Fitness

Healthy Eating For A Healthy Life

August 31, 2022

Developing a healthy lifestyle is a life long process. The health of our body starts as embryos with what it receives from the umbilical cord. This nutrition all depends on how the mother is eating. Her knowledge of proper nutrition and the importance of eating well to support the good development of her baby is crucial at this point. There are many know abnormalities that occur as an embryo develops that may occur because of poor nutrition and an unhealthy lifestyle.

As an infant our parents feed us as well as they know how. Again if there is economical restrictions or just the lack of knowledge or understanding of the importance of nutrition our bodies may suffer.

As we grow, we develop our likes and dislikes for certain foods. Our way of eating can be influenced by our peers and what eating habits are accepted in the home we are raised in. If there is no importance placed on healthy eating, that will be carried into our adult life. If a home lifestyle of fast foods and prepackaged meals was normal this is usually the way a young adult will continue on their own.

Fortunately, that can be changed with our own free will as adults. We can take charge by educating ourselves. That is, learning the importance of disease prevention in the present and the importance of good nutrition for prevention of disease over our life time.

What are some of the healthy changes we can make?

Avoid fast foods, usually very high in fats and sodium with very little nutrient values

Avoid prepackaged meals, they are usually high in sodium and fats

Pack your own lunches for work, usually less expensive and you will know what you are eating. Use fresh roasted meats rather than processed meats.

Avoid foods high in sugars and fats, such as soda pop, ice tea, fruit flavored drinks and creamy salad dressings

Eat foods in their most natural state, the less you have to do to the food product the better

Avoid processed food such as luncheon meats, wieners, sausages

Read labels for the nutritional content as well as sodium and sugar content

Eat breakfast, the most important meal of the day

Eat a variety of foods from all food groups making meals and snacks more enjoyable

Follow the food guides for your age group. Different stages of our lives and what is happening in our lives can determine how much we have to eat.

Have an exercise regiment. This will usually change your attitude towards your health and make you want to eat more healthy

Take a good multivitamin to bridge the gaps in your diet. Even when eating accounting to the food guide our bodies are just not getting all the minerals and vitamins it needs. A whole food liquid multivitamin is easily absorbed by the body

Along with educating yourself on how to shop for and prepare healthy meals, it is important to get to know your body and watch for any physical or mental changes. The importance of annual check-ups cannot be over-stressed.…

Ballooning of The Aorta Wall Screening And Treatment

August 22, 2022

Highly characterized by the ballooning of the aorta wall, abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) had been inflicting 8% of individuals aged 65 specially the male population. When the normal diameter of the abdominal aorta reaches more than 50% of its actual size, it deteriorates the main vessel that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body. As the blood passes through the aorta, it creates a pressure that pounds the diluted wall and therefore swells and grow like a balloon. Once this swelling worsens, there is a possibility that it will rupture, therefore creating more danger to the person who has it.

So what can one do about Triple A? Before we discuss the possible treatments, let us start first in diagnosing it. How is AAA detected?

In most cases, abdominal aortic aneurysm has no symptoms, making it difficult to be detected. The usual examination is aided by an X-ray. Through this, images of a ballooning can be seen. When a person feels an irregular pulse in his abdomen, he can tell this to the doctor who can then use a stethoscope to listen to rough sounds caused by the abnormality of blood flow within the abdominal aorta or in the aneurysm itself. Ultrasound is also an effective way to detect Triple A. Aside from these health screenings, a person can determine himself the presence of a possible ballooning of the aorta wall. Aside from the irregular pulse in the abdomen, as the aneurysm extends, it will likely result to pain in the abdomen and even in the back.

What to expect after the screening?

There are three possible results that one can expect from the health tests. First is Normal, meaning the size of the aorta is regular (3cm) and no ballooning of the aorta wall is seen. Second is Small Aneurysm which means there’s a small irregularity in the aorta’s normal size wherein it can reach up to 4.4cm. Additionally, those who have an aortic diameter of 4.5-5.4cm is also included in the small aneurysm. Lastly, those who have an aorta size of 5.5cm and above will have the Large Aneurysm result and will be advised to undergo surgery.

Is surgery the solution? Other Possible Treatments for AAA

For those who have do not have a Large Aneurysm, it is suggested not to undergo operation anymore. There are other treatments to choose from. One is watchful waiting. This is suggested to those with small AAA’s. One will just monitor the aneurysm with the supervision of a vascular disease specialist. Also, there’s the interventional repair.

In this type of treatment, interventional radiologists serve as vascular experts who perform invasive treatment. Through imaging, a catheter and graft will be placed inside the patient’s artery. All it takes is a small incision in the groin area wherein the stent graft is inserted to the femoral artery to reach the aortic aneurysm. Through this stent graft, the ballooning of the aorta wall can be solved as it forms new walls within the blood vessel to allow regular blood passage.…

Stress in Middle Aged Women

August 10, 2022

Medical professional have made the use of statistics to establish a trend in the occurrence of various disease symptoms among the distributed sections of the population. This helps them to pin point the degree of occurrence of a disease, prevailing in the different categories according to age, gender, and so on. This analysis is also helpful in providing the foresight to the applicability of a treatment for the larger section of a population. It has been discovered that females in the age group between 25 and 40 are susceptible to a wide range of diseases, which we may have a look at.
Stress, which is building up in the society has also taken its toll on the women under this age group. This is by far the most influencing factor when it comes to the mental and physical well-being of a woman. There are many different ways in which a woman might encounter stress in her everyday life. This is mainly related to the pressures associated with lifestyle in general. Pressures associated with family responsibilities, social burdens and taking care of children can affect the individuals I a deep way, so as to influence the mind and body.
The choice between family and career, managing one or both of these can be demanding at times. The expectations levied on them by the society and culture causes them to get into more things than they are able to handle comfortably. This stress manifests itself in the form of depression and mood swings. Although, this is not believed to be confined to females, as would be in the case of postpartum depression.
The corporate females witness a great diversion in the course of their careers from the general behavior acceptable of women. Tears and emotions are seen as a sign of weakness in the male-dominated industries. So, as the women who try to make their mark in the power-driven society, they could give up some of these very natural and personal reactions. It has been upheld since the beginning of history that women need to express their emotions in order to let out their stress. Holding them inside can only complicate their problems.
There are many other concerns which influence the woman of this age group to a great level. Skin care can be one very important issue. It is known that the skin at this age begins to lose its previous healthiness, and hence becomes prone to the external factors. Teenage skin is comparatively less prone to changes in the external environment. The time to be spent on skin care also poses challenge for the women, which is why they do not have enough time to take care of their skin related issues. However, by applying few of the time saving techniques for nourishing your skin can give you good results, without having to go through too much trouble.
Note: You’re free to republish this article in any way you want, as long as kept in its entirety. No changes and all links intact.…

Beat Information Overload With Healthy Habits

June 22, 2022

Sound mind/sound body–you’ve heard it before, but it’s even truer today as we cope with more and more information. Although the human brain is only 2% of average body weight, it consumes about 20% of available energy and 20% of oxygen. A brain stressed by poor nutrition, lack of oxygen, or insufficient sleep can’t process information efficiently or effectively. You’ll feel foggy, stressed, and unproductive. Cultivate healthy habits for better concentration, mental clarity, and overall well-being. Core healthy habits include

Good nutrition, with emphasis on whole foods. Minimize or eliminate sugars, artificial sweeteners, trans fats, and processed foods.

Exercise. A balanced exercise plan includes aerobic exercise to improve cardiovascular fitness, weight-bearing exercises to increase strength and build lean muscle, and stretching exercises to promote flexibility.

Sufficient sleep. Many time management program suggest getting up an hour earlier. This can be counterproductive if you’re already getting too little sleep. Look for other ways to save time than by shortchanging your need for sleep.

Need to make some changes? There’s plenty of advice and programs available in books, in videos, on TV, and on the Internet. No single program will be right for everyone, so you’ll need to experiment to find what works best for you. Some tips to get started:

Make one small change at a time. If you find yourself resisting a change, try an even smaller step. For example, if you haven’t exercised in a long time, try beginning by walking for five minutes, not running for thirty minutes (and check with your physician before starting). Or start upgrading your diet by substituting one healthy snack for your usual candy bar or doughnut.

Choosing among programs can push you into information overload if you let it. Review a few programs, and try the one that appeals to you the most. Then stick with it long enough to tell whether it’s working for you. Trying to mix-and-match programs can be confusing. But don’t hesitate to switch programs once it’s clear that one doesn’t work for you.

Don’t let preconceived ideas stop you from trying something new. Not a morning person? Try exercising first thing in the morning anyway. That was the key that helped me create a regular exercise habit after years of starting and then quitting. Now I look forward to lifting weights.

Take these steps toward a sound body and a sound mind, and you’ll feel less stressed by information overload.…

Why Lichen Planus Treatments Cost A Lot

June 18, 2022

Many people who happen to get afflicted with lichen planus often end up, in the long run, spending considerably huge fortunes on the condition’s treatment. Thus, you could expect treatment for lichen planus to be rather costly. It is a natural reaction for some people to wonder why these treatments cost a lot. Now, it becomes more a question of what makes the treatments so pricey that patients have no other alternative but to shell out that much amount of cash and resources. That is the question we will now attempting to get answered.

Now the first factor that tends to make treatment for lichen planus to be rather expensive is something to do with the fact that the condition can, in some cases, be quite hard to diagnose. Thus, many people may have to go to several physicians, before one of the physicians, in a flash of genius, figures out that the condition in question is actually lichen planus. Keep in mind that every single consultation made with every medical professional means you’re bound to pay something. In some other conditions, treatment is cheaper for the simple reason that patients have been able to make the correct diagnosis themselves. For lichen planus, however, that is easier said than done.

The second factor that tends to make treatment for lichen planus to be rather expensive is something to do with the fact that many people don’t believe the initial diagnosis. You can credit that to man’s natural response to be pessimistic. Thus, when people with lichen planus are told by their doctors that they are ‘just’ suffering from lichen planus,’ they tend to disbelieve that diagnosis. They convince themselves that they must be ‘suffering from something worse.’ Thus they go to other doctors, seeking a second, even third, opinions. Naturally, the more doctors they visit, the more costs they will incur in terms of consultation fees.

Of course, lichen planus is a tricky condition. It is hard to pinpoint an effective regime for its treatment at once. That is another reason why the costs tend to run up. Often, the trial and error approach has to be conducted by a doctor and the patient before they find a treatment that they both deem fully acceptable and very effective. In the meantime, the patient has to keep on spending money buying the drugs. By the time they have identified a treatment regimen that works and they could stick to, the expenses would have already run high. Thankfully, as the body of knowledge about this condition keeps on growing, the need for such trial therapies is going down.

Relief from the symptoms of lichen planus is something that can be found, and the patients can have a lot of assistance on that front. But if you want to rely entirely on conventional medicine to find a permanent cure for it, you may find yourself having a hard time. Patients who dare venture into the non-conventional (alternative) sphere of medicine may get lasting cures: so the situation is not so hopeless. In a nutshell, treatment for lichen planus may cost a lot of money, but it usually works – at least in terms of giving the patient relief for a considerable period of time.…

One of the Best Sources of Omega 3 – Fish Oil – Here is the Reason Why It’s So Useful

June 7, 2022

Theirs a lot of vitamins and supplements out there and one of the most important and recently popularized one is fish oil. Their are many benefits and it is an essential source of omega 3. One of the reasons to eat it is research has shown that it helps your brain stay healthy. A lot of research is backing up Alzheimer patients being studied with fish oil supplements ( specifically the omega 3 contained in the supplements) and how it might improve or prevent their condition. Other benefits are how it helps your heart and skin condition.
Some of the Fish oil side effects are that, like the fish they can originate from, contain pollutants. Make sure you use treated/refined oil that had all pollutants removed! This is actually an advantage that fish oil of good quality has over simply adding fish to your diet that can’t really be refined and have their pollutants extracted. Another minor side effect is that some people have a “fishy aftertaste” after taking their fish oil pills. Basically you might burp with a breath similar to if you just ate fish. Once again good quality fish oil supplements should not have this issue so if you do have it and it bothers you, try another brand.
Finally it can be hard to find the best source of oil. Some things to keep in mind is the % of DHA and EPA contained in the supplements. You want to aim with about 180mg of each. So if your capsules are 1000mg you want the % of both proteins to be above or equal to 18% ( 180mg). Also like I previously mentioned to avoid long term side effects make sure your supplements come from healthy fish or were treated. Some supplements are in liquid form and these are usually easier to have the correct DHA/EPA values but it does not necessarily make them better.
You can of course simply eat fish instead of taking fish oil supplements. It is recommended to eat at lest 2 to 3 fish meals a week to have all the necessary omega 3. Also, if you do not want to deal with fish at all, you might want to consider flax seed oil which is what many vegetarians use to get their “fix” of omega 3 while not having to resort to eating fish or any products from them. their are a few other herbs that contain omega 3 if you insist on not dealing with fish. I personally love the taste of fish but I can understand it’s not for everyone. Regardless, make sure you have a good source of omega 3!…

Cooking and Eating Heart Healthy

May 8, 2022

Some of the factors that you will most want to consider if cooking heart healthy is to limit the amount and considering the type of fat you cook with. There are, of course, additional ways in which you can cook heart healthy, but following these guidelines will help you to keep your cooking flavorful and low-fat.
First, you want to limit the amount of fat you cook with. If you are sauteing something in a pan, instead of melting a stick of butter in the pan, spray a non-fat or low-fat cooking spray on the pan or use a non-stick pan and just heat the food without oil or butter. If you find that the food has less flavor, experiment with water and spice mixes. You can also use a small amount of oil to heat and brown food and then add water and spices and cover the pot, allowing the food to steam.
Be careful what type of fat you are using. Some fats, called monounsaturated, are better for you than others. As a rule of thumb, if a fat is solid at room temperature, try to avoid or moderate its use in your cooking.
Avoid adding fat to your food. If you enjoy salads, minimize the amount of salad dressing you use. Salad dressing adds a great deal of fat to any meal, and counteracts the health benefits of the fruits and vegetables in your salad. Likewise if you enjoy bread and butter, be careful how much butter you add to your bread. Using apple butter, made from apples, instead of regular butter, is a good way to have a tasty meal and keep your food heart healthy.
Another way to cook and eat heart healthy is to remove any existing fat from the food that you are cooking or eating. For example, meat often has fat in it. If you trim, or remove, this fat, you are reducing the overall fat content of your meal. This may also make the food taste better.…

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