What Really Makes A Wheelchair Lightweight?

If you're trying to decide on which is the right wheelchair for you, then there a number of factors to take into consideration, namely the type of chair.
* Self propelled.
* Powered.
* Transit/Attendant.
* Folding.
In addition to the chair type, there's the width of the chair, the activities and performance that is required of the chair, and of course there are all of the accessories that you can choose from.
Probably one the most important decisions to make, is the weight of the chair's frame. In recent years the design and manufacture of wheelchairs has evolved considerably, and now it's possible to buy ultra lightweight wheelchair frames because of the advances in new materials and technology.
The materials used for making a lightweight wheelchair frame.
There are typically four types of materials used in the manufacture of lightweight wheelchair frames, and they are.
* Aluminium.
* Carbon Fibre.
* Titanium.
* Other composites.
Manufacturers have looked to the aerospace industry for their weight saving inspiration, as aircraft manufacturers like to use cutting edge materials to make their aircrafts stronger, lighter and more economical, so wheel chair designers and manufacturers have tried to follow suit.
Aluminium frames.
The majority of lightweight wheelchairs are made from aluminium, with some manufactures going so far as to make the tubing an oval shape to cut down on the weight of the frame. Others weld the tubes as opposed to using brackets and bolt, further reducing the weight of the frame. The thickness and diameter of the tubing is another way that manufactures can cut down on weight; however there may be a compromise in the strength of the frame as a result, so the weight of the user will need to be a consideration when choosing this kind of material.
Carbon Fibre frames.
Relatively new as a material for wheelchair frame manufacture, it is less than one-quarter the weight of steel. Offering high performance, rigidity, shock absorption and durability, a carbon fibre wheelchair frame will be the lightest of all materials, and can be customised to the user's requirements. The one drawback however is in the cost, as they are the most expensive frames to produce.
Titanium frames.
Lighter and stronger than Chrom-moly steel and aluminium, titanium is the best compromise between a lightweight wheelchair frame and an affordable price. A well made titanium frame is durable and comfortably absorbs vibration.
Composite frames.
When we refer to other composites what we are really talking about is making a wheelchair frame as lightweight as possible by customising the design and materials to suit the individual. As the frame is made to fit the user's body perfectly, there will be no need to add any frame adjustability, and with fewer bolt, brackets and screws it will be much lighter.
In summary, what makes a lightweight wheelchair frame light and easy to transport, are the materials that are used in its manufacture and the number of its component parts.

Fenetic Well Being is a new company based in Yorkshire in the United Kingdom. Fenetic specialise in the sourcing and supply of high-end, quality healthcare products. This month see's the launch of their lightweight wheelchairs product range.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6578575

2 Major Methods You Need to Keep In Mind for Treating Uterine Fibroids

It has become common for women to develop tumors of the uterus. These tumors are accompanied by symptoms like pain during sexual intercourse and menstruation. Although, surgery is not always required, a large number of women do undergo surgery and the necessary operating room protocols. Uterine fibroids have become one of the most common causes for women to undergo hysterectomies.
Even though most women undergo surgery to remove the fibroids, hysterectomy is not required in most of the cases. As in other conditions like ovarian cysts and endometriosis, the common reason behind uterine fibroids is hormone imbalance. The imbalance between the levels of progesterone and estrogen can lead to the formation of uterine fibroids. Doctors try to find the dominating hormone to find the right treatment for this condition.
Effect of Correcting Hormone Imbalance
It is often possible that correcting the hormone imbalance can help in avoiding uterine fibroids, but in women having large fibroids surgery is often essential. Hence, while some women can have their fibroid shrunk by correcting the hormonal imbalance, others will have to look forward to surgery.
• If the size of the fibroids is not large, and they do not shrink, the correction of hormonal imbalance at least helps in preventing them from gaining size.
• If the fibroids are large in size then it becomes necessary to undergo surgery to remove them.
• Some women can consider undergoing natural treatment protocol and avoid operation protocols under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), and there is nothing wrong with this.
How to Avoid Surgery
• If you are suffering from uterine fibroids and at the same time you want to avoid surgery, then you should consult a doctor.
• The doctor would determine if there is an imbalance of hormones, estrogen and progesterone.
• If there is an imbalance of hormones, the doctor will recommend that you undergo natural treatment to balance the levels of the hormones.
• If the size of the fibroids is small, then there is always a good chance of avoiding surgery and associated operating room protocols.
• Small sized fibroids clearly mean that they are not going to cause any major complication.
Avoiding Surgery with Larger Fibroids
• If you have a large fibroid, it does not mean that surgery cannot be avoided.
• Women with larger fibroids can also consider natural treatment protocols.
• However, severe symptoms are associated with larger uterine fibroids and a patient may not be able to wait until the natural treatment starts showing its effect.
• Removal of the entire uterus is a step that should be avoided as much as possible.
Summary
Women having small to medium sized fibroids are best candidates for undergoing natural treatment protocol. This method involves correcting the imbalance of hormones. However, if you have large-sized uterine fibroids, surgery can be considered depending on the condition of the patient. If you are suffering from uterine fibroids then you should consult your doctor to find the correct preventive method. As many say, prevention is the key.

For more information, please visit our Operating Room Protocols website.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6579227

6 Steps You Should Know To Avoid Scarring After Surgery

When you undergo surgery, the next thing you want to focus on after recovery is to prevent any form of scars. After undergoing a surgery, there is always a high chance that your surgical incisions may appear for the rest of your life. There are many instructions that your surgeon is going to give to prevent this from happening. In addition, there are some steps that may take some effort to follow.
Steps to Avoid Permanent Scars
It is essential that you perform the following activities in order to avoid permanent scarring after a surgery.
1. Smoking
Smoking is going to increase scarring and also slow down the healing process. When it comes to surgery, surgeons do not allow operating room protocols to begin unless they are certain that the patient has completely quit smoking for at least a couple of weeks before the procedure.
2. Drinking
Alcohol is a substance that dehydrates the skin and also your body. It will also affect your overall health condition. During the recovery process, it is important that you completely avoid drinking and even avoid caffeinated drinks.
3. Nutrition
During the recovery period your diet should be rich in protein. Protein acts as the building block during the healing period. Food rich in protein include:
• Pork
• Chicken
• Fish
• Beef
• Seafood
• Dairy products.
If you want to avoid meat, then soy products are your best source of lean protein.
4. Water
Make sure that you take sufficient amount of water during the recovery period.
• If your body gets dehydrated, it can lead to imbalance of electrolytes in the body and even heart problems.
• In conditions like mild dehydration, you are going to feel thirsty and the health condition will fall.
• A good indication of being sufficiently hydrated is when your urine shows a light color.
• When you are hydrated well, the recovery process will be fast.
5. Weight
Overweight patients are more likely to get scarred after a surgery as compared to lean patients, the reason being that the fat under the skin does not help the incision to close properly.
6. Infection
It is important that you follow the instructions of your surgeon to avoid infection on the incision. If an infection sets in, it can complicate the situation and even after recovery the scars can remain for the rest of your life.
Proper Care of Wound
Your surgeons can advise you about the right steps needed to be taken in order to care for your wounds.
• You would need to take the right steps to avoid infection.
• You would have to avoid using some types of ointments or medications.
• The surgeon can also tell you to avoid remedies that have not been prescribed.
In addition to the patient, the surgeon should also take proper care to avoid scarring of the skin. It is important on the part of the surgeon and the operation team that they follow proper operating room protocols to save patient from developing scars after recovery. Take care and have a safe recovery.

For more information, please visit our Operating Room Protocols website.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6579233

7 Tips for Healthier Lungs

The lungs are remarkable organs that perform a wide range of crucial functions on which most of the other organs depend. Breathing is one of the most crucial functions carried out by the lungs. Each and every breath taken by the lungs adds oxygen to the body and expels carbon dioxide. The lungs also protect the body from the harmful effects of the environment like infections and pollution.
Even though the nose is the primary defense against environmental substances, the lungs act as a secondary line of defense. Therefore, it is very important that the lungs should be kept healthy and free from diseases.
Here are 7 tips on keeping your lungs healthy and well nourished so that they can properly perform their task.
Tips for Healthy and Strong Lungs
• Milk thistle or silymarin extract helps the lungs in fighting against toxins found in the environment.
• There are many benefits of drinking green tea. It is highly effective in protecting the lungs against the development of cancer.
• Avoid smoking or exposure to second-hand smoke. Smoking is the leading reason behind the development of lung cancer. When you reduce or eliminate smoking, the chances of developing lung cancer are also reduced significantly as compared to those who regularly smoke. The chances of lung cancer also go down when you completely quit smoking. The cessation of smoking helps clean your lungs, and they start functioning in a better way.
• Avoid second hand smoke. If anyone smokes close to you, it is best to leave the area or ask them to stop smoking. Patients who are dealing with lung cancer should seriously avoid second hand smoke as it can aggravate their condition.
• Exercising is a good way to have healthy lungs. You can include running, walking, swimming and other cardiovascular exercises in your schedule to improve the functioning of your lungs. The more you exercise, the stronger your lungs will become.
• It is also essential that you consume a nutritious diet in order to have healthy lungs. Different food types to eat should include:

• Cereals, grains and breads that are high in fiber content.
• Lean proteins like fish, eggs, turkey and chicken.
• Sufficient amounts of water as it also helps in flushing out toxins.

You should avoid consuming excess amounts of oily food, salt, alcohol and caffeine. It has been found that proper nutrition and dietary habits have a strong effect on the functioning of lungs, and avoiding unhealthy foods can also help in avoiding lung diseases. In fact anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant rich food has been found to be helpful in improving lung function and minimizing the development of lung diseases.
• Avoid working in environments where there is excessive amount of particulate matter in the air. For example, people working in textile factories are prone to contracting Byssinosis caused due to intake of cotton and other dust particles.
Following all these tips and avoiding certain conditions and food, you can avoid developing any lung diseases and more importantly avoid any need for operating room protocols or surgery.

For more information, please visit our Operating Room Protocols website.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6579164

How To Lose Weight Naturally

What do you think is the first thing people trying to lose weight remove from their diet?
Fat.
Is this justified?
FACT: For every gram of Fat there is a total of 9kcal of energy. FACT: Protein and carbohydrates contain a significantly lower energy yield of just 4kcal per gram.
To many people on a slimming regime it makes perfect sense to lower your intake of fat and so lower your calorie intake, therefore allowing you to shed body fat. What many people do not realise is that you need to reduce specific fats and not all fats.
Unlike what you may have heard, both saturated and unsaturated fats are crucial nutrients to obtain in our diets, as just about every hormone and cell in your body is composed of or formed from fat, this includes the sex hormones, testosterone and oestrogen which govern exactly how much, where and why we store that stubborn body fat, interestingly particularly around the midsection.
Many vitamins such as A, D, E and K are actually fat soluble, so lack of dietary fat can increase the risk of nutrient deficiency. This is particularly true of vitamin D which has been extensively researched as one of the most vital nutrients required for overall health. One fat of particular interest is Omega 3 which has proven anti- inflammatory properties. When you consider that many of today's diseases such as arthritis and heart disease are inflammatory by nature it makes perfect sense to incorporate these fats into your diet.
Omega 3 rich foods include fresh oily fish such as tuna, salmon, mackerel and sardines, various kinds of nuts, especially walnuts and brazil nuts as well as flaxseed, eggs and grass fed beef and lamb. When simply dieting, these are usually the foods which are removed due to their relatively higher calorie intake.
Unfortunately, like most things, it is not quite as simple as just putting extra omega 3 into your diet. It is really important to reduce your intake of Omega 6. If you were to travel back in time to caveman times, our intake of Omega 3 to Omega 6 would have been a ratio of 1:1 or 1:2 parts Omega 3 to Omega 6. Recent studies show that our average intake here in western society is close to 1:16 and even as high as 1:40 which could possibly relate itself to our rising rate of our obese, health poor population. Omega 6 is broken down by a specific pathway which promotes inflammation in the human body. Interestingly enough, increased inflammation is associated with a higher incidence of obesity and raised levels of body fat which come about by deregulation of hormones. (have you ever wonder why post-menopausal women tend to gain on average 2kg of body fat?)
The ratio of Omega 3 to Omega 6 is therefore a considerable factor when reducing your weight and in improving overall health.
The verdict:
Increase your intake of Omega 3 rich foods and decrease your intake of Omega 6 fats which are found in most vegetable oils such as sunflower, corn and soybean oils, processed foods and grain fed meat (instead opt for grass fed meats). As always, accompany this with a well-balanced nutritional and supplement regime alongside a healthy and active lifestyle and you will find yourself one large step closer to your goals. GOOD FOODS FOR SLIMMING: Tuna, Salmon, Mackerel, Sardines Grass fed Beef and Lamb Various nuts, especially walnuts and brazil nuts Flaxseed Eggs Fresh Vegetables

The Author is Terry Oswell of Natural Slimming Therapy. The slimming and diet market world-wide is enormous and there are thousands of products available designed and produced to help people lose weight. To find out more about How To Lose Weight using a natural method read all about it here at www.naturalslimmingtherapy.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6573428

Healing Properties of Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is a common household plant and one that has many health benefits. The most common use of aloe vera gel is soothing burnt skin from excessive sun exposure or reactions to chemicals. During the summer people often use aloe gel for burns or dry irritated skin. Instead of buying commercially made aloe gel try the fresh pulp as it is more effective.
Aloe plants are easy to grow inside or if your climate permits outdoors. To use the plant cut off a plump leaf and slice it open lengthways then rub the fleshy part onto the skin it will feel very cool and soothing. The juice of the aloe plant is also cooling and hydrating therefore it makes a great alternative to water on a hot summer day. Again you can find aloe juice in natural food markets but it is just as easy to scoop out the flesh of a fresh leaf and add it to a smoothy.
In traditional Chinese medicine the use of aloe goes beyond hydration. In TCM aloe or Lú Huì is dried and has a dark glossy look like glass, it has a bitter flavour and cold nature. It works on the Large Intestine, Liver and Stomach organ systems and has the action of draining fire and guiding out accumulation in the body. Fire in the body refers to signs of heat such as red eyes, irritability, dizziness or headaches all of which can be related to the Liver organ system. Accumulation in the body in this case refers to constipation or epigastric discomfort. Due to its purgative nature Lú Huì also has the ability to kill parasites such as roundworm and ringworm.
Aloe gel is great for nourishing Kidney yin, which is cooling, moistening and stabilizing. If kidney yin is deficient there will be symptoms similar to those listed above. Often as one ages Kidney yin becomes depleted especially in the case of menopause. Therefore the pulp of the aloe plant is a great way to nourish kidney yin as well as gain immune enhancing benefits. Due to the cooling nature of aloe it is not recommended for those that have loose stools or feel cold.
Clinical research has shown aloe to have antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial properties as well as the ability to inhibit the growth of neoplastic tumours, reduce inflammation and associated pain. It is not recommended to use Lú Huì during pregnancy or menstruation.

Angela Foran is a Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine where she uses acupuncture, herbal medicine, dietary and lifestyle recommendations to help clients achieve optimal health. Click here to learn more about her Vancouver acupuncture practice

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6579869

6 Tips for Maintaining Good Health

A lot of emphasis is placed on maintaining good health today. However, with today's modern lifestyle becoming more and more lethargic or sedentary, remaining healthy has turned into an unending challenge. But stress not! Six tips to help you be healthy, both physically and mentally, are discussed below.
1. Eating the Right Food
Include lots of vegetables, fruits, cereals, grains, proteins, dairy products and lean meat in your diet. Avoid eating food that is high in fat or that is too salty. And make sure you include all necessary nutrients in your daily diet.
2. Exercise Regularly
This is an age old method of maintaining good health. However today, most people do not pay much attention towards a regular workout for their body. So listen up: if you cannot dedicate a sufficient amount of time daily to staying fit in an active manner, at least carve out 30 minutes from your busy schedule 3 times a week. Not only will your physical fitness improve, your feelings, i.e. your inner well-being will also be enhanced. In fact, healthy physical activities can help release a lot of stress in your body.
3. Laugh a Lot
Whenever you feel that you are undergoing excessive amounts of stress, you should take a break and find a reason to laugh. "Laughter is the best medicine," many say. This can help you find instant relief from your worries, and as a result, you should be rejuvenated and ready to get back to your regular grind after some good, clean fun.
4. Good Night's Sleep
Make sure that you complete get enough sleep to keep your body healthy and your mind working well. Doctors suggest that a person should have at least 8 hours of sleep in a day (even if it's broken down to 6 hours at night plus a couple long naps throughout the day). You should also find some time in between work and home projects to get some relaxation.
5. Maintain Healthy Relationships
This point may not seem to be significant to you but this is a crucial factor in helping you maintain good mental and physical health. When you have supportive and healthy relationships with your family members and friends, this helps in reducing anxiety and stress. Always make room for others to make mistakes and allow others to speak.
6. Drink a Sufficient Amount of Water
Make sure that you remain hydrated by regularly drinking water. Maintaining the water level in your system will mean that unwanted toxins are washed away. Avoid drinking soda or other beverages, and rely more upon fresh water or lemon juice.
By following these methods mentioned above, you can ensure that you are physically and mentally healthy. And a healthy body is going to mean that you can hopefully avoid a lot of unnecessary illnesses in future. Maintaining good health is not just limited to your physical well-being, it also originates from your inner well being. Hence, you also need to focus upon meditation, maintaining healthy thought processes and good relationships with others.

For more information, please visit our Operating Room Protocols website.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6579159

One Kick Ten Thousand Times

I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times. Bruce Lee
There are many of us who believe that varying workout routines, diets and vitamin plans are somehow good for us. Perhaps this is true in the greater scheme of things, but not without a lot of thought and not without six months of dedication to the same routine. These are the two things which always seem to not be there when we talk about making changes.
When it comes to thinking about fitness, most of us are not really sure what is good for us, but we are experts on what is bad. Overdoing exercise is one, overdosing supplements is another; staying at a special diet is another still. Steering clear of all these is supposedly no more than just good sense.
In much the same spirit, we are relatively sure that staying with the same routine is bad. We seem to think that if we do not change what we do we will not make optimal strides. The origin of this belief may have been from a previous athletic coach, a personal trainer or an article off of the internet.
The trouble is not so much that this is completely wrong, but that it only may be good advice for a seasoned athlete. For instance, it is good to lower the weight and increase the number of repetitions when a particular exercise feels as if it is getting to be too much. This is the typical tired inside sensation. Or, it is good to cut back even on small amounts natural sugar and complex carbohydrates when it feels as if belly fat may be starting to slightly accumulate. Or, it may make some sense to alter vitamin dosages if it feels as if there are recurrent energy lags. That is commonly associated with the need for more B-complex. Those are some good reasons to consider variations to a well thought out comprehensive fitness plan.
However, most of us are not at this point. We do not yet need a routine makeover or adjustment, because we do not yet have a set routine. Analogous to the Bruce Lee quote, we do not yet know how to make that deadly karate kick effective because we are still getting down the basic movement. In other words, we are on kick twenty when kick ten thousand is needed to get the karate master's attention.
For there to be intelligent variations there must first be a working base. This is analogous to actually learning a basic karate kick and then practicing it for ten thousand times. That is what really makes us good at what we do, daily escalating our systems to make us fit as a by-product. It is that same thing over and over again which makes the difference. That of course assumes we are into fitness for the long haul as opposed to the short term transformation.
More than likely, however, this is not the case. In stead, most of us are looking for the immediate quick fix. This is all too common nowadays: it is just how we all are at a very basic level. Why? There is the extreme makeover TV show. There are powerful drugs which work near wonders in a short period (even though they have side effects.) There are celebrity wonder-diets about which paperbacks are written. There are gadgets which promise muscular development without effort. We live in an age of things like these; and the list goes on.
Thus, when we do not see immediate results, there is the feeling that we are doing the wrong things or that we have not explored all of the options. That causes us to make adjustments--to pursue one or more of the other alternatives. Granted, this may make some sense if we have been a set routine for six months to a year, but is this really the case?
More than likely, if this is our first go-around with a fitness lifestyle, it is not. Most of us are still in the rookie category, enamored by the advances of modern science and technology. We actually still believe there really is something which will make us look good in the mirror by the end of the week That makes us try something other--another one of the ten thousand kicks we find everyday in our in-boxes.
The underlying problem is that we focus on results as opposed to the way of obtaining them. That is typical if we have have never been into fitness before. All we can think of is the exciting forthcoming event. There is always the class reunion or the Christmas party to look good for. Or, on the other hand, there is the doctor-threat of diabetes if forty pounds is dropped immediately. Catalysts like those will make us do anything to meet the required goals. Yet, when we do, succeeding in an almost miraculous manner,we find that we quickly return back to where we started.
That happens because our bodies simply resist quick transformations. They take time to allow and accept permanent changes. This whole process really does take a while--six months at bare minimum. It requires numerous internal adjustments that simply cannot be rushed. In short, lasting results just do not come over night--no matter what we do or what we take.
This is the meaning of the one kick ten thousand times. The kick is the one routine done many times (weeks, months) just like a true black belt would practice. That is how we should train in spite of a everything and everyone who stands in our way. Anything less opens us to switching our set patterns--making us someone whom Bruce Lee would never fear opposing.
Doing our lethal kick the right way for ten thousand times should be the only reason for doing what we do. In other words, coming in two belt notches by the weekend or two dress sizes within one month should not be our primary intent. Rather, there must be a deep long-lasting commitment to our workout routine, diet and supplement program. That is what we need for our bodies to permanently change as a result of our efforts. That is our one kick which eventually will work on our adversary--our own unfitness.
For further thought on fitness persistence order my e-book "Think and Grow Fit."

Obese 49 years ago; state champion power lifter 1978; in better shape today at 63 than when on swim team in high school
http://blog.foreverfitness.info (subscribe for weekly fitness updates)
Author of "Think and Grow Fit" the no hype guide to getting fit and staying that way forever
http://www.foreverfitness.info (6.00 ebook or 15.95 softcover from publisher I_Universe, Amazon or Barnes and Noble)
YouTube - mcfitnessguru19

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6574088

Carbs Or Fat For Fuel

One of the major problems with today's fitness programs is a dependence on carbohydrates for muscle fueling. Athletes have been shifting away from low glycemic fat/protein fuel into the high glycemic carbohydrate fuel for a few decades now, resulting in an inefficient fueling source especially for endurance sports.
The fact is that throughout the day the fat cells will provide a significant portion of fuel for general activity and during sleep fat flowing out of the fat stores will keep you fueled until morning.
Traditional nutritionists still believe that carbohydrates are the preferred fuel for the body, which is not true. Any of the three energy-producing nutrients - carbohydrates, fat, and protein - can provide the body with energy, according to the landmark book Advanced Nutrition and Human Metabolism.
The body only uses these carbohydrates first to keep blood sugars under control. After a meal containing carbohydrates is ingested, insulin is released into the blood, with a particularly large increase in secretion occurring after the ingestion of sugars and simple carbs. This is sometimes referred to as "insulin shock."
Some of the cells will uptake this sugar immediately for fuel (not so for fructose)... some will get stored in the muscle in the form of glycogen. The liver can also store some of this sugar in the form of glycogen but also converts some of it to fat. Fat cells store it as fat.
Insulin levels can remain elevated for 60-90 minutes, inhibiting the release of energy from glycogen in the liver and from fatty acids, which are a major energy source during prolonged cardiovascular exercise. The aerobic system (oxidative phosphorylation) derives one third of the ATP ( the source of energy for muscle action) from metabolizing carbohydrates and two thirds from fats.
The point is that athletes use fats very effectively for consistent long term energy if insulin is kept down at normal levels. During athletic competition the percent of energy derived from fat should actually increase to conserve blood sugar and muscle glycogen.
The reliance on the many sport drinks today produce the "insulin shock" discussed previously and inhibits the oxidation of fats. Therefore it is important to experiment with the sugar concentration of your drink to enhance the body's ability to use the aerobic system effectively.
Remember, many of the energy drinks and gels are hypertonic with respect to body fluids. In other words, their density of sugars and electrolytes is greater than that of the body fluids, meaning you are also not hydrating effectively!
One of the best electrolyte formulations may be as close as your kitchen. The Web has tons of nutrition information, but not all of it is accurate. Go to my website (2daystofitness.com) for a formula for mixing the correct ratio of dextrose (glucose), salt and di-potassium phosphate in a 24 ounce water bottle that will supply just the right ratio of electrolytes to keep you hydrated and allow your body to tap into the fat stores for a consistent energy supply for exercise over a prolonged period.
A pre meal for a very lean athlete should be a balance of protein, complex carbs and fat.
I recommend a cup to a pint of heavy cream every day for very lean endurance athletes for consistent long term energy without the insulin spikes. I also like a teaspoon of virgin cold pressed coconut oil with breakfast as this monounsaturated fat will provide energy without the insulin spike. Overweight athletes need to abstain from the cream as they have plenty of body fat to burn aerobically.
The fear of change is the "demon" that keeps us from experimenting with what might really work.

Rick Bramos has trained thousands of clients beginning in 1973 as a Physical Activities Specialist in the U.S. Army. Rick opened the first Gold's Gym in S.C. in 1982 and was one of the few men certified to teach Step, Cycling Classes, Body Pump And other classes in the late 80's and early 90's.
He recently co-authored a book (2 Days to Fitness) featuring his 3 Cycle Training System.
Rick is still in constant demand as a trainer. He was recently the featured trainer for Greenville S.C. WYYF 4 News Anchor Gordon Dill.
For Rick's Free Fitness Tips or information on his book go to... http://2daystofitness.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6399454

Clinical Trials - Information About Them and How To Participate

What are Clinical Trials?
Clinical trials also called medical trials refer to trials or tests on humans for medical research. There are many types of trials or experiments which scientists produce to try and learn more about the human body. Some trials can be something as simple as sleep studies and observing how people sleep or how they cope with lack of sleep, other trials involve administering the participant with a small dose of a certain test drug to see how the body absorbs it and what the reaction is.
What Happens in a Typical Trial?
A typical clinical trial will consist of first going for a screening visit where usually a blood test will be taken to ensure you have or normal levels. A simple physical check-up may also be performed. Then if successful you will be required to submit yourself into the clinic for the duration of the study. Studies can last from a few days to 2 even 3 weeks. Some studies will require you to be confined to the clinic for the duration of the study and others are a few days in with some outpatient visits; this all depends on the study. Once you have completed your study you will be allowed to leave and if a paid trial will be paid accordingly. Obviously trial procedures may vary from clinic to clinic.
Do Clinics Have Any Enjoyable Facilities?
The clinic will often have some nice facilities to help you enjoy your stay and relax whilst tests are not being performed; kitchen facilities, pool tables, games consoles, Wi-Fi, reading areas are just some of the facilities clinics will have. Due to participants being in controlled conditions sometimes you will be confined to the clinic's wards only, other clinics will allow you to go outside or take you on a small trip somewhere to keep things from getting too boring.
Are Trials Safe?
There is always a risk with clinical trials but these risks are often minimal; they have to be or the trial will not be signed off by the various governing bodies ensuring these clinics maintain a safe, controlled environment. Most drug trials administer minute amounts which is just enough to monitor how the body copes with it but nowhere near enough to actually cause harm.
How Much Money Can I Make From a Trial?
This all varies on the length of the study; it can range from £50-£150 for 2-3 day studies, to £750-£1,000 for a week or 14 day study, right up to £3,000+ for studies around 3 weeks. Screening visits to see whether or not you qualify for a trial are often paid to at around £50-£80. As well as this travel expenses are often also reimbursed to you.
How Many Trials Can I Participate in?
Usually you will not be able to do trial after trial as clinics need to make sure you have no traces of drugs from other trials in your system which could affect new trial results. Clinics may ask you to wait up to 6 months before taking part in a new trial. Again clinics will differ and some may let you take part in a trial sooner but one after the other is usually not an option.
If I Have Certain Medical Conditions Can I Still Take Part in a Trial?
Some clinical trials will require individuals who only have certain medical conditions to enrol; asthma sufferers, smokers, people with certain types of diabetes. Some trials will only ask for individuals between certain ages; between 45-60 years for example.
What Kinds of People Participate in Trials?
Many people take part in clinical trials as it can be a great way to earn some good money with the additional benefit of helping medical research. For those who work full time it can be difficult unless they are performed during holiday days. Clinical trials are enrolled by part time workers, students, those in between work, even retired individuals.
How do I Find out What Trials Are on Offer?
Most clinics will advertise what trials are on offer over a 3 to 6 month period so you can see if there are any that are suitable for you and give you enough time to ensure you will be available and to make any necessary travel arrangements.

Where Can I Participate in a Clinical Trial in the UK?
There are many clinics around the country where you can participate in clinic trials. Parexel offer paid clinical trials, visit them to learn more and sign up for trial http://www.drugtrial.co.uk/.
http://www.drugtrial.co.uk/

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How The Digestive System Works

In this article you will learn the mechanics of how and why the digestive system works as it does. Digestion plays an exceedingly crucial role in the function of the human body. The digestive system comprises of a digestive tract which is a drawn-out and hollowed series of organs which begins at the mouth and goes all the way to its final stage which is in the anus.
The digestive system consists of numerous organs such as the mouth, stomach, esophagus, large intestine also known as the colon, small intestine, rectum and the anus. These organs are seamed internally by a membrane called mucosa. The mucosa secretes a fluid that aids in the digestion of food. Food particles are broken down and forced along the tract by way of muscles.
Two additional organs within the human body which play a prominent part in digestion are the liver and the pancreas. The digestive fluids which these organs release enter the intestine by means of small ducts. The digestive fluid developed by the liver is held in the gall bladder before arriving at the intestine. Some organs belonging to the circulatory system, in addition to the nervous system, are associated with the digestive functioning of the body.
Why Is Digestion So Important?
The conventional food that we eat cannot be digested in its original form by the body. The food needs to be broken down into smaller and more complex molecules of necessary nutrients by the various organs within the body. It is then absorbed by the blood and carried to the various cells within the body to provide energy. This entire process whereby the food that we eat is converted into energy which can then be utilized by the body is called digestion.
The Whole Process Of Digestion
Digestion is the means by which the food that is consumed gets mixed with digestive fluids released by various organs. It is then broken down into smaller molecules in the course of traveling through the digestive tract. Ideally, it could be said that digestion of the food starts in the mouth where you chew the food and ends in the small intestine.
Peristalsis
The digestive tract comprises of hollow organs whose walls are layered with muscles which gives them their ability to move. These walls, with the aid of the muscles, move the food and fluids that are consumed through to the various organs that constitute the digestive system, so that they become effectively mixed with the digestive fluids and then broken down into finer molecules. This particular muscular action of the walls is known as peristalsis. One may rightly compare this action on a smaller scale to the ocean waves. Such wave like action of the muscular walls enables the food specks and fluid to get distributed throughout the digestive system.
The process of digestion starts in the mouth as we swallow food or drink liquids. That in turn is the only voluntary action in the entire process of digestion. After you swallow, the remaining process is completely involuntary as the nerves then take control of the necessary actions.
The Esophagus
The esophagus is then the next point where the swallowed food goes. This is the organ which connects the throat and the stomach. The esophageal sphincter is a circular like muscle which is positioned at the junction where the esophagus and the stomach meet. Remaining in a closed condition otherwise, it is responsible for allowing food to enter the stomach.
The Stomach
The stomach then takes control as the food enters it by way of the esophagus. The stomach's first duty is to store the food and liquid that is swallowed. This is accomplished by the relaxing action of the upper part of the stomach resulting in the storage of a large quantity of food and liquids. Following this stage the food and liquid is combined in with the digestive fluids that are secreted in the stomach by muscular action. This occurs in the lower part of the stomach. The third and final task of the stomach is to gradually release the mixture into the small intestine.
There are certain conditions and or variables which must be taken into consideration when discussing the process of food passing from the stomach into the small intestine, namely the type of food that goes in, the entire process of the peristalsis action of the stomach and small intestine as was discussed earlier. The fact is that fats are retained in the stomach for the longest period of time while on the other hand carbohydrates are digested much sooner. Proteins also take an extended amount of time to digest. The digestive fluids secreted by the pancreas, liver and intestine aid the food to dissolve further and they are gradually mixed thoroughly and absorbed further to continue the digestion process.
In the final stage of the process, the walls of the intestine absorb the nutrients which are then transported to other parts of the body. This is also the point where waste material which consists of undigested food matter, fiber and cells are shed from mucosa which is then transported into the colon. These materials get expelled out of the body by way of bowel movements.
The Part That Digestive Juices Play
The initial process of digestion takes place in the mouth where digestive juices are secreted by the salivary glands. Saliva that is secreted contains an enzyme which has the ability to break up the starch contained in food into smaller molecules.
The stomach is the next place which secretes digestive juices. These juices which are acidic in nature secrete an enzyme responsible for the digestion of protein. This acidic enzyme does not affect the walls and tissues of the stomach because it is protected by the mucosa which is a layer of tissue that lines the walls of the stomach.
It is when the food mixture is passed through to the small intestine from the stomach that digestive juices from the pancreas and liver take over. The Pancreas secretes an enzymes which is powerful enough to break down the proteins, fats and carbohydrates that are found in food. Along with it, the glands that are present in the intestinal walls also secrete necessary enzymes.
The liver is another important organ in this connection that produces bile, another digestive enzyme. Between meal times, the bile is accumulated in the gall bladder. During meal times, the bile reaches the intestine through the bile ducts which then gets combined with the fat in the food and ultimately dissolves it. Only then does it get digested by the pancreatic and intestinal enzymes.
Absorption And Transportation Of Nutrients
The small intestine is responsible for the absorption of the molecules of food, water and minerals which is then passed on to other parts of the body. This process is quite interesting as well. As mentioned previously, the walls of the small intestine are covered with mucosa which contains lots of folds. These folds are covered with small projections called villi, which have minuscule projections called microvilli. These are responsible for the absorption of nutrients. The material gets absorbed by special cells into the blood stream where they are transported to other parts of the body for further action. Another unique thing is that the process differs according to specific nutrients.
Fats
One of the main sources of energy that the body requires comes from fats. Fat directly goes into the intestine and gets dissolved into the watery content found there. Fats are infiltrated by the bile secretions which break it down into minuscule droplets which consist of fatty acids and cholesterol among other things. The fatty acids and cholesterol molecules get combined with the bile acids which shifts them to the mucosa cells. It is in these cells that the molecules join together to become large and then are passed on to the lymphatic vessels adjoining the intestine. The lymphatic vessels are responsible for transporting this fat to the veins of the chest. Fat accumulates in different parts of the body through the blood stream as well.
Fiber
Fiber is something which is indigestible and therefore it passes through the digestive tract without being broken down by enzymes. Fiber essentially comes in two forms, soluble and insoluble, both of which can be found in different types of food. As the name implies, soluble fiber gets dissolved in water to take on a soft, gel like consistency in the intestines while insoluble fiber never changes its form and is treated as waste matter.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are a very important source of energy for the body. In fact, it is recommended by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans that out of the total suggested caloric intake for the body, that approximately 45% to 65% should be attained by carbohydrates which can be found abundantly in potatoes, bread, dried peas and beans, rice, pasta, fruits and vegetables.
Starch and sugar which are found in carbohydrates are broken down by the salivary enzymes, pancreatic juices and the intestinal enzymes. Starch is first broken down into maltose by the function of the salivary enzymes and pancreatic juices. This maltose is further broken down into glucose molecules by the intestinal enzymes and is directly absorbed into the blood stream. Glucose is carried through the blood stream to the liver for storage until it is released as energy when needed for the various activities the body performs.
The sugars that are found in carbohydrates are converted in just one simple step. Sucrose is converted into glucose and fructose which are then absorbed directly into the blood stream through the intestine. Lactose, another type of sugar that is found in milk, is converted by the enzymes found in the intestinal lining into an absorbable form.
Protein
Protein is one item that needs to be broken down by enzymes before it can be put to use in building and repairing tissues within the body. Once swallowed, Protein begins its break down process by enzymes within the secretions of the stomach. Later the pancreatic juices and the enzymes of the intestinal walls take over the process of further breaking down protein into smaller molecules which are more commonly known as amino acids. These amino acids are absorbed into the blood through the intestines and are transported to other parts of the body to aid in the construction and repair of cells. The main sources of proteins are meat, eggs and beans, just to name a few.
Vitamins
Vitamins are also an important supplement that is provided to the body through the foods that we consume. There are two types of Vitamins - Water Soluble Vitamins (i.e., Vitamin C and all the variety of Vitamin B) and Fat Soluble Vitamins (i.e., Vitamin A, D, E, and K). Storage of water soluble vitamins is very limited and as a result the surplus amount gets eliminated through the urine. But fat soluble vitamins get amassed in the liver as well as fatty tissues of the human body.
Water And Salt
The food and drink that we consume combined with the juices that are secreted by the various glands results in a significant amount of water being created during the digestion process. The accumulated water contains a large amount of dissolved salts which is all absorbed by the intestine.
Extrinsic And Intrinsic Nerves
The digestive system is controlled mainly by the action of two types of nerve regulators, Extrinsic and Intrinsic nerves.
Extrinsic, or nerves situated outside the digestive tract, enters the organs of digestion from the spinal cord or brain and releases the chemicals acetylcholine and adrenaline. Acetylcholine has the responsibility of regulating the muscles of the digestive system to move the food more effectively through the digestive tract. This nerve also stimulates the production of digestive juices in the stomach as well as the pancreas. Adrenaline, on the other hand decreases the blood flow to the digestive organs by relaxing the stomach and intestinal muscles which results in the process of digestion coming to a stop.
The intrinsic nerves, which are situated inside the walls of the esophagus, stomach, small intestine and colon, are responsible for regulating the movement of food through these organs according to the need of the digestive system by the production of various related substances.
Thus, the complex task of digestion in the human body is actually a joint effort by the nerves, hormones, blood stream and various organs of the digestive system which work together to absorb and digest nutrients from the food that we eat daily.
Hormone Regulators And The Digestive Process
The cells in the mucosal lining of the stomach as well as the small intestine produce many hormones which are responsible for the proper functioning of the digestive system. When these hormones get absorbed into the blood stream, they are transported to the heart through the arteries and return back to the digestive system. The main function of these hormones is to stimulate the digestive juices for proper functioning of the related organs.
Below are some of the important hormones which are responsible for controlling the process of digestion:
A. Secretin: This hormone is responsible for the stimulation of the stomach to produce the enzyme pepsin that digests proteins as well as the stimulation of the liver in producing bile. It also urges the pancreas to secrete a digestive juice containing bicarbonate that has the main function of neutralizing the acidic contents of the stomach before entering the small intestine.
B. Cholecystokinin(CCK): This is a hormone which stimulates the pancreatic juices responsible for the emptying of the gall bladder. CCK is also in charge of the normal growth of the pancreatic cells
C. Gastrin: This hormone is extremely essential for the normal growth of cells which are situated in the stomach lining, small intestine, and the colon. Gastrin is responsible for the production of an acid which aids in dissolving and digesting certain types of food.
There are few other hormones given below that are responsible for the regulation of the appetite. They are:
A. Peptide YY: When the digestive tract is full after a meal, this hormone is produced in order to stop further appetite cravings.
B. Ghrelin: This is a hormone that is created in the stomach and upper intestine and is responsible for the stimulation of your appetite.
Both Ghrelin and Peptide send signals to the brain to control the amount of food intake to the body. Other hormones such as glucagon's peptide-1 (GPL-1), oxyntomodulin(+), pancreatic polypeptide, etc. are also considered to serve as appetite regulators.
Extrinsic and Intrinsic Nerves
The digestive system is controlled chiefly due to the action of two types of nerve regulators, Extrinsic and Intrinsic nerves.
Extrinsic or nerves situated outside the digestive tract enters the organs of digestion from the spinal cord or brain and release the chemicals acetylcholine and adrenaline. Acetylcholine has the responsibility of regulating the muscles of the digestive system to push the food more effectively through the digestive tract. This nerve also stimulates the production of digestive juices in the stomach and pancreas. Adrenaline, on the other hand decreases the blood flow to the digestive organs by relaxing the stomach and intestinal muscles which results in the process of digestion coming to a stop.
The intrinsic nerves are situated inside the walls of the esophagus, stomach, small intestine and colon and are responsible for regulating the movement of food through these organs according to the need of the digestive system by the production of various related substances.
Thus, it can be seen that the complex task of digestion in the human body is actually a joint effort by the nerves, hormones, blood stream and various organs of the digestive system which work together to absorb and digest nutrients from the food that we eat daily.
Brief Definitions:
Digestive System: Organs in the body that work in unison for the digestion of food.
Pharynx: A part of the digestive tract system that is located between the mouth and the esophagus.
Esophagus: A part of the digestive tract system that is located between the larynx and the cardia portion of the stomach.
Stomach: A pouch like part of the digestive tract system, where food is stored and mixed together.
Pancreas (tail): A gland connected to the digestive tract system that produces the digestive enzymes.
Duodenum: The start of the small intestine.
Small Intestine: A part of the digestive tract system that is located between the stomach and the large intestine.
Descending Colon: A part of the large intestine by which food continually moves through during the digestion process.
Sigmoid: The final part of the descending colon.
Anus: This is located at the end of the large intestine which is where the body expels the solid waste.
Rectum: It is the last part of the large intestine, located between the sigmoid colon and the anus.
Appendix: The hollow diverticulum that is tied or linked to the caecum.
Cecum: The blind gut shaped or fashioned by the part of the large intestine that is located between the small intestine and the ascending colon.
Ascending Colon: Part of the large intestine where food moves in an upward direction during the digestion process.
Transverse Colon: Part of the large intestine where the food travels in a horizontal direction during the digestion process.
Gallbladder: A small sac or pouch that contains bile.
Liver: A major digestive gland that produces the bile.
Teeth: The organ or instrument located inside your mouth or jaw that is used to cut and break down your food before it enters the digestive tract.
Tongue: The organ that allows you to taste.
For more informative articles please visit the independent media and alternative health blog WholeNews.Org

http://wholenews.org Independent Media & Alternative Health Blog.

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Wellness Doctors

It's unfortunate that the only time most people go a doctor is when they're already sick or hurt. Older persons are particularly prone to putting off visits and checkups. Wellness doctors are the team leaders in a proactive program for getting and staying healthy and fit. Wellness is a concept of maintaining a healthy lifestyle through exercise, good eating habits, weight control and positive attitude improvements.
Not every physician is certified to practice wellness medicine. There is a system and theory to the whole concept that differs from curative medicine, it's preventive medicine. Wellness specialists work with their clients and educate them in how to live a healthy lifestyle, maintaining a proper sleeping pattern, consuming the right quantities of water, taking reasonable supplements where there is a real deficiency and establishing a way of life that keeps aging in check. Good lifestyle habits, reducing intake of caffeine, eliminating tobacco products and engaging in social activities. Healthy people are social, enjoy exercise and sports and generally live longer and depression free lives.
Working with a wellness physician is an excellent choice Instead of seeking relief from illness through medication and therapy, natural products, fruits and vegetables prevent the problems before they start. The cost of prescription drugs is many times that of fresh, unprocessed foods. Wellness doctors counsel and advise healthy eating habits and the results are always positive.
A moderate exercise program, designed to accommodate the physical capabilities of the client is always a good idea. Aerobic and strength building exercise keep lungs and muscles at their best. Blood flow, oxygen capacity and weight control are products of a good and well planned fitness plan. The social connections are also extremely important as well.
Wellness practitioners are constantly studying the latest data on nutrition and exercise and tailor the information to their clients' needs. There is constant research in nutrients and exercise theory and the media all too often publicizes contradictory findings, confusing most of us. It takes expertise and years of study to be able to correctly analyze much of this research and apply it safely to actual people. The wellness specialist is the best guide to the individual client's program, not a "talking head" on television.
There's no time like now to decide to find a wellness certified doctor and design a program for better health and living. Living long, living well and being productive are excellent goals and very achievable with a wellness program. You owe it to yourself.

Dr. Kempf graduated from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine in Lubbock Texas and is a highly respected and well rounded doctor in San Antonio, Texas.
Her emphasis is on her patients' wellness - getting healthy and staying that way!
http://kempfmd.com/wellness-doctors-san-antonio-supplement-choices

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A Brief Biography of Dr. Albert T W Simeons

Noted endocrinologist, world traveler, and Red Cross Order of Merit recipient, Dr. Albert T. W. Simeons is best known today for his innovations in using the hormone Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) to treat obesity.
Dr. Simeons was born in London, England in 1900 and graduated summa cum laude with a medical degree from the prestigious University of Heidelberg in Germany. After pursuing post-grad studies in endocrinology in Germany and Switzerland, he took a position at a surgical hospital near Dresden. Because of his growing fascination with diseases such as malaria, dengue fever and leprosy, he eventually moved to Hamburg, where he joined the School of Tropical Medicine. From Hamburg, Dr. Simeons spent two years working in Africa to pursue this interest.
In 1931, the doctor went to India, where the health problems he witnessed prompted him to extend his stay for eighteen years. It was there that he received the award from the Red Cross for discovering a treatment for malaria, a widespread disease that had been ravaging the country and plaguing the British troops stationed there. Also during his time in India, the gifted doctor conducted research on the control of leprosy and the bubonic plague. Because of his success, he held several important posts with India's government. Eventually, after the war ended and India gained sovereignty from Great Britain, he set up his own practice in Bombay.
While in India, Dr. Simeons encountered an unusual endocrine disorder among extremely obese young men, whom he dubbed "The Fat Boys." Dr. Simeons believed the disorder was the result of a malfunction of the pituitary gland, which caused uncontrollable weight gain and a delay in puberty. He discovered that low doses of the pregnancy hormone HCG and a low calorie diet could help the boys shed the excess weight and also brought on the characteristics of puberty.
In 1949, after nearly two decades in India, Dr. Simeons moved his family to Rome, to start a career in psychosomatic disorders. He continued to study the phenomenon seen in his "Fat Boys," which lead him to perfect his HCG Weight Loss Protocol. As word of his success with obese patients spread, European socialites, royalty and even Hollywood movie stars began to seek out his assistance for weight loss. However, Dr. Simeons turned most of them down because his method targets excess fat, called adipose. Therefore, the protocol would not cause people in their target weight range to shed structural fat. Once all the excess fat was lost, the regimen would naturally stop causing the patient to lose weight.
The doctor lived out the rest of his days in Italy, where he worked at the Salvator Mundi International Hospital until he died in 1970. During his accomplished career, Dr. Simeons penned many articles, in both English and German, including "Man's Presumptuous Brain," "The Lion's Mask," "Food, Facts, Foibles and Fables," and, most notably, "Pounds and Inches: A New Approach to Obesity," which was published in 1954. It is from this landmark study that the modern HCG diet derives its approach. In the manuscript, Dr. Simeons discusses the complex combinations of contributors to obesity. He outlines the three main causes as genetic disposition, glandular disorders and culture. To combat an imbalance resulting from these factors of obesity, Dr. Simeons devised his HCG Protocol, which recommends low doses of the HCG hormone and outlines menus for a particular low calorie diet.
While Dr. Simeons' legacy among medical historians includes his work with malaria, leprosy and even contributing to the invention of the first modern early pregnancy test, he might be best known for his work with obesity. Dr. Simeons' Protocol, which he designed to trigger the release of excess adipose, has been followed by many sufferers of obesity who were desperate to reach and maintain a healthy weight.

The HCG diet protocol developed by Dr. Albert Simeons has rapidly gained popularity because it works. The HCG Company sells HCG drops that are much easier to take and less expensive than HCG injections. Visit the HCG Company website to learn more about the HCG diet and to purchase HCG supplies.

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Do You Suffer From Motion Sickness And Need Relief?

Do you suffer from car sickness, air sickness, or get sick while flying in a plane? Of course these are all caused by the same thing, motion. Really this a side effect of an imbalance in the way your vision sees objects in motion, and what your vestibular system is interpreting. Incidentally, the vestibular system is a series of canals of the inner ear which we use to maintain balance and sense orientation and movement.
So what's the big deal you say? The big deal is that many people are afraid to travel at all due to their fear of getting deathly ill right in the middle of their trip. Whether it's flying, or taking a cruise on a luxury liner, or just traveling by train to another state to see relatives, this fear is very real. If you have never experienced motion sickness, I can tell you its pretty awful. Many people vomit uncontrollably, and need to lie down in order to just make it through the trip at all. Does that sound like a fun way to spend your vacation?
What exactly is the cure for motion sickness then? There are many natural ways to cure motion sickness, some work better than others of course. There may be ways to reduce the feeling of motion sickness even without any kind of medication or other apparatus, and here's an example. Say you're on a ship and you start to feel a little queasy. Chances are it's because you are inside the cabin, or inside another part of the ship or boat where you can't see the water. This is the cause of motion sickness - your inner ear feels the motion, but your eyes don't see it! A simple way to fix this is to go to the deck of the ship so your eyes can see the water, which should provide some relief.
Not all people are that lucky that a simple visual cue will relieve their motion sickness. Others are so sensitive to the motion, which they get sick even if they are able to "see with their eyes" the motion they are experiencing. What else might work to lessen their sickness? There are other natural cures for motion sickness, such as wrist bands that apply pressure to the wrist in such as way as to relieve the sickness. This is somewhat akin to acupuncture, as the wrist is a pressure point where nerves converge.
Other methods are more of a pharmaceutical approach, such as the transdermal patch for sickness which contains a drug called scopolamine. This drug is thought to work fairly well for many, and is sold over the counter in many areas of the country. Another drug commonly used is Dramamine which is over the country and is actually an antihistamine. The way Dramamine works is to cause you to become sleepy, thus dulling the senses hopefully enough to stop the motion sickness. This side effect is not always a good one, especially if you are on vacation and wish to enjoy the trip!
Whatever your level of discomfort in traveling and having to deal with this sickness, find relief so that you can finally travel again without fear of this sickness. There are cures out there, and one will surely work in your favor if you give it a chance.

If you need help with motion sickness, whether it's in the car, bus, train or air plane, don't suffer this any longer and have your vacations ruined. Get the relief you need from many remedies! Learn more at: motion sickness remedies

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The Importance of Sleep for Your Health

Sleep is a naturally occurring process in which the "sleeper" is a state of reduced or absent consciousness. Sensory activity is relatively suspended and the voluntary muscles of the body are largely inactive. Although the individual sleeping has a decreased or inactive response to stimuli (depending on the degree), it is still not a state of hibernation or coma, which are both a much less active state. For instance, a quiet sound would not likely wake a sleeping individual. A loud sound probably would, but would not wake someone in a coma or a hibernating animal. Sleep is also easily reversible, waking up is easy with a relatively mild stimuli whereas hibernation and coma are not so easily recovered from.
Ironically, as sleep is a state of low activity in many respects, it is a time of heightened anabolic (growth and rejuvenation) activity. This is where the body 'builds up' the various systems of the body such as immune function, muscle growth and recovery, etc. This is the main reason that sleep is so important and why lack of it can be so debilitating. All mammals and birds sleep, but only some reptiles and even fish do.
How much sleep you need depends on your age as well as who you are. Obviously children need more sleep than adults because their bodies are growing so much. The need for sleep also varies among individuals. Some people do fine with four hours per night while most of us need about eight. Regardless, you can tell if you are getting enough sleep by how you feel during the day. If you experience daytime fatigue or dysfunction (without help from Starbucks), then you are getting enough sleep.
It seems that people who report sleeping 6-7 hours per night have the lowest death rate, but interestingly enough, those who sleep more than eight hours per night are more likely to die. This may seem like getting eight hours may be hazardous for your health, but those who sleep a lot also tend to be individuals with depression or low socioeconomic status (less access to health care, etc.).
Not getting enough sleep is hazardous for your health as is too much. The data is not in on why sleeping a lot is a problem, but it is thought to be related more to the type of people that sleep too much (depressed, low economic status, etc.) than to the sleep itself. However, too little sleep has been shown to double the risk of death by heart disease.
Sleep is only one of the things that is important to your health. Diet, exercise, sleep, and hydration are all important, but many people seem to not realize how important sleep is. Perhaps staying up to watch Law and Order while you eat a vat of buttery popcorn may have something to do with your weight problem (and its not just the popcorn)?

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