While the whole world was masquerading in scary and outrageous costumes during Halloween, a team of scientists was making progress with the latest study on irrational fear. Results of this study are expected to expand current knowledge about treatments for major medical problems concerning irrational fear. “We’re taking all of what we learned from the basic studies of animals and bringing that into the clinical practices that help people. Things are starting to come together in a very important way,” said Stephen Maren, a psychology professor from the University of Michigan. The National Institute of Mental Health revealed that about 40 million Americans suffer from anxiety disorders. Being a basic primal emotion, fear is a key to evolutionary survival which we share in common with animals. Aside from genetics, traumatic events are closely associated with the development of overwhelming and needless fear. Ted Abel, a fear researcher at the University of Pennsylvania considers fear to be a funny thing. “ One needs enough of it, but not too much of it,” said Abel. According to Armi Rowe, a Connecticut freelance writer and mother, she used to be one of those rational types who are usually calm under pressure. She is not afraid to downhill ski the treacherous black diamond trails of snowy mountains. One day, however, while coping with some serious illnesses in her family, she felt fear closing in on her while she was driving alone. She thought that the stab of pain on her chest was a heart attack and called 911. Later on, it was learned that what happened was an anxiety attack. With the help of counseling, self-study coping exercises and introspection, Rowe learned to manage such attacks early on. David Carbonell, a Chicago psychologist specializing in treating anxiety disorders, said that there’s a trick to panic attack. “You’re experiencing this powerful discomfort but you’re getting tricked into treating it like danger”, said Carbonell. There is a possibility that by learning how fear runs through the brain and body, scientists can improve on how to dampen fear. Amygdala, an almond-shaped part of the deep brain, is the fear hot spot. New York University psychology and neural science professor Elizabeth Phelps said that amygdala is not the one responsible for all fear response but acts like a burglar alarm that connects to everything else. It was found that a certain chemical reaction in the amygdala is vital in the way mice and people learn to overcome fear, according to Emory University psychiatry and psychology professor Michael Davis. Mice never learn to counter their fears when that reaction is deactivated. D-cycloserine, a drug already used to fight hard-to-treat tuberculosis, was found to strengthen that good chemical reaction in mice. When combined with therapy, it produces the same effect on people who have a fear of heights, and is now being tested in survivors of the World Trade Center attacks and the Iraq war. Recent studies have shown that people easily recognize fear in other humans faster than other emotions. Other studies have suggested that bodily functions change just by being very afraid. One study found that very frightened people can withstand more pain than those not experiencing fear. Another found that experiencing fear or merely perceiving it in others improved people’s attention and brain skills. According to Carbonell, since the normal response for dealing with a real threat is either to flee or fight, the best way to deal with fear when the threat is unreal is to do just the opposite: “Wait it out and chill.”
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Many people think of body sculpture as an American interest. In truth, it is world wide as seen when discussing cosmetic procedures in Brazil. Cosmetic Procedures in Brazil Cosmetic surgery is a phenomenon that is sweeping the world. If you are unhappy with the way your face or body looks, it’s now easy to obtain surgery to correct your problem areas. With techniques ranging from using injections to plump up areas to dramatic surgeries to remove entire sections of skin and fat, cosmetic modification can be called one of the fastest growing industries today. In fact, getting cosmetic surgery done has become so popular that some patients have started scheduling their procedures in different countries. They can benefit from cheaper rates and also combine their surgery with a vacation. For example, we can look at Brazil. While many people think of Rio de Janeiro and Carnival when they think about Brazil, there are also other reasons to go to this country. Brazil is home to some of the world’s most accomplished surgeons, and having your cosmetic procedures in Brazil can be an interesting vacation experience. Travel agents who specialize in these “cosmetic vacations” are happy to set everything up for your trip, including both the relaxing aspects and surgery portions of your vacation. When searching for a travel agent to set up your treatment vacation, or for a surgeon yourself, be sure to find out as much as you can before getting on the plane. Often, surgeons and hospitals in other parts of the world are credentialed differently, and may not have to pass the rigorous inspections that those in the United States have to pass. Most reputable doctors and services will be happy to present you with information about your surgeon’s experience and degrees. Cosmetic procedures in Brazil are an especially good choice, as there are over 3,500 members of the Brazilian Society of Cosmetic Surgery, and each of them must pass strict requirements. Most of the surgeries in Brazil take place in Rio de Janeiro. Most often the surgeon will speak English (if not, translators are available). This city is also considered a safe place for your vacation and recovery after surgery as long as you stick to the areas specified. Hey, ever city has its bad areas. Choosing to have a cosmetic procedure in Brazil is a great option for those people who would like to combine the experience of cosmetic surgery with a trip to a beautiful resort area. Travel agents and other services who deal with these sorts of trips are available and able to help you make the proper choices of doctors and where to stay. Just be sure to obtain plenty of information about your doctor and procedure before you consent to having it performed, and you’ll have a great time!
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What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome? Irritable Bowel Syndrome or as it is sometimes called Spastic Colon or Mucous Colitis or Spastic Colitis or Nervous Stomach or Irritable Colon, is a functional disorder and not a disease. A functional disorder refers to a problem with the functioning of a particular organ within the body, in this case, the Bowel. Irritable Bowel Syndrome affects up to 20% of the population. In fact, it is one of the most common conditions diagnosed by gastroenterologists. However, as with a number of complaints, it is common for patients to be reluctant to come forward due to the area of the body it concerns. For the vast majority of patients, it is a chronic condition, however, the symptoms may vary in their strength from being a mild inconvenience to being quite debilitating. Irritable Bowel Syndrome refers to the muscles within the bowel contracting stronger and for longer than is normal. This causes food to be passed through the intestine quicker than it should which will show itself in a number of symptoms. What are the Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. The symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome are quite uncomfortable in the main. However, one of the problems with diagnosing it, is the problem that the symptoms for Irritable Bowel Syndrome are the same as for other digestive conditions. The symptoms are as follows Crampy pain in the stomach Painful diarrhea or constipation (or sometimes both) Mucus in your stools Swollen or blocked abdomen Feeling that you haven’t completed your bowel movement. Diagnosing Irritable Bowel Syndrome The most common way of diagnosing Irritable Bowel Syndrome is by listening to the symptoms of the patient and then going through a process of elimination of other digestive disorders. This can be quite difficult and often involves a process of trial and error until other conditions have been eliminated. On top of investigating the symptoms you may need to undergo one or some of the following medical investigations. These are Flexible Sigmoidoscopy – examination of the lower part of the colon with a flexible lighted tube. Colonoscopy – small flexible tube which is used to examine the whole length of the colon Computerized Topography (CT) Scan – This produces a cross sectional series of x-rays which are used to rule out other causes of the symptoms the patient is suffering. Lactose Intolerance Tests – If the patient lacks the enzyme lactase, then the patient will struggle to digest the sugars found in dairy products. This may produce similar symptoms to Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Blood Tests – This is done to rule out Celiac Disease which is a sensitivity to wheat protein which may also cause similar symptoms to Irritable Bowel Syndrome. What causes Irritable Bowel Syndrome? Nobody has a definitive answer as to what causes Irritable Bowel Syndrome. There are a number of theories as to the cause though. One theory is that the nerves which control sensations and muscle contractions are to blame. Another theory is that problems within the Central Nervous System could be the reason for this functional disorder. Statistics have shown that 2 – 3 times more women suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome, so that could indicate that the problem could be due to hormonal issues. How to treat Irritable Bowel Syndrome. As it isn’t know what causes Irritable Bowel Syndrome, it is therefore difficult if not impossible to cure. However, there are many ways of alleviating the symptoms. All of these include dietary and/or lifestyle changes which will make the patient much more comfortable if eradicate the symptoms almost entirely. These include Keeping a food diary – by working out which foods trigger an attach of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, the patient can eliminate these from their diet One common trigger is eating large meals and also by eating spicy, fried or fatty foods. If constipation is one of the symptoms, then by increasing the patients water intake and also by increasing the amount of fiber in the diet, the constipation will be reduced. If diarrhea is a problem then by reducing the amount of fiber in the diet, will hopefully alleviate that symptom. Cutting our or at least reducing tea, coffee, tea, milk, cola drinks and beer, will make the patient much more comfortable. Eating at regular intervals can also help Stop smoking. Sometimes stress can trigger the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. To relieve that, there are a number of exercises which will reduce the patient’s level of stress. Most of these pieces of advice would probably benefit most people in today’s society however, they have proven to be particularly beneficial to sufferers of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. In summary, Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a very common functional disorder affecting a significant number of the population. It is very difficult to diagnose, however, treatment is usually a case of changing diet and or lifestyle.
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ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE Alternative medicine means different things to different people. Alternative medicine encompasses many different approaches from massage to Chinese medicine and yoga. Alternative medicine means practices or medicines that are used instead of the usual, or standard, ways of treating diseases or illness. Examples of complementary and alternative medicine are meditation, yoga, and dietary supplements like vitamins and herbs. Alternative medicine means that it is different to the dominant health care system and potentially can replace it. Traditional Chinese Medicine is the oldest continuously practiced medical system in the world and is used by one third of the world’s population as a primary health care system. Health is defined as a state of physical well being, mental alertness, socially adjusted, and spiritually developed. Health care is not about drugs and the cost of drugs. CONVENTIONAL MEDICINE Conventional medicine is continuing to lose market share. More and more people want options beyond what many consider to be essentially a high-tech slash, burn and poison medicine. Conventional medicine is used to describe the services that treat the symptoms of a disease or illness with prescribed medications and surgeries. Conventional medicine treats the ailing part of the body but may not address the underlying causes of the illness or disease. Traditional practitioners don’t express hopefulness when their medicine fails as they treat diseases first and then people secondly. On the other hand alternative practitioners, often encourage patients to be hopeful even when the situation is hopeless as they aim to treat the mind, body and soul of their patient. Medicine is directly related to the biomedicine and health sciences. The term ‘Medicine’ today refers to the fields of surgery, clinical medicine and the medical research. Medical mistakes appear to be increasing, and if they are not, then at the very least, the publicizing of them is increasing. It makes people wary. HERBAL Herbal medicine is a booming industry in the United States. The American market for herbal remedies has doubled the last couple of years. Herbs may be harmful if taken for the wrong conditions, used in excessive amounts, combined with prescription drugs or alcohol, or used by persons who don’t know what they are doing. Just because an herbal remedy is natural, does not mean it is safe! ACUPUNCTURE Acupuncture needles are usually inserted to a depth of about a quarter of an inch into the skin. The therapist gently twists or twirls them for up to 10 minutes, leaving them in five to 20 minutes longer; or stimulates them with a weak electrical current; or heats them with a burning herb such as mugwort (see moxibustion). Acupuncture was used as an illustration of medical irrationality before James Reston’s fortuitous appendicitis brought it to the United States. From the impact of the LaLeche League on the advisability of breast-feeding to current studies of botanical medicines such as ginger, echinacea and ginkgo biloba, folk and alternative medicines have continuously influenced medical research and practice.
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Acne gives the combination of symptoms like greasy skin, white heads, black heads, pimples, inflammation and scar formation. Acne mostly affects young people in the age 14 – 25, but also sometimes older persons, like women in their menopause. Most teenagers experience outburst of acne, some only little, but for others acne may develop into a serious skin ailment with great cosmetic impact. THE SKIN ANATOMY To understand the acne process, some knowledge about skin anatomy and physiology is essential: The skin has there layers: The outer layer called epidermis consists of epithelial cells. Under this lies the dermis consisting of connective tissue. At the bottom there is a layer called the hypodermis consisting mostly of fat cells. The skin has narrow pores extending from the surface down to the top of the sub-dermis, called hair follicles. A hair extend from a growth zone in the bottom of each hair follicle and out at the skin surface. Around the hair in the dermis, there are small glands called sebaceous glands. These glands produce a fatty substance, sebum, which empty through the follicle opening and lubricates the hair and the skin. THE ACNE PROCESS Acne starts by the glands in the hair follicles increasing their sebum production. This will in the beginning only cause greasy skin. Eventually the sebum in the entrance of the follicles mixes with dead epithelial cells. This mix reacts chemically to forms hard props, comedones that close the pore entrances. According to the color of the comedones, they are called black heads or white heads. Then the closed hair follicle gets filled with sebum and swell. The swollen follicle then gets infected by bacteria. The bacteria and the accumulated sebum cause the follicle and the surrounding skin to get inflamed, forming a pimple. At last the inflamed follicle burst and empties its content. Eventually the affected area heals. Sometimes the inflammation reaches deep into the skin surrounding the follicle and destroys skin tissue. This will cause more or less distinct scars that may reside permanently. Typically an affected person will have follicles in all these stages of the process at any given time. THE CAUSES OF ACNE The increased hormone production in the puberty stimulates to increased sebum production. The male hormone, testosterone, seem to contribute most. Also girls begin to produce more testosterone in the puberty. Also in other periods, altered hormone production may give acne, for example by women in the menopause. Since not all teens get acne in any degree, the increased hormone level cannot be the whole cause of the increased sebum production. The follicles of affected persons must for some reason react stronger upon the higher hormone level. Dietary factors, like eating too much fat, too much sugar or the wrong kind of fat may aggravate acne by some individuals. Lack of vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids may also contribute to development of acne. Poor digestion, lazy colon and constipation aggravate acne in some individuals, probably due to productions of toxins in the intestines. Lazy colon may be caused by dietary faults, like lack of fiber. Very frequent washing and use of strong soaps aggravate acne, and does not alleviate the condition as many think. Rubbing, scrubbing or squeezing the skin may also aggravate acne. Here are some other factors that may contribute in causing acne or aggravating the condition. – Stress – Some contraceptive agents – Environmental or domestic pollution. – Humid environments. – Some antidepressants. – Testosterone and anabolic steroids used for treatment or by body-building. – Use of some types of greasy cosmetic products. – Some antiperspirant products. – Exposing the skin for chlorine or other halogens, or medicines containing halogens. – Women may get aggravated acne 2-7 days before menstruation. WHAT CAN YOU DO YOURSELF TO AVOID OR TO TREAT ACNE Sometimes Acne is so severe that special medical treatment is required, and sometimes the causes of acne necessitate medical treatment. But you can do much yourself also. Here are listed things you can do yourself to prevent or treat acne: 1. Some advices about diet that may help prevent and cure acne: – Do not consume a great amount of fat. – The fat you add to the food should be natural oils. Olive oil is ideal, but use other types of oils too, like walnut oil, sunflower oil and soy oil. However, do not use only soy oil as many tend to do. Using only soy oil will give you too much of some fatty acids and too less of others. – Eat much fish, seafood and not so much meat. – Eat food with a high fiber content to regulate the digestion, like vegetables, whole cereals, full corn bread and fruit. 2. Here are some things you should avoid. – Do not use greasy or heavy cosmetics that clog your skin and are difficult to wash away. – Do not use strong irritating antiperspirants. – Do not wash with strong soap or cleaners that dry up your skin and take away all the natural oily protection in your skin. – If you perform body-building, do not use anabolic steroids or other hormonal supplements. – Use clothes that allow air to reach your body surface to avoid collection of humidity and overheating of your skin. 3. Use of rinsing milk or solutions You can rinse your skin with mild products especially made to dissolve the plugs in your pores, and to make the environment in your skin unfriendly to bacteria causing infection. Some of these products are just products to wash your skin with one ore more times a day; others should be on during night and flushed away in the morning. Salicylic acid is a mild ingredient often used in these products to dissolve the comedones. The products usually also contain ingredients that work antibacterial and stimulate the skin’s own cleaning activities, like Tea tree oil or Echinacea extract. 4. Use of gels and creams to treat acne and protect your skin After the rinsing, you should apply some treatment gel, cream or lotion onto your skin to achieve these effects: – To make your skin soft and elastic. – To protect your skin against the environment. – To acts further to dissolve the clogging of your pores. – To soothe and alleviate inflammation. – To kill the bacteria causing infection or make an environment hostile for the bacteria. – To stimulate the skin to clean itself. – To stimulate the skin to heal. – To be used as a isolating layer between the skin itself and cosmetics In order to protect, make the skin soft and further dissolve the comedones, many products contain natural plant oils that are easily absorbed into the epidermis, like Tea tree oil, Rose hip oil, Lavender oil and Olive oil. Ingredients used in products to reduce inflammation and to stimulate healing may be: Aloe Vera extract, Viola Tricolour extract, Rose hip oil, Vitamin E and Vitamin A. Tea tree oil and Grapefruit seed extract are natural antibacterial agents used in many of these products. In other products artificial compounds like Benzoyl peroxide are used. 5. Oral supplements to fight the acne process and nourish the skin Supplements taken by mouth to nourish your skin may be useful. The purpose of these supplements is more or less the same as that of nourishing creams. – To make the sebum more fluid so it drains more easily. – To stimulate the substance exchange and cleaning processes in your skin, – To stimulate your skin to heal, – To give your skin building nutrients necessary to heal. Ingredients often used in these supplements to stimulate the cleaning and healing processes in the skin are: Vitamins A, C, B1, B2, B3, B6, C, D, E, Folic acid, Beta carotene, Bioflavonoids, Magnesium, Copper, Zinc, selenium, anti-oxidants from Green tea, Metylsulfonyl methane. Nutrient found in these products used as material to rebuild damaged skin and to give a sebum with better consistency are: Evening primrose oil, Olive oil, Flax seed oil, Borage oil, Soy oil, Wheat germ oil and Lecithin. Gum guggul extract used in oral products has an anti-biotic effect, and helps against spreading of the acne infection and thus helps against scar formation.
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Athletes, fitness buffs, and ordinary people want to lower their chances of incurring injuries. Injuries may lower one’s fitness, hamper athletic performance, and may develop into arthritis if not given proper medical attention. There are many issues that may contribute to the development of injuries. Knowing the causes of common injuries and doing adjustments to one’s exercise routine may lead to the prevention of common injuries. In addition to these factors, maintaining a regular diet may play a key role in injury prevention. The amount of training one undergoes plays a major role in the development of injury. Training properly may reduce the development of injuries. Medical studies show that the best injury predictor could be the amount of training regimen, because intense training may lead to wear and tear of the muscles. These muscles may do a poor job in protecting the connective tissues and increase the damage to the bones, cartilages, tendons, and ligaments. Individuals who regularly engage in sports activities and regular exercise should remember to do them properly and moderately to reduce the development of injuries and other health ailments. Other physical effects of over-training may include the following: · pain in the muscles · increased resting blood pressure · decreased athletic performance · decreased maximal blood lactate concentrate · weight loss Many injuries are caused by weak muscles which are not ready to handle the demands of certain sports. Some body parts might not be strong enough to cope up with the demands of intense training or sport. For this reason, health specialist advise individuals who partake in sports activities to incorporate resistance training with their regular training. Resistance may improve muscle strength, power, and endurance. Some of the things that can be used in resistance training are free weights, gym equipments, and one’s own body weight. Resistance using one’s body weight be done by performing push-ups, sit-ups, chin-ups, and many more. Warm-ups coupled with stretching is critical in preventing injuries. Warm-ups that last 15 to 30 minutes which includes slow, gradual stretching may help lengthen muscles, increase blood flow and muscle temperature. Because of these factors, the muscles will be prepared for the intensity of training and are less likely to get hurt. A little light jog coupled with stretching before training may reduce the chances of developing injuries. Other injury prevention tips include: · avoid training when tired · increase consumption of carbohydrates during heavy training · match increase in training with increase in resting · give importance to hydration and nutrition · engage in new training activities gradually · use appropriate gears, especially footwear · monitor daily signs of fatigue · seek immediate treatment when symptoms of injury is experienced Nothing can derail a fitness routine like an injury. Medical studies show that minor injuries can be treated with rest and physical therapy. However, it is always important to know the causes of injuries and know the things that can be done to prevent them from developing. Individuals who want to engage in sports activities should seek the approval of doctors, physical therapists, and other health specialists. This step is essential in understanding the proper training and food consumption. These factors are essential in developing a healthy body and improved overall health.