HEALTH

Cholesterol: Get to know it; it’s sticking around for a while.

September 20, 2013 by Dustyn Deerman 10 Comments

It is a fairly known fact that cholesterol is something that should be monitored and regulated; that is has a very serious effect on your overall well-being, a high total of it is bad, and all that jazz. But what exactly is cholesterol? What is considered healthy? How do you keep in it check, how do you know it’s actually high, what are some things to avoid or do to insure you actually have a healthy level of it. We’ll talk about those things here briefly, along with the possibility of cholesterol reaching too low of a level.

Cholesterol levels can fall into three ranges; for adults, a normal level usually ranges from 140-200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl). Any levels that reach above 240 mg/dl are considered high, and as you probably guess any levels dropping below 140 mg/dl are considered low.

But before diving into different levels of cholesterol, and all of the topics that encompass it, let’s cover very quickly what cholesterol even is. It is a waxy, fat-like substance that occurs naturally in the body and is actually created by the liver. The foods that we eat also contain cholesterol, so as you will see momentarily that affect our levels substantially. Cholesterol is present in just about every nook and cranny of the body, including our brains, nerves, muscles, and yes most importantly—the heart.

Why is high cholesterol a concern?

Ultimately, if you have high levels of cholesterol throughout your body, you are increasing your chances at developing cardiovascular diseases, namely heart disease. While it is not good for the rest of the usual affected areas either, the heart is the most at risk here. The cholesterol will build up on the walls of the arteries that carry blood to and from your heart; if this build up gets to too high of levels, there is less blood being pumped, thus less oxygen flowing through your body. Heart attacks, stroke, and chest pain are also at risk here. To find out your cholesterol levels, just be sure to visit your doctor and have yourself checked out. No use hiding from something as controllable as cholesterol.

How can I lower my cholesterol levels?

Don’t let a higher level of cholesterol scare you; your body creates it for a purpose and uses it to function properly, it’s just up to you to maintain it. That being said, there are ways to help control that pesky cholesterol, and they really are no brainers.

While such things like genetics, age, and weight are all also factors in what your levels are at naturally, actions you take can battle that. Aeorbic exercise is one of the most helpful things you can do to bring your levels down; aim for about 30-60 minutes of some type of aerobic exercise (running, swimming, biking) on most days out of the week.

Your diet is a huge contributor to the levels in your body. So it should come naturally to you that you should stop eating foods that contain high levels of fat (ice cream, cheeseburgers, fried chicken, etc.). Now you don’t need to cut it out completely, that’s nearly impossible. But start replacing those bad fats with good, healthy fats, especially monounsaturated fats. Think nuts, avocados, and other such foods.

Taking natural supplements is also a great idea, especially if your diet is not giving you sufficient nutrients and vitamins (and don’t beat yourself up over this either, a lot of people don’t get their required daily intake, so supplements are awesome!) Fish oil is an excellent one to consider; it is known to lower triglyceride levels (fatty cells, basically). Garlic is also a good supplement to take, as it is known to reduce over all levels of cholesterol on its own.

Other steps can be taken to fight high cholesterol like quitting smoking, practicing stress reduction techniques, and most importantly educating yourself on what it is you are putting in your body in the first place. Read labels, get to know the food you eat!

My levels are actually considered low, can this be a problem?

Low levels of cholesterol are obviously something you should strive for in terms of your health altogether; many if not almost all doctors have said there is really no huge health concern or chance of complications if your levels are below the normal level. A lot of people who are considered healthy have had extremely low levels, and never had any issues arise because of it.

However, there are always exceptions to the rules. While in general you should not worry about this, do be weary that every now and then something does come up. Your heart will be just fine, but it’s the other areas of your body that may be affected, if at all; the brain, liver, and digestive system have been known to rarely suffer from unusually low levels of cholesterol.

Some doctors have come across cases where depression and anxiety were present in people with very low levels; low levels of cholesterol can hinder the actions of serotonin. You may eventually develop higher risks of stroke; cholesterol actually helps maintain blood flow in the brain. There have also been cases of low baby weight in women who had low levels of cholesterol, and in some cases premature birth.

These are really the main concerns, and as mentioned, they rarely ever occur in conjunction with low levels of cholesterol, so do not worry yourself over it.

So, you’re saying cholesterol is not the worst thing and is here to stay?

That’s right! Cholesterol is absolutely necessary in order for your body to function properly. But, as with most things in our lives, we just need to be sure to maintain a healthy balance of it in order for it to do its job appropriately. So that of course means living in moderation and taking actions to keep yourself healthy. More than just your cholesterol is going to benefit from that!

Filed Under: HEALTH, LIFE Tagged With: body, cholesterol, diet, exercise, hdl, health, healthy, high, ldl, levels, low

Blood Pressure: Is it too high, too low? What you should know.

September 8, 2013 by Dustyn Deerman 8 Comments

Blood pressure is the measure of the force of blood pushing against blood vessel walls as it flows through the body. It is something that is ever changing and can be forced up or down for a whole variety of reasons. It is a very reciprocal relationship between good health and having a healthy blood pressure level, one that depends greatly on your lifestyle, but can still be greatly affected by genetics and existing medical issues.

When you read your blood pressure, it has a top number (systolic: measures amount of pressure on arteries and vessels while heart is beating), and a bottom number (diastolic: pressure that is exerted on the walls of various arteries around the body between heart beats, or when the heart is relaxed).

Before diving into things, however, let it be known that a ‘normal’ blood pressure is should usually be somewhere around less than 120 over 80, or 120/80. There can be slight variations and still be considered healthy, but this is a more ideal pressure reading to have.

We will take a brief look at what may cause your blood pressure to drop or rise, how you can pin point the symptoms for either, and what potential consequences are. We will also succinctly discuss what it is you can do when you have either high or low blood pressure, to help alleviate and even get rid of those symptoms you may experience.

High Blood Pressure

Also known as hypertension, high blood pressure ultimately means that there is a high amount of tension within the vessels, making it much harder for the heart to pump blood through them. This would not necessarily mean you have emotional tension or stress, but they are both things that can contribute to a rise in blood pressure.

Other things that will contribute to heightened blood pressure include: smoking, being overweight or obese, lack of exercise, high intake of sodium, high intake of alcohol, and older age. As mentioned before, genetics and existing disease or disorders (especially those having to do with kidneys or thyroids) are big contributors to hypertension.

Some people have claimed experiencing nervousness, sweating, difficulty sleeping, or facial blushing as symptoms of hypertension; others have claimed headaches, nosebleeds, and blood spots in the eyes. Most of these symptoms are inconclusive, and many people will not actually experience symptoms. What is absolutely necessary is having your blood pressure checked at the least somewhat regularly by your doctor. That is the only sure way to know where your levels are at.

If you do have high blood pressure, eating healthier and involving yourself in physical activity are immediate ways to start lowering it. Not only will your blood pressure go down, but other areas of your health are going to improve as well. If you are a smoker, the obvious and really, only option there is to stop smoking. This will drastically improve your health, especially your blood pressure.

If you do not address and start to alter your life style to lower your blood pressure, you will run risks of developing heart disease, kidney disease, hardening of the arteries, eye damage, and stroke. The quicker you make efforts to normalize your pressure, the lesser chance you’ll run into any complications down the road.

Low Blood Pressure

Referred to as hypotension, low blood pressure is a harder issue to diagnose, because for many the point at which blood pressure could be too low varies from person to person. In reality, the lower your blood pressure reads, the better, as long as no troubling health symptoms are present. People have had blood pressure as low as 85/55, and have experienced no health complications, so really it is definitely just something you need to pay attention to; too low of pressure could cause inadequate blood flow to the heart, brain, and other vital organs.

Some things to be weary of if they are occurring are: dizziness or lightheadedness, fainting, dehydration (which can cause low blood pressure), lack of concentration, blurred vision, nausea, cold and clammy skin, shallow breathing, fatigue, and even depression. A lot of these symptoms can be symptoms of so many other ailments, even just the common cold. So if they persist you should definitely have yourself checked out.

Hypotension can also be a symptom itself of underlying problems; heart problems, endocrine problems, severe infection, allergic reaction, or nutritional deficiencies could be the actual issue you’re facing, and a drop in blood pressure could be telling you something. Alcoholism can also cause a severe drop in blood pressure; it was listed above in relation to hypertension, which with it being related to both, it should just be clear that alcohol should be consumed in total moderation.

Having too low of blood pressure as mentioned is not necessarily going to be a complete health issue; it is also very avoidable if you’re sure to take care of yourself. Be sure to drink plenty of water, eat healthy, exercise regularly, and get checked by your doctor. Low blood pressure is a much easier thing to deal with, if it gets too low. In many cases however, it won’t, so don’t worry too much about it. This complication mostly occurs with elderly people, who are possibly going to have a higher chance of the above mentioned health issues.

When it comes down to it…

Unless you have unfortunately inherited a tendency to have high blood pressure, or have developed a disease or disorder that would bring it on, the ball is completely in your court in terms of what your blood pressure levels are at. As we have seen, too low of blood pressure is very rare, and high blood pressure can be brought down through very easy means. It is not only avoidable, but very controllable.

As long as you take care of yourself and insure you are leading a healthier life, your blood pressure will be of small concern to you.

Filed Under: HEALTH Tagged With: blood, heart, high, hypertension, hypotension, low, pressure, stress, tension

The Myriad Adverse Effects Of Fast Food

August 29, 2013 by Dave Hunter 12 Comments

What is fast food? There are various definitions of fast food and different names given to it as well. Technically, any food that can be quickly prepared, cooked and served can be regarded as fast food. However, time is not the only determining factor. Had that been the case then your fruit juice back home, which takes only a few minutes to make provided your blender or grinder is setup, would have been fast food as well.

What Is Fast Food, Actually?

Fast food is any food that has been cooked quickly but also whose ingredients or all the food items going into the recipe have been precooked, prepared and stored for a while prior to the actual cooking. Another piece of detail that has become significantly relevant in today’s context is the processed and ready to cook foods.

When any food is not cooked in its traditional way, it falls under the definition of what is fast food. For instance, take the example of soup. If you make soup the traditional way by cooking the broth, boiling the vegetables or chicken and any other ingredient that you want, use salts and everything else from your kitchen, then it is not fast food. However, if you were to buy a ready to cook soup, bring it home and add the mix to water and get your soup, without doing anything else, then it is fast food.

Fast food typically applies to what you get at restaurants and takeaways where the foods are prepared long before they are cooked, the foods are processed heavily and they are mostly fried or quickly cooked in high heat ovens. Burgers, pizzas, fish and chips, sandwiches (unless using all fresh ingredients which are completely unprocessed) and even sushi and pasta are fast foods.

Effects Of Fast Foods

Fast foods are not good for us. There can be no debate on that. Doctors, dietitians, nutritionists and scientists from every nook and corner of the world have reiterated time and again, published numerous studies and results of researches that fast foods are one of the worst curses of the modern world. If there is something that you should quit right today, then it has to be fast foods.

There are numerous effects of fast foods. First, fast foods lead to obesity. In the US and most developed countries, obesity has become the greatest health challenge today. Everywhere you look and anyone you meet, you are more likely to meet an obese child or adult and rarely would you get to see a man or woman with a healthy body, one who is fit and agile. From the perspective of obesity and fitness, you would not be able to lose belly fat if you keep eating fast foods. Fast foods do nothing positive to your energy level. Fast foods cannot be classified as healthy eating. Thus, if you want to fight obesity or weight gain, if you intend to lose weight and enjoy optimum energy level and if you wish to indulge in healthy eating then you have to quit fast foods. Obesity is one of the unavoidable fast food effects.

Among the other effects of fast foods, a significant one is its impacts on health of the heart. Most junk or fast foods increase the cholesterol and glucose levels in our blood. Higher cholesterol is not good for your heart. Higher blood sugar levels will cause diabetes. There are millions of people living with diabetes in the US which is one of the direct effects of fast foods. Fast foods increase the blood pressure which again directly impacts your heart. If you want to avoid cardiac problems then apart from exercising, you should avoid fast foods.

Fast foods interfere with everything that is natural in our body. It hinders the natural biological growth of a child. They do not have any nutrition that the body desires. Instead, they are rich in toxins. Artificial flavors, chemicals, colors and all types of synthesized ingredients have very little nutrition to offer. They would only harm your health, in the short term and in the long term.

Once in a while indulging in fast foods can be acceptable but making it a part of your daily or even weekly diet is against the very principles of healthy eating. You would not only fail to lose belly fat if you eat fast foods, you would also fail to live a healthy life.

The effects of fast foods are not noticeable instantly. They feel good to taste and are also filling on most occasions. It is only after months of gorging on them that you would notice the first mild effects of fast foods. Most people do not pay heed to such minor fast food effects and soon enough they become a health concern.

Filed Under: HEALTH, LIFE Tagged With: body, burgers, diet, fast, fat, food, fries, nutrition, precooked

Sugar In Food – A Surprising Amount In Everything!

June 26, 2013 by Dave Hunter 56 Comments

Almost everything has some form of sugar and we as a society seem to never get enough, but are there some consumable items that might shock you to be worse than others?

First off, let’s bring to light what sugar can do to your body. This sweet substance can bring on a slew of health problems, a few of which are major issues common among those who like to overindulge. The big two would be diabetes and obesity. In truth sugar can definitely make things seem to taste drastically better but there is a toll for it in the long term.

Obesity is rapidly becoming more common among the populace. From a young age children are exposed to sugar as this holy treat full of goodness. I’m sure most people at the time were thinking, “I wish I could eat [insert disgustingly high sugar content item here] for the rest of my life!”. You used to get extremely excited whenever your parents or someone asked if you want a treat or to go down to the store because you know you’re about to leap onto a cloud full of angelic awesomeness. Then you grow a bit older and maybe you started getting a bad case of acne. From there it can just snowball into a mound of unwanted effects or conditions. Everyone is different but no one is invincible to the effects of sugar.

The problem is that instead of treating sugar like, well a “treat”; We instead ingest it all day everyday like it’s common place and normal to do so. Dr. Robert Lustig, author of the book Fat Chance: The Bitter Truth About Sugar claims that 75% – 80% of all obesity stems from insulin which is created from sugar intake. In a previous blog post on Why You Shouldn’t Neglect H2O I wrote about how a consistent diet of soft drinks is absolutely awful for you. Your body can handle some sugar spurts but when it is routinely consumed that’s a completely different story.

20 Common Foods With High Sugar Levels

Now some of these are surprising and some are not. Something to keep in mind is that even when you think you are eating something “healthy” it very well might be packed with extra sugar. It’s smart to check the nutrition facts or even the ingredients on the back of the packaging yourself. You might be surprised to see some things like dried fruits and sugar listed as the first ingredient instead of fruit!

Sugar/Sweeteners (Stop or loosen up on adding this to everything!)
Soft drinks
Dried fruit (look for unsweetened instead)
Flavoured yogurt
Cereal
Flavoured Oatmeal
Spaghetti
Fruit juice
Sweetened Iced Tea
Sports Drinks
Salad Dressing
Ketchup (along with many other sauces)
Low Fat/Fat Free Sweets
Energy Bars
Granola
Fruit Smoothies
Frozen TV Dinners
Canned Baked Beans
Jam/Jelly/Spreads
Apple Sauce

Sugar Is a Drug

Drugs alter your mind, are addictive and usually toxic. So is sugar! Imagine if a food company laced your meals with morphine so that you’d buy more? The public would go nuts. So they use sugar to get people hooked.

Most of the items commonly consumed that are clearly treats also don’t offer any nutritional value. This is a massive concern especially when it comes to kids. The worst thing you can do is have your kids hooked early. It’s extremely easy to eat sugary foods and gain weight but it’s quite the opposite trying to lose the sugar and weight.

13 Side Effects Of Sugar Intake

Obesity
Diabetes
Heart failure/disease
Cancer
High blood pressure
Restrain the immune system
Poor memory
Acne
Tooth decay
Learning disorders
Depression
Headaches and migraines
Yeast infection

So What You’re Saying Is?

Reduce, limit or avoid as much sugar as possible. A lot of foods even thought to be healthy already have sugars. Fruits in particular are a huge source of sugar. Teach the world that sugar is a treat and not an everyday pleasure. Check out the nutrition facts and ingredients on the back of consumables to make sure sugar isn’t the first and highest rated item. Oh and do yourself a favour and replace most your beverage choices with water!

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Filed Under: HEALTH, LIFE Tagged With: cancer, diabetes, diet, drink, drugs, food, heart, obesity, sugar, treat, weight

Drink More Water! Benefits and Why Shouldn’t Neglect Consuming H2O

June 15, 2013 by Dave Hunter 39 Comments

The Most Overlooked Liquid

People simply do not get enough water in their diet. The majority of us will trade water for any other kind of beverage packed with unnecessary additives and sapping the health qualities of water on it’s own.

Water takes up around 60 percent of our body weight . This liquid contributes nutrients needed for cells, flushes toxins out of vital organs and creates the perfect atmosphere for tissues in the throat, ear and nose. Every system inside your body relies on water. So what do you want your body running on? It’s funny to joke around and say “Yeah, my body runs on coffee”, but it’s an entirely different thing when your body is literally fueled by it!

Now it’s true that all liquids are comprised of some amount of water, but the problem is some beverages actually work against waters original capabilities. More on that later!

Does it matter if I lack water?

One of the most common conditions that people incur is dehydration due to a lack of water. Even a minor level of dehydration can leave you feeling sapped of energy since you don’t have enough water in your body to carry out it’s normal functions.

14 things water helps with:

Digestion
Weight loss
Kidney health
Headaches
Replaces potential food so you feel full and don’t overeat
Younger and healthier looking skin
Relieves fatigue
Preventing sickness
Exercise productivity
Reduces risk of cancer
Work productivity
Improves mood
Preventing cramps and sprains
Helps with regular bowel movements

Consuming an appropriate amount of water will aid your heart in pumping blood and deliver essential nutrients to your cells more efficiently. It also helps to transport oxygen in your blood.

Boosting your muscles and preventing cramps is also a helpful trait of water. This can be a fairly significant property if you find yourself always feeling tired while working out. You should be chugging back a couple cups of H2O around two hours before you exercise. Water will reduce fatigue during exercise and and activities in addition to helping you keep more alert and awake. If you tend to work often and for long hours this can be one of the single best things you can do to keep in check.

Water vs. Other Liquids

Some companies try to sell the idea that their drink product can be better than water. This is not the case! There’s a major difference between drinking water and drinking something that contains water. Some positive effects of water on it’s own are masked because of added ingredients.

Caffeinated beverages like coffee, tea and pop are frequently chosen before water. Although it may taste better, the water contained in these beverages does not help the body as effectively as just drinking water on it’s own could. These processed liquids stimulate the adrenal glands in the body and act as diuretics. High amounts of phosphorus are found in soft drinks which could result with calcium depletion in your bones.

Even a lot of fruit juices that we associate with being healthy can have harmful effects on the body. Pop and fruit juices can stimulate the pancreas due to their high sugar content. Blood glucose is converted by your body to energy through a hormone called insulin. Eating too much sugar in one sitting isn’t too big of an issue as your pancreas can handle the extra insulin. However, if you frequently eat too much sugar, your pancreas may “age” faster than the rest of your body. Ultimately, this can result in pancreatic failure or diabetes. An average can of pop contains over 9 teaspoons of sugar, not to mention a decent load of calories. These particular beverages can therefore cause some undesired effects.

Some people like to consume sports drinks especially after an intense workout. Now this can be useful however they contain syrup and among several other ingredients that aren’t beneficial to your body in the long run.

There are a fair amount of people who don’t like drinking water because of the lack of flavour. Although it’s highly recommended to drink this precious liquid on it’s own, here are a few healthy ways to improve the taste of water if you really must:

Add some fresh lemon, orange slices, lime or mint to your water
Put a handful of frozen berries into your water bottle. As the day passes on the frozen berries will help keep the water chilly and infuse the fruit flavour.
Make natural herbal iced teas without adding sugar to use in place of plain water.
Fruits on their own can be up to 90% water content so one of these suckers can boost your fluid intake on it’s own

Lack of water?

Thirsty? You may already be dehydrated!

When your thirst mechanism kicks in, your body is signalling that you are already dehydrated. When exercising you ideally want to be drinking water before, during and after the exercise. This ensures that you don’t reach the stage where you feel thirsty.

Pitting edema is when a section of your body (usually a limb) is so swollen that when you press your finger down on their skin, the finger print hole stays for several minutes. It is an additional symptom that occurs with dehydration in some of the elderly and needs to be checked every so often if they are on prescriptions that might reduce this.

Signs and symptoms for dehydration in adults and teenagers:

Dry mouth
Dizziness
Weakness
Dry lips
Nausea
Low blood pressure
Dry eyes
Vomiting
Muscle cramps
Lack of sweat
Dark urine (orange/yellow coloured and an especially strong odor)
Inability to urinate

Dehydration signs and symptoms in children and infants include:

Crying without tears
Over three hours without a wet diaper
Dry mouth and tongue
General fatigue
Irritability
High fever
Sunken eyes cheeks or abdomen
Pitting edema

How much water is needed per day?

You have probably heard that you should be drinking eight 8 ounce glasses of water per day. This isn’t necessarily accurate but is at least an easy thing to remember and to have as a base amount. The Institute of Medicine determined that an adequate intake (AI) for men is roughly 3 liters (about 13 cups) of fluids per day. The AI for women is 2.2 liters (about 9 cups) of fluids per day.

Every day you lose water from breathing, perspiring, urinating and bowel movements. For your body to function properly it’s important to replenish this water supply. If you spend time in hot or dry weather, exercise or consume a significant amount of caffeinated drinks you may need more water!

Can you drink too much water?

Realistically you can take in too much of any liquid or solid than your body can physically handle.

It’s pretty rare but there’s a condition called water intoxication. Drinking too much water will dilute the electrolytes in your body which can affect your heart. There’s even been athletes getting heart attacks because they consumed too much water, but it’s extremely uncommon. Don’t worry, your body won’t get over hydrated drinking 15 cups of water a day. You’d have to be drinking a ridiculous amount of water to reach that level of extreme.

Wrap Up

On average, people aren’t getting enough liquids in their body and even less are primarily consuming pure water on it’s own. This is a critical and essential asset to your health. Keep your body running on the cleanest liquid fuel around and it will do wonders. Don’t forget most fruits primarily consist of water so you can never go wrong with indulging in them!

Filed Under: HEALTH, LIFE Tagged With: beverage, blood, dehydration, drink, fluid, h2o, liquid, pancreas, sugar, water

Coffee Vs. Tea Infographic

June 5, 2013 by Kaitlyn Bridge 32 Comments

I stumbled upon a great fact sheet on coffee and tea. I thought it would be appropriate to post since we covered two previous articles on both Tea and Caffiene. This poster summarizes parts of the info we have already listed plus some fun facts that we did not mention. Hope you enjoy it and learn something!

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Filed Under: HEALTH, LIFE Tagged With: benefits, caffeine, coffee, comparison, facts, tea

Why Do We Get Headaches? Get Rid Of Them!

June 1, 2013 by Dave Hunter 27 Comments

Headaches can seemingly come out of no where or gradually build up. What caused this pain and how can you get rid of it quickly?

Everyone has dealt with one of these suckers at one time or another. For some, it’s actually a long term problem that has to be dealt with on a regular basis. It’s estimated that 1 in 6 people have chronic headaches which makes life a little bit more difficult and even lowers work productivity since it’s hard to focus when it feels like someone is hammering inside of your head.

Contrary to what most people might think, it’s not actually your brain that hurts. You don’t have nerves or pain sensors in your brain. Instead your feeling the pain picked up elsewhere such as from nerves and muscles around the head or neck.

Primary and Secondary Headaches

There are actually two types of broad categories that doctors classify headaches into. Primary headaches which are non relevant to a preexisting or underlying health condition and secondary headaches which are affiliated with various medical conditions such as head injuries, fevers, infections, dental conditions, tumors and pressure in the skull or sinuses.

There are three main causes for primary headaches:

Migraine – Migraine headaches can be brought on by lower blood flow to various spots of the cerebral cortex. If you get one of these, the pulsating pain can last anywhere between 2 to 72 hours! It is believed that migraines are due to a mixture of environmental and genetic factors. Around 66% of cases seem to run in the family. Symptoms of migraines include nausea, sensitivity to light and noise, vomiting and an intense throbbing pain usually found on only one side of the head. They will also tend to become aggravated with physical activity.
Tension – Tension headaches are caused by muscle strain in the head and neck or even emotional stress. Tension headaches are usually steady aching pains on both sides of the head compared to migraines which almost always on one side. Sometimes tension headaches can develop into a throbbing pain which makes researchers think that migraines are closely connected. Poor vision or eye strain can trigger frequent tension headaches.
Cluster – Cluster headaches are headaches that occur repeatedly over an extended period of time such as weeks or even months. Cluster headache pain usually occurs on one side of the head like migraines but is more focused and centered around the eye. The causes of cluster headaches are unknown but may be related to changes in blood flow because substances that affect blood flow, such as alcohol, can trigger cluster headaches.

Too much blood flow can also cause primary headaches. For example, if you’ve read How Does Caffeine Work, you know that caffeine reduces blood flow in the brain. Some pain relievers contain caffeine to take advantage of this effect. If you’ve been taking caffeine every day and you suddenly stop, you very well might be getting a visit from an incredible headache because of the increased blood flow in your brain and sudden change in your routine.

Secondary headaches result from some other problem with your body

If you’re sick with the flu or have a particular health condition, it can bring on headaches which would then be classified as secondary. Once you eliminate the condition, you eliminate the secondary headaches.
Most headache pain can be treated with over the counter medications such as aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil) and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. If you experience chronic or frequent headache pain, see your physician as it may be caused by a underlying health problem.

How to get rid of a headache

1. The most well known cure- take some pain killers. Ibuprofen, acetaminophen, naproxen, and aspirin are some pain relievers that will give you a quick fix to an aching head. Usually it takes about 30 minutes for the pills to kick in, but it’ll save you the pain in the long run. Just make sure you don’t give aspirin to anyone under the age of 19, especially children. Also aspirin sometimes produces a deadly syndrome called Reye syndrome, so if you are worried about it try an alternative.

2. Make sure you drink your water! A headache can come on from dehydration. Dehydration can occur from simply being out in the sun too long or even vomiting. Also beverages like coffees, alcohols, and sodas-even though they are in liquid form-can dehydrate you as well. So just making sure you sip on a glass of water several times throughout the day to avoid the dehydration headache. If the ache has already started, chug a tall glass and in no time you will start to feel better.

3. Lay down and tune out. What you may have heard for migranes helps headaches as well. Closing the blinds and getting yourself in a dark quiet environment to rest (try at least 30 minutes) can mellow out your head ache.

4. Soak a wash cloth with cold water and place it over your forehead. This might help the pain by constricting blood vessels, especially if you ache is coming from your sinus or temple area. As soon as the cloth starts to feel warm just wet it again. You can also try putting the wet cloth in a plastic bag and freeze it for a long lasting compress.

5. Everybody loves a massage, and in this case it could possibly relieve your headache. Start by gently massaging in circular motions near your temple and work outwards. It helps by relieving tension and improving circulation to hopefully relieve the pain. Another easy way to get this done and taking a little extra time massaging your scalp while shampooing in the shower. If you have someone else that can massage for you bribe them into doing it, it always feels better and more relaxing when someone else takes over.

Having the touch of someone else can definitely relieve a lot of tension. By getting someone to massage the back of your neck, bridge of nose and acupressure point on each hand where the thumb and index finger bones meet these can all relieve headaches depending where they are originating from. Another relief for sinus headaches can be done by putting two racket balls in a sock and lay on them at the back of your skull. It might hurt a bit at first but this pain should go away and start relieving the headache.

6. Have some fun in the bedroom! Sex releases oxytocin which then boosts endorphins in your body. Endorphins are a natural pain killer that’ll help out with that aching head of yours.

7. Do you have an activity or hobby that puts you in your comfort zone? Try doing some relaxation techniques like yoga, meditation, deep breathing, or whatever you like best. It might distract you long enough for the pain to go away.

Filed Under: HEALTH, LIFE Tagged With: body, cluster, headache, migraine, pressure, pulsating, tension, throbbing

For The Love Of Tea! – Health Benefits And Beyond

May 18, 2013 by Kaitlyn Bridge 13 Comments

Tea- it is the most consumed beverage in the world besides water. There is nothing better than curling up on your couch with a cup of this ancient brew. Not only is it comforting and tastes great, but it has many health benefits that are worth the drink. Try out the best weight loss pills.

People are told time and again that tea is great for your body, but why? It is a well-known and documented fact that tea is good for the body in multiple ways. One quite simple one, is that you could be drinking something far worse. Sodas and juice more often than not are heavily loaded with sugar, which on the contrary is quite bad for the body in its own several ways. Even your teeth have a hard time with sugar, and any dental health will tell you tells you to keep away from sugar probably noticed you’re getting close to developing dental issues as he was treating you. You might find that your current dentist hurts you a bit too much, perhaps doesn’t give you a break when you ask, or isn’t very informative when it comes to understanding your condition and what you should do about it. If you are ever unsatisfied, just be aware that that’s perfectly fine and you can look for a dentist that suits you better.

Green tea for weight loss: Does it work?

There have been a huge amount of studies investigating the weight loss properties of green tea and generally, in trials ranging between six weeks and six months, they’ve reported largely positive – although not statistically significant – affects on weight loss and fat composition. It’s key to note that in these, participants are generally given green tea supplements, rather than cups to drink.

‘Green tea acts by slightly raising metabolism and preferentially burning fat,’ explains Dr Carrie Ruxton, who has a PhD in Child Nutrition and works with the Tea Advisory Panel. It’s believed these effects are due to the high level of catechins, principally EGCG, which is potently antioxidant and aids weight loss through thermogenesis, a process of heat production in the body.’

In avoiding sugary drinks or foods, you can very easily go for tea. All tea originates from the plant Camellia sinensis. This plant contains substances called flavonoids and polyphenols which contain antioxidants. The antioxidants are the important part that helps your total health and fitness. The concentrations of these antioxidants are higher in the tea plant than in fruits and vegetables. The most significant polyphenol is epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG).

EGCG could be the markers to fight off Alzheimer’s (due to decreases in beta-amyloid plaques), Huntington’s, and Parkinson’s disease (due to rises in dopamine levels). It prevents brain cells from dying and if damaged, promotes repair. It also binds with iron and blocks pathways that cause brain deterioration. Also if you’re looking for a new inexpensive way to have glowing, fresh skin, look no more. EGCG can regenerate skin cell growth for newer skin more quickly. Read more about prodentim benefits.

We all know the four major categories of teas- green, white, black, and oolong. Have you ever wondered what makes the flavours their own if they all come from the same plant? Each tea group goes through a different process to make it its own. Green tea leaves are steamed which prevents the EGCG compound from being oxidized. Black and oolong tea are fermented which makes the EGCG turn into other compounds. White tea is said to be the purest in antioxidants due to its process of being steamed to inactivate polyphenol oxidation, and then dried from new growth buds and young leaves.

Due to the fermentation processes, the health benefits of tea are higher in white and green teas. This is because of the less EGCG that is taken away from the oxidation process. So if you are looking to get your maximal health benefits from tea go with the green or white before a black or oolong.

Research shows that antiviral and germ killers are higher in white teas than in green teas. Although green tea helps the metabolic system by getting rid of sugars quicker and not storing them as fat. Green tea kills cancer cells and inhibits growth of cancer cells. It does this without even damaging healthy tissue. Not only does this amazing brew fight off bad cells but it also helps you with weight loss!

Tea helps in the maintenance of blood pressure and blood vessels, fighting against cardiovascular disease. It is possible the reasoning why cardiovascular disease is reduced by tea is because flavonoids decrease inflammation and cholesterol which reduces the chances of blood clot formation. There is 11 times more flavonoid intake by tea drinkers than non tea drinkers. If you drink five or more cups of tea a day you are 31% more likely not to die from cardiovascular disease.

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There are some things to keep in mind the next time you brew a cup. Decaf teas have less flavonoids so try to go for the natural blends. Iced teas have more sugars so either go with the naturally hot brew or try making your own so you can limit added sugars. The more processed the tea the less polyphenols present so try to go with a more organic and natural tea. Instead of added sweeteners try throwing in a slice of lemon, or a squeeze of some citrus juice, it boosts the absorption in the GI tract. Pepper does this as well if you want to add a little spice like a chai blend. Visit the following to read an article and understand about the Medicinal Chemistry in Drug Discovery and how its helping improve various aspects of a human body. Most of the health issues in a human body start when unhygienic food enters into our body affecting our oral health which leads to problems like throat pain, uneasiness while eating food and various other problems. If you want to find the best posts and products which can help maintain a healthy living.

Overall you cannot go wrong with drinking tea. Even fitting a cup a day into your life will reward you with some amazing health benefits. From renewing your skin, to fighting off cancer and degenerative diseases, tea’s natural antioxidants are helpful and tasteful. So what are you waiting for? Go and make yourself a cup!

Make sure you never forget to maintain good oral hygiene to enjoy your cup of tea. If you want additional help in finding reputed dental services, then check out Chatswood services for oral health expertise.

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References

Schoenhals, K. (2005). Healthy indulgence: take time each day to sip this treasure from the orient — white tea. Better Nutrition, 67(7), 22-24.

Sinija, V., & Mishra, H. (2008). Green tea: health benefits. Journal Of Nutritional & Environmental Medicine, 17(4), 232-242.

Welland, D. (2007). The latest international research brews up more big benefits for tea. Environmental Nutrition,30(12), 1.

Filed Under: HEALTH, LIFE

Sleep Deprivation – Why Do We Get It And How Do We Get Rid Of It?

April 14, 2013 by Kaitlyn Bridge 32 Comments

Sleep deprivation- It’s a big problem our western culture has. In our younger years, we’d have to fight to stay up all night and now we are fighting to keep our eyes closed to doze off. Forty seven percent of American’s are getting less than a 7-8 hour sleep. A quick answer to our sleep deprivation diagnosis is usually insomnia which can be treated by using CBD product like CBD oil for sleep. Really we need to start thinking of smaller issues like that large cappuccino we downed before supper or maybe how hot it is in the house. Sleep is very important for our bodies to process the information we have obtained throughout the day. This is a time where our memories are being developed from things we have learned and also endocrine and immune system activity is in action. Sleep specialists recommend a weighted blanket so you can doze off quickly, get a premium weighted blanket – hush weighted blanket reviews. Try out the best supplements, like Protetox.

There are many diseases or conditions that also have a toll on our sleep. Cancer, diabetes, obesity, obstructive sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux, and back pain are just some.

Caffeine can be a big reason on why we lose our sleep. According to what I learned on emsafety, actually sends signals to our brains that block the sleep inducing hormones to our biological clocks. The best way to prevent this substance from affecting our zzz’s is to limit our intake- which should be about 16 ounces a day. Also ALWAYS drink in the morning or at least try to quit around lunch time. At least this will help to limit the amount of caffeine you still have in your system when it’s time to “hit the hay.”

Light, as no surprise, is another sleep killer. Melatonin is a hormone produced in our body that sets our biological clock and produces the initiation of sleep. Light stops the production of melatonin being produced, therefore blocking our sleep. So next time before you go to bed, try shutting off the T.V., laptop, and phone and wind down in a little darkness before you get into the covers. Use a CPAP pillow if possible.

Temperature is another factor to our sleep. Colder temperatures also stimulate a better production of melatonin to induce our sleep. Try taking a hot bath so when you come out, you have a cold rush that will help out this hormone. Or you could simply just turn down the temperature to that cool, medium!

You know those times when you wake up in the middle of the night and start worrying you will never get back to sleep? The worries or stress may get the worst of you! By simply calming yourself, getting up to go to the washroom, or doing a small task like praying could calm your brain down and make you ready to go right back to sleep. Also try not to spend time in bed unless you are going to sleep, like the times when you’re sitting for a few hours in bed reading a book or watching T.V. The fact that you’re in bed and resting already may have something to do with your tough time getting to sleep. The mattresses thickness should meet your needs. OH yeah, and as for the worries and depression, try to think positively and try some meditation techniques. This may help your ability to fall asleep.

Alcohol is known to help you pass right out, although it does have symptoms of disrupted sleep by waking up and having a hard time getting back to sleep. For the ladies, research has shown it’s worst for us! Try not to excessively drink, or drink earlier in the evening to avoid these effects.

Four random foods that surprisingly help well with activating your fatigue:

A bowl of cornflakes
Cherry juice, preferably tart
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White carbs; they can be good for something
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Most of these foods have tryptophan or minerals that are melanin inducing. So give ‘em a try!

With the right amount of caffeine, light, temperature, alcohol, foods, and managing anxiety levels, you may have a good cure to your lack of sleep. You can use the Best cbd for anxiety to reduce it and sleep better. Also check into any diseases or conditions you have been diagnosed for and see with your doctor what may help for your case.

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Filed Under: HEALTH, LIFE Tagged With: caffeine, deprivation, disease. condition, facts, night, problem, sleep, sleeping

How Does Caffeine Work And Is It Good Or Bad?

April 7, 2013 by Dave Hunter 39 Comments

A vast majority of people make or buy a nice cup of coffee as part of their ever lasting routine to “wake up” or get that boost of energy, but what’s the real deal with this drug?

It’s extremely common for someone to be tired and think that they need a beverage with caffeine because it will pick them up. Kratom comes from a coffee like a tree that thrives almost exclusively in South East Asia, click here for more. This magical thing gives us a boost and makes our minds alert right? Actually it doesn’t! Caffeine in fact BLOCKS the receptors that make you feel tired. So all of a sudden you feel like you have all this energy when a moment ago you were tired, in reality you’ve just stopped feeling tired. This is the reason why many students order modafinil online at best price they could get to help with pulling all-nighters. Your brain has actually been tricked. There are some other side effects that the body endures but energy wise you’re not getting a real “boost” to your system.

Some effects that caffeine causes

Heart beats faster
Muscles tighten up
Pupils dialate
Breathing tubes open up
Blood flow to the stomach and some blood vessel slow down

How Does Caffeine Work?

Our brains produce a neuro-chemical called Adenosine which builds up throughout the day and finally gets to the point that you have to go to sleep to have it released. The trick that caffeine plays is that it resembles adenosine’s shape and size and enter the receptors without activating them. So instead of feeling sleepy those particular receptors are then effectively blocked. Once those receptors are blocked, your brain’s natural stimulants such as dopamine and glutamate can function more freely.

Stephen R. Braun, author of a 224 page paper in 1997 explained caffeine in an excellent metaphor. Think of it like a vehicle. Instead of hammering the gas, caffeine simply blocks the brake. This drug has many uses but it doesn’t boost your actual skill level but it can bump up your speed in certain abilities. For mundane tedious tasks you do everyday in the office, caffeine can actually improve your output and quality of work. On the other hand something more creative or complex doesn’t appear to have any benefit.

What products or drinks have the most caffeine?

Coffee
Energy drinks
Tea
Soda

How Does Caffeine Affect The Body?

Like many other consumables, you build up a tolerance. The first time you have coffee, tea or pop you might be feeling quite the “jolt”. After having these items for a while, the same amount doesn’t seem to give you as much of a boost. This isn’t that surprising really because that’s simply the way the body works. You build up a tolerance to anything that you continue to consume regularly.

Caffeine takes around 5 – 6 hours after ingestion before the dose wears off from the human body. Women who take oral birth control actually take around twice as long to process caffeine. Smokers take around HALF the time to process. This is actually a funny fact because all stereotypes aside, I tend to notice that smokers drink a lot of coffee and more often!

Something a little interesting is that you can feel withdrawal from caffeine fairly quickly. This can be anywhere between 12 – 24 hours after your last use. This affect on sleep very badly, but for this you should try best kratom for sleep. This is a huge indicator of why the first drink of coffee in the morning seems like such a big deal. It’s staving off that withdrawal in addition to the normal effects! Withdrawal is the same as with any substance. Your brain has become accustomed to functioning with this consumable and now all of a sudden things have changed.

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Headaches are the most common side effect of killing off your caffeine intake. In fact you may have noticed that a lot of patients who come out of anesthesia after a major plastic surgery at cắt mí mắt đẹp feel a headache. This is usually because they’re not used to being without caffeine for so long. Depression, irritability, nausea, fatigue, lethargy, eye spasms and even vomiting can be a part of the caffeine cut off. This is something you’ll just have to deal with for around 10 days or so if you’re trying to quit cold turkey.

What are the top health concerns from caffeine intake?

Cardiovascular problems
Stress
Emotional disturbances
Blood sugar and Insulin problems
Gastrointestinal problems
Nutritional deficiencies
Adrenal exhaustion
Accelerated aging

When it comes down to it, caffeine seems a little more dangerous and undesirable once you know the facts. Sure all the drinks with it taste great and yes it does help with some fatigue but there is a cost. The cost isn’t all short term too. A lot of it is long term and can negatively impact you in a critical way. That being said, caffeine has it’s uses but should be taken in moderation and wisely. I’d recommend trying to limit your intake so that you can live a longer and healthier life, but I know it’s pretty hard to pass up a nice fresh cup of coffee!

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Filed Under: HEALTH, LIFE Tagged With: bad, caffeine, coffee, drinks, energy, good, pop, soda, tea, tired