6/14/2011

What is premenstrual tension?

According to the definition of premenstrual syndrome featured on Wikipedia, there is a difference between PMS and PMT. However, according to most medical sites that mention both PMT and PMS, they tend to do so interchangeably.
In essence, they are one and the same thing as far as most authoritative online resources are concerned so I am going to assume that they are the same for the purposes of this book as well.
Indeed, many resources suggest that PMS is a far more accurate description of the condition suffered by so many women every month mainly because describing it as premenstrual tension suggests that there is only one symptom suffered by these ladies.
In truth, there are many different symptoms suffered by those who are troubled by the condition, so using the phrase premenstrual syndrome is probably more accurate as it suggests that there are many different signs or ill-effects of the condition, which is absolutely true.
Although estimates of how many women actually suffer PMS vary, it is a fact that most women will suffer the condition on at least some occasions. However, for the vast majority of PMS sufferers, it is a condition which although it is generally very mild nevertheless besets them every month. Premenstrual syndrome is something that is completely regular feature of their life which (it seems) they cannot avoid.
For most women who suffer PMS, the condition usually sets in between seven and fourteen days before the beginning of their period, although for some women who suffer severe PMS, the condition can become one that is almost permanent, with symptoms being present before, during and after menstruation. This happens because many symptoms have a knock-on effect that causes other problems to arise at a later date, hence you have what is effectively non-stop PMS
.

Eat Hot Foods for Sinus Pressure Relief

There are a number of different types of headaches that we can experience.  Some of us have tension headaches while others may experience migraines regularly.  One type of miserable headache that unfortunately, far too many of us have to deal with on a regular basis is sinus headaches.  The pressure and pain that comes from one of these headaches is almost indescribable and unless you have felt the pain yourself, you really cannot be sympathetic to those who are feeling it.  Fortunately, there are some things that can be done in order to relieve the sinus pressure and the headaches along with it.  Believe it or not, one of those things is eating hot food.


If you enjoy eating hot food, you have probably experienced a runny nose whenever the food is extraordinarily hot.  This is something that many of us aspire to and it is rather enjoyable for us whenever we have a real desire for that type of spicy food.  If we do it regularly, however, it can help to keep things moving in our sinuses and may be able to relieve much of the pain that we are feeling by unclogging our sinuses before they have the opportunity to get too bad.


Many people also take cayenne pepper on a daily basis, not only because it helps with the sinuses but also because it helps with the overall function of the human body.  This hot food is an excellent choice for anybody that has to deal with sinus pressure and headaches.  It can either be taken directly, perhaps mixed with a little bit of water or it can be taken in capsule form for individuals that have a difficult time with the spicy food.


Of course, there are a number of different things that can be done which can help somebody with sinus headaches to overcome them.  For example, you can do a nasal rinse on a daily basis in order to keep things flowing in the sinuses and to flush out any debris and pollen which tends to collect in that area.  You may also find relief by sleeping with a quality air filter in your bedroom, one that will help to remove the pollen that can cause much of the sinus problems that we experience.  The real point is, whatever can be done in order to relieve the pressure is going to go a long way in helping you to avoid the headaches.





Manage Your Stress and Manage Headaches Effectively

Some headaches that we have can easily be traced back to things that happen in our lives, particularly when we are facing stressful situations.  What many of us don't realize, however, is exactly how much of a role stress plays in the overall headaches that we have.  The unfortunate thing is, many of us are unable to remove the things from our lives that cause us to stress so if you want to be able to handle it, and the headaches that you are experiencing effectively you need to be able to deal with the stress to the extent possible.


Stress is something that not only causes mental strain for many of us, when it is left unchecked, it can also cause physical problems that extend far beyond headaches.  Unfortunately, we live in a world that does not give us the opportunity to deal with the stress effectively by escaping it from time to time.  The good news is, there are some ways for you to be able to deal with it, provided you can take a few minutes for yourself on a regular basis.


One way of dealing with stress successfully is finding some time to meditate on a daily basis.  It is not necessary for you to do any weird ritual in order for this to work and you do not need to spend an extraordinary amount of time doing it.  Just allow yourself the time on a regular basis to dwell on positive thoughts and the stress that you are feeling is going to be lessened to a certain extent.


Another thing that you can do which can help you to conquer your stress is to exercise regularly.  Many of us tend to skip exercise, simply because we think that we don't have the time for it.  The reality of the situation is, however, people that exercise regularly tend to get more things done because they have more energy and they are able to handle stressful situations better.  Not only is it the release of endorphins in your body that causes distress to disappear, it is also because your body is a much more effective machine.


There are many other things that you can do which can help you to deal with the stress that you are facing successfully.  Provided you take the time that is necessary in order for you to conquer the stress, you may have a good opportunity of conquering your headaches along with it.



Dairy - a Common Headache Trigger

There are a number of different things which commonly cause headaches in individuals but surprisingly enough, one of the most common is dairy products.  The reason why this comes as a surprise to many people is because we are constantly told that we need dairy in order to be healthy.  The fact of the matter is, the human body was not created in order to drink milk that was specifically generated for a baby cow.  We simply do not have the chemicals available within our body to break the dairy down effectively.  Along with that, the majority of us have allergic reactions to dairy products and this can cause severe headaches on a regular basis.


One of the best ways for you to tell if dairy is behind the triggers that are causing your headaches is to remove it from your diet.  This will often give you an immediate idea as to whether it is the culprit or not.  Aside from that, you can record the various things that you eat and drink on a daily basis in order to see if there is some kind of a correlation between the dairy that you ingest and the headaches that you feel.  This can also help to root out a number of other food allergies that you may be experiencing that are behind your headaches.


Unfortunately, all of us have been fed propaganda from the dairy commission which tells us that if we don't have dairy products in our diet, we are going to suffer from such problems as osteoporosis and other calcium deficient maladies.  In reality, we can get calcium from a number of different products that have nothing to do with dairy at all.  We can also switch to goats milk which is easily assimilated by the human body and gives us the opportunity to have the dairy like products without the side effects of headaches and other problems.


Most people who have problems with dairy do not have them outwardly and may not be able to tell that it is causing the problems in the first place.  By simply removing the dairy from your diet for a period of time, you will be able to identify exactly how bad for your health dairy actually is.  It's something that many of us suffer from unknowingly and it is the source of many headaches that are self-inflicted.



PH Balance Your Headaches Away

There are checks and balances within the human body that need to be maintained regularly in order to enjoy optimal health.  One of those balances that many of us are not aware of is the pH balance.  The last time that most of us heard about this was whenever we were in science class but the fact of the matter is, this particular balance exists in every aspect of nature around us, including inside of our human bodies.  Whenever things are alkaline, they tend to be healthy but whenever they are acidic, disease and pain tends to follow.  Think of it this way, problems can not exist in an alkaline environment, such as disease.  That is why it is important for you to seek a balance in this regard within yourself.

The unfortunate thing is, we live in a world that does not really make it easy for us to seek this balance properly.  Most of the things that are available to us and considered to be normal are actually acidic whenever they enter into the human body.  A good example of this is the majority of the foods that make up the standard American diet.  Most of them are chock-full of preservatives and sugar, two things that turn acid inside of the body.  Even whenever we avoid sugar and use artificial sweeteners, we are not doing ourselves any favors as these are some of the most acidic things that we can possibly eat.

If you want to pH balance your body and remove your headaches, there are certain things that you must eat regularly in order to push the balance inside of your body in that direction.  I can't begin to go over the list of foods that exist which are able to turn your body alkaline but there are plenty of lists that are available for free on the Internet.

Something else that you can do which can help extensively whenever you have headaches is to rebound on a daily basis.  Rebounding is jumping on a small trampoline, which has a very balancing effect on the body.  It is also an excellent form of exercise which helps to release chemicals in the body that can help to remove the headaches that you are feeling.  If you rebound regularly and eat the proper foods, you can shift the balance inside of your body and say goodbye to your headaches.


The Effects of Allergies on Your Head Pain

There is probably nothing that is worse than having headaches on a regular basis.  Some of us may experience them to the point where we think that they never really stop at all.  It may seem as if one is going away while the next one is taking its place.  In order for you to be able to overcome this problem, you need to discover the triggers that are causing the headaches in the first place.  Typically, this has something to do with allergies in some form or another.

The first type of allergy that you may be dealing with is a food allergy.  All of us are allergic to some type of food, especially whenever it is prepared poorly and contains a lot of artificial flavor enhancers.  A good way to recognize this is to pay attention to how you feel after eating a meal out.  Do you tend to have a runny nose or a desire to clear your throat?  This is a food allergy, although it is mild.  Put a little salt on your comment, one of nature's best antihistamines and you will see it go away quickly.  Unfortunately, those food allergies may also be causing you headaches later on.

Another type of allergy that you may be dealing with it is seasonal.  There is always pollen that is in the air and the type of pollen that we are exposed to is changing with the seasons.  Most of us recognize that we have a problem in this regard and we try to do everything that we can to avoid it.  Believe it or not, one of the places where you're exposed to this in the worst way is whenever you are inside and asleep.  Because we tend to breathe deeper whenever we are sleeping, we take the allergens that are in the room into our lungs further.

That is why it is important for you to run a high quality air filter in the room where you sleep.  You should also make sure that you wash your hair before going to bed, as pollen tends to stick to it and then it is transferred to the pillow and directly to our nose.  As far as food allergies are concerned, keep a log of everything that you eat and how you feel after you eat it.  By systematically removing the things from our life that are triggering the headaches, we stand a good chance of being able to deal with them and perhaps even remove them permanently.


Breathe Away Your Head Pain

Without oxygen, the human body cannot survive more than just a few minutes.  As a matter of fact, even before the body itself dies, you will lose consciousness.  This just shows you exactly how important oxygen is and in many cultures, the air we breathe is considered to be our life.  In reality, many of them may not be far from the truth and unless we are getting adequate oxygen on a regular basis, a number of different health problems can occur which can include headaches.

If you really want to be balanced on the inside of your body and you give yourself the best opportunity to avoid problems, such as headaches, you need to make sure that the oxygen that it needs is reaching every part of it.  There are two different things that need to be done in order for this to take place.  First of all, you need to be breathing properly so that the oxygen is going to be able to get into your blood in the first place.  Secondly, you need to make sure that your circulatory system is up to par and that the blood is reaching every area of your body.  Once these two things are in place, you would be surprised with exactly how easy it can be.

As far as breathing properly, very few of us do this on a regular basis.  The way to tell if you breathe properly or not it is to watch your stomach whenever you are breathing normally.  If your stomach is going in and out, that is a sign that your diaphragm is moving which shows that you are breathing deeply.  Most of us tend to be chest breathers and we are never really filling our lungs up to capacity.  Even though the blood is picking oxygen up from the lungs, it may not be picking it up to the full.  Work on this consciously and you can change it over the course of time.

One other thing that you may want to consider is increasing your activity level in order to increase your circulation.  If you get cardiovascular exercise regularly, you strengthen the heart and allow it to pump blood into further areas of the body.  It also helps if you eat a proper diet and hydrate yourself properly.  Once you have these two things in place, your body will be in a position to be able to heal itself and you will see a reduction in the number of headaches you experience.

Tips on Managing Asthma

While some form of supervised treatment is usually required to manage asthma,
there are a number of things that you can do to improve respiratory health and
reduce the effects of asthma on your daily life.
● Exercise regularly. Many asthmatics avoid exercise for fear of inducing an
asthma attack; however, it is not necessary to live a sedentary life-style.
Regular, gentle exercise will help strengthen over-all lung and heart
functioning and may help reduce asthma— provided you keep it in
moderation and respect the limits of your fitness levels. If you are unfit, start
off slowly, gradually increasing activity as your fitness levels increase.
● Include Vitamin C, B6 and magnesium to your daily supplements as a lack
of these vital nutrients has been implicated in a number of inflammatory
conditions, including asthma.
● Avoid sulfites and preservatives such as sulphur dioxide and sodium
benzoate as these tend to trigger asthmatic reactions.
● Keep an ‘asthma diary’ to help you to identify triggers and determine when
your asthma becomes out of control.
● Avoid common irritants such as spray deodorants, perfumed cleaning
agents, and cigarette smoke, wherever possible.
● Reduce dust and pollen in your household. During pollen season, try
keeping the windows closed and opt for an air conditioner instead. Dust can
be reduced by replacing carpets with tiles or wooden floors, buying washable
curtains and blinds, and vacuuming upholstered furniture and mattresses
regularly.
● Wear a scarf over your nose and mouth if you have to go out in cold air and
avoid exercising in cold air.
● Treat colds and flu as soon as they become evident.
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● If stress and anxiety are triggers, learn to manage these with relaxation
techniques such as meditation, deep breathing exercises and yoga.

Help for Asthma

Help for Asthma
The treatment of asthma involves working together with your health care provider
to find methods that would best help control the condition in terms of
prevention of acute attacks and the management of milder symptoms.
A treatment plan will include learning about how to quickly recognize an attack,
what to do in emergency situations and how to avoid personal triggers where
possible. In most cases, the use of conventional western medication and/or herbal
and homeopathic remedies is recommended.
Conventional Western medicine generally treats asthma with a combination of
preventative and quick-relief medications. These may include the frequent
use of inhalers, anti-inflammatory medication, bronchodilators, corticosteroids,
and anti-allergy medications.
While conventional medical treatment may sometimes be necessary (especially
quick relief medications), many of them come with a number of potentially
dangerous side effects as well as negative effects on immune system
functioning. Prolonged use of these medications have the potential to lower
immune system health, resulting in increased asthma attacks, reduced resistance
to allergens, while also leaving the body more vulnerable to other illnesses.
Note: You should not stop your asthma medication without first consulting your
doctor, a trained naturopath or homeopath for guidance.
Natural Remedies
There are a number of highly effective herbal and homeopathic remedies that may
be used for the successful treatment of asthma and other respiratory conditions.
Depending on the severity of the asthma, natural remedies can either reduce or
completely eliminate the need for the synthetic drugs and are often used
in conjunction with conventional medications as a part of a holistic treatment plan.
Herbal ingredients such as Matricaria recutita and Astralagus are known for their
antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties, while homeopathic ingredients
such as Mag. Phos. and Nat. Sulph are successful at easing chest and throat
constriction and soothing mucous membranes while reducing the presence of
phlegm in the chest. Used regularly, natural remedies can help improve
respiratory health, reduce the incidence and severity of asthma attacks while
strengthening the immune system.

What Causes Asthma?

What Causes Asthma?
Most cases of asthma are caused by a combination of genetic and environmental
factors. Studies have revealed that asthma does run in families, making
children of asthmatic parents especially vulnerable to the condition. In addition,
children with an early history of infections and continuous exposure to secondhand
smoke are far more likely to develop the condition than other children.
Common asthma triggers
Asthma has a number of triggers which often include:
● Allergies to pollen, grass, certain foods, house dust mites, pets or any other
environmental allergens
● Air pollution or irritants including car and factory emissions
● Smoke
● A number of perfumed products including deodorants, chemical detergents,
fabric softeners and incense
● Upper respiratory infections colds, flu and sinusitis
● Reflux
● Physical exertion or exercise
● Certain medications such as aspirin and penicillin
● Hormonal changes in women during menstruation pregnancy
● Sudden changes in air temperature or humidity
● Cold air
● Stress, anxiety and other strong emotions
● Preservatives

Symptoms of Asthma

Symptoms of asthma as well as the severity, frequency and duration of asthma
attacks differ between individuals. It is important to learn to recognize your own
early warning symptoms of an attack so that swift action can be taken if necessary.
Symptoms of asthma generally include:
The content of this ebook is intended for
informational purposes only.
It is not intended to diagnose or treat any
medical condition. Nothing in this ebook is
intended to be a substitute for
professional medical advice, diagnosis, or
treatment. Always seek the advice of your
physician or other qualified health
provider with any questions you may have
regarding a medical condition.
Never disregard professional medical
advice or delay in seeking it because of
something you have read in this ebook or
on ANY website.
● Tightness, pain or pressure felt in the chest
● An audible ‘wheezing’ sound is characteristic of asthma, especially when
exhaling
● Shortness of breath
● Persistent cough, especially at night or in the early mornings

Diagnosing Asthma

If you suspect that you or your child may have asthma, it is important to seek
medical attention so that a proper diagnosis can be made. Your physician will ask
about experienced symptoms and if there seems to be anything that is triggering
them. A medical history will be taken where your doctor may ask about allergies,
family history of asthma or other lung-related illnesses and when the
symptoms were first noticed.
A physical examination and non-invasive lung functioning tests will generally
follow and help to determine diagnosis. Your physician may also examine the skin
and ask if there is a history of hives, eczema or skin-related allergies as there is a
common link between skin reactions and chronic asthma. If a diagnosis
is confirmed, it is important to discuss different treatment options with your
doctor and explore alternatives.

What is Asthma?

Asthma is a chronic condition that affects an overwhelming 20 million Americans.
Furthermore, statistics reveal that asthma affects approximately 1 in 10 children in
the United States, making it the most common chronic childhood disease to
date. During an asthma attack, the lung’s airways (bronchioles) become inflamed,
contract and become lined with excessive amounts of mucous—causing a
restriction of airflow and making it very difficult to breathe.
These attacks are often triggered by pollution or some environmental irritant
like cigarette smoke, household cleaning agents, or other toxins. Other common
triggers include a change in air temperature or humidity; stress, allergies, and
physical exertion.
Chronic asthma can be a frightening condition which often requires vigilant
medical management to prevent and minimize the occurrence of acute
attacks. This can take the form of conventional Western medicine, homeopathic
or naturopathic treatment. While many asthma attacks are relatively mild and can
be treated and controlled at home, some are more severe and may even require
hospitalization.

Keeping Teeth White


Keeping Teeth White


Once you have had your teeth whitened, you need to maintain their color as long as possible so you won’t have to go back for another procedure too quickly.

Here are some tips you can use to keep your teeth from getting darker, and to keep teeth white after a whitening procedure:

1.     Make sure to follow your dentist’s directions after the cleaning. You will probably not be allowed any colored foods or beverages for a few days.
2.     Avoid dark foods like tomato sauces for at least one week.
3.     Cut out dark-colored beverages like coffee, red wine, and dark colas, or drink them with a straw.
4.     Make sure you brush your teeth and floss after every meal, and again at bedtime to keep away plaque and stains.

I know it may be difficult to avoid dark foods and drinks, but it is very necessary. Whenever you do indulge, try to keep food back behind your
teeth by using a straw and by chewing with your back teeth instead of the front.

Some items to avoid or limit:

·        Blueberries, blackberries, and other fruits that can stain skin or clothing. They will also stain teeth!
·        Coffee, tea, red wine, dark cola, Kool-Aid, and other dark or brightly-colored beverages.
·        Tomato sauce and other sauces that are brightly colored.
·        Condiments that stain, such as mustard and ketchup.

As a general rule of thumb, avoid anything that will stain clothing or skin. If it stains clothing or skin, it will probably also stain teeth.

Remember, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”. Keeping your teeth white is much more effective than any whitening procedure! Plus, it’s a lot cheaper to keep your teeth white than to pay hundreds of dollars for commercial or professional whitening.

Risks Associated with Teeth Whitening


There are a few risks you should be aware of before you decide to whiten your teeth. Most of these are minor, but you need to be aware of them, anyway.

1.     Sensitivity – Many types of whitening can cause your teeth to become sensitive to pressure, touch, and temperature for a while after the procedure, especially at higher concentrations. If you have cracks or chips in your teeth, this is much more likely. It usually lasts only a day or two, but may occasionally last longer.
2.     Gum Irritation – More than 50% of people who use peroxide to whiten their teeth experience some gum irritation for a few days after the procedure.
3.     Oddly Colored Teeth – If you have some types of restorations like bonding, crowns, or veneers, you may end up with teeth that are spotty. These restorations can’t be bleached, so they may end up darker or lighter than your teeth.

Bleaching


The term “bleaching” can only be used in the United States if the teeth can be whitened beyond their natural color. The teeth have a particular level of whiteness that occurs naturally in healthy teeth, and the only way to get teeth that are whiter is to use chemicals or other commercial methods.

Bleaching refers to using a chemical such as hydrogen peroxide or carbamine peroxide to whiten the teeth. Most types of tooth whitening use some form of peroxide for whitening, but the concentration must be very high in order to be considered bleaching, because only very high concentrations can whiten teeth beyond their natural shade.

Hydrogen peroxide works much faster than carbamide, and concentrations are usually 9% to 40%. This is usually done only in dentist’s offices, because of the danger of using such high concentrations.

Home kits usually use carbamide. It works slower, with concentrations around 15%. A 15% concentration of hydrogen peroxide is equivalent to a 5% concentration of hydrogen peroxide. While carbamide peroxide is slower, it is also much safer to use. This is why it is usually used in home whitening kits instead of hydrogen peroxide.

Can you whiten teeth with regular hydrogen peroxide?

A lot of people want to know if they can just purchase hydrogen peroxide in the store and use it to whiten their teeth. Yes, it is possible to do this. You can whiten teeth slightly using regular hydrogen peroxide. But you must consider the fact that the peroxide you can buy in a bottle is a very low concentration, thus it won’t be as effective as products made specifically for the purpose.

Also, you will have to keep the peroxide in your mouth for quite a while in order for it to be effective. This could become very frustrating, and may also irritate your gums, tongue, and other parts of your mouth.

It’s a better idea to buy products that are specifically designed to whiten teeth. This is safer, and will generally be much more effective and will work much faster.

Getting Whiter Teeth


Whiter teeth is something almost everyone wants. These days, our diet is full of products that can stain teeth and cause them to become dull and yellow.

There are thousands of products and programs available that claim to be able to whiten teeth, but which ones actually work? Are some more effective than others?

In this report, you’re going to learn about some of the various ways you can whiten your teeth, and how you can avoid being scammed by companies that are selling ineffective products. I’m also going to tell you how you can keep your teeth from getting darker, and how you can keep them white once you have used a whitening method.


Toothpaste


There are many types of toothpaste on the market that claim to be able to whiten teeth, but are any of them effective?

Unfortunately, most of the type of toothpaste available on the market cannot whiten teeth beyond their normal shade, simply because they aren’t on the teeth long enough to do so. Even those that contain hydrogen peroxide or other chemicals can do very little in the time it takes to brush teeth.

They can keep your teeth clean and remove plaque, which can indeed make teeth a bit whiter, but you don’t need to spend extra money for special “whitening” types of toothpaste, because pretty much any type of toothpaste can have the same effect.

I would avoid whitening toothpaste and just stick to a high-quality toothpaste that has tartar control and comes with an ADA seal of approval. This will keep teeth clean and healthy.

In-Office Whitening


There are two types of whitening that can be done in a dentist’s office. The first type is the same type that can be done at home, but when done by a dentist or trained technician, it can be much more effective. Dentists can use a much higher concentration of peroxide, because they are trained to protect teeth, and they can be trusted to perform the whitening properly.

Home kits have to have a much lower concentration, because consumers are not trained to use higher concentrations. If you leave the product on your teeth too long, it can damage gums or teeth.

Laser Whitening

Another type of whitening is laser tooth whitening. In this method, a peroxide-based gel is applied to teeth, and then the gel is activated by using a specific type of laser. This cannot be done at home, because the laser can cause severe damage to gums, lips, tongue, and other parts of the mouth if not properly protected.


Laser whitening is by far the most effective tooth whitening method available, whitening up to ten shades in just one hour! It is also extremely expensive, but if you’re looking for the whitest teeth possible, laser whitening is definitely going to be your best option.

Cost of Professional Whitening

The cost of professional whitening varies based on where you live, which system is used, and which dentist you see. Standard whitening generally costs between $300 and $700, and laser whitening may cost as much as $2,000. The cost is generally not covered by dental insurance, because it is considered purely cosmetic.

Some dentists will allow you to make payments. There are also companies that specialize in financing cosmetic dental procedures. They can help you afford the treatments, even if your dentist won’t offer financing directly.