Todays Health Article

January 30th, 2012

Today after reading a couple articles, they prompted the thoughts or questions we must all think about, are our life‘s  reflections healthy in the end. Perhaps as we grow older, we take time to ponder about the meaning of our lives, and reflect upon the past. It could just be an observation, but as we grow older we seem to reflect more on the past than what we might do we the shorter time we have left before us. So you may have been, lately thinking about the meaning 0f life, is it healthy in the end.

In this personal observation, all that we do, how we do what we do in life,  the struggles, the drama, the stress, the pain and suffering, has a permanent reflection on our health. Yet we all know, we live in an impermanent nature, facing the facts about our own life and death meaning.

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about the meaning of life and the impermanent nature of it all. Observing how we do what we do, the struggles we put ourselves through, the drama, the pain and the suffering. The question that comes to me are these reflections healthy in the end.

While these  thoughts about life, death and purpose drift in and out of my consciousness on a regular basis, it was my research of  my own quest for answers… why I seek God, why I share with others, why I love my family, and the love for my neighbors, and concluding, why I cry with them as well. Is this all healthy? Many people would ask this question…

“What’s the point in life,  we all come to the end?”

You and I both know, we ask this question of ourselves. Why, then when you look around today, you see a lot of struggling… in our own lives as well as the lives of others. There seems to be no shortage today for those who suffer from  hunger, poverty, foreclosures, divorces, and natural tragedies. It seems that there is little goodness that overcomes the weight that struggle carries on our shoulders and our minds. Yet we seek to get through those struggles, putting them in the past, to find peace and happiness.

 Personal Reflections of the Chase for Peace and Happiness

I can only  reflected on my own  life and though I have no idea of the end, the beginning and the middle of my life’s reflection has been fully loaded with life’s struggles. The death of my parents at a young age, lose of finances, home, stress, foreclosure, no employment, spouse with terminal illness, to within minutes of living out on the street. All of  these, in vain of providing for my family of five, a home,  food on the table, and a more promising tomorrow.

 Are You chasing ?s

I would race here and there and chase the dollars so that I could be recognized for awards that measured  success,  travelling more and more for business, bigger house in the country, and spending less and less time with the family This was all in the idea, that  happiness would  fall into place at some distant future. I had  no idea this was all materialistic driven, and I was on some endless treadmill, that at some point, a timer would sound off … and my superficial life would be realized. The End.

But you have to question your self… will that day ever arrive? You and I both know how this life plan goes on, the wanting for more and happiness  seem to be just a step away, it even appears within reach, you just  have to get done whats going on now, or it will always be out of the plan. Is that You?

The Unhealthy Outcome

We  all seem to wisk through life. Many times during of our life, we just are wanting life to move on quickly, like we we have control of it, knowing there is a better part of our life, another chapter that would be happier or peaceful. It is like a writer who would write a fictitious book, knowing how many chapters the book will contain, and how it will end. However, this is real life, not knowing the chapters life will contain, nor the number till the end.  Yet we continue to live like we will live forever.

Yet do we not just treat time as some cheap commodity that we can superficially waste. We have become so consumed in our jobs and relationships that we dislike. We continue to distract ourselves with the negativity of media and other people’s opinions. We  have become so competitive over beauty, status and owning stuff.

We buy into all the empty promises of cosmetics, luxury products, diets, and get rich schemes… all of which are blindly fabricated by others to profit by. Has this all became the very nature of our lives!

WAKE UP… The Wake up Call

Well I hate to burst anybody’s bubble. but I have not met one person who was extremely successful, that had not given something up, or many, for the price of success. I as well,  surrounded myself with a high level of stress, anxiety,work load, no sleep, and was mentally wore out. Now put financial strain, health issues, and death in the family on top of that, I was a walking time bomb that was ready for a trip to the hospital. Failing to recognize that these “dis-eases”  and signs for my emotions…  it was my very soul’s way of saying, “Wake up and do not let a brick hit you in the forehead.  Well my life was so caught up in… I was indestructible, this could not happen to me.

In this race to survive, we sometimes become mentally paralyzed, forgetting about the life, what it could be, and not what it should be by our designed utopia. Don’t you find this all so exhausting, overwhelming, and there is no end to this type of chasing the pot at the end of the rainbow. For me it was about to come to an end.

The Break Through

I and like many others rushed through life in this way. I did not understand til one day my body completely shut down from extreme fatigue and stress. A trip to the hospital and several months of rest and learning how to cope with what no one  could tell me, as to exactly what was going on with me. After months of tests they determined  I was just on a verge of complete exhaustion. I t would just take time.

That was obvious, that change needed to take place, that my love ones needed me more than the success, and all the materialist needs. I had realized that  before we all know it, the sands of our hourglass would run out, and we face the end of our brief existence on this planet, and to my regret, was missing out on what I really loved, my family and God.

Reflecting now, how we  had lived,  its blunt, harsh, and painful, the truth just stings. At the same time, we can use this emotionally charged observation to our advantage—to inspire us and others, and to emotionally move us  in such a way that we begin to live differently.

NOW we have utilized our time to restructure, at least for me and my family, our lives.  Today we still face struggles but we ask ourselves how we live, how we prioritize, how we contribute, and how we can live more fully in the precious moments we are blessed with. While writing this, my grand daughter, going on three just so reminds me that her time, smiles and hugs send such joys through to my very existence, can not be reproduced when you might need them, but to cherish every moment when they are given. To capture the moment.

It is those moments, I now understood…Perhaps  the only thing that is given freely and no conditions from a child,  is love. Something to think about…Is there an easier route to happiness by focusing on doing good work, contributing value to society, sharing joyful experiences with people we like, and remembering to slow down to savor the moments.

Todays Health Comments

So what is the meaning of life you have chosen? Can life’s reflection be healthy in the end? I believe that there is no single answer, as happiness and success are measured by each individual, but they are weighted by what are sacrificed by driven motives and desires. We tend to be more materialistic driven and competitive when we are younger, and as we reflect back we question what our real intentions for doing so. By understanding what feels right to you, and what you want your life to be about, what do you want to be remembered by your family, and seeking God and finally staying healthy by a balance of love.

Todays Health Article

January 29th, 2012

Today we are always looking at healthier eating habits, and for some of us, a craving for chocolate, has just been hard to except that it is bad for us. Well that is not all true, and some people have come to realize, that chocolate has many health benefits that are actually good for us. I jumped for joy, all the the bad raps about chocolate might finally come to an end. I got overly excited because not all chocolate is alike, and come to find out it was a little chocolate coated. But the real truth here is, it’s the dark chocolate that has the most cocoa and least sugar, is what all the excitement is about. So this is a good thing for Chocolate Lovers!

 Dark Chocolate

“Dark chocolate”, also may be  called  the “plain chocolate” or “black chocolate”. It is produced by adding fat and sugar to cocoa. It is chocolate with zero or much less milk than milk chocolate.

The U.S. has no official definition for dark chocolate but European rules specify a minimum of 35% cocoa solids. This Dark chocolate can be eaten as is, or used in cooking. For those seeking Chocolate which is thicker… more expensive baking bars have higher cocoa percentages, ranging from 70% to 99% are sold.

Dark is synonymous with semisweet, and extra dark with bittersweet, although the ratio of cocoa butter to solids may vary.

 The Good News…

For chocolate lovers: A new Harvard study finds that eating a small square of dark chocolate daily can help lower blood pressure for people with hypertension. This  study joins the growing research into the heart-healthy benefits of flavonoids, compounds in unsweetened chocolate that cause dilation of the blood vessels. The Harvard study had announced  in Atlanta, at the American Heart Association’s science session,  that eating a small square of dark chocolate daily can help lower blood pressure for people with hypertension.
The study analyzed 24 chocolate studies involving 1,106 people. It found that dark chocolate, the kind that contains at least 50 to 70 percent cocoa, lowered blood pressure in all participants, but most notably in those with hypertension. Eric Ding of Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, a coauthor of the study, says researchers also found that chocolate increased insulin sensitivity, good for lowering diabetes risk.

Dark chocolate also appears to affect cholesterol. The Harvard researchers found some evidence for a small decrease in LDL (bad) cholesterol and a significant increase in HDL (good) cholesterol. Triglycerides, however, were unchanged.

As the researchers write, there is “rather strong evidence” that cocoa consumption improves several important cardiovascular risk factors “and likely reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease.”
Research touting chocolate’s health benefits has become increasingly popular in the past decade. While tea, fruits and vegetables also contain these heart-healthy compounds, “flavonoids are notably abundant in the cocoa solids of the cocoa bean,” the study’s authors write.

Chocolate with a higher proportion of cocoa solids — like unsweetened or dark chocolate — will contain more flavonoids. Dark chocolate, for example, contains from 46 to 61 mg of catechin, a type of flavonoid, in 100 grams (about one ounce), while milk chocolate contains only 15 to 16 mg, the study notes.

 Elderly seeking Continued Health Benefits

Others are encouraging people to eat dark chocolate for its health benefits is appealing advice, and older Americans have taken it to heart. Men and women age 55 and over now make up the bulk of dark chocolate consumers, according to the latest figures from market research firm Mintel.

In a May 2008 survey of consumers who bought chocolate for themselves in the past year, two-thirds of those 55-plus said they chose dark chocolate. Among those 65 and older, the preference for dark was even higher — nearly 75 percent.

Other Chocolate Factors to Consider

Even though chocolate is regularly eaten for pleasure, there are potentially many health effects, both negative and positive. Cocoa or dark chocolate may positively affect the circulatory system.  The other possible effects under basic research include:

• Anticancer, brain stimulator, cough preventer and antidiarrhoeal activities.
• As an aphrodisiac effect, is yet to be seriously proven, yet it is being proclaimed by many articles.
  
• Research has shown the polyphenols in chocolate inhibit oxidation of LDL cholesterol.
• Consumption of large quantities of any energy-rich food, such as chocolate, without a corresponding increase in activity, is thought to increase the risk of obesity.
• Raw chocolate is high in cocoa butter, a fat which is removed during chocolate refining, then added back in in varying proportions during the manufacturing process. Manufacturers may add other fats, sugars, and milk as well, all of which increase the caloric content of chocolate.
• Chocolate absorbs lead from the environment during production, and there is a slight concern of mild lead poisoning for some types of chocolate.
• The average lead concentration of cocoa beans was a very low ≤ 0.5 ng/g, one of the lowest reported values for a natural food. Lead concentration of chocolate was as high as 70 ng/g for chocolate products and 230 ng/g for manufactured cocoa.200,000 ng is the WHO tolerable daily limit for lead consumption.
• Chocolate is toxic to many animals because of insufficient capacity to metabolize theobromine.
• A BBC report indicated that melting chocolate in one’s mouth produced an increase in brain activity and heart rate that was more intense than that associated with passionate kissing, and also lasted four times as long after the activity had ended.
• Chocolate has been linked with multiple health benefits and liabilities. Research on elderly people showed chocolate might cause osteoporosis.
• Research has shown that it will boost cognitive abilities.
• Scientific evidence has suggested dark chocolate can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular problems  and also reduce blood pressure in both overweight and normal adults.
• Studies have shown dark chocolate as part of a low-fat diet can lower cholesterol levels in adults.
• In August 2011, Cambridge research published in the British Medical Journal: Eating high levels of chocolate could be associated with a significant reduction in the risk of certain cardiovascular disorders.

Todays Health Comments

Today may be good news for those who enjoy chocolate if they choose dark chocolate. Some may have higher fat and sugar that would take away the healthy benefits. Yet if you have a craving for chocolate, the higher cocoa content and less sugar, would and could be beneficial to your health. The research indication of the polyphenols that exist in chocolate is important to consider. Yet if  you consume too much of the sweeter chocolate, with out the exercise to burn the calories, tou could contribute to one becoming obese, and unhealthy. So  here’s to eating  healthy.

Further Reading

http://todayshealthsite.com/chocolate-just…s-costing-more.html

Todays Health Article

January 24th, 2012

Today many questions are asked of  those hard core smokers, those who continue to smoke, knowing very well the health risks of smoking, and many have already suffered from their hard core smoking.

In fact you and I both know, we have known those who have suffered from COPD, Asthma, Emphysema, Lung Canc, anerd even suffered surgical to the throat and lungs and they still continue to smoke.

After witnessing the very aspect,  you see people digress from the COPD, chronic coughing, to inhalers, to being diagnosed with throat or lung cancer.  For us people who do not smoke, perhaps we just shake our heads in bewilderment, for the lack of understanding. But to these people who are hard core smokers,  kicking the habit, after being so hooked, it just seems the only answer is simply, to continue smoking.

Hard Core Smokers

I think most can relate to this article, I know I can, though I have never smoked. I have had several of my relatives who went through the progressive steps of smoking, some were smoking 3 packs a day!  I had an Aunt who had a cigarette lit in every room that she was in through out the day so she did not have to carry it around with her. The rooms were filled with smoke, dying from lung cancer, and her reply was, “No reason to stop now”.

It took asthma, COPD, emphysema and finally, throat cancer to get my neighbor, a retired cattle rancher, to try to quit smoking.  It was unfortunate, this 70-year-old was so hooked, he couldn’t kick the habit even after part of his voice box  was  removed. Leaving the tuning fork to speak for him. Remembering, his last understandable comment “‘Okay, I’m not going to smoke again.’  But when he came home from surgery, and had recovered, it was  just a few weeks later,  he started  to smoke  again. Later to passed away from lung cancer.

I truly believe he just couldn’t help himself, he was a hard core smoker, who truly was addicted.

Facts that Support Hard Core Smokers

According to a new study in the American Cancer Society journal CANCER,  many patients find themselves smoking after diagnosis.

Researchers looked at 2,456 lung cancer patients and 3,063 colorectal patients and discovered that at time of diagnosis, 38 percent of the lung cancer patients and 15 percent of the colorectal patients were smokers.

Five months later, despite a cancer diagnosis, 14 percent of the lung cancer patients were still lighting up and again 9 percent of the colorectal patients were having their smoke.

 Question is…”Why stop now?”

“People think it’s a no-brainer and are surprised that cancer patients continue to smoke after they’re diagnosed,” says Elyse R. Park, a clinical health psychologist and associate professor of psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School and lead researcher for the study. “But people still struggle to quit even after they’re diagnosed. There are a lot of barriers to quitting, including a lot of stigma.“

Park says many of the people who can’t quit are “hard-core” smokers. they smoke a high number of cigarettes a day. Many, also, are surrounded by other smokers.

“These people are nicotine addicted, so it’s tough for them,” says Park. “They also have a lot of self-blame for causing the disease. There are feelings of fatalism. They think, ‘Why stop now?’ And a lot of people are very judgmental about lung cancer patients causing their own disease.”

The American Lung Association estimates that active smoking is responsible for close to 90 percent of lung cancer cases; radon causes 10 percent, and occupational exposures to carcinogens account for approximately 9 to 15 percent.

“We have tried Everything!”

That is a common statement from those who have tried the “Hypnosis, Chantix, patches, cessation groups, acupuncture, the gum, the lozenges — and  NONE of that stuff did anything for them.

Many times  depression plays a part, facing the thought of cancer, seeing a death sentence,  and perhaps  feeling no difference can be made. Feeling it is just too late for them! Yet  it’s the best time to quit because it has the potential to improve their cancer treatment, from breathing easier and feeling less fatigue to reducing the chance of infection after surgery. With no smoke, the efficacy of chemo and radiation and may even double the chances of survival for lung cancer patients.

The Answer is…

The human being is very complicated and each individual is just that, so what might work for you, may not for your friend. However, society as well hard core smokers, realize many times, the need to quit smoking, but just have not found that one solution to quit.

Recently studies now are suggesting this major advancements, that it is not the nicotine that is the killer, but the smoke containing all the ingredients, that make cigarette smoking harmful. In fact, studies have compared nicotine to a cup of coffee. It is similar to caffeine and has little ill effects toward our health.

With that in mine if you are addicted to nicotine… you just need a solution to get rid of the smoke. That is exactly what one Chinese inventor accomplished, calling it the electronic cigarette. Thus creating the inhaling of the vapors, by eliminating the smoke inhaled by the traditional cigarette.

Many have chosen this option to help them either reduce the amount of nicotine in their body, to stop smoking for good, or as many of the hard core smokers have indicated, they love their nicotine, but not the harmful effects of smoking.

Many have indicated that within a short period of time, the capability of breathing better and feeling better due to no longer inhaling the smoke. For those hard core smokers who have already been handed the health warnings, perhaps this may be just the answer. Now over a half a million smokers are using this option to deliver their nicotine habit.

Electronic Cigarette

Todays Health Comment

Today with my understanding of the human addiction for nicotine, it is not easy to see friends and family to suffer from the ill-effects of smoke from the cigarette. We still have huge numbers of cigarette smokers today, in fact in the millions, and our youth makes up a great portion of this, meaning millions will also become hard core smokers. The answer is… to understand the risks and find a solution that fits you… to Stop smoking. Having done a little research on the electronic cigarette, I  believe they may become the answer for many who choose a healthier life if they choose to keep smoking, and an answer for those who want to stop.

Further Reading

 Review Electronic  Cigarette

Todays Health Article

January 22nd, 2012

Today we may be looking for medicines that have healing capabilities that have not emerged, as with the common cold or even that nasty scratch, yet some find that honey may just be the cure. I know my grand parents had sold Honey for  many years, and were great enthusiasts when it came to sharing what their honey was good for.

I as kid,  just  liked it on my cornbread and also my  peanut butter and honey sandwich. Yet, when I had a sore throat, my mom would give me a teaspoon of honey a few times a day, it was good going down, and seemed to help. I was never a tea lover but my parents always seem to think, adding the honey gave them a healthier drink. Now growing up on a farm, and living many miles away from town, we just did not hop in the car every time we got a cut or scratch, mom would reach into her cupboard of tricks and do what she thought was right for the wound.

I believe some of these remedies just get handed down from one generation to the next. Well it did not stop there as we also had lots of animals on the farm, which were also prone to have cuts and wounds as well. Guess what, we would pull out the honey jar and paste the stuff onto the wound.

HONEY… HONEY

Honey is a sweet food made by bees using nectar from flowers. There is a great variety of honey flavors produced by the honey bees, depending on their nectar source, and their environment.

Honey bees transform nectar into honey by a process of regurgitation, and store it as a primary food source in wax honeycombs inside the beehive. This honey is used for the bees to stay alive when food is not availabe for them. Therefor those who capture the Honey from the bee hives, must leave enough for the bees to survive,  and encourage overproduction of honey so the excess can be taken.

Facts…

Honey gets its sweetness from the monosaccharides fructose and glucose, and has approximately the same relative sweetness as that of granulated sugar.

It has attractive chemical properties for baking, and a distinctive flavor that leads some people to prefer it over sugar and other sweeteners.^[

Most microorganisms do not grow in honey because of its low water activity of 0.6.

Honey  may sometimes contains endospores of the bacteria Clostridium botulinum, which can be dangerous to infants, as the endospores can transform into toxin-producing bacteria in the infant’s immature intestinal tract, leading to illness and even death.

Honey has a long history of human consumption, and is used in various foods and beverages as a sweetener and flavoring. It also has a role in religion and symbolism.

Is there any truth to the Healing Powers of Honey?

The list of honey’s beneficial functions is a long one.

• Honey increases calcium absorption
• can increase hemoglobin count and treat or prevent anemia caused by nutritional factors
• can help arthritic joints, when combined with apple cider vinegar
• fights colds and respiratory infections of all kinds
• can help to boost gastrointestinal ulcer healing
• works as a natural and gentle laxative
• aids constipation, allergies and obesity
• provides an array of vitamins and minerals
• supplies instant energy without the insulin surge caused by white sugar

Many have found raw honey helpful for its positive effects against allergies and hay fever, and one or two teaspoons last thing at night can help with insomnia.

As an antiseptic, honey is also a drawing agent for poisons from bites or stings or infected wounds, and has outperformed antibiotics in treatments for stomach ulcerations, gangrene, surgical wound infections, surgical incisions and the protection of skin grafts, corneas, blood vessels and bones during storage and shipment.

Honey is also exceptionally effective for respiratory ailments. One Bulgarian study of almost 18,000 patients found that it improved chronic bronchitis, asthmatic bronchitis, chronic and allergic rhinitis and sinusitis. It’s an effective treatment for colds, flu, respiratory infections and a generally depressed immune system. Whereas sugarshuts down the immune system, a good quality honey will stimulate it into action.

May Berenbaum, Ph.D., a University of Illinois entomologist. Honey has been used for centuries to treat a wide range of medical problems like wounds, burns, cataracts, skin ulcers and scrapes, she says. And now various researchers worldwide are also studying and finding strong antimicrobial properties in some honeys.

Todays Health Comments

Today Honey, just may be getting as much attention as those little bees give to making it. Honey has been sought out for it medical uses since the beginning of time and certainly for it’s sweet taste. I have always enjoyed Honey and it is on the kitchen counter all the time. It is used in our drinks and foods, but how about that sore throat or cuts…yes. I have to share this… as our friend was just at wits end, regarding the healing of a surgical procedure. The incision had gotten infection that was just not going awa…with serious convincing,  the doctor dressed the bandages with honey, and with a few weeks, it was all healed up. When we lived on the farm, we used Honey all the time, since we had 5 or 6 Bee stands of which we took honey from. When we had animals get wounded… we would use Honey to dress the wound. I believe Honey holds an amazing amount of healing power, and believe we are just seeing the beginning of the research of this food.g

Further Reading

“In What Ways have You Experienced the Benefits of Honey?” 

Todays Health Article

January 21st, 2011

Todays top story regarding a nail gun, is not that uncommon, but this person is just lucky to be alive!  Many have carried this story due to the humor added and due to the near life and death consequences of this accident. Praise God he has recovering and all is being excepted, on such a light note. Yet, many accidents such as this one, appear more often than not. Yes, it can be a serious health issue and considering that most nails that go through a nail gun are contaminated with dirt and oil to maintain the gun, as well as the force of air. This person may or may not deal with other issues. My Prayers go with him and his family. I have included a news release below.

.News for nail in the head guy

Man, 32, shoots 3.5in nail into his head and doesn’t notice for …

Why a Nail Gun?

The whole purpose of such tools was to replace the common hammers used and to speed up the use of many construction activities needed for building or finish work. Nail guns were at one time, just found in the tool boxes of framers and finish work contractors. Today more and more so, have found their way into the hands of the weekend handyman and even lady hobbyist.

The Problem Is….

Nail Guns are Causing several Injuries

One report indicated there were approximately 36,000 reported injuries due to nail guns. Of this number approximately 3.9% of all workers compensation claims in the U.S. last year were a result of injuries to workers caused by nail gun accidents. Among those workers injured by a nail gun last year, as many as 25.5 percent involved paid… lost work time. According to a new study from State of Washington.

The study reported that the hands and fingers were the most commonly injured parts of the body. Actually anywhere from 80-to-89 percent of all injuries from nail guns are being puncture wounds to the hands and fingers from the nails.

In fact, more than 70% of all nail gun injuries at residential work-sites occur during the wood framing and sheathing stage of construction.

Approximately 69% of puncture injuries caused by nail guns are due to what the Home Builders Association of America calls: “Inadvertent gun discharge, or misfire, most of which, according to the Association, are preventable by the use of sequential triggers.

Safety and Solution

The best advise given for these tools is to read the instruction manual before using…that is the first step! I believe my dad’s advice “Any tool can be harmful if used incorrectly or not understood!” Many times application, improperly. leads to these accidents. Short cuts can prove to be fatal. Most people who use these tools have no respect or understand how dangerous a nail gun can be if used improperly.

The training and education of workers who use these tool are vitally important components to prevent serious injury, or worse, but what about the weekend handyman?

For you who fall into this category… think about what a nail gun is designed to do!  Nail guns are powerful tools that are able to drive pointy pieces of steel through the hardest surfaces, even concrete and steel.

It does not take too much of imagination to imagine the damage these devices can do to the soft tissue and bones of a your body!

 Todays Health Comments

Today accidents from nail guns are not that uncommon, with 36,000 being reported and I am sure there may be equally that amount not. Those who have no medical coverage and treat their foot or hands with their home care. Only those so serious such as a nail to the head grabs people’s attention…some might find that humorous, I find it disturbing that people have to have their lives endangered before attention is given. I seriously believe that the average person who is given a loaded gun might shoot themselves if they do not understand that it actually has a safety to prevent that and not carry a bullet in the chamber. There is little difference in the use of a Nail Gun, use it appropriately for the tool it is and treat it like a loaded gun, DO NOT POINT IT AT ANYONE, NOR YOURSELF AND UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU HAVE IN YOUR HAND. If you do this you certainly will lessen the odds of an accident!

Todays Health Article

January 19th, 2011

Today it is no surprise that 1 in 10 Americans  are experiencing heartburn symptoms at least once a week. Having severly suffered from acid reflux (heartburn) in the past, yet  now days rarely! But during the time I had suffered, I wish I had understood acid reflux and its different triggers and symptoms. Acid reflux can be prompted by certain foods, medications, obesity, or even stress.  It is knowing your triggers, that canl help you design a prevention strategy. If you suffer from heartburn, it’s important to find effective acid reflux remedies to prevent the acid reflux from worsening. Acid reflux treatment may include medications, home remedies, or diet change. I found this article to be an excellent review and informative.

“What Is Acid Reflux“  

This article is based on the book, “Heartburn No More” by Jeff Martin.

Acid reflux disease…

Also known as gastro-esophageal reflux disease, or GERD, occurs due to the coexistence of two medical conditions. The first acid reflux disease contributing condition is a retrograde flow of stomach contents into the esophagus. However, the reflux itself does not necessarily lead to gastro-esophageal reflux disease symptoms or histologic changes, and can occur among healthy individuals as well. In this case, the process is referred to as “physiologic gastroesophageal reflux”.

The second acid reflux disease predisposing condition is a lower esophageal sphincter (LES) malfunction. The LES is a 3-cm to 4-cm ring of muscle, which is two to three times thicker than the proximal esophagus and acts as a valve between the esophagus and the stomach. In the case of acid reflux disease, the LES does not close perfectly and stomach contents splashes up into the esophagus. When pathological symptoms follow this process, the whole condition is called acid reflux disease.

Gastro-esophageal reflux disease is usually experienced as a persistent (at least twice a week) heartburn.

Heartburn is the burning sensation in the chest or throat, caused by refluxed stomach contents touching the lining of the esophagus. Since healthy individuals may also experience light reflux – occasional heartburn is common as well, and doesn’t necessarily serve as an evidence of GERD.

Some GERD sufferers may also experience pain in the chest, cough, morning hoarseness, voice changes, difficulty swallowing (especially lumpy foods), chronic earache, burning chest pains, nausea or sinusitis. Some patients report a sensation that reminds food stuck, choking or tightness in the throat. This happens due to continuous stomach contents acid flow that comes into contact with the esophagus and causes inflammation of the esophagus resulting in scars from tissue damage.

Untreated acid reflux disease can lead to serious health complications.

Those include stricture formation, bleeding, ulcers and esophageal spasms. When the stomach acid reaches the upper esophagus and trachea, the process can result in a variety of severe conditions, such as asthma, sinusitis and pneumonia. Finally, some people may develop Barrett’s esophagus, a condition that manifest in an abnormal shape and color of cells in the esophageal lining. This condition is a precursor to esophageal cancer, especially in adults over 60 years old.

The treatment of gastro-esophageal reflux disease takes three forms:

surgery, medical therapy and holistic therapy, including dietary and lifestyle changes and the intake of specific herbal supplements. An undergoing surgery should be considered very carefully, since it can compound some underlying conditions, such as stricture and motility disorders. Medical treatment of GERD includes PPIs and H2 blockers. While acid reflux can be treated by taking prescription medications or acid blockers such as the above, bear in mind that the results may be temporary and that some conventional medications can cause serious side effects.

From a holistic point of view, acid reflux disease is considered a warning sign of a major internal imbalance that needs to be properly addressed. Therefore, alternative remedies, such as homeopathic remedies, herbal remedies, lifestyle changes as part of a complete holistic regimen are strongly recommended for acid reflux sufferers.

This article is based on the book, “Heartburn No More” by Jeff Martin. Jeff is an author, researcher, nutritionist and health consultant who dedicated his life to creating the ultimate acid reflux solution guaranteed to permanently reverse the root cause of heartburn and acid reflux and naturally and dramatically improve the overall quality of your life, without the use prescription medication and without any surgical procedures. Learn more by visiting his  site. “Heartburn No More”

Todays Health Comments

Today acid reflux is becoming common to the character of our life style. We have added a faster pace to our eating habits, fast foods, and stress  related issues. If you suffer from any of these, you know its very discomfortinf and can cause serious health conditions. Acid reflux is something that most people can control once you understand what  triggers your acid reflux.

Further Reading

IS-it-just-forever-burning-and-burning

Todays Health Article

DECEMBER 25TH, 2011

TODAY IS VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

TODAYSHEALTHSITE IS NOW CELEBRATING IT’S 3RD CHRISTMAS ON THE NET!

It seems like it was just yesterday that this site was born and here we are staring down its third Holiday season and soon will be completing its third year as well. I know that is not very long for the websites sharing the same page as this site does, for some they have been on the net for a decade or so. Perhaps one day I can acclaim the same.

It has been overwhelming and I owe it all to those who have visited… commented and suggested many of the changes that has brought this site to life. To those have contributed in a positive way, as well as those who critic… I THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART!

I have great expectations for the contribution and quality of the Articles to come and I only ask that you share this information with all. By this… this site can become in its own right… a positive impact on lives through out the world.

My gift to you… is the commitment to continue to provide better value to this site and add simplistic understandings to sometimes complicated information.

TODAYS HEALTH COMMENTS

Today I am wishing to all who have contributed, commented, and or read my articles… A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS! Also a big THANKYOU as I had earlier stated for the success of this site. It has been a joy to see, but not without a lot of hard work. The time has all been volunteered. The only gratification is your comments. I t would be great for some to donate but it will never be  a reason for this site to fail. I look forward to all commenting for this next year. May God Bless You All this Holiday!

dj

Todays Health Article

December 21st, 2011

Today, Santa is enjoying more and more sugar cookies, as his list grows every year. Perhaps Rudolf  has been feeling the lift off, a little heavier now days,  and needing a little more of that magical dust, for their lift off. So is the big fella  healthy these days? Should he cut back on those sugar cookies and take his eating a little more seriously. Well, we all know Santa likes Sugar cookies and the moo juice to washed them down, but what else has Santa been up too?

In his earlier trips from the North Pole you might have caught him with his tobacco and a pipe, but Santa must have came to his senses, as he has not been seen indulging lately. Probably too much soot was already cluttering his lungs from too many chimney. Perhaps a safety mask should be supplied by the Elves so Santa does not end up with COPD.

Several sources have let the cat out of the bag… HO! HO!… that Santa suffers from hypertension, which is not surprising given his weight and packing around all those heavy bags. He is  certainly at risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes. Further reports from the North Pole, the Elves  have divulged his weight, which surpassed xxx pounds, leaving Santa’s Doctor in shock!   The Jolly Fella has  now been repeatedly warned to “lay off the sweets”. (Santa’s weight to be held confidential)

Santa has been known…

To turn his reindeer loose when it comes to his erratic driving habits. Santa  has always been known to step it up or exceed the air speed when needed. Reported by NORA.  The problem lies he has a bad habit of not wearing  his seat belt when he driving. We all forget from time to time to put our seat belts on. Just that we are not several miles high and traveling at warp speed through a cold winters night. It has been said he  has had several close calls. Does Santa have High Risk Insurance?

If Santa is to continue…

As his yearly tradition draws near, 4 days, to the showering us with his presents, perhaps he should heed his doctor’s warnings! This could be important  for our nearing Holiday and the ones to come. It poses  critical questions for our future times with Santa.

It may be critical  to share with you, and those who believe healthy living is the way to go, “How healthy is Santa?”

After all, we are all into the big guy in the red suit with the jolly HO! HO!  I think we all want him to be as healthy as possible.  We have seen the facts and I know they are not good.  He just eats all those cookies !

I, for one, was anxious to see that some investigative reporting  had been laid out by another concerned Santa fan, but they missed the boat… Santa Clause lives at the North Pole. It’s not like,  the North Pole, he would have  access to all the health and exercise gurus available.

Perhaps he could request a Richard Simmons workout DVD,  or a break down of facts from “The Doctors”. My favorite of all time “The Biggest Loser” where they would talk about his heart health, take away his sugar cookies, and abuse him in the last minute workout before weighing in. The crackdown is on its way, as Santa will soon to be seen on “The Biggest Looser” this next season. No lie!

If Santa is to continue his yearly tradition of showering us with presents, perhaps he should heed his doctor’s warnings and work on the following:

• Weight reduction … Start a Polar Run
• Reckless Driving… Take out the sleigh on some practice runs
• Avoid polluted environments… Santa with a respirator…????
• Less Sugar Cookies … Leave One each visit…think how many cookies would be not eaten
• Wear a seatbelt… put in one of those annoying buzzards
• Stress reduction… take a deep breath and listen to Christmas Music.

Todays Health Comments

If Santa would make these healthful habits part of his New Year’s resolution,  I know we can expect to enjoy those visits from Santa for many years to come! That is also good tips for us as well… Maintaining our weight, eating less during the Holidays,  driving safely, wearing our seatbelts, and when you get  caught up in the stress of the days ahead…take a deep breath and turn on some relaxing music, and enjoy this Holiday. HO! HO! MERRY CHRISTMAS

Dj

Todays Health Article

December 21, 2011

Today an increasing number of parents, ordinary baby boomers, even their parents, now have fallen into financial hard times. Not only financially stricken, but their health situations have prompted such actions…  living off  the government,  living on the street, or with their children. It has now became apparent and a fact of life! Now for most, none of these are easy solutions, pride usually has a way of getting in the way, and being obligated to your children is not an answer for many. Surprising as it may be, it is a last resort, to ask family for help.

Many parents do not have a good relation with their children, nor have they communicated the fact of their current condition. On the other hand, most children feel no obligation to their parents, afterall their grown up and have their own obligations to themselves and perhaps to their own family. NOW most parents who find themselves, even in their dispair, still feel obligated to their children… through out their whole life… perhaps maternal.

To understand where this article is leading too, we must go back to what, us as parents, are obligated for, once we become parents.

What Our Obligations Are to Their Children?

Today there mandatory laws that clearly spells what every parent has the duty to provide his or her children. These are basic necessities for our children to sustain a normal life which includes food, clothing, and shelter.  This obligation usually terminates when the child is emancipated ( age of eighteen) or when your child graduates from high school. This may also be when your child enters the military, or when the child marries. But the parent’s support or obligation may extend beyond this point, if the child is unable to support himself or herself. Parents if they are able would feel obligated  not to allow their children to become a public obligation, without family support.

The law generally does not dictate the level of support that is provided when the children live with both parents, but when, through divorce or other circumstances. Although the children may face adversity, the level or degree is at the discretion of Parents.

No Laws for Children’s Obligation…

The very best question is Why? The very same people who may have given all they had for their children’s success or failure, now may lay and wait for their own demise. Is it not a fact, that though the law spells out what parents are obligated for, that their maternal love may have exceeded their requirements and are now, due to unexplainable circumstances, facing  complicated sets of circumstances. Perhaps this something our children do not want or will not be faced with yet, so let’s look at the facts.

Facts!

It is nothing uncommon for the Twenty-somethings who have moved back in with their parents after college,  have often been referred often as “boomerangs.”  They just keep coming Back!  But that term may need  to be expanded now to include increasing numbers of seniors and baby boomers—you may call them “baby boomerangs”—who are taking up residence with their adult children and even grandchildren.

• More than 3.6 million parents have lived with their adult children since 2007, according to  Census Bureau data, up 67 percent from 2000. “It’s a return to much closer intergenerational ties than we saw through much of the 20th century,” says Stephanie Coontz, a professor of history and family studies at Evergreen State College and the author of The Way We Really Are: Coming to Terms With America’s Changing Families.
• Factors fueling the trend include tight family finances, the convenience of sharing household chores among several adults, and the increasing number of immigrants who commonly live in extended families, according to Nicolas Retsinas, director of Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies.
• Sharing a house almost always cuts the living expenses of all involved. The dismal economy is changing people’s attitudes toward living in an extended family, Retsinas says: “One of the first places people usually turn when they are in trouble is their family.”
• Live-in grandparents sometimes share caring for the little ones, which slashes day-care costs. “When you have highly stressed parents raising kids, there is a sort of win-win situation when you have a parent that you are close to helping with child care or housing costs,” Coontz says. When she is in Olympia, Hinkle spends her mornings caring for granddaughter Adaline. “I get her up and feed her, and then . . . [her mother] Courtney takes over—no day care needed.” Of course, there’s also the potential for squabbles over parenting strategies. “Be very respectful of your child’s parenting style, even if it differs radically from yours,” cautions Joshua Coleman, a psychologist and author of When Parents Hurt: Compassionate Strategies When You and Your Grown Child Don’t Get Along. “Unless advice is requested, try to not intervene.”Care-giving responsibilities often evolve over time. Carolyn Nutt, 64, a retired special-education preschool teacher, has lived with her mother, now 93, for the past 18 years and her mother-in-law, 85, for three years, along with her husband and her son, 24. The family shares a 3,500-square-foot home in North Tustin, Calif. When son Daniel was a child, Nutt’s mother, Augusta Morse, helped out with child care. But now that she has broken both hips, Morse is receiving care from her daughter. “If we needed to go away for a weekend or just to get away for a couple of days, she was always ready to baby-sit for us,” Nutt says. “The least we can do is give it back to her.”
• A CNN report in August 2011, pointed out that in a sense the Baby Boomers (1945-1965) will be the largest Welfare Generation in US history. They will be the first generation to take MORE out of SS than they paid in, by TRILLIONS.”Still, as a generation, they will have paid less into the Social Security system than they are expected to take out. According to a report from the Social Security and Medicare Board of Trustees, the Social Security system is expected to be solvent until about 2037 — largely because of the surplus in the Trust Fund — even though the payroll taxes flowing in stop being enough to cover the expenses flowing out in 2017.The first baby boomers will turn 65… Jan. 1, beginning a flood of applications for Medicarebenefits that experts fear could drain the economy and hold political repercussions for President Obama.The baby boomer generation marked a huge reproductive uptick between 1946 and 1964, when 76 million children were born.
• Told on ABC RecentlyThat the post-World War II generation’s overwhelming demand on the Medicare system could possibly leave future generations with a bigger bill.Medicare currently covers 46 million people, costing the government about $500 billion a year. But when the last of the iconic generation reaches 65 in about 20 years, more than 80 million people will be eligible for Medicare coverage, although the number of working people paying into the program will have decreased from 3.5 per person receiving benefits to 2.3.
• The stock market has faltered and many pension plans have suffered; some pension plans have been reduced or have gone away altogether. Lower market values on homes for people near retirement have also caused concerns for baby boomers who may have been relying on the home as a nest egg.According to a recent study by the Employee Benefit Research Institute, 45 percent of baby boomers are at risk of running short of funds during their retirement. Twenty-five percent of working baby boomers exhausted all of their savings during the recession. Other workers have lost their jobs and are struggling to find new positions.Bankruptcy offers people protection from their creditors, including protection from collection activity and foreclosures.Source: USA Today, “Baby Boomers fear outliving retirement savings,” Christine Dugas 25 May 2011

The Benefits

There are benefits to combining resources such as financial sharing and many times relieves the financial stress put on one family member. Also if there are siblings, the cost of  daycare may be lesson or eliminated by parents.

There can be income tax breaks available to caregivers. A major one is the ability to claim a parent as a dependent if the caregiver provided more than half of his or her total support for the calendar year and the parent had a gross annual income less than the exemption amount. The tax savings that result from exemptions are significant.

For additional details on tax exemptions, consult a tax professional or visit www.irs.gov. Caregivers should also find out if their employer offers tax-advantaged flexible savings accounts (FSAs) for dependent care expense

Helpful Resources

A good place to inquire about community services for the elderly is a city or county Office on Aging (also known as a Department of Senior Services). To find the office located near an aging parent, contact the Eldercare Location Service of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services at www.eldercare.gov.

Another helpful resource for caregivers is a geriatric care manager (GCM) who can arrange ongoing care for frail elders, particularly when caregivers are employed or live far away from an aging parent. For the names of local GCMs, visit www.caremanager.org. GCMs generally charge by the hour and may work for a home health agency or a hospital, or work as private practitioners.

Todays Health Comments

Today, and particularly in the years to come millions of parents from the Baby Boomer ages will be facing the fact of financial stricken, and many with health problems that will not be paid for the lack of funds. With struggling economy, foreclosures, shrinking Medicare and Medicaid, many parents will have little options other than state aid, food banks, and governments programs to help. Will our demise obligate our children?

However,  many will not qualify, and  be left with asking relatives for help. I know from my view point, many have no intention of burdening their children, but may need to follow their pride, and ask. I see that already millions have fallen to this choice, and many times beneficial for all concern. It does take compromise on all concerned, especially regarding young children and their up bringing, as all may not have the same points of view regarding what is best.

The important aspect is it brings unity in all lives concerned and generally is beneficial for all.

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Todays Health Article

December 18th, 2011

Why today the following snacks are important to young and old. I believe today Popcorn is one of America’s number one snacks for any event or occasion. It seems to find it’s way into almost every favorite pastime, or event. Yet, the Holidays finds popcorn to be a all time favorite. It cerainly may be found on the Christmas tree as a chain or ornament, yet under the tree as a gift, or as a treat. I as a young child, just loved making popcorn balls, stringing the popcorn, or having a piece of popcorn cake. I also thought little in those days, as to what I was eating, except I knew popcorn was always a part of our Holiday.

Popcorn

I believe it’s name is fitting, as to the wonder of how a kernel of popcorn ( maize) can expand and basically explode once it reaches a  certain temperature and becomes what we know as popcorn. It has not only been around hundreds of years, but actually is one of the oldest forms of corn in North America.

Why Is it Healthy?

The kernel is very rich in vitamin B complex, vitamin E, protein, iron and phosphorus. It also contains thiamine, and riboflavin. Popcorn has more phosphorous as compared to potato chips. The protein content in popcorn is more than other cereal grains. Popcorn is also very rich in iron content when  compared to peanuts, spinach, or eggs, it has much more!

Popcorn is one of those snacks that can be enjoyed by all. The exception is those very young, whom are unable to chew or digest, and this should be avoided. If your so inclined to do so, all those compliments can take away the health benefits, adding calories, and sugar content to your diet

Nutrient	Value
Iron	2.5 mg
Phosphorus	2.8 mg
Calcium	11 mg
Thiamine (B1)	0.39 mg
Riboflavin	0.12 mg
Niacin	2.2 mg
Protein	12.7 mg

The Cranberry

Why eat more Cranberries for the Holidays?  The  benefits from eating cranberries are so many and with  the continuous research, even more benefits  may be  discovered. What you might not know is that the cranberry is one of only 3 fruits native to America.  The cranberry was known for helping Americans survive for hundreds of years. The cranberries were used by the Native Americans in a variety of foods, the most popular was pemmican – this was a high protein combination of crushed cranberries, dried deer meat and melted fat

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During the Holiday season, the whole berry, or dried were often added to the popcorn strings for decorating for the holiday season. They are still used for this purpose to this day, in the same form. Most cranberrries today are eaten by all in their favorite dishes, dried, or in sauce.

Today’s Cranberry Health Facts

The Cranberry appears to help significantly in lowering, or reducing the risk of arteriosclerosis, which can lead to heart attacks, angina and blood clots. They are  also known to be high in flavonoid and their anti-adhesion properties, helping to reverse and reduce the amount of oral bacteria which can lead to dental plaque and periodontal (gum) disease.

This alone should be a good reason why eating more cranberries, can be beneficial for your health.

Cranberries contain more antioxidant phenols than most commonly eaten fruits, which help protect our bodies, by stabilizing free radicals we are exposed to everyday.

The  cranberry has been tied to the benefits of helping in the control or relief of Urinary tract infections.

For information on cranberry health research, visit the Cranberry Institute. http://cranberryinstitute.org/healthresearch.htm

 The Mango

This exotic fruit  has brought lots of attention to the health world today. It has been sought out as a miracle in your medicine cabinet that can help you lose 10 pounds.

Can this exotic fruit, which little is known about, be what the doctor ordered for the Holidays? You may be able to have your cake and eat it too with this change your diet.  Today it’s sharing about the little unknown  fruit, called the African Mango. Why would’nt you want to include this fruit for the holidays?

African Mango

The recent excitement surrounding African Mango and its weight-loss benefits, has suggested this fruit to become part of our diet. Why not? It has actually been used as a diet aid for centuries in Cameroon, Africa,  the only place in the world where African Mango is grown.

The brightly-colored tropical fruit is found exclusively in Cameroon’s west-coastal rain-forests.

Health Benefits of  African Mangos

African Mango differs from other mango fruits, in that it produces a peculiar seed, which natives of Cameroon refer to as “Dikka nuts”. They used it for its wide-ranging medicinal benefits,  ranging from reducing and preventing obesity, lowering cholesterol, regulating blood sugar, and treating infections.

African Mango Clinical

According to a new study published in the medical journal Lipids in Health and Disease, this extract caused an average weight loss of 12.3 pounds in 30 days without diet or exe..rcise

You can find out more about this study here:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19254366?dopt=Abstract
http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00645775

 In May 2005 a study was undertaken by the Nutrition, HIV and Health Research Unit from the University of Yaounde in Cameroon. The aim of the study was to test the effect of Irvingia Gabonensis seeds on body weight and blood lipids of obese subjects in Cameroon.

You can find out more about this study here:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18377661

Todays Health Comments

Today with the Holiday Season just around the corner and the need to maintain healthy during this time, why not try those foods that are actually healthy for you. Popcorn which has always been a favorite, is a great snack for the kids as well for yourself… just watch what you put on it and you will be OK. Cranberries can be added as well… I love the dried cranberries and they are also colorful on the popcorn string for the tree. Also they are great for your favorite additives to baking. The addition of Mangos, you might find their flavor to be a delicious addition to your Holiday dinner. Today we must strive for those foods, fruits, or snacks that will allow us to become healthy and not blooming waistlines. HAPPY HOLIDAYS ! Dj