Archive for July, 2009

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How to Get Rid of a Yeast Infection – 7 Simple Home Remedies!

Saturday, July 25th, 2009

Discover here 7 popular home remedies to get rid of a yeast infection naturally. If you’ve already tried mainstream drug-based topical creams etc., you’ll know that oftentimes your infection seems to go away, only to return time and again. It’s reckoned that this is because the drugs only attack the symptoms and not the root cause of yeast infection. And the cause of the infection, the Candida Albicans fungus, can build-up a resistance to the drugs. The outcome is recurring yeast infections.

Which is why more and more women (and men!) are turning to natural home remedies to get rid of their yeast infection. There are many such remedies out there, some more effective than others, some useless.

Here are 7 popular home remedies to help get rid of a yeast infection naturally…

1. Garlic is a natural anti-fungal which can help fight the Candida Albicans fungus. Eat it regularly, one or two cloves per day. For vaginal yeast infection you can also make up a ‘tampon’ with one peeled clove wrapped in clean muslin. Use waxed thread to keep the muslin in place.

2. Apple cider vinegar helps to balance body pH (acidity) and is very popular. Use it to douche the affected area, or drink it. For a douche it’s better to add 2 cups of vinegar to a low, warm bath and gently soak. To drink add 2 tablespoons to a glass of cold water daily.

3. Plain, natural, unsweetened yogurt contains a friendly bacteria that fights the yeast infection fungus. This is another very popular and effective home remedy for yeast infection. Apply to the affected area directly, or, coat a tampon. You can also get to the affected area by using a syringe without the needle.

4. Eat cranberries. They also have anti-bacterial properties. But cranberry juice cocktails and other cranberry juices with added sugar should not be taken. The sugar actually encourages fungal growth. Fresh cranberries are best, but are very tart. You could try unsweetened cranberry juice diluted in water.

5. Tea tree oil is an antiseptic. A few drops in a warm bath can be effective. But it can cause stinging or discomfort for some people. If it does, wash the area with fresh water and stop further use.

6. Wear cotton underwear, never synthetic. Synthetics trap moisture and heat which the Candida fungus just loves!

7. Discontinue sexual intercourse until your yeast infection is completely gone. Sex can transfer the infection to your partner and also seriously hamper your cure.

Although these 7 home remedies can be very effective, on their own, they aren’t enough to get rid of a yeast infection permanently. There are many underlying issues that can help trigger the Candida Albicans fungus to ‘overgrow’ into yeast infections. Things like diabetes, antibiotics, steroids, pregnancy, contraception, poor diet, underlying medical conditions, drugs, etc.

To get rid of a yeast infection fast and permanently you need to address not just the symptoms, but the root cause, and the underlying issues. And all this can be done without expensive drugs with their downsides. It can be done totally naturally.

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Michael Jackson Has Cardiac Arrest

Saturday, July 25th, 2009

Michael Jackson suffered from a cardiac arrest and died. CNN’s Elizabeth Cohen explains what a cardiac arrest is and how it is different than a heart attack. A cardiac arrest is when a heart stops functioning. Rescu usually only works when someone gets it within ten minutes but the outcome is usually not good if the person is not helped within three to five minutes.

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Facial Cleansers For Acne

Thursday, July 23rd, 2009

What’s the worst four letter word you can think of? For some people, that would be A-C-N-E. Whether it is one pimple or many, when faced with acne, people would rather hide than show their faces.

Don’t let acne ruin your life. By following some basic, simple skin care, such as using an acne facial cleanser and acne-medicated products, you can help control acne and make your skin look a lot better.

People make the mistake of scrubbing their faces too hard when they have acne. Perhaps they think they can scrub off their acne. Instead, this can exacerbate your complexion and lead to permanent scarring. The truth is, acne forms below the skin. For whatever reason, excess dirt or sebum clogs your pores. The sebum, which normally moves to the surface, gets trapped. That “gunk” inside acne is a mixture of the bacteria, pus, dead cells, and white blood cells that have come to clear out the infection. So as you see, acne is not like a spec of dirt you can wipe off your face. You need a different game plan that starts with washing your face properly.

A lot of people feel that they should constantly wash their face to get rid of acne. While it is true that people with oily skin might need to wash their face more often than someone with dry skin, that does not mean you need to wash your face each and every hour of the day. In fact, constant face washing might make acne problems appear worse. Instead, wash 2-3 times a day with a facial cleanser specially formulated for acne.

Some common ingredients in acne facial cleansers are salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide. Salicylic acid is effective because it helps get rid of the dead skin cells that are clogging the surface. This process is called exfoliation. It is important to clear off the surface because for one thing, dead skin cells might be one of the components clogging pores and causing breakouts; for another thing, exfoliating the top layer of skin might help acne clear faster. However, as you may have guessed, salicylic acid can cause excessive skin dryness. Over the counter facial cleansers contain 1-2% salicylic acid, but even those concentrations are known to dry out skin.

The other key ingredient in acne facial cleansers, benzoyl peroxide, is said to be less irritating than salicylic acid. It works differently in that it enters pores and kills the bacteria that causes acne. It does not help exfoliate surface cells, though. Products can contain anywhere from 2.5 to 10% benzoyl peroxide. Experts recommend you start at the lowest concentration and slowly work up to higher concentrations in case you experience irritation.

For some people, the “less is more” approach works best. I personally know of several people who switched to using a gentle facial cleanser that was soap-free and fragrance-free. The cleanser was non-drying and helped acne clear up on its own. The use of gentle cleansers for acne-prone skin has been recommended by dermatologists for years.

Beware of products that contain alcohol, menthol, peppermint, or anything that promotes a “tingling experience.” These so-called acne facial cleansers might give you a cool-feeling, but that is just the alcohol evaporating off your skin. As you might guess, the alcohol can cause excessive dryness of your skin, so try to avoid these products.

The cure for acne lies in a combination of things. Try incorporating an acne facial cleanser in your skincare routine, but take it slowly. Sometimes less is more. But if you have serious acne concerns, consult a dermatologist. Some forms of acne are cystic and require special attention. But for everyday acne, follow the above steps, keep your hands away from your face (don’t pick at acne!), and follow a healthy lifestyle. Good luck on your acne-free journey.

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At-Home Tooth Whitening vs. Professional Tooth Whitening

Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009

Discolored teeth can be disheartening. They can be a source of embarrassment, they can cause a drop in self-confidence, and feelings of insecurity may develop because you may not feel like you are projecting the right image to those around you.

Tooth discoloration is a common occurrence that usually is the result of food and drink habits. Certain types of food and beverages can stain the tooth enamel. In addition, a lack of constant dental hygiene can also contributed to stained teeth.

Is Tooth Whitening a Good Option for Me?

If the only thing about your smile that dissatisfies you is the shade of your teeth, then tooth whitening is an easy solution to fix this problem.  Teeth may need to be whitened for a variety of reasons:

  • Teeth that are affected by fluorosis (which can look like white or brown streaks on your teeth).
  • Discolored due to wear and tear.
  • Stained from smoking.
  • Stained from food and beverages, such as coffee.

Tooth whitening is a simple, painless procedure used to dramatically enhance the whiteness and radiance of your smile.  There are generally two ways to whiten your teeth:

  • At-home tooth whitening
  • Professional tooth whitening.

Visiting a cosmetic dentist is the first step in determining which method is best for you.

At-Home Tooth Whitening

For more gradual results, you might consider an in-home tooth whitening technique.  This technique involves a custom-fitted tray, formed to fit you mouth.  Every day, bleaching gel is placed into the tray and fitted to the teeth for a brief amount of time.  Sometimes you may sleep with the tray in your mouth and the bleaching agents will work overnight.

This process usually takes about one to two weeks for full results and may be for people who prefer a slower process.

Professional Tooth Whitening

For quick whitening results, you may consider having your teeth professionally whitened at a dentist’s office.  These procedures typically only take one visit to your dentist. Your dentist will isolate your teeth using a rubber dam, apply a small amount of bleaching gel to your teeth that is then activated by a powerful beam of light, or laser. The gel absorbs the light, causing the tooth enamel to noticeably brighten in about two hours. The process is painless and can produce stunning results, with your teeth transforming up to ten shades whiter.

Once you have undergone your tooth whitening procedure, whether it is the at-home or professional whitening, it is vital to maintain good dental hygiene and stay away from foods and beverages that may stain your teeth and cause them to revert back to their original color. It is also a good idea to stay away from cigarettes- not only is smoking bad for your lungs but it can also stain your teeth. It is possible to periodically touch-up your teeth if they do start to lose some of their bleached shine.

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Recurring Vaginal Yeast Infections – Treatment Options

Saturday, July 18th, 2009

You managed to treat your yeast infection successfully. You should have no need to worry now, right? In truth, your yeast infection may return in a few days or weeks. Women suffer from recurring vaginal yeast infections

more often they most people realize, often for something as simple as forgetting a dose of medicine or failing to complete a course of treatment.

If you are dealing with a recurring vaginal yeast infection, you should consult a doctor and have your problem diagnosed. Not only will you be able to get continuous treatment for your infection, but you will also be sure that it is truly a yeast infection and not som other illness. Recurrent yeast infections have many symptoms that are very similar to other medical conditions such as irritant vulvitis.

Once you have seen your doctor and you are certain that you indeed have recurrent vaginal yeast infections, you can make a few small changes to your lifestyle that can help you reduce the chances of an infection. If you haven’t already established these changes in an effort to maximize your personal hygiene, this is a perfect time to do so.

Below, you will find some of the changes you can make that will help prevent yeast infections.

- Shaving around the vulva should be avoided. Pubic hair protects the vaginal area from bacteria and chemicals that might upset the delicate pH balance essential for proper health.

- Avoid using bath bubbles, shower gells, or chemicals near the vagina that may cause an unbalance in pH levels.

- Wear loose fitting clothes that can breathe. Avoid tight jeans, pantyhose, and fabrics like nylon that don’t allow air to circulate properly.

- Limit your intake of carbohydrates and foods containing yeast, to help lower the amount of yeast in your body.

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Hair Replacement For You

Saturday, July 18th, 2009

Because of the wide range of people who are losing their hair, some hair growers, surgery as well as herbal or medicinal plants sprout as a matter of issue in the present days. Actually, it is not that advisable to take some medicines, most especially if there is no prescription from a doctor. Hence, it is much better to take hair replacement thru surgery instead.

The first thing that you should have to determine is your personal situation. Are you having that total baldness or some forms of hair thinning only? If you fall into the latter situation, the best hair replacement surgery that you have to consider is the mini-grafts. What does it mean? Well, it is that treatment which is usually made as a treatment for having to fill in those thinning areas thereat. The same is applicable to women who are fond of colouring their hair, curling the same, or even engaging to that straightening or rebonding procedure.

Thus, this is the best thing for you, the mini-grafts wherein the doctor will determine the thin parts in your hair area, and then the dense ones. Once determined, such surgeon will then get some amount of hair from the dense area and then transferred or implanted in the thinner portions of which. After such, you will then notice that your hair looks fuller than before. It may still decieve other people; making them think that you are still looking young despite your age, and your hair proves that fact. However, you should also take into consideration that life indeed is like a captured picture, you cannot go back to that same point in time once you have let it pass. The same is applicable to your hair; once you have decided to undergo such a process, you must then instill into your mind that you can no longer go back to that same situation of having a genuine full hair which you can boast to other people. The only thing that it can give you is the superficial look of having  fuller hair.

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3 Proven Methods of Eliminating Wrinkles on Chin

Thursday, July 16th, 2009

Dealing with wrinkles on chin can be annoying, as you age you start to notice that you’re getting more and more wrinkles on your chin.

It can be frustrating, but there are solutions to combat wrinkles on chin and reduce them significantly.

You might think that getting older is inevitable, but with all the information and technology today, you really can look the way you feel inside.

Let’s look at three proven methods for removing wrinkles on chin, I don’t recommend some of these, but I thought I’d share them with you so you can be the one that makes the final decision.

Method #1 – Botox

Botox injections relaxed the muscles underneath your wrinkles, which allows your skin to become smooth. But there are dangers and side-effects to botox injections, such as bruising, numbness, drowsiness, headaches, swelling and feeling unwell.

These are all possible side-effects of botox injections. So while they do certainly work for a temporary time, I think the side-effects outweigh the positive effects.

Method #2 – Chemical Peels

Getting a chemical peel can improve wrinkles on your chin, but again, the side-effects can be bad. The side-effects range from discoloration of skin, redness and scars.

I do not think it is worth it to get a temporary good look, when you could be hurting your skin permanently.

Method #3 – Natural Skin Creams

This is the method that I use every day, and I use a product that is completely natural with high-quality ingredients.

So there is no risk of any side-effects for my skin, and the wrinkles on my chin have significantly improved since I started using the product that I found.

With all that said, I hope you can decide which one of these you would like to try, and I hope you pick one that fits your skin.

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Secrets of Beauty Care

Wednesday, July 15th, 2009

All through the ages men and women have been taking care of their skin and body. The care given to maintain the shape of the body and the facial features is very old habit. To have a face glowing with healthy skin and attractive features is everyone’s dream. Everyone wants to know the secrets of beauty care.

To care for your face and skin you have to select products that contain cocoa and mango butters, lemongrass, vanilla and clove oils with avocado, papaya and macadamia. All these ingredients are used in skin care products. Some skin care products nowadays are made up of many synthetic ingredients containing chemicals which are harmful for your skin and won’t help in beauty care.

Generally the beauty care products are made of petrochemical by-products; synthetic fragrances; cheap chemical fillers and chemical preservatives with a small amount of natural ingredients like vitamin E, Shea or Cocoa Butter to produce the cream. This cream won’t help your skin at all, but in the long run will harm the skin.

To have a proper beauty care is to start using the products which contain more of fruits, plant oils or nuts. These ingredients have been used throughout the ages to heal and nourish the skin and also to treat sickness and aliments. The nut, fruit, vegetable extract are rich in vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids and emollients. They are added to clays and minerals and make wonderful sources of nutrition for the skin. The modern skin care products contain only small amounts of natural ingredients. So to care properly for your beauty you have to start using the natural products.

The skin around your eyes is very thin and needs special care, so to do so you should use a very hydrating face cream and apply it around your eyes, so it will keep your skin tight and glowing. All the skin care and beauty products have ingredients that are beneficial for the skin while others that are harmful. So when choosing a beauty product the good ingredients should be present in high quantities in order to give the best results. The best skin care products are made of natural ingredients avoiding chemicals, preservatives and fillers.

To give a proper beauty care you can use genuine natural and organic skin care products made from ingredients that will support and complement your skin’s natural processes. Another age old secret of beauty care is to have lots of salad in your food. Salad not only helps you keep your skin glowing, but also, helps in keeping your body weight maintained. The more fatty food you will have, it will become very difficult to maintain a healthy looking and glowing skin.

Proper sleep and rest are also necessary for beauty care. If you are not having proper rest, then you will have dark circles under your eyes and this will affect your beauty in the long run. Too much of alcohol drinking is also harmful for the skin and beauty care. After a while it starts showing on your skin. Having a healthy lifestyle and using natural ingredients are the best ways to take care of your beauty.

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Food for the Brain

Tuesday, July 14th, 2009

In a world where tons of foods are available in the market, we wonder how come we still end up with so many illnesses, many of which are life threatening and fatal. I’m sure you all know the general answer to this. A while ago, I just read an article that fast food can cause Alzheimer’s later on in life. I’ve also read about the top 5 cancer causing food. To wit: hotdogs, bacon, donuts, fries, chips/cookies. Many of our modern day food are cancerous. Thus, it is about time that we go back to the basics.

On this post, we will focus more on those foods that feed the brain and help increase its power and abilities. Some of the famous ones are:

-       Right amount of caffeine (1 cup of coffee a day is enough)

-       Gingko Biloba

-       Fish – rich in omega 3 fatty acids that hinder that blockage of in your blood vessels. When your blood vessels are free from fats and cholesterol, blood flows freely, bring more oxygen to the brain and therefore fuels your brain to work better. Eat fish at least twice a week to help lower cholesterol for better brain power. If you are one of those people who dislike the taste of fish, better take an omega 3 fatty acid supplement.

However, these are not the only ones that do a good job in being able to boost your IQ.

The following are some more examples of brain foods. I call them brain foods because they enhance your brain function, makes you think more clearly, improves your memory and helps sharpen your thinking and processing skills.  They are: Yogurt, Wheat germ, Turkey, Tuna, Spinach, Soybeans, Salmon, Romaine lettuce, Potatoes, Peas, Peanut butter, Oranges, Oatmeal, Milk, Legumes, Flaxseed oil, Eggs, Collard greens, Chicken, Cheese, Cantaloupe, Brussels sprouts, Brown rice, Broccoli, Brewer’s yeast, Lean Beef, Bananas, and Avocados.

These foods have low glycemic index (GI) and are therefore considered healthy. This means that they help slow down the sugar distribution in your blood stream. Fruits, even when sweet, have low GI. They prevent one from having “sugar rush” and “sugar crash”.  Whole fruits have a lot lower GI as compared to their juices because their natural fiber aides in further slowing down the absorption of fruit sugar. Examples of these fruits are grapes, oranges, cherries, apples and grapefruits.

Other kinds of foods low in GI are grains, cereals, and bran. Spaghetti and rice are okay too. They have relatively low GIs as compared to white bread, white flour products and sugar-coated cereals like that of Kelloggs. Foods with higher GI release sugar a lot faster into the blood stream causing the so-called “sugar rush” and minutes after that follows the “sugar crash”. This makes you feel lethargic and sluggish. It will prevent you from working well on your mental tasks or those tasks that involve a great amount of thinking.

Here are some more brain foods that you should take note of:

Vegetables, for those of you who are still not in the know, contain the lowest levels of GI. They are the green leafy vegetables, soybeans, kidney beans, lentils, and chick peas. Potatoes and carrots on the other hand have higher levels of GI so take them in moderation.

Milk and dairy products, you might be surprised to find, have lower levels of GI than fruit but a bit higher than those of legumes. But they’re still considered as brain foods.

Proteins are also good for your brain. They release amino acids that help improve brain power. Tryptophan and tyrosine are two of the amino acids that are considered as the building blocks of neurotransmitters. These neurotransmitters serve as the carriers of signals  from one brain cell to another. When they are properly fed with these amino acids, they transmit messages a lot faster and better.

Now that you know the right kinds of food for you, you must also be conscious of the way you eat them because this also has an effect on the way your brain and your body will process and digest these foods. For instance, if you eat legumes first then consume sugary food after, the legumes will prevent the fast absorption of sugar into your system. Ice cream and fats do the same thing as opposed to having low fat yogurt with sugary fruit. One  more thing to take note of is to not burn or overcook your starchy foods because doing so will cause them to become pre-digested and as such will quickly release sugar into the bloodstream once ingested.

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CDC: 50,000 People May Have Swine Flu

Friday, July 10th, 2009

Swine Flu ImageWebMD reports that Daniel Jernigan, MD, PhD, deputy director of the CDC’s influenza division says that more than 100,000 Americans probably have the flu and of these at least half probably have swine flu. This means there are probably 50,000 or more people with the H1N1 swine flu virus.

Jernigan noted that the 4,700 confirmed or probable cases of swine flu reported to CDC represent a gross underestimate. When asked how many actual cases there were, Jernigan noted that 7% to 10% of the U.S. population — up to 30 million people — get the seasonal flu each year.

“So with the amount of activity we are seeing now, it is a little hard to know what that means in terms of making an estimate now of the total number of people with flu out in the community,” Jernigan said. “But if I had to make an estimate, I would say … probably upwards of maybe 100,000.”

The WebMD article also says that flu cases are going up at a time of year when they generally decrease.

At a time when flu season should be ending or over, the CDC’s flu season indicators are going up instead of down. As of May 9, 22 states had widespread or regional flu.

WebMD says that flu/pneumonia deaths for the week ending May 9th were 7.2% of all deaths. This is just under the “epidemic threshold” of 7.4% of all deaths. WebMD also reports that 173 people been hospitalized with H1N1 so far and most of them have been very young, between 5-24 years old.

You can find links to H1N1 resources on our H1N1 resources page.

Swine flu image via CDC images

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