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Sunday, June 19, 2005

Better stand-up for this one

This week's health tip is a real pain in the butt. Hemorrhoids are swollen, dilated and bulging veins around the rectum. The most common cause of hemorrhoids is straining on the toilet while having a bowel movement. The straining causes the blood vessels to enlarge like a small balloon. The best possible thing to do to prevent hemorrhoids is to drink lots of water and eat foods high in fiber. If you are having hemorrhoid trouble at the moment, try these helpful tips. Oil-up. A little dab of vasoline will help make things come out easier. Try softer TP. Whatever you do, don't scratch. Scratching damages the veins. Do not strain lifting anything. Straining increases the pressure in the veins, causing them to bulge further. A little Witch Hazel dabbed on the offending vein will help kill the pain. High salt intake will retain fliud in the circulatory system and keep those veins bulging. Avoid coffee, spicy food, beer and cola. All inhibit hemorrhoid healing by causing itchiness. Oh, and there is no chiropractic adjustment for this condition, so do not ask!

Plastic or is it Plastique

Alright, this is going to be a tough one. Researchers have found that two of the most common chemicals found in plastic food containers can cause breast cancer in women and abnormal genital development in baby boys. Bisphenol-A (BPA) and Phthalates are the culprits. As many of you are aware, due to my ranting, chemicals, preservatives and other unnatural products taken in the body can cause mutation of cells and over time can lead to cancer. Over a longer period of time, it is my opinion, that these chemicals will alter DNA in the body causing genetic changes that show up generations from now. What to do about this? Do everything you can to eliminate plastic containers from your food stuff. At my house, we are trying to get into the habit of using pyrex glass containers to store our food in. And my wife has spent quite a few hours on E-bay trying to locate glass baby bottles. Remember them? The number one thing you should never, ever do is microwave your food in a plastic container. The microwaves cause the harmful plastics to directly leak into your food. I warned you this was going to be a tough one. It is not the easiest thing to eliminate or cut down on plastic. But it will be worth yours and your family's while.

Sunday, June 05, 2005

The Knee Bone is Connected to the Thigh Bone

An estimated 50 million Americans suffer from knee pain. The knee, one of 187 other joints in the body is probably the one that has the most demand and stress placed on it. The knees were not designed for all the "weird" things people do to them. Walking, running, bending Yes. Football, squatting, soccer, kneeling, step climbing No.
Here are some tips to help save all the wear and tear and stress on the knee joint. Lose some weight. 10 lbs overweight equates to 60 lbs your knee has to carry around. Each pound you weigh is multiplied by six in stress placed on the knee. Try a lotion like Bio-Freeze for knee discomfort. The herbs and ingrediants produce a comforting heat, which eases the pain. The lotions are not a cure, just symptom relief. Exercise is probably the best remedy. The muscles and ligaments are what holds the knee together. Stronger muscles provide you with a stronger knee joint. Try flexing the thigh muscles without moving the knee joint. Sit on the foor with you knees and legs straight. Squeeze your thigh muscles tight and release. Repeat over again 15-20 times. Lastly, try trigger point pressure. Place your thumb about three inches above your knee cap on the front of your thigh. Press your thumb down with a good amount of pressure for about 20-40 seconds. Then release and do it a couple of more times. Take care of your knees. The age of bionics is not yet upon us.

No Frankenstein Here!

Sometimes accidents happen and we cut our skin. Bleeding is never fun, and a nasty scar is an awful reminder of our injury. Here are some sure fire tips to help prevent scarring. Number one, put oil on the injured area after the wound has clotted and a scab has formed. Break open a vitamin E capsule and spread it on. The E helps the skin heal. Aloe Vera gel can also be a major contributer in preventing scars, especially from burns. Remember that fresh scars are very visible. The color of the scar tissue will fade over time. The most important thing to do to prevent scarring is to be careful. No cuts equals no scars.