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Psoriasis Treatment – Getting Psoriasis Relief From Pain and Itching

Getting rid of the physical effects of psoriasis, the blotches and discolorations of the skin that everyone can see is only half the battle. For a lot of psoriasis sufferers, this is the most important part of treatment. However, for others, getting psoriasis relief is more important. The pain and itching that comes with the skin condition can be certain on some people and finding a way to effectively treat it is paramount.

Psoriasis relief, or relief from the pain and discomfort is possible, though it can be difficult. Doctors and scientists still do not know enough about the specifics of what causes it to come up with a universal treatment. (Something that works for everyone.) What may work for one person, may not work for another. Therefore, effectively realizing it can take some trial and error. If you have developed psoriatic arthritis, (about 5% of sufferers do), treating the pain can be even more difficult.

There are many types of psoriasis treatment, some available over the counter and some by prescription only. There are new light treatments as well. Originally designed to treat the physical appearance, these UV ray treatments have shown promise in cutting down on the discomfort as well. The light treatments can be expensive and difficult to find, so many have turned to topical creams.

The best thing about using a psoriasis cream to treat your condition is that if effective for you, it will help to remove the visual effects as well as the pain and itching. There are several ingredients that are common in different products but most importantly, the cream you choose should contain moisturizing ingredients that will help to soften and loosen the outer area of ​​the skin and in doing so, will treat the pain.

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The Health Benefits of Hemp in Animals

Hemp protein powder and hemp seed oil are not only super-foods for people, but can also do wonders for your pet (including dogs, cats and horses). Hemp is filled with important and crucial nutrition including polyunsaturated good fats [with naturally occurring ideal 1:3 ratio of Omega-3 and Omega-6 essential fatty acids (EFAs)], protein, vitamins (including vitamin B1, B3, B6, B12, C, D, E), antioxidants, magnesium, potassium, calcium, fiber, iron, enzymes, and more – making it an excellent addition to your pet’s meal plan.

The benefits of hemp for your pet’s health include:

* strengthens the immune system

* supports a healthy weight

* increases energy

* improves condition of skin and fur

Unlike many other foods, hemp is easily digestible by the body and shown to aid the system in any recovery work it needs to do, as well as for the maintenance of good health.

While the movement towards incorporating hemp into a companion animal’s diet is still in its infancy, veterinarians are also slowly starting to discover the value of this miracle plant.

It is important to note that dogs and cats are predominantly carnivorous and so are built to eat meat. That’s why hemp oil and hemp protein powder products need to be added as a supplement to the diet, not as a replacement.

An Important Consideration When Choosing a Hemp Product

Before buying a hemp product for your beloved animal companion, be sure to check whether it is cold-processed. In order to save costs, some manufacturers will refine and “hot”-process the basic hemp, destroying much of the good things that make it work.

As well, be sure to choose a company known for its high quality ingredients. The hemp industry is mostly unregulated and occasionally, some manufacturers can cut corners and not deliver the product you think you are buying. Such products may not be able to deliver the results you seek.

Companies that have been around for a while can offer a good number of 3rd party testimonials and who back their products up with guarantees are often your safest bets.

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Understanding The Benefits of Vitamin B Complex

Vitamin B complex is a group of vitamins that includes thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, B-6, folate, B-12, pantothenic acid, biotin and choline. Some of the benefits of vitamin B complex supplements include increased energy, improved or more stable moods, healthy skin, hair and eyes. The vitamins are important for proper nervous system and immune system function.

Actually, adequate amounts of the vitamin B complex group are needed on a daily basis to insure the proper function of many systems of the human body. Niacin (found in the vitamin B complex group) is found in every cell of the human body. Inadequate amounts of niacin in the diet can result in dermatitis (dry, itchy, inflamed skin), muscle soreness, cramping, exhaustion, insomnia, indigestion, mental problems, sores in the mouth and loss of appetite.

Another very important part of the vitamin B complex group is folate, known until recently as folic acid. Healthy men and women over the age of 13 need at least 400 mg per day. Women who are pregnant or nursing need more to support the growth needs of infants. Deficiencies can result in a variety of learning disabilities and growth problems.

No upper limits have been established for the vitamin B complex group. No toxic effects have been noted, except after intravenous injections of pharmaceutical quantities. When taken orally, the body uses what it needs and excretes anything that is left over.

The benefits of vitamin B complex to the older include improved memory and mood. No matter what their age, most people notice an improvement in memory and ability to concentrate, as well as a decrease in depressed feelings and irritability.

Vitamin B complex is used by the body to convert carbohydrates into glucose, which is then converted by the cells into energy, commonly referred to as metabolism. The symptoms of vitamin B complex deficiency are similar to symptoms of low blood sugar levels. Increased irritability is one of the first symptoms. Those with sluggish metabolisms or problems controlling their weight often benefit from vitamin B complex supplements.

Most people who start taking a vitamin B complex supplement notice an increase in energy immediately. If you suffer from dry skin or hair, it may take a few weeks to notice a difference, but you will see an improvement.

It is nearly impossible to get adequate amounts of the vitamin B complex from a typical daily diet. In addition, certain things increase an individual's daily vitamin B complex requirements. Drinking coffee or alcohol increases the need for the B vitamins. Taking birth control pills, sulfa drugs and sleeping medications increase the need for the vitamin B complex group. It is interesting to note that a lack of vitamin B complex in the diet can lead to insomnia, which could lead someone to ask for a sleep aid, which increases the need for the vitamins. Before you reach for a sleeping pill, you may want to look at your diet and whether or not you are getting adequate amounts of the vitamin B complex group.

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How To Recognize The Difference Between Mild Depression And a Case Of The Blues

Is feeling down or having a case of the blues the same as having mild depression? Many people may make the comment "I'm feeling depressed today" when in fact they are possibly having a bad day and feeling a bit down. The two conditions can be related, having too many "bad days" or feeling "blue" continuously can develop into mild depression but they start out as two quite different conditions. Having a bad day or feeling down is completely normal and we all suffer these days from time to time but mild depression is an actual mental health disorder requiring treatment of some type to enable us to recover our normal balanced outlook on life.

How do we tell the difference between mild depression and a case of the blues? If we have a case of the blues then these feelings are temporary and will dissipate fairly quickly, usually they do not last more than a few days or a week at most. However if we have feelings of worthlessness, intense sadness, feeling that there is no hope or that we want to cause harm to ourselves and these feelings last longer than a week then this is probably more than just feeling down and we are more than likely suffering from mild depression.

If you believe you may be suffering from mild depression then your first port of call should be a visit to your family doctor as only he or she can correctly diagnose the condition and make a course of treatment best suited to your symptoms. Mild depression is completely treatable but should not be taken lightly as failing to seek out a diagnosis and treatment can lead to a far more serious condition which has the potential to be life threatening.

There are several ways to treat mild depression, here are 4 solutions available to you, your doctor may prescribe one or a combination of treatment depending on your symptoms and their severity.

  • Medication – usually anti-depressants

  • Counseling, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or Psychotherapy

  • Exercise – excellent natural way to treat mild depression

  • Dietary Changes – healthy eating can aid recovery

In the past anti-depressants would often be a doctors first choice of treatment and if one drug was not working effectively they would add a second drug without hesitation.

Nowadays, following years of research and study, talking therapies are thought to be as effective if not more so than medication and will often be offered either before or against a course of anti-depressants.

So if you feel you may have crossed the line from feeling blue to having mild depression then fear not, you do not have to suffer in silence, there is help available. Seek help from your doctor, eat a healthy balanced diet, get daily exercise, considering talking therapies and if necessary a course of anti-depressant medication and you will soon be back on track and feeling depression free.

© Andrew Tudor Jones

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Social Anxiety Disorder Treatment – What's the Most Effective Approach?

If you suffer from, panic attacks, excessive self-consciousness, obsessive thoughts, an inability to relax and let go of worries, a crippling phobia, then you may have what is called a Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) … also known as Social Phobia.

The good news is YOU do not have to live with anxiety and fear for the rest of your life. There are many effective treatments that can help you increase your disorder … and for many anxiety problems, therapy is a good starting point.

Therapy For Social Anxiety Disorder Treatment

Amongst all available treatments, research has shown Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Exposure Therapy to work the best for Social Anxiety Disorder treatment. That's because therapy, unlike anxiety medication – does not just relieve the symptoms of anxiety, it uncovers the root cause of your fears and worries – you get to learn how to relax, it teaches you situations in new, less frightening ways, and as you go along … you develop better copying and problem-solving skills. CBT and Exposure Therapy gives you the tools you need for Social Anxiety Disorder Treatment and teachers you how to use them.

* Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

CBT is widely used for Social Anxiety Disorder Treatment. It is also very effective in the treatment of panic disorders, phobias, and generalized anxiety disorders. It tackles negative thought patterns and distortions in the way we see ourselves and the world around us. It involves two main components:

1. Cognitive Therapy – looks at how negative thoughts add to your anxieties.

2. Behavioral Therapy – looks at your behaviors and reactions in situations that trigger anxiety.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy is based on the promise that our thoughts affect the way we feel or behave. In other words, it's not the situation you're in that determines how you feel or behave, but your perception of the situation. People who suffer from social anxiety disorder have negative thoughts that fuel negative emotions of anxiety and fear. CBT aims to identify and correct these negative thinking patterns. Since our thoughts, emotions, and actions are interdependent … if you change the way you think, your feelings and behaviors will change as well.

Challenging Negative Thoughts

The process of challenging negative thinking patterns in cognitive behavioral therapy three steps:

1. Identifying negative thoughts – one strategy of identifying negative thoughts is to think of the emotions or behaviors that come up when you're in situations that trigger your anxiety. Situations like: meeting new people, eating in public, making small talk, and so on. Then, take anyone of these unwanted emotions or behaviors and trace it back to it's under assumption by asking yourself: "why am I feeling or acting this way?", And try to expose the idea that is really responsible.

For example, if meeting new people makes you feel uneasy, the idea responsible for this emotion could be: "I will not have anything to say. I'll seem boring."

2. Challenging negative thought patterns – with this step, you get to assess your anxiety-provoking thoughts. This includes questioning the rationality of your thoughts, scrutinizing limiting beliefs, and putting your negative predictions to the test. This is done by conducting experiments, weighing the pros and cons of worry, and determining the realistic chances that what you fear will actually happen.

3.Replacing negative thoughts – once you're done identifying and challenging your negative thoughts, you get to replace them with thinking patterns that are more balanced, empowering, and positive. Also, at this stage … you are exposed to affirmations or positive self-talk that help keep you calm when facing situations that would normally freak you out.

* Exposure Therapy For Social Anxiety Disorder Treatment

AS the name follows, this form of therapy exposes you to the situations you fear and avoid. The reason being that, through repeated exposures, your fear of these situations will diminish and you'll begin to feel an increasing sense of control. Exposure for "social anxiety disorder treatment" is done in two different ways: a) you imagine the scary situation, or b) you confront your fears in real life. Exposure therapy can be used alone, or it can be used with cognitive behavioral therapy.

Systematic Desensitization

Rather than taking on your biggest fears first – which could backfire and leave you traumatized, exposure therapy starts with a situation you can handle (one that's mildly threatening) and builds up from there. This step-by-step approach is called Systematic Desensitization.

Systematic desensitization shows you how to gradually face you fears, build up your confidence, and improve your skills for controlling panic. It involves three parts:

1. Relaxations skills – people who suffer from social anxiety disorder experience physical symptoms like: shaking, accelerated heart rate, dizziness, a feeling of suffocation and muscle tension. For this reason, learning a relaxation technique, such as progressive muscle relaxation, or deep breathing is very important. Once you start facing your fears, you will use this relaxation technique to reduce or control these physical reactions.

2.Creating a step-by-step list – here, you make a list of some situations that you fear and turn them into goals. Then, you'll take each goal and break it down into smaller tasks … starting with the least anxiety-provoking situation and then build up in intensity until you reach your goal. Each step should be as specific as possible, with a clear, measurable objective.

For example, if you feel anxious about social gatherings and your avoidance of that situation is interfering with your ability to enjoy the company of friends, then you could set a goal like: "go to a pub or a party on a weekend evening, ( with some friends) and stay there for at least 3 hours. " The next thing you do is break it into smaller tasks. The first step could be something like: "go to the pub with someone I'm comfortable with, buy a drink and stay there for 10 minutes." Then build up from there – with each task more challenging than the one before it … until you reach your main goal.

3.Completing each step – with each step you take, try as much as you can to stay in the situation until your fears subside … and they do. This way, you will come to see that, as frightening as the feelings are, they will not hurt you. And if the anxiety gets too intense, make use of the relaxation technique you learned. Once you¡¯re relaxed again, you can turn your attention back to the situation. This way you can complete each step without feeling overly distracted.

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Symptoms Of Anxiety – How To Recognize Them

The varying symptoms of anxiety differ from one individual to another. In this day and age, it is quite common to suffer from such a disorder, and it is a growing problem. That's why it's important to learn everything you can about it, either to help yourself or help a loved one.

No matter who you are, no matter what your age or gender, it is one of the most frightening experiences you can ever feel. To boot, each person deals with different experiences because they feel anywhere from one to several or all the symptoms simultaneously. Additionally, there is a difference between the severity of the symptoms as well.

The problem with anxiety is that people do not do what is necessary to treat the condition. They are often medicated to suppress any of the symptoms. However, that does not resolve anything, they just feel better because they do not have severe attacks and that they may only happen infrequently.

The symptoms include but are not limited to: tingling sensations, numbness, dizziness, chest pain, difficulty breathing, extreme fear, feeling of suffocation, vomiting, headaches, trembling, and even frequent urination. But there are more, such as dirrhea, dry mouth, constant worrying, fatigue, insomnia, difficulty focusing, and still the list goes on.

Again, a sufferer may only feel a couple of these and they may seem quite insignificant. That's why it's important to identify them and act as quickly as possible. The truth is, an anxiety disorder left untreated will only worsen with time. That means that the symptoms themselves might become worse, and the frequency might increase.

How you go about raising your condition is entirely up to you. Thankfully, there are different methods and treatments available which include drugs, cognitive behavioral therapy, some modifications with respect to lifestyle and diet, and holistic remedies.

See your doctor right away if you have felt any of those symptoms. Listen carefully to any suggestions and recommendations. Try to explain your symptoms as best as possible as this is really important. If your life is being affected greatly by these attacks, then possibly, medication is required on the spot. If the attacks are bearable, you can look around for other methods.

But the best thing that you can do is understand anxiety and the various disorders and this can be done through research. You will not even have to leave your home in order to educate yourself on the subject. You can very easily turn to the Internet for valuable information, support groups, and such which will be very helpful to you.

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Everything You Need to Know About Helping Insomnia

Most of us have experienced a restless night when you can not switch your brain off to fall sleep. However for some people, this is a regular occurrence – with no "rhyme or reason" as to the contributors of this sleeplessness. From a medical point of view, sleeping pills are the "answer". From a natural point of view, there are many reasons why sleeplessness may happen. Here are some of the common contributors to this.

Serotonin deficiency. Serotonin is a brain chemical which determinates your sleep & wake cycle. Many things complete serotonin levels leading to deficiency symptoms such as insomnia, depression, anxiety & addictions. There are a number of ways you can develop a serotonin deficiency. These include taking recreational stimulant drugs such as P, Ecstasy & "party pills" which contain BZP. It can also happen to those who are on a high protein low carbohydrate diet, as we need carbohydrates to help produce serotonin. Another contributor to this deficiency is in people who do not go outside in the sunshine for an adequate time each day. Referred to as SAD (seasonal affective disorder) or the winter blues, this condition is linked to light deprivation. To increase serotonin levels ensure you go outside in the sunlight for at least 20 minutes each day. You could also try the natural substance 5 HTP. This helps to boost serotonin levels & works very quickly, if a serotonin deficiency is the contributor to your sleeping problem.

Mineral deficiencies. The minerals magnesium & calcium are the main ones involved with helping us to unwind & relax more easily. Calcium coats nerves in the body & a deficiency of this vital mineral causes us to "jump at sounds" & be sensitive to noises. Magnesium is involved with the contraction & relaxation of muscles in the body & a deficiency of this contributor to symptoms such as muscle cramp, spasms, restless leg syndrome, eye flicks & an inability to shut your brain off at night to be able to sleep soundly . Magnesium is a mineral that can be difficult to get in adequate amounts through the diet, as many foods are void of this, due to refining processes. Many people use magnesium at a much faster rate than they can consume it & beverages that contain tannin & caffeine (tea, coffee, cocoa, red wine etc) interfere with the absorption of this mineral. Take a reverse ratio magnesium supplement, where there are 2 parts magnesium to 1 part calcium. All mineral supplements should contain adequate amounts of Zinc, which is vital for absorption.

Adrenal exhaustion. This is a common problem & one I treat every day. This happens when we do not eat regularly enough throughout the day & then use stimulants such as tea & coffee to give us a boost, rather than food. This process commonly happens in people who do not eat breakfast, who then have a caffeine in containing beverage in the morning. They may grab something quick for lunch that is high in fat & carbohydrates but low in protein. This causes fluctuations in their blood sugar levels & the body responds with an adrenal "hit" to pick them back up again. By the time they get home from work at night, there is so much adrenalin circulating through their blood stream that they can not even properly go to sleep. There is only 1 way to sort this problem out & that is to prevent the adrenal response altogether. To do this, eat within an an hour after waking & then each 2 h hours through the day. Each meal needs to contain some protein, as this is the "fuel" that sustains us for many hours. Protein comes from any animal products (meat, fish, eggs etc) & also nuts & seeds & soy products. Tins of tuna, salmon or a protein drink or protein bar are convenient choices which are quick to grab. Try having a multivitamin or a B complex for an energy boost, rather than caffeine.

Stimulants. Most of us consume far too many stimulants these days. These are found in coffee, tea, green tea, cocoa or products made from this, such as Milo or chocolate. They are also found in soft drinks containing caffeine, some pain relieving medication & recreational stimulant drugs, such as the over over the counter party pills containing BZP. If you are having a problem switching off at night to go to sleep, avoiding these stimulants is a must. Try the coffee like drinks called Ecco, Inka or Caro. These can all be drunk in a similar way to coffee, but are completely caffeine free. If you must have caffeine, have no more than 1 cup a day & even then, remind yourself that this is something you need to wean yourself off. Be prepared for the headache that can take 2 days to disappear!

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Beautify Your House With Glass Balustrades

In this day and age, many people are now more adventurous when exploring new materials for design. Glass is slowly becoming one of the most sought after materials that evoke a modern appeal and a touch of elegance. Glass balustrades are no exception. Used as a balustrade for staircases, balconies, or terraces, a glass balustrade maximizes a persons view and initiates a sense of excitement. Balustrades are created to keep people from ever falling off a balcony or a staircase. With glass balustrades, you can make them feel a pleasant thrill of being unsupported, while at the same time, maximizing their views of the lower levels.

Originally and historically, balustrades were once only made of metal or wood. The advancements in technology and architecture has allowed the usage of glass as efficient and extremely durable balustrades perfect for commercial or domestic use.

Glass balustrades are created with vertical or horizontal sheets of glass. Now used commercially, you can see glass balustrades in malls and shopping centers, allowing light to flow freely and giving the venue a sense of sophistication. For a modern take on design, why not take these glass balustrades into your own home and line your staircases with balustrades made of glass? Frameless glass balustrades can be beautifully simple, but they can be intricate and ornate as well. Using frosted glass with intricate designs based solely on your own preference, you can add to your homes beauty and sophistication.

Today’s innovation in manufacturing has made it extremely easy for glass to be made as a balustrade, even for your own home. These types of balustrades can now be used for your landings or your staircases. Ready-made kits are even available for you to patch the glass balustrade by yourself, or if you find this process too difficult, you can hire a specialist to help you with constructing it.

When it comes to creating these balustrades, you need shoe moldings, rails, panel clips, and glass panels. Choosing your glass panels is very significant for you need to choose toughened glass or Plexiglas for safety. The shoe molding provides the ground support of the balustrade, securing it in place and making sure it doesn’t wobble or fall out. These moldings can be made of different kinds of metal, but for added foundation, aluminum is often used. To recreate the handrail, cap rails are used to line the edge of the glass. Cap rails prevent the sharp edges of the glass to prevent injury, and they come in various forms and designs as well.

Glass balustrades are very easy to maintain. Using a glass cleaner or solvent and a piece of rag, you can wipe unwanted hand prints and dust in a jiffy. If you’re living in a small house with a staircase, glass balustrades are a great way to create the illusion of space and make your house look vaster. They also allow light to travel and flow freely, giving your house a lighter, more vibrant appeal. Very affordable and easy to acquire, a glass balustrade can be a very good investment for improving your home’s design.

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Best Foot Forward

Foot filing. If you use one of the new 'foot filing' products that are designed to remove dry skin from you feet (and resemble a mini cheese grater), please do so carefully, when your feet are dry; using it on wet feet can leave them sore.

Foot bath. You do not need a specifically designed foot bath to pamper your feet, the truth is that those of us who own one of these often end up using it once and then deciding it's far too much fuss.

Foot scrub. Use a foot scrub weekly to stimulate circulation and leave your feet feeling and looking soft and smooth.

Moisturiser. Always use a moisturizer on your feet after a bath or shower, paying particular attention to any very dry areas. For super soft feet; once a week at bed time, apply moisturizer, follow with your favorite body oil, cover with some cotton socks and wear overnight.

Toenails. push your cuticles back and trim nails, straight across, shortly after a bath or shower. Paint your toenails in a playful color to lift your mood any time that you see them.

Treat your feet. Try essential oils, added to your bath water, a carrier oil or even your moisturizer. You only need to use a couple of drops! Peppermint will cool down hot, aching feet, tea-tree is anti-bacterial and anti-fungal and will help to treat any nasty fungal infections while rosemary oil will help to warm cold feet and with circulation.

Shoes. When was the last time you had your feet measured? Please make sure you are wearing the correct size. When shopping for shoes leave it until as late in the day as possible, feet have a tendency to have to increase in size over the course of the day.

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Reducing Strain and Sprain Injuries Requires Reinforcement

As with any safety and health program or initiative, to get sustained results there must be frequent reinforcement over time. The "safety program of the month" or a knee jerk reaction to a serious accident, while more common than they should be, rarely lead to sustained results. In fact, they often do more harm than good. When it comes to reducing strain and sprain injuries (also referred to as soft tissue, musculoskeletal, overexertion injuries, etc.) there is no silver bullet either. Even the best written ergonomics procedures and training are not enough. These efforts may provide some reductions, but the improvements are usually short lived. Achieving material and sustained reductions in strain and sprain injuries takes a serious commitment to reinforcement.

For example, let's say in an effort to reduce strain and sprain injuries you just trained all your employees in proper body mechanics. With shift work and vacations, getting everyone through the training was quite a feat. Perhaps you had someone from corporate come in, a doctor from a local clinic or you hired a consultant to do the training. And, the feedback from your employees was overall positive. You feel pretty good about your efforts. Maybe it's time to move onto the next priority? Do not be fooled. If you stop here, the chances of your employees will apply what they learned in the training (ie, proper body mechanics) is slim to none.

Reinforcement is the timely, repetitious, and specific reiteration of your expectations and objectives. Said another way – practice makes perfect. Consider the time and effort even the most skilled athletes spend practicing their craft. Your employees are no different. Reinforcement can come in many forms such as coaching, friendly reminders and even formal discipline. To reduce strain and sprain injuries, you must develop a formal reinforcement strategy.

The type and nature of protection may vary from company to company. Only you can choose the approach strategy appropriate for your organization. Key factors in choosing the best approach include the type and nature of your operation, the level of your safety and health programs, the level of employee participation, and your organizations required level of commitment to reducing strain and sprain injuries. Whichever approach you choose, it will be much easier to implement if you already have a similar process in place. For example, if you already have a job observation program in place where supervisors or employees perform safety inspections in the facility, simply add body mechanisms to the list of items evaluated during the inspection.

Another consideration when developing a reinforcement approach is process. Your approach must include a plan, implementation, review of findings and follow-up. For example, if using the job observation program as a reinforcement strategy, first develop a checklist to ensure consistent assessment of body mechanics. Then determine who will perform the inspections, establish a set frequency (eg, weekly, monthly) and train them how to perform the observations. Next, develop a means to collect, evaluate and analyze the information obtained during the inspections. This will enable you to identify problem areas or trends and allow you to prioritize and focus your future efforts.

Lastly, consider ways to communicate the findings to your employees and management. Add the findings to a newsletter, monthly safety report or post it on a bulletin board. Seeing and hearing about the results of their efforts alone is a form of reinforcement. It may also be useful to have your safety committee or a task force review and evaluate the information collected.

The safety observation program is just one of many reinforcement strategies you can implement to reduce strains and sprains. Other interesting and effective approaches can include using an incentive program, measuring improvement in employee range of motion, and hazard recognition and corrective action management programs just to name a few. Be creative. Your employees can be a great resource. The possibilities are endless. Find one that works for your organization and get the results you are looking to achieve.

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Ballet Dancing and Stone Bruise

Stone bruise are sore spots on the bottom of the feet. Stone bruise affects mainly the balls of the feet and can be quite painful, whether you are a ballet dancer or not. The condition feels as if there is a stone in the shoe pressing painfully on the ball of the foot, hence the name of this ailment, stone bruise.

The long bones in the foot that connect with the toes are called the metatarsals. Metatarsalgia is an injury on the underside of one or more metatarsal heads. It most commonly occurs on the second metatarsal. The undersides of the metatarsophalangeal joints bear the entire weight of your body when your go up on demi pointe, come down in your jumps, and even when you push off in normal walking. The joints can be overused and become bruised. This normally happens from faulty weight distribution across the ball of the foot, or from doing your ballet dancing on hard surfaces. The metatarsals can drop downwards, spread further apart or move closer together as a result of all the forces of bearing weight. There are other metatarsal conditions that can produce similar pain for instance, stress fractures or osteonecrosis, so it is always best to seek accurate diagnosis and treatment from a medical professional.

If you get a stone bruise, the best treatments include removing pressure of the sore spot. A flat and stiff-soled flat shoe that does not bend at the metatarsal joint line like a clog could also be used. Try to avoid a lot of walking, jumping or stair climbing and stay off demi pointe. If you only have a mild condition, you can still do your barre, apart from rises and releves and any other movements in which the heel leaves the floor. Reduce pain and inflammation by applying ice for ten minutes. Padding the foot underneath will also help. You could try placing gel or foam strips on both sides of the stone bruise so that it ‘floats’ above the floor and relieves the pressure.

To prevent stone bruise, do some toe-strengthening exercises to develop the muscles that keep your toes long. Try not to curl the toes when pointing. When coming down from a jump, control your landings by landing through your foot, and avoid repetitive stomping movements. Avoid staying up on demi pointe for too long and try to maintain an even distribution of weight across thee ball of the foot when on demi pointe. Avoid prolonged dancing in high heels that put excessive pressure on the balls of the feet.

For more ballet food, visit: http://balletdancing4U.blogspot.com

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Air Conditioning Repair – Check This First

When it comes to air conditioning systems, the best way to determine if your unit needs repair or replacement is to contact an air conditioning professional. This is especially important if you are not familiar with the intricate workings of an air conditioning system. To determine the extent of your air conditioners issues and repair needs, you must seek out the advice and assistance of those individuals who are actually trained for the job.

Having said that however; there are a few signs that can quickly and easily reveal to you that something isn’t quite right with your unit. If you experience any of the signs or symptoms below, you should contact an air conditioner repair service immediately.

System Repair Signs:

If your system will not turn on, it is time to contact a repair service. (However, you may want to check your breakers to make sure that you haven’t simply blown a fuse first).

If your air conditioning unit is no longer producing cold or cool air but seems to be generating room temperature air or warm air, then you should immediately turn it off and contact a repair service.

If your air conditioning system seems to be leaking an excessive amount of water that it normally does not produce, then you should contact a repair service immediately.

If your air conditioning system has a large build up of ice inside or around the unit that is not normal, then you should immediately contact a repair service.

If your air conditioning system is producing a strong odor or you notice sparks or smoke, you should immediately unplug the unit and should contact a repair service immediately.

These are just a few of the most common symptoms and signs that are good indicators that something is wrong with your air conditioning system. You should never attempt to disassemble or repair the unit on your own but should first unplug your air conditioning unit and then you should immediately turn to a trained professional in order to ensure that you don’t damage your unit or cause injury to your yourself.

The Danger Of Do-It-Yourself Repair

Apart from the risk of injuring yourself or causing excessive damage to your unit, one of the greatest dangers involved in do it yourself repair is: cost. Most people who attempt to repair their air conditioners on their own will actually end up paying double to triple the cost of what they would pay if they simply turned to a trained professional.

Trained professionals know how to accurately and affordably make common air conditioner repairs and can actually save you hundreds of dollars. Additionally, many air conditioner repair services receive special discounts on parts that you will be unable to acquire on your own. Therefore, it is always more affordable to seek out the services of a trained professional.

Additionally, 85% of individuals who make their own repairs will have to repair their unit again within six months. With a lack of experience in air conditioning repair, you are simply putting a band-aid on a fracture that needs professional assistance.

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Pancreatic Diseases – Take Care of Your Liver and Bile

Nearly all of the pancreatic disorders are very complicated and many pancreatic problems start and depend from liver and bile duct.

Scientists know that all upper GI tract organs such as stomach, liver, gallbladder, pancreas and duodenum work together as a very good team and failure in one organ causes the problems in whole system.

Manufacture and release the bile is one of the life important functions of the liver.

The liver cells secret bile into a net of ducts that meet to form the common bile duct which carries bile from the gallbladder and liver. This duct merges the pancreatic duct that carries the pancreatic juice with digestive enzymes from pancreas into the duodenum. What is very important that pressure into the pancreatic duct is usually higher than in bile duct, so bile can not reach pancreatic cells.

Mixed together secretion of bile and pancreatic juice goes trough the opening (a muscles valve called the Sphinster of Oddi) that controls secretions from the liver, pancreas, and gallbladder into the duodenum (beginning of small intestine). Normally, this valve – sphincter functions as a one-way valve to allow bile and pancreatic juice to enter the duodenum, while preventing the contents of the gut from backing up into these ducts.

Spasm or blockage of the Sphinster of Oddi may cause back up of the bile and pancreatic juice and increases the pressure inside the pancreatic duct. Trapped inside the pancreas digestive enzymes activated by bile and start to digest their own pancreatic cells causing inflammation, pain, cysts and finally death of pancreatic tissue.

Also gallbladder stones or sand, hepatitis, fatty liver, parasites, congestion, infection, infection and other problems of liver and gallbladder can cause the bile will be solid, thick and difficult to move. Thus, bile is getting acidic, aggressive and can corrode another tissue and cells. From another hand, wrong eating habits, body's acidity, over weight, obesity, hormonal changing, and lack of exercises etc., can also cause manufacture the gallbladder stones. Sand or stones can make blockage of the Sphinster of Oddi, increasing the pressure and back up the pancreatic juices.

When the bile throws back to the pancreatic duct it causes blockage of the duct, that drains digestive enzymes from the pancreas, leading to inflammation of pancreas – pancreatitis.

The main reason to make bile aggressive is also deficiency of minerals, microelements and bicarbonates, which cause the acidosis and changing of biochemistry of bile and pancreatic juice. On the other hand, our organism is bombarded every day by myriads of harmful chemicals from food, water, air and toxins from inside or outside of our body. One of the worst enemies for the liver is alcohol, that, it is not wonder, that alcohol abuse is number one factor leading to pancreatitis. Unfortunately, there are many parasites, especially one cell organisms, which also cause toxicity and inflammation of bile ducts.

Summarize, there are three important issues of liver and bile lying into the basis of development of pancreatic diseases:

o Deficiency of minerals, microelements and bicarbonates, which cause the acidosis and changing of biochemistry of bile and pancreatic juice.
o Difficulties with production and elimination of bile.
o Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (valve between pancreatic and bile ducts and duodenum).

All of them can promote to development symptoms and complications of the pancreatic diseases.Practically, even in advance of pancreatic diseases, positive changing of them can give the people with chronic pancreatic diseases the possibility to recovery.

Make sense here to look back on experience of European doctors which use drinking healing mineral water for treatment of chronic pancreatic diseases. This method of treatment has a hundreds of years of intensive medical research and clinical practice.

There are numerous healing mineral spas in the Europe, where people with chronic pancreatic diseases spend healthy vacation using drinking water mineral water, diet, massage, acupuncture and so on.

The European town of Karlovy Vary (Czech Republic now) has been a well-known international healing mineral spa since the 1700s. Local spring mineral water was called the "healing gift from the earth" or the "miracle mineral water."

Thousand people with poor functioning of the pancreas or chronic pancreatitis have been transported to the Karlovy Vary to drink spring healing mineral water for hundreds of years. They stayed there from weeks to several months depending on their conditions and money. Rich sick people who could not visit Karlovy Vary bought the mineral water from the source. In XVIII century water was transported by barrels and bottles all over the Europe.

In 1764 Czech doctors realized that mineral content of this water is a major its healing factor and Karlovy Vary started to produce the salt from the evaporated thermal spring water. That made it possible to distribute the genuine Karlovy Vary thermal spring salt all over the world. Dissolving the salt in the warm water has been given the easy potential for home treatment. European doctors determined that the water manufactured from the genuine Karlovy Vary thermal spring salt had identical healing properties as the water at the spring.

European doctors have been using healing mineral water from the Karlovy Vary Thermal Spring Salt for pancreas, liver and gallbladder diseases for more than 250 years. Hundreds of clinical texts, books, articles and dissertations have been published describing the positive effects of the water on both animals and humans. Unfortunately most of them were published in Czech, German, Russian so there are mostly unknown by American medical establishment.

According to research of many European scientists and physicians the most important action of the water in chronic pancreatic diseases is to enhance production and flow of bile and pancreatic juice, open the Sphinster of Oddi and decrease pressure inside the pancreatic duct. Further, the Karlovy Vary Healing Mineral Water supplies the pancreas with the alkaline minerals and bicarbonates, the main ingredients of the pancreatic juice. Alkaline pH is essential for pancreatic juice because digestive enzymes work only in an alkaline environment.

Czech scientists found also that the water can promote secret and increase the activity of pancreatic enzymes in healthy volunteers, people with chronic pancreatitis, and patients after gallbladder removal. Drinking this water can promote secret of liquid, alkaline bile, cleanse the bile ducts from small gallbladder stones and sand and support the elimination of bile through the hepatic and common bile ducts, and gallbladder.

Successful treatment of chronic pancreatitis is generally difficult and without focusing on liver and bile problems almost impossible. Contrary, the improving biochemistry of bile, enhance the production and promote the elimination of bile are very beneficial for people with pancreatic disorders.

The information on this article is presented for educational, informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for the diagnosis, treatment and advice of a qualified licensed professional.

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MMS & Gut Dysbiosis – What to Do

An element to health that is often overlooked as a leading cause to the breakdown of well being is what we put in our mouths each day, and also what we do not. At a biological level it becomes apparent that much of the food we consume is not entirely digested, and this may be driven by inadequate chewing, consistent overeating, consuming too much meat, bread, milk and other problematic foods, wrong combination's, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, innate inherited weaknesses and quite often emotional problems.

An area that is prominent to the breakdown of one's health in many cases occurs when food is broken down poorly. This has two main outcomes; an uncontrolled growth of deleterious bacteria within the small intestine which leads to putrefaction in the large colon. A large part of the immune response is driven from the small intestine, with the appendix being instrumental within this equation. This is typically called GALT, being an acronym for Gut Associated Lymphoid Tissue. Before chronic disease finally sets in, there will be a war waged for a number of years between the ever increasing negative disease promoting bacteria and immune cells – all while creating more and more chronic inflammation within this part of the body.

Much of this type of activity begins early on in life, and with those of us with susceptible predispositions, this will present in the form of digestive disorders and intestinal discomfort – quite often manifesting in appendicitis. Beginning at an early age, these disorders lead to gut permeability due to a weakened intestinal wall, so giving rise to allergies and auto immune issues developing as unbroken down proteins are allowed to enter the blood stream unchecked by the immune system. Later on in life, again if left unchecked, long term gut permeability often progresses into chronic autoimmune pathologies such as rheumatoid arthritis and inflammation driven conditions.

As we age, over stimulated bowels as a youth often lead to constipation later on in life. Unfortunately, this is often accompanied with diverticulitis and hard crust-like deposits developing on the bowel lining due to the lack of bowel tone.

After many years of "bowel ignorance", as it was, poisonous by products move across this weakened barrier and enter into the blood stream. The first organs to show signs of distress are the liver, the heart and brain – in that order. Fuzzy thinking, irregular heartbeat, chronic headaches are symptoms that are most often experienced. As the portal vein is the pathway for nutrients to be shuttled away from the bowel to the liver – there should be no surprise that the liver often fails under this metabolic loading.

The bowel can be likened to a city that has poor sewerage – if the waste is allowed to spill over into the streets and places of residence then it is inevitable that many will fall ill with disease. If one's bowel in congested and not working properly, waste materials begin to build up, and illness is quick to ensue.

What to do, you may say? Well, a diet that is primarily raw will help to correct the problem over time by supplying bowel stimulating fiber that will tone the bowel walls. Ground linseed is an excellent choice, and a tablespoon or more added to every meal helps strongly over time. Remember, the aim of having at least one bowel movement per day, preferably more is required to keep the transit time brief, then expelling toxic residue before it becomes too problematic.

As an adjunct to cleaning the body by addressing what we put into our mouths, there is a supplement called MMS which when activated is a very powerful anti bacterial, anti fungal and anti parasitic compound, and is a powerful tool to use in addition to the suggestions made above.

Remember, to overcome these modern chronic diseases, we need to address our eating habits, learn how to combine foods properly, learn how to chew, eat less food, eat a greater amount of raw food, and chill out – stress kills!

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What Really Causes Premature Ejaculation?

PE affects upwards of 30% of men, and unfortunately the psychological effects can be quite damaging in more ways than one. A guy who struggles with premature ejaculation may find himself climaxing in less than 2 minutes, before he can get undressed, during all forms of stimulation (not just intercourse), and even worse – many times will avoid getting into a situation sexually with a girl simply because of the fear of rejection and embarrassment.

Its also important to note that just before many breakups, sex is the first thing to go. With a less than satisfying sex life both you and her can be very disappointed and start feeling a lot of relationship stress, which can in all honesty end up causing a woman to leave the relationship altogether.

So if this is such a big problem, and if its so common, then what is it that actually causes premature ejaculation? Its probably not what you would expect, and you first must realize just how common it is. Again, 30% of men experience it ongoingly and every man has experienced PE at least once, so its important that you understand that you are not fighting this battle all by yourself.

Some of the more common causes of PE usually go back to sexual anxiety that a man may not even realize he possesses. As an example, any young male virgin who is about to lose his virginity for the very first time will more often than not ejaculate extremely early, simply from the nerves and excitement of the situation. In many cases this kind of tension never really goes away, even under the disguise of “excitement for passion”, which all creatures experience.

Another common cause is poor physical training along side of metaphysical issues. This happens naturally to many men in the form of rushing through masturbation, or previous sessions of sexual intercourse, typically for fear of being caught in either act by a peer, parent, etc.

Too much of this kind of quick minute stimulation can train the sexual reflexes and CNS (central nervous system) to react quicker than desired.

There are essentially 2 different forms of PE. The first is lifelong, which is when a man has always dealt with prematurely ejaculating since he can remember. The second form of PE is secondary, and this is very common, as many men suddenly develop poor stamina in recent years.

Again, both forms are quite common, so there is no need to get upset. So what are the solutions then that can get at the root of what causes premature ejaculation?

There are many different approaches that you can take, however getting control of your central nervous system, relieving stress levels and balancing your chemical structure, alongside of carefully focused premature ejaculation exercises can do wonders.