Friday, 30 April 2010

HOME :: Health-and-Fitness RSS Feed XML RSS Feed RSS feeds allow you to be notified whenever brand new articles are released by your favorite authors. Google Yahoo NewsGator Bloglines MSN AOL The Magic Bullet - Is Modern Medicine Really a Cure Or Just a Bandage? By Christina Major

For thousands of years, people thought of diseases and illness as spiritual matters or things from the outside of the body attacking a person. They used herbs, rituals, manipulative therapy (massage, chiropractic, water therapies) and especially food to counteract the malevolent forces. But they all agreed, if the body wasn't susceptible to the force, the person wouldn't have gotten sick.
Then, in the 1800s, an accidental discovery opened human eyes to the microscopic worlds, and led to the germ theory of modern day. This theory states that all illnesses are caused by a single cause, a microscopic entity and therefore can be cured by a single treatment, known as a magic bullet. For nearly a century after, this was called penicillin. Today we know of a large number of bacteria that are not affected by antibiotics at all. Viruses have rarely been susceptible.
Ever since the germ theory arrived, there have been a small minority of scientists that rejects the single cause theory, magic bullet theory, and believe that it is the host's susceptibility the infection that determines if the bacteria or virus can cause illness or not. Dr. Roger Williams expounded upon this idea in the 1950's in his book Biochemical Individually. He was able to show how 'normal' people varied in their biochemistry and showed that 'normal' covers a very wide range. He also explained this is the reason some people can be severely disabled by a substance, while others feel no effect and still more that thrive. This correlated to the idea if the host is susceptible, it will get sick.
This idea of biochemical individuality is the reason why the theory of a magic bullet will not work. To eliminate illnesses, cancers and allergies in people, the individual must be taken into account when treating the problem. It has been well documented that certain people have been infected with a bacteria or virus and successfully eradicated it without becoming sick.
This is not to say modern medicine and pharmaceuticals have not been beneficial. Indeed, society would be much worse off without them and many, many people would not be alive. However, modern medicine often only treats the symptoms, not the cause, of such illnesses. An antihistamine stops the body from reacting to an allergen, but does not treat why the body reacted in the first place. The arthritis drug stops the pain of arthritis but does not fix the joints. There needs to be a better way. And there is, keep the body healthy through nutrition.
Ancient peoples had fewer health problems than we do based on analysis of preserved bodies. Many nutritionists have found that the diets of the people consisted of mainly fruits, vegetables and lean game meats. Grains were complex and always eaten cooked, with their hulls intact. We can recreate that type of diet we are programmed to eat is a very simple way. Removing processed foods, excess sugars and trans-fats from out diet in a huge start. Further refining this is to eat lean proteins, and many different types of vegetables and fruits. Many people feel instant energy and improved health within days of beginning to eat healthier. Of course, to reach full heath takes time, most people did not become sick right away. Be sure to contact your physician before starting a new health regime.
Christina Major is the owner and holistic nutritionist of Crystal Holistic Health Consulting. Crystal HHC offers nutritional consulting for most health problems including diabetes, cancer, heart disease, weight loss and childhood obesity.

HOME :: Home-and-Family / Elder-Care Seniors and Medications - Make Sure Your Pharmacist Works For You By Paula Stone and Ron Stone Platinum Quality Author

A senior recently found out just how bad it can be for seniors with multiple health issues.
He has glaucoma. His eye doctor prescribed a medication for his glaucoma.
The doctor knew his entire health history, which includes a lot of heart problems, though the patient never had a heart attack
But the glaucoma medications he was taking can cause heart attacks in people who are at risk.
It should never have been prescribed for this particular patient.
He had a heart attack in January.
And then...finally...his eye doctor took him off the medication...too late.
This is something a good pharmacist might notice, too, but his didn't, even though he is a family friend.
Doctors make mistakes.
Medicines conflict with each other and seniors often pay the price.
And prescriptions are strong medicine.
One of the effects social workers see in seniors is mental confusion that is caused by medications.
Mental confusion may NOT be Alzheimer's in all cases.
For one thing there are different kinds of dementia. Brain damage from strokes is just one other. But people often recover significantly from strokes.
Even a lack of B vitamins can cause mental confusion and slurred speech, especially in cancer patients who have not been able to eat.
And nursing homes often drug patients to keep them quiet, a practice that makes them seem more fragile and disabled than they really are.
Simple exhaustion can make people, even young people confused. Just ask any new parent.
But it is worse for seniors, because people around them assume their minds are going when they aren't.
My doctor carries around a little manual that has facts about different medications listed in it. Some people might assume that she is less than expert.
I feel differently.
I have a lot of allergies to medicines, including some that could kill me. I want a doctor that checks everything twice.
And I always ask the pharmacist if she sees a problem, too. She knows me and she cares. I depend on her.
Ron and Paula Stone are lifestyle specialists. They have various businesses including an insurance agency specializing in final expense insurance or burial insurance. Learn more at their websites, Final Expense Insurance and Burial Insurance

Thursday, 29 April 2010

HOME :: Health-and-Fitness / Arthritis Natural Arthritis Remedy - Free Yourself From Swelling, Stiffness and Pains Naturally By Gerry Restrivera Platinum Quality Author

Arthritis is the swelling or inflammation of the joints causing pains, stiffness and joint fever. It occurs with different intensities, depending on the severity of the inflammation and damage of the joints. Although there are medicines and pain relievers available for immediate relief, it is best not to get too dependent on drugs to avoid side effects that may cause other health problems. You should learn how to deal with it using natural arthritis remedy.
It is common for older people to suffer from arthritis because joints tend to get damaged or degenerate over the years but this disease can affect anybody even younger people. Suffering from arthritis is a very disabling situation. It can affect your lifestyle and daily activities. You will experience mild to severe joint pains leading to restricted movements preventing you from doing your usual tasks. Affected body parts are usually the feet, knees, hips and fingers. You need to know about natural arthritis remedy to put an end to your pains.
Although age is the main factor contributing to the occurrence of arthritis, there are also other factors affecting arthritis like the food you eat and your lifestyle. While it is advised to get medical help, it is also helpful to deal with it naturally. Here are some helpful tips.
Of course, the best natural arthritis remedy is to eat a healthy diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables. Drink raw vegetable juice like potato, celery and carrot juice. Fresh fruits incorporated in your daily diet like pineapple can also help alleviate the pains of swollen joints. It is also important to have a diet low in sugar and fats.
Drink a lot of water. Water has many health benefits and it is also a natural remedy. It is good for people suffering from arthritis. Water can help in lubricating your joints. Increase intake of water to avoid joint stiffness for pain-free movement. It also aids in flushing out harmful toxins and chemicals affecting the occurrence of arthritis.
Regular exercise. Although people suffering from arthritis avoid movements due to joint and muscle pains associated with arthritis, it is not good to stay stagnant or motionless because joints tend to be stiffer without movements causing more pains. Regular lenient exercise like walking is helpful to alleviate the pain and prevent arthritis. Swimming is also good to help your joints and muscles to relax and relieve stress. Just be sure to swim with someone or with a buddy just in case you need assistance or help.
Herbal treatment. Massaging with virgin coconut oil can help relief joint pains. Aloe vera has also anti-inflammatory properties; you can use it in the form of gel to alleviate joint pains.
Stress has a lot of health risks and can also cause muscles and joint pains. Reducing stress is another form of natural arthritis remedy. Leading a stress-free life will reduce your risks of getting arthritis. You need to give yourself and your body sometime to relax and relieve stress. Treat yourself to a body massage or spa once in a while.
Natural arthritis remedy is an alternative you can use to avoid the harsh effects of using drugs. But it is best to find the best remedy that will put an end to all the pains caused by arthritis naturally.
Did you know that you can free yourself of the swelling, stiffness and pain, and live your life 150% better by banishing your arthritis in just one month? Discover the truth how you can banish your arthritis condition from the comfort and privacy of your own home. Discover a natural arthritis remedy visit Arthritis Free In One Month [http://arthritis-natural-remedy.blogspot.com]
To know more about health and beauty remedies visit Great Discovery-Health and Beauty
Gerry Restrivera writes informative articles on various subjects Natural Arthritis Remedy - Free Yourself from Swelling, Stiffness and Pains Naturally. You are allowed to publish this article in its entirety provided that author's name, bio and website links must remain intact and included with every reproduction.

Wednesday, 28 April 2010

HOME :: Health-and-Fitness / Disability RSS Feed XML RSS Feed RSS feeds allow you to be notified whenever brand new articles are released by your favorite authors. Google Yahoo NewsGator Bloglines MSN AOL Disability Equipment to Restore Independence By Cyrille K

A disability doesn't mean that you are useless or have no other skills as well. Everyone has some special skills which are uncommon, if you are a good statistician and don't know about chemicals then there must be some chemical engineers who are not involved in statistics. Everyone has some competencies and some lacking though is a disability. If you are having some disability challenge in life then you must have some other unique skills which are needed to be explored and polished. To keep the disable people in the life stream now a day's many equipments and devices has been built. As it is often said that necessity is the mother of invention that is why the independence of these people can be restored using such equipments which has been invented time by time feeling the special needs of these uncommon people around us.
Disabilities can be of various types some people have blindness, some have listening and speaking deficiencies and some suffer with mobility challenges. Disability can be temporary, as well as permanent but in each case a person should not get isolated and there must be some helpful equipments and tools which can make the effected person active and independent. Disability equipments provides various benefits to its users, first of all these help them by decreasing the level of dependence on others, secondly give them self confidence and courage to do anything. These equipments increase the sense of dignity and can improve many areas of the life of a person who is having some physical challenges. These makes life easy and not only helps the handicapped but also of his / her care takers. Such equipments can be purchased from various suppliers and manufacturers which deal in healthcare and disability niche. Before going to purchase you must have a proper knowledge that what kind of equipments are available in the market and how can these improve your life. Secondly you also must know that which equipments can be covered through your medical insurance.
There are several types of disability equipments available in the market featuring certain functions and specifications. We have specified below the general categories and corresponding equipments to provide you an overview of these:
o Sport and Leisure
- Hand cycles
- Tandems
- Travel and Holidays
o Personal Care
- Dressing
- Toileting
- Eating and drinking
- Bathing
o Mobility
- Walking Aids
- Wheelchairs (manual and Powered, inc. ramps, accessories and scooters)
- Vehicles and modifications
- Stair lifts
- Platform lifts and step-lifts
- Through-floor lifts
o Seating and Beds
- Chairs and Seating
- Postural Support
- Beds, etc.
- Pressure relieving cushions and mattresses.
o Communication
- Communications Aids
- Accessible Computing
- Visual Impairment
- Hearing Loss
o Household
- Household equipment
- Kitchen Equipment
- Rails
- Switches, Environmental Controls, Alarms and Tele care
o Moving and Handling
- Moving and Handling
- Hoists
o Rehabilitation
- Orthotics
- Rehab equipment
o Pediatric equipment
- Play equipment
Do visit us to get Scooter Wheelchairs and Scooters For Disabled.

HOME :: Health-and-Fitness / Disability Disability Equipment to Restore Independence By Cyrille K

A disability doesn't mean that you are useless or have no other skills as well. Everyone has some special skills which are uncommon, if you are a good statistician and don't know about chemicals then there must be some chemical engineers who are not involved in statistics. Everyone has some competencies and some lacking though is a disability. If you are having some disability challenge in life then you must have some other unique skills which are needed to be explored and polished. To keep the disable people in the life stream now a day's many equipments and devices has been built. As it is often said that necessity is the mother of invention that is why the independence of these people can be restored using such equipments which has been invented time by time feeling the special needs of these uncommon people around us.
Disabilities can be of various types some people have blindness, some have listening and speaking deficiencies and some suffer with mobility challenges. Disability can be temporary, as well as permanent but in each case a person should not get isolated and there must be some helpful equipments and tools which can make the effected person active and independent. Disability equipments provides various benefits to its users, first of all these help them by decreasing the level of dependence on others, secondly give them self confidence and courage to do anything. These equipments increase the sense of dignity and can improve many areas of the life of a person who is having some physical challenges. These makes life easy and not only helps the handicapped but also of his / her care takers. Such equipments can be purchased from various suppliers and manufacturers which deal in healthcare and disability niche. Before going to purchase you must have a proper knowledge that what kind of equipments are available in the market and how can these improve your life. Secondly you also must know that which equipments can be covered through your medical insurance.
There are several types of disability equipments available in the market featuring certain functions and specifications. We have specified below the general categories and corresponding equipments to provide you an overview of these:
o Sport and Leisure
- Hand cycles
- Tandems
- Travel and Holidays
o Personal Care
- Dressing
- Toileting
- Eating and drinking
- Bathing
o Mobility
- Walking Aids
- Wheelchairs (manual and Powered, inc. ramps, accessories and scooters)
- Vehicles and modifications
- Stair lifts
- Platform lifts and step-lifts
- Through-floor lifts
o Seating and Beds
- Chairs and Seating
- Postural Support
- Beds, etc.
- Pressure relieving cushions and mattresses.
o Communication
- Communications Aids
- Accessible Computing
- Visual Impairment
- Hearing Loss
o Household
- Household equipment
- Kitchen Equipment
- Rails
- Switches, Environmental Controls, Alarms and Tele care
o Moving and Handling
- Moving and Handling
- Hoists
o Rehabilitation
- Orthotics
- Rehab equipment
o Pediatric equipment
- Play equipment
Do visit us to get Scooter Wheelchairs and Scooters For Disabled.

Tuesday, 27 April 2010

HOME :: Business / Workplace-Safety RSS Feed XML RSS Feed RSS feeds allow you to be notified whenever brand new articles are released by your favorite authors. Google Yahoo NewsGator Bloglines MSN AOL Fighting Slips, Trips and Falls By Howard F. Miller

Safe day everyone and welcome. One of the most haunting and frustrating issues in safety is - the dreaded - "Slips, Trips and Falls". No matter how much you try to address this issue, it seems to always slip back into your accident investigation file.
According to the 2009 Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety Index, in the U.S. disabling workplace injuries from same-level falls had a direct cost of $6.2 billion in workers compensation costs in 2007, ranking second to overexertion as a leading cause of disabling injury. The index also noted that from 1998 - 2007, falls on the same level increased by a whopping 36.7 percent.
According to ASSE's Professional Safety Journal article "Slips, Trips & Falls in Construction & Mining: Causes & Controls," four factors can contribute to slip, trip and fall hazards:
1. Workers - Workers may be prone to slip, trip and fall hazards due to fatigue, risk-taking behavior [running or horseplay] and/or inadequate training. Also, one thing I have learned to look for on the floor was inadequate foot ware. Some of my good friends tried to get as much life out of a pair of shoes as they could even though the company paid for them.
2. Machines or Equipment - Some machine factors that contribute to slip, trip and fall hazards include improperly designed machines, missing components or machines that are not maintained properly [oil leaks].
3. Work environments - Environmental factors include wintery conditions such as snow, ice, wind and other factors such as poor lighting. Poor lighting does contribute to many of these incidents even though most companies do not like to see this on an accident investigation report. I have found it is much easier for them to say, "they [the worker/workers] were not watching what they were doing"
4. Management - management has the ability to control workers, machine and environment factors through proper planning, monitoring and corrective action.
So how do we combat this issue. Awareness, awareness, awareness!!! Slips, trips and falls is an issue that can NEVER be put on the back burner. As safety coordinator I spent numerous hours on the floor looking hazards, talking to people and posting notices. Below you will find some things that can help:
o Remove slip, trip, and fall hazards from the work area, especially in high-trafficked areas. Even though workers may be moving at a reasonable pace and keeping their eyes on their path, it only takes a second to turn things around.
o Establish a no-running policy and enforce it. Though in some industries staff may need to work at a quick pace, such as the manufacturing, hospitality and restaurant industry, making sure that workers do not run can prevent injuries due to slips and falls.
o Make sure workers wear proper footwear with good traction that is kept in good repair. Take a look at the soles of shoes regularly to check for excessive wear. Slip-resistant footwear should be considered where necessary, such as footwear with spiked or studded soles that can improve traction on ice or snow. There are also some really good anti-slip soles out there that is worth checking into.
o Cleaning procedures for floors are essential to good slip resistance. Make sure that all walking surfaces are kept free of spills, water, oil and any other substances that may affect the traction of the surface.
o Report any spills and provide adequate signage regarding hazards such as spills, uneven surfaces, debris, icy sidewalks, smooth concrete and other hazards. Also ensure that your company has a process that documents incidents and reports slip and fall hazards.
o Make sure that staff is trained on how to properly clean/remove slip, trip and fall hazards. Also ensure that staff and management are trained in slip, trip and fall prevention. Workers should resume work only after a hazard has been removed or resolved.
o All workers should be well trained on "EYES ON PATH".
o Make sure all areas have adequate lighting to illuminate any potential hazards. You simply con not avoid a hazard if you can't see it!!
o To prevent surface water accumulation in areas that can lead to slips, trips and falls, ensure that there are adequate drainage systems and pumps in place.
o Be aware of the floor types in your company to help determine the degree of hazards for slips, trips and falls.
Thanks,
Howard F. Miller
I was a safety coordinator and have been in the manufactuing arena for over 20 years. These articles are a passion of mine and hope that it will help keep people safe.

HOME :: Health-and-Fitness / Disability Disabled Bathroom Bath Bench and Other Ideas to Consider in Making Bathrooms Handicapped-Friendly By Henry Girard Platinum Quality Author

If you are planning to create a bathroom for a disabled person, you only have two things to consider: how to make the bathroom safe for someone with mobility problems and how to make bathing a safer and more comfortable experience for the invalid.
Safety in the bathroom is a major concern for people with mobility problems. Once a person becomes disabled, using a bathroom becomes tough that assistance from another person is required. Aside from that, maneuvering alone in the bathroom is very dangerous for someone who has difficulties with movement. Falling on the floor, head injuries from falls, and hip fractures are common accidents that can occur to a disabled. When bathing becomes tougher, disabled individuals let the personal hygiene suffers to avoid the painful experience of going to the bathroom.
Properly designing your bathroom to make it more accessible to disabled individuals can greatly help them in becoming more independent and in experiencing a safe and comfortable bath.
Here are some ideas that you can incorporate in your bathroom to make it handicapped-friendly:
Make sure that there is enough floor space in your bathroom so that if a wheelchair is used, it will be easier and safer for the disabled to maneuver around the room.
Ensure that bathroom sink, countertops, and cabinets are within the handicapped person's reach. If you are installing a handicapped lavatory, it must have a minimum clearance of 30 inches starting from the bottom of the seat to the floor. Bathroom fixtures and faucets should also be within reach.
Isolate exposed electrical wiring and plumbing to eliminate tripping. For the furniture edges, use protection caps to avoid accidents.
Install grab bars in the shower, beside the bathtub, and anywhere a person may need them.
Check the floor if they are made of non-slippery materials. Avoid using tile or vinyl unless it is sanded or has a sand-like texture. You can also add slip-proof coating to the bathroom floor to make it safer.
Use disabled bathroom bath bench. Disability equipment like a bathroom bath bench is designed to assist individuals who cannot do things on their own with regards to bathroom experience. The bath bench is ideal for physically disabled and those who have trouble standing for long periods. Disabled bathroom bath bench allows them to sit in the shower and cleanse themselves privately. For those who are able and still strong enough to shower on their own, it gives them some sense of relaxation-imagine yourself sitting in the shower with the cold water washing your whole body after a long day. In addition, women would love to have shower benches on their bathrooms so that they can sit while shaving their legs. More importantly, a disabled bathroom bath bench ensures that nobody falls while washing himself or herself.
Making a bathroom safe and comfortable for everyone in the house, especially for the disabled, requires careful planning and consideration. By choosing the appropriate fittings and fixtures for the bathroom, you can make it a safe and accessible place for everyone.
The author is Henry Girard, an expert in medical equipment and independent living products like disabled bathroom bath bench. Disabled bathroom bath benches are shower benches that are ideal for stable handicap showering. More information about benches for the shower is available at Medame.com. You can also call 877-253-6251 for product inquiries.