Types of Teeth Whitening Available

There are few teeth whitening procedures available which correct the discoloration of teeth by removing the yellow and brown stains. While each procedure is effective, there are few advantages and disadvantages of each procedure depending upon the processes.

One of the most common teeth whitening procedure is at home custom fit tray bleaching. A customized tray is fitted over your teeth. The bleaching gel is placed in the tray and worn for a stipulated period of time each day or during the night. This is one of the widely used techniques because it is easier to use and costs less.

The cosmetic dentist will take impressions of your teeth and a thin customized plastic tray is made which you will have to take home and wear for prescribed period of time daily.

At home customized tray teeth whitening system changes the shade of your teeth gradually over time and is less noticeable to others around you. The cost is also relatively low. However, this process will take usually two to four visits to the dentists' office.
In-office bleaching is another teeth whitening system commonly used. In this process the dentists apply a whitening gel along with a special light at their clinic. Sometimes this can be used as follow up treatment of at home tray teeth whitening procedure if required.

The advantage of in-office teeth whitening is that, usually it takes just one visit for a white enhancing smile. This treatment is comparatively less costly. The only disadvantage is that this process will bring in a sudden change of shade in your teeth which is likely to be noticed by people around you.

One of the most effective teeth whitening system is laser teeth whitening (in-office). This system uses laser rays that are sometimes combined with application of with whitening gel simultaneously. A translucent whitening gel is used on the teeth and a special activating light is applied which activates the crystals to attract the energy from the light. Then it penetrates the enamel to enhance the lightening effect on the teeth. This process involves around two hours of time.

Just one visit to the dentist is sufficient to complete this process. But this again will impart a sudden change in the color of the teeth which is noticeable and can cause some amount of inconvenience. This is one of the most expensive but fastest techniques used.

In some other cases where the above techniques seem to be ineffective teeth bonding and teeth veneers are used to get the same whitening effect. The procedure that would be appropriate for you should be discussed with your dentist to get the best opinion on teeth whitening.

Cellulite: Learn The Facts - Fight The Flab

Have you been cursed with those lumpy cottage cheese like areas of fat on your thighs, hips, buttocks, and other parts of your body? There's a good chance; 85% of women are already afflicted with these same cellulite woes. The term "cellulite" is not a common term around the medical community - it was actually first created in European spas. Then, in the early 1970's a man by the name of Nicole Ronsard published the book Cellulite: Those Lumps, Bumps, and Bulges You Couldn't Lose Before. The term "cellulite" then spread throughout America.

If you're like most women, you are probably wondering . Well, there are several factors that contribute to the cause of cellulite. Some of these factors are age, genetics, your body fat percentage, your level of hydration, and possibly whether or not you smoke or ingest caffeine.

One of the most prominent and widely accepted cause of cellulite has to due with how the skin is constructed and how the fat around it is situated. In the skin, there are tough strands of fibrous tissue that connect the skin to the rest of the body called the "septa". The septa anchors at certain points - similar to a net. This net of fibrous - the septa - tissue exists above the layer of fat in your body. However, sometimes fat makes its way through the holes in this net of fibrous tissue and therefore plumps the fat outward. This plumping of fat causes the "cottage cheese" resemblance of cellulite. Many times, even if a woman has a very low body fat percentage, if the skin around that area is pinched, then some cellulite can still remain visible; however, most women probably only care about cellulite when it is only visible without pinching.

Other reasons/theories exist as to the cause of cellulite, but the actual cause is probably a combination of more than one thing. Carole Walderman, aesthetician and president of Von Lee International School of Aesthetics, in Baltimore, states, "Cellulite is a combination of fat globules, waste matter, and water imprisoned in connective tissue." Another theory is that the makeup of the strands of fibrous tissue in men and women are different - for instance, a man's net of fibrous tissue forms a net that is perpendicular, where as a woman's net of fibrous tissue is formed by X's. Also, the fibrous tissue may be tighter in women, which would cause a much more pronounced plumping effect in women in comparison to men.

Treatments for Celllulite

Just Lose the Fat

Since an excessive body fat percentage is probably the most prominent reason for the cause of cellulite, the best, most permanent, and most effective course of action is to simply lose fat. Obviously, there are many options in this area due to the fact that there are hundreds of diet programs, pills, supplements, etc. A very effective and recommended (by the author of this article) program to accomplish this is entitled "Burn the Fat, Feed the Muscle," by Tom Venuto.

Mechanical Massage

Another popular, and somewhat pricey, treatment for cellulite is called endermology, or mechanical massage. In this treatment, layers of cellulite are rolled between rollers and sucked on with a vacuum with low pressures to "stretch" the septa. The appearance of cellulite is supposed to become smoother - similar to if you were to roll cottage cheese between two rollers. Obviously, the cottage cheese would no longer be as lumpy. There are many studies going on to determine the effectiveness of these treatments, but their effectiveness remains questioned.

Water

This is a a simple treatment. Drink more water. Carole Walderman, mentioned above in this article, states, "I have found that a lot of people who have cellulite don't drink enough water." Even if water doesn't reduce your appearance of cellulite, it does too many other important things to be passed up anyway.

Topical Treatments

In the world of health and fitness, there are many marketers trying to take advantage of consumers who are ready to spend anything to treat their problems. Many times, products like these will make vague claims like "improve circulation", "reduce the appear of cellulite", or "stimulate the release of fat". These claims sound scientific to the unknowledgable consumer; I mean, what is bad about improving circulation? 90% of the time these marketers will exaggerate claims from poorly designed studies, claim that a certain ingredient does something special, but rarely as to what degree does it accomplish it. Another common generalization of these products is to "stimulate the release of fat". There may be one or two studies that verify this, but even if these products accomplish this, the effect of them is extremely minimal compared to what intelligent dieting and exercise can do.

Then again, there is a possibility that some of the ingredients in topical creams may benefit in reducing cellulite. However, many times there are several ingredients mixed into one cream. This makes it extremely hard to find out which ingredient is actually producing results. If you decide to go this route (please encorporate diet and exercise too), then ask your dermatologist before purchasing anything.

Nicotine and Caffiene

Another theory that holds investigation is the use of caffiene and nicotine. You can help aid in your fight against cellulite by halting the use of these, since they constrict blood vessels. This theory may need more investigation.

All in all, cellulite is a tough foe. There are several treatments for it; many of them are a waste of money or have a very minimal effect. The most effective way to reduce cellulite is to treat it at the root of it's cause - where fat makes it way through the net of fibrous tissue that makes up your skin to cause several small pits or domes. The best way to accomplish this is through intelligent dieting and exercise.

Natural Hair Loss Remedies & Treatment

We all lose hair on a regular basis, but unfortunately rapid hair loss accompanied by non-growth of new hair coming in to replace it results in thinning hair and gradually lead to baldness.

The causes of hair loss can be many, the main cause of Hair Loss being due to improper care of your hair, or unhealthy lifestyle. Hereditary can also be attributed to the cause of hair loss. Hair loss can be treated by either of the following,
• Drugs based approach.
• Use of commercial products approach.
• Natural remedy approach.
• Nutritional approach.
• Cleanliness approach.
Drug based approach is ideal for people who are willing to take strong medications. It is strongly recommended that you consult a dermatologist before the consumption of any drugs.

Although a variety of commercial products are available in stores, yet all may not prove as a solution to your problem. An extensive research is what can help you in choosing the proper product to prevent your hair loss. Commercial products based on natural ingredients are preferred and have proved useful too in preventing hair loss.

Nowadays people are increasingly getting more and more inclined to natural hair loss remedies to combat hair loss. Some natural remedies have proved as an effective treatment towards hair loss.

It is an eminent factor that poor nutrition and unhealthy lifestyles can have a bad effect on your health as well as your hair. A well-balanced and improved nutrition can help you achieve a healthy hair. Try eating sufficient amounts of protein, proper levels of useful carbohydrates and achieving a healthy balance of dietary fats. Eat more fruits in the morning and more vegetable for lunch and dinner.

Scalp cleanliness plays one integral role in preventing hair loss. If you have dandruff, you need to get rid of it immediately. Dandruff can be a prime cause of hair loss when it combines with dirt, shampoo chemicals, excess sebum follicle oil.

With time these chemicals can create a film on your scalp that hardens and start to plug up your hair follicles. Once plugged, your follicles cannot support hair growth.

Here are a few hair loss remedies that can help you maintain what you now have and save losing your hair.
• Getting proper nutrition is essential for healthy hair.

• Water, protein, biotin, vitamins A, B6, B12, C, copper, iron, omega 3 fatty acids, zinc, calcium, folic acid, and magnesium all contribute to a healthy scalp and hair.

• Massaging your scalp with the help of your fingertips enhances the scalp blood circulation, which contributes to your hair growth.

• Prolonged exposure to sun, wind and heat can result in hair loss, therefore avoid doing so. If it is really required, make sure you have protected your hair with a scarf or hat.

• Excessive use of hair dryers, hot showers, and curling irons on your hair can also cause hair loss, thus try avoiding them as much as possible.

• Stress is a major reason why you can experience hair loss. Therefore, start reducing the extra stress at once by taking some time out of your daily schedule to relax. Also get enough sleep. You can also start supplementing your diet with a good hair loss nutritional supplement.

• Hair coloring damages your hair and therefore you must try to color it less frequently.
The hair loss treatments suggested here cannot provide perfect cures for all hair loss conditions, but have proved helpful under many conditions. You can thus, try them as the potential solutions to hair loss.

Can Stress Cause Diabetes?

It is believed that almost all illness conditions can be caused by stress. Is it really true? We shall examine whether diabetes can be caused by stress.

Diabetes can be classified into two major types.

Type 1 diabetes mellitus is commonly known as juvenile diabetes. This is due to the fact type 1 diabetes is diagnosed when a person is still young - from a couple of years old to teenage. Type 1 diabetes arises because the body produces insufficient insulin and the patient is said to suffer from insulin deficiency. Young children are normally not under great stress, it is fair to believe that stress cannot be the cause of type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus usually occurs later in life, after the age of forty. Most diabetes patients suffer from type 2 diabetes mellitus. In type 2 diabetes mellitus, the problems arise because

1. Either the body does not produce enough insulin, or
2. The insulin produced is ignored by the cells in the body (known as insulin resistance), or both.

In order to understand type 2 diabetes mellitus, it is important to discuss first what insulin is and the roles it plays in human body functions.

The food that we consume and store are big molecules. Before the cells in our bodies can make use of the food, it has to be broken down into simple sugars. In our body, the simple sugar is glucose which has a molecular formula of C6H12O6. Glucose in the blood is what we normally refer to as blood sugar, because glucose is the main type of simple sugar in our blood.

The glucose in our blood has to be maintained to within a narrow range from 0.7 mg per ml to 1.1 mg per ml. When the glucose level falls below 0.7 mg per ml, "hypoglycemia" is said to have occurred. When the glucose level rises above 1.8 mg per ml, "hyperglycemia" is said to have occurred. Both "hypoglycemia" and "hyperglycemia" can cause problems to our bodies.

The glucose level in our bodies is controlled with the help of insulin, which is a hormone that regulates metabolism in our body. Insulin helps the cells in our bodies by taking glucose in our blood to the cells for the cell to breathe to produce energy so that life can be sustained.

When the glucose level in the blood rises, more insulin is secreted into the blood to help the cells in our bodies such as muscle cells, red blood cells and fat cells to absorb the glucose out of the blood, thus lowering the blood glucose level.

When the glucose level in the blood falls, more glucagon, which can be seen as a counterpart to insulin, is secreted into the blood to stimulate liver to release the glucose it has stored in its cells into the blood stream, thus increasing the blood glucose level. Glucagon also induces the liver and some of the muscle cells to break down protein molecules to produce glucose.

If the glucose is built up in the blood instead of being absorbed by the cells, there are two detrimental outcomes. In the first place, if the cells do not get the glucose they need to live, they die. In the second place, a long period of high blood glucose level can hurt the vital organs in the body such as eyes, kidneys, heart and brain. In order to treat "hyperglycemia" or high blood sugar level, insulin is introduced into the body orally, through injection or intravenously.

"Hypoglycemia" or low blood glucose level condition can happen when there is insufficient food in the stomach or when more insulin is introduced than there is food in the stomach for it to act on. This often happens when a patient is hungry or injects insulin in anticipation of food consumption, but the food consumption is delayed or insufficient food is consumed. Symptoms of "hypoglycemia" include strange behavior, strange facial appearance, clumsy or jerky movements, seizure, confusion, tingling sensations around the mouth, dizziness, sweating, headache etc.

The usual reason explaining why stress leads to sickness is the weakening of our immunity system caused by stress. However, from our discussion on the mechanics of metabolism and diabetes, there is nothing to associate our immunity system with diabetes (type 2).

There seems to be evidence that among those who have undergone life-changing crisis such as death of a spouse or financial difficulty a higher percentage among them have developed diabetes. However, although such circumstantial evidence seems to suggest a link between a higher proportion of people under greater stress and diabetes, we cannot conclude that stress cause diabetes.

There is a belief that stressful life events increase the diabetes risk by increasing levels of the hormone cortisol and decreasing levels of testosterone. This is because a higher hormone cortisol level and a lower hormone testosterone have been shown to influence the action of insulin, in particular, insulin resistance. George Davey Smith and colleagues from the University of Bristol in the UK conducted a research project to test this theory but the results were inconclusive.

Based on the evidence to date, we cannot conclude that stress does indeed cause diabetes. It is therefore not wise to attribute diabetes to stress because we could be barking the wrong tree.

Top 4 Diet Plans For Successful Weight Loss

There are thousands of different diets all over the internet and some of them are so confused with others that no wonder why you can get so lost and eventually end up in total despair and frustration.

Not to talk about what can happen if you decide to follow some diet and instead of losing weight, you get the opposite result – gain weight. That is reality - some diets may work for you, others can end like a complete disaster for you.

There is no dieter who wants to achieve the negative effect of dieting. But the truth is that if you do not know what exactly you are doing, you are most likely to fail your diet and give up in the end. Well, here is why we are here to help you make the right choice for a diet plan.

First steps in dieting

The very first thing any diet should do for you is to prevent you from further weight gain. Next is to set your future weight loss goals. Set realistic goals! Do small steps to reach your goals and to achieve your target weight.

Do not expect fast results – anything you do in a rush for rapid results may end uglier that you thought (that means lose weight gradually to succeed).

You should remember - there is no easy and fast way to lose weight and you should deal with that. Dieting is hard, takes time, often separates you from your family, as far as it comes to counting the calories, the carbohydrates and fats in your meals.

Can not resist the temptations?

It gets even worse if you can not resist the sweet and delicious temptations all around you after the first or the second week on your diet. Probably while you have been doing the shopping for your diet you happen to pass by the sweet, delicious and so unhealthy foods, that make you crave for them like never before.

The solutions

I know it is hard from my personal experience, but there is a solution, and that is why I want to share it with you here in this article:

Believe it or not I lost weight not by following some strict do not-eat-this-do not-eat-that diet, but by eating only delicious, healthy and great looking meals with less calories and never really felt starving to death.

It is simple not to get hungry if you eat about 5 times a day very delicious meals and lose weight safely at the same time. The only problem here is that you either have to prepare those delicious meals yourself, or you can order them from a specialized diet food delivery service that will cook them for you.

Which one is better?

In the first case when you prepare your meals yourself, you spend a lot of time shopping and cooking. What is more you may forget some of the products or even get bored with all that cooking healthy meals and eating them afterwards. I myself find the shopping and cooking a little bit exhausting, not to mention that I may lose my appetite while I am doing all this stuff. If in any part of your diet anything like that happens, then do not expect any positive results. You will not save money, you will lose time.

However, if you choose a Diet Food Delivery Service to supply you with healthy and delicious foods and meals at the beginning of every week – well, that is another story. All you need to do is heat the meals in the microwave and enjoy their great taste by following the diet plan, cause every service of that kind has a diet plan you should stick to.

Well, of course these services are not cheap, but if you are really serious of getting rid of all extra pounds, it will be nice to think of this diet food delivery service thing as for a small investment for your good health and happier life. You do want to prevent you from getting high blood pressure, heart attack or else?

Here are the Diet Food Delivery Services We Recommend:

Diet To Go Diet Food

BISTRO MD / Diet To Your Door

And the Protein Diet Plans and Meal Replacements that work and we also very heartily recommend:

Medifast Diet and the 5 and 1 Plan

Diet Direct and the WonderSlim Starter Kits

Do not be surprised that we also recommend those two diet plans. We are doing this cause they are good and can help you in a way you might not imagine.

With these types of diets you take more proteins, lower carbohydrates and absolute no fat. So you lose weight successfully and keep it off for good.

While on the protein diet you replace one or more meals with fat free shakes, puddings, soups and bars, which is why they are called meal replacements.

Protein diet – when should you start it?

When you are on a low budget, cause these types of diet are cheaper than diet food delivery services.

Another reason could be if you really really like protein diet shakes, bars and puddings, then you will definitely enjoy the meal replacement diet plan very much.

In conclusion

No matter what type of diet you choose, you must be serious about it and your weight loss. Stay focused on your goals! Use wisely the diet plan, information, recipes and motivation articles from the diet service or diet plan you choose.

Ayurveda for Stress Relief

Stress is a feeling that's created when we react to particular events. Stress is the internal distribution of force per unit area that balances and reacts to external loads applied to a body. Stress is not always a synonym for distress. The individual responds to stress in ways that affect the individual as well as their environment. Everyone is familiar with stress. We experience it in varying forms and degrees every day. In small doses, stress can actually be beneficial to us. It is only when the stress becomes too great, affecting our physical or mental functioning, that it becomes a problem. Increased stress increases productivity – up to a point, after which things rapidly deteriorate, and that level also differs for each of us. It’s much like the stress or tension on a violin string. Situations like a steep roller coaster ride that cause fear and anxiety for some can prove highly pleasurable for others. True stress is an alternative definition in which the initial area is replaced by the current area. In engineering applications, the initial area is always known, and so calculations using nominal stress are generally easier. Winning a race or election may be more stressful than losing but this is good stress. When the stress tensor is needed to fully describe the state of stress in a body, it is useful to break the concept up into smaller parts that have physical significance.

Stress is nothing but uncomfortable state of mind. It is the state of mental or emotional strain. Ayurveda, the "Science of Life. Ayurveda believes this to be Maanas Dosha (mental disorder). There are several single herbs and compounds that give relieves in stress. According to ayurveda, human body is made of three doshas—vata, pitta and kapha, which are also present in the nature. These three doshas are in constant interaction with each other inside human body and, also outside of it, with the three doshas of nature. The three doshas govern all metabolic activities. When their actions in our mind-body constitution are balanced, we experience psychological and physical wellness. Brahmi is the most important rejuvenative herb in Ayurveda. Brahmi helps to awaken the crown chakra and balance the right and left hemispheres of the brain. Chandan-Calms down the stress by suppressing Pitta dosha. Yashtimadhu improves cognitive functions of the brain. Ashwagandha is proven anti-stress herb. This regulates the chemical-imbalance in the brain. It is also good for people who do physical labor or exercise a lot, to help the body adapt to physical stress. Ashwagandha increases the quality and quantity of Ojas, the master coordinator between the body and consciousness. It helps pure consciousness slide into the physiology.

Stress response (also called the fight or flight response) is critical during emergency situations, such as when a driver has to slam on the brakes to avoid an accident. Stress vitiates Prana Vata, which governs the activity and energy of the brain. It can also be activated in a milder form at a time when the pressure's on but there's no actual danger - like stepping up to take the foul shot that could win the game, getting ready to go to a big dance, or sitting down for a final exam. Ayurveda, the ancient science of healing from India, considers one of its primary objectives to be preserving the continued good health of the healthy. It is provides a clear, concise, cohesive regimen to help people correct conditions such as stress response in a natural way. Vata dosha in general tends to get disturbed during travel. Drink Vata Tea or Worry Tea. These herbal teas are especially formulated to pacify Vata-related imbalances. Avoid carbonated or ice-cold beverages, because they disrupt digestion. Avoid caffeine and alcohol. Ashwagandha nourishes the crucial mind-body connection and psychoneuro immune response (called PNI). It helps coordinate the mind and senses, as well, which is essential for good quality sleep. It is also a powerful Medhya Rasayana, which means that it enhances all three aspects of mind power (Dhi -- omprehension; Dhriti - memory; and Smriti -- recollection).

Tips of Ayurveda for Stress

1.Brahmi helps to awaken the crown chakra and balance the right and left hemispheres of the brain.

2.Chandan-Calms down the stress by suppressing Pitta dosha.

3.Yashtimadhu improves cognitive functions of the brain.

4.Ashwagandha is proven anti-stress herb. This regulates the chemical-imbalance in the brain.

5.Stress vitiates Prana Vata, which governs the activity and energy of the brain.

New age Weight loss & quit smoking drugs available in market.

Rimonabant Acomplia works by selectively targeting and blocking the CB1 receptors, helping normalize the over-activation of the EC system and making hunger or cigarette pangs more manageable. Rimonabant is a new anti-obesity drug, developed by Sanofi-Aventis, a french pharmaceutical company. If you are overweight rimonabant weight loss drug may help you shed pounds.As per recent marketing survey, it shows Approximately 300,000 adult deaths in the United States each year are attributable to unhealthy dietary habits and physical inactivity or sedentary behavior
· Nearly two-thirds of U.S. adults are overweight (BMI > 25, which includes those who are obese).
· Nearly one-third of U.S. adults are obese (BMI > 30).
Obesity: Obesity refers specifically to having an abnormally high proportion of body fat. Individuals with a BMI of 30 or more are considered obese.
Rimonabant Working
Rimonabant works by blocking certain chemical pathways within the brain which make you feel hungry. The drug binds to special chemical receptors in the brain known as endocannabinoid receptors. This binding renders these receptors unresponsive to stimulation by chemicals known as ‘cannabinoids’.
In other words it should help suppress your appetite. The end result is you eat less and lose weight

Rimonabant Dosage

When talking about the dosage of Zimulti Rimonabant, the most important thing that you need to follow and consider is the directions given by your doctor. This diet pill is widely available in two dosages (10 mg and 20 mg). Very often the physicians do prescribe the 20mg dosage.

Rimonabant Side Effects

Rimonabant Side effects observed during the trials include nausea, dizziness, anxiety and painful joints. A full list of side effects will be available when Rimonabant drug is prescribed to you. We do not know as yet if there will be any influence on the mental state as the endocannabinoid system is yet to be fully evaluated.

Rimonabant : No More Obesity

An obese not only struggle against his excessive weight but also faces threats like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol to name a few. He wants to lead a healthy life but in spite of several endeavors ended up with zero. When all possibilities of a slim trim figure seem faded, comes Rimonabant diet pill, the miracle drug manufactured by Sanofi-Aventis.

Chantix Smoking Stats

Smoking kills 400,000 people a year in the United States alone, that’s almost 1,100 every day. The figures for the UK are around 121,000 people a year, or approximately 330 per day. Approximately 38% die of cancer, 28% die a slow and agonizing death from chronic lung disease and emphysema, and the other 34% die of heart disease and other circulatory problems.

Smoking is one of the major causes of male impotence, increasing the risk of erective dysfunction by some 50%, and affecting as many as 120,000 males in the UK alone. It has been reported that a male experiencing erectile dysfunction, should take this as a warning that blood vessels are being damaged, and this includes the blood vessels in and around the heart.

Chantix Working

Chantix acts at sites in the brain affected by nicotine and may help those who wish to give up smoking in two ways: by providing some nicotine effects to ease the withdrawal symptoms and by blocking the effects of nicotine from cigarettes if they resume smoking.

The Why, What, and How of Buying Viagra

Affected by impotence, millions of modern men today have taken recourse to Viagra (sildenafil citrate), the first oral pill to treat erectile dysfunction. Produced by the pharmaceutical company Pfizer, this drug is also approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is known to have been enormously effective in helping men having and maintaining an erection.

Why do people buy Viagra?

Impotence is caused by both medical and psychogenic reasons. And Viagra is tested to be effectual in overcoming the dysfunction for both as this drug does not cause erection directly; it only improves the response to sexual arousal. That is why men rely on Viagra. It enhances nitric oxide discharge in the body, which usually happens when a person is sexually stimulated. Nitric oxide relaxes the smooth muscles and allows more blood flow into certain penile areas, thus causing an erection.

What to consider while buying Viagra?

Viagra is sold as oral tablets of 25mg, 50mg and 100mg strengths, each priced at around US$ 10/pill. It is generally advised to start with the medium strength and then move up or down to 25mg or 100mg, as the need be. Viagra is consumed once everyday about 30 minutes to 3 hours before sexual intercourse.

For those who don’t know, Viagra tablets are blue in color and diamond-shaped. And you will find the words "Pfizer" and "VGR xx" written on either side. Here, the “xx” represents "25", "50" or "100", the dosage strength in milligrams.

It is also important to consider the side-effects of Viagra while buying. Its serious side-effects include hypotension, priapism, stroke, myocardial infarction, increased intraocular pressure, ventricular arrhythmias, etc. And among the most commonly reported fallouts of this drug are headache, stomach ache, sneezing, palpitations, flushing, prolonged erections, photophobia, and visual impairment (color and light perception changes, vision gets blurred).

Another word of caution for patients treated for HIV with Protease inhibitors. Ideally, they should no use Viagra, and if at all they do, it is best to limit the intake and/or consult a doctor. Viagra is also not recommended for people having nitroglycerin, as this may adversely impact and lower the blood pressure levels.

How do people buy Viagra?

First and foremost, remember that Viagra is not sold over-the-counter. It is available only by prescription. Ask a licensed medical practitioner about the dosage you will need. It is always wise to get medical advice before you buy Viagra. Your entire medical history needs to be assessed before administering this drug.

There are also many online orders for Viagra delivery around the world. There is Viagra US, Viagra UK, Viagra for Asians and more. But in all cases, it is delivered only after thorough medical profile check.

Lastly, it must be borne in mind that Viagra consumption does not provide any biological resistance to AIDS or other sexually transmitted diseases.

Lowering the Cholesterol Levels the Natural Way

Studies have shown that the number of people who are obese or overweight has gone up through the years. This is attributed to the type of food being served in schools and fast food joints as well the lack of physical activity as the person grows older.

The problem goes farther because this means that many more Americans will suffer from high blood pressure, heart disease and strokes in the future. The good news is that this can be prevented before it is too late.

The natural way to lower the cholesterol will be by making some lifestyle changes and exercising regularly. This will help the individual lose weight, which is directly related to the cholesterol levels in the human body.

When people think of dieting, many think this means saying goodbye to some of life’s more juicer foods but it is not. The person will just have to limit the consumption and add new things that are healthier.

More often, this will require eating foods that are high in fiber and low in saturated fats. A few examples of these are artichokes, corn, fish, garlic, legumes, mushrooms, nut, olive oil, soy milk and whole grains.

The individual should not forget to have some fruits and vegetables as well since these are rich in sterols that are known to keep the cholesterol levels down. All of these products are affordable and can easily be purchased in the supermarket.

Aside from eating properly, the person must also take the necessary precautions when consuming liquids. This means drinking a glass of red wine moderately, reducing the consumption of beer, drinking fresh juices, non-fat milk and water.

Apple juice for example has been known to reduce cholesterol levels by up to 50% when taken regularly. Other fruits can also do the same so cutting this and putting it into a blender can do the trick or getting this in bottled form.

The next step to lowering the cholestesterol levels naturally is through exercise. This can be achieved in many ways such as brisk walking, jogging or running around the neighborhood. Learning a new sport and doing it regularly is another option.

Those who want to be looked after by a personal trainer can check out the gym since there are professionals that can create a program to achieve the person’s desired results. This will be a combination of cardio-vascular exercises as well as weight lifting to burn the calories and lower the cholesterol levels.

There is another way to reduce the cholesterol levels but is only used as a last resort if these two do not work. The individual will be required to use medicine to make it happen. There are a lot of products out there and studies have shown this can drop the cholesterol levels by as much as 15% to 30%.

The person should be aware though that these drugs have certain side effects so it is best to consult a doctor first to make sure it is safe to use.

Dangers of Obesity

Are you obese? Body Mass Index, or BMI, is used to measure obesity. Prior to 2005, once your BMI hit 30 or higher, you are no doubt obese. But since 2005, World Health Organization (WHO) has revised the BMI for obesity level downwards for Asians because of their smaller frames. Now, an Asian is considered an obese if his BMI is 27.5 and above. This implies that an Asian has increased risk of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes at low BMI levels.

BMI is calculated by dividing your weight in kilograms over the square of your height in metres. Weighing heavy does not necessarily leads to obesity. Look at the heavyweights - their weights came from their muscle mass. Of course for us as common people, heavy weight means overweight!

The logic is simple: if we consume more calories than we use, the excess calories are stored in our bodies as fat. When you are obese, it simply means you are carrying too much fat in your body. Therefore, obese people run a higher risk of suffering from high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and stroke.

Many factors contribute to weight gain. They affect the way your body burns calories, thereby causing you to gain weight or not.

Lifestyle

Our long working hours and other commitments often becomes our excuses not to cook nutritious meals. Instead we head for the nearest fast food outlet or food center even though we know these prepared foods are often high in fats and calorie and the portion sizes are usually too large. On top of that, many of us lack exercise which is vital to burn away the excess calories. The end result: the excess calories turn into fat.

Psychological factors

Some people over-eat to cope with emotions problems such stress, depression or boredom.

Genetics

Your genes actually affect the amount of body fat you store and where the fat is distributed. Take a look at your parents - are they obese?

Age

Our muscle mass decreases with age. We also become less active. This in turn leads to a decrease in metabolism and calorie needs. Therefore, if we do not reduce our caloric intake as we age, we will most likely gain weight. Medical Problems

Problems like low thyroid function, arthritis, excess production of hormones by the adrenal glands (Cushing's syndrome) or other hormonal balances, such as polycystic ovary syndrome.

Alcohol

It's no myth drinking will make you fat. Think about this - one regular beer is about 150 calories.

If you need some help with your obesity problem, approach a qualified doctor who may recommend the following treatments:

1. Mesotherapy

Painless procedure whereby the mesoactive substance are injected into the targeted body areas such as tummy, thighs, hips and arms. The mesoactive ingredients will stimulate the metabolism of fat cells and accelerate their elimination.

2. Carboxytherapy

Get rid of ugly cellulite by improving local tissue metabolism and perfusion. This is done by injecting carbon dioxide using a tiny needle about 0.3mm in diameter. This is rapid, comfortable and effective for most patients.

3. Liposuction

This procedure can help sculpt the body by removing unwanted fat from specific areas including chin, cheeks and neck. Usually used for stubborn areas that do not respond to traditional weight-loss methods.

4. Abdominoplasty

Known as "tummy tuck", it is a major surgical procedure to remove excess skin and fat from the middle and lower abdomen and to tighten the muscles of abdominal wall. It can effectively reduce the appearance of a protruding abdomen but it does leave a permanent surgical scar.

Whichever treatment you choose, you still have to ensure a healthy diet and exercise regularly to keep the weight off.

Weight Gain Diet Foods

Weight gain diet foods are essential to help you gain extra pounds of healthy weight. Skinny people need to know what kind of food and how much to eat. Eating the wrong foods such as high carbs like fries, chips and other junk food is a sure way to create future health problems downstream like hypertension, heart diseases and diabetes. We will look at some of the proper weight gain diet foods you should include in your daily diet and the portions you should be consuming to gain weight quickly and healthily.

There is a right way to eat for weight gain. Instead of eating everything within the 3 basic meals, distribute your food intake into 5 or 6 meals – 3 main and 2 light ones. This would aid your calorie intake and maintain a healthy balance.

In order to gain weight, it simply means that you have to eat more than what your body requires for the day. This is translated to eating more than your daily calorie requirement to maintain the calorie-burning activities you perform. Eating just enough to meet your daily needs would only keep your weight constant, and not add any additional weight. Studies have revealed that in order for a person to gain extra 1 pound, the person needs to increase his/her calorie intake above what he/she needs by 3500 calories. Assuming the additional weight gain is achieved within a week, this equates adding 500 calories per day to the meals consumed. An average male adult requires about 2000 odd calories per day. If you want to know the exact calorie counts you need to consume, head to my blog to find out your Basal Metabolic Rate.

If you are interested in the kind of weight gain diet foods you can try the following:

1. Milk (3 Glasses)

Milk is packed with protein, the ingredient necessary to put on muscle mass. Start the day with a glass of milk, drink it over the next few meals until you are done with more than 3 glasses.

2. Fruits & Vegetables (5 Servings)

Eating fruits and vegetables help prepare our bodies for healthy weight gain. They are rich in fiber and vitamins, and aid us in digesting our weight gain diet foods.

3. Breads

Choose hearty and dense breads such as oat bran and whole wheat rather than light white breads. Eat them with generous servings of peanut butter and jam.

4. Cereals

Cereals make great weight gain diet foods. Eat more dense cereals such as muesli, grape-nuts, granola, shredded wheat and bran or wheat chex. Avoid flaked cereals. Remember to use low fat milk instead of water when preparing hot cereals and garnish with nuts and dried fruits.

5. Beverages

Drink more filling beverages like shakes, milk, fruit juices instead of water, tea, coffee and sodas. Go for the higher calorie content.

Now We've Done It: Texas Fights The Overuse of Antibiotics

Most of us have done it: at some point, we caught a bad cold or flu and, feeling miserable, dragged (or, if you prefer, drug) our shaking bodies into the doctor's office to beg for a prescription, believing a few pills will somehow make it all better. "Come on, Doc," we said, "Give me something. I'm under a deadline, here. My health insurance will cover it."

Unfortunately this attitude, and many physicians' willingness to prescribe antibiotics when they are unnecessary -- at times even when they have absolutely no effect on the illness creating the problem -- has lead to a serious problem in creating drug-resistant bacterial strains in Texas and the rest of the United States. Knowing most health insurance policies with prescription coverage will pay for a simple antibiotic makes the temptation all that much harder to resist. Dr, Richard Besser, of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, describes it as "the whole culture of overprescribing."

Approximately 150 million unnecessary prescriptions are written every year -- 50 million of which are for viral infections, diseases completely unaffected by antibiotic medication. That means residents of Dallas, Houston, and Austin are just as guilty as the rest. Simply having an infection doesn't warrant antibiotics; it's the kind of infection that determines whether such treatment is necessary and useful. Antibiotics are, indeed, a miracle drug, first created in the 1940s with the advent of penicillin, and absolutely life-saving for certain conditions. The key is understanding when antibiotics are appropriate, and when they are not.

Antibiotics fight bacteria, not viruses. Viruses and bacteria are two completely different kinds of organisms, and require different elements to survive, and therefore different methods for combating them. Bacteria are much simpler, and actually much easier to fight -- as long as they are not drug resistant. Strep throat, urinary tract infections, wound and skin infections, most ear infections, and some sinus infections are caused by bacteria. The common cold, the common flu, most sore throats, and most coughs, however, are not. They are viral, and Western medicine does not currently have a medication that effectively fights common viruses.

The problem comes after six decades of antibiotic use and overuse. Bacteria multiply in the millions, and, like any organism, learn to adapt to what seeks to harm them. Because their individual life cycles are relatively short, and because of this rate of reproduction, their ability to adapt is much faster than our own.

When an antibiotic is taken as prescribed and fails to kill all bacteria in an infection, it usually means those survivors have learned to resist that drug. They can then pass on that information to other bacteria in the body, making them resistant as well. When, consequently, a stronger drug is tried to fight the same infection and, it too, proves ineffective, the creation of a "superbug" begins -- a dangerous strain resistant to most, or all known, medications. The longer it takes to kill the infection, the longer such a superbug can be transmitted to others Just think of the consequences of the rapid transmission of a superbug in cities like Dallas, Houston, or Austin.
One of the best, and most disturbing examples of this phenomenon is pneumococcus, which is a bacterial strain that causes pneumonia, ear infections, and sinusitis. Its resistance has been increasing in recent years, and, because it causes infections that are so common, a pneumococcus strain completely resistant to all known drugs would prove absolutely pandemic.

Even vancomycin (Vancocin), an extremely potent antibiotic pulled out only when all other medications have proven ineffective, has met its bacterial match. The use of antibiotics previously prescribed only for high-risk situations, such as with cancer or organ transplant patients, is also on the rise due to the necessity of replacing older, weaker drugs with stronger ones. Soon, even vancomycin will fall down in the hierarchy of drugs to try when nothing else works.

Unnecessary antibiotic use may do more immediate harm than good, as well. Certain bacteria are good for you, believe it or not, and are necessary for various normal body functions. The digestive system, for instance, depends upon a healthy count of beneficial bacteria to do its job. Acidophilus and other probiotics keep the digestive system on track, but antibiotics are indiscriminate and will attempt to kill all bacteria in the body -- good or bad. These beneficial strains, then, need to be replenished -- either by the body or through supplements -- after a course of antibiotics, as an insufficient number may lead to irregularities and other types of infections, such as yeast.

But there is hope. The primary reason resistant strains have been created in Texas and across the United States is the overuse, and misuse of antibiotics. If we, as a public, can slow our usage of them, and use medications only when absolutely necessary, this problem can be considerably slowed. Our conscious efforts, in fact, may prevent future antibiotic-resistant pandemics.

What You Can Do:

It can't be said enough: Use all medications, particularly antibiotics, only when absolutely necessary. If you feel ill, of course, seek the advice of a medical practitioner, and find out for sure with what you are dealing. Don't beg for an antibiotic, however, when it's not necessary. Viruses are not affected by bacteria, so find alternatives to deal with that cold or flu! Zinc, for instance, has proven to reduce the duration of the common cold and flu by up to four days. Other natural methods are also extremely helpful in shortening the duration of illnesses and combating their symptoms.

Always take the full course of antibiotics prescribed, even if you start feeling better. You can start feeling much better well before all the dangerous bacteria in your system have been killed. Stopping a course of antibiotic treatment before it's been completed only creates prime opportunities for the infectious bacteria left to become resistant.

Never take antibiotics without a prescription. There are many types of antibiotics used to fight many strains of bacteria, all of which work in a slightly different way. You need to make sure you are getting the right prescription, taking the correct dose, and taking it as long, but not longer, than you should.

Keep healthy! By revving up your immune system to its maximum capabilities, you'll need antibiotics less. Wash your hands, exercise, eat right, and take vitamins if you feel them beneficial. After all, who wants to be sick?

The tendency for most Americans to search for that "magic bullet" is, perhaps, a natural one. After all, so many resources are so readily available to most of us in this country -- why shouldn't one for getting over the cold or flu be, too? But, unfortunately, some things just don't come that easily, and the overuse, and misuse, of antibiotics has created a major problem. Superbugs are very real, and if we don't all do our part in controlling them, there soon could be even bigger problems. So stay healthy, take care of yourself, and for your own sake, do what you're told -- at least this time.

The Causes Of Acid Reflux - Causes Of Heartburn

Those people who suffer with the extreme discomfort caused by acid reflux will ask the obvious question, "what causes acid reflux?" Yet the answer to this question is not so simple for each person is different.

common causes of acid reflux:
- lower oesophagus sphincter
- hiatal hernia
- esophageal contractions
- emptying of the stomach
- over production of acid

The common name for acid reflux is heartburn and this is experienced by the burning sensation behind the breast bone. This pain is caused by the acid in the stomach seeping into the oesophagus. The acid is allowed to reflux into the oesophagus. Even a very slight opening into the oesophagus will allow acid to creep in and the pain were commence. The level of pain depends very much on how much acid is released.

There are several medicinal remedies to control acid production in the stomach. These medicines may very well prevent the production of acid in the gut but the fact remains that whatever liquidity is in the stomach will seep into the oesophagus. There may be no acid to reflux yet reflux will continue.

The lower esophagus sphincter has a specific function and that is to open when a person swallows. Mind you however, the opening should only last for a few seconds it is then meant to close to prevent reflux from taking place. He weakened muscle in this area will allow acid reflux to continue. Another problem is that the lower esophagus sphincter may open for too long. Against this allows acid reflux to happen.

Herniated Hiatal Muscles and its effects on the Diaphragm

The diaphragm is situated on the same level as the lower esophagus sphincter. An hiatal hernia will allow a small section of the stomach to pass through the diaphragm and unfortunately this were forced acid once again into the oesophagus and initiate a horrendous pain associated with the condition.

Many patients who experience problems with the lower oesophagus find that they take longer to empty stomach contents than the average person. The more time it takes for the stomach to empty the more time there is far acid to reflux into the oesophagus.

Over eating can also trigger acid reflux pain. When you over eat when you fill the stomach and there is no room in it. Therefore the acid has to go somewhere and yes you guessed -- it goes back into the oesophagus. A person who suffers into chronic pain of acid reflux will find that over eating and ending and sitting forward while the stomach is full, that they once again experience untenable pain of acid reflux.

Statin Drugs (Cholesterol Fighters) and New Side Effects Revealed?

More than 40 million people in the United States take Statin Drugs every day. The purpose is to lower your LDL (BAD) Cholesterol. Statin drugs along with penicillin, and aspirin, may well be the three greatest drugs ever developed. These cholesterol fighting drugs have been known to lower your bad cholesterol by as much as 25% to 40% depending upon your unique body chemistry, and the actual dosage that you take.

Statin drugs are the most profitable drugs manufactured by the major drug firms. The five principal drug companies and their respective statin drugs are:

Name of Drug Company: Merck
Generic Name: Zocor
Brand Name: Simvastatin

Name of Drug Company: Merck
Generic Name: Mevacor
Brand Name: Lovastatin

Name of Drug Company: Pfizer
Generic Name: Lipitor
Brand Name: Atorvastatin

Name of Drug Company: AstraZeneca
Generic Name: Crestor
Brand Name: Rosuvstatin

Name of Drug Company: Kos Pharaceuticals
Generic Name: Advicor
Brand Name: Lovastatin

Research has shown that half the people in this country who suffer heart attacks have NORMAL Cholesterol levels at the time of their attack. That's right; half the heart attack victims are NORMAL. This implies that your Total Cholesterol level is not the MAGIC KEY that doctors are looking for. We also know that if you drive your LDL (BAD) Cholesterol level down to 60, heart disease seems to stop dead in its tracks. LDL Cholesterol is a subset of your Total Cholesterol. It is just one component of your Cholesterol, but obviously a very important one.

Here's the Potential PROBLEM

We know that all drugs have side effects. Manufacturers attempt to measure and quantify these side effects during the FDA approved clinical trials. These trials take place prior to a drug's mass distribution to the public. Sometimes, certain side effects do not become apparent until years after the drug's release.

Dr. Ralph Edwards is the director of the drug-monitoring center of the World Health Organization (WHO). He possesses a data base containing 4 million people, the drugs they take, and the side effects they report. He has found 172 people in that data base who developed Lou Gehrig's disease or something similar. All 172 had been taking prescription drugs. Of these, 40 had been taking statin drugs, which is the subject of our discussion.

Statistically, no more than ten patients should have been taking statin drugs and reported this type of result. It is a statistically unexplainable event. In other words too many people taking statin drugs are reporting the development of Lou Gehrig's disease, or similar type illnesses. We are not saying there is a direct correlation between the use of the statin drug and the onset of these crippling diseases. There is without question, cause for immediate and further study.

In addition, if you are taking any of the statin drugs listed in this article, and you are experiencing any type of side effects at all, INFORM YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY. Call him TODAY, not TOMMORROW.

Throughout the decades the major drug companies have attempted to downplay drug side effects. This explains the FDA's policy for decades of keeping drug side effects quiet. They were not published in the media. The World Health Organization is under no such requirement. Over the last couple of years, the FDA in response to public demand has published their drug findings on the Internet on a quarterly basis.

PATIENT BEWARE

Most of us were taught the term caveat emptor, which means BUYER BEWARE. We now must use the term PATIENT BEWARE. We have a responsibility to our loved ones, and ourselves to be aware of the adverse effects of the drugs we are using. In the 21st century, we are in a period of information overload. There is simply too much information coming at all of us to digest. This includes doctors. We as patients can not be completely reliant on our doctors being 100% knowledgeable about the adverse events that can be produced by the drugs their patients are taking. You must be informed yourself.

LASIK Eye Surgery - See The World More Clearly

LASIK is one of the most common surgical procedures performed by an eye surgeon nowadays. It has become very popular because of it's pain-free operation and because of its more or less instantaneous results. This is the major advantage that LASIK has over other surgical procedures to correct imperfect vision. After a couple of days rest you will soon see a definite improvement in your eyesight.

The surgical procedure itself is quick and virtually painless, and is performed under local anaesthetic. It consists of the eye surgeon cutting a hinged flap in the cornea which is then folded back to expose the lens of the eye. A laser from an instrument called a 'microkeratome' is used to vaporize aberrations and reshape the cornea so that the image focuses on the correct part of the retina, therefore improving the vision. The hinged flap in the cornea is then folded back into place for healing.

You will see two main types of LASIK surgery being advertised. Traditional LASIK surgery and Wavefront LASIK. Conventional LASIK surgery corrects the focusing power of the eye by remodelling the shape of the lens with the aid of laser. Wavefront LASIK is a variation of the traditional procedure and produces a spatially varying correction based on readings from a wavefront sensor. A wavefront sensor measures the eye itself by detecting any aberrations on the cornea. It achieves this by sending a weak laser source into the eye, and by measuring and processing the reflection off the retina. The Wavefront laser procedure is carried out using computer aided equipment and doctors have reported improved eyesight results from Wavefront over traditional LASIK surgery.

Although beneficial to thousands of patients, as is usually the case there can also be some disadvantages to LASIK eye surgery. Firstly, it can be an expensive treatment and prices can vary from area to area and from doctor to doctor. Secondly, as in all surgical procedures, there can be post-surgery complications. Common complications include patients developing glare and halos and possibly double vision which can affect night time vision capability. Others develop severe dry eye syndrome which may need to be treated with drops or cream for the rest of your life. However, complications in LASIK surgery are rare and the vast majority of patients benefit from almost perfect vision without eyeglasses or contacts after surgery.

If you decide to proceed with LASIK surgery you should carefully research the subject to find out as much as possible about the procedure. You should also research the eye surgeons that perform the surgery and if possible act on personal referral. Keep in mind that when pricing the surgery that not all advertisements for LASIK quote the full and final price and many have add-on costs. Finally, before proceeding with the surgery, make sure to have a thorough conversation with your eye surgeon so that you are fully aware of all the benefits and risks.

I Have Rheumatoid Arthritis And Have Heard About Cimzia... What Is It?

Biologic therapy has revolutionized our approach to the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Less than 10 years ago, the best we could hope for was to “modify disease” or slow it down and also help with symptoms. Now the goal is to not only control symptoms, it is to get RA into complete remission. Biologics are protein-based medicines that are synthesized in a laboratory. They act like laser beams to target the immune abnormalities that are felt to cause RA.

First generation biologics such as etanercept (Enbrel), infliximab (Remicade), and adalimumab (Humira) are known as TNF-inhibitors and have done wonders for many patients. Second generation biologic such as rituximab (Rituxan) which acts against B cells and abatacept (Orencia) which works on T cells are both welcome additions to the arsenal of weapons available to combat RA.

Cimzia (certolizumab) is an investigational TNF-inhibitor. It differs from the current crop of TNF-inhibitors since it is “pegylated.” This means that a substance called polyethylene glycol has been attached to the molecule. This pegylation lengthens the half-life of the drug- meaning the drug stays in the system longer. Cimzia also has had a piece of protein removed from the molecule. The piece of protein that has been removed contained a small amount of mouse protein (yes... these drugs are often created using mouse proteins). By removing the piece of mouse protein, it is hoped that Cimzia will cause fewer adverse reactions.

A recent presentation on June 14, 2007 at the annual meeting of the European Congress of Rheumatology (EULAR) described data on Cimzia.

The team studied 2 dose regimens, which patients received subcutaneously as add-on therapy to methotrexate.

In a phase 3, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study, the investigators recruited 992 patients with RA who received either the study drug or placebo. The investigators wanted to know the rate at which people had a 20% improvement, as defined by the American College of Rheumatology criteria (ACR 20).

The patients, who had previously been treated for at least 6 months with methotrexate, were randomized to treatment with either pegylated certolizumab or placebo. Those on treatment received 3 400-mg doses every 2 weeks, followed by 200 or 400 mg doses of certolizumab pegol every 2 weeks. The patients continued methotrexate as usual. The investigators assessed the efficacy and safety parameters at 2-week intervals.

In an early analysis at 24 weeks, the investigators found that 581 patients completed the study: 259 of the 397 on 200 mg of the drug, 278 of the 394 on 400 mg, and 44 of the 201 on placebo. The ACR20 response rate was 59.2% in the 200 mg group, 61.2% in the 400 mg group, and 13.5% of those who received methotrexate and placebo. The proportion of patients who experienced a significant side effect was 74.0% in the 200 mg group, 76.1% in the 400 mg group, and 57.7% in the placebo group. The majority of adverse events were mild to moderate.

"Pegylated certolizumab adds significant benefit in reducing the signs and symptoms of RA in combination with methotrexate, compared to using methotrexate alone," said lead investigator Edward C. Keystone, MD, professor of medicine at the University in Toronto, and director of the Rebecca MacDonald Centre for Arthritis and Autoimmune Disease, in Ontario.

Bottom line: Pegylated certolizumab works like a TNF blocker and appears to treat the signs and symptoms of RA. Whether it’s better than the TNF blockers that are currently available is still no known. It is better than placebo.

Online Pharmacy - The Cutting Edge Alternative

Online Pharmacy is perhaps entering a new era of cost saving measure. A Study conducted by the National Institute for Health Care Management Research and Educational Foundation data analysis results concluded that retail sales and individual prescription drug spending rose 18.8% from 1999 and 2000 from $111.1 billion to $ 139.9 billion.

Their studies also indicates that about half (51.4%) of the $20.8 billion in retail drug spending in 2000 occurred among just eight categories of medicines-arthritis, treating cholesterol, chronic pain, depression, ulcers, high blood pressure, diabetes, predisposition to seizures and other stomach ailments.

The spending on prescription drug had a steady climb in recent years. It has played a big part on the health care cost and health insurance premiums. This trend continues up to this day and even if people, who already have a health plan as part of their health insurance, could still feel the impact of the raising cost on which is being passed onto them indirectly, through higher insurance premiums and co-pays.

There are a lot of factors that contributes to the soaring cost it could be the increase in the number of prescription drugs written, the used of more prohibitive drugs, price increase and the used of Advertising and Marketing campaigns.

You can still go to the traditional route of getting out patient prescription drug from drug stores, discount stores, pharmacies at food stores but come to think of it, it will save the you---the consumer a lot more you order your medicines online.

Why online? It saves you on prescription cost. It is more convenient as you can order it even if you are in a remote area as long it has internet connection. You can make price comparisons. You have the power to choose from generic drugs to brand named drugs, a choice of medications. You get the same assistance and you can also enjoy discounts.

It is best that you choose not just any online pharmacy, but a pharmacy with reputation such as Drugstoretm.com. Most pharmacies out there makes outrageous claims of instant fixed it or quick cure of all imaginable maladies. We have more butalbital tramadol, generic fioricet and cheap online soma medicines.

From brick-to-mortar setting, making the transition to online purchasing is safe. Like any E-commerce site Drugstoretm.com complies with drug safety and demand to give consumers access to drugs in a faster and simpler way. This also contributes to patient care, getting the right medicines where ever you are.

Online Pharmacy is the latest in electronic prescription adoption. We give no complex medical information. Everything is as straightforward. Our technology is enough to satisfy our customers changing needs quality top selling drugs like prescription tramadol.

You can save the money on car gas, time and energy from making a purchase at a drug store when all you have to do is order it online and the medicine can be delivered right at your doorstep. This is one convergence in online pharmacy that you can enjoy.

Healthy Cooking for a Healthier You

You love to cook, and you love to eat. But you feel like you're not doing it right. Somehow you know you need to change the way you cook. You eat and you gain weight. Yet there are others out there who eat such lavish dishes yet never seem to put on the pounds. You need to learn the secrets of healthy cooking. Don't fret, you can learn these easy healthy cooking techniques and cook you way to a better diet, better health and a better life.

It is relatively easy to find healthy cooking techniques which you can apply to your daily life. Just look it up on the internet, and you will find hundreds. Look at books and videos, and you will find even more techniques for cooking healthy. Just remember that cooking healthy is simple and will not alter your life. One of the most immediate technique that you can use is as easy as replacing your salad dressing. Instead of the usual high-calorie fattening salad dressings, opt for low-fat or non-fat dressings available readily in the market. This basic change will assist in reducing your intake of calories. Many of us would think that eating salads would be a healthier choice compared to say a burger. However keep in mind that if we drench our salad with the fattening dressing, our salad will contain more calories than that burger!

Hey, those low-fat and non-fat dressing tastes funny, you say. Or they are tasteless. Well, this doesn't have to be so. Another option is to have salsa, which packs a punch. Salsa is a fantastic alternative to fattening salad dressings. The appetizing salsa can help dress up any dish you have. Instead of salsa, you can also choose marinade. These no fat low calorie marinades instantly add a burst of flavor. Or you could have some mustard mixed with some soy sauce. This homemade dressing is simply delicious. Be creative and bold and try out new recipes.

If you're a meat eater and love cooking meat, you can have ground beef or turkey as alternatives to a healthier diet. One healthy cooking technique that you can try is to basically cook the meat and once that is done, to use a spatula to hold the meat in place while you drain off the excess oil and fat. Once you drain off all the unnecessary oil and fat, you can now enjoy your meat without the excessive fat content and calories. Your food will taste lots better and you will not be dragged down by the lethargic feeling you'd normally get from eating a greasy, fattening meal.

Healthy cooking techniques when put to use can improve your diet, your health and your life. And if you cook for others, you will be giving them the great gift of these advantages too! You will be in for a great surprise when you realize how easy it is to utilize these healthy cooking techniques in your everyday diet, and make room for a healthier you. If you're a meat eater and love cooking meat, you can have ground beef or turkey as alternatives to a healthier diet. One healthy cooking technique that you can try is to basically cook the meat and once that is done, use a spatula to hold the meat in place while you drain off the excess oil and fat. Once you drain off all the unnecessary oil and fat, you can now enjoy your meat without the excessive fat content and calories. Your food will taste lots better and you will not be dragged down by the lethargic feeling you'd normally get from eating a greasy, fattening meal.

Healthy cooking techniques when put to use can improve your diet, your health and your life. And if you cook for others, you will be giving them the great gift of these advantages too! You will be in for a great surprise when you realize how easy it is to utilize these healthy cooking techniques in your everyday diet, and make room for a healthier you.

How to avoid headaches

If you always suffer from headaches for being cooped up in the office all day, you are not alone. Such headache is often accompanied by fatigue and tired eyes which is due more to the office environment than anything else. It makes you lose concentration and interest and you ended up feeling irritable and unproductive. But wait, before you start reaching for that painkiller tablet, try these 4 tips first and see if it helps.

1) More Fresh Air

Most office buildings are air-conditioned where supply of fresh air is poor. The air quality worsens with the chemicals released from the air-conditioning system, air fresheners, insecticides, pesticides and the pollutants already existing in the building. When we breathe in these harmful substances, it's no surprise that we have headaches.

The best way is to open the office windows regularly to let in fresh air, though this is near impossible in most high-rise office buildings. Alternatively, get out of the buildings at times for a breather. We can also help improve the air quality by installing air purifiers or/and filters and ensure regular cleaning and servicing of the air-con system in the offices.

2) Your Eyes Need to Breathe Too

If we overwork our eyes, it could lead to headaches too. This is because the muscles around our eyes get cramps which will stress the optic nerves connecting to our brain. Focus your eyes on a distant object from a high place for 5 to 10 minutes to rest your eyes. You should do this after every hour staring at the computer or the documents.

Perhaps it is time for a checkup visit at your optometrist to get a new pair of eyeglasses.

3) Mind Your Sitting Position

Many of us may not be aware that a poor sitting posture may hinder blood circulation, thereby causing headaches. As a rule of thumb, always keep the head aligned with the spine, and the wrists straight and aligned with the forearms. That's why our chairs are very important in giving us a good support for our backs to avoid slouching.

Avoid habits that could strain your muscles thereby causing headaches, e.g. we have the habit of typing on the keyboard and talking on the phone with it clamping between our shoulder and ear at the same time. Over-exertion of muscles for a long time could lead to headaches.

4) Stress is the Killer

Stress, coupled with exhaustion & anxiety, could easily lead to headaches or tension in the neck muscles. Though this is mostly unavoidable in our fast-paced environment, we should somehow learn to "spread out" our stress. We can stop work awhile to crack a joke or two with colleagues, or to enjoy a ten minutes tea break at the pantry. It benefits you to get away from your computer awhile.