115 Ways To Reduce Anxiety Book Review

Posted on May 18, 2012 by admin

Mike Marcoe writes from first hand experience in his book 115 Ways to Reduce Anxiety, providing advice from the view of one who has traveled the road of anxiety for a long time, undergoing therapies and combing through mountains of research. His experience has resulted in this self-help guide to people looking for ways to manage their condition in a proactive and healthy manor.

Mike has a passion for non-fiction educational and self-help genres. He has attained a BA in English and has been in the writing industry for a number of years performing as an author, copy editor, proof-reader, a database guardian and has also worked for a newspaper.

115 Ways to Prevent Anxiety will provide readers with wise nutritional advice, herbal remedies that may ease anxiety symptoms and plenty of positive, proactive attitude enhancement skills. The author provides excellent tools for getting peace from anxiety disorders.

News to me was how dehydration plays a part in nervous disorders something I will be much more aware of in the future. I am completely curious about how philosophy can play a part and I intend to investigate this possibility when I have more time. Also, I am encouraged by having it confirmed that taking up a variety of activities – drumming, living an active life, regularly doing meditative and breath enhancing yoga, walking the dog and gardening has been a good step in the right direction for me. I truly feel like I am on the right track to taking the power into my own hands to live a life free of anxiety.

There are no wasted words here. At only 88 pages, the text can be considered short and sweet. The authors intent for his book is to entice readers to delve deep inside and discover what triggers their anxiety, why this happens and learn how to prevent reoccurrence.

Individuals can reap rewards from this self-help, non-fiction guide however, educators would certainly benefit in using this as a workbook in anxiety support groups. This book is also available in print and electronic formats to fit a variety of needs.

ISBN#: 1-59113-872-8
Author: Mike Marcoe
Publisher:

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How To Overcome The Symptoms Of Gout

Posted on May 17, 2012 by admin

Gout is one of the oldest and most painful diseases known to man. In the middle ages a gout patient was described as someone who was rich, corpulent and aristocratic, particularly one with enormous appetite for food, drink and women. And it is almost and always associated with men.

The symptoms of gout are irregular, excruciatingly painful attacks that are felt in the joints although typically each gouty episode affects one joint at a time. The most commonly affected joints are those of the big toe, which becomes red and swollen, hot and painful so that even the weight of a bed sheet seems unbearable. Other joints such as the knees and elbows are also affected, but one at a time.

The attacks usually last for about two weeks and then subside, recurring at some time in the future. The reoccurrence of the attacks varies sometimes the gout symptoms dont entirely disappear, causing a patient to feel pain all the time.

With current medical technologies and with the use of advanced microscopic examination the real cause of gout was finally identified. And the culprit was none other than uric acid. The excruciating pain in the joints is due to the pointy crystals of uric acid.

Some patients have too much uric acid in their system, and they tend to develop yellowish chalk-like deposits around the joints or in other parts of their body such as the ear lobes. Most patients of gout have blood levels that show elevated uric acid, a manifestation of gout in their system.

The next step is finding ways to decrease and control the formation of excessive uric acid that usually accompanies a gluttonous lifestyle. Uric acid is actually a by-product of purine; a type of protein found in many commonly consumed foods.

It is therefore rational to conclude that gout is caused by excessive protein in the diet especially those proteins that are rich in purines. With this information to guide doctors, they have placed gout patients in a series of low-protein diets that are low in purines. Likewise, drugs that prevent formation of uric acid are given.

Patients are also advised to choose lean meats, low fat dairy products and limit the intake of fats in their diet. Newer theories on gout suggest that the gout disease is not only the result of a high protein diet (it has been observed patients suffering from different diseases also have high levels of uric acid) it may also be caused by excessive consumption of refined sugar and flour. This might help to explain why most gout patients are obese.

Lastly, gout is truly a disease that results from the inability of the kidney to excrete enough uric acid to keep it from building up inside the body. Nevertheless, a treatment program that includes a decrease in protein intake plus the use of other medication helps to prevent the build up of uric acid and lowering chances of gout attacks.

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Reiki As An Alternative Healing Process

Posted on May 17, 2012 by admin

Maybe you are not familiar with Reiki, don’t worry, you are not alone.

To start with, Reiki is associated with natural holistic healing or a healing where pharmaceutical drugs and medical surgeries are just an alternative in case the system of holistic healing fails.

Reiki is an early form of energy healing in which a participant serves as a channel for Universal Life Force. The Reiki participant opens himself/herself as a channel for an energy that comes from a higher source to aid healing or correct a person’s aura. This is believed to be beneficial for the body, mind, and soul or the Indian system called chakra.

Reiki got its principle from the thought that the universe has an energy that gives form, structure, and health. This force is also called Chi by the Chinese martial artists. It is said to be capable of healing anything because its energy comes from the basic fundamental levels of reality.

It also teaches that the energy flows are affected by the thoughts of a Reiki practitioner. For instance, if he/she thinks of negative things, this will manifest diseases and unfortunate events. If he/she thinks the other way around, good health and fortune will come. These are facilitated to help the patients believe whatever positive thoughts they have in their minds.

To have an idea of how the healing process is conducted, here is an example: usually, the healer performs some hand rituals and eventually places it over a sick person. Then he will perform some massage from mid hair, and he will make some scooping actions like he is smoothing a bedspread. This movement is intent to correct the person’s aura. There are other Reiki masters that just place their hands directly to the patient and keeping it there as long as necessary.

They are also capable of healing from a distance, or also called Reiki remote healing. The healer will just ask for an object that will represent the ill person and they will treat that said object just like he is treating the person. They are also capable of healing and blessing objects such as cars and computers.

Reiki is definitely a different healing process compared with others. It is up to you if you will believe in their methods.

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Physical Requirements For Patients Of Gastric Bypass Surgery

Posted on May 16, 2012 by admin

There are several requirements for patients of gastric bypass surgery. This is to ensure that the major surgery isnt performed unnecessarily or on those with very high risk factors. Be aware that gastric bypass is a major surgery and you will be in much pain, experience many changes in your body and have to adapt to a new lifestyle.

Initially a gastric bypass surgery is only an option for those with a body mass index of forty or higher. Your body mass index is a general measure of whether your body weight is healthy for your height. A BMI of forty or higher indicates that you are obese and would benefit from a gastric bypass.

A surgery of this kind is not available to everyone with a body mass index this high though. You need to have tried for sometimes up to two years to lose weight via alternative methods, such as dieting before a doctor will consider this last resort method.

In addition a doctor will consider the following requirements when discussing this surgery with you. Whether you have been obese for five years or more. They will make sure you do not have a history of alcohol abuse or an untreated mental condition such as depression. As these conditions can make it harder for you after your surgery and may be part of the root cause for obesity in the first place. You should be relatively healthy in order to undergo the surgery and have a reasonable chance of survival and success. You should also be between the ages of eighteen and sixty five. Any younger and a doctor will insist that you keep trying other methods of weight loss. Any older and an ethical and experienced surgeon will begin to question the plausibility of survival for the patient.

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Massage Therapy For Back Pain

Posted on May 15, 2012 by admin

People who get chronic back pain will tell you that it is a life-altering ailment. It has serious implications on the ease of carrying out daily activities and function. Back pain sufferers can feel completely disabled by their condition and therefore, prone to depression.

Back pain is one of the most common ailments in adults and sub adult today, it can be caused by something simple as a poor lifting habit or even poor sleeping habits. This can become a very large problem, as this type of pain really has no boundaries and can last from hours to months. This is a very long time for someone to suffer this type of pain, as sometimes it can be very excruciating.

In terms of treatment, there are several. These include pills, and therapy, and braces, and acupuncture. However, one method stands out as being effective in helping people with their back pain: massage therapy.

Massage therapy for back pain is a low risk, and non-invasive method of treatment. Not only will this method help in the pain aspect, it also aids in the release of natural chemicals the body produces known as Endorphins. This is great for people who suffer from acute pains.

Historically, the use of massage therapy was not readily accepted by conventional medicine as a treatment of back pain or any other pains for that matter. However, the medical society now accepts this method as a valid complementary treatment, recognising the many therapeutic benefits that it brings.

The aim of massage therapy is quite simple; it increases circulation and blood flow that the affected area with the muscles needs. This stimulates the rejuvenation of the tissues and muscles surrounding the affected area, promoting a relaxed and stress-less flow of blood. Many times people that have back problems; they are not quite sure why they have them. Some feel they have not had an injury to any muscles in the back area so they should not be suffering.

The fact is that there are many reasons that the back can be hurting you. If there is an injury to the bone structure in the back then the muscles surrounding the injury will then become very tense in order to protect the affected bone injury. This will only make the back tired and weak, once it is at that point it will pain the person with a great deal of trouble relieving the said pain.

Back pain can easily stop you from doing what comes natural for you such as sitting or walking. This will easily become a major problem if it happens when you are in need to work, and have no other means of income. It is also known that back problems are not the hardest thing for doctors to detect or diagnose. Hence your employers and insurance companies will not be too happy either at your reason of not being able to function well.

Out of all, clearly the worst would have to be lower chronic back pain. This is the area just above the tailbone and it can be an ongoing nightmare for some. In this situations, massage therapy can bring much relief. If you are able to ease the pain, you will find that just being able to do the little things in life is a cause for celebration!

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Understanding And Treating Your Nail Fungus

Posted on May 14, 2012 by admin

Nail fungus is an awful condition that can really be bothersome. It is a condition in which a fungus invades the skin in and around the nail bed. It can happen in either the toes or the fingers and can be quite uncomfortable as well as noticeable. But, there are several things that you can do to fight off these nail fungus problems and it starts with an education about them.

Symptoms Of Nail Fungus

There are several ways to know if you have nail fungus. Nails will change in some way as an indication that there is a problem. Brittleness and discoloration are evident. You will find that nail fungus can also cause a thickening of the nail or even a distortion of the nails actual shape. The nail could lose its shine and luster and will often begin to loosen. If you have these conditions, you will want to seek the advice of your family doctor. The doctor will probably simply tell you and begin treatment for nail fungus but a culture will tell for sure if you have a nail fungus.

The Causes Of Nail Fungus

Nail fungus is caused by a number of different microorganisms. Most of the time, bacteria or fungi are the main culprits. While a small amount of these organisms is actually good for the body, some will grow quickly and then form infections that lead to conditions such as nail fungus. They feed off of the dead tissues that are found from the hair, nails, and on the skin.

Fungal infections can be caused by mold like fungi. These could be such conditions as athletes foot, jock itch, and ringworm. Other fungus is yeast like fungi and would include such conditions as diaper rash, oral thrush and genital rashes. Most of the time, nail fungus happens on the toes and recurs often. It can be picked up from public areas such as swimming pools or shower rooms. Those individuals who sweat a lot have an increased chance of getting and keeping nail fungus infections because they thrive on wet, moist areas.

Treating Nail Fungus

Unfortunately, treating nail fungus is difficult and often is impossible. Many people start with creams thinking that they will work, but unfortunately, they have little chance of fighting off the infection. Oral medications are available to help. Sporanox and Lamisil are two that are commonly given but the side effects of these medications often cause them to be not worth the risk. And, they often will take several months to show any improvement. Still, reoccurrences will happen. The only way for it to be cured is for new, non infected nails to grow in place of the badly infected ones.

It is wise to contact your health care provider to talk about solutions to your nail fungus problems. They can offer input in how to treat and how to overcome these conditions. Complications of nail fungus include permanent damage to the nail itself, skin infections which are secondary as well as the common recurrent nail fungus infections.

The best prevention of nail fungus is proper hygiene. Keeping the skin in the area of the nail fungus clean and dry will help to alleviate some of the inflammations. Take care of the nails and always wash and dry your hands after you have touched the affected area of the body.

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The Best Diet For High Blood Pressure

Posted on May 14, 2012 by admin

If your nurse or doctor measures your blood pressure at 140/90 then you suffer from hypertension. Many adults and even some children have high blood pressure. It is very important to get proper treatment to control your high blood pressure. Diet for high blood pressure patients has to be healthy since along with medications and exercises a balanced diet can equally help in keeping your blood pressure under control.

Following a diet for high blood pressure also reduces or prevents clogged arteries, increases in cholesterol, cancer and also reduces weight. The ideal diet for high blood pressure patients should include low fat or fat free products and should definitely exclude animal fats, red meat, sugary products, and sweets. Surveys show that high potassium and low sodium content in fruits and vegetables help in regulating the blood pressure level.

The diet for high blood pressure is best when it doesnt contain high amount of salt or sodium. Many people might think salt-less food might be flavorless. To add flavor to the diet for high blood pressure you can add spices to the food instead of salt.

There are certain tips for your diet for high blood pressure that you can follow such as, rinse canned food in order to rinse off sodium. Instead, buy frozen salt free vegetables, which dont contain much salt or sodium and restrict your intake of cured meat, ham bacon, pickles, olives, mustard, ketchup, and Soy sauce in your diet for high blood pressure.

It is obvious that diet affects blood pressure level. Therefore, it is very important that you maintain a proper, healthy, and balanced diet for high blood pressure.

The most important thing that you should avoid in your diet for high blood pressure is salt. Intake of salt for hypertension patients can be harmful as it just accentuates the problem. You can lower your blood pressure to a great extent if you cut down salt consumption in your diet for high blood pressure. You should not have more than 6 grams of salt per day. You must cut down on pizza, frozen diners, canned food, broths, canned soups and salad dressings since these have high sodium content in them. If you are non-vegetarian then make sure you are including fresh poultry, fish, and lean meat in your diet.

In order to avoid salt in your diet you must avoid junk food as well. If there is a mineral imbalance in your diet then it might have an adverse effect on your health condition. Maintaining a healthy diet can work wonders. It can help you to reduce your blood pressure within a period of two weeks.

If you are suffering from high blood pressure you should consult your primary care physician for advice prior to making any changes to your diet.

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Toenail Fungus- Toenail Fungus Treatments That Work And Those That Dont

Posted on May 12, 2012 by admin

The basic premise behind this odd sounding natural toenail fungus treatment is to soften nails with beer, create an acidic environment with vinegar which is beneficial to good bacteria and deadly to fungus and then penetrate nails with specific beneficial bacteria to help kill and prevent further recurrences.

Essential Ingredients:

Acidophilus Sachets containing a specific strain of 125 billion organisms.

Guiness Stout beer or any other dark beer (Guiness is the one proven to work).

White Vinegar

Basin big enough for your feet or hands

Time

Persistence and Consistency

Natural Toenail Fungus Treatment Procedure:

In tub, pour 1 liter of room temperature beer into a basin

Add 1/2 a sachet which is 60 billion acidophilus and other strains.

Add 1 liter of White vinegar

Soak clean feet in the solution for 30 minutes before bed or when best for you.

On removing your feet or fingernails from the basin, file the nails down with a pumice stone or file

After each 3rd day, toss out the entire solution mixture and remake using the formula: 1 liter of white vinegar, 1 liter of dark beer and the remaining half of one sachet. This keeps the solution’s ingredients in active live form. If too old, it will not work.

Repeat for 30 days every day. Do not skip a day for best results.

Do twice a day for faster results

What to look for:
As fungus gets killed by this natural toenail fungus treatment, you will notice new nail growth from the nail base coming in clear. This is a good sign. Some people see clearing at the base within one week and some people see clearing at the base in one month. It all depends on how fast your nails grow and how often you soak them.

Make sure you do this toenail fungus treatment daily. Make it a routine. Watch some TV, read a book or wash the dishes for 30 minutes.

If you know your nails grow slowly, then consider MSM or Silicea 6x cell salts as they have shown to increase nail growth.

This anti-fungal protocol is an excellent way to help prevent liver damage via Lamisil.

I estimated the total cost of this procedure to be about $200.00 That is very inexpensive compared to Lamisil – and much healthier to your liver.

Even if you drink a couple Guiness Stout while you do the soak – it may still be safer than Lamisil on your liver. :)

I have had over 42,000 people read this information and a decent percentage email me. It is great to hear that this treatment is working well.

I had one elderly woman with long term fungal toenails report excellent results.

She also had an unexpected benefit: her plantar warts fell out from the bottom of her feet allowing her to walk comfortably for the first time in years.

Give it a shot – it is safe, effective, inexpensive. Yes it takes some work, but popping a liver toxic Lamisil pill for 3 months daily also takes work – especially repairing the damaged liver. You only get one liver.

An immunology professor, Dr Sheryl Berman, PhD, did a study on about 35 different acidophilus companies and found that only one had the actual amount of live bacteria it claimed in the container – some of the companies stated 1 billion live bacteria per capsule and contained…none. The sachets that I provide claim 125 billion per sachet and at manufacturing have 170 billion.

Choosing a different dark beer that is less expensive may hinder your success. I have not had reports of other effective dark beers so I am not sure. You can give it a shot but you are only saving a few bucks while investing 30 days of soaking. That is pennies per day extra. Worth the risk? If you have time, it would be good to know if the others worked…if they do, let me know :)

You may find the link to the Acidophilus Sachets below in the Resource Box- along with the MSM and Silicea cell salt.

Should you have questions, please comment. I’m here to answer them and help your nails recover!

Enjoy healthy nails once again! It’s summer – put on those sandals!

Dr Ben, ND

Please note: Fungus is due to either a weak immune system, trauma to the nail area, high refined carbohydrate diet or recent or long term use of antibiotics.

That said, taking one sachet in a glass of water before dinner for 14 days helps restore healthy gut bacteria which likely has a direct impact on proper immune function, may help combat fungus internally and externally long term and reduce refined carbohydrate and sugar cravings as the ‘bad’ bacteria which do crave sugar will be wiped out by the beneficial bacteria. So taking the sachets internally for one week, soaking for a few months, changing your diet, building your immune system and not bashing your nails will likely improve your fungus situation.

A mild headache may occur while taking the sachets internally. Taking vitamin C usually helps. The headache is usually due to the ‘die-off’ reaction from unhealthy bacteria being killed by the healthy pro biotic found in the sachets.

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Singing Away Stress And Anxiety Through Music

Posted on May 11, 2012 by admin

Music has accompanied almost every human activity from grand celebrations to the most melancholic moments. The notes and rhymes composed by prolific musicians have become the soundtrack of our lives. From the romantic garden weddings highlighted by sounds from a string quartet, to the sensual noises that fill every Mardi Gras, to the feel-good melodies of Disney parades — music has always played a central role.

The importance of music was immortalized by Rogers and Hammerstein in the movie musical, Sound of Music. The movie tells the story about the stress and anxiety experienced by the Von Trapp children who lost their mother, Agathe Whitehead Von Trapp. Her death brought unbearable grief and sorrow to the family, especially to Captain Georg Ritter Von Trapp. In his own grief, Captain Von Trapp forbid his children from singing, playing and doing other things that would somehow show a certain degree of happiness. Like sailors in a ship, Captain Von Trapp ruled his children and demanded discipline at all times.

But all of that was about to change upon the arrival of Maria Kutschera, an aspiring nun who was sent by her superiors to the Von Trapp residence to serve as a governess. Despite her very positive and adventurous personality, Maria, too, felt the stress and anxiety of helping raise the Von Trapp children under the watchful eye of the captain.

Slowly, using music as a tool, Maria was able to win the love and respect of the Von Trapp children. Through music, she was able to share a part of herself to her ward. The stress and anxiety of living in the middle of a war was made bearable due to Maria’s music which served as a melodic form of anxiety relief. Still, the pressures of living in a Nazi-controlled country provided little room for enjoyment. Each day brought them closer to stricter military control, making even music a subject of close Nazi scrutiny.

Stress and anxiety, almost always, hovered over Captain Von Trapp’s day. As a Navy officer, he was caught between the duty to serve as part of the Nazi war machine and the need to be a father to his children. To make up for the loss of his wife, he allowed himself to consider remarriage to a woman who was seen by the Von Trapp children as the farthest thing from being a replacement to their mother.

In the latter part of the movie, an unexpected romance blossomed between Maria and Captain Von Trapp. Through her winsome personality, she was able to convince the Captain about the need to let the children have fun and enjoy themselves. Maria was able to show the Captain that the time to grieve had already passed and that it is possible for the Von Trapp family to sing a new song.

In a dramatic escape, the Von Trapp family used a singing event to plan and execute their escape from the Nazis. They literally sang their way to freedom from stress, anxiety, and all the things that held them back from becoming a happy family.

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Are Your Asthma And Allergies Caused By A Low Immune System?

Posted on May 10, 2012 by admin

Many people who suffer from asthma and allergies don’t realize it, but a low immune system is very likely at the root of their problems. Medical experts agree that a lowered or improperly functioning immune system can and does result in several diseases such as asthma, allergies, arthritis, psoriasis, lupus, chronic fatigue syndrome and cancer to name just a few.

The body’s immune systems first line of defense against disease are barriers that prevent antigens, which are large protein molecules of bacteria, viruses, chemicals and other substances that appear harmful from entering your body. The barriers include your skin, mucus, cough reflex, stomach acid and even enzymes in your tears, which destroy toxins. If the antigen or toxin manages to get past these barriers, then the immune system launches a second line of defense, found in your blood. They are white blood cells, which perform a protective function by seeking out and destroying foreign protein antigens.

If you suffer from a low immune system it is important to avoid things that suppress or act to destroy it, such as a high cholesterol diet, heavy metals (lead, mercury, cadmium), fat, alcohol, fried foods, food additives, obesity, industrial pollutants, pesticides, herbicides, stress, prescription drugs, too much sunlight, tobacco, and radiation.

Unfortunately, there is no “magic bullet” that you can take to quickly repair your immune system, but there are several ways to help build and support it by providing your body with proper nutrition, regular exercise, adequate rest, relaxation and maintaining a positive mental attitude.

Taking the following dietary steps will help protect and build your immune system:

1. Limit saturated and trans fats, food additives and alcohol
2. Take a good quality multi-vitamin/mineral supplement daily
3. Ensure your diet includes adequate protein
4. Take 1000 mg of Vitamin C daily.
5. Eat 3 to 4 servings of vegetables daily.
6. Eat 3 to 4 servings of legumes weekly.
7. Eat 3 to 4 servings of omega-3 fatty acid-rich foods weekly

The length of time required to re-build a low immune system of course will vary depending on your individual situation and environmental exposure to immune system suppressants. This is not an overnight process, for some people it can take three months to two years. Obviously, the higher your exposure has been to immuno-suppressants, the longer it will take to build your immune system. Children tend to heal much more quickly than adults or the elderly.

People with allergies and asthma will find that their asthma and allergy symptoms become less frequent and less severe when their immune systems are strong. It’s important to avoid using allergy and asthma drugs, which have toxic side effects and act to lower the immune system. There are natural supplements that safely and effectively eliminate allergy and asthma symptoms.

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