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Alzheimers Medication

Alzheimer’s disease is defined as a progressive brain disorder that gradually destroys a person’s memory and ability to learn, reason, make judgments, communicate and carry out daily activities. As Alzheimer’s progresses, individuals may also experience changes in personality and behavior, such as anxiety, suspiciousness or agitation, as well as delusions or hallucinations.

This disease has no single cause. There seems to be correlation with increasing age and a family history of the disease.

There is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s. Research has shown that effective care and support can improve quality of life for individuals and their caregivers over the course of the disease from diagnosis to the end of life.

Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia, a group of conditions that all gradually destroy brain cells and lead to progressive decline in mental function. Vascular dementia, another common form, results from reduced blood flow to the brain’s nerve cells. In some cases, Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia can occur together in a condition called “mixed dementia.” Other causes of dementia include frontotemporal dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and Parkinson’s disease.

Alzheimer’s disease advances at widely different rates. People with Alzheimer’s die an average of four to six years after diagnosis, but the duration of the disease can vary from three to 20 years. The areas of the brain that control memory and thinking skills are affected first, but as the disease progresses, cells die in other regions of the brain. Eventually, the person with Alzheimer’s will need complete care. If the individual has no other serious illness, the loss of brain function itself will cause death.

Progression of this disease can be grouped into:

Early-stage, the early part of Alzheimer’s disease when problems with memory, thinking and concentration may begin to appear in a doctor’s interview or medical tests. Individuals in the early-stage typically need minimal assistance with simple daily routines. At the time of diagnosis, an individual is not necessarily in the early stage of the disease; he or she may have progressed beyond the early stage.

The term early-onset refers to Alzheimer’s that occurs in a person under age 65. Early-onset individuals may be employed or have children still living at home. Issues facing families include ensuring financial security, obtaining benefits and helping children cope with the disease. People who have early-onset dementia may be in any stage of dementia – early, middle or late.

Treating Alzheimer’s

Medications approved by the FDA may temporarily delay the memory decline for some individuals but none is known to stop the degeneration of the brain cells. It is also known that the longer an individual stays mentally active the the onset seems to be put off to later years

New researches may offer promising options to slow or even reverse the damage of the nerve cells

This brings me to a scientist who may have found a solution or just another aid to improving the quality of life in Alzheimer’s although he makes no claims.

Dr. Alexander Schauss, Creator of Feed My Brain. As you proceed, ask yourself?

Could you benefit from a natural product that supports short term and long term memory? Could you benefit from a product that supports the increase in IQ? Could you benefit from a product that supports mental focus and concentration? If you answered “yes” to any of the above questions, then you and your children may need “Feed My Brain”, SMART NUTRITION FOR THE MIND. F.M.B. is a DRUG FREE, Dietary supplement that contains over 50 natural ingredients, including 14 learning nutrients and natural compounds found in fruits and vegetables that are building blocks for the human brain. The nutrients in F.M.B. help support mental energy and help support Neurotransmitters that help to enhance brain function. These very things found wanting in Alzheimer’s and any other brain defects.

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The Secret For Whiter Teeth, And The Prevention of Reclamation Gums And Gum Disease

As we age, so do our teeth and mouths. They go through tremendous changes during the aging process, even if you have taken excellent care of them. It's a natural process, tantamount to your body, as you age everything in your physical structure slowly deteriorates.

Cleaning our teeth and chewing cause our teeth to wear away, and as we progress to age, the aging dentin (the tooth's middle layer) holds stain easier than younger dentin. A sticky invisible film builds up on your teeth and traps stains, causing your teeth to become dark and yellow.

And along with dark and yellow teeth coming receding gums, which means the gum tissue breaks away from the teeth, leaving the roots exposed and tender. This makes your teeth more vulnerable to tooth decay, cold and hot, and Gum Disease (Periodontal Disease), a leading cause of tooth loss.

Simple steps such as brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing daily are important in combating teeth yellowing, receding gums, and gum disease, but unfortunately that can not completely win the battle.

There is an all-natural remedy devoid of Strips, Bleach, Machines, with No Pain and it's 100% safe & effective. It's called Pearl Powder. Pearl Powder removes stains and debris from the teeth and strengthens the teeth and gums, and prevents gum disease and receding gums. This slightly abrasive powder is safe and leaves the enamel in tact.

Pearl Powder does not make your teeth look synthetic or as if they've been bleached. It is less abrasive than commercial toothpastes with a natural whitening agent. Brushing your teeth with pearl powder can provide you with pearly white teeth, preventive benefits, and also helps with sensitive teeth.

Pearl Powder contains a high calcium content and the calcium coats and is absorbed into the teeth through its pores which can minimize pain from cold or hot sensitivities, plus the pearl provides a white sheen that can give the teeth a whiter appearance and a smoother luster; essentially, making the teeth look healthier and younger. Pearl powder heals the gums and makes them resistant to bacteria that can cause gingivitis; it can also help texturize the gums so they are not thin as well as prolong, and possibly prevent, receding gum lines.

In Mayan ruins, archaeologists were astonished, when they discovered over 2,000 year old human teeth that had been repaired with pearl fillings. The fillings were so compatible with human bone, they had melded seamlessly into the teeth.

Pearl powder contains a number of amino acids, over 30 trace, amino acids, and highly absorbable Calcium carbonate, pearl powder helps maintain strong bones and teeth. In fact, Scientist revealed that pearl can activate new bone foundation and development, and increase bone mineralization. They found it delivers significant high bone mineral density (HBMD), high bone calcium content and high total bone weight.

If you want whiter, stronger teeth – If you want to cure or prevent receding gums and gum disease, Pearl Powder is your answer. Quit throwing your money away on things that do not work and cause pain, and work only for the moment; those that are expensive and only treat a portion of the problem. Start using Pearl Powder today, and you will have whiter teeth, stronger bones, and a more beautiful smile within days.

This all-natural product does not bleach your teeth, so it must be used on a daily basis – use twice daily for optimum whitening.

Wet your toothbrush and dip in to the powder until the brush has a good covering. Brush with medium intensity for 2 minutes. Rinse mouth and brush thoroughly with water.

You will see a difference the very first time you brush your teeth.

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The Latest in Weight Loss Treatment

With so few licensed slimming pills on the market it is vital that one seek out the advice of their doctor before experimenting with anything that can be purchased to aid weight loss. Treatments that have not been approved for license are sold everywhere even in health shops.

Because the companies who manufacture them have not bought the approval of the appropriate regulatory bodies, their drugs are not tested by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) of the US and the EMA (European Medicines Agency) here in the UK. This means that no one can be certain of the content of these drugs or what effects they might have on unsuspecting dieters.

It is quite accidental when we here that a 'herbal' drug has been found to contain large amounts of drugs that should only be available on prescription. In an ideal world all health supplements would be regulated by the appropriate and soon they will be.

For the moment it is advisable to take only prescribed treatments for weight loss or any other condition for that matter. Side effects are likely to be experienced while taking most prescription drugs but if they are prescribed by a doctor; This will mean that regular follow-ups and monitoring are par for the course.

Those who have a BMI of over 30 and who are at a stage where nothing has worked and where surgery is looking like the only option, are sometimes prescribed phentermine. This is a very powerful drug and often addictive in cases and is likened to an amphetamine. Phentermine should only be taken in such circumstances.

Qnexa, the latest weight loss treatment hopeful to be considered by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) as a treatment contains toprimate and phentermine however this new formulation has not been shown to cause any of the side effects associated with phentermine in the past.

It is not just drugs that need approval but fad diets are potentially as harmful. The HCG diet is everywhere, the media are raving, the celebs are raving and even some doctors are raving. This diet is not approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and many say that the only reason that people are seeing results (weight loss of 1 pound per day) is down to the 500 calorie a day diet that must accompany the hormone injections .

Advocates argument that the HCG diet will get rid of the weight in 'diet resistant' areas on the body such as the flabby upper arms, thighs and the beer belly but no evidence has been collected to support this claim.

In addition to the lack of information we have on the effects of this type of diet long term and the poor nutritional practice that it is based on, the expense is astronomical. The syringes and the hormone will run the monthly bill up to somewhere in the thousands but I will suppose the food bill will be substantially less making this indulgence slightly more affordable.

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How to Improve Home Blood Pressure Readings

High blood pressure is a serious medical condition that can lead to stroke, heart disease and kidney problems. People with high blood pressure should monitor themselves at home daily with a blood pressure monitor cuff. It can be done on oneself or with assistance from a friend, family member or homecare professional. The equipment may be purchased online through a home medical equipment company. Blood pressure readings will be most accurate when packaging instructions are followed. Here are a few guidelines to make home monitoring part of the daily routine.

Always take a few minutes to relax before using the diagnostic homecare medical equipment. Sit quietly and breathe normally. Clear the mind of stressful thoughts and worrisome issues.

Before taking the blood pressure reading, find a comfortable place to sit with both feet flat on the ground. Do not cross the legs or impede their circulation. Hands should be placed comfortably in the lap without restriction.

Wear something sleeveless if possible. Avoid tight or restrictive clothing. If a sleeveless top is unavailable, roll up the sleeve of the left arm. If this is not an option, the blood pressure reading can be taken over light clothing, but it will not be as accurate.

Check the blood pressure cuff and bladder to make sure they are in good repair. They should not be cracked or torn. The connections between pieces of the apparatus should be tight. If they are not, replacement parts can be purchased from a home medical supplies company.

Most digital home monitors are battery operated. Check that there are working batteries inside. If the LED digital display on the device is fading in and out, it is time to buy fresh batteries.

While manual monitors do not require power, they can still malfunction after a lot of wear and tear or frequent use. Check the gauge to make sure it is not cracked or broken.

Once the cuff has been applied to the arm as instructed by the manufacturer’s directions, stay completely still. If someone else is taking the reading, have them alert the patient before it starts.

Do not talk, sing or laugh while the device is in use. This will affect the outcome of the diagnostic test.

Take the reading at about the same time every day. It will likely be lower in the morning, before the busyness and hassles of the day are encountered. Do not do it just after a meal or drinking caffeine.

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Body and Soul: Psychological Reasons for Obesity

Miraculous diets can help you to lose weight … for some time. After one month of painful sacrifice you finally unlock the fridge and fill it up with all the yummy groceries you used to enjoy before. You are back in your routine, back in your habits – and back on your unwanted weight. The idea of ​​staying on such a diet forever to keep your body in preferred shape is obviously freaky. You do not want to eat what someone else orders you to eat. You want to eat what YOUR body requests for. It's pretty natural. Therefore the only way how to lose weight with permanent effect would be to teach your body to ask for healthy food. And if we want to change the body's preferences, we need to start at it's management point – our mind.

The correlation between body and mind belongs to the main pillows of alternative medicine. Theoretically, if we resolve the problem staying in our soul, that psychological issue that forces us to eat abnormal doses of unhealthy food, we should be able to change our eating habits once and with a smile – and be happier, healthier and and more satisfied with ourselves.

What kind of psychological issue are we talking about? Well, it probably varies from person to person. Everyone has a unique personality and unique life journey. We can just try to have a closer look at five most common categories.

FILLING THE EMPTINESS

If we consider the food to be a drug that substitutes something we are missing in our life we ​​can compare it to the classic drug addict problem. Instead of seeing exciting points of life and focusing on relationships, carrier or hobbies, drug addicts put them under an exciting feeling the drug brings them, escaping from daily routine, escaping from responsibility to solve problems, escaping from real life. We sometimes hear overweight people complaining: "This skinny woman tells me that she forgot to eat. ! "

But it is not actually that difficult to forget to eat if you are busy with something that really overwhelms your mind. If you focus on something that keeps your brain occupied, if you are doing something you believe it's worth doing. At that moment you naturally do not think about food … until your stomach makes you realize you are seriously hungry.

In other words, you need to discover an activity that will help you fill the life with something more meaningful than just burger and chips.

STRESS RELIEVE

Take the opposite extreme – if you are busy TOO MUCH but your activities are not making you happy at all. You do not follow your daily routine with passion, you just do things because you HAVE TO. They chase you at work to your limits, you have never break, you are starving but no time to eat, then it's still shopping, screaming kids, demanding husband / wife and when it's finally quiet and everyone is sleeping, you watch your favorite TV show till one o'clock … and here comes your time. To calm down and relax, to forget there is another morning coming, you attack the fridge in attempt to get all the stress off your shoulders and to feel satisfied at least for that half an hour.

Here we need to look for the stress factors that are causing your overall frustration. Changes will be needed in your every day life. You will have to learn how to satisfy other needs and desires, apart of the stomach ones.

LACK OF CARE

Alternative medicine usually claims it is a certain emotional problem that's causing obesity. For more detailed explanation we will have to make a little journey into the deepest layer of our psyche and try to figure out the meaning of "food" in the archetypal symbolism.

Everyone needs to eat in order to survive, therefore "food" is a significant part of collective Unconscious, an archetype every single person alive needs to deal with.

We receive the first food just after we are born – it is usually our mother who supplies us with the very first feed. The taste of the first food comes along with the first mother's touch and it takes an essential role in creating bond. The silent message of every nurturing mother can be basically expressed as: "I love you, I take care of you, I feed you." The duty to prepare the food for the family was traditionally assigned to the mother – in traditional society the father had to make sure there was enough money to obtain groceries but the mother was the one who physically cooked the meal and served it on the family table . Is it just coincidence that our western population became so obese in decades when women started working full time, concentrating on their carrier and losing time to plan a proper family menu?

And it can not be just the plain replacement of home made meal with fast food – one slice of pizza or one burger will not make you fat. The weight gets picked up with overfeeding and addiction to junk food. Why do we have such a need to eat, eat and eat like if our stomach got never satisfied with its content? Well, maybe because our body is not satisfied with the nature of the food we are accepting – and that's why we still stay "hungry".

There is something about making food. Particularly, there is something about making food FOR SOMEONE. Many people would say: "If I am at home alone, I do not cook. When your family leaves for a weekend and you have to stay at home alone, you will probably open a can of baked beans, toast two slices of bread and you are done. But if you are preparing meal for your loved ones or for friends that come to visit you play with the food way more – to make sure they enjoy it. And what can give a chef larger pleasure than watching people enjoying his meal? The message "I made a nice meal for you because I like you and I care about you" is still there, although we do not realize it. If we cook with love and our food is accepted with joy we are increasing important feelings and strengthening bond between each other.

If the bond gets holes and starts breaking up our subconscious believes we can repair it with eating. But in fact, we are not hungry for food. We are hungry for that emotional connection we are missing in our relationships.

PATCH ON SORE HEART

This category is also about feelings, however in this case we are talking about overfeeding that follows a heart breaking event in our life, usually a break up. Like if we believed that sweet taste could balance the bitterness we feel inside. Only solution is to overcome the past, avoid sorry feelings for yourself and open the mind and heart to something new.

FEELING GUILTY

This happens mostly to the loving parents that are trying to give their children the best they can. There would not be anything wrong with that – if they were also able to treat themselves in the same way. Did you ever hear yourself say: "I am not gonna eat this mango. I have to keep it for my little one. Why are we trying to teach our kids to eat healthy but when it comes to our own diet we stuff our bodies with a complete junk? "That's too good for me" or "I do not deserve this" or maybe even "I do not need to eat healthy any more, my body is old anyway, will go to the grave soon." These statements have something to do with our self-evaluation and self-esteem. We want our children to learn how to look after themselves to live a long, healthy life while we deny our own drive to stay healthy and live long. We would feel guilty if we ate something healthy that could be useful to somebody else instead. We can track a link to the situations when we eat all the leftovers as we would feel guilty if we thread them to the bin. We do not realize that all the excess food our body does not need is going to waste anyway. By eating it we just change ourselves into some kind of alive trash cans.

Solution? Love yourself and look after yourself – from inside and outside – so that you are not teaching your children something you actually never do. At the end, you want to be a good example to them, do not you?

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6 Vaginal Odor Natural Cures to Control Or Lessen the Smell

Every woman’s vagina has a unique scent which is quite normal. At times there will be slight change in this scent because of hormonal changes, your diet or during your monthly periods which is also absolutely normal. However what is undesirable is an unusual or strong vaginal odor which can become very embarrassing. You must know and be prepared to control, or lessen, this odor to reduce your own discomfort and feel more confident. Remember a vaginal smell does not merely interfere with your personal life it is also an indication of a vaginal infection.

Are there any vaginal odor natural cures to control or lessen the smell?

Here are some of the home cures for vaginal smell relief

a) wear cotton underwear. No doubt thongs and panties made of satin make you feel good, but they do not allow air circulation in your vaginal area. This makes the vagina moist and sweaty. Moist conditions are an ideal environment for the infection causing bacteria to thrive in resulting in excessive vaginal discharge and the unpleasant smell. Sleep without any underwear at night. This will allow the vagina to breathe.

b) abstain from food which consist yeast. Some of these are bread, beer, mushrooms, and processed sugars which often are the cause of the odor.

c) eat probiotic yogurt 2-3 times a day. This is useful to eliminate the bad bacteria responsible for the smell

d) do not make use of bidets which can spray water in the vaginal area. This will only strip the vagina of the natural beneficial bacteria present in it.

e) to get rid of vaginal odor you can also make use of garlic for vaginal application. Simply push a garlic clove in the vagina to inhibit the infection. After a few hours take it out and discard it

f) another one of the popular vaginal odor natural cures is to consume fresh cranberry juice 3-4 times a day. Alternatively you can make use of cranberry pills which are easily available in most health food stores.

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Otolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery

Introduction:

Otolaryngology (pronounced oh / toe / lair / in / goll / oh / jee) is the oldest medical specialty in the United States. Otolaryngologists are physicians trained in the medical and surgical management and treatment of patients with diseases and disorders of the ear, nose, throat (ENT), and related structures of the head and neck. They are commonly referred to as ENT doctors. Their special skills include diagnosing and managing diseases of the sinuses, larynx (voice box), oral cavity, and upper pharynx (mouth and throat), as well as structures of the neck and face. Otolaryngologists diagnose, treat, and manage specialist-specific disorders as well as many primary care problems in both children and adults.

Main Idea:

Otolaryngology or ENT (ear, nose, and throat) is the branch of medicine and surgery that specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the head and neck.

Otolaryngologist – head and neck surgeons, spend up to 15 years training to treat conditions of the ears, nose, throat, and related structures of the head and neck. Their special skills include diagnosing and managing diseases of the sinuses, larynx (voice box), oral cavity, and upper pharynx (mouth and throat), as well as structures of the neck and face. Otolaryngologists diagnose, treat, and manage specialist-specific disorders as well as many primary care problems in both children and adults.

Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery is a specialty devoted to the care of adult and pediatric patients with problems of the ear, nose, throat, and neck. These doctors are commonly known as ENT physicians.

There are several subspecialties wherein otolaryngologists devote their practices to one or two specific areas of Otolaryngology. These subspecialties include pediatric otolaryngology (children), allergy, sinus surgery, facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, head and neck cancer surgery, laryngology (voice and swallowing), otology / neurotology, and skull base surgery.

Many doctors in these subspecialties have spent 1-3 extra years of special training in addition to the general otolaryngology training.

• Otology & neuro-otology:

An otologist / neurotologist is a board-certified otolaryngologist who provides medical and surgical care of patients, both adult and pediatric, with diseases that affect the ears, balance system, temporal bone, skull base, and related structures of the head and neck.

The neurotologist is knowledgeable of the basic sciences of hearing, balance, nerve function, infectious disease, and anatomy of head and neck. Their diagnostic, medical, and surgical skills include treatment of hearing loss and tinnitus, dizziness, infectious and inflammatory diseases of the ear, facial nerve disorders, congenital malformations of the ear, and tumors of the ear, hearing nerve, and skull base.

• Rhinology:

It is a subspecialty of ENT that deals with diseases of the nose and the sinuses including Rhinosinusitis (nose and sinus allergy), nasal obstruction, nasal polyps and nose bleeds. It also involves treating diseases close to the nose such as prominent eyes in thyroid disease, and watery eyes caused by blocked tear ducts in addition to exclamation of tumors in this area.

• Laryngology:

Laryngology is that branch of medicine which deals with disorders, diseases and injuries of the vocal apparatus, especially the larynx. Common conditions addressed by laryngologists include vocal fold nodules and cysts, laryngeal cancer, spasmodic dysphonia, laryngopharyngeal reflux, papillomas, and voice misuse / abuse / overuse syndromes.

Otolaryngologists treat the following:

• The Ears – The unique domain of otolaryngologists is the treatment of ear disorders. They are trained in both the medical and surgical treatment of hearing, ear infections, balance disorders, ear noise, nerve pain, and facial and cranial nerve disorders. Otolaryngologists also manages congenital (birth) disorders of the outer and inner ear.

• The Nose – Care of the nasal cavity and sinuses is one of the primary skills of otolaryngologists. Management of the nasal area includes allergies and sense of smell. Breathing through, and the appearance of, the nose are also part of otolaryngologists' expertise.

• The Throat – Communicating (speech and singing) and eating a meal all involve this vital area. Also specific to otolaryngologists is expertise in managing diseases of the larynx (voice box) and the upper aero-digestive tract or esophagus, including voice and swallowing disorders.

• The Head and Neck – In the head and neck area, otolaryngologists are trained to treat infectious diseases, both benign and malignant (cancerous) tumors, facial trauma, and deformities of the face. They perform both cosmetic plastic and reconstructive surgery.

ENT treatment will vary according to what type of problems or symptoms you are having. In the early stages of a disorder, surgical procedures may not be warranted, as in tonsillitis, for example. Early treatments will also depend on whether or not the disorder is related to an infection. If an infection is suspected, tests may be performed to determine whether the cause is bacterial or viral. Viral infections will not respond to antibiotics.

If surgical procedures are indicated, the doctor or nurse will give you instructions to follow before the surgery, including when you need to stop eating solid foods, when to stop drinking clear liquids and whether or not you will need to start or stop any medications before the surgery.

Some common surgical treatments:

• Facial Cosmetic Surgery

• Facial Reconstructive Surgery

• Neck Dissection (removal of lymph nodes in the neck)

• Parotidectomy

Thyroidectomy

Some common services of Otolaryngology:

• Division of Audiology: provides comprehensive diagnostic and rehabilitative services for both children and adults.

• Newborn Screening: testing of newborn infants.

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How to Prevent and Manage Type II Diabetes

Type II diabetes is a chronic condition that negatively affects the way the body metabolizes sugar. In the body, sugar is metabolized into glucose and the body's primary source of fuel. Another substance affected by type II diabetes is insulin. Insulin is a hormone which works to regulate the movement of glucose into cells and type II diabetes reduces the effects of insulin or reduces the body's production of this vital hormone.

Left untreated, the impact of type II diabetes can be dangerous and even life-threatening.

But there is no cure for type II diabetes, but prevention and management when properly diagnosed can reduce the consequences of this serious condition. It is also important to note the increase in type II diabetes in children. Research has indicated four critical factors increasing the probability for developing this serious condition.

Children's race seems to be a factor. African American, Hispanic American, Asian and Pacific Islander American, and Asian American are at a higher risk for type II diabetes. Childhood obesity is the second important risk factor. Studies have proven approximately 85 percent of the children with type II diabetes had a body mass index (BMI) of 25% or higher. BMI is calculated by a person's body weight in kilograms divided by their height in meters squared. Although further studies need to be communicated, obesity in childhood is a manageable goal by parents.

The third risk factor is having relatives with diabetes. Although the percentages vary, there seems to be a direct link between childhood type II diabetes and having relatives with diabetes. The fourth factor for children is their gender. In almost all groups studied, more females than males developed this condition in childhood.

Type II diabetes symptoms do not discriminate by age and can develop very slowly over the course of many years without a person knowing they suffer from the condition. Symptoms of type II diabetes include increased thirst, frequent urination, increased hunger, weight loss, feeling fatigued, and blurred vision, frequent infections, and areas of darkened skin are several signs medical attention is warranted.

Type II diabetes develops when the body when the pancreas stops producing enough insulin or the body becomes resistant to insulin's role. Despite medical advances, the exact etiology why this happens is still unknown. Although ongoing investigation for the exact causes lasts, excess weight, inactivity, and a sedimentary lifestyle seem to be important factors. In type II diabetes, the insulin process works improperly. In type I diabetes, the pancreas produces little or no insulin and the process does not have a chance to function.

Experts do not fully understand why some develop type II diabetes and others do not. Although still evasive in causes, certain factors increase the risk and include being overweight ,activity, family history, age, and race. Women who were diabetic during pregnancy and people who are pre-diabetic, higher than normal levels, both are at higher risk.

Although long-term complications of diabetes develop gradually, if not treated type II diabetes can be disabling or even life-threatening. Some of the potential complications of diabetes include:

Cardiovascular disease. Diabetes increases the risk of various cardiovascular problems. Heart attacks, strokes, coronary artery disease, atherosclerosis and high blood pressure are serious medical issues caused by diabetes. According to the American Heart Association, 75% of people diagnosed with diabetes die from heart and / or blood vessel diseases.

Nerve damage. Diabetes injures capillaries, the tiny blood vessels which nourish the nerves. Numbness, burning, pain, and tingling sensations begins in the toes and fingers gradually spreads upward. Occasionally, nerve damage causes a loss and / or sense of feeling in the affected limbs. Diabetes nerve damage can also cause serious digestive problems and erectile dysfunction in men.

Kidney damage. The kidneys contain millions of tiny capillaries which filter waste from your blood. Diabetes can damage this filtering system increasing waste levels in the blood. Severe damage can lead to kidney failure and / or irreversible end-stage kidney disease. When permanent damage occurs, dialysis or a kidney transplants become the only options.

Alzheimer's disease, eye damage, skin and mouth conditions, foot damage, and osteoporosis are a few more related medical conditions caused by diabetes. The list is endless as to the dangerous results of not attending to this condition.

To prevent diabetes or its progress, it is important to maintain an active lifestyle and a reasonable weight range. It is not necessary to starve one self or become an Olympic athlete, but the effort to become more active and mindful of what is ingested is most important. The last recommendation, and most important, is visiting a family doctor 1-2 times yearly for regular check ups. Follow all of the doctor's recommendations and schedule an appointment when any negative symptoms occur. Parents should be mindful of their children's weight and encourage nutritional eating habits and an active lifestyle.

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Understating Obesity

Obesity is not just a physical condition but it also changes your mental state. Majority of the overweight have a low self-confidence, in some more serious cases people experience depression. The eyes never seemed to stop staring, this ordeal could end if you look back and analyze your life style. In most of the cases the obesity arises due to irregular consumption of fatty food.

The process of putting on weight could be reversed via eating healthy food in the right quantity and along with it exercising regularly. This way of losing excess fat is the safest but if you are an impatient person then the long time period of this process may frustrate you. Before starting any time or diet plan you get to be mentally tough and focused only towards your goal. To make up your mind you should read more and more about the success stories of people who turned from fat to fit. Discussing with your family will also help due to fact that nothing else in this world can give you the kind of moral support your family can.

When you kick-start your diet plan, you start eating healthy food in less amount. But your habit of eating randomly haunts you badly and to cross this hurdle one need assistance. Appetite suppressants could get you through this problematic situation. Adipex diet pills are one of the most efficient diet pills present in market currently. These pills are a strong medication that suppresses your irregular hunger pangs.

But Adipex being a prescription pill needs you to consult your doctor before you start taking it. The prescription is necessary due to the fact that the power of this pill if steered to right direction can do wonders but if consumed irresponsibly it can take a wrong turn and consequences can be alarming. Adipex diet pills are generally prescribed for shorter period of time, one should never exceed the recommended time period because it can lead to addiction. When consuming Adipex you should never double the next dose if you missed one.

This pill is not side effects free, the side effect associated with Adipex diet pills are irritation, dry mouth, dizziness, constipation, restlessness etc. Now you can buy Adipex online with your doctor's prescription. When you buy Adipex online you get facilities as free shipment, discount, comparison charts etc which make buying this pill online a practice way. But one should beware of the illicit pharmacies online selling fake drugs. Work hard with discipline and you'll definitely succeed.

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How to Prevent Pre-Diabetes From Getting Worse

Diabetes is a very serious chronic disease suffered by millions of people worldwide.

If you are diabetic and fail to control your blood glucose levels you are likely to end up with one or more serious medical conditions, such as heart disease, kidney failure and damaged nerves among many others.

Pre-diabetes is a condition in which your blood glucose levels are higher than they should be but not so high that you are diagnosed as diabetic. Research suggests that up to 70% of persons with pre-diabetes go on to develop full type 2 diabetes.

But this means that 30% manage to halt the development of diabetes before it becomes a chronic disease. So, if you have been diagnosed as pre-diabetic, developing full-blown diabetes is not inevitable.

You can’t change your past behaviour, your age or your genes but you can change your lifestyle… how you disport yourself and what you eat and drink.

How your digestive system works

The foods you eat are mostly a combination of carbohydrates, proteins and fats in various proportions. A piece of meat, for example, contains mostly protein and fats. Vegetables such as potatoes contain lots of carbohydrates.

When you digest a bit of food, it is broken down into it main components… carbs, proteins and fats. These components are then broken down further in your digestive system and released into to your blood-stream which delivers them around your body.

Your energy comes from glucose. Glucose is just a simple sugar. But it is your body’s primary source of energy.

Most glucose comes from digesting the sugar and starch in carbohydrates which you get from food such as rice, pasta, grains, breads, potatoes, fruits and some vegetables. The glucose produced by digestion in your stomach is absorbed into your bloodstream which delivers it to your body’s cells.

Glucose is the fuel for your cells… it powers your movements, thoughts and just about everything else you do.

In order to power your cells, glucose has to get into them. It can only do this with the help of insulin.

Insulin is a hormone (a type of chemical). It is produced by your pancreas. The pancreas releases insulin into your bloodstream where it travels around your body and meets up with glucose on the same trip. The purpose of insulin is to enable glucose to enter your cells.

To do this, insulin attaches itself to a receptor in the surface of the cell. This causes the cell membrane to allow glucose to enter the cell. The cell can then use the glucose as its fuel.

This glucose-insulin system has to work properly if you are to be healthy.

If the insulin does not do its job of ‘opening the cell door’ for glucose, the glucose will not be able to get into the cell… and the cell will run out of fuel.

Diabetes is a condition in which the glucose-insulin system does not function correctly.

There are two major types of diabetes: (a) type 1 and (b) type 2. More than 90% of diabetics have type 2 diabetes.

In type 1 diabetes the pancreas does not produce any insulin or, at best, very little. Type 1 cannot be cured. The only way these diabetics can survive is by taking regular shots of insulin.

In type 2 diabetes, the pancreas does produce insulin which is released into the bloodstream. But when the insulin arrives at a cell it has trouble attaching itself to a receptor. So it cannot induce the cell membrane to open and allow glucose to enter the cell.

Insulin resistance is the condition in which insulin is unable to attach itself to cell receptors.

Imagine a key trying to slide into a lock in a door. If the lock is jammed… say, with a bit of chewing gum… the key cannot get in. There is nothing wrong with the key and nothing wrong with the lock. But before the key can get in, the lock has to be cleaned out.

One of the main reasons for insulin resistance is having cell ‘doors’ that are jammed with fat. The only way to ‘unjam’ them is to eliminate all fat as far as possible from your diet for four to six weeks (at least) until the cell receptors are free of fat.

So what do you have to do to prevent type 2 diabetes developing from pre-diabetes to the full-blown chronic condition… with its elevated risks of heart attacks, strokes, blindness, kidney transplants, leg amputations, and other dreadful conditions?

Change your lifestyle using:

  • Exercise, and
  • Diet

Here are 12 things you can do:

[1] Avoid sedentary behaviour

A sedentary lifestyle is one in which you sit most of the day and undertake little physical activity. The link between sedentary behaviour and the risk of diabetes is well proven.

An analysis of the results of 47 studies found that people who spent most of the day engaged in sedentary behaviour (eg, office workers) have a 91% risk of developing diabetes.

If you work in an office, there are several ways you can change your sedentary habits:

  • Stand up from your desk and walk around for a few minutes every hour.
  • Stand instead of sitting when talking on the phone.
  • Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
  • Park far away from the supermarket so you have to walk a good distance to get inside.
  • Go for long walks in the evening (easy if you have a dog).

The best way to reverse sedentary tendencies is to commit to specific actions you can do every day.

[2] Get plenty of exercise

Research indicates that physical exercise increases the insulin sensitivity of cells… when you exercise, less insulin is required to enable your blood glucose to enter your cells.

Many types of physical activity reduce blood glucose levels in pre-diabetic adults who are obese or overweight… including aerobic exercise, strength training and high-intensity interval training.

One study of pre-diabetics indicated that high-intensity exercise increased insulin sensitivity by 85%… while moderately intense exercise increased it my more than 50%. But this effect only happened on the days that they actually worked out.

Another study found that to improve insulin response in pre-diabetics, they needed to burn at least 2,000 calories a week through exercise… but that is not too hard to do if you set your mind to it.

The trick is to find a physical activity you enjoy and can undertake regularly, and then stick to it for the long-term.

[3] Quit smoking

Besides cancers of the lung, breast, prostate, colon, oesophagus and digestive tract, as well as emphysema and heart disease, research indicates that there are strong links between smoking (and exposure to second-hand smoke) and type 2 diabetes.

Smoking increases the risk of diabetes by 44% in average smokers and 61% in heavy smokers (more than 20 cigarettes a day), compared to non-smokers according to a meta-analysis of several studies that together covered more than one million smokers.

But quitting reduces this risk over time, not immediately.

A study of middle-aged male smokers indicates that five years after quitting their risk of developing diabetes was reduced by 13% and after 20 years it was the same as people who had never smoked.

[4] Lose weight

The majority of people who develop type 2 diabetes are overweight or obese. In addition, people with pre-diabetes tend to have visceral fat … ie they carry their excess weight around their middle and abdominal organs such as the liver.

Studies have shown that excess visceral fat promotes insulin resistance, increasing the risk of diabetes significantly. This risk can be reduced by losing weight, especially around the middle.

One study of more than 1,000 people found that for every kilogram (2.2 lbs) they lost, their risk of diabetes was reduced by 16%. This study also found that the maximum reduction of risk was 96%, ie a loss of 6 kilogram (13.2 lbs).

There are many healthy ways for losing weight… exercise… dieting.

You have many dietary options to choose from: Mediterranean, paleo, low-carb, vegetarian. The best, perhaps, is the Beating-Diabetes diet.

[5] Reduce the fat in your diet

As you already know, the main cause of type 2 diabetes is fat gumming up the receptors in your muscle cells, so the insulin cannot open the cell membranes to allow glucose to enter. The “cure” is to unblock the receptors.

As you are pre-diabetic it is likely that fat is already beginning to gum up the receptors. You can unblock the receptors by minimising the fat you ingest in your diet.

To minimise the fat you eat:

  • make sure that less than 10% of the energy in any food you eat comes from fat (read the labels), and
  • reduce your consumption of meat, eggs and dairy products as much as possible, and focus on foods based on plants (fruit and vegetables).

It’s that simple.

[6] Reduce the refined carbs you eat

Refined carbohydrates are refined sugar and grain products that have been milled. The process removes dietary fibre, vitamins, and minerals from the grains.

Examples of refined carbs include white sugar, granulated sugar, high fructose corn syrup and so on, as well as white flour, white rice, white pasta etc. These are digested more rapidly than unrefined carbohydrates.

Many studies have shown a link between the frequent consumption of sugar or other refined carbs and the risk of diabetes.

For example, an analysis that looked at a total of 37 studies found that persons with the highest intakes of refined carbs are 40% more likely to develop diabetes than those with the lowest intakes.

This is because simple sugars and refined carbs are digested very quickly and are absorbed rapidly in the bloodstream. This results in a spike in the level of glucose in your blood.

But, as you are pre-diabetic, your body’s cells are resistant to the action of insulin. As a result the glucose spike stimulates your pancreas to produce more insulin.

Over time this leads to higher and higher blood glucose and insulin levels in your blood until you develop full-blown diabetes.

To avoid this you need to stop putting sugar in you tea and coffee, and stop drinking sodas and other sugary drinks.

You also need to start eating natural foods such as whole grains, legumes, fruits, and uncooked vegetables, all of which are top sources for unrefined carbohydrates.

[7] Eat a high fibre diet

Dietary fibre is the indigestible portion of plant foods. There are two types of fibre and eating plenty of both types is crucial for preventing pre-diabetes turning into the full-blown variety.

Soluble fibre is fibre that dissolves in water to form a viscous gel-like material that slows the rate at which food is absorbed, reducing the likelihood of sudden spikes in blood glucose.

Insoluble fibre cannot dissolve in water but does absorb water which makes your stool more bulky, easing its passage. It too is linked to reductions in blood glucose but how it works is not clear.

The main sources of soluble fibre are… legumes (beans, peas, etc)… grains (oats, rye and barley)… vegetables such as broccoli, carrot and artichokes… root vegetables such as sweet potatoes and onions… and the insides of some fruits such as prunes, plums, berries, bananas, apples and pears.

Insoluble fibre is mostly found in… whole grains… wheat and corn bran… nuts and seeds… potato skins… flax seeds… fruit such as avocados and bananas… some skins such as on tomatoes… and vegetables such as green beans, cauliflower, courgettes (zucchini) and celery.

Some plants contain significant amounts of both soluble and insoluble fibre. Eat plenty of vegetables and fruit and you will get enough fibre to prevent your pre-diabetes developing into diabetes.

[8] Minimise your intake of processed foods

Processed foods, such as bacon, sausage, paté, salami, breakfast cereals, cheese, tinned vegetables, bread, savoury snacks (crisps, sausage rolls, pies and pasties), cakes and biscuits, microwave meals and so on, are full of oils, added fats, added sugar, refined grains and all sorts of additives.

Processed foods are linked to all sorts of health problems, including diabetes. One study found that poor-quality diets that are high in processed foods increase the risk of diabetes by 30%.

So to prevent your diabetes developing into chronic diabetes, you need to cut back on processed foods. Eat vegetables, fruits, nuts and other plant foods instead.

[9] Restrict portion sizes

Once food hits your stomach, it all starts to be digested at once.

Thus, unsurprisingly, eating too much at one sitting has been shown to cause higher blood sugar and insulin levels in people who are pre-diabetic.

A two-year study of pre-diabetic men found that those who reduced the amount of food they ate in one meal had a 46% lower risk of developing diabetes compared to those who continued to eat large amounts.

Another study of people with re-diabetes concluded that those who practiced portion control lowered their blood glucose and insulin levels significantly after 12 weeks.

So, to prevent the onset of diabetes, you need to practice portion control.

[10] Drink lots of water, coffee and tea

Water… lots of it… should be your primary beverage.

Sticking with water most of the time means you will be avoiding beverages that are high in sugar, preservatives and other questionable ingredients.

A large observational study of 2,800 people found that those who consumed more than two servings of sugar-sweetened beverages a day had a 99% increased risk of developing LADA and a 20% higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

LADA, latent autoimmune diabetes of adults, is a form of type 1 diabetes that occurs in people over 18 years of age.

Some studies have found that increased water consumption (as oppose to upping the quantity of sodas or fruit juices you consume) leads to better blood glucose control and insulin response.

One 24-week study, for example, showed that overweight adults who replaced diet sodas with water as part of a weight-loss programme experienced a decrease in insulin resistance and lower levels of blood glucose and insulin after fasting.

So drink plenty of water, at least 2 to 4 litres, a day to stop diabetes developing.

Make sure you avoid the sugar-filled sodas and energy drinks. Instead, when you need a pick up or energy booster, go for coffee or tea.

Coffee and tea contain polyphenols, antioxidants that may protect against diabetes. Green tea also contains epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a unique antioxidant that has been shown to reduce the release of blood sugar from the liver and to increase insulin sensitivity.

Several studies have shown that drinking coffee on a daily basis reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes by anywhere from 8 to 54%. The greatest reduction in risk is seen in those who drink the most.

An analysis of several studies, that included tea as well as coffee, found similar results. This review also showed that the risk of developing diabetes was reduced the most in women (of all sizes) and overweight men.

So it’s plenty of water, tea and coffee for pre-diabetics who wish to avoid developing diabetes.

[11] Take a daily nutritional supplement

The term nutritional supplement covers micro-nutrients such as vitamins, dietary minerals and fatty acids.

Vitamins are vital for health. All vitamins fall into one of two main groups… water-soluble or fat-soluble.

Water-soluble … are all the B vitamins plus vitamin C. These vitamins are not stored in your body and you get rid of excess quantities in your urine. Thus they cannot build up to toxic levels in your body.

Fat-soluble … are vitamins A, D, E and K. To absorb these vitamins, you need a little fat in your diet. Any excess amounts are stored in your body fat so they could, theoretically, build up to toxic levels. But this is extremely rare.

Minerals are divided into two groups… major minerals and trace minerals.

Major minerals are the minerals you need in amounts of 100 milligrams (mg) or more each day. These minerals are calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sulphur, potassium, sodium, and chloride.

Trace minerals are needed in amounts of less than 100mg each day. Trace minerals include iron, iodine, zinc, fluoride, selenium, copper, chromium, manganese, and molybdenum.

Minerals are used in a variety of processes. For example, your body uses calcium to make bones and teeth, and iron to make the haemoglobin in your red blood cells.

Although the functions of all vitamins and dietary minerals are not yet fully understood by scientists, and even though the results of clinical tests often contradict each other, a daily dietary supplement should help prevent your pre-diabetes developing into diabetes.

Here’s what you need to take on a daily basis:

  • Multivitamin • to make sure all your nutritional needs are covered
  • Vitamin B12 (4mcg) in a separate tablet • for the health of your nervous system as your pre-diabetes is likely to be affecting your nerves already
  • Calcium (400mg) plus vitamin D (2.5mcg) together in a separate tablet • to ensure the health of your bones
  • High-strength cod-liver oil capsule with vitamins D and E, in a separate capsule • to make sure you ingest adequate amounts of the essential fatty acids omega 3 and omega 6

There is an emphasis on vitamin D because this vitamin is important for good control over your blood glucose.

A variety of studies show that persons who have too little vitamin D in their bloodstream are at a greater risk of all type of diabetes. One study found that persons with the highest levels of vitamin D in their blood were 43% less likely to develop diabetes compared to persons with the lowest levels.

Most health organisations recommend maintaining a vitamin D blood level of at least 75nmol/l (30ng/ml).

Controlled studies have shown that when people who are deficient in vitamin D take supplements, their blood glucose levels normalise and their risk of developing diabetes is reduced significantly.

[12] Add natural herbs to your diet

The internet is full of claims, mostly spurious, that certain herbs can prevent your pre-diabetes from developing into the full-blown version of the disease. Here are a few of the more credible claims:

Cinnamon … is a highly-aromatic spice with a very distinctive flavour. It is used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of medical conditions, apparently with some success.

Reports on the internet suggest that cinnamon can cut fasting glucose levels by up to 30%, so I began sprinkling one large teaspoon on my porridge (oatmeal) in the morning. Within a few days, my average glucose levels on awaking had dropped by nearly 0.5mmol/l (9mg/l) or about 8%, quite a bit short of 30%… a significant reduction nonetheless.

So it seems to me that this spice, in the form of ground powder you can buy from your local supermarket, can help you improve your blood glucose levels and thus help prevent your pre-diabetes developing into diabetes.

Bitter melon… aka bitter gourd or karela (in India), is a unique vegetable-fruit that can be used as a food or medicine. It is often recommended for the control of diabetes.

A number of clinical studies have shown that bitter melon is effective in improving blood glucose levels, increasing the secretion of insulin and decreasing insulin resistance.

In January 2011, for example, the results of a four-week clinical trial were published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, which showed that a 2,000 mg daily dose of bitter melon significantly reduced blood glucose levels among patients with type 2 diabetes. However the hypoglycemic effect was less than that of a 1,000 mg per day dose of metformin, a popular diabetes medication.

Although it may be of some help in preventing your pre-diabetes getting worse, bitter melon needs to be treated with care as it has been associated with miscarriages and induced abortions in animals… it should be avoided if you are pregnant or want to get pregnant.

Curcumin … is a component of turmeric, one of the main ingredients in curries. It has strong anti-inflammatory properties and has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries.

Research shows that curcumin can help reduce inflammatory markers in persons with pre-diabetes.

In a controlled 9-month study of 240 pre-diabetic adults, none of those who took 750mg of curcumin per day developed diabetes, but over 16% of the control group did. The study also noted that insulin sensitivity amongst those who took curcumin increased, as did the functioning of their insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.

Thus the benefits of curcumin in decreasing insulin resistance and reducing the risk that pre-diabetics will develop full blown diabetes appear to be well proven.

Berberine … is an alkaloid extracted from various plants used in traditional Chinese medicine. It is proven to have anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic effects. It works by reducing the production of glucose in the liver and increasing insulin sensitivity.

An amalgamation of 14 studies of human and animal research has shown that 1,500mg of berberine, taken in three doses of 500mg each, is equally effective as taking 1,500mg of metformin or 4mg glibenclamide, two popular pharmaceuticals for treating type 2 diabetes. Berberine is one of the few supplements shown to be as effective as conventional diabetes drugs.

Berberine, however, can interact with other medications and caution needs to be exercised… ask your doctor before you try to use it to prevent your pre-diabetes getting worse.

Caveat (1): Spurious claims that certain supplements can cure or prevent diseases abound on the internet. However there are a few reliable sites that contain research-tested information. These are mainly connected to reputable universities, medical schools and teaching hospitals.

Caveat (2): Some herbs and supplements may interact with your diabetes medication (including insulin) and cause excessively low blood glucose. So check with your doctor before using them.

Conclusion

Pre-diabetes can develop into full-blown diabetes very quickly if you do nothing about it. And the medical consequences of diabetes are very serious indeed.

So take your pre-diabetes seriously and deal with it as outlined above… this will enable you to live a pleasant and fruitful life.

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What Are Skin Tags and How to Remove Them

Many people are very interested in finding what causes skin tags and how to remove them. First of, I will explain what causes a skin tag and then I will provide you with a few solutions for removing them. I know how tragic it can be thinking that people are noticing the skin tags on your neck or even hanging from your eyelids. Nevertheless, there are some home treatments that will clear up your tags so that you can walk around with more confidence due to the fact that you have less skin blemishes.

What causes a tag exactly?

Tags are caused when layers of skin are rubbing together causing a lot of friction. They are completely harmless, but they can really reduce someone’s self-esteem.

They seem to be made up of a sponge material that hangs from a piece of normal skin. They can also have a velvety texture to them. They are not dangerous. They’re simply just pieces of flesh.

How does one remove a tag at home?

You can simply try to snip a tag off by using a pair of sterilized nail clippers. You have to ensure that the clippers are sterilized because if not, there will be a chance of infection if you introduce dirty clippers onto the surface of the skin where you have cut off the tag.

The best method is to stretch out your tag using a pair of clean tweezers and then to simply cut if off at its base using the clippers.

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Memorizing Speeches: Three Important Rules Of Memory

After writing a killer speech, do you now struggle to remember the speech for your presentation? Studies show that the average person uses 10% or less of the actual potential capacity for memory. There is so much untapped potential which can be improved by applying three fundamental rules of memory: impression, repetition and association. Applying them will help you in memorizing speeches for your presentation.

Rule # 1: Impression

The first rule of memory is to have a deep and vivid impression of the thing you wish to remember. To do this, concentrate on the task at hand, whether it is revising the speech outline or practicing your speech. Quality of concentration is more important than the length of time spent in memorizing speeches. Intense concentration over a short time works more effectively than scattered attention over an extended period of time.

You must also have a clear and accurate impression of the thing you wish to remember. Pay attention to the subject matter and observe closely. Ask questions, mull over it.

Read your speech aloud. Visualise it because what we see, we can remember better. Use pictures to illustrate the points and help you recall the points in the speech outline. It is comparatively easier to remember bizarre and ridiculous things, so go ahead and be creative in expressing the points in pictures to help you remember.

Rule # 2: Repetition

If you repeat it often enough, you can remember almost anything. Practice your speech ample times before the presentation. When you practice, imagine that you are speaking before an audience. When you finally get on stage, you will have already done that several times.

Retention is best acquired through active learning. Experiential knowledge is best remembered. The best way of memorizing speeches to use the knowledge and apply it often. The knowledge becomes second nature to you, so remembering it will be easier because you are speaking from experience.

Immediately before the presentation, refresh your memory by looking over your speech and thinking about the facts.

Rule # 3: Association

Our mind is essentially an associating machine. The secret of good memory lies in forming diversity and multiple associations with every thing we wish to remember.

Link your facts together by thinking over them and finding meaning in them. Weave them into a systematic relation with each other. Tie them together with a story. The more bizarre and ridiculous it is, the better you will remember.

Applying the three rules of memory will help you in memorizing speeches for your presentation. The more practice you commit to it, the better you will become in your presentation skills.

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The Top 10 Reasons Black Women Stay Single

Yes, there is a disproportionate amount of black women to black men and that could be why you’re still single but let’s be honest- you are a serial dater and your misfortunes with men are NOT due to the gender imbalance. YOU’RE THE REASON WHY YOU’RE STILL SINGLE! Now before you get angry with me and throw your computer out the window, let me explain.

It is so easy to blame external or inanimate forces for your relational dry spell. No one likes to believe that they are living in a self-created rut. Many black women walk around totally oblivious to the fact that they are responsible for their own relationship failures and if they could just tweak a few things, success would hasten their way.

I’ve given much thought to this topic and I’ve provided the top 10 reasons why a lot of black women are still single. I purposefully spent more time dealing with the most pertinent reasons because of their importance. The list is in order and the goal of the list is to help you look introspectively, discover what applies to you, and correct it so that you can find that ideal match. Please comment and let me know what you think.

1. The “Mr. Right” Complex

Let’s agree that there is no such thing as perfect! Tragically, black women are inundated with images of Boris Kodjoe and thoughts of Derwin from The Game (Pooch Hall…yes Pooch) that they subconsciously expect the guy down the street to have the same appeal. Black women are used to having beauty shop talks about what a man needs to be (Height, weight, income, bone structure etc…). They end up creating a caricature from a Disney film rather than an actual man and then become dogmatic about finding someone with EVERY desired characteristic. Inevitably, when they meet Tyrone from down the street, they become dejected because he falls short of their lofty expectations, even though Tyrone is a really good guy. Ladies, here’s some advice…PRIORITIZE! Write a list of the 10-15 things you want in a guy. Be detailed but reject the tendency to enter into a fairy tale world. Once you write your list, at the top of it write ‘70% – 80%’. If you can find a guy that possesses 70 to 80 percent of your list with two or three qualities in your top ten, YOU’VE FOUND A GREAT CATCH! It would be ridiculous if I rejected 100% of a delicious cake because 20% of it was burned. I’d just discard the 20% and delight my palate with the other 80%. Every human being is a W.I.P. (Work In Progress) and if you learn to prioritize your preferences, you’ll find a man that has most of the qualities you want and a willingness to develop in his deficient areas.

2. Just Can’t Pick ‘Em

The cheater, the deadbeat, the narcissist, the beady-eyed thug- you’ve been through them all. The old saying that good guys finish last is true because you’ve shunned the warm-natured gentile fellows for the riff-raff. Like a moth drawn to a campfire, you gravitate toward the “bad boys”, and you regularly get burned for it. Consider this, a championship college football team is crafted by wooing and scouting the BEST recruits. The head coach scours the country looking for the best talent and he will not rest until he discovers the next Cam Newton (He’s the Heisman Trophy winning quarterback from Auburn University). He meticulously puts together a winning team by focusing on the value of each individual recruit. Now, think about the last ten guys that you have dated. Think about their strengths, weaknesses, and think about why and how the relationship dissolved. Once you have the ten guys in your mind ask yourself this question, do those ten individuals make up one collective winning team? If your answer is NOT a resounding yes, then you need to do some soul searching. Why are you drawn to guys that don’t match well with you? Why do you consistently pick the loser? Is there some historical event that has skewed your ability to make wise dating choices? Hopefully, you will find the answers to these questions so that your next pick will be the right one.

3. Overly I-N-D-E-P-E-N-D-E-N-T

She-Ra was a cartoon character in the ’80’s with spectacular abilities. She was extremely strong and she wielded a sword that could transform her into an unstoppable super-being. She was the epitome of independent because she didn’t take any crap from anyone. Although She-Ra was intensely fun to watch on TV, I imagine that she wouldn’t be a very fun date. She-Ra wouldn’t allow a man to open the car door and she definitely wouldn’t allow a man to pay for her dinner. She would show up to the date flaunting her ability to suplex robots and communicate with animals and she would belittle her date’s meager human contributions. Did you ever notice that She-Ra never had a man? Maybe you’re still single because you come across as a 21st Century She-Ra. You’ve acquired a great job, college degree, and shiny new sedan by the sweat of your own brow. You never looked to a man to give you anything and you make that clear on every date that you go on. Here’s the problem, most men want a semi-traditional woman. This doesn’t mean that men want a doormat; a semi-traditional woman is woman that is assertive when it’s called for but not too insecure to encourage and welcome a man’s leadership. A semi-traditional woman doesn’t get offended when a man asks her to cook his dinner, yet she expects that he’s going to return the favor sometime later in the week. If a woman rejects a man’s initial acts of chivalry on a date, he interprets it as a clear indication of her overly feminist, girl-centric personality and he quickly becomes disinterested. Remember, the character She-Ra was only an alter ego. She-Ra was actually Princess Adora but she transformed into She-Ra whenever it was time for battle. Ladies, learn how to be She-Ra in battle but a princess in life.

4. Pushing the BIG “C” too soon

I must admit, I’m a sucker for a good romance. I tend to fall early and quickly which is undoubtedly why I ended up married at 18. Most guys are the exact opposite of me. Guys tend to treat commitment like it’s the plague. It’s not that they’re totally opposed to the idea, it’s just that they feel like commitment should be a gradual destination rather than a hurried first stop. Imagine that commitment is an apple. It begins as a hard inedible seed with only the potential to be a desirable fruit. With the right amount of time and dedicated nurturing, the seed will grow into a ripe and delicious treat. No matter how insistent and overbearing you are, you cannot force the apple to grow at a quicker pace. It grows and blossoms on its own. When you try to make a man your husband after the first three-weeks of dating, it leaves a sour taste in his mouth much like an unripened apple would. It’s not that there isn’t the potential for the friendship to blossom into an exclusive dating situation; it’s simply that much nurturing and time is necessary for the relationship to transition from seed-form to ripe for harvesting. I know that you’ve been single for a long time and your clock is ticking louder than it ever has, but just remember, love is like food; a microwaved meal can never measure up to the quality of what comes out of a slow cooker.

5. Making the new guy pay for the old guy’s mistakes

Being bitter and acrimonious is a state of mind. Unfortunately, you’re the governor of that state. Sure, you have a valid reason to be upset. You were lied to, cheated on, abandoned and/or abused. Your ex was a scoundrel and he did unspeakable things to you. He hurt you deeply and you’re still bearing the scars. There’s only one problem, the tumultuous relationship ended when you were in your twenties. You’ve had ten years to heal and you’re still hurting as if the wound was freshly made. Of course you’ll never admit that you haven’t recovered from the breakup, but the evidence of your emotional stagnancy comes out when you meet a new man. The poor guy is unaware of the fact that you have triggers, so when he says, “I think you look nice in red. I’d like to see you wear that color more often”. He’s shocked when you go off on a tirade about how you can’t stand controlling men and how you’ll never let a man manipulate you again. He’s oblivious to the fact that you’re not responding to him, you’re responding to the poor treatment you received at the hands of a previous reckless man. If you’re honest with yourself, you’d have to admit that you’ve developed an adverse reaction to anything that even remotely reminds you of your ex. You have determined that you’re not going to let anyone devalue you the way that he did. Unfortunately, your guarded approach to men makes it hard for you to offer any man a clean slate. You enter a dating situation suspiciously which makes it difficult for you to connect with anyone. Although you’ll never forget what happened to you, you MUST forgive. Your desire to hold a grudge and constantly relive your most painful moments is what’s keeping you from finding love. Men will only endure unfair associations for so long before they decide to find a woman that will give them a fresh chance. Ladies, it’s time to move forward and realize that the new man deserves an opportunity to show you that he’s NOT the old one.

6. Giving up the Goodies Prematurely

The Sega Genesis was a popular game console when I was in middle and high school. It kept me entertained for hours and staved off weekend boredom. The third game that I bought for my Sega system was called Arch Rivals. It was a basketball game that allowed the player to punch and slam the opposing team members. When I bought the game I was so excited! I couldn’t wait to get home and pulverize my computer-generated rivals. I played the game for only three days before I discovered how to beat it. Once I conquered the game, I quickly became disinterested in it and it spent the rest of its life buried underneath clothes in my closet. Dating is a game with the ultimate prize being a committed relationship and maybe even marriage. The way that you play the game will determine how you will be viewed by the gentleman that’s trying to court you. If you give away too much too soon, he will view you as initially exciting but ultimately unfulfilling. If you require that he passes necessary levels in order to receive certain rewards, then he will remain interested and engaged. Now, when I use the word “goodies” I’m not just talking about sex. Of course sex is the ultimate goody, but time, money, and gifts can also be considered goodies. You should calculate how and when you distribute these things. Giving everything away too soon makes you naïve and giving away too much makes you a human ATM machine. Remember, naiveté is the character flaw that keeps women from being taken seriously and an ATM machine wasn’t built to be respected, it was built to be used.

7. Beauty but no Substance

Every head turned as she entered the grocery store. Her curvaceous body seemed to glide up and down each isle. The chestnut tiling only accentuated the color of her skin and her flowing black hair swayed rhythmically with each step she took. She was gorgeous and she was approaching Walter with a bewildered look on her face. “Excuse me sir,” she began, “I was wondering if you could help me.” Walter gulped with anxiety as he gazed helplessly into her amber eyes, “Sure” he stammered. “I’ve been searching this store for nearly 30 minutes and I can’t seem to find the earl,” she said. Walter’s look of infatuation quickly turned into puzzlement, “You’re looking for what?” “I’m looking for the earl and I can’t find it anywhere.” At this point, Walter could no longer hide his perplexity; he squinted as he tried desperately to figure out what earl was. “Ma’am,” Walter started, “I have no idea what earl is.” She thought for a moment and responded, “You know, earl. I’m looking for cooking earl. I’m trying to fry chicken and I need cooking earl to do it.” As hard as he tried, Walter couldn’t ignore the hilarity of the moment. He busted out in laughter as he asked, “Are you talking about cooking oil?” The woman grinned in pleasure, “Yes, that’s what I said- earl.” Walter pointed to isle 7, “It’s right down there ma’am.” She winked at Walter and walked briskly toward isle 7. Walter chuckled to himself as he thought about the unlikely encounter. The woman was so beautiful but her beauty only covered the tragic fact that she was brainless. It looked as though she spent ample amounts of time and money on her looks but judging by her grammar, she probably hadn’t read a book since high school. “It’s a shame,” Walter whispered under his breath, “She could’ve been the one.” Enough said!

8. The Know- it- All

Normally, men are pegged as the gender with the infallibility-complex but with the advent of the women’s lib movement, women have increasingly become the know-it-alls. It’s not uncommon for a childless and single black woman to offer marital and parenting advice to her married girlfriend. In black beauty shops all across the country women cackle about what men are and aren’t. They fail to realize that they really know nothing about men and what they do know is so skewed that it borders on irrelevant. Unfortunately, in beauty shops (and in barbershops) unenlightened conversation is encouraged rather than condemned. The seemingly harmless banter that takes place quickly becomes ingrained beliefs and those beliefs become entrenched opinions. The problem exists when a man shares an objective truth about himself or men in general and before he completes his sentence you rudely interrupt by saying, “Oh no, that’s not true.” See, he knows it’s true! How does he know it’s true? He’s a man! Yet you argue incessantly because you think your beliefs are right and his are misguided. Do you see the problem? The only solution to this problem is to speak authoritatively ONLY about what you’re knowledgeable on. If you know fashion, speak about fashion. If you know sports, dazzle him with your precise football analysis. Don’t take a hardline stance on what you’re not absolutely sure you know about. A man appreciates a woman that is intellectually curious and open to learn. Ladies, this might be a hard pill to swallow, but your mamma, grandmamma, and aunty are not the best sources of male education. If these honorable women have been your sole teachers on male issues then it’s time to be reeducated. The best way to learn about men is to listen to one.

9. A Less Than Stellar History

The fact that double standards exists is a sad reality in our society. The most unfortunate double-standard happens when a promiscuous man is viewed as a hero and a promiscuous woman is viewed as a whore. I wish we could abolish double-standards altogether but unfortunately, they are what they are. Secretly, every single man harbors a desire for his future wife to be able to validly wear her white wedding gown. He cringes when he meets a wonderful prospect only to later find out that she’s been around the block. Ladies, let me be candid, no man wants to be committed to a woman that has slept with half the state. He might have his temporary fun with such a woman, but he will never settle down with her. Everyone has things in their past that they’re not necessarily proud of. If you have had multiple sexual encounters, my best advice is to divulge this information once trust has been established in the relationship. Avoid the sex conversation until you are convinced that he won’t judge you unfairly. It’s a sad commentary on our society when an oversexed man can find love easier than his female counterpart, but unfortunately that’s the reality. Don’t share your past until you’re absolutely sure that he can handle it.

10. My friend, my brother, my mamma said…

This reason is the exact opposite of reason #3. Women that suffer from ‘Everybody Else Said Syndrome’ view the input of others as law. Critical decisions aren’t made without the approval of a certain person or group of people and every sentence is prefaced by, “My friend/brother/mamma said…”. A forward-looking man will NEVER settle down with a woman that thinks with someone else’s brain. He realizes that during the casual dating phase of the relationship it might be okay for her to reach out to others, but in marriage this tendency is detrimental. In marriage, both parties must be willing to settle their own issues in house. Actually, the Bible says that a married couple should cleave to one another and become one flesh. A woman that is overly dependent on another person or other people will never be able to fulfill that mandate. Ladies, I know you value your homegirl’s opinion and you hang off of every word your mother says, but if you want to find a man, you’re going to have to learn the value of self-consultation. You will never be a man’s kitten if you’re committed to being someone else’s parrot.

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Speaking in Your Ideal Pitch Range

When individuals judge their voice they are usually commenting on the quality of their pitch. The concept of how pitch is defined can be easily misunderstood. On a technical and scientific level, vocal pitch is described as how the vocal chords vibrate together to create sound. For a non-technical individual, pitch is often perceived as how the voice sounds. For example, the pitch being too high, low, wavering or sounding thin or weak. Learning to speak in your ideal pitch range is important for presenting with strong, rich tones that are aesthetically pleasing for your listener. Describe your current pitch style to strengthen your awareness.

Voice therapists describe two different types of pitch, habitual and optimal. Habitual pitch is your regular and consistent tone of voice. It is the pitch you use automatically for speaking but it may not necessarily be your best vocal quality. Optimal pitch produces a rich and pure tone where the muscles of the vocal mechanism function at their best to produce an ideal quality voice with natural projection. Speaking in your optimal pitch range would be preferred for professional speech and voice since that is where the most vibrant and resonant tones are produced.

If there is a significant difference between your habitual and optimal pitch it is most likely due to the fact that you find it easier and more comfortable speaking with your habitual pitch range. This is the pitch level most people use automatically. Many speakers with a high, thin or nasal sounding pitch are speaking from their habitual pitch range. Learning to speak from your optimal pitch level is an easy adjustment to make and the benefits will significantly improve your voice and professional image.

Finding Your Optimal Pitch Range

The Uh-Huh Trick

Produce the word “Uh-Huh” naturally and comfortably. Move down in your pitch when you say it. Say it 3 times. When you are saying the word, “Uh-Huh” you are producing your optimal and ideal pitch range. The “Uh” is the upper limit for optimal pitch and the “Huh” is the lower limit for this range. Be aware that this is a pitch range and it should fluctuate.

The key is to consistently speak comfortably within your optimal pitch range. The most resonant voice with good tone quality will come from the “Uh-Huh” range. When individuals speak below their optimal pitch limit, a low tone or strained voice can be heard. When individuals speak above their optimal pitch limit the result is a voice with a higher pitch, thinner sounding tone with more nasal resonance that can be unpleasant for the listener. Speaking from your optimal pitch will allow you to produce a rich tone quality with natural projection that will give you command of your voice to persuade, lead and radiate confidence.

Using a Piano

Another approach for finding your optimal pitch is using a piano. With an open and relaxed throat produce the sound, “Ah”. Play each note down the scale until you have reached the lowest comfortable note you can produce with ease. From that note, move up 3-4 notes. The range of the 3-4 notes is your optimal pitch range. You will recognize your optimal pitch because your tone quality will be strong, resonant and physically comfortable to produce.

Initial Pitch Practice

Now that you are familiar with your optimal pitch range, experiment with your new tone. Say “ummm-hmmm” with deliberate intensity and volume. This humming sound produces your natural and optimal pitch just like the “uh-huh” pitch pattern. Producing this sound will create a vibrating buzz in your nose and around your lips. Touch your lips and nose with your fingers to feel the buzz. Produce this hum a few times to familiarize yourself with the tone. When you are speaking with your optimal pitch range a subtle buzz will always be present.

Note: Producing “ummm-hmmm” has the same affect for finding your ideal voice as the “uh-huh” trick. This is another quick and subtle technique for finding your optimal pitch range before you begin talking.

Pitch Practice Using Single Words

Begin practice with producing single words in your optimal pitch range.

o On a full breath from your diaphragm, count aloud:

Uh-huh one, Uh-huh two, Uh-huh three….. until 10

This will assist you with speaking single words from your ideal pitch range.

o Produce the words below in your pitch range. Place your fingers around your lips and nose.

If you are in your optimal pitch range a subtle buzz should be detected.

Hello No Monopoly Experiment

Right Run Minnesota Refrigerator

Beautiful Happy Apartment Particular

o Select a word and insert it into the “Uh-Huh counting pattern

Right-one, Right-two, Right-three…..until 10

Beautiful-one, Beautiful-two, Beautiful-three…..until 10

Pitch Practice at the Sentence Level

o Practice with connected speech. Remember diaphragm breathing!

Select a word from above and say it in a sentence that you create.

For example, “I am happy to be speaking using my ideal voice.” Creating your own sentences will help you keep your practice more spontaneous and simulate natural conversation.

Spontaneous Speech Practice

o Using your ideal voice and proper diaphragm breathing, produce a short story using 2-3 sentences about:

-A New York City cab driver and an anxious tourist

-A sea lion and a scuba diver

-China Town and a feisty lobster

-A lottery ticket and a cold day in winter

-A crooked chef and a smart FBI agent

Note: Notice how diaphragm breathing and speaking in your optimal pitch range generates natural projection and richer vocal tones.

Don’t Be Alarmed! Are these new voice habits causing you to feel like you are speaking with excessive loudness? Don’t worry. Your volume is appropriate. You are receiving some internal feedback from how your sound waves are resonating in your throat and oral cavity. This can create the perception that you are being too loud when in fact you are speaking with rich full tones that project naturally. This is your new voice which may require some time getting used to it. If you continue to have concerns ask a friend if they feel you are speaking too loudly. Chances are they will report that you sound great.

Dress Rehersal

Real World Practice

Listed below are suggested activities where you can practice speaking in your new ideal and optimal pitch range. When speaking at the sentence level remember to speak on a diaphragm breath, maintain a relaxed throat and speak in your perfect pitch.

1. Produce your ideal voice with proper breathing during all of your morning greetings to co-workers or anyone you would like to greet.

2. Produce your ideal voice with proper breathing while you are speaking on the phone. Place a note near the phone to prompt you. This is a great opportunity to speak at the conversational level while incorporating your new voice skills.

3. Order coffee or any food item using your ideal voice. Lunch is a great time

4. Speak using your new voice at every meal you share with someone.

5. Make an association where you can associate a practice opportunity with a simple daily activity such as speaking in a meeting, greeting a certain co-worker or client, speaking to an employee from the dry cleaners or convenience store. Organize in your mind a regularly occurring event or person where you can use that opportunity to remind yourself to practice.

Identify 3 opportunities where you can associate a practice opportunity in your regular routine.