With the current interest and prevalence of ‘green’ related information and products, the home owner will be able to educate themselves quite well about the different techniques they can use to make their homes healthier. One of the easiest and cheapest ways to start is by banning all chemical cleaning products from the home. We all too often feel that we must use the latest cleaning product, with its promise of fast-acting and powerful cleansing properties, when the truth is that not only are these products teeming with environmental hazards and chemicals, the process of using them may, in the long term, have a devastating effect on our general health. By making the switch to all natural cleansers, not only do we help ourselves in terms of health, but also help keep the environment chemical free. Popular cleaning alternatives include products that one likely has in the house already, including white vinegar, baking soda, borax and lemon. Vinegar and baking soda in particular have proved to be marvellous at performing all kinds of varied tasks, from deodorizing to unclogging drains, and should be a staple in every home cleaning kit.

Fortunately, the sale of chemically-laden paints, stains and varnishes is not as widespread as it once was, and more manufacturers are being able to produce good quality decorating products that use environmentally friendly substances, thus cutting down on the levels of toxicity in the home. Even so, the homeowner would be wise to pick those products that require only soap and water clean-up and even avoid using certain materials in the house that may contain formaldehyde and other toxic substances. In fact, the use of natural materials is always a better choice or, if they are not natural, ensuring that surfaces are well-sealed will keep the release of chemicals to a minimum.

While it can be difficult due to our busy schedules, keeping our home as clean as possible can drastically reduce the amount of toxins and pollutants in the air, which some experts say can be at higher levels than the air outside the home. One of the simplest ways to keep the house clean is by ensuring shoes are always taken off at the front door, and that a good quality vacuum cleaner, preferably one with  Hepa filter, is used on a regular basis, even daily if there are animals or allergy sufferers in the house. Avoiding rugs and carpeting is important in terms of reducing the amount of dust and mold in the air, and, if necessary, using an air-purifier will further aid those with environmental allergies. Keeping the house well ventilated is vital, and it is always more beneficial to air out the home naturally by opening a window, rather than using commercial air fresheners which, particularly in the case of the cheaper variety, may actually release damaging chemicals into the air.

Finally, ensuring the home is clear of clutter and as organized as possible will further create a healthy atmosphere and help the home owner feel mentally relaxed and distressed.

Partly due to our rushed daily routine and stressful environment, a lot of us are simply not as healthy as we could be and the effects of this type of lifestyle can take their toll over the years often resulting in chronic illness, weight gain and general lack of energy and vitality. Most people don’t realise that they are in fact carrying around as much as 10 lbs of waste in their bodies, mostly from impacted matter stuck in the colonic tract. Not only is this preventing them from losing weight but can lead to a great number of other symptoms, from the not so serious such as skin problems and fatigue through to life-threatening diseases like colon cancer.

There are a number of methods to cleansing the colon and a quick search on the internet will bring up a large amount of so-called ‘cleansing’ products that often consist of herbal supplements. While one should not dismiss these straight away, it should be noted that many of these products are simply made up of herbal laxatives that will indeed increase elimination, but not do much else for the individual. While for many, an increase in bowel movements may help relieve temporary constipation, it is important not to become reliant on this type of laxative as over time, the bowel can become ‘lazy’ and fail to work as efficiently without the help of a supplement. However, once in a while would certainly not do any harm, although it is certainly not necessary to spend a lot of money on a cleansing product when the individual components can be purchased for half the price! Anyone considering this type of treatment should talk to their health care provider first, just to check that there is no medical reason for them not to proceed, and then consult with a herbalist for recommended supplements. While herbs such as cascara sagrada and senna are popular, their safety over the long term has been in doubt, and it may be wiser to stay with a more known product such as licorice. Using fiber as a way to increase elimination is excellent as many of us do not get enough of this important food group in our daily diet anyway. Phyllium husk has become a ‘buzz’ ingredient of late, being added to many breakfast cereals, and is an effective way of basically ‘pushing’ out the impacted fecal matter from the colon.

Other popular methods of detoxifying the body include liquid diets or juice-fasting, and the ‘master cleanse’ is a particularly well-known method, having been used by many celebrities to maintain their body weight. Although it should not be practised for too long, and the ingredients may not exactly sound appealing, the combination of lemon juice, water, maple syrup and cayenne pepper has proven extremely effective in obtaining quick results. More extreme forms of fasting, particularly those that require absolutely no food intake for long periods of time are definitely not recommended for the average person and should only be undertaken with strict supervision, if at all. By far a healthier method of ‘fasting’ would be to substitute some meals with fresh fruit and vegetable smoothies, increasing the intake of water and reducing the meals eaten to very simple fare such as brown rice and fibrous vegetables.

As with any type of diet, it is important to not expect miracles in terms of weight loss and practise these methods in moderation and only ever with the approval from you r doctor.

There is no doubt that in addition to the influence from the parent, the media surrounding our children does very little to encourage healthy habits. Children are generally more likely to be found playing video games rather than playing outside in the fresh air (although the introduction of certain sports video games has made them somewhat more physical) and food products aimed specifically at the younger consumer are often overloaded with sugar and fat, sometimes even under the guise as being a healthier choice, as is the case with many breakfast cereals.

As a parent or caregiver, it is more important now than it ever was to ensure that we set  good example to our kids, and, if the child is already suffering from obesity, do everything we can to help them get to a healthy weight, and deal with some of the more damaging psychological problems that can be associated with the condition, particularly in the form of teasing at school and low-self esteem issues. Encouraging your child to make healthy choices in all areas of his or her life is important, whether it is making subtle food substitutions in their favourite meals, learning a new sport or activity together and talking about the many benefits of living at  healthy body weight and more importantly, one that is right for them as an individual.

t can be hard to know where to begin when it comes to getting the brain in shape, and although it is obviously best to start as early as possible, taking care of the brain at any age will always be beneficial. There are a number of different factors in brain health, namely the food we eat, the activities we participate in and our level of physical fitness. Food can actually have more of an effect on the brain’s health than most people think, and the link between what we eat and our minds is becoming increasingly discussed, especially by those studying the effects and prevention of dementia. It is known, without doubt that increasing the amount of ‘healthy’ fat in the diet is essential to the brain, not only in terms of improving overall brain function, but also by decreasing inflammation and even elevating the mood. Unfortunately many people, especially those in an older age group, are not getting sufficient amounts of these fats in their diet and may need to consult with a dietician for nutritional recommendations. While it is possible to increase the intake of Omega-3 fatty acids through taking supplements, the fat is also abundant in foods such as salmon, mackerel, flax seed, eggs and nuts, all of which can be easily incorporated into the diet. Other ways to help the brain through the diet is by cutting down on the amount of salt ingested which can mean checking food labels for sodium content and not adding extra salt to meals that likely do not need it anyway. In addition to lower blood pressure, a reduction in salt results in improved blood flow to the brain and a general reduction in stress.

In addition to concentrating on the food we eat to keep the brain at its optimum functioning level, it is just as important to give it a regular ‘workout’ just as we would with the rest of our bodies. Keep the brain sharp by performing puzzles such as Sudoku and word games, and improve response times and memory with the use of video games. One word of warning though – although these types of games are great in moderation, overloading the brain with too much stimuli, particularly when it is mind-numbing television watching, will actually have the reverse effect and can dull the brain’s neural transmitters.

Once your brain is well fed and adequately stimulated, it is a good idea to train it to focus and refresh itself by maybe learning a new activity (which, if participated in a group can benefit the individual from a social point), whether it is a foreign language, style of dance or studying a new subject at night school. Being active in an exercise like yoga will have a two-fold effect – the body will benefit from the physical exercise while the brain will be helped through the practise of focus, meditation and deeper breathing, increasing the flow of blood, lowering stress and increasing the productivity of certain enzymes that are vital in new cell growth and proper brain function.

While relatively new to those in the western hemisphere, the practise of ‘alternative’ treatments is centuries old in the East, having been practised for well over 6,000 years in some parts of the world. There is no doubt that part of its popularity here in the west is partly due to the fact that the world is getting ‘smaller’ i.e. it is easier to travel and therefore become familiarized with different cultures and ways of living. But, probably more importantly, one of the biggest reasons for the interest in alternative treatments, may have more to do with the fact that people are becoming increasingly wary of the large pharmaceutical companies, some even feeling as though they are guinea pigs for a lot of the new medicines coming into the market.

Whatever the reason for wanting to learn more about alternative medicine, it is important that before embarking on any one treatment, the patient consults with a healthcare practitioner specialized in the field, whether they are a herbalist, naturopath or Chinese medicine doctor. While a lot of research into different methods of treatment can be done on the internet, it is important for the patient to not self-diagnose which can lead to some possibly serious consequences. Depending on the particular health concern or condition, the number of different treatments available is quite staggering. In addition to the more well-known practices such as acupuncture and homeopathy, there are many that are likely less familiar to the average person, such as magnet therapy, aura and chakra healing, hydrotherapy and light therapy.

Starting with a more familiar method of treatment like acupuncture is probably the best way for one to introduce themselves into the alternative medicine world and because of its popularity and success-rate, most people will have access to a qualified acupuncturist in their area. This method of treatment, originating in China, is based upon the 12 lines of energy that flow within the body and which are, it is believed, connected to certain aspects of healing. Acupuncture can be used to treat a number of ailments, including both mental and physical conditions and has proved to be so successful that acupuncture needles are now approved by the FDA as medical devices.

Of course, not all alternative treatments are looked upon so kindly and some of the more ‘wackier’ types of therapies may take longer to gain popularity amongst the general public. In particular, the use of the aforementioned magnet-therapy and chakra healing is something that a lot of people would certainly dismiss as extremely ‘new-age’ type treatments, whereas many who have tried these methods have had a certain amount of success, particularly in the areas of increasing energy levels and stimulating the body’s immunity to help prevent disease. Likewise, many may dismiss the practice of reflexology as a sound treatment, when in fact it is being widely used for a number of ailments including the more stress-related conditions of insomnia, tension and gastrointestinal problems.

Before dismissing any type of treatment as ‘hocus-pocus’ it is well worth taking the time to research it a little more thoroughly and getting all the facts first, allowing an educated decision to be made.

The people who are at more risk than others to suffer from a stroke are people of advanced age, people who suffer from high blood pressure, people who have suffered from a stroke previously, people with diabetes, high cholesterol, smoke cigarettes and those who suffer from atrial fibrillation. Strokes are usually treated by busting up blood clots, taking high blood pressure medicine and taking aspirin.

A stroke can happen within minutes, even seconds. That is how quickly the symptoms can develop. Symptoms are droopiness in the eyelid, inability to keep eyes open, decrease in reflexes, problems balancing, altered breathing, altered heart rate, confusion, trouble walking and vertigo.

Doctors diagnose strokes by performing a series of tests. Those tests include CT Scans, PET Scans and MRIs. Ultrasounds and angiograms are also used in the detection of strokes.

Victims of strokes that survive the harrowing experience must undergo rehabilitation that involves relearning everyday skills to make life a little bit easier on the patient. Those skills include walking, balancing, speaking, eating and mobility. Rehabilitation also educates the patient about what happened, what happens next and making sure the family members know how to help the patient. One third of all stroke patients also suffer from post-stroke depression, which entails the help of psychologists. Some patients have live-in nurses to monitor their vital signs, help them bathe, eat, stay hydrated and body positioning. Many stroke patients going through rehabilitation use wheelchairs, canes and walkers to assist them around.

Some stroke patients also suffer from dementia. Dementia is a progressive disease within the body that creates a decline in the cognitive functions of the brain due to damage from outside sources, such as a stroke, or other diseases within the body. Dementia is a stronger form of cognitive decline than what most people suffer from when their age is increasing.

The only factor that causes strokes that can be controlled is high blood pressure. Once a patient is checked and diagnosed with high blood pressure they can control it through proper medicine and a proper diet. If the blood pressure returns to abnormal levels it can lead to a stroke for some patients. If the high blood pressure levels are kept in control and at a normal level then a stroke can be avoided.

Most lung cancer patients are treated with chemotherapy but some are able to be treated through surgical procedures. There are two types of lung cancer. They are small cell lung carcinoma and non-small cell carcinoma. The latter is treated with surgery. The most known common cause of lung cancer is the most obvious cause; extended exposure to tobacco smoke. There is an occurrence of lung cancer in non-smokers. The causes are genetics, radon gas, asbestos, air pollution and second-hand smoke.

Lung cancer can be seen with a chest x-ray or a CT scan and is confirmed by having a biopsy. Lung cancer is so deadly that the five year survival rate with treatment is only 14 percent. Other symptoms of lung cancer are the loss of an appetite, chest pain, a hoarse voice, difficulty swallowing, wheezing, clubbing of the fingernails. Many sufferers of lung cancer have an obstruction of their airflow, causing breathing problems, and in turn helping pneumonia develop. The pneumonia develops from an accumulation of secretions around the blockage.

Close to 90 percent of all lung cancer related deaths are caused by smoking across the globe. That number is trimmed, ever so slightly, to 87 percent of deaths in the United States. How do you prevent lung cancer? The most obvious answer is to avoid the habit of smoking during a lifetime and to stay away from becoming a victim of second-hand smoke as much as possible.

Most lung cancers, if localized, can be surgically removed. If the tumor is localized it means that it has yet to spread to other tissues within the body and other organs within the body. If the cancer has spread, surgery to cure the problem is almost out of the question, and the doctor will more than likely recommend chemotherapy.

Here is just a little bit of history regarding the disease. The first successful pneumonectomy to cure lung cancer was carried out in 1933 and radiotherapy has been used to cure lung cancer sine the early 1940’s. Successful chemotherapy treatments were invented in the decade of the 1970’s.

Lung cancer can be avoided by making smart life decisions like not smoking, avoiding heavy second-hand smoke and eating healthy. If you suffer from any of the symptoms mentioned above consult a physician immediately. Lung cancer is treatable, it can’t be cured, but it can be controlled if detected at an early stage.

High blood pressure is a condition that develops over a period of many years and will typically affect almost every person at some point during his or her lifetime. Even if a patient’s blood pressure readings reach dangerously high levels they will not experience any symptoms showing the development of the high blood pressure. The rarest of symptoms; dull headaches, nose bleeds, and dizzy spells only show up once high blood pressure has reached an incredibly dangerous and life threatening level.

There is no reason to make a special trip to the doctor’s office to have your blood pressure checked unless you have the life threatening symptoms mentioned earlier. When you visit the doctor for a routine checkup he or she will check your blood pressure as part of the visit, even without you asking for this to be done. The doctor will tell you what your blood pressure reading was and whether or not you have cause for alarm. If your blood pressure reading is higher than the last time the doctor will monitor your blood pressure for the next couple of visits and then determine if medicine is necessary.

There are two main causes of high blood pressure; primary hypertension and secondary hypertension. Primary hypertension is when there is no definitive cause at all. Instead, this condition occurs in 90 to 95 percent of cases across the country and will develop over a period of many years in patients. Secondary hypertension can be caused by certain medications or medical conditions such as kidney abnormalities, tumors of the adrenal gland, congenital heart defects, cold remedies, birth control pills, some prescription drugs, pain relievers, cocaine and amphetamines.

Risk factors for developing high blood pressure include high age, race (African Americans), family history, being overweight, not being physically active, using tobacco, having too much salt in your diet, too little potassium in your diet, too little vitamin D in your diet, drinking too much alcohol, stress and certain chronic conditions. In some cases, but not all of them, pregnancy can be the reason for high blood pressure. High blood pressure can cause damage to the arteries, heart failure, aneurysm, blocked or ruptured blood vessel in the brain, weakened and narrowed blood vessel in the kidney, torn blood vessels in the eyes, metabolic syndrome and troubles with memory and understanding.

Broken bones can occur during sporting games, car accidents, a fall from heights, a direct blow to the bone and other incidents. Doctors do recommend investigations into very young children with broken bones, especially if the children are not old enough to take part in organized sports, because it could be as a result of child abuse. Some of the most common bones to break are fingers, hands, ankles, feet, arms and ribs. All of these bones can be cared for by a doctor in the emergency room and then by an orthopedic surgeon after initial care.

Doctors recommend that if you break a bone in your foot, leg, or ankle then you should stay off that part of the body as much as possible. This includes using crutches, wheelchairs, and scooters to get around at work or school instead of putting all the body weight on the broken bone. If the body weight is placed on the broken bone it will take longer to heal and might even cause the bone to break again while it is in the process of healing. If this happens, the patient will need longer time to recover from the injury and it is possible that the bone might not heal fully.

Once you are examined by the physician and the orthopedic surgeon, who will cast the bone if possible, you must take care of that part of your body. The cast cannot get wet. This means that you cannot get into the shower with the cast, into the tub with the cast, or into a pool or the ocean with the cast. Therefore, if you have a broken arm, you will have to take a bath and hang your casted arm off the side of the tub so it doesn’t get wet. If you have a broken leg, you will need to do the same thing because you won’t be able to stand on the leg or get in the shower with the cast on your leg.

When a broken bone occurs, if you cannot get to an emergency room or doctor’s office right away you should elevate the part of the body and put as much ice on it as possible to reduce the amount of swelling. Be extra careful when moving around, especially when getting in and out of a vehicle, before the bone is casted or placed in a sling so that it is not bumped or banged. This will cause more damage to the bone and a lot of pain to the area of the body.

Asthma attacks occur when there is chronic inflammation of the lungs, causing a reversible narrowing of the bronchi tubes. This medical condition affects 7 percent of the population and over 300 million people worldwide. When an asthma attack occurs, the smooth muscle cells in the bronchi constrict, causing the airways to become inflamed and swollen. Approximately 4,000 people die each year in the United States as a result of asthma attacks. Patients can die from this condition if they have an attack and do not have their inhaler with them. Doctors and other medical experts recommend that asthma sufferers carry their rescue inhalers with them at all times.

The symptoms of asthma include shortness of breath, chest tightness or chest pain, trouble sleeping caused by shortness of breath or coughing and wheezing, an audible whistling or wheezing sound when exhaling and bouts of coughing worsened by an infection. The signs and symptoms that your asthma is getting worse includes an increase in the severity and frequency of asthma attacks, a fall in peak flow rates, and an increased need to use your inhaler or nebulizer. These are medications that open up the airways by relaxing the surrounding muscles.

The triggers of asthma include one or more of the following:

• Airborne allergens, such as pollen, animal dander, mold, cockroaches and dust mites
• Respiratory infections, such as the common cold
• Physical activity (exercise-induced asthma)
• Cold air
• Air pollutants and irritants such as smoke
• Certain medications, including beta blockers, aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
• Strong emotions and stress
• Sulfites, preservatives added to some perishable foods
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a condition in which stomach acids back up into your throat
• Menstrual cycle in some women
• Allergic reactions to foods such as peanuts or shellfish

People who are more at risk for developing asthma include those with asthma in their family history, suffering from frequent respiratory infections as a young child, exposure to secondhand smoke at any age, living in an urban area with a lot of pollution, exposure to occupational triggers such as chemicals used in farming, low birth weight and being overweight. Some patients with asthma will experience a higher frequency of attacks when they are around things they are allergic to, including dogs, cats, dander, pollen and dust. Always consult a doctor when suffering an asthma attack.