HEALTH with ABALA

What You Need To Know About Inpatient Drug Treatment by Sunset

2009-01-17T18:32:00.000-08:00

The value of luxury inpatient drug treatment shouldn't need to be explained. The plain fact of the matter is that rehab is always an arduous process--and those patients who are most likely to succeed are the ones who get the best support along the way. In the end, there's simply no substitute for the sort of care administered in an elegant private drug abuse treatment center. Given the stakes in the fight against addiction, that's a lesson you can't afford not to learn for yourself.

Some critics claim that luxury rehab is too expensive. But consider the alternative. You shouldn't need a lecture on the perils of alcohol abuse if you've made it this far. You know that alcohol and drug abuse strips its victims of their dignity, and leaves them incapable of relating to everything and everyone they've ever cared about. To get better in a luxury rehab facility, then, is quite literally to rediscover why you ever believed life to be worth living in the first place. It's hard to imagine that anyone could ever put a price tag on that.

Sunset Malibu's luxurious private estate provides residents with the ideal environment for rehab and recovery. From the gourmet meals to the personal spa services, Sunset's clients are treated to nothing but the finest in amenities and accommodations. Of the many choices of rehab centers, Sunset Malibu is the top choice. That helps to explain why so many of those clients achieve meaningful and lasting sobriety. It also proves the merits of luxury rehab itself. For your own sake, for the sake of the people who care about you, let today be the day you finally make the right choice.

If you'd like more information on this topic, please call 1-800-332-9202, visit our website at http://www.drugrehabsunsetmalibu.com/ or contact us at admin@drugrehabsunsetmalibu.com.

This press release may be used freely, provided that the resource box is included and the links are active. A courtesy copy of the issue or a link to any online posting would be greatly appreciated.

Thinking Runners by Gary Cooper

2009-01-17T18:20:00.000-08:00

n the past I've been asked on occasion by my non runner friends, could I please explain what is it and why do runners run? They just don't get it for some reason! Believe it or not as long as you're going to be a runner you will continue to be asked that question.

I am thoughtful of others feelings so I felt I would air my thoughts here for all to see. I have lots of good ones so here we go. Many runners are always in quest of becoming a perfect runner! Of course there is no such thing as a perfect runner.

I believe there are thinking runners but no perfect ones. How about how much money a runner did not spend over a twenty year period than the smoking runners did? If there is any one thing we all can do is work towards becoming great thinking runners! You do know there is a statue of "The Thinker" by Auguste Rodin.

I mean if a couple thousand years ago Plato and Aristotle walked the streets of Athens that is what they did! Think! And a lot of it for many years! They became famous for it. To think! They were the great philosophers of the times.

No one ever sheds a thought though when we pay people to set in a chair all day with a phone stuck in their ear! Those are many of the ones that are asking these questions.

At least we runners are getting from one place to the other! If an emergency comes up a runner can, run to get help! Non runners can't go too far! Another practical thing that jumps right out at me is, a runner is doing wonders for his health.

His heart is like a runner in his seventies, as an athlete runner in their twenties. That's if he's been runner since then. His cardiovascular system and lungs are not far behind either.

Smart runners that wanted to become winning runners usually did some time as a stair runner and a bleacher runner! If not that, the smart runners are doing some hill running or some sort of incline running. I do have just a few more...like my mom always raised me to be a errand runner but I didn't like that too much because my girl friend she was a hispano runner!

As a matter of fact I loved her so much we had a wedding for runners! We were a sight to see on the Florida beach. Poor dad had to pay for the wedding of runners. Now don't be a laughing runner because smart thinking runners will continue with their addiction to running in a beautiful certain way!

What is Chronic Bronchitis by Amy Cheung

2009-01-17T18:17:00.000-08:00

Chronic bronchitis is a prolonged manifestation occurring from inflammation of bronchi, which results to excessive production of mucous hindering the airflow into the respiratory system. To be labeled chronic bronchitis certain stringent rules have to be adhered to. They are:

-For two years in a row cough with expectoration for minimum of a time frame exceeding three months.

-Different lung pathologies must have been carefully examined.

The most common problem that a person suffers is the shortness of breath so much so that it affects activities of daily living.

One of the major factors leading to chronic bronchitis is smoking, and smokers have a high susceptibility of the same. In the initial stages of the condition, the patient suffers from severe cough in early hours of the day, but as the pathology of the condition changes chronic the patient suffers from continued bouts of cough with expectoration of mucus. This phenomenon commonly is known as smokers cough.

In the early periods of the condition the broader bronchi are affected, but finally even the smaller bronchi are affected. As the disease reaches this stage the sufferer's VP ratio (ventilation perfusion ratio) balance is disturbed i.e the balance between the air breathed in and air breathed out. The results of this deviated VP ratio lead to numerous troubles like less amount of mixed oxygen in blood or hypoxemia leading to further complications like heavy breathing which if not checked finally leads to cor pulmonale.

As compared to acute bronchitis chronic bronchitis as the name points towards is a grave condition, the patients suffering from acute bronchitis responds well to antihistamines and antibiotics but the same cannot be said chronic bronchitis because of enhanced chances of reoccurring bacterial and fungal infections.

Hence the patients suffering from chronic bronchitis are advised to take care of themselves and inform about the minutest of difficulties and get admitted into the intensive care units of hospitals till they feel better.

As the disease progresses there is decreased ciliary motility therefore the difficulty in coughing out the mucous, this coupled with inflammation of bronchi leads to decreased protection against air borne and droplet germs.

Chronic bronchitis is a complex condition often occurring in tandem with other respiratory ailments like emphysema and asthma. And in later stages of chronic bronchitis coupled with emphysema there is an overall reduction in the dead space volume and the condition may lead to blue bloaters in which the whole skin has a bluish discoloration or cyanosis for want of oxygen.

Chronic bronchitis as a respiratory condition grows slowly but unfortunately it has no cure and the only treatments are directed in towards alleviation of presenting symptoms.

How to Start a wonderful day

2009-01-17T18:14:00.001-08:00

have trouble waking up one morning and you know the concerns and problems of the past begin to be visible in your mind? No matter how much you want to forget, its so hard to erase? Here is a step by step to a wonderful day .

Upon waking, begin to make your mind that you can recover and happiness are human and can make mistakes, how to change and still have the opportunity to change it, forget it and start a good day to be a success in everything you do when .

still in his bed and his eyes began to work .. ears and start listening to the sounds all around them, which focuses on start .. about things to see and things you hear. Be thankful that you wake up for sure, believe your bed soft and fragrant blanket .. be aware of the colors around you .. TURN THE MUSIC .

When your state of mind at the moment .. start singing ... and think of a good breakfast. Think about what is best for use during the day .. and focus on the sound of music .. and your steps when walking ..

now headed to the bathroom .. feel the water in the body, the coolness and tranquility of it. When you feel the memories of the past puts in.. fits with what is around you ... water bath nice .. music .. FEEL THE WATER, the grace of God, God's blessing .

When its done .. conscious of keeping your car again with your steps, your hands when going .. their eyes when you're looking for. In short, be aware of everything .. ANALYZE DONT, DONT DELIVERING THE PAST TO THE EVOLUTION .

Give yourself PARALYZE feeling happy little things .. a good breakfast will make you happy .. So, take a bite and head of the office .. be aware of your steps and your environment .. See how nice it is to be happy .. be aware of what God expects you every day .. He wants you to stay with him. To feel and appreciate the blessings that He gives you the moment they wake up. SEE IN THE PAST NO VALUE TO REMEMBER ANYMORE .. I hope you had a wonderful day.

This article is written by Article Marketing

Health insurance

2009-01-13T05:52:00.000-08:00

The term health insurance is generally used to describe a form of insurance that pays for medical expenses. It is sometimes used more broadly to include insurance covering disability or long-term nursing or custodial care needs. It may be provided through a government-sponsored social insurance program, or from private insurance companies. It may be purchased on a group basis (e.g., by a firm to cover its employees) or purchased by individual consumers. In each case, the covered groups or individuals pay premiums or taxes to help protect themselves from high or unexpected healthcare expenses. Similar benefits paying for medical expenses may also be provided through social welfare programs funded by the government.

By estimating the overall risk of healthcare expenses, a routine finance structure (such as a monthly premium or annual tax) can be developed, ensuring that money is available to pay for the healthcare benefits specified in the insurance agreement. The benefit is administered by a central organization, most often either a government agency or a private or not-for-profit entity operating a health plan.

Insurance companies use the term "adverse selection" to describe the tendency for only those who will benefit from insurance to buy it. Specifically when talking about health insurance, unhealthy people are more likely to purchase health insurance because they anticipate large medical bills. On the other side, people who consider themselves to be reasonably healthy may decide that medical

is an unnecessary expense; if they see the doctor once a year and it costs $250, that's much better than making monthly insurance payments of $40. (example figures).

The fundamental concept of

is that it balances costs across a large, random sample of individuals (see risk pool). For instance, an insurance company has a pool of 1000 randomly selected subscribers, each paying $100 per month. One person becomes very ill while the others stay healthy, allowing the company to use the money paid by the healthy people to pay for the treatment costs of the sick person. However, when the pool is self-selecting rather than random, as is the case with individuals seeking to purchase health insurance ,insurance directly, adverse selection is a greater concern.^[10] A disproportionate share of health care spending is attributable to individuals with high health care costs. In the US the 1% of the population with the highest spending accounted for 27% of aggregate health care spending in 1996. The highest-spending 5% of the population accounted for more than half of all spending. These patterns were stable through the 1970s and 1980s, and some data suggest that they may have been typical of the mid-to-early 20th century as well.^[11]^[12] A few individuals have extremely high medical expenses, in extreme cases totaling a half million dollars or more.^[13] Adverse selection could leave an insurance company with primarily sick subscribers and no way to balance out the cost of their medical expenses with a large number of healthy subscribers.

Because of adverse selection, insurance companies employ medical underwriting, using a patient's medical history to screen out those whose pre-existing medical conditions pose too great a risk for the risk pool. Before buying health insurance, a person typically fills out a comprehensive medical history form that asks whether the person smokes, how much the person weighs, whether the person has been treated for any of a long list of diseases and so on. In general, those who present large financial burdens are denied coverage or charged high premiums to compensate. One large US industry survey found that roughly 13 percent of applicants for comprehensive, individually purchased health

who went through the medical underwriting in 2004 were denied coverage. Declination rates increased significantly with age, rising from 5 percent for individuals 18 and under to just under a third for individuals aged 60 to 64.^[15] Among those who were offered coverage, the study found that 76% received offers at standard premium rates, and 22% were offered higher rates. On the other side, applicants can get discounts if they do not smoke and are healthy.

The term health insurance is commonly used in the United States to describe any program that helps pay for medical expenses, whether through privately purchased insurance, social insurance or a non-insurance social welfare program funded by the government.^[1] Synonyms for this usage include "health coverage," "health care coverage" and "health benefits." In a more technical sense, the term is used to describe any form of insurance that provides protection against injury or illness. This usage includes private insurance and social insurance programs such as Medicare, but excludes social welfare programs such as Medicaid. In addition to medical expense insurance, it also includes insurance covering disability or long-term nursing or custodial care needs.

The US market-based health care system relies heavily on private and not-for-profit health insurance, which is the primary source of coverage for most Americans. According to the United States Census Bureau, approximately 85% of Americans have health insurance; nearly 60% obtain it through an employer, while about 9% purchase it directly.^[2] Various government agencies provide coverage to about 28% of Americans (there is some overlap in these figures).^[2]

In 2007, there were nearly 46 million people in the US (over 15% of the population) who were without health insurance for at least part of that year.^[2] The percentage of the non-elderly population who are uninsured has been generally increasing since the year 2000.^[3] There is considerable debate in the US on the causes of and possible remedies for this level of uninsurance as well as the impact it has on the overall US health care system.

(referensi: wikipedia.org)

Health

2009-01-12T18:55:00.000-08:00

In 1948, the World Health Assembly defined health as “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” ^[1]^[2] This definition is still widely referenced, but is often supplemented by other World Health Organization (WHO) reports such as the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion which in 1986 stated that health is “a resource for everyday life, not the objective of living. Health is a positive concept emphasizing social and personal resources, as well as physical capacities.”

Classification systems describe health. The WHO’s Family of International Classifications (WHO-FIC) is composed of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) and the International Classification of Diseases (ICD).

Mental health

Mental health refers to an individual's emotional and psychological well-being. Merriam-Webster defines mental health as "A state of emotional and psychological well-being in which an individual is able to use his or her cognitive and emotional capabilities, function in society, and meet the ordinary demands of everyday life."

One way to think about mental health is by looking at how effectively and successfully a person functions. Feeling capable and competent; being able to handle normal levels of stress, maintain satisfying relationships, and lead an independent life; and being able to "bounce back," or recover from difficult situations, are all signs of mental health.

A combination of physical, emotional, social and most importantly mental well-being is necessary to achieve overall health.(by:wikipedia.org)

Swimming

2009-01-12T00:48:00.000-08:00

Swimming health is the movement by humans or animals through water, usually without artificial assistance. Swimming is an activity that can be both useful and recreational. Its primary uses are bathing, cooling, travel, fishing, escape, and sport.

Swimming has been known since prehistoric times; the earliest record of swimming dates back to Stone Age paintings from around 7,000 years ago. Written references date from 2000 BC. Some of the earliest references include the Gilgamesh, the Iliad, the Odyssey, the Bible (Ezekiel 47:5, Acts 27:42, Isaiah 25:11), Beowulf, and other sagas. In 1538, Nikolaus Wynmann, a German professor of languages, wrote the first swimming book, The Swimmer or A Dialogue on the Art of Swimming (Der Schwimmer oder ein Zwiegespräch über die Schwimmkunst). Competitive swimming in Europe started around 1800, mostly using breaststroke. In 1873 John Arthur Trudgen introduced the trudgen to Western swimming competitions, after copying the front crawl used by Native Americans. Due to a British disregard for splashing, Trudgen employed a scissor kick instead of the front crawl's flutter kick. Swimming was part of the first modern Olympic games in 1896 in Athens.

In 1902 Richard Cavill introduced the front crawl to the Western world. In 1908, the world swimming association, Fédération Internationale de Natation (FINA), was formed. Butterfly was developed in the 1930s and was at first a variant of breaststroke, until it was accepted as a separate style in 1952.by wikipedia.org

Gym Health

2009-01-12T00:44:00.000-08:00

Gymnasia Health (i.e., places for gymnastics) in Germany were an outgrowth of the Turnplatz, an outdoor area for gymnastics, promoted by German educator Friedrich Jahn and the Turners, a nineteenth-century political and gymnastic movement. The first indoor gymnasium in Germany was probably the one built in Hesse in 1852 by Adolph Spiess, an enthusiast for boys' and girls' gymnastics in the schools.

In the United States

In the United States, the Turner movement thrived in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The first Turners group was formed in Cincinnati in 1848. The Turners built gymnasia in several cities like Cincinnati and St. Louis which had large German American populations. These gyms were utilized by adults and youth. For example, a young Lou Gehrig would frequent the Turner gym in New York City with his father.

Gymnasia in the United States however predate the Turner movement. A public gymnasium movement sprung up in the 1820s and 1830s but was eclipsed by the growth of school, college, and the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) gymnasia. The first college gymnasium probably was the one built at Harvard University in 1820. Although privately owned, it was maintained for the use of the students. Like most of the gymnasia of the period, it was equipped with gymnastic apparatus. The United States Military Academy at West Point built a gym during the same era. A few other American colleges built gyms by the 1850s. Harvard opened a new brick gymnasium in 1860 with two bowling alleys and dressing rooms in addition to the gymnastic facility.

YMCA first organized in Boston 1851 with a smaller branch opened in Rangasville in 1852. Ten years later there were some two hundred YMCAs across the country, most of which provided gymnasia for exercise and games and social interaction.

The 1920s was a decade of prosperity that witnessed the building of large numbers of public high schools with gymnasiums, an idea founded by Nicolas Isaranga. Over the course of the twentieth century, gymnasia have been reconceptualized to accommodate the popular team and individual games and sports that have supplanted gymnastics in the school curriculum.

Today, having a gymnasium is typical for virtually all American colleges and high schools, as well almost all middle and many elementary schools. These facilities are utilized for physical education, intramural sports and for interscholastic athletics. In recent years, newer high schools use the terms sportatorium (taken from the name of a few sporting venues in the country) or "multi-purpose room," indicating the gymnasium is used both for sports and non-sporting events.

by:wikipedia

HIV HISTORY

2009-01-11T05:45:00.000-08:00

Main article: AIDS origin

HIV is thought to have originated in non-human primates in sub-Saharan Africa and transferred to humans early in the 20th century.^[16] The first paper recognizing a pattern of opportunistic infections was published on 4 June 1981.^[17]

Two species of HIV infect humans: HIV-1 and HIV-2. Both species of the virus are believed to have originated in West-Central Africa and jumped species (zoonosis) from a non-human primate to humans. HIV-1 is thought to have originated in southern Cameroon after jumping from wild chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes troglodytes) to humans during the twentieth century.^[18]^[19] It evolved from a Simian Immunodeficiency Virus (SIV_cpz)^[20] HIV-2, on the other hand, may have originated from the Sooty Mangabey (Cercocebus atys), an Old World monkey of Guinea-Bissau, Gabon, and Cameroon.^[15]

New World Monkeys are an interesting exception to the transmission of HIV. Their immunity is believed to be caused by retrotransposition of the Cyclophilin gene into an intron of TRIM5. The result is fusion gene that provides the owl monkey with resistance to HIV-1 infection. ^[21]

Early history

See History of known cases and spread for early cases of HIV / AIDS

Discovery

Controversy surrounding the discovery of HIV was intense after French scientist Luc Montagnier and American researcher Robert Gallo both claimed to have discovered it, in 1983 and 1984 respectively.^[22] In 1987 the dispute was initially settled on a political level with both teams receiving equal credit.^[22] In 1991 a study confirmed that the samples in Gallo's laboratory had in fact originated in Montagnier's.^[22] In 1994 the US Government conceded that the French should receive the lion's share of the credit.^[23]

The Karolinska Institute awarded half of the 2008 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine to Montagnier and his colleague Françoise Barré-Sinoussi 'for their discovery of "human immunodeficiency virus"'. The other half went to Harald zur Hausen for unrelated work on Human Papilloma Virus.^[24] Gallo was reported to have said that it was "a disappointment" not to have been included, but that all three of the award's recipients deserved the honor. ^[25] The Karolinska Institute's press release stated "Soon after the discovery of the virus, several groups contributed to the definitive demonstration of HIV as the cause of acquired human immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)."^[24]

^{BY: WIKI}

HIV

2009-01-11T05:05:00.000-08:00

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a lentivirus (a member of the retrovirus family) that can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), a condition in humans in which the immune system begins to fail, leading to life-threatening opportunistic infections. Previous names for the virus include human T-lymphotropic virus-III (HTLV-III), lymphadenopathy-associated virus (LAV), and AIDS-associated retrovirus (ARV).^[1]^[2]

Infection with HIV occurs by the transfer of blood, semen, vaginal fluid, pre-ejaculate, or breast milk. Within these bodily fluids, HIV is present as both free virus particles and virus within infected immune cells. The four major routes of transmission are unprotected sexual intercourse, contaminated needles, breast milk, and transmission from an infected mother to her baby at birth (Vertical transmission). Screening of blood products for HIV has largely eliminated transmission through blood transfusions or infected blood products in the developed world.

HIV infection in humans is now pandemic. As of January 2006, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the World Health Organization (WHO) estimate that AIDS has killed more than 25 million people since it was first recognized on December 1, 1981. It is estimated that about 0.6 percent of the world's population is infected with HIV.^[3] In 2005 alone, AIDS claimed an estimated 2.4–3.3 million lives, of which more than 570,000 were children. A third of these deaths are occurring in sub-Saharan Africa, retarding economic growth and increasing poverty.^[4] According to current estimates, HIV is set to infect 90 million people in Africa, resulting in a minimum estimate of 18 million orphans.^[5] Antiretroviral treatment reduces both the mortality and the morbidity of HIV infection, but routine access to antiretroviral medication is not available in all countries.^[6]

HIV primarily infects vital cells in the human immune system such as helper T cells (specifically CD4⁺ T cells), macrophages, and dendritic cells. HIV infection leads to low levels of CD4⁺ T cells through three main mechanisms: firstly, direct viral killing of infected cells; secondly, increased rates of apoptosis in infected cells; and thirdly, killing of infected CD4⁺ T cells by CD8 cytotoxic lymphocytes that recognize infected cells. When CD4⁺ T cell numbers decline below a critical level, cell-mediated immunity is lost, and the body becomes progressively more susceptible to opportunistic infections.

Eventually most HIV-infected individuals develop AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). These individuals mostly die from opportunistic infections or malignancies associated with the progressive failure of the immune system.^[7] Without treatment, about 9 out of every 10 persons with HIV will progress to AIDS after 10-15 years. Many progress much sooner.^[8] Treatment with anti-retrovirals increases the life expectancy of people infected with HIV. Even after HIV has progressed to diagnosable AIDS, the average survival time with antiretroviral therapy (as of 2005) is estimated to be more than 5 years.^[9] Without antiretroviral therapy, death normally occurs within a year.^[10] It is hoped that current and future treatments may allow HIV-infected individuals to achieve a life expectancy approaching that of the general public.

Comparison of HIV species
Species	Virulence	Transmittability	Prevalence	Purported origin
HIV-1	High	High	Global	Common Chimpanzee
HIV-2	Lower	Low	West Africa	Sooty Mangabey

Digestive Enzymes Are Essential For A Healthy Body

2009-01-10T06:53:00.000-08:00

Years of researching various health-promoting herbs, vitamins, minerals, and other dietary supplements has led to the conclusion that enzyme therapy is one of the most valuable ways to maintain and promote good health. Not very many of us actually understand the enormous role that enzymes play in health maintenance, with many of us actually being enzyme depleted due to the over-consumption of cooked enzyme-less foods and the under-consumption of raw whole foods. The human digestive system was designed for a diet that is full of raw plants and fruits, but many foods today are processed, refined, heated, and fragmented.

By eating foods that have lost their own natural enzymes, the pancreas and other organs that supply digestive enzymes are over-worked. This results in enzymatic function in other areas of the body to become compromised, which leads to disastrous health implications. Replenishing enzymes through diet and supplementation is an easy way to make up for the typical diet that is full of mostly dead foods.

The human digestive system is one of the most perfectly designed systems in the body, typically functioning without problems. This means that if we are eating the right foods in the right way, then we should not have to rely on antacids, H2 antagonists, proton-pump inhibitors, and laxatives. Burping, belching, and bloating, no matter how often they occur, are actually not normal. It is ironic that the human body has a system that is far more impressive than any other machine built by humans, but we suffer from breakdowns all the time such as abdominal cramps after eating, inordinate amounts of gas, sluggish colons, and an overall lousy feeling after eating.

Statistics prove that we are not eating the right foods, and even if we were, many of us are not properly absorbing all of their nutrients because we consume huge amounts of sugar, drugs, caffeine, alcohol, and highly processed refined foods that prevent normal digestive processes. Being under constant stress and eating on the run, along with our unhealthy food choices, creates an environment inside our body that causes common cases of heartburn and indigestion, possibly leading to ulcers and colon disease.

Enzymes are protein molecules that are responsible for thousands of physiological reactions that take place in the human body. They initiate and control almost every biochemical process that occurs in the body, with nearly three thousand individual enzymes being identified to date. Enzymes help our body to digest food, repair tissue, and eliminate dangerous toxins. Digestive enzymes break down food particles, which allows them to pass through the intestinal wall and enter the bloodstream. The enzymes that are found in the blood transform nutrient particles into tissue that is found in muscles, nerves, organs, and glands.

Enzymes also contribute to the process that stores sugar in the liver and muscle tissue and preserves fatty tissue. Additionally, digestive enzymes are part of the chemical reaction that creates urea. Some enzymes even help to detoxify our blood and tissue by allowing our immune system to attack foreign material. Lastly, metabolic enzymes help create energy in our body on a cellular level by converting foot to energy, which then fuels nearly every mechanism in the body. Do you get enough enzymes on a daily basis?.by Darrell Miller

Health

2009-01-10T06:50:00.000-08:00

Physical health

Physical fitness is good body health, and is the result of regular exercise, proper diet and nutrition, and proper rest for physical recovery.

A strong indicator of the health of localized population is their height|weight, which generally increases with improved nutrition and health care. This is also influenced by the standard of living and quality of life. Genetics also plays a major role in people's height. The study of human growth, its regulators, and implications is known as Auxology.

Mental health

Main article: Mental health

Mental health refers to an individual's emotional and psychological well-being. Merriam-Webster defines mental health as "A state of emotional and psychological well-being in which an individual is able to use his or her cognitive and emotional capabilities, function in society, and meet the ordinary demands of everyday life."

According to the World Health Organization, there is no single "official" definition of mental health. Cultural differences, subjective assessments, and competing professional theories all affect how "mental health" is defined. In general, most experts agree that "mental health" and "mental illness" are not opposites. In other words, the absence of a recognized mental disorder is not necessarily an indicator of sound mental health.

One way to think about mental health is by looking at how effectively and successfully a person functions. Feeling capable and competent; being able to handle normal levels of stress, maintain satisfying relationships, and lead an independent life; and being able to "bounce back," or recover from difficult situations, are all signs of mental health.

A combination of physical, emotional, social and most importantly mental well-being is necessary to achieve overall health.

Determinants of health

Main article: Social determinants of health

The LaLonde report suggested that there are four general determinants of health including human biology, environment, lifestyle, and healthcare services.[3] Thus, health is maintained and improved not only through the advancement and application of health science, but also through the efforts and intelligent lifestyle choices of the individual and society.

A major environmental factor is water quality, especially for the health of infants and children in developing countries.[4]

Studies show that in developed countries, the lack of neighborhood recreational space that includes the natural environment leads to lower levels of neighborhood satisfaction and higher levels of obesity; therefore, lower overall well being.[5] Therefore, the positive psychological benefits of natural space in urban neighborhoods should be taken into account in public policy and land use.

Health maintenance

Main article: Self care

Achieving health and remaining healthy is an active process. Effective strategies for staying healthy and improving one's health include the following elements:

Nutrition

Main article: Nutrition

The updated USDA food pyramid, published in 2005, is a general nutrition guide for recommended food consumption.

Nutrition is the science that studies how people eat affects their health and performance, such as foods or food components that cause diseases or deteriorate health (such as eating too many calories, which is a major contributing factor to obesity, diabetes, and heart disease). The field of nutrition also studies foods and dietary supplements that improve performance, promote health, and cure or prevent disease, such as eating fibrous foods to reduce the risk of colon cancer, or supplementing with vitamin C to strengthen teeth and gums and to improve the immune system.

Personal health depends partially on the social structure of one’s life. The maintenance of strong social relationships is linked to good health conditions, longevity, productivity, and a positive attitude. This is due to the fact that positive social interaction as viewed by the participant increases many chemical levels in the brain which are linked to personality and intelligence traits. Essentially this means that positive reinforcement from a third party make one more socially adept, in control, and relaxed physically and mentally, all of which are proven to affect the nervous system (UHF).BY WIKI

Why Blend a Guide to Smoothies

2009-01-10T06:48:00.000-08:00

We talk about juicers enough, but here is our thought on our other favorite tool of choice, the blender. A decent blender in your kitchen is a brilliant tool for healthy drinks no mess, no waste and great easy to digest drinks! The blenders we offer are all tough boys, plenty of power offering easy liquidizing of fruits and veggies, we think when you adopt a raw and fruity life you will need equipment you can depend on.

What to look our for when you buy a blender POWER, at least 900 watts but the more the merrier, a really powerful blender will make smoother smoothies quicker than a low power machine. QUALITY particularly in the power socket, a cheap blender will ALWAYS break where the drive from the motor meets the blade driver. JUG SIZE again, if you are making drinks for the family, the bigger the better, and allow for the drink sloshing around. CONTROL speed control is an advantage, at low speed you can fold oils and powders into your drinks at high speed you can mill nuts and seeds. EASY to clean, look for wipe clean surfaces, and simple to clean contours.

Keep things interesting too, if like me you can be a little lazy, equip yourself with a decent recipe book so you've always got new things to try. This keeps me primed with new mixes to try and knowledge of the effects of natural additives such as spirulina! There are TONNES of hip books out there, they're a great help in keeping things fresh!

When you've got the time double up the juicer and blender for max nutrition, juice some carrots, ginger and tender stem, throw that juice in the blender and add some pears, pineapple, half an avocado and a couple of scoops of essential food and KAPOW, there you have broad spectrum natural nutrients in a glass! Take a look at our juicer-blender deals. Remember, the point of consuming smoothies as well as them tasting really good is that liquidized food is easier to digest than food you chomp up, this means it takes less energy to digest and is more thoroughly digested. If you are new to this fresh and juicy lifestyle here is some help deciding if you need a juicer and a blender and what each tool is for.

So here are a few of our favorite things to chuck in the blender..

Pineapple: just slice it up trim the skin and lob it in Avocado: a total favorite total food here at JP towers you can't go wrong with avocado in the mix Banana: a smoothie staple, too fleshy to juice so in the blender it goes Berries: blue, straw, black, you name it berries are good for you and add great taste to a smoothie. Kiwi fruits: rammed full of vitamin C slice them, scoop them and throw it in the blender, the seeds crush up nicely and add protein. Oranges: buy seedless oranges peel them and blend them great and no waste! Apples: peel and core they blend well in a powerful machine. Melon: high water content, great for thinning out a drink so it will go up a straw OK! Peach: stone out then blend and great taste and texture to any drink Nuts and seeds: add protein and more to your smoothies with a handful of nuts and seeds. So easy to do and really worth while.

I hope you found this useful and are inspired to start making your own healthy smoothies at home.BY Mark Henry

lasik correction - Seeing is believing

2009-01-10T00:31:00.001-08:00

What is lasik correction?

Lasik eye correction surgery is the use of a laser beneath the corneal flap in reshaping the corneas itself. This refractive surgery is performed using a highly specialized piece of equipment called an excimer laser. Lasik correction corrects refractive errors, improves ones vision, and can end the need to wear glasses. Lasik correction changes the shape of the cornea, which is the clear membrane covering of the eye.

Lasik correction - the Process

The lasik correction surgery is carried out by a highly specialized eye surgeon. After making some delicate incisions the lasik surgeon pulls back the corneal flap revealing the tissue beneath. The excimer laser is used to reshape the patients cornea specific to their particular requirements. After reshaping the flap is replaced without any need for sutures.

Refractive error explained

The eyes surface which is the cornea and the eye lens are the tools with which the eyes focus and process incoming light rays onto the retina. When the lens and the cornea are working in harmony everything is in focus and we see just fine. When this process does not function correctly one may experience a blurring in ones vision which is a refractive error. Lasik correction is performed to get this process working harmoniously once again.

Different kinds of refractive error

There is myopia which is more commonly called nearsightedness where objects further away become blurred.
There is hyperopia which is more commonly called farsightedness where nearer objects become blurred.
Then there is astigmatism which is a combination of the two previous conditions where blurring occurs in objects near or far.

Will lasik correction end the need for glasses?

Hopefully yes lasik correction will either remove completely or drastically reduce the need to wear glasses. Eyeglasses and contacts are designed to counteract the refractive error mentioned earlier and with lasik eye correction surgery fixing this problem you will hopefully be able to say goodbye to your specs.

Alternatives to lasik correction

Lasik correction is not the only choice for refractive surgery. Other techniques are available and may be more appropriate for your needs.

Advanced surface ablation is one alternative amongst several other methods that still utilize the laser but do not create a corneal flap. The technique involves removing the outermost corneal layer then conducting laser ablation. There are other procedures for different conditions and your eye specialist will guide you to the most appropriate procedure specific to your needs.

Lasik correction - The Good News

The success rate is very high for lasik eye correction surgery at about 80%. It can be performed on an outpatient basis with no hospitalization and the recovery time is usually very quick. So if you think you may benefit from refractive surgery consult with an eye specialist to find out if you are a suitable candidate for laser correction.

Visit Lasik Correction for more in depth articles, information and resources

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Beneficial Uses of a Shower Filter

2009-01-10T00:26:00.000-08:00

We are all aware how important water is for human beings and animals. In the same breath we are also aware that water is also a carrier of contents like lead that has resulted in spread of various deadly diseases including that of certain kinds of cancers, typhoid and cholera. It is important for us to consume water that is cleaned of the contamination for the sake of good long term heath and activeness. The ability of the filtration device to purify water of these deadly contamination adequately mark out the importance of water filtration for humans.

One of the major disadvantages of large scale industrialization world over is the waste the industries produce. Since the water contamination is on the rise because of chemicals released by various industries, the immediate need is to take steps for large scale protection measures. One of the simplest forms of these measures is the use of right type of filtration at various households to render the water drinkable.

Shower water filters are one of the recently advent water treatment filters that have enormous qualities to provide healthy drinking water. The name shower water filter gives an impression that this type of water filters are used to clean up bathing water and thus is not as vital as other water filters are, the fact is that these filters use similar technology that is used in other kinds of water filters. The filters thus have the capability to remove most of the contaminants from water that are taken out by other water filters.

It is not necessary that these deadly water contaminants get to the human body only through water intake. Most of them can get introduced to the body by way of inhalation or can get absorbed into via skin. One of such very damaging contaminant is chlorine that robs hair and skin of the vital moisture and makes them dry.

The skin and hair manage to retain natural oil that is essential for soft and natural appearance of both if the water used for shower is free of chlorine content. The chlorine contamination causes the body to lose these natural oils and thus may prove to be dangerous for the health of skin and hair. It may result in skin allergies, eczemas, irritations, rashes, hardness, and hair weakening and fall etc. For a healthy skin and as much healthy hair it is important to have chlorine free water for bathing.

Apart from the problem caused by absorption of chlorine through skin, inhalation of chlorine gas vapors can be a source of a number of problems. Water that has chlorine when heated through a shower turns into chlorine gas which is of course a hazardous contaminant.

The most common effect of inhalation of chlorine is increased exposure to bronchitis, asthma and other breathing related problems. This is because the immediate effect the vapors have on the delicate lung tissues. Chlorine, because of its dangerous properties, was used as lethal gaseous weaponry in the World War - II. Chlorine's poisonous properties are as harmful for the body as it is for the bacteria that it destroys in the water. Shower a water filter offer this immense advantage by providing chlorine free water for bathing and thus keep away from all these problems. Obviously the shower water filter are very effective to minimize the chances of the dangerous chlorine getting to our bodies through our skin or via respiration.

The importance of shower water filtration can not be under estimated considering the fact that chlorine that enters human body through respiration system and via skin is more than what enters because of direct consumption of chlorine added water. The body pores open up at the time of taking a shower that results in huge chlorine contamination entering our body. Environment Protection Agency recommends use of shower water filtration in the households to keep under control the chloroform levels that result because of chlorine contaminated water.

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Help Her Climax Fast

2009-01-10T00:24:00.000-08:00

Okay, guys. Want to know the REAL truth about how to give your girl an orgasm? If you are anything like most of our readers, you are struggling with the female form, DESPERATELY trying to satisfy your girl, yet never quite sure if you are doing things QUITE the right way, right? Fear not, the simple fact that you CARE and even notice is a HUGE step in the right direction!

Fact: According to a number of recent surveys.....women admit to shopping for SHOES with their friends over having SEX with their man.

Scary, don't you think? I agree......and to make matters WORSE, second to financial issues, women END more relationships on account of bad sex than ANYTHING else! With this in mind, let's look at a few simple things you can do, starting right NOW, that should get her going in a hurry.

Step #1: A Refreshing MENTAL Massage

Did you know that one of the MOST erogenous zones in a woman's body is her mind? It's true.....and simply learning how to stroke it in a slow and sexy seduction is a GREAT way to get her mind in the mood...and her body burning to boot!

Step #2: A Renewed Focus on Foreplay

I don't know how many times I can say this, but it NEVER changes. How much time are you spending on foreplay with your girl? Increase it. She'll LOVE you for it, and you'll find that the intensity of sex, and her ability to climax are DIRECTIONALLY proportional to how much time you invest in foreplay before hand.

Step #3: Enhance Your OWN Body, Too!

Did you know that over 95% (yes, I said 95%!) of women, who were already IN a relationship, when recently SECRETLY surveyed admitted they would prefer their man was LARGER? That's an amazing silent and stunning majority...and the truth is, adding important inches and getting GREAT gains is MUCH easier than most men realize. So focus on working on her in the FIRST two steps...and then on YOU, too..and you'll find the rewards well worth it for sure!

And One Last thing.....Remember:

Women admit that they would prefer a man who COMMUNICATES passionately during sex (which means she wants a little lusty dialogue..:-), they want you to learn the landscape a bit better ( understand her body) and they PREFER a man who has a powerful anatomy (a thicker penis is preferable). You can improve all three of these with JUST a little effort..and in my experience, the REWARDS they offer are EACH worth their weight in earth shaking orgasmic gold..:-)

So Click Here to become a more Powerful lover and give her an ORGASM so STRONG ....she'll scream your name in her sleep!

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Salvia Smoking Is Becoming More Common

2009-01-10T00:21:00.000-08:00

Smoking salvia is gaining popularity by the week, and salvia stores are popping up everywhere. Salvia divinorum is very cheap and is mostly legal, and it isn't addictive. Salvia extract is something that needs to be measured out before loading into a pipe or being smoked. Salvia is a naturally grown, mint-like leaf which has been equated to providing users with experiences similar to that of the mind-altering drug LSD.

Cheap salvia is the stuff sold on ebay by young teens using acetone and sending you God knows what. Smoking salvia extract has helped depression as well as drug addiction and this has been proven on many occasions. For good salvia, make sure and buy more then 5 grams at a time as you can end up cutting the price by over 80% or more per gram.

While salvia can be quite a strong drug, the claim that it produces "hysteria," "total confusion" and "near-madness" as a "side effect" doesn't correspond at all to a drug whose effects are more typically described as wearing off within five or ten minutes and leaving the user with a mild sense of euphoria. Parents need to be educated to keep all drugs out of their kids reach, and govern their kids activities online.

The claim that "young people are dying" from salvia is not backed up by empirical evidence, and, oddly enough, is contradicted by many scientific reports, which state that "medical experts and accident and emergency rooms have not reported any particular health concerns" about the drug. The salvia panic "is essentially an extension of the old drug-war debate in that there's this knee-jerk reflex on the part of legislators to criminalize first and ask questions later, if ever.

Extract concentration is how much "salvinorin a" (the hallucinogenic chemical) has been extracted and put back into the leaves. Purity means how much of the chemicals they washed off after extraction. You can find leaf soaked in extract at some head shops, that it pretty potent. I found that a good 10x extract only requires a moderate sized puff for a full blown break through.

Side effects include uncontrollable hysteria, an out of body experience, and a feeling of total confusion or near-madness. Buying salvia does not need to be difficult but be careful if you want to buy salvia using paypal.

Maria Bacher www.salvianoid.com / www.goarticles.com

Stop Kidding Yourself To Experience Extraordinary

2009-01-10T00:20:00.000-08:00

A healthy lifestyle will make you stronger and improve your mental and physical health. You're taking steps toward a healthy body and mind when you approach to eat preferable, exercise more, and reduce stress. Avoiding smoking and only drinking alcohol in moderation is also included in a healthy lifestyle. It won't take long back you notice increased get-up-and-go and feel more confident. You might feel motivated to live a healthy lifestyle every day when you lead off to be able accomplish more and not tire so easily. An important benefit of a healthy lifestyle is the lower risk of serious illnesses these as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. This will improve your probability of living a longer life.

Obesity is a serious problem facing individuals now, yet multitudinous folk don't realise the problems associated with being overweight. Those who are overweight display more serious health risks and present a higher than normal chance of getting certain diseases like diabetes. Those who lose weight significantly reduce the possibility of developing one of these conditions.

Those who are overweight also face body issues because of their poor selfhood-esteem. They may reduce to fad or crash diets to lose the extra weight, which may also lead to certain ailments. These individuals also demonstrate a high risk of developing heart problems in the future.

Those who are serious about leading a healthy lifestyle know the influence of not smoking. Anyone who smokes and quits automatically lowers their chances of developing one of the major diseases associated with cigarettes. Those who do smoke demonstrate a higher chance of developing lung cancer and emphysema.

Another danger associated with smoking is poor lung amplitude. They might get tired and breathless just taking a walk around the block, which makes it difficult to exercise. They could also develop cancer of the mouth and even lose their ability to taste foods after smoking for a long time.

Eating healthier and exercising will give you a much stronger body. You may prevent multitudinous kinds of illnesses by taking care of yourself. When you change to a healthy diet, it should be balanced and consist of vegetables, fruit, bread and cereals, meat, dairy substitutes, fish, and legumes. You should also drink 8 glasses of water a day. Positive side effects are weight loss and feeling celebrated. Exercise also has many positive side effects. Weight training exercises will make muscle tissue and reduce serum triglycerides. Aerobic exercise will give you more enterprise and improve blood glucose levels and blood fat profile. Greater vigorous exercise programmes will improve your health and fitness even if only for short periods every day.

Many athletes who exercise regularly compliment this with a healthy diet. This doesn't intimate overloading with lots of salad, but balancing meals and not eating too myriads fats. The benefits to a healthy diet are basically the same as related to exercising. If they display a healthy diet, they could expect to adore greater moods, demonstrate more muscle, and feel confident not being over weight.

If you want to reach a goal of being healthy and fit, then you need to live a healthy lifestyle and do everything you can to take care of yourself. Changing your eating and exercise habits will improve your health. Quitting bad habits like smoking is also good for your health. Getting healthy and fit doesn't symbolize you should go to the extreme with diet and exercise. If you eat mostly healthy foods, then eating a dessert should not harm you. Don't do too much exercise all at once. It's preferable to approach out slow and do the classification of exercise you like.
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