Are you a Facebook addict?

There is no need to convince you that Facebook addiction is reality in today's world. So many people suffer from it and so many of them don't even realize they are addicted. Day after day people spend countless (and priceless) hours in internet social networks. If we think about this phenomenon reasonably, we will undoubtedly reveal the fact that this is costing more to individuals than it is giving to them.

When someone doesn't even recognize he's addicted, curing and liberation is almost impossible. This holds true for Facebook addiction too, despite the fact that it's a psychological and not a physical addiction. This article is intended for everyone who wishes to recognize whether or not they are addicted to Facebook (or any other social network). It will also be useful for those who want to analyze the compulsive behaviors of their friends and relatives.

So how exactly could we define "Facebook addiction"? As I already said, it is a psychological condition. Those who suffer from it frequently feel the urge to use Facebook, and this urge goes beyond the normal and natural necessity. While 30 mins or an hour a day are more than enough for most people to check their Facebook pages and accomplish a ton of stuff, those who are addicted exceed this time significantly. More often than not their time spent in Facebook has no other purpose than the stay itself. They feel a need to satisfy their emotional needs through the use of Facebook and this has become a daily compulsion.

From an outsider's perspective the behavior of a Facebook addict might seem completely irrational and odd. But a quick analysis of the traits of Facebook as a stimulation providing service reveals that addiction is a quite natural consequence. Facebook simulates a community, it lacks pain and risk of rejection (in contrast to real world) and it stimulates various human emotions. These are all traits that turn Facebook into an irresistible temptation.

I want to give you some of the best ways to recognize Facebook addiction. Still, let me warn you that they all require you to be honest with yourself. Really look at how you (or anyone else) spend your days and how you feel about Facebook.

Here are some of the basic signs of Facebook addiction:

1. You check your Facebook first thing in the morning and last thing before you go to sleep.
2. You spend more than 2 hours a day in Facebook.
3. You feel an urge to login whenever you feel bored.
4. You prefer more to communicate through Facebook with your friends than going out with them.
5. Spending 2 days without Facebook seems impossible to you.
6. Most of your friends on Facebook are people you don't even know.

Watch out for other signs in your daily behaviors that may not be included in this list.

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Why do we yawn?

Yawns are fascinating. The fact that it is triggered by a lot of specific emotions varying from tiredness, boredom, to being sleepy is just interesting. What is more fascinating is that yawns are somewhat contagious as you can yawn just after you see someone else do it. So what are these exactly and why do we do it? In this article, we will explore the truth about yawns.

Yawning is an involuntary behavior in which your mouth opens up wide and you inhale deeply followed by exhaling. When you say involuntary, this means that you have no control over this action so much like other reflexes such as blinking or sneezing so you cannot do anything to suppress it nor consciously control it. Yawns are not only exclusive to human beings as all other animals do this. When we yawn, there are various neurochemical changes that happen in our brain.

Although there is no concrete proof as to why we yawn, there are several explanations as to why we yawn. Some researchers have a theory that yawning is a processed used to cool our brains off.

Your brain is like a CPU of a computer. It functions as a machine where all the actions and movements of all your other body parts originate from this part. That is why it is called as the central part of your body or central nervous system because just like a CPU to a computer, you cannot function well if your brain is not functioning well. Because your brain works 24/7, it might 'overheat' just like a CPU will if it does not get the rest it needs or even just some cooling off. So, what the brain does is to inhale cool air, through yawning to cool off the brain.

When you yawn, air comes in and it cools down the brain. When your brain is cool, it tends to function better than when your brain is tired or is nearing 'overheating.' This theory is called the brain-cooling hypothesis or the radiator hypothesis.

Another explanation as to why you yawn is because it is the brain's way of telling you to get more air into your lungs. At a normal rate, you do not get to use majority of your lungs' capacity, hence, the low oxygen levels when you are breathing normally. Therefore, for the lungs to not get stiff due to low levels of oxygen, your brain urges you to sigh or yawn.

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Which sleep position is healthiest?

Typically people sleep in the position that feels most comfortable in that moment. You probably have one or two frequented positions you rely on to get to sleep fast. It might surprise you to learn that your sleep position matters at all. What difference could it possibly make what position my body lies in while it's asleep, as long as I'm asleep, right? Wrong.

We spend about 1/3 of our lives sleeping. comparable to frequently repeated movements triggering injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome, constantly staying in one posture too much time has been known to lead to injuries, as well, especially if said position is not in accordance with natural posture. Sleeping while in an improper pose may inflict injury to the body in just one night. Ever wake up with a stiff neck or back? Keep that up for days and weeks and you can incur persistent neck and back injuries.

Sleep Positions

Although there is some variety, there are primarily three main sleeping positions. Any sleeping pose must be rated based upon the support and good alignment of the lower back, hips and neck.

Back Position

A person lies on their back, head pointing straight up. The back position is a great sleep posture. It is natural to keep the spine and neck in proper alignment. The only problem is where to position the feet. If there is enough room beneath your covers the toes should aim towards the ceiling, but sometimes your feet need to point at an angle outwards a bit. As long as you keep it minimized there shouldn't be an issue.

Side Position

Lying on either side with both legs straight, your head on its side resting on your pillow, arms in front of your body. The side pose is another healthy posture for sleep. Again, the spine and head are kept in alignment easily. The legs can be slightly bent at your knees and hips, if you wish. Be careful to not bend so far as to go into a fetal pose where your back ends up arched. This can put way too much stress on the back and neck.

Front Position

Lying on their stomach|, or mostly on their stomach, with the head turned to one side setting on the pillow. Arms may be pointed downwards along the sides or place up around and hugging the pillow. Although one of the most favored positions for its coziness. Unfortunately, this is an awful pose for the lower back as well as the neck. In order to to breathe you have to angle your head sideways at a right angle from front which places a great deal of tension on the neck. You may also find it extra pressure on the abdominal muscles.

Adjusting your Sleeping Position

If you are usually a front-sleeper you're going to have to work towards changing the habit. Another posture may be a little unpleasant in the beginning but it normally on takes a few nights to acquire the new habit. Besides, the profits of changing to a healthier sleeping posture can make a huge positive difference for the rest of your life!

You may need to establish a new position slowly. Make sure to get yourself drowsy and on the verge of falling asleep before you shut out your light. Start with one of the good positions, either side or back, whichever you decide is more comfortable. If you've prepared yourself properly you'll go right to sleep. On the other hand, if you have trouble getting to sleep, try only switching back and forth between these two for a while. If you are unable to get comfortable you may go back to the front pose again, briefly. You may need a few days to adjust to the side and back, but in due course you will accomplish it.

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What are the symptoms of floating rib?

The term “floating rib” is used to refer to a specific anatomical structure and to a disorder which could better be termed a “slipped rib.” Both, as one might imagine from the name, involve the ribs, curved bones found in vertebrates. The ribs are attached to the spine and a structure called the sternum, creating the rib cage, a protective casing for vital organs such as the heart and lungs.

In the case of an anatomical structure, a floating rib is a rib which is attached to the spine, but not the sternum. Most people have floating ribs, with the 11th and 12th pairs of ribs being floating ribs. In some people, there are three pairs instead of two, and other individuals only develop one set of floating ribs. Floating ribs are entirely normal and nothing to be concerned about, and although they are not attached to the sternum, they aren't exactly floating around in the body cavity; numerous attachments usually keep the floating ribs more or less in place.

The function of the floating ribs is not fully understood. A floating rib could theoretically provide some protection to the contents of the abdominal cavity, but it isn't as necessary as the ribs which are attached to the sternum. There “false ribs,” as they are known, may be vestigial leavings of an earlier stage in human evolution. Evidence suggests that people have also been able to train their floating ribs into new positions, as seen in women who wear corsets for a prolonged period of time.

In some cases, a floating rib can cause problems for its owner. These ribs can slip out of position, putting pressure on internal organs, and they can also be broken as a result of trauma, causing considerable pain and putting the patient at risk for infection.

The disorder sometimes referred to as floating rib syndrome and better known as slipped rib syndrome occurs when a rib becomes dislocated, slipping out of its socket. Patients tend to experience considerable pain with this condition, which is usually a result of trauma, and it can be readily identified with a physical examination or medical imaging study of the area of interest. As with other rib injuries, the best treatment is usually partial immobilization, achieved by wrapping the ribcage tightly so that the rib cannot drift while it heals, but not so tightly that it cannot expand as the patient breathes.

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What are the causes, types and treatment modalities of anemia

Anemia is a blood condition that affects approximately 3.5 million Americans. Women are at higher risk of developing anemia than men. People who have other diseases such as cancer have a higher tendency to develop anemia. Anemia can become a very serious condition which can be dangerous. Anemia can also be acute or chronic in nature. Definition: You body requires a certain amount of oxygen to function properly. Red blood cells contain a substance known as hemoglobin which acts as a binder to oxygen. The red blood cells take the oxygen from your lungs and bring it to the rest of your body. Anemia occurs when you do not have enough red blood cells or hemoglobin to produce sufficient oxygen. As a result, your organs are affected because they don't get enough oxygen to function. There is a relationship between anemia and the kidneys, bone marrow and nutritional deficiencies in the body. When the kidneys are not working well or you are malnourished, this will affect your red blood cell count. Since red blood cells are made in the bone marrow the health of bone marrow is very important.

Types of Anemia: There are actually over 400 different types of anemia placed into three groups. Anemia caused by blood loss: This is anemia that is directly attributed to blood loss. This can be unnoticed for a long period of time. It could be due to ulcers, gastritis or cancer. Anemia caused by deficient red blood cell production: Sometimes the body does not produce enough red blood cells. This can create anemia. There are many causes for this such as a vitamin/mineral deficiency, an underlying disease such as cancer, problems with the bone marrow or sickle cell anemia. Anemia caused by iron deficiency: This is due to insufficient iron levels in the body. When there is not enough iron, the bone marrow cannot produce enough hemoglobin for the red blood cells and this can result in anemia. Some causes of this type of anemia include not having enough iron in your diet, menstruation, pregnancy and breast feeding as well as digestive conditions such as Crohn's disease. If the anemia is from deficient production of red blood cells in the bone marrow is can take on several forms. Thalassemia: This is when the red blood cells cannot mature on their own. Thalassemia: This is a genetic condition affecting mostly people of Mediterrean and African descent. Aplastic anemia: This is deficient red blood cells in bone marrow from injury from medications,infection or chemotherapy. Anemia can also result from conditions such as kidney disease and cancer.

Common Symptoms: There are various symptoms associated with anemia. Some common symptoms of anemia include fatigue, being short of breath and feeling lightheaded. Additional symptoms include difficulty sleeping, rapid heartbeat and low blood pressure. You can also appear jaundiced and have brittle nails. Dietary Considerations: There are numerous dietary changes that may help you with your anemia. If you are a vegetarian you may not getting adequate levels of B12. You may want to consider supplementing. Red meat has higher iron levels than fish or chicken so be sure to include some in your diet. Being well hydrated is also important. Green leafy vegetables such as spinach have higher iron levels as well as beans. You should limit your intake of sugars which will ultimately deplete your energy levels. There are certain foods such as eggs and whole grain bread can block the full absorption of iron in your body. Tea and coffee also can have this effect due to the polyphenols that they contain. If you take iron supplements try to drink or eat fruits such as orange juice. Vitamin C helps in the absorption of iron.

Diagnosis: To find out if you have anemia you need to see your doctor who will perform various tests on you. These will include a physical exam and well as extensive blood work. A medical history will also be performed. You will be asked questions about your family history, if you have been diagnosed with anemia before and any medical conditions you have. They will observe your physical appearance and look for the tell tale signs of anemia. This diagnosis will help the doctor to see what type of anemia you have. The blood tests will assess what your red blood cell count is and the actual hemoglobin content in the red cells. There are also specialized blood tests to see how fragile your red blood cells may be or if there is an immune attack happening on them. Some of the common blood tests include a Complete Blood Count and Blood Smear tests. They will also check for iron levels, folate and b12 levels. These nutrients are critical to the production of red blood cells. Additionally the doctor may perform liver and kidney function testing to see if there is an underlying disease that is causing the anemia.

Treatments: Once the doctor determines the cause he or she will initiate a treatment program for you. Here are some causes along with their treatment protocol. Blood Loss: the source of the bleeding will be determined and stopped. For example you may be given a blood transfusion and iron to build up your red blood cell count. Iron Deficiency: If you have inadequate iron levels you most likely will be prescribed iron supplements. Do not do this on your own but under the care of a physician because consuming too much iron can be dangerous. Red blood cell destruction: Known as hemolytic anemia, there are various causes for it. So the treatment would of course depend on the cause. Follow up care: You need to stay under your doctor's care and have repeated blood work done to determine if the anemia has gone away. Your response to the treatments prescribed will determine what the next steps are to take. The hopeful outcome is that you have overcome your anemia. If not, with continued care over time you should be able to do so. Before doing any dietary or lifestyle changes always consult with your health care provider, particularly if you have been diagnosed with a disease or are taking any prescription medication.

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iPhone Can Detect Ear Infection

Researchers have developed an iPhone accessory they call the Remotoscope to turn an iPhone into an otoscope -- that thing doctors usually put into your ear to peer inside.

The Remotoscope puts a scope over the lens and flash on an iPhone making it easy to take pictures of a child's ear canal, while an app magnifies the image and sends it to a pediatrician. The idea is that parents could take images daily so that the pediatrician could monitor the infection, hopefully reducing the need to prescribe antibiotics.

Remotoscope is undergoing clinical trials at this time, with the university researchers hoping to publish their results by year-end. Unfortunately for parents everywhere, there's no hint at when the handy accessory may hit the market.

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Social Media fueling Anxiety, Stress, Internet Addiction

There's been a massive amount of hype recently about how having a social media presence is essential for a successful business. The perceived wisdom says that your business will fail to flourish without a Facebook Fan page and frequent Tweets. I've been confused for quite a while about whether I needed or wanted to indulge in Social media. I'll admit to being quite stressed about the conflict between privacy and publicity. I'm hearing the same things from people I meet at networking events. So here are seven tips for deciding when and if social media are right for you.

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How to get rid of Exam Stress

Exam stress is an exaggerated feeling of anxiety over one's performance in exams. We can take exams stress free, no matter what kind of exam it is. Its only when you know what is causing you stress and accordingly using the following tricks to make yourself feel more organized, mentally relaxed & alert, physically active and in control of the situation.

1. If the cause of your stress is 'So much to do and not enough time'

a. Make a proper time schedule allocating enough time to each subject.

b. Every day, evaluate your learning and make changes in time schedule if necessary.

c. If only a week is left for exams and your syllabus is not finished, stop wasting time in worrying about what you have NOT done. Utilize your time in properly revising what you have already done.

2. If the cause of your stress is, that you don't know what to study, from where and what all is in the prescribed syllabus

a. The first thing you should do, before starting your study is, to collect all necessary reading material (including the syllabus & model test papers)

b. Organize it subject wise, in separate folders

c. Keep it at a safe place and tell your family not to play around with it!

d. Keep a written track of what all you have studied every day and what has to be done, so that you don't keep worrying as to how much more is left, to be done.

3. If you feel stress by the thought that your preparation is not up to the mark

a. To feel confident about your preparation, you MUST solve previous years' or model test papers exactly as per exam conditions, without break

b. Do this only AFTER you have finished learning.

c. Have them checked by teachers/ tutors and take their help to understand important concepts and clear your doubts.

Remember this should be done well ahead of exams, not a day before as that might build up more stress and leave you exhausted for the real exam the next day!

4. If the cause of your stress is Parent's expectations

a. Just remember that in their hearts they want you to excel for your own good. Politely tell parents to stop using negative and stress building remarks and instead support you with love, practical help, positive inspiring remarks and their prayers!

b. If they see you doing your best, probably they will not feel as worried and will stop bothering you. They comment only when they see you wasting time.

c. But if you are doing your best, still they keep nagging you without giving any positive support, please tell them to seek guidance from counselors.

5. If the cause of your stress is Peer pressure

a. Don't have unnecessary conversations with your 'friends' or classmates

b. Avoid taking calls of those who give you tension of any sorts.

c. Stay calm even if you feel others have finished doing everything and you haven't. Instead of worrying about it, start studying more regularly and with full focus.

d. Set your own standards, that you have to score max or whatever. And prepare well to achieve that. Don't waste energies thinking -'can I or can I not score more than so and so'

6. If the cause of your stress is High Self standards

a. Even if you are a topper of the class or you have set a goal of getting 100% score, allow yourself time for relaxation, recreation or rejuvenation to keep your mind active and alert.

b. Every day in the morning, plan your study schedule. As per your capacity & stamina, after a block of 1-2 hours' study, give yourself a break of 10-20 minutes. But do return to your study with full focus after the break.

c. Prepare well to give your best, and stop worrying about the results.

7. If you keep having extreme anxiety about doing well in exam conditions

a. Avoid thoughts of worry, doubt and negative imagination

b. Substitute every negative thought with positive ones e.g.'I WILL be able to do it well', 'I am preparing well and my alert mind will remember everything', 'I have practised solving model test papers and I can manage well in the given time'

c. Any time you feel worried- Sit down, take deep breaths and think positive. After 5 minutes' of this exercise go back to studying.

d. A calm mind is a must to study with focus. Don't let worrying thoughts disturb your mind's peace.

8. If you think you cannot waste time in physical activity

a. Remember, continuous and adequate blood supply is absolutely essential for the brain to do sustained mental activity.

b. Every break that you take in between study time, should involve vigorous physical activity like running, jumping, climbing up and down the stairs.

c. You can try this relaxing exercise as well- stand up on your feet, stretch your arms towards the roof/sky, stay like this for a while. Then lower down your arms & head towards your feet. Stay in this posture for as long as you can. Take deep, relaxing breaths.

d. Do yoga or brisk walk for 10-20 minutes, outside or any other physical activity

e. Consciously imagine your mind feeling relaxed and active.

9. If you are not taking proper or adequate nutrition
a. Every day, eat green vegetables, fresh fruits, nuts, milk, grains, pulses in small amounts - avoid heavy meals

b. A burger/bread/noodles or pasta can be made nutritious by adding vegetables etc.

c. Avoid too much of a particular food or coke, coffee and tea, even packed juices. Drink lot of water- at least 6-10 glasses to keep a normal blood flow.

d. Avoid smoking/drinking; you may feel relaxed momentarily but this is because these chemicals cloud your brain and make it dull. Remember these things are actually poisons for your body system otherwise why would there be a 'statutory warning:cigarette smoking is injurious to your health'

10. If you can't live without talking/chatting/playing mobile games or other distractions

a. 15-20 minutes' of socializing or TV etc are not bad as long as they inspire you, relax you or take your tiredness away. But don't overdo any of these.

b. Avoid friends, family, neighbors; TV, computer, other gadgets or even news paper/magazines if they take away your mental peace and cause stress!

REMEMBER: an alert, calm and positive mind is absolutely essential to prepare for and fare well in exams. Think of ways to have that and you will be stress freeee!!

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