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Vaccination – 5 Things to Consider Before Vaccinating Your Children

One of the most important decisions you will make
One of the most important decisions you will make that will affect the health of your children is whether or not to vaccinate them. Since many medical authorities say vaccination is safe, most parents go ahead with vaccination, completely unaware of the potential dangers and unable to recognize serious reactions when they occur. I am a huge believer in parenting without regrets and I am writing this article to spur you to do some research on your own, especially since the information that you will be presented with (if any) by your pediatrician is not sufficient for you to make a truly informed choice. Regardless of whether you decide to vaccinate your children or not, you should at least be making a conscious and fully informed choice. The following is critical for you to consider before vaccinating

Vaccinations are not necessarily safe – YOU need to be the judge for your family
The majority of pediatricians will tell you that vaccinations are safe and that the number of children that experience adverse reactions is very low. In addition, they will lead you believe that the few negative reactions are carefully tracked and monitored. However, if you take the time to dig deeper you will find that these assertions are not evidence based and lack solid scientific backing. For example, there has never been a long term study that compares the health and welfare of vaccinated children to unvaccinated children. Seeing as cancer is the leading cause of death by disease for children under 15 years of age, would not it be interesting to know if the cancer rate for vaccinated kids was much higher than for unvaccinated kids?

Might that change our view on the safety and wisdom of custody? There has been some analysis into the issue, but both of the studies have been discounted by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). One study was of the Pennsylvania Amish, who do not vaccinate their children for religious reasons. When it was found that they have virtually no incidence of autism (nor of asthma, allergies or ADHD) the CDC responded by saying that the Amish have a "genetic connectivity" that protects them. (Reference 1) A second study, this one of a home-schooling organization of 35,000 children in the Chicago area, found that in this unvaccinated group there were no recorded cases of autism and that the incidence of asthma, allergies and ADHD was extremely low as well. (Reference 2) This was also discounted.

Vaccines are not thoroughly tested before, nor adequately tracked after, being released
Vaccinations are not rigorously tested before being released to the public. Typically, a new vaccine is tested by comparing short term side effects of a new vaccine against an already existing vaccine. The definition of what constituents a side effect is narrowly defined so that many side effects are determined to be coincidence – not related to the violation. It is also important to know that the pharmaceutical companies have been eliminated from liability for vaccine injuries since Congress enacted the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986. This leaves them with very little incentive to do thorough testing. For example, when a manufacturer's representative was asked in a 1997 Illinois Board of Health hearing to show evidence that the hepatitis B vaccine is safe for newborns, the representative stated, "We have none, our studies were done on 5 and 10 year-olds . " (Reference 3) This is concern because your children are scheduled to receive three doses of Hep B before they are a year old, with the first dose being administrated before you and your baby leave the hospital.

Since there is so little testing prior to release, one would hope that there would be careful tracking and follow-up after the vaccine has been released to the public so that if there were issues, they could be evaluated and the vaccine would be dropped from the market if necessary. Not so! It is true that when a vaccine is released into the market, post-marketing surveillance is supposed to track any negative reactions. However the adverse reporting system is entirely voluntary and according to David Kessler, (the head of the FDA for most of the 1990s), 90 to 99 percent of all adverse reactions are never reported. (Reference 4)

The combination of vaccinations currently required as part of the Recommended Immunization Schedule are overwhelming for the immune systems of many children
Not only are individual vaccines not rigorously tested, but the combination of vaccinations prescribed in the Centers for Disease Control "Recommended Immunization Schedule 2009" are not studied in combination to prove that giving multiple viral and bacterial vaccinations at one time is safe. Over the past twenty years, the number of vaccinations children are given has almost quadrupled. In 1983 children were given 5 shots during their first 6 months of life and 8 shots by the age of two. By 2007 that number increased 74% to 19 shots by the age of 6 months and a whooping 27 by the time they are two years old. This is especially disturbing when you realize that children are born with immature immune systems as well as an inability to effectively metabolize heavy metals.

For the most part, mercury (Thimerosol) has been removed from vaccines. This does not mean that there are not other ingredients in vaccines that cause concern. One of these ingredients is aluminum which is added to vaccines to increase their efficiency (help them work better). Why is aluminum a concern? Well, aluminum is eliminated primarily through the kidneys, when babies can not eliminate it effectively accumulates and causes impaired neurologic and mental development that does not show up until around 18 months of age. Infant kidney function is low at birth and does not reach full capacity until 1-2 years of age. (Reference 5) As a result, the cumulative exposure babies have to aluminum (in the process of receiving up to 37 doses of vaccine delivered in 27 shots during their first two years of life) can cause numerous problems. For example, children typically receive eight vaccinations (Hepatitis B, Rotavirus, Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Haemophilus Influenza Type B, Pneumococcal and Inactivated Poliovirus) on the same day when they are 2 months old.

The total amount of aluminum they are injected with is between 295 and 1225 micrograms, depending on which brands of vaccine are used. Meanwhile, the FDA requires that all injectable solutions have a 25 microgram limit. (Reference 6) Not only is the maximum aluminum exceeded at two months, but they are injected with almost the same amount of aluminum at 4 months and again at 6 months, long before their kidneys are fully functioning and can eliminate the aluminum effectively. The combined amount of aluminum that builds up in their system will be dependent on their health and genetics, and is likely many, many times the recommended limit. More to the point, nobody knows what the repercussions are for the millions of children that are being vaccinated as part of the recommended schedule.

Parents, not the government or pharmaceutical companies, take full responsibility for vaccine damage
If your child is injured by vaccination, you can not sue the pharmaceutical company (s) that produced the vaccine (s). They have been protected from lawsuits by the US government. Instead, you must submit your case to the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). To date, approximately 60 percent of the claims have been rejected. The problem with winning compensation is proving that the vaccine, not an unknown genetic problem or coincidence, caused the injury. Because your baby's immune system is complex, it is easy for them to say that it was something other than the vaccine that caused the problem. The whole process takes a long time, meaning that if your child is injured, you will likely wait years before you are awarded any money to defray the costs of raising a child with serious medical and caring needs. It is estimated that the lifetime cost of caring for one autistic child is more than $ 4.5M. VICP has awarded more than $ 1.1 billion for vaccine injuries since 1988. If your child is injured, no amount of money can really compensate you for losing the bright, happy, healthy child you once had.

In Summary
Vaccination is not mandatory. Exceptions are allowed in all states for medical, religious and / or philosophical reasons. As parents, you are the one who is extremely responsible for making decisions for your children. You are also the one who has to live with the repercussions of these decisions, not your family pediatrician, nor the government. Fortunately, there are many choices when it comes to custody. First, there is the choice to vaccinate or not. If you do choose to vaccinate, you should carefully consider how many vaccinations you want your child to be given and at what ages.

Recommended Books and DVD's:
"Vaccines: Are they Really Safe & Effective?", By Neil Z. Miller, 2002.
"The Vaccine Guide", by Randall Neustaedter, 2002.
"What Your Doctor May Tell You About Children's Vaccines", by Stephanie Cave MD, with Deborah Mitchell, 2001.
"Vaccine Illusion", by Tetyana Obukhanych
"The Vaccine Book", by Robert Sears
"Vaccines – What CDC Documents and Science Reveal", DVD, by Dr. Sherri J. Tenpenny
"Vaccines: The Risks, The Benefits, The Choices", DVD, by Dr. Sherri J. Tenpenny

References:
1 Healing the new Childhood Epidemics: Autism, ADHD, Asthma and Allergies by Kenneth Bock, MD, and Cameron Stauth, 2007, Ballantine Books, New York.
2 Healing the new Childhood Epidemics: Autism, ADHD, Asthma and Allergies by Kenneth Bock, MD, and Cameron Stauth, 2007, Ballantine Books, New York.
3 The Congressional Quarterly, August 25, 2000, pg. 647
4 David Kessler, Introducing MedWatch: A new approach to reporting medication and device adverse effect and product problems , Journal of American Medical Association, July 2, 1993, 269 (21): 2765-68.
[5] Zatta PF, Alfrey AC. (Eds) Aluminum Toxicity in Infants' Health and Disease. 1997, World Scientific Publishing.
6 www.fda.gov search for "alumninum toxicity"

Copyright 2009 Julie Fagan

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The Importance of Preventing Chicken Pox

As a disease chicken pox is considered not to be very harmful to a healthy patient. Recent studies have shown that it is the leading death bridge compared to measurements, mumps, whooping cough and Haemophilus influenzae type B meningitis.

Some 14,000 people are admitted each year into hospitals for chickenpox, 60% of them being children. From 1000 individuals only only 5 require hospitalization, and in the worst cases this disease can prove to be fatal. The type of people witch are at the greatest risk of dying from this disease are actually adults, followed by infants, but from the 100 patients to die from chickenpox 40 were still children. A vaccine could have been used to prevent all of these, however recent studies have shown that the number of patients is the same in hospitals.

One of the good aspects of the disease is the fact that it actually gives immunity to the body making the chance of getting ill again from this very slim. Aside from itching a few rare complications may appear in patients.

20% of people who have had chicken-pox may later on in their lives suffer from a reactivation of shingles.

Itching, being the most common complication of the varicella infection, can be easily alleviated with some simple home made remedies.

Secondary Infection and Scarring may also appear; small scars usually remain after the falling of the scabs but this does not last long, the scars clearing up after a few month. In the case of itching there is an all other problem, Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes bacteria sometimes causing infection in the patient. Children are the most in danger of this kind of complication because of the simple fact that they are more likely to scratch. Also in children another rare complication would be year infection leading sometimes to hearing loss.

Bacterial Superinfection is the most common serious complication of chickenpox being caused by group A streptococcus. Although mild and not very dangerous its spreading to muscle, fat or even the blood can lead to life threatening situations such as the necrotizing fasciitis (the so-called flesh-eating bacteria) but this is still very rare. Persistent or repeating high fever, redness, pain, and swelling in the skin and in the tissue benefit and even pneumonia are some of the symptoms. In the case of pneumonia the most likely people to suffer complications are pregnant women, smokers, and those with serious medical conditions, serious complications appearing in some cases caused by varicella: lung scaring that makes the patient's breathing very difficult.

More complications would even be brain and central nervous system damage or even strokes, but as said they are extremely rare.

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Swine Flu Prevention

With all the news about swine flu, few people are talking about prevention, other than taking the controversial flu shot.

Is it real prevention? Have dozens of people really become sick or died from the shot? Is is more of a danger than a precaution? There are more questions than answers.

Each of us needs to make our own decision about taking the shot, but whether we do or do not, we should be taking some basic precautions to prevent this, or any other flu.

The first step, of course, is to keep our hands clean. Wash often with anti-bacterial soap, and use hand wipes or gel when soap and water are not available. This is especially important when visiting public places, where we may touch items that have been touched by sick people.

Think of the grocery store as a prime example. Those shopping cart handles feel hundreds of hands up them every day. Some stores offer wipes at the entry door, so use them. But do be careful using them on your own hands if you have any chemical allergies. I gave myself a pounding head one day by being too diligent cleaning my hands with one of them.

Next, also of course, is to try to keep your hands away from your mouth and nose. This is probably the most difficult – most of us are constantly touching our own faces.

Possibly even more important than these preclusions is what we should do when we get home after being out in public.

According to one doctor's column I read, the "Swine flu bug" lives in the throat and nasal passes for a couple of days before it begins to do its dirty work. So we need to take steps to kill it before it gets a chance to make us sick.

That doctor recommended gargling nightly with salt water. Then, either using a netti pot to clean our noses, or doing a swab with a q-tip soaked in salt water.

One last precaution works by washing the bugs into your digestive tract, where they can do no harm. It's also the easiest to do: drink hot liquids. Choose coffee, tea, hot chocolate, or even hot water with a bit of lemon and honey.

Such simple solutions to carry such strong prevention.

What about kids?

Children can learn to gargle – but it may take a few tries before they "get it." I recommend teaching them with plain water.

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Can Chiropractic Treatment Help Scoliosis?

Back pain is one of the most common health complaints by people across the world. The pain may be localized into one or more of the three major segments of the spinal column; cervical (neck area), thoracic (middle back), lumbar (just above the buttocks), and sacral spine (down into the buttocks area).

By far the most common location of back pain is the lower spine, or lumbar (also called lumbago). Acute low back pain (lumbago) is the number five most common reason for visits to the doctor. But there is another, potentially more serious, spinal problem, and that is scoliosis.

What Is Scoliosis?

Scoliosis is a Greek word meaning curvature; thus scoliosis is a lateral or sideways curvature of the spine. Scoliosis is more common in females, and usually begins in childhood. It is estimated that approximately 2% of the population suffers from this condition. The curvature can start at the thoracic area of ​​the spine, and rotate down to a hump at the rib cage. The Adams Forward Bending Test is even used in Physical Education classes in schools to determine if any children may be afflicted with this abnormality.

The causes of scoliosis are not fully known, which is why it is referred to as "idiopathic". In children three or youngger, it is called infantile scoliosis; ages 4-10 is juvenile scoliosis; and older kids, 11-18, adolescent scoliosis. There is also congenital scoliosis (present at birth) and neuromuscular scoliosis, usually caused by a nervous system malfunction affecting muscles (eg, polio, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, and spina bifida). Scoliosis can worsen during growth spurts.

There are no symptoms overall. However, the Bending Test may show one shoulder higher than the other, the pelvis is tilted; your chiropractor can measure the lengths of the legs to check for uneven lengths. A person suffering from scoliosis can have low back pain, a tired feeling in the spine after sitting or standing for long periods.

It is very important to have X-rays taken from the spine, since a curvature may be worse than can be detected by visual examination. There are also MRI scans, and a special spinal curve measurement called scoliometer screening. If it is determined that scoliosis is present, then the individual may choose chiropractic treatment.

It should be noted that most idiopathic scoliosis cases do not need treatment of any kind. The only thing required could be a back brace, which can be adjusted as the child grows. Only in the most severe cases is surgery recommended by medical professionals.

While there are not many really definitive studies on chiropractic treatment of scoliosis, there are certainly encouraging results with specific chiropractic treatments of mild idiopathic scoliosis (less than 20 degrees curvature, with no complicating conditions) in children 9-15 years old. The full-spell adjustments were given three times a week, for one year. Special attention was paid to the sacroliliac joints. Muscle work around the curvature area was also performed. Children with mild scoliosis are encouraged to exercise regularly, and to hang by the hands to encourage the spine to open the concavity of the curve. There has been as much a reduction of 2.6 degrees in spine curvature by utilizing chiropractic treatment of scoliosis.

The medical community does not offer any treatments at all for spinal curves less than 20 degrees, and may not even consider this spinal variance as a case of scoliosis.

While the chiropractic treatment of scoliosis is still in its investigative research phase, the results so far have been extremely encouraging. There still have to be randomized, controlled clinical trials. But chiropractic care of scoliosis offers distinct advantages over the management and monitoring of early-stage scoliosis.

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Display Fridges in Deli’s

If you own a deli, then the best way to display your products to the consumer would be by using a deli display fridge. Although they are labelled as used in a deli, many other types of business employ these types of display fridge such as sandwich shops, bakeries and any other type of business that needs some sort of refrigerated display space.

The Different Types of Display Fridge

The first type of deli display fridge available is the countertop refrigerator that doubles up as a counter whilst showing off your items to the customer. These types of display counter allow the customer to choice what they would like from one side and the shop assistant can serve from behind the counter top, retrieving the items through a slid door at the back. This is very useful as it only allows the staff access to the goods and this increases hygiene and cleanliness levels.

The second type of deli display fridge is the type that you see up against the wall with a clear front door on it, usually selling bottles of pop or some other item that is visibly seen without the need to open the door. Not only does this continue to keep the items chilled whilst the customer is browsing, but it also saves energy consumption and therefore the cost of your utility bills go down.

The third type of display fridge that you may wish to use in a deli is a bid of a hybrid between the counter top and drinks display fridges. It stands against a wall but has no door on it, just shelving, and they are perfect for keeping pre-packed sandwiches, cakes and chocolate chilled.

Optional Features

Although these are optional features, you would be totally lost without them if they weren’t part of your display fridge set up. The two main items are the ability to adjust shelving and a temperature gauge.

If you are selling different products all the time in your shop, it is vital that you can change the shop displays to suit what you are going to sell. The adjustable shelving feature is also good for keeping your display fridge clean as it allows you to remove shelves and panels from the unit completely.

If you have a temperature gauge built in to the unit then it is a lot easier for your staff to keep a close eye on the temperature without then need to get out the thermometer and leave it for a while so that it shows the true temperature of the fridge. This is a basic precaution in food hygiene and is one of the first things that local shop inspectors look at when checking out whether the shop is carrying out its duties to customers.

Freezer Apartments

If you find that your business will benefit from the use of freezer space but you don’t what to pay for a separate freezer then many manufacturers offer up dual freezer / fridge counter top display units. They will be exponentially more expensive than just a simple display fridge but the benefits to your business could be massive, depending on what you are offering to your customer.

Warranties

If you are spending a lot of money on an expensive product then it is always useful to know the warranty information. The main warranty will of course be from the manufacturer of the product and anything that goes wrong within the warranty period will mean that the manufacturer will repair or replace this unit. Sometimes it makes good business sense to extend those warranties, either with the manufacturer, retailer or some other third party in case of breakdown. Although it is another monthly cost, you have to bear in mind that if your fridge goes down for just one day, the business you lose because of it could be massive. It should always be a consideration!

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How to Treat Skin Fungus

The presence of skin fungus can be easily noticed. There are changes on the skin which include discoloration, patches, and presence of flakes. Some problems caused by skin fungus are tinea versicolor, athlete's foot, ring worm, and others.

The question now is, "How to cure skin fungus"? If you do not want to consult your dermatologist, you can still get rid of them through the following methods.

• For tinea versicolor, use salicylic acid. Pour some amount on a cotton swab and rub it on the affected areas. Do it regularly. You'll see that it will diminish over time.
• A good herbal medicine is Acapulco leaf. Crush it until you squeeze its juice. Then rub it on the affected area.
• Selsun Blue or any other anti-dandruff shampoo can also be used. Apply a small amount on the area and leave it for 10 minutes. Wash it off with water. Do this daily.
• For ringworm, take over-the-counter treatment like Tinactin, Lotrimin, and Nizoral. These products usually come in cream.
• For athlete's foot, soak your feet in a solution of 1 part vinegar and 4 parts warm water. Do this twice a day.
• Baking soda paste also helps in eliminating the problem. Apply baking soda paste on your feet and let it dry then wash it off with water.
• Applying cornstarch on your feet before putting on socks can be of great help, too. It will keep your feet dry.
• For eczema, dandelion, pau d'arco, and red clover are useful. They can be used as tea or can be taken in capsule form.

Get your skin fungus treated before it's too late.

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Arthritis in Pets

Lameness and loss of mobility in pets can be taken as symptoms of an arthritic condition. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritic ailment in both humans and animals but consulting with a veterinarian may introduce you to other forms of arthritis that your pet may be suffering from.

Types of Arthritis in Pets

Osteoarthritis – The most prevalent form of arthritis, osteoarthritis is associated with a reduction of cartilage in the joints often due to aging and normal wear and tear from strenuous and repetitive activities as well as traumatic injuries involving the joints. Affected joints are usually the weight-bearing joints such as the knees and hips but may affect other bodily joints as well.

Auto-immune Arthritis – This is a type of arthritis commonly associated with rheumatoid arthritis where the animal's immune system wrongly attacks the body's joints causing the inflammation of the joints' synovial membrane.

Acute Traumatic Arthritis – Unlike osteoarthritis which is often a slow progressive joint disease occurs as a consequence of traumatic injuries to the joints. Loss of mobility due to pain and inflammation is often taken as a symptom. In most cases, surgical therapy is suggested or required to prevent the onset of permanent osteoarthritis.

Hypertrophic Arthritis – Generally a result of traumatic injuries or osteoarthritis, hypertrophic arthritis is signified by the formation of bone spurs in the animal's joints as a result of eroded cartilages. Bone spurs affects the animal's mobility because of pain which results from the friction produced as bones rub one another.

Shoulder Degeneration – Sluggishness in pets in performing usual and easy activities may be signs of shoulder degeneration. This type of arthritis affects the sliding joints of the shoulder and has multiple causes but is often due to joint injuries or the proliferation of infectious agents eroding the cartilage of the joints in the shoulders

Hip Dysplasia – A common derivative of osteoarthritis, the condition affects the hip joints of the animal requiring to injury, wear and tear or infection.

Knee Stifle and Knee Dislocation – Lameness signals these two conditions. The former is caused by an injury in the animal's knee joints due to torn ligaments causing the body part to weakened with continuous use. Lack of treatment may result in the dislocation of the kneecap or malformation that leads to the second condition and will severely impair the animal from moving with usual ease.

Common Treatments of Arthritis in Animals

The most ordinary treatments have to do with palliative drugs known as NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) that swiftly reduces and relieved pain. Although widespread use of NSAIDs along with corticosteroids is believed to alleviate the signs of arthritis in both pets and humans, it does little to no help in treating the ailment and is more often than not coupled with gastrointestinal side effects.

Modern scientific research introduced sufferers of arthritis to dietary supplements that have glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate in its formulation. An example is Flexicose Liquid JointCare for Pets that combines the two ingredients. Anecdotal evidences and some clinical trials have shown the efficacy of Flexicose's dietary supplement. Glucosamine has been known to aid in the building and repairing of joint cartilages with the help of chondroitin. Moreover, Flexicose Liquid Glucosamine also relieves pain and inflammation with its anti-inflammatory ingredients such as yucca and bromelain.

Try Flexicose Liquid JointCare for Pets for healthy joints in your pet:

http://www.flexicose-usa.com

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Discover Symptoms of TMJ and Eagle’s Syndrome Here

More and more people are getting afflicted with TMJ syndrome in US and in various other countries of the world. Hence the awareness regarding this affliction is increasing all over the world. Awareness is also increasing regarding its various signs and symptoms and various modes of treatment. In this article we will be discussing the symptoms of TMJ syndrome and how they get mixed up with the Eagle’s syndrome.

TMJ syndrome symptoms can range from mild jaw joint pains to severe agonizing headaches, ear pain, tinnitus that can actually lead a person to insanity as a person goes crazy with the hissing, buzzing sound in his/her ears. All though the primary symptoms of TMJ can easily be identified, the secondary or unusual symptoms often prove deceptive. For example, TMJ can sometimes cause light sensitivity or even hazy visions and also pain in and around the eyeballs which is caused due to the inflamed tissues around the affected joint. But these particular symptoms can mislead the medic into looking for the cause in optical problems like Fuchs’s dystrophy or keratitis. Similarly, another indirect symptom of TMJ problem is the numbness of the fingers which can also be caused by alcoholic neuropathy, diabetic neuropathy, cerevical spondylosis or many other disorders.

However, in the case of TMJ it is caused by the misalignment of the jaws and incorrect bite, which puts undue stress on the muscles associated with the jaws, neck and the shoulder and puts them into spasms. As a result, the nerves that reach to the fingers and hand also get affected and the tingling sensation occurs.

Connection Between The TMJ Syndrome and The Eagle’s Syndrome

However, the picture becomes even more complicated and complex when the temporomandibular joint pain is mixed up with the stylomandibular Ligament pain that actually occurs in Eagle’s syndrome. The problem in both cases is somewhat similar involving the jaw but in the Eagle’s syndrome the main problem is caused by the stylohyoid ligament.

The styloid formation is basically a bone at the skull’s base which is further attached with the tendons and muscles to the throat and adjoining body organs. If this bone gets calcified it gets stuck into the jaw or into the throat and causes problem in swallowing. If the case becomes chronic even the simple act of turning the head can lead to serious pain. Eagle’s syndrome is a crippling disease that leads to malnutrition and often causes serious weight loss against TMJ syndrome that thought painful is not as oppressive as this.

Eagle’s syndrome is also looked upon as a lesser but vital factor in glossopharyngeal neuralgia that can at times turn fatal if accompanied with cardiac problems. It can lead to serious weight loss even when cardiac issues are not present. Any given day, Eagle’s syndrome and not TMJ dysfunction is looked upon by medics as an important factor in aggravating glossopharyngeal secondary neuralgia.

For the sake of proper identification we are presenting the symptoms associated with Eagle’s syndrome. TMJ pain, eye-ache, sensitive teeth, throat pain which increases during the process of swallowing food and tonillar discomfort and other symptoms of the stylohyoid elongations.

Treatment of Ernest or Eagle’s Syndrome is possible through using oral splints, NSAIDs that relieve pain, anesthetic injection locally injected at the affected ligament. Also, radiofrequency thermoneurolysis is proving effective in the treatment of various symptoms of Eagle’s syndrome to some measure.

Relief from Eagle’s syndrome can also be achieved with the help of Prolotherapy. Prolotherapy works by strengthening the stylomandibular ligament, as most of the associated symptoms occur due to weakness in that area. Prolotherapy is safe and is proving effecting to a great extent in the repair of ligaments and cartilage naturally. It creates a passive inflammation in the damaged ligament and as the body tires to heal through the inflammation Prolotherapy accelerates the healing procedure.

TMJ Cure Through Permanent TMJ Treatment

It is required that immediate relief from the pain and related discomfort should be made available to the TMJ syndrome sufferer. There are many treatment options available in the market which are as varied as surgeries and drugs to over the counter medications, and exercises to home made remedies for TMJ. But the only problem with most of these modes of treatment is that most of them only provide a temporary relief, as they only treat the symptoms and not the actual cause.

Permanent relief from TMJ syndrome can be attained through holistic remedies as they analyze or the underlying causes leading to the problem and eradicate them completely. Once all the root causes are treated the symptoms of course automatically vanish and never get a chance to come back. This reason definitely makes the holistic remedies the best treatment option for the temporomandibular joint dysfunction.

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Issues With Being Overweight During Pregnancy

Overweight is described as having a body mass index or BMI of 25 or more. Though a person requires a certain amount of body fat, an excess of it could alter the normal functioning of the body systems and therefore put you at risk of having health problems. During pregnancy, there are many changes that occur in the body and being overweight increases the risk of having complications. Some of the issues with being overweight during pregnancy include gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, difficulties during prenatal examinations, delivery problems, and birth defects.

Gestational diabetes is a condition in which there is increased blood glucose level during pregnancy due to hormonal changes taking place in the body. The ability to properly utilize insulin during pregnancy diminishes resulting in insulin resistance, which leads to high blood glucose levels. This condition usually exhibits mild symptoms and may not be life threatening as the glucose level often goes back to normal after delivery.

Another issue is high blood pressure. Blood pressure usually increases during pregnancy but is well compensated in healthy pregnant women. However, overweight women have higher risks of developing gestational hypertension, a condition in which the blood pressure runs very high during pregnancy. This usually resolves after childbirth. However, it can lead to pre-eclampsia which is a severe condition of having high blood pressure, presence of protein in the urine as well as edema (swollen body parts). This does not only affect the mother, but it can also endanger the life of the baby. Very high blood pressure prevents the baby from acquiring adequate blood and oxygen, and this may lead to stillbirth.

Obese pregnant women are difficult-to-examine patients. The extra body fat limits the visualization of the fetus during ultrasound. The doctor may have a difficulty locating the fetal heart tones, and may miss out potential problems such as breech presentation, abnormal fetal growth, or reduced amniotic fluid.

Being overweight during pregnancy also raises the chance of the pregnant women having a cesarean delivery due to the multiple issues associated with it. Cesarean section is a major surgery, and it involves induction of anesthesia, which is difficult to perform in obese women. The reaction to the anesthesia itself could also threaten the life of the mother as it could drop the blood pressure rapidly. The risks and complications of cesarean section also include infection, increased blood loss, abnormal bowel or bladder function, adjacent organ injuries, or even death. Cesarean delivery also puts the newborns at risk of being born prematurely for having an inaccurate calculation, breathing difficulties, low Apgar scores, fetal injury, or other problems requiring prolonged intensive care.

In addition, being overweight during pregnancy also raises the issue among the newborns potentially becoming obese in their childhood and having birth defects such spinal cord, brain and heart defects.

With all these issues with being overweight during pregnancy, it is important for pregnant women to have prenatal checkups so that their doctors can monitor them and their babies properly, and so that they will be given appropriate instructions regarding proper diet and exercise. They must also be compliant with their doctors’ recommendations to make sure they have a healthy baby and to help them stay fit not only during pregnancy but also after delivery.

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Epilepsy – Living With Intractable Refractory Diagnosis and What That Means

Intractable Refractory Epilepsy (IRE) is a diagnosis, made only after all available treatments have been tried and all have failed – the person continues to suffer from seizure activity. The amount and frequency of seizures will differ from one person to another.

In any case though, life is drastically different for people with this diagnosis than the average person realizes. While it is hard to wrap one's mind around the effects of intractable refractory epilepsy, it is even more difficult to comprehend the full impact this diagnosis has on daily life.

The person with intractable refractory epilepsy will never:

  • Be able to drive a motor vehicle. Most states require a person be seizure free a minimum of six month. This is verified by written report from the person's doctor for obvious reasons. Motorcycles are strictly off limits. Even a go-cart can be deadly for someone with IRE.
  • Be able to seek or maintain gainful employment in most industries that require – the operation of any machinery, sharp utensils, handling of glass, hot liquids, precision of touch, abstract thinking, climbing. Or involve strong odors, flashing lights, sharp or sudden noise, extreme temperatures, the list looks to be endless. Even specifically jobs developed and aimed towards the handicapped will most often preclude any opportunities for those with a diagnosis of this type epilepsy.

Imagine never being able to take a bath, unless someone is right next to you. Nor can you take a shower in privacy. Never going on a walk, unless accompanied by a companion. Even visiting amusement parks can be a seizure trigger. No rides that have sudden movements or move too fast, too high, too loud or flashing lights. Snow or water skiing are big no-nos without having someone in tandem. Riding a bike is even dangerous for people with intractable refractory epilepsy.

Cooking is dangerous for obvious and not so obvious reasons: danger of hot oils or food, heat and fires, blenders and mixers, knives, glassware and more. Whether dropping these items, falling upon these items, or flinging these items during a seizure; all possess the potential for deadly consequences – or at the least, disfiguring and maiming consequences.

Even in the privacy of their own rooms, there is no privacy. Someone is either watching or at the least, listening at all times. Sporting events, watching movies, even walking can be a life threatening danger for people with this diagnosis.

For women diagnosed with this condition, the possibility or potential for giving birth is next to none. Many are on volatile medications, some of which cause birth defects. Even removing or barring those risks, there remains high risk and low probability for carrying to full term due to hormonal fluctuations. Changes in hormone levels often trigger seizure onslaughts.

Sexual relationships are even a 'stretch of the imagination' for women and men with this diagnosis. Stimulation and arousal, changes in blood pressure and endorphins which trigger emotional reactions cause chemical changes in the body, thus causing changes in brain activity. All of which can trigger seizure activity.

Imagine for a moment … being dependent on another person for almost every need you might have. While they are not alone in their circumstances, their special needs tend to be overlooked and under funded. Accommodations must be made for the immobile person which requires wheelchairs, walkers and so forth. But, for these individuals, the gaps and gaping cracks in services, considerations, awareness and legal recourse are the equivalent of trying to cross oceans without a boat or so much as a life preserver.

To fully grasp the reality of this diagnosis is impossible for anyone who has not deal with it personally. But, to get a better idea of what these people face I suggest the following :

Spend just one day trying to function under the shadow of a companion. Whether it's your morning shower or simply eating breakfast. What about getting out of the house and going somewhere? Did you remember to carry your medical information with you? How about some extra clothes? And odor sealing bag for soiled clothes, if necessary. Yes, this is also a reality for people with this diagnosis.

Now, imagine again – you are in the store shopping one moment, then the next thing you know, you are lying on the floor [most likely with soiled clothes] and people are standing over you. You hear them speaking, but the words make no sense. You try to speak back, but only garbled syllables come out of your mouth. At first, you are trying to figure out where you are or what you were doing. Slowly it dawns on you what must have just happened – you had a seizure. If this is not disturbing enough, you must now make your way to the public restroom and clean yourself up. Aware of all the onlookers and 'calls' for 'cleanup' might also be heard over the PA system. Making a quiet or discrete exit is impossible.

People with IRE will not even have the benefit of leaving under the cover of medical assistance [ambulance]. You see, with this diagnosis, more often than not, it is up to the caregiver accompanying them to attend their medical needs. Calling an ambulance every time they have a seizure is not only impractical, but is most often not considered a 'covered' medical emergency.

Unlike all other seizure disorders, regular seizures are anticipated and considered 'normal' for the person with this diagnosis. Although there are trials going on that hold some promise, the person with IRE can only live each day to the utmost until a cure is found.

I hope this glimmer of insight has given you some idea of ​​what a person with intractable refractory epilepsy deals with on a day to day basis, and over their life times.

Copyright 2009

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Stroke – You Can Protect Yourself From Catastrophic Losses

A stroke, also known as a cerebrovascular accident (CVA), is often caused by a blood clot in the brain which interrupts the brain's blood flow thereby causing serious brain damage. A person who has a stroke may develop paralysis of one side of the body, may lose the ability to speak or might lose his sight. The type of damage done to the person is determined by which side of the brain the blood flow is interrupted. A person who has a stroke affects the right side of the brain, will suffer losses to the left side of the body. A person who has a stroke affects the left side of the brain will suffer loses to the right side of the body. Smoking and high blood pressure are some of the risk factors to having a stroke.

Other factors that determine whether or not you might have a stroke are hereditary factors. If you have a family history of stroke, you are more likely to have a stroke yourself. If you come from a family with a history of heart disease and stroke, then there are health insurance plans that you can purchase to supplement your primary health insurance. The supplementary insurance is known as a critical illness supplement. These types of plans pay out a lump sum upon one's diagnosis of having suffered from a heart attack or stroke. These types of plans are also called catastrophic insurance because they insure the person against a catastrophic illness or injury.

This type of health insurance is not usually cheap, but it is an effective way to ensure that you get all the treatment you want and need in the event that you have a stroke. A person who suffers from a stroke will need not only the initial care at the hospital following the event, but will also need follow-up physical therapy and / or occupational therapy as well as speech therapy to regain his faculties.

Even if you choose not to purchase a supplemental or catastrophic policy of insurance to cover you in the event that you have a stroke, you may want to acclimate yourself to exactly what your existing health insurance policy covers. Figure out your deductibles and the limits of your coverage. In doing so, you can get a good idea about the coverage that you can expect if you have a stroke or suffer from any other serious illness.

If you need assistance in finding coverage that will protect your from these conditions, or if you had a stroke and are having difficulty finding insurance because of this, please visit our website at http://www.health-insurance-buyer.com and provide your contact details so we may respond to your request and help.

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Alopecia Cure – Put an End to Baldness

The state of lacking hair is scientifically termed as Alopecia, but in layman's term; it is referred to as baldness. Baldness or alopecia is characterized by the rapid thinning of the hair, resting hair falling and the absence of growth of new hairs. It typically affects adult men. It is largely attributed to aging and if it is caused by aging, not much alopecia cure can be done for hair weaving or hair transplantation.

In some cases wherein baldness is brought about by temporary chemotherapy or some serious ailment, alopecia can be treated by certain drugs or just by discontinuing that specific treatment.

Baldness can also be caused by hereditary factors, and alopecia cure for these cases are yet to be discovered. Good options in such cases include artificial hair transplantation and hair weaving. Both methods are less painful and costy but they cure alopecia areata permanently.

There are also some cases of alopecia that is caused by some local skin infection, or infection of the scalp or some tumors or a type of fungal infections. These cases may be fully managed by medication; however, this is quite a slow process and may take weeks or even months for the new hair to grow back.

There are also natural remedies that may help in preventing baldness and to some extent cure alopecia. This involves:

* Rubbing the nails – rub left and right nails against each other. This is considered to be a tremendously effective procedure in treating hair fall and cure baldness. It is a very simple procedure which requires you to just simply rub your nails against each other in regular swift motions. This rubbing method will tend to increase the flow of blood to the scalp and helps in empowering the hair roots. This procedure not only halts further loss of more hairs, it also results to re-growth of fallen hair in people experiencing alopecia or hair falls.

* Brandy and egg concoction – mix brandy and a piece of egg then apply this mixture directly to the scalp. Massage the mixture gently for 10 to 15 minutes. Leave the mixture on for some more time and relax. Shampoo off your hair thoroughly. This procedure will promote hair growth. This is also a proven natural treatment for baldness.

The truth of the matter is that, there is no permanent alopecia cure. However, it is always important to avoid alopecia areata by preventing hair falls from even happening. It is entirely up to you to prevent hair loss. Do not wear your hair very tight in braids or other hairstyles. It may also help your hair's overall health if you exercise everyday. Daily exercises will tend to increase the supply of blood in the scalp as it strengthens the roots and results hair fall. Eating a well balanced diet with good vitamin rich and nutritious food can also do wonders for your hair. Keep a good hair care regimen and avoid from staying up late and stress. In cases of baldness that are brought about by specific drugs, see a doctor and discuss other options in managing hair loss.

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Cure Ear Infections Using These Natural Remedies

The official medical term for ear infection is otitis media. The word otitis means inflammation and media means middle, as the infection occurs in the middle ear. Children and babies are more likely to suffer from ear infections than adults. More often than not it should clear up on its on in just a few days.

What Are The Causes of Ear Infection?

Ear infections are more common in babies and youngger children because the Eustachian tubes (the narrow passage way that connects the middle ear to the nose) are narrower than an adult or older child's and, therefore, is easily blocked by fluid in the ear. They are also most likely to occur during a cold.

The swelling of the adenoids is another cause. The adenoids are located in the upper throat near the Eustachian tubes. When the adenoids become infected they become enlarged causing blockage of the Eustachian tubes which can cause infection.

Because the immune systems of small children and babies are not fully developed, they are more susceptible to ear infections.

Children exposed to cigarette smoke or other pollutants are at higher risk as well.

It is possible that cold air may also be a factor as ear infections occur more frequently in winter.

A cause for recurrent ear infections that may be overlooked is the medications given to your child for ear infections, colds and flues, such as aspirin, decongestants, Tylenol, antibiotics or other drugs.

Another cause may be airborne and food allergies.

Ear Infection Natural Cures

Colloidal Silver – Colloidal silver is a natural antibiotic and can be used both internally and externally. You can put one drop of colloidal silver in the ear twice a day, in the morning and in the evening. You may notice improvement in just one hour. If you want to use colloidal silver internally, just follow the instructions on the bottle. It is also available as a spray and can be sprayed into the nostrils to clear up the nasal passes.

Tea Tree Oil – You will need to use warm tea tree oil and olive oil. Put five to ten drops of tea tree oil into a tablespoon of olive oil and mix. Using a dropper put 2 to 3 drops in the infected ear twice a day.

Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE) – Buy grapefruit seed extract in liquid form. Put 3-5 drops of GSE in 1 oz. of glycerin or alcohol or both and stir well. Put 1-2 drops in the infected ear 1-2 times daily. Absolutely do not use GSE full strength in the ears as it is too strong.

Boosting the immune system will also help in stopping ear infections from recycling.

Helpful Diet and Lifestyle Changes

Avoid processed or packaged foods. Feed your child a healthy diet with lots of whole foods such as vegetables, fruits, eggs, whole grains, meat, etc.

Healthy fats such as flax seed oil, primrose oil, olive oil, borage seed oil, fish oil, coconut oil and organic butter boost the immune system and improve overall health. Absolutely stay away from hydrogenated oils found in deep fried foods, margarine, vegetable oils, peanut oil and soybean oil.

Your child's diet should be as sugar free as possible. Various studies have shown that sugar suppress the immune system significantly.

Find out if your child has any food allergies and remove them from their diet.

Keep your child away from cigarette smoke and other air pollutants such as air fresheners and chemically based perfumes, colognes, cleaning supplies, etc.

Most ear infections will heal by themselves and do not usually need antibiotics, but here are some warning signs you should watch out for: a high fever, stiff neck, listlessness and abnormal mental function. Take your child to a doctor immediately if you notice any of these symptoms.

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Acoustic Neuroma Hearing Loss – Strategies For Coping With One Sided Deafness

Often one of the symptoms of acoustic neuroma is single sided hearing loss. Depending on the tumor size, type of treatment and other factors, single sided deafness or near deafness can be one of the outcomes of treatment.  

If you are living with one sided hearing loss or deafness, you may be familiar with some of the following scenarios.

You are walking down the street, or across campus, or through a parking lot. A friendly voice is calling your name. Your look around but can’t see who it is. They continue to cheerfully call out, “Over here!” Each time you ask where, they again call out, “Over here!”

You are in a noisy restaurant at a work related meeting. You can’t hear the person beside you on the side of your deaf ear. You can hear some of what the person on your other side is saying. You can hear some of what the person across from you is saying. You can’t hear your boss, who called the meeting. You hope you aren’t missing any important information

You are at a social get together. Not everyone there knows you well or knows about your single sided deafness. You are doing your best to participate and to fit in. You are picking up the gist of the conversation with those right across from you or right next to your hearing ear. In fact, you are doing a bit of grinning and nodding, and making a few comments here and there, which you hope are relevant.  You happen to look to the side of your deaf ear, and see that the person sitting beside you is moving their lips. They seem to be talking to you. You have no idea how long they have been speaking. They do not seem to notice that you have not heard a single word.  

The following tips are being offered to help you cope:

*Use visual cues and knowledge of your environment to figure out where a voice is coming from.

*Use seating arrangements to your advantage. With experimenting, you will eventually figure out the best places to sit in a group setting.

*Turn to face a person sitting on your deaf side, even though it feels awkward at first.

*Communicate your needs to others. Be easy on them if they forget. Just tell them again.

*Be easy on yourself. It is not your fault this happened. You owe it to yourself to speak up so others can help to include you.

*Have a sense of humor. The best laid plans are bound to go wrong, and it would behoove you to learn to laugh about it.

*Relax! In most social settings, most people won’t hear most of what is said. You can always catch up with people one on one, later.

*Have a daily relaxation routine, such as breathing exercises, yoga, or walking. It will go a long way toward helping you cope and put things in perspective.

I hope these tips have been helpful to you. I wish you the best on your acoustic neuroma journey.

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How to Stop Stammering

If learning how to stop stammering appeals to you, then this article is exactly what you have been looking for. Let me tell you, I know all too well what it's like to suffer from a stammer, otherwise known as a stutter in the UK. I had this issue for many years, and it can really affect your confidence, as well as a whole host of other things. In this article, you're going to learn exactly how to speak fluently, super quickly!

I guess for people who speak fluently, they just do not know what stammerers go through. To them, they look at a stammerer, and see someone who struggles with speaking. Well, I think this type of speech problem is like an iceberg. What everyone else sees is only a fraction of the problem. When I stuttered, my confidence was at rock bottom, and felt very unhappy with where I was in life.

I also used to shy away from large social gatherings, or places where I would have to speak a lot, or speak louder than normal, such as clubs. Often, I would simply decide to stay at home by myself, than go out and have fun partying with my friends, all because I was terrified of stuttering like crazy, and people looking at me like I was some sort of freak.

I hated living like that! I wanted to go out and enjoy myself, without the overwhelming fear hanging over me, ruining my fun. So I went on a mission to learn how to stop stammering once and for all.

One of the things I learned about how to stop stammering, was that the problems are often caused by a lack of confidence and self esteem issues. Well, I was not surprised as this was exactly what I was suffering with! So I knew I had to turn myself around here, but I wanted some techniques to improve my speaking straight away also.

That's when I learned this technique. Basically, in order to speak more fluently, you need to start talking slower, and move your mouth around a lot more. Exaggerate what you're saying with your lips. I often mumbled a lot while I was a stammerer, and this technique taught you to speak more clearly and fluently.

This was a great method to learn how to stop stammering, however I did not want to speak like this forever. I did not simply want to talk slower, I wanted to speak like everyone else!