By Rahul Shariff
Did you know that nearly 40% of people may get sciatica or suffer from irritation of the sciatica nerve at some point of time in their life? The nerve is located at both sides of the lower spine and travels from the pelvic region to the buttocks. The nerve then passes on the back of each upper leg before it goes into the knee and then branches to the feet.
Pressure or irritation of this nerve may cause pain in the buttocks and thigh. The pain may be mild or cause extreme discomfort. Some people suffering from this condition may also feel numbness, stiffness and tingling sensation. The pain may get worse if you had been standing or sitting in the same position for a long time.
Treatment available for sciatica pain
The treatment may vary from hot to cold packs, exercises, medications and alternative remedies.
Oral medications
Aspirin and other similar over the counter pain relievers are recommended by doctors. Avoid aspirin if the patient is a child or under the age of 18. Muscle relaxants are used for muscle spasms and anti-depressants are used for chronic low back pain. If patients experience severe pain then patients may be prescribed pain medications.
Surgery
If despite treatment the pain persists for more than 6 weeks, you need to see a specialist. Surgery may be an option that can be considered to remedy the pain. In some instances the herniated disc may be putting pressure on the nerve and this can be corrected by surgery.
Physical therapy
It may become difficult to be active when you suffer from this nerve pain. Bed rest is not a recommended treatment, although it may be advised in some cases of extreme discomfort. Certain activities and positions may not cause discomfort and they can be used to manage pain.
Physical therapy may be recommended by doctors if the symptoms are not severe. Proper exercises may help reduce the pain considerably. Doctors recommend the exercises depending on the cause of sciatica. It is best to do the exercises as per the guidance of the physical therapist or physiatrist.
Complementary and alternative remedies
Acupuncture and biofeedback are complementary and alternative remedies that may provide relief to some patients. One of the important things that you need to remember is that these treatment methods are not backed by scientific studies.
Acupuncture treatment used fine needles that are inserted at acupuncture points in the skin. The points are located along channels and they are said to carry the energy of the body. When the needles are placed at specific locations they are known to correct the blockage or imbalance of the nerves that cause pain.
When the channels or points are stimulated by experts they are known to provide considerable relief to people in acute pain and discomfort. Biofeedback is a technique that helps control blood pressure, heart rate and muscle tension. This technique is used to treat pain caused by stress. These treatment methods are usually recommended in addition to oral medication.
http://ezinearticles.com/?What-Is-Sciatica-and-How-to-Deal-With-It?&id=9067726
Thursday 25 June 2015
Saturday 13 June 2015
12 of Nature's Best Fruits
By Arsian Ejaz
This little red rotund fruit with a tart cherry-like flavor that grows easily in many tropical countries has a lot more benefits than meets the eye. Containing many powerful antibacterial compounds, this cute little fruit also known as Panama berry, Jamaican cherry, and Singapore cherry is also said to have antibacterial properties, help ease the pain from gout, helps to lower blood sugar levels, helps to relieve headaches and lower fever, and is also a very good source of Vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant able to ward off flu and colds, and its tea made from the leaves even helps to promote cardiovascular health!
Soursop (Annona muricata)
Known in many Spanish-speaking countries as guanabana, this large, spiny, green, tropical fruit with a sweet flesh is used as the base of numerous beverages, and other sweet foods like ice cream. Said to contain plenty of fatty acid compounds called acetogenins, this powerful fruit is now widely used in research, in particular, for their potential use to retard, or even prevent the growth of cancer! The flesh of the fruit mainly provides carbohydrates, and is also packed with abundant doses of ascorbic acid, and numerous B vitamins like niacin, riboflavin and thiamine as well as phosphorus, calcium and traces of beneficial iron.
Papaya (Carica papaya)
A previously rare and exotic fruit that grows in tropical countries is now readily available to fruit enthusiasts at most times of the year. Usually sweet, this vibrant, usually round, yellow or orange-colored fruit, when used topically in its mashed form as a lotion, is said to be beneficial to promoting wound healing, and prevents further infection from burns. Also known to relieve constipation, its high content of digestive enzymes known as papain promotes regular movement and improves digestive health as well. To ward off heart diseases, papaya's high potassium and fiber levels helps to reduce the risks of cardiovascular disease.
Longan (Dimocarpus longan)
Also widely known as Dragon's eye, or Mamoncillo chino, the longan, often referred to as the "little brother of lychee" in terms of its taste and appearance, is a very rich source of numerous vitamins, minerals, and other different nutrients. Long been used as a natural remedy for stomach aches with its fiber content, the longan also helps to boost the immunity and helps to ward off various diseases. With its high content of B vitamins, it is said to improve the condition of a person's nerves, as well as helps to calm the nervous system. They are also said to contain phenolic acids that are powerful antioxidants, as well.
Durian (Durio zibethinus)
A soft, succulent fruit that closely resembles the jackfruit in terms of appearance, the durian is a very rich source of healthy dietary fiber, thus making it a very excellent bulk laxative. Despite its very characteristic odor that has people expressing diverse and peculiar opinions, durian helps to bind and eliminate carcinogenic substances from the gut. Packed with several minerals like manganese, copper, iron and magnesium, durian is considered a natural alternative source of these trace minerals that help to aid in keeping the blood healthy. Durian, in its fresh state, is also rich in potassium, a very important electrolyte responsible for maintenance of heart rate and blood pressure.
Purple Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana)
This round purple fruit, with a very soft and distinct fragrance and a sweet taste, more popularly known simply as mangosteen, has various beneficial uses: its natural antibacterial compounds are known to reduce and eliminate many common skin problems like acne, oily or dry skin, and even blemishes. People with sciatica pains can also benefit from the consumption of this delicious fruit, as it contains anti-inflammatory properties as well. Also, this fruit contains absolutely no saturated fats or cholesterol, that makes it a vital food item for people concerned with gaining excessive weight or those who are trying to lose it.
Pomegranate (Pumica granatum)
An original native of Persia, this nutrient-dense fruit rich in antioxidants has long been revered as a symbol of fertility, health, and eternal life in the ancient times. A red colored fruit enclosed in a very tough outside layer, the only edible portions are the seeds and the juice. Not so ancient though, is its high phytochemical contents that are now known to stimulate serotonin and improve symptoms of depression. Punicalagin, a compound unique to the pomegranate not only helps to lower blood cholesterol levels, it also helps to speed up the melting of clots found in the vessels of the heart, also known as atherosclerosis, resulting to decreased risks or heart attack.
Mango (Mangifera indica)
This highly succulent fruit that grows well in tropical countries, some people regard the mango as the "King" of all fruit. Not only is it rich in much needed Vitamin C, it also helps to protect the body against cancer. Its fibrous fruit boosts the body's digestive activity by burning additional calories, thus aiding in weight loss. Mangoes also contain high levels of Vitamin A that promotes good eyesight, and helps to prevent night blindness as well. The Vitamin E that mangoes contain helps to regulate hormones, increase virility and boosts the sex drive of men. Also, it benefits women with its high iron content, which is also helpful for those suffering from anemia or women in their menopausal stages.
Apple (Malus pumila)
This red pomaceous fruit from the rose family is one of the healthiest food items that a person can eat. Having a high fiber and Vitamin C content, apples are one of the most popular fruits with its bright red color and often sweet taste. Inside its round appearance, are numerous health benefits like alleviating irritable bowel movement, weight management, liver detoxification, and reducing risks for heart disease too! And to top it all off, all the chewing of this yummy fruit also helps to whiten teeth and prevent or delay tooth decay as well. Experts recommend too that the skin of the apple should be consumed with the rest of the fruit.
Banana (Musa x paradisiaca)
Classified by botanists as being a berry, bananas are not just for monkeys! Its high levels of tryptophan, a chemical that is converted into serotonin (also known as the "happy hormone") helps aid to improve depression. Popularly known as a source of potassium, bananas are able to reduce high blood pressure, and give protection against heart disease and stroke. It also has high fiber content, thus making it a popular remedy for people suffering from constipation. For people with diabetes, bananas are helpful in stabilizing blood sugar levels and are also proven to reduce nausea in morning sickness experienced by pregnant women.
Grapes (Vitis vinifera)
Regarded by some as being the "Queen" of the fruits, the cute little berries store a very vast powerhouse of nutrients that are very beneficial. They are native to Europe and nearby Mediterranean countries, but are now cultivated worldwide. The red grapes variety are known to contain anthocyanins which are found to have anti-allergic, anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties. Generally containing a powerful component known as resveratrol, grapes are instrumental in providing protection against cancers of the colon and prostate, and some viral and fungal infections. They are rich sources of micronutrient materials like copper, iron and manganese, all of which are beneficial for healthy blood.
Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus)
Watermelons are mostly water (up to 92%) - but each delicious bite of this sweet tasting fruit not only refreshes the one eating it, but also provides numerous health benefits, as well. Being widely known as a natural diuretic, watermelons have been proven to be helpful in the removal of toxins in the body. Not only that, but citrulline, a component found in watermelons, have been proven to help reduce the accumulation of fat in our cells. Being rich in beta-carotene, this vibrant colored fruit also protects against macular degeneration and helps prevent night blindness. It Vitamin A content also maintains healthy teeth, skin, mucus membranes, as well as soft and skeletal tissues.
http://ezinearticles.com/?12-of-Natures-Best-Fruits&id=9054607
This little red rotund fruit with a tart cherry-like flavor that grows easily in many tropical countries has a lot more benefits than meets the eye. Containing many powerful antibacterial compounds, this cute little fruit also known as Panama berry, Jamaican cherry, and Singapore cherry is also said to have antibacterial properties, help ease the pain from gout, helps to lower blood sugar levels, helps to relieve headaches and lower fever, and is also a very good source of Vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant able to ward off flu and colds, and its tea made from the leaves even helps to promote cardiovascular health!
Soursop (Annona muricata)
Known in many Spanish-speaking countries as guanabana, this large, spiny, green, tropical fruit with a sweet flesh is used as the base of numerous beverages, and other sweet foods like ice cream. Said to contain plenty of fatty acid compounds called acetogenins, this powerful fruit is now widely used in research, in particular, for their potential use to retard, or even prevent the growth of cancer! The flesh of the fruit mainly provides carbohydrates, and is also packed with abundant doses of ascorbic acid, and numerous B vitamins like niacin, riboflavin and thiamine as well as phosphorus, calcium and traces of beneficial iron.
Papaya (Carica papaya)
A previously rare and exotic fruit that grows in tropical countries is now readily available to fruit enthusiasts at most times of the year. Usually sweet, this vibrant, usually round, yellow or orange-colored fruit, when used topically in its mashed form as a lotion, is said to be beneficial to promoting wound healing, and prevents further infection from burns. Also known to relieve constipation, its high content of digestive enzymes known as papain promotes regular movement and improves digestive health as well. To ward off heart diseases, papaya's high potassium and fiber levels helps to reduce the risks of cardiovascular disease.
Longan (Dimocarpus longan)
Also widely known as Dragon's eye, or Mamoncillo chino, the longan, often referred to as the "little brother of lychee" in terms of its taste and appearance, is a very rich source of numerous vitamins, minerals, and other different nutrients. Long been used as a natural remedy for stomach aches with its fiber content, the longan also helps to boost the immunity and helps to ward off various diseases. With its high content of B vitamins, it is said to improve the condition of a person's nerves, as well as helps to calm the nervous system. They are also said to contain phenolic acids that are powerful antioxidants, as well.
Durian (Durio zibethinus)
A soft, succulent fruit that closely resembles the jackfruit in terms of appearance, the durian is a very rich source of healthy dietary fiber, thus making it a very excellent bulk laxative. Despite its very characteristic odor that has people expressing diverse and peculiar opinions, durian helps to bind and eliminate carcinogenic substances from the gut. Packed with several minerals like manganese, copper, iron and magnesium, durian is considered a natural alternative source of these trace minerals that help to aid in keeping the blood healthy. Durian, in its fresh state, is also rich in potassium, a very important electrolyte responsible for maintenance of heart rate and blood pressure.
Purple Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana)
This round purple fruit, with a very soft and distinct fragrance and a sweet taste, more popularly known simply as mangosteen, has various beneficial uses: its natural antibacterial compounds are known to reduce and eliminate many common skin problems like acne, oily or dry skin, and even blemishes. People with sciatica pains can also benefit from the consumption of this delicious fruit, as it contains anti-inflammatory properties as well. Also, this fruit contains absolutely no saturated fats or cholesterol, that makes it a vital food item for people concerned with gaining excessive weight or those who are trying to lose it.
Pomegranate (Pumica granatum)
An original native of Persia, this nutrient-dense fruit rich in antioxidants has long been revered as a symbol of fertility, health, and eternal life in the ancient times. A red colored fruit enclosed in a very tough outside layer, the only edible portions are the seeds and the juice. Not so ancient though, is its high phytochemical contents that are now known to stimulate serotonin and improve symptoms of depression. Punicalagin, a compound unique to the pomegranate not only helps to lower blood cholesterol levels, it also helps to speed up the melting of clots found in the vessels of the heart, also known as atherosclerosis, resulting to decreased risks or heart attack.
Mango (Mangifera indica)
This highly succulent fruit that grows well in tropical countries, some people regard the mango as the "King" of all fruit. Not only is it rich in much needed Vitamin C, it also helps to protect the body against cancer. Its fibrous fruit boosts the body's digestive activity by burning additional calories, thus aiding in weight loss. Mangoes also contain high levels of Vitamin A that promotes good eyesight, and helps to prevent night blindness as well. The Vitamin E that mangoes contain helps to regulate hormones, increase virility and boosts the sex drive of men. Also, it benefits women with its high iron content, which is also helpful for those suffering from anemia or women in their menopausal stages.
Apple (Malus pumila)
This red pomaceous fruit from the rose family is one of the healthiest food items that a person can eat. Having a high fiber and Vitamin C content, apples are one of the most popular fruits with its bright red color and often sweet taste. Inside its round appearance, are numerous health benefits like alleviating irritable bowel movement, weight management, liver detoxification, and reducing risks for heart disease too! And to top it all off, all the chewing of this yummy fruit also helps to whiten teeth and prevent or delay tooth decay as well. Experts recommend too that the skin of the apple should be consumed with the rest of the fruit.
Banana (Musa x paradisiaca)
Classified by botanists as being a berry, bananas are not just for monkeys! Its high levels of tryptophan, a chemical that is converted into serotonin (also known as the "happy hormone") helps aid to improve depression. Popularly known as a source of potassium, bananas are able to reduce high blood pressure, and give protection against heart disease and stroke. It also has high fiber content, thus making it a popular remedy for people suffering from constipation. For people with diabetes, bananas are helpful in stabilizing blood sugar levels and are also proven to reduce nausea in morning sickness experienced by pregnant women.
Grapes (Vitis vinifera)
Regarded by some as being the "Queen" of the fruits, the cute little berries store a very vast powerhouse of nutrients that are very beneficial. They are native to Europe and nearby Mediterranean countries, but are now cultivated worldwide. The red grapes variety are known to contain anthocyanins which are found to have anti-allergic, anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties. Generally containing a powerful component known as resveratrol, grapes are instrumental in providing protection against cancers of the colon and prostate, and some viral and fungal infections. They are rich sources of micronutrient materials like copper, iron and manganese, all of which are beneficial for healthy blood.
Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus)
Watermelons are mostly water (up to 92%) - but each delicious bite of this sweet tasting fruit not only refreshes the one eating it, but also provides numerous health benefits, as well. Being widely known as a natural diuretic, watermelons have been proven to be helpful in the removal of toxins in the body. Not only that, but citrulline, a component found in watermelons, have been proven to help reduce the accumulation of fat in our cells. Being rich in beta-carotene, this vibrant colored fruit also protects against macular degeneration and helps prevent night blindness. It Vitamin A content also maintains healthy teeth, skin, mucus membranes, as well as soft and skeletal tissues.
http://ezinearticles.com/?12-of-Natures-Best-Fruits&id=9054607
Thursday 4 June 2015
Healthy Pregnancy, Healthy Baby!
By David V Melendez, DC
Here's a toast to the best years of my life spent in the arms of another man's wife - Here's to my mother! As we celebrate motherhood in May, remember the miracle of birth and the effort she made to bring you into this world and raise you up for success. Recent studies confirm the necessary support needed for new couples preparing to have children, especially during pregnancy. With recent announcements from the frontiers of longevity research declaring that babies born today could routinely live from 100-120 years and beyond, parents need to know how their lifestyle will affect their baby tomorrow for a lifetime. Common sense tells us that pregnant moms should reduce and avoid stress but new research confirms how stress affects longevity of life by shortening ones telomeres, the caps on your chromosomes, considered the timekeepers of the cell, determining how long you'll live and your susceptibility to future disease. Telomere shortening is not just confined to adults, recent studies show when cord blood is drawn from newborns, the babies whose mothers had experienced more stress when pregnant showed shorter telomeres than those moms who experienced easier or less stressful pregnancies. Healthy telomere maintenance doesn't just start when you're born but before you're born.
The good news, even if your first pregnancy was not ideal, adopting a healthy lifestyle with good nutrition, exercise and a healthy spine and nervous system for you and your child, can lengthen your telomeres increasing longevity of life and reducing the incidence of future degenerative diseases. The new science of epigenetics empowers us with the knowledge that we have greater control over our own and our baby's destiny. Only 5 to 30% of disease development is genetic with 70% plus being lifestyle induced. This is a game changer for making the extra effort to create the healthiest opportunity for a healthy pregnancy and delivery.
Moms are the ones that most often take the lead in the health care of their family, raising up the next generation of healthy children. We now know that even before conception occurs a healthy, less stressful pregnancy can set the stage for a lifetime of health for mom and baby.
Preparation is power and actively preparing for a healthy pregnancy with the right FitNESS is vital. FitNESS includes: Nutrition, Endurance, Strength and Structure. The old saying; you are what you eat, is especially true in regards to the health and creation of your baby. Begin by eliminating exposure to toxins, pesticides and xenoestrogens that can pass to your baby. Studies show you can reduce your pesticide exposure by 90% in one week by switching to organic foods. Other chemicals that mimic estrogen (xenoestrogen) can be reduced, for example, by avoiding plastics, insecticides, common cleaning agents and sunscreens that contain Oxybenzone. Begin quality prenatal vitamins several months before pregnancy with plenty of omega 3 fatty acids and other healthy fats and proteins so all the building blocks are available for healthy baby creation. Healthy fats found in olive, coconut, flax, and cold water fish are essential for mom and baby development, 50% of our brain and baby's brain is made up fat called DHA. A diet that includes these healthy fats reduces the incidence of post-partum depression dramatically. Listen to your cravings when pregnant, your innate intelligence is directing you to take in the vitamins and minerals you may need most-go with it.
Endurance achieved with regular exercise like walking, swimming and yoga prepares the body well for labor. Maintaining and building up your strength with supervised light weight training and regular body squats will prepare you well for the endurance needed for natural delivery.
The structure of your pelvis determines the function of your pelvis or your ability to carry and deliver a baby with less restriction, less intervention and less stress on mom and baby. Often if the pelvis and particularly the sacrum or tail bone are misaligned, this can put abnormal tension on the uterus leading to unnecessary stress upon the baby with potential back pain and sciatica through pregnancy and severe back labor during delivery for mom. The sacrum is referred to as the "trap door" and if misaligned or subluxated it doesn't open correctly which slows labor, increase pain during labor or even halts labor leading to unplanned interventions like epidurals, episiotomies, forceps, vacuum extraction or C-section. Well-adjusted and aligned moms report less labor times, less stress on baby, and less interventions. Likewise, proper alignment maintained before and during pregnancy provides the greatest opportunity for an efficient, natural and less stressful delivery, ushering in the best years of your life. Live well.
http://ezinearticles.com/?Healthy-Pregnancy,-Healthy-Baby!&id=9049282
Here's a toast to the best years of my life spent in the arms of another man's wife - Here's to my mother! As we celebrate motherhood in May, remember the miracle of birth and the effort she made to bring you into this world and raise you up for success. Recent studies confirm the necessary support needed for new couples preparing to have children, especially during pregnancy. With recent announcements from the frontiers of longevity research declaring that babies born today could routinely live from 100-120 years and beyond, parents need to know how their lifestyle will affect their baby tomorrow for a lifetime. Common sense tells us that pregnant moms should reduce and avoid stress but new research confirms how stress affects longevity of life by shortening ones telomeres, the caps on your chromosomes, considered the timekeepers of the cell, determining how long you'll live and your susceptibility to future disease. Telomere shortening is not just confined to adults, recent studies show when cord blood is drawn from newborns, the babies whose mothers had experienced more stress when pregnant showed shorter telomeres than those moms who experienced easier or less stressful pregnancies. Healthy telomere maintenance doesn't just start when you're born but before you're born.
The good news, even if your first pregnancy was not ideal, adopting a healthy lifestyle with good nutrition, exercise and a healthy spine and nervous system for you and your child, can lengthen your telomeres increasing longevity of life and reducing the incidence of future degenerative diseases. The new science of epigenetics empowers us with the knowledge that we have greater control over our own and our baby's destiny. Only 5 to 30% of disease development is genetic with 70% plus being lifestyle induced. This is a game changer for making the extra effort to create the healthiest opportunity for a healthy pregnancy and delivery.
Moms are the ones that most often take the lead in the health care of their family, raising up the next generation of healthy children. We now know that even before conception occurs a healthy, less stressful pregnancy can set the stage for a lifetime of health for mom and baby.
Preparation is power and actively preparing for a healthy pregnancy with the right FitNESS is vital. FitNESS includes: Nutrition, Endurance, Strength and Structure. The old saying; you are what you eat, is especially true in regards to the health and creation of your baby. Begin by eliminating exposure to toxins, pesticides and xenoestrogens that can pass to your baby. Studies show you can reduce your pesticide exposure by 90% in one week by switching to organic foods. Other chemicals that mimic estrogen (xenoestrogen) can be reduced, for example, by avoiding plastics, insecticides, common cleaning agents and sunscreens that contain Oxybenzone. Begin quality prenatal vitamins several months before pregnancy with plenty of omega 3 fatty acids and other healthy fats and proteins so all the building blocks are available for healthy baby creation. Healthy fats found in olive, coconut, flax, and cold water fish are essential for mom and baby development, 50% of our brain and baby's brain is made up fat called DHA. A diet that includes these healthy fats reduces the incidence of post-partum depression dramatically. Listen to your cravings when pregnant, your innate intelligence is directing you to take in the vitamins and minerals you may need most-go with it.
Endurance achieved with regular exercise like walking, swimming and yoga prepares the body well for labor. Maintaining and building up your strength with supervised light weight training and regular body squats will prepare you well for the endurance needed for natural delivery.
The structure of your pelvis determines the function of your pelvis or your ability to carry and deliver a baby with less restriction, less intervention and less stress on mom and baby. Often if the pelvis and particularly the sacrum or tail bone are misaligned, this can put abnormal tension on the uterus leading to unnecessary stress upon the baby with potential back pain and sciatica through pregnancy and severe back labor during delivery for mom. The sacrum is referred to as the "trap door" and if misaligned or subluxated it doesn't open correctly which slows labor, increase pain during labor or even halts labor leading to unplanned interventions like epidurals, episiotomies, forceps, vacuum extraction or C-section. Well-adjusted and aligned moms report less labor times, less stress on baby, and less interventions. Likewise, proper alignment maintained before and during pregnancy provides the greatest opportunity for an efficient, natural and less stressful delivery, ushering in the best years of your life. Live well.
http://ezinearticles.com/?Healthy-Pregnancy,-Healthy-Baby!&id=9049282
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