Laughter is medicine for the soul But ...

Laughter is medicine for the soul and has many health benefits. It decreases stress and releases the endorphins that make you feel good. In other words laughter helps you lighten up, enjoy your life and enjoy your relationships.

But it is not true with all laughter. There is a mean spirited humor that has gone viral in our culture which poisons the soul. It is rampant on cartoons, TV shows, movies, and in our school and it finds a way into our homes.

• It is sarcastic and mocking
• Belittles and makes fun of someone else
• It is mean spirited and is a form of bullying

How Teenage Girls Use Mean Spirited Humor

1. Internet, Facebook, Texting

• Laughing at ugly pictures of 'friends'.
• Pretending to be someone else on Facebook (like a boy) with the intention of humiliating someone.
• Saying mean things to people over text and Facebook.
• Watching videos on YouTube to mock others.

2. School

• A group of girls/boys making fun of one girl/boy.
• Being a target of mean spirited humor and fighting back with mean spirited humor.

3. Home

• 'funny' stories that belittle and mock others at school

10 Guidelines for Positive Humor

1. Humor should be enjoyable for both of you

You only get the good benefits of laughter when both of you are laughing and enjoying it.

2. Never use humor that belittles another person

This is true even if you think you are being playful especially with your friend.

3. Make light of yourself

You can make light of yourself

4. Laugh at your pets

5. Avoid the sensitive issues

6. Teenagers love absurdity

You can get away with a lot when you use absurdity in your humor. Absurdity exaggerates something so far out of reality that it is absurd and it's not personal

7. Laugh at the simple things

Many great laughs come from the simple things of life.

Read More

Positive and Negative Effects of Video Games on Health

Concerned about the effects of video games on your kids health? Or perhaps you're just curious about this stuff or need to research it for a paper. Below you'll find the information you'll need on this topic with links at the bottom for further reading.
This whole article is about how video games affect people's health in general. The general positive and negative effects on health are the main topic of discussion.

Positives of Video Games Effects on Health
Let's start with how video games have positive effects on your health.
The strangest of the positive effects of video games can be seen in the healthcare sector. People (especially youngsters) who are undergoing painful treatment for ailments like cancer can use video games to distract themselves from the pain for extended periods.
Video games have positive psychological effects as well. Certain games that are used as part of a comprehensive program can further help autistic children and other children with developmental disorders.
Studies have also shown that playing video games can improve mental faculties, such as hand-eye coordination. More intelligent games such as strategy and puzzle games can also improve problem solving, and provide intellectual stimulation as well.

Negatives of Video Games Effects on Health
There is a wide range of reported negative effects of video games on health; however the actual evidence of games directly causing certain negative effects is very weak. Other negative effects are usually due to prolonged excessive play of video games. Parents concerned with the amount of time their children spend on video games should encourage them to balance the time out with other activities. Extremely adverse effects such as hallucinations are very rare and could be caused by other unknown factors.
People who are susceptible to epileptic seizures and photosensitive individuals could experience seizures when they see rapid flickering or rapid screen changes happening in the game. The amount of play doesn't matter much, as people who are prone to seizures could experience one after even a few minutes of play.
People who live a sedentary lifestyle (poor exercise, rather inactive) and do mostly sitting activities such as playing video games usually suffer from some sort of ailment later on in life, such as heart and muscle problems and obesity. This is usually combined with a poor diet, such as genetically-modified foods and junk food.
There is also research that suggests that there is a link between violent games and increased aggression, however the research is rather limited and usually does not take other variables into account such as upbringing and environmental conditions.
Conclusion
Video games have both positive and negative effects on health. The effects however vary immensely depending on the types of games played and the frequency of play. Certain adverse effects can be caused by other factors in conjunction with excessive play of games, but can usually be corrected by living a healthier lifestyle. The positives of the effects of video games on health also vary depending on the type of game played and its frequency.

Read More

What Is Sleep Apnea? Causes, Risk Factors, and Effects

Sleep apnea is a fairly common sleep disorder that can affect both adults and children. It causes you to stop breathing or experience low breathing at certain points during sleep. Each period of not breathing is known as an apnea and can last anywhere from a few seconds to minutes. This can occur any number of times from 5 to 30 or more every hour. The condition can be diagnosed by spending a night in a sleep lab and suffers have problems with daytime fatigue, slowed reactions and vision problems. There are three different types of this condition which we will detail below.

Read More

Why Do Your Eyes Twitch and How to Stop it?

The answer to your question 'why does my eye twitch?' can be for many different reasons. The technical name for eye twitching is Blepharospasm and it is caused by muscle spasms in the eye lid and around the eye. It is believed to be related to the nervous system. It tends to start suddenly and can last for anything from a few hours up to a few days. In some cases it can be triggered by smoking or bright light. In very rare cases eye twitches can be a symptom of a more serious problem known as nystagmus, although this is not a muscle twitch, it is the movement of the eye itself and needs medical treatment.

Read More

Health tip: Home Remedies for Nausea

Nausea is an unpleasant sensation that arises usually due to ones upset stomach conditions with an urge to vomit and most probably you already have experienced it several times. Simply, you can call it as the state which precedes vomiting. It is not a disease itself, but actually a symptom related to other disorders of our body.

Causes and symptoms:
Being a symptom itself, nausea can be caused by a number of varying factors. The most common among them are

1. Digestion problem: If your digestion system does not work properly due to reasons like food poisoning, then the result will be definitely nausea.

2. Motion sickness: The attack of nausea often can be seen with people traveling in car or bus prone to motion sickness - a state of disagreement between visually perceived movement and the vestibular sense.

3. Pregnancy: When a woman gets pregnant, she often feels the urge to vomit, and it is common to almost 80% women. Therefore, nausea can be caused in case of women by pregnancy at their early stages.

4. Alcoholic beverage: Use of excessive alcoholic beverage can also make a person nauseated.

Likewise, nausea can also be felt due to overeating, mental stress, chemotherapy, vertigo or any such illness. Our body is naturally trained to react under different circumstances differently and therefore, nausea is just a bodily reaction to force discharge of undesirable substances through vomiting.

The urge of one to vomit is the most common symptom of nausea. Besides, feeling of dizziness; sweating and stomach pain, etc are among other symptoms.

Useful home remedies you can try:
As mentioned earlier nausea is not a disease, and you can treat it with various home remedies available.

Empty stomach: In case of nausea the best way to deal it is with an empty stomach. Avoid foods for sometime if the cause is indigestion. Moreover, an empty stomach in nausea often results in vomiting and thus eliminates the whole sensation.

Ginger: In nausea, try to eat a small fresh piece of ginger with tea. This will help you find relief. If you wish, you can add half a teaspoon of honey to the tea at the same time.

Lemon: A cup of lemon juice with a little salt is also very effective in order to subside the nausea. You can as well smell simply a fresh lemon or its leaves.

Baking soda: Take half a teaspoon of baking soda in one cup of warm water and drink it slowly.

Apple cider vinegar: This is another effective home remedy for nausea. Just take one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar and honey in a cup of water and drink at regular intervals.

Rice water: You can also try drinking rice water (that you used to cast aside) whenever you feel being nauseous.

However, taking proper healthy diet is very essential along with any remedy. In conditions like food poisoning, it is vital to avoid the poisonous eatables. Likewise, you can also use peppermint and other non-carbonated syrup as home remedies for nausea.

Read More

What are the Symptoms of Caffeine Withdrawal?

What Is Caffeine Made Of
Caffeine is defined by Merriam-Webster as a bitter alkaloid C8H10N4O2 found especially in coffee, tea, cacao, and kola nuts and used medicinally as a stimulant and diuretic. Although caffeine is technically considered a drug, obviously it is not illegal.

The drug shares many of the same characteristics as other central nervous system stimulants such as heroin, amphetamines, and cocaine. However, do not be alarmed. The effect on the body is typically not negative as long as the amount of caffeine does not exceed 250 mg in a single dose. That number seems quite low considering the amount of caffeine in coffee in a typical 5 oz cup contains approximately 110 to 150 mg.

Caffeine Effects on the Body Affects of caffeine include:

• increased gastric acid and pepsin secretion plus increased secretion into the small intestine
• increased heart rate, stroke volume, cardiac output, and blood pressure at rest
• tachycardia
• increased lipolysis
• increased contractility of skeletal muscles
• increased oxygen consumption and metabolic rate
• increased diuresis
  

Although the effect of caffeine may seem overwhelming, it is not as bad as you may think. Unless you have a condition such as heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and/or high inflammatory indicators like homocysteine, a small amount will probably not harm you. Studies show the amount of caffeine intake that is safe yet still exerts favorable results ranges anywhere from 85 to 200 mg (Mottram, 2005).

One awesome effect caffeine has on the body is the improvement in mood, vigour, and euphoria (Mottram, 2005). To achieve this desirable effect, it is best to consume doses ranging from 100 to 200 mg. On the other hand, any caffeine amount over 400 mg can result in dysphoria (reduction in mood) and increased anxiety. Additionally, just like any other drug, caffeine addiction can occur. According to medicinenet.com, a person suffering from addiction to caffeine may experience caffeine withdrawal symptoms such as:

• headaches
• tiredness/fatigue
• decreased energy/activeness
• decreased alertness/attentiveness
• drowsiness/sleepiness
• decreased contentedness/well-being
• depressed mood
• difficulty concentrating
• irritability
• felling fuzzy/foggy/not clearheaded
  

So, if you decide to stop using coffee and caffeine altogether and experience any of the above symptoms, you may be suffering from caffeine withdrawal symptoms. I know from personal experience that a caffeine headache is not a very pleasurable experience!

Caffeine and Exercise
So now that you know what is caffeine, how can it benefit you in regards to exercise. First off, depending on the amount of caffeine ingested, we have already learned that one effect caffeine has on the body is an increases in energy. For those of you who know what it feels like to drag your body to the gym, caffeine can be your best friend! I personally take 200 mg of caffeine before every workout and it provides me the perfect amount of caffeine to make it through my workout. However, I do not take caffeine in coffee. Instead, I take Prolab Caffeine energy pills, which contains the caffeine amount of 200 mg per pill.

Another benefit of caffeine is that on long term exercise. Studies show that caffeine can improve endurance by enhancing fat utilization, thereby sparing glycogen stores (Mottram, 2005). So for cardio exercise enthusiasts, caffeine may be just what you need to make it through that grueling 10 mile run! On the other hand, to this day it is still unclear as to whether or not caffeine positively affects speed and power. Unfortunately, most of the evidence obtained from the testing of the effect of caffeine on speed and power is inconclusive.

Caffeine and Pregnancy Contrary to popular belief, it is okay for a woman to consume moderate amounts of caffeine during pregnancy, says some experts. According to americanpregnancy.org, a moderate amount of caffeine is anywhere from 150 mg to 300 mg per day.

However, although a moderate amount of caffeine may be okay for most grown woman, it still can have a negative effect on the baby, depending on the caffeine amount that is consumed. Caffeine can definitely cause a drastic change in your baby's normal sleep pattern. After all, caffeine is a central nervous stimulant! Additionally, caffeine in coffee, caffeine in tea, and any other beverage or food containing a high amount of caffeine can significantly increase heart rate and blood pressure, both of which are not recommended during pregnancy.

So, although moderate amounts of caffeine may not negatively affect your pregnancy, you may still want to think twice about using it. Possible negative outcomes of caffeine in pregnancy include:

• delayed conception
• birth defect
• miscarriage
  

As you can see, there can be detrimental side effects of consuming caffeine during pregnancy. On the other hand, many studies have shown that there are no increased risks of drinking a minimal amount of coffee daily. Regardless, to be on the safe side, it is probably best to eliminate caffeine from your diet while pregnant.

Final Note
As you can see, consumption of caffeine is very controversial. Many scientists believe caffeine in coffee, caffeine in tea, and caffeine in other beverages and foods can be safely consumed in moderate amounts, while others believe that caffeine intake should be kept at a minimal.

As for the effect of caffeine on exercise, results from most studies have been inconclusive. We know that a moderate amount of caffeine taken before exercise may prolong time to exhaustion during endurance activities. On the other hand, no study has definitely confirmed that caffeine has a significant impact on speed and power. Additionally, the amount of caffeine consumed and caffeine levels prior to exercise probably play a major role in how different people respond to the drug.

Many experts believe that consuming moderate amounts of caffeine in pregnancy will not negatively affect the mother or the baby, while others believe that moderate amounts of caffeine in pregnancy may cause delayed conception, birth defects, and even miscarriages. As always, it is best to consult a doctor on this issue to ensure you are making the most informed choice.

Read More

Exercise Helps your Body Instantly with DNA Modification

Maybe this will motivate you to work out. New research supports the idea that you don't need to spend hours at the gym everyday for your body to start feeling the positive effects of exercise. In fact, a single session on a stationary bike can affect your very DNA.

Okay, so your actual genetic code won't morph into that of Conan the Barbarian. But exercise sets signals in motion almost instantly that determine which genes get turned on and off. These what-are-called epigenetic changes signal to the muscles to, well, tone up. The study is in the journal Cell Metabolism.

Researchers recruited 14 men and women in their mid-20s who didn't usually exercise. After a short but intense spin on a bike, samples of their muscle tissue showed temporary, but big, changes in several types of epigenetic signals. Further tests showed that some of the same effects could be achieved with a jolt of caffeine.

Alas, black coffee can’t provide all the benefits of your morning workout. But if you get to the nearest coffee shop by running, you're definitely starting out on the right foot.

Read More

The Psychology of Smoking - Why do People Smoke?

Smoking is one of the most difficult addictions to break. Scientists estimate that cigarettes are more addictive than cocaine, heroin, or alcohol. According to the World Health Organization, smoking kills more people than any disease in the world. With all this information readily available, why do people continue to smoke?

Most people who smoke do so because they can't stop. Nicotine is a highly addictive substance that makes people feel energized and alert. Smokers get a rush after a cigarette, and giving up produces withdrawal symptoms that include difficulty sleeping and cravings. Seventy percent of people who quit smoking eventually start again.

Tobacco advertising also has a big influence on why people smoke. For years, the industry has focused on making smoking glamorous through advertising in movies, television, and billboards. While cigarette advertising is now controlled, its influence can still be felt in the form of free samples, smoking cartoons, and the promise of cool merchandise that can be obtained in exchange for coupons printed on cigarette packs. Many people claim that smoking keeps them thin, but the truth is that smoking reduces the sense of taste, so many people who smoke simply eat less because they don't enjoy food as much.

Smoking also produces psychological dependency. Many people smoke because it helps them relax and cope with difficult situations, or because it gives them confidence. Others smoke when they feel bored. Smoking produces a feeling of satisfaction that's difficult to give up. Finally, people who smoke are usually in denial – they know that smoking is bad, but they convince themselves it's simply "not as terrible as they make it sound."

Smoking is a social activity as well. Many people who smoke do so as a way to start conversations and interact at parties or in crowded places. This is known as "social smoking," and it usually involves alcohol as a complement.

Many teenagers start smoking due to peer pressure. They may also smoke to feel more mature or as a form of rebellion against parental authority. It has been proved that children are also more likely to smoke if their parents do.

Read More

Sunless tanning: A safe alternative to sunbathing

Today, people are making use of many advanced technologies to darken their skin effectively. In the earlier days, sun bathing was a popular tanning method among the people due to its effective results. Ultraviolet radiations that are emitted by the sun are responsible for stimulating melanin production which ultimately results in darkening of skin. However, it is found that overexposure to UV B radiation can cause skin burn and even skin cancer. Hence, people started to look for different ways to get darkened skin. Thanks to sunless tanning treatments that paved way for safe and effective skin darkening.

Increasing demand for sunless treatments has paved way for development of many modernized skin darkening techniques and tanning salons that offer simple and effective ways for darkening the skin. Different types of sunless skin coloring techniques are available in the present days. Some common sunless treatments are tanning beds, skin darkening lotions, hand spray and booth spray tan. Among the different types of sunless skin darkening techniques, spraying methods are preferred more by people due to its effective, safe and affordable nature.

Like sun tanning, tanning beds are also gradually declining in its popularity because overexposure to tanning lamp radiations will also cause severe skin related problems. However, it is found that some skin problems like eczema or even psoriasis can be cured by making use of tanning bed, but some skin allergies or rashes can become worst while exposed to UV radiations.

Sunless skin coloring method offers a wide range of benefits when compared to traditional sun bathing. Besides, modernized sunless skin darkening techniques and equipments are attracting a large number of people throughout the world with its safe, effective and reliable nature.

Some important benefits offered by sunless tanning treatment are listed below:

Safe:
When compared with traditional sun bathing method, sunless treatment offers a safe way of darkening the skin without causing any skin burns or cancer due to its customized features. For example, tanning booth can be switched to different tanning spraying speeds such as light, medium or dark.

Effective:
If you want to darken your skin quickly, booth tanning can offer tanning within 30 minutes, while sun tanning may require several hours of exposure to sun. You can get better tanning results and ways to maximize your tanning results using sunless tanning treatments.

Long lasting:
Usually, darkened skin can last up to five days, if proper moisturizers are applied after the tanning process on regular basis. You can even enhance the tanning results by following the guidelines offered by an expert tanning technician before and after tanning.

Affordable:
Self tanners are available in different price tags and you can choose the best one according to your expectation and budget. However, tanning booth are considered quite expensive than tanning beds.

Varieties:
Sunless tanning treatments are available in different forms and self tanners are also available according to the skin coloration of the people.

Read More

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ) Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

Do you experience jaw pain? Or do you clinch and grind your teeth? If so, then you're not alone. It's estimated that over 20% of the general population at one time or another have symptoms relating to the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).

Read More

Lower Jaw Pain - Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments

If you're suffering right now from lower jaw pain or have had acute or chronic jaw pain episodes in the past, you may or may not have sought medical attention. Lower jaw pain can be caused by a few things including arthritis, fractures, dislocations, whiplash injuries and structural issues in the jaw that you were born with.

Read More

Rare Blood Types

Within the ABO/Rhesus Group systems which are used to classify most blood types, there are several rare blood types. The rarest is AB-, with less than one percent of the world's population having this blood type. B- and O- are also very rare, each accounting for less than 5% of the world's population. However, there are over 30 recognized blood typing systems beyond these basic two, creating a plethora of rare blood types, some of which appear only in a handful of people.

Blood type is determined by the presence of certain antigens in the blood. The A and B antigens are very common, making it easy to classify people by which antigen they have, while people with Type O blood have neither antigen. The negative or positive symbol after the blood type indicates the presence or lack thereof of the Rhesus Factor. However, other antigens beyond A and B can be present, and these antigens can react with blood from certain donors. Someone with a rare blood type might appear, for example, to be A+, but he or she might lack another antigen, which could cause a bad reaction with A+ donor blood which contained that antigen.

People in the Bombay Blood Group lack A and B antigens, which would normally place them in the O grouping, except that they lack H antigen, a substance present in people with Type O blood. This means that if they are infused with blood from an O donor, they can get sick. This blood type is also referred to as the “hh Blood Group,” and it is named for the region of India where it was discovered.

Some of the other antigens used in blood typing include: D Factor, C Factor, E Factor, M Factor, S Factor, Le(a) Factor, K Factor, Fy(a) Factor, Jk(b) Factor, and Fy(b) Factor, among others. This means that someone could have a blood type such as AB-: Fy(b)-, K-. If blood from an AB- negative donor which contained the K Factor was transfused, this person could experience a reaction. Sometimes, these factors are referred to with names, as in “Duffy Negative” for people who lack Fy(a) and Fy(b), referencing a specific patient who first exhibited the trait.

Blood type is an inherited trait, and many rare blood types are found in specific communities and ethnic groups. African-Americans, for example, are more at risk of being Duffy Negative. This is why it is important for people from all ethnic groups to donate blood, to increase the probability of finding a matching donor. When blood from more than 200 donors must be screened to find a match for a patient, that patient has a blood type which is considered rare, but some people with rare blood types would be lucky to find blood which matched theirs in one of 200 donations. Some people with rare blood types bank their own blood in advance of surgical procedures to ensure that blood is available to them.

Read More

How To Grow Taller Naturally? - Growing Taller Secrets & Tips

Are you unhappy with your height? Many people are and, even if you have stopped growing, there are still ways to present yourself so that you appear to be taller than you actually are. For more information on how to make yourself look taller, read on and I will explain to you more about the growth process and how you can make the best of yourself and look after your body to ensure you remain healthy as you get older. There are many dubious claims of specific exercises being able to stretch and lengthen your bones. Buyers beware! You cannot stretch your bones, or lengthen them, regardless of how much you exercise.

What you can do, however, is to exercise regularly in order to strengthen the muscles that are attached to your bones by means of tendons and ligaments. Strong, healthy muscles will have more stamina amongst the muscle fibers to be able to hold your body far more erect and so give the appearance of being much taller - as the result of exercise alone. Not only that, but regular exercise is the trigger that actually releases the growth hormones and enables adequate growth to occur. Another warning: avoid claims about the efficacy of hormone supplements or vitamin supplements. Neither of these can make your bones longer nor make you look taller. They simply make you feel healthier.

During puberty maintain a good diet and exercise as regularly as you can. This will enable your bones to grow healthily. While you are still of an age to grow the ends of your bones consist of a spongy bone matrix which is very rich in blood vessels from which the bone obtains high levels of nutrient. All the time your bone ends are soft, your body is able to grow. However, once a change occurs and the spongy bone is converted into the denser, compact bone that is hardened with calcium deposits, no further growth can occur. During your growing years, while your bone is still developing and evolving, a healthy diet full of appropriate sources of nutrients is essential. Plenty of vitamins, minerals and trace elements will help your bone to mineralize properly and to become strong and healthy which, in turn, will minimize any chances of fractures occurring. This is what happens as we age: our bones weaken due to loss of mineralization and fractures occur much more easily.

An excellent diet coupled with regular exercise is the best way to ensure your bones grow healthy and remain strong. As calcium is such an important mineral, you need to ensure you are including calcium-rich foods [such as dairy products and many sources of fish] in your diet. Adequate sources of nutrition are just as necessary when you grow older and even the elderly need to include ample nutrients such as protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals into their diets to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Other factors, of course, can also help to maximize your height - clothing, for instance, is an important addition to any wardrobe.

Pick the right clothes and you can make yourself instantly look taller. Similarly, short hair will give your neck a more swan-like appearance and help give the appearance of height. Good posture is another thing to consider but, when you think about it, this goes back to ensuring you take adequate exercise so that the muscles that are attached to your bones are as strong and as healthy as possible. Healthy muscles will almost always lead to improved posture and enable you to give the appearance of being taller.

Read More

Breastfeeding - Health benefits for mother

One of the first things that an infant does after its birth is to begin breastfeeding. Now more than ever, mothers are breastfeeding their babies to start their life as healthy as possible. Breast milk is the perfect food, it has everything a baby needs to grow and develop including antibodies to keep the baby healthy and help him fight sickness.

Read More

Health Problems and their solution in the Holy Month of RAMADAN

Fasting and Health:
At this time of the year many of the Muslim online community are fasting. What makes fasting particular hard for Muslims, especially in the heat, is going without water. Hard for non-smokers, that is. Muslim smokers have told me that the desire for water pales into insignificance compared to the lust for tobacco that they suffer.

Health problems:
Paradoxically, many health problems occur in Ramadan as a result of over eating. After fasting, it is tempting to over-indulge.

This is of course against the spirit of fasting. We should also have less need for food. When we eat less, our metabolic rate slows and less energy used. Then when we do eat, more food is converted into fat. Despite this, many people consume more food - and sweeter food - in Ramadan than at other time of the year, leading to weight gain.

Fasting can lead to gastronomic problems . These can be exacerbated by some of the foods consumed at Ramadan, While sweets and fried foods are a favourite at Ramadan, their high sugar content means that their energy value does not last long. Spicy food and fried foods should also be avoided. Eating foods rich in fibres, such as brown bread or rice, will help to avoid gastronomic problems.

Perhaps the biggest danger to health during fasting is that of dehydration. While not everyone fasting will suffer from dehydration, it is important to know the signs.

Dehydration:
Dehydration is caused by the loss of fluids and electrolytes, and is more likely to occur in hot countries.

Dehydration symptoms can include dizziness, nausea and, diarrhoea, dark urine or an inability to urinate and a dry mouth and nose. Children may show additional symptoms, such as a sunken abdomen or skin which does not hold its shape after being pinched or pressed.

Special care should be taken with children who are more susceptible to dehydration. Some Muslims I know set reduced targets for children, for example asking them to fast till 11 o' clock or till midday.

Mild dehydration can be treated easily with oral rehydration formulas. These are available, normally in powder form, in every chemist. Alternatively make sure that you consume food containing sodium (i.e. salt) and potassium along with your water. Dates, a traditional food eaten when breaking fast, is a good source of electrolytes such as potassium, and their high tanin content should also help with any gastronomic problems.

When to stop fasting:
Ultimately, it is not advisable to fast if you are sick or to continue to fast if you start to feel sick. In fact, the Quran specifically makes an exception for the sick and for travellers, albeit with the proviso that days should be made up either by fasting at a later date or by paying someone to fast for you.

Specifically, the Qu'ran states that the intention of fasting is not to cause severe hardship:

"Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and wants for you to complete the period and glorify Allah..." (Surah 2:185)

But if you are fasting, don't complain too much. Now a days, at least, we have the benefit of air-conditioners - something that Mohammad would have had to without.

Happy fasting!

Read More

How to stay healthy as you get older

Every decade of our lives brings with it new discoveries and new experiences. For example when we are teenagers we may feel nervous about leaving school and finding a career to embark upon. When we are in our twenties and thirties it might be meeting someone and starting a family that occupies our mind. When we reach our fifties our thoughts then turn to retiring. As you can see, every decade we live through brings new things to think about.

But the one thing you hope will always remain the same as you get older is your health. No one wants to be ill and luckily we can do a lot to give ourselves the best possible chance of staying healthy for as long as possible.

The way we approach this might differ depending on how old we are however. For example if you decide to start getting some regular exercise you might think about going jogging or cycling for long distances if you are young and fit anyway. Needless to say if you are in your middle age or you have just retired, jogging for miles may not appeal to you in quite the same way it might have done twenty or thirty years ago!

To a certain extent staying healthy means being sensible about what you do – and about what you don't do. Gentle exercise might be recommended for the elderly for example, but something more active might be better for people who are still only in their thirties. In any event suddenly deciding to become far more active than you are used to is not usually a good idea. It is always better to work up gradually and get used to the renewed amount of exercise you are getting.

Another good point to think about is the need to constantly keep an eye on your own body and how you feel. If you are familiar with how you normally feel you will be better able to spot any changes and seek advice about them at an early stage. This could really relate to anything at all about your body and well being.

Sometimes you might be able to figure out what a problem is without having to seek advice of any kind. For example, if you get too used to drinking cups of coffee all the time, you could end up with regular headaches. In this example the simple process of cutting back should get rid of them.

Regular checks of all kinds can help us stay healthy in lots of different ways. Whether it is a breast check, a look at your skin for potential abnormalities or anything else, you can see that keeping an eye on your health can help you stay healthy for a long time to come.

Read More

Common causes, Symptoms and treatment of Allergic Rhinitis

Inflammation of the nasal membranes is defined as Rhinitis. Allergic Rhinitis is also known as allergy and hey fever. Allergic Rhinitis is characterized by a number of symptom like sneezing, nasal itching, nasal congestion and rhinorrhea. Other symptoms of Allergic Rhinitis may also include ears, eye, throat and sinus. It is not a life-threatening condition. This disease occurs when the immune system overreacts to the particles present in the air and you breath that air. The particles present in the body is attacked by the immune system to prevent you from symptoms like sneezing and runny nose.

Causes of Allergic Rhinitis:

Any substance needed to trigger an allergy is known as an allergen. The body releases chemicals like histamine when a person with allergic rhinitis breathes in an allergen like pollen or dust which further causes symptoms like mucus production, itching and swelling. Hey fever is also the main causes of Allergic Rhinitis which occurs due to an allergic reaction to pollen. Hay fever vary from person to person region to region that occur due to pollens. There are some plants that are responsible for hay fever. These plants are deciduous and evergreen trees, grasses and Ragweed

Symptoms of Allergic Rhinitis:

There are list of symptoms that affect you very shortly when you come in contact with the substance you are allergic to, the symptoms include itchy nose, itchy mouth, itchy eyes, itchy throat, itchy skin, smell problem, runny nose, sneezing and tearing eyes. There are some other symptoms that may affect you later, the symptoms include stuffy nose, nasal congestion, coughing, clotted ears, decreases sense of smell, sore throat, dark circle under the eyes, puffiness under the eye, fatigue, irritability, headache, slow thinking and memory problem.

Treatment for Allergic Rhinitis:

Allergic Rhinitis is very common in the people now a days. The type of Allergic Rhinitis is not common to all the people and it also vary from person to person and from reason to reason. There are various medicine available in the medical store for the treatment of Allergic Rhinitis.

Read More

Skin care: 4 simple steps to have beautiful desired skin

Unfortunately there are only a few people who are blessed with great skin by nature from birth, but most people aren't so lucky for their skin to preserve its health and smooth appearance whatever they do. For instance, for some people is enough to eat one piece of chocolate and their face is like a volcano or others are sensitive to sun light and their skin starts to peel. Therefore, we need to use face skin care products in order to protect our skin from free radicals and negative external factors, preserve its natural beauty and keep it young. Avoiding dull and sagging skin is possible, if you are motivated and make some efforts in order to improve the appearance of your skin. Problematic and sensitive skin requires more attention the normal skin, but if you follow a simple but effective series of rules you will obtain the beautiful desired skin.

First of all, you need to follow a daily face skin care routine by using products according to your skin type. The first and most important step is cleansing your face, and this involved more than washing it with water. You should remove any dirt and dust from the surface by applying a face cleanser appropriate to your skin type, then wipe it off with a cotton pad and use a face wash lotion to wash your face. Never use soap to wash your face as it will dry your skin. This face wash lotion must be applied in circular motions on face and neck, starting from the bottom and then washed off. The next stem is toning, as your pores are opened and you need to close them in order to avoid dust entering your pores and causing acne. For this step you should use a toner (an astringent lotion) that you apply on the entire face with the help of a cotton pad.

The first two steps will eliminate the oil excess while taking away the natural moisture of your skin. Therefore, you need to apply a good moisturizing face skin cream and massage it for the skin to absorb it faster.

In addition, at least once a week it is recommended to use scrubbing lotions in order to remove dead skin cells from the surface and leave the skin smoother and clear. Facial masks are also good for your skin and they should be applied once a week in order to improve its appearance. Getting a facial massage at a specialized salon will help your skin relax and regain its youth by rejuvenating the facial muscles, so you should take some time to do this once in a while.

Finally, it is very important to use sunscreen in order to keep your skin safe from UVA and UVB negative effects. Sun protection lotions prevent premature aging of your skin, peeling and the appearance of dark spots. Furthermore, your diet is also an influential factor over your skin's health as it directly affects your entire organism. Therefore, it is very important to eat healthy food and drink a lot of water in order to have beautiful and radiant skin.

Read More

Information on Fatigue causes, Symptoms and natural treatment

Whatever is causing your fatigue the number one best way to cure your symptoms is to rest. Physical and mental fatigue can be relieved through physical rest and relaxation. This gives your body and mind time to recuperate from the strain, tiredness, weariness, and exhaustion that it is going through. Although, resting is your first choice for treating and curing fatigue, the time is not always available, especially in today's busy lifestyle. Therefore, there are some additional home remedies that are quick, inexpensive and you are able to do them at home to relieve your fatigue.

Although, overworking and stress most often causes fatigue, it can also be caused by a poor diet, lack of exercise, and dehydration. When it comes to this type of fatigue the answer is simple, change your diet and lifestyle. A well balanced diet filled with fruits and vegetables, protein and complex carbohydrates fuels the body and brain to work efficiently throughout the day. Diets that are low carb or low protein can both cause the body to fatigue because you are eliminating one of the essential nutrients that the body requires to function. Plus a well balanced diet provides vitamins, minerals, amino acids and antioxidants, which boost immunity, energy and metabolism.

Part of your daily diet includes not just what you eat but when you eat as well. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. The name breakfast literally describes the action that occurs in the body after eating, it breaks the fast that occurs during the night while you are sleeping. As you sleep the body your body fasts, however it still uses stored energy to maintain essential body functions such as breathing, heart rate, and rapid eye movement. When you wake up, your body requires fuel. If you skip breakfast, your body continues to fast. Metabolism slows to conserve energy and you become tired and fatigued because your body and brain don't have sufficient fuel to function. That is why breakfast is so essential to replenishing the body's fuel, boosting metabolism, and increasing energy.

Iron deficiency anemia is another cause of fatigue. To remedy this situation, consuming appropriate amounts of iron is required. Iron is needed in the body to help form hemoglobin, a part of red blood cells. Hemoglobin helps to transport oxygen throughout the body; therefore a lack of iron decreases the ability to carry oxygen in the body. Without sufficient oxygen fatigue sets in relatively quickly. Iron rich foods such as lean read meat, seafood, beans, leafy green vegetables, egg yolks, dried fruits, liver, artichokes and iron enriched cereals should be consumed on a regular basis. However, if you are still having difficulty maintaining appropriate amounts of iron in your body, a doctor can recommend an iron supplement. Consult a physician
before starting any nutritional supplement regiment to verify dosing and contraindications.

One way to increase the absorption of iron in the body is to consume it with vitamin C. Vitamin C is an essential vitamin that helps to stave off infections and build strong bones and muscles. Vitamin C can help to boost energy, decrease fatigue and enhances the absorption of iron, which helps to circulate oxygen within the body. Vitamin C can be found in many fruits and vegetables as well as some meats and milks.

While consuming the right foods is vital to ones nutrition, consuming the right liquids just as important. Our bodies are made up of 70% water and each day we deplete our water supply through respiration, expiration and perspiration. If these supplies are not replenished it causes dehydration, which causes the symptoms of fatigue, weakness, and mental incoherence. Drinking water daily is necessary to continuously replenish our body's water supply. Although it is recommended to drink 8, 8 ounce glasses of water a day, they say if you feel thirsty then you are already slightly dehydrated. That's why consistently drinking water throughout the day and keeping a bottle of water with you wherever you go will keep your body hydrated.

Additionally, when you are feeling fatigued drinking a cold glass of water can boost your metabolism and increase your energy. When you consume cold water the body has to warm up the water before it can be used at the cellular level. To warm the water the body increases its metabolism, which boosts energy and decreases symptoms of fatigue.

Exercise is an important part of maintaining weight, strength, balance, muscle and mobility. When there is a lack of exercise the muscles lose their strength making it harder for the body to hold itself up. Ultimately, normal activities such as walking, climbing stairs, etc. become more difficult, causing you to become fatigued very easily. Additionally, as you put on more weight (due to inactivity) it will be harder to be mobile. Therefore, physical activity is an essential aspect of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Even if you are not looking to lose weight or gain muscle, exercise will maintain and increase the strength, agility, and mobility that you already have. So, the next time you are feeling fatigued or a little run down take a walk, do some gardening, play a sport or do some house cleaning. Physical activity doesn't have to mean going to the gym or working out on a machine for hours and hours at a time. It means 20-30 minutes of activity where you are actively engaging your body with motion an your heart rate and breathing increases. You will be pleasantly surprised by the boost to your energy.

Stretching is another great way to increase your energy, reduce symptoms of fatigue and increase mobility. Stretching is a great exercise that can be done anywhere. Stretching should be done everyday, however most people forget to do it. When feeling fatigued a quick stretch can activate energy stores that boosts energy and eliminates feelings of weariness.

If all else fails and you are looking for a quick energy boost, caffeine will do the trick. A cup of coffee, tea or a piece of dark chocolate stimulates adrenaline production which boosts ones energy, increases alertness and enhances your mood. Using caffeinated beverages or foods to reduce fatigue is all right every so often however, should not be used repeatedly day after day. This can cause your body to become dependent upon these products to boost ones energy and can have several side effects when not consumed.

Read More