http://www.articlearmies.com Articles posted by kristine. en-us Copyright (c) 2005 ArticleTime.com http://www.articlearmies.com/articles/Health/sexual-impotence-due-to-physical-psychological-and-lifestyle-pressures.html In today’s sexual milieu, impotence is by far one of the most serious problems faced by men. Sexual impotence was once perceived as a condition that strikes men who are 40 years old and above. However, current statistics show that it is now commonly diagnosed among younger men. Since sexual performance is commonly associated with a man’s sense of worth, sexual impotence can result to a number of psychological and emotional traumas such as shame and loss. Men tend to measure life’s success by their capacity to satisfy their partners in bed. This does not mean, however, that all men who experience this problem immediately seek help from professionals. Most of today’s records on impotence basically cover complicated cases, for some men no longer consult to doctors for treatment when their conditions are noted as lighter case of impotence. Causes of impotence Generally, there are three main causes of sexual impotence among men---physical, psychological, and lifestyle. 1.Physical As for the physical aspect of sexual impotence, most of the noted causes are curable or avoidable. However, there are some physical causes that are considered incurable, thereby requiring serious treatments and surgeries. Among the many causes of sexual impotence are hormonal imbalance, damaged penis structure, nervous system disorders, and drug/medicinal side-effects. 2.Psychological Impotence due to psychological causes is also a very common phenomena among men. This may be the result of an extreme trauma that further drives a man to feel anxiety, depression, and stress. The sexual capacities of men with mental disorders may also be affected. Aside from these, psychological impotence may occur in situations when a man no longer feels any sexual rapport or affinity with this partner. The loss of a man’s interest in sex may also be a result of fatigue and too much stress. 3.Lifestyle Aside from physical and psychological causes, lifestyle preference is known to worsen most impotency conditions among men. According to studies, men who use drugs like cocaine, nicotine, and heroine are most likely to experience sexual impotence. Most obese men also tend to lose interest in sex as they become more conscious of their bodies. Men who exercise daily and have a well-nourished body are more confident about their bodies, thus, resulting to a healthier sex life. Treatments for sexual impotence Today, treatments for sexual impotence vary according to origin. If the cause of impotence is purely psychological, experts generally suggest therapies and supportive psychotherapy sessions. Counseling is also one of the basic parts of impotency treatments with psychological causes. Meanwhile, surgery and implants are the best treatments commonly recommended by most doctors to sexual impotency cases with physical causes. In addition, oral medicaments are also prescribed by doctors along with such surgical procedure. There are also alternative oral medications like herbal capsules that many men use today. Although these oral medications are noted to be ineffective and are not prescribed or recommended by most doctors, many still purchase and use these products due to their helpful psychological effects. http://www.articlearmies.com/articles/Health/understanding-obsessivecompulsive-anxiety-disorder.html Anxiety disorder covers different types of unconventional phobias, pathological anxieties, and fears. Anxiety, according to medical terminology, is the emotional state or condition that an individual regarded as unpleasant. The cause or reason of unpleasantness is not, however, readily identified or defined by medical experts. Often used interchangeably with fear, anxiety conditions require accurate diagnosis so that better prognosis and effective anxiety treatment are provided. One of the most common types of anxiety condition is the Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). This type of anxiety disorder is defined through a person’s extreme compulsions and obsessions. This condition is often linked to the phrase “obsessive-compulsive” that basically refers to a person who is either too absorbed or meticulous. Defining obsessions and compulsions A person is diagnosed to have obsessive-compulsive disorder if he or she either has compulsions or obsessions or both. Obsessions are recurring or persistent impulses and thoughts that are regarded by an individual as inappropriate, disturbing, and intrusive, thus, resulting to distress and anxiety. As these impulses and thoughts are not just necessarily concerns about personal matters or affairs, an individual suffering from OCD tries to disregard or to hide such concerns by means of neutralizing them with other actions or thoughts. On the other hand, compulsions are characterized as interminable behaviors or thoughts that an individual performs as a response to his or her obsessive actions. A person suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder is aware that his or her compulsions and obsessions are somewhat exaggerated and irrational. Apart from being time-consuming, an individual’s obsessions and compulsions are known to cause distress or impairment to one’s occupational and social functioning. Symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder The obsessive-compulsive disorder is distinguishable in a number of ways. Below are some of the notable symptoms of this type of anxiety disorder: 1.Habitual canceling or blocking out negative thoughts and concerns with positive or good thought. Some of the best examples of bad or negative thoughts are: a.Chronic worries on particular actions and events like eating or leaving home without proper items. b.Inappropriate sexual obsessions or thoughts. 2.Habitual aligning or fixing of things or objects at their proper or designated places. 3.Extreme fear of contamination. A person diagnosed with OCD is constantly worried about being contaminated with human or animal body secretions like sweat, vomit, saliva, mucus, as well as body excretions such as feces and urine. 4.Habitual clearing of throat. 5.Habitual hand washing. Treatments for obsessive-compulsive disorder Recent community studies show that many OCD sufferers fail to seek clinical help due to stigma or shame of having the said type of anxiety disorder. Another noted reason for unaccounted OCD condition is that some people are not aware that they actually have an obsessive-compulsive disorder. Generally, OCD is treated with three kinds of anxiety treatment: Cognitive therapy, behavioral therapy, as well as medications. As for the cognitive and behavioral therapies, one of the best treatments recommended to OCD sufferers is the exposure and response prevention. This treatment involves the process of tolerating anxieties that form when one does not perform a specific habitual actions or rituals. Meanwhile, doctors and specialists often recommend selective reuptake inhibitor medications like fluvoxamine, sertraline, paroxetine, and fluoxetine to individuals suffering from OCD. http://www.articlearmies.com/articles/Health/cant-hold-back--what-you-need-to-know-about-fecal-incontinence.html Most elderly people manifest this as they lose control of their certain muscles and as a result of certain diseases. This isn't an easy condition to bear with as it may put you in embarrassing situations. Incontinence is a lack of voluntary control of excretory function. It affects nearly 12% of the American population and the rate is still climbing at a steady rate yearly. Fecal incontinence Fecal incontinence is one of two kinds of incontinence that people experience. This is also called bowel incontinence. It is the inability to control over bowel movement. This causes involuntary excretion and leaking of stool or feces from the rectum. This may range from occasional leakage of stool while passing gas to total loss of bowel control. People with fecal incontinence may also experience other bowel-related conditions such as diarrhea, constipation, gas and abdominal cramps. People with bowel incontinence are often plagued with feelings of shame and humiliation. A lot of people affected by this condition are afraid to seek help in fear of being ridiculed, thereby trying to manage the problem on their own. This may lead to serious self-esteem issues that may result to social withdrawal and isolation which in turn may end into cases of severe anxiety, more specifically, agoraphobia. Causes Here are the five most common causes of fecal incontinence: Muscle damage. Injury to the one of both of the ring-like muscles at the end of the rectum may cause fecal incontinence. The internal and external anal sphincter contract to help retain stool. When it is damaged, these muscles may have partial or total functionality, and leakage may occur. This may occur as a result of improperly performed episiotomy, or as a side effect of hemorrhoid surgery. Nerve damage. Incontinence may come as a result of damage to the nerves that control the anal sphincters or the nerves that detect stool in the rectum. When the nerves surrounding the sphincter is damaged, the muscles may not be able to function effectively. If the sensory nerves are damaged, a person will not feel the need to defecate until it is too late. This may come as a result of childbirth, of long-term constipation, stroke, and/or diseases that cause nerve degeneration. Loss of storage capacity. The rectum normally stretches to contain feces until a person voluntary releases it. However, when a person is subjected to certain surgeries or therapies, or has inflammatory bowel disease that causes scarring, the rectal walls may become stiff and less elastic. Once the rectum is unable to expand and accommodate as much stool, it may result to fecal incontinence. Diarrhea. Loose stool is more difficult to contain than solid stool and may sometimes leak on its own. Pelvic floor dysfunction. Abnormalities of the pelvic floor may cause decreased rectal sensation, decreased anal canal pressure, decreased squeeze pressure of the anal canal, and rectal prolapse. All of which may lead to incontinence. Treatment As with any medical condition, treatment depends on the cause and the severity of the bowel incontinence. Treatment may include one or a combination of the following: Dietary change. Food affects the consistency of stool and how quick it passes through the digestive tract. Eating food that add bulk to stool and decrease the water content of feces may help make it firmer. Also, avoiding foods and/or drinks that may relax the sphincter muscles like coffee, tea, and chocolate. Medications. Certain medications like anti-diarrheal drugs, laxatives, and stool softeners may help with bowel incontinence in different ways. Anti-diarrheals help reduce leakage incidents. For people who've developed fecal incontinence due to constant constipation, laxatives and stool softeners are suggested to promote normal bowel movement and stop “accidents” from happening. Bowel training. This is advised to people who lack anal sphincter control or have decreased awareness of their need to defecate to restore muscle strength. This may include setting specific schedules for going to the toilet, or making a conscious effort to defecate after eating. Surgery. This is suggested to people who've had anal sphincter damage due to childbirth or rectal prolapse. Such surgeries as sphincteroplasty, where weakened anal sphincters are repaired; operations to treat rectal prolapse or hemorrhoids; sphincter replacement and/or repair; and colonostomy may be advised depending on the severity of the incontinence. It is understandable to want to keep a condition such as fecal incontinence to yourself, people who don't care will ridicule you for having this condition. Treatments are available for us to take advantage of and use to put an end to bowel incontinence. Don't pay too much attention to what other people will say about you when they find out. Think more about what this will do to you in the long run. http://www.articlearmies.com/articles/Health/the-skinny-on-anorexia.html Because of mass media’s rising campaign on beauty products and weight-loss products, people have been given the idea that they need to be appearance-conscious to get noticed. And with a lot of skinny celebrities and models in the media spotlight, it gives people a misconception that being skinny is synonymous to being beautiful. And because of this misconception that a lot of women become obsessed in losing weight, by any means necessary, be it naturally or not. An alarming emergence in eating disorders Eating disorders have become increasingly prevalent in western countries because of a drastic change in the feminine body ideal towards thinness. An estimated five to ten percent of girls and women, an approximated five to ten million people, and a million boys and men suffer from eating disorders. Among these eating disorders are anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, and other dietary conditions. An estimated fifteen percent of young women adopt unhealthy eating habits and behaviours about food. Anorexia Nervosa Anorexia is the second most common eating disorder. Anorexia and bulimia nervosa are common in terms of having an intense fear of becoming fat or even just to be perceived as fat. However anorexia differs in the sense that anorexic people starve themselves to lose weight, on the other hand people with bulimia eat to their hearts content and then purge by forcing themselves to vomit. Anorexia and other eating disorders usually start during early adolescence. People with anorexia nervosa often do a good job at hiding their eating disorder until the side effects have become prominent. And anorexic people also have a tendency to deny that something is wrong with them, that they’re already finished eating, or that they’re not hungry at the moment. They also keep insisting that they need to lose more weight. Anorexia and other eating disorders may have stemmed from a misunderstanding of a wide range of social influences that dictate for women to be skinny and imitate supermodel looks. Or sometimes it may be self-inflicted as a way of refusing to enter puberty. Some experts relate having low self-esteem, loneliness, a history of abuse, peer pressure, inferiority complex, and perfectionism as triggers of such conditions. Side effects Side effects are mainly classified into psychological, social and physical. Physical side effects may come as a result from lack of nutrition from very little food intake, this may put serious strain on a lot of the body’s major organs. Anorexia may also cause psychological side effects, changing the way a person thinks, giving anorexics a distorted view on things. Physical side effects: Fatigue and loss of energy Hypotension (low blood pressure) Dizziness due to low blood pressure Fine hair growth on body (lanugo hair) Hair loss Pins and needles (parathesia due to changes in the peripheral changes in the nervous system) Brittle nails and fragile bones due to low calcium Increased vulnerability to osteoporosis Anaemia and pale skin due to low iron levels Easy bruising Cramps Ulcers Susceptibility to cold due to loss of insulation Edema (tissue swelling from water) due to electrolyte imbalances Cessation of menstruation Strain on most of the bodies organs Thyroid dysfunction Irregularity in the secretion of growth hormone Potential kidney failure Urinary tract infections Chronic indigestion Potential liver failure Osteoporosis Psychological side effects: Low self esteem and loss of confidence Feelings of being ineffective and powerless Fear of losing control Mood swings Irritability Anxiety and depression Loneliness Feelings of being worthless Now that you understand what anorexia is all about, it will be easier to look out for tell-tale signs of the disease. Of course the best way to prevent this condition is to educate your kids early of proper nutrition and showing them a healthy attitude towards food. Of course, the best way to educate is to lead by being an example to your children. After all, if your kids see you eating healthy, what are the chances that they would develop an unhealthy eating habit? http://www.articlearmies.com/articles/Health/a-battle-of-great-proportions-the-fight-against-obesity.html Recent studies came up with a statistical figure that approximately fifty-eight million men and women are overweight; roughly forty million are obese; and around three million are morbidly obese. Another study said that eight out of ten adults over twenty-five are overweight. Being overweight and obese has been an on-going concern for a lot of adults. Surveys say that the population of obese people has increased drastically in the United States alone, and that cases of obesity-related health risks have grown at an alarming rate. Contributing factors A variety of factors play a contributory role in obesity, and these are: 1.Energy imbalance. This occurs when the amount of calories consumed does not amount to the amount of calories used or burned. 2.Calorie consumption. The availability of a lot of pre-packaged foods, fast food restaurants, and soft drinks which are generally high in fat, sugar, and calories contributes to an excessive calorie intake. 3.Calorie usage. People are becoming more and more sedentary, and the lack of physical activity is causing the excess calorie to become stored fat. 4.Environment. People spending too much time inside the house in front of the television may find it less enticing to go out for a walk or engage in any sporty activities. 5.Genetics. Genes play a part in passing on disorders that may cause obesity. 6.Diseases. Illnesses like Cushing’s disease, Bardet-Biedl syndrome, and Prader-Willi syndrome may cause obesity. 7.Medications. Drugs such as steroids and some antidepressants may cause significant weight gain. Complications/Risk factors Obesity isn’t just a simple concern for one’s appearance, it causes a multitude of health dilemma that can be harmful to the health. Among these complications are: Insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, stroke, heart attack, congestive heart failure, cancer, gallstones, gouty arthritis, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, and pickwickian syndrome. Weight loss Now that you’ve learned of the repercussions of being overweight and obese, it’s time to consider shedding off some pounds. Here are some ways to lose weight: Diet. Watch what you eat. This doesn’t mean you have to starve yourself or count how much you eat. A balanced diet makes sure that your body is nourished with the necessary nutrients needed for the day. Exercise. Integrating a simple exercise routine for an hour or two everyday may prove helpful to burn off calories you ate. This may be as simple as walking a block or two, doing a set or two of sit-ups, or performing basic stretching exercises. Surgery. Weight loss surgery is performed only for severe obesity cases where diet and exercise has very little effect. This is advised for people suffering from serious obesity-related health concerns. The operation aides in weight loss by restricting food intake and, in other operations, interrupt the digestive process. Living with obesity is difficult. Much more if you’re living with its complications. Keep in mind that you don’t have to stay obese. Stand up and take action. Rid yourself of this heavy burden and work your way out to a slimmer, healthier you. Take comfort in knowing that you have the power to save yourself from obesity. http://www.articlearmies.com/articles/Health/yoga-in-classrooms-help-kids-develop-better-skills.html There's a new trend in your kids' classrooms nowadays. Instead of staring at the board in front, the kids are lying on the floor near their desks practicing yoga. According to fourth-grade teacher Elisabeth Beckwith, she wanted her students at Fernbank Elementary School in Decatur, Georgia, to pay attention to a lesson on Greek mythology. Linking the symbols of Greek gods to yoga poses, such as dog position and the stork pose, Beckwith has high hopes that the students will better retain the material and be re-energized in the middle of the day. “It's a fun way for them to think about things,” Beckwith said. “You know, it's healthy for them because they're getting the breathing right and getting the stretching right.” “It's fun,” said nine-year old Jack Besser. “It gets out the cramps after you've been sitting for an hour.” Another pupil, Medha Prakash, said that the yoga drills help her to concentrate. “It makes me feel calm, relaxed and it gets all the stress out of me.” Just like adults, even children can be under a lot of stress. The numerous school activities, peer-pressure, and homework can cause kids to feel some stress. Teaching Yoga to children can help them develop better body awareness, self-control, flexibility, and coordination. Such skills can even be carried beyond class and into their daily routines. Two years ago, Beckwith started offering yoga in the classroom. with the help of other teachers at the suburban Atlanta public school. YogaKids International, an Indiana-based company, gives them instructions and distributes teaching materials to more than 50 schools around the country. These materials are large flash cards with kid-friendly poses that are easy for the students to imitate. Teachers hole them up to show the kids and read aloud the step-by-step instructions written on the back of the flashcards. Aside from incorporating yoga into their lesson plans, physical education classes have incorporated the practice throughout the day to instill discipline. “If you say you're going to do yoga with the kids, they just immediately start focusing.” said PE teacher Katie Bashor. Deep breathing and basic yoga are taught to the students at their desks, from kindergarten through fifth grade, in order to cope with stress and anxiety that may occur before taking tests. School guidance counselor June Neal isn't bothered about criticism that may be hurled at the school for taking away precious time from studying and learning to be spent on stretching and meditation. Neal believes that there's more to elementary school that just reading, writing, and arithmetic. He has seen a measurable difference among the students, such as an improvement in test scores and test-taking skills due to a decrease in stress level after yoga routines. Neil added, “You do need some down time... you do need some way to express yourself and to reduce anxiety that comes along with being in school.” According to Dr. Andrew Weil, anxiety and stress are some of the biggest reasons why young students get sick at the start of the fall semester. “I think parents underestimate how stressful going back to school is,” he said. “I think it's as stressful as a grown-up starting a new job.” Weil believes that stressed-out kids may complain of stomach pain or a headache instead of dealing with a stressful situation at school. He recommends training children to do simple deep-breathing techniques, just as adults do, to help with stress management. http://www.articlearmies.com/articles/Health/pain-tolerance-and-expectations.html People have high regard for individuals whose pain tolerance exceed beyond expectations. The Guinness Book of World Records has a long list of personalities who have defied different forms of pain that come from bee and scorpion stings, snake bites, as well as pain from car crashes, fire accidents, and the like. Pain tolerance is defined as the duration or intensity of pain that a person is willing to endure at any given time. Based on observation, tolerance for pain varies from person to person, and may even fluctuate depending on the severity of the pain. A number of factors such as sex, age, race and ethnicity, motivation to endure pain, past experiences with pain, coping skills, and energy level --- all influence a person's pain tolerance. The point at which a person feels pain is called pain threshold. People don't experience the same intensity of pain from the same stimuli, and no uniform relationship exists between tissue damage and pain. Pain intensity, duration, and other characteristics can vary among patients who've undergone the same procedure. Most people have the misconception that past experiences with pain increases pain tolerance. On the contrary, repeated experience with pain can make a person be aware of how severe a pain can become and how difficult it is to get a relief. Therefore, it is possible that someone who has repeated experiences with pain may have a higher level of anxiety and less pain tolerance. Society has always expected men to be tough in the face of danger. Indeed, a man's higher tolerance for pain is not just about machismo and male chauvinism, but has a physiological basis. Research shows that difference in sex/gender influence pain perception, where women usually display lower pain tolerance than men. However, it is unknown whether the mechanisms underlying these differences are hormonal, genetic or psychosocial in origin. According to some researchers, men can be more motivated to express a tolerance for pain due to masculine stereotyping, while feminine stereotyping encourages pain expression and lower pain tolerance. In a number of studies, racial and ethnic differences in pain sensitivity and pain response found out that African-Americans and Hispanics tend to have lower thresholds of pain tolerance. In similar experiments, pain-study participants from Nepal and India had higher pain tolerance than their Western counterparts. These findings suggest that something in the brain’s pain-processing and pain-killing systems may vary by race and ethnicity. “There’s much we still don’t understand about why these health disparities based upon race and ethnicity exist, so more research is needed. We hope our work will increase awareness of this issue among patients and providers alike,” said lead author Carmen R. Green, M.D., an Anesthesiologist and Pain Management Specialist at the University of Michigan Health System. Green chairs the APS Special Interest Group on racial and ethnic disparities in pain. Different studies have different claims on age as a factor affecting pain tolerance. One study suggested that pain tolerance decreases with age. In another study, children of all ages tend to perceive more pain than adults which meant that as people grow older, pain tolerance increases. It appears that, with increasing age, tolerance to cutaneous pain increases and tolerance to deep pain decreases. An experiment on motivation to endure pain with monetary incentive was conducted by Roger B. Fillingim, Ph.D., of the Department of Operative Dentistry at the University of Florida and the Gainesville VA Medical Center in Gainesville, Fla. According to Fillingim, the monetary incentive did not influence pain responses, but the relationship between cardiovascular measures and pain responses was influenced by the incentive manipulation. Specifically, low incentive subjects with higher blood pressure at the start of the study period tended to tolerate pain better. However, this association was not found in the high incentive subjects. For the high incentive subjects, a leap in blood pressure, which is a sign of being engaged in a task, was associated with having higher pain tolerance. “Additional research is needed to replicate these findings and to further elucidate the relationships among motivation, gender roles, and pain responses,” he concluded. Understanding the detrimental effects of unrelieved pain, such as depressed immune function, decreased subcutaneous oxygenation leading to infection, and respiratory dysfunction have resulted to pain management to minimize, if not totally avoid, enduring as much pain as possible. Such pain management emphasizes establishing a comfort/function goal with people suffering from pain, making it easier to perform important activities, such as coughing and deep breathing postoperatively. A patient may become distressed if expectation of pain tolerance is not met. Reassuring the patient can help ease the distress. Patients should be encouraged to use pain relief medications and treatments to reduce their pain to the level that makes it easy for them to function. http://www.articlearmies.com/articles/Health/weight-loss-pills-vs-diet-programs.html Many people consider weight loss as an important goal to achieve optimum health. Both men and women are naturally conscious of how they look, including how much they weigh. Being fat or obese can be quite self-destructive, since it can affect a person's self-esteem and also his self-confidence. By knowing what to eat, and how much should be eaten, people can more or less control their weight. Aside from limiting food intake, people should also regularly exercise and maintain a healthy, active lifestyle. But there are people who find it hard to go to the gym or simply cannot resist eating more than they need to. To lose weight, they often look for weight loss pills which they consider to be the sweat-free way of losing the extra pounds. These pills have become popular to weight watchers because of their convenience and perceived effectiveness. Weight loss pills are sold as over-the-counter drugs at local drugstores, health food stores, and supermarkets. Even on the Internet, a lot of these pills are being sold and ready for delivery for eager online shoppers. However, much care must be put into the decision to use these drugs. Many of these weight-reduction medications have not been proven safe and effective by the Food and Drug Administration. These pills actually contain different components that supposedly make a person lose weight fast. Based on advertised claims about these drugs, weight loss pills decrease a person's appetite, blocks the absorption of dietary fat, and increase the number of calories that are burned by the body. These pills also supposedly increase fat metabolism, reduce body fat and builds muscles, while increasing the feelings of fullness. All these are just unsubstantiated claims and, as such, the use of the said drugs should be done only after consultation with health professionals. The use of unregulated drugs could be dangerous to one's health. At present, the US Food and Drug Administration has a list of approved weight loss medications for adults. One such approved drug is called Alli, a reduced-strength over-the-counter weight loss pill that works by decreasing the absorption of fat by the intestines. However, this particular medication only works with a reduced calorie, low fat diet together --- and regular exercise. Knowing that some of these weight loss pills are still not proven safe nor effective, people should consider thinking of losing weight the natural way. Although it would be a challenge for anyone, this would be the safest and healthiest way to lose weight. There are actually several safe and proven weight loss programs that have been designed for people who desperately need to shed off extra pounds. These diet-based programs cater to different types of individuals who have certain preferences when it comes to their choice of diet and lifestyle. These weight loss programs take time to work and anyone who wants to try them out should have the mental toughness, determined effort, and close family support needed to see through the program. Going on a diet is like reversing or removing lifetime habits of eating and lack of exercise. Weight loss programs such as the Atkins Diet, Weight Watchers, the Scarsdale Diet, the Zone Diet, and the Anne Collins Diet promises weight loss for people who follow the requirements and recommendations set forth in these specially designed regimen. These diet programs, however, all share the same thing: the weight watcher must engage in physical exercises. All these programs have different eating plans to range from low-carbohydrate intake to no-meat plans. Of course, these diet plans have been designed to meet the varied needs and preferences of weight watchers. When one is really willing to lose some weight, following these weight loss programs would surely be much easier. People can surely lose weight without the dangers of risking one's health by taking dangerous weight loss pills that might not be even be effective at all. By having an optimistic and sensible approach to weight loss, people can lose weight in a healthy way. http://www.articlearmies.com/articles/Health/when-passion-for-fashion-is-a-health-menace.html You will never understand up to what extent women are willing to do for the sake of beauty. They will brave undergoing through the knife for the purpose of cosmetic surgery. The risk-taking involved is a case of the end justifying the means. However, a new concept of suffering for passion does not follow the same argument. Suffering for fashion is not just about the perils that being eternally stylish can pose to your bank accounts, but about the damage that your passion for fashion could be doing to your health. Talk about low back pain and spine fractures which can be severely disabling and may result in chronic pain. And that is exactly what those supersized killer bags fashion on-the-loose are doing to a woman's body. Those supersized handbags could be as potentially dangerous to your health as upsizing your favorite fastfood value meals. The recent increase in the number of “heavy handbag related injuries” prompted chiropractors to seriously consider issuing a medical warning on the use of these huge totes. These fashionable bags on the hot seat are not just painfully heavy, draped and bedecked with more blings than Apl.de Ap of the Black Eyed Peas, and that their capacity is so enormous there could be enough rooms for the whole vanity dresser to fit inside. These bags allow users to fill them with endless amounts of stuff that are not really necessary. According to a recent study, women today carry twice as much in their handbags as our mothers used to do. In the good old days, our moms might have had a coin purse, a powder compact, a couple of tissues and a house key. Today's women can be seen carrying a whopping great wallet/diary/address book Filofax affair, an entire make-up bag and a bottle of water, plus great bunches of keys for the house, the office and the car. And that's before we get to all the gadgets and gizmos - MP3 players, mobile phones, laptops etc. Social anthropologist, Kate Fox, of the Social Issues Research Center in Oxford, believes that a woman's love for large luggage is not just about fashion. It's about making an impression. “Larger women generally prefer to carry a big bag as it makes their bum look smaller in comparison. And, the fashionably petite like to emphasize their size zero status by carrying an outsize bag.” It's okay to drag handbags the size of houses if you are a celebrity with all the bodyguards to help you carry the load once you're done showing off. “The problem with carrying a heavy bag is that while it may not cause you an injury at the time you carry it, over time it has a cumulative effect, and we're certainly seeing more instances of back pain triggered as a result,” says Tim Hutchful of the British Chiropractic Association. Carrying a heavy bag over one shoulder can cause your body to shift stance as you hike the shoulder up, which can shorten the muscles that result in a twisted or lop-sided body position overtime. This may later on lead to serious back pain, and worse, a neck injury by stretching the nerves, or even a spine fracture. Avoid carrying bag in the crook of your arm as it is farther away from your center of gravity, putting more strain on the body. When you hold something at arm's length, the pressure it puts on the body is five times greater than if you were carrying it close to your chest. Whether you are a certified “fashionista,” a working mother, or a plain Jane, always remember to carry a bag that is big enough to carry only the essential stuffs that you cannot do without. “Health is wealth” is a better motto to live by, while passion for fashion can be a health menace. http://www.articlearmies.com/articles/Health/breaking-point-the-factors-behind-insanity.html What can drive someone to insanity? Certainly, insanity is something that is commonly understood (or misunderstood) and usually carries some sort of stigma in the popular consciousness. If you believe in modern psychology and psychiatry, there are literally thousands of forms of insanity that a person can end up developing over a lifetime. Some of them, like depression, are temporary, while others, like social anxiety, require more work for a person to get through. However, there appears to be some commonality as to what actually brings about most of the forms of insanity that people go through. Which brings the question to bear: is there a common, underlying trigger that compromises the stability of a person's mental health? Things like stress and anxiety are often cited, as most of the common (and several uncommon) mental health issues are triggered by one of the two. Continued exposure to stress can eventually push someone beyond their “breaking point,” with the form of insanity afterwards being affected by external factors. This is often a long, strenuous process because most people have some level of resistance to such things, allowing them to at least survive the stressful period with their sanity intact. Additionally, the process may not even really result in insanity, with most of the population serving as proof of this theory. Prolonged stress can affect a person's behavior and outlook, but it is also known that several other factors can increase or reduce the impact of this. In some cases, stress and anxiety can merely even have the opposite effect, depending on the person's personal outlook. Emotions are also said to play a critical role in driving or pushing people into insanity, with feelings being so closely tied to mental health. A person's emotional state can often be a reflection of a person's relative state of mental stability, but may also become an effect of fractured sanity. There is no doubting that emotions can disrupt and affect a person's thought processes and make them do things that they normally would not do. It has also been noted that extremely emotional situations and heavy emotional trauma can permanently affect a person's mind, often resulting in a condition that requires therapy to eventually overcome. However, it is rather arguable that emotions are merely augmenting the effects of stress and pressure, not a factor in itself. Trauma is also frequently cited as having drastic effects on a person's sanity, particularly if it occurs during the formative years. The extreme psychological and emotional impact that trauma victims have to endure can often force some past the breaking point, having permanent effects on their mental health. However, it should be noted that trauma tends to be little more than a combination of stressful and emotional factors, usually mixed in with extreme circumstances. The vulnerability of the person's psyche plays a larger role here than in other potential causes of insanity, which explains why trauma encountered later on in life does not have the same general effect as similar events encountered during childhood. Ultimately, insanity is something that, like sanity, must be defined on an individual basis. What is sane for one person in a given society may not be considered such by a different person within the same society. Insanity is a matter of context in this case, which is the assumption that some psychological texts make. http://www.articlearmies.com/articles/Health/break-free-from-drug-addiction.html Death is nearly always accompanied with questions. Whether we are facing our own death or the death of someone we love, we seek for answers. But people seek answers differently. Some people ask for guidance, attend counseling sessions, go to bible studies, or seek support groups that would help them cope with a loss of someone. All change that exists within the mind causes stress and most people at some stage try to avoid the pain of grief. They may search for a substitute for the relation that is lost, like if a woman lost a husband, they may marry again quickly, or adopt another child in place of the one they lost. But other people who can not cope with grief and who wants to avoid the pain turns into addiction. Defining an addiction is tricky, and knowing how to handle one is even harder. An addiction is said to be an uncontrollable compulsion which provides temporary relief from “inner pain.” Addiction means a person has no control over whether he or she uses. Addiction can be physical, psychological, or both. According to research, approximately 27 million Americans either use illicit drugs regularly. There are also around 70 percent of illegal drug users that are employed and contribute significantly to workplace absenteeism, accidents and injuries, decreased productivity, increased insurance expenses, employee turnover costs, and on-the-job violence. In 2001, the estimated total number of drug addicts had already reached 15.9 million Americans aged 12 or above. This estimate represents 7.1 percent of the population aged 12 years old or older. Almost 16 million are estimated to need immediate treatment for drug addiction. Drug addiction involves compulsively seeking to use a substance, regardless of the potentially negative social, psychological, and physical effects. Certain drugs are more likely to cause physical dependence than are others. While not everyone who uses drugs becomes addicted, many people do. Experts have theorized that some people, particular those addicted to drugs, may have deficiencies in their brain reward systems. Other drug users gravitate toward their “drug of choice” to “self-medicate.” Heroin, for instance, is remarkably effective at “normalizing” people who suffer from delusions and hallucinations (mostly schizophrenics). Cocaine can quickly “lift” depression, or enable a person with attention-deficit disorder to become better organized and focused. For these people, addiction is a troubling side effect to their adaptive attempts to relieve their own suffering. Drug addiction treatment typically involves steps to help one withdraw from using a substance, it should also be followed by counseling and attending self-help groups to help one resist addiction again. There are many substance-dependent people who make it into therapy show a profound inability to calm and soothe themselves especially when they are experiencing stress. A physician may prescribe narcotics to relieve pain, benzodiazepines to relieve anxiety or insomnia, or barbiturates to relieve nervousness or irritation. Doctors prescribe these medications at safe doses and monitor their use so that a person addicted will not be given too great a dose or for too long a time. Still, the best way to prevent an addiction to an illegal drug is not to take the drug at all. Breaking a drug addiction is difficult, but not impossible. Support from the doctor, family, friends and others who have a drug addiction, as well as inpatient or outpatient drug addiction treatment, may help someone beat drug dependence. Recognizing the problem as soon as possible is critical. One should get help right away and should not be ever afraid to ask for guidance so that an addicted person boost their chances of staying drug-free. http://www.articlearmies.com/articles/Health/pregnant-women-deserve-only-the-very-best.html Nine months of pregnancy is not that easy for any woman. Being pregnant requires having that extra amount of energy, patience, and endurance for this most demanding of human female experiences. Extra care must be taken in caring for one's self which includes following the diet and making the environment as conducive as possible for a healthy pregnancy. Men might think that women are just burdened by the extra physical weight that comes with pregnancy. In truth, pregnancy is a very complex and delicate process. A human being is developing inside a woman's womb and everything that a mother does, thinks, feels, and says affects her baby. By preparing for pregnancy, the woman would be able to minimize the health risks and even enjoy the duration of her pregnancy. Needless to say, a very important aspect of pregnancy is taking care of the woman's health. Part of taking care of a pregnant woman's health is the use of “prenatal vitamins”. These are multivitamins that are specifically made for pregnant women. These supplements make up for any nutritional deficiencies in the pregnant mother's diet during the course of their pregnancy. The vitamins contain more folic acid, iron, and calcium --- all of which are important to ensure the proper health and development of both the mother and the baby. Folic acid reduces the risk of birth defects, specifically of the brain and the spinal cord. Calcium, on the other hand, prevents the mother from losing her bone density as her baby uses this mineral for bone growth. Lastly, iron is needed to help both the mother and her unborn child's blood increase oxygen levels in their respective bloodstreams. Another thing that a mother should keep in mind is that she has to gain weight during her pregnancy. It is not safe to lose weight when one is pregnant since both the baby and the mother need the right amount of nutrients in order for them to become healthy. It is a good sign if a pregnant woman gains weight since this is a sign that the baby is getting all the nutrients and is growing at a healthy rate. A pregnant woman need not eat meals for two, but she needs extra calories for the growth of the baby. About two to four pounds are gained within the first three months of pregnancy, and a pound a week for the next few weeks ahead. The extra weight goes to the baby, the mother's placenta, breast tissue, and blood supply. The woman's body also stores fat and other nutrients that will be needed once she enters the breastfeeding stage. A healthy pregnant woman's diet should include a variety of foods in order to get all the nutrients needed. A good six to eleven servings of bread and grains, two to four servings of fruit, vegetables, dairy products, and protein sources (eggs, nuts, meat, poultry) are equally important. Having a high fiber diet is always good. Meals like pasta, rice, cereals, and bread should be provided to a pregnant woman. The pregnant woman should also consume at least four servings of dairy products and calcium-rich foods a day. She needs at least 1000-1300 milligrams of calcium in the woman's diet. She should also have a regular source of Vitamin C everyday, including fruits and vegetables. A good 70 milligrams of Vitamin C each day is sufficient for both the mother and her baby. Indeed, a pregnant woman deserves all the best in terms of diet, rest, environment, and not to mention, the loving support from her husband and family. Pregnancy is a delightful human experience. But is also takes a great deal of work to ensure that both the mother and her baby will have a long, healthy life beyond the pregnancy period. http://www.articlearmies.com/articles/Health/the-dangers-of-overeating-and-poor-selfimage.html Most women are conscious about physical appearance and spend a lot of time meticulously curling their hair, polishing their nails, or doing their make-up. Aside from being current about the latest trends in fashion and lifestyle, many women are also spending huge amounts of time and money to lose weight. They try out the latest diet fads in their seemingly endless effort to shed of those unwanted pounds. Unfortunately, the obsession with weight loss has also posed a very serious health risk on women who have swayed too far in their crash diets and “miracle weight loss programs.” The glitter and glamor of Hollywood made Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie icons among twenty-somethings and even adult women. Their stick-like figures have been idealized as bodies that every teenager should grow into. In fact, many teenagers do not grow into these idealized body shapes...they shrink into it. Gone are the days when being sexy was about having the right curves and bulges. Today, sexiness is seen as being the same as becoming deathly pale and famished. To make matters worse, the obsession with weight loss and having that super-thin, super model body has resulted in the increase of the number of cases of eating disorders. Bulimia is one such health risk that is characterized by excessive eating (binging) which is immediately followed by purging or vomiting. Almost 80 percent of bulimia nervosa patients are female. A patient with bulimia is scared of gaining weight yet still has an uncontrollable urge to binge on food. After eating all they want, they try to get rid of the calories by using unhealthy methods such as vomiting, use of water pills, use of laxatives, fasting, and/or by doing extreme exercises. These women think that vomiting is actually a method of weight control. Without knowing it, many women already have full-blown eating disorders. Seeing women suffer from this kind of eating disorder has the opened eyes of many people. They have seen different women suffering from bulimia, especially by means of the media. In very graphic videos, people have learned about the path of self-destruction taken by many women who have lost control over their desire to lose weight. The self-destruction that comes in the form of binge eating and vomiting are not to be seen as simple problems of eating. At a deeper level, this problem is caused by insecurity and emotional distress. But aside from the emotional and psychological torment of having bulimia, women patients also have to contend with the not having the right amount of potassium and other important nutrients which are necessary to maintain a healthy body. Women suffering from bulimia nervosa need professional help. The support of family and friends is crucial in assisting them in the process of accepting their psychological disorder. The next step is to help the patient accept treatment from a psychiatrist and a nutritionist. Counseling plays a central role in treating bulimics. After proper counseling, then the patient will rely on a nutritionist-dietitian who can provide a proper diet plan and monitor the progress of the patient. More than just eating the right kind of food in the right amounts, many women today need to be empowered and helped especially in terms of accepting themselves. A healthy self-image is necessary to achieve happiness and confidence. But surely, starving one's self to death or overeating only to vomit everything are actions that no woman should ever have to suffer from. http://www.articlearmies.com/articles/Health/carving-the-flesh-with-the-scalpel-of-philosophy.html Does your attitude have a connection to your physical and mental health? Up until recently, the answer to that was a strong 'No' from a strictly scientific standpoint. However, according to some recent studies, there may be more to it than the obvious. More or less, mental health and personal outlook and philosophy are connected. There isn't much scientific data to explain how the two are connected, but there is ample proof of the link. However, what about the body? Will people who perceive themselves as being healthier and more lively actually be in a better physical state than others? Unlike the mental health link, there is no definite connection made just yet, but there have been some findings that point to a possibility. According to a large-scale study conducted by Duke University, there is a link between attitudes and physical well-being. The reports state that the research team did their best to eliminate external factors, such as mental health issues, vices, and hereditary diseases from the final results. The end result of the report makes the claim that, if two people with similar states of physical well-being are taken, the one with a more positive outlook is more likely to have better health in the long-term. The one that has more fear and anxiety about his physical condition is more likely to suffer from some sort of illness or have poorer overall health than his counterpart. Of course, before taking this into account, people should also eliminate possible factors affecting longevity and health. For example, people who have depression or Thanatos complex may perform acts that can permanently compromise their immune system, possibly cutting their life expectancy. The relationship between diet and vices to physical and mental health also plays a larger role than outlook and attitude theoretically do. Further study is under way, but Dr. Ellen Idler has studied the research data and the implications extensively. She believes that the link is less of a “mystical” one and more deeply rooted in the principles of cause and effect. According to her theory, the relationship between attitude and longevity is one that is connected to mental health. In her theory, people who have a more negative outlook are more likely to slip into unhealthy lifestyles. Whether this is subconscious or not would likely vary from case to case, but she believes that negative attitudes tend to eventually lead to negative states of mind. It is known that mental health is connected closely to physical health, with a number of mental disorders either having physical symptoms or side effects. While a negative outlook in life may not necessarily be an act of self-destruction on the person's part, it may help push the person into an increasingly degenerate lifestyle. Further study is likely to be needed before any concrete connections are made. There are currently two major areas where the studies are liable to concentrate. First is the theory that a positive outlook is linked to mental health and that is how it affects the physical well-being and longevity of a person. Another, far less accepted theory, is that a positive outlook actually can influence the body in the same way that some people manifest physical symptoms simply by believing that they are ill. http://www.articlearmies.com/articles/Health/beware-of-what-you-puff.html Did you know that puffing one cigarette can shorten a smoker's life by 11 minutes? Research has shown that smoking reduces life expectancy by seven to eight years. About 90 percent of lung cancer cases and 30 percent of fatalities from cancer is related to smoking. Deaths related to smoking are due mainly to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), heart disease, and cancers. Smoking-related illnesses kill about half of all smokers. In most cases, those who started smoking early also make it a life-long habit. These early smokers are also those who are most prone to smoking-related diseases. Even if the ill-effects of cigarette use are widely known, why do many people still continue smoke? Smoking is a hard habit to break because tobacco contains nicotine, which is highly addictive. Like heroin or other addictive drugs, the body and mind quickly become so used to the nicotine in cigarettes that a person needs to have it just to feel normal. People start smoking for a variety of different reasons. Some smoke because they think that it is the “cool” thing to do. Others get started on smoking because their family members or friends also smoke. Statistics show that 9 out of 10 tobacco users started smoking even before they reached 18 years old. Most adults who started smoking in their teens never expected to become addicted. That's why people say it's just so much easier to not start smoking at all. Many of us breathe smoke whether we like it or not. We usually inhale smoke in public places, around doorways of buildings, and at work. When someone smokes inside a home or car, everyone inside breathes second-hand smoke. When a person smokes near you, you breathe in second-hand smoke. Second hand smoke is produced when a cigarette burns. It is made up of two components. One is mainstream smoke, which is what a smoker inhales and exhales. The other is called sidestream smoke and comes from the end of a burning cigarette, cigar, or pipe. Cigarettes produce about 12 minutes of smoke, yet the smoker may inhale only 30 seconds of smoke from their cigarette. The rest of the smoke lingers in the air for non-smokers and smokers to breathe. Second-hand smoke contains more than 4000 chemicals. Many of these chemicals are known to cause cancer. Moreover, second-hand smoke causes sore eyes, throat and nasal irritation, headaches, coughing and wheezing, nausea, and dizziness. One can also get colds and the flu. Breathing in second-hand smoke can also trigger asthma attacks and increase your chances of getting bronchitis and pneumonia. The longer you're exposed to second-hand smoke, the more it will affect your health. The only thing that really helps a person avoid the problems associated with smoking and second-hand smoke is staying smoke-free. Limiting your exposure to secondhand smoke may seem easy, but sometimes it is not, especially if everyone around you is smoking and offering you cigarettes. One can keep his or her home and car smoke free by smoking outside. However, remember that smoke can linger for up to two and half-hours, so opening a window or leaving the room doesn't really count. Even the slightest exposure to second-hand smoke is dangerous. A piece of advice for smokers: it is never too late to quit your unhealthy habit. By quitting smoking, you can help save other people's lives, including your own. http://www.articlearmies.com/articles/Health/muscle-cramps-description-causes-and-treatment.html What are Muscle Cramps? Cramps are defined as involuntary, forced, and prolonged contraction of a part of a muscle, a whole muscle, or group of muscles. Compared to spasm, cramps are more forceful and sustained. The usual mechanism of muscles is to alternately contract and relax to facilitate movement. Those muscles that are involved in gross or fine motor movements are mostly voluntary muscles, which means that they move at will. There are instances, however, when these voluntary muscles move involuntarily and instead of contracting and relaxing at short durations, the contraction is prolonged without intervening relaxation states. This is what happens when cramps are experienced. When muscles forcibly contract at a prolonged period, it can be painful and exhausting to any person experiencing it. Moreover, muscle cramps can recur frequently and, therefore, is more difficult to handle or deal with. This situation is especially more troubling among people who are highly preoccupied with their work but are hindered by painful and constant contraction of their muscles. Among those professionals who are prone to experiencing difficulties caused by muscle problems are athletes, construction workers, and office workers who are frequently in a constant seated position for a long time. When muscle problems such as cramps get in the way of their work, it can greatly hinder them and make them unproductive. Other associated conditions usually occurring with muscle cramps are tic, muscle itch, paralysis, paresthesia, and tingling. Some health problems or symptoms that are more commonly known to be associated with muscle cramps but do co-occur with it include regurgitation, dry mouth, disorientation, rapid and loud heart beat or sounds, and pericardial effusion. Muscle cramps can trouble different parts of the body. It can be sometimes found in the neck area while at other times it can be in the ankles. The variation in the location where this problem can be found somehow is indicative of the randomness and undetermined set of causes which had triggered or began the health concern. Among the most common causes of muscle cramps are mentioned in the next section. What causes Muscle Cramps? There are some common conditions or situations that lead individuals to experience muscle cramps. Among those are over-exertion when doing tasks or activities, muscle injury, muscle spasm, electrolyte imbalance, loss of salt, excessive perspiration, and even, exercise. Some viral and bacterial infections may also induce the occurrence of muscle spasm. Other health problems that are also known triggers of this muscle problem include diabetes, circulation anomalies, dermatomyositis, thyroid disease, and rheumatoid arthritis. What are the treatments for Muscle Cramps? The usual medications prescribed by doctors among patients who have trouble with muscle cramps include muscle-relaxant drugs such as cyclobezaprine, carisoprodol (Soma), and skelaxin. However, other options for treatment of muscle cramps involve home remedies such as apple cider vinegar and approaches such as massage, relaxation exercises, and remediation to pressure points. Consumption of food rich in nutrients such as calcium, protein, magnesium, and vitamin C can also help prevent the threats of experiencing muscle cramps. http://www.articlearmies.com/articles/Health/yeast-infection-description-causes-and-treatment.html What is Yeast Infection? This kind of infection is most common among women. However, many remain ignorant or unaware of this medical problem. It is important to know the symptoms, dangers, and related conditions of yeast infection to be able to treat it early on. It is also necessary to determine the various causes of this disease to be able to avoid it before it even happens. Finally, it will be most helpful for any female person if she is also knowledgeable of the several possible treatments for yeast infection to be able to curtail it immediately. Not many women are familiar with the term “yeast infection”. However, more women are probably aware of or have experienced previously the symptoms of this condition. The top three signs of having yeast infection are itching, burning and pain, and discharge. Itching of any part of the skin or body is usually caused by an infestation of foreign organisms such as fungi or bacteria in a particular area of the body. In the case of yeast infection, the affected portion is the vaginal part and the surrounding areas. The infection can cause intense itching that rashes or redness usually develop secondary to scratching. Another indication is a burning or painful sensation in that area especially when urinating. The skin in a woman's vaginal part may already contain sores due to frequent scratching that when placed in contact with the acidity of urine may cause pain or a burning sensation. This feeling may be similar to that which is experienced when having urinary track infection, however, they occur at different areas of the body. Lastly, some women report of having discharges that are usually described as odorless, white, and cheese-like. At other instances, a starch-like odor is said to be observed from the discharges. Yeast infection itself is not considered as highly dangerous, however, it can be very irritating and disturbing especially among women who are already preoccupied with other responsibilities or tasks. On the other hand, like most infections, it is highly transferable to other individuals including the opposite sex. Certain conditions of the body may make it easier for a person to acquire this disease such as diabetes and use of antibiotics. Other health problems which are usually associated with yeast infection include urinary tract infections and possible complications during pregnancy. However, these are not scientifically-based and are yet to be proven or negated in future studies. What causes Yeast Infection? The scientific term for yeast infection is Candidiasis. This was derived from the the yeast organism or fungus-like Candida that causes this condition. Fungus thrives in dark and moist areas such as the vaginal area of women. Certain health conditions such as pregnancy and diabetes make people, especially women, more prone to acquiring yeast infection. Pregnancy causes a change in the metabolic balance and vaginal acidity of women which is more favorable to fungus growth. Fungus are also known to thrive among individuals with high sugar levels such as in the case of people with diabetes and those with defects in sugar metabolism. What are the treatments for Yeast Infection? Various oral medications such as Diflucan or fluconazole and topical treatments may be prescribed by doctors to cure yeast infection. Home remedies such as using yogurt and garlic, whether internally and externally, can also be done. It is, however, important to consult a doctor first prior to applying any of the available remedies to avoid complications and further harm. http://www.articlearmies.com/articles/Health/sure-help-for-the-worried-and-anxious.html If you are a human being, it is quite normal to feel stressed out, worried, and show feelings of fear. Anxiety is a state of exaggerated worry and fear due to . People feel and show anxiety in different ways, and sometimes this feeling could lead to a more stressful case, which causes people to buy prescription drugs to heal and relieve their anxiety. There are a lot of available anti-anxiety drugs for people who want to find relief from feelings of stress, worry, or fear. Anti-anxiety medications are purchased in order to lessen these negative feelings that could oftentimes affect the person's way of living. Anxiety is seen in the workplace, at home, in school, and in any other activities that needs or demands a certain level that a person needs to achieve. A good work presentation, an important school exam, or a simple visit to the dentist may cause anxiety. These anti-anxiety medications allow the person to feel more relaxed and calm, decreasing the bothersome feelings of anxiety itself. Since these anxiety medications are available at any drugstore, people can see how cheap and convenient these medications are, and see that it somehow relieves their feelings of anxiety at some point in time. It is a fact that such anxiety medications are not there to heal the person of his/her anxiety; it is available only to relieve them of such feelings only for a period of time. Anxiety medications are taken consistently as long as the anxiety is still there. Of course, such anxiety medications would not heal the person's bothersome feelings, so people tend to continue in taking these medications for as long as they feel the need to. Unfortunately, these anxiety medications also have side effects that could cause additional problems to a person's health. These medications are made for a person to take as needed, so if a person feels anxious almost all of the time, they may be inclined to take these medications as many as possible. This, in turn, can lead to addiction or abuse of such medications, since these kinds of medications can cause relaxation, making a person feel calm and collected. If such medications are abused, there can be a possibility of having withdrawal symptoms on taking such medications. Drinking alcohol while taking these medications are especially dangerous since the interaction of alcohol and these anxiety medications can be dangerous and fatal. Moreover, certain side effects of anti anxiety medications can be hazardous to the person if not taken properly. Side effects of these particular medications can cause drowsiness, so a person is ought to be in danger of having a car accident while on the road and on medication, or while operating any hazardous machinery. Examples of side effects from taking this type of medication would be loss of coordination, tiredness, mental slowing or confusion, and even loss of appetite. These certain side effects can really alter the person's state of thinking and movement, which in turn can give a negative impact on taking such anti anxiety medications. It would be better for people to know more about what medications they are taking, and inform their physician regarding their health concerns. A healthy approach in relieving stress could be a better idea. Thinking about enrolling in a Yoga class? http://www.articlearmies.com/articles/Health/stressed-out-on-your-first-pregnancy.html Under normal circumstances, a woman is bound to experience the ultimate event in her life: pregnancy and motherhood. Getting pregnant is one of the simplest yet unique source of happiness a woman could ever have. Bearing a child changes a woman's lifestyle and her very perception about life itself. and would change their whole lifestyle as well. Being a mother is exceptionally different from being just a woman. Experiencing pregnancy for nine months can give the woman a lot of time to think about herself, her health, and all of her responsibilities regarding her family and her career. When it comes to pregnancy, women should know as much information as they could get in order to have knowledge on what to expect while she is pregnant and when she is about to give birth. It is necessary for the woman to know the basics of conceiving a baby, right from the very start of it all. A first time mother could really feel the excitement and, of course, the fear and anxiety that naturally comes with the first-time pregnancy. Being worried is considered normal since this would be their first time to experience pregnancy. Personal research on pregnancy usually starts when a woman asks her own mother or close circle of female friends about the what, why, and how of pregnancy. These informal means of education may be quite unscientific but make up for it by the sense of privacy and the level of personal interaction that occurs between the woman and her source of information. Pregnant women should be aware of possible health risks and activities that they should avoid during the pregnancy period. Eating the right and healthy diet for you and your unborn child is essential for the proper growth of the baby, as well as to give strength to the soon-to-be mother. Exercise is also important to keep pregnant women fit since the delivery requires stamina and endurance. But still, not all exercises are fit for pregnant women. Research studies have shown that there are risks in having a miscarriage when a pregnant woman engages in vigorous exercises like jogging, ball games, and playing racket sports. Swimming is a good exercise alternative for pregnant women. This can relax the woman's body by not feeling her extra weight in the water, and is also a practical source for stress relief. For first time mothers, fear and anxiety is relevant since this would be a new experience for them, and a hard one at that. Being stressed and worried may complicate the pregnancy, so there are useful tips that can be recognized as forms of stress relief. A lot of factors can give stress, as well as fear and anxiety for first time pregnant women. They can be stressed out due to financial reasons, work-related issues, and the more personal form of stress. By prioritizing her needs and simplifying the daily schedule, a pregnant woman can release some stress that normally comes with the pregnancy. In terms of financial stress, it is wise to cut down on unnecessary things and focus more on creating a fixed budget that could eventually help your family when the baby arrives. Experiencing pregnancy for the first time can be truly stressful. It is advisable for pregnant women to work try stress relief methods in order to have a healthy, worry free pregnancy. http://www.articlearmies.com/articles/Health/martial-arts-philosophy-and-proper-training.html Martial arts are systems of offensive and defensive combat movements which includes proper punching, kicking, blocking, and other combative skills. Many people often associate martial arts to violence and brutality. Even though this form of art was developed for self defense, this craft is just about throwing punches or performing high kicks. Martial arts are seen as expressions of valor, chivalry, and self-sacrifice. It is a philosophy which stresses that people should live in peace and harmony. Martial arts philosophy emphasizes on the essence of self-control, respect for others, and positive perspective to strive for the best in life. Martial arts are part of an Eastern tradition that gives emphasis on the fortification of the mind, body, and spirit. Its teachings emphasize that a true martial artist must become physically, mentally, and emotionally strong enough to avoid fighting. The many forms of martial arts include Karate, Kung-Fu, Muay Thai, Tae Kwon Do, Judo, Yaw-Yan, and Jiu Jitsu. Martial arts include high-energy training that can improve strength, speed, flexibility, and cardiovascular health. However, just like other sports or physical activities, there are injuries that can be encountered in martial arts training or competition. Quite surprisingly, the risk of injury from martial arts is lower compared to other contact sports. A research conducted at George Washington University in the United States concluded that the injury rate in martial arts training is lower than other contact sports like rugby, American football, basketball, and hockey. Most injuries associated with martial arts are aching limbs and lower back pain, which are usually mild to moderate injuries. Common injuries in martial arts may include: · Skin damage -- such as cuts and bruises. · Sprains -- Many sprains occur in the ankles, elbows, and other joint areas. Many ankle sprains develop because of improper weight distribution while kicking. · Strains -- injury to the muscle or tendon. Some muscles may tear from rapid stops that occurs when forceful contact is made with an opponent or object. · Knee pain injuries -- caused by the bent-knee stance typical of most martial arts and the use of forceful kicks that can injure the joint if not done properly. · Head injuries – head injuries can occur during training or competition because of heavy impacts of kicks and punches in the head area. Wearing high quality helmet and mouth guards is advised among martial artists · Dislocations and fractures -- particularly of the hand, finger, foot and toe. · Overuse injuries -- any part of the body can be injured by sheer repetition of movement. Martial arts training involve strenuous movements that may put high stress on muscles and joints. To avoid injuries, it is very important to give special attention to stretching. Stretching regularly helps maintain or increase flexibility and lower the risk of injuries. In addition to stretching, martial arts training should also include exercises meant to improve overall conditioning and muscle training before undertaking any comprehensive martial arts training. By strengthening the muscles, joints, and coordination, athletes will be able to make martial arts training safer and more injury-free. Breathing techniques are also important as part of the practice of martial arts. Exhaling while contracting muscles and inhaling while resting the muscles may help prevent injuries. By warming-up properly, breathing extensively, and wearing necessary equipment, martial artists and athletes can avoid injuries that may hamper the progress of their training and level of competitiveness. http://www.articlearmies.com/articles/Health/getting-around-the-weight-loss-plateau.html The typical human form is capable of achieving a number of incredible feats that seem to suspend or defy the way science tells us things work. Athletes, through sheer willpower, can end up lifting something that their bodies should not be able to without suffering anything worse than muscle spasms. People can adapt to extreme physical trauma caused by a car accident and defy predictions that they'll never walk again. While, in general, these amazing feats are useful in a number of situations, there are physical reactions that some people look upon with quite a bit of disfavor. Among these “disfavored reactions” is something known as a “weight loss plateau.” Essentially, the “plateau” is a term used to describe a situation where the body has become incapable of losing any further weight, usually due to developing a tolerance for the weight loss pills and methods being used. Essentially, the plateau is hit when the body develops tolerance for the regimen's limitations and practices, thus allowing the metabolic rate of the body to adjust to whatever weight loss pills or techniques were being used. Most diet books decidedly ignore the existence of the plateau, primarily because it can be seen as negating the purpose of the diet and is, therefore, bad for marketing. There are, however, ways to counteract the human body building a tolerance for training regimens and weight loss pills. The human metabolism, when presented with a pattern, will eventually adapt to that pattern. It is this natural adaptability of the human body that can cause the weight loss plateau, particularly if the person's diet and eating habits have been altered for weight loss. As such, changing the pattern will, once a sufficient amount of time has passed, allow your diet plan or weight loss pills to become effective again. This trick essentially involves confusing the human metabolism, and is often taken as a rather drastic way to get the body back in “diet mode.” There are, of course, several ways to effectively alter that pattern without causing the body permanent harm. Adding strength and weight training and modifying one's exercise program can also help someone get past the plateau, in most cases. The body will still burn through nutrients during physical activity, though the digestive system's metabolic rate can adapt such that more weight is retained rather than burned during exercise. Increasing the difficulty of the exercises, or changing the movements to target less-developed muscle areas, can effectively force the body to re-adapt. While the body is busy adapting to the changes, it can also start losing weight again. This method is best used with alterations to the person's diet, however, to maximize the effectiveness. Another trick used to circumvent the problem of the plateau is to make changes to the time frame between meals. The internal clock that the human body's digestive system operates on can be altered to suit one's purposes, provided one executes the proper alterations to one's diet and eating habits. A simple action like altering the schedule of the meals, such as adding more meals but reducing the bulk of each, can have an appreciable effect on altering the metabolic rate. The key concept of this method is to fool the body into burning the food faster, thus getting one's weight loss program and diet back on track. When considering the options, it is helpful to keep in mind that what works for one person may not work for another person. Some slower metabolisms may require combination of diet program and exercise regimen modifications, while others can get by with merely shortening the break between meals. The critical point is to find a method that works and is effective for a specific metabolism, which can be a time-consuming process. http://www.articlearmies.com/articles/Health/can-you-catch-insanity.html Some say that the more you are exposed to something, the more likely you are to pick it up. The same has been anecdotally proven to be true for mental health conditions and outright insanity. The longer you are thrust into an environment where mental health is compromised, the higher the chances are that you'll end up emulating their behavior. Some hardcore psychologists can sometimes deliberately attempt to appear insane just to get an inside look at how things are on the “other side,” but those people have questionable mental health anyway. It is interesting that there are very few studies being conducted to see whether or not prolonged exposure to insanity can lead a perfectly sane person to go down that same road. There is a piece of old advice that says playing along with the delusions of the insane is more effective than fighting it when it comes to preserving one's mental health. The trick, supposedly, is being able to keep their perception of reality from becoming yours. However, this only holds true for those who have psychological or anxiety disorders that are obvious. This would be difficult to apply to someone who has a mental health problem that has turned the damage inwards, rather than outwards. This bit of advice likely stems from the misconception that insane people are easy to spot, primarily due to their behavior and the way they carry themselves. Another common piece of advice is to engage in frequent and effective methods of stress relief, preferably as often as possible. It is no secret that constantly dealing with one mental health patient is stressful and difficult, so it makes sense that having to deal with a large number of them can put the stress levels near the breaking point for some people. The build-up of stress and anxiety, combined with continuous exposure to the various forms of mental health disorders, can sometimes result in clinical insanity. Granted, this is coming from prolonged exposure and a lack of measures taken to alleviate the problem, but it is a possibility. A very unlikely and rare possibility, but a possibility nonetheless. There are currently no studies as to whether or not prolonged exposure to insane people can have any real effects on a person's mental health. Currently, the best on offer is anecdotal evidence and the background story of comic book villain Harley Quinn. Of course, the character's transformation from professional psychiatrist to the psychotic girlfriend of an equally psychotic criminal is a fictional story. There have been no reports of instances like that occurring, though it is generally accepted knowledge that most people's psychiatrists often end up going to counseling themselves. For the time being, there is no concrete medical data that points to a connection between sanity and prolonged exposure to the insane. There are no reports of insane asylums regularly cycling their psychiatrists and staff between themselves to minimize exposure to specific individuals behind asylum walls. The statistics don't show a lot of former psychologists becoming mental health patients themselves, either. It is probable that there simply aren't enough anecdotes and stories to justify a full study on the matter. Still, if “catching” mental illness from the insane is a possibility, that does pose an interesting mental health risk to asylum staff members. http://www.articlearmies.com/articles/Health/the-wonders-of-medicines.html There are probably more medicines than there are illnesses to be cured. We all know that medicines are developed to make us feel better when we are feeling sick. However, most people don't realize that all medicines have risks as well as benefits. Medicines may cause unwanted side effects or drug interactions with food or with other medicines you may be taking. Benefits of over-the-counter and prescription medicines must outweigh its known risk before the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approve its sale to the general public. The FDA can withdraw a medication from the market if found to cause harmful side effects. The benefits of medicines are the positive effects you get when you take them, such as lowering blood pressure, curing bacterial infection or relieving back pain. The risks of medicines are the chances that something unwanted or unexpected could happen to you when you use them. Some risks could be less serious, such as a headache, or more serious, such as liver damage. In order to reduce the risks, always follow the directions carefully when taking medicines. Medicines are chemical substances or compounds that are used for the treatment and prevention of diseases and its symptoms. Advances in medications have enabled doctors to a find cure to many diseases and save lives. Today's medicines come from varied sources. Some medicines have been developed from substances found in nature, such as plant extracts. But most medicines are produced and developed in laboratories using chemical mixtures, or by products of organisms, such as fungus. And a few medicines are even biologically engineered by inserting genes into bacteria that make them produce the desired substance. Medications come in different forms, such as tablets, pills, liquids, drops, creams, gels, ointments, inhalers, patches, injectables. Some medicines can cure an illness by killing or stopping the spread of invading germs, such as bacteria and viruses. Others are used for cancer treatments by killing cells as they divide to prevent them from multiplying. Some drugs simply replace missing substances or correct abnormally low levels of natural body chemicals such as certain hormones or vitamins. Medicines can also affect parts of the nervous system that control a particular body process. Antibiotic is a type of medicine to fight bacterial infections like strep throat or an ear infection. These medicines help the body's immune system to fight off the infection by killing the bacteria or stopping their multiplication. Some medicines can only treat the symptoms but can't cure the illness that causes the symptoms. For example, taking a lozenge may soothe a sore throat, but it won't kill that nasty strep bacteria. There are medicines for pain relief to treat pulled muscles. They block the pathways that transmit pain signals from the injured or irritated body part to the brain to lessen the pain. Immunizations are medical treatments that keep people from getting sick through vaccines. They contain parts or products of infectious organisms or whole germs that have been modified or killed. Vaccine helps the body's immune system to fight off infection by that germ. Some people find it a hassle to take medicines. But these are the most effective treatments available for many illnesses. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medication to avoid further aggravating your condition. Inform your health care provider about all of the medicines and supplements you are using to avoid possible drug interactions. It is important to mention if you are pregnant or nursing to avoid harmful effects to the unborn. http://www.articlearmies.com/articles/Health/steroids--pumping-up-the-issue.html There may be some truths in the lyrics of Rod Stewart's hit song “Some Guys Have All The Luck”. Whether they admit it or not, guys sometimes compare themselves with other guys especially in certain settings, such as the locker room. Time in a locker room can be challenging. It is a place where you can actually separate the boys from the men, at least, in terms of their physical development. Guys are stereotyped to be tough and shouldn't place much concern with their appearance. Vanity is a girl's issue. But it's natural to observe friends and classmates, and notice the different ways they're growing and developing. And the reality is that a lot of guys do spend plenty of time surveying themselves in front of the mirror. It doesn't matter whether they have reed thin bodies, or buffed like Clark Kent. The truth is, some guys care just as much as girls do about their appearance. But unlike girls, most guys are less likely to talk to their friends or relatives about how their bodies are developing. A guy may suddenly develop a negative self-image when he sees that all his friends have already matured physically, are taller, and more muscular. Guys who feel that they don't measure up with their peers as far as body image is concerned may feel pressured and may resort to using steroids to speed up the development of their physique without taking into consideration its side effects. The human body produces natural steroids to fight stress and promote growth and development. However, there are some people, mostly athletes, who use steroid pills, gels, creams, or injections to improve their physique or their performance. Steroids, sometimes referred to as 'roids, juice, hype, weight trainers, gym candy, arnolds, stackers, or pumpers, are the same as, or similar to, certain hormones in the body. Anabolic steroids are artificially produced hormones similar to androgens, the male-type sex hormones in the body. The most powerful androgen is testosterone. Testosterone is mainly a mature male hormone which promotes the masculine traits that develop during puberty, such as deepening of the voice and growth of body hair. Testosterone levels has an effect in the aggressiveness of a person. This is the reason why some athletes take anabolic steroids because of their testosterone-like effects. They stimulate muscle tissue to grow and "bulk up" in response to training by mimicking the effect of naturally produced testosterone on the body. Anabolic steroids can remain in the body anywhere from a couple of days to about a year. The popularity of this substance is due to the improved endurance, strength, and muscle mass for its users. However, there is no research study to substantiate these claims. Another group of steroids called steroidal supplements contains dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and/or androstenedione (also known as andro). They used to be found at health food stores or gyms but are now considered controlled substance and require a prescription. However, DHEA is one of the few exceptions and can still be bought over the counter. The effects of steroid supplements are not well known. They are considered weaker forms of androgen but when taken in large doses, they cause effects similar to other androgens like testosterone. However, it's been known that companies manufacturing steroids supplements often use false claims with very little known long-term effects on the body. For this reason, the government passed laws controlling steroid distribution to protect the general public. Anabolic steroids cause many different types of problems. Some of the more serious or long-lasting side effects are: l premature balding or hair loss l dizziness l mood swings, including anger, aggression, and depression l seeing or hearing things that aren't there (hallucinations) l extreme feelings of mistrust or fear (paranoia) l problems sleeping l nausea and vomiting l trembling l high blood pressure that can damage the heart or blood vessels over time l aching joints l greater chance of injuring muscles and tendons l jaundice or yellowing of the skin; liver damage l urinary problems l shortening of final adult height l increased risk of developing heart disease, stroke, and some types of cancer Specific risks for girls associated with anabolic steroids include: l increased facial hair growth l development of masculine traits, such as deepening of the voice, and loss of feminine body characteristics, such as shrinking of the breasts l enlargement of the clitoris l menstrual cycle changes Specific risks for guys include: l testicular shrinkage l pain when urinating l breast development l impotence l sterility Serious psychological side effects of steroids may result to aggressiveness or combative attitude, extreme, uncontrolled bouts of anger caused by long-term steroid use. Steroids injections can place the person at risk for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the virus that causes AIDS, if they share needles with other users. Dirty needles pose greater risk for contracting hepatitis or bacterial endocarditis, an infection of the inner lining of the heart. So, do not envy other guys whose muscles are well-developed than yours. Not everyone's body changes at the same time or even at the same pace. Working out in a gym is still the best way to pump up those muscles without the possible risks steroids may bring. Most guys will eventually catch up in terms of physique development. However, some guys will remain to be taller or well-built. It could be in the genes. http://www.articlearmies.com/articles/Health/healing-from-car-accidents.html No matter how much you try to drive carefully and responsibly, you'll never know when accidents can happen. Car accidents are very traumatic and can leave crash survivors in shock or full of guilt, fear, nervousness, or anger. All these emotions are normal reactions to the situation. But it is better for a survivor to take a few deep breaths first, or try to count from 1 to 10 in order to calm down. This will better prepare the survivors to take stock of the accident and analyze the extent of damage. Dealing with the aftermath of a car accident is as upsetting and traumatic as the crash itself. People can appear to be in a state of shock several hours or even days after the accident. They may feel that it could have been avoided and they may start to blame themselves. Sometimes, people close to those who were involved in the accident, like families and best friends, can experience some emotional problems as well. All these feelings are normal. But as soon as every damage is taken care of, these accidents become mere afterthoughts. However, when the feeling gets unusually stronger or last for longer periods of time, it may hinder the crash survivors from their normal daily functions. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, might occur to the survivors when the car accident involves severe injuries or has resulted in deaths. Signs of PTSD may show up immediately following the accident, or weeks or even months later. PTSD is a very strong stress reaction that can develop in people after a traumatic event that involves directly experiencing the event. Aside from a serious car accident, a natural disaster like an earthquake, personal assaults and abuse, terrorist attacks and military combat can also cause PTSD. Although not all people who experience stress after a car accident develops PTSD, it is better to take note of the following symptoms: · avoiding emotions or any reminders of the incident · constant feelings of anxiousness, crankiness, or anger · avoiding medical tests or procedures · constantly reliving the incident in one's mind · nightmares or trouble sleeping For those who have any of these symptoms after having been in a car accident, discussing the experience with loved ones or close friends can be psychologically therapeutic. It will greatly help in releasing whatever suppressed emotions that are bottled up inside. Try to bring back the normalcy in life by engaging in regular daily activities, no matter how difficult it may seem. If these things don't work, consult with a health care professional to get the necessary treatment. Mental health professionals such as psychologists, psychiatrists, and counselors who specialize in treating anxiety problems are usually experienced in working with people who have PTSD. There are those who avoid seeking professional help because they're afraid that talking about the incident will bring back memories or feelings that are too painful. PTSD is not like something that can be forgotten quickly or can be willed to go away. Getting treatment and support can make all the difference. People with PTSD need to work through the pain in order to reduce symptoms like nightmares and flashbacks. It can also help people avoid potentially harmful behaviors and emotions, like extreme anger or self-injury Therapy may involve gradual talks in a safe environment and learning coping skills that help with anxiety, fear, or panic. Relaxation techniques can also be applied in order to help reset the stress response which resolves other problems like sleeping disorders. The healing process may allow people to discover strengths they didn't know they had, or a support network that they didn't know was there. Treatment helps them find focus in life and develop new insights to cope with other problems. http://www.articlearmies.com/articles/Health/letting-the-tables-go-the-perils-of-gambling-addiction.html Gambling addiction is a major concern around the world, as more and more people are embracing the tables and cards as a means of stress relief. The emergence of online casinos has not helped curb the growing statistics of people becoming addicted to gambling. The availability of casino games and the allure of the easy money has the potential to rapidly go from stress relief to full-blown addiction. There are some that would argue that people with pathological gambling disorder are merely exceptionally greedy. Others, though, would argue that these people are suffering from a mental health disorder and need to be taken away from the tables and put into counseling as soon as possible. Currently, there appear to be no signs of either side achieving any sort of common ground or consensus. So while the debate rages on, people continue to become addicted to roulette, blackjack, and the slots. Pathological gambling is basically differentiated from the norm by one simple factor. Addicts are in such an ill state of mental health that they are either incapable of seeing their problem or are simply ignoring the consequences of their actions. This can include everything from how much damage their next week-long session at the roulette table is going to cost them, to ignoring the threat of a spouse divorcing them if they don't stop. The problem has gotten to the point where the thrill of the “action” has taken control of the person's mind. There are some mental health experts that argue that gambling addicts are no longer in full control of their actions. While there is some evidence provided by the increase of certain chemicals in the nervous system during gambling, this is not considered adequate proof. To some degree, another sign of pathological gambling comes in the form of separation anxiety. The addiction tends to get to a point where the addict cannot stop thinking about gambling. Scenarios are played out in the mind constantly, bordering on delusions. This preoccupation, when combined with the possibility of being withdrawn from a casino, can sometimes lead to separation anxiety. In some cases, the person exhibits symptoms similar to drug withdrawal if they are deprived of their gambling “fix.” If data taken from counseling sessions with gambling addicts is to be considered, it is arguable than addicts also develop a tolerance for gambling. According to studies, the person's mental health adapts to the amounts being gambled such that the addict needs to bet more and more. This is similar to what happens to drug addicts and alcoholics. As the mind develops a tolerance for the regular amounts that the person bets, the mind develops a need to increase the bet spread to attain that same sense of euphoria. According to some reports, a person's mental health and finances can be put under serious strain if this behavior is left untreated for an extended period. Arguably, a person may also develop a mild form of antisocial personality disorder if the gambling problem is left untreated. This occurs when the addiction has gotten to the point where the person has become desperate to cover up losses incurred through gambling. The person's mental health can warp into a state where the typical consideration for social norms and rules is discarded in favor of alleviating the person's perceived problems. While taking loans or money from relatives is the common means of doing this, there are some cases where it gets to the point where illegal activity is the only means of supporting the addiction. http://www.articlearmies.com/articles/Health/frostfingered-fear-things-you-out-to-know-about-panic-disorders.html Panic disorders are real problems that can affect an estimated 7.5% of the general population at any given time. This widespread problem has the potential to be among the most debilitating mental health disorders we know of. The intensity of the panic attacks that panic disorders cause can vary from patient to patient. All of them have consistent physical symptoms that can sometimes make it hard to diagnose the problem properly. However, despite this alarming situation, the general public tends to be unaware of some of the basic facts surrounding panic disorders. Presented here is some basic information that could be useful to people who have panic disorders, or believe they know someone who has this particular mental health problem. The Signs: The primary symptom of panic disorders would be periods where the patient undergoes extreme anxiety. These periods are often known as panic attacks and are easily mistaken for signs of someone developing an anxiety disorder. The duration can cause the physical symptoms to vary from patient to patient and, in some cases, from attack to attack. An increased heart rate, excessive perspiration, uncontrollable trembling, and nausea have all been cited as physical signs of a panic attack. The frequency of these attacks can vary from patient to patient, with some experiencing attacks daily while others endure them on a weekly basis. The Chance of An Incorrect Diagnosis: Due to the physical symptoms that panic disorders have, some people can easily make the mistake of believing it to be a physical problem. There are a variety of physical ailments that can cause the same range of side effects and symptoms that panic disorders do. It is believed that a number of untrained observers may mistake a panic attack as epilepsy, or something similar. In some cases, the physical effects have been mistaken as heart attacks or strokes. A lack of knowledge of can also lead some observers to mistake the side effects of panic disorders to be a case of social anxiety or performance anxiety. Possible Treatments: Counseling has been noted as being helpful in alleviating panic disorders. Typically, psychiatric counseling and therapy is accompanied by the use of certain drugs, such as anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medications. The use of these medications can also help in cutting the connection between panic disorders and anxiety and phobias, helping the patient recover faster. Psychiatric counseling has also been useful in helping patients adapt to a normal life, particularly if the disorder was left untreated for an extended period. Side Effects A Patient Might Develop: Prolonged and untreated panic disorders can sometimes cause side effects like social anxiety, depression, and agoraphobia. Since panic attacks can occur during social situations, it can sometimes cause someone to develop performance anxiety or social anxiety. This is particularly true if the attacks frequently occur during times of great stress for the patient. Another possible reaction to these triggers can be depression and lack of confidence, as the person continues to fail in his endeavors. The onset of these side effects not only have an effect on mental health, but can also make recovery even more difficult. As such, it is critical that the problem be diagnosed and treated as early as possible. That way, the damage it can do is kept to a minimum. http://www.articlearmies.com/articles/Family/marriage-is-a-balancing-act.html “Marriage is not a ritual or an end. It is a long , intricate, intimate dance together and nothing matters more than your own sense of balance and your choice of partner.” ---- Amy Bloom Norman and Samantha are celebrating their 9th wedding anniversary. The past nine years cannot be called married bliss even if they were madly in love with each other. Like any other couples, they have had their share of conflicts and trials. But Norman and Samantha's main problem is that they are extreme opposites. Samantha likes the finer things in life while Norman is like the cowboy who likes to get his hands dirty and enjoys the simple pleasure of the outdoors and sports. There are things that get into each other's nerves and they both end up in a shouting match. This pattern of behavior had resulted in stress and anxiety. Many have told them to work on their communication skills if they want their marriage to remain intact. Like Norman and Samantha, thousands of couples struggle with communication. The way we communicate plays a big part in marriage. It defines how we relate to our spouses and to our children. Poor communication can actually lead a marriage to utter failure. Long-lasting marriages are usually characterized by open, encouraging, and positive communication between the man and woman. Learning how to properly identify issues that must be resolved is also a communication skill that no married person can afford not to have. There are a number of ways to communicate with your spouse. Why not improve on your commuincation style by reading the following methods or types of communication: Types of Communication: · The Discussion Type- Having a discussion gives you time to see each other's point of view a lot better. You must learn how to talk and listen attentively, clarify issues, and acknowledge each other's thoughts and feelings. · The Confrontational Type – As the worst type of communication, if it can be called communication at all, is confrontational. This usually involves shouting matches in the heat of an argument. · The Non-Confrontational – You simply do nothing, ignore your misunderstandings, and prefer to be silent about an issue in your marriange. It is a type of “non-communication” that does not lead to the resolution of a problem. Types of Conflict Resolution Couples should also try to learn and practice conflict resolution techniques. Marriage cannot survive if problems are not discussed and resolved completely. It is important for couples to know about the ways people approach a conflict. These approaches are as follows: 1. The Avoidant Type – This type avoids all hot issues or topics and actually cause a problem to get worse. Couples who avoid conflict usually value each other's private space and tend to live in a placid manner without the intense passion. However, the way they avoid discussing issues can sometimes complicate their problems. 2. The Validating Type – This entails affirming one another's feelings, considering all points of view, and coming to an amicable settlement. Couples who maintain this type of communication see each other as friends and value the collaborative nature of their relationship rather than their selfish aspirations. 3. The Volatile Type- When couples don't listen to each other's point of view but try to convince each other that he or she is right have the perfect ingredient for divorce or separation. When couples see each other as equals and respect each other's individuality and independence, they are able to discuss constructively without resorting to heated arguments and “volatile” actions. Tips for a Successful Partnership It is important for couples to know that the success of their marriage depends a lot on good communication and the ability to talk constructively as partners. These tips are simple yet can do a lot to make a marriage last: · Being affectionate · Showing your concern or how much you care · Being thoughtful by giving gifts even when there is no occasion · Being appreciative · Having a healthy sense of humor · Sharing each other's joy To keep marriage strong, couples must share their interests and explore new things together. They must also learn to accept each other's weaknesses and perspectives even if they do not agree. Indeed, marriage is a matter of give-and-take. Whether it's having an argument or making a marriage work, it does take “ two to tango.” http://www.articlearmies.com/articles/Health/slimming-tricks-losing-weight-with-and-without-the-sweat.html Fitness and health that are two things that Americans have a hard time with. In fact, Americans are now among the most obese and overweight people on the planet. People struggling to lose weight often talk about their lack of willpower. Resources to lose weight are abundant and diet programs now literally flood the fitness market. So what can a person do to keep those excess pounds from posing health risks? What can a person do to keep fit? Here are some simple strategies to keep you the right track towards better health and fitness: · Keep away from foods that makes you fat. Keep fatty foods out from your sight. If your cupboard is filled with chocolates, candies, and biscuits --- then you are always bound to fail. Out of sight, out of mind also applies to having or not having junk food at home. · Get some sun. Go outdoors and engage in physical activities or sports. Your body needs the sunlight to produce a good hormone called sertonin which may lessen your cravings for sugar and other carbohydrates. · Get a good night's sleep. Evidence shows that sleep deprivation interferes with the task of dropping those extra pounds. The hormone gherlin, which stimulates appetite, is higher in people who don't get enough sleep. · Radio- Music plays a big part in shaping the eating habits of people. In a restaurant, for example, if they want their customers to finish their food faster, they play upbeat music on the background. The faster the tune, the faster you eat. · Take it slow- It takes about 20 minutes for your stomach to send signals to your brain. So when eating quickly, your body doesn't have time to recognize that its satiated. So slow down. Appreciate your food more. Take each bite slowly. You will notice it will perk up your taste buds. · Never skip a meal - Don't skip breakfast. You'll become hungry that you'd likely gobble down food when ever you have the chance. Physically, your blood sugar plummets and, therefore, you feel more famished. · Keep negative emotions at bay - If you don't keep your emotions under control like anger. It can really make you fat. How? Anger, for example, makes your body release a stress hormone in your body that contributes to weight gain. · Commit to your goals – Staying committed to your weight loss goals does take determination and willpower. Having the right frame of mind will help you stay on track in your diet program. · Don't be such a perfectionist - Sometimes, our best laid plans just don't work out --- but try and try until you succeed. Be kind to yourself. Don't sabotage yourself by saying “I'll never loose weight.” Be your own cheerleader. Visualize that you can do it and you can make it. · Exercise, Exercise - Losing weight entails burning fat --- it's that simple. Indeed, health is wealth. Losing weight is important not only for looking good but for keeping fit. Explore the various ways to lose weight --- with and without --- exercise. It may be the most important journey you'll ever take while you're alive. http://www.articlearmies.com/articles/Health/the-vicious-cycle-of-depression-and-insomnia.html Something in modern society is pushing more and more people to experience clinical depression. The statistics differ, but a rough estimate of 20% is considered accurate for the population of the US. The time period for the depression is generally not very long, but that does not mean it is not a danger. The number of people who have experienced clinical depression has never been this high before. The fact that depression brings about a number of dangerous side effects, such as insomnia, only makes the numbers that much more worrying. There are studies focused on finding the cause of the increasing number of clinically depressed people, but are comparatively less studies focused on finding ways to alleviate the problem. Perhaps the lack of studies dedicated to treating depression stems from the fact that there are already anti-depressants on the market that are effective. At least, they're effective according to the statistics. As for the common side effects, there are sleeping pills that can help with insomnia. There are also drugs that can be used to treat most of the physical side effects associated with depression. However, these drugs tend to be difficult to obtain over-the-counter, which puts things into an interesting situation. Most people tend not to recognize by themselves that they are experiencing depression, which means that while they might treat the side effects, they're ignoring the heart of the matter. In addition, not all of the side effects of depression are treatable by medications, such as the changes in body temperature. Another problem is that the side effects have a tendency to form a vicious cycle that makes prolonged depression worsen. For example, one of the common causes of depression comes in the form of anxiety disorders, typically social anxiety. It has been documented that social anxiety can worsen with the onset of depression, sometimes resulting in total social withdrawal for short intervals. In another tangent, insomnia – another common side effects – can also worsen a person's depressed state. As the lack of sleep starts to interfere with the patient's already shaky ability to perform socially and professionally, the already-fragile self-confidence starts to fracture even more. This can cause the person's already shaky state of mental health to be damaged to the breaking point, possibly resulting in a total nervous breakdown. However, some people have also made the mistake of connecting insomnia directly to depression. While being depressed can have physical effects on the body that can trigger insomnia, it is by no means the absolute cause. According to most studies on the matter, insomnia is a physical condition, one that is more likely to be affected by factors such as a person's diet than an anxiety disorder. However, the popular perception that insomnia is linked to depression can sometimes cause a person to develop the latter. There are several factors that have to be considered, such as whether or not the insomnia has caused a dip in the person's social standing, but the connection is a possibility. A common effect of both depression and insomnia is the unusual body temperature that both conditions cause. In a normal human body, the body temperature rises and falls depending on a number of factors. Physical activity, environmental factors, and even intense mental activity can cause changes in the body temperature of a normal person. However, depression and insomnia patients both exhibit signs that their body temperatures remain flat regardless of internal or external factors. This only furthers the connection that people make between the two conditions, which can sometimes make one problem lead to another. http://www.articlearmies.com/articles/Health/a-pilladay-approach-to-weight-loss.html Being slim or thin does not make one healthy. But of course, being overweight or obese is not healthy either. For those who have trouble losing the excess pounds, the use of weight loss pills is the preferred and convenient option. The said pills are supposed to help a person lose weight by reducing the appetite and preventing the absorption of fat into the body. Weight loss pills are very helpful since not all people have the time and interest to got to the gym regularly. There are two basic types of weight loss pills available in the market today, prescription pills and the non-prescription pills. Prescription pills are those diet pills that are closely regulated and required by the FDA. These pills have been proven effective through several clinical tests. Such prescription pills include the popular Xenical (Orlistat) and Meridia (Sibutramine). These drugs must be prescribed by a doctor before a weight watcher can actually purchase and use them. On the other hand, non-prescription weight loss pills can be purchased over the counter even without doctor's approval. Examples of these non-prescription include products from Herbalife and Metabolife which are classified as fat burners, stackers, herbal weight loss pills, and diet supplements. Not all people benefit from taking these weight loss pills. These prescription weight loss pills are naturally designed to mainly treat obesity, unlike “cosmetic” weight loss, or those who just want to lose a few pounds. In fact, weight loss pills can be effective under certain circumstances. Our body tends to adjust rather quickly to the effects of these weight loss pills so there is also a possibility that the benefits might decrease as time passes. Taking such diet pills can be complicated since the person has to check if this particular diet pill would be effective, or if it is even FDA-approved. It is important to know the dosage and safety precautions for each brand of diet pill. It is important to ask your physician for a thorough explanation on the pills' possible side effects and health risks. It would be better and safer to lose pounds by having a regular routine exercise, together with the consumption of a healthy diet. There are several different weight loss diet programs that have become very popular. Some of the more well-known diet programs are Atkin's diet, Sonoma diet, South Beach diet, and the Mediterranean diet. In summary, a serious weight watcher must see to it that the use of weight loss pills is complemented by regular exercise and consumption of healthy food. It is not right to expect dramatic weight loss by just using pills. Stored fat in the body can only be eliminated through exercise. The other alternative – liposuction --- is not only expensive and painful, it may also entail serious health risks since it is an invasive medical procedure. Through exercise, the body literally sweats away and burns excess fat. The body also adjusts and metabolism rates increase. With increased metabolism, the body works faster and harder in burning excess fat. Aside from the fat-burning effects of exercise, regular workouts also make a person feel good and confident. Of course, proper eating habits should be observed because the fat that is lost through exercise must not be regained because of excessive eating. http://www.articlearmies.com/articles/Health/fibromyalgia--widespread-chronic-muscle-pain.html When every muscle in your body seem to be shouting out in pain, with some tender areas that are unusually painful when touched, and you somehow feel tired as if devoid of all energy, and don't get enough sleep, you may be experiencing symptoms of Fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is a medical condition characterized by widespread chronic pain in your muscles, ligaments and tendons, as well as fatigue and multiple tender points. Tender points are parts on your body where even a slight pressure may cause pain. They may be found on the neck, shoulders, back, hips, arms, and legs which may hurt when pressure is put on them. More women than men are afflicted with fibromyalgia, and it shows up in people of all ages. It used to be known by other names such as fibrositis, chronic muscle pain syndrome, psychogenic rheumatism and tension myalgias. Signs and symptoms may vary depending on the the severity of the condition. In some cases, symptoms will probably never disappear completely. At any rate, it may be reassuring to know that fibromyalgia is not progressive or life-threatening. There are available treatments and self-care procedures which can improve this condition and one's general health. Signs and Symptoms Many factors can affect symptoms of fibromyalgia such as the weather, stress, physical activity or even the time of day. Common signs and symptoms include: · Widespread pain - When pressure is applied in specific areas of your body, including the back of your head, upper back and neck, upper chest, elbows, hips and knees, pain accompanied by stiffness is often felt and may persists for several months. · Fatigue and sleep disturbances - People who suffer from this condition often wake up tired and unrefreshed in spite of getting enough sleep. According to some studies, this sleep problem is the result of a sleep disorder in which deep sleep is frequently interrupted by bursts of brain activity similar to wakefulness, thus, missing the deep restorative stage of sleep. Nighttime muscle spasms in your legs and restless legs syndrome also may be associated with fibromyalgia. · Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) - Constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain and bloating associated with IBS are common in people with fibromyalgia. · Headaches and facial pain – Symptoms of headaches and facial pain may be related to the tenderness or stiffness in the neck and shoulders. · Heightened sensitivity – People with fibromyalgia are usually sensitive to odors, noises, bright lights and touch. Other common signs and symptoms include: · Depression · Numbness or tingling sensations in the hands and feet (paresthesia) · Difficulty concentrating · Mood changes · Chest pain · Dry eyes, skin and mouth · Painful menstrual periods · Dizziness · Anxiety Possible Causes There is no known cause of fibromyalgia. Recent findings focus around a theory called "central sensitization" which states that people with fibromyalgia have a lower threshold for pain due to increased sensitivity of the brain to pain signals. This is why people with fibromyalgia seem to overreact when a slight pressure is applied on a certain part of the body which would not hurt if done to a person in normal condition. However, what initiates this process of central sensitization still baffle most research experts. Other theories cited as to the cause of fibromyalgia include: · Sleep disturbances – Some researchers suggest that disturbed sleep patterns may be a cause rather than just a symptom of fibromyalgia. · Injury – Accidents that cause injuries or trauma, particularly in the upper spinal region, which affect the central nervous system may trigger the development of fibromyalgia. · Infection - Some researchers believe that a viral or bacterial infection may trigger fibromyalgia. · Abnormalities of the autonomic (sympathetic) nervous system – When the sympathetic nervous system fails to function normally during nighttime, it leads to fatigue, stiffness, dizziness and other signs and symptoms associated with the condition. The sympathetic nervous system is part of the autonomic nervous system which controls involuntary bodily functions such as heart rate, blood vessel contraction, sweating, salivary flow and intestinal movements. · Changes in muscle metabolism – A decreased blood flow to muscles may contribute to decreased strength and fatigue. Such differences in metabolism and abnormalities in the hormonal substance which influences the activity of nerves may play a role. Psychological stress and hormonal changes also may be possible causes of fibromyalgia. Seek Medical Advice Whenever you experience general aching or widespread pain that lasts several months and is accompanied by fatigue, it is time to see your doctor. Many of the symptoms of fibromyalgia mimic those of other diseases, such as low thyroid hormone production (hypothyroidism), polymyalgia rheumatica, neuropathies, lupus, multiple sclerosis