The only thing growing faster than the $65 billion diet industry is the American waistline. If one of your New Years resolutions was to Go on a Diet, the only place I guarantee you will go....is up in weight.
It's a Fact - Diets will only make you fatter.
When it comes to the latest in Diet fads, we are quite gullible and easily tempted by a Diet's empty promised. Reason being....the diet industry KNOWS we are in search of the "quick fix" and will only play with our emotions - our desperation for the quickest way to relieve looking and feeling fat.
Diets are nothing more than Temporary Solutions with many lingering, negative side effects.
Here are the Top 10 Reasons Why you should NOT "go" on a Diet
1. Diets do NOT work.
Diets have a 99% Failure Rate. Have you noticed a pattern yet? Lose weight....quickly regain it? Over time, studies show if you diet you are more likely to be overweight than people who eat normally and make small gradual changes to their lifestyle. No, the Law of Averages does not apply to this faulty system.
2. Dieting can be Dangerous.
Any time you severely restrict the amount or types of foods you eat you put your health and life at risk. Dieting has been related to injuries and sudden deaths from electrolyte imbalance, malnutrition, and heart arrhythmia's. Weight cycling, or yo-yo-ing weight, is associated with higher death rates - especially if some type of pills are being used. At no point should you ever place weight loss above your health.
3. Dieting Destroys your Metabolism.
Diets will cause your weight to quickly cycle up and down. Sure, you may lose weight quickly because you are simply not eating enough. In the initial stages, the first seven to nine pounds lost are water, presenting a real danger of dehydration and mineral deficiencies. Even more terrifying ins the break down of lean muscle due to inefficient nutrients and calories. If you are losing more than 3-4 pounds a week, you can be sure this is what is happening - very little fat is lost this state.
Now, any muscle loss will cause your metabolism slow to a crawl. The cumulative effect takes place for you cannot survive very long on very low calories (1200 or less) and you will eventually eat more - on top of a slower metabolism. All those excess calories will be stored as fat - causing rapid weight gain.
4. Dieting is Exhausting.
Diets are just reduced calorie Fads disguised by a clever gimmick. "Lose weight while you sleep" "Eat all you want and still lose weight" Not eating enough or cutting out certain food groups means your body may not be getting the energy it needs, or may lack certain nutrients. You will feel exhausted, light headed and experience some not-so-fun mood swings.
5. Dieting is Disruptive.
Dieting negatively affects your normal eating patterns. Diets can lead to binge eating, overeating and chaotic eating. When you diet, it is common to override your internal signals telling you to eat. You end up trying to use willpower or resist hunger signals and may even go as far as taking appetite suppressants. This results in being unable to know when you really are hungry or wore....when you're full.
6. Dieting can lead to eating disorders.
Experts state that the high rates of eating disorders in the U.S. are due in part to people dieting, losing weight, rebounding, and becoming chronic dieters.
7. Dieting Causes Food Obsessions.
If you spend a large amount of time and energy depriving yourself of food or certain types of food - you will spend more time thinking about food and become obsessed attempts to control your weight by what you choose to eat or not eat. How long do you want to live like this?
8. Dieting Diminishes Women.
There is way too much attention focused on our appearance and an arbitrary number on the scale. In the midst of this focus - we end up avoiding what really matters to us - our dreams and ambitions. Even worse, it erodes our confidence and self-respect.
9. Dieting Intensifies Negativity.
If you diet, you are more judgmental and critical of yourself and others. Once again, wasted time and energy.
10. Diets Put Your Life on Hold.
Does this sound familiar...."I'll be happy when I weigh "x pounds." Guess what, the issues in your life are not related to your weight. Take responsibility and take back control of your life. Decide to be happy now and do what it takes to live a lifestyle that reflects your priorities.
So this year resolve to NOT go on a Diet. Set Yourself Free from this miserable, guaranteed to fail weight loss cycle. Do NOT let the diet industry make money by taking advantage of you. It is time to stand up for yourself and take control.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Role of Zinc supplement in Development of Immune System-Vitamin
Zinc is an essential nutrient that has an important role in the growth and development of many cells, tissues, and the immune system. Zinc is considered a cofactor for over 300 metalloenzymes and one of the symptoms of zinc deficiency is an increased frequency of bacterial and viral infections. The effects of zinc and immune function havebeen well studied. The cellular and molecular effects of zinc on immunity are beyond the scope of this review and the reader is referred to several recent reviews for additional information.
Zinc deficiency may impair nonspecific and specific immune responses. Nonspecific defenses that may be impaired by zinc include NK cytotoxicity, macrophage phagocytosis, neutrophil oxidative burst, and chemotaxis. Other observations include thymic atrophy, decreased DTH, reduction in peripheral T-cell count, decrease in T helper cell and T cytotoxic cell functions, and reduced antibody production. It is apparent that zinc deficiency affects multiple aspects of host immunity and therefore it is not surprising that an increased frequency of infection is observed in deficient individuals. Zinc supplementation of deficient individuals has been shown to reduce the incidence and severity of infection, especially in children.
Although it is clear that malnourished individuals suffer impaired immunity due in part to zinc deficiency, the question of relevance to normal well-nourished healthy individuals is whether zinc supplementation can enhance immunity. Several studies in the elderly have shown that zinc supplementation is associated with an increased number of T cells, improved delayed dermal hypersensitivity, DTH response, and antibody production to tetanus vaccine. The elderly may suffer from mild zinc deficiency and therefore may benefit from supplementation.
Recently, there has been an interest in the potential role of zinc supplementation in reducing the duration of symptoms associated with the common cold. Some studies have demonstrated that zinc gluconate lozenges administered within 24 hours of the onset of symptoms of the common cold reduced the duration of cold symptoms. However, this is not a consistent finding and a recent meta-analysis that reviewed a number of clinical trials concluded that solid evidence for the effectiveness of zinc lozenges in reducing the duration of common colds is lacking.
Immune Effects and Exercise
Many athletes may be tempted to try zinc supplementation while experiencing symptoms of the common cold in the hope that the duration of cold symptoms will be reduced. Short-term supplementation is probably not harmful, however, high-dose zinc supplementation is associated with immunosuppression. It is not known if zinc supplementation can reduce the incidence of infection in healthy well-nourished individuals. Some evidence supports the concept that zinc supplementation may be considered potentially beneficial during episodes of the common cold, in terms of decreased symptoms or duration. However, there is no evidence that zinc can reduce the incidence of the common cold among healthy individuals.
One potential area of consideration for some athletes regarding zinc is the finding that some athletes, particularly endurance athletes, may suffer from mild zinc deficiency This population may be similar to elderly individuals regarding mild zinc deficiency and therefore may benefit from supplementation. However, to our knowledge this possibility has not been tested. Also, keep in mind that the elderly experience an age-associated decline in immune responsiveness and therefore zinc supplementation of younger individuals may not show similar benefits.
One study did compare the postexercise immune response in those individuals who consumed zinc and placebo. The subjects consuming zinc did not experience an exercise-induced increase in neutrophil production of ROS. It is possible that this change may alter exercise�induced tissue damage. It is not clear at this time how the change in neutrophil function may relate to susceptibility to infection or disease outcome. Again, further research is certainly warranted considering that some athletes may experience mild zinc deficiency and adequate zinc intake is essential for optimal immune response and resistance to infection.
Zinc deficiency may impair nonspecific and specific immune responses. Nonspecific defenses that may be impaired by zinc include NK cytotoxicity, macrophage phagocytosis, neutrophil oxidative burst, and chemotaxis. Other observations include thymic atrophy, decreased DTH, reduction in peripheral T-cell count, decrease in T helper cell and T cytotoxic cell functions, and reduced antibody production. It is apparent that zinc deficiency affects multiple aspects of host immunity and therefore it is not surprising that an increased frequency of infection is observed in deficient individuals. Zinc supplementation of deficient individuals has been shown to reduce the incidence and severity of infection, especially in children.
Although it is clear that malnourished individuals suffer impaired immunity due in part to zinc deficiency, the question of relevance to normal well-nourished healthy individuals is whether zinc supplementation can enhance immunity. Several studies in the elderly have shown that zinc supplementation is associated with an increased number of T cells, improved delayed dermal hypersensitivity, DTH response, and antibody production to tetanus vaccine. The elderly may suffer from mild zinc deficiency and therefore may benefit from supplementation.
Recently, there has been an interest in the potential role of zinc supplementation in reducing the duration of symptoms associated with the common cold. Some studies have demonstrated that zinc gluconate lozenges administered within 24 hours of the onset of symptoms of the common cold reduced the duration of cold symptoms. However, this is not a consistent finding and a recent meta-analysis that reviewed a number of clinical trials concluded that solid evidence for the effectiveness of zinc lozenges in reducing the duration of common colds is lacking.
Immune Effects and Exercise
Many athletes may be tempted to try zinc supplementation while experiencing symptoms of the common cold in the hope that the duration of cold symptoms will be reduced. Short-term supplementation is probably not harmful, however, high-dose zinc supplementation is associated with immunosuppression. It is not known if zinc supplementation can reduce the incidence of infection in healthy well-nourished individuals. Some evidence supports the concept that zinc supplementation may be considered potentially beneficial during episodes of the common cold, in terms of decreased symptoms or duration. However, there is no evidence that zinc can reduce the incidence of the common cold among healthy individuals.
One potential area of consideration for some athletes regarding zinc is the finding that some athletes, particularly endurance athletes, may suffer from mild zinc deficiency This population may be similar to elderly individuals regarding mild zinc deficiency and therefore may benefit from supplementation. However, to our knowledge this possibility has not been tested. Also, keep in mind that the elderly experience an age-associated decline in immune responsiveness and therefore zinc supplementation of younger individuals may not show similar benefits.
One study did compare the postexercise immune response in those individuals who consumed zinc and placebo. The subjects consuming zinc did not experience an exercise-induced increase in neutrophil production of ROS. It is possible that this change may alter exercise�induced tissue damage. It is not clear at this time how the change in neutrophil function may relate to susceptibility to infection or disease outcome. Again, further research is certainly warranted considering that some athletes may experience mild zinc deficiency and adequate zinc intake is essential for optimal immune response and resistance to infection.
Your Body-Pregnancy
Profound changes occur in your body with in days of conceiving. in the first week you may feel surprisingly tired and as the weeks go by you will notice increasing breast tenderness and probably one of the worst effects of early pregnancy nausea. The changes in your body happen as a result of hormone levels that soar dramatically during pregnancy.
Hormonal Changes
Soon after conception, when the fertilized egg embeds in the lining of the uterus, the levels of two pregnancy hormones begin to rise. These hormones are progesterone, which is important in helping to maintain your pregnancy and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Progesterone has many effects on your body, one of which is to relax smooth muscle. We have this type of muscle in our internal organs such as the intestines and uterus. Smooth muscle relaxation is critical in pregnancy because the uterus must stretch, other wise uterine contractions might cause preterm labor or miscarriage. You have a lot of other smooth muscles in your body that are also affected by progesterone. One of the first symptoms of progesterone you may notice is relaxation of your intestinal smooth muscle, which results in a lot of bloating and gas. Progesterone also profoundly affect the way you breathe, increasing how quickly you breathe and how deeply. Expect to feel short of breath when you walk up stairs, even if you are in good shape. Pregnancy hormones make your breasts very sore and your breasts will start to enlarge.
The first trimester is also the beginning of a profound set of changes in your heart and circulation. The amount of blood pumping around your body starts to increase dramatically and your heart has to work harder. As the uterus starts to enlarge it may press on the bladder, and you may feel the urge to urinate more frequently than usual. Even though this is annoying, don't be tempted to start drinking less fluid. Instead, take frequent bathroom breaks and wear clothes that are not a nightmare to get in and out of.
Feeling Exhausted
Most women feel exhausted much of the time in these first few months. While this is absolutely normal, it can be frustrating. Even if you are getting enough sleep, you may feel like you need a nap by 10am. This can make functioning at your job or taking care of your family feel particularly onerous.
In a perfect world you should give in to these feelings and take frequent naps. For many of us, this is not possible. If you can, allow your self to slow down to whatever extent is possible. Don't feel guilty about going to sleep as early as you want to, and skip evening social events if you don't feel up to it. Let your partner organize meals, and pamper your self whenever you can.
Hormonal Changes
Soon after conception, when the fertilized egg embeds in the lining of the uterus, the levels of two pregnancy hormones begin to rise. These hormones are progesterone, which is important in helping to maintain your pregnancy and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Progesterone has many effects on your body, one of which is to relax smooth muscle. We have this type of muscle in our internal organs such as the intestines and uterus. Smooth muscle relaxation is critical in pregnancy because the uterus must stretch, other wise uterine contractions might cause preterm labor or miscarriage. You have a lot of other smooth muscles in your body that are also affected by progesterone. One of the first symptoms of progesterone you may notice is relaxation of your intestinal smooth muscle, which results in a lot of bloating and gas. Progesterone also profoundly affect the way you breathe, increasing how quickly you breathe and how deeply. Expect to feel short of breath when you walk up stairs, even if you are in good shape. Pregnancy hormones make your breasts very sore and your breasts will start to enlarge.
The first trimester is also the beginning of a profound set of changes in your heart and circulation. The amount of blood pumping around your body starts to increase dramatically and your heart has to work harder. As the uterus starts to enlarge it may press on the bladder, and you may feel the urge to urinate more frequently than usual. Even though this is annoying, don't be tempted to start drinking less fluid. Instead, take frequent bathroom breaks and wear clothes that are not a nightmare to get in and out of.
Feeling Exhausted
Most women feel exhausted much of the time in these first few months. While this is absolutely normal, it can be frustrating. Even if you are getting enough sleep, you may feel like you need a nap by 10am. This can make functioning at your job or taking care of your family feel particularly onerous.
In a perfect world you should give in to these feelings and take frequent naps. For many of us, this is not possible. If you can, allow your self to slow down to whatever extent is possible. Don't feel guilty about going to sleep as early as you want to, and skip evening social events if you don't feel up to it. Let your partner organize meals, and pamper your self whenever you can.
How to Cure High Blood Pressure- 7 Blood Pressure Secrets Doctors Won’t Tell You
Do you know how to cure high blood pressure with no medication? Most people would probably say to eat healthy (lower your salt-intake) and make sure you exercise. Unfortunately, most doctors tell you this and forget to tell you the other treatments you can be doing to lower your score and eventually be med-free.
The truth is that doctors are educated in medical schools were natural health and simple 'common sense' secrets are not taught. Unfortunately, medicine and antibiotics are only being taught because our medical industry is completely reliant upon pharmaceutical companies.
But new research is now showing the sometimes medicines are not the only treatment. In fact, some natural treatments are just as effective as their medicine counterpart.
Which is making some think, "Is there something doctors are NOT telling us?"
Naturally Treat High Blood Pressure
High Blood Pressure Medications (Diuretics, Beta Blockers, Alpha Blockers, and Vasodilators) work because they lower your blood pressure. The problem is that they make it look that you are healthy but are your numbers showing the truth?
High Blood Pressure medications work because they synthetically alleviate the pressure of the arteries and blood. For instance, with diuretics the blood will become less salty (less thick) and your pressure with drop. Another example would be beta blockers which synthetically cause the heart to beat slower.
Though these medications look good on paper, they are NOT treating the disease known as the 'silent killer'. In fact, they could be prolonging your life but they will never fully treat the disease. And statistics show that users will eventually die from the high blood pressure.
But what if you could naturally treat high blood pressure.
7 Hypertension Tips Your Doctor Won't Share with You
So you want to know, 'how to cure high blood pressure'? First, you need to know how to prevent high blood pressure holistically. Because curing high blood pressure starts with a holistic treatment. Holistically treating hypertension simply means using the 'whole' body to cure the problem. This is completely different than taking a pill to synthetically thin out the blood.
1. Three Miracle Minerals- If you are suffering from high blood pressure, you should be supplementing your diet with 3 miracle minerals that lower high blood pressure. Magnesium, Calcium and Potassium have been shown to help lower blood pressure.
2. Garlic- Garlic has been shown to benefit the heart, lower cholesterol and lower high blood pressure naturally. The compound in garlic, allicin, is thought to naturally lower high blood pressure. Find a quality supplement today.
3. Folic Acid- Vitamin B which is found in green leafy vegetables reduces homocysteine levels in the blood. This vitamin will lower the risk of heart disease and alleviate the pressure naturally.
4. Apple Cider Vinegar- Many or my customers have found success with apple cider vinegar which contains vitamins C, A, E, B1, B2 and B6, in addition to potassium, magnesium, and copper.
5. Relieve Stress- Do you know there are numerous ways to relieve stress? Breathing exercises, exercising, or reading a book are simple ways to relieve stress and lower high blood pressure. And there are even more than this!
6. Your Diet! You know the major Do's and Don'ts about high blood pressure dieting. Just remember to be eating your water-soluble fibers (fruits and vegetables). Fibers, especially water-soluble, will flush your system and plaque. Also, switch to whole grains! With less plaque in the arteries you will eventually be hypertension-free! Our HBP report goes into great detail about how you can treat hypertension with your diet.
7. Green Tea! It is loaded with antioxidants and research shows it lowers high blood pressure. Whether it is the 'relaxing' factor or the natural herbs in green tea, 1 cup of green tea will be helpful for your health!
The truth is that doctors are educated in medical schools were natural health and simple 'common sense' secrets are not taught. Unfortunately, medicine and antibiotics are only being taught because our medical industry is completely reliant upon pharmaceutical companies.
But new research is now showing the sometimes medicines are not the only treatment. In fact, some natural treatments are just as effective as their medicine counterpart.
Which is making some think, "Is there something doctors are NOT telling us?"
Naturally Treat High Blood Pressure
High Blood Pressure Medications (Diuretics, Beta Blockers, Alpha Blockers, and Vasodilators) work because they lower your blood pressure. The problem is that they make it look that you are healthy but are your numbers showing the truth?
High Blood Pressure medications work because they synthetically alleviate the pressure of the arteries and blood. For instance, with diuretics the blood will become less salty (less thick) and your pressure with drop. Another example would be beta blockers which synthetically cause the heart to beat slower.
Though these medications look good on paper, they are NOT treating the disease known as the 'silent killer'. In fact, they could be prolonging your life but they will never fully treat the disease. And statistics show that users will eventually die from the high blood pressure.
But what if you could naturally treat high blood pressure.
7 Hypertension Tips Your Doctor Won't Share with You
So you want to know, 'how to cure high blood pressure'? First, you need to know how to prevent high blood pressure holistically. Because curing high blood pressure starts with a holistic treatment. Holistically treating hypertension simply means using the 'whole' body to cure the problem. This is completely different than taking a pill to synthetically thin out the blood.
1. Three Miracle Minerals- If you are suffering from high blood pressure, you should be supplementing your diet with 3 miracle minerals that lower high blood pressure. Magnesium, Calcium and Potassium have been shown to help lower blood pressure.
2. Garlic- Garlic has been shown to benefit the heart, lower cholesterol and lower high blood pressure naturally. The compound in garlic, allicin, is thought to naturally lower high blood pressure. Find a quality supplement today.
3. Folic Acid- Vitamin B which is found in green leafy vegetables reduces homocysteine levels in the blood. This vitamin will lower the risk of heart disease and alleviate the pressure naturally.
4. Apple Cider Vinegar- Many or my customers have found success with apple cider vinegar which contains vitamins C, A, E, B1, B2 and B6, in addition to potassium, magnesium, and copper.
5. Relieve Stress- Do you know there are numerous ways to relieve stress? Breathing exercises, exercising, or reading a book are simple ways to relieve stress and lower high blood pressure. And there are even more than this!
6. Your Diet! You know the major Do's and Don'ts about high blood pressure dieting. Just remember to be eating your water-soluble fibers (fruits and vegetables). Fibers, especially water-soluble, will flush your system and plaque. Also, switch to whole grains! With less plaque in the arteries you will eventually be hypertension-free! Our HBP report goes into great detail about how you can treat hypertension with your diet.
7. Green Tea! It is loaded with antioxidants and research shows it lowers high blood pressure. Whether it is the 'relaxing' factor or the natural herbs in green tea, 1 cup of green tea will be helpful for your health!
Acne Vulgaris, the 8 Stages of Acne, Skin Care, Adult Acne, and Scar Removal Options
What is Acne Vulgaris? This is a medical term used to describe most cases of acne. It really isn't as bad as it sounds! Vulgaris doesn't mean that the acne is vulgar, only that it means that it is common.
Be aware that there are many factors that contribute to acne. First, research indicates a propensity for acne may well be inherited. Parents who had acne in their teenage and young adult years may have children who are likewise prone to having acne in their teen and young adult years.
Next, clogged skin pores are certainly a major contributing factor for acne out-breaks. When pores become clogged with an excess production of sebum and mix with dead skin cells or makeup that isn't sufficiently cleaned from the skin, problems start to develop. When skin pores are clogged, bacteria are produced and pus starts to form causing a pimple, a white head or a black head.
The most commonly accepted causes for acne are hormonal imbalances. Hormones in boys and girls may become unbalanced during puberty, during menstrual cycles, when starting or stopping birth control pills, during times of extreme stress, and at other times as well.
All of the above situations can cause the body to over produce a male hormone which causes the sebaceous glands to produce sebum. The sebum combines with dead skin cells to block pores and acne develops. So, basically, it still comes back to blocked pores.
Other causes for acne include a lack of vitamins, minerals and trace elements that the body needs to maintain a healthy skin. Vitamins A, E and B6 are especially important in maintaining healthy skin as are zinc, essential fatty acids (EFA), Chromium and Selenium.
Most diets of teenagers and young adults do not contain these vitamins, minerals, and trace elements in sufficient quantity to maintain healthy skin and to help prevent the onset of Acne.
Acne: The 8 Stages:
Full blown, Stage 8 acne doesn't usually develop overnight. Acne is progressive condition. Acne is one of the diseases that are so common that it is sometimes just disregarded as a serious problem...like the common cold. It has been estimated that 95 of people will have at least a mild case of acne at some point in their lives.
Acne, much like the common cold, is usually treated by the sufferer with over-the-counter medications that alleviate the symptoms of the disease in the belief that it will simply go away all by itself....eventually. And, it usually does but not always.
Most people throughout their life will have the occasional pimple, zit, white head or black head.
Although these pesky little outbreaks do seem to appear at the most inopportune times, they really aren't a serious problem that requires medical attention. A little over-the-counter acne facial wash to help prevent another outbreak will usually take care of the problem. It isn't a big deal. This kind of acne is referred to as Stage 0 and really nothing to be concerned about unless the acne progresses to subsequent stages.
Acne stages are graded from 0 through 8. Zero is the least severe and 8 is the most serious of the stages. The stages are as follows:
Stage 1: There will be white heads and black heads with some mild inflammation. The outbreaks will start to occur more frequently. Using products that contain Benzyl Peroxide are in order.
Stage 2: There will be some papules in addition to the white heads and black heads. Papules are skin lesions that are solid and raised but usually small. This is still considered to be a very mild case of acne. Treatment can be continued using over-the-counter products that contain Salicylic Acid.
Stage 3: Stage 3 is the same as stage 2 but with more frequent occurrences.
Stage 4-5: Pustules begin to appear. Now, it's time to schedule an appointment at a dermatologist.
Stage 6-7: Nodules and cysts are forming. Scarring is going to start happening at this stage. Your dermatologist will begin to take more drastic action.
Stage 8: Breakouts are almost continuous and include nodules and cysts. There are modern technologies that will help and your dermatologist will advise you.
Acne Skin Care:
As we know, our hair follicles secrete sebum. Sebum makes its way up the hair follicles to the skin pores where it lubricates and protects the skin. Sometimes there are oil glands which get overworked, get enlarge, and produce too much sebum. The sebum can get trapped in the hair follicle.
When this happens the pores get clogged and black heads or white heads form and the bacteria start to multiply at an alarmingly fast rate.
Once you understand this process, you can see the reasoning behind the advice about caring for skin that has black heads, white heads and pustules on it.
The first piece of advice about caring for acne infected skin is to never pick at the pimples. Don't try to pop them and drain them. This will not cure them no matter what anybody tells you. Popping them will only serve to make them worse...not better.
However, there are things that you can do that really will help.
The first thing you can do is to wash your face with a mild soap or a sulfur based soap. Wash your face with just your finger tips. Don't ever use a wash cloth as it holds germs and bacteria. Rinse your face with clean water several times to ensure you remove all traces of soap, and then pat it dry with a clean towel. Do not rub your face with the towel and never use the same towel twice without it being clean.
Take a good multi-vitamin and multi-mineral supplement every day and drink at least 8 full glasses of water (not soda) every day. The vitamins and minerals will supply nutrients that are absent from most diets and the water will help to hydrate the skin as well as to flush toxins out of your system.
If you use over-the-counter acne medications, be certain that you follow the directions carefully and that you use a good sunscreen when you are outdoors as some acne medications make the skin more prone to sunburn.
Adult Acne:
Acne is not just a problem for teenagers and young adults. Once a person survives the teenage years, you would think that they don't have to deal with the embarrassment of acne any longer, right? Well....not exactly.
The sad truth is that about 25 of women will have acne at some time in their 20s, 30s or even 40s. Although there has never been a real cause established, it is believed that most adult acne is caused by the same thing that causes teenage acne...hormonal changes.
A doctor will sometimes prescribe hormonal treatments that will clear a case of adult acne right up. As with teenage acne, adult acne is not caused by diet. Stress has often been cited as one possible cause of adult acne but that assertion has never been verified.
Treating adult acne is a bit more difficult than treating teenage acne. Adults have the concern of drying out their skin that teenagers don't normally have to deal with. Adults don't want pimples; but, they don't want wrinkles, either. A dermatologist should be consulted if the acne is long lasting or is severe.
There are many treatments that are available to adults who suffer from acne. Most of the effective treatments are only available by prescription. Adults should not use over-the-counter acne medications that are intended for the treatment of teenage acne. These products tend to dry the skin and adults need to be concerned about wrinkling as well as acne.
A case of adult acne is not a happy occurrence to say because those ugly bumps always seem to occur at the most inopportune times and while a teenager may be embarrassed by acne, an adult is even more devastated.
Fortunately, there are treatments and a dermatologist has a lot of weapons in his arsenal to fight adult acne.
Acne Scar Removal Options:
Life hardly seems fair sometimes! First, a teenager or a young adult must suffer through acne, treat it, and have to live with it...sometimes for years. Then the acne is gone; but, the scars are there as a painful reminder of the mental and emotional agony the acne sufferer had to endure.
You're right, life doesn't seem fair; but, acne is one of those sad facts of life that some if not most of us have to deal with. The good news is there is help; unfortunately, it isn't free or cheap!
There are two basic procedures that are used to remove ugly pits and scars left over from a bad case of teenage or young adult acne. Laser resurfacing is the least expensive of the two available acne scar removal procedures. Dermabrasion is the second procedure.
Laser resurfacing can be done in the dermatologist office instead of a hospital so that provides a much greater financial savings. A laser is used to remove the top layer of skin and also to tighten the middle layer of skin.
The dermatologist will use a local anesthetic to help reduce the procedure pain. It usually takes several days for the skin to heal after a laser resurfacing procedure is completed. Very often, multiple resurfacing treatments must be done to achieve the desired results.
The second procedure used to remove acne scarring is called dermabrasion. In this procedure, a rotating wire brush is used to remove the top layer of skin. The body continually produces new skin and the new layer will be smoother than the layer that was removed. It usually takes between 10 days and 3 weeks for the skin to heal after a dermabrasion treatment. Once again, multiple treatments may be required to eliminate the scarring.
Acne may seem to be a devastating condition but with proper skin routine, vitamins, and over the counter products, most cases will not be severe. Remember, proper cleansing goes a long way towards minimizing outbreaks, so don't be afraid to cleanse your face 5 - 6 times a day of more if needed.
Fight acne by being smart. Take as many preventative steps as possible to avoid situations that create the opportunity for acne to develop. If acne does afflict you, consult a qualified medical professional before deciding on a course of action.
Be aware that there are many factors that contribute to acne. First, research indicates a propensity for acne may well be inherited. Parents who had acne in their teenage and young adult years may have children who are likewise prone to having acne in their teen and young adult years.
Next, clogged skin pores are certainly a major contributing factor for acne out-breaks. When pores become clogged with an excess production of sebum and mix with dead skin cells or makeup that isn't sufficiently cleaned from the skin, problems start to develop. When skin pores are clogged, bacteria are produced and pus starts to form causing a pimple, a white head or a black head.
The most commonly accepted causes for acne are hormonal imbalances. Hormones in boys and girls may become unbalanced during puberty, during menstrual cycles, when starting or stopping birth control pills, during times of extreme stress, and at other times as well.
All of the above situations can cause the body to over produce a male hormone which causes the sebaceous glands to produce sebum. The sebum combines with dead skin cells to block pores and acne develops. So, basically, it still comes back to blocked pores.
Other causes for acne include a lack of vitamins, minerals and trace elements that the body needs to maintain a healthy skin. Vitamins A, E and B6 are especially important in maintaining healthy skin as are zinc, essential fatty acids (EFA), Chromium and Selenium.
Most diets of teenagers and young adults do not contain these vitamins, minerals, and trace elements in sufficient quantity to maintain healthy skin and to help prevent the onset of Acne.
Acne: The 8 Stages:
Full blown, Stage 8 acne doesn't usually develop overnight. Acne is progressive condition. Acne is one of the diseases that are so common that it is sometimes just disregarded as a serious problem...like the common cold. It has been estimated that 95 of people will have at least a mild case of acne at some point in their lives.
Acne, much like the common cold, is usually treated by the sufferer with over-the-counter medications that alleviate the symptoms of the disease in the belief that it will simply go away all by itself....eventually. And, it usually does but not always.
Most people throughout their life will have the occasional pimple, zit, white head or black head.
Although these pesky little outbreaks do seem to appear at the most inopportune times, they really aren't a serious problem that requires medical attention. A little over-the-counter acne facial wash to help prevent another outbreak will usually take care of the problem. It isn't a big deal. This kind of acne is referred to as Stage 0 and really nothing to be concerned about unless the acne progresses to subsequent stages.
Acne stages are graded from 0 through 8. Zero is the least severe and 8 is the most serious of the stages. The stages are as follows:
Stage 1: There will be white heads and black heads with some mild inflammation. The outbreaks will start to occur more frequently. Using products that contain Benzyl Peroxide are in order.
Stage 2: There will be some papules in addition to the white heads and black heads. Papules are skin lesions that are solid and raised but usually small. This is still considered to be a very mild case of acne. Treatment can be continued using over-the-counter products that contain Salicylic Acid.
Stage 3: Stage 3 is the same as stage 2 but with more frequent occurrences.
Stage 4-5: Pustules begin to appear. Now, it's time to schedule an appointment at a dermatologist.
Stage 6-7: Nodules and cysts are forming. Scarring is going to start happening at this stage. Your dermatologist will begin to take more drastic action.
Stage 8: Breakouts are almost continuous and include nodules and cysts. There are modern technologies that will help and your dermatologist will advise you.
Acne Skin Care:
As we know, our hair follicles secrete sebum. Sebum makes its way up the hair follicles to the skin pores where it lubricates and protects the skin. Sometimes there are oil glands which get overworked, get enlarge, and produce too much sebum. The sebum can get trapped in the hair follicle.
When this happens the pores get clogged and black heads or white heads form and the bacteria start to multiply at an alarmingly fast rate.
Once you understand this process, you can see the reasoning behind the advice about caring for skin that has black heads, white heads and pustules on it.
The first piece of advice about caring for acne infected skin is to never pick at the pimples. Don't try to pop them and drain them. This will not cure them no matter what anybody tells you. Popping them will only serve to make them worse...not better.
However, there are things that you can do that really will help.
The first thing you can do is to wash your face with a mild soap or a sulfur based soap. Wash your face with just your finger tips. Don't ever use a wash cloth as it holds germs and bacteria. Rinse your face with clean water several times to ensure you remove all traces of soap, and then pat it dry with a clean towel. Do not rub your face with the towel and never use the same towel twice without it being clean.
Take a good multi-vitamin and multi-mineral supplement every day and drink at least 8 full glasses of water (not soda) every day. The vitamins and minerals will supply nutrients that are absent from most diets and the water will help to hydrate the skin as well as to flush toxins out of your system.
If you use over-the-counter acne medications, be certain that you follow the directions carefully and that you use a good sunscreen when you are outdoors as some acne medications make the skin more prone to sunburn.
Adult Acne:
Acne is not just a problem for teenagers and young adults. Once a person survives the teenage years, you would think that they don't have to deal with the embarrassment of acne any longer, right? Well....not exactly.
The sad truth is that about 25 of women will have acne at some time in their 20s, 30s or even 40s. Although there has never been a real cause established, it is believed that most adult acne is caused by the same thing that causes teenage acne...hormonal changes.
A doctor will sometimes prescribe hormonal treatments that will clear a case of adult acne right up. As with teenage acne, adult acne is not caused by diet. Stress has often been cited as one possible cause of adult acne but that assertion has never been verified.
Treating adult acne is a bit more difficult than treating teenage acne. Adults have the concern of drying out their skin that teenagers don't normally have to deal with. Adults don't want pimples; but, they don't want wrinkles, either. A dermatologist should be consulted if the acne is long lasting or is severe.
There are many treatments that are available to adults who suffer from acne. Most of the effective treatments are only available by prescription. Adults should not use over-the-counter acne medications that are intended for the treatment of teenage acne. These products tend to dry the skin and adults need to be concerned about wrinkling as well as acne.
A case of adult acne is not a happy occurrence to say because those ugly bumps always seem to occur at the most inopportune times and while a teenager may be embarrassed by acne, an adult is even more devastated.
Fortunately, there are treatments and a dermatologist has a lot of weapons in his arsenal to fight adult acne.
Acne Scar Removal Options:
Life hardly seems fair sometimes! First, a teenager or a young adult must suffer through acne, treat it, and have to live with it...sometimes for years. Then the acne is gone; but, the scars are there as a painful reminder of the mental and emotional agony the acne sufferer had to endure.
You're right, life doesn't seem fair; but, acne is one of those sad facts of life that some if not most of us have to deal with. The good news is there is help; unfortunately, it isn't free or cheap!
There are two basic procedures that are used to remove ugly pits and scars left over from a bad case of teenage or young adult acne. Laser resurfacing is the least expensive of the two available acne scar removal procedures. Dermabrasion is the second procedure.
Laser resurfacing can be done in the dermatologist office instead of a hospital so that provides a much greater financial savings. A laser is used to remove the top layer of skin and also to tighten the middle layer of skin.
The dermatologist will use a local anesthetic to help reduce the procedure pain. It usually takes several days for the skin to heal after a laser resurfacing procedure is completed. Very often, multiple resurfacing treatments must be done to achieve the desired results.
The second procedure used to remove acne scarring is called dermabrasion. In this procedure, a rotating wire brush is used to remove the top layer of skin. The body continually produces new skin and the new layer will be smoother than the layer that was removed. It usually takes between 10 days and 3 weeks for the skin to heal after a dermabrasion treatment. Once again, multiple treatments may be required to eliminate the scarring.
Acne may seem to be a devastating condition but with proper skin routine, vitamins, and over the counter products, most cases will not be severe. Remember, proper cleansing goes a long way towards minimizing outbreaks, so don't be afraid to cleanse your face 5 - 6 times a day of more if needed.
Fight acne by being smart. Take as many preventative steps as possible to avoid situations that create the opportunity for acne to develop. If acne does afflict you, consult a qualified medical professional before deciding on a course of action.
Why Your Diet May Not Be As Rich In Iodine As You Assume
The trace mineral iodine is well known for its crucial role in enabling the body's manufacture of vital thyroid hormones, but it is also important for the health of the immune system and for optimal brain function. It is widely believed by many authorities that iodine deficiency should never be seen in the affluent West, although this problem affects millions throughout the developed world.
Some nutritionists argue, however, that this conventional view is too optimistic, because the content of all minerals in foods is heavily dependent on the mineral content of the soil from which those foods are derived. The assumption must therefore be that the continuing de-mineralisation of farm soils has led to a reduction in the amount of dietary iodine commonly consumed.
Fish and other seafood, however, remain a relatively rich source because these ocean creatures concentrate the sea's iodine in their flesh. Though not commonly eaten in the West, seaweed, or kelp, is also an excellent source of iodine for this reason, and is readily available in the form of a dietary supplements. Dairy products and certain meats may also be a good source, particularly where iodine is routinely added to farm animal feed. But in countries, including most of Western Europe, where animals are grazing fields growing on iodine depleted soils, levels are likely to be much lower.
So even in the West, those not including fish or seafood in their diets, and not using iodised or sea salt, may be at real risk of deficiency. In an effort to compensate for low levels of dietary iodine, the mineral has been routinely added to ordinary table salt in the US for many years. But the practice is not as common in the UK and other European countries, where specially iodised or natural "sea-salt" has been marketed more as a luxury alternative. The problem of insufficient dietary iodine has been compounded on both sides of the Atlantic, however, by increasing concern about the possible adverse health consequences, particularly high blood pressure, of excessive salt intake. Many nutritionists, however, regard these fears as exaggerated, and believe that any such potential problems are far less serious than the consequences of an insufficiency of iodine, and may be easily resolved by the use of the low sodium salt alternatives available.
Iodine, however, cannot in any case be regarded as a luxury. Its essential function lies in the production of the vital thyroid hormones; thyroxine, sometimes known as T4, and tri-iodothyronine, or T3. And as is well known, these hormones are crucially important in ensuring a healthy metabolic rate and the release of energy from food; so an underactive thyroid gland is commonly the villain in cases of excessive weight gain, particularly where this of sudden onset, and in cases of difficulty in losing weight even when following a sensible reducing programme. A healthy thyroid gland is also crucial for the optimal functioning of the immune system.
But perhaps even more importantly, iodine deficiency is also known as a major cause of avoidable brain damage; a problem which the World Health Organisation has estimated to affect an astonishing 50 million people worldwide. Sadly, many of these cases occur in children whose mothers were iodine deficient in pregnancy, resulting in a condition of severely retarded brain development known as congenital hypothyroidism, or "cretinism". Even where such catastrophic consequences are avoided, iodine deficiency in childhood may also have serious effects on the developing brain, leading to low energy and motivation for learning, and measurable impairment of IQ scores.
Since 2001 the Food and Nutrition Board of the US Institute of Medicine (FNB) has prescribed a Recommended Dietary Allowance for iodine of 150 mcg for all individuals over 14, rising to 220 mcg for pregnant women and 290 mcg for those breastfeeding. Somewhat confusingly, however, an excessive consumption of iodine is also associated with a malfunctioning or enlargement of the thyroid gland, as well as mouth ulcers, headaches and gastric upsets, and the FNB therefore advises an upper safe limit for daily iodine consumption of 1,100 mcg for adults. Most people eating a conventional Western diet are unlikely to exceed this level.
With the possible exception of pregnant and breastfeeding women, people in the West who use liberal quantities of iodised salt as a regular seasoning are unlikely to need further supplements. But many commercial multi-mineral preparations contain iodine in reasonable quantities, usually in the form of potassium iodide, and whilst not perhaps strictly necessary, such supplementary doses will do no harm and may be regarded as a useful insurance policy given that, like all minerals needed by the body, iodine functions best in the presence of adequate supplies of all the others. And it should be particularly noted in this context that the effects of any deficiency of iodine may be intensified by any deficiency of selenium, iron or vitamin A.
Some nutritionists argue, however, that this conventional view is too optimistic, because the content of all minerals in foods is heavily dependent on the mineral content of the soil from which those foods are derived. The assumption must therefore be that the continuing de-mineralisation of farm soils has led to a reduction in the amount of dietary iodine commonly consumed.
Fish and other seafood, however, remain a relatively rich source because these ocean creatures concentrate the sea's iodine in their flesh. Though not commonly eaten in the West, seaweed, or kelp, is also an excellent source of iodine for this reason, and is readily available in the form of a dietary supplements. Dairy products and certain meats may also be a good source, particularly where iodine is routinely added to farm animal feed. But in countries, including most of Western Europe, where animals are grazing fields growing on iodine depleted soils, levels are likely to be much lower.
So even in the West, those not including fish or seafood in their diets, and not using iodised or sea salt, may be at real risk of deficiency. In an effort to compensate for low levels of dietary iodine, the mineral has been routinely added to ordinary table salt in the US for many years. But the practice is not as common in the UK and other European countries, where specially iodised or natural "sea-salt" has been marketed more as a luxury alternative. The problem of insufficient dietary iodine has been compounded on both sides of the Atlantic, however, by increasing concern about the possible adverse health consequences, particularly high blood pressure, of excessive salt intake. Many nutritionists, however, regard these fears as exaggerated, and believe that any such potential problems are far less serious than the consequences of an insufficiency of iodine, and may be easily resolved by the use of the low sodium salt alternatives available.
Iodine, however, cannot in any case be regarded as a luxury. Its essential function lies in the production of the vital thyroid hormones; thyroxine, sometimes known as T4, and tri-iodothyronine, or T3. And as is well known, these hormones are crucially important in ensuring a healthy metabolic rate and the release of energy from food; so an underactive thyroid gland is commonly the villain in cases of excessive weight gain, particularly where this of sudden onset, and in cases of difficulty in losing weight even when following a sensible reducing programme. A healthy thyroid gland is also crucial for the optimal functioning of the immune system.
But perhaps even more importantly, iodine deficiency is also known as a major cause of avoidable brain damage; a problem which the World Health Organisation has estimated to affect an astonishing 50 million people worldwide. Sadly, many of these cases occur in children whose mothers were iodine deficient in pregnancy, resulting in a condition of severely retarded brain development known as congenital hypothyroidism, or "cretinism". Even where such catastrophic consequences are avoided, iodine deficiency in childhood may also have serious effects on the developing brain, leading to low energy and motivation for learning, and measurable impairment of IQ scores.
Since 2001 the Food and Nutrition Board of the US Institute of Medicine (FNB) has prescribed a Recommended Dietary Allowance for iodine of 150 mcg for all individuals over 14, rising to 220 mcg for pregnant women and 290 mcg for those breastfeeding. Somewhat confusingly, however, an excessive consumption of iodine is also associated with a malfunctioning or enlargement of the thyroid gland, as well as mouth ulcers, headaches and gastric upsets, and the FNB therefore advises an upper safe limit for daily iodine consumption of 1,100 mcg for adults. Most people eating a conventional Western diet are unlikely to exceed this level.
With the possible exception of pregnant and breastfeeding women, people in the West who use liberal quantities of iodised salt as a regular seasoning are unlikely to need further supplements. But many commercial multi-mineral preparations contain iodine in reasonable quantities, usually in the form of potassium iodide, and whilst not perhaps strictly necessary, such supplementary doses will do no harm and may be regarded as a useful insurance policy given that, like all minerals needed by the body, iodine functions best in the presence of adequate supplies of all the others. And it should be particularly noted in this context that the effects of any deficiency of iodine may be intensified by any deficiency of selenium, iron or vitamin A.
Athletes are Prone to Dermatological Irritation: What Can Be Done?
When one thinks of the injuries sustained by baseball players, skin irritation is not necessarily the malady that jumps to mind. But for Josh Beckett, ace pitcher of the Boston Red Sox, it is exactly those sorts of concerns that have proven most debilitating over the years: Beckett has suffered from blisters on the fingers of his pitching hand that have landed him on the disabled list an astonishing six times since 2000.
That is a painful problem. It is an expensive problem. And it is a problem that can curtail seasons; it can derail careers; it can mean the difference between playing and not playing, winning and losing.
In Search of Topical Pain Relief
And it’s not limited to Beckett, pitchers, or even baseball players. Athletes of all stripes risk injury due to blisters, abrasions, eczema, cuts...all dermatological concerns that demand topical pain relief. And, it doesn’t end there: Those who participate in outdoor sports—tennis, sailing, skiing, and so on—frequently suffer from sunburn. Those who sweat a lot in workouts or competition such as basketball players, gymnasts, and runners have to deal with chafing. It especially helps runners to prevent blisters, abrasions, and also expedites in healing. These are recurring problems that demand chronic pain management. Yet, many athletes downplay these concerns, oftentimes because such injuries are not considered severe. Hey, it’s not a broken bone or a torn hamstring, so how bad can it be? It can be bad enough to cause an athlete to lose a step, or to favor a certain leg, arm or muscle group. It can also be bad enough to lead to more severe injuries. Just ask Josh Beckett.
As such, athletes aiming to remain in top form should seek to treat their dermatological concerns via natural health remedies. Indeed, natural pain relief is the optimum method for keeping an athlete’s skin healthy and hydrated. In fact, the importance of hydration itself cannot be overstated. Of course, the simplest and most effective method for staying hydrated is to simply drink water. And for athletes, who lose a great deal of fluids through sweating, water should be consumed frequently. In fact, it’s said that even 2 percent dehydration decreases an athlete’s performance by as much as 10 percent. Adequate hydration is crucial in keeping one’s skin healthy.
For athletes already suffering from blisters, abrasions or the like, simple powders and ointments such as Johnson’s Baby Powder or Gold Bond Medicated Ant-Itch Cream can be purchased inexpensively, and can provide tremendous relief. Even petroleum jelly can be applied to cuts or chafed areas to provide immediate topical pain relief.
For athletes suffering from dermatological issues, chronic pain management can truly be that basic. Again, let’s take the example of Josh Beckett: The Red Sox hurler addressed his blisters issue with…surgery? Laser treatment? Nope. He used Band-Aids.
Which doesn’t mean that Band-Aids or baby powder are the only methods for treatment, or even the most effective ones (it should be noted that Beckett’s Band-Aid solution prevented him from throwing his curveball during bullpen sessions, and his on-field performance suffered as a result).
Advanced Natural Pain Relief
For athletes looking for more advanced natural pain relief, XTreme Skin Ointment (http://www.xtremeskin.com) offers a wide range of healing capabilities: It creates a breathable, protective barrier for the skin; it locks out germs and bacteria, and locks in moisture; and it accelerates the skin’s healing process. Natural health remedies like XTreme Skin Ointment can (and should) be used as a preventative measure, but they can also be applied to damaged areas.
It must be stated that no athlete is immune to dermatological issues: Bowlers will often suffer from blisters and cuts; rock climbers, from cracked skin and burns; horseback riders, from chafing; swimmers, from dry skin; weightlifters, from calluses. And, too many athletes will try and play through these problems when they should be seeking out chronic pain management techniques and natural pain relief.
An athlete’s skin is as related to his or performance as his or her muscles, yet too few recognize this. It is crucial that athletes seek out topical pain relief, and it is recommended that they do so through natural health remedies. To ignore them, or to treat them ineffectively, can spell damage, disaster and heartbreak. Just ask Josh Beckett.
That is a painful problem. It is an expensive problem. And it is a problem that can curtail seasons; it can derail careers; it can mean the difference between playing and not playing, winning and losing.
In Search of Topical Pain Relief
And it’s not limited to Beckett, pitchers, or even baseball players. Athletes of all stripes risk injury due to blisters, abrasions, eczema, cuts...all dermatological concerns that demand topical pain relief. And, it doesn’t end there: Those who participate in outdoor sports—tennis, sailing, skiing, and so on—frequently suffer from sunburn. Those who sweat a lot in workouts or competition such as basketball players, gymnasts, and runners have to deal with chafing. It especially helps runners to prevent blisters, abrasions, and also expedites in healing. These are recurring problems that demand chronic pain management. Yet, many athletes downplay these concerns, oftentimes because such injuries are not considered severe. Hey, it’s not a broken bone or a torn hamstring, so how bad can it be? It can be bad enough to cause an athlete to lose a step, or to favor a certain leg, arm or muscle group. It can also be bad enough to lead to more severe injuries. Just ask Josh Beckett.
As such, athletes aiming to remain in top form should seek to treat their dermatological concerns via natural health remedies. Indeed, natural pain relief is the optimum method for keeping an athlete’s skin healthy and hydrated. In fact, the importance of hydration itself cannot be overstated. Of course, the simplest and most effective method for staying hydrated is to simply drink water. And for athletes, who lose a great deal of fluids through sweating, water should be consumed frequently. In fact, it’s said that even 2 percent dehydration decreases an athlete’s performance by as much as 10 percent. Adequate hydration is crucial in keeping one’s skin healthy.
For athletes already suffering from blisters, abrasions or the like, simple powders and ointments such as Johnson’s Baby Powder or Gold Bond Medicated Ant-Itch Cream can be purchased inexpensively, and can provide tremendous relief. Even petroleum jelly can be applied to cuts or chafed areas to provide immediate topical pain relief.
For athletes suffering from dermatological issues, chronic pain management can truly be that basic. Again, let’s take the example of Josh Beckett: The Red Sox hurler addressed his blisters issue with…surgery? Laser treatment? Nope. He used Band-Aids.
Which doesn’t mean that Band-Aids or baby powder are the only methods for treatment, or even the most effective ones (it should be noted that Beckett’s Band-Aid solution prevented him from throwing his curveball during bullpen sessions, and his on-field performance suffered as a result).
Advanced Natural Pain Relief
For athletes looking for more advanced natural pain relief, XTreme Skin Ointment (http://www.xtremeskin.com) offers a wide range of healing capabilities: It creates a breathable, protective barrier for the skin; it locks out germs and bacteria, and locks in moisture; and it accelerates the skin’s healing process. Natural health remedies like XTreme Skin Ointment can (and should) be used as a preventative measure, but they can also be applied to damaged areas.
It must be stated that no athlete is immune to dermatological issues: Bowlers will often suffer from blisters and cuts; rock climbers, from cracked skin and burns; horseback riders, from chafing; swimmers, from dry skin; weightlifters, from calluses. And, too many athletes will try and play through these problems when they should be seeking out chronic pain management techniques and natural pain relief.
An athlete’s skin is as related to his or performance as his or her muscles, yet too few recognize this. It is crucial that athletes seek out topical pain relief, and it is recommended that they do so through natural health remedies. To ignore them, or to treat them ineffectively, can spell damage, disaster and heartbreak. Just ask Josh Beckett.
Human Skin Parasites That Make Life Hell
Human skin Parasites can appear seemingly out of no where. One minute you're feeling fine and the next minute you're itching incessantly. Within minutes the itching is accompanied by a biting sensation. The itching and biting is over your entire body with some areas more intense than others.
Nothing you apply to your itchy skin makes a difference. In desperation you take a hot bath and gain some relief. For a few moments you feel relieved and think that you have ended the problem. But within a few hours the itching returns. Again it's relentless and the only relief is another hot bath.
You go to bed expecting a good night's sleep and around 3:00 am you're awakened with itching and biting sensations. Again the hot bath does it's trick and you return to bed expecting a few hours of peaceful sleep and decide to schedule an appointment with your doctor in the morning.
But it doesn't work out that way. Within a half hour back in bed you're itching again. You're at wits end totally at loss as to what's happening. You're mind is whirling trying to figure out what's wrong.
At some point you realize that whatever is itching you is residing in your bedding. You remove all your bedding and launder it with bleach or ammonia for disinfection. You take another hot bath and change your bedding. Sure enough you get a few hours of sleep.
The irony is that with all the itching and biting you see nothing on your skin for a few days. Then you begin noticing bite marks that may be accompanied with rashes.
You are hopeful the doctor will prescribe the antidote, but he can't find anything wrong with you. He gives you an antibiotic for the rashes and prescribes Elimite or Quill for the itching.
Relief is immediate and you figure that the solution is at hand. However after about four days, the itching returns along with the biting which seems to be from under the skin. Lesions are forming on your body and some bite marks appear to look like a vampire bite--two marks about 1/16" apart.
Back to the doctor who suggests blood tests and a plug sample. Again you think that the results will identify this hell that has taken over your life. The blood tests only indicated a slightly elevated CBC count and the plug sample shows nothing.
By now you've either figured out on your own or you've gone to the internet for help and found that you have an unknown skin parasite that has infested your clothing, bedding, rugs, furniture... and that you're not alone.
You've also been sent to a specialist who much to your chagrin tells you that it's stress and that he can't find anything. From the internet you learned of Morgellons and ask the doctor if you have Morgellons disease. He tells you that there is no proof of there being any such disease.
By now you may have given this horrendous affliction to another family member and feel pretty much on your own. Doctors don't know anything about it and the internet is becoming full of all types of treatments that people have used--zappers, herbal dewormers, bentonite clay, MMS, oregano, faith healing, eco vie, sulfur, urine therapy...
You start with whatever one you read about first and end up bouncing from one to another with little if any relief.
Job, of the Old Testament in the Holy Bible, may very well have been the first human on record who suffered from these skin parasites which are in the form of skin mites, nematodes, collembola and or skin fungus. They make scabies (a form of mite) look like the common cold.
My hell started from a cloud of dust that descended upon me after I pulled a strangulating vine from a tree in my back yard. Early on I experimented with garlic. I started with 30,000 mg. of garlic per day and ended up at around 240,000 mg. per day. For me, garlic completely tamed down the symptoms of the itchy parasites to where I could be human. Of course I tried many different medications during this time and each time I went off garlic to see if the medication or remedy was working, it would flare up again because none were working. Eventually garlic lost its magic and it was back to itching hell.
Fortunately shortly thereafter, I discovered the value of the diet which I called the Parasite-Lyme DietSM. It was the first hope I had in fighting the skin parasites. In fact I'm convinced that no treatment will work without getting on the eating diet and staying on it. There are foods such as fruits and many carbohydrates that feed the parasites and foods that starve them. I started it as an elimination diet--ate only eggs initially and within a few days I was itch and bite free--it worked that fast for me. It took over ten years to discover all the nuances of the diet so I could enjoy foods like shrimp scampi, chicken in butter sauce...
It's a three stage diet, the first of which is very strict. As stage I is successful, one can often advance to Stage II within a week or so and eat more leniently. It didn't take long to think I was cured, but every time I went off the diet for a week or so, the itching and biting returned. In time with certain medications, I could advance to Stage III of the diet and enjoy limited types of fruit, honey, chocolate cake...
Suffering from skin parasites raises some important questions. How do you bathe? What skin creams or lotions provide results? How do you get skin parasites out of your bedding, furniture, rugs�? Although your doctor has no answers to these questions there are real down to earth answers to get your life back to normal.
Nothing you apply to your itchy skin makes a difference. In desperation you take a hot bath and gain some relief. For a few moments you feel relieved and think that you have ended the problem. But within a few hours the itching returns. Again it's relentless and the only relief is another hot bath.
You go to bed expecting a good night's sleep and around 3:00 am you're awakened with itching and biting sensations. Again the hot bath does it's trick and you return to bed expecting a few hours of peaceful sleep and decide to schedule an appointment with your doctor in the morning.
But it doesn't work out that way. Within a half hour back in bed you're itching again. You're at wits end totally at loss as to what's happening. You're mind is whirling trying to figure out what's wrong.
At some point you realize that whatever is itching you is residing in your bedding. You remove all your bedding and launder it with bleach or ammonia for disinfection. You take another hot bath and change your bedding. Sure enough you get a few hours of sleep.
The irony is that with all the itching and biting you see nothing on your skin for a few days. Then you begin noticing bite marks that may be accompanied with rashes.
You are hopeful the doctor will prescribe the antidote, but he can't find anything wrong with you. He gives you an antibiotic for the rashes and prescribes Elimite or Quill for the itching.
Relief is immediate and you figure that the solution is at hand. However after about four days, the itching returns along with the biting which seems to be from under the skin. Lesions are forming on your body and some bite marks appear to look like a vampire bite--two marks about 1/16" apart.
Back to the doctor who suggests blood tests and a plug sample. Again you think that the results will identify this hell that has taken over your life. The blood tests only indicated a slightly elevated CBC count and the plug sample shows nothing.
By now you've either figured out on your own or you've gone to the internet for help and found that you have an unknown skin parasite that has infested your clothing, bedding, rugs, furniture... and that you're not alone.
You've also been sent to a specialist who much to your chagrin tells you that it's stress and that he can't find anything. From the internet you learned of Morgellons and ask the doctor if you have Morgellons disease. He tells you that there is no proof of there being any such disease.
By now you may have given this horrendous affliction to another family member and feel pretty much on your own. Doctors don't know anything about it and the internet is becoming full of all types of treatments that people have used--zappers, herbal dewormers, bentonite clay, MMS, oregano, faith healing, eco vie, sulfur, urine therapy...
You start with whatever one you read about first and end up bouncing from one to another with little if any relief.
Job, of the Old Testament in the Holy Bible, may very well have been the first human on record who suffered from these skin parasites which are in the form of skin mites, nematodes, collembola and or skin fungus. They make scabies (a form of mite) look like the common cold.
My hell started from a cloud of dust that descended upon me after I pulled a strangulating vine from a tree in my back yard. Early on I experimented with garlic. I started with 30,000 mg. of garlic per day and ended up at around 240,000 mg. per day. For me, garlic completely tamed down the symptoms of the itchy parasites to where I could be human. Of course I tried many different medications during this time and each time I went off garlic to see if the medication or remedy was working, it would flare up again because none were working. Eventually garlic lost its magic and it was back to itching hell.
Fortunately shortly thereafter, I discovered the value of the diet which I called the Parasite-Lyme DietSM. It was the first hope I had in fighting the skin parasites. In fact I'm convinced that no treatment will work without getting on the eating diet and staying on it. There are foods such as fruits and many carbohydrates that feed the parasites and foods that starve them. I started it as an elimination diet--ate only eggs initially and within a few days I was itch and bite free--it worked that fast for me. It took over ten years to discover all the nuances of the diet so I could enjoy foods like shrimp scampi, chicken in butter sauce...
It's a three stage diet, the first of which is very strict. As stage I is successful, one can often advance to Stage II within a week or so and eat more leniently. It didn't take long to think I was cured, but every time I went off the diet for a week or so, the itching and biting returned. In time with certain medications, I could advance to Stage III of the diet and enjoy limited types of fruit, honey, chocolate cake...
Suffering from skin parasites raises some important questions. How do you bathe? What skin creams or lotions provide results? How do you get skin parasites out of your bedding, furniture, rugs�? Although your doctor has no answers to these questions there are real down to earth answers to get your life back to normal.
7 Reasons Everyone With Back Pain Should Consider Inversion Therapy
Let me start out by saying that I have had back pain and I have had sciatica. So I know the feeling. I know how frustrating it can be, and I know how it can suck the joy right out of your life.
Be careful not to do dumb things
Shortly after I graduated from high school, I owned a landscaping company. I worked hard because I wanted the good stuff out of life. I really pushed myself, sometimes taking on jobs I did not even know how to do. Once, for example, I was approached by an English client who wanted a stone wall built the way they do it in England, which is without cement (they're called drywalls). I said, "No problem." But because the wall was going to have to hold back dirt, I asked if I could put in a cement footer. The client agreed.
Well, on Day One I dug out the footer then went to the store and bought the cement. When I returned, I decided to put two 80-pound bags of cement on my shoulders to save time and trips up and down to the back yard.
I put the first bag on my shoulder, but when I bent down and twisted a little to pick up the second bag, I heard a pop. In an instant, I was flat on my back in pain. I spent the next weeks either in bed or lying on my back in front of the TV. About the middle of the second week, it hit me that in the early '80s a newfangled device came out called "moon boots"�also known as "gravity boots." My best friend had just gotten a pair for Christmas, so I borrowed them and had my dad install a bar in the basement that I could hang from (or invert myself). I began doing this for 5-10 minutes a day.
Soon, my back was feeling a lot better. I continued to use the boots on a regular basis, not only as part of my recovery but also as a way to experiment with different exercises and movements that might bring about a higher level of fitness.
What condition are you suffering from?
It is amazing how my life experiences have brought me to where I'm now writing about how I healed myself some 20-plus years ago. Back then, I did not know what I was doing when I stumbled upon something that just happened to work. Today, inversion therapy can no longer be called an alternative treatment because it has been the subject of a great deal of clinical study. Inversion therapy has been proven to help relieve many forms of back and neck pain including the following:
- Bulging Disc
- Herniated Disc
- Chronic Back Pain
- Lower Back Pain
- Neck Pain
- Pulled Back Muscles
- SI Joint Dysfunction
- Facet Joint Dysfunction
- Spondylolisthesis
- Sciatica
7 key benefits of inversion for the back pain sufferer
While relieving your back pain is your primary reason for considering inversion therapy, there are a number of additional benefits many people experience with a regular program of inversion. Here are 7 good reasons to use inversion therapy:
- Maintains your height. Regularly inverting will help you avoid the "shrinkage" that naturally occurs as a result of gravity over a lifetime.
- Improves circulation. When you're inverted, your blood circulation is aided by gravity rather than having to work against it. In addition, with inversion, gravity helps the lymphatic system clear faster, easing the aches and pains of stiff muscles.
- Relieves stress. Everyone knows that a full-body stretch is rejuvenating! An inversion table provides the same feeling of relaxation as a yoga class�with a lot less effort. Many people find that they sleep better with regular inversion therapy.
- Heightens mental alertness. Any upside-down activity increases the supply of oxygen to the brain, which many experts believe helps maintain mental sharpness.
- Increases flexibility and range of motion. With inversion, your joints stay healthy and supple, meaning you can remain as active as you were in your younger years.
- Improves posture. The stretching that comes with reversing the force of gravity on your body helps you sit, stand, and move with more ease and grace.
- Realigns the spine after workouts. Running and other aerobic activities inevitably compress your spine�often unevenly. One-sided activities such as golf or tennis often pull the spine out of alignment. During inversion, minor misalignments often correct themselves naturally.
5 ultra-challenging activities you can do on an inversion table
If the 7 hidden benefits were not enough to make you want to consider using inversion, here are 5 exercises you can do at every session:
- Inverted Squats. In the full inverted position, you can use your glutes and hamstrings to pull yourself up; the motion would be simply trying to bend your legs at your knees. Because the inverted squat is very challenging and isolates the glutes and hamstrings, most back pain sufferers first need to strengthen their glutes and hamstrings.
- Inverted Crunch. In the full inverted position, place your hands on your chest and use your abs to lift your upper body about one-third of the way up.
- Inverted sit-up. In the full inverted position, extend your arms as if you were reaching for your feet and try to touch your feet; some experts say that one inverted sit-up is equivalent to 10 regular sit-ups.
- Increase the decompression. In the full inverted position, grab the table legs and pull down; this way you can increase and control the amount of decompression if you want or need more.
- Inverted Rotation. In the full inverted position, reach with the opposite hand to the table legs and pull yourself into rotation; you can then switch hands and do the same for the opposite side.
How to get started
Let's take a look at what a back pain sufferer will go through in a typical session. First, you do not need to go into full inversion to get the benefits. (Note: It will take time before you will be able to tolerate full inversion.) Here is a simple guide for beginners:
First 2 Weeks: Adjust the table to go to 20-30 degrees for 1 to 2 minutes, once or twice a day. Slowly increase your time until you become comfortable with the process and the position. The best way to tell if you're getting used to the inversion table is whether or not you can relax while you're using it.
Partial Inversion after 2 weeks: This is considered anything up to 60 degrees, which is parallel with the rear legs of the table. See if you can work your way up to 15 minutes, once or twice a day. There are two basic ways to invert:
- Static inversion: This is when you hold yourself at the desired angle and do not move from that position.
- Intermittent Inversion: This involves using a rocking motion, alternating 20 to 30 seconds in the inverted position and 20 to 30 seconds in the upright position. Some people believe that it is the pumping action that delivers the best results. You will have to experiment to see which way is most comfortable and works best for you.
Full Inversion after 2 weeks: This is when your body is completely upside down and hanging freely. Full inversion is the position you need to be in to do the 5 "ultra" exercises listed above. The amount of time you spend is up to you, but 5 to 15 minutes twice a day is recommended. The amount of time it takes for you to tolerate full inversion will depend on your ability to accommodate to the position; everyone is different so go slow.
One last safety tip
While inversion has been proven to be beneficial, it is best to start slow�that is, at a low angle for short amounts of time. Going straight into full inversion will make you sore. So please resist the temptation to go into full inversion day one.
One last success tip
Be patient and consistent with its use, the inversion table is a device that can be used for a lifetime to support optimal health. So make a habit of using it on a consistent basis, the research supports the use and your body will reap the benefits.
References:
1. Sheffield, F.: Adaptation of Tilt Table for Lumbar Traction. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 45: 469-472, 1964.
2. Nosse, L.: Inverted Spinal Traction. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 59: 367-370, Aug 78.
3. Gianakopoulos, G, et al: Inversion Devices: Their Role in Producing Lumbar Distraction. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 66: 100-102, Feb 85.
4. Ballantyne, Byron, et al: The Effects of Inversion Traction on Spinal Column Configuration, Heart Rate, Blood Pressure, and Perceived Discomfort. Jour of Orthopedic Sports Phys Ther. 254-260, Mar 86.
5. Kane, M, et al: Effects of Gravity-facilitated Traction on Intravertebral Dimensions of the Lumbar Spine. Jour of Orthopedic and Sports Phys Ther. 281-288, Mar 85.
6. Goldman, R, et al: The Effects of Oscillating Inversion on Systemic Blood Pressure, Pulse, Intraocular Pressure, and Central Retinal Arterial Pressure. The Physician and Sports Medicine. 13: 93-96, Mar 85.
7. Dimberg, L, et al: Effects of gravity-facilitated traction of the lumbar spine in persons with chronic low back pain at the workplace.
8. Nachemson, Alf, et al: Intravital Dynamic Pressure Measurements in Lumbar Discs. 1970.
Be careful not to do dumb things
Shortly after I graduated from high school, I owned a landscaping company. I worked hard because I wanted the good stuff out of life. I really pushed myself, sometimes taking on jobs I did not even know how to do. Once, for example, I was approached by an English client who wanted a stone wall built the way they do it in England, which is without cement (they're called drywalls). I said, "No problem." But because the wall was going to have to hold back dirt, I asked if I could put in a cement footer. The client agreed.
Well, on Day One I dug out the footer then went to the store and bought the cement. When I returned, I decided to put two 80-pound bags of cement on my shoulders to save time and trips up and down to the back yard.
I put the first bag on my shoulder, but when I bent down and twisted a little to pick up the second bag, I heard a pop. In an instant, I was flat on my back in pain. I spent the next weeks either in bed or lying on my back in front of the TV. About the middle of the second week, it hit me that in the early '80s a newfangled device came out called "moon boots"�also known as "gravity boots." My best friend had just gotten a pair for Christmas, so I borrowed them and had my dad install a bar in the basement that I could hang from (or invert myself). I began doing this for 5-10 minutes a day.
Soon, my back was feeling a lot better. I continued to use the boots on a regular basis, not only as part of my recovery but also as a way to experiment with different exercises and movements that might bring about a higher level of fitness.
What condition are you suffering from?
It is amazing how my life experiences have brought me to where I'm now writing about how I healed myself some 20-plus years ago. Back then, I did not know what I was doing when I stumbled upon something that just happened to work. Today, inversion therapy can no longer be called an alternative treatment because it has been the subject of a great deal of clinical study. Inversion therapy has been proven to help relieve many forms of back and neck pain including the following:
- Bulging Disc
- Herniated Disc
- Chronic Back Pain
- Lower Back Pain
- Neck Pain
- Pulled Back Muscles
- SI Joint Dysfunction
- Facet Joint Dysfunction
- Spondylolisthesis
- Sciatica
7 key benefits of inversion for the back pain sufferer
While relieving your back pain is your primary reason for considering inversion therapy, there are a number of additional benefits many people experience with a regular program of inversion. Here are 7 good reasons to use inversion therapy:
- Maintains your height. Regularly inverting will help you avoid the "shrinkage" that naturally occurs as a result of gravity over a lifetime.
- Improves circulation. When you're inverted, your blood circulation is aided by gravity rather than having to work against it. In addition, with inversion, gravity helps the lymphatic system clear faster, easing the aches and pains of stiff muscles.
- Relieves stress. Everyone knows that a full-body stretch is rejuvenating! An inversion table provides the same feeling of relaxation as a yoga class�with a lot less effort. Many people find that they sleep better with regular inversion therapy.
- Heightens mental alertness. Any upside-down activity increases the supply of oxygen to the brain, which many experts believe helps maintain mental sharpness.
- Increases flexibility and range of motion. With inversion, your joints stay healthy and supple, meaning you can remain as active as you were in your younger years.
- Improves posture. The stretching that comes with reversing the force of gravity on your body helps you sit, stand, and move with more ease and grace.
- Realigns the spine after workouts. Running and other aerobic activities inevitably compress your spine�often unevenly. One-sided activities such as golf or tennis often pull the spine out of alignment. During inversion, minor misalignments often correct themselves naturally.
5 ultra-challenging activities you can do on an inversion table
If the 7 hidden benefits were not enough to make you want to consider using inversion, here are 5 exercises you can do at every session:
- Inverted Squats. In the full inverted position, you can use your glutes and hamstrings to pull yourself up; the motion would be simply trying to bend your legs at your knees. Because the inverted squat is very challenging and isolates the glutes and hamstrings, most back pain sufferers first need to strengthen their glutes and hamstrings.
- Inverted Crunch. In the full inverted position, place your hands on your chest and use your abs to lift your upper body about one-third of the way up.
- Inverted sit-up. In the full inverted position, extend your arms as if you were reaching for your feet and try to touch your feet; some experts say that one inverted sit-up is equivalent to 10 regular sit-ups.
- Increase the decompression. In the full inverted position, grab the table legs and pull down; this way you can increase and control the amount of decompression if you want or need more.
- Inverted Rotation. In the full inverted position, reach with the opposite hand to the table legs and pull yourself into rotation; you can then switch hands and do the same for the opposite side.
How to get started
Let's take a look at what a back pain sufferer will go through in a typical session. First, you do not need to go into full inversion to get the benefits. (Note: It will take time before you will be able to tolerate full inversion.) Here is a simple guide for beginners:
First 2 Weeks: Adjust the table to go to 20-30 degrees for 1 to 2 minutes, once or twice a day. Slowly increase your time until you become comfortable with the process and the position. The best way to tell if you're getting used to the inversion table is whether or not you can relax while you're using it.
Partial Inversion after 2 weeks: This is considered anything up to 60 degrees, which is parallel with the rear legs of the table. See if you can work your way up to 15 minutes, once or twice a day. There are two basic ways to invert:
- Static inversion: This is when you hold yourself at the desired angle and do not move from that position.
- Intermittent Inversion: This involves using a rocking motion, alternating 20 to 30 seconds in the inverted position and 20 to 30 seconds in the upright position. Some people believe that it is the pumping action that delivers the best results. You will have to experiment to see which way is most comfortable and works best for you.
Full Inversion after 2 weeks: This is when your body is completely upside down and hanging freely. Full inversion is the position you need to be in to do the 5 "ultra" exercises listed above. The amount of time you spend is up to you, but 5 to 15 minutes twice a day is recommended. The amount of time it takes for you to tolerate full inversion will depend on your ability to accommodate to the position; everyone is different so go slow.
One last safety tip
While inversion has been proven to be beneficial, it is best to start slow�that is, at a low angle for short amounts of time. Going straight into full inversion will make you sore. So please resist the temptation to go into full inversion day one.
One last success tip
Be patient and consistent with its use, the inversion table is a device that can be used for a lifetime to support optimal health. So make a habit of using it on a consistent basis, the research supports the use and your body will reap the benefits.
References:
1. Sheffield, F.: Adaptation of Tilt Table for Lumbar Traction. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 45: 469-472, 1964.
2. Nosse, L.: Inverted Spinal Traction. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 59: 367-370, Aug 78.
3. Gianakopoulos, G, et al: Inversion Devices: Their Role in Producing Lumbar Distraction. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 66: 100-102, Feb 85.
4. Ballantyne, Byron, et al: The Effects of Inversion Traction on Spinal Column Configuration, Heart Rate, Blood Pressure, and Perceived Discomfort. Jour of Orthopedic Sports Phys Ther. 254-260, Mar 86.
5. Kane, M, et al: Effects of Gravity-facilitated Traction on Intravertebral Dimensions of the Lumbar Spine. Jour of Orthopedic and Sports Phys Ther. 281-288, Mar 85.
6. Goldman, R, et al: The Effects of Oscillating Inversion on Systemic Blood Pressure, Pulse, Intraocular Pressure, and Central Retinal Arterial Pressure. The Physician and Sports Medicine. 13: 93-96, Mar 85.
7. Dimberg, L, et al: Effects of gravity-facilitated traction of the lumbar spine in persons with chronic low back pain at the workplace.
8. Nachemson, Alf, et al: Intravital Dynamic Pressure Measurements in Lumbar Discs. 1970.
Skin Parasites From Hell
Skin Parasites that make your skin crawl are here to stay. They appear to itch from under your skin and are impervious to all standard medical treatments. Elimite and Quill will give you a four day reprieve and then the itching returns and it's relentless. The only thing that helps are hot (almost scalding) baths and then only for a few hours. They are indeed skin parasites from hell.
What's worse is that once you are infected, everything in your environment becomes contaminated or infected with them. You can also be highly contagious.
How does one get these skin parasites? The skin parasites can be transmitted direct from any one of many types of mites from an infected animal--rat mites, mice mites, bird mites, or any mite that takes up residence on animals. The skin parasites can also be transmitted by coming in contact with an infected animal's feces such as mice or rat feces, bird feces--even cat or dog feces.
Indirectly, the skin parasites can be transmitted from anything that has been worn or in contact with an infected person--clothing, rugs, furniture, jewelry...
Yes, sitting in an airplane seat after it has been sat in by an infected person is all that's required to become infected with these parasites. The same is true from barber's chairs,
The only good news is that relatively speaking very few people are infected with these skin parasites--less than ten thousand in the entire country and not all of them are contagious.
What are these horrific skin parasites? The most popular one--the one that has gained the most media attention--is Morgellons. Relentless itching is only the first symptoms of Morgellons. Soon skin rashes develop along with lesions that don't heal. Many sufferers report string-like fibers (some like loose cotton balls) along with black specs. The unfortunate reality is that there are no known diagnostic tests available to identify the skin parasites and no known medical treatment. The afflicted also notice that with continued infection they may actually cough up worms or larvae.
According to the experts there are several things to look for on your body to determine if you may be infected with skin parasites.
� Non healing lesions or sores.
� Fibers or filaments on skin at various non-healing sites where the skin parasites reside. You can see it with the use of a jeweler's loop and they are also fluorescent under a ultra violet light.
� Cotton-like balls on your body without any reasonable explanation.
� Intense itching skin.
� Stinging or biting.
� Hair loss.
� Chronic fatigue.
� Brain fog.
� Hard nodules under the skin.
� Fibromyalgia or joint swelling and pain.
� Black specs on the skin and bed sheets.
� Presence of tiny strawberry type of spots--look like bright red blood spots just under the skin.
Any three or more of these symptoms are associated with the Morgellons parasite plus a co infection of protozoan and or Lyme disease.
Lyme disease is scary but real. The infecting organisms such as mites also pass along Lyme disease and or Protozoan infection. It's like a double whammy. The infected one spends a lot of time in doctor's offices only to be told that nothing can be identified. Helpful doctors throw at it everything they can in terms of prescription creams used for scabies, ring worm and so on, but nothing works for more than a few days. Unhelpful doctors suggest that the symptoms are caused by stress and in "one's head."
With no help from the medical community, the afflicted one turns to the internet where they learn of Morgellons and other skin parasites in the form of Collembola (Spring Tails) and nematodes such as Strongyloides Stercoralis
The internet, although very informative, is a shocking confusing world with many posting sites sounding of gloom and doom and many sketchy details of treatments.
Suffering from skin parasites raises some important questions. How do you bathe? What skin creams or lotions provide results? How do you get skin parasites out of your bedding, furniture, rugs�? Although your doctor has no answers to these questions there are real down to earth answers to get your life back to normal.
What's worse is that once you are infected, everything in your environment becomes contaminated or infected with them. You can also be highly contagious.
How does one get these skin parasites? The skin parasites can be transmitted direct from any one of many types of mites from an infected animal--rat mites, mice mites, bird mites, or any mite that takes up residence on animals. The skin parasites can also be transmitted by coming in contact with an infected animal's feces such as mice or rat feces, bird feces--even cat or dog feces.
Indirectly, the skin parasites can be transmitted from anything that has been worn or in contact with an infected person--clothing, rugs, furniture, jewelry...
Yes, sitting in an airplane seat after it has been sat in by an infected person is all that's required to become infected with these parasites. The same is true from barber's chairs,
The only good news is that relatively speaking very few people are infected with these skin parasites--less than ten thousand in the entire country and not all of them are contagious.
What are these horrific skin parasites? The most popular one--the one that has gained the most media attention--is Morgellons. Relentless itching is only the first symptoms of Morgellons. Soon skin rashes develop along with lesions that don't heal. Many sufferers report string-like fibers (some like loose cotton balls) along with black specs. The unfortunate reality is that there are no known diagnostic tests available to identify the skin parasites and no known medical treatment. The afflicted also notice that with continued infection they may actually cough up worms or larvae.
According to the experts there are several things to look for on your body to determine if you may be infected with skin parasites.
� Non healing lesions or sores.
� Fibers or filaments on skin at various non-healing sites where the skin parasites reside. You can see it with the use of a jeweler's loop and they are also fluorescent under a ultra violet light.
� Cotton-like balls on your body without any reasonable explanation.
� Intense itching skin.
� Stinging or biting.
� Hair loss.
� Chronic fatigue.
� Brain fog.
� Hard nodules under the skin.
� Fibromyalgia or joint swelling and pain.
� Black specs on the skin and bed sheets.
� Presence of tiny strawberry type of spots--look like bright red blood spots just under the skin.
Any three or more of these symptoms are associated with the Morgellons parasite plus a co infection of protozoan and or Lyme disease.
Lyme disease is scary but real. The infecting organisms such as mites also pass along Lyme disease and or Protozoan infection. It's like a double whammy. The infected one spends a lot of time in doctor's offices only to be told that nothing can be identified. Helpful doctors throw at it everything they can in terms of prescription creams used for scabies, ring worm and so on, but nothing works for more than a few days. Unhelpful doctors suggest that the symptoms are caused by stress and in "one's head."
With no help from the medical community, the afflicted one turns to the internet where they learn of Morgellons and other skin parasites in the form of Collembola (Spring Tails) and nematodes such as Strongyloides Stercoralis
The internet, although very informative, is a shocking confusing world with many posting sites sounding of gloom and doom and many sketchy details of treatments.
Suffering from skin parasites raises some important questions. How do you bathe? What skin creams or lotions provide results? How do you get skin parasites out of your bedding, furniture, rugs�? Although your doctor has no answers to these questions there are real down to earth answers to get your life back to normal.
How To Avoid Acid Indigestion
Acid Indigestion is a term used to describe abdominal uneasiness frequently linked with food ingestion. Among the main widespread problems of man, ranking close to constipation and headaches, is the wide series of supposed digestive upsets described as acid indigestion. Every day, millions of people whine about heartburn or sour stomach.
TV commercials chatter endlessly about acid upset. Some sufferers try to dignify their complaints with such scientific terms as hyperacidity and acidosis. Abdominal fullness, belching, heartburn are some symptoms of Acid Indigestion. Heartburn is an acid indigestion symptom that often accompanies an upset stomach. Heartburn is a sensation of warmth or burning located in the chest. The burning & pressure of heartburn can last as long as two hours and is often provoked by bending over, lying down or eating certain foods, such as citrus fruit juices or spicy sauces.
It is caused due to excessive secretion of hydrochloric acid by the stomach cells. It is medically known as Hyperchlorhydria. It fells like a burning chest pain beginning behind the breastbone and moving upward to the neck and throat. Many people say it feels like food is coming back into the mouth leaving an acid or bitter taste. The burning, pressure, or pain of heartburn can last as long as 2 hours and is often worse after eating; bending over or lying down can also result in acid indigestion.
Many people obtain relief by standing upright or by taking an antacid that clears acid out of the throat. It can be mistaken for the pain connected to heart disease or a heart attack, but there are distinctions. Exercise may worsen the pain resulting from heart disease, and rest may relieve the pain. It is less likely to be associated with physical activity. A lot of people, counting pregnant women, go through heartburn or acid indigestion.
Doctors recommend lifestyle and nutritional changes for most people with this trouble. They recommend avoiding foods and beverages that can irritate a damaged esophageal lining, such as citrus fruits and juices, tomato products, and pepper.
TV commercials chatter endlessly about acid upset. Some sufferers try to dignify their complaints with such scientific terms as hyperacidity and acidosis. Abdominal fullness, belching, heartburn are some symptoms of Acid Indigestion. Heartburn is an acid indigestion symptom that often accompanies an upset stomach. Heartburn is a sensation of warmth or burning located in the chest. The burning & pressure of heartburn can last as long as two hours and is often provoked by bending over, lying down or eating certain foods, such as citrus fruit juices or spicy sauces.
It is caused due to excessive secretion of hydrochloric acid by the stomach cells. It is medically known as Hyperchlorhydria. It fells like a burning chest pain beginning behind the breastbone and moving upward to the neck and throat. Many people say it feels like food is coming back into the mouth leaving an acid or bitter taste. The burning, pressure, or pain of heartburn can last as long as 2 hours and is often worse after eating; bending over or lying down can also result in acid indigestion.
Many people obtain relief by standing upright or by taking an antacid that clears acid out of the throat. It can be mistaken for the pain connected to heart disease or a heart attack, but there are distinctions. Exercise may worsen the pain resulting from heart disease, and rest may relieve the pain. It is less likely to be associated with physical activity. A lot of people, counting pregnant women, go through heartburn or acid indigestion.
Doctors recommend lifestyle and nutritional changes for most people with this trouble. They recommend avoiding foods and beverages that can irritate a damaged esophageal lining, such as citrus fruits and juices, tomato products, and pepper.
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