Insomnia solution

An insomnia cure. Hmm... Before we go for a cure it may be a good idea to try and know our enemy. What are our signs and symptons. What type of Insomnia do we have. Perhaps a working definition would be helpful.

The experts seem to agree that something along these lines would suit.

"Insomnia" is any episode of unrefreshing sleep, difficulty falling asleep, frequent awakenings, or waking up too early in the morning and not being able to drop back off. Women and the elderly seem to be the most frequent sufferers. We can divide these episodes into three collective groups and label them Short-term Transient or Chronic.

A quick explanation of these three would be as follows;

Transient, a simple disturbance in sleeping patterns. A short illness, a sudden change in lifestyle, stress, isomething that leads to a short term change

Short-term insomnia is is less fun. It lastsfor about 2-3 weeks. Causes could be something like a new job, divorce, serious illness, financial problems, or a family berevement.

Chronic as the name suggests is the real thing. Chronic insomnia is the rarest and most serious type, with Insomnia lasting longer than a few weeks. I've just been reading a learned article that says Chronic Insomnia is fairly rare. That may be so but if 10 percent of the US population suffers from it thats over 20 Million people leading a life of misery.

While it would be nice to blame insomnia on things outside our control , many cases of insomnia are self inflicted by such things as caffeine, smoking, poor eating habits, alcohol and lack of exercise.

Caffeine is one the most widely blamed causes of insomnia. An ingredient in coffee, tea, colas, chocolate, and some medications, caffeine is a stimulant . We insomniacs DO NOT NEED stimulants. Quite the reverse. Insomnia solution number one - Cut out the caffine.

Alcohol is often reccomended as a nightcap. Forget it. Thats only beacuse your Doctor drinks it. Alcohol actually lightens and fragments sleep, causing you to wake up as your body metabolizes it. You may think you're in a deep sleep, but your not getting the deep sleep that Insomniacs need for a cure. Insomnia solution number two - No Alcohol with a couple or four hours of bedtime.

Eating. Yes, I know I can't ban you from eating but I can jump on the slimmers bandwaggon. Eat a light last meal a couple of hours before going to bed. Avoid spicy and fatty foods that cause indigestion. Lets hear it for MILK. Milk has an amino acid that the body converts to a sleep-enhancing compound in the brain. Calcium is a natural relaxing agent along with several other vitamins such as the B vitamins and magnesium. Have a look at the bottom of the page for details on how to find others. If you get hungry at night, have a light snack before bedtime. Some foods are helpful and actually promote production of melatonin, a hormone associated sleep. Try cheese, soy nuts, chicken, pumpkinseeds, and turkey. High-carbohydrate foods such as bread act upon another hormone, serotonin, which helps to reduce anxiety and contribute toan insomnia solution. Insomnia solution no three. Be careful what you eat.

Nicotine products are universally bad for you. For the Insomniac nicotine has to go. It's a stimulant that increases blood pressure, speeds up the heart rate, and stimulates brain activity. Insomniacs do not need increased blood pressure, a fast heart rate and a stimulant. Insomnia solution number four. No more ciggies!

Regular exercise is good in fact its excellent, (here comes the but) but, not just before bed. If you work out too close to bedtime, the increase in your heart rate and metabolism will make your body too excitable to sleep. Exercise earlier in the day and give the body a chance to produce that warm rosy glow and relax as the body reacts by producing melatonin to take your temperature down to normal. Exercise for an insomnia solution!

Make your bed as comfortable as possible. Experiment with what works best for you. Choose a position conducive to sleep. If your partner is the source of your insomnia consider a change of rooms for a while. Get rid of the alarm clock . It only acts as a stressful reminder that you aren't sleeping.

Control the amount of light in your bedroom. Excessive brightness not only affects your eyes, but it also influences the hormone production that helps to establish a healthy sleep cycle. Wear a sleep mask if necessary. Dark is usually good for an insomnia solution.

When it comes to noise, many people find repetitive sounds easier to sleep through than intermittent and abrupt ones. Ear plugs or a continuous background sound such as a fan can help mask disturbing noise (the next- door neighbors barking dog in my case). Consider is a white noise machine.

Control the thermostat. Temperature extremes, whether too hot or too cold, are no fun for the light sleeper. Cool is usually good for an insomnia solution.

Hope some of these help. Drop us a line and let us know,

Sleep well.

Philip

Acne and its treatment

Acne is a menace. However, it's not something that cannot be tackled. There are loads of acne skin care products around. We can classify acne skin care products into 3 broad categories -

1. Preventive or general acne skin care products
2. Over-the-counter, specialised acne skin care products
3. On-prescription acne skin care products.

The general acne skin care products are the ones that are used as acne-prevention measure. These include cleansers, make-up removers and similar products that help prevent acne. In the real sense, these acne skin care products are just those that should anyway be part of your daily routine. However, some of these are more oriented to act like an acne skin care product. These acne skin care products act against the causes of acne e.g. limiting the production of sebum/oil and preventing clogging of skin pores. Basically, these acne skin care products prevent the oil from getting trapped in pores and hence hamper the growth of bacteria that lead to acne. The general acne skin care products also include exfoliation products like skin peels. These work towards removing dead skin cells, hence reducing the possibility of pore-clogging and bacteria development.

Then there are specialised acne skin care products that are available over-the-counter i.e. without the need of a prescription. These include products like vanishing creams which extract the extra oil from the skin. Most of these acne skin care products are based on benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid, both of which are the enemies of bacteria (and hence acne). You should start with a product that has lower concentration of benzoyl peroxide (e.g. 5%) and see how your skin responds to it. Alpha-hydroxy-acid based moisturizers are also popular as acne skin care products. You might have to try a few, before you zero-in on the acne skin care product that is effective for you. If nothing seems to work, you should contact a dermatologist.

On-prescription acne skin care products are the ones that are prescribed by a dermatologist. This can include ointments that can be applied on the affected area or oral antibiotics or just any topical treatment. Dermatologist could also suggest a minor surgical procedure to remove the contents of pustules. However, never try to squeeze or do this by yourself, it can lead to permanent damage of your skin. Your doctor could also prescribe a hormone-based treatment (since hormonal changes are also known to cause acne). Such acne skin care products are known to be very effective in some cases.

So, with all those acne skin care products, tackling acne is not that difficult.

Types of Acne Treatment Solutions For Your Skin

Treating your acne can be an overwhelming task what with all of the medications available these days. The best way to find treatment for your acne is to first learn about your skin. There are 3 main skin types. Knowing what type of skin you have is the first step to effectively controlling your acne. If your skin is oily a gel product is best; if it is dry, you should choose a cream based product. People with sensitive skin should choose products with lower concentrations of active ingredients.

It may be best to visit a dermatologist when choosing acne treatments. With so many different factors affecting what causes acne and there are so many treatments to choose from you may feel more comfortable getting the help of a professional when making your decision.

If you would rather control acne your own way, understand that it is very important to read all labels and always, always use as directed. As with all medications, educate yourself on any side-effects or warnings.

Acne treatments are available in several different ways including:

• Prescription Medications
• Creams and Gels
• Facial Masks
• Topical Treatments
• Over-the-Counter Treatments
• Home Remedies

Prescription Medications

Oral antibiotics (tablets), taken daily for around 3 months, can be prescribed for inflammatory acne. These pills act to kill off the bacteria infecting the skin. However, it may take four to six months for the benefits to be seen. For women, a standard combined oral contraceptive pill (containing an estrogen and a progestogen) can improve acne symptoms. Antibiotics do not prevent pores from becoming blocked so treatment to prevent blackheads, such as benzoyl peroxide, is often also prescribed at the same time. 

Creams and Gels

Lotions that contain benzoyl peroxide dry out the skin and encourage it to shed the surface layer of dead skin. Benzoyl peroxide also has an antibacterial action. Together, these effects make it harder for pores to become blocked and for infection to develop. When used as directed, these products can make a big difference to the overall appearance of your skin. 

Facial Masks

Facial masks can be a great addition to your basic skin care regimen by offering extra deep cleaning and exfoliation to troubled skin. Masks send a concentrated dose of proven acne fighters to your skin and deliver them deep down. A good facial mask can act to keep even the most troubled skin clean and clear, reducing the frequency and severity of breakouts. 

There are several benefits of using clay masks. As a facial clay mask dries it tightens the skin, shrinks the pores and naturally pulls excess oils and impurities such as whiteheads and blackheads from your skin.

Topical Treatments

Topical antibiotics work by killing the Propionibacterium acnes bacteria. This helps reduce the small infections in the pores, and also indirectly keeps the pores open.

Over the counter Treatments

Over-the-counter remedies are available anywhere from your local pharmacy to the grocery store and are intended to treat mild to moderate acne. These treatments include the creams and gels mentioned previously.

Home treatment

It's important to keep spot-prone areas clean, so wash the affected area twice a day with an un-perfumed cleanser. Never, ever pick a zit! This could lead to scarring as well as spread the infection. No home treatments for acne will work immediately. It can take weeks, if not months, for significant effects to be noticeable. Never sleep in makeup and wash your face in the morning when you wake up and at night before you go to bed.

Is There A Single Acne Cure That Will Work For Everyone?

How do we go about preventing acne? Well to be honest if you don't have acne then you're probably not too bothered about preventing it. How about looking for a cure first of all and then looking for ways to prevent it coming back in the future? 

Although it's common now to believe that it is not diet that brings about acne ("chocolate has nothing to do with it" scream the experts) it's interesting to note that Eastern countries don't have acne epedemics to the extremes that we in the West are used to.

One thing is clear; acne is not caused by dirt. It is caused when the oil in our body is not metabolized efficiently and dead skin cells become sticky and block the pores of the skin. Bacteria then enters into the pores and causes infection and inflammation. 

So what can be done to prevent this happening? It seems obvious to stay away from McDonald's and other junk foods, yet our bodies may still produce oil. 

Hygiene helps to control it, yet acne is not caused by a lack of hygeine, it comes about because of bacteria already present in the skin. The only true combatant, it seems, is to use a multitude of acne prevention methods at the same time.

Zinc gluconate and some antibiotics administered orally are both effective in treating the inflammation of acne, while insulin is also reported to have worked in the same way. No big studies have been done on the latter though, so proceed cautiously with this one. Some doctors have even recommended birth control pills as having limited acne, then again some say that they can cause acne!

Research is now being done on the use of lasers for the prevention of acne. Lasers have been used to treat the scars left by really bad acne, and it has recently been discovered that the follicle sac from which the hair grows, as well as the sebaceous gland that produces oil, can be burned away by the use of lasers. 

You may have heard of the N-Lite laser treatment. It was recently shown in a popular daytime TV show in the UK with a guest who claimed it was the only thing that had completely cured her. This led to widespread acclaim for N-Lite and hundreds of new clients for the company.

Naturally, since this TV appearance, many people have used their services with varying results. 

The fact is that there is no one cure that will handle everybody's skin type. The only way to beat acne is to mix and match different treatments, internally, as well as on the skin's surface, until you find the one cure that works for you and you alone.

How Sesame and Sunflower Seeds Can Relieve Constipation

Sesame seeds for constipation

Using sesame and sunflower seeds for constipation make a lot of sense. If you like to eat seeds then this is once way you can add more fiber, vitamins and minerals to your diet and at the same time reduce your constipation.

Maoshing Ni, Ph.D., C.A. and Cathy McNease, B.S., M.H. in their book, The TAO of Nutrition,1987, recommends using black sesame seeds for chronic constipation. Here's what he says,

"Grind black sesame seeds into a meal by using a small coffee grinder.

Mix with dark honey into a small ball.

Eat one three time a day dipped in rice wine."

Black sesame seeds also provide nutrition and action on the liver, intestines, kidney, and blood.

You can also prepare a sesame seeds soup with brown rice.

Soak 10 parts of sesame seeds with 1 part brown rice in distilled water

After they are soft, about an hour, pour out the water grind them in a small food grinder to produce liquid. Strain the remaining liquid to remove coarse particles.

Dilute liquid with distilled water and add some honey.

Cook on low heat until liquid becomes syrupy.

Drink around two cups to relieve constipation with in hour or so.

And also, peas and brown sesame seeds - help to lubricate the intestinal walls. This makes it easier for fecal matter to move through your colon.

Sunflower seeds for constipation

Sunflower seeds promote regularity. Use them raw shelled and unsalted every day. They contain omega-6 fatty acid just like olive oil. You can use them grounded and add them to your morning smoothie, 1-2 teaspoons, or to your homemade salad dressing.

Add them to your salad

Add them to your morning cereal

Here's a sunflower drink you can make.

Take 1-2 tablespoons of sunflower seeds. Grind them in a coffee grinder. Add them to a cup of boiling water. Sweeten this mixture with honey, maple syrup, or blackstrap molasses. Drink this combination morning and night to help you with you constipation.

When you use grounded sunflower seed to add to your salad dressing your can also use sesame seeds at the same time. Use both of these seeds and experiment and find out how you like preparing them and eating them.

Natural Remedies For Common Ailments

Some of the best remedies for common ailments seem to have been forgotten in today's society where a trip to the pharmacy can yield a medicine that will cure anything. The next time you have one of these common ailments, try doing what grandma did and take a trip to your kitchen cabinet instead of to the drug store. It will be kinder on your wallet as well as your health!

While supplements of vitamin C, D and zinc will shorten the lifespan of a common cold, a hot lemon drink is also extremely good. Cool lemon juice and honey are a great soother for a sore throat and gives the body much-needed vitamin C at the same time The juice of one lemon in a glass of water is sufficient.

When you have the cold or flu the constant rubbing of tissue on your nose and lips can cause chaffing and soreness. Try a smear of vaseline or petroleum jelly on those sore lips and nose.

A 'streaming cold' where the nose and eyes water profusely, can be inconvenient and even embarrassing but believe it or not, you can help alleviate these runny symptoms with an onion. Simply dip a slice of onion into a glass of hot water for two seconds, then sip the cooled water throughout the day. In fact, onion is a good thing to have around when you have a cold and putting half an onion on the bedside table at night can get rid of your cold symptoms because its odor is inhaled while you sleep.

For those unpleasant times when you suffer from diarrhea, two tablespoons of brown vinegar will usually fix the problem.

In addition to common kitchen products, many herbs can be used to treat ailments instead of expensive drugs. For example, if you suffer from headaches dizziness or tinnitus, you might try feverfew leaves.

The Tea Tree and Eucalyptus oils are useful for treating a variety of respiratory ailments. These are excellent for the treatment of colds and coughs. They can be massaged into the chest or burned in an oil burner to help clear the airways and prevent congestion. Tea Tree oil is a natural antiseptic and can be dabbed on cuts, bites and stings. It is often used to treat spots and pimples and when diluted with water, acts as a mouth gargle (keep in-mind it should never be swallowed).

The herb black cohosh is a powerful relaxant as well and is extremely effective in easing painful menstrual cramps. Ovarian cramps will be relieved as well as bringing on a delayed menstrual cycle. It is also effective in the treatment of arthritis, osteo-arthritis, rheumatic pain and neurological pan. In small doses, appetite and digestion are greatly improved and is very beneficial for the nervous system in general.

Magnetic Jewelry - New Technology for Pain Relief

The vast majority of people these days have a small ache or pain somewhere in their body which diminishes the quality of their life and of those there is a large portion of people who suffer debilitating pain on a daily basis that severely cuts down on their quality of life. There are numerous causes of this pain, both severe and mild, but there is a group of devices that can help both types of pain. These devices are magnetic jewelry.

Magnetic jewelry can be used for a multitude of purposes due to the fact that there are many different types, for instance bracelets and necklaces among others, and comes in a variety of strengths. Which piece of jewelry you choose and what strength that piece is, is a matter of personal choice. The stronger the magnet the more effective it is likely to be, but this is not guaranteed since different people have different reactions to the magnetic therapy received while wearing this jewelry.

The aim of magnetic jewelry is to provide pain relief through magnetic therapy. The way that magnetic jewelry works is to derestrict the blood vessels, thereby increasing blood circulation and this has a bunch of follow on effects. Some of the consequences of increasing blood flow are the increased level of oxygenation of the blood and the increased flushing out of toxins in the body.

Those are some of the reasons why the pain relief happens; pain is caused by an accumulation of toxins in specific area of your body and this accumulated mass of toxins will be flushed out by the increased level of blood circulation. The other way that magnetic jewelry can help to relieve pain is by derestricting the blood vessels since the restriction of blood vessels can be the cause of certain types of pain, for instance headaches.

The different types of magnetic jewelry can be more effective for different types of pain. Necklaces can help to alleviate pain caused by migraines and headaches, neck, back and shoulder pain as well as potentially alleviating the pain caused by muscle spasms and lock jaw. In addition to this magnetic necklaces can help to increase the mobility and blood circulation with in the area it affects.

Bracelets can help to alleviate pain associated with, tennis elbow and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, shoulder pain, tennis elbow, tendonitis and bursitis, as well as helping to alleviate the pains caused by arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. The magnetic bracelets can also help to increase circulation, thereby alleviating numbness of the fingers and hands.

Anklets can be of help when it comes to decreasing the levels of pain associated with lower back and knee pain, spurs and inflammation in the legs and feet in addition to helping to alleviate numbness of the legs. There are also the added potential benefits that the magnetic anklet can help by preventing the joints from retaining water, as well as possibly increasing blood flow to the legs and feet and possibly helping to support the lower back.

All of the items of magnetic jewelry will aid you by providing you with magnetic therapy while you wear these pieces of jewelry even while you are going about your daily life. There is also the added bonus that they are stylish and creative pieces of jewelry that will make you look good as well at the same time as being highly beneficial to your health.