Health-References » anxiety

Effects of Over-training on Male and Female Sexual Health

Health References — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 05:46:51 +0000

Over-training has become a common practice nowadays. Many people workout because they want to gain muscle, lose some weight, and achieve the physique that they have been dreaming off. These individuals are often in such a hurry to achieve their ideal physique that they forget to follow fitness safety guidelines. Many athletes who over-train exercise for about six hours a day — a length of time that is considered to be excessive. These individuals do not realize that over-training may do more harm than good. Too much or too intense training may lead to injuries, low testosterone levels among men and amenorrhea in women.

Some medical studies suggest that over-training may cause a temporary decrease in testosterone levels. Testosterone is the principal male sex hormone which plays an important role in libido, immune function, energy, and many more. This hormone is essential for the development of male sex and reproductive organs like the penis, testicles, and the prostate. Low levels of testosterone may cause a problem to many men.

A temporary reduction in sperm count and quality which may lead to temporary infertility may also be experienced by men who over-train. This happens because the body literally kills itself during training and needs time to recuperate to build muscles and improve the body. Too much or too intense physical activity may reduce the level of hormones in the bloodstream and therefore affect sperm production. The decrease in these components is temporary and may return to normal after a few days of rest.

Women who engage in over-training are at risk of many health problems like amenorrhea, a term that refers to the absence of menstrual periods. This is experienced by women because of extremely low body fat content. Missed menstruation is often linked to decreased estrogen primary female sex hormone levels. Several medical studies show that amenorrheic women, and those who have body fats below 10 of the ideal measure may have a hard time getting pregnant. In addition to this, amenorrhea may also lead to osteoporosis, an ailment which decreases bone density, making the bones vulnerable to fracture and other injuries. Bones usually become brittle when people are much older, but some young women, especially the ones who experience amenorrhea develop brittle bones at a very young age.

Signs and symptoms of over-training may include the following

missed or irregular menstrual periods
extreme thinness
extreme or rapid weight loss
behaviors that reflect frequent like eating very little, not eating in front of others, and focus on low-calorie food
frequent and intense exercising taking aerobics class followed by a five mile run, swimming for long hours, and weight-lifting
an I can’t miss a day of workout attitude
anxious preoccupation with injuries
exercising despite illness, bad weather, injury and other conditions that may require resting
too much self-criticism or self-dissatisfaction
extreme anxiety and low self-esteem
fatigue
sleep difficulties
feeling cold most of the time
constant conversations about weight

If these signs are experienced, it is important to make adjustments in ones exercise routine and eating regimen. Exercising in moderation and reducing the intensity from time to time, coupled with healthy diets may help prevent the adverse effects of over-training. For women, it is also best to seek advice from one’s doctor to make sure that one’s missed periods is not a sign of over-training. Individuals who want to lose weight properly are encouraged to consult doctors and other health professionals for advice. Understanding the proper workout regimen, and including a healthy diet in one’s lifestyle may lead to improved health and overall well-being.

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Schools’ Biggest Threat

Health References — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 03:11:48 +0000

What do W.R. Myers High School, Heritage High School, Columbine High School and Virginia Tech, have in common aside from being academic institutions? Do the names Todd Cameron Smith, Thomas Solomon Jr., Eric Harris, Dylan Klebold and Cho Seung-Hui sound familiar? What is the common factor among those persons mentioned earlier? Why is it important to talk about their situation? This is basically what this article is all about. The relationship among those questions posted initially will be shown as the answers are revealed one by one.

Schools are considered by most parents as their children’s second home. This may be because most students actually spend more time in school than at home. These institutions are also known as places of learning and it is of great importance that the atmosphere and condition in these places are conducive for such undertaking. Also, most parents expect their children to be safe and secure in school. However, the situations in W.R. Myers High School, Heritage High School, Columbine High School and Virginia Tech during 4 fateful days were far from being conducive for learning. It was on 28 April 1999, 20 May 1999, 20 April 1999 and 16 April 2007 when several students were killed during school shootings at W.R. Myers High, Heritage high, Columbine High and Virginia Tech, respectively. These tragedies are just four of the several school shootings that have happened in the United States since 1966. Because of the increasing incidence of this type of crime, law enforcers, parents, teachers, and other concerned citizens are now taking action to come up with a solution for this problem.

Todd Cameron Smith killed one student and injured two others at W.R. Myers High School when he was just 14 years old. Thomas Solomon Jr. was a 15-year-old sophomore at Heritage High School when he brought a rifle and a handgun to school and randomly shot and injured six students. Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold were both students at Columbine High School when they bombed their school cafeteria, killed 12 students and a teacher, and injured 24 others before committing suicide. Cho Seung-Hui was a 23-year-old senior at Virginia Tech when he killed 32 students and injured a lot more before also committing suicide. All five students are said to have experienced being bullied in their respective schools, thus, partly being the cause of those students’ anxiety problems or depression. Also, their aggression towards others resulting to crimes committed may also be partly attributed to their depression and the experience of bullying.

In 1998, the National Institute of Child Health and Development NICHD conducted a survey on bullying among 15,686 6th to 10th grades students all over America. The survey showed that 30 of those students who participated have either experienced being a bully, had been victims of bullying or both. From the survey, it was further determined that nationwide, 3.2 million kids or teenagers were being bullied while 3.7 million others are bullies. Another study done by NICHD correlated the act of bullying and of being bullied with depressive and suicidal tendencies among those who have experienced it. The study indicated that frequently, bullied kids are more depressed and suicidal. Figures also reflected that among those who took part in the survey and had experienced being bullied, 26 of girls and 16 of boys have moderate to severe depression while eight percent 8 of girls and four percent 4 of boys are suicidal. Though it is said that bullies have higher tendencies to commit crimes, the profile of most attackers in school shootings are mostly those of the victims of bullying. This is supported by a study also done by NICHD which stated that those who have both experienced being bullied and being bullies may be more at-risk and more dangerous.

Various preventive measures have been promoted in response to the school shootings that have occurred over the past few years. Security within schools have been improved which included stricter screening of students who could possibly be carrying illegal firearms or weapons into campus. However, organizations such as Fight Crime Invest In Kids and the US Secret Service suggest that getting to the root of the problem rather than just mere physical security will provide the best solution to address the serious situation. Considering that these school shootings somehow resulted from distress in school caused by bullying, efforts should also be directed to setting up programs that would prevent these types of negative or destructive behavior among students. Nowadays, there are already existing anti-bullying and anti-aggression programs such as the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program which is implemented in the US and in other countries. These programs aim to increase awareness about bullying among parents, teachers and students; create rules in school that prevent bullying; provide positive consequences for those who avoid; and negative consequences for those who engage in bullying.

Through these preventive measures and awareness programs, both government and non-governments organizations, as well as numerous concerned citizens, hope to avoid another Columbine or Virginia Tech incident. It is also a way of keeping the image of schools as institutions for learning with assurance of safety and security. Preventing the incidence of bullying not only answers problems with depression among the youth but also decreases the rise in youth crimes.

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Discover The Healing Power Of Art

Health References — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 22:01:42 +0000

We are all creative beings. Men’s creative minds made them reach the peak of the highest mountain in the world, plant a flag on the moon, fly into outer space. Our creativity brought about inventions that have changed human history and culture such as the computer, the Internet, cell phone, TV, x-ray machines, and a long list of other innovations. These are all the end result of man’s creativity.

Suffice it to say, creativity produces works of art, which in turn, plays a large role in our everyday lives. We can see them in almost every corner, every space or walls around us. Art has been used as a visual means of communication and expression dating back to prehistoric times. Art speaks of originality, individuality, a creative process, graphic materials, colors, textures, spontaneity, risk, alternatives, and imagination. But art is not only for the creative minds or the famous painters. It is also a healthy way to express the way we feel and deal with our emotions. Art has been of central importance to the healing practices of many cultures over much of human history. As time went on, art has been developed as a tool for psychological diagnosis and treatment called Art Therapy.

According to the American Art Therapy Association, art therapy is a method that utilizes art media, images, and the creative art process to help a patient to address concerns and conflicts. Art Therapy is based on the knowledge of human development and psychological theories which are implemented in the full spectrum of models of assessment and treatment including educational, psycho-dynamic, cognitive, trans-personal, and other therapeutic means of reconciling emotional conflicts. It is also used as a tool for fostering self-awareness, developing social skills, managing behavior, solving problems, reducing anxiety, aiding in reality orientation, and in increasing self-esteem.

The beginnings of modern art therapy can be traced to the early 1900s when psychiatrists first wondered if there was a relationship between artworks and the illnesses of patients. At the same time, art educators began to observe how the free and spontaneous artworks of children were a form of personal storytelling which conveyed emotionally and symbolically meaningful messages. These two areas of interest that eventually resulted in the emergence of the distinct discipline of art therapy in the 1930s. During the second half of the twentieth century, art therapists became increasingly organized, setting up graduate programs, professional associations, and journals.

A variety of artistic methods are used in Art Therapy. These methods or professional areas include music therapy, dance therapy, psychodrama, and movie therapy. Other methods include speech therapy, recreational therapy, photo-therapy, and poetry therapy.

Art therapy has actually developed into a human care service which expands the psychotherapeutic process to encompass the clients visual and verbal expressions, and intellectual insights or reflections. Art therapy clients are able to deal with the same kinds of issues they would deal with in conventional talk therapies. They are not required to have any special artistic skills or abilities in order to benefit from art therapy. However, the clients engage in the therapy by creating with art materials in collaboration with the art therapist. The art therapist serves as a witness, guide, and facilitator — helping the artist-client to express their unique creativity and then “translate” their creative language into meaningful avenues of exploration and personal insights.

Drawing, painting, and sculpting help many people reconcile their inner conflicts, release deeply repressed emotions, and foster self-awareness, as well as personal growth. Some mental health providers use art therapy as a diagnostic tool and as a way to help treat disorders such as anxiety, abuse-related trauma, and schizophrenia. Art therapy sessions are also given to prison inmates and HIV patients.

Although there is relatively little scientific evidence to prove that that it helps people with cancer, many health professionals think it may encourage the cancer patients to express their emotions, which could help them improve their relationship with others. It can also take their minds and feelings away from pain and discomfort.

Art is found to be of great help most especially to a depressed individual. Through art, they can discover their anger and express it in a healthy way. In one study, art therapy was used with suicidal teenagers, and results showed that it had positive effects as part of an overall treatment plan. Teenagers with depression are often slowed down in their journey towards independence and to having a secure self-identity. Therefore, it is very helpful to provide a safe outlet for the distress that has triggered the depression. With the creative process of art therapy, negative factors that cause depression such as guilt, worthlessness, and hopelessness are gradually addressed.

When used along with other interventions for the treatment of depression, art therapy can be an effective and creative way to aid an individuals journey toward self-knowledge and emotional health. The idea is not to focus on producing a masterpiece. The important thing to remember is to concentrate on the act of creation itself. The images that are produced can help lead the individual to a new and different understanding of how they think and feel, and this knowledge may be the tool that helps them unlock their inner happiness.

Emotional disturbances such as depression, anxiety, and stress overload are the result of losing touch with ones own thoughts and feelings. One way to get back in touch with these thoughts and feelings is through the use of art. Art therapy provides a sense of accomplishment, enjoyment, and personal expression for those interested in simple relaxation and self-discovery.

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When Therapy Becomes Bothersome

Health References — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 09:06:27 +0000

Many people living in the United States are in psychotherapy to seek counseling for problems encountered in their lives. Psychotherapy is a method of interpersonal and relational intervention used by psychotherapists in helping people deal with their problems in life. During the process, the client usually develops a special bond with the therapist, a relationship based on trust and understanding because sensitive topics are usually discussed during sessions.
This special relationship between a client and a therapist, however, sometimes lead to emotional dependency either by the client towards the therapist, andor vice versa. There are cases that both parties involved become mutually entangled with each others problems and lives that sometimes breaking up with a lover or spouse seem easier than ending a relationship with your psychotherapist.Even without emotional dependency involved, some clients still find it difficult to break away from the therapy because the therapist would advise them not to discontinue the treatment.
One writer recently tried and found it surprisingly difficult to end a treatment that began with a simple case of writers block that turned into seven years of intensive therapy. It all started when she got hold of a bookwriting contract and realized she was having difficulty writing it. She found the therapy very helpful and was able to finish a second novel. She even felt that her relationship with her husband has improved. However, when she decided to end the treatment, her therapist strongly resisted, which made her upset Why do I need therapy, she wanted to know, if Im feeling good?
This situation brings up two related, puzzling questions How do you know when you are healthy enough to say goodbye to your therapist? And how should a therapist handle it?
Come to think of it, the ultimate goal of a good therapist is to make their clients be independent of their service the soonest possible time. Whatever it is that drove you to therapy, say depression, anxiety, relationship problems, you name it, should not keep yourself tied to your therapist forever. Whether the therapist or the client likes it or not, good therapy should come to an end.
But how does the client know when to end the therapy? Is the client at the mercy of the therapist as to when will the condition be declared cured or treated?
Even the term ‘cure’ is vague as there will always be problems to deal with everyday of our lives. The most important thing is for the client to be able to handle problems whenever it inevitably arises.
Another case involved a successful lawyer who had been in psychotherapy for nine years. The reason for his therapy was his lack of sense of direction and having no intimate relationships. But during the sixth and seventh year of the therapy, he had felt that he and his therapist were just wasting their time. Therapy had become a routine, like going to the gym.
Its not that anything bad has happened, he said. Its that nothing is happening.
It appears more like an expensive form of chatting than an overdue psychotherapy. Perhaps the only reason why he stayed is that the therapy is essentially an unequal relationship. Clients tend to be dependent on their therapists. No matter how problematic or unsatisfying the therapy is, that might still be preferable than giving it up altogether, or starting all over again with an unknown therapist.
Oftentimes, psychotherapy clients can also become stuck in therapy for the very reason that they started it, such as a dependent client who cannot leave his therapist; a masochistic client who suffers silently in treatment with a withholding therapist; a narcissistic client who is eager to be liked fears challenging his therapist, and so on.
The reason why therapists in would not call a timeout and question whether the treatment is stalled or isnt working can be one of the following
1. It could be due to therapists generally enthusiastic attitude that they can always identify new issues for you to work on.
2. Some therapists could have an unspoken and inherent financial motive in keeping their patients in continuous therapy.
3. Just like most of us, therapists also have unmet emotional needs which certain patients satisfy. They may find some patients to be interesting, exciting or fun that they have a hard time letting go of them.
It is always the prerogative of the client to periodically take stock of hisher progress and ask the therapist for direct feedback. You may also assess yourself by asking the following questions
1. How close are you to reaching your goals?
2. How much better do you feel?
3. Are your relationships and work more satisfying?
You can even ask close friends or your partner whether they see any change in you. Independent consultation helps especially when you think you are better and are contemplating ending treatment but the therapist disagrees. Learn to take a break from therapy and see what life is like without it.

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Understanding the Cause of Obesity

Health References — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 17:13:45 +0000

Obesity is a condition that has become a major health concern affecting many individuals in the United States. This

condition refers to the build-up of excess body fat that may impair health conditions. Several medical studies show that

obese individuals are prone to health risks like cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, certain cancers, type 2 diabetes,

coronary heart disease, sleep apnea, and many more. These health hazards have prompted individuals to include a weight-loss

program in their lifestyles. However, people who want to lose weight tend to exercise too much and eat unhealthy food. These

conditions may bring do more harm than good.

Understanding the cause of obesity might enable overweight individuals to treat their health problems. According to clinical

studies, major causes of obesity among Americans are too many calories in food regimens coupled with inactivity and

overeating. Acknowledging these two factors may help overweight or obese people lose weight and improve their health.

Many specialists health specialists argue that weight-related problems and obesity can be caused by high calories in diets

coupled with inactivity. A study conducted by the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report in February, 2004 showed that

Americans consumed more calories than they did 30 years ago. The study found out that from 1971 to 2004, American women

increased their calorie consumption from 1542 calories per day to 1877. The men on the other hand, at the same time frame,

increased their calorie intake from 2,450 to 2,618.

With the rise of calorie intake also came the decline of physical activities. However, less than 13 of adults engage in the

appropriate amounts of exercise. In addition, 40 of adults in the United States do not participate in any physical activity

while 43 of adolescents spend more than 2 hours in front of the television. It is recommended that individuals should

accumulate at least 30 minutes among adults and 60 minutes among children of moderate physical activity three times a week.

More are recommended to prevent weight gain or to lose weight.

Statistics also suggest that overeating is another reason why people tend be overweight or obese. Overeating is an eating

abnormality where the consumption of food intake is inappropriately large for energy use. Triggers of overeating may include

depression, stress, boredom, anxiety, and prolonged dieting. People with eating disorder feel that negative feelings may

temporarily disappear through food consumption, often these food escapades are done in secret. This disorder can be treated

with the help of health professionals coupled with the support of family and friends.

Obesity can be avoided and treated through proper exercise and healthy diets. People who want to lose weight tend to

over-train and deprive themselves of healthy food. These habits may impede weight loss and cause additional health concerns.

Proper exercise coupled with the right diet is essential in weight-loss and weight-control. In addition, exercise may

eliminates depression because physical activities promotes the release of endorphins. Endorphins are substances that is

released by the brain and is the body’s natural pain-reliever. These substance may elevate the mood and promote a state of

bliss. Many health specialists refer to this phenomenon as the runner’s high.

For overweight or obese individuals, it is never too late to partake in regular exercise and healthy diets. Exercise is good

for different people of all ages, sex, and weight. It is necessary to maintain improved overall health and enhanced

well-being. Individuals who decide to include a regular program of physical activity should consult doctors and other health

professionals for advice. This is important because a lot of individuals tend to workout too much or workout improperly,

which may do more harm than good. Understanding proper workout and including a healthy diet in one’s lifestyle may lead to

improved health and overall well-being.

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Even The Youth Have Worries Of Their Own

Health References — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 16:29:27 +0000

In this age of globalization and wireless technology, worrying about hectic schedules and living complicated life is completely normal. When too much worrying becomes overwhelming, you may feel like they’re out of control and they’re running your life. Consider your thoughts and feelings. The excessive amount of time you feel anxious or have difficulty sleeping because of your worries can be symptoms of an anxiety disorders.
We all experience anxiety almost everyday. It is considered a natural part of life. It refers to the worries and concern of every day life which may lead to stress and nervousness. Anxiety to young people can be limited to situations in school such as project deadlines, exams, special events like sports and proms.
There can be something good about feeling anxious. It can actually help students to be motivated to prepare for the upcoming exams or recitations. Athletes train well and become alert when being kept on their toes in potentially dangerous situations. Occasional anxiety is something not to be concerned about. However, for some teenagers, anxiety tends to rule their their lives. Anxiety disorder can interfere with people’s ability to function normally. Teens with anxiety disorders may suffer from intense, long-lasting fear or worry, in addition to other symptoms.
Anxiety disorders are common mental health conditions characterized by unrealistic fear and worry which affect people of all ages, including kids and teens. Young people with this condition aren’t crazy but may find it hard to get through the day. Aside from difficulty studying and concentrating, young people with anxiety disorder can also experience insomnia, or the inability to fall asleep or stay asleep, as well as the loss of appetite. The good news is, anxiety disorder can be treated. Young people can be affected by several types of this condition which include Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Phobia, Social Anxiety Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Having an anxiety disorder can make you feel stressed, tense or unable to relax, and you may experience physical symptoms such as headaches, sweaty hands, upset stomach, pounding heart, and muscle tension. People with extremely intense symptoms may experience panic attacks and may think they are having a heart attack or might even die.
There is no one cause for anxiety disorders. Research shows that many factors contribute to this condition including genetics, brain biochemistry, an overactive “fight or flight” response, life circumstances, and learned behavior.
Genetics – When one member of a family has anxiety disorder, there is a possibility that other members may also develop the condition, though of a different type, due to the hereditary or genetic component of anxiety disorder.
Brain Biochemistry – Genetics influence a person’s brain biochemistry, and may make certain people more prone to problems with anxiety. The brain’s biochemistry involves the brain’s millions of nerve cells, called neurons, that constantly communicate with each other through chemicals called neurotransmitters.
These neurotransmitters are the brain’s chemical messengers, and there are specific neurotransmitters that help regulate mood. Neurotransmitters are released from one neuron and attach to a receptor on another neuron. However, if the receptor is blocked and unable to receive the neurotransmitter, it can create an imbalance in the levels of the neurotransmitter in the brain, and can cause symptoms of anxiety. There are many kinds of neurotransmitters but those that are involved in anxiety are called serotonin and dopamine. Imbalance of these chemicals will result to anxiety and other problems.
Life Circumstances – Traumatic life experiences can also set the stage for anxiety disorders which leads to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Learned Behavior – Having a family environment where there is a pervading atmosphere of fear can influence a child to grow up viewing the world as a scary place. The child will become fearful and will always become anxious of worse things to happen.
Fight or Flight Response This is the brain’s automatic reaction to an anxiety-provoking situation which can also fuel an anxiety disorder. When a person senses a potentially dangerous situation, the brain quickly sends out a signal to amygdala, a small structure in the brain that activates the fight or flight’ response. This response triggers sweating and makes the heart beats faster. The body prepares itself ready for the eventuality of danger. The danger may be real or just perceived danger. As soon as the person realizes that there is no more danger, the person relaxes, and the fight or flight response stops.
Since the amygdala is programmed to “remember” the trigger in case it happens again, it enables the brain to protect the person from future danger by keeping track of all cues that might signal danger. When the amygdala overreacts, the person will mistakenly interpret certain things as dangerous.
Young people overwhelmed by anxiety disorder resort to alcohol and drugs, including sleeping pills, in order to relieve themselves of stress, anxiety attacks and other symptoms. They feel that others may not understand what they are going through. However, drugs and alcohol only create a false sense of relaxation which can be dangerous and may lead to lots of other serious problems.
Young people must not let anxiety prevent them from enjoying their lives. There are treatments and medications which can help them including prescription and over-the-counter drugs, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and relaxation or biofeedback to control tense muscles. A combination of treatments may also be prescribed.
Family support and communication is the key in dealing with people who are having anxiety disorders. Close friends are a valuable part of the solution in overcoming anxiety problems.

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Finding Anxiety Attack Help

Health References — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 14:38:42 +0000

Getting anxiety attack help is as easy as consulting with your medical professional and taking their advice. Your anxiety can be very complex, however, as some of that advice may require serious lifestyle changes and a difference in the choices you make in your daily life. There are several types of anxiety attack that may be prescribed from group therapy to medication to color therapy to hypnosis. Any number or combination of a number of things can help anxiety attacks from taking over your life.

An anxiety attack is a sudden rush of physical and mental discomfort or trauma caused by unknown or known sources. Panic attacks could be generated through bad traffic, a stressful morning, or nothing at all. Generally, there are a series of symptoms that are experienced that typically signal the onslaught of an anxiety or panic attack. The symptoms can include anything from sweating profusely to having extreme heart palpitations. Getting anxiety attack can be hard because of the unpredictability of these attacks.

Although panic attacks may seem to be random to some, there are actually a great number of factors and biochemical processes that occur during a panic attack that make it anything but chaotic at the outset. The human body actually reacts in a set number of stages, all of which help prepare the body and train it how to react. So, it stands to reason that if your body is trained to react poorly through a number of factors the likelihood that you will experience a panic attack is significantly greater than a healthier person.

For example, the likelihood of a generally out of shape individual with poor time management skills and poor stress management skills of experiencing a panic attack in a stressful situation is significantly higher than that of a well adjusted person that is confident with their time and stress management skills. This is because their bodies are trained to handle the situations while conversely the body types that are not will inevitably react poorly.

Getting anxiety attack help can, therefore, be as simple as eating properly and taking good care of your self. Having a good diet and feeding your body the nourishment it needs from day to day is an important step to equipping the organs and blood with the enzymes it needs to perform its job. Regular exercise is also integral to this goal, as well as regular rest and relaxation. Taking the time to enjoy life is some of the best anxiety attack you can give yourself.

Once you have found what parts of your life are triggering your anxiety attacks, you can begin to make adjustments. I have found a very good book and audio A Guide to Eliminate Anxiety and Stress which is very helpful. You can find a link for the guide at the top of my web site.

Feel free to visit some of my sites and

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Deaf Awareness Listen Up!

Health References — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 11:41:30 +0000

There are an estimated demographic figure of 36 million deaf and hard of hearing in the United States. Of this large number, only a few million are considered deaf and the remainder are hard of hearing. Further confusing statistics is the fact that some deaf people may actually be hard of hearing, and some hard of hearing people may actually be deaf.

In previous years, the labels deaf and hard of hearing were employed as subcategories of the term hearing-impaired. During that time, it was used as a generic term that was applicable to anybody with any degree of hearing loss. However, some deaf people objected to the description of their hearing status as impaired because they felt that the term also implied that the person was impaired. Such degrading terms can actually cause depression and anxiety among deaf people and, thus, this generic label has been dropped.

The deaf and hard of hearing community is very diverse, differing greatly on the cause and degree of hearing loss, age at the onset, educational background, communication methods, and how they feel about their hearing loss. How a person labels themselves in terms of their hearing loss is personal and may reflect identification with their relationship with the deaf community or merely how their hearing loss affects their ability to communicate. They can either be deaf, Deaf with a capital D, or hard of hearing.

Interestingly, the lowercase deaf is used when referring to the audiological condition of not hearing, while the uppercase Deaf is used to refer to a particular group of people who share a common language such as the ASL American Sign Language and culture. The members of this group have inherited their sign language, used it as a primary means of communication among themselves, and hold a set of beliefs and their connection to the larger society. They are distinguished from those who find themselves losing their hearing because of illness, trauma, or age. Although these people share the condition of not hearing, they do not have access to the knowledge, beliefs, and practices that make up the culture of Deaf people.

Generally, the term deaf refers to those who are unable to hear well enough to rely on their hearing and use it as a means of processing information. On the other hand, the term hard of hearing refers to those who have some hearing, are able to use it for communication purposes, and who feel reasonably comfortable doing so. A hard of hearing person, in audiological terms, may have a mild to moderate hearing loss.

To understand hearing loss, it is important to understand how normal hearing takes place. There are two different pathways by which sound waves produce the sensation of hearing air conduction and bone conduction.

In air conduction, sound waves move through the air in the external auditory canal the ear canal between the outside air and the eardrum. The sound waves hit the tympanic membrane eardrum and cause the tympanic membrane to move. Hearing by bone conduction occurs when a sound wave or other source of vibration causes the bones of the skull to vibrate. These vibrations are transmitted to the fluid surrounding the cochlea and hearing results.

Fortunately, there are many treatments that are available for hearing loss. People with conductive hearing loss can have the middle ear reconstructed by an ear, nose, and throat specialist. Hearing aids are effective and well-tolerated for people with conductive hearing loss. People who are profoundly deaf may benefit from a cochlear implant.

For people with hearing loss, it is a matter of deciding whether to treat it as an audiological perspective or as a cultural lifestyle. It’s all about choices, comfort level, mode of communication, and acceptance of hearing loss. Whatever the decision, there are support groups and organizations that represent all deaf and hard of hearing Americans, and advocacy work that can benefit everyone, regardless of the type of hearing loss and background.

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Even the Elderly Need a Good Night’s Sleep

Health References — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 17:58:03 +0000

Experts say that older Americans often have difficulty getting good night’s sleep. It is a big quality-of-life problem, since contrary to popular belief, the elderly needs about the same amount of sleep as younger adults. According to senior research associate Dr. Harrison Bloom of the International Longevity Center, sleep problems together with sleeping disorders are not an inherent part of aging. In addition, he also said that it’s pretty much of a myth that older people need less sleep than younger people.

But still, in a study published recently in the American Journal of Medicine, researchers found that more than half of older Americans have problems in getting the sleep that they need. Dr. Julie Gammack, an assistant professor of medicine in the Division of Geriatric Medicine at St. Louis University and also the author of the study said that older people tend to have sleep fragmentation, meaning they wake up more often during the night. She also added that older people seem to get less REM sleep, the type of sleep during which rapid eye movement occurs.

It is unclear what specific role these naturally occurring changes in sleep patterns have on a person’s quality of life, but what is important though, is that older people often have actual sleep disorders and sleep problems, according to Dr. Bloom. In line with this, experts say that there is usually more than one case. A professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences and associate director of the University of Washington’s Northwest Geriatric Education Center Michael Vitiello said that sleep disturbance in older adults is typically associated with acute and chronic illnesses, including specific sleep disorders like sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome that appear with greater frequency in older populations. As people age, they typically develop more diseases and suffer from aches and pains. Gammack noted that these things can disrupt sleep, so what they may see as a sleep disorder may actually relate to the effects of some of their other medical conditions. Bloom also added that taking multiple medications, like most older people do, can also lead to fatigue and hypers omnia, or being tired all the time. Another big problem, Bloom notes, would be depression and anxiety, since these conditions are commonly associated with sleep problems.

But despite the prevalence of sleep difficulties in older adults, many patients are not getting the help they need. According to Vitiello, the average physician only receives little training regarding sleep disorders and usually does not routinely screen patients for them. This may be due to lack of time or training, or the belief that there is little that can be done to improve sleep. As a result, sleep disturbances such as insomnia, restless leg syndrome, sleep apnea, and circadian rhythm disorders are left undiagnosed and untreated.

In somehow solving the problem, an organization on aging, geriatrics and sleep is currently developing guidelines to promote prevention, diagnosis and treatment of sleep problems in older adults. According to Bloom, the reason why they are concerned with the problem, besides a major issue on the quality of life and being tired, is that sleep disorders are associated with hypertension, diabetes, pulmonary disease, heart disease, depression, and anxiety. A cause and effect relationship has yet to be established between sleep disorders and these chronic health conditions, but Bloom suggests that they contribute to each other.

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Overweight and Dying – Mummy Stay With Me A Little Longer

Health References — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 09:28:36 +0000

Scientists have now discovered that skeletal frame humans are more vulnerable to bouts of anxiety than that of oversized happy porkers that at the time of study were found to be less prone to depression in their recent research.
Then in the same article a snippet revealed how a 16 year study stated that slim people are more confident and content, surely this is a great factor for happiness denoting a safe healthy life.

The results and outcome say’s that being fat is the making of a happy person. Tell us something new we have had this drummed into us since we learnt to say dada. Two celebrities were mentioned in the article Fern Britton Victoria Wood for e.g. both with failed marriages behind them. No laughter at that time for these obese characters.

Fern Britton said medical staff informed her of how she is cutting her life short by her excess weight, she went onto say how she finds it all terrifying, but then questions herself as to would her kids like to see their mummy frustrated and depressed. It would be nice to be remembered as a jolly old soul she states, balderdash.
Being able to slip into a figure hugging size 10.12 dress is enough to banish any bouts of depressionanxiety that so many people crave and battle with the bulge to have. Were the children’s thoughts considered at any time where you may bet they would love to have mummy for as long as they could regardless of her mood swings…

Surveys are never a 100 especially when trying to find out how a fat person really feels on the inside? More untruths unfold about a person and their needs when a questionnaire is filled out.
Climbing the stairs, out of breath spasms, running for a bus, comfort on an aeroplane are all out of the question for an obese person not to mention the verbal abuse from ignoramuses on the streets. Tell me where the happiness can be in that.

My heart goes out to obese people through no fault of their own have to suffer the burden of carrying extra weight due to an illness, only to endure more pain from those ignoramuses I spoke of earlier, Remember these patients have a passport to enter into the medical world and seek attention regardless of their size, but as we all know no passport no hospital treatment for those who have self inflicted this disability on themselves.

Overweight and want to do something about it, diets I agree do not work for most people in their quest to slim down so why not consider a whole different way to approach the matter. Just by cutting down and a little more exercise is a fantastic move forward for any one serious about bettering themselves. When you find the new you, why not go onto further your education and do better things with life and that is to start living.

Is it a good thing to be able to reach into a person’s thoughts? Of course, this way no more disasters like that of the 911 bombings, but on the other hand it may cause more damage where the broken hearted overweight people’s tears would flow faster than that of a tsunami.

Jollinessgigglessmiles are not enough to prove that the fat man is a happy. When the laughter comes from the heart then maybe just maybe you will know this sign of happiness is for real.

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