Healthy Journey

5 Aging Exercise Myths That are Old and Tired!

editor — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 23:00:43 +0000

Getting older doesn’t have to rob you of your independence or your carefree lifestyle. If you’re a baby boomer then— like it or not—you’re approaching “senior” status. As we age, it is important to know that the negative stereotypes about age and physical activity are rarely true. Those myths about the dangers of exercise program after 60, well, those aren’t quite the real deal either.

Aging adults, or any adult for that matter, can improve the quality of their lives with physical activity. Fitness is important to all of us no matter what our age. By adopting a regular fitness program, you’ll see that getting and staying healthy is the real key to feeling young.

Start moving by pushing out the top 5 myths about exercise and getting older. (...)>

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The Dangers of Abdominal Fat… and How to Get Rid of it

editor — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 18:00:43 +0000

Diabetes is a condition of the metabolic system where insulin doesn’t act as it should. There are many risk factors that increase your chances of developing the Type 2 variety of diabetes. Carrying too much fatty tissue on your frame is one of those risks.

Everyone Needs Fat — Just Not That Much

Fat is vital to the body. It acts as a cushion for your organs and your bones. The body takes a lot of jostling especially when we are young and bouncing around a lot. Without fat, we’d be injured each time we took a tumble. As we age, we need the same cushioning to prevent injury to our somewhat more fragile bones and joints.

Fat is also used in cell membranes. Lipids are fats that have a hydrophobic end (water hating) and a hydrophilic end (water loving). Substances encased in a fatty layer for transport can enter the cell. Without fats, the body would lack a lot of what it needs to function and maintain its structure on the cellular level.

The problem comes when we have too much fat on our frame. (...)>

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What is Diabetes?

editor — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 22:30:43 +0000

Diabetes is the white elephant in the room these days. Our society has seen a rise in diabetes and is a subject that often makes people fearful. Maybe people wouldn’t be afraid of diabetes if they knew the facts.

So, what is Diabetes?

Here’s the breakdown. Knowledge is power and learning about diabetes can make a difference in prevention, management, and living a life free of complications from this condition.

There are two types of diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2. The major difference is Type 1 diabetes can’t usually be prevented whereas Type 2 diabetes can. (...)>

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Home Remedies for Heartburn: What Works and What Doesn’t

editor — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 17:30:30 +0000

Heartburn can be treated in many different ways, and home heartburn remedies are available to help. Believe it or not, heartburn is far more common than you might think. Prescription medications aside, what specific home heartburn remedies can you use to decrease the symptoms of heartburn?

Here are a few modifications that can be made to your life in order to help treat GERD: (...)>

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5 Things You Need to Know Before Beginning an Exercise Program

editor — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 21:00:43 +0000

Physical activity is important—at every age. Getting started exercising doesn’t have to be difficult but it does require a little knowledge to do it right. Before you begin an exercise program, we need to cover a few things.

Growing older is not for wimps. The body goes through even more changes than when you experienced puberty. It can seem almost like an appliance whose warranty has just expired. Everything that can go wrong seems to start going wrong.

So let’s learn the 5 things to do before beginning an exercise program, especially if you have been living a sedentary life for some time. (...)>

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Body Check: What to Look for When Checking for Skin Cancer

editor — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 16:30:30 +0000

Do you know how to look for skin cancer symptoms? Skin cancer is a disease that affects over 40 percent of Americans who live to the age of 65 – and they may get skin cancer more than once! The most common cancer in the US is skin cancer.

It is important to observe the condition of your skin from head to toe – every part of your skin, including your ears, must be examined for moles and changes in color. But, what are you looking for?

Here are the symptoms of skin cancer to look for: (...)>

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Using Supplements for Diabetes Prevention

editor — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 21:00:43 +0000

Supplements are just what their name implies: an addition to something else. They are not meant to be the main source of nutrients in your body.

The majority of the nutrients that the body needs come from outside the body. We can make some amino acids and other building blocks ourselves within the body cells, but not enough to sustain us, and not without proper nutrition. When it comes to getting proper nutrition, food is the primary tool we need to use.

Nevertheless, the world of supplements is big business because many people see them as a tool to help improve their health. In some case, they may be right. If you are at risk for diabetes, a little supplementation may help you fight back. (...)>

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Amazing Health Benefits from Brazil: Discover the Acai Berry

editor — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 17:15:30 +0000

Even the slightest hint that a product originates in the Amazon seems to guarantee that it it is the long-lost catalyst for miracle health. So it’s no surprise that acai berry (pronounced ah-sigh-ee) is often touted as the next great super food. After all, the acai berry fruit is grown on the acai palm deep in Brazil’s Amazon rain forest.

The fruit has a deep purple color to it and is about the size of a grape. The acai berries have a sharp taste that is reminiscent to a blend of chocolate and berries.

Even though only about ten percent of the acai berry is edible, it contains many nutrients. It’s proponents believe that it may be one of the most nutritious foods on earth. Acai berries are crammed full with amino acids, antioxidants, and important fatty acids. (...)>

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Herbal Remedies for Heartburn Relief: Using White Horehound

editor — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 15:30:30 +0000

Heartburn remedies abound on the internet. Did you know that there are many herbal remedies and supplements that can be used to treat heartburn?

One such little-known herbal heartburn remedy is called White Horehound. Used in ancient Egypt as a medication in the treatment of excess mucous and by Native Americans to treat different forms of pulmonary or lung diseases is now being looked at as potential ally in the war on heartburn.

It was banned by the FDA in 1989, because there was not enough evidence to prove that worked well for use in cough drops. Interestingly, it is still used in Europe and in many European herbal remedies. There have been few studies in America, regarding the use of white horehound for heartburn remedies.

In Germany, White horehound has been approved as a treatment for heartburn and lack of appetite. (...)>

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Tips for Fitness Safety: Don’t Start Any Exercise Until You Know This

editor — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 20:30:43 +0000

Why is it that we always want to go reach our fitness goals in a week — even when it took a lifetime to get out of shape?

If you’ve been living a sedentary lifestyle for a while, starting an exercise program too fast can spell disaster. You may get injured and decide you don’t want to get fit anymore. Your fitness goals would be over before they start!

When it comes to exercise, practice safety first. No matter what you do as far as physical activity, it is important to be safe. It’s OK to ease yourself into a new fitness routine, to start slow and build up as you increase in strength an understanding of how to exercise properly.

Are you ready to learn how to exercise safely? Use these fitness safety tips to make sure you are getting the most out of your workouts without risking injury. (...)>

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Treating Lung Cancer with Surgery

editor — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 16:30:30 +0000

There are many ways to treat lung cancer. Combination chemotherapy, surgical procedures, and radiation are all included in treatments of lung cancer. When these procedures are practiced along with early detection of lung cancer, the lung cancer can be cured and prevented from further occurrence. Your doctor will determine which is the best lung cancer treatment to use, based on the type of lung cancer that you have.

In most cases, lung cancer treatment is done by performing surgery. If the lung cancer can be removed efficiently, there is an enormous chance that the patient will live one year at the least. Also, there is a fifty percent or greater chance of five or more years of life span. The only difficult problem is discovering lung cancer before it progresses to where surgery is not possible.

Whether or not surgery can be performed is dependent on three things: (...)>

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What is Metabolic Syndrome? Know the Risk Factors

editor — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 22:30:43 +0000

You probably have heard about diabetes, but most likely haven’t heard the term metabolic syndrome. This is an important term to understand as it can be an indicator of potential diabetes risk.

We are all concerned about metabolism. It refers to the way that the body burns nutrients for fuel. The body uses sugars as its primary source of energy. Table sugar is not the type of sugar we are discussing here.

Carbohydrates that we eat are digested and broken down into glucose, a simple sugar. The glucose travels throughout the bloodstream waiting to be picked up by insulin and transported to the cells of the body for energy.

With metabolic syndrome, something goes wrong. (...)>

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Social phobia: Symptoms and Treatment of Social Anxiety Disorder

editor — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 18:30:30 +0000

Do you know anyone that becomes overwhelmingly anxious, and quite self-conscious and everyday in ordinary social settings? Do they seem as if they never become comfortable in any setting, no matter how hard you may try to make them feel comfortable?

Whether you realize it or not many people suffer from a condition known as social phobia or social anxiety disorder.

Social Anxiety Disorder

Social anxiety disorder causes an extreme and senseless fear of embarrassment or judgment in public. People who suffer from social anxiety disorder, feel very anxious about being in any type of a social situation whatsoever. They may appear as socially awkward or odd when out in public. Often, this individual may be afraid that they will be embarrassed or somehow look silly in front of other people. This fear may be exacerbated by a lack of experience in social situations or social skills overall.

As a consequence, this fear can build into a full-blown panic attack. (...)>

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Detoxing Your Body with Raw Food

editor — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 20:15:43 +0000

When you think of doing a detox or a cleanse, your immediate thought is probably along the lines of drinking some weird concoction to help rid your body of nasty toxins that have built up over the years. But, did you know you can also detoxify your body with raw food?

There are some common guidelines to follow when detoxing with raw food diet.

First of all, the day before you actually begin or sooner, start eliminating caffeine, alcohol, sugar and other stimulants, including non-detox specified herbal supplements. Begin taking calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, sodium, iron and sulfur. This will give you a head start on your detoxification.

You obviously need to pay special attention to what you eat when following a raw food diet to detox your body. Here are some gentle guidelines. (...)>

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Recognize and Prevent the Symptoms of Malaria

editor — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 15:30:30 +0000

Are you familiar with malaria and know what malaria symptoms are? Do you know how malaria is transmitted by mosquitoes? Let’s begin with how malaria is transmitted.

How Malaria is Transmitted

Mosquitoes that are infected with malaria spread the disease through biting.

When bitten by one of these mosquitoes, parasites with malaria flow into your bloodstream and begin to attack the cells of your liver. Once in the liver, the malarial parasite begins to multiply inside the cells of the liver, which then break open and allow many more parasites to invade the bloodstream and infect your red blood cells.

Then the process repeats itself: reproduction, infection, and so on. (...)>

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Every Minute Counts: How to Recognize the Signs of a Stroke

editor — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 17:00:30 +0000

Do you know how to recognize the symptoms of a stroke?

Would you be able to identify someone that is demonstrating stroke symptoms and requires immediate medical attention? Strokes deprive the victim’s brain of oxygen, so when a person is having a stroke time is of the essence! Yet, many people would not be able to quickly identify a stroke if it happened to someone they know.

Keep your friends and loved one’s safe by knowing how to recognize a stroke. Here are 7 common symptoms of stroke and how different types of stroke may present themselves. If you experience any of the following symptoms listed below, please seek medical attention immediately. (...)>

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The Brutal Truth: The 8 Causes of Obesity

editor — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 19:00:30 +0000

By now we’ve all heard that America is the most obese country in the world. Every news program and afternoon talk show has produced a segment on the growing obesity epidemic. But, are you clear on what obesity really means?

What is Obesity?

The simple definition is that obesity happens when a person has an access of total body fat in proportion to the muscle mass. Most commonly, an overweight person is considered to have obesity, when their weight is around 20% or greater of what should be their normal weight.

We have all heard of the body mass index or BMI. The BMI is the standard that many will use in determining just how obese someone is. Normally, a BMI of between 25 and 29.9 constitutes being overweight. Those of the BMI of over 30 are considered to be obese.

Unfortunately in today’s society, many people fall into the category of morbid obesity. This is when you have a BMI of 40 or greater or about 50-100% above normal weight recommendations. (...)>

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Recognizing Separation Anxiety Disorder in Children

editor — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 22:30:30 +0000

In order to be able to recognize separation anxiety disorder in children, it’s important to first understand the answer to the very basic question: What is separation anxiety?

Separation anxiety disorder is a problem that occurs when a child becomes quite nervous and fearful when they are away from home or find themselves separated from loved ones. Usually this involves a parent or caregiver of a child to whom they have become quite attached.

The age group that is most affected by separation anxiety is ages 8 to 14 months. However, in theses ages separation anxiety is considered quite normal. At this stage, children are often seen as being trouser huggers or clingy. They are afraid of new and unfamiliar places, and people.

When separation anxiety affects children who are more than 6 years old, lasts greater than four weeks, and is pervasive, then it may be considered to be a true disorder. (...)>

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Thai Massage Therapy: Soothing, Gentle Massage for Mind and Body Relief

editor — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 22:30:14 +0000

Massages run the gamut from soothing and gentle to rigorous and more intense. If you tend towards the former, a Thai massage might be the next type of massage therapy you try. It is easy on the body with amazing results.

The ancient basis of massages was for total body wellness. People visited doctors to have a massage performed for all types of illnesses. Some massages have their own individual techniques and others are a mixture of techniques to create a new massage style. Thai massage uses elements of yoga, shiatsu and acupressure to create this soothing therapy.

A Thai massage will provide not only pain relief but also mind relief. Like Ayurveda, the Thai method is a holistic system that includes the mind in with the body. A healthy body leads to a healthy mind and vice versa. A regular Thai massage promotes good health, improved circulation and flexibility as well as relief of neck, back and joint pain. the main purpose is to reopen energy paths in the body called meridians that may have been closed due to illness. (...)>

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Swedish Massage is a Classic Tradition in Massage Therapy

editor — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 17:00:14 +0000

Are you looking for a way to relax and melt away the stresses of the day? A Swedish massage can return you to your former self, pre-stress stage. It is a massage that works to soothe out the muscles through a variety of techniques.

A Swedish massage is the treatment most people get at the spa. Like you have probably guessed, it was developed in Sweden and adopted in the United States. It is a classic massage technique that uses kneading (like dough), rubbing with palms and fingertips, chopping motions and sometimes vibrations (bowls and balls) to relax the body and work out the tension. It is easy on the body and should not hurt at all. If you have problems with deep muscle pain a Swedish massage will be more beneficial as a maintenance massage after you have used another therapy to relax the muscles. (...)>

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