Asthma (Az-muh) is a chronic disease that affects your airways. The airways are the tubes that carry air in and out of your lungs. If you have asthma, the inside walls of your airways are inflamed (swollen). The inflammation (IN-fla-MAY-shun) makes the airways very sensitive, and they tend to react strongly to things that you are allergic to or find irritating. When the airways react, they get narrower, and less air flows through to your lung tissue. This causes symptoms like wheezing (a whistling sound when you breathe), coughing, chest tightness, and trouble breathing, especially at night and in the early morning.

Asthma cannot be cured, but most people with asthma can control it so that they have few and infrequent symptoms and can live active lives.

When your asthma symptoms become worse than usual, it is called an asthma episode or attack. During an asthma attack, muscles around the airways tighten up, making the airways narrower so less air flows through. Inflammation increases, and the airways become more swollen and even narrower. Cells in the airways may also make more mucus than usual. This extra mucus also narrows the airways. These changes make it harder to breathe.

Illustration showing anormal airway and an airway in a person with asthma.

Asthma attacks are not all the same—some are worse than others. In a severe asthma attack, the airways can close so much that not enough oxygen gets to vital organs. This condition is a medical emergency. People can die from severe asthma attacks.

So, if you have asthma, you should see your doctor regularly. You will need to learn what things cause your asthma symptoms and how to avoid them. Your doctor will also prescribe medicines to keep your asthma under control.

Taking care of your asthma is an important part of your life. Controlling it means working closely with your doctor to learn what to do, staying away from things that bother your airways, taking medicines as directed by your doctor, and monitoring your asthma so that you can respond quickly to signs of an attack. By controlling your asthma every day, you can prevent serious symptoms and take part in all activities.

If your asthma is not well controlled, you are likely to have symptoms that can make you miss school or work and keep you from doing things you enjoy. Asthma is one of the leading causes of children missing school.

Although popularly we know it as lasik eye surgery it is also known as refractive this surgery or vision repair surgery. The last name describes the surgery best as it actually repairs one’s vision. What does is that it reshapes your cornea thereby allowing you to have normal vision without any external aid like glasses or contact lens. And recently there has been a lot of advancement in the field of this operation.They has been embraced by many a patient over the last decade to correct some specific eye defects. It has caught the imagination of people and has been gaining popularity every year. But this surgery does have its own effects and it varies from one patient to another. So before you actually decide on getting an operation done, you should always consider the pros and the cons.Basically this is used to cure three main types of eye conditions - myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism. Myopia, also know as nearsightedness is the problem of not being able to see what is far away without glasses. Hyperopia, also known as farsightedness, is the other way round. Astigmatism is something different where the patient has irregularities in his cornea which as a result distorts the image formed on the retina of the eye. After this surgery the need for glasses or contact lens will either be negated, or your dependency on them will be significantly reduced.But eye operation comes with its own set of risks and they should always be considered seriously before you actually sign-up for an operation. First of all, you will not be eligible for the operation if you are suffering from diabetes, glaucoma, cataracts, arthritis, and lupus. Even pregnant women are not eligible. With these conditions, undergoing surgery can cause permanent damage to your vision. Other problems that might be caused due to surgery are double vision, glare, and halo. One’s nighttime vision can also be affected, especially for certain operation procedures. Even permanent blurry vision and diminished contrast may be the effects of the surgery. We are not trying to imply that surgery is something that involves a lot of risks. All that we are saying is that you should properly educate yourself about the risks also so that you can take a considered decision.Some patients experience discomfort in the first 24-48 hours after surgery. Other side effects, although rare, may include:Glare, Seeing halos around images, Difficulty driving at night, Fluctuating vision, Dry eyes. The FDA has found no long-term side effects from laser eye surgery.Lasik surgery is too new to know if there are any long-term ill effects beyond five years after surgery.Before the surgery, your surgeon should explain to you the risks and possible complications, and potential side effects, including the pros and cons of having one or both eyes done on the same day. This is the “informed consent” process. If you experience aggravating or unusual side effects, report them to your doctor immediately.

Heart Attacks and drinking Warm Water

This is a very good article. Not only about the warm water after your meal, but about heart attacks. The Chinese and Japanese drink hot tea with their meals, not cold water, maybe it is time we adopt their drinking habit while eating.

For those who like to drink cold water, this article is applicable to you. It is nice to have a cup of cold drink after a meal. However, the cold water will solidify the oily stuff that you have just consumed. It will slow down the digestion. Once this “sludge” reacts with the acid, it will break down and be absorbed by the intestine faster than the solid food. It will line the intestine. Very soon, this will turn into fats and lead to . It is best to drink hot soup or warm water after a meal.

A serious note about heart attacks - You should know that not every heart attack symptom is going to be the left arm hurting. Be aware of intense pain in the jaw line.
You may never have the first chest pain during the course of a heart attack. Nausea and intense sweating are also common symptoms. 60% of people who have a heart attack while they are asleep do not wake up. Pain in the jaw can wake you from a sound sleep. Let’s be careful and be aware. The more we know, the better chance we could survive.
A cardiologist says if everyone who reads this message sends it to friends and colleagues, you can be sure that we’ll save at least one life .

Vitamins are a group of compounds that are used by the body in a variety of biological functions. Unfortunately, unhealthy eating habits and poor dietary concepts have meant that the food most Americans eat today is deficient in essential minerals and vitamins. The situation has been further compounded by the lack of awareness when it comes to vitamins, and people are often unaware that problems they are experiencing can be cured by consuming vitamin supplements. To better understand the role played by vitamin supplements in people’s everyday lives and why vitamin supplements are important, it is essential to understand the various vitamins needed by the body.
Vitamin A (Commonly known as Retinol)
Vitamin A is rich in foodstuffs like butter, lemon, sweet potatoes, carrots, collard greens, milk, beetroot, pumpkin, spinach, beef, apple, winter squash, apricots, cantaloupe melon, mango, liver, (beef, pork, chicken, turkey, fish) eggs, broccoli, and leafy vegetables. Deficiency of vitamin A causes numerous vision related problems and also causes unnatural graying of hair follicles. Cosmetically, Vitamin A supplements are used to improve the texture and strength of hair.
Vitamin B Complex
Vitamin B supplements are usually a mixture of more than one vitamin and commonly contain Vitamin B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9 and B12. Each vitamin mentioned above plays a unique role in the body’s functioning and deficiency of B vitamins can cause anything from mental health problems to anemia. B vitamins are also responsible for healthy skin and are recommended to people that are suffering from skin conditions like acne.
Vitamin C (Also known as Ascorbic Acid)
Popular sources of Vitamin C include oranges, lemons and other citrus fruits. Lack of Vitamin C was rampant among sailors in the early 18th century and caused a disease called scurvy. Vitamin C is also a potent anti-oxidant and is known to combat stress; vitamin C is also used extensively as an anti-aging agent. Vitamin C is also an additive to many face creams, toothpastes and other beauty products. Vitamin C supplements are one of the most commonly consumed vitamin supplements on the planet. Although Vitamin C is naturally found in many foodstuffs, processes like steam frying and pressure cooking usually destroy the vitamin C present in foodstuffs like chicken and meat.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is an essential vitamin for a healthy body; Vitamin D deficiency causes bone deformities and is essential for growing children. In adults, vitamin D is also responsible for healthy kidneys and fighting cancer and tumors. Most multi-vitamin supplements come with the necessary quantities of Vitamin D. Vitamin D is also responsible for healthy nails and skin (as it regulates the calcium metabolism).
Vitamin E
Vitamin E deficiency is very rare as even junk food is rich in vitamin E. The common sources of vitamin E are vegetable oils such as palm oil, sunflower, corn, soybean, and olive oil. Nuts, sunflower seeds, sea buckthorn berries, kiwi fruit, and wheat germ are also good sources of Vitamin E. Like vitamin C, vitamin E is also a potent anti-oxidant and is an additive in many beauty products (especially new age anti-ageing creams).
Role of vitamin supplements
Vitamin supplements are an essential means to help the body make up for the deficiency of essential vitamins. As mentioned earlier, people today experience a hectic lifestyle where cooking a nutrient rich and healthy meal is not always possible. A majority of the working class in the US does not have time to cook meals, and a majority of the body’s vitamin demands are now met by vitamin supplements. Most vitamin supplements are a mixture of essential vitamins like vitamin C, B and D. unless otherwise prescribed, multi-vitamin supplements are usually the best means of making up for the lack of vitamins in everyday meals. There are also ‘beauty supplements’ that have vitamins like vitamin C and vitamin D, however it is important to remember excess of vitamins can also be harmful to the body.

How to Prevent Headaches?

“Prevention is better than cure.” But the attack of headache is so sudden and violent, where is the time to prevent it?

Headache arrives unnoticed and ultimately departs and you forget everything, the causes of its arrival! You have never tried to analyze, why you are repeatedly having the bouts of headache. Preventing headache is not one of the items in your agenda.

You have to do certain things, follow certain regimen to get rid of yourself the headache problems. You just treat the pain, without going to its root causes. You believe you are an active, bright person. That was so, till 9.00 a.m. this morning and you were making brisk preparations to go to your office duty. Suddenly, you are confronted with a nagging, throbbing headache, which would not let you do anything! What can be done, except applying for a day’s leave? But, that has not solved the problem throughout the day, you suffer and suffer more. Will it be alright by tomorrow?

For the time being, you have solved the problem by taking antibiotics, but by evening again, it has resurfaced! This has happened to you a number of times in the past.

So, now you have to budget your time, according to your revised plans to live a head-ache free life!

From where do you start? Do proper exercise at a fixed time of the day. Try your best to live a tension-free life. Avoid stress. What causes the headache? Try to identify the factors. Is it food, alcohol or oversleeping? Yes, sleeping many times cures and at times causes headache. Taking pain killers so often, your body’s natural ability to fight the diseases may vanish if you test it with painkillers. Painkillers are not faithful health agents! They also suppress the pain, without affording it a permanent cure. And when the pain resurfaces, it will arrive with double force!

Herbal products and supplements have been proved to be effective in preventing headaches. Learn relaxation therapy from an expert yoga teacher. Some of the techniques those are bound to be helpful for you to prevent headaches are visualization, meditation, deep breathing exercises and many more. Daily practice of such techniques is a must.

Preventing headache is not a course of medicines, it is a discipline!

By: Jeff Foster..

If you are like me, this is a weakness of yours too. I digest way too much caffeine each day. I probably have at least six or more servings each day. More than I should consume in several days. I drink too much cola. That is my problem. Not only is it loaded with sugar, it has caffeine in it too.

A cup of coffee in the morning to get you going isn’t going to hurt. It can help you wake up and be more alert. It can help jump start your day into something worthwhile. Instead of feeling sleepy and tired. Though, if you drink too much caffeine, you can have the opposite effect that you are looking for. It can drain all of your energy and make you feel very tired. It can also cause you to have problems sleeping. This can be a very big problem.

You may not think of it as a problem, but it is. Caffeine is addictive. Yes, you can get hooked to it. I’m not saying that you will be like a crack head if you don’t get a cup of coffee. But anyone who is addicted to caffeine knows how it feels to get the shakes when you don’t have any in your system. This is the addictive qualities of it. You are shaking because you are going through withdraw. Your body is craving it and letting you know.

Indeed, caffeine is a great pick me up. That morning cup of coffee knocks the cobwebs off and puts a little extra bounce in your step. The key is that you use caffeine properly and don’t over do it. Side effects can develop when caffeine is overused. And certainly caffeine should never be used for a substitute for getting enough sleep. Particularly in situations where risk is involved such as driving over the road.

One of the keys to understanding the use of caffeine is how and when to use it. For example a little caffeine while up studying for an exam is a great way to give yourself a boost. On the other hand, if you’re feeling a bit tired and have to operate something that is potentially dangerous, then substituting caffeine for proper arrest is a bad idea.

First of all, avoid any food that’s high in sugar. Don’t grab a candy bar when you’re feeling sluggish. Don’t drink sodas at lunchtime. These types of foods may give you a boost in energy, but the momentary gain in energy is more than lost when your body crashes from the sugar or caffeine rush. Instead, try to keep some fruit on hand for when you are feeling a bit tired or sluggish. An apple in your desk at work or other fruit that you can easily eat is a much better source of energy and is healthier for you.

Drinking juice is another excellent way to add some needed energy. Although juices may be just a bit more expensive than sodas, your energy will be more stable not to mention you’ll be more healthy. Be creative with your juice drinks. Don’t be afraid to mix some of your favorite juices in different proportions to achieve a new flavor. There is absolutely no and to the types of juice drinks that you can make up and enjoy.

Opting for juice instead of caffeine and sugars will keep your energy at a much more constant state throughout the day. If you were to achieve this instead of drinking colas and sodas, you’ll find that you won’t suffer that feeling of being burnt out as much.

The important point to remember about caffeine is common sense and moderation. Having that morning cup of coffee is perfectly okay to do. Just don’t let any morning cup of coffee turn into multiple cups of coffee in the morning just to get you started. And above all and never substitute caffeine and sugars for sleep. Don’t ever falsely believe that you can readily revive yourself from being tired or overcome any state of tiredness by throwing caffeine at it. Particularly when it comes to driving a car. Caffeine for a quick pick me up is great, just know when it isn’t.

Article Source: http://www.articleyard.com

Information about the Author:

For more important information on diet and nutrition be sure to visit weight-loss-won.com where you will find diet help and tips on how to weight loss diet pills, and much more.

Hemorrhoids are one of the most widespread complaints of mankind. Almost all men and women suffer from hemorrhoids at some time in their lives. They can take place at any age, but the possibility of getting hemorrhoids increases drastically after age thirty.

According to a study, 50% of people older than 50 have experienced hemorrhoids at least once in their lives.

You can avoid hemorrhoids by following the following eight tips. However, you should remember that there is no guarantee they won’t develop at some stage.

1. Increase the fiber in your diet. Great sources of fiber are grains, cereals, legumes, lentils, nuts, seeds, fruits and vegetables. Be careful; add fiber to your diet slowly.

2. Avoid straining when defecating. You should also avoid long sessions sitting on the toilet. Forget about reading on the toilet.

3. Drink lots of water to keep the bowels loose. Increased water consumption helps to bulk up and soften stools, making them easier to pass.

4. Avoid long sitting, get up and move regularly. If your work requires you to sit or stand for a prolonged period, take regular stretching breaks that change your position. When relaxing, lie on your side while watching television or reading.

5. Exercise every day. It can be as simple as a walk around the block. Exercise for about thirty minutes on a daily basis.

6. Avoid constipation and diarrhea. Increase water consumption, add fiber to your diet, eat regular meals, exercise daily, do not ignore the urge to go to the bathroom and reduce stress.

7. Avoid sudden heavy lifting. The sudden increase of pressure on the blood vessels can cause the veins in the rectal area to stretch and swell.

8. Keep the anal area clean. Try to remember that the goal is not to wipe the anal area clean but rather, to wash it clean.

By: Angelo

Do you feel embarrassing to smile? Lost a tooth? Are you unable to attend any social function due to poor dental health? You need not worry. Solution for such problems has become possible with the arrival of computer and laser method.

Dentistry has traveled a long way since our grandparents walked to the dentist for their root canals and extractions to this age of computer. Unlike the earlier days treatment, laser treatment are safe, painless and provide beauty and comfort. New technology has changed the whole scenario of dentistry to a massive extent. People with poor dental health are no more left with psychic trauma of not being able to smile confidently as before. Hats off to the modern dentist who takes pain to save your damaged teeth in many ways, using pearly-white porcelain that nobody but a dentist can distinguish from your real teeth that even functions like normal teeth.

In the rare instance where a tooth cannot be saved, or in cases where a tooth is lost in an accident or trauma, “Dental Implant” can be employed. If you have gaps in your smile where your permanent teeth used to reside, you may find that more is missing from your life than just teeth thus you can understand how important it is to have a good set of white pearly teeth. In such cases dental implants along with artificial teeth are often a good option to fill the gaps left by tooth loss in your smile and in your life. Placement of dental implants and artificial teeth involves surgical procedures usually done in several stages, which takes three to nine months, or sometimes even longer. An artificial dental implant includes two important parts. One is “Implanting Part” and the other is “Crown Fixing Part”. The dental implant cylinder is first implanted in your jawbone upon which a crown is to be fixed, which is manufactured using a metal powder injection molding method and finally, you get your new artificial tooth.

Everyone should remember that our oral health is not something to be taken for granted. Improving and preserving our dental health is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. If you can take care of your natural set of teeth well than you can avoid those heavy expenses after dental surgery and the steady schedule that has to be strictly maintained as prescribed by your dentist. At the same time it is also imperative for the dental industry to offer everyone access to affordable, quality dental care product that promises to help you to preserve your healthy set of teeth and prevent major dental problems.

Article Source: http://www.articleyard.com

Information about the Author:

tooth whitening dentistry

There are many drugstore and alternative Internet products for treating hemorrhoids. Most of the products are not made to cure or eliminate hemorrhoids but to give you temporary relief of itching, pain, swelling or bleeding. I don’t recommend using any type of product that is not natural or that comes from a drugstore.

If the product contains petrochemicals, additives, coloring, dyes, or other chemicals, which enhance its appearance and feel, I would not use them. Most, if not all, of these chemicals will be absorbed into your body where your organs of elimination will have to deal with eliminating them.

All products whether drugs, drugstore medications, or natural formulations use chemicals, substances, oils, and herbs that have the following properties:

Anesthetics – suppresses pain and gives relief…any name with the suffix “caine” like tetracaine

Analgesics – suppresses and give pain relief – some of them are Anacin, Tylenol with Codeine, OxyContin, Darvocet, Ultracet

Vasoconstrictors – helps to narrow or constrict hemorrhoidal veins…any name with the suffix “rine” like phenylephrine

Lubricants – provide lubrication in the colon to relieve constipation – mineral oil, flax seed oil, castor, oil olive oil

Astringents – help to tighten tissue, which have been pushed out by hemorrhoid action – zinc oxide, witch hazel, calamine

Keratolytics – help to remove excess hemorrhoidal tissue. They are compounds of sulfur and salicylic acid
Many of the drugstore medications have anesthetics. They can aggravate and irritate the hemorrhoids you’re trying to eliminate. If you are using one of these drugstore medications, consider using a more natural remedy.

In 1975 Carl I. Flath, wrote a book called The Miracle Nutrient – How Dietary Fiber Can Save Your Life. In his book he talks about the effectiveness of drugstore suppositories,

“Suppositories quickly work their way up in the rectum beyond the location of most internal hemorrhoids, and so are of limited value in reducing local pain. As antiseptics they are essentially worthless, since the surface areas they are supposed to protect are under constant exposure to new bacteria….

Anesthetic agents do offer temporary relief from local irritations and pain… Neither the suppositories nor the ointments, however, do anything whatever to correct the basic cause of hemorrhoids—constipation.”

Do you wonder where your power and your energy have gone? Does it seem like the endless power you had as a youth has melted away somewhere? Does it feel like old age came a little sooner than you thought it should? Take a moment to consider this: your age has nothing to do with your energy level. Neither does your sex, your job, or your social security number. These are all only labels.

You and only you create your energy level. The decisions you make every day are what drives the powerhouse inside of you that creates and determines your energy level. So lets give you some simple ‘meat and potatoes’ steps that will drive your energy factor up and save you from an addiction to things like caffeine and energy drinks. We’ll start from the most obvious and move to the simplest and most important:

Rule Number One: Garbage In Equals Garbage Out

Do not expect to receive any energy from junk foods and junk drinks. Only living, organic foods provide real energy. This means fresh, organic and kosher prepared meats, organically prepared fruits and vegetables, and home made fresh squeezed drinks from organic fruits and vegetables. Can’t always do this? Just try. Try to replace one item of food and one item you drink every day with a living, organic food. You will watch your energy level rise and your extra weight drop.

Rule Number Two: Take Your Vitamins

A multi vitamin and/or mineral combined with a daily essential fatty acid can and will round off the corners missing in your diet. Get a good brand and stick with a daily supplementation program.

Rule Number Three (last and most importantly): Maintain a Flexible and Balanced Body

Your body’s internal furnace will not create power if your body is stiff or inflexible. Flexibility is earned, not given: you have to create and maintain your own personal flexibility if you want any amount of energy and personal power. Your body’s ability to create energy and fight disease depends one hundred percent on its ability to function, and it cannot function in a stiff, inflexible body.

Take the time to learn the steps that must be learned to regain your flexibility. If you were forced to have a choice, a balanced and flexible body will go farther than an imbalanced and stiff body stuffed with expensive supplements and organic foods. Take action. Assess your flexibility and learn the simple rules and methods to regaining the flexibility and balance your body was born to have.

The most powerful foundation you can have to build a healthy body and to have an energetic life is to make certain the incredible body you were born in is functioning at the top levels it was designed to function at.

Dr. Bryan Brodeur
http://www.vitalityhouse.com/testimonials.htm

You may reprint this article on your web site so long as you include the author’s name and active link.