Tips to Manage Low Cholesterol Level Naturally...

Tips to Manage  Low Cholesterol Level Naturally...

·         Have your total and HDL cholesterol levels measured.

·         Assess your positive and negative risk factors for heart disease. These include: smoking, high BP, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, physical inactivity, age over 45, family history of heart disease.

·         If you’re total cholesterol is over 240 mg/dl, or if it is over 200 mg/dl but you have two or more risk factors, have your LDL cholesterol level measured.

·         If LDL levels are high, have tests done to rule out causes like liver and thyroid disease and gout. Specific treatment is needed for these diseases.

·         Weight control.

·         Drug treatment might be necessary if the levels do not come under control even with this approach.

·         Stop cigarette smoking NOW.

·         Improve your level of physical activity.

·         If you have high blood pressure, bring it under control.

·         Treat and bring under control your blood sugar levels, if you are a diabetic.

·         In rare instances, cholesterol levels will remain elevated. Then a combination of different drugs - niacin, statins, and resins - may be required.

·         Along with these measures, follow other risk factor modifying steps. If you are overweight, try and bring your weight under control.

Know your level

What should your triglycerides be? Normal triglyceride levels of 150 or less. The level of each is always higher than the considered problem:

Low Borderline: 150-199

Low: 200-499

Too high: 500

What can you do when triglyceride levels are holding at the top? An answer is very simple, and for many people, terrible: Losing weight through diet and exercise.

Diet can play an important role in reducing cholesterol. Here are foods that can lower cholesterol and protect your heart.

A diet low in saturated fat, cholesterol, and simple carbohydrates is recommended when trying to reduce high triglycerides. If you're not sure what you think are simple carbohydrates "white" the quality of food,

White rice

White bread

Just potatoes

Feeding

High Fibers

Brown rice

Whole wheat bread

Sweet potatoes

All the money of wheat

Oatmeal, oat bran

The Oatmeal contains soluble fiber, which reduces your low-density lipoprotein (LDL) "bad" cholesterol. Soluble fiber is found in such foods as beans, apples, pears, barley and prunes.

Soluble fiber reduces the absorption of cholesterol in the blood. Five to 10 grams or more of soluble fiber a day decreases your total and LDL cholesterol. Eat a half cup of cooked oatmeal provides 6 grams of fiber. If you add fruit like bananas, you can add about 4 more grams of fiber. Mix it up a little; try steel-cut oatmeal or cold cereal made ​​from oats or oat bran.

Eating fatty fish may be healthy for the heart due to high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, which can reduce blood pressure and the risk of developing blood clots. People who had heart attacks, fish oil or omega-3 fatty acids reduce the risk of sudden death.

The highest levels of omega-3 fatty acids are:

Mackerel

Lake trout

Herring

Sardines

Albacore tuna

Salmon

Halibut

You can make omega-3 fish oil or more to get some benefits, but do not get other nutrients in fish, like selenium. If you decide to take more, just remember to watch your diet and eat lean meat or vegetables instead of fish.

If the cholesterol and triglyceride levels are high, your doctor may prescribe medication to help bring them back. At high levels, triglycerides can be so bad that they can create other problems such as pancreatitis, and quite useful ingredients in them.

To prevent diabetes and metabolic syndrome, I think it's probably best to think in terms of calories. Eat as much food as you burn.

For some of these foods to provide their advantage, you need to make other changes in diet and lifestyle.

Reduce cholesterol and fats - saturated and trans fats - which you eat. Saturated fats, such as meat, dairy products high in fat and some oils, increasing the total cholesterol. Tran’s fats, which are sometimes found in margarines and store-bought cookies, crackers and cakes, are particularly bad for cholesterol. Tran’s fats increase low density lipoprotein (LDL) "bad" cholesterol and lower high density lipoprotein (HDL) "good" cholesterol.

Threat of Antibiotic Resistance in the Body

Hundreds of years ago, a simple bacterial infection was often fatal, because there were no antibiotics to cure it. These infections may again be a threat to the bacteria become resistant to our antibiotics because of overuse.

Each year, your family may have a share of the common cold, sore throat, and viruses. When you bring your child to the doctor for this disease, do not automatically expect a prescription for antibiotics.

Many old people do. And they’re was surprised, maybe even angry, if they leave the room empty-handed practices of doctors - after all, what parents want their children to heal as quickly as possible. But the doctor will take you and your child does not get help with the prescription pad.

When sneezing, coughing, runny nose, sore throat and pain becomes too much for many people to beg the doctor for antibiotics. If they feel enough pain to drag himself to a general practitioner, antibiotics, it seems necessary to help them win this error. But that requires antibiotics might actually harmful to their health.

Unfortunately, antibiotics will not work as the common cold treatment - antibiotics and too much can cause serious problems worldwide.

How Antibiotics Work

An antibiotic, first used in the 1940, is certainly one of the great advances in medicine. But the prescription that resulted in the development of resistant bacteria is bacteria that do not respond to antibiotics that can be worked in the past. Also, every time that children taking antibiotics is a risk of side effects such as upset stomach and diarrhea or even a possible allergic reaction.

To understand how antibiotics work, it helps to know about two main types of germs that can make people sick: bacteria and viruses. Although some bacteria and viruses cause diseases with similar symptoms, the ways in which the two organisms multiply and spread illness are different:

Bacteria are living organisms existing as single cells. Bacteria are everywhere and most are harmless, and in some cases may be useful. Lactobacillus, for example, lives in the gut and helps digest food.

However, some bacteria are harmful and can cause disease by invading the human body, multiplying, and interfering with normal body processes. Antibiotics are effective against bacteria because they work to kill the organism’s life by stopping their growth and reproduction.

Viruses, on the other hand, are not living and do not exist on their own - particles containing genetic material wrapped in a coat of protein. Viruses "live," grow and reproduce only after they invaded other living cells.

Some viruses can be rejected by the body's immune system before they cause disease, but others (colds, for example), just run its course. Viruses do not respond to antibiotics at all.

Why do antibiotics not work against cold

The answer is simple: antibiotics are effective only against bacterial infection. The common cold isn’t a bacterial infection."Colds and flu are caused by viruses, not bacteria.

"Viruses are completely different types of organisms, there is no good drugs to fight viruses." There are antiviral medications used for colds.  The body can heal itself without any treatment at all. "Your body can get rid of that and you will do fine without the antibiotic.

Many types of bacteria living on and within the body without making the person are sick. When given antibiotics for a cold or flu virus, the virus is not dead - but some bacteria are normal. After repeated exposure to antibiotics, the bacteria become resistant to antibiotics. So when your body is exposed to an antibiotic repeatedly by the overuse of antibiotics, the bacteria in your body learns to fight and antibiotic ineffective.

If you catch a bacterial infection from another person who is infected by a strain resistant to antibiotics, which now also has an infection that does not respond to antibiotics. No strong antibiotics to kill bacteria, your health are at serious risk and could result potentially fatal complications.

Here's some more food for thought: If you are sick with a bacterial infection and the first line of defense common antibiotics (which tend to be cheap) does not work, the doctor will pass the second and third line drugs. The antibiotics may be more expensive - some even 10-20 times the price of first-line drugs.

Taking Antibiotics Safely

What should you do when your child gets sick? To minimize the risk of bacterial resistance, keep these tips in mind:

·         Treat only bacterial infections. Seek doctors advice and ask questions.

·         Use antibiotics as prescribed.

·         Do not save antibiotics for next time.

·         Never use the prescription of another person.

Educating yourself about when antibiotics are appropriate to use and when they're not, can help you protect yourself, your family, and people around you from the threat of antibiotic resistance from antibiotic

Basic Management for Kids with Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes mellitus, one of the most common chronic diseases in childhood, is caused by insulin deficiency resulting from the destruction of insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells. 

There are special challenges of caring for children and adolescents with diabetes, to identify the care of adult children. This includes the obvious difference in the size of the patient, development issues, such as the unpredictability of an infant dietary intake and activity level, and health problems, such as enhanced 

hypoglycemia and diabetic ketoacidosis. Because of these considerations, the management of children with Type 1 must take into account the age and maturity of child development.

When your child is diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, it can be overwhelming and frightening. Suddenly seems to have so much to learn and so much to send, life will never be normal.

Life cannot go back the way it is, but go ahead with support and instruction, it becomes manageable. There basic management that parents should focus on when their child is diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.

Understanding Insulin dose

Since your child's body cannot produce insulin, so it must be replaced during the day, usually by injection. There are several methods of insulin:

A fixed dose of intermediate and rapid-acting insulins. A fixed dose of insulin your child should have food during the peak action of insulin. Food should be as close as possible at the same time each day in the same proportion of carbohydrates, fats and proteins.

Children taking long acting insulin such as Lantus still need a dose of fast-acting insulin at mealtimes. Count the number of fast-acting insulin, depending on the carbohydrate content of foods.

Children using insulin pumps also need a dose of rapid-acting insulin before meals based on carbohydrate content of complementary foods

Important of Blood Glucose Testing

Sugar in the blood of your child should be checked before meals and before bed time. Blood glucose level in children, they vary by age group and can be adjusted depending on individual experience hypoglycemia of your child. The recommended level may seem high compared to levels in adult diabetes. The reason beyond the higher number is because children, especially infants, are at higher risk of hypoglycemia. Keep a journal of food and blood sugar numbers, time, and physical activity to get the big picture, how to manage your child's diabetes. So you think your child's blood sugar changes, and it is no longer able to keep an even keel.

Recommended Blood Glucose Levels

Age	Before Meals	Bedtime/Overnight
Kids under 6	100-180	110-200
Age 6-12	90-180	100-180
Age 13-19	90-130	90-150

Learn how to manage low blood sugar

Also known as hypoglycemia, low blood sugar is a common problem for children with type 1 diabetes.

The symptoms include:

Irritability

Headache

Dizziness

Double vision

Tremor or weakness

Lack of coordination

Agitation

Drowsiness or confusion

Seizures or fainting

Blood glucose levels less than 70

Where the sugar in the blood of your child is too low, allow children to drink or eat a concentrated amount of sugar (about 10 to 15 grams) in order to increase the value of glucose in the blood is greater than 80 mg / dL. Some examples might be:

Two glucose tablets or glucose gel for 2 doses

One or two tablespoons of honey

Two to four pieces of candy

Half a can of regular soda

Half glass of orange juice or other sweet like grape juice. Boxes of fruit juices and this will be useful

Seven to 10 Jelly Beans

This is a good idea to keep a small bag packed with a storage compartment of the car 15 doses of one gram of sugar sources

If a child cannot eat or drink, use the glucagon kit. Glucagon is a hormone that helps the release liver blood sugar. It’s available in a kit and is an injectable drug. Usually raises blood sugar within half an hour. Glucagon requires a prescription from your doctor.

Keep 1 or 2 set ready and waiting for the first hypoglycemic emergency occurs. Practice Kit. The doctor, diabetes educator, or pharmacist can provide the kit of practice, for which you are comfortable using, prior to need.

If the child loses consciousness, and not have glucagon, the child must go to hospital immediately. This is a medical emergency.

Nutrition - the normative nutritional therapy that relies largely on the chosen lifestyle. Moderate, the meal planning to ensure a constant intake of carbohydrate. This is especially true for children in the conventional fixed-food recipes that require insulin treatment. Meal planning should be individualized to accommodate the children's food preferences and eating habits and the cultural agenda.

At the time of diagnosis, many patients lose weight, it is restored at the beginning of insulin therapy, hydration, and adequate intake of energy. At this time, increased consumption, children often require large amounts of insulin to control blood sugar levels.

The Nutrition management, including change of use of carbohydrate, carbohydrate counting, glycemic index and content and are discussed in more detail separately.

Exercise affects blood sugar level

Physical activity reduces blood sugar levels. diabetic children should get regular daily exercise. Parents should be aware that hypoglycemia can occur during exercise, so children should watch their blood sugar levels before they start using it. If your blood sugar is low, they should have a carbohydrate snack and rest until their blood sugar to normal levels (80 mg / dL).

Parents should be gym teachers, coaches and team managers are aware of their child's diabetes and the possibility of hypoglycemic reactions.

Tips to Control High Blood Pressure

If you are diagnosed with hypertension (systolic blood pressure - the top number - 140 or above or diastolic pressure - the bottom number - 90 or more), you may be concerned about taking medication to bring your numbers down.

Lifestyle plays an important role in medicine your blood pressure. If you successfully control your blood pressure to a healthy lifestyle, you can prevent, delay or reduce the need for medication.

Here are some tips to change you can do to lower your blood pressure and keep it down.

Maintain a healthy weight. If you are overweight or obese, carrying this extra weight increases the risk of hypertension. One way to determine if you need to lose weight is to find the body mass index or BMI. If your BMI is above the healthy range (25 or more), or if your waist is greater than 35 inches (women) or 40 inches (men) are likely to have excess abdominal weight and you can benefit from the weight loss, especially if you have other risk factors. Talk to your doctor to see if they have a higher risk of hypertension and the need to lose weight.

Eat more fruits, vegetables, grains, and low-fat dairy foods.

A lower level of sodium - 1500 mg per day or less - is suitable for people 51 years of age or older, and people of all ages with high blood pressure, diabetes or chronic kidney disease.

  

Keep a sodium diary. You may be surprised at how much sodium you consume each day and the diary will help you decide which foods to decrease or eliminate.

Use spices and herbs instead of salt to season the food you prepare at home.

Alcohol can be both good and bad for your health. Small quantities may be possible to lower the blood pressure from 2 to 4 mm Hg. But that protective effect is lost when you drink too much alcohol - usually more than one drink per day for women and more than 2 per day for men. Even if you usually do not drink alcohol, you should not start drinking can lower blood pressure. There is more potential harm than good alcohol.

Avoid tobacco products and tobacco smoke

On top of all the other dangers of smoking, the nicotine in tobacco products may increase blood pressure 10 mm Hg or more, up to one hour after you smoke. Smoking throughout the day means your blood pressure may remain constantly high.

You should also avoid secondhand smoke. It makes you breathe in the smoke-risk of health problems including hypertension and heart disease.

Cut the caffeine

Caffeine has a role in blood pressure is still controversial. Drink beverages containing caffeine may cause temporary spike in blood pressure, but it is unclear whether the impact is temporary or long term.

To see if caffeine increases blood pressure, control blood pressure within 30 minutes to drink a cup of coffee or other caffeinated beverages you drink regularly. If blood pressure rises from 5 to 10 points, you may be sensitive to blood pressure-raising effects of caffeine.

Support from family and friends can help improve your health. 

Can be called upon to take care of yourself, take him to the doctor's office or start an exercise program with you to keep your blood pressure low. Talk with your family and friends about the dangers of hypertension.

If you find you need support beyond his family and friends, consider joining a support group. This can put you in touch with people who can give an emotional or moral and practical advice they can offer to resolve their condition.

Control your blood pressure at home and make regular appointments with the doctor

If you have high blood pressure may need to check your blood pressure at home. Learn to self-monitor your blood pressure monitor arm can help motivate you. Talk to your doctor about home monitoring before.

Regular visits to your doctor may also become part of your normal routine. These visits will help you control your blood pressure.

Common Cause of Cancer

Doctors cannot explain why one person develops cancer and others do not. But research shows that certain risk factors increase the chances that a person will develop cancer. These are risk factors for the most common cancer:

·         Age

·         Tobacco or cigarettes smoking

·         Exposure to sunlight

·         Ionizing Radiation

·         Some viruses and bacteria

·         Alcohol

·         Certain hormones

·         Family history of cancer

·         Alcohol

·         Certain chemicals and other substances

·         Poor diet, physical inactivity, excess weight

Many of these risk factors can avoid. Others, such as family history, cannot be avoided. People can protect themselves by staying away from known risk factors whenever possible.

If you think you might be at risk of cancer, you should discuss this issue with your doctor. You may want to ask about risk reduction and test plans.

Over time, several factors may act together to cause normal cells to become cancerous. Thinking about cancer risk, here are some things to consider:

Not everything can cause cancer.

Cancer does not cause by injury, such as a bump or bruise.

Cancer is not contagious. Despite infection with certain viruses or bacteria may increase the risk of certain cancers, one cannot "catch" cancer from another person.

Have one or more risk factors do not mean you will get cancer. Most people who have risk factors never develop cancer.

Age

The most important risk factors for cancer are growing. Most tumors occur in people over 50 years of age. But people of all ages, including children, can get cancer, too.

Tobacco use or Cigarettes Smoking

The use of tobacco is the leading cause of preventable death. Each year, more than 150,000 Americans die of cancer associated with tobacco use.

The use of tobacco or products regularly being around tobacco smoke (passive smoking or secondhand smoke) increases the risk of cancer.

Smokers are more likely than nonsmokers to develop lung cancer, larynx (voice box), mouth, esophagus, bladder, kidney, esophagus, stomach, pancreas, and cervix. They are also more likely to develop acute myeloid leukemia (cancer that begins in blood cells).

People who use smokeless tobacco (snuff and chewing tobacco) are at increased risk of oral cancer.

Quitting from smoking is important for anyone using tobacco - even people who used it for many years. The risk of cancer for people who stop is less than the risk for people who continue to use tobacco. (But the risk of cancer is usually less than those who never used tobacco.)

Moreover, for people with cancer, quitting smoking can reduce the risk of another cancer.

Exposure to Sunlight

Ultraviolet (UV) from the sun, sunlamps, and tanning booths. This causes premature aging and skin damage that can lead to skin cancer.

Doctors encourage people of all ages to limit their time in the sun and avoid other sources of UV radiation:

It is best to avoid the midday sun (from mid-morning to late afternoon) as possible. You should also protect against UV radiation reflected by sand, water, snow and ice. UV rays can penetrate light clothing, windshields and windows.

The ionizing radiation

Ionizing radiation can cause cell damage that leads to cancer. This kind of radiation comes from rays that enter the atmosphere of Earth from outer space, radioactive fallout, radon gas, x-rays and other sources.

The radioactive fallout can come from accidents at nuclear facilities in the production or testing, or deployment of nuclear weapons. People exposed to fallout may be at increased risk of cancer, especially leukemia and cancers of the thyroid, breast, lung and stomach.

Some viruses and bacteria

Being infected with certain viruses or bacteria may increase the risk of developing cancer:

Hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses: Liver cancer can develop after many years of infection with hepatitis B or hepatitis C.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV): HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. People who have HIV infection are at greater risk of cancer, such as lymphoma and a rare cancer called Kaposi's sarcoma.

Alcohol

Having more than two drinks a day over many years may increase the likelihood of developing cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, larynx, liver and breast. The risk increases with the amount of alcohol you drink. For most of these tumors, the risk is higher for a drinker who uses tobacco.

Family History of Cancer

If you think you have a model of some types of cancer, your family, you should talk to your doctor. The doctor may recommend as trying reducing the risk of cancer. The doctor may also suggest the tests can detect early cancer.

You could ask your doctor about genetic testing. These tests can determine some heritable genetic changes that increase the risk of developing cancer. But inherited genetic mutation does not mean you will definitely develop cancer. This means they have a higher chance of developing the disease.

Certain chemicals and other substances

People who have certain jobs (such as painters, construction workers, and those in the chemical industry) have an increased risk of cancer. Many studies have shown that exposure to asbestos, benzene can, Benzidine, cadmium, nickel, or vinyl chloride in the workplace lead to cancer.

Poor diet, physical inactivity, excess weight

People with a poor diet, lack of exercise or being overweight may be at increased risk of certain cancers. For example, studies show that people whose diets are high in fat has a higher risk of colon cancer in the uterus, and prostate. Physical activity and obesity are risk factors for breast cancer, colon, esophagus, kidney and uterus.

How to Deal With Stress and Anxiety?

Well, when a person is subjected to physical or emotional stress, stress is how the body reacts. How to cope with stress and anxiety can be the opposite of what most of us believe. This is because stress is not only associated with negative emotions, but also associated with positive emotions as well. When a certain expected or unexpected events causing stress, the body produces certain chemicals that are absorbed into the blood.

The good news is that these chemicals can be used for energy or a power increase. This can be useful if the response to stress becomes physical. However, when a person has to deal with stress emotionally, it can lead to bad that happens in the body and mind. This is due to the fact that the body has no outlet to release the extra energy produced. In this regard, as a result of stress on different types of physical or emotional stress vary from person to person.

Like it or not, stress feature in our lives every day. A person can be in school or at work or anywhere else and they still need to cope with their environment. The different types of stress are usually associated with or affected by the atmosphere each day. And as the body is linked to several human physical and emotional well-beings, a connection with the effects was detected when stress is released. And that is why it is important to conclude the reason for the emphasis it has to have a snowball effect on other parts of the body that are essential for proper operation.

Stress and anxiety have their place. They urge us to make the necessary changes in our lives. They point out, when we may be in danger, and urge us to adopt measures to put us out of danger. (This danger can be any kind of threat to our physical and emotional well-being, not doing well in a test of loss of jobs to lose a friend.) In this way, the feelings of stress and anxiety are healthy and needed, without them; we cannot act in our interests.

The point which worry and anxiety become unhealthy when they stop us to take action. This may be because we are concerned about things that are not under our control or that have not yet come, or because we are immobilized by stress and anxiety we feel, rather than inspired to act. Whatever the reason, this worry and anxiety can cause a lot of emphasis on our minds and bodies, and affect our health. Overpressure or unmanaged can be unhealthy if it takes the form of a disorder of anxiety, for example.

Dealing with Anxiety

So now you understand the nature of stress and anxiety a little better, we can focus on removing them. The best remedy for anxiety is self-evaluation and action. Here are some easy steps:

First, look inside. What causes you to worry? Be specific. (In some situations, it may be clear, at other times, you may have to really think about it.) Write in a journal or talking with a friend to help you adjust your emotions.

Then, decide what action, if any, should be taken. Try to figure out which part of the situation is under control. Assess the problem to see if the threat is real, or if you are blowing proportions. If the problem is just a hypothetical scenario or worst case, decide if it really likely that their fears actually come to fruition.

Next, get a plan that addresses the problem under their control. Take steps to protect you is a good way to channel the energy of the nerves and provides security against their fears. Is, in most cases, the more robust response to fears and real concern?

Once you've done everything possible, just let it go. Like everything in life, it is easier said than done, but in practice, you can get pretty adept at letting go of the excessive levels of stress and anxiety. You can do this by focusing on others, reminding yourself of the solution is worked, or try some stress management strategies that will help you feel more middle and at peace, such as prayer or meditation contemplative, keeping a journal about their feelings, or listening to music. Exercising regularly has proven especially useful in combating the physical effects of anxiety and stress.

Immediate Stress Buster

·         Watch for the next opportunity where you find yourself becoming annoyed or angry against a trivial or frivolous. After making a letting go, make a conscious choice not to get angry or upset. Do not waste thought and energy where it is not advisable. Anger management is an effective reducer which tried and true.

·         Breathe slowly and deeply. Before reacting to the next occurrence of stress, take three deep breaths and release them slowly. If you have a few minutes, try relaxation techniques such as meditation or guided imagery.

·         Whenever you feel overwhelmed by stress, practice speaking more slowly than usual. You'll find that you think clearer and more reasonable reaction to stressful situations. Stressed people tend to speak fast and breathlessly; slowing down your speech, you'll also appear less anxious and more in control of any situation.

·         Start an effective time management. Choose one simple thing that you are putting off (eg returning a phone call, make an appointment with doctors), and do it immediately. While taking the responsibility is on the nagging and can improve your attitude.

·         Plan something rewarding for the end of your stressful day, even if it is a relaxing bath or half an hour with a good book. Set aside the worries of work, housework or family for a brief period before bedtime and allow yourself completely to relax. Do not spend this time planning tomorrow schedule or doing chores that do not move during the day. Remember that you need time to recharge and rejuvenate. You are much better prepared in the presence of another stressful day.

DEPRESSION: Why it’s Different for Men?

Women in our culture know they are distressed and they reach out for help. But, men express depression differently. According to statistic, approximately 25% of all women suffer from depression and about 15% of men – but some researchers question the latter number. Men are less likely than women to seek mental- health treatment in general. The tendency to tough it out rather than ask for help is just one of several reasons why experts believe the oft-quoted statistic are artificially low. Men express emotional pain differently from women, so their symptoms are not always recognized and their depression goes undetected. Fortunately, however, when the condition is recognized, there are many ways it can be successfully treated.

A man couldn’t sleep and had no desire for sex. He vaguely worried about his loss of libido, but decided that the source of his problems was chronic sleeplessness. His lack of emotion was such that even when his marriage ended, he barely seemed to care, his career also ceased to matter to him.

The problem was not a sleep disorder. While the outward signs – insomnia, apathy, loss of libido- didn’t match the tearful, unhappy state that’s often associated with the disorder, his problem was depression, and it lasted for about five years before a doctor finally diagnosed and then successfully treated it with anti-depressants.

Most people assume sadness always accompanies depression. But that’s not necessarily true for men. With men you may see more of the angry and irritable depression that than the typical sad depression that we are used to seeing in women. While depressed women tend to cling to sources of comfort and turn their anger against themselves, depressed men often do the opposite. They may isolate themselves from family and friends and act aggressively.

What causes male depression in the first place? Neurotransmitters, including serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine, which relay signals from one brain cell to the next, play key roles. If, because of a genetic abnormality or other cause, neurotransmitter stores are affected, we may suffer depression or any of a number of other psychological problems. In some cases of mild depression the causes may be testosterone deficiency which can bring on classic symptoms such as fatigue, lack of initiative and sexual difficulties. As with depressed women, a man’s negative life experience – job loss, rejection in love, can devastate the mood and affect neurotransmitter flow. You take a perfectly normal person but put him under stress. Alcohol can boost mood temporarily, which may be why some people with depression drink. But heavy drinking itself may produce or worsen symptoms of depression. While alcohol can cause obvious changes in mood and behavior, the effect of nicotine and some other drugs may be less conspicuous.

Leaving depression untreated can be fatal. There is a 20% risk of suicide with untreated depression. Men are more likely than women to choose a lethal method – like shooting themselves, if they are thinking about suicide. Depression can shorten men’s live in other ways as well. In depression, the duration and intensity of the mood is much greater than a passing episode of feeling down. Depression is likely if either of the above is accompanied by four or more of the ff:

·         Excessive sleepiness or insomnia

·         Appetite changes

·         Fatigue, lethargy or apathy

·         Feelings of excessive or inappropriate guilt, of worthlessness and of hopelessness

·         Forgetfulness, indecisiveness or lack of concentration

·         Thoughts of or attempts at, committing suicide

Call your local hospital or mental health organization if you need a referral to a licensed mental health professional. And if someone you care about starts talking about death or suicide, get him to an emergency room.

In major depression, doctors will usually prescribe anti-depressants as well, Prozac, Zoloft, and Paxil, to name a few which work by keeping more of the mood modulating neurotransmitter circulating within the brain. Another anti-depressant, bupropion (Wellbutrin SR), is also marketed under the name Zyban for people who want to stop smoking. It seems to dampen nicotine cravings and moderate nicotine-withdrawal symptoms. For men whose depression is traced to testosterone deficiency, doctors can prescribe testosterone – replacement therapy via injections or skin patches similar to the ones used to replace estrogen in women. Testosterone can stimulate the growth of a previously undetected prostate cancer and therefore should be administered of an actual deficiency.

The important thing to remember is that depression is not a sign of weakness and it’s not just a women’s problem. It’s an illness, just like heart disease, diabetes and flu. And like other illnesses, it can be treated. No one has to tough it out alone.

Skin Care Tips

Cleaners

Most people know the importance of cleansing the skin. The main idea behind using a cleanser is to clean up dirt and excess oil from the skin. The sad thing is that there are some cleansers that can greatly affect the skin. And there are people who have dry skin because of its cleaning products, and not because of natural dryness. These people never realize that the wrong type of cleanser can actually damage the skin. First of all you need to know the different options for cleaners. Bar type soaps are the most extreme cleaners but they are also the best to clean up dirt. Liquid cleaners come in different types and tolerance and are great for all skin types accept oily. A facial cleanser is the mildest type, but they cannot get rid of dirt and oil as well. The bottom line is that you need not aim for complete dryness because of cleanliness. You can only go for a gentle cleanser that still takes away all the dirt.

Moisturizers

Moisturizing is very important for proper skin care. Using the right moisturizer can help prevent dryness from escalating further into cracked and flaky skin. A successful moisturizer will be one that has a good mix of ingredients that refill the natural ingredients in the skin that helps maintain its structure. Some ingredients normally found in an updated moisturizer include glycerol, Ceramide, Hydroxy acids and Niacinamide. Glycerol facilitates the water along with other moisturizing elements to pass through the skin and get to the places needed. Ceramide replenishes oils in the skin. Hydroxy acids facilitate the exfoliation of skin cells that are dead. Niacinamide allows the skin to increase the production of oil, and may help to reverse signs of sun damage. Just like how the skin types are different, creams vary in their action and constituents. So it is important that you choose the right one from the skin care reviews for a beautiful glowing skin.

Protect Skin from the Sun

One of the most important ways to take care of your skin is to protect it in the sun can cause wrinkles, age spots and other skin problems - as well as increase the risk of skin cancer.

Use a sunscreen. Use a broad-spectrum sun protection of SPF is at least 15 if you are outside, again sunscreen every two hours - or more often if you are swimming or sweating.

Seek shade. 10:00 to 4:00 to avoid the sun when the sun's rays are strongest.

Wear protective clothing. Cover your skin with tightly woven long-sleeved shirts, long pants and wide brimmed hats. Also consider laundry additives, which provide an additional layer of UV protection clothes washing water or a special sun-protective clothing - that are specifically designed to block ultraviolet rays.

Smoking makes your skin looks older and can help wrinkles. Smoking constricts the tiny blood vessels in the outermost layers of skin, which reduces blood flow. This depletes the skin of oxygen and nutrients that are important to skin health. Smoking also damages collagen and elastin - fibers that give skin strength and elasticity. In addition, repetitive facial expressions you make when smoking - such as pursing your lips, eyes squinting as you inhale and keep out smoke - may contribute to wrinkles.

If you smoke, the best way to protect your skin is to quit. Ask your doctor for treatment tips to help you quit smoking.

Most people lack fiber in their diets - the average person eats only 12 grams of fiber a day. In 2002, the National Academy of Sciences Food and Nutrition Board established recommended fiber intakes. For men age 19-50 years, 38 g fiber is recommended, and for men of 50, 31 g fiber is recommended. For women age 19 to 50 years, 25 g fiber is recommended, and for women over 50, 21 g fiber is recommended.

A few suggestions:

Add Whole Grains - Choose whole grain products over refined. Have brown rice instead of white, or make your own 50:50 combinations.

Apple Day - Have an apple, skin on, as a snack.

Eat Cauliflower - Try delicious roasted Cauliflower recipe!

High-fiber snacks - snack on nuts, seeds, and dried fruits, like dates, figs, and prunes.

Eat Beans and legumes - Open a can of your favorite beans or legumes. Rinse them well and add them to your meal.

Ground Flaxseeds - For any easy fiber boost, sprinkle ground flaxseeds (available in health food stores) on rice, salads, oatmeal, or any other food. Store flax seeds in the refrigerator.

Health Care for Women Who Are Lesbians...

Lesbians can generally be defined as women who have sex with or primary emotional partnerships with women, but there is no universally accepted definition; variability exists in relationships and sexual preferences.  Lesbians are found in every ethnic group and socioeconomic class. They can be single, celibate, divorced, teens, and seniors. Most experts believe that sexual orientation is not a conscious choice.

Lesbian has often encountered sensitivity in health care encounters. When they are ask if they are sexually active and respond affirmatively, contraception is immediately urged as heath care providers may assume incorrectly that they practice heterosexual intercourse. Similar to many other marginalized groups of women, they often underuse health care. Some health care providers are homophobic and discrimination against lesbians has been found in health care. Whether heterosexual or homosexual, need to consider lesbianism within the continuum of human sexual behavior and need to used gender- neutral question and terms that are non-judgmental and accepting. Lesbian teens are at risk for suicide and STD’s. Many lesbian do participate in heterosexual activity and often consider themselves at low risk for STD’s. Because HPV, herpes infection and other organism implicated in STDs are transmitted by secretions and contact, they may need information on STDs and contraception. If sex are used and not cleaned, pelvic infections can occur.

Lesbians may smoke and drink more alcohol, may have a higher body mass index, may bear fewer or no children, and often have fewer health preventive screenings than heterosexual women. These factors may predispose them to colon, lung, endometrial, ovarian and breast cancer as well as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Health care provider need to understand the unique needs of this population and provide appropriate and sensitive care.