Curious About the Effects of Caralluma Fimbriata on the Body?

Looking for a lucky person who does not have a weight problem is unusual. You probably possess some unused fat kept in the body somewhere, but even if you are as skinny as a supermodel, it is possible to be considered unhealthy. Fortunate are those that have a high metabolic rate simply because they do not build up a lot of non-metabolized fat, but because not many are privileged with this natural capacity, all of us have to behave to prevent one of the world's major weight issues, obesity.

It's not easy having weight problems. There are so many activities that you cannot carry out because of your weight. Your pals will mock you, you can't fit into your old clothing any longer, plus you've got to regulate the kinds of foods which you take in. The dilemma is that even when you make an effort to shed weight, blindly pursuing exactly what the media states are items that will help you shed weight right away isn't likely going to help. Apart from potentially possessing dangerous side effects, products just like sugar substitutes which are believed to provide your food further taste may additionally be adding up a few undetected calories on your body.

In recognizing this, how would you manage to have sufficient energy for your productive lifestyle, control pointless hunger, reduce the fat, and lose weight? A plant that is located in the deserts of India known as caralluma fimbriata might get your interest. It has interesting characteristics that the diet conscious person would certainly wish to know more about. The most important thing about this is that it was utilized to curb craving for food previously throughout long travels to the desert and during starvation.

Next, it may cease producing fat that you simply can't use and it's also thought to improve your metabolism. You won't have problems just like having a full stomach and putting on the weight. To get a leaner body, it assists to burn the fats that you actually have on top of everything else. Could your energy levels be affected because of this? There's nothing to worry about since it can supply you with the energy that you'll need the entire day.

Looks good, doesn't it? But how about its security? Could it be certain that the offers it made are going to be experienced? Would it be assured that it will be better than other goods being advertised on advertisements that had dissatisfied you because of their inadequacy in the past? It is better as compared to all others basically because it is natural plus it had been utilized countless instances in the past. In addition there are lots of experiments backing up its performance claims, so you can rest assured that it's surely useful.

The safety of caralluma fimbriata once applied to your system, nevertheless, is dependent on the form of this natural product that you are going to buy. For best results, choose the items that don't make use of any binders, fillers, preservatives, flow agents, as well as other bad additions. Their addition dilutes the effects of caralluma, and in addition they can also overcome the objective of this product. You are advised to use extracts which have a minimum of 500 mg of caralluma. As there's no chance that you can come across caralluma fimbriata in the uncooked form, the extract will be the next best thing to use.

Infection Control of Blood Borne Pathogens: 3 Major Factors

Infection control of blood borne pathogens is preventing their spread from one individual to another and thereby preventing illness and infection. The first step in infection control is to understand how the germs spread. The second step is, knowing how to control their spread.

There are 3 factors involved in infection control. There are discussed below:

• Knowing and practicing universal precautions
Universal precautions protect you from contracting infection by bloodborne pathogens. They also keep others around you safe. Hand washing, gloving and wearing protective clothing are the main precautions to be followed to control the spread of infection. Universal precautions are standards of infection control. They protect you from blood borne diseases like Hepatitis B, C and HIV. You must follow these precautions when you come in contact with blood and other human body fluids like semen, vaginal secretions, saliva, nasal secretions, vomit, urine and excretion.

Hand washing: Thorough, regular washing of hands will help to curb the spread of infection. Hospital employees must always wash hands before and after contact with patients and while using sterilized equipments.

Gloving: While attending patients and especially whenever you come in contact with body fluid you are required to wear disposable latex gloves. This is a part of the universal precautions. Correct donning and removing of gloves is crucial in preventing the spread of blood borne pathogens. Gloves should be changed after every use. New gloves are to be used for new patients as used or contaminated gloves can transfer germs from one patient to another. In the event of a glove tearing while working on a patient, take it off immediately and thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water.

Personal Protective Clothing: Put in the protective clothing in the prescribed order, i.e. gown, mask or respirator, goggles or face shields, and gloves. Be careful while putting the clothing on and off.

• Cleaning and Disinfection
The second way to prevent the spread of blood borne pathogens is by cleaning and disinfecting the surroundings. It is essential for health care employers not to infect others and also not to be infected by others. Regular cleaning of surfaces and other items with soap and water is the best way to prevent infection. Going a step ahead of cleaning is called Disinfection. This involves soaking the surface or item with a special solution for sometime after washing with soap and water. Soaking in the special solution kills any extra germs. The best and most common washing solution is water and household bleach.

• Awareness and Reporting
Be aware of the various signs and symptoms of blood borne pathogen infections. Report them to a doctor accurately and in a timely manner. This will help the doctor is correctly diagnosing the infection and thus providing you with the best treatment.

It is not enough to be aware of the signs. Reporting the incident immediately is essential. Instant reporting permits immediate medical action which can prevent the development of Hepatitis B and enable the doctor to know if there is risk of potential HIV infection. Instant reporting also helps in avoiding spread to other individuals. Moreover, it helps the people in-charge to assess the situation and find means to avoid the same situation from repeating in the future.

How to Select a CPR Certification Course in 4 Simple Steps

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) comprises of emergency techniques used for the revival of blood circulation and oxygen supply within the body that might have been affected due to a health condition or because of any kind of accident.

CPR techniques can be life saving and are thus not only required when working in certain fields but can prove to be useful in day-to-day life too. If you want to learn this invaluable skill and have decided to take up a CPR course then you will be spoilt for choices because there are several bodies offering such courses today, both through the in-class and online medium.

The following 4 steps will guide you in the process for choosing a CPR certification course that is right for you.

• Personal Requirement: While a CPR course is beneficial for everyone your particular requirement from the course will differ if you want a career in the healthcare industry or are in an occupation where such a skill may come in handy. If you want to learn CPR simply in a personal capacity then a basic course that gives you an overview and covers the most common situations will be sufficient. On the other hand a more detailed course or one that focuses on a particular area may be required depending on the nature of your profession. Thus you must pick a course that fits your requirement for anything exceeding or falling short of your needs will be useless.

• Standardized Courses: CPR like any other aspect in the healthcare industry has evolved over the years and will continue to do so as advanced and more effective techniques are found to address emergencies. Organizations like American Red Cross, American Heart Association, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and other reputed agencies in healthcare issue various guidelines for administering CPR. The course that you select must be line with the guidelines recommended by one or more of these organizations.

• Course Recognition: All CPR courses offered by different bodies are not equivalent even though of a similar level, and also do not enjoy a uniform recognition by different employers. Making sure that the course is recognized by certain premier bodies is not enough, if you want to enter a certain field it is best that you find out their particular requirements and then select a course that confirms to it.

• Curriculum and Institute: The CPR course that you are enrolling in must include theoretical as well as practical modules covering a number of situations and possibilities. Also ensure that the institute has the required facilities and equipment for effective training. Furthermore the teachers and instructors must be experienced in the relevant field and have updated knowledge to make the learning useful. If the course is partly online then make sure that there is sufficient support to address your queries.

After you finish learning the contents of the course you will have to appear for theory and practical examinations. On passing them with a minimum number of marks, you will receive your certification.

First Aid Training For Kids: 5 Points to Consider

Kids first learn about safety when told by parents not to touch a hot stove. Kids have an amazing capacity to learn new things. So you need to teach them from a very young age about safety and what to do when emergencies arise.

Accidents and emergencies are frightening to adults, so how much more for children. They come as a surprise and therefore it becomes difficult to react properly. However, with a little knowledge and planning you can avoid a big disaster. Children are prone to accidents. Though they are young they can protect themselves and others by some simple measures. It is always better to discuss first aid with your kids rather than waiting for an emergency to happen first.

Five points to consider while teaching your kids about first aid:

• Talk about First aid: First of all, you need to talk to them about safety and fist aid. The basics of first aid can be adapted so that your kids can understand them however old they may be. There is no need to go into details. Talk about situations they may encounter in everyday life like bruises, cuts, choking, etc. In the end, make them tell you what they learned so that you can clear doubts and misunderstandings.

• Act it out: Make up a situation and act it out with your kids. Acting out helps to strengthen a kid's knowledge. Alarming and fearful situations can be dealt with while acting it out. It builds their confidence to be able to do the same thing when emergencies arise. Discuss how to respond in certain situations and allow them to practice on you or on dolls.

• Calling 911: A child should be taught to call 911 in case of an emergency. The first thing your child should do is call 911 before attempting to help the victim. Teach your child to use the phone and what numbers to press. Explain to your child what situations constitute an emergency, like someone passing out, choking, convulsing, and so on.

• Bleeding: Show your child how to control bleeding by applying pressure using a cloth or bandage and pressing it on the wound. Allow your child to practice bleeding control techniques on dolls.

• Breathing and basic CPR: Based on the age of your child, you can teach him the important points of chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Instruct your child to check if the person is breathing and teach him to administer gentle breaths. A child should also learn how to check the pulse. All this information is to be given to a child who is old enough to understand and apply it. Therefore, parental discernment is necessary here.

The home is the best place to provide first aid training for your child. In familiar surroundings they learn faster. There have been many cases where little children have saved their parent's life by calling 911 for help when their parents became unconscious, all because that's what they had been taught.

4 Kinds of Workers Who Should Be Trained in First Aid

A lot of people, other than those who work in the medical field need first aid training. It is safe to say that anyone who is around a number of people on a daily basis should learn first aid. This is because as much as we think we are safe, and nothing wrong could happen, unfortunately it could. You could slip and fall on your way to work, your child could have a fall while playing in the park, there could be a car collision near your house or a fire could have broken out in a nearby area. You could either be a by-stander, or be one that helps a large number of people get on the road to recovery.

First aid is, simply put, the first kind of treatment given to a sick or an injured person. This could be before professional help arrives or even at the Emergency Room (ER) of a hospital. First aid training helps curb bleeding, teaches you how to administer Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), take care of minor cuts, bruises and burns.

There are a number of people who must take up first aid training such as:

• Healthcare professionals: Every single person associated with the medical field, from doctors, nurses, and attendants and absolutely anyone else should learn first aid. Over and above this anyone working at a hospital should know first aid; this not only helps in a crisis situation, but also raises the standards of the hospital.

• Rescue workers: This refers to firefighters, police officers, lifeguards and security guards. In case of emergency, civilians will look up to you for help. Being trained in first aid and CPR will make a huge difference in bringing the situation in control.

• Physical fitness personnel: Gym trainers, sports coaches, aerobics instructors, massage therapists and dance instructors, there is a lot of physical activity around their work areas. A fall resulting in a sprain or a fracture could be taken care of instantly.

• School staff and child-care facilitators: You need to make sure your child is safe when you are not around. Children by nature are difficult to handle and when they are in groups an accident is bound to happen. Make sure you are certain that your child's school or day-care center has a first aid trained professionals.

It has become increasingly common that large offices have a Safety Committee or a Safety Officer. This committee or officer must be trained in first aid and CPR administration. Over and above this they also make sure the office conducts regular fire drills and keeps fire exits clear and safety norms up to date. They also take care of a well-equipped first aid kit so that there is a sense of safety that employees feel while working in the office. Workplaces also have tie ups with hospitals or clinics where they can take their employees in case professional help is required.

First aid training makes you aware of how you can help save lives with basic essentials. Make sure you speak to as many people as possible to spread the word about first-aid training.

What Sort Of Headaches Do You Experience?

There are many different views on what type of headaches you may get on a regular basis. Also, because symptoms may overlap it is important to know that your headache may fit into more than one category. Below is a list of the main types of headaches. Remember that in categorizing the different types of headaches they may share some symptoms.

-Tension headaches (also referred to as "stress headaches")- Probably the most common headache today. Muscle contraction is the main contributor to this type of headache. Because of the way we hold our body when under stress, oxygen and blood flow is impeded into the muscles that contribute to headaches. There are many ways to prevent tension headaches but being aware of when you are starting to feel an overwhelming amount of stress is your first step.

-Migraine headaches- Recent studies suggest that migraines may actually stem from tension and have similar symptoms, at the beginning, of other headaches. However, they are considered to be vascular in nature, which means there is too much blood flow into the head, which is the opposite of most headaches. The symptoms may include- severe throbbing pain accompanied with nausea, vomiting, cold hands and feet, sensitivity to sound and light, dizziness, tremor, hallucinations, visual disturbances, smelling of strange odors and numbness of arm or leg.

-Hormonal headaches- These are brought about by hormonal disturbances in the body, which may come at a distinct time. The symptoms are usually similar to those of a migraine headache but will dissipate, at times when hormone levels change usually on their own.

-Sinus headaches- Brought about by a blocked flow of sinus drainage, these headaches may be the result of sinus infection, which is mostly felt in the face, especially the nasal area. You may experience fever, as well.

-Temporal Mandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMJ) headaches- A lot of times these headaches occur after an accident, especially when there is whiplash involved. This is mostly because one of the main headache muscles (sternocleidomastoid) becomes hypertonic, or tightened. The first thing to do if you feel you have this type of headache is to check with your dentist because he/she will be able to assess why you are experiencing this type of pain. Sometimes having a bite plate made for you will help.

-Cluster headaches- These headaches are probably the most rare and most painful of all headaches. The symptoms are excruciating pain mostly behind the eye, typically on one side of the face, with watery eyes, flushing of the face and nose congestion. Pain may last for several hours and attacks may occur every day for weeks or months, and then disappear for up to a year. Most sufferers are male.

-Rebound headaches- Unfortunately these headaches may be brought on by the very medications that were prescribed to reduce them! The symptoms include throbbing generalized pain and sometimes jolts of pain. They can feel similar to a migraine with anxiety, depression, fatigue, insomnia, nausea and mood swings. Most discomfort is felt after periods of not taking medications, for instance when one first wakes up or intentionally tries to stop taking them.

Headache sufferers can all benefit from a variety of natural treatments. Using range of motion stretches, massaging certain muscles, acupressure, hot and cold application and aromatherapy can all be beneficial in learning to manage your headaches on your own.

Regardless of what type(s) of headache you experience the feeling of empowering yourself over your headaches will contribute to a better life for you so hopefully you will become "Headache Free…Naturally."

Why Foam Rolling Works, For Some People

Have you ever had this happen? You wake up one morning and discover something is really tight, stiff, and sore? Maybe it's your back or your hamstrings or maybe a shoulder.

It just sort of makes sense to you that stretching it would help; that it would feel better somehow. But, when you stretch, it feels more like steel cables have been inserted into what used to be muscle.

And it hurts.

So, if you're like most people you turn to your local diagnostician to sort things out.

Google.

And low and behold, one of the common solutions to this vexing problem is the foam roller.

What is a Foam Roller?

A foam roller is a cylinder of high density foam usually 2 to 4 feet in length and about 4-6 inches in diameter. It reminds me of one of those "noodles" that kids use in a pool (or my wife who is still a kid at heart).

Many people use it as a "poor man's massage" by rolling on it in various directions.

And it does seem to reduce pain, increase motion and flexibility with only a few minutes of use.

Why Does A Foam Roller Work?

The most common explanations are that the rolling "irons out the fascia", "hydrates the tissue", and "breaks up muscle knots".

None of that is proven.

Here's what we actually know about pressure on soft tissue.

A lot of stuff seems to work. Rolfing, Myofascial Release, Active Release Technique, Deep Tissue Massage, Graston Technique, and others.

What do they have in common?

Pressure.

And what makes each differ from the other?

Duration, intensity, and frequency.

The Science

Embedded in the fascia that envelopes muscle, are very small sensors known as mechanoreceptors. Mechanoreceptors respond to mechanical stimulation - tapping, pressure, stroking, stretching, etc. And there is a lot going on inside this tissue so hang in there with me.

There are different types - Golgi Tendon Organ, Ruffini and Pacinian Corpuscles. The Ruffini modulate Sympathetic Nervous System activity. Pacinian Corpuscles modulate proprioception (helps you know where your limb is and what it's doing). Interstitial receptors are linked with the Autonomic Nervous System. These receptors are multi-modal. They can function as mechanoreceptors and as pain receptors.

When you apply pressure and an ever so slight stretch, which always happens when you deform tissue with pressure, the mechanoreceptors go to work. Some will begin, depending on the intensity of the pressure and your individual tolerance for it, to relax the muscle via a reflex at the spinal cord. The result is you feel looser, more mobile, and less painful.

Some techniques add deep breathing. Deep breathing has been shown to slow the Sympathetic Nervous System - the fight or flight response - and as a result also reduces the muscle tension.

So, as you roll on the foam roller, you're applying both pressure and stretch; activating the receptors that then reduce pain and increase mobility.

But, the results rarely stick around.

And that's because it takes a lot of stimulation, a lot of repetition to permanently change the resting "tone" of your tissue. So, once you stop, the muscles, tendons and even fascia slowly creep back to where it was before the rolling.

For those of you who like creative use of video, you might enjoy this movie I used, years ago, in a course I taught (and maybe some of you actually went to this course) to help raise the question, "Why do so many things work?"

Bottom Line

Foam rolling seems to work for some people. I like it. It helps. But, one of the keys is finding out what your body likes or responds to when it comes to the intensity, frequency, and duration of the pressure and stretching. If you experiment a bit and listen to what you body has to say, you'll find it.

What Will a Thumbsaver Do For Me?

The Thumbsaver was invented over 10 years ago by Greg Polins and has turned into a necessary part of any massage therapist's tool kit. I remember Greg had been massaging for a few years and started complaining about how his own body, especially his hands, wrists and thumbs, were hurting. He started to worry that maybe his career as a massage therapist was over.

His idea was to create a tool that supported the thumb from all sides which would reduce stress to the joints, too. He also wanted to make sure that he could keep it affordable so that anyone could keep their joints, hands, wrists, and thumbs pain free.

He gave me one of the first ones to try. I had been massaging for almost 10 years at this time so at first it seemed a little awkward. But once I got the hang of it I realized how much deeper I could get into muscles with very little effort and how less fatigued my hands felt. I started becoming creative with it and found that I was putting less and less stress on my thumbs, of course, but also on my wrists and hands.

Then I realized what a benefit using a Thumbsaver would be, especially for new therapists, worn out therapists (LOL- just joking with you) and for people who have no massage training but want to be able to get into the muscles deeply on friends and family.

If you are a massage therapist or even a physical therapist, (or actually anyone who uses the strength in their thumbs), who is worried about saving your hands for the future, this tool is for you! If you aren't a therapist but love giving a good, deep massage once in a while you will love this tool as well. It almost seems as if the Thumbsaver "grows" on you; as you become more and more accustom to utilizing it in different ways it seems to become increasingly flexible.

Sometimes you need to press deeply into a trigger or acupressure point on different parts of the body. Using your elbow is an alternative when you are working on large surface areas such as the back. But what do you do to give your hands a rest when it is in small areas such as the points in the upper shoulder or neck region? Of course you can use the Thumbsaver for all parts of the body but these smaller areas are where the Thumbsaver really comes in handy.

Personally I enjoy using the Thumbsaver because I massage a lot of people with headaches. In fact, I sell a guide and other headache products as well. When treating headaches it is important to press into neuromuscular, trigger and acupressure points that are in small areas such as the neck, head and face. The Thumbsaver is the perfect tool for addressing these localized areas.

Now, I know the Thumbsaver was designed as a massage tool but I have to admit I've used it for a few other things, too. One time I was having a real hard time pushing a large needle through a thick piece of fabric; and then there was another time I needed to press a tack in deeper into the wall; hmmm, let's see what else can I use this durable, flexible, affordable tool for.

Answer These Questions Before You Make the Assisted Living Decision

Moving to Assisted Living is a major life decision. Researching options isn't something you do on a weekend; it takes time and you need to start early. Many facilities are available, but they may be in short supply. To make things worse, you may find that many facilities have waiting lists.

In my community of Rochester, MN there are Assisted Living high-rises, private homes, private cottages, and shared cottages. Four people live in each shared cottage. Each has their own room and they share a common space, something that may not work for those who want privacy.

What is Assisted Living? It's a form of long-term care, with a variety of services. Mayo Clinic, in a website article, "Long Term Care: Early Planning Pays Off," tells people to start the search early. "If you wait, an injury or illness may force your hand -- leading to a hasty decision that may not be the best in the long run," Mayo explains.

My father-in-law, a retired Mayo physician and widower for many years, moved into a high-rise owned and operated by Mayo. Though many of his friends lived in the high-rise, he was reluctant to move. This is a common response, according to Joanna Saison, MSW, Melinda Smith, MA, Dough Russell, MSW, and Jeanne Segal, PhD, authors of "Tips for Choosing a Facility and Making the Transition," posted on the Help Guide website.

Moving is always stressful, the authors point out, and "the thought of leaving everything you know can make you feel vulnerable." Be prepared for feelings of loss, the authors advise. Answering these questions will help you with research and also save you time. If you think of more questions add them to the list.

Facility

• Who owns and operates the facility?
• Is it near your current home?
• Would you be close to the "action," restaurants, shops, public library, theaters, and parks?
• Is the place well-maintained?
• Are there enough elevators or stairs?
• Is it wheelchair accessible?
• What are the parking arrangements?
• Does it meet state health standards/regulations?
• What is the facility's reputation?
• How does it compare to others?
• Is there a waiting list?

Services

• What services do you need now?
• What health and medical services are available?
• Will nursing care be available if and when you need it?
• Do the residents seem happy?
• Is the staff courteous?
• Does the food look and taste good?
• Are the activities appealing?
• Is the housekeeping staff efficient?
• Is transportation provided?
• Are washing machines free or coin-operated?

Costs

• Is it affordable?
• Does moving in hinge on the sale of your current home?
• Are different payment plans available?
• What is the average monthly cost?
• How many meals does the meal plan cover?
• If you put down a deposit, does it earn interest?
• What are the extra charges?
• Does the facility forecast an increase in fees?
• Does the place feel like home?

Though answering these questions will help you narrow down your Assisted Living search, you also need to give yourself enough thinking time. "Why should I do this?" my father-in-law asked. Our answer: Moving to Assisted Living would give him the services he needed. Family members helped Dad move and it went well. Within months, he was raving about Assisted Living.

Copyright 2012 by Harriet Hodgson

Best Beverages to Boost You Up Before Your Workout Schedule

Workouts, if a part of your daily routine need an energy boost. This boost-up can be in the form of an energy drink. When you are going for an intense workout like boot camp, you need to have energy in your body to work out for long durations. Instead of going for a workout in a sleep-driven or knocked out state, grab an energy-boosting beverage and recharge your body cells for a workout session.

These energy boosting beverages can keep you focuses and prepare your body to work out more. Moreover, it is an added benefit to your workout regime as it improves the effectiveness of your workout. Beverages which contain caffeine are especially beneficial as they help in burning your fat up to 100%. Let's look at the best beverages that will boost up your energy levels before your workout schedule.

Water

The first choice for a pre-workout beverage is obviously water. Water as an energy booster has many benefits. It flushes out all the toxins from the body making it easier to breathe. If you don't have enough water in your body prior to a workout session, you can end up increasing your body fat and injuring your joints. So, before a workout session, make sure you have plenty of water so that you don't get dehydrated and can exercise for a longer time.

Coffee

One of the main constituents of coffee is caffeine which is known to increase strength and endurance. Instead of taking caffeine through pills, it is best if you drink a mug of coffee before your daily workout regime. A strong brew which is called Coffee Arabica is recommended by most doctors is highly preferable. Caffeine also helps in faster processing of fat enabling you to exercise for longer bouts of time. Moreover, it has been researched that consuming caffeine before a workout session reduces DOMS post the workout.

Green Tea

Green tea is another beverage you must have before a workout session. Green tea containing caffeine works the same way as a mug of coffee. However, green tea contains an ingredient known as catechin which is a type of an antioxidant. Research studies have indicated that consuming green tea before a workout session enables in more weight loss while exercising.

Green Juices

Green juices are known to be rich sources of nutrients, natural sugars and antioxidants as well as phyto-nutrients. The best way of having green juices is to prepare them at home and have a glass of absorbable nutrients and say goodbye to your sleep. Green juices are high on carbs and low on fiber content, making them easily digestible substances and the perfect pre-drink before beginning your workout.

Go for Apple Cider Vinegar

This is another great energy beverage you can consider having before you take off for your workout session. And, if you love kombucha, you are sure to enjoy the taste of a glass of apple cider vinegar. This energy drink is rich in vitamins and minerals and contains many beneficial acids. Add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to a cup of water and drink it before going out to your workout session. It gives you the much needed energy boost. Try out the unfiltered varieties to obtain more benefits in the form of improved weight loss.

Sports Beverages

Nowadays, the market is flooded with pre-workout sports drink that gives you the necessary boost before your workout session. Most of these beverages are specifically designed with the right blend of nutrients so that you get a complete packaged drink to give you the energy for your workouts.

Travel And Weight Loss - Can They Go Hand in Hand? Here Are Some Tips

Travelling can lead to deviation from your healthy food plans as well as workout regimes. While you're travelling, it is difficult to stick to healthy food as well as your daily exercise schedule of going to a boot camp. But, it is not totally impossible. With a few simple measures, you can ensure that your travel plans don't disrupt your weight loss regime.

Most of the times travelling results in weight gain, because travelling means enjoying oneself without bothering about calories or exercises. While travelling, we generally get to experience different cuisines and hence end up eating more than usual. Also, exercise takes a backseat and relaxation and enjoyment becomes the order of the day.

Travelling also means we end up switching over to unhealthy food options leading to weight gain. Though maintaining your weight during travelling is a challenge, it can be achieved easily. However, you can ensure that your weight loss plans are not disrupted while travelling by taking care of a few essentials. Here are few tips.

Choose Food Options Wisely

When you are travelling, there's nothing like healthy home-cooked food that you can have. You need to make sure that you choose healthy food options. Go for food chains and restaurants that have a healthy menu in place. Most of the food chain outlets are now expanding their menus to include healthy food options to cater to the tastes of health-conscious people as well as people who are following a weight loss regime.

Say No to Toppings

You can always order salads and grilled items because they are healthier than the other items in the menu. Not only do you fill your stomach, you also keep the extra calories at bay with these healthy food choices. However, nowadays, even the salads come with extra toppings of cheese, bacon and other fatty toppings. Make sure you order food without any extra toppings so that your weight is under control.

Go for Appetizers

Portion control is the key to healthy weight loss. And, while travelling, make sure you use portion control to stick to your weight loss regime. Restaurants nowadays are offering several items on a single platter making it very difficult to stick to healthy food options. To avoid overeating, order an appetizer before anything else. An appetizer will reduce your hunger pangs and you'll feel considerably full to overeat.

Stay away from Chips and Candies

When you are setting out for a trip, the first thing you would do is to load your car with snacks. These snacks usually comprise of chips and candy bars that are easy to carry but unfortunately, very high on calories. And since, you don't get to burn those calories while on road; you end up accumulating these calories as excess fat. Instead of these unhealthy options, select an assortment of fruits and nuts as well as healthy sandwiches for your journey.

Make a Weight-Loss Plan Before you Travel

When you are all set to travel, you would be having some time in hand to formulate a plan to stick to healthy weight loss plans. Check out which hotel you would be staying at and find out from them whether they cater to healthy food options. If not, look for places around the hotel that serves food which is in line with your daily healthy diet.

Find Time to Exercise

Obviously, when you are travelling, you cannot do your daily workout regime like attending a boot camp. But, you can do some basic exercise to make sure you keep your weight in check. Choose public transportation over cabs. Instead of taking the elevator, use the stairs to go to your room. You can also hit the gym at your hotel.

Keep Moving and Grooving

There is wisdom with age. We do become wiser as we grow older. There are times when we have some setbacks and several of our peers and family members find it hard to believe but we do actually learn from our mistakes. These mistakes could come in the form of lack of exercise, not exactly eating the right foods or making the wrong choices in several other areas of life. Exercising is not seen as a necessity when we are young because we are active. As we grow older, our doctor recommends we exercise at least three times a week. There are many health magazines that recommend walking several times a week and there are websites that promote jogging as a form of daily exercise. Several women get together for Pilates and even yoga.

The younger generation is getting off on the right foot. There are more vegetarians than ever before and more belong to gyms and recreation facilities. The drawback they have is the number of medicines available to them with serious side effects. I believe they are reading the labels and listening to the side effects more now than we did a generation ago. The trust in the doctor prescribing the right medicines is not as strong today as in our grandparent's time.

Today we read labels and books on nutrition, visit websites that provide information about the nutritional value of foods, and there are thousands of recipes for healthy eating. We are beating cancer and other life threatening diseases. However, this still leaves us with decisions to make. As we grow older, there are things we have to consider. In the morning when we rise there is a stiffness in our joints, we take naps in the afternoon, we do not do as much during the day as we used to and there is that mental disease of depression that takes hold because we do not see our value anymore. The worst thing about growing older is you do not remember things like you used to. Now really, is that such as bad thing? We all have some things we would like to forget.

We have to think past many things to stay young in our minds. Our bodies are not as fast but they can still move around. Let us put some move and groove back in the life. Here are some viewpoints to consider. Eat healthy, watch vitamins and minerals, see protein as essential for muscle development, do some morning stretches, walk at least 40 minutes a day and smile. Make a list of those things that make you happy. If you have trouble with that then have someone help you. Talk it out to someone and relive those happy moments in your life. If you cannot remember everything you used to that is okay. No one does.

Secrets of success in growing older: think young, move to life and groove to the happiness that is still there. Do not give up; never surrender your life until it is time to do so. Then do it with grace.

A Basic Guide to Stretching

Staying fit has become extremely essential in the present day world. More and more number of youngsters are falling prey to heart diseases and cholesterol problems due to unhealthy eating habits. Obesity is another outcome of a luxurious lifestyle which includes no form of exercise.

A well planned fitness program is the solution to all these problems and an indispensable part of any fitness regime is stretching.

Benefits of Stretching

Stretching increases your flexibility which in turn boosts your athletic performance. It also helps in forming the right sports posture. If done regularly, stretching lubricates the movement of your muscles by increasing their range of motion.

This reduces the risk of getting injured due to muscle activities. Stretching also increases the flow of blood to the muscles. As you become old, your tendons tend to tighten and you might face difficulties in walking and standing. An excellent way of avoiding this problem is to stretch regularly during your youth period.

Safe Stretch

Stretching may cause injury if not done in the correct way. Most people have the wrong notion about stretching. Let us look at the basic rules of stretching.

Always warm up before you start stretching. You have not been in a boot camp all your life. Hence stretching without warm-up can cause muscle cramps or injury. Warm-up raises the muscle temperature, which increases the flow of blood to the muscles and improves the contraction of muscles. It also prepares your body for the workout which makes it easier to lose calories.

Stretch regularly. Remember to stretch before and after every workout. Make sure that both sides of your body are equally stretched so that all the muscles are equally affected.

Do not force yourself into any position as it might tear a muscle. Once you comfortably get into a stretching position, continue staying in that position for some time. Breathe deeply to relax yourself. Do not bounce as bouncing while stretching might damage the muscles. The damage might also tighten your muscles and form a scar tissue.

Discontinue stretching if it causes a sharp pain. Stretching might cause slight discomfort or mild pain but if the pain is stinging, stop immediately.

Types of Stretching

Stretching your neck relaxes the muscles on both sides of your neck.

To have a good posture, try the chest stretch. It expands the chest and affects the shoulders, arms and chest.

Daily activities have a tendency to tighten the calf muscles. Double calf stretch can provide some amount of relief to the tired calf muscles.

Horse biting tail stretch targets your abdominals, sides and lower back. If you have back problems, then be careful otherwise you might end up hurting yourself.

The rear thigh muscles, also known as the hamstrings can be relaxed by using the standing hamstring stretch. This stretch also targets your lower back.

To loosen your shoulders, arms, lower back and upper back, try the back stretch or back expansion.

The standing quad stretch concentrates on the front thigh muscles or the quadriceps and the lower back. If you have face knee problems then you should avoid this stretch.

These are the basic stretching exercised that are usually followed. You might come across numerous others which are either sports specific or concentrate on one body part.

If you want to get rid of the excess flab and dream to have the perfectly toned body, then it is time to pull up your socks and start a rigorous workout schedule. And remember, the first step of any fitness program includes stretching.

What Does Constipation Mean?

The food you eat everyday has its benefits for your body. It's nutritional content is used by the different parts of your body to function well. In the complicated process such as digestion, these foods and nutrients are broken down to bits and distributed accordingly among your bodily organs. But like in most process-based systems, digestion also has its own waste products. These can come in the form of feces and urine.

It is important that you regularly move your bowels because they can be harmful to your body if left in too long. They can cause you mental distress and physical discomfort. Also, as in most medical studies, the toxins that you do not get to release can be just as harmful to your internal body health. Therefore you have to understand the causes and possible treatments for constipation.

Constipation is the condition characterized by a difficulty in moving your bowels. It can be a case of bowel movements that are infrequent, meaning you move lesser than three stools within a particular week. But constipation can also be characterized by bowels or stools that are rather harder, which seem more strained when you try to release them.

There are various causes of constipation. Mostly, it is due to insufficient fiber intake. Fiber is needed to help your body get rid of toxins and wastes from your stomach to be released when you move your bowel. Low water intake can just as well cause constipation as it would make digesting your food difficult. A diet of mostly meat and with lesser vegetables can also cause constipation.

In some cases, you may be taking medicines that hinder the frequent and easy passing of your bowels. Narcotics and antidepressants definitely have this particular effect. Iron supplements can also suppress your bowels as well as calcium blockers.

While constipation is not an urgent matter, it is still important that you do not take it for granted especially if it has become a chronic condition. Laxatives and fiber supplements are some of the popular medications that you can take to boost your bowel movement. But then, you can actually treat it with a simple change in your diet. Eat more leafy vegetables and fiber-rich foods. You can also lessen your meat produces and increase your water intake. What is best is for you to completely revise your lifestyle so that your digestion would not be compromised. Your trusted doctor can help you deal with this problem, ask him or her to find the best solution.

What Are The Benefits Of Filtered Water?

Most people tend to think that filtered and purified water are just the same. Well, they actually are not. Purification uses a a more complex approach to cleansing the water. But when you say filtered water, the main idea is that the solid waste materials that usually flow with the fluid is removed by means of filtration or separation methods. With this definition in mind, it follows that in water filtration the bigger the waste material is the easier it is to remove.

Regardless of their differences though, they both have a lot of benefits for your health. One such benefit of drinking filtered water is of course the fact that you get your hands on a cleaner substance with more minerals in it. Since most of the chemical make-up of the water that you filter is not changed, there are a lot more minerals retained with it that also have a positive effect on your health. It is even better if you filter your water through your own set-up at home because you tend to be in control of just how much of the actual mineral-rich water is retained unlike in purified bottled drinks that have gone through chemical reprocessing.

Filtered water is also a good choice in terms of taste. Some people prefer the taste of filtered water over tap water. Most of the time, you can do filtration even while you are at home and using the readily available materials in your kitchen. For example, boiling water is a known home-based water filtration method. All you need is a pot or kettle and your stove burner. Even if most people do not really prefer boiling because it takes time for the water to cool down, the heated water is still cleaner than the one from your tap. You can also use water filters that are store-bought and that you just have to install directly under your faucet. It automatically separates the water from the waste materials to give out a potable fluid. The water coming from this installed filter may be readily used for drinking and cooking.

Most medical treatments as well as osteopathic methods highly recommend drinking of 8 to 12 glasses of water a day. It is good for your general health, particularly to your skin and digestive system as water detoxifies your body of its own waste materials to ensure a healthier disposition for a really long time.

How Do You Measure Body Fat?

Health enthusiasts are adept in many ways of keeping their bodies fit and well. Their main priority is to ensure that their bodies are healthy as this would help them avoid being affected by different illnesses. One of the major considerations of health enthusiasts is the amount of fat their bodies contain.

Fats are needed by your body mainly to serve as energy reserves for your daily activities. They also help in the digestion and absorption of certain vitamins as well as in the promotion of healthy skin and hair. But of course, as in most substances present in your body, too much fat can be detrimental. They can cause various diseases, particularly in the heart and the entire circulatory system. This is why you have to be sure that you have just the right amount of fat in your body. To do this, you can engage in a few methods in measuring body fat.

Probably the most common method that is recommended in most medical institutions is the use of a DEXA scan. The Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry scan, although rather expensive, enables the measurement of three different compartments: 1) total body mineral; 2) soft lean mass; and 3) fat tissue mass. The scan would also determine how fat is divided among the different parts of your body so it would help you check which has the most fats in it and engage in proper diet.

Another way that you can use to measure your body fat is through the U.S. Navy or the anthropometric method. You can do this with a simple cloth tape measure. In this method, you measure the circumferences of your waist, neck, height and hips. Waist measurements are for the men while hips measurements are for the women. Estimate body fat percentages are the results of this method.

Finally, you can use the skin fold method. The tool for this method is called the skin fold caliper, a pair of tongs that has a ruled measuring scale in between. The calipers gather skin and take the corresponding measurement through the scale. You can use this at any time but it is suggested that you do so with a medical professional and gathering the same amount of skin in one particular part of your body only.

You should give body fat measurements great consideration to ensure that you maximize your health potential through the times. Ask your trusted doctor about the effects of body fats and ask for solution too.

4 Responsibilities of a HIPAA Trained Professional

If there is a rule in place, you need to know how to work according to it. If a rule is broken, you also need to know about the punishment. The same applies for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). The Act was designed to help fund insurance costs for people who were out of work (along with close eligible family members) because of losing their jobs. Some funds could help with insurance costs for people between jobs, too. There are a number of certified courses that are available online. They take into consideration the time convenient to you and help you finish the training in a matter of weeks. Once this training is over, you understand issues of security and confidentiality towards patients and their medical records.

Every organization that is related to the medical field must take it up as a responsibility to train their employees in HIPAA. HIPAA training is necessary to be able to take care of a patient's Protected Health Information (PHI). These records need to be filed and maintained, to be retrieved as and when required. HIPAA allows patients to decide who gets to access their records; they also get to chose if family members need to be in the loop in terms of their medical history. There are a few basic rules that you can go through online, but you will need to be certified to be able to work at a medical unit or hospital.

It is the objective of the senior management of any medical unit or hospital to make sure every single employee is HIPAA trained. Violation of the rule does amount to serious ramifications.

There are a number of responsibilities that come into place while training medical care professionals in HIPAA.

• Anyone related to the medical industry needs to be able to identify the rules and regulations of HIPAA. They need to be clear about who gets what kind of benefits. This is for the overall good of their employers too.

• The Act has been created to take care and ensure that all citizens avail of a proper health insurance. Trained personnel will be able to explain, in detail, every single aspect of the Act. This ensures that there is no confusion and everyone can benefit from it.

• If the Act is understood correctly, it is carried out correctly; which in turn means no fines for violation. Monetary benefits are always welcomed anywhere.

• Within the organization, there could be a few trained professional who volunteer to train the fresh batch of employees in HIPAA. This works in the favor of the organization, as well as increases credit points for the senior employees.

An organization needs to maintain a large sense of responsibility with its patient's medical records. The confidentiality clauses are strict. The violation laws are stricter and it's only fair to abide by the law for the benefit of a large number of people.

Benefits And Risks Of Laser Tattoo Removal

Getting a tattoo is a personal choice for many men and women around the country. The problem is that sometimes individuals will no longer like the look of a tattoo for a wide range of reasons, such as stretching out or simply outgrowing the design. Those who no longer want a tattoo often opt for laser tattoo removal as a solution to the problem. Understanding the risks and benefits of the laser removal system is an important part of determining if it is right for the personal situation.

How Laser Treatments Work:

Laser removal of tattoos is a popular method of eliminating the tattoo because the risks are much less than other systems available to individuals. Before going into the treatment, it is important to understand why it works.

Laser treatments usually require between two and four sessions to remove most tattoos. In some situations, more treatments are needed because of the size or type of tattoo. A doctor will determine the number of laser treatments required based on the size, pigmentation and location of the tattoo.

The treatment uses light pulses from a laser to break up the pigmentation below the skin. As the color pigmentation is reduced, the tattoo begins to fade and ultimately is no longer visible.

Doctors use different lasers for different pigmentation colors and individuals. Dark colors like black and brown respond best to the treatments while lighter colors might take a little longer time before the pigment is completely removed.

Key Benefits of Removal:

Laser removal is a relatively new method of eliminating unwanted tattoos. The benefits of the system have grown as technology gradually improves and the lasers become less dangerous.

A major benefit of laser removal systems is that the tattoo is removed without invasive procedures. The laser is considered non-invasive and does not cause any bleeding at the site of the tattoo. As a non-invasive procedure, many of the risks that were once common with laser removal options are tattoos are eliminated or greatly reduced.

Those who have a laser removal also have the benefit of a high success rate. Most individuals will see that by the end of treatments, the tattoo is no longer on the skin. While some individuals will have trace pigments, this is rare and usually dramatically faded.

The reduced recovery time is another key benefit of the laser system. Instead of spending weeks or even a month in recovery, laser treatments have a dramatically lower recovery time. In many cases, the swelling from laser treatments is gone within a few days and the tenderness is usually gone within one week. Depending on the location of the tattoo, it is usually possible to get up and go about normal business within a day or two of the treatment.

Risks of Treatment:

A laser treatment does has some potential risks that consumers need to consider and discuss with a doctor before starting the procedure. In general, the risk of the treatment are mild.

In some situations, allergic reactions might occur. The allergy is not to the laser, but rather the large amount of ink broken up under the skin. When the ink breaks up, it causes an immune response to contain and eliminate the ink. In most cases, allergies are mild and require nothing more than a basic antihistamine.

Infection risks are mild, but sometimes occur during laser treatments. Doctors will usually provide an antibiotic to prevent infections and will give specific after-care instructions.

Scarring is a potential risk of the treatment. While the amount of scarring depends on the depth of the tattoo, laser removal does have a lower scar risk than other treatment options.

Pigmentation changes to the skin are also noted in many situations. The changes are either a slight darkening of the skin in the area or a slight lightening of the skin, depending on the particular reaction.

Removing a tattoo with a laser treatment is one of the best ways to eliminate an unwanted design. The tattoo removal is non-invasive and the risks are relatively low when compared to other treatments.

Pharmacy Reviews: How Useful Are They?

More and more people are becoming internet-savvy in the world today and, with the proliferation of e-commerce firms, usually are doing the bulk of their repeating acquisitions of key products on the World-wide-web. In response, many internet businesses are planning plans which accommodate the odd and various requirements of the improving on-line communities of purchasers. Amongst the laudable strategies involve the frequent publication of pharmacy reviews of various items offered over the internet. Nearly all assessments concentrate on the products being made available such as branded and generic drugs, and the choices of services they provide to consumers as well.

While considering an internet drugstore, end-users are urged to take a basic check on the evaluations, as these deliver beneficial details for the purchase. You will discover there are generally 4 sources of reviews when it comes to internet pharmacies: the very first comes from the health and medical fields, the next are peer reviews from within the online pharmacy arena. The third is composed of different accreditation agencies, and potential customers or the consumer sector make up the last.

The very first dispenses ordinarily professional advice on the appropriate use of various drugs and medical devices that may be advertised on the web. Such assessment normally underlines the appropriate information and facts concerning certain drugs such as their purpose, potency, formula, advocated medication dosage, and contraindication. For medical devices, reviews normally deal with related guidelines regarding purpose, proper use and warranties. These kinds of information are especially essential for customers that routinely acquire OTC or over-the-counter generic drugs that can be had with no the needed prescription.

The 2nd comes in trade-specific assessments made by similar e-commerce small businesses and market associations. The vast majority of genuine organizations are members of trade associations that may keep watch over online pharmacies. Most of these corporations commonly appraise present market practices and market movements. They may be handy sources of information regarding cost and prices of medicines as they can conveniently examine fees and services among associate merchants and laboratories, as well as establish popular market standards.

The third group does not evaluate the goods or services of an online drugstore but they may just as well satisfy the requirements by giving the necessary marks that most users be aware of. Most are various international certification organizations and national and federal agencies such as food and pharmaceutical boards and trade and industry groups. Their marks of endorsement and the advisories they provide are as effective as any testimonials a customer can have.

The final is crucial but can be uncertain and confusing. User reviews are useful since most assessments-generally found in online forums and various social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter-are actually product testimonials, if they are well informed and intelligent at all. This is simply because most internet remarks are often prejudiced. Normally, findings may may appear like press releases and a number are very scathing and unintelligible. Hence, treatment should be practiced by clients should they access such versions of critical reviews.

As a result, online end-users are urged to search first for trustworthy online pharmacy reviews that are ably helped by a community of accountable online drugstores and intelligent consumers. Internet buyers should certainly take care of their health and bank accounts by transacting only with reliable online Internet drugstores and review sites. They'll also support other individuals by revealing websites that are carrying out unethical strategies.

How HIPAA Privacy Rules Affect Your Health Information - 6 Points

There are certain entities in the healthcare field, insurance companies and healthcare providers for example, that need to collect various information of the individual and even exchange it with other entities for treatment and insurance purposes. While this is required for the proper functioning of the industry it also poses a series of threats as sensitive information of an individual is involved. The Privacy Rules of Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) have tried to address this concern by framing a set of guidelines to protect health information.

Some of the points that covered entities have to keep in mind regarding health information are listed below.

• Collection: The most important thing that any covered entity must keep in mind is that the data must be collected by legitimate means only without resorting to any unfair and secretive practices. The individual must be duly informed about why the data is being collected and the process must be continued only after receiving consent.

• Quality: The covered entities must also make sure that the data collected is relevant to their specific purposes. No attempt must be made to gather any extra data; only the information required for the smooth functioning of the treatment or for any related matter must be sought. Instead the entity must focus on ensuring that the information is complete and accurate to the best of their knowledge.

• Use: A very vital aspect of the HIPAA Privacy Rules is the use of the collected information. Covered entities that are in possession of the individual's data must use it only for the purposes allowed by the law and share the information solely with entities that require it for the approved purposes. Remember that if you are one of the entities you must neither seek data nor disclose it to others if it falls outside the purview of the relevant rules.

• Clarity: All the covered entities are required to have a clear set of policies regarding the management of personal health information. Complete information about the practices followed for using the data must be readily available; in fact the entities must provide the patient with the Notice of Privacy Practices (NOPP) at the first opportunity to keep them well informed.

• Safeguards: Besides the collection of appropriate data the entities are also required to take sufficient measures to safeguard such information. The safeguards must provide adequate protection against data theft, unauthorized access and even destruction of the records.

• Patient Participation: To give the patient more control over their own information HIPAA Privacy Rules require an entity to seek due authorization from the patient for use of the data for purposes other than those specified by the law. In addition the patient can seek a copy of personal information and even make suggestions to modify or delete certain content.

All the parties involved must understand the HIPAA Privacy Rules for managing information, whether it is the covered entities seeking data or the patient who must know the consequences when authorizing use of personal information.

Best Methods for Faster Hip Replacement Recovery

Hip replacement surgery is a major surgery and recovery depends a lot on others for support and care throughout the recovery period. It will take at least 2 months to recover and patients can expect to resume their daily activities after that. A stay in period of between 3 to 4 days is required after surgery but this varies with different patients. Pain relief medication will be prescribed to make you feel as comfortable as possible. Recovery will begin immediately after surgery.

Doing exercises regularly will help to restore full range of motion and strength and allow you to gradually return to daily activities and subsequently full recovery.

Early Postoperative Exercises

Doing exercises helps to prevent blood clots and increases blood circulation to the leg and feet, aiding recovery. It also strengthens muscles and increases the range of motion. It will definitely be uncomfortable initially but as you continue to carry the exercises out, it will start to be enjoyable and speed up your recovery.

Walking with aids

After surgery, your physical therapist will encourage you to start walking short distances and carry out light activities which will help to regain strength. With the help of a walking aid such as a walker or cane, stand up straight and balance your weight equally on both legs. Try to lift your toes off the ground and flatten them when landing as it will help to build muscles and increase strength. The walking aid also helps to prevent falls and helps to balance your body.

Stair Climbing and Descending

Climbing up and down stairs requires strength and flexibility. Holding the handrail for support, go up each step one at a time. Always use the good leg to go up the stairs and the operated leg down the stairs. Stair climbing build muscles and strengthens them, and builds endurance as well.

Exercycling

Exercycling is a low impact activity that helps to regain muscular strength and mobility in the hip region. Start the activity pedaling backwards and after it is comfortable, you may start to pedal forward. Exercycling also increases the body's releasing of endorphins which helps to reduce stress and pain.

Recovery from hip replacement surgery actually takes place before the start of the surgery itself. Months before the surgery, patients should start to build up their muscles by exercising or going to the gym regularly to strengthen the leg and abdominal muscles. Having strong muscles helps to reduce the recovery time. Recovery time differs among patients and one must be realistic and not expect miracles to happen.