country and for this very reason I continue to proudly serve as a member of the U.S. Armed Forces. I'm also a man who used to conduct research in the biotech field, worked as a physical fitness trainer, and have studied health and fitness for most of my life. It is from this background and the aforementioned reasons that I would like to postulate an idea: A healthy population can improve the economic health of the country.

Before delving into the ramifications of a healthy population in terms of economic effects, I think it prudent to briefly examine some of the detriments an unhealthy lifestyle can have on a large population. These negative effects are to include, but to not be limited to: rising health care costs, lost productivity, increased criminal activity and national security. Let us take a moment and look at these individually, their effects and how they could be mitigated for no additional cost to the taxpayer.

The costs of health care continue to rise and are projected to continue to do so, with "current" spending at approximately 17.6% of the GDP or $2.5 trillion (as of 2009). There are numerous reasons for these costs; including insurance fraud, an aging retirement community and rising drug costs. A growing percentage of these costs are self-induced. These self-induced issues often stem from obesity, smoking, and poor nutrition. The symptoms can range from high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, early onset diabetes, allergies, migraines, and even a variety of cancers. These issues place a burden on the medical system and existing federal programs. The list goes on, but I believe my point has been made. The self-inflicted problems facing the U.S.cannot be solved by trying to medicate our way out.

Studies have been done on productivity in multiple nations. While the U.S.remains a relatively productive nation, recent studies indicate that the amount of lost revenues is in the tens of billions. This is because of an accumulation of lost work days due to sick days, illness, and occupational injuries. This does not take into account lost productivity due to one's inability to focus or concentrate on key tasks over a period of time. Many of these illnesses and injuries could have been prevented or curtailed if the U.S. as a population were healthier. Numerous studies have shown that increased weight leads to greater strain on the body. A lack of exercise leads to reduced muscle mass, which makes it easier to be susceptible to injury. An improper diet of foods rich in fats and sugars is deficient in critical nutrients the body needs to maintain "normal" and healthy metabolic functions. This means that it is far easier to get sick and stay sick for longer. A lack of overall fitness also makes it easier to become injured by doing routine tasks. These injuries and sicknesses often require expensive medications and expensive surgeries to correct. A simple change in lifestyle could have dramatic effects in personal health, which would expand to the economic sector.

Increased criminal activity is an often overlooked effect of poor nutrition and an unhealthy lifestyle. Take it a step further and look at recent studies and it becomes even clearer. A study in the United Kingdom looking at the link between violent behavior and nutrition was conducted in 2006. This study arose from the knowledge that certain nutrients critical to optimal health are often lacking in more aggressive individuals. The study took a prison population and gave a certain segment vitamin supplements. There was a 37% drop in violent behavior among that group. The Dutch did a similar test with similar results. There have been other studies in relation to mental health, temperament and criminal behavior that have led to conclusions that were "common knowledge" in some societies in the past. Think how much could be saved with a less violent population in terms of prison costs, prosecutions, law enforcement, and the effects on the public perception of safety.

Lastly, an unhealthy population poses a threat to national security. According to a 2010 Mission Readiness report, 27% of 17 - 20 year olds are too overweight to join the military. Young men must have a body-fat percentage under 24% and women under 30% without a waiver (for the Army). Keep in mind these standards have been relaxed and that those percentages are typically considered overweight, bordering on obese by most texts. This challenge is exacerbated when one looks at drafting potential from the general populace. Being overweight is not the only detriment to national security. A more loose connection can be made between an individual's ability to concentrate and retain information and the overall levels of nutrients and exercise the individual receives. One then only needs to look at typical school diets, to see how performance in education is affected by the affliction of poor overall fitness. This lack of educational prowess has lead to more than 23% who cannot pass the ASVAB (basic test of math, science and reading to get into military). One study shows stronger than anecdotal evidence that an improved diet and exercise lead to increased student performance.

After seeing the profound effects that an unhealthy population can have on multiple facets of our society, it only makes sense to address the fundamental and underlying issues. The fixes, although challenging on a personal scale, are very modest on a national level and are ridiculously simple and cheap to implement. If individuals can reduce the amounts of fatty and refined foods they consume. If one can modestly increase the amount of fruits and vegetables they eat. Last, if individuals drink more water and combine all of this with mild exercise and proper sleep; there could be profound effects. These effects could ripple across the country in a positive wave of benefits that could increase productivity, reduce our need for expensive medications, reduce aggressive behaviors and make more people eligible for our armed forces. This would translate into a reduced need for medical benefits, a reduced need for a variety of social services and increased productivity in the work place meaning greater profits. All of which could spur an economic recovery. This costs nothing to the nation, but requires a personal commitment and realization that small incremental changes are possible, a type of Plenary Fitness for the masses.

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How To Become A Personal Trainer

Health and fitness have been taking the centre stage for every one round the world. With the current scenario of everyone being short on time due to a hectic schedule, dependence on junk food has enormously increased. Hence to keep fit it becomes imperative to work-out and exercise with a proper technique. A lot of people prefer to have a personal trainer to ensure that their regime is well guided. So if one is looking forward to be a personal trainer and make it is his/her profession then s/he can be rest assured that s/he will make good amount of money and also be in demand at the same time.

Now that one decides to become a personal trainer the first question that comes to one's mind will be - How to become a personal trainer? Nowadays, there are a number of institutes that have incorporated to impart training & qualification to those candidates who are keen on building their career in the fitness industry. These institutes have well versed trainers who not only train you on the physical fitness but also make you aware about the various health technologies introduced in the industry to keep one fit and healthy. These institutes are equipped with the latest machines and tools which work on various parts of the body. These machines are easy to use and hence anyone would feel that they could work-out the way they want to, which is not right. As a part of this course the trainer co-ordinator will rightly guide you as to how to use these machines effectively and also make sure that in the midst of working out one is not hurting one's body by any means. Thus, you as a personal trainer are well trained on every minute aspect of working out by these professionals.

There are a lot of courses on how to become a personal trainer available online as well. These online courses are easy to access and are also managed to be completed in a short duration. These courses are planned by professionals and one can completely rely on them. By the help of these online courses you can easily become a certified personal trainer which enables you to have a strong profile in the industry and thus promises a sound career.

But if you are bothered about not being practically trained at all then don't be. There are some institutes which understand the need of practical training over and above the certifications achieved through these online courses. These institutes offer a blend of online courses which is also known as e-learning plus practical training to make sure that the candidate is well trained in every aspect of fitness.

One such training institute is Future Fit located in the UK. Amongst the most experienced and professional training providers of the UK is Future Fit, which along with e-learning also provides practical training sessions at a lot of places in the UK. To access more information on how to become a personal trainer, one can log on to futurefit.co.uk and choose from the various available options.

We provide courses that lead to nationally recognised qualifications for Fitness Courses, Personal Training Courses and Fitness Instructor Courses.For more deatils on How to become a personal trainer visit our website www.futurefit.co.uk

Good Health Leads To A Good You

A person's health is of utmost importance to him or her. Health is basically defined as the complete and definitive mental, physical and social well-being of a human being. Being in good health simply means that the person is free from any disease and is in good shape. The World Health Organization has stated that a healthy person must fit perfectly in all three aspects that have been mentioned above; physical, mental and social. This trio is sometimes also called the health triangle. According to diagnosticians, there are a few critical and key factors that determine whether a person is healthy or in a same mind. A few of those key factors include, firstly a person's biological health, the person's development as a child, the social and external environment the person grew up in, education, income, literacy, lifestyle, social networks of the person, the culture the person lives in and personal health practices conducted by the person in the form of exercise, diet, yoga, training or any other physical activity undertaken to keep the person fit.

One can maintain health at a very personal level so as to escape from the many deadly diseases found. The first and most important thing that comes into consideration is a person's personal hygiene. If one doesn't keep oneself clean, by bathing on a regular basis, brushing teeth, washing hands, keeping the environment they live in clean and basically avoiding anything that could harm their body, they are bound to fall sick. Health is a very critical matter, since your health makes or breaks you. A healthy person has all the happiness in the world, but a sick person is dependent on others to provide him or her with basic care, which leads to mental instability as well.

Your health also depends greatly on the relationships that you have, meaning how strongly intact your social life is. If all your relationships are going well and you do not have social interactions issues i.e. mingling with others, having a group of people sharing similar interests, this shows that you are in good mental health. If a person shows deteriorating social relationships, this shows that the person is unstable and has self esteem issues, which can lead to development of mental illnesses such as depression, alienation and stress. Your biological health is directly related to your mental and social health, since stress has been known to cause a number of biological diseases.

Motivation - 10 Steps to Achieving Your Goals

Motivation is a fundamental requirement for us to achieve our goals. How well and fast we achieve our goals is based on how motivated we are. When a person is trying to achieve goals it is important to try to find the motivation to attain them efficiently and effortlessly. Since we are all interested in health and fitness, it is easy to use motivation within exercise content.

1. When changing your lifestyle do not make too many changes at once. Start gradually and get used to those changes. It is much easier to give up smoking or drinking, than to give up both at the same time. Or it is much easier to exercise twice a week rather than setting an initial goal of exercising 4-5 times a week.

2. When you are making a lifestyle changes try not to leave gaping holes within your lifestyle. If you are giving up smoking or drinking, try to occupy your time doing other things to take your mind off the cravings.

3. If you find it difficult to keep with the new lifestyle, rather than give up and go back to your old ways, try something else. It is not a crime to get bored of something. Only when you are happy and satisfied with what you are doing will you achieve your goals.

4. When changing your lifestyle, try to get a friend or loved one to do it with you. A problem shared is a problem halved. It is much easier to start an exercise programme with a friend; you have someone to talk through your experience with and what you are achieving.

5. If you have a particular interest or hobby, try and base the changes around something that you like doing. If you want to get fit then this method will not only help you achieve your goals but increase your skill level as well.

6. Reward yourself for achieving short term goals along the way. There is nothing more satisfying than going to the shops and treating yourself.

7. With certain changes, you can allow yourself to indulge so that you're not cutting everything out of your lifestyle right away. You can indulge your passion when you have achieved short term goals.

8. If you have many changes that you would like to make to your lifestyle, then choose one that is most easy to achieve first. Many of us have a number of things we would like to change about ourselves. Take the easiest one first and work your way up to the most difficult one. Achievements come in small steps until you start to get going and build up motivation.

9. Focus on the positive aspects of what you are trying to achieve and not the negative aspects. When you feel yourself starting to flag or get bored, reflect on what you have already achieved.

10. As with everything, achieving change is not easy. The better you research and plan how you are going to change, the more you will know and the easier it will be. When planning a lifestyle change it is important to look at the way you are going to achieve your goals.

One of the main factors in a lifestyle change such as getting fit or losing weight is the major change to a lifestyle that we are happy and comfortable with. To sustain a change takes determination, but when you have achieved your goals you feel as if you are conquering the world.

For more free videos and articles about nutrition, exercise ideas, information and tips, go to http://www.fitnessologyrevolution.com. You will get regular updates with the latest information that you can use today to get you from where you are, to where you want to be. This is practical information that can really make a big difference to your health and your life.

What Is Dandruff And What Are the Main Factors That Cause It?

If you ever wonder what dandruff really is and like to dig deeper to what the cause is, then there's more to it than just the old myth of bad hygiene. Its natural build-up may have been overlooked by many; however, it can have a long term effect if ignored or not treated properly.

Dandruff affects 50% of the world's adult population (can occur on infants too), is one of the common problems affecting individual's social and physical behavior. It is sometimes called scurf, a skin disorder that builds up during regeneration of the scalp's skin. Normally, old skin cells are replaced by new skin once a month without being visible to the naked eye. With dandruff infested scalp, old skin peels off rapidly and can be distinguished through their flaky formation. Basically, skin regeneration or flaking happens before old skin cells die out. This is why large skin scales are visible when having dandruff problems.

Dandruff attacks in two ways: internally or externally, or it could even be both simultaneously.

Factors of Internal Dandruff:

    * Fungus and bacteria leading to skin inflammation and allergies
    * Irregular hormonal activities
    * Weak Immune System
    * Heredity
    * Emotional stress

Most common fungus:

    * Malassezia - is a normal human scalp thriving-fungus that can cause dandruff if one of its species like Malassezia furfur disposes waste lipids that can cause irritation to the scalp skin or inflammation called Seborrheic Dermatitis. If individual's scalp is sensitive to their lipid wastes, then they are likely to encounter severe itchiness and flaking of the skin.
    * Factors of external dandruff:
    * Skin Inflammation due to strong chemical compounds found in certain hair styling products
    * soap or shampoo residues
    * weather

Most common skin inflammation caused by active ingredients:

    * Contact Dermatitis - an allergic reaction of the skin that can cause inflammation triggered by strong chemical compounds found in anti-dandruff shampoos, hair dyes, hair colors, and other hair treatments.

Dandruff easily attacks on sweaty and oily scalp. These excess normally creates flakes in cold weather resulting in dandruff build-up. Same happens with soap residues as they cause the skin to peel off if improperly washed. Besides washing, it is best to thoroughly comb the hair on a regular basis too.

Signs of Dandruff attack:

    * Itchy scalp
    * Irritating skin
    * Soreness in the scalp
    * Reddish skin spots
    * Flakes

If you are suffering from dandruff, there are several ways to prevent it from causing further build-up: anti-dandruff shampoo remedies and herbal home remedies

Active ingredients in anti-dandruff shampoos:

    * zinc pyritheone
    * Tar based shampoos
    * salicylic acid
    * selenium sulfide

Home & herbal remedies

    * olive oil
    * baking soda.
    * lemon or lime juice
    * tea tree oil
    * thyme
    * white vinegar
    * apple cider vinegar
    * baby oil
    * fenugreek seeds
    * Aloe Vera
    * milk of magnesia

Active ingredients and other anti-fungal agents in many dandruff shampoos have always been effective in slowing down skin cell regeneration and reduce fungus formation. They are quite effective; however, they can cause allergies and inflammatory reaction of the skin. The reaction normally occurs on individuals with hyper-sensitive skin. Therefore, herbal and home remedies are a safer way for them to treat dandruff. If problem persists, dermatologists do have special ointments and medications to treat those.

Skin cells normally regenerate and shed off old skin. It is unlikely for fresh skin to flake off, accompanied with chronic irritations. These are likely symptoms of dandruff in progress. If problem continues, you can always consult with your doctor, apply dandruff shampoo, try other dandruff remedies and avoid other contributing factors. It is best to treat it early, before they can affect other parts of the scalp area.

Tonya L. Berryhill is a writer who specializes in dandruff problems and dandruff remedies. You can check out her website at Dandruff-Remedies.com for further information on What Dandruff Is and how to find solutions.

Stroke Prevention: How to Create Your Strategy

It's one of the worst fears - that the niggling little headache is really the beginning of something horrendous - a stroke. You begin picturing how you'll manage if you're paralyzed, unable to speak, unable to walk or even more, or worse - you'll end up dead.

Statistically speaking, it's entirely possible - after all, strokes are one of the leading causes of death. Referred to in medical parlance as "cerebral vascular accidents, or CVA's, and now often called "brain attacks", by whatever name they are labeled, they leave in their wake a path of devastation, disability and death. In the United States, strokes are the leading cause of adult disability. And, they're on the rise. About three quarters of a million occur each year and one third of these people die.

Who in their right mind would sign up for such a fate? Clearly, putting a good stroke prevention strategy in place is a smart move. But what to do?

First, understand what stroke is: The arteries going to your brain from your heart and the veins that return it are like a hose carrying fluid (blood). Strokes can occur either because of a problem in the hose, such as it leaking or breaking, or a problem that blocks the flow of the fluid. Therefore your stroke prevention strategy needs to have two aspects:

    * keeping the internal "hoses" in strong, open and in good repair, and
    * keeping the fluid moving through them thin enough to flow well not to create blockages.

To keep the "hoses" strong and in good repair, certain nutrients are key. Since arterial walls are made of connective tissue, health practitioners may recommend products that help build, repair and strengthen connective tissue, such as;

    * magnesium, which helps relax constricted smooth muscle inside the arterial "hoses"
    * whole food concentrate vitamin E, or
    * products rich in the "P' factors of the vitamin C complex, such as bioflavonoids
    * a high quality omega -3 oil that will pick up and carry minerals out of your and allow them to either be used or eliminated instead of settling in and hardening your arteries - a clear set up for a stroke.
    * herbs that strengthen connective tissue, such as Gotu Kola
    * dietary changes that reduce inflammation, which narrows the internal open space (lumen) of the "hose".

To keep the fluid moving through the arterial "hoses"and thin enough to flow readily. This means creating a strategy that prevents your platelets - blood cells that play a critical role in bleeding - from becoming 'sticky' and developing into clots. Once clots form, they block the flow inside the hose (arterial flow), cutting off the blood supply to your brain and resulting in the second kind of stroke.

Many health practitioners have had excellent success with nutritional products that assist protein digestion, Typically these protein digesters, when used as digestive aids, are taken with meals. However, when taken for stroke prevention, they should be taken between meals, on an empty stomach. How does this work?

Since clots are made of the protein fibrin, the enzymes in protein digesters help break down the fibrin-based clots and plaque in human arteries. This has been demonstrated to work in rabbits, where the product used was bromelain, an extract from pineapple that helps break down protein.

When poor arterial flow results from the body having difficulty recycling its fluid wastes, there can be a number of factors at play. Here are some of them along with strategies that can address them:

1. Poor digestion in the stomach, suggesting that dietary changes may be needed so that foods ingested are those that benefit your particular body. Digestive aids may also need to be taken with meals;

2. Clogged kidneys that are having difficulty filtering wastes, suggesting a need for nutritional and herbal products that help break down the molecules that are clogging the tiny filtration tissues of the kidneys;

3. Toxic bowel, one of the factors at play when blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels are high, suggesting a need for products that acidify the intestines, increase presence of healthy "bugs" or flora that clean up the environment, high chlorophyll-containing products (especially because they neutralize the highly toxic guanidine produced in the toxic bowel, etc.;

4. Too much calcium in the blood stream rather than in the bones and tissues where it is needed, suggesting omega 3 fatty acid support, or possibly nutritional support for the parathyroid gland;

5. Old, indigestible iron in the blood, suggesting a need for products high in phosphorus and other particular minerals that tend to alkalinize the body and remove the iron;

6. Stone formation, which is the body's way of attempting to remove from circulation materials such as calcium, iron, protein (uric acid), bile, metals, drugs, and junk food and synthetic vitamins. Stone formation suggests the need for a combination of products that may include choline, phosphorus, and bile thinners; and

7. Chemical contamination, which thickens and slows blood flow, as in mercury toxicity (secondary to leaking silver amalgam dental fillings, or consuming contaminated fish, for example), pesticide residue, etc. This situation suggests strategies that support the body in cleaning up the contamination, which need to be targeted to the specific contamination.

Note: these strategies are presented as summaries for educational purposes only and are not intended as substitutes for medical care. Always consult your health practitioner before embarking on a course of action. The best stroke prevention strategy is one that is both informed and targeted, meaning it's based not only on knowledge about strokes and their treatment in general, but also about your body in particular. Making such an investment could save your life.

You can bolster your physical, emotional, spiritual, and social well-being with free expert, insider tips to guide you. You're invited to subscribe and request your topic at http://www.betterhealthbytes.com/Ask-About-Health.html.

Healthcare Management - A Career in Healthcare Without a Medical Degree

Healthcare is an expanding industry. The need for qualified doctors and medical staff in hospitals will continue to increase as will the need for skilled managers to run them.

Hospital managers or healthcare administrators plan, coordinate and manage the business related activities within a hospital or medical practice and ensure proper delivery of services. This includes activities such as creating and supervising work schedules and managing finances. Individuals that choose this career path usually have sympathetic personalities and genuinely want to help others. They also need to display good interpersonal skills and leadership ability as directing and motivating others forms a key part of the position.

On an academic level, entry into this field requires at least a bachelor's degree and most healthcare management professionals hold a master's degree in health administration, health sciences or business administration. Graduates generally begin their careers as administrative assistants and move on to become managers, administrators or department heads once they've gained some experience.

The number of hospital administrators present in a hospital will vary and depend to a large extent on the size of the facility. A larger medical facility may have an administrator that's responsible for each department i.e. nursing, physical therapy and patient records. In smaller facilities there may only be one administrator that takes care of all activities across the board, either on their own or with the help of an assistant. For this reason it can be more beneficial for graduates to start out at a smaller facility to get a more hands on experience across all departments.

Hospital administrators need to keep up to date on industry development and regulations to ensure that their medical practice stays compliant. The provision of safe healthcare and accreditation of institutions is one area where standards and regulations are enforced strictly. Accreditation as a practice aims to minimize and prevent the occurrence of human error through standards development and incident reporting. In South Africa, medical professionals across all areas of specialization need to be registered with the Health professions council before they are allowed to practice.

According to the US Bureau of labor statistics, projected growth of this career field between 2010 and 2020 is 22 percent (which is considered faster than average across all occupations). The median annual wage of health service managers in 2011 was $86,400. According to Pay scale, starting salaries usually range from $35,000 - $95,000 a year while more experienced healthcare managers can earn over $200,000 a year.

For anyone considering a career in healthcare management, strong management and leadership skills are essential.

5 Steps for Preparing an Advanced Healthcare Directive.

An advanced healthcare directive made out to tackle any health problems will kick in the event where you are temporarily or permanently unable to make your own decisions due to any physical or mental conditions. Such a directive should be made thoughtfully, and if you want it to be truly effective, the following steps will tell you how.

• Plan the Contents: The first and most important thing when setting out to make an advanced directive is to decide how you want your treatment to be handled for the period when you cannot take a call. Your wishes can be generalized for accidents or ill-health or can specify particular ailments and medications, and the extent to which invasive treatment or life-sustaining techniques should be administered or even end-of-life wishes. The content will vary depending on your age, unique circumstances, or any particular wishes that you may have.

• Type of Directive: Next you will have to choose the kind of directive you want to have. You can make a set of instructions referred to as a living will or can appoint an agent or proxy to take decisions on your behalf by creating a power of attorney specifically for healthcare. However the most effective way is to combine both in the advanced directive to make it more effective in different conditions.

• Communicate: Before you finalize the directive you must talk to your doctor or any healthcare personnel who will not only tell you about the different aspects of such a directive but also the pros and cons of specific treatments, and how they can affect you in the future. In addition to the doctor you must speak with your family and take them into complete confidence so that there is no confusion when the time comes.

• Preparing the Directive: Once your mind is clear you can proceed to put down your directive on paper. At times a state may have a set of advanced healthcare directive forms that you can fill, but these may be too generalized in which case you can create your own directive to be more specific and customized. Most directives will require your signature along with those of two other witnesses, however you must find out for any other requirement of your particular region. Personnel at the healthcare facility can provide you with the proper guidance or may alternatively direct you to professionals who are well trained for such purposes.

• Pass on the Directive: The last but equally important step is to provide the concerned people with a copy of the directive. Ask your doctor to place the directive in your medical file so that anyone dispensing treatment at that time will be aware of your wishes. Also make sure your appointed agent has one and is thoroughly briefed about the contents. Finally make sure your family or close friends have a copy too.

One more thing to remember is that the advanced healthcare directive is a document that can be changed whenever you wish. Periodically you must review its contents and make the necessary changes to maintain its effectiveness.

For more information, please visit our advance healthcare directive training website.