Some Great Health Notes For Men

Posted May 1, 2013 By admin and has no comments yet.

Being a man is a lot less easy than many ladies like to think. We all want to stay healthy, but are we doing everything we can to ensure we do so? Here are some things to consider:

POTENCY

At 46, an age when many men are already troubled by a flagging sex drive or occasional impotence, Dr. Goldstein says he has never encountered any significant problems and is, in fact, enjoying sex more now than he did in his 20s.

“The few bouts of impotence that I’ve experienced have been related to alcohol use,” he says. “It’s a really bad drug to have on board. If I go to a party and see some guys loading down the drinks, I know their evening afterward will be very predictable.”

Dr. Goldstein attributes his sexual health to the following five pillars of potency, tenets that he preaches in his lectures and practices in his private life. 1. I keep my endothelial cells healthy. These cells form the internal lining of all the blood vessels in your body. It’s believed that any injury to them can lead to plaque deposits that cause the narrowing of arteries and heart disease. Unrestricted blood flow is vital not only to cardiovascular health but also to sexual health. Blood makes your penis firm and delivers a fresh supply of nourishing oxygen. Without it, you’d resemble an overripe grape withering on the vine.

Dr. Goldstein scrubs his endothelials by eating a low-fat, high-fiber diet and exercising regularly (situps, stair-climbing, walking). “It’s all pretty straightforward stuff that most physicians will tell you about living your life,” he says. “But a unique way to look at it is that you’re only as healthy as these endothelial cells, and you’ll age only as quickly as they do.” 2. I never ride a bicycle. Dr. Goldstein doesn’t trust bikes because their scats force you to support much of your weight on the soft tissue between your pelvic bones. Since this nether region contains nerves and arteries that feed the penis, any pressure that’s exerted for long periods can have serious consequences. One of Dr. Goldstein’s patients, for example, became impotent from regularly riding a stationary bike. Horseback riding or straddling any narrow seat can do similar damage. “I never sit on anything where my legs are spread and my body weight is on my crotch,” he states. 3. I’m careful during coitus. “During sexual intercourse, I’m very careful not to bend, twist, spindle or mutilate,” says Dr. Goldstein. “Penises in the erect state are very vulnerable to injury. They’re not designed to bear the weight of a 120-pound female on top of you. I had a patient once who was having intercourse with a woman who was expecting an important phone call. When the phone rang, she changed the orientation of her pelvis while he was still inside her and fractured his penis.

“When my wife is in the superior position,” he adds, “we’re both communicating and I’m holding on so she doesn’t get too out of control. To further protect yourself, never have sex when you’re drunk or mind-impaired or, like I tell my friends, with anyone who’s crazier than you are.” 4. I have erections often. “In the flaccid state, the penis receives less than 0.1 percent of the blood circulating through the body,” says Dr. Goldstein. “That’s lower than virtually every other organ. Its oxygen level is also very low, 35 millimeters of mercury compared to 55 to 60 in most organs. The only time the penis gets a lot of blood and oxygen is during erections. Hence the saying, `Use it or lose it.’ Erections recharge your batteries.”

You can accomplish this with frequent sex and masturbation or, if you’re not as blessed or don’t want to regress, a simple good night’s sleep. “You typically have 1 1/2 to 3 hours of penile erection during a normal, healthy night’s sleep,” he explains. He warns, however, that some antidepressants and certain sleeping pills can diminish the deep phases of sleep, when this natural rejuvenation occurs. 5. I know to treat any erection problem quickly. Don’t handle erectile dysfunction as you would a head cold, waiting patiently for it to clear. “It’s far smarter to get treatment earlier rather than later,” says Dr. Goldstein. “If your penis isn’t getting the oxygen it needs, mild impotence can easily become serious impotence, and then many of the newer, noninvasive therapies won’t be useful.”

WEIGHT CONTROL

Dr. Blackburn is one of America’s premier nutrition and weight-loss experts, but he also knows first-hand how food cravings can run amok. He has battled obesity for much of his life and, at age 60, appears to have finally gained the upper hand. He’s 20 pounds lighter than he was a decade ago, and proudly notes that his risk factors are low for every major disease. But just as an alcoholic is never cured, he must be forever vigilant. Here’s how he patrols his perimeter.

* I weigh myself daily.” The biggest health risk for adults is weight gain,” says Dr. Blackburn, “so I monitor mine daily. When I step on the scale each morning, I compare what I’m seeing today to yesterday, this week to last week, this month to last month, this year to last year. When I see an increase, I immediately know to go into portion control and increase my physical activity. I cannot sense a 3- to 5-pound weight gain without a scale.”

* I eat quarter-portions of fatty foods. “To enjoy the pleasure of the taste, and avoid making myself feel like a martyr for denying my craving, I’ll eat a tiny portion,” he explains. “You simply take the food that’s associated with gaining weight and allow yourself a fourth of a serving.” If you eat it slowly, you’ll be satisfied, and you won’t inflict as much caloric damage.

* I eat one sensible meal a day. “For people like me, it’s often very difficult to stop eating once you’ve had a sensible portion,” admits Dr. Blackburn, “so I expose myself to that risk only once a day whenever there is time to enjoy.” His main, sit-down meal usually consists of two or three vegetables, plus a 2- to 3-ounce portion of fish or fowl, for a total of 500 to 700 calories. Overall, he adheres to a plant-based diet that’s low in fat and high in fiber. He also exercises regularly.

* I keep healthful meal-replacement items and snacks on hand. “To keep myself from getting stark-raving hungry, I eat a healthful breakfast that includes high-fiber whole-grain cereal and low-fat milk. I’ll have one or two Slim Fast shakes during the day,” he explains. “Or I’ll heat up a Healthy Choice entree and add a piece of fruit for lunch.” This keeps the edge off his appetite.

HEART HEALTH

The Framingham Heart Study is the longest continuous investigation of heart disease ever conducted. Begun in 1948, it has provided new insight into the workings of the most mysterious muscle in our body and has contributed to the declining incidence of heart disease in America. Dr. Castelli, a cardiologist and epidemiologist who has been involved with the project since the mid-1960s, has learned its lessons and taken them to heart.

“One day, years ago, when we were going over the reports, I noticed that the average cholesterol count of the men in the study who had suffered heart attacks was around 240,” he recalls. “My cholesterol at the time was about 270. [In those days, 300 + was considered the danger zone.] So I suddenly said to myself, if these guys are dropping dead and they all had cholesterol lower than mine, then what makes me think my cholesterol count is so good?”

Compounding this fear was Dr. Castelli’s family history. Then in his mid-30s, he knew his family had a “terrible history of heart disease,” plus he was already wearing a spare tire around his middle. So he decided to make an experiment of himself and has continued with this plan.

* I eat more fiber. “I start every day with a big bowl of rolled oats,” he explains, “to which I add an equal amount of applesauce or nonfat yogurt. It gives me a great dose of soluble fiber, which has been shown in about 37 studies to lower cholesterol and heart-attack rates.”

* I reduce saturated-fat intake to less than 10 grams per day. “I cut out butter, fatty beef, hot dogs and high-saturated-fat cheeses,” he says. But he didn’t totally eliminate the foods he loves. Rather, he searched for more healthful alternatives. For example, he found a Vermont cheddar that has 75 percent less saturated fat, 98 percent fat-free filet mignons from a ranch in South Dakota and, of late, low-fat hot dogs (see Malegrams for our recommendations).

* I eat fish often. “I eat grilled fish about five times a week,” says Dr. Castelli. The omega-3 fatty acids that it contains have been shown to prevent arteriosclerosis. “We give fish oil to all our patients who have extremely high triglycerides.”

* I eat lots of fruits and vegetables. “I eat at least five servings a day,” he says. “Most of these come at lunch when I eat an extremely large salad. Two vegetables and a smaller salad with dinner round out the day. I snack on fruit.”

* I drink alcohol moderately. Whether it’s wine, beer or whiskey, Dr. Castelli points out, having one alcoholic drink per day (no more) lowers heart-disease risk and even the threat of death from cancer. If you can’t tolerate alcohol, however, don’t start drinking, he advises. You don’t want to replace one risk with another. “I love red wine,” he adds. “I generally buy a nice bottle and make it last one week.”

* I take supplements. “I take 400 I.U. of vitamin E, 200 micrograms of selenium and 200 micrograms of chromium every day because there are good clinical trials showing their effectiveness in fighting heart disease,” he says. “I also take folic acid and 81 milligrams of enteric-coated aspirin daily.”

* I exercise to raise “good” cholesterol. “I jog about 15 miles a week, usually three 5-mile runs,” explains Dr. Castelli. “Each one of the runs usually takes about an hour. I’ve been doing this since the late ’70s, and my ratio of total cholesterol to HDL [the good kind) has improved dramatically.”

* I control stress. “The best way I’ve found is to pray, and never ask yourself how you’re doing. You’ll never be young, pretty, handsome, popular or rich enough, so don’t try.”

So what has been the result of all these changes? “Now my cholesterol is under 200,” he boasts, “and at age 65 I’ve outdistanced both my brother and my father by more than 25 years in staying free of cardiovascular disease. I’m convinced it’s because I’ve led a prudent lifestyle.”

Categories: Health, Prevention
Tags: , ,

Signs Of A Panic Attack

Posted April 22, 2013 By admin and has no comments yet.

When one has a panic attack, there are other symptoms and side effects that end up getting the best of the victim. Some of the side effects include increase in heart beat, being short of breath, sweating, trembling, a tingling sensation around the lips, light headedness, chest pains as well as a feeling of being detached from your own self. In order to stop panic attacks, most people tend to treat these side effects and symptoms thus getting the whole idea of how to stop panic attacks. When you have a panic attack you have all the reasons to believe that you are sick due to such symptoms and that is why very many people rush to hospitals to claim that they are unwell other than working on how to stop panic attacks.

Panic attacks are harmless and there is no need to worry of them. If the right steps are taken to stop panic attacks then your life gets back to normal .All that happens is that the person who has had a panic attack thinks that there was something out to harm him or her physically of which it is not a reality. These are some of the basic facts on how to deal with as well as how to stop panic attacks.

If You Are In A Panic Attack

images-13Every person is unique. Every person has his own set of beliefs and values. That is why you do not have a right to judge a person if he perceives that he cannot handle this situation and you think you can. Both of you are two different beings. So whenever you encounter someone with severe anxiety, do not add insult to injury by criticizing him. If you do this, it may worsen his current state and you will be the one having a problem on how to stop panic attacks.

There is not actually an exact explanation as to why these happen but if you have experienced it in the past, then you already have an idea of the triggering factor. By knowing so, you can already help prevent or even stop panic attacks from recurring. Whether or not you have experienced an attack, it is best that you are aware of the necessary things that you need to do in order to stop panic attacks. By then you might probably lose control of yourself or you might not be able to think clearly but always put in your head these simple things: relax, breathe, and focus. Relax your thoughts, breathe in and breathe out, and focus on eliminating the triggering factor in your mind.

Learning To Stop Panic Attacks While Driving

A number of the drivers experience a condition known as driving phobia. This especially manifests on freeways with a bunch of excuses for not driving. Driving case phobias are known to follow a traumatic event and will cause the heart of the driver to race very first and the hands to go clammy. This however does not relate to the experience one has in the field of driving. The same feeling can be occurring during relationship break-up, work stress or even at cases of bereavement. The older people are also associated with the panic attacks. They start showing through mere avoidance. This is where the person tries to bring about excuses as to why he/she cannot drive. The consequences of such behavior can majorly be on the sociability of the person. Once the features start showing in you or your relative, then it is time to stop panic attacks with some help from http://howtopreventpanicattacks.org/, which tends to offer a lot of valuable information about the subject.

During driving, in case the fear arises, just feel it and do it anyway. Everyone will find him/herself fearing about a situation in life but the difference sets in on the degree of fear. Facing the fear often brings about the feelings of elation. However, you should not face all the fears at once. You need to take small steps and avoid rushing. Congratulate yourself on every successful step you achieve. Lastly, you can stop panic attacks by sharing your experiences with friends, using your imagination and making the whole phenomena pleasurable.

Categories: Prevention

Natural Method To Stop Panic Attacks

Posted February 28, 2013 By admin and has no comments yet.

images12The masses are trying to figure out on the various ways to stop panic attacks without necessarily resorting to medication. Physicians will play their role of prescribing for you drugs like the tranquilizers, beta-blockers and also the antidepressants. However, as much as they may be considered as the solution, they tend to have quite serious side effects to the user. This has increased the number of people not ready and willing to use them as the first hand solution. Thus, they are pondering on the natural ways of curbing down the problem. Such natural means of preventing the attacks do exist but it is important for the victims to understand all the home truths pertaining to the panic attacks. Below are the four major fundamentals of going about the whole process.

Regard the panic attack as an isolated one. Keep in mind that there is no any medical reason that you should keep on suffering or experiencing them. Any further panic attacks come because of the fear you have of experiencing another one. It is important you get rid of the fears and you will sure stop panic attacks. Keep in mind that there is no known case of any person who died due to the attacks. Regardless of the feelings of doom you may experience, just remember that you are not going to die. Finally, you should try embracing the fear and meeting it head-on but not running away from it or even blocking it.

Understanding Causes Of In A Bid To Stop Panic Attacks

Panic attacks can really stop a person from living his life to the fullest. The anxiety usually causes one to have a very painful experience that is occasioned by shortness of breath. When you understand the causes of this condition, you will be better placed to confront and stop panic attacks from stealing control over your life. One factor that triggers it is going through a particularly stressful transition in life. Things like loss of a loved one, marriage and divorce can be instrumental in causing it. When one perceives that she is going to have to confront a responsibility that she is not sure of handling, a panic attack can result. This shows why there are cases of new mothers who suffer from it as do students who are about to face a major exam. There also are diseases that will predispose you to this condition mainly because of the physical and psychological strain it has on you.

However, to effectively stop panic attacks, you have to get a proper diagnosis from a doctor. The symptoms it has will usually be similar to those of other ailments and an expert needs to clearly state the problem troubling you. Instances like withdrawal from certain medications as well as hypoglycemia should not be confused for panic attacks.

Consequences Of Panic Attacks

images-11People who have no panic attacks might not understand the serious problem of having panic attacks. It is not easy. There are actually horrible consequences of panic attacks if they are not put to stop. Some of these are severe anxiety that can lead to not be able to breathe normally and other consequences like landing in the emergency room. That is why to stop panic attacks should be done. Now, to stop these consequences that can lead to a health problem, you should know simple and easy ways to follow to stop panic attacks. These are very easy but perhaps, difficult to do. Yet, you have to do all that you can so can follow them. As perhaps already discussed by some experts, the ways to stop these are to ‘act normally’, ‘stay in place’, ‘breathe some fresh air’, ‘think positively’ and ‘be the boss of the panic attack’.

To summarize these to stop panic attacks from coming back, you have to sit, relax, think of other things and be strong. You can become the boss of your own problem. There is no problem that cannot be solved. Besides, you have all those people around who love you and would always be there for you if you need a helping hand. Eventually, you would learn some lessons that can help you fight against panic attacks. You would learn that the consequences are unnecessary for you to go through. After all, they are generically a psychological stress. Therefore, there is a cure to this problem, which is basically a psychological solution.

Categories: Uncategorized

Signs Your Nutrition Needs To Get Better

Posted October 23, 2012 By admin and has no comments yet.

Are you getting the right nutrients and the right amount of calories in your diet? This is a question we all must consider at some point in our life. Why let things get to crisis, after all.

Here are some good signs may not be getting the right nutrients…

* Your skin is a wasteland. Itchy, dry, reptilian, scaly skin — not just in the winter, but year-round — may signal a vitamin A deficiency.  Solution: Every time you go to the supermarket, make sure your basket contains at least two orange/yellow and two dark green fruits or vegetables. Spinach, broccoli, apricots, cantaloupes, carrots, and sweet potatoes all have enough vitamin A to keep you from looking like a lizard and scratching like a dog. (Don’t supplement. Too much vitamin A in pill form can be harmful.)

* Your hair has lost its shine. In extreme cases, your coif can lose its luster because of significant protein or iron deficiencies, especially if you’re vegetarian or go on a fad diet. Solution: First of all, don’t diet — you’ll only gain the weight back anyway. Eat a good mix of foods, concentrate on eating more fiber, and incorporate some exercise to lose weight wisely. If you’re a vegetarian, make sure you cat a mix of vegetables, grains and beans so you take in the balanced protein you’d normally get from meats. And throw in some cauliflower, nuts, lentils and soybeans. All are good sources of biotin, a nutrient necessary for healthy nails. The biotin bonus: Patients who take biotin for nail problems often note an improvement in the texture of their hair.

* Your colon could be indicted for obstruction of justice. In addition to excess weight and high cholesterol, constipation is one of the most common signs of a bad diet, says Robert Wildman, Ph.D., professor of human nutrition at the University of Delaware in Newark. If you make it halfway through a John Grisham novel before seeing any results in the bathroom, it’s a sign you should add some fiber to your diet. Solution: You need 25 grams of fiber every day, but Wildman says most men take in only half that amount from their usual meals. To make up the difference, eat a bowl of bran flakes every morning, for an extra 5 or so grams of fiber. Mix in a handful of raisins and you’ll add another 4 grams. Munch on a couple of apples or a handful of carrot sticks every afternoon, and that should give you enough fiber to start you moving again. One warning: As you increase your fiber, make sure you increase your fluid intake as well.

* You’re a gas giant. “By now a lot of men have heeded the message that they need to eat more fiber. But if you eat too much of it, or you adopt a high-fiber diet too quickly, you’ll have another problem,” says Ayoob. Your body will produce a lot more, um, exhaust than it would processing more digestible foods. Solution: Increase your fiber intake gradually. If you’re eating only 10 grams of fiber per day, don’t increase to 25 grams the next day. Add 5 extra grams, then after a week or so add another 5 grams.

If you’re getting a lot of gas from too many beans and legumes, buy yourself a bottle of Beano (available in any grocery store or pharmacy), a product that helps break down the sugars that cause gas. Sprinkle a few drops on the offending food before you eat it, and you’re all set.

* Your joints creak. You don’t have the flu, and that old football injury affects only your knee. So why are an of your joints aching? Don’t blame arthritis, blame a lack of fish in your food. Wildman says the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish like salmon and tuna can help joints move more smoothly, while increasing blood flow and reducing inflammation and pain around joints. Solution: Twice a week for dinner, replace your beef or poultry entree with a thick salmon or tuna steak.

* Your sperm tank is on “empty.” If you’re trying to have kids and are plagued by low sperm levels, it could be because you’re also low in that all-purpose nutrient, vitamin C. Sure, it takes top billing as a booster of your body’s immune functions, but studies have shown that vitamin C may also help maintain a healthy sperm count. Solution. Earl Dawson, Ph.D., a fertility expert at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, tells men to drink a quart of orange juice every day and to take vitamin C supplements. Dawson says the vitamin appears to protect sperm from all sorts of damage and harm.

* Your heart has lost its rhythm. With a muscle that beats 100,000 times a day, you can’t always expect it to keep perfect rhythm. But if you feel your heart suddenly racing or fluttering for no good reason, take note. If it’s accompanied by any pain or dizziness, go see your doctor right now. But if your doctor says nothing’s wrong and your ticker just keeps racing or changing its pace at random, you may be suffering from a shortage of magnesium or potassium in your diet. Solution: For more potassium, drink a couple of glasses of orange juice during the day or with your meals. At breakfast, slice a banana into your cereal. And if it isn’t a regular part of your meal plan already, have a baked potato with dinner (easy on the sour cream, please). To take in more magnesium, snack on a handful of cashews, pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds. And when you eat that potato, have some spinach, too — it’s another potent source of this heart-helping mineral.

* Your gums ache like hell. If canker sores are a constant presence, your mouth may be screaming for more acidophilus. Wildman says this beneficial bacterium can help regulate the natural flora in your mouth that can otherwise run amok and cause sores and gum problems. Solution: Eat a cup of yogurt as a mid-morning snack every day. And we don’t mean the frozen TCBY kind. “Look for yogurts that contain live active cultures,” says Wildman.

* Your bones break. If you’ve broken more than a couple of bones during your adult life, it’s possible you’re just a clumsy dolt. But it could also be that your bones are weak because you don’t take in enough vitamin D and calcium, the body’s chief bone-builders. “It’s a mistake to think only women need calcium as they age. Men need it too, especially because they eat larger portions of meat, which is high in phosphorus. A high intake of phosphorus increases the body’s need for calcium.”  Solution: At breakfast, drink a tall glass of calcium-fortified orange juice. At lunch, add a slice of low-fat cheese to your sandwich. Eat a cup of yogurt as a daily snack. And when you sneak downstairs in the middle of the night to snarf those cookies, pour yourself a glass of low-fat or skim milk to go with them.

* You forget why you started reading this article. Just remember this: You’re not taking in enough B vitamins. In a study at the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center in Boston, researchers found that men with the highest levels of vitamins [B.sub.6], [B.sub.12] and the B vitamin folate in their blood also scored highest on tests of their mental abilities. Wildman says these nutrients help the brain operate at peak levels, while controlling homocysteine, an amino acid in your body that can hamper blood flow to the brain. Solution: Think B for beans, since they’re your healthiest source of [B.sub.6] and folate. Kidney. Pinto. Lima. Navy. Lentils. Chickpeas. Add them as a side dish to every dinner. Toss them in stews and casseroles. And don’t worry too much about getting enough [B.sub.12] — it’s abundant in most meats and seafood.

Categories: Prevention
Tags: , ,

Settling For the Cheap Cures to Stop Snoring

Posted October 3, 2012 By admin and has no comments yet.

Most of the treatments for how to stop snoring are so advanced that it is a pity that a lot of people still suffer from the disorder. Scientific procedures like turbinate coblation, pharmacological treatment, pillar procedure, and surgery prove that there are volumes of research that has been done to address the ailment. However, a majority of the people who have snoring problems refuse to acknowledge that it is a serious health disorder. These people are the ones who need more help. They must accept that the only way to get rid of their problem is to be willing to undergo treatment.

If the cost of these remedies for how to stop snoring is a main consideration; one should understand that medical procedures are costly. It all boils down to how serious the disorder has become. On the other hand, people on a tight budget are more resourceful when looking for ways to stop snoring. There are times when persistent individuals are able to discover natural methods and other unconventional means that science has not considered yet. The important thing is that sufferers must never give up on their condition. Even if they never snored before, they may be doomed to have this disorder for the rest of their lives.

Don’t let snoring damage your relationship. Even the most patient individual will draw the line when it comes to sleep deprivation. Did you know that problems and misunderstandings are just two of the many problems that couples encounter when one of them is snoring? The good news is that there are solutions on to enable you to cease snoring. One good way to learn how to stop snoring is to lose weight.

Though every person snores, some do it softly and in almost non-noticeable ways while others do it with a disturbing loudness that causes their partners to lose much-deserved sleep. The uvula and soft palate are the body parts that generally cause snoring. The disturbing type of snoring occurs more for individuals with weight problems because the excess fats and tissues around the neck affects the normal function of the uvula and soft palate. The excess fat and tissue impedes the normal passage of the air in the area especially during sleep, thus causing loud snoring. By losing excess weight you can practically cure the disturbing snoring problem. Weight gain is a condition that can be amended by self-discipline. Be properly motivated by knowing that losing weight is healthy for you. So for a better relationship with your partner, don’t allow problems such as snoring affect you.

Snoring Devices for Controlling Snoring

Even though he market has been flooded with tons of snoring devices that claim to be effective in controlling this condition, caution should always be taken if one wants to get the true value of one of these devices. AcuRest has been proved from time to time to be effective in being up to the task of countering this condition. This device has been found to be effective in addressing all the underlying issues related to snoring without any shortcomings.

Breathe Right Nasal strips are also another effectual snoring device especially for persistent snoring people. This one of a kind device is usually inserted under the nose to aid in smooth breathing through the nose. By breathing better throughout the night, snoring is essentially stopped and one is usually assured of better sleep.

A snoring mouthpiece is another snoring device that is usually slipped into the mouth and mainly works by pushing the lower jaw forward thereby shielding one from snoring. According to reviews and ratings, many users do agree that this device actually works and is not a waste of one’s money and time. Because mouthpieces are small, they are highly portable and thus easy to carry anywhere one is traveling.

Snoring has never been interesting to anyone at any given time. It is such a bothersome issue that can cause a harsh situation for relationships. Therefore, it is advisable to get the best means to do away with it. It has been proven that Hivox Stop is among the greatest snoring devices that can be used for this sort of issue. Snoring is definitely harmful to our health because it can cause some accidents for those who get drowsy while driving; it can also cause strokes, blood pressure, and also some heart disease.

Hivox goes for around $30 and to be complete, it is bought along with a snore pin that costs around $10. With the addition of the snoring pin, Hivox becomes a complete and a fast cure for snoring.

Many people have given their positive reviews about Hivox and have advised those who have not yet tried it to go for it. As they say, ‘once bitten twice shy’: do not go for the snoring devices that have not worked for your relatives or friends.

There’s a lot more information on stopping snoring at howtostopsnoring.biz.

Categories: Prevention, Snoring
Tags: , ,

Best Websites For Trustworthy Health Information

Posted September 12, 2012 By admin and has no comments yet.

Logging onto a search engine or directory to do a health oriented keyword search may seem like an obvious starting point, but it’s not always the best. Search engines frequently lead to wild–although sometimes amusing–goose chases. For example, searching for “allergies” on the directory AltaVista brings up a list of 166,550 possible sites. If you narrow the search to “food allergies,” 7,077 sites appear. Click on a few of these and you’ll find many don’t exist while others contain worthless or dubious information. There is a better way.

What to do:

Start your search at a specific, well-known, health-related site. Tracking down the addresses for reputable sites can take some time and research. We’ve done a lot of the legwork for you by tracking down nine great sites. Internet research libraries, such as The Argus Clearinghouse (www.clearinghouse.net), can also provide addresses for reputable sites. (There’s a trick to finding alternative health information at this site. On the opening page, click on “Health & Medicine.” Then on the next page, click on “general health.” On the next page you can choose between “healing” and “holistic health.”) And because good sites are usually linked to other good sites, when you find a reliable web site, be sum to note any listed links. (For information on how to open links, see “Glossary of Internet Terms”.)

One of the best ways to do health research on the Internet is by reading online medical journals. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, Journal of the American Medical Association (www.ama-assn.org), and the New England Journal of Medicine (www.nejm.com) now publish versions of their publications online. These and other journals can be found at Medline, an Internet database of more than 9 million references in 3,800 biomedical journals. You can access Medline through PubMed (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/PubMed), or Internet Grateful Med (igm.nlm.nih.gov).

Judging a Web Site

While there is no clear-cut way to be sure that a site is reputable and reliable, here are five things to look for:

1.) Check the Sponsor. Often you can determine who sponsored a site by looking at the suffix of the web address. For instance, sites that end in “.com” are commercial; sites that end in “.org” are nonprofit organizations: sites that end in “.edu” are educational institutions, and sites that end with “.gov” are government agencies. While commercial sites can contain good information, they are not always the most trustworthy sources, especially if they are selling something. Established medical organizations (such as the American Cancer Society), educational institutions, and government agencies are generally better sources of objective information and research findings. (Note: While medical organizations and government sites dispense mostly conventional medical news, the studies they report often contain helpful, rigorously documented information on specific conditions. And more and more often, they report the results of studies of alternative therapies.)

2.) Check the Description of the Site. Look at the information describing the site (often called “about this site”) to get a better idea of the site’s objectives and agenda. Look to see if the site is updated regularly. Does the site have an advisory boar& Some medical sites adhere to specific guidelines to help ensure that their site contains only sound advice. One such site, Webmd (www.webmd.com), has all information peer-reviewed by a panel of physicians before it is posted.

3.) Check Credentials. Check the editors and writers’ backgrounds. Do they have experience in the field? Do they have a medical degree? Are they affiliated with a respectable institution’ Also check article references to see if information is backed up by medical journals or scientific studies.

4.) Be Critical and Use Common Sense. When looking at a site, use the same critical thinking you would to judge information in a book or magazine. Visit a number of sites and compare advice. If a site boasts of miracle cures, or contains information that sounds too good to be true, you probably want to steer clear of it.

5.) Confirm All Information with Reputable Sources. Before you treat a health condition with advice found on the Internet, you should confirm its safety with your health care practitioner.

Making a Human Connection

If you want to talk to other people on the Internet about natural health topics, you have three options: mailing lists, newsgroups, and chat rooms.

Newsgroups are discussion groups that are held in a central location on the Internet rather than sent to e-mail addresses. Like computerized bulletin boards, you can read articles that have been posted, “listen in” to ongoing discussions, post your own questions, or respond to a question posted by someone else. You can find newsgroups for specific topics at Sympatico News Search or Deja News.

Chat rooms are another option. They allow you to “speak” with other people almost immediately–there is a bit of a time delay–over the Internet. If a newsgroup is like a bulletin board, a chat room is similar to a real conversation. You can find chat room addresses through search engines. To access chat rooms this way, be sure to include the word “chat” in your keyword search.

While chat rooms, newsgroups, and mailing lists can contain good information and spark valuable ideas to pursue, what you find should be regarded as hearsay and researched to confirm its integrity.

Categories: Health
Tags: , ,