Hemorrhoids – What Causes Them?

Writen by John B.

What is the cause of hemorrhoids? Before discussing hemorrhoids causes, lets have a look at what hemorrhoids are.

Hemorrhoids or piles are expanded blood vessels in the anus. They are caused by too much pressure in the rectum which causes the vein to expand and form a lump called a hemorrhoid. Read on for the causes of hemorrhoids.

Causes

The main cause of hemorrhoids is the fact that the condition is hereditary, and some people are more prone to getting it than others. For people who have hemorrhoids in their family, diet plays a big role in whether hemorrhoids develop or not. For these people, who are more prone to getting the condition than others, eating foods such as wheat, dairy products and sugar, can cause hemorrhoids.

Common causes of hemorrhoids are: Sitting in one place for too long (especially sitting on the toilet for long periods of time) , lifting heavy things (body builders) , Straining whilst having a bowel movement and giving birth. Now that we have discussed the cause of hemorrhoids, lets look at the symptoms.

Symptoms

Hemorrhoids can cause symptoms such as itchiness, discomfort, burning and pain. Internal hemorrhoids are normally not noticeable until bleeding starts. This occurs when the hemorrhoids rupture internally – when bleeding occurs, seek treatment immediately. External hemorrhoids are allot more noticeable and can be extremely painful. All hemorrhoids require urgent attention with an effective remedy.

Feeling Depressed and Hopeless

Writen by Marge Holley

Each day is a struggle. It feels like nothing is alright and it will never be alright again. I go over and over the past and think about how things should have been different; how I could have done things differently in my life. If only I had the strength and confidence to follow through on things that I felt weren’t right and needed to be changed. I lay guilt trips on myself each and every day. Then I blame others for the things that they did to me. I also blame the people who didn’t help me when I went looking for help. But deep down inside I know that if I had had more confidence, I would have pursued that cry for help until I found some somewhere. I did try.

Each day there is a dark cloud hanging over me. I am numb. I can’t feel or relate to other things because I am so dead and empty inside. I force myself to work and do things for others. Keeping busy helps for a little while; then when I have time to think, I start crying again and sink into that darkness and that feeling of hopelessness. I don’t feel that I have anything to look forward to or any happy memories to look back on. I read once that people need goals–long term and short term–to keep themselves from becoming depressed or to have something to look forward to. I keep trying to think of things that can give me hope and occupy my mind. That works for a little while.

The thought of planting a garden in the spring, of writing or helping someone else works for a short time. I feel constant frustration in everything that I try to accomplish. I wonder what purpose I have in life or of what use I am. Why did all these cruel circumstances happen in my life that I ended up like this? I can’t feel anything in prayer anymore. Food tastes like cardboard but I eat because I am aware of nutrition. I read the daily paper and agree that there are tragic things happening in the world but I feel like I am outside a window looking in. I’m like a zombie, a robot.

I can’t remember what it is like to feel alive and hopeful. Even listening to music which I used to enjoy has no effect. It used to be cheering and uplifting but not anymore. I feel devoid of all human emotion, sick inside, totally empty, a shell of a human being. I want to feel alive and happy again. Does anyone really care? Am I all alone?

Marge has been writing all her life and just turned 62 this year.

Herbal Headache Remedies: Inexpensive – Few Side Effects – Worth Trying

Writen by Lisa J. Lehr

Headaches are a common problem. About 12% of the population suffers from migraines; counting sinus, tension, and cluster headaches, that number probably approaches 100%. While over-the-counter and prescription headache remedies often are appropriate, the expense and side effects can be problematic for some people.

These problems may be avoided with any of a wide selection of herbal and mineral supplements. Here are some you can try; they’re listed in alphabetical order, and, as always, you should check with your health care provider if you have any questions.

General precautions:

– Some are not recommended for pregnant or nursing women or children under age two.
— Don’t take any of these with Coumadin or other blood thinners without consulting a doctor or pharmacist.
— Don’t take them if you have kidney problems without consulting a doctor or pharmacist.

Butterbur. Sold under the brand name Petadolex, it should be taken regularly, as a preventative; you may not be able to find it at the health foods store (if not, do an Internet search), and it’s not inexpensive.

Cayenne. Cayenne dilates your blood vessels, improving circulation; it is also a natural analgesic. You can buy cayenne capsules and take them regularly as a preventative; or you can take cayenne on an as-needed basis, and if you have cayenne (red pepper) in your spice cupboard, it’ll do. Put some in a glass of water, or a cup of tea, coffee, or hot chocolate. How much is effective without being overpowering is something you’ll have to experiment to discover; start with 1/8 teaspoon and work your way up. You may be able to tolerate a whole teaspoon–but you may find relief from a lot less.

Celery seeds. You can find these at the grocery store. Soak the seeds in hot water, strain, and sip like tea.

Chamomile. Chamomile tea is calming and soothing, and readily available at the grocery store.

Cinnamon reduces stress, loosens tight muscles, and lowers blood pressure–all of which ease a headache.

Co-Enzyme Q10 acts on energy production within the mitochondria in the cells.

Eucalyptus oil. This is an essential oil; put a few drops of this in a carrier oil (vegetable, olive, etc.) and massage into your forehead to help with tension headaches. Also, try putting a few drops on a handkerchief and sniffing it.

Feverfew and ginkgo reduce migraines and vascular headaches by reducing blood vessel dilation and spasms. They also have anti-inflammatory properties; ginkgo, in addition, relieves dizziness often associated with headaches. You can try chewing feverfew leaves, although they are very bitter; or get a tincture or capsules. This is a good remedy for migraine or cluster headaches. Feverfew appears to be better at prevention than treatment of migraines, so you may want to take it on a regular basis. Both are available at health foods stores.

Ginger relaxes blood vessels in the head and reduces swelling in the brain, and activates natural opiates in the brain that relieve pain. It can be taken in the form of tea or in tablets available at health foods stores; use fresh or powdered ginger when you cook, eat crystallized ginger, or put fresh-grated ginger in a drink. Ginger is useful for migraines as well as other headaches, and also eases nausea.

Honey is a natural sugar, pre-digested by bees, that has been used since Bible times. It contains potassium and magnesium, which will help relax the arteries and allow more blood to flow to the brain. Try taking a couple of teaspoons if you feel a migraine coming on; it also might help with a hangover. Try boiling equal parts of honey and apple cider vinegar and inhaling the steam.

Lavender reduces pain and relaxes. Massage or sniff as with eucalyptus oil.

Lithium, a salt that is used to treat bipolar disorder, can help those suffering from cluster headaches. It is available at the health foods store.

Marjoram eases muscle tension.

Menthol preparations can be helpful in relieving tension headaches. Massage the oil into your temples.

Magnesium. Headache sufferers sometimes have underlying magnesium deficiency. Following the recommended dosage on the label, take with meals, but not with dairy products–magnesium interferes with calcium absorption.

Milk thistle, like feverfew, has been subject to many clinical trials that clearly demonstrate its effectiveness. It is frequently recommended to counteract the harmful effects of alcohol and other drugs on the liver. Silymarin, a powerful anti-oxidant, is largely responsible for the medical benefits of this herb.

Mustard. Soak your feet for 10-20 minutes in a hot foot bath to which you have added 2 teaspoons of powdered mustard. The heat and mustard will work together to ease your headache, and mustard powder is available at the grocery store.

Passiflora incarnata, a tropical herb, has been used since the 19th century for nervous conditions. Clinical trials have demonstrated the relaxing and calming effects of Passiflora; it is often recommended to treat anxiety and reduce tension.

Peppermint reduces pain and tension. Massage or sniff as with the other oils. (Warning: keep the peppermint oil away from your eyes!) This may be beneficial for tension headaches. Drink peppermint tea, available at the grocery store.

Riboflavin (vitamin B-2), like CoQ10, acts on energy production within the mitochondria; see package for the recommended dosage.

Rosemary. Rosemary oil helps keep blood vessels dilated; rub a few drops of it into your temples. Or make a rosemary tea using one teaspoon of rosemary in a cup of hot water; cover and steep for 10 minutes; strain and drink.

Valerian reduces tension and pain. It’s available in capsule form at the health foods store.

White willow bark will give you results similar to aspirin, but is much gentler on the stomach. This is the natural ingredient from which aspirin is made. Capsules or tincture can be found in health foods stores.

So, if you, like many people today, hesitate to spend the money–and take the risk–sometimes associated with traditional medications, try these first. For most headache sufferers, it can’t hurt.

Lisa J. Lehr © 2006

Lisa J. Lehr is a freelance writer and Internet marketer specializing in direct response and marketing collateral. She holds a biology degree and has worked in a variety of fields, including the pharmaceutical industry and teaching, and has a particular interest in health, pets, and conservative issues.
Please visit her blog at http://hopeforheadaches.blogspot.com.
If you’re looking for a copywriter, go to http://www.justrightcopy.com. Just Right Copy–because words sell.

Fighting Adrenal Fatigue With These Easy Essential Oil Blends

Writen by Misty Rae Cech, ND

Aromatherapy for Adrenal Support – Using Essential Oils to Help Adrernal Fatigue

Are you feeling tired all the time? Morning esspresso not giving the same lift it used to? Getting that feeling that you’ve been worn thin by your busy schedule, and you’re just not recovering? These may be signs of depleted adrenal glands – a syndrome known as Adrenal Fatigue. Thankfully, a few commonly-available essential oils can offer support in regenerating over-tired adrenal glands.

What is the syndrome of Adrenal Fatigue?

The adrenal glands are your body’s most important part of the endocrine system for dealing with stress. These tiny glands, each about the size of a walnut and the weight of a grape, sit atop each kidney. These glands produce important hormones such as cortisol, a controller of your energy output, and pregnenolone, the precursor from which the body’s steroid hormones are made, including DHEA, progesterone, testosterone, and the estrogens. Pregnenolone is has been shown to be a powerful memory enhancer – it will make you smarter (possibly), it also brings about feelings of well-being (hopefully) and can enhance your ability to deal with stress. Low-output adrenal function can have a variety of common health symptoms, including insomnia and depressed immune system function.

Many lifestyle factors can contribute to adrenal fatigue, and generally these can be lumped into the category of too much stress. Too little sleep, poor eating habits, to little time for play and family life, surgery, illness, injury, and the excessive use of caffeine are a few common causes. Modifying these ‘habits’ are of critical importance for long-term regeneration of the adrenal glands and returning their hormonal output to normal levels. Thankfully, adrenal gland-supporting essential oils can be helpful in bringing balance and assisting in restoring adrenal output in mild-to-moderate cases of adrenal fatigue. Using these oils may enable ‘breaking the cycle’ of stimulant and sugar use that created the problem in the first place.

The Essential Oils

Essential oils are commonly used in aromatherapy to support adrenal gland function. Some are used specifically for adrenal gland regeneration, and others are used to give a gentle lift when needed during the healing process – again, these can be of particular help when reducing stimulant consumption. These essential oils are best diluted in a carrier oil and applied to the skin, and are not to be taken orally.

Spruce Essential Oil: Spruce (and also Canadian Black Spruce) is thought by respected aromatherapists to support depleted adrenal glands, and is added to blends which can be applied to the skin over the adrenal area, or in lower dilutions in a body lotion.

Pine Essential Oil: Pine oil has been called one of the most effective oils for fatigue. This oil can be blended with Black Spruce for a synergistic effect on adrenal function.

Cedar Oil: Atlantic Moroccan Cedar can gently stimulate the body’s metabolism without letdown. Unlike the regenerating effect of the Spruce and Pine needle essential oils, Cedar oil can provide a long lasting stimulation without the side effects of harsh stimulants.

Peppermint Essential Oil: Peppermint oil is associated with many healthful effect; it’s aroma is clarifying and uplifting. As with Cedar Atlas, it is added to adrenal formulas for mild stimulation and metal clarity.

Citrus Oils such as Orange, Bitter Orange, Lemon and Lime – These oils cold-pressed from the peels of these fruits are considered to uplift and bring about a light attitude. These oils also have a relaxing effect – this combination can lower stress levels – the primary culprit of adrenal fatigue.

Essential Oil Recipes for Adrenal Gland Support

This essential oil blend is to give regenerative support without any actual stimulation. The oils in this recipe are fine for continued use, and may have an effect in a relatively short period of time. For a 30 milliliter blend, use 1 and 1/2 black spruce and an equal amount of pine oil in 27 milliliters of hazelnut oil. You may of course double all the amounts for more. To use, apply topically to the kidney area one to three times daily.

These same essential oils may be used in a gently stimulating body oil blend: Three milliliters of both spruce and pine essential oils plus two milliliters of Atlantic cedarwood essential oil and another two milliliters of a citrus oil of your choice. Add this to four ounces of hazelnut or other carrier oil of your liking. Use this all over after a shower. Caution should be used, however, as the citrus oils can be photosensitizing; do not apply to areas that will be exposed to direct sunlight in the following two days.

Peppermint may be used instead of, or even in addition to, the citrus essential oils. You may enjoy this blend: six milliliters of spruce oil, two and one half milliliters of cedarwood oil plus one and one half milliliter of peppermint in four ounces of hazelnut oil or your favorite carrier. This combination, if used without the citrus oils, will not be photosensitizing and can be used all over the body.

Aromatherapy Can Help!

These aromatherapy blends have fantastic aromas, and can provide support with mild and moderate adrenal fatigue. The underlying causes of this condition must be addressed at the same time for long-lasting results. This usually means reducing caffeine intake, dietary modifications, and creating balance through exercise, friends and family, and taking time for one’s self.

Misty Rae Cech, ND, has a private professional practice in the Denver/Boulder area. She untilizes essential oils in her practice, finding their wonderful properties to support her clients’ healing. She is the owner of http://www.anandaaromatherapy.com and http://www.anandaapothecary.com.

Does Calorie Restriction Lead to Weight Loss?

Writen by Rajesh Shetty

Yes and no. Moderate calorie restriction helps in controlling and getting rid of fat to a certain extent.

In fact the so called low carbohydrate diets are low calorie diets.

Research proves that the weight loss in these weight loss programs is on account of calorie restriction and not due to the virtues of a low carbohydrate-high protein diet.

But the real fact about these diets is… calorie restriction is bad for health.

Firstly, these diet plans induce ketosis which according to many experts is bad for health.

Secondly, calorie restriction deprives the vital organs like lever, thyroid and adrenals etc. of required nutrition.

What this means in effect is, the very organs which are supposed to burn fat and keep you lean and healthy are making you sick because of wrong diet!

The reason? Well, very simple…

Say for example, you eat 1200 calories of fruit daily,-which is very good for the fat burning and filtering organs in your body. Now, if you suddenly you reduce it by 500 calories… what is the result? deprivation.

Now let’s take another scenario… you are regularly eating 1500 calories of fast food(processed foods) and you bring it down by 500… result? great!

These junk foods were causing damage to your organs and a shift in your diet pattern wiill increase the efficiency of your body’s fat burning organs.

So, you will see that it’s not calorie restriction alone that was responsible for weight loss in the above example, the restriction of unwanted processed foods in your diet has a more profound effect on your health and weight loss goals.

You can get more cutting edge fat burning secrets in my Free 5 day email e-course by subscribing to my newsletter at: www.eweightlosstips.com/weightlossltr.htm

Rajesh Shetty

Expert in weight loss principles of Ayurveda Medical Science and Author of the Best selling book, “Proven weight loss secrets revealed”.

http://www.eweightlosstips.com

Breast Enhancement Creams

Writen by Eric Morris

Breast enhancement creams are often used with breast enhancement pills. They can enhance the effects of the pills or can be used independently to increase the size and firmness of the breasts.

The makers of breast enhancement creams claim that these products tighten the apparent tones and contour of the breasts. They also improve the visible tone and texture of the skin. Cream makers also say that the creams improve the firm feel of the supporting skin of the breast and the skin from the breast to the chin, which is important for a proper shape.

Breast enhancement creams are made of a number of ingredients. It is necessary to thoroughly research each and every ingredient before using such creams. Common ingredients are various acids like stearic acid and ascorbic acid, extracts of algae, chamomile, lavender, and sage. Oils like avocado and jojoba are used. Other ingredients are glycerin, octyl methoxycinnamate, metylparaben, propylparaben, and phenoxyethanol. Some other ingredients are sabal, damiana, blessed thistle, kava kava, dandelion root, and motherwort.

Most breast enhancement creams have the same ingredients as the breast enhancement pills. The creams, however, don’t have as great a concentration of the active ingredients as the pills. Many breast enhancement creams are designed to maintain the changes achieved through pills. Some users of breast enhancement creams achieve fuller breasts with firmer tissue, thereby helping them avoid surgical procedures for a breast enhancement.

One of the most common side effects of these creams is soreness in the breasts that subsides after some time. Breast enhancement creams should be used for a period of 45 to 90 days for proper results.

Breast Enhancement provides detailed information about breast enhancement, breast enhancement creams, breast enhancement pills, and more. Breast Enhancement is affiliated with Breast Enlargement Cream.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome – An Introduction

Writen by Richard Lane

Carpal Tunnel syndrome is a work-related, repetitive motion injury and may be defined as a compression of the median nerve as it passes through the anatomical tunnel of the wrist that causes pain and weakness in the fingers. Interestingly it is more common in women than men but there is no evidence that it is related to gender merely that it occurs in certain occupations that have greater female representation. Whilst Carpal Tunnel syndrome problem has been well studied, there is a tendency to immediately conclude that pain or numbness in the hand or forearm region indicates that Carpal Tunnel syndrome is present.

Carpal tunnel is more complicated to treat than tennis elbow as it involves nerve compression or entrapment. It is imperative to have a medical diagnosis to ensure that the symptoms are actually Carpal Tunnel syndrome rather than tendonitis. Carpal Tunnel syndrome is almost always an overuse injury involving the wrist but tightness in the anterior neck/chest or at the thoracic outlet can result in similar symptoms. It is a serious and complicated condition so please beware of therapists or workshops that promise to fix Carpal Tunnel in a single session with a few simple strokes. Even with the best massage treatment, Carpal Tunnel syndrome is rarely resolved without addressing the fundamental cause of the problem. Having said that, most Carpal Tunnel syndrome cases will greatly benefit from soft-tissue therapies.

The most common symptoms of Carpal Tunnel syndrome include numbness in the median-nerve distribution of the hand along with significant pain. The symptoms may be worse at night as people have a tendency to flex their wrists while they are sleeping, increasing pressure on the carpal tunnel. If the condition worsens then the sufferer may experience a loss of tactile sensitivity in the fingers. This is followed by motor dysfunction which is demonstrated as clumsiness, loss of dexterity and a weakening of grip strength.

Traditional treatment for Carpal Tunnel syndrome include modification to behaviour, physical therapy, rehabilitation or even surgery. The pressure must be taken off the nerve so that the nerve tissue can heal which is usually accomplished with a modification in activity. However, it must be pointed out that damaged nerve can be very slow to heal and as a result it may take some time for recovery from the injury particularly if the condition is chronic. Anti-inflammatory medications may offer short-term relief through pain management and reduction of inflammation, however they will not address the biomechanical factors that originally led to the problem.

There is evidence that vitamin deficiency may be a factor in some cases of Carpal Tunnel syndrome. Research has found that combined B2 and B6 supplementation may be an effective treatment. The biomedical mechanism may be the result of a B6 deficiency reducing the effectiveness of collagen and elastin synthesis, leading to tissues being more susceptible to injury. However you should consult a qualified practitioner before taking B2 and B6 supplements.

Can Hair Restoration Look Natural?

Writen by Jen Carter

The objective of a successful hair transplantation is to give the patient a natural-looking head of hair. In order to achieve this “natural” look, a transplant surgeon must cover the hair loss areas, in order to achieve a natural look. Fortunately, the days of “pluggy” hair are long gone. Now doctors have a technological procedure which allows men and women to look and feel comfortable and natural.

In order to understand what you’re getting yourself into, you should understand the restoration process and the likeliest results you will achieve. First and foremost, you should understand that not every hair will be replaced if you decide to undergo a surgical procedure. Perhaps in the future, hair-cloning will make this a possibility. Until then, patients will undergo restoration procedures-which include grafting, flaps, tissue-expansion, and scalp reduction or expansion.

What are these procedures like?

Let’s be honest-these are surgical procedures. Undergoing a hair restoration surgery is not a simple process. You should decide whether the positives outweigh the negatives before you decide to pursue this option. Several surgical procedures, pain, and discomfort are to be expected. Nevertheless, many men and women find that this is a final solution to their hair loss dilemma. If you have the time, money, patience, and willpower-this may be a very suitable option for you.

What about the Naturalness?

If you find a qualified surgeon that you trust, the results of hair restoration can be good. Your beautician or barber probably wouldn’t be able to tell that you underwent a restoration procedure. That’s how natural your hair may look! In addition, you’ll be able to swim and shower without stressing about your hair’s appearance afterward. No more thin patches or bald spots. Those worries will be a thing of the past.

Be a Realist

Identify what type of hair loss you are experiencing. Do you have moderate or excessive hair loss? Patients who experience excessive hair loss should expect to undergo longer procedures. It’s recommended that these patients discuss what restoration procedure would give them the best results.

Consultation

Meet with several surgeons prior to selecting one to perform your hair restoration surgery. See if all of their recommendations coincide with one another. Testimonials and references from personal associates and family members can be an asset. Never choose a surgeon blindly.

About The Author Jen Carter is staff writer for Inhairit, creator of a hair loss treatment program at and has written hundreds of articles and tips about dealing with hair loss. The following article can be found in our general hair loss section. You may publish our articles on your website only if you do not edit the article in any way, and include all html as direct links to our site.

Acne Solution

Writen by Mina Dimakis-Lev

Million of people suffer from acne breakouts young and old. If your doctor has you on topical or oral treatment and it is not working try other ways to cure the breakouts.

For example: Topical retinoids (Retin-A, Differin and Tazorac, for example)are helpful for mild to severe acne especially when they are used early on combining with hormonal antibiotics,or benzoyl peroxide treatments. When you discontinue the antibiotics you can maintain clear skin with retinoids. Another way to treat your acne is with laser light. The doctor applies a chemical called aminole-v-vulinic acid and then exposed to a sunlump called Clearlight. You need two to four treatments to kill bacteria and keep skin clear for 5 months or up to 2 years.

Over the counter products aren’t strong enough to treat severe acne. Try using a product with 10% benzoyl peroxide plus another product with 2% percent salicylic acid. Keep a daily routine faithfully and if your skin doesn’t improve see your dermatologist.

Mina Dimakis-Lev http://www.BeautyImagebyMina.com

Be Heart Healthy The Plant-Based Way

Writen by Jen Scott

All diets designed to promote heart health are low in fat and cholesterol and high in fiber. Vegetarian diets, then, are natural choices for those who want to reduce the risk of heart disease because vegetarian diets are naturally low in fat and cholesterol and high in fiber! Eliminating meat, poultry and fish, which are among the foods highest in fat and cholesterol and lowest in fiber, can be a giant step toward improving heart health. Another step, which comes naturally to vegetarians, is to increase the consumption of plant-based foods that are naturally high in fiber. Plant-based foods, particularly fruits and vegetables, also provide antioxidant protection for the heart.

The following guidelines are recommended for cooking heart-healthy vegetarian meals:

Saut