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Archive for the 'Health and Wellness' Category

Make your lasik surgery Successful

Tuesday, March 4th, 2008

It’s high time you re-think your decision to use those clumsy glasses to correct your refractive error. No, I am not advising you to use those inconvenient contact lenses either. So, am I going to do any magic to get you back your normal vision? Well, its not lesser than magic. It is the most widely acclaimed lasik eye surgery that will do the magic for you. When the center like lasik eye surgery south dakota is there to make all well for you, why not undergo the hassle-free lasik eye surgery?

Always selecting your lasik eye surgeon is the most important step towards achieving successful results. Do not succumb to low cost strategy run by inexperienced doctors. He should be the one who decides if you are the right candidate for lasik surgery. The Lasik Eye Surgery, South Dakota is the center that provides you with the free screening facilities for selection of lasik candidates. Also in this lasik institute, you can avail the flexible and affordable payment options available.

With the eminent surgeons handling your case, it does hardly matter whether you have myopia or hypermetropia. You surely can enjoy normal vision after surgery. You will definitely like to be a part of millions of people who have undergone successful lasik surgery and have corrected their refractive error. Do not delay!


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Cheap Life Insurance Plans

Friday, February 29th, 2008

Life insurances are a need for every people in the world as a back up to their family members. Life insurance means the insurance paid to named beneficiaries, or provide the protection in terms of money, when the insured person dies.

Different life insurance companies get involved in the market with attractive and cheap life insurance plans. Most of the different companies have their own strategies for the plans they offer in which they keep in mind that they should be  distinct, cheaper and beneficial plans for you and your loving family members.

Also plans like spellbinding plan for children and adult are also specifically available in the market these days. With different range of insurance coverage and low monthly rate these plans are unique one. There is no need for the medical check up or any other test required, just fill up simple yes/no form which contains the health questions. Also it is very easy to buy the life insurance plan without any waiting period; you get response directly or by mail as your convenience.

In any case, if you wish to find more information about life insurance, you just need to submit the necessary details on online information request form on these life insurance company websites. They will get back to you by mail for free information of insurance plan as have requested. You may also find the articles on your life insurance need, benefits of that and any other information on these website.


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Lasik Eye Surgery Orange County

Thursday, January 10th, 2008

The problem of myopia and hypermetropia was not curable a few years back. Now with the medical advancement and with the help of the numerous studies and researchers, there have been a number of medical corrections that can be used to control the vision. Those who are forced to wear the glasses to see the world can now see with ease without them. If you are one of those who are dependent on the crutches of the glasses, then you can get yourself a LASIK surgery and reclaim your vision. There are a number of exercises that are normally prescribed by the ophthalmologists, which are mainly intended to reduce the stress on the eyes. With the help of these exercises you surely can relax your eyes but you cannot get them perfect and back to normal. However with the help of the lasik eye surgery orange county you can get back your lost vision. There are many experts who are providing you with the facility of this Lasik surgery that can be easily done on the eyes to make them more efficient. You can easily get to know the details of the surgery with the help of the numerous blogs that carry the data on the same.


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Health Care Education

Sunday, January 6th, 2008

Everybody knows that Health Care is a professional career, which is of great demand among people who wish to serve the needy and the poor. Day after day lots of disease and medications are been discovered which paved the way for more and more course medical courses. There are lots of medical schools offering various health care degrees. The medical courses include in the areas of dental, cardiovascular and medical administration.

Nowadays health care education has gone more theoretical. Students who have completed these degrees, get very less hands on training and as a result will find it difficult to work in hospitals and clinics without proper real time experience. And also there are chances that they end up unemployed. To overcome these issues, a set of degree courses are formulated focusing mainly on applied knowledge rather than classroom teachings. http://www.selectmedicalschools.com offers extensive lab sessions to offer good practical knowledge about the lessons.

Also they offer part time courses for the working people who wish to start a career in medical science. Full time courses will last for 20 months. Candidates can get more information about their degree programs and other registration details at the official site. You can find more information about the medical schools offering the medical programs here. The site also provides a list of medical school in USA, which offers various medical courses.


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Commonly Abused Substances

Tuesday, January 1st, 2008

This section briefly examines some of the most well-known and frequently used drugs-caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, cocaine, marijuana, and designer drugs. This section is not intended to be all inclusive. There is a wide range of other substances that are potentially dangerous if misused or abused. Because these drugs are so frequently used, it is important for you to understand their positive and negative effects to make decisions based on information rather than myth.

Caffeine

Caffeine is probably the most commonly used drug in American society. Each day millions of Americans drink, chew, or ingest approximately 4 mg of caffeine for every 2.2 pounds of body weight. Approximately 3% of the population consumes 600 mg or more of caffeine daily. Caffeine is a stimulant that speeds heart rate, temporarily increases blood pressure, and disrupts sleep. It also relieves drowsiness, helps in the performance of repetitive tasks, and improves work ability. Negative effects include insomnia, anxiety, heart dysrhythmias, gastrointestinal complaints, dizziness, and headaches.

The active ingredient in caffeine belongs to a group of drugs with similar structures known as xanthines. Xanthines include a substance found in cacao beans, which are used to make chocolate, and in tea leaves. In the past, caffeine consumption was thought to cause birth defects, breastfeeding problems, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and fibrocystic breast disease. Current research has found no substantial association with these conditions .However, pregnant and nursing women should consume no more than two cups of coffee a day and should consume tea and caffeinated soft drinks in moderation (less than 300 mg per day). Furthermore, women who suffer from premenstrual tension (PMS) should eliminate caffeine. Research has indicated that women who drink one half to four cups (25 to 200 mg) of caffeinated tea a day were twice as likely to suffer PMS symptoms as women who drank none at al1.

The majority of adults can consume relatively low doses of caffeine (the equivalent of two to three cups of coffee per day) safely. Approximately 10% of the adult population experiences caffeinism, a condition in which frequent high-dose use causes psychological and physical problems. Doses as low as 250 mg per day can produce restlessness, nervousness, excitement, insomnia, flushed face, diuresis, muscle twitching, rambling thoughts and speech, and stomach complaints. Doses greater than 1 gram per day can cause muscle twitching, rambling thoughts and speech, heart dysrhythmias, and motor agitation. Higher doses can cause ringing in the ears and flashes of light.

It is easy to consume a great deal of caffeine. By becoming familiar with the amount of caffeine in a product and restricting consumption to less than 400 mg of caffeine per day, you can benefit from the effects of the drug without suffering any negative aspects.

Alcohol

Alcohol use is pervasive. Alcohol is a drug that is deemed socially acceptable by many. At the same time, no other drug causes so much physical, social, and emotional damage to individuals and to families. People drink alcoholic beverages in many situations and for many reasons. They drink when they are among friends and when they are upset or depressed. People drink to enhance a romantic mood, to put themselves at ease in social situations, and to celebrate special occasions. In addition, people drink because their role models drink and because the advertising industry has convinced them that alcohol contributes to self-enhancement. Unfortunately, the devastation associated with alcohol is often not mentioned. Because society has labeled alcohol appropriate and even necessary for some occasions, abstinence may seem unrealistic for many people.

As with many drugs, there are times and places where medicinal and health reasons are associated with alcohol use. Current research suggests that moderate amounts of alcohol may help reduce the risk of heart disease. The possible benefits and pleasures of use of alcoholic beverages do not eradicate the dangers that result from misuse or abuse. Nearly half of all annual traffic deaths are the result of accidents involving alcohol consumption. This does not include permanent physical injuries and emotional damages that result from alcohol-induced traffic accidents and deaths nor does it include the increased number of violent acts associated with alcohol intoxication. Drinking of alcohol, if it occurs, ought to be approached responsibly, with the individual recognizing the potential for harm to them self and others.

Although there are several types of alcohol, the intoxicating agent in all alcoholic drinks is ethyl alcohol, a colorless liquid with a sharp, burning taste. The percentage of alcohol in a beverage is measured by its proof, which is twice the percentage of alcohol. A beverage that is 40% alcohol has a proof of 80. The blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is the percentage of alcohol content in the blood. This percentage determines the alcohol’s effect on the individual . The more quickly the alcohol is absorbed, the quicker the BAC increases.

Alcohol enters the bloodstream quickly from the stomach and even more quickly from the small intestine. In the stomach, food inhibits absorption of alcohol. Food does not affect absorption in the small intestine. Other factors that affect the rate of absorption and effect of alcohol are the following:

Rate of consumption: How quickly is the beverage consumed? Large amounts of alcohol quickly consumed expose the brain to higher peak concentrations, altering perceptions and response times.

Type of beverage: Beer and wine contain substances that slow the rate of absorption, thus the effects are experienced more slowly than when drinking distilled spirits, even when the same amount of alcohol is consumed. Carbonated beverages added to liquor speed absorption, but diluting them with water slows the process.

Body weight: Body weight and body composition do not influence the rate of absorption, but they do influence the effects of alcohol. More weight and! or more muscle mass (muscle has more fluid volume than fat) results in a greater distribution of the alcohol, lowering its concentration in the body and weakening the effects.

Tolerance to alcohol: Some individuals seem to remain sober, whereas others react very quickly to the same amount of alcohol. One drink for a novice may have the same effect as three drinks for a more experienced drinker. This indicates that the experienced drinker’s body is adapting to the alcohol at the cellular level and encourages increased consumption. Tolerance consists of an increase in the rate of alcohol absorption metabolism, as well as a reduced response to the drug. It is the reduced response that is frequently associated with physical and psychological dependence .Increased tolerance to alcohol can result in a decreased response to other drugs, specifically other central nervous system depressants.

Alcoholism is a disease in which an individual loses control over drinking. According to a definition approved by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence and the American Society of Addiction Medicine, alcoholism is a “primary, chronic disease with genetic, psychosociaL and environmental factors influencing its development and manifestations. The disease is often progressive and fatal.”6 An alcoholic is a person who suffers from the disease of alcoholism. For alcoholics, alcohol increasingly becomes the focus of their life, and family, social, work, and/or school responsibilities become less important and are eventually disrupted by the desire and need for alcohol. Some alcoholics make this transition very rapidly, whereas others maintain the appearance of being only a social drinker for many years. Unfortunately, predetermining who will have trouble with alcohol is impossible. Alcoholism crosses all social and economic barriers and can include clergy, medical doctors, high school students, college students, and professors.

There is no single, accepted reason why any person becomes an alcoholic. Most researchers think that no single factor is responsible, but that a variety of events, genetic tendencies, and situations work together and result in alcoholism for some individuals. The medical model of alcoholism includes biological or genetic explanations of abuse. The medical model views alcohol abuse as uncontrollable because of physiological differences between alcoholics and nonalcoholics. Each year, more research seems to link alcoholism to an inherited susceptibility or predisposition for the disease. Children of alcoholic parents are four times more likely to become alcoholics even when raised by nonalcoholics.

Psychologists look for alcohol problems based on criteria, such as family, gender, and personality. Sociologists seek explanations in cultural values and attitudes and family structure. Consideration has been given to the possibility of an “addictive personality”-one that is prone to addiction associated with alcohol or other drugs or behaviors (such as compulsive gambling). At this time there is little agreement on the characteristics of an individual who will be alcoholic and whether any collection of characteristics is the cause or the result of alcoholism. In reality, no one knows for sure who will or why they will become alcoholic. Any consumption of alcohol places alcoholics, if they know they are or have the potential to be alcoholics, at risk.

Treatment for alcoholism is often long term. The course of treatment usually occurs in three stages:

(1) detoxification (eliminating the alcohol from the body)

(2) medical care (attending to any health related problems)

(3) changing long-term behavior (helping the recovering alcoholic overcome long established drinking patterns and destructive behaviors).

Several sources provide long-term medical and psychological support to people with drug or alcohol problems.

Alcoholics remain alcoholics for life, regardless of whether they drink or not. Recovering alcoholics must therefore be careful about any products they consume, including medicines and mouthwashes, which sometimes contain alcohol. Currently an estimated 10 million adults and 3 million adolescents under the age of 18 are alcoholics.

Alcohol use has been demonstrated to have a strong association with crime and violence. Data clearly indicate that homicide is more likely to occur in a situation in which drinking has occurred. In this same study all incidents of spousal and child abuse were correlated with drinking. A Canadian study9 found that at least 42% of violent crimes involved alcohol. In addition, 75% of suicide attempts involved alcohol use.

Tobacco Products

All tobacco products, including cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and smokeless tobacco contain the drug nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive substance and an alkaloid poison. It affects the body by increasing heart and respiratory rates, elevating blood pressure, increasing cardiac output and oxygen consumption, and constricting the bronchi (the two main branches of the trachea that lead to the lungs). Nicotine is inhaled by anyone smoking a tobacco product. With smokeless tobacco, nicotine is absorbed through membranes of the mouth and cheek.

Some components of cigarette smoke are known as carcinogens (substances that cause cancer or enable the growth of cancer cells). Nicotine, tars, and carbon monoxide are all found in cigarette smoke. The tar in tobacco is a black, sticky, dark fluid composed of thousands of chemicals. Many of the chemicals found in tar are cancer causing. Carbon monoxide is a deadly gas emitted in the exhaust of cars and in burning tobacco. The carbon monoxide level in cigarette smoke is 400 times greater than what is considered safe in industrial settings. Carbon monoxide binds to hemoglobin more readily than oxygen, interfering with the ability of blood to transport oxygen to the body. Carbon monoxide impairs the nervous system and increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

The addictive nature of nicotine has recently come under substantial public scrutiny. Some experts consider nicotine to be as addictive as cocaine and other drugs. Tobacco is considered the leading preventable contributor to disease and early death in the United States (heart disease and cancer specifically) and is listed as a primary risk factor for heart disease by the American Heart Association. Cigarettes are responsible for 440,000 deaths annually. Because of the health risks and because of what is seen by many as an effort on the part of tobacco companies to intentionally increase nicotine addiction to increase sales of cigarettes, some people suggest that tobacco should be made an illegal drug.

Cigarettes have long been the primary focus and the major tobacco product studied as pertains to disease. This is probably because more people use tobacco in the form of cigarettes than any other form. This does not mean that other types of tobacco use are not detrimental to health. The use of smokeless tobacco is quite prevalent among adolescents and young adults. Athletes have set the example for a number of years for smokeless tobacco use. Smoke less tobacco is less likely to initiate the cancer process in lungs, but daily use for 3112 years significantly increases the risk of developing oral cancers (cancers of the mouth and throat). Long-term users have a 50% greater chance of developing oral cancer than nonusers.

Effects of smoking on the nonsmoker

Passive smoking is the inhalation by a nonsmoker of cigarette smoke from the environment. The most common form of inhaled smoke is side stream smoke, which results from burning tobacco products (the end of the lighted tip of a cigarette). Side stream smoke has higher concentrations of nicotine and other carcinogenic agents than the smoke inhaled by the smoker. Many studies have shown that passive smoking can cause cancer in nonsmokers. Nonsmokers married to smokers have a 30% greater risk of lung cancer and are more likely to experience heart attacks than nonsmoking spouses of nonsmokers. There are no “safe” levels of exposure to cigarette smoke, and there are no “safe” tobacco products.

Advantages of Quitting

Smoking is an extremely strong addiction. When individuals stop smoking, their risk of developing heart disease and some kinds of cancer (if not already present in the body) eventually decreases to that of nonsmokers; in other words, some of the effects of smoking are reversible. To quit completely, many people require the help of trained professionals. Although quitting is difficult, the health benefits gained far outweigh the problems.


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Commonly Abused Substances

Monday, December 24th, 2007

This section briefly examines some of the most well-known and frequently used drugs-caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, cocaine, marijuana, and designer drugs. This section is not intended to be all inclusive. There is a wide range of other substances that are potentially dangerous if misused or abused. Because these drugs are so frequently used, it is important for you to understand their positive and negative effects to make decisions based on information rather than myth.

Caffeine

Caffeine is probably the most commonly used drug in American society. Each day millions of Americans drink, chew, or ingest approximately 4 mg of caffeine for every 2.2 pounds of body weight. Approximately 3% of the population consumes 600 mg or more of caffeine daily. Caffeine is a stimulant that speeds heart rate, temporarily increases blood pressure, and disrupts sleep. It also relieves drowsiness, helps in the performance of repetitive tasks, and improves work ability. Negative effects include insomnia, anxiety, heart dysrhythmias, gastrointestinal complaints, dizziness, and headaches.

The active ingredient in caffeine belongs to a group of drugs with similar structures known as xanthines. Xanthines include a substance found in cacao beans, which are used to make chocolate, and in tea leaves. In the past, caffeine consumption was thought to cause birth defects, breastfeeding problems, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and fibrocystic breast disease. Current research has found no substantial association with these conditions .However, pregnant and nursing women should consume no more than two cups of coffee a day and should consume tea and caffeinated soft drinks in moderation (less than 300 mg per day). Furthermore, women who suffer from premenstrual tension (PMS) should eliminate caffeine. Research has indicated that women who drink one half to four cups (25 to 200 mg) of caffeinated tea a day were twice as likely to suffer PMS symptoms as women who drank none at al1.

The majority of adults can consume relatively low doses of caffeine (the equivalent of two to three cups of coffee per day) safely. Approximately 10% of the adult population experiences caffeinism, a condition in which frequent high-dose use causes psychological and physical problems. Doses as low as 250 mg per day can produce restlessness, nervousness, excitement, insomnia, flushed face, diuresis, muscle twitching, rambling thoughts and speech, and stomach complaints. Doses greater than 1 gram per day can cause muscle twitching, rambling thoughts and speech, heart dysrhythmias, and motor agitation. Higher doses can cause ringing in the ears and flashes of light.

It is easy to consume a great deal of caffeine. By becoming familiar with the amount of caffeine in a product and restricting consumption to less than 400 mg of caffeine per day, you can benefit from the effects of the drug without suffering any negative aspects.

Alcohol

Alcohol use is pervasive. Alcohol is a drug that is deemed socially acceptable by many. At the same time, no other drug causes so much physical, social, and emotional damage to individuals and to families. People drink alcoholic beverages in many situations and for many reasons. They drink when they are among friends and when they are upset or depressed. People drink to enhance a romantic mood, to put themselves at ease in social situations, and to celebrate special occasions. In addition, people drink because their role models drink and because the advertising industry has convinced them that alcohol contributes to self-enhancement. Unfortunately, the devastation associated with alcohol is often not mentioned. Because society has labeled alcohol appropriate and even necessary for some occasions, abstinence may seem unrealistic for many people.

As with many drugs, there are times and places where medicinal and health reasons are associated with alcohol use. Current research suggests that moderate amounts of alcohol may help reduce the risk of heart disease. The possible benefits and pleasures of use of alcoholic beverages do not eradicate the dangers that result from misuse or abuse. Nearly half of all annual traffic deaths are the result of accidents involving alcohol consumption. This does not include permanent physical injuries and emotional damages that result from alcohol-induced traffic accidents and deaths nor does it include the increased number of violent acts associated with alcohol intoxication. Drinking of alcohol, if it occurs, ought to be approached responsibly, with the individual recognizing the potential for harm to them self and others.

Although there are several types of alcohol, the intoxicating agent in all alcoholic drinks is ethyl alcohol, a colorless liquid with a sharp, burning taste. The percentage of alcohol in a beverage is measured by its proof, which is twice the percentage of alcohol. A beverage that is 40% alcohol has a proof of 80. The blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is the percentage of alcohol content in the blood. This percentage determines the alcohol’s effect on the individual . The more quickly the alcohol is absorbed, the quicker the BAC increases.

Alcohol enters the bloodstream quickly from the stomach and even more quickly from the small intestine. In the stomach, food inhibits absorption of alcohol. Food does not affect absorption in the small intestine. Other factors that affect the rate of absorption and effect of alcohol are the following:

Rate of consumption: How quickly is the beverage consumed? Large amounts of alcohol quickly consumed expose the brain to higher peak concentrations, altering perceptions and response times.

Type of beverage: Beer and wine contain substances that slow the rate of absorption, thus the effects are experienced more slowly than when drinking distilled spirits, even when the same amount of alcohol is consumed. Carbonated beverages added to liquor speed absorption, but diluting them with water slows the process.

Body weight: Body weight and body composition do not influence the rate of absorption, but they do influence the effects of alcohol. More weight and! or more muscle mass (muscle has more fluid volume than fat) results in a greater distribution of the alcohol, lowering its concentration in the body and weakening the effects.

Tolerance to alcohol: Some individuals seem to remain sober, whereas others react very quickly to the same amount of alcohol. One drink for a novice may have the same effect as three drinks for a more experienced drinker. This indicates that the experienced drinker’s body is adapting to the alcohol at the cellular level and encourages increased consumption. Tolerance consists of an increase in the rate of alcohol absorption metabolism, as well as a reduced response to the drug. It is the reduced response that is frequently associated with physical and psychological dependence .Increased tolerance to alcohol can result in a decreased response to other drugs, specifically other central nervous system depressants.

Alcoholism is a disease in which an individual loses control over drinking. According to a definition approved by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence and the American Society of Addiction Medicine, alcoholism is a “primary, chronic disease with genetic, psychosociaL and environmental factors influencing its development and manifestations. The disease is often progressive and fatal.”6 An alcoholic is a person who suffers from the disease of alcoholism. For alcoholics, alcohol increasingly becomes the focus of their life, and family, social, work, and/or school responsibilities become less important and are eventually disrupted by the desire and need for alcohol. Some alcoholics make this transition very rapidly, whereas others maintain the appearance of being only a social drinker for many years. Unfortunately, predetermining who will have trouble with alcohol is impossible. Alcoholism crosses all social and economic barriers and can include clergy, medical doctors, high school students, college students, and professors.

There is no single, accepted reason why any person becomes an alcoholic. Most researchers think that no single factor is responsible, but that a variety of events, genetic tendencies, and situations work together and result in alcoholism for some individuals. The medical model of alcoholism includes biological or genetic explanations of abuse. The medical model views alcohol abuse as uncontrollable because of physiological differences between alcoholics and nonalcoholics. Each year, more research seems to link alcoholism to an inherited susceptibility or predisposition for the disease. Children of alcoholic parents are four times more likely to become alcoholics even when raised by nonalcoholics.

Psychologists look for alcohol problems based on criteria, such as family, gender, and personality. Sociologists seek explanations in cultural values and attitudes and family structure. Consideration has been given to the possibility of an “addictive personality”-one that is prone to addiction associated with alcohol or other drugs or behaviors (such as compulsive gambling). At this time there is little agreement on the characteristics of an individual who will be alcoholic and whether any collection of characteristics is the cause or the result of alcoholism. In reality, no one knows for sure who will or why they will become alcoholic. Any consumption of alcohol places alcoholics, if they know they are or have the potential to be alcoholics, at risk.

Treatment for alcoholism is often long term. The course of treatment usually occurs in three stages:

(1) detoxification (eliminating the alcohol from the body)

(2) medical care (attending to any health related problems)

(3) changing long-term behavior (helping the recovering alcoholic overcome long established drinking patterns and destructive behaviors).

Several sources provide long-term medical and psychological support to people with drug or alcohol problems.

Alcoholics remain alcoholics for life, regardless of whether they drink or not. Recovering alcoholics must therefore be careful about any products they consume, including medicines and mouthwashes, which sometimes contain alcohol. Currently an estimated 10 million adults and 3 million adolescents under the age of 18 are alcoholics.

Alcohol use has been demonstrated to have a strong association with crime and violence. Data clearly indicate that homicide is more likely to occur in a situation in which drinking has occurred. In this same study all incidents of spousal and child abuse were correlated with drinking. A Canadian study9 found that at least 42% of violent crimes involved alcohol. In addition, 75% of suicide attempts involved alcohol use.

Tobacco Products

All tobacco products, including cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and smokeless tobacco contain the drug nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive substance and an alkaloid poison. It affects the body by increasing heart and respiratory rates, elevating blood pressure, increasing cardiac output and oxygen consumption, and constricting the bronchi (the two main branches of the trachea that lead to the lungs). Nicotine is inhaled by anyone smoking a tobacco product. With smokeless tobacco, nicotine is absorbed through membranes of the mouth and cheek.

Some components of cigarette smoke are known as carcinogens (substances that cause cancer or enable the growth of cancer cells). Nicotine, tars, and carbon monoxide are all found in cigarette smoke. The tar in tobacco is a black, sticky, dark fluid composed of thousands of chemicals. Many of the chemicals found in tar are cancer causing. Carbon monoxide is a deadly gas emitted in the exhaust of cars and in burning tobacco. The carbon monoxide level in cigarette smoke is 400 times greater than what is considered safe in industrial settings. Carbon monoxide binds to hemoglobin more readily than oxygen, interfering with the ability of blood to transport oxygen to the body. Carbon monoxide impairs the nervous system and increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

The addictive nature of nicotine has recently come under substantial public scrutiny. Some experts consider nicotine to be as addictive as cocaine and other drugs. Tobacco is considered the leading preventable contributor to disease and early death in the United States (heart disease and cancer specifically) and is listed as a primary risk factor for heart disease by the American Heart Association. Cigarettes are responsible for 440,000 deaths annually. Because of the health risks and because of what is seen by many as an effort on the part of tobacco companies to intentionally increase nicotine addiction to increase sales of cigarettes, some people suggest that tobacco should be made an illegal drug.

Cigarettes have long been the primary focus and the major tobacco product studied as pertains to disease. This is probably because more people use tobacco in the form of cigarettes than any other form. This does not mean that other types of tobacco use are not detrimental to health. The use of smokeless tobacco is quite prevalent among adolescents and young adults. Athletes have set the example for a number of years for smokeless tobacco use. Smoke less tobacco is less likely to initiate the cancer process in lungs, but daily use for 3112 years significantly increases the risk of developing oral cancers (cancers of the mouth and throat). Long-term users have a 50% greater chance of developing oral cancer than nonusers.

Effects of smoking on the nonsmoker

Passive smoking is the inhalation by a nonsmoker of cigarette smoke from the environment. The most common form of inhaled smoke is side stream smoke, which results from burning tobacco products (the end of the lighted tip of a cigarette). Side stream smoke has higher concentrations of nicotine and other carcinogenic agents than the smoke inhaled by the smoker. Many studies have shown that passive smoking can cause cancer in nonsmokers. Nonsmokers married to smokers have a 30% greater risk of lung cancer and are more likely to experience heart attacks than nonsmoking spouses of nonsmokers. There are no “safe” levels of exposure to cigarette smoke, and there are no “safe” tobacco products.

Advantages of Quitting

Smoking is an extremely strong addiction. When individuals stop smoking, their risk of developing heart disease and some kinds of cancer (if not already present in the body) eventually decreases to that of nonsmokers; in other words, some of the effects of smoking are reversible. To quit completely, many people require the help of trained professionals. Although quitting is difficult, the health benefits gained far outweigh the problems.


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Teen Depression

Tuesday, December 18th, 2007

Everybody feels down in his or her lives on several points or the other. It is very normal that people feel sad and face blues but many times it happens that it affects your relationships, grades, and behavior in several ways. The reason may not be just “blues”, but it can be a teen depression. It is a serious sickness, which approximately five out of 100 teenagers face throughout a year.

There are various signs to find out the depression. Generally, there are two kinds of teen depressions. In first kind of depression you may find 2 other kinds of depression, that are different in their force and they are: clinical depression and major depression as well as chronic depression and dysthymia depression.

The second kind of depression is known as the bipolar depression. It is the depressive status of maniac-depressive mayhem, it is the condition where sufferer suffers cyclic fits of mania, elevated mood, as well as it is that stage of teen depression where sufferer feel too down in energy, which makes them very weak and they will not be competent to move an inch. It is worthwhile that you take any professionals assistance if you confront any type of signs mentioned above.

When you feel sad or depressed , you would find your sleep patterns changing. Either you find yourself sleeping less or more, small-small things provoke you to lose your anger, teen depression changes the habits of eating also, you may shed weight or may eat more. All these are some of the signs of teen depression. If you think you are facing any of these signs, do not delay to contact your doctor anymore.


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Parents always want that their child should get the best care whether they are with them or not. Today most of the people are working and are employed in one or the other work, in this condition the first and the foremost problem that occurs in front of the parents is the proper care for their child. The question comes who will care for their child ? They have to go out for work and no parent would want to leave his or her child at home for all mess. And here comes the need for a nanny or a babysitter, who can take care of their child and leave the parents without any worries.

The selection of good nanny and babysitter is a very responsible work and cautiously done. This should be done after proper inquiry and interviews of the nanny and babysitters. There are many online websites available that offer 24 hours services for providing you nanny or babysitter for your child at your door step. You can register for free on these websites, and start your search for a good nanny for your child and you will get an immediate response and contact to more than hundreds nannies and babysitters. These websites provide outstanding nannies that have fabulous understanding and at the same time are very affordable than any other nanny agencies too.

You can appoint nanny for your child according to your convenience and timings. Nannies and babysitters are available for day-timings, after school timings as well as well-deserved evening. They will look after your little ones when you are not around.


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Aging is a universal phenomenon. We consider age as a variable all throughout. It is the most accepted yet most complex process that is being dealt with by the scientists worldwide. Many postulates have been laid in order to explain the possible etiology of aging but the definitive evidence still eludes the genius brains.

If a person experiences accelerated aging , it is the result of genetic mutations occurring either during childhood or on attainment of adulthood. The Progeria syndromes like Werner’s syndrome and Hutchinson Gilford syndrome are nothing but the examples of accelerated aging. Werner’s syndrome , though a rare disorder occurs in adults, which is an autosomal recessive disorder. The person, who develops normally till puberty, suddenly starts developing aging symptoms like graying of hair, cataract, muscular atrophy, alopecia, high incidence of neoplastic diseases and diabetes mellitus.

In Hutchinson Gilford syndrome , however, the onset of accelerated aging is much earlier in childhood. Mutations in LMNA gene cause the syndrome. It is a known fact that though normal in infancy, the children typically start showing signs of “failure to thrive” and start appearing aged. They lose fat under the skin and develop alopecia. The aging process makes the arteries vulnerable and the children develop marked anomalies of arteries (arteriosclerosis), thus leading to earlier heart attacks or strokes. This autosomal dominant condition has proved a breakthrough in research of accelerated aging.

Whether it is Down’s syndrome, Werner’s syndrome or Ataxia telangiectasia, not all syndromes constitute all the characteristics of accelerated aging. They are segmental progeroid syndromes, giving valuable information about the normal aging process as well. The most basic aspect of accelerated aging can be said as, the normal degenerative and deteriorative process that acts on the cellular level is speeded up. This process results in premature onset of aging symptoms that may cause early death.


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Green Tea Health Benefits

Thursday, December 13th, 2007

It is well known that the Chinese have been using Green Tea as medicines for treating many disorders ranging from headaches to depressions, since nearly 4,000 years from now. However, in the current times, the scientific researches both in Asia and the Western countries are providing hard facts towards the green tea health benefits. The Journal of the National Cancer Institute during 1994, for instance, published the outcomes of the epidemiological studies directing that ingesting the Green Tea diminishes the risk of esophageal cancer by almost sixty percent in the Chinese men and women. Further, the University of Purdue researchers during recent times declared that a typical compound in the Green Tea slows down the cancer cell growth in the body.

Researchers also reveal that ingesting Green Tea brings down the total cholesterol levels besides improving ratios of HDL-High Density Lipoprotein or Good Cholesterol to LDL–Low Density Lipoprotein or Bad Cholesterol. Several medical conditions are remarkably benefited by drinking Green Tea, such as: Cancer, Rheumatoid Arthritis, High Cholesterol Levels, Cardiovascular Diseases, damaged or disordered immune functions and Infections. Also tooth decay is believed to be avoided by drinking Green Tea as its bacteria-killing properties could aid averting food poisoning and can destroy the bacteria that are responsible to cause dental plaque. Even the skin preparations like deodorants and creams are being prepared using Green Tea nowadays.


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