Is ADHD a Discipline Issue?

The whole subject of ADHD is not short on controversy - some people insist that ADHD is a "manufactured disorder" intended as a ploy to sell more Ritalin; others point out that ADHD is a real disorder with discernable brain wave activity that is correlative to symptoms. Amid all the discussion is the quiet voice that questions the disciplinary practices of some parents with ADHD-positive children.

The "Manufactured Disorder" Approach

There are some who believe that ADHD is not a "real" disorder, and that it's a manufactured label that was pushed by the pharmaceutical industry to make money. There are those in the medical profession who believe that ADHD is not a true disorder as well, or that it is a condition brought about largely by environment (home and school), and/or unrealistic expectations of children.

Those who believe that ADHD is not "real" point out the potentially harmful and even fatal side effects of Ritalin, the most commonly prescribed drug for this disorder.

Proponents of this "manufactured disorder" approach point to the fact that children with ADHD suddenly "develop" symptoms when they start school. They maintain that this could indicate the presence of a code of behavior that the child can't live up to, and is therefore diagnosed with ADHD.

Those who believe ADHD is manufactured also lament the fact that medication is given to children with ADHD symptoms while the child's home environment and his/her parents' parenting style are not taken into consideration. Some doctors who disbelieve the reality of ADHD maintain that it's not overdiagnosed or misdiagnosed; they claim it simply does not exist at all.

The "Real Disorder" Approach

Other medical professionals claim adamantly that ADHD is a true disorder, a chemical imbalance and true malfunction of the brain. Those in this camp do not necessarily focus on Ritalin, but instead tend to take a balanced treatment approach, not necessarily shunning medication, but advocating combining it with other forms of therapy to bring about symptom relief.

Because ADHD is a brain disorder, say proponents of the "real disorder" approach, it's easy to label it as a character defect or the result of poor discipline. They liken this to the frustrations that people with depression undergo as friends, family, and colleagues try to "cheer them up" only to be met with no success.

Those who claim ADHD is a true disorder point out that many kids with symptoms do not exhibit them only at school, but to some degree in all situations. It defines their approach to life.

The Role of Discipline

There are helpful tips for parents as to how best to discipline their ADHD child. But experts note that lack of discipline is probably not implicated in causing ADHD, although some people will insist that more or harsher punishment will "solve" the problem. It may instead be an issue of ineffective discipline - ADHD kids often need specific disciplinary techniques to thrive.

Active Nutrition for an Active Lifestyle

It’s important to eat right at all times. But when you live an active lifestyle you have got to be sure you’re fueling your body right in order to keep up and not get run down and even get sick. If you don’t have the proper nutrients and end up running around like crazy, then you are more likely to have faster crashes and burns and even to end up catching colds and other illnesses much easier. So here’s how to eat to fuel your body so you can keep up with everything you want to do.


Healthy Nutrition for an Active Lifestyle

* Antioxidants - Fruits and vegetables are a great source of antioxidants. What this does for your body is protect it from damage due to free radicals which will cause you to age faster and break down the cells in the body. Lots of colorful fruits and vegetables will help to neutralize the effects of free radicals on your body. So fill up your plate, or at least half of it, with these foods.

* Vitamins and Minerals - Whole grains, low fat dairy, lean meats, and fruits and vegetables all provide the vitamins and minerals needed for energy to fuel an active lifestyle. Our bodies aren’t very efficient at producing the vitamins and minerals needed to function properly, so we have to choose the right foods with the right amounts of vitamins and minerals.

* Portion Control - Instead of eating three large meals a day, eat smaller, healthy, well-balanced meals throughout the day. Eating six to eight smaller meals a day instead of three large meals will keep you energized throughout the day so you can maintain your active lifestyle. It will keep your energy up and metabolism high.

* Healthy Fats - You cannot avoid fat. Most foods contain fat and your body is in need of fat. But you need to choose healthy fats, not empty calories. Eating fats with key fatty acids like omega-3 and omega-6 will provide you with good heart health and will lubricate your joints. A great healthy fat to eat would be nuts like walnuts.

* Eat before Exercise - Don’t follow the old adage of waiting 30 minutes before you can swim. Eating prior to exercise will fuel that workout. But be smart about what you eat. You don’t want a big heavy four-course meal; it should be sensible. This way you aren’t hungry in the middle of your workout.

* Stay Hydrated - Remember to drink water throughout the day. An important part of nutrition is to remain hydrated, no matter what kind of lifestyle you live.

What you put into your body – your food and drink – is going to have a huge impact on how you perform throughout the day. So choose the right diet, but then fine-tune how you eat throughout the day based on how you perform. Be open to making changes and space out your eating schedule differently. Doing this will improve your performance, and will help you maintain your active lifestyle and remain in good health while doing it.

Home Remedies For Mosquito Bites

The best home remedies for mosquito bites, of course, are those that stop the little critters biting in the first place. But if it is too late for that, there are still a few things that you can try.

A mosquito bite is not like the sting of a wasp or bee which is an injection of poison. Mosquitoes just want a little taste of your blood. But to stop it coagulating so that they can easily drink it, they also deposit a protein which causes an allergic reaction in some people.

It seems that some people get bitten constantly and others never have a single itch, but this is probably nothing to do with whether the insects like you. The truth is that some people do not get allergic and so they do not know they have been bitten.

If you ask a hundred bite-scratching people what they recommend, you may get a hundred different answers. 

Here are some of the most popular ideas.

Ice: apply an ice cube to reduce the inflammation and temporarily numb the area. Ice also restricts blood flow which may reduce the allergic reaction. The bite will probably itch again later, but maybe by then you will be busy doing something else and will not notice.

Roll-on anti perspirant: most commercial anti perspirants contain vasoconstrictive substances which, like ice, restrict blood flow to the area. Additionally, the aluminum in the anti perspirant may help the bite to heal. Do not use if the bite has been heavily scratched.

Fingernails: press down on the bite with a fingernail so that the nail digs in and leaves a mark. Then do the same thing at another angle to form a cross. This should temporarily stop the itching.

Toothpaste: some people recommend smearing toothpaste over the bite. The fluoride is said to reduce the allergic reaction. If desperate, why not give it a try!

Scratching: it has been shown that if you go so far as to open up the bite and make it bleed, some of the allergen may be forced out by the blood flow. However, the bite may become infected, so doing this deliberately is not recommended. If it happens by accident, apply antiseptic.

The good news is that the itching from bites will only last between 24 and 48 hours. Then, cover yourself in insect repellent or keep those mosquitoes out with netting to stop yourself being bitten next time.

You can also look for an anti itch cream that contains camphor, and keep it with you whenever you risk being bitten. Camphor can stop the itching and if applied early enough, it may even prevent the itchy bump from forming. This makes camphor one of the best home remedies for mosquito bites, but you have to buy some ahead of time.

Universal Trends

It seems like there's never a week that passes when there is not another exercise program being offered that will deliver all the benefits that so many people are searching for. In addition to this, most of these exercise programs focus on the fact that they are simple and inexpensive to apply and the results are fast and easy to achieve.

More often than not they involve the purchase of some recently invented piece of exercise equipment that is supposed to do everything for the new owner.

Unfortunately they usually under deliver and the buyer is left wondering why they wasted their time and money on something that did little for their life.

What many people don't seem to understand is the easiest way to make improvements to their body, with the added benefit of improvements to their mind at the same time is through the use of yoga.

That situation is changing however as people the world over begin to understand the importance of including yoga or many aspects of yoga into their lifestyle.

People follow trends and fortunately in this case yoga has become very trendy recently. It has always had a huge following the world over however, when anything becomes trendy there is a big surge of publicity and people tend to get 'on the bandwagon'

What has happened with yoga is people have been adopting this into their life and the benefits they are seeing are often rapid and considerable. This positive effect that people are seeing encourages them to continue with the exercises and so the benefits continue leading people to adopt yoga as an important part of their lifestyle.

When their friends and families see the changes in them it leads more people to try yoga and this is the reason why the trend for more and more people to use yoga continues to grow universally.

Top Allergy Advice Straight From The Experts

Every spring, millions of people suffer from sneezing, coughing, and other respiratory problems, thanks to allergy season. Their noses become stuffy and they have sinus pressure, all thanks to particles in the air. If you are one of these people, then you will probably benefit greatly from the following allergy tips.

Limit the amount of throw rugs you have around your home. They can gather dust, dirt, pollen, pet dander, and other allergens. If you do have throw rugs around the home, make sure they are washable. You can do this every week when you are cleaning your home.

With so many allergens in the air, it can be hard to pinpoint the most likely culprit for your allergic symptoms. Most people just assume that pollen is to blame. Actually, it could be anything from lawn fertilizer, to local wildlife, and native plants. In these cases, it is easy to become discouraged when one experiences an allergic reaction even during days with a low pollen count. An allergy test can help you to get to the bottom of your symptoms.

Getting rid of carpeting in your home can help your allergies because carpeting often traps a lot of allergens. Check under your carpeting and you may find that you have beautiful hard wood floors hiding underneath. You may like the look better and it will be better for your health and your family's health.

Most people who are allergic to animal dander assume that dogs, and cats are the only pets that can cause problems in the home. With the exception of fish, reptiles, and amphibians, dander is universal among popular household critters. Ferrets, hamsters, mice, and birds are as likely to trigger an allergic reaction. Keep this in mind as you shop for your next pet.

When looking at your local weather forecast, if you see that pollen is going to be high, take your allergy medication in advance. Why wait until pollen gets too bad to take your medication? Instead, take it in advance, so that you do not have to suffer when going outdoors for the day.

As stated before in this article, allergy seasons affects the respiratory systems of millions around the country, causing them a great deal of stress and frustration as they deal with their symptoms. You don't have to deal with this, as you can use the tips from this article to stop allergy season, dead in its tracks.

Try These Simple Steps To Control Your Acne

If one has struggled with their acne for a long period of time then they know how frustrating it can be to get rid of a blemish only to have another one spring up somewhere else on their body. By learning about the causes of acne and the tips in this article one can help themselves.

Did you know that acne can be caused by allergies? Allergies are a natural reaction that your immune system uses to fight off something that is trying to work it's way to inside your body. The problem is, your body can sometimes end up fighting things it just doesn't need to, because it was incorrectly programmed to do so. An allergy specialist can help by testing to find what allergies you do have. It could be something simple, such as dairy, or it could be more complex such as the paraffin wax in your hairspray. If your allergies are bad enough, an allergist can even give you shots that help to reprogram you body so that it no longer fights the things it doesn't need to fight.

Curing acne is easily accomplished by using a topical benzoyl peroxide solution found at your local drugstore. Benzoyl peroxide essentially uses a mild bleach-like chemical to reduce redness and in addition reduces the oil clogging your pores. It is completely safe, though it may dry out your skin, in which case you should ration the amount of benzoyl peroxide you use on a daily basis.

Egg whites can be a great cheap replacement for acne treatment. You can use raw egg white as a mask to cleanse your entire face, or use just a dab to reduce swelling and redness on a single blemish. Be sure to use a regular cleanser first, to remove oils and dirt.

To prevent redness caused by acne, you shouldn't use a facial mask more than once a week. While masks are very good for your skin, you don't want to overdo it. They can actually cause more harm than good if used too much. They will dry out your skin and your body will produce more oils, causing breakouts.

If you suffer from acne and the medications from your dermatologist don't seem to be enough, then consider that the causes could actually be mental. Acne is sometimes repressed childhood traumas that are surfacing from within the body through the skin. The stresses could even be recent. Ask yourself if there is something unresolved in your mind or causing you unhappiness.

If you suffer from unsightly blackheads and large pores, switch from bar soaps to a more gentle, water-soluble liquid cleanser. Many of the fillers used in bar soaps cause skin cells to flake off prematurely; the skin cells then accumulate and clog the pores. Choose a cleanser that does not leave a greasy residue on the skin, as this may make the problem worse.

One's long and arduous struggle against acne can now come to an end once they have learned from the tips they have just read. They can now go on and apply this knowledge to fight the acne that they already may have and prevent any future acne from developing on them.

Transform Your Juices From Ordinary To Extraordinary

Personal health is something that has always been extremely important to you. You are always looking for new ways to improve yourself and live a healthier life. Use the information in this article to give yourself a good background on juicing and see if it is a good option for you.

Skip juicing fruits with low moisture contents. Fruits such as bananas and avocado, while tasty and healthy, are very dense and do not contain much water. Not only will they not produce much juice, they can clog up your juicing machine. To include these healthy fruits in your juice, blend them in a blender, and then add the rest of your juiced fruits.

If you must use non-organic fruits and vegetables in your juicing, peel it. It is not safe to ingest the skin even if you clean it well. Heavy metals and other dangerous things can permeate the skin, meaning cleaning won't actually remove it. The skin of fruit and vegetables is very good for you, so you are much better off buying organic and including its skin in your juices.

To gain the most benefits from making your own juice at home, make it a habit. Consume juice daily by replacing a daily snack with fruit and vegetable juice. Make sure you drink your juice no later than 20 minutes after you make it for the best health benefits.

Research the nutrients you need to be taking in to choose which vegetables, fruit, and plants you should be consuming. You don't have to have every single one every single day, instead spread your nutrient consumption out over a week. For example, if you need beta carotene you can have carrots every other day.

While you get the best health benefits from consuming your juice immediately, if you have to store juice you can take steps to preserve its nutrients. Airtight containers will protect the nutritional value of your fresh juice, and you can further boost its shelf life by adding a drop or two of lemon juice before storing it.

When you're juicing, don't try to remove every bit of pulp from your juice. Pulp adds fiber, vitamins, and minerals to your diet. Leaving some in your juice also adds to the flavor and texture of what you are drinking. You can always add a little water if the pulp is too much.

Clean your juicer immediately after use every time. When you are choosing your juicer, it is very helpful to pick one which can be easily disassembled, cleaned, and reassembled. If cleanup is too long or difficult, you will find yourself using your juicer less and less often. Also, since fruit juice spoils quickly, fruit juice and residue left in your machine can quickly grow molds and bacteria contaminating your machine.

In conclusion, you want to be sure that you are doing all that you can to live a happy and healthy life. There are many ways of doing this and one such way is through making your own homemade juice. Hopefully the advice in this article will get you started.

12 Foods You Should Never Eat for Breakfast

We’ve all heard it before. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. This meal will set the tone for the rest of your day, so you want to do it right. Would you be surprised to hear that you have most likely been doing it wrong all along?

That’s right - the types of food you most likely think of when you think of breakfast are probably the last things you want to eat for breakfast. You need food rich in vitamins to get your day started right, not food that is going to weigh you down.

Sure, you’re starving in the morning. It’s natural to want to go for that quick refill, but while this food might fill you up, it most certainly does not charge you and get you ready to take on the day. So here are twelve foods you’ll want to think twice about when you wake up in the morning.

Twelve Foods Not to Eat for Breakfast

1. Pancakes, waffles, and French toast - Say it ain’t so. Who doesn’t love a big, syrupy pancake breakfast in the morning? Your body, that’s who. Pancakes, waffles, and French toast are not good to have first thing in the morning. All of those carbs and sugar are not the way you want to get your day going.

2. Pastries - Donuts, Danishes and other pastries are not your best friend in the morning. Lots of sugar but little fiber makes for a rapid rise in blood sugar. This is not the way you want to start your day because it won’t be long before you have a sugar crash.

3. Bagels - What, now we can’t even have a bagel and a schmear in the morning? What is this world coming to? Like the other pastries, bagels will give you that great big high, but a very quick low. Before long you’ll be hungry for more, but you’ll also be bloated and possibly even constipated. So just skip the bagel.

4. Breakfast smoothies - Okay, not all breakfast smoothies are created equal. There are some that are a good choice, but you want to stay away from processed ingredients. Breakfast smoothies created with fruit juices, ice cream, chocolate syrups and powders, agave nectar, protein powders, or non-organic peanut butter are not doing you any favors. You need a breakfast smoothie that is going to be rich in nutrients with ingredients like fresh fruits and vegetables, chia seeds, and coconut milk.

5. Boxed cereals - And we always thought that if you ate your Wheaties every morning you would become an Olympic athlete. The problem with most boxed cereals is they are loaded with sugar and artificial flavoring. Cereals like Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Fruit Loops, Lucky Charms, and Honey Nut Cheerios have lots of ingredients listed that just aren’t good for you. If you stick with the organic cereals and ones with a few ingredients (without sugar at the top of the list), then you’re fine.

6. Bacon and Eggs, or Sausage and Eggs - This protein-filled breakfast has been a go-to for people for many years. But it is high in saturated fat, cholesterol, and animal protein, which do nothing good for your digestive system. It will just leave you feeling slow and moody in the morning, which is not how you want to start your day.

7. Muffins - AKA mini cakes. Usually packed with artificial sweeteners and processed ingredients, these yummy foods will cause a spike in your blood sugar like many of its other pastry-like counterparts. If you can’t do without your muffin then make your own out of gluten free flour, and use applesauce instead of oil and bananas to sweeten them.

8. Granola bars - Another food that unless you make it yourself you probably want to avoid. Store-bought granola bars might seem healthy, but they are often filled with fats and unhealthy sugars.

9. Yogurt - The dairy in yogurt is not a good way to start your day. It triggers the release of mucus from your body which can result in a phlegmy cough and runny nose. This is another example of a time when making your own is best. Making a yogurt out of coconut or almond milk will be a much better alternative.

10. Breakfast sandwiches - This goes back to the protein-packed bacon and eggs. Same idea here. They don’t have fiber and nutrients, and are very high in fat, sodium, and sugar.

11. Toast - There just are not enough nutrients to make this a good breakfast food and way to start your day. If you truly cannot do without toast, then opt for a gluten free option for your bread.

12. Instant Oatmeal - This highly processed version of oatmeal is packed with added sugar and flavoring and almost no fiber to get your day started right. Opt for rolled oats or steel cut oats the next time you want oatmeal for breakfast.

Stay away from these breakfast options in the morning and you are sure to have a much brighter start to your day every morning.

Boost Your Immune System - 8 Ways to Strengthen Immune System

Sixty five years ago medical scientists promised us that infections caused by bacteria and others would be a thing of the past due to the new discovery of patented pharmaceutical drugs. This very brave statement was made and almost automatically more than half of the herbs recommended in the U.S. Pharmacopoeia were taken off to be replaced with these chemical drugs. I wish I could tell you that the promised was kept and that now we live in an infection free world, but this is not so. We are all familiar with the enormous amounts and resistance of bacteria. Antibiotics have not live up to their promised; to the contrary they have become a problem in itself, by over use and side effects that cause liver, kidney, nervous and immune system damage.

Modern conventional medicine battles diseases directly by means of drugs, surgery, radiation and other therapies, but true health can be attained only by maintaining a healthy properly functioning immune system and using home remedies can definitely help to strengthen the ability to fight diseases.

It is the immune system that fights off disease-causing microorganisms and it engineers the healing process. The immune system is the key to fighting every kind of insult to the body, from that little shaving scratch to the gigantic amount of viruses the constantly try to invade our bodies. Even the aging process may be related to a deteriorated immune system.

Weakening of the immune system makes us vulnerable to every type of illness that affects humans. Some common signs of impaired immune functions include fatigue, lassitude, repeated infections, inflammation, allergic reactions, slow wound healing, chronic diarrhea and infections related to overgrowth of benign organisms already present in the body, such as oral thrush, vaginal yeast infections and other fungal infections. It is calculated that a normal adult gets an average of two colds per year. People suffering from colds more than the average are likely to have some sort of immune deficiency. Dark circles could be directly related to an immune system malfunction.

Explaining what the immune system is the hard part. The immune system it is not an organ but an interaction between many organs, structures and substances with the task of recognizing or differencing from things that belong and those that don't belong to the body, and then neutralizing or destroying the ones that are foreign.

The immune system is like no other bodily system, the patrolling and protecting tasks of the immune system are share by white cells, bone marrow, the lymphatic vessels and organs, specialized cells found and various body tissues, and specialized substances, called serum factors, that are present in the blood. Ideally, all of these components work together to protects the body against diseases.

To boost and protect your immune system I recommend a list of herbs, vitamins, supplements and special home remedies recipes that have shown remarkable results throughout the years.

Home Remedies to strengthen the immune system.

Home Remedy #1: Astragalus boosts the immune system and generates anticancer cells in the body. It is also a powerful antioxidant and protects the liver from toxins. This makes this plant ideal for people suffering from dark circles due to liver problems and depressed immune system. IMPORTANT: Do not take this herb if fever is present.

Home Remedy #2: Baybarry has antibiotic effects for sore throat, coughs, clods and flu.

Home Remedy #3: Garlic is effective against at least 30 types of bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi. It has anti-inflammatory and astringent properties.

Home Remedy #4: Echinacea boosts the immune system and enhances lymphatic function.

Home Remedy #5: Goldenseal strengthens the immune system, cleanses and detoxifies the body. It has anti bacteria properties.

Home Remedy #6: In a small town called Chirchik, Russia, a flu epidemic swept the town. When many adults and children did not get sick scientists wanted to know why they were immune to the disease. It turns out that all of them used the berries from an herb called Shizandra.

Home Remedy #7: Include in the diet chlorella, garlic and pearl barley. These foods contain germanium, a trace element beneficial for the immune system. Also giant red kelp contains iodine, calcium, iron, carotene, protein, riboflavin and vitamin C, which are necessary for the immune system's functional integrity.

Home Remedy #8: Vitamin C may be the single most important nutrient for the immune system. It is essential for the formation of adrenal hormones and the production of lymphocytes. It also has direct effect on bacteria and viruses. Vitamin C should be taken with bioflavonoids, natural plant substances that enhance absorption and reinforce the action of this vitamin.

Charles Silverman N.D., a Naturalist and Herbalist since 1979, is the author of the Home Made Medicine e-book and the http://www.HomeMadeMedicine.com Web site. Charles lives in Miami, FL and has dedicated a major part of his life to teach people how to prepare their own natural remedies and natural products to treat virtually any disease. He has traveled around the world from Canada, Germany, France, and India to the mountains of Peru and Argentina (South America) researching and studying the different domestic species of herbs and plants. Now you he wants you to have all of his secretes and knowledge in his amazing e-book and Newsletter. Sing up now for a free report and learn how to treat three of the most common illnesses naturally and without chemical drugs: Subscribe Now

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Herbal Sleeping Remedies

If you have difficulty falling asleep, then herbal sleep aids may be the answer to your problems. After all, these natural sleeping remedies can help you fall asleep quickly and won't cause dependence like most sleeping pills do. There are sleep remedies that will help you to get to sleep and there are remedies that can save you from waking up in the wee hours of the morning.

Listed below are some common herbal sleep aids that are considered as the best natural sleeping remedies. You can find these sleep aids both online and in prescription form.

1. Kava kava (Piper methysticum). This is an herbal cure for insomnia, popular among people living in North America. Kava kava helps initiate sleep by inducing a calm and relaxing feeling. This herb is often prescribed for patients with insomnia and chronic fatigue syndrome. Although kava kava is considered an effective herbal sleep aid, long-term use may result in liver problems.

2. Chamomile (Matricaria recutica). This herbal remedy has been used for centuries and is probably the most used and safest sleeping aid in the world, for both adults and children. Chamomile is often brewed as tea. Aside from helping you sleep, this herbal sleeping aid also promotes digestion and has such a mild effect that it doesn't cause any dependency.

3. Hops (Humulus lupulus). This herbal sleep aid is a traditional ingredient for beer. Hops has a calming effect that relieves nervousness and pain and promotes a higher mood level. The effects are comparable to other herbal sleeping aids and it can be used in tincture form or as an herbal tea.

4. California poppy (Eschscholzia californica). This herb is a popular supplement for promoting regular sleep. However, California poppy not only promotes sleep but it is used as effective anti-anxiety medication as well. It also helps people who are depressed and listless. This herb is prescribed to both adults and children to treat insomnia.

5. Passion flower (Passiflora incarnata). This herbal remedy has always been used for its sedative and calming effect. Passion flower is a common ingredient in most sleeping aids to help induce sleep without causing dependence.

The effectiveness of Passion flower comes from its harmine content, an ingredient of this natural sleeping remedy that can inhibit serotonin breakdown and ultimately induces relaxation and sleep. Passion flower is available in capsule from, in tinctures and tea.

6. Valerian (Valeriana officinalis). This is a widely accepted herbal remedy that induces relaxation and sleep. This herb is very effective in the treatment of insomnia and it doesn't cause dependence. Valerian should not be used for more than 3 months, as it may cause side effects such as indigestion, palpitation and headaches.

Using herbal sleep aids with other medication

If you would like to work on your sleeplessness or insomnia, it is best to ask your doctor before you do. Never use over the counter medications unless prescribed by your doctor. If you are currently taking any medications, it is best to ask for any adverse reaction of herbs before using them as supplements. Do your own research online to know adequate dosage and any adverse effects when combined with other drugs.

What if you just can't get to sleep? I know how hard it can be to lie in bed just tossing and turning before you finally get to sleep at 6 A.M., but if you want to fall asleep the second your head touches the pillow you'll just need to learn a few easy methods that work amazingly well. These techniques are simple to pick up and most methods don't take much practice. You can read how to do it here: How to fall asleep instantly

Don't give up hope, it's NOT impossible. Learn more about how long to go without sleep and how to overcome your sleeping problems by clicking the link.

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How Following the Chronic Kidney Failure Diet Benefit You!

Patients who have chronic renal failure may be familiar with the chronic kidney failure diet. This diet has become so popular nowadays due to the increasing cases of people with chronic renal failure. This diet for kidney failure when followed can help reduce the progression of your kidney disease.

Chronic renal failure is a result of progressive, irreversible loss of kidney function. It is generally a disease that slowly develops over months and years depending on the insult done to the kidneys and the extent of damage.

CRF has many causes including glumerolunephritis, nephrosclerosis, obstructive kidney diseases such as kidney stones and birth defects, diabetes mellitus and systemic lupus erythematosus, and most recently discovered illicit drugs and excessive analgesic use.

Regardless of the cause, the result will be the same: retention of nitrogenous wastes, fluid imbalances, electrolyte deficiencies and more. All of which affect multiple body systems.

It is vital to prevent progression of any kidney disease to chronic renal failure as this would eventually lead to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). This is the stage where most Americans with kidney disease fear most.

The chronic kidney failure diet depends on the patients, treatment method, medical condition and nutritional status of the patient. The following should guide you about your specific regimen.

Dietary intervention is necessary with deterioration of renal function and includes careful regulation of your protein intake, fluid intake to balance fluid losses, sodium intake to balance sodium losses and some restriction of potassium. At the same time, adequate caloric intake and vitamin supplementation must be ensured.

The allowed protein intake that you consume must be of high biologic value (dairy products, eggs, meats). High biologic value proteins means those that are complete proteins and supply the essential amino acids necessary for growth and cell repair. There are many kidney disease diet out there that can also help you identify foods which are of high biologic value.

Usually, the fluid allowance is around 500 mL more than the previous day’s 24- hour urine output. Calories are supplied by carbohydrates and fat to prevent wasting. Vitamin supplementation is necessary because a protein-restricted diet does not provide the necessary complement of vitamins. Additionally, the patient on dialysis may lose water-soluble vitamins from the blood during the dialysis treatment.

Chronic kidney failure diet is so much more than what is stated above. It doesn’t end there. To emphasize it enough, it must be implemented as immediately as possible to prevent further damage to the patient’s kidneys.

To know more on how you can treat your kidney disease naturally and most effectively, just click here and it will give you everything you need to get started with this program.

Live healthily and happily!

10 Effective Home Remedies for Kidney Stones That Work

Our kidney has an important role to play in our system. The job of the kidney is to filter the impurities and the toxins present in our body. It basically throws out the waste and impure substances from our body. This helps in the smooth functioning of our system. If the stones are formed in the kidney, they will obstruct the kidney from conducting its function and will prevent the removal of waste from our body. This can lead to serious problems and complications.

Crystallization of certain chemicals in the urine can cause the formation of these stones. There are many chemicals present in the urine like uric acid and calcium. When these chemicals are present in the urine in excess concentration, they are not soluble in urine. Thus the remaining amount starts accumulating forming into tiny stones. The stones start off very tiny in size and therefore may not pose any big threat initially. But in some cases they grow big and cause a lot of pain. The place or location of the stone is also a point of concern. If the kidney stone is obstructing the flow of urine, it could cause serious problems. It builds up the pressure which results in pain and swelling of the kidney.

Most of the stones can be passed off without surgery. Home remedies can be used to dissolve or pass off the stones. Home remedies can provide much relief from the pain and discomfort generated by the kidney stones. The home remedies are safe and natural. Some of the home remedies are as follows:

1. Water: It sounds too simple to be true but water can be very effective, drinking lots of water helps to flush out toxins from our body thus helps to pass out the kidney stone.

2. Celery: Celery is known to be useful in this condition. Eating celery regularly can help in preventing the formation of kidney stones.

3. Kidney Beans: Kidney beans can be used for the treatment of kidney stones. The procedure is to boil the kidney beans pod without the seeds in water over a prolonged period of time over slow flame. The left over water is strained and cooled down. This boiled and cooled down water is then taken at regular intervals.

4. Pomegranate: Eating pomegranate or the paste of the seeds of the pomegranate is useful too.

5. Grapes: Eating of grapes helps in the condition of kidney stones.

6. Basil: Basil juice can be mixed with honey and taken frequently. This also helps in eliminating the kidney stones.

7. Watermelon: Due to the high water content present in the watermelon, it helps.

8. Lemon: Lemon juice is considered helpful due to its high concentration of citrate present.

9. Coconut water: Drinking coconut water regularly can help pass out the kidney stone.

10. KidClear capsules: Taking one or two capsules of KidClear capsules twice daily for 2 to 3 months will help in dissolving the kidney stones naturally without causing any side effects.

Taking care of simple things will help you flush out the toxins from your body. Intake of lots of water is helpful. One should avoid spicy food and alcohol too. Exercise regularly and stay healthy!

Read more Home Remedies for Kidney Stones. Also know effective Home Remedies for Cellulite.

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13 Effective Home Remedies for Asthma

Asthma happens when the main air passages of your lungs, the bronchial tubes, become inflamed. Asthma is a chronic but treatable situation. It is a very common long-term condition that affects your airways and breathing. It affects the airways, the small tubes that carry air in and out of your lungs. It may be very mild, or it can be very severe. Asthma can be deadly if it's not controlled. More than 20 million Americans are expected to have asthma, an immune disorder that affects the muscles around the bronchial tubes leading to the lungs.

Asthma goes by a number of names like wheezy bronchitis, bronchial asthma, asthmatic bronchitis and reactive airway disease (RAD). Most asthma attacks are caused by allergies to inhaled substances such as pollen, dust, and animal dander. There is no cure for asthma and proper management is essential. The main symptoms of asthma comprise cough, shortness of breath, tightness in the chest, and wheezing. When people with asthma are bare to triggers, the airways in their lungs become inflamed and swollen.

During some asthma attacks, the muscles around the airways can also tighten and the airways can produce mucus. Allergic asthma engages the body's immune system. There is no fixed period of time in which asthma can enlarge.

Asthma causes

Most asthma attacks are caused by allergies to inhaled substances such as pollen, dust, and animal dander. They include: Allergens (substances to which some people are allergic) such as pollens, foods, dust, mould, feathers, or animal dander (small scales from animal hair or feathers);Irritants in the air such as dirt, cigarette smoke, gases, and odors; Respiratory infections such as colds, flu, sore throats, and bronchitis; Too much effort such as running upstairs too fast or carrying heavy loads (although people with asthma can benefit from a reasonable amount of exercise);Emotional stress such as excessive fear or excitement; Weather such as very cold air, windy weather, or sudden changes in weather; Medication such as aspirin or related drugs and some drugs used to treat glaucoma and high blood pressure.

Asthma Symptoms

Symptoms are: daytime coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness; night-time coughing and wheezing. Symptoms may occur a number of times in a day or week in affected persons, and for some people become worse during physical activity or at night.

Asthma Control

Asthma can be controlled by taking medicine and avoiding the triggers that can cause an attack. Uncontrolled asthma can be a danger to maternal well-being and fetal growth and survival.

Here is a list of some best Home Remedies for Asthma:

Home Remedies for Asthma

1) One may mix a tablespoon of honey with a half a tablespoon of cinnamon powder and consume prior to sleeping or one can boil eight to ten cloves of garlic in half a cup of milk and consume it at night and this is a wonderful natural asthma remedy for those who are in the early stages of asthma. This is a useful Home Remedy for Asthma

2) Another helpful natural asthma remedy is figs, which help in draining the phlegm and washing three to four dry figs with water and drenched them in a cup of water would help when eaten on an empty stomach along with drinking the fig-soaked water.

3) There is one more natural asthma remedy in the form of taking a cup of water and soaking one teaspoon of Fenugeek seeds during the night. Fenugeek seeds, which taken with a cup of water overnight is a further natural asthma remedy.

4) Steaming ginger tea with minced garlic cloves must be given two times in a day for asthma cure.

5) For asthma cure the patient should also be made to breathe in steam from boiling water mixed with ajwain. Add one teaspoonful of honey and drink the mixture two times or thrice a day for asthma cure. This is an effective Home Remedy for Asthma

6) Soak dry grapes in water at night and keep in cold milk for half an hour and chew them to treat asthma.

7) For asthma treatments mix one gram of dry ginger powder and one gram of black pepper in one teaspoon of molasses of honey.

8) For asthma cure turmeric can be taken along with honey in the morning on empty stomach to decrease the intensity of attack.

9) For people who are in their premature stages of asthma, a great Home Remedy for Asthma is to boil 8-10 cloves of garlic in ½ cup of milk and consume it during nighttime.

10) Take very hot water and put in a tsp of honey in it. Take it just before sleeping and take small sips.

11) In 1 cup of water soak 1 tsp of Fenugreek seeds overnight. Insert 1 tsp of Ginger juice and 1 tsp of honey to this. It has to be consumed two times during morning as well as evening. This is another effective Home Remedy for Asthma

12) The roots of the bitter gourd plant have been used as medicine for asthma cure. A teaspoon of the root paste, mixed with an identical amount of honey or juice of the tulsi leaves, given once every night for a month, acts as an outstanding medicine for this disease.

13) A soup prepared from drumstick leaves, and taken once daily, has been found helpful in the treatment of asthma. This soup is prepared by adding up a handful of leaves to 180ml of water and boiling it for five minutes. After being permitted to cool, a little salt, pepper, and lime juice may be added to this soup.

Dr John Anne is an Ayurvedic doctor having years of experience in the field of Ayurveda and Alternative medicine. Find out more Home Remedies for Asthma at http://www.natural-homeremedies.org. He has an exclusive website on Home Remedies for various diseases. You can also contribute to the Home remedies by visiting the website

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What Acupuncture Is for and How It Can Help?

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese art that involves the stimulation of points within the body with the use of needles. Do you wonder how this works or what it can do for your health concerns? Read on into this article and find out more about this holistic approach to curing a number of illnesses and ailments.

Make a list of all the medications you are currently taking and any serious treatments you have had in the past. For example, have you ever had surgery? Given birth? Had an implant of some sort? This is all important information for your acupuncturist to have when crafting your treatment plan.

If you prefer being in the community of others during acupuncture, look for clinics that have community sessions. These do exist because some people (but not a majority) do prefer the comfort of the group during these sessions. You'll often find these in urban areas, but you may be surprised where these sessions pop up.

The acupuncturist's needles may end up all over your body, so wearing loose fitting clothing which can be easily moved out of the way will make your treatments much easier. Dress as if you plan to attend a luxurious beach vacation but you don't want to take a dip in the water.

If you are late for your appointment, don't rush. If you get flustered, you can totally derail your treatment. Stay relaxed and know that there is nothing you can do to change the situation, so let it unfold as it may. At worst, you miss your appointment and reschedule, and that isn't so bad.

Your acupuncture treatments should be an occasion to take a break from the outside world. Let your friends know that you need a few hours to yourself and turn your cellphone off. Isolating yourself for a few hours will help you focus on your different sensations and replenish your energy.

Always plan to arrive at your appointment 15 minutes ahead of schedule. This gives you tons of time to make it before you are due. That will reduce your stress levels and ensure you are able to successfully receive your treatment. Don't forget to mark the appointment as being 15 minutes longer, too!

There are some people who will not try acupuncture, simply because they believe the myths that surround it. Contrary to what you might believe, acupuncture does not cause you any pain, leave scars and it is not voo-doo. It is an Asian method of healing that is effective and has been around for thousands of years.

Once you get to the office, turn off your cellphone. That doesn't mean to set it to vibrate, it truly means to turn it right off. If you feel your phone shaking in your pocket, it will distract both you and the practitioner. Turn it off, put it down on the table and forget about it.

So now that you have a more comprehensive overview regarding this traditional approach to Chinese medicine, perhaps there is a way that acupuncture can be used to help you or a loved one. As with any medical procedure it is important to do your homework first. However, keep an open mind to non-Western approaches to healing, you may be surprised what it can do for you.

Is the Placebo Effect the Triumph of Mind, or Not?

You don't know the answer? I don't know either, but the placebo definitely seems to work. The Placebo Effect is a phenomenon that is many decades old. Sadly, it has also been frequently abused by many people, from charlatans to health care professionals. I like to look at this from an alternative medicine perspective: as long as the treatment is effective, who cares if it is a placebo?

If you don't remember what a placebo effect actually is, I'll remind you. Simply put, a placebo effect is the term that describes the therapeutic and healing effects of inert medicines -"drugs" that have no active chemical substances. A placebo effect is healing based solely on the power of suggestion, not on the action of an active chemical substance. A placebo, sometimes called a "sugar pill", is made to look like a "real drug" and provokes therapeutic effects when administered, despite its lack of any type of active substance.

But, please, don't fool yourself. It's not enough to take a "sugar pill" and expect a placebo effect. No, you also need the suggestion, from an authority figure, that the pill will aid in healing. Someone who can make you believes in it. The important point is not the pill; it is the suggestions and expectations. You need to trust in the authority first, and then to accept that "the pill" will help you. Belief, motivation, and expectation are essential to the placebo effect.

What is the belief? The belief is that you have the ability to make something happen. This belief in one's competence for recovery is a very strong predictor for recovering from any disease. There is a popular saying that the efficacy of the treatment depends, not so much on the physician's expertise, but rather on the physician's altruism and compassion. The placebo effect plays a role in the compassion, not in the expertise.

What does placebo stand for, anyway? Interestingly, it stands for the Latin phrase: "I will please". One explanation says that everything started when someone came for a treatment which did not exist, but the doctor wanted to please the patient. So he gave the patient something that he knew was ineffective, but claimed that it was effective in treatment. Obviously, this doctor was someone very well aware of the mind /body connection and the effects of the positive thinking. The doctor knew: I need to convince my patient of the therapy's effectiveness. I need to play with the patient's mental state and his or her ability to get well. He knew that the patient would only "feel better" but would not be healthier.

The triumph of mind and belief over body? Yes, and scientists are aware of the power of mind over body. If patients believe in a treatment, they can improve their medical condition. What science says is: beliefs, suggestibility and hopes about treatment may play on biochemistry of our bodies. We know that thoughts can affect brain neurochemistry, and that the human neurochemical system is affected by other biochemical systems (hormonal/immune). We are our thoughts. What we need to learn from all these explanations is: sensory experience and thoughts can affect neurochemistry. Positive thinking can elicit real neurochemical responses in the body.

The next time you have a health issue; remember that your hopeful attitude and beliefs may be very important to your recovery from injury or illness. Optimism, positive thinking, a hopeful attitude and unconditional belief, are all very important parts of your body's fight against illness. There is no mystery: positive thinking works! Now we know. The ability of the mind to produce healing changes depends on emotional states, and can influence physical health for better or worse.

Can you believe that 50 percent of a drug's effects are due to the placebo response? You don't need trust me; trust Sapirstein, who analyzed 39 studies, done between 1974 and 1995, of depressed patients treated with drugs, psychotherapy, or a combination of both. He found that 50 percent of the drug effect was due to the placebo response. Yet, there are too many studies that have found objective improvements in health from placebos to support the notion that the placebo effect is entirely psychological. The placebo effect is a healing process, not just a curing one. Healing transforms both body and mind on a deep level. We are driven by our minds, by thought, by expectations.

Unfortunately, we are also driven by fear and false expectations. As a sick person, a patient begs for understanding and compassion, "asking" for a similar response from medical personnel. Therefore, teachers teach our health care professionals to show attention, care, affection, and hope when they are treating a sick person. As patients, we need to trust in our own ability for recovery, in any given therapy, medication or procedure and, most importantly, in our health therapists. Even just being in the healing situation accomplishes something.

If you have any ethical concerns, such as "with placebos, we are selling false hope and magical cures for all illness" you don't need to worry. There are various unobservable processes that allegedly carry out all sorts of magical analgesic and curative functions, in the same manner as "sugar pills". Many skeptics will reject faith, hope, belief or even alternative medical practices such as homeopathy. We know that they may not cure cancer, but by giving hope and relieving distress, placebos can provide some measure of comfort. Giving some comfort in a totally uncomfortable situation is one more reason to support the statement:" What difference does it make why something works, as long as it seems to work? "

As always we, as human society, need to be critical in our approach to the placebo. We don't want to see the placebo as an open door to quackery, nor for big unethical business. Our intention is to protect innocent people from charlatans, leaving open the door to alternative treatments.

Jahiel Yasha Kamhi

jasakamhi@hotmail.com

Jahiel-Yasha-Kamhi holds a degree in Medical Biochemistry and a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry. Jahiel is passionate about writing and conveying positive messages that help people live with passion and purpose. His mission is to promote mental and physical well-being. Jahiel's core message is one of hope, inspiration, and encouragement. Being thankful for what is good in life rather than focusing on the negative is his message. He believes with hope, all things are possible. Jahiel writes regularly for the Personal-Development.com and magazines. He also delivers presentations that inspire others to find more meaning and balance in their lives.

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