Having gas is no fun at all. You feel bloated, and it usually passes out of your system, which can be uncomfortable, not to mention embarrassing.

Gas sneaks into your digestive system in one of two ways: when you swallow air or through bacteria breaking down certain foods in the large intestine.

When it comes to gas and foods, you will find both good news and bad news. The bad news is you cannot cut out all gas-producing foods without seriously endangering your health, while the good news is that not all foods react the same way in everybody. You may have to experiment to see what foods give you that bloated, about-to-explode feeling.

And here is extra good news: you can virtually take the gassiness out of some notorious gas-causing foods.

Here’s what you need to know. Some foods produce more gas than others while they are being digested. These foods are not completely processed until they reach your colon –where they ferment. Consider these common culprits.

Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and other cruciferous vegetables
Beans, cucumbers, turnips, garlic, and onions
Carbonated drinks, coffee, and some fruit juices
Bananas, nuts, raisins

Wheat, com, potatoes, and noodles also contain gas-causing carbohydrates.

These are probably the best foods to test to see if they give you problems. Once you know which foods mean trouble, avoid them when you can. Instead of missing out on the most nutritious veggies and beans, try eating them with a product called Beano, which cuts down on gas.

Another way to get all the nourishing benefits of beans without any gassy side effects is to follow these steps:

Soak the dried beans for about four or five hours, then drain. Cover with fresh water and boil for 10 minutes. Simmer for 30 minutes. Drain and cover with more water. Simmer until the beans are tender, about one to two hours.

Although you can find remedies for gas after it starts, you’ll be even better off if you can prevent it from happening at all.

We all know what garlic is. For food lovers and cooking enthusiasts, garlic is an essential and flavorful ingredient in many recipes, making our meals appetizing and delicious. The garlic, however, is known for its distinctive aroma. But more than its, stinky smell, do you know that the garlic has many health benefits? Thus, it would be best not to allow its smell to deter you from taking advantage of the numerous wonders and benefits of eating garlic.

Here are some benefits that you shouldn’t be missing out on.

It helps in pregnancy care.

For pregnant women, studies have shown that garlic is most beneficial during pregnancy period. For one it will decrease the chances of pre-eclampsia which is a condition characterized by an increase in the blood pressure and excessive protein retained in one’s urine. Also, taking garlic will increase the weight of the baby in the womb.

It reduces cholesterol and lowers blood pressure.

Garlic reduces the harmful cholesterol in the body and is also capable of reducing blood pressure. This being the case you can also count on garlic to reduce the risks of heart attacks, strokes and other heart diseases.

It increases sexual stimulation.

Fortunately, garlic is not only good for the health; it is also said to be good with the romantic realm. Garlic is also believed to be a very effective aphrodisiac.

It reduces risks of cancer.

Since garlic contains anti-carcinogenic properties, it is also capable of reducing the risks of cancer. It prevents the formation of the cancerous compounds and hinders their development into tumors. Garlic also prevents the growth of existing tumors and can even reduce their existing sizes.

It is a natural antibiotic.

Garlic also prevent blood clotting and is a helpful tool in regulating the blood sugar. It is also known as a natural anti-biotic and has in its arsenal both anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties.

The right way of consuming garlic

In eating garlic, it is recommended that you mash it. Garlic actually contains the chemical allicin that is said to be capable of killing cancer cells. Allicin is only present in broken cloves of garlic, meaning that it only gets released when the garlic is crushed. Hence, when using garlic in your cooking, make sure that you use only the broken or crushed part so as to avail of the anti-carcinogenic properties of the garlic.

Furthermore, as anticeptic, the crushed garlic is also most effective, when added to a dish, any bacteria present is already killed even before the temperature does.

Also, make sure that you peel the garlic before cooking it since cooking it unpeeled will destroy its curative properties. Similarly, peeling, crushing and storing of garlic days before cooking it may be convenient but it will foreclose the use of the beneficial properties of allicin since such may only last a few hours from crushing since it will immediately react with the other elements of garlic as soon as it is crushed.

The cause of high blood pressure is difficult to determine with certainty. Thus, no hard and fast rules have been formulated to guarantee reduced risk of high blood pressure. However, it is reasonable to believe that a healthy diet and lifestyle prevents high blood pressure, and the following discussion will outline the basic rules which can be followed.

Visit your chiropractor

Because chiropractic care aims to see proper balance and restore all functions of the body through the influence of the nervous system, the first thing you have to do when you have a high blood pressure is therefore to visit your chiropractor and get a chiropractic adjustment. The significant effect of spinal adjustment in lowering high blood pressure has been proved by multiple studies is the past.

In fact, when you get a chiropractic treatment for your blood pressure, it provides the healing effect of two medications specifically for blood pressure given in combination. More importantly, it is non-invasive and drug-free, thus, you will feel no side effect at all – only a better health and overall wellness.

Increase physical activity

Regular aerobic activities are known to promote weight loss, which in turn reduces the risk for cardiovascular disease. The intensity of the exercises can be changed depending on the health condition of the person, but at least brisk walking or jogging is safe and recommended for most people. For those who have cardiac issues, however, a medical test and consultation is a must before starting on an exercise program.

Manage stress

Stress has been found to be the culprit in many medical conditions, including heart problems. Reducing or minimizing stress causes the heart rate to slow or lower down, thereby reducing the amount of oxygen that the body tissues need.

Lose weight

Weight loss has been observed to lower a person’s blood pressure, and most people who have high blood pressure are obese or overweight. There are a lot of ways to lose weight including regularly engaging in exercise, reducing fatty and high caloric foods, and even consuming diet pills and substances. However, proper caution should be observed with instant weight loss programs as not everything work safely. If something seems too good to be true, consult with your doctor first.

Eat a healthy diet

Too much of anything is harmful, and this is especially true in foods. At the same time, deficiency in vital vitamins or nutrients is also bad for the health. Thus, one should make sure that he gets just the right amount of nutrients that the body needs everyday.

The intake of sodium should be minimized. It is better to avoid adding salt on food, because salt causes fluid retention, which is not good for the body. If one cannot steer clear form salt, at least its intake must be limited to a maximum of 2,400 milligrams per day. This is roughly the amount of salt which can fit in one teaspoon.

Another group which must be avoided is processed foods. These contain a high level of sodium or salt, since these are necessary to preserve the food.

On the contrary, intake of dietary potassium should be increased, as potassium has been found to reduce blood pressure. One fruit that has high potassium content is banana. Note that high sodium intake can be offset by high potassium intake, although it is better to avoid sodium altogether.

Reduce or quit smoking and alcohol consumption

Both cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption not only affect blood pressure; they also increase one’s risk for cardiovascular diseases or disorders. So, before it becomes too late, avoid these substances that can impair your health and shorten your life.

These changes in lifestyle will surely lower down one’s blood pressure in a short period while at the same time making him a happier and healthier individual.

Too much dieting may lead to eating disorders that are unhealthy to the body. Know the various eating disorders that might lead to brain damage and death!

Ironically, even though eating disorders are among the most discussed issues nowadays, the number of women who suffer from these fatal conditions still continues to rise. In their attempts to follow society’s definition of beautiful, which often means having a stick-thin figure, women resort to various ways of achieving “the look” promoted by magazines, television, and movies.

While some adhere to healthy ways of slimming down, others turn to almost instantaneous, but extremely dangerous methods of shedding off pounds. We are all aware of the perils of unhealthy dieting, such as harm to internal organs, brain damage, and even death.

Below are three of the most common eating disorders that we ought to prevent. If a friend or a relative shows the following symptoms, you must act immediately and extend your help.

Anorexia Nervosa

An eating disorder characterized by excessive dieting, anorexia nervosa causes people to have a distorted image of themselves. Even if they are fit enough, they see themselves as chubby, fat, or overweight. Symptoms include extreme weight loss, cold hands and feet, constant exhaustion, weakness of the muscles, fainting, dizziness, and irregular menstrual period.

While people with this eating disorder surround themselves with food, they will avoid it as much as they can. They will think of any excuse to delay or avoid eating. When they do eat, they tend to cut food into very small pieces.

Because they see themselves as fat, they often wear oversized clothes. This is also to hide the effects of extreme dieting. They tend to weigh themselves daily and are usually people-pleasers, willing to help everyone else.

Those with anorexia nervosa usually deny having a problem, so it can be difficult to treat them. But once they receive proper counseling and nutritional training, they will be able to overcome this disorder. Please read my extended take on anorexia nervosa here.

Bulimia Nervosa

Bulimics are people who resort to excessive eating, and then purging. While vomiting is a common way of purging, they also get rid of weight gained by using enemas, diuretics, and laxatives. Symptoms include bingeing, eating secretively, weight fluctuations, constant bathroom visits after every meal, fatigue, weakness, and sore throat and tooth decay due to constant purging.

Compared to anorexics, bulimics are easier to treat because they do realize they have a problem. A relapse after treatment may happen, but with proper counseling and nutritional assessment it can be cured.

Compulsive Overeating

This eating disorder is characterized by a person who eats excessively for comfort, especially during stressful moments. Symptoms include bingeing, eating secretively, as well as starting and stopping various forms of diet.

Compulsive overeaters are also easy to treat because they know they have a problem. Like with other eating disorders, its cure constitutes proper counseling and nutritional guidance.

Is a friend or a family member suffering from anorexia nervosa? Learn how to cure this dangerous obsession by following these procedures.

Diagnosing anorexia nervosa is difficult, but it is even more difficult to treat one who has the dangerous psychological disorder. This is because people with anorexia believe that there is really nothing wrong with them. They are always in denial.

Since anorexia nervosa is a psychological disorder consisting of the person’s belief that everything would be perfect if he remains thin, in his mind there is nothing wrong in not eating properly. The treatment, therefore, would also come from the psychological arena.

It is easier to treat patients who are still in the early stages of anorexia. This means that he has been anorexic for less than six months and has only experienced a small amount of weight loss. In such cases the patient may be successfully treated at home, without the need to going to the hospital or clinic. The important thing to remember is that for successful treatment, the desire to change must spring from the patient himself, coupled with help and support from family and friends.

For people with more serious level of the disorder, a more powerful treatment is necessary. There might be a need to have them cared for in a hospital, particularly in a special unit for people with anorexia and bulimia. The person’s eating habits must be changed and he should be exposed to counseling for a period of a year or more.

Counseling is necessary to anorexia patients in order for them to work on changing the feelings underlying their irregular eating habits which can be anything under the sun. These feelings could be about their weight, family problems, or problems with self-esteem. Sometimes, if the need arises, their doctors may prescribe medicine which could help lessen their depression.

The most important contribution that family and friends can give to a person with anorexia is love. People with anorexia need to feel safe, secure, and comfortable with their illness. Thus, they must not be given cause for anxiety and must always be reminded of their self-worth, regardless of their body weight. Friends and family should keep these persons’ welfare in mind and avoid feeling sorry for them.

High blood pressure is condition where the blood flows through the arteries or blood vessels at a rate that is higher than what is considered normal pressures. Common causes of having a high blood pressure include stress, smoking, being obese or overweight, eating too much salt, consuming too much alcohol, lack of physical activity, old age, family history or genetics, sleep apnea, chronic kidney disease, thyroid disorders, and essential hypertension.

Diagnosing High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure diagnosis is done by using a sphygmomanometer. It is a device that is commonly called a blood pressure cuff. It is used by health care professional to check your blood pressure at least once every two years.

The process is very easy and painless. It involves wrapping the rubber cuff around your upper arm. Then it is pump up. The health care professional waits for the time he can release the air in the cuff. At the moment he released it, he can listen with a stethoscope. He should watch the watch the sphygmomanometer gauge so that he can determine systolic pressure and the diastolic pressure. The former is the pressure when the first sound of pulsing blood can be heard and the latter is the pressure when the last sound can be heard.

Every two years is the minimum requirement to check your blood pressure but if you are already have a high blood pressure, you should return once a month for follow-up and adjustment of medications. You should continue doing this until your blood pressure will be normal.

Because technology, you can even check your blood pressure at your home. Devices for home blood pressure monitoring are available at most pharmacies. But you should consult your health care professionals so that they can check if that device gives you the proper reading. It is more comfortable and inexpensive to use this device than to go to your health care professionals.

On the other side, the advantages when you so to your health care professional, he can add a physical examination that includes checking your retinas, abdomen, lungs and heart, feet, ankles and other parts of your body.

It is in the preference of the patient whether or not he will make his blood pressure diagnosis at home or at the health care professional’ office. What is important is you acquire the proper reading and prevent this illness.

Cure and Prevention

Since the causes of high blood pressure are well known and observable, it is also easy to understand how this condition can be treated and prevented in the future. Below are some ways on how to control high blood pressure:

Loss excess weight. This includes eating a well-balanced diet that is low in fat and cholesterol, and engaging in exercises and physical activities.

Avoid unhealthy lifestyle such as smoking, alcohol consumption, as well as easting too much salty food like junk and fast foods.

Reduce stress. Constant worrying and too much tension can increase blood pressure. The best thing to do then is to frequently take a break from stressful and busy situations, relax, and have fun.

The Role of Chiropractic Care in Lowering Blood Pressure

The basic philosophy of chiropractic care says that the body naturally seeks proper balance in order for all the systems and parts to function well together. Additionally, it believes that proper function of all body parts can be achieved with proper structure. If a particular structure is impaired or stressed, then the function may be greatly affected.

Having high blood pressure means there is no proper balance among certain parts of the body, particularly the circulatory system. Thus, theoretically, chiropractic care can be used to improve this condition. To prove this, a study was conducted at The University of Chicago Hypertension Center involving two patients with high blood pressure who underwent chiropractic adjustments. Results showed that their blood pressure was reduced similar to taking two blood-pressure medications.

In another study, all 25 patients with early-stage high blood pressure had considerably lower blood pressure after undergoing chiropractic adjustments. These results only prove that chiropractic care indeed plays a vital role in lowering blood pressure.

Do you constantly feel that you are overweight when you are not? Have you always had health, body, and self-image issues? Be careful because you might be suffering from anorexia nervosa!

What is Anorexia Nervosa?

Along with bulimia, anorexia nervosa is one of the most common psychological disorders in the United States today. Many young females, ranging from age 10-25 are commonly hospitalized and treated for this disease. Anorexia nervosa is an illness in which a person refuses to eat, and exercises vigorously, in order not to get fat. Anorexics suffer from a distorted view of body image, and commonly think that he or she is too fat, and must “diet” in order to get thinner.

Paradoxically though, anorexics often have a preoccupation with food, and may know a lot of facts about food and cooking. Some anorexics even love preparing food for their families and loved ones, though they rarely touch the food themselves. They even have rituals in eating that discourage them to eat properly. Some have awkward eating positions, put too many condiments on their food, and drink water to fill them up. Another important behavioral characteristic of anorexics is they spend inordinate amounts of time in looking at themselves, and commenting at their “fat” bodies. They engage in so much exercise; in fact, they dedicate a lot of time in exercising, that they engage in very strenuous movements.

Its Effects on Health

Anorexics face a host of related health conditions in relation to their illness. They typically grow lanugo, or soft downy hair in their skin, in response to their much lower consumption of food. Lanugo preserves body heat, and energy. Anorexics also become emaciated, and may suffer from malnutrition as a result. Often, anorexics are also bulimics, complicating their treatment. Together with bulimia, these illnesses are the leading causes of death due to a mental disorder.

Treatment for Anorexia Nervosa

Treatment for anorexics is varied. Normally, they are subjected to a continuous re-feeding program, in order to provide them with necessary nutrients, and not shock their bodies accustomed to consuming so little food. They are also given anti-depressants, and are subjected to therapy to unearth the causes of their illness. For family and friends, it is essential to engender an atmosphere of affirmation and compassion for anorexics, in order for them to recover. More on that in my article.

Cancer survivors go through many things, even after they have successfully gone through treatment. Their fight against the disease does not end in treatment, for there is the further hurdle of getting track. A common problem among cancer survivors are the whole new set of concerns arising from the disease. These issues could include fear of recurrence of the disease, changes in his body image, those related to his sexuality and spirituality, and financial concerns. Furthermore, some survivors might have more emotional issues like the feeling of guilt in the idea that they have survived cancer have not.

It is thus important for a cancer survivor to know how to cope with these survivorship issues. It is equally important for his friends and family to know ways of dealing with these issues because they are the ones who could do great help in the survivor’s effort to sort these issues out. They must remember that cancer survivors should not be left alone in these times of crisis because their emotional support is especially needed in these moments.

Friends and family should make themselves available especially when the cancer survivor is in a mood to vice out his concerns. Many things might be running along his mind, and his tendency is towards keeping his worries to himself. Thus, where he is already finding someone to talk to, it is better if his confidante would be supportive and willing to listen.

The most common concern of cancer survivors is fear – fear of the recurrence of cancer and fear of what he does not know. The answer to this problem is simple – knowledge. These fears can be addressed by talking to the patient’s doctor and getting enough information which will arm him and his family and friends with the appropriate steps to take in certain critical instances. This knowledge will significantly reduce the fear in the survivor.

Survivors also worry about their physical appearances, which most probably have changed as a result of the cancer or its treatment. These changes might be drastic, and the survivor might find them hard to accept. In these cases, friends and family should do their best to help the survivor understand and accept his new appearance as the new him. For this purpose, they may hire a therapist or find another cancer survivor or a loved one to help him adapt to these drastic changes.

Surviving cancer treatment is hard enough. Surviving survivorship issues might be harder. Fortunately, unlike the former, the latter ordeal can be endured with the help of the survivor’s loved ones.

Feeling burnt out with work? Maybe, it’s time to relax! Here are a few effective tips on how you can cope with the stress that work brings you everyday!

 

Is your monster of a boss pestering you again with impossible requests and deadlines? Are your clients expecting too much that you sometimes feel you can no longer satisfy their wants? Are you losing patience with team mate who is unable to deliver his part of the job? Is there too much on your plate that you feel like you’re going to break down any minute?

 

If you answered yes to these questions, you definitely are stressed out.

 

Stress at work is normal. You have to understand that it’s simply part of the job. All employees sometimes feel that work is too much. While you can’t get rid of stress completely, you can live with it.

 

Reward yourself.

 

One way to cope is by rewarding yourself for a job well done. Did you accomplish all your tasks for the day? Treat yourself to a yummy dinner. Watch that movie you’ve been dying to see. Buy that new bag or shoes. Or reward yourself with a massage. You will definitely feel better knowing that you have something to look forward to after a tough day at work.

 

Take a break.

 

If work is burning you out, take your mind off it from time to time. Rather than staring at your computer monitor wondering how to finish that essay, that report, or financial statement, take a quick break. Do some stretching exercises. Fix yourself a cup of coffee. After relaxing for a minute or two, you will be able to look at your work with fresh eyes, and thus, will achieve better results.

 

Learn task and time management.

 

Learn to prioritize. While there may be 77 tasks piled up on your desk, remember that you are not Superman to finish them all at once. List down all the tasks that you have to accomplish and identify the level of importance or urgency of each. After that, you’ll have a smoother work flow. While multitasking is today’s buzz word, you really can focus on only one job at a time.

 

Communicate.

 

If there are “dementors” (read: people who suck the energy out of you) at work, talk to them. As much as possible, discuss what you feel. You have to find a way to deal with them properly. Otherwise, they will affect your performance.

 

Shrug off the pain.

 

Too much stress at work can sometimes cause pain, not just physically, but mentally and emotionally, too. When you are sitting in front of the computer, for example, you are at a high risk of developing back and neck pain. Too much keyboard and mouse clicks, on the other hand, can bring carpal tunnel syndrome. Make sure to prevent body pain and mind stress by taking time to relax and unwind. Get a massage. Visit your chiropractor. Or simply go out for a quick vacation. You’ll be surprised of the outcome.

 

Don’t keep complaining about your boss. After all, he’s still the boss. Remember that it’s his job to do whatever he’s doing, and that you were hired to do whatever you are doing. Or better yet, just keep on doing what you are expected of you, and who knows, sooner or later, you’ll be the boss, as well.