Archive for the ‘Health & Beauty’ Category

8 Ways to Encourage a Chronically Ill Mom

Mommy moments come in all forms: days at the park, backyard barbeques, or meetings at the pool. They are a great time to get to know other mothers and share activities as well as compare notes on child-raising. But as the number of women who live with chronic illness continues to grow, so does the inability to participate in many of these important spontaneous fun mommy moments.

Women Health

According to the National Fibromyalgia Association, fibromyalgia (FM) experts estimate that about 10 million Americans and approximately 5% of the population worldwide suffer with FM, one of the fastest growing auto-immune diseases in the USA. Another study confirms that one in three people in the United States have a chronic condition. I recently attended an adoptive mom’s playgroup and within this niche group, three out of the six of us had chronic illnesses, and all of us were under forty years old. Being aware of a friend’s limitations and challenges, acknowledging them, and just asking a few questions, can make a huge impact in their ability to participate and feel comfortable with you and other moms.

[1]. Ask what time of the day is good for play-dates or activities. This can vary from season to season (weather affects it a great deal); and also from one illness to another. For some moms, mornings are good and afternoons are exhausting; for others it’s the other way around.

[2] Be flexible and don’t make her feel guilty if she must cancel your plans. Having a chronic illness means each day is unpredictable. Last week I took one step and my knee was locked up for four days. I winced in pain as I did heat and medication therapy while my husband worked at home. All my plans were cancelled and I had no advance notice. There may be times that she is still able to participate, but the plans may need to be adapted.

[3] Ask polite questions such as “how far are you comfortable walking today?” or “what is your greatest challenge?” and try to accommodate. Remember a two-block walk to the park may seem like miles for her. Stairs may be difficult if not impossible, so take the elevator with her. When she walks keep a pace with her and realize she may have to take rest stops even while walking small distances. Standing for more than a few minutes may be challenging. What looks like a short line for the carousel may be impossible for her to withstand. Offer to stand in line and let her jump in later.

[4] Avoid telling her about the cures you’ve heard for her illness, the juice products you may sell that could help her, or about your mother’s cousin’s sister who has the same illness but still manages to raise five children and work full-time. Don’t comment that the diet she is on is harmful, that the medications are just a bunch of poison or say, “don’t you realize those doctors are just out to make money off of you?” She’s heard it all and if you can be her safe haven from that it will result in a deeper friendship.

[5] Be aware of simple things that may be difficult for her. For example, if you go to the beach, ask her if she would like to be dropped off while you find a parking spot; she may not be able to sit on the ground so bring a few lawn chairs so she isn’t the only one two feet above the rest of your friends. She will likely be limited in her sun-exposure. She may not be able to carry as many picnic items as you can from the car. While you don’t want to make her feel helpless, nor does she want you to make a big deal out of it, just be aware that she may need some extra considerations.

[6] Don’t assume that she can take care of your children, even for five minutes, unless she volunteers. Child-caring is exhausting and caring for her own may be zapping her of the little strength she has left. If your kids are prone to run out into the street, realize that she may not physically be able to chase them. Instead, offer to run around with her kids for a few minutes and ask her to snap some photos.

[7] Plan activities that she can participate in. While you may love your stroller exercise groups and mommy-and-me gym classes, these may not be options for her. Ask her what kinds of things she likes to do and then join her. For example, volunteer to bring an art project to her house that the kids can do outside or just go the movies. Keep the activities under three hours; while you may spend six hours at the zoo, affirm that you completely understand she needs to get home. Don’t say, “a little more exercise may do you some good!”

[8] Lastly, tell her what every mom longs to hear: “I don’t know how you do it. I really admire your perseverance and strength. ” Your encouragement may make the difference in her entire outlook on her abilities and doubts as an effective mom. And remember, Proverbs 11:25 says, “. . . he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. ” Women with chronic illnesses don’t have times for all the social circles they once did, but they desperately long to connect with others who try to understand their daily challenges. Through her illness she has likely gained deep insight and wisdom; her friendship may grow into one that blesses you for years.

Reduce Stomach Gas The Natural Way

Are there natural ways to reduce the gas you pass? Try preventive measures first. Learn how to move gas through your intestines more readily.

Pyramid Diet

While there are several reasons you may find yourself to be gassy, there are many solutions for reducing belching, flatulence, abdominal bloating and pain. Excess gas commonly is associated with irritable bowel syndrome. Other serious gastrointestinal disorders usually produce other symptoms besides just being “gassy. ”
Doctors usually recommend a plan to help move gas through the intestines more readily, combined with preventive measures, such as eliminating certain foods from your diet and avoiding chewing gum. Although many products on store shelves promise to help, their success is not guaranteed and often depends on the individual. There are also prescription medicines and some alternative therapies.
Keeping a diary of the foods and beverages you consume can help you systematically eliminate one food or group of foods at a time to determine which may be most responsible for your symptoms. One of the first questions at the top of the list would be ‘Could this be related to dairy products?’. If it is, the first step should be to eliminate these products from your diet for about seven days. If you feel better, then try to add dairy products back to your diet in smaller amounts to see if you can tolerate them.
There are some recommended home remedies and lifestyle changes. Chew more slowly and thoroughly because gas can be a sign of undigested food, the enzymes in saliva begin the first stage of breaking down food in the body’s absorption process. Avoid foods you know cause indigestion. Common food sources of gas include Brussels sprouts, bran, beans, milk products, cabbage, artificial sweeteners, carbonated beverages and alcohol. Take a short walk after you eat to prevent gas accumulation.
Maintaining a regular exercise schedule in the form of walking, jogging and calisthenics will help stimulate the passage of gas through the digestive tract. Perform chest-to-knee stretches. Lying on your back, bring your right knee to your chest. Hold for 10 seconds and, then repeat with the other knee.
If those remedies don’t provide relief, your doctor may recommend that you take an over-the-counter antacid, activated charcoal, or a lactase or bismuth product.
Antacids contain aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide (known as Milk of Magnesia), calcium carbonate, or other ingredients individually or in various combinations. Antacids help to control the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease, a condition in which the stomach’s juices (acid and digestive enzymes) flow backward, or reflux, into the esophagus.
Tablets of activated charcoal may provide relief from gas in the colon. Studies have shown that when taken before and after a meal, lower-intestinal gas is reduced.
However, activated charcoal can cause black stools and constipation. While these are harmless side effects, black stools can be confusing to a physician, because color changes in stool can be a sign of a serious illness. Evidence concerning the benefit of activated charcoal is contradictory. Its effect in alleviating symptoms of intestinal gas has been supported by some studies yet refuted by others. As a result, physicians may recommend that patients consider trying activated charcoal to see whether its use results in some symptom relief. The usual dose is two to four tablets taken just before eating and one hour after meals.
Gas is often a symptom of lactose intolerance, which makes digesting dairy products difficult. It occurs when the body has too little of the enzyme lactase in the small intestine to break down lactose, the main sugar in milk and milk-based products. Although lactose intolerance can happen at any age, it tends to affect most people as they grow older. Lactase comes in liquid or tablet form. Adding a few drops to milk before drinking or chewing lactase tablets just before eating helps people who have difficulty breaking down lactose.
Bismut has salts to relieve inflammatory conditions of the stomach and intestines and can sometimes relieve gas. It also reduces the odor of unpleasant smelling gas caused by hydrogen sulfide, a sulfur-containing compound. Like activated charcoal, bismuth may result in black stools. Take before or after meals, on either an empty or full stomach.
In summary, stomach and intestinal gas is normal. Excess gas can be distressing, but rarely is it caused by a serious medical disorder. If your symptoms cannot be easily controlled or you have additional problems such as abdominal pain, change in bowel habits, or rectal bleeding, you need to contact your doctor’s office.

What Every Woman Needs to Know to Stay Healthy

There are hundreds and thousands of articles, books, media sources and materials available in the world that tell us how to stay healthy. How many of us have time to research, read and scour this multitude of information? Further, how do we trust all the information available out there?

Fresh Vegetable

This article has done all the work for you. Of course, not every tip or piece of worldly advice can be put on these few pages but the most important information is here. Keep a copy and hand this out to all the women you know, it is for every female person ages 1-100.

From ages 1-10

Staying healthy and starting healthy habits begins the minute we are born. What can we do for those at these young and tender ages? Mothers can begin by breast-feeding. They can introduce healthy items at meal times when babies are ready for solid food. Required immunizations need to be kept up to date. From birth through young childhood, the intake of a chewable tablet vitamin supplement must become part of their daily routine. Be sure to watch what ingredients are in those children’s multi vitamins you purchase. Your pediatrician or family physician can advise you of the proper vitamin supplement needed for your child’s specific body type and physical condition. Starting with healthy eating and lifestyle habits in young childhood sets the stage for your child’s good health into middle childhood and the adolescent years.

Ages 11-20

Good health is critical for young women. It’s important to remember a few key things about this age group. The young girl/woman will be experiencing a growth spurt, which may be accompanied by what is known as “growing pains”. Healthy habits will assure her full attention span and enough energy to participate in school activities and classroom learning. Her body is also preparing for the beginning of menstruation. Puberty begins and the brain starts its process of sending messages to the hormonal system and the reproductive organs begin to develop. Good nutrition along with a vitamin supplement will also ready her body for excellent reproductive health and potential child bearing. Most importantly, by the age of 20 if she has developed these few health habits, the young woman is likely to carry those into her adult years.

Ages 20-39

If a female person is developmentally on course and is dedicated to maintaining optimum health, she should remain healthy into her later years. These years of 20-39 are when women become busy with careers and/or having children or starting a family. Many experts agree that this is also a time when women will postpone or neglect their own health in order to provide care for others. Remember, you are not going to be able to provide much help, care or assistance for others if you yourself are ill, exhausted or nutritionally deficient. Let’s discuss how women can avoid this trap and insure their own good health.

? Eat healthy foods. Avoiding unhealthy fats and consuming raw fruits and vegetables go a long way in staying nutritionally stable.
? Watch your dieting habits. While there are many diet plans out there, the simplest is almost always more effective. Watching portion size and the ingredients (fat, calories and sugar) in foods will often net the best weight loss results. It’s wise to note that losing or maintaining your desired weight means one thing, there needs to be more calories burned than what has been consumed. This can be accomplished with:
? Exercise. Whether you are a regular attendee at the local gym or you workout at home, there are certain types of exercise that will benefit you the most. One exercise routine must raise your heart rate (cardiovascular health). Another should include free-weights or weight lifting in some form (bone health and strengthening). Additionally, walking, dancing and swimming can tone the body. Weight loss in pounds alone will make you happy when you step on the scales but most women want that loose skin (abdomen, underarms, and thighs) to tighten up as well. If you just can’t find the time to exercise, try these activities:
? Park in the last open parking space far away from the storefront and walk.
? At home, grab some large juice bottles that have the indented areas for carrying or milk jugs and do some curls.
? Take the stairs instead of elevators in public places
? Take a stroll through your neighborhood every night after dinner
? Visit your gynecologist every year for a PAP test (more often if your doctor suggests or your last one came back with an abnormal result). PAP tests are essential towards maintaining a healthy reproductive system. They are used to detect cervical cancer and infections among other things.
? Perform your own self-breast exams.
? Make an appointment at age 39 for your first mammogram.
? Take regular multi vitamins every day. Add other supplements including calcium, Fish Oil and Vitamin C. Do some research on the types and amounts of vitamins and/or supplements you could be taking. I found vitanetonline. com to be very helpful for this kind of information. Also, it has been found that women in these childbearing years are lacking in the amount of folic acid they need. Insufficient amounts of folic acid have been linked to birth defects of the brain in newborns. These birth defects can be avoided if a woman takes sufficient amounts of folic acid before she conceives and during the early, first trimester of pregnancy.
? Not least of all, are these tips to good health that most informational sources rarely mention.
? Find a spiritual path or connection. These are highly personal so I won’t offer any suggestions. Women have chosen a religion, nature, prayer, rituals, a quiet room and many others to find that place within self where they can be at peace.
? Keep your mental health a priority. Talk to a professional therapist if you need some guidance or direction.
? Avoid unhealthy relationships. If you are being abused in any manner by anyone, seek help

While all these “tips” for the age 20-39 group will keep a woman in optimum health, most of these need to be implemented and continued into the later years as well.

Ages 40-100

These are the years that many women claim that they become wiser. Some even claim that it is the best time of life they ever experienced. The tips for the 20-39 age groups hold true for women beyond 40; some exceptions would include the advice on folic acid intake, the amount of weight carried in the free-weight exercise routines, the limitations of exercise that may create falls, accidents or injuries and the PAP tests. Regular PAP test examinations usually ceases around 80 years of age but ask your doctor first.

From ages 40-50 a woman can expect pre-menopausal symptoms. Again, the changes that occur in any woman’s life can never be set at a certain age. There are women that may never have any disrupting symptoms of menopause. Other women may begin menopause at age 40 others might be near 50. Some women may become post-menopausal at age 45 and others at age 52-55. No matter what the age of onset or completion, menopause happens. Be sure to talk to your doctor about remedies for the symptoms of menopause. There are hormone replacement therapies (HRT) as well as some natural supplements to ease menopause. Taking soy isoflavones, in capsule form, have recently been regarded by some women as helpful in decreasing their hot flashes.

While awareness of the importance of calcium and its consumption should be well established by age 15, many older women still don’t find it a concern. Osteoporosis (bone weakness) can begin to occur as early as age 35. By the time you get into this age group of 40+ and you haven’t been caring for your calcium needs, you might expect by age 60 to see the results in your body. We have all seen the women with humps below their neck at the spine. We have seen the stooped walks and heard of women in this age group having falls that break their hips and other bone structures. This is a result of weak bones. There are also hereditary factors that play into whether or not we get osteoporosis. Take your calcium ladies.

In summation:

? Keep exercising but know your limitations
? Continue getting mammograms
? Keep eating healthy. If you like gardening, that’s light exercise and you can eat healthy too.
? Stay socially active

Women are living longer. We are living longer because the importance of diet, exercise, vitamin and supplement intakes and other information has become easily available. But living longer is not necessarily a good thing if the QUALITY of our lives is not taken into account. If you follow these tips and commit yourself to making healthy lifestyle choices then all your years can be filled with happiness, peace and good health.

An Ultimate Guide for Easy Weight Loss

An ultimate guide for easy weight loss
Today, the weight loss industry has come up with a variety of products and programs that bear the promise of losing weight easily.

Detox Body

These weight loss products include pills, food supplements, dietary supplementswhich can be organic or naturaland weight loss programs. Since the products lead to various physiological effects, more and more cases of side effects and death have been reported upon the use of these medicines or weight loss aids. These cases of side effects and death made experts in the world of nutrition to encourage obese people who would want to lose weight in an easy, safe, and effective way.
LOSING WEIGHT THE EASY WAY
Although dieting is one of the most popular means of losing weight, more and more nutritionists say that this method is not the easiest and safest way to lose weight. Too much dieting is discouraged because it alters the balance of a person’s body. To avoid further illness due to reckless dieting, try some of these ways to easily lose weight in a healthy way.
1. Know your calorie issues and learn how to deal with it. The first way to lose weight easily and safely is to find out how many calories your body really needs. One simple step to do this is by calculating your body’s BMR or basal metabolic rate and your body weight.
2. Go for naturals like fruits and vegetables. Four to five servings of fruits and vegetables daily can make you feel full because it fills up your stomach fast. Aside from being low in calories, fruits and vegetables are packed with beneficial fibers, vitamins, and antioxidants that can help balance your body’s metabolism.
3. Keep an eye on food servings. Watching out for the portion or serving size of the food you eat will help you develop a healthy eating routine.
4. Eat properly. If you want to lose weight easily, don’t skip meals. Skipping meals will only make you crave for larger food servings. To avoid being hungry, try to eat small sizes frequently to balance your body’s calorie intake. Instead of eating three big meals, opt for four to seven small meals daily.
5. Go for water therapy. Drinking at least 8 glasses of water daily and veer away from sugary drinks such as juices, shakes, and creams. Aside from keeping you away from sugar and added calories, drinking water will also hydrate your body and make you feel more full.
6. Opt for freshly-packed or prepared foods. When buying groceries and food stocks, make sure you buy fresh foods and avoid processed foods usually brought in convenient stores because these are high in sodium and fat content.
7. Indulge and give in. If you are craving for a specific food or dish, indulge. Being not overly-restrictive with food or favorite treats can be awarding experience. By giving into these cravings you can totally avoid eating foods that are high in calories and fats.
8. Take time off to read and understand various food claims in their labels. Since all products are into marketing and advertising campaigns, being meticulous about the calorie and fat contents of a product will help you avoid eating foods that can add up to your weight.
9. Record your eating habits and patterns by keeping a food journal. Updating and monitoring your food and eating patterns will help you track down the reasons behind your weight gain. Asking for professional help from a registered dietitian will make the monitoring more valid.
10. Engage yourself in daily activities such as exercise. Walking is the easiest form of exercise and is recommended by most authorities to help you lose weight while keeping your body fit and healthy. Other exercises and workouts that last 30 to 60 minutes will also help you burn unwanted fats and calories.

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