Natural Pain Relief Safety and Benefits

Pain can be experienced as a result of old age, physical illness, extensive exercise, overwork, heavy lifting, strained muscles or broken bones. Pain triggers a region of the brain known as the lateral occipital complex, reducing a person's ability to concentrate and accurately recognize images, i.e. our ability to think and perceive properly. Pain also interferes with our ability to cope with life emotionally, e.g. sadness, irritation and perhaps depression and hopelessness. Supermarkets and pharmacies have aisles and aisles of pills, powders and bandages to help with pain relief. Some common pain relief medication can cause mild side effects like drowsiness or nausea. Other pain relief medications are prescribed and can have even more serious side effects. Drugs like vicodin and percocet are prescription, heavy duty narcotic pain relief pills that are addictive and dangerous if not taken carefully. New studies suggest those drugs that block pain could also be stimulating receptors that cause pain as well.

A safer option for society's pain relief is the variety of all natural products. These all natural products aid in pain relief for muscle and joint pain, as well as relax the body for a general improvement of the body and soul. Some examples of natural pain relief products are vitamins, supplements, herbs, ointments, creams and even bath formulas to reduce inflammation

Both glucosamine and chondroiton are a nutritional approach to maintaining the fluids needed to lubricate joints and cartilage. . Glucosamine is an amino found in the body that stimulates growth of new cartilage and can also help to reduce joint pain. People using glucosamine experienced as much pain relief as those taking over-the-counter medications. Antioxidants such as glutathione can help tissue recover from inflammation. The antioxidant acetyl-cystine, a precursor to glutathione, can reduce pain from nerve damage. There are widely known natural and herbal remedies for pain relief. These include varying amounts and combinations of "Devil's Claw", Willow Bark, Boswellia, Camomile, Bromelain, Oil of Oregano, Cayenne Pepper, Nettle leaf, St. John's Wort, arnica gel, celadrin, hyaluronic acid, collagen, msm and natural pain relief formulas to reduce neuropathic pain.

Bromelain is particularly useful for reducing muscle and tissue inflammation and as a digestive aid. Supplements are made from enzymes found in the pineapple stem. Bromelain is believed to be an effective blood thinner and anti-inflammatory that works by breaking down fibrin, a blood-clotting protein that can interfere with good circulation and stop tissues from releasing used material and toxins properly. Bromelain also blocks the production of compounds that can cause swelling and pain. When inflammation is reduced, blood can move more easily to a traumatized area, Bomelain can help reduce muscle and joint pain, reduce swelling, bruising, redness and drain excess fluid from the injured area.

Sleep disturbance is one of the most common experiences for people with chronic pain. It may not always be that the pain itself prevents a good night's sleep. Some studies suggest that poor sleep makes the pain worse. In fact, one study in healthy men found they grew more sensitive to painful stimuli when deprived of sleep. There are many natural sleep aids available to facilitate a good night's sleep that do not carry the risk of morning after drowsiness, dependence, or impaired thinking or physical ability.

As mentioned earlier, pain can also interfere with one's ability to cope emotionally, concentrate, and perceive properly. Pain may arouse fear, sadness, irritation, moderate depression and decrease one's ability to give and hold attention. There are a wide variety of natural supplements and formulas to help increase oxygen and serotonin to our brain to help us remain calm and alert. These natural supplements include may also be pain relieving as well as mood enhancing at the same time e.g. St. John's Wort, acytl-cystine, and other antioxidants and amino acids that improve general circulation and promote healing as well as enhancing brain function.

Hydrotherapy, i.e. the use of water for relieving stress, tension, and muscle aches, is an ancient and widely used form of natural pain relief. There are natural elements that can be added to our warm, soaking baths to increase water's natural ability to relieve pain. There are also many aromatherapy bath products, e.g. sea salts, minerals, and oils, that not only help with pain relief but also provide therapeutic aromas that help soothe our emotional well being and emotional ability to cope with pain.

There are many topical and ingestion natural supplements and formulas available to help us relieve and cope with pain. These natural substances do not present a risk of harmful or unwanted side effects e.g. dependence, drowsiness, pain increase, etc., as do some prescription synthetic drugs. Natural pain relief supplements can actually help eliminate the source and cause of pain, i.e. aid healing, as well as reducing the feeling and experience of pain. Often natural pain relief supplements provide additional benefits, beyond pain relief, for improving our overall health in general.

Kids & Healthy Eating

What parent doesn't want their kids to eat healthier? We've all had to bribe, cajole, threaten and manipulate our children at least once, but wouldn't it be nice if we didn't have to stoop to such heavy handed tactics? Here are some tips to help you out.

Start early! Don't wait until it's too late and your child's already ruined by sweets and treats. Once they've tasted ice cream, it's harder to get them to eat broccoli. And if you've waited too long then you'll just have to be strong and realize your kids might not like you for a few days.

Make sure you have a good variety of healthy foods available to your children. This prevents them from latching on to one food or one food group. Sure they'll still have their favorites, but a variety of vegetables and fruits will help them to get used to all of their varied tastes.

Try combing foods they like with foods they don't. For example, stir-frying onions with zucchini, broccoli, carrots, and snow peas isn't as bad as sitting down to a whole plate of broccoli. It also helps to make sure the pieces are small enough so your child gets some carrots with her zucchini.

Be strong! This is very important for teaching a child to eat what's good for them. Tell them that this is what we're having for dinner and there's nothing else for them to eat. They'll get hungry enough to eat what's served them if there are no other options available.

Which reminds me. Don't bring any food in the house that isn't part of a healthy food plan. That's right! No snacks, cookies, sweetened cereals, pastries, treats - whatever - are permitted. This might seem harsh, but you have to decide who you're raising; healthy, smart kids who don't get sick or fat or sick kids with learning disabilities who grow up to suffer degenerative diseases.

Stay away from people hell-bent on corrupting your children with candy and treats. It's amazing to me how so many well-meaning people like a bank teller or a relative offer my children lollipops or cookies. Teach your children to smile and politely say,
"No thank you." And if it's a relative that's always offering your child a treat, then ask them to stop or stop visiting them (a third option is to make them take care of your kid during his sugar buzz and subsequent crash - they'll never do it again).

Here's another free tip for kids and healthy eating that might fall into the harsh category, but if you think about it seriously you'll see how important it is. Don't let your kids watch commercial TV. Yes! You read this correctly. The majority of the ads on TV are about food and getting your children to eat these unhealthy foods. TV commercials are the nutritional education for 95% of the population and virtually nothing advertised on TV has any nutrition in it. You'll see a huge decrease in your child's food cravings when you turn off the tube.

And finally, the most important tip of all is for you to set a great example. How can you expect your children to eat fish, vegetables and whole wheat bread when you don't? How can you get them to give up ice cream when you won't? They look to you as a role model so you might as well live like one because if you don't, then you have no right to complain about their poor eating habits, obesity, ADHD and the time you have to take off work to care for a sick child.

Teaching Hatha Yoga: Difficult Students and Fitness Centers

What would you do if you had to substitute your Yoga class for an Aerobic Step class? What if one of the Step Aerobics students gave you a case of misplaced aggression because he or she was disappointed the Step Aerobics class was canceled?

If you are considering teaching Yoga in a fitness center, or health club; imagine the following situation. A Power Yoga teacher is called, by the fitness center she works for - to substitute her Power Yoga class for the regular Step Aerobics Class; this is her story.

"This morning I substituted for another fitness class and had a woman literally scowl, once she found out that Yoga was filling in the time slot for the Step Aerobics class. She looked at me, and said, that it wasn't against me, but she just didn't see the point in stretching. "I can't loose weight by stretching. I need cardio."

I told her that she might be surprised and she might see Yoga in a different light. She replied "Not likely," and walked away from me. Though she said it wasn't personal, I took it so.

I really thought hard about all the things I wanted to say, but found that everything I wanted to say had a negative tone. I told this person, as she walked away that I was not going to argue with her because I saw no point in it.

I felt hurt by her attitude, what can be said to people like this? What can I do to let it "roll off of me?" Can you respond in love and still get the point across?"

Let's find some realistic solutions for this Yoga teacher.

In a nutshell: This particular health club member is full of negative energy. You are doing your job by substituting for the Step Aerobics class. She decides to take it out on you, but it is all misplaced aggression. She would have acted the same way toward anyone teaching anything, except a cardio based fitness class.

Fitness centers are doing the best they can to serve their clients, on tight budgets. This particular fitness center wants to make sure there is a class for its members, because the Step Aerobics instructor is out. This is obvious, but, this person decides to attack what you do - just to lash out at somebody.

What you did is the best thing by avoiding an argument. Showing loving kindness was wise for many reasons. Management will usually back the members, no matter how obnoxious they are.

Many Yoga instructors currently teach Yoga in, or have taught Yoga at, fitness centers, in the past. When a racquetball court is in full swing, a fitness center is not always an ideal place to teach meditation.

My advice: Design a prepared handout, which highlights the researched benefits of Power Yoga. Some fitness center clientele don't understand what Yoga is or what it can do for them.

Pass them out with a smile. If the class wants to work hard, give them their money's worth (a serious challenge). They will believe Power Yoga can get them fit, when they can see and feel it.

Those scenarios are the reasons why some Yoga teachers do not teach in fitness centers anymore. When I teach Yoga to anyone, I want to make sure the students want to be there for Yoga.

In a health club, Yoga is just part of a big fitness menu - Like ice cream on an apple pie in a restaurant. So, very few of the members see it as something special.

Lastly, you are a Yoga teacher, but you are human too. Negative people do not think much before talking, but they do upset everyone all day and every day.

You did the right thing by displaying self-restraint. Remember the saying: "You cannot please everyone all the time."

How More Women Can Survive The Hot Flash

A hot flash is not something that can easily be seen by an onlooker; you almost have to be the one under attack. A hot flash can be described as having an intense fever or the feeling you get after standing too long near a blazing fire. It's an intense uncontrollable heat within a woman's body that may last a few seconds or up to an hour. Some women have reported having a hot flash as often as every 90 minutes!

Hot flashes are described as sudden waves of heat that primarily affects the head and neck region when blood vessels near the surface of the skin dilate. Some women can predict when they are going to have a hot flash or even the duration and frequency.

During a hot flash, the heart rate increases. The woman begins to react to the heat by perspiring usually on the upper lip or forehead, and some women fan themselves with their hand, a fan, magazine or whatever is available to generate cool air.

Following a hot flash, flushing or redness occurs underneath the skin and for many the body temperature drops as women experience a chill as the body struggles to regain its normal temperature. Some women also experience nighttime hot flashes or night sweats.

Some of the most unpleasant symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes and night sweats, have long been believed to originate in the ovaries. This theory is popular because women experience relief from hot flashes once they replace their lost estrogen.

The most recent theory indicates hot flashes start in the brain because the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland stop reacting normally to estrogen. This occurs because estrogen production affects the part of the brain that controls the body's temperature. The theory deduces that the drop in estrogen confuses the hypothalamus which is referred to as the body's thermostat and results in making the body too hot.

Hot flashes can be triggered by spicy food, dairy products, meat products, hot drinks, alcohol, sugar, smoking, caffeine, diet pills, stress, hot weather, hot showers, hot beds, hot rooms, hot tubs, saunas, tobacco, marijuana, anxiety, stress and anger. Women should avoid fried, rich, spicy and sugary foods because they can develop heartburn, acid reflux, and gallstones. Hot flashes are more common in the evening and during hot weather with the most common times identified for hot flashes between six and eight in the morning and six to ten at night.

If you can identify what triggers your hot flashes, that is a good indication of survival during an attack. It is also advisable to keep a record of when your hot flashes happen and what you were eating or doing, or how you were feeling at the time in order to be able to predict when and how the may occur.

The best way to beat a hot flash is naturally. The medical profession has generally ignored natural, less risky remedies for hot flashes to Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). Recent studies have shown that medication is not always helpful. However, you should always begin with the least aggressive approach to treating menopausal symptoms which would be natural remedies.

There are some natural remedies that provide relief for menopausal symptoms, such as isoflavones found in soybeans. Isoflavones is similar to the hormone estrogen and when ingested, stimulates estrogen production. Although study results are not entirely consistent, isoflavones from soy and red clover have been found to be helpful for symptoms of menopause.

Bioflavonoids are chemicals found in citrus fruits that have been shown to protect capillaries and other small blood vessels. Bioflavonoids, when taken with Vitamin C, have been found to strengthen and stabilize the capillaries and other small blood vessels which can prevent hot flashes from occurring. The effect on hot flashes may be due to the similarity between certain bioflavonoids and our bodies own estrogens.

Vitamin E supplementation has also been shown to significantly reduce hot flashes. Clinical trials reported that vitamin E controlled flushing in more than 50% of the cases. It is thought that vitamin E may act as an estrogen substitute, thereby reducing the intensity of hot flashes.

Some other herbal supplements that have shown to reduce hot flashes and other symptoms of menopause are: bioflavonoid supplements, evening primrose oil (also used for PMS symptoms), ginseng, black cohosh, chickweed tincture, vitex agnus castii, blue cohosh, dong quai, wild yam root, natural progesterone, licorice root, false unicorn, lachesis, pulsatilla and sarsaparilla. Additionally, other alternative remedies that women can benefit from for relief of hot flashes are sage tea, acupuncture, meditation and biofeedback.

Functional health beverages containing certain fruit or vegetables with the nutrients polyphenols, flavenols and phytosterols also contain estrogen like chemicals that can reduce menopause symptoms.

Testimonials received from functional health beverage users state positive results from menopausal and PMS symptoms when consuming functional health beverages.

Medical Disclaimer
It is important when using herbs and vitamins to pay attention to our bodies' responses and to remember that natural doesn't mean we can take large amounts of a substance without thinking of side effects. It is recommended to obtain advice from someone who is familiar with herbs and vitamins for the correct dosages.

Information in this article is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to act as a substitute for medical advice provided by a qualified health care provider, nor is any information on this topic intended to diagnose, treat, care or prevent any diseases. Statements have not been evaluated by the food and drug administration.

Menopause Is Coming - Be An Informed Consumer

Menopause is a natural part of life and does not necessarily require treatment. You need to be informed of your options. Symptoms and health risks associated with low estrogen can be treated, often, in natural ways that don't include drug related risks.

Definition
When a woman's menstrual period ceases, and the ovaries permanently stop releasing eggs, a woman has entered the time in life called menopause. It is considered complete when a woman has been without her period for a full year. Menopause can occur anytime between the ages of 40-58, however, the average age is 51 years old.

The Cause
Menopause is a natural part of life and is a gradual process. The ovaries begin producing lower amounts of hormones prior to menopause during a phase called perimenopause.

If menopause occurs before the age of 40 it is called premature menopause. Premature menopause can occur naturally but can also be the result of several conditions, including:

* Family history of premature menopause
* Autoimmune diseases
* X-chromosome abnormalities
* Medical treatments (pelvic surgery, surgical removal of ovaries, chemotherapy,
or pelvic radiation therapy)
* Medications that lower estrogen levels
* Smoking

The Risk Factors
A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition. Since menopause is a natural process associated with aging, there are no risk factors, but risk factors for premature menopause include:

* Family history of premature menopause

Symptoms
A number of physical and emotional symptoms may occur as menopause approaches. Women entering menopause often experience:

* Irregular menstrual periods
* Hot flashes and night sweats
* Disturbed sleep patterns, insomnia
* Anxiety
* Depression
* Dry skin
* Irritability
* Vaginal dryness and pain with sexual intercourse
* Difficulty concentrating
* Trouble remembering things
* Diminished interest in sex
* Frequent urination or leaking of urine
* Headaches
* Achy joints
* Fatigue
* Early morning awakening

The Diagnosis
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam. Blood tests, a pelvic exam, and a Pap smear may also be performed. Natural menopause is usually diagnosed when a woman has not had a menstrual period for 12 consecutive months.

If a woman had a hysterectomy before menopause, and no longer has periods, menopause may be suspected. It can be confirmed by an FSH test. This test is considered the most accurate for the diagnosis of menopause. It is the measurement of follicle stimulating hormone. High levels of FSH (greater than 40) may indicate menopause.

Treatment
Menopause is a natural part of life and does not automatically require treatment. Symptoms and health risks associated with low estrogen can be treated. These include hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and osteoporosis.

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
Be sure you completely understand the benefits and risk before starting HRT.

A number of different types of hormones are available. These include natural, synthetic, and plant-derived estrogens and progesterone. Combined therapies may include combinations of estrogen and progesterone; or the addition of small amounts of male hormones. Hormone preparations are available as tablets, gels, skin patches, vaginal rings, vaginal tablets, injections, and pellets inserted into the skin.

There is significant scientific evidence that the global health risks associated with combined estrogen and progesterone HRT on a long-term basis (more than 3-5 years) outweigh the benefits for many women. The average age of the women in these research studies is over 60 years old.

Use of combined HRT at the time of menopause (around age 50) may pose less risk. Also, most of these studies used conjugated estrogens and medroxyprogesterone. Other evidence suggests that use of estradiol and natural progesterone may pose less risk.

Phytoestrogens
A high intake of phytoestrogens (or plant estrogens) may help menopausal women. Phytoestrogens are found in soybeans, black cohosh, whole grains, legumes, tempeh, and flax seed. They are also found in concentration in capsule form. Phytoestrogens may reduce the risk for diseases associated with estrogen.

Healthful/Helpful Diet
Diet can play an important and beneficial roll. A healthful diet during menopause can improve a woman's sense of well-being, and may also reduce the risk of heart disease, osteoporosis, and certain cancers. The diet should be low in fat and high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, calcium, and vitamin D. Low-fat does not mean no-fat. Some fats, especially the Omega-3 fats are essential.

Limit Caffeine and Alcohol
High use of caffeine or alcohol is never a good choice. Cutting back on caffeine and alcohol may reduce symptoms of anxiety, insomnia, and loss of calcium.

Quit Smoking
There are no health benefits derived from smoking. Giving up smoking can reduce the risk of early menopause, heart disease, and osteoporosis.

Regular Exercise
A healthy lifestyle should embrace regular exercise. It may reduce hot flashes. Weight-bearing exercises such as walking, climbing stairs, and resistance exercises such as lifting weights help strengthen bones and decrease the risk of osteoporosis.

Stress Management
Stress management may help ease tension, anxiety, and possibly other menopausal symptoms. Deep breathing, massage, warm baths, and quiet music are relaxation techniques that may lessen stress.

Over-the-Counter Medications
Moisturizers and lubricants are used to help vaginal dryness.

Non-hormonal Medications
Certain blood pressure medicines (like "Catapres" and "Aldomet") taken in lower doses than are used to treat high blood pressure have been somewhat helpful in relieving some menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes.

SSRI medications (serotonin reuptake inhibitors like "Prozac", "Paxil", and "Effexor") have shown a modest benefit on hot flash severity scores. These medications should not be used if you are taking tamoxifen to reduce risk of breast cancer recurrence.

Prevention
Menopause does not need to be prevented. It is a natural biological event.
If you smoke, quitting could slightly delay the onset of menopause.

Do you realize you are what you eat?

Each time you sit down to a meal you are making a life – death decision. Does that sound scary? I hope it does because whatever you are eating determines whether you will be healthy or unhealthy. This has been proven over and over again that you are what you eat. Now granted you may eat some things periodically that are not good for you but it's not wise to continue to do so day after day.

I've heard some of my friend's say. " I eat whatever I want, If I can't eat what I want I just as soon die." Well some of them have died and others have some serious illnesses or diseases. So I believe this is a very foolish thing to say. Why would anyone want to subject their bodies to foods that cause discomfort and health problems?

It's really amazing how many natural things are available to help us be healthy and keep us healthy. Yet this information is not widely known by the general public. Most doctors don't tell you. The drug companies sure won't tell you. You very seldom ever hear it or read it in the press either

I never became as conscious of my health or my wife's health until she was diagnosed with breast cancer about four years ago. Even though we believed we were eating healthy we didn't realize that some foods we were eating were not very healthy to eat. That's when I met a naturopathic doctor and got more advice. I even started doing some research on my own too.

Wow! Did I get a terrific education on health matters. Since then I have kept up my research and education even more intensively now. I learned that food can be your "Miracle Medicine" More than 9,000 scientific studies have proven beyond doubt that food is your best medicine.

I know you have heard the famous saying, "an apple a day keeps the doctor away" I never knew how true this was until I started my research. Apples have been proven to be potent weapons against cancer, heart disease, asthma, and type 2 diabetes.

Strawberries and raspberries contain a compound called ellagic acid. One of the best cancer fighters Mother Nature ever created. When eating these fruits this compound enters the bloodstream to help vanquish cancer cells on contact. By eating a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast or eating pears you can regulate your cholesterol. They can help keep your LDL (bad) cholesterol below 130 and HDL (good) cholesterol above 65.

It's also helpful to consume foods that contain soluble (dissolves in liquids) fiber, such as beans, barley, oats, peas, apples, oranges and pears. Soluble fiber reduces the absorption of cholesterol from the intestines into the bloodstream.

There is virtually a cure or prevention for every disease or illness. So for anyone who has not learned the benefits of healthful eating let me encouraged you to start your own education on the subject today. You can find a lot of good information on the Internet. There are also health newsletters you can subscribe to. And many books on all kinds of health issues are widely available today.

It's sad that most people are not getting honest answers about their health. It's sad people are swallowing large amounts of worthless prescription drugs that are sometimes causing more serious ailments then before they ever started taking them in the first place.

So I guess the only thing to do is to keep preaching good health ideas to people I know and meet. I'll also continue spreading healthy information in my bimonthly newsletter and the articles I write and submit to directories. Hopefully someday if there are enough of us preaching healthy information wherever we can we will eventually convince people that they truly are what they eat.

My Atkins Diet Story