STRESS - What is Stress?

Stress Management
What is Stress?
Stress is the "wear and tear" our bodies experience as we adjust to our continually changing environment; it has physical and emotional effects on us and can create positive or negative feelings. As a positive influence, stress can help compel us to action; it can result in a new awareness and an exciting new perspective. As a negative influence, it can result in feelings of distrust, rejection, anger, and depression, which in turn can lead to health problems such as headaches, upset stomach, rashes, insomnia, ulcers, high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. With the death of a loved one, the birth of a child, a job promotion, or a new relationship, we experience stress as we readjust our lives. In so adjusting to different circumstances, stress will help or hinder us depending on how we react to it.
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How Can I Eliminate Stress from My Life?
As we have seen, positive stress adds anticipation and excitement to life, and we all thrive under a certain amount of stress. Deadlines, competitions, confrontations, and even our frustrations and sorrows add depth and enrichment to our lives. Our goal is not to eliminate stress but to learn how to manage it and how to use it to help us. Insufficient stress acts as a depressant and may leave us feeling bored or dejected; on the other hand, excessive stress may leave us feeling "tied up in knots." What we need to do is find the optimal level of stress which will individually motivate but not overwhelm each of us.
How Can I Tell What is Optimal Stress for Me?
There is no single level of stress that is optimal for all people. We are all individual creatures with unique requirements. As such, what is distressing to one may be a joy to another. And even when we agree that a particular event is distressing, we are likely to differ in our physiological and psychological responses to it.
The person who loves to arbitrate disputes and moves from job site to job site would be stressed in a job which was stable and routine, whereas the person who thrives under stable conditions would very likely be stressed on a job where duties were highly varied. Also, our personal stress requirements and the amount which we can tolerate before we become distressed changes with our ages.
It has been found that most illness is related to unrelieved stress. If you are experiencing stress symptoms, you have gone beyond your optimal stress level; you need to reduce the stress in your life and/or improve your ability to manage it.
How Can I Manage Stress Better?
Identifying unrelieved stress and being aware of its effect on our lives is not sufficient for reducing its harmful effects. Just as there are many sources of stress, there are many possibilities for its management. However, all require work toward change: changing the source of stress and/or changing your reaction to it. How do you proceed?
1. Become aware of your stressors and your emotional and physical reactions.
Notice your distress. Don't ignore it. Don't gloss over your problems.
Determine what events distress you. What are you telling yourself about meaning of these events?
Determine how your body responds to the stress. Do you become nervous or physically upset? If so, in what specific ways?
2. Recognize what you can change.
Can you change your stressors by avoiding or eliminating them completely?
Can you reduce their intensity (manage them over a period of time instead of on a daily or weekly basis)?
Can you shorten your exposure to stress (take a break, leave the physical premises)?
Can you devote the time and energy necessary to making a change (goal setting, time management techniques, and delayed gratification strategies may be helpful here)?
3. Reduce the intensity of your emotional reactions to stress.
The stress reaction is triggered by your perception of danger...physical danger and/or emotional danger. Are you viewing your stressors in exaggerated terms and/or taking a difficult situation and making it a disaster?
Are you expecting to please everyone?
Are you overreacting and viewing things as absolutely critical and urgent? Do you feel you must always prevail in every situation?
Work at adopting more moderate views; try to see the stress as something you can cope with rather than something that overpowers you.
Try to temper your excess emotions. Put the situation in perspective. Do not labor on the negative aspects and the "what if's."
4. Learn to moderate your physical reactions to stress.
Slow, deep breathing will bring your heart rate and respiration back to normal.
Relaxation techniques can reduce muscle tension. Electronic biofeedback can help you gain voluntary control over such things as muscle tension, heart reate, and blood pressure.
Medications, when prescribed by a physician, can help in the short term in moderating your physical reactions. However, they alone are not the answer. Learning to moderate these reactions on your own is a preferable long-term solution.
5. Build your physical reserves.
Exercise for cardiovascular fitness three to four times a week (moderate, prolonged rhythmic exercise is best, such as walking, swimming, cycling, or jogging).
Eat well-balanced, nutritious meals.
Maintain your ideal weight.
Avoid nicotine, excessive caffeine, and other stimulants.
Mix leisure with work. Take breaks and get away when you can.
Get enough sleep. Be as consistent with your sleep schedule as possible.
6. Maintain your emotional reserves.
Develop some mutually supportive friendships/relationships.
Pursue realistic goals which are meaningful to you, rather than goals others have for you that you do not share.
Expect some frustrations, failures, and sorrows.
Always be kind and gentle with yourself -- be a friend to yourself.

The Human Body - A Dissection (Not for Weak Hearted People)

The Human Body - A Dissection (Not for Weak Hearted People)
From the tiniest veins, arteries and nerves to serial cross-sections of the spinal cord, these incredibly detailed dissections show and label most every part of the human body.
The collection is the product of a 17-year collaboration between David L. Bassett, a School of Medicine alumnus and faculty member known for his elegant dissections and love for the human body, and William Gruber, the photographer who invented the View-Master stereoscopic viewing device.
The partnership between the two resulted in the production of the
Stereoscopic Atlas of Human Anatomy, which began in 1948, but was not not completed until 1962. It consisted of 221 View-Master reels with 1,554 color stereo views of dissections of every body region. Each stereo view was accompanied by a black-and-white, labeled drawing and explanatory text.
A courtesy the Lane Medical Archives (thanks Drew!), today we present you some of the most impressive pictures of The Basset Collection. Meet the Human Body.

A deep dissection of the side of the head shows the many blood vessels (red arteries, blue veins) and nerves (graying white) in the facial region. The hole is the external ear canal. The temporal muscle, used for chewing, is the prominent fan shaped muscle on the side of skull, behind the mouth and above the jaw.

After the removal of an outer layer of bones around the jaw, the dissection shows blood vessels and sensory nerves to the lower teeth and chin.

The onion-like structure is an eye, seen from above with the bony roof of the eye socket removed. The profusion of blood vessels and the muscles that rotate the eye are visible.

A pelvis from a woman, right, is lighter and wider than that of a man, left. The wider angle of a woman's pubic bones at the base of the pelvis allows birthing of a baby.

Removal of the skin and the layer of tough tissue beneath it, the palmar fascia, reveals a complex arrangement of blood vessels and nerves in the hand and wrist.

This dissection of the kidneys was done after red latex was injected into the arteries and blue latex into the veins.

With all layers of the skin removed on the left side of the head and neck, the dissection displays the blood vessels and nerves of the scalp, almost all of which come from the periphery, not through the skull. Colored latex was injected into the blood vessels: red for arteries, blue for veins. The structures in the neck remain covered by a tough layer of tissue known as the cervical fascia.

Inside the vertebral column, cut in half vertically, is a channel for the spinal nerves. The brown material is the bones; the white material is the intervertral disks that sometimes "rupture," causing back pain. A horizontal split has been made on the left to show the connection of the sacrum, a triangular bone at the base of the spine, to the pelvis.

This view of the wrist joint features the two rows of four carpal bones each and shows how they are connected to the bones of the forearm and the fingers.

A dissection of the leg and the foot displays the long tendons connected to the toes, and the blood vessels and nerves to the top of the foot.

This dissection of the backbone was performed by Donald Stilwell, another Stanford professor, for the Bassett atlas. Note the profusion of arterial blood vessels nourishing the vertebral area of the neck and chest area. Also, at the top, the ends of the vertebral arteries, which pass into the skull to nourish the brain.

The mediastinum, a central chest compartment located between the lungs, houses the heart. Immediately to the right of the heart is the aorta, the largest artery of the body. To the right of the aorta are groups of blood vessels (one artery and two companion veins) that run between the ribs to distribute blood through the body. The phrenic nerve, which sends messages to the diaphragm to breath, is visible as it crosses the heart vertically.

Dissection of the meninges and brain in situ. On the right the calvaria and layers of the scalp are shown in relation to the dura. On the left the dura has been cut away to reveal the cerebral hemisphere and cerebellum covered with the arachnoid membrane. The confluence of the sinuses is shown.

The sclera and cornea have been cut away on the medial side of a right eye to display the anterior chamber, iris, ciliary body and outer surface of the choroid. Although none of the vessels has been injected, the branches of the superior and inferior medial vorticose veins are clearly visible. The long posterior ciliary artery was cut across in the resection of the sclera but its course can be traced nearly to the ciliary body.

On this dissection of the heart, the epicardium has been removed from all parts of the atria with the exception of the left auricle.

Dissection of lungs in situ. The lungs have been dissected from their medial surfaces and are reflected laterally for this image. Fragmentary portions of all of the chambers of the heart have been preserved. The great vessels have been kept intact, although the aorta and pulmonary trunk have been elevated to expose more posterior parts of the heart.

The cervical spinal cord. By removing the rear arches of the neck (cervical) vertebra and the fibrous covering (dura) over the spinal cord one sees the cervical spinal cord and its nerves. The blood vessels nourishing the cord and vertebral column and the origin of the cord from the brain are clearly shown.

Dissection of thorax from a posterior approach. Ribs and vertebral bodies have been resected bilaterally between the second and the ninth thoracic segments. The periosteum which covered the inner surfaces of the ribs have been preserved in most areas. The anterior longitudinal ligament, with remnants of the intervertebral discs attached, has also been retained in part. The lungs have been inflated and are visible through the intact costal pleura. The proximal parts of the III-VII spinal nerves have been positioned on the pleura in such a way that their dorsal and ventral roots, dorsal rami and communications with the sympathetic trunks are visible. These components are labeled for the left seventh thoracic nerve. The intercostal arteries and veins have been cut off in various ways.

The knee joint opened from the front shows the inner surface of the knee cap or patella within its large ligament which is folded downward and forward. The ear shaped cartilages lie on the surface of the joint floor formed by the tibia. Between the cartilages one sees the cut ends of the cruciate ligaments so often injured in athletics and frequently reconstructed surgically.

The Jawbone. The masseter muscle of mastication reflected back to expose the jawbone (mandible) and the related vessels, nerves and muscles.

Honey and Cinnamon

~Honey & Cinnamon~
Introduction
¬It is found that mixture of Honey and Cinnamon cures most of the diseases.
¬Honey is produced in most of the countries of the world.
¬Ayurvedic as well as Yunani medicine have been using honey as a vital
medicine for centuries.
¬Scientists of today also accept honey as a Ram Ban (very effective)
medicine for all kinds of diseases.
¬Honey can be used without any side effects for any kind of diseases.
¬Today's science says that even though honey is sweet, if taken in the right
dosage as a medicine, it does not harm diabetic patients also.
¬A famous magazine named Weekly World News published in Canada dated 17
January, 95 has given a list of diseases that can be cured by Honey and
Cinnamon as researched by western scientists.
Arthritis
¬Take one part honey to two parts of luke warm water and add a small
teaspoon of cinnamon powder, make a paste and massage it on the itching part
of the body slowly.
¬It is noticed that the pain recedes within a minute or two.
¬Or arthritis patients may daily, morning and night take one cup of hot
water with two spoons of honey and one small teaspoon of cinnamon powder.
¬If drunk regularly even chronic arthritis can be cured.
¬In a recent research done at the Copenhagen University, it was found that
when the doctors treated their patients with a mixture of one tablespoon
Honey and half teaspoon cinnamon powder before breakfast, they found that
within a week out of the 200 people so treated practically 73 patients were
totally relieved of pain and within a month, mostly all the patients who
could not walk or move around because of arthritis started walking without
pain.
Hair Loss
¬Those suffering from hair loss or baldness, may apply a paste of hot olive
oil, one tablespoon of honey, one teaspoon of cinnamon powder before bath
and keep it for approx. 15 min. and then wash the hair.
¬It was found very effective if kept for 5 mins. also.
Bladder Infections
¬Take two tablespoons of cinnamon powder and one teaspoon of honey in a
glass of luke warm water and drink it.
¬It destroys the germs of the bladder.
Toothache
¬Make a paste of one teaspoon of cinnamon powder and five teaspoons of honey
and apply on the aching tooth.
¬This may be done 3 times a day daily till such time that the tooth has
stopped aching.
Cholesterol
¬Two tablespoons of honey and three teaspoons of Cinnamon Powder mixed in 16
ounces of tea water, if given to a cholesterol patient, it reduces the level
of cholesterol in the blood by 10% within 2 hours.
¬As mentioned for arthritic patients, if taken 3 times a day any chronic
cholesterol is cured.
¬As per the information received in the said journal, pure honey taken with
food daily relieves complains of cholesterol.
Colds
¬Those suffering from common or severe colds should take one tablespoon luke
warm honey with 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon powder daily for 3 days.
¬This process will cure most chronic cough, cold and clear the sinuses.
Infertility
¬Yunani and Ayurvedic have been using honey for years in medicine to
strengthen the semen of men.
¬If impotent men regularly take two tablespoon of honey before sleeping,
their problem will be solved.
¬In China, Japan and Far-East countries, women who do not conceive and to
strengthen the uterus have been taking cinnamon powder for centuries.
¬Women who cannot conceive may take a pinch of cinnamon powder in half
teaspoon of honey and apply it on the gums frequently throughout the day, so
that it slowly mixes with the saliva and enters the body.
¬A couple in Merryland, America had no children for 14 years and had left
hope of having a child of their own.
¬When told about this process husband and wife started taking honey and
cinnamon as stated above, the wife conceived after a few months and had
twins at full term.
Upset Stomach
¬Honey taken with cinnamon powder cures stomach ache and also clears stomach
ulcers from the root.
¬GAS : According to the studies done in India & Japan, it is revealed that
if honey is taken with cinnamon powder the stomach is relieved of gas.
Heart Diseases
¬Make a paste of honey and cinnamon powder, apply on bread or chappati
instead of jelly and jam and eat it regularly for breakfast.
¬It reduces the cholesterol in the arteries and saves the patient from heart
attack.
¬Also those who have already had an attack, if they do this process daily,
are kept miles away from the next attack.
¬Regular use of the above process relieves loss of breath and strengthens
the heart beat.
¬In America and Canada, various nursing homes have treated patients
successfully and have found that due to the increasing age the arteries and
veins which lose their flexibility and get clogged are revitalized.
Immune System
¬Daily use of honey and cinnamon powder strengthens the immune system and
protects the body from bacteria and viral attacks.
¬Scientists have found that honey has various vitamins and iron in large
amounts.
¬Constant use of honey strengthens the white blood corpuscles to  fight
bacteria and viral diseases.
Indigestion
¬Cinnamon powder sprinkled on two tablespoons of honey taken before food,
relieves acidity and digests the heaviest of meals.
Influenza
¬A scientist in Spain has proved that honey contains a natural ingredient
which kills the influenza germs and saves the patient from flu.
Longevity
¬Tea made with honey and cinnamon powder, when taken regularly arrests the
ravages of old age.
¬Take 4 spoons of honey, 1spoon of cinnamon powder and 3 cups of water and
boil to make like tea.
¬Drink 1/4 cup, 3 to 4 times a day. It keeps the skin fresh and soft and
arrests old age.
¬Life span also increases and even if a person is 100 years old, starts
performing the chores of a 20 year old.
Pimples
¬Three tablespoons of honey and one teaspoon of cinnamon powder paste.
¬Apply this paste on the pimples before sleeping and wash it next morning
with warm water.
¬If done daily for two weeks, it removes pimples from the root.
Skin Infections
¬Eczema, ringworm and all types of skin infections are cured by applying
honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts on the affected parts.
Weight Loss
¬Daily in the morning, 1/2 hour before breakfast on an empty stomach and at
night before sleeping, drink honey and cinnamon powder boiled in one cup
water.
¬If taken regularly it reduces the weight of even the most obese person.
¬Also drinking of this mixture regularly does not allow the fat to
accumulate in the body even though the person may eat a high calorie diet.
Cancer
¬Recent research in Japan and Australia has reveled that advanced cancer of
the stomach and bones have been cured successfully.
¬Patients suffering from these kinds of cancer should daily take one
tablespoon of honey with one teaspoon of cinnamon powder for one month 3
times a day.
Fatigue
¬Recent studies have shown that the sugar content of honey is more helpful
than detrimental to the body strength.
¬Senior citizens who take honey and cinnamon power in equal parts are more
alert and flexible.
¬Dr. Milton who has done research says that half tablespoon honey taken in
one glass of water and sprinkled with cinnamon powder, taken daily after
brushing and in the afternoon at about 3.00 p.m. when the vitality of the
body starts decreasing, increases the vitality of the body within a week.
Bad Breath
¬People of South America, first thing in the morning gargle with one
teaspoon of honey and cinnamon powder mixed in hot water.
¬So their breath stays fresh throughout the day.
Hearing Loss
¬Daily morning and night honey and cinnamon powder taken in equal parts
restores hearing.

Care for Lips: Dark and Cracked lips

Care for Lips:
A beautiful smile lights up a day. It makes your face more beautiful and lively. Your lips are the most important and exquisitely sensitive part of your body. And therefore you have to take special care of your lips.
Beauty Experts tells you what are the common problems and how to take care of them..............
The common lips problems are:
*Dark Lips
*Cracked lips
1) Dark Lips:
   You will be surprised to know that our lips unlike most part of our body do not have any melanin pigment to protect them. Lips are covered on the outside by a thin layer of skin and on the inside by virtually transparent mucous membranes.
Therefore it is necessary to take care of our lips and to eat well-balanced food and lots of fruits.
If you have dark lips you have to do the following………
*Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.
* Stop smoking.
* Avoid lipstick.
* Apply a layer of oil and leave it on for several hours. Best apply before    going to bed
* Mix coconut oil and almond oil in equal quantity. Apply a coat of this on    the lips and leave on overnight. This has to be done daily for at least    two weeks for best results.
* Massage lips: Every night with a mixture of 1/2 tsp. Glycerine and 1/2   tsp. Castor oil with 1/2 tsp. Lemon juice and leave overnight.
*Apply cream from curds with saffron on your lips.
Cracked Lips:
Lips do not produce oil like our skin, because they have no oil producing glands. The skin on our lips is actually mucous membrane, so for them to remain smooth and chap free is a bit of a challenge. The most common cause of cracked lips are allergic reaction to cosmetics, skin infections, extreme weather conditions like excess sun and wind exposure, biting of the lips or a vitamin B deficiency.
If you have cracked lips you have to do the following………
*Protect the lips from weather by applying heavy plain cream.
*Avoid licking your lips.
*To cure dry chapped lips apply peanut butter or coco butter to your   lips before going to bed.
*Grind rose petals with cream on the top of milk and apply on lips to   cure the cracked lips
*Take vitamin B, C foods in diet.
*Mix 2 drops of glycerine with 1 tsp of cream on the top of milk and   apply to lips to cure the chapped lips and keep overnight to get smooth   and shiny lips.
*Mix equal quantities of nutmeg, turmeric, and fresh butter and apply to   lips.
*Hot water fomentation, followed by a mixture of Vaseline and honey   applied on the lips at least thrice a week will prevent lips from   chapping.
*Lips should be moisturized and exfoliated. Exfoliate lips with your gentle    facial scrub using a toothbrush or just the tips of
your fingers. You can   make a paste using baking soda and water to exfoliate lips as well.    Work it for a minute and then rinse with lukewarm water.
General Care for lips:
*Apply cold cream or moisturizer or lip balm before applying lipstick.
*To get natural pink lips apply beetroot juice before bed.
*Grind rose petals and apply on lips to get smooth pink lips
*Apply menthol based lip balm and take an old brush and brush gently on lips (don t rub too hard, because lip are very sensitive) to get rid off chapped lips.

Your digestive system

So there you are, sitting at lunch, enjoying some grilled chicken pizza and a few orange wedges. When you're finished, you take a last drink of milk, wipe your mouth, and head to your next class. In a few minutes you're thinking about the capital of Oregon or your science fair project. You've completely forgotten about that pizza lunch you just ate. But it's still in your stomach — sort of like a science experiment that happens all the time!
Your digestive (say: dye-jes-tiv) system started working even before you took the first bite of your pizza. And the digestive system will be busy at work on your chewed-up lunch for the next few hours — or sometimes days, depending upon what you've eaten. This process, called digestion, allows your body to get the nutrients and energy it needs from the food you eat. So let's find out what's happening to that pizza, orange, and milk.
The Mouth Starts Everything Moving
Even before you eat, when you smell a tasty food, see it, or think about it, digestion begins. Saliva (say: suh-lye-vuh), or spit, begins to form in your mouth. When you do eat, the saliva breaks down the chemicals in the food a bit, which helps make the food mushy and easy to swallow. Your tongue helps out, pushing the food around while you chew with your teeth. When you're ready to swallow, the tongue pushes a tiny bit of mushed-up food called a bolus (say: bow-lus) toward the back of your throat and into the opening of your esophagus, the second part of the digestive tract.
The esophagus (say: ih-sah-fuh-gus) is like a stretchy pipe that's about 10 inches (25 centimeters) long. It moves food from the back of your throat to your stomach. But also at the back of your throat is your windpipe, which allows air to come in and out of your body. When you swallow a small ball of mushed-up food or liquids, a special flap called the epiglottis (say: eh-pih-glah-tiss) flops down over the opening of your windpipe to make sure the food enters the esophagus and not the windpipe.
If you've ever drunk something too fast, started to cough, and heard someone say that your drink "went down the wrong way," the person meant that it went down your windpipe by mistake. This happens when the epiglottis doesn't have enough time to flop down, and you cough involuntarily (without thinking about it) to clear your windpipe.
Once food has entered the esophagus, it doesn't just drop right into your stomach. Instead, muscles in the walls of the esophagus move in a wavy way to slowly squeeze the food through the esophagus. This takes about 2 or 3 seconds.
See You in the Stomach
Your stomach is attached to the end of the esophagus. It's a stretchy sack shaped like the letter J. It has three important jobs:
1. to store the food you've eaten
2. to break down the food into a liquidy mixture
3. to slowly empty that liquidy mixture into the small intestine
The stomach is like a mixer, churning and mashing together all the small balls of food that came down the esophagus into smaller and smaller pieces. It does this with help from the strong muscles in the walls of the stomach and gastric (say: gas-trik) juices that also come from the stomach's walls. In addition to breaking down food, gastric juices also help kill bacteria that might be in the eaten food.
Onward to the small intestine!
22 Feet Isn't Small at All
The small intestine (say: in-tes-tin) is a long tube that's about 1½ inches to 2 inches (about 3.5 to 5 centimeters) around, and it's packed inside you beneath your stomach. If you stretched out an adult's small intestine, it would be about 22 feet long (6.7 meters) — that's like 22 notebooks lined up end to end, all in a row!
The small intestine breaks down the food mixture even more so your body can absorb all the vitamins, minerals, proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. The chicken on your pizza is full of proteins — and a little fat — and the small intestine can help extract them with a little help from three friends: the pancreas (say: pan-kree-us), liver, and gallbladder.
Those organs send different juices to the first part of the small intestine. These juices help to digest food and allow the body to absorb nutrients. The pancreas makes juices that help the body digest fats and protein. A juice from the liver called bile helps to absorb fats into the bloodstream. And the gallbladder serves as a warehouse for bile, storing it until the body needs it.
Your food may spend as long as 4 hours in the small intestine and will become a very thin, watery mixture. It's time well spent because, at the end of the journey, the nutrients from your pizza, orange, and milk can pass from the intestine into the blood. Once in the blood, your body is closer to benefiting from the complex carbohydrates in the pizza crust, the vitamin C in your orange, the protein in the chicken, and the calcium in your milk.
Next stop for these nutrients: the liver! And the leftover waste — remnants of the food that your body can't use — goes on to the large intestine.
Love Your Liver
The nutrient-rich blood comes directly to the liver for processing. The liver filters out harmful substances or wastes, turning some of the waste into more bile. The liver even helps figure out how many nutrients will go to the rest of the body, and how many will stay behind in storage. For example, the liver stores certain vitamins and a type of sugar your body uses for energy.
That's One Large Intestine
At 3 or 4 inches around (about 7 to 10 centimeters), the large intestine is fatter than the small intestine and it's almost the last stop on the digestive tract. Like the small intestine, it is packed into the body, and would measure 5 feet (about 1.5 meters) long if you spread it out.
The large intestine has a tiny tube with a closed end coming off it called the appendix (say: uh-pen-dix). It's part of the digestive tract, but it doesn't seem to do anything, though it can cause big problems because it sometimes gets infected and needs to be removed.
Like we mentioned, after most of the nutrients are removed from the food mixture there is waste left over — stuff your body can't use. This stuff needs to be passed out of the body. Can you guess where it ends up? Well, here's a hint: It goes out with a flush.
Before it goes, it passes through the part of the large intestine called the colon (say: coh-lun), which is where the body gets its last chance to absorb the water and some minerals into the blood. As the water leaves the waste product, what's left gets harder and harder as it keeps moving along, until it becomes a solid. Yep, it's poop (also called stool or a bowel movement).
The large intestine pushes the poop into the rectum (say: rek-tum), the very last stop on the digestive tract. The solid waste stays here until you are ready to go to the bathroom. When you go to the bathroom, you are getting rid of this solid waste by pushing it through the anus (say: ay-nus). There's the flush we were talking about!

Dig That Digestive System
You can help your digestive system by drinking water and eating a healthy diet that includes foods rich in fiber. High-fiber foods, like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, make it easier for poop to pass through your system.
The digestive system is a pretty important part of your body. Without it, you couldn't get the nutrients you need to grow properly and stay healthy. And next time you sit down to lunch, you'll know where your food goes — from start to finish!

WHY DO YOU BURP ?

WHY DO YOU  BURP?

"Burp!"
You cover your mouth with your hand, but it's too late. The people at the next table in the lunchroom already heard. As you turn back to your soda, you think: Where did that burp come from?
A burp — sometimes called a belch — is nothing but gas. When you eat or drink, you don't just swallow food or liquid. You also swallow air at the same time. The air we breathe contains gases, like nitrogen (say: ny-truh-jen) and oxygen (say: ahk-sih-jen).
Sometimes when you swallow these gases, they need to get out. That's where burping comes in! Extra gas is forced out of the stomach, up through the esophagus (say: ih-sah-fuh-gus, the tube for food that connects the back of the throat to the stomach), and out of the mouth as a burp.
Some kids find that drinking soda or other carbonated beverages makes them burp more. Can you guess why? If you're thinking that it's because these drinks contain extra gas, you're right! The gas that makes the drinks fizzy is carbon dioxide (say: kar-bon dy-ahk-side), another gas that can bring on big burps. Sometimes eating or drinking too fast can make a person burp because this can send extra air into the stomach. The same thing happens when you drink through a straw: extra air in = more burps out.
Burping is almost never anything to worry about. Everybody does it at least once in a while, and it's very unusual for burping to mean something is wrong in a kid's body. What can you do if you're around people and you feel a burp coming on?
It seems like the only people who can get away with really loud burps are little babies — their parents cheer when they burp because it means that the babies won't feel the extra gas in their stomachs and cry. But unless you're tiny and bald, it's probably a good idea to be polite when it's time to burp. Try to burp quietly and cover your mouth. Of course, whether your burp is loud or quiet, saying "excuse me" can't hurt either.

EPILEPSY

EPILEPSY

Epilepsy, chronic brain disorder characterized by repeated convulsions or seizures. The seizures can occur as a result of underlying brain damage, a structural brain lesion, as part of a systemic medical illness, or may be idiopathic (no organic cause). Epileptic seizures differ with the type of condition and may consist of loss of consciousness, convulsive jerking of parts of the body, emotional explosions, or periods of mental confusion. Studies show that although epilepsy is not inherited, predisposition to the disorder is a hereditary trait responsible for some of the idiopathic cases.
In individuals suffering from epilepsy, the brain waves, which are manifestations of electrical activity in the cerebral cortex, have a characteristically abnormal rhythm produced by excessive and synchronous nerve-cell discharges. Furthermore, the wave patterns differ markedly according to type. Recordings of the brain waves are therefore important in the diagnosis and study of the disease, and are obtained by means of a device called the electroencephalograph.
No specific cure for epilepsy exists, but seizures can be prevented or reduced in frequency in nearly 90 per cent of the patients by the administration of drugs. The anticonvulsant drugs employed include diphenylhydantoin (phenytoin), phenobarbital, carbamazepine, ethosuximide, and valproic acid.
Because epileptic seizures vary in intensity and in symptoms, epilepsy is divided into the following major types: focal seizures (including psychomotor seizures) and generalized seizures (including grand-mal and petit-mal seizures).
The onset of an attack of grand-mal epilepsy is often signalled by an involuntary scream, caused by contraction of the respiratory muscles. As loss of consciousness sets in, the entire body is gripped by a spastic muscular contraction. The face becomes livid, the breathing is arrested, and the back arched. Subsequently, alternate contractions and relaxations of the muscles throw the body into such violent agitation that the patient is subject to serious injury. A folded handkerchief in the mouth may help prevent tongue and cheeks from being bitten during a seizure. After the convulsion subsides, the patient is exhausted and may sleep heavily. Fatigue and depression are often experienced upon awakening, and occasionally the patient has no memory of the seizure. Attacks occur at varying intervals, in some cases as seldom as once a year and in others as frequently as several times a day. Seizures may occur successively with no intervening period of consciousness; this condition, known as status epilepticus, affects approximately 8 per cent of those subject to grand-mal attacks and may be fatal unless treated promptly with diazepam or other drugs.
In petit-mal epilepsy the seizures are characterized by a sudden, momentary loss or impairment of consciousness. Overt symptoms are often as slight as an upward staring of the eyes, a staggering gait, or a twitching of the facial muscles. The patient often resumes activity without realizing that the seizure has occurred.
In psychomotor epilepsy the main symptom is amnesia. Duration of the seizures varies from a few minutes to several hours. Activity of the patient does not cease during the seizure, although behaviour is totally unrelated to environment. Also called temporal-lobe epilepsy, this form of seizure can be preceded by an aura (abdominal discomfort, dizziness, or strange odours and sensations). Some severe forms of temporal-lobe epilepsy are successfully treated by surgical removal of the damaged part of the brain.

Healthy Fruits Juice.....

Carrot + Ginger + Apple 
- Boost and cleanse our system.
Apple + Cucumber + Celery - 
Prevent cancer, reduce cholesterol, and improve stomach upset and headache.   
Tomato + Carrot + Apple -
Improve skin complexion and bad breath.   
Bitter gourd + Apple + Milk - 
Avoid bad breath and reduce internal body heat.   
Orange + Ginger + Cucumber -
Improve Skin texture and moisture and reduce body heat.   
Pineapple + Apple + Watermelon -
To dispel excess salts, nourishes the bladder and kidney.   
Apple + Cucumber + Kiwi -
To improve skin complexion.   
Pear & Banana -
  regulates sugar content.   
Carrot + Apple + Pear + Mango
- Clear body heat, counteracts toxicity, decreased blood pressure and fight oxidization .   
Honeydew + Grape + Watermelon + Milk - Rich in vitamin C + Vitamin B2
that increase cell activity and strengthen body immunity.   
Papaya + Pineapple + Milk - Rich in vitamin C, E, Iron.
Improve skin complexion and metabolism.   
Banana + Pineapple + Milk -
Rich in vitamin with nutritious and prevent constipation.

Cancer News - Avoid Anti Perspirants. Use Deodorants

CANCER NEWS FROM JOHN HOPKINS HOSPITAL
A friend of mine who has received Chemotherapy and is now receiving Radiation at Princess Margaret Hospital for breast cancer phoned me today to tell me what they have now found about causes of breast cancer. And then
tonight, I got the same information from another friend in Montreal .
The person with the cancer has been told by the hospital to only use deodorant rather than an anti-per spirant. The reasons are outlined in the letter below. Anyway, I thought it was worth sharing.
Ladies!! Be aware! Gentlemen, pass this on to the ladies in your life!
Sometime ago, I attended a Breast-Cancer- Awareness seminar. During the Q&A period, asked why the most common area for  breast cancer was near the
armpit. My question could not be answered at that time. The leading cause of breast cancer is the use of anti-per spirant. What?  A concentration of toxins leads to cell mutations, a.k.a. cancer.  Yes, ANTI-PERSPIRANT. Most
of the products out there are an antiperspirant /deodorant combination, so go home and check. Deodorant is fine, anti-per spirant is not. Here's why:
The human body has a few areas that it uses to purge toxins from the body; behind the knees, behind the ears, the groin area, and armpits. The toxins
are purged in the form of perspiration.  Anti-per spirant, as the name clearly indicates, prevents you from perspiring, thereby inhibiting the body from purging toxins from below the armpits. These toxins do not just magically disappear. Instead, the body deposits them in the lymph nodes
below the arms since it cannot sweat them out. Nearly all breast cancer tumours occur in the upper outside quadrant of the breast area. This is
precisely where the lymph nodes are located. Additionally, men are less likely (but not completely exempt) to develop breast cancer prompted by anti-per spirant usage because most of the anti-per spirant product is caught in their hair and is not directly applied to the skin. Women who apply
anti-per spirant right after shaving increase the risk further because shaving causes almost imperceptible nicks in the skin, which give the chemicals entrance into the body from the armpit area.
PLEASE pass this along to anyone you care about.
Breast cancer is becoming frighteningly common. This awareness may save lives.

The top five cancer-causing foods

There are some foods that people who are at high risk for developing cancer should definitely avoid. Generally, says natural health researcher Mike Adams, they should avoid foods that contain ingredients known to cause cancer, such as refined sugars and grains , hydrogenated oils, and nitrates. But which foods are the absolute worst?
The top five cancer-causing foods are:
1. Hot dogs
Because they are high in nitrates, the Cancer Prevention Coalition advises that children eat no more than 12 hot dogs a month. If you can't live without hot dogs, buy those made without sodium nitrate.
2. Processed meats and bacon
Also high in the same sodium nitrates found in hot dogs, bacon, and other processed meats raise the risk of heart disease. The saturated fat in bacon also contributes to cancer.
3. Doughnuts
Doughnuts are cancer-causing double trouble. First, they are made with white flour, sugar, and hydrogenated oils, then fried at high temperatures. Doughnuts, says Adams , may be the worst food you can possibly eat to raise your risk of cancer.
4. French fries
Like doughnuts, French fries are made with hydrogenated oils and then fried at high temperatures. They also contain cancer- causing acrylamides which occur during the frying process. They should be called cancer fries, not French fries, said Adams .
5. Chips, crackers, and cookies
All are usually made with white flour and sugar. Even the ones whose labels claim to be free of trans-fats generally contain small amounts of trans-fats.

Benefits And Source Of Vitamin C

Each one of us knows that Vitamin C is good for health but do we actually know how beneficial it is.To get acquainted with so-called cure-all vitamin, firstly understand what is the genre of Vitamin C.Categorized under water-soluble vitamins, it is accountable for many body functions, and is an essential part of diet. Every person must take at least 90mg of Vitamin C in his/her daily diet. Citrus fruits and vegetables, like orange, grapes, tangerines, tomatoes, peppers, broccoli, and even potatoes, are good sources of Vitamin C. It protects our body from several diseases and has been proved to enhance the immune system. Given below are the benefits of Vitamin C.
      * It keeps a check on the presence of cholesterol in the body. Thus, it actually helps to prevent gall bladder disease and even heart problems.
      * Recommended intake of Vitamin C helps in maintaining healthy blood pressure levels.
      * It facilitates collagen repair and formation. So, it also helps you to look younger.
      * It aids the function of body immune system. Hence, ingesting more of this vitamin in winters protects from problems, like cold & cough. It also aids in healing from scrapes and bruises.
      * Being an anti-oxidant, Vitamin C also protects the body from free radicals that could cause heart disease and cancer.
      * It also helps to maintain healthy gums. People, who lack Vitamin C, frequently develop black and swollen gums, called scurvy.
      * Over consumption of Vitamin C is not exactly harmful because being a water-soluble vitamin, extra amount gets excreted in urine. However, too much consumption can lead to problems of stones in later stages.

Blood Donation

Person above 18 years of age and over 50 Kgs. in weight can donate blood once in three months.
A normal adult has five to six liters of blood in his/her body of which only 300 ml is used during blood donation.
This blood is replaced by your body within 24 to 48 hours!
No special diet, rest or medicine is required after blood donation.
The donor should not have taken any medicine in the last 48 hours.
The donor should not have contacted jaundice in the previous three years.
Every donor is given a medical checkup prior to donation to see if he/she is medically fit and doesn't suffer from anemia, high blood pressure etc.,
The donor cannot contract AIDS or any other disease by donating blood.
Make Blood donation a habit . 
There are many persons
including females who has donated blood more than 10 -20 times in their life
Start with your B'day or from just today. Your little contribution can save someone's life.

What are Symptoms of Prostate Cancer?

Prostate cancer is a type of cancer that attacks a man’s prostate, which is a small gland shaped like a walnut. This gland is responsible for producing seminal fluid, which is used to transport and support sperm.
Although any man can develop prostate cancer, there are certain risk factors that increase a person’s likelihood of developing the disease. Men over the age of 50, for example, are at a substantially greater risk of developing prostate cancer. African-American men are also more susceptible, as are men with high levels of testosterone. This is because testosterone stimulates prostate gland growth. Therefore, men who have undergone testosterone therapy or who suffer from hypergonadism are at a greater risk for prostate cancer.
Men with high-fat diets or those who are obese also increase their chances of developing prostate cancer. Similarly, those with a family history of prostate cancer at an increased risk. Some studies have shown that men who have had a vasectomy are also more likely to get prostate cancer, but this has yet to be proven.
There are many signs and symptoms of prostate cancer that all men should watch for, particularly those in the high risk categories. These symptoms include an urgent need to urinate, as well as difficulty with starting urination. A man with prostate cancer may also experience a dull pain in the lower pelvic region, hips, back, or upper thighs.
A weak or dribbling urine flow, or a flow that breaks up intermittently, is also a sign of prostate cancer. Some men may also frequently urinate at night or feel as if their bladder is never really empty. In addition, they may feel pain while urinating or notice blood in the urine.
In some cases, a man with prostate cancer may experience painful ejaculation. He may also experience unexplained weight loss or bone pain that does not seem to subside. In some cases, a man with prostate cancer will not have any symptoms at all. For this reason, prostate cancer is often not detected until it has spread to other areas of the body. When diagnosed early, however, prostate cancer is almost always curable.

Treatments for Frequent Urination in Adults

Frequent urination in adults is the result of numerous conditions. For example, pressure of a fetus on the bladder of a pregnant woman will cause her to feel like she may constantly need to go to the bathroom. Diabetes or an enlarged prostate can also cause frequent urination. Urinary tract infections are suspect when an otherwise healthy patient reports frequent urination. In general, when a patient reports frequent urination to a doctor, the doctor will want to rule out possible conditions that may be causing the problem.
Most often, frequent urination is associated with a condition called overactive bladder. When other causes have been ruled out, patients can get treatment for overactive bladder in a number of forms. Most have probably seen ads for the medication Detrol®, which helps reduce the “urge to go.” Another effective medication for frequent urination due to overactive bladder is Ditropan®. Both medications are often first line treatments for this condition.
Sometimes frequent urination becomes a behavioral compulsion. People may have had accidents in the past or suffer from leakage of urine, called urinary incontinence. They have to carefully map trips so that they can use bathrooms along the way. Some people even feel reluctant to leave their homes because the compulsion or urge to use the bathroom is very strong or they fear embarrassment if they have an accident in public. Such people may also lose sleep at night and have to make multiple trips to the bathroom.
In addition to medication, doctors may employ cognitive behavioral therapy to help the person “train” his or her bladder to be less active. When frequent urination is part habitual and behavior related, therapy to change one’s behavior may help reduce trips to the bathroom. Occasionally, frequent urination does not cease through medication and behavioral therapy. Currently, urologists have two surgical options to offer patients who are not helped by less invasive therapies. These are augmentation cytoplasty, and the placing of a sacral nerve stimulator.
Placing a sacral nerve stimulator is similar to putting in a pacemaker. A small device is placed in a person’s abdomen that connects to the sacral nerves under the tailbone. This stimulator helps regulate nerve responses to the bladder, which can reduce frequent urination problems.
Augmentation cytoplasty resects part of the bowel, and uses this tissue to enlarge the bladder. This surgery tends to be less preferred, since many patients may need to remove urine with a urine catheter after the surgery. Urine catheterization tends to be linked to increased risk of bladder and kidney infections, and can be as inconvenient as the initial problem of frequent urination and overactive bladder.
Frequent urination is often thought of as a natural consequence of aging. In fact there are many who do not have this problem. Urologists suggest that exercise, and a diet rich in fiber may help prevent frequent urination. Additionally, avoiding alcohol and caffeine, which are both diuretics, can reduce the urge to go. Doctors also advise those experiencing frequent urination to seek medical attention to diagnose and treat overactive bladder, or other conditions that may be causing the problem.

What is Oral Cancer ?

Oral cancer refers to the growth of cancerous cells in the mouth, on the lips, on the tongue, in the sinuses, and in the throat or pharynx. It’s important to pay attention to signs of oral cancer, and these can vary depending upon where the cancer is present. Early diagnosis does improve outlook and prognosis tremendously, so all people should be aware of common signs of this condition.
People should see doctors if they notice swellings, bumps or sores in the mouth or on the lips that don’t heal after about two weeks. When the mouth bleeds regularly and with no explanation, this may also be a symptom of oral cancer. Some people notice sores on the face or neck, in addition to having sores in the mouth. Other symptoms of oral cancers can include ear pain, persistent hoarseness in the throat or difficulty swallowing, a feeling that something is caught in the throat, and rapid weight loss. Another common sign is white patches or white stripes in the mouth.
Most people don’t have all of these symptoms. Instead, they may have one or two symptoms at onset of oral cancer. Doctors recommend people see a physician if they detect the presence of one of these symptoms. They can indicate other conditions, and many of these conditions require treatment too, so people benefit by being cautious and checking out these potential warning signs with their doctors.
Some physicians recommend seeing a dentist instead, if sores or white patches are noted in the mouth. It can also help to see a dentist on a regular basis. Two cleanings a year may be a great way to screen for oral cancer, especially if the dentist performs an oral exam. If a dentist finds any suspicious lesions, he can biopsy them.
Due to the large area over which oral cancer can be spread, treatment and diagnosis are variable. Like many forms of cancer, emphasis is on removing cancerous cells and then using chemotherapy and/or radiation to kill any remaining cancer cells. The trouble with removal of cancerous cells is that in some people it can affect survivability of teeth and ability to talk. This is another reason it is essential to get early diagnosis of oral cancer, so that removal of cancerous cells doesn’t impact normal use of mouth and throat later.
There are certain people more likely to get oral cancer. These include people who drink alcohol and those who use tobacco products. Smoking is especially risky and results in about 70-80% of all oral cancers. Sometimes viruses may cause these cancers, and this may be especially the case when the cancer affects young adults. Another common cause, especially of cancer on the lips, is frequent sun exposure.

INDOOR & OUTDOOR EXERCISE

Caring for our health is a priority for most of us.  But the demands of balancing work, family and community responsibilities often leave us with little time for ourselves.
Get that body into gear for the new year.  January is a great time to begin an exercise routine, or to freshen up the one you already have.  So, if you've made a resolution to get fit this year, let's get going.  Try something new like karate, tai chi or water aerobics.  Or if you are just getting started, walking is a good option.
Walking is an excellent way to keep fit all year long.  You can walk at the office, at home, or at another location like a park, a beach, a mall or a track.  Have a spouse, a group of friends or a pet join you.  Or, you can walk alone, using that time to focus on inner thoughts.

What are Diuretics ?

Substances that augment "diuresis," or the removal of fluids from the body through urination, are considered diuretics. More commonly known as "water pills," diuretics may be prescription or over the counter drugs. They may also be homeopathic remedies or foods that help to prevent or treat fluid retention. It is best to consult with a healthcare professional before using any form of diuretics.
Diuretics are used for many reasons. They may be indicated for people who suffer from edema, an intense accumulation of fluids in the body's tissues, and those who suffer from high blood pressure or other heart related diseases. Increasing the production of urine not only releases fluid, but also helps rid the body of excess salts and may reduce blood volume.
Some people use diuretics as a weight loss aid, usually when a large amount of weight needs to be lost in a short amount of time. The fact is that diuretics are not proven to promote the loss of fat; they simply remove retained fluid. While the scale may show the loss of a few pounds, it is a temporary loss. This is not a healthy way to lose weight. Abusing diuretics can lead to dehydration and sometimes severe potassium deficiencies, which can be dangerous.
For those who only require minimal fluid reduction, and have no real health concerns, foods with natural diuretic properties may be a better alternative than drug-based diuretics. Some foods that contain natural diuretics are cranberries and cranberry juice, coffee and other beverages that contain caffeine, and apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar also contains potassium, so it may help avoid potassium deficiency. Still, it should be used sparingly. Adding fruits and vegetables such as cucumbers, watermelon and others that contain a lot of water will also help increase urination.
Natural diuretics should also be used in moderation, and even though they may be healthier than taking water pills, you shouldn't overdo it. It is always a good idea to check with your doctor before beginning any new regimen, and that includes taking natural remedies, taking over the counter medications, and even using foods to treat medical problems.

Why exercise is wise

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You've probably heard countless times how exercise is "good for you." But did you know that it can actually help you feel good, too? Getting the right amount of exercise can rev up your energy levels and even help improve your mood.
Rewards and Benefits
Experts recommend that teens get 60 minutes or more of moderate to vigorous physical activity each day. Here are some of the reasons:
  *Exercise benefits every part of the body, including the mind. Exercising causes the body to produce endorphins, chemicals that can help a person to feel more peaceful and happy. Exercise can help some people sleep better. It can also help some people who have mild depression and low self-esteem. Plus, exercise can give people a real sense of accomplishment and pride at having achieved a certain goal — like beating an old time in the 100-meter dash.
  *Exercising can help you look better. People who exercise burn more calories and look more toned than those who don't. In fact, exercise is one of the most important parts of keeping your body at a healthy weight.
  *Exercise helps people lose weight and lower the risk of some diseases. Exercising to maintain a healthy weight decreases a person's risk of developing certain diseases, including type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. These diseases, which used to be found mostly in adults, are becoming more common in teens.
  *Exercise can help a person age well. This may not seem important now, but your body will thank you later. Women are especially prone to a condition called osteoporosis (a weakening of the bones) as they get older. Studies have found that weight-bearing exercise, like jumping, running or brisk walking, can help girls (and guys!) keep their bones strong.
There are three components to a well-balanced exercise routine: aerobic exercise, strength training, and flexibility training.
Aerobic Exercise
Like other muscles, the heart enjoys a good workout. You can provide it with one in the form of aerobic exercise. Aerobic exercise is any type of exercise that gets the heart pumping and quickens your breathing. When you give your heart this kind of workout regularly, it will get stronger and more efficient in delivering oxygen (in the form of oxygen-carrying blood cells) to all parts of your body.
If you play team sports, you're probably meeting the recommendation for 60 minutes or more of moderate to vigorous activity on practice days. Some team sports that give you a great aerobic workout are swimming, basketball, soccer, lacrosse, hockey, and rowing.
But if you don't play team sports, don't worry — there are plenty of ways to get aerobic exercise on your own or with friends. These include biking, running, swimming, dancing, in-line skating, tennis, cross-country skiing, hiking, and walking quickly. In fact, the types of exercise that you do on your own are easier to continue when you leave high school and go on to work or college, making it easier to stay fit later in life as well.
Strength Training
The heart isn't the only muscle to benefit from regular exercise. Most of the other muscles in your body enjoy exercise, too. When you use your muscles and they become stronger, it allows you to be active for longer periods of time without getting worn out.
Strong muscles are also a plus because they actually help protect you when you exercise by supporting your joints and helping to prevent injuries. Muscle also burns more energy when a person's at rest than fat does, so building your muscles will help you burn more calories and maintain a healthy weight.
Different types of exercise strengthen different muscle groups, for example:
   *For arms, try rowing or cross-country skiing. Pull-ups and push-ups, those old gym class standbys, are also good for building arm muscles.
   *For strong legs, try running, biking, rowing, or skating. Squats and leg raises also work the legs.
   *For shapely abs, you can't beat rowing, yoga or pilates, and crunches.
Flexibility Training
Strengthening the heart and other muscles isn't the only important goal of exercise. Exercise also helps the body stay flexible, meaning that your muscles and joints stretch and bend easily. People who are flexible can worry less about strained muscles and sprains.
Being flexible may also help improve a person's sports performance. Some activities, like dance or martial arts, obviously require great flexibility, but increased flexibility can also help people perform better at other sports, such as soccer or lacrosse.
Sports and activities that encourage flexibility are easy to find. Many high schools have gymnastics programs. Martial arts like karate also help a person stay flexible. Ballet, pilates, and yoga are other good choices. Warming up for a workout and doing simple stretching exercises before and after your workout also help you develop flexibility.
What's Right for Me?
One of the biggest reasons people drop an exercise program is lack of interest: If what you're doing isn't fun, it's hard to keep it up. The good news is that there are tons of different sports and activities that you can try out to see which one inspires you.
When picking the right type of exercise, it can help to consider your workout personality. For example, do you like to work out alone and on your own schedule? If so, solo sports like biking or snowboarding may be for you. Or do you like the shared motivation and companionship that comes from being part of a team?
You also need to plan around practical considerations, such as whether your chosen activity is affordable and available to you. (Activities like horseback riding may be harder for people who live in cities, for example.) You'll also want to think about how much time you can set aside for your sport.
It's a good idea to talk to someone who understands the exercise, like a coach or fitness expert at a gym. He or she can get you started on a program that's right for you and your level of fitness.
Another thing to consider is whether any health conditions may affect how — and how much — you exercise. Doctors know that most people benefit from regular exercise, even those with disabilities or conditions like asthma. But if you have a health problem or other considerations (like being overweight or very out of shape), talk to your doctor before beginning an exercise plan. That way you can get information on what exercise programs are best and what to avoid.
Too Much of a Good Thing
As with all good things, it's possible to overdo exercise. Although exercising is a great way to maintain a healthy weight, exercising too much to lose weight isn't healthy. The body needs enough calories to function properly. This is especially true for teens, who are still growing.
Exercising too much in an effort to burn calories and lose weight (also called compulsive exercise) can be a sign of an eating disorder. If you ever get the feeling that your exercise is in charge of you rather than the other way around, talk with your doctor, a parent, or another adult you trust.
It's also possible to overtrain — something high school athletes need to watch out for. If you participate in one sport, experts recommend that you limit that activity to a maximum of 5 days a week, with at least 2–3 months off per year. You can still train more than that as long as it's cross-training in a different sport (such as swimming or biking if you play football).
Participating in more than one activity or sport can help athletes use different skills and avoid injury. Also, never exercise through pain. And, if you have an injury, make sure you give yourself enough time to heal. Your body — and your performance — will thank you.
Considering the benefits to the heart, muscles, joints, and mind, it's easy to see why exercise is wise. And the great thing about exercise is that it's never too late to start. Even small things can count as exercise when you're starting out — like taking a short bike ride, walking the dog, or raking leaves.
If you're already getting regular exercise now, try to keep it up after you graduate from high school. Staying fit is often one of the biggest challenges for people as they get busy with college and careers.

10 different ways to lose weight and maintain it

1. Do it for yourself. The motivation to lose weight and keep it off has to come from within you. If you're relying on gimmicky diets, you may still be hoping for some magical solution outside yourself.
2. Think 10 per cent. People who focus on losing just 10 per cent of their weight may have the best chance of long-term success. And dropping those first pounds produces the biggest health gains like decreased blood pressure, lower blood cholesterol and lower blood sugar, to name a few.
3. Take it one pound at a time. Crash weight loss programs rarely work. Even if you're able to stick with the severe calorie deprivation or the extreme energy output required, such quick-fix regimens leave you totally unprepared for the moderate but permanent changes needed to sustain the loss. Experts recommend that you strive to drop no more than half to one kilo a week while working to develop eating and activity habits that you can maintain for a lifetime.
4. Weigh in weekly. Evidence from several studies indicates that people who maintain weight loss hop on the scale at least once a week.
5. Get support. Finding a buddy to cheer you along will make the weight loss effort that much easier.
6. Expect to slip. Most people believe that you've got to do it all or it isn't worth doing. But that's not true. If you can't exercise the equivalent of walking 30 miles a week, it doesn't mean you shouldn't exercise at all. Make a start. Do what you can do. Something is always better than nothing.
7. Ease in. Just because you're suddenly burning to lose weight doesn't mean you should immediately plunge into full-throttle workouts. That's prescription for agony, injury and failure. And there's no rush. After all, if you want the weight loss to last, you'll be exercising for the rest of your life.
8. Make it fun. If you don't enjoy your workouts, you probably won't stick with them. For example, you could go dancing, play badminton, or take up a hobby that keeps you moving, like biking, hiking, or gardening.
9. Break it up. You don't have to do all your exercise in one long session. You'd burn just as many calories, and get nearly the same health benefits, by squeezing several shorter bursts of activity into your day.
10. Blend it in. You can exercise practically anytime, anywhere, without any special clothes or equipment. For example, deliberately park your car in the farthest corner of the parking lot, get off the bus one stop short of your destination, take the stairs instead of the elevator, or attack your housework vigorously. Counting up your minutes or mileage at the end of the day can provide an encouraging reward.

Top 10 Tips for Good Digestion

Top 10 Tips for Good Digestion
1. Eat in order of digestibility.
You should eat the easiest to digest foods first in each meal and slowly move towards the more complex. Think of a highway, if the slowest cars are in front they'll hold up the faster cars behind them, causing a traffic jam. The same goes for your food. Eat those fastest to digest first and save the tougher to digest foods for the second half of your meal.
Here are the time sequences for different food groups:
Water & Juices: 20-30 minutes
Fruits, Smoothies, Soups: 30-45 minutes
Vegetables: 30-45 minutes
Beans, Grains, Starches: 2-3 hours
Meat, Fish, Poultry: 3 or more hours
2. Drink warm or hot liquids with your meal.
Ice cold drinks can slow down the digestive process, think of it as putting ice on a muscle. The muscle stiffens and does not function as well. Warm or room temperature water, juice, or decaf tea will encourage proper digestion. (Just remember the traffic jam – drink liquids prior to meals)
3. Eat at regular meals times.
It is important to be regular with what you eat and the times of day you eat. Eating similar food groups and at similar times each day has a regulating effect on your digestive system. Regular in means regular out.
4. Be conscious of what you eat and your portion sizes.
Over consumption is the number one cause of indigestion. Our brain signals the feeling of fullness about ten minutes after we're actually full. So stop eating before you are full. Odds are you'll feel full ten minutes later!
5. Chew your food completely and don't talk while eating.
Incomplete chewing and talking while eating can cause premature swallowing. Our digestive systems are not designed to digest large pieces of food, when we put large pieces in our stomachs it can lead to incomplete digestion (aka: digestive discomfort).
6. Relax while eating your meal.
Eating when you are rushed increases your stress and slows down the digestive process. Create a nice calming atmosphere when eating and make sure you can devote time to eating.
7. Practice good posture.
When you slouch or hunch over extra pressure is put on the digestive organs in your abdomen. This extra pressure can cause poor digestion. You should practice sitting with your shoulders back and your chin tucked in. This will allow more room for the digestive organs and will help improve digestion.
8. Don't eat late at night.
Our bodies, including our digestive system, slow down in the evening hours as it gets ready to rest and rejuvenate. When we put food into our stomachs at these late hours there are not enough digestive enzymes to properly digest it. This undigested food sits in your stomach and will often disturb your sleep.
9. Take a brisk walk after eating.
Forget about not be active for 30 minutes after each meal. Increased physical activity actually helps jumpstart your digestive system and increases the production of digestive enzymes. This will lead to more complete digestion of your food and less digestive discomfort!
10. Try a spinal twist.
Spinal twists allow excess toxins in the digestive system to be released, which has a calming effect. While in a cross legged sitting position, slowly turn to the right and hold while taking 5 deep breathes then repeat this process on the left side.