Toenail Fungus Treatments That Work and Those Which Do Not

I'm sure you've already spent months trying to figure this out. That is alright. I've spent years. And you know what? I'm going to provide the information to you for free. Why? Because Lamisil is deadly and I'm tired of hearing/seeing/reading about all the bunk remedies out there that do not work.

Toenail Fungus Treatments That DON'T work

• Vick's vapor rub - this may be effective if on infant toenails and in only the mildest of cases. I'm not impressed with it though.


• Tea Tree Oil - alone it is garbage. If it is mixed with another ingredient, it will be more effective in the beginning stages. Look below.


• Topical creams, oils, lotions in pharmacies and drugstores - crap. They may claim to work but they do not. Save your money. Read the fine print. Even if it is called Toenail Fungus Blaster, the back of the package will read, 'not for toenail fungus.' Go to there and read yourself - I'm serious!


• Copper ionotophoresis - forget it. All you are doing is driving toxic copper into your bloodstream. Plus, it is costly.

Toenail Fungus Treatments That Work

Now do not get all excited. It takes commitment on your part to get an effective treatment. More often than not, a month of daily effort is needed to rid yourself of the toenail fungus. It is also a matter of severity. If your toenail fungus is so bad that your nails are 1/4" thick and curling, you will need to have them surgically removed.

I will provide the effective toenail fungus treatments in order of most severe to least severe:

Surgical removal of nail --> Lamisil --> Acidophilis Beer Soak --> DMSO/Tea Tree --> Vicks

Surgical Removal of Toenail Fungus: This is the worst case scenario obviously. If you toenails are so thickened and curling, it is nearly impossible to effectively treat these nails with anything. You can try the other treatments I suggest but the likelihood of success may not be what you want.

Lamisil: This stuff is not just extremely expensive. It is extremely hepatotoxic - liver damaging. I took it as I didn't know about the other treatments. I didn't need surgery as the toenail fungus wasn't so gnarly but Vick's didn't work and Tea Tree oil didn't work. So while in Russia, I bought up enough Lamisil to fix me up and swallowed it for 2 months daily. Ouch. Luckily I only paid about $125 for the Lamisil. Here in the USA you are talking about $1500 dollars plus for enough Lamisil to effectively treat the fungus. That hurts - especially when insurance doesn't cover it. What else hurts is one's liver. The metabolites of Lamisil are truely damaging to the liver so I recommend talking with a trained Naturopathic physician about how to repair your liver during and after the Lamisil treatment. Luckily, the liver is one tough organ. Did you know that you can lop off 1/3rd of your liver and it will grow back!?! Truely.

Acidophilis Beer Soak: Sounds hilarious and like a gimmick but believe me, the little fungal critters under your nail start running when they taste bacteria-riddled Guiness Stout. I would never believe in this remedy had it not come from a respected professor/doctor of mine. He has used it effectively all but once. That one time was due to him using capsule acidophilis, lite beer and apple cider vinegar. That won't work.

What to do:

1. Buy dark beer, white vinegar, sachets of acidophilis (or powdered 50 billion organisms)


2. Get a tub big enough for the treatment area (cat boxes are good - new ones please!)


3. Add 1 liter of room temperature dark beer, 1 liter of white vinegar, 50 billion acidophilis bacteria.


4. Soak feet in this solution for 20 minutes before turning in at night.


5. Get big container and pour all solution into it and put into refridgerator. This saves you money as you can resuse it.


6. Repeat using the same solution but add just enough hot water to make the solution warm.


7. Every 3rd time, add another 50 billion organisms to the solution.


8. Do this daily for 30 days or until you see normal healthy toenail growth appearing.


9. If you add urea paste to the nail during the day and soak your toes in the solution at night, the tinea unguinum will likely go away faster. You may also repeat the soaking in solution two times a day.

This will work. If you follow the directions as I've written them, your toenail fungus, tinea unguinum, onchomyosis - whatever you want to call it - will be dead and you again will have pretty nails. I promise.

DMSO and Tea tree oil treatment for toenail fungus: This may work but only in situations when the fungus is not severe. If the nail just shows sign of being infected, then give this a shot.

What to do:

1. Go to your local store and buy some DMSO and tea tree oil.


2. Clean and scrape your nails really well with water and soap.


3. Apply in equal parts [with a cotton ball or swab] a light layer of DMSO (99%) and tea tree or thuja essential oil to the toenail fungus.


4. Put a bandaid over the nails.


5. Repeat three times a day. Yep. 3x a day. Want the fungus gone? Good. 3 times a day


6. Remember - this only is effective if the tonail fungus is not severe. If you want it to really work, do the beer soaks.

Vicks Vapor Rub treatment for toenail fungus: I haven't seen it work but pediatricians claim that it does. Little kids' toenails are not so thick and supposedly the menthol penetrates and kills the fungus. My 2 year old had toenail fungus and this didn't kill it. It helped slow it down that's all.

So that is it. Those are the effective treatments. You can send a hug in the mail when you see your fungus gone. And you can also tell people about this awesome blog entry - I truely want to help the public gain health without drugs and this entry should definitely help.

All the ingredients written about are easy to obtain except the urea paste. This has to be prescription from a physician. Key Pharmacy in Renton, Washington sells it and ships it all over the world. They also add tea tree and DMSO in it. Advise your physician about this awesome pharmacy.

If you have a fungal infection of any other type on your body such as: tinea versicolor, tinea crura, tinea pedis, jock itch, atheletes foot, cradle crap, then I recommend Saprox Natural Antifungal Treatment. Saprox is a natural antifungal mud from the Czech Republic. It works quickly and effectively. Simply apply it, let it dry and wash off once or twice a day until the fungus is gone. Saprox has not been proven to eliminate toenail fungus but if mixed with DMSO, it just may.

If you have any questions about what I have written about, do email me. I'll help you.

In health,

Ben

(c) 2005 Benjamin Lynch of HealthE Goods

The information presented here cannot be published anywhere else without the author's permission. The entire contents of this article are under copyright and one cannot use any of the information for commerical gain.

The Truth About Tooth Decay or Dental Care

Tooth decay, or dental caries, is caused by prolonged exposure to acids produced by bacteria in the mouth. We cannot avoid bacteria in the air. When we breathe it enters the mouth and attaches itself to everything, including the teeth. In fact, there are more microcosms in one mouth than there are people on the earth.

Sugar is the main culprit in tooth decay, because that is what the bacteria eat. Bacteria then produce acids as a byproduct. Those acids eat at the enamel of our teeth, until hole or cavity in the tooth appears.

Our story begins in the 17th century, when sugar plantations developed in the "new world." Until then food was produced and prepared with much less added sugar. Then the 18th century saw sugar beets being harvested in England. Now, virtually everything we consume, from cereal in the morning to steak and eggs at night contains extra sugar. Bacteria on our teeth count themselves lucky to live in the 21st century, where there is an almost unlimited supply of free food for them to thrive on.

We are in cahoots with sugar and bacteria when we do not brush and clean our teeth. Leaving the bacteria to feed upon sugar and produce acids in our mouths allows the bacteria time to form a visibly organized colony between the gums and the tooth that we call plaque. Plaque actually acts as a cover for the acids that sit on the surface of our enamel. Without cleaning, acids will eat at out enamel almost at will, creating tooth decay and dental caries.

Decay is demineralization. In other words, the outer tissue of the tooth is so hard because it is 95% mineral. The inner tissue of the tooth, dentin, is a little softer because it is only 66% mineral. Normally, saliva is a natural remineralizer when acids have begun demineralizing, but when plaque is involved saliva is almost powerless to repair the damage. Acids will begin with a little hole in the enamel, and once it makes it through to the dentin, it eats the tooth tissue from the inside out. This means serious dental action: fillings, or even a root canal.

With plaque the acid concentration is also higher (Ph 4 or lower), packing a more potent punch through the outer enamel tissue of the tooth. Saliva could take two or more hours to even penetrate the plaque and begin the healing process.

There are a variety of preventative measures to take. I know people who have taken to a no-sweets diet to cut down on their sugar intake. There are many who bring toothpaste and a toothbrush to school or work with them in order to clean after each time they eat. Many more carry floss with them.

May I caution against two things? Please do not depend too heavily on fluoride. Little children who take in too much fluoride, even by swallowing toothpaste accidentally or unwittingly, develop dental flourosis, or yellow and white stains on their teeth in later childhood. Take it in healthy doses.

The second caution is to avoid too much brushing. People who brush excessively or applying too much pressure tear away the gums and expose the roots directly to the acids.

Now, may I suggest two things? Clean frequently and softly by brushing and by flossing. If you can hear the brushing sound as much as the other noise around the house, you are brushing too loudly. With brushing and floss, you don't need to try too hard to eliminate the plaque or the bacteria.

My next suggestion is to carry around gum that is not only sugarless but also supplemented by a natural element called xylitol. Be careful that you choose a gum where xylitol is the leading ingredient. Xylitol fights against the habit bacteria has of settling into tissue to live. Xylitol is a natural bouncer, making cleaning throughout the day easier and cleaning in the morning or at night more thorough.

One transcendent element is sugar. It is almost impossible to escape, and it is not healthy to escape altogether. Though we cannot and should not escape it completely, we can control it and prevent its decaying effects on our teeth.

Joe Miller is specialist in online advertising. For more information on tooth decay, please visit Xlear.com.

The How To Guide for Six Pack Abs

First off I want to mention that, for most people, getting six pack abs is not an easy task. It requires serious dedication, but it is possible! If were blessed with naturally low body fat and good muscle definition, enjoy it! Otherwise, below is a general 2-step guide that, if followed religiously for 3 months, will produce results.

Step 1: Nutrition

This is the single most important part of the puzzle, hands down. You can have the most impressive set of abs, but if they're covered with a layer of fat, you won't see them! Break up your day with 5 or 6 mini-meals because this jump starts your metabolism. And stop eating the food that is preventing results: white bread, loads of pasta, soda, candy, fast food, hydrogenated oils, sugars and fructose corn syrup.

Instead, replace them with foods that will help you reach

your goal: oatmeal, olive oil, whole grain breads, fruits, vegetables, nuts, peanut butter, chicken, fish, protein and water. Be realistic- you'll slip here and there, but make a conscious effort to radically improve your eating habits because getting a six pack will be impossible if you don't.

Step 2: Exercise

You need to concern yourself with 3 different exercises: cardio, weightlifting and ab exercises. And aim to workout no less than 4 times a week.

The cardio you do can be anything: walking, running,

biking, swimming....whichever cardio you don't mind doing

so that you'll stick with it. Aim for 30-45 minutes, a

minimum of 2 times a week.

Weightlifting is important because 3 pounds of added muscle burns as many calories as a 1 mile jog...and this is while you're just sitting around! Aim for 30-45 minutes, a minimum of 2 times a week. If you're confused as to what exercises to do for each body part, check out out the following website. It features professional bodybuilders, but the information is great and can be used by anyone.

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/exercises.htm.

The last exercise you need to incorporate into your workout

is ab exercises. Aim to work your abs a minimum of 3 times

a week. There are a ton of different ab exercises you can

do so try to find 3 or so that you enjoy doing so you can

mix it up. A good database of different ab exercises is:

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/exername.php?MainMuscle=Abdo

minals

Well, there you have it. Follow the above for 3 months religiously, and while results will vary from person to person, you will experience improvement. It will take serious dedication on your part, but imagine the feeling you'll get when you look in the mirror and like what you see.

----------------------------------------------------

Ryan Cote is the author of

http://www.4DaysToBetterHealth.com, a free health e-course

that shows the average person how to live a healthy

lifestyle. Only 4 emails over 4 days and you'll have the

basic knowledge to better your health.

The Best Way I Know To Lose Stubborn Belly Fat

Everyone wants to know how to lose fat around their abs, well, here's how I do it...

The #1 question that is asked on all fitness sites, bodybuilding forums, magazines and late night TV infomercials sounds a lot like these:

How to I lose the stubborn belly fat? How do I lose abdominal fat? How to do I get great abs? How do I lose the stomach pouch off the lower abs?

These are all too common question and they are so popular that it's the reason the weight reduction arena is a multi- billion dollar (yes billion) industry.

You are about to read the real secret to great abs and how to lose the abdominal fat without spending money on supplements or following some diet-of-the-month and it's going to be a very simple formula that you can follow. Remember...

Your abdominal muscle is like the rest of the muscles in your body. They require training if you want them to be larger and stronger. A common mis-conception is that you must train your abs several times a week. This will only lead to overtraining. Your abs are a muscle. Train it like everything else. No need to focus and go overboard. Two to three times a week of focused ab work or core strength is generally the rule for 6 pack abs.

An Easy 3-Step System For Ripped Abdominals:

Step 1

Training: 1% of your overall ab development will actually come from training. Consider the fact that most people think 90% of your results come from training, you can see this isn't the popular consensus. Needless to say, that's where most focus their efforts. They don't get their nutrition in order, they don't use cardio effectively so the masses just do more ab training and more crunches. Ultimately for your abs to show you must have abs to show and a low percentage of body fat for them to appear. More training does nothing to eliminate the layer of fat that is covering them. This is commonly know as spot reduction. Training an area for the sole purpose of eliminating fat in that area.

Tip - Do not make training the #1 priority to show off those abs. Train them like any other muscle. More ab work will not make your abs appear. Focus on lowering your body fat levels and not spot reduction.

Step 2:

Cardio: 9% of your effort can be directed as using cardio as a fat burning tool. High intensity interval training is by far the fastest and most efficient method you can use to shed the pounds. You'll want to keep in mind, using cardio is a tool. Not a foundation. This simply means that doing marathon sessions will not be to your advantage. Learn to use cardio effectively and you can enhance and boost your metabolism beyond what even eating the right foods can do. Some competitive bodybuilders use cardio up to twice a day for 30 days to just chisel off that last remaining layer of fat that's cover up the abdominal region.

Tip - Cardio can be done twice a day for a full body shock! Just keep in mind this method is a short term tool and not a routine you would use for any length of time.

Step 3:

Nutrition: 90% of your efforts will be based upon your diet. In order to show off the abs, you must get rid of the layer of fat that is covering them up. It is that simple. Many people will train their abs and do all kinds of cardio and they still forget that nutrition plays such a massive roll in getting rid of belly fat. You must know how many calories a day you need to eat and what to eat in order to get your nutrition on track and working for you. Going to the gym more often, doing more cardio and more hanging crunches will do you no good if you fail 90% of the test.

Tip - Use nutritional fundamentals to turn your body into a fat burning furnace.

Wait just a second...

Before you rush off to check your nutrition, cardio and training, take this next concept into consideration.

Loose Skin: Skin is very elastic and over time (age) or with a large amount of weight reduction it may not just spring back like it did. In this case, surgery may be the only option once you have reached a very low level of overall body fat.

-Many women may experience this because of pregnancy. -Many men and women may experience this because of a large amount of weight reduction.

For example, if a man was under 10% body fat and had loose skin, this is a prime example where skin may need to be taken away because of other circumstances. While this is pretty rare it does happen and if the skin cannot bounce back, there's little options a person has except to have it removed. What this means is...

If you have a low enough (12-15% or less body fat for a woman in this example) and you still have a lot of loose skin from slimming down or pregnancy, you may want to explore the option of having that excess skin removed.

With that said...

The secret to ripped abs is nothing more then 3-steps in this order of importance:

-Nutrition

-Cardio

-Training

You see, all of the programs you'll find will adhere to these 3 concepts. Once you have the abs, you need to show them. In order to show them, you will need to get rid of the layer of fat that is covering them up. It's easy to lose the belly fat when you know how.

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Marc David is the author of the free 30-page report, "Top 12 Beginner Mistakes". Quickly learn how to calculate how many calories a day you need to lose belly fat around the abdominals. Drop by http://www.beginning-bodybuilding.com for your free copy.

TEA OR COFFEE - THE MORNING CUPPA

Is that coffee in your morning cuppa? Think again before you take that first luxurious sip.

Ironically, the very substance that wakes you up, lets you down!

Over a period of time, caffeine can cause arthritis, stress and depression. Researchers say that it strains almost every organ and body system ; the liver, pancreas, glands, nerves, digestion and circulation. And that's not all; brain chemistry, too, becomes distorted through excessive caffeine dependence, resulting in over stimulation of the parts of the brain that regulate heart rate, breathing and muscle activity.

Difficult to give up, isn't it? How will you ever get through the day without it's boosting effect? But consider why and how it acts as a mood enhancer! Within 5 minutes of drinking it the caffeine hits your brain. Building up to a peak in 30 minutes....the high lasts from twelve to twenty hours. Like "speed", it unnaturally accelerates your thoughts, and physical ability to do things. It causes blood sugar to quickly rise and fall and stimulates the release of adrenaline. You work faster and do more, until you crash.

However, in the process, too much insulin is produced and blood sugar levels fall to a low level. That is why caffeine has been linked to diabetes. Coffee nerves include anxiety, irritability, lightheadedness, nausea and diarrhea.

Really bushed, but you need to work late on that report? Don't reach for a cup of coffee! All it will do is fool your body into thinking that it's not tired. The chemicals cause a temporary anti-depressant response in the brain and prevent the cortex from receiving the chemical signal that tells it that the body needs rest. Your brain is on high alert, but not in a natural way!

You MUST have a cup because you're hung-over and know no other way to silence the pounding drums inside your head? Hangovers are caused by alcohol expanding the blood vessels in the head. People with hangovers drink coffee because it constricts those swollen vessels. Drink lots of water instead!

We all need water to think, move and live. For every cup of coffee you drink, you lose approximately one and one-half cups of fluid. If you drink a caffeinated beverage while eating, you deprive yourself of food's nutritional value. Its diuretic effect depletes your nutritional reserves and lowers your resistance to illness. Essential minerals such as magnesium, potassium, zinc, vitamins B (especially B-i) and C, are leached from your body. Your ability to absorb iron and calcium is impaired, which increases the chances of osteoporosis, anemia and kidney stones.

Cholesterol levels have been found to be dramatically higher in people who are habitual coffee drinkers... two or more cups of coffee a day. All this may increase your risk of heart disease. A rapid, racing or irregular heartbeat is one of the most common effects of caffeine. It raises blood pressure; elevates cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Additional norepinephrine secretion into the blood causes constriction of blood flow.

Need coffee to tackle constipation? It does this at the cost of impairing your colon's normal peristaltic action, while the artificial stimulation causes diarrhea and stomach cramps. As with all addictive drugs, the amount of caffeine needed to move your bowels increases with regular use. And while on the subject of our innards, remember that caffeine raises your stomach's production of hydrochloric acid, which is why there is a strong connection between ulcers, gastritis and caffeine. Abdominal pain is another common side effect of caffeine. Irritated bowels and intestines, leading to hemorrhoids, can develop as it dries out the intestinal lining.

The older you are the more caffeine sensitive you become. Caffeine can trigger facial spasms or tics, especially in children.

In 1996 the average American consumed over fifty-three gallons of soft drinks. An American child drinks about a can a day, an estimated thirty gallons of soda a year! If you add up the caffeine in chocolate and soft drinks, junior may be taking in hundreds of milligrams of caffeine every day. Because kids weigh less, the caffeine ratio is greater and more harmful.

Caffeine is listed as an addictive drug by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Sodas, bottled teas and even water may contain caffeine. The Center for Science in the Public Interest, maintains that as little as three to five cans of cola (not including chocolate and coffee) can make a person caffeine dependent. Yet beverages are not required to list the presence or amount of caffeine added.

A psychoactive drug, its toxicity is cumulative. By the time part of the ingested caffeine is eliminated, coffee addicts have taken in more caffeine, repeating the vicious cycle over and over ! Could it be that the measured amounts are calculated to keep us addicted in much the same way as nicotine is measured out by cigarette manufacturers?

Wouldn't it be safer and wiser to drink tea instead?

Author: Jay Chatterjee

Varities of Healthy And Easy To Cook Trout Recipe

Trouts are fresh water fishes and commercially farmed for sports fishing and human consumption.

We've eaten trout for hundreds of years now and trout can be cooked in plenty of ways. Let me share with you some good trout recipes and different simple ways how to cook trout. Hope you enjoy cooking them!

ESCALLOPED TROUT

Boil two trout in salted water, drain and flake, removing all the bones. Fry a small chopped onion in butter, add a tablespoonful of flour and two cupfuls of milk. Cook until thick, stirring constantly. Put a layer of the boned fish in a buttered baking-pan, add a layer of the sauce, sprinkle with minced parsley, and repeat until the dish is full. Cover with crumbs, dot with butter, and brown in the oven.

TENDERLOIN OF TROUT WITH WINE SAUCE

Cut a large sea-trout in pieces and simmer until done in salted and acidulated boiling water to which a large sliced onion has been added. Drain and keep warm. Cook together two tablespoonfuls each of butter and flour and add enough of the liquid drained from the fish to make a thick sauce. Cook until thick, stirring constantly,take from the fire, add one cupful of Madeira wine and three eggs well-beaten. Put the fish in a buttered baking-pan, sprinkle with seasoned crumbs, cover with mushrooms, then with oysters and shrimps. Pour the sauce over and bake until the oysters are done. Serve in the dish in which it was baked.

TROUT WITH FINE HERBS

Put half a dozen cleaned trout in a buttered baking-dish with half a glassful of white wine, and a finely chopped shallot. Bake for ten minutes, strain the liquid, and add to it one cupful of Allemande Sauce. Add also a small chopped onion, two shallots, twice the quantity of mushrooms, and a bean of garlic, all minced and fried in butter. Season with salt, pepper, minced parsley, and lemon-juice; pour over the fish and serve.

BROOK-TROUT IN PAPER CASES

Stuff the fish with seasoned crumbs or chopped oysters or raw fish pounded to a pulp and mixed to a paste with the beaten white of egg and a little cream. Lay a very thin slice of salt pork on each fish and wrap in buttered paper. Bake in a hot oven. Remove the string and serve in the paper. Serve any preferred sauce separately.

For more great tasting and easy to prepare trout recipes and simple ways how to cook trout , please check out our How To Cook Fish - Great Recipes for Fish You Need blog plus lots of recipes for fish that you will love and enjoy.

About the Author:

Anselmo Mendez is a successful online entrepreneur and publisher of several online articles on different topics.

Smoking Fetish of Women

Have we really come a Long Way?Ask yourself...??

The ratio of smoking women in US is a staggering 1:4, which are even higher among high school girls. Approximately half of these smoking girls and women will die prematurely from smoking-related diseases such as lung cancer, oral cancer, heart disease, stroke and emphysema.

According to one of the researches, it has been found that the smell and taste of cigarettes play a greater role in women's smoking behavior than in that of men. Another study found that cognitive-behavioral therapy aimed at changing attitudes about weight promotes smoking cessation by women. Even if we compare their stats with men, we'll be surprised to know that the guys who smoke are one out of every three. However, while smoking as well as smoking-related deaths from such diseases as lung cancer have been falling in men, they have been increasing in women. Smoking, in fact, takes a greater toll on the health of women than men; a smoking woman loses, on an average, 15 years of her life while a smoking man loses just over 13 years.

In the first half of the 20th century, lung cancer in women was extremely atypical. In addition to that smoking wasn't very ubiquitous. Unfortunately, that soon changed when the tobacco industry started targeting women. In 1964, the first Surgeon General's Report on Smoking and Health was released and it became clear that smoking was a deadly habit which engulfed 45 percentages of women all over. A media campaign followed and smoking rates began to fall, as did tobacco industry profits. But the rates declined more in men than women; the tobacco industry had started their own media campaign, once again marketing directly to women.

Lung Cancer

By 1987, lung cancer had outdone breast cancer as the leading cause of cancer deaths in women.

Today, more women die each year from lung cancer than breast cancer, uterine cancer, and ovarian cancers combined. In fact, lung cancer among women is now considered a scourge, killing almost 75,000 in the US last year. Women appear to be more vulnerable to lung cancer than men, and they tend to get it at younger ages.

Symptoms of Lung Cancer

? Shortness of breath

? Fever with an unknown cause

? Hoarseness

? Chest pain

? Wheezing

? Coughing up blood

? Chronic cough

? Weight loss & loss of appetite

? Repeated bouts of bronchitis or pneumonia

Other Smoking influenced Diseases in Women\

While lung cancer might be the most lethal disease caused by smoking, it's not the only one. Smoking doubles the risk of having a heart attack, and increases the risk of dying from a heart attack within the first hour. This is an especially serious problem for women since women are more likely to die after a first heart attack than men. Women who use birth control pills and smoke are at especially high risk of having a heart attack.

Smoking also increases the risk of other cancers, including breast, uterine cancer, bladder and oral cancer. Smoking also increases a woman's risk of low bone density and osteoporosis.

Smoking-Related Disorders in Women

? Heart disease

? Stroke

? Lung cancer

? Emphysema

? Oral cancer

? Uterine cancer

? Breast cancer

? Bladder cancer

? Rectal cancer

? Colorectal polyps

? Osteoporosis

? Infertility

? Early Menopause

? Miscarriages

? Stillbirths

Family Matters

Smoking is not just bad for women; it's bad for their families and future families as well. Smoking can cause infertility in women. If a woman becomes pregnant, smoking increases her risk of miscarriages, stillbirths and premature births. Mothers who smoke during pregnancy are also more likely to have babies with asthma, sleeping disorders and chronic ear infections than non-smoking mothers. The menstrual cycle phase has an effect on both mood and tobacco withdrawal symptoms for women trying to quit smoking -- a finding that clearly suggests that women could improve their success rate simply by starting their quit attempt during certain days of their cycle.

Cosmetic and Other Considerations

Ironically, teens and young women often think smoking is sexy and glamorous. However, the consequences ? such as stained fingers and teeth, tooth loss, gum disease, bad breath ? are anything but sexy and glamorous. Smoking also hastens the aging process most likely because of its adverse effect on estrogen. It can cause early menopause, facial wrinkling, and permanent voice lowering and urinary incontinence.

Old Habits Die Hard

Women and girls are not only more susceptible than men to the negative consequences of smoking they are more likely to become addicted to cigarettes even when smoking comparable amounts.

Nicotine is one of the most addictive substances known to a man?and woman. Researchers are studying gender differences in smoking behavior and working to develop treatment plans that will help more women end their nicotine addiction. In fact, nicotine is considered more addictive than heroin or cocaine. And nicotine is more addictive for women than men.

The highly addictive nature of nicotine is a major reason why most people have difficulty quitting smoking, and women have a harder time quitting than men. Another thing that makes quitting difficult for women is the weight gain that, unfortunately, often accompanies quitting smoking. On the other hand, the weight gain, which rarely exceeds five pounds, can be reversed by a healthy diet and exercise. More importantly, quitting smoking can also reverse many of the deadly consequences of the habit.

Weighing the Benefits

A woman who stops smoking reduces her risk of stroke to pre-smoking levels. Within a year, her smoking-related risk of heart disease drops by 50 percent. After three years, the risk of a heart attack is no greater than for a woman who never smoked. Within five years, her smoking-related risk of heart disease can disappear altogether. Clearly, the benefits of quitting outweigh the possibility of any weight gain. So think again...Are we going the right way??

Additional Resources on Women and Smoking

American Legacy Foundation

http://www.americanlegacy.org

Centers for Disease Control (CDC)

2001 Surgeon General's Report on women and smoking.

http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/sgr/sgr_forwomen/factsheet_consequences.htm

About the Author

John Hilton is the contributing editor to www.affordable-prescriptions.md, Please send feedback at john.hilton001@gmail.com

Six-pack Secret

Are you having trouble getting that six-pack you've always wanted? Are your abs holding you back from having that perfect build? That is exactly the position I found myself in a few month back. I've been weight training for years and even though my abs were well defined, I did not have the sexy six-pack that all women go crazy for. I've spent hours upon hours searching the net for tips on building the perfect abs only to find spam pages trying to sell expensive products. Than I started thinking. How is it that I can build my biceps, triceps and pectorals so fast and well defined, yet my abs are lacking? After putting some thought into it I came to the conclusion that I couldn't get those perfect abs because I was not doing the correct exercise. Most people will only do the regular sit-ups to try and build a six-pack only to be discouraged after months of hard work. What I realized is that your abs are just like any other muscles on your body. Imagine you were trying to build big biceps by using the same amount of weights over and over again. You would not get very far. This is the mistake that people make when building abs. Doing just regular sit-ups is equivalent to trying to build biceps without increasing your weights. You need to use weights in your abs building routines! So in order to fix this I came up with this exercise:

1) Get into your regualr situp position, but this time hold some weights behind your neck and start doing situps this way. You will instantly realize how weak your abs are as adding even 10lbs behind your neck will make your sit-ups very difficult. Adjust the amount of weights you use so that you can do approximately 10 sit-ups. Once your abs get stronger and you can do more sit-ups, just increase the weight as you would when building any other muscle!

After just a month of using this exercise, my abs became what I have always dreamed of. The perfect six-pack as seen on TV!

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I have been practicing weight lifting as a hobby for more than 5 years and have learned a lot from my own mistakes. For more great tips and tricks on weight lifting and bodybuilding visit http://www.muscol.com

Author: Radion Melnyk

Sinusitis- How I Beat It- You Can Too

After two painful sinus operations, I was still coming down with infections. I had to find some real remedy to my sinusitis problem, as I was tired of taking antibiotics and especially tired of the dull, deep headaches every time I had an attack.

Sinus Operations- Try to Avoid

The operations were no fun. After the first one my nose was "packed". This means that in order to stop the bleeding, the ENT specialist/surgeon put a large amount of gauze in my nose, which means that one can only breathe through the mouth for the week or so of recovery time. In other words, swallowing and breathing cannot occur at the same time. This is a good way to lose weight, as one cannot eat much, but it is not a great way to live. At the end of this period, before pulling out the gauze, the doctor said "this will feel like I'm pulling your brains out through your nose". This was the most accurate statement he ever made to me. Pulling what seemed like 6 feet of moist, sticky gauze out of my nose was an almost surrealistically painful sensation. But I thought, "if my deviated septum is now fixed, at least I can look forward to no sinus infections in the future, or at least a lot fewer of them. I was wrong again, as they started coming back after a few months. I changed ENT specialists since the first one put me through tons of pain for no gain. After a couple of years of treatment with this new doctor, I decided to take his advice and try another operation. Among other therapies, I had allergy shots during that time, even though I only tested positive for minor allergies to a couple of things. My nose was not "packed" this time, but there was still plenty of pain. Again my hopes for an infection-free future were dashed when they started up again after a few months. So after two operations by two different ENT specialists, I said "enough is enough". For those considering sinus operations to fix things like a deviated septum, here's my considered advice: don't do it. At least try the nasal irrigation recommended by Dr. Murray Grossan which is explained below before you do. One hears about people who have had 5 or 6 sinus operations, and these either don't work, or if they do cause improvement, it doesn't last very long. Some people have told me that a sinus operation "fixed" their problems, but I am skeptical.

Tried Various Approaches for Years

Throughout my years with significant sinus problems, I had read a number of books and tried different products and approaches. One author I read early-on was not very encouraging. He said that certain things aggravated sinus problems, and one should simply stop eating chocolate, cheese and other dairy products. Also, he said that in order to be cured there could simply be no drinking of alcoholic beverages either. Sorry, he said, but that's the way it has to be. For a person who lived in France and who has come to enjoy the excellent wine and numerous cheese varieties, this was awful. What kind of a life would I have without drinking wine and eating cheese? At that point I did have to stop drinking, as even one glass of wine could be enough to trigger an infection almost every time. After six months of this I got sick of drinking soda and non-alcoholic beer, which tastes pretty bad. In fact I was ridiculed in a restaurant in France when I ordered a Buckler's , which is Heineken's nonalcoholic beer. The French owner asked my why I would order such a ridiculous beverage with his excellent meal, and I explained I had sinus problems. He replied that he bad sinus problems too, and he got headaches every day, but nothing would stop him from drinking red wine! I actually admired his attitude, but the headaches were too painful, and I felt like I was on the search for "Lorenzo's oil", like the father in the movie of the same title that needed a certain rare oil to cure his son. It was also through this author, an ENT specialist, that I first heard about nasal irrigation, but the system suggested did not work well. He sold a saline solution, but it was too strong and caused a burning sensation in my nose. He suggested a sort of long-nosed pot called a Neti pot to use to pour the solution into each nostril. This approach did not work nearly as well as the system suggested by Dr. Grossan (see below), and I was wrongly convinced that nasal irrigation was not effective. It makes a big difference how the irrigation is done and with what kind of equipment and saline solution.

Dr. Murray Grossan to the Rescue

I thus started doing more research on other books and approaches, and in the course of this I came across a book by Dr. Murray Grossan called "The Sinus Cure- 7 Simple Steps". In a nutshell, Dr. Grossan's system worked. His book contains many technical explanations about sinusitis and how to deal with it. He clearly explains the reasons for the problem and suggests numerous remedies including diet considerations, home environmental improvements like duct cleaning and humidity control, and the most important aspect of the program: pulsating nasal irrigation with a saline solution.

Use a WaterPik and Adaptor

When I first started following Dr. Grossan's advice he suggested using a WaterPik machine, and these have been sold for years as devices to improve gum and dental health. Dr. Grossan simply sold an adaptor and a saline solution, although one can use table salt. Although much more expensive than salt, I find that this saline solution is convenient, works well, and has no preservatives. I usually purchase a dozen containers at a time, and these will last up to a year with one application per day. One simply puts a spoonful of saline solution into the WaterPik tank and then about 16 oz. of warm water to dissolve the powder. Then the nasal adaptor is put into one nostril and the machine will gently propel half the liquid through one's nasal canal, and it will drain out the other side. One then puts the adaptor in the other nostril and repeats the procedure on that side. This procedure is done while leaning over a sink. I then normally put more water into the tank and use the WaterPik on my teeth as it was originally intended, and I've helped my gum and dental health as well. My dental hygienist has made several comments about how much better my gums and teeth are when I go in for cleanings. The whole effort only takes about 5 minutes or so, including wiping everything dry. I normally do the irrigation once a day about an hour before bed, but if I happen to wake up with more than the usual congestion in the morning, I'll do it then as well.

The Easiest Way to Start

In the past couple of years Dr. Grossan has come up with his own machine for nasal irrigation. It is called the Hydro Pulse? Nasal Irrigation System. For about $89 plus shipping one receives the Hydro Pulse Nasal/Sinus Irrigator?, 2 Original Sinus Irrigator Tips ?, 2 Original Throat Irrigator Tips?, Breathe-ease? XL Nasal Moisturizer (this is the saline solution), and excerpts from,"The Sinus Cure" by Dr. Grossan.

This is the easiest way to start, as you have everything needed. If the system works well and you want to continue to do nasal irrigation on a daily basis, I would suggest purchase of a pack of one dozen saline solution boxes, as the price is lower per box and there is only one shipping charge to pay. Of course one could still purchase a WaterPik at a retail store and buy the Dr. Grossan's adaptor and saline solution to work with it. For information about how to purchase these items, and also how to download a free ebook written by Dr. Grossan, follow the links at the end of this article..

Other Medications

For many people the nasal irrigation system will be enough to control your sinus problems. Those of us with particularly significant sinusitis may need to supplement this with medications, and I use Flonase before going to bed each night as well. If I feel like I'm on the verge of a sinus infection I might take some zyrtec (an antihistimine) or if an infection seems imminent, I have my silver bullet, which is prednisone. I don't use much of the latter, however, as there can be side affects with this steroid. My doctor usually prescribes 10 pills of 20 mg each, and these last for about a year. I never take a whole pill and usually take 5 mg or 10 mg maximum at a time for a day or two. I'm told this is a reasonable amount and nothing to worry about. Speaking of bad side effects, prior to discovering Dr. Grossan's system, sometimes desperate for relief, I used an over-the-counter spray called afrin. The warnings on the label say to use this product for only 4 days or less. This medication can damage the cilia in one's sinuses and cause permanent damage if used too much. As frequent users know, there is also an effect called rebound congestion, so after using it you might end up just as congested as when you started. Thus, people are tempted to continue using it, and it is said to become addictive. Dr. Grossan simply recommends that you throw your afrin into the garbage and stay away from it. I have not used it for years now and am glad to be rid of it.

I haven't eliminated sinus infections entirely, and I might come down with perhaps one per year. I'm more susceptible when very tired, or after long flights, as we often go back and forth to Europe for our tour business. When flying anywhere I make sure to take some kind of decongestant, normally the Flonase. I can enjoy wine, cheese, chocolate, and I really don't need to avoid any particular foods. Dr. Grossan's system has worked for me, and I certainly don't miss the deep, painful sinus infection headaches that used to be all too familiar. Dr. Grossan has lots of other advice in his book as well, and I definitely recommend that anyone with sinusitis read it.

Best of luck to all sinusitis sufferers. I hope this information will help improve your lives as much as it has helped me. Please don't hesitate to forward this article to friends and family who suffer from sinusitis.

Author: Walter Ballenberger

Same Day Cash Loan ? Access the Cash You Need Within 24 hours budget before pay cheque

Uncertainty is the key factor that rules human being's life. Demands are unlimited while resources are limited. It is impossible if one wish to fulfill all the desires with the scarce resources i.e. limited monthly income and savings. If you need urgent cash right now but, you get it after few days, there will be no value of that money which could not serve you when you needed it desperately. This uncertainty factor has lead to the introduction of "Same day cash loan" by the UK loan providers.

Same day cash loans aims to meet the immediate cash needs of the UK residents. Value of a product is measured by the time. If you need something right now and you get it right there, it will be valuable. Same is the case with the money. Everyone needs financial assistance at some point of time. And if one gets it promptly and with ease everything seems to be in place and in order. It can work as an important tool in elevating financial burden by giving you the financial support.

Internet has made it easy for the loan seekers to get financed easily and that too quickly. It has contributed greatly to the growth of the finance market. In the past, borrowers had do depend on traditions lenders such as banks. It involved the lengthy loan application process and by the time you get the money you feel that you don't need it any longer. Application for borrowing money, even a small amount used to take several weeks. Lenders were on the mercy of the tradition lenders. Though there is one more alternative the money seekers use to depend on, namely friends and family. But, at times it becomes embarrassing that you can't meet cash needs on your own and have to depend on friends.

Online lenders have come to the rescue of all those who have got tired of the stress involved in borrowing money from traditional lenders or friends. They have given the UK residents freedom from all the hassles which used to exist while borrowing from traditional lenders. Online lenders offer the ease of applying for the loan, one can get the finance he or she needs instantly.

Online websites offers round the clock service, a borrower can apply for a same day cash loan at any time. You can apply for the loan from your home or office by using internet, so you need not move from one lender to another to meet cash needs.

Small day cash loan are available for small amount which is usually under ?1000. Loan you wish to borrow will be deposited directly into your personal account. The interest rate on the same day cash loan is considerably high and ranges from 9% to 20% APR. The APR stands for Annual Percentage Rate which is another name for rate of interest. The rate of interest is high as the lender bears the risk of lending. Same day cash loan is offered for a short loan term which varies from 15 to 30 days. The repayment of the loan can be in the form of the automatic deduction of the loan amount from the borrower's checking account on the due date or a cheque drawn in favor of the lender.

The best thing about same day cash loan is that it doesn't involve credit check. So one need not worry about the credit rating, any one either with a bad credit or good credit rating can get the loan.

A borrower needs to meet some basic requirement to become eligible for the loan. The borrower should be employed; he has to submit last three months income statement and must have a personal checking account. Lender focus on the employment status of the borrower to make sure that there is minimum risk involved in lending money to the borrower.

A borrower needs to fill up a small online application form to access the instant cash within 24 hours. The whole process of applying for the loan is simple and fast. Submit the application form and the lenders will get back to you within few hours with the loan option which matches your requirement to the best.

Financial crisis can happen to anyone. What one needs at that time is instant cash. Same day cash loan can work as a perfect solution to your urgent cash need. One can now access the cash he or she needs with the same day cash loan and that too within 24 hours but, make sure to use the loan amount cautiously as it carry a high rate of interest.

Olivia Maaret loans have recently began to play a strong part in deciding the financial future of general population. olivia

maaret can help you find the best loan at best interest rates. To find Online cash loan,online payday cash loan,online

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Quick Cash Loan

A cricket ball from the park smashed the windscreen of Richard's car. His bank balance was nearly empty and the paycheck was still a fortnight away. Richard was in a fix because the thing needed immediate repairs and the funds were nowhere in sight. Unforeseen circumstances and pressing state of affairs like these require money - not in months or weeks, but within a day or if possible within a few hours. A large section of the populace in UK can identify with this situation, because they too have a miniscule or near empty bank balance and a paycheck-to-paycheck lifestyle. A quick cash loan is fast, easy and cure-all remedy for any financial crisis precipitated by a sudden and unexpected urgency. The emergency can be like the one mentioned above or a credit card bill or a medical problem or it could be anything that demands some extra cash.

Quick cash loan is specially designed to fulfill such exigencies. It doesn't require any paperwork; credit checks or faxing of documents and the cash is deposited in the borrower's checking account within a day or two. A quick cash loan doesn't have any application fees. Many lenders are now offering quick cash loans through Internet. The entire process from filling up of the application to approval of the quick cash loan is done online. Once the lenders are satisfied, the funds are put into borrower's checking account via a wire transfer; absolutely no hassles- just quick fast cash. If you earn at least ?1000 per month you can get a quick cash loan of ?500 deposited into your checking account within 24 hours.

The essential requirement for getting a Quick cash loans is that the borrower should be employed. Many lenders offer quick cash loans only to those people who have been with the same job for at least five months. The lenders want to ascertain that the applicant has a steady job and is receiving a consistent income for at least a few months. A three-month-old checking account is also one of the requirements to get a quick cash loan. In addition to these, the lenders will verify the borrowers identity. The lenders often overlook poor credit history and bad credit ratings, because quick cash loans are based on the employment status of the borrower.

The interest rates on quick cash loans are on the higher side. The typical APR for a quick cash loan can be between 9% and 30%. However, lenders nowadays are increasingly charging fees instead of the interest on quick cash loans. On an amount of ?100 this fees can range from ?15 to ?30. Quick cash loans are available for small amounts- usually under ?1000. The quick cash loan has to be repaid within 15 to 30 days. The repayment process is either an automatic deduction of the loan amount from the checking account of the borrower, or a check in favor of the lender. The repayment date of these loans generally coincides with the paycheck date. If a borrower is not able to repay on the specified date he has to bear the penalties. The lenders add up the loan fee or the interest rates each time the loan is rolled over to a new repayment date.

A proactive borrower can cut any delay in the approval of a quick cash loan. Before applying, if a borrower has his employment, identification and checking account details ready, he can get the loan very quickly. Many lenders take just five minutes to process the application. The entire process - concurring perfectly with the sensitivities of the borrower, justifies its name ? quick cash loan.

Andrew baker has done his masters in finance from CPIT. He is engaged in providing free, professional, and independent advice to the residents of the UK.He works for the Secured loan web site uk finance world for any type of uk secured and unsecured loan please visit

http://www.ukfinanceworld.co.uk

Premature ejaculation, Free Methods of controlling premature ejaculation

Kegel exercises

Pelvic-muscle exercises called Kegels (after Arnold Kegel, M.D., the gynecologist who developed them over 40 years ago).

PC exercises, also known as Kegel exercises. strengthen the pubbocoxygennus muscle (PC muscle), a sling of muscle that surrounds your anus and prostate gland. The PC muscle is the muscle that involuntary "pumps" when you ejaculate. Strengthening - and learning to control - this muscles is may help to control ejaculation in men.

Exercising your pelvic floor muscles for just 5 minutes, three times a day can make a big difference to your bladder control. Exercise strengthens muscles that hold the bladder and many other organs in place.

The part of your body including your hip bones is the pelvic area. At the bottom of the pelvis, several layers of muscle stretch between your legs. The muscles attach to the front, back, and sides of the pelvis bone. Two pelvic muscles do most of the work. The biggest one stretches like a hammock. The other is shaped like a triangle. These muscles prevent leaking of urine and stool.

How to do Kegel exercises

For a man who wants to learn how to perform Kegels, the first step is locating the Kegel muscle. Here's how: Some time when he has the urge to urinate, he should sit on the toilet with his legs spread, start to urinate, then try to stop the flow. (The PC muscle is the one he squeezes to do this.) After restarting the flow, he can practice stopping and restarting the stream of urine. It may take several attempts to actually isolate the PC muscle--the buttocks muscles have a tendency to kick in if the legs aren't kept wide.

When a man has familiarized himself with the sensation of contracting the PC muscle, he's ready to practice holding the contractions. He should first try holding a contraction for several seconds three or four times a day. Over the next few weeks, as he continues doing Kegels, he can gradually increase the time of the contraction until he is holding it for 10 to 15 seconds. Next, he should alternate these Kegel holds with a series of short, quick contractions. Dr. Hartman recommends that men gradually work up to a daily routine of 100 quick PC contractions and five holds.

*Stop the flow of urine when you take a pee. If you have trouble doing this, you really need these exercises.

*PC clamps: squeeze and release your PC muscle. Start with a set of 20- 30, and work your way up to sets of 100-200. Do at least 300 EVERYDAY, for the rest of your life.

The Kegel Exercise builds up the PC muscles, which will help men improve:

? Ejaculation Control

? Prostate Health

? Erection Firmness

? Arousal Control

? Ejaculation Strength

? Bladder Control

Kegel exercise is a simple task that is easy to learn and doesn't take long to get through the reps each day. In fact, most men can master this exercise after just the third or fourth time. For example If you've ever stopped yourself from urinating midstream, then you've used your PC muscles. If you flex your PC muscles and hold it for 10 seconds through a series of reps then you are partaking in the Kegel exercise.

After a few months of diligent practice, a man should be ready to try using the Kegel hold during intercourse to delay ejaculation. That's why, the Kegel exercise is widespread throughout the sex industry.

The Kegel exercise has been shown to have vast improvements on the penis. But in excess, the exercise can also be very harmful. The reason is contraction of the prostate muscle triggers the prostate's sympathetic nerve to induce an ejaculation. While men tend to contract the PC muscle to assist the erection if they feel their erection is not hard enough, a long-term practice of this exercise will make the muscle develop more testosterone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and oxytocin receptors. These hormone receptors make men and women achieve an orgasm quicker and more easily, due to the presence of more hormones trapped in the sex organs. This is just fine and dandy for women who have difficulty achieving orgasm, as some do.

Kegel exercise also claim that performing intense Kegel exercises right after ejaculation (when your PC muscles are tired) will dramatically strengthen and tone your PC muscles in record time. If you've been holding back your ejaculation using the Kegel method during sex and then you used the exercise right after, then you will in turn be doubling up on your Kegel exercise. This is how a simple technique like Kegel can go from a harmless aid to a detrimental condition in no time at all. And that brief exercise right after intercourse can bring you from a moderate level all the way to abuse.

Not to overuse the Kegel exercise. Over use of Kegel ends up being more damaging than helpful. The exercise can cause premature ejaculation for some men, as well as other sexual problems.

http://prematureejaculation.bz/Kegel-exercises.php

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Author: well wisher

Pregnancy Week By Week

There are three stages of pregnancy. These are the first,

second and third trimesters. The first trimester runs from

week one to week fourteen, the second covers weeks 15 ? 26,

then the third is weeks 27 ? 40.

Week 1+2: This is actually before you get pregnant. It's

the stage where your body prepares itself by ovulating.

And it's in these 14 days that the egg is fertilized by

the sperm

Week 3: The fertilized egg now moves down the fallopian

tubes, fluid passes into the ball of cells, dividing them

into two. The inner cells will form your baby and the outer

cells will form the placenta. Your body, at this stage, is

still unaware that it is pregnant. The implantation begins

as the cell ball reaches the wall of the uterus. In this

process the cells actually bury into the uterus wall, which

can sometimes lead to you having spotting. The implanted

cell ball now becomes an embryo.

Week 4: This is a week of rapid development, and your body

now realises it is pregnant. The amniotic sac and cavity

begin to develop and also the Yoke sac appears (this will

later form the baby's digestive system). The placenta now

starts to form where implantation took place and blood from

you will now go into the placenta. It is usually about day

27 that we start to feel the morning sickness.

Week 5: The primitive streak (the fore runner of the brain

and spinal cord) is now developing. Through this primitive

streak the cells will develop into three layers:

The endoderm: the bottom layer ? develops the glands, lung

linings, tongue, bladder, digestive tract, tonsils,

urethra and associated glands.

The mesoderm: the middle layer ? forms the muscles, bones,

heart, lungs, spleen, blood cells, and the reproductive

and excretory systems.

The ectoderm: the top layer ? forming the skin, nails,

hair, eye lens, nose, mouth, anus, tooth enamel, pituitary

gland, mammary glands, and all parts of the nervous system.

Other cells will be starting to develop the spine (called

the notochord). The first steps towards forming the embryos

head, and the first formation of the babies blood cells

happen this week.

Week 6: The first few days of this week is when your baby's

heart starts beating. The aorta (the largest artery in the

whole body) will be starting to form at around day 40. By

mid week many organs are starting to form: eyes, arm buds,

liver, gall bladder, stomach and intestines, lungs and

pancreas.

Week 7: This is a busy week for your growing baby. During

this week your baby will double in size. The lenses of the

eyes are developing and there is also a recognisable

tongue. The legs and arms are developing into paddles, the

jaws are now visible.

Week 8: The cerebellum starts to form this week. That's

the part of the brain responsible for the movement of

muscles. Also hand and foot plates, elbow and wrist areas

are forming. Towards the end of the eight week the hand

plate has formed ridges where the fingers will be. There

is further development of the eye; pigment is now appearing

on the retina. Teeth buds are now forming within the gums,

along with the wind pipe, bronchi, and voice box. The heart

is now starting to develop the four chambers.

Week 9: Your baby is now starting to form cartilage and

bones. During this week the ovaries will develop into the

sex organ determining whether you're having a boy or a

girl. The fingers and thumbs are now taking shape. Also the

baby is now becoming more active.

Week 10: It's now that your embryo has become a baby, all

be it on a rather small scale. There is a fully formed

upper lip. The development of the heart now slows as it is

past the critical stage. By mid week the earlobes are

fully formed. Toes start to develop on the foot plate. As

the bones of the palate (roof of the mouth) start to fuse

together, the tongue starts to develop taste buds.

Week 11: as the morning sickness starts to subside, you

may feel your appetite increase. Your baby's body starts

to straighten. In males the penis is now distinguishable

and in females the vagina is beginning to develop. This

stage is where the baby starts to show individuality, as

the muscle structure varies in each baby.

Week 12: Your baby will start to develop fingernails over

the next three weeks. The brain is now the same structure

as it will be at birth. By the end of the week, the gall

bladder and pancreas will be fully developed. Also the baby

will now be opening and closing its mouth.

Week 13: This week vocal chords will form in the larynx.

Also the intestines will move from the umbilical cord into

the abdomen, and will start to form folds and become lined

with villi.

Week 14: You may have noticed some changes to the areola

(the area around your nipple); it may be getting larger

and darker. Your baby's heart beat will now be able to be

heard using a Doppler. Breathing, sucking and swallowing

motions will be being practised. The breathing practises

will take the amniotic fluid in and out of the lungs.

Baby's hand also becomes more functional.

Week 15: The baby's neck is now defined, with the head now

resting on the neck rather than the shoulders. The hair

pattern of the baby will be defined by the 102nd day of the

pregnancy your baby will now be able to turn its head, open

its mouth, kick, press its lips together and turn its feet.

Week 16: This week the baby's toe nails will start to grow.

The muscles will be growing stronger and the neck and head

are growing straighter. As the uterus starts moving upwards

you may start showing more, but this does mean less

pressure on your bladder, making you feel like urinating

less.

Week 17: Your baby will be working on more reflexes this

week; blinking, sucking, and swallowing. Development is

carrying on with all the existing structures. Through the

course of this month your baby's weight will increase 6

times.

Week 18: By mid week your baby's eyes and ears will now be

in the right places. The finger tips and toes will develop

pads, and toe and finger prints will start to develop

later in the week. Myelinization, a process of coating the

nerves with a fatty substance called myelin which speeds

up nerve cell transmission and insulates nerves, will start

happening this week. Also by the second day of this week

meconium (faecal waste) will start developing in the baby's

bowels.

Week 19: A creamy looking substance that covers the baby's

body, vernix coseosa, will start to form. This protects the

baby and its developing glands and sensory cells. If you're

having a baby girl primitive egg cells are now developed in

the ovaries, in fact females are born with all the eggs

their ovaries will ever have.

Week 20: Most of the major development has now taken place,

and the danger zone of the first three months is now over.

Your baby will be waking and sleeping, just as newborns do.

Also the formation of fine scalp hair and eyebrows will

begin.

Week 21: Your body is replacing the amniotic fluid very

three hours at this stage of your pregnancy. Baby's leg and

arm movements increase as the muscles and bones become

stronger. By the end of the week a stethoscope will be able

to detect the baby's heart beat.

Week 22: If the baby is a boy, the testes will start to

move from the pelvic area into the scrotum. The hair on the

head and eyebrows is now visible as white and short.

Week 23: The bones in the middle ear start hardening making

the conduction of sound possible. The baby will start to

gain some considerable weight between now and next month.

The size of the baby's body will start to get into

proportion though the head will remain larger than the rest

of the body.

Week 24: The skin of your baby is wrinkled, but will smooth

out as fat is deposited. Also by the end of this week the

baby's heart beat is so strong it is some times possible to

hear it by placing an ear on your stomach.

Week 25: Baby's skin is now turning a reddish/pink as

capillaries start to develop. The nostrils will now start

to open, as they have been plugged unto now. The lungs will

start developing blood vessels and the finger and toe nails

will now be covering half the nail bed.

Week 26: with the nostrils now open, muscular breathing

will start. By the end of the week the lungs will be

secreting surfactant, a substance which prevents the lung

tissue sticking together. Also with the formation of blood

vessels in the lungs, they will now also be developing air

sacks. Brain wave activity starts this week for auditory

and visual activity.

Week 27: Bumping and thumping is becoming stronger as your

baby grows stronger, you should be feeling around 10 kicks

in a two hour period. Baby's lungs are growing rapidly and

there is continual development with brain patterns.

Week 28: This is when the eyelids un-fuse and open up.

Muscle tone is improving, and the lungs are capable of

breathing air. The chances of a baby being born premature

from now on, has a greatly improved chance of surviving.

Week 29: Eye lashes have now grown, and although still

unable to focus, baby's eyes are now sensitive to dark and

light. At this stage of pregnancy the senses of sound,

smell and taste are developing. By the end of the week your

baby will be able to move its eyes in their sockets.

Week 30: Baby is now storing up nutrients taken in by you.

Calcium for skeletal development, protein for growth and

iron for blood cells. By the end of the week the languno

(the small hairs that covered the baby's body), is nearly

all gone apart from some patches on the shoulders and back.

Week 31: As the actual growth starts to slow down, the

internal organs are still maturing, so make sure your still

getting enough folic acid, iron and calcium. Should your

baby be born this week they would have the ability to

breath, see, listen learn and remember.

Week 32: The baby's iris is now reacting to light. All five

senses are now registering with your baby, although smell

is limited as baby can't breathe air in the uterus.

Week 33: your baby may now be sucking its fingers.

Constipation could be starting for you as your uterus puts

more and more pressure on your bowels.

Week 34: The pigment of the eyes is not quite fully

developed yet, this leaves the eyes looking blue regardless

of final colour. And this week your baby will start to

develop its own immune system.

Week 35: In baby boys the decent of the testes will

complete any time now. Your baby may now shift into your

pelvis in a head down position, but not all babies' do this

before birth.

Week 36: Dimples on the elbows and knees will be forming as

well as creases in the neck area due to continual deposits

of fat. Also this fat will help baby maintain its body

temperature.

Week 37: Around 85% are born within two weeks of their

actual due date (either before or after), so as you enter

this stage be aware for signs of labour. The baby is

practising being more aware of its surroundings; this is

the `orientating response'. This is where the baby will

turn towards any source of light. The end of this week marks

the end of development, growth will now slow down.

Week 38: Meconium is accumulating in the intestines.

Meconium is a dark green mass of waste product and cells

from the gall bladder, liver and pancreas. Although shortly

after birth this will all come out.

Week 39: as the baby is settling into your pelvis, you maybe

feeling clumsy and off balance. This is because your centre

of gravity shifts. Make sure you're prepared for your trip

to the hospital.

Week 40: welcome to the final week, that's if you have not

given birth already. Your body will be giving the baby

antibodies so it can protect its self from many diseases.

The baby will finish dropping into its resting place before

birth. So congratulations and welcome to your new born child.

Author: Beverley Brooke

Post Nasal Drip

Post nasal drip is a sensation of mucous build up in the throat. Sometimes you may even feel a dripping sensation from the back of your nose. The cause is over-production of mucous by glands in the nose and in the throat.

At a healthy level those glands produce around two quarts of mucous each day. Most, if not all, of that is swallowed without knowing it. The mucous, however, serves a healthy purpose at this level, cleaning and moistening nasal passages, trapping foreign matter that has been inhaled, moistening and humidifying the air you breathe, and even fighting infection.

At an unhealthy level, mucous becomes either excessively thick or excessively thin, possibly due to irritation, infection, or allergic reaction. Those who have difficulty swallowing normally may especially need to be cautious, because build-up may fester and cause infection.

There are some things we cannot control. For example, more than 90% of irritants and bacteria which cause infection enter the body through the nose. Much of it will remain in the nasal passages and seek to live and grow there.

The body will react to the infection by sending its defense system of white blood cells to the nasal passages to trigger more mucous production in order to "wash out" the bacteria, irritants, or foreign matter. But this tends to further congest the nose. What makes matters worse, we often blow our noses, swallow the phlegm, or cough to relieve the congestion, but these actions force bacteria to other places in the body, including the sinuses, the throat, or the ears, causing further sickness.

Other complications that result from these beginning stages include sore throats, swelling tonsils, upper respiratory infections, ear infections, sinusitis or sinus infections, and dry mouth. Many may be shocked to know that studies show post nasal drip as a cause of bad tastes and even bad breath, but when bacteria settles in it extracts sulfur compounds from amino acids in proteins.

Preventing post nasal drip is surprisingly simple. Most of us recognize the need to frequently wash our hands in order to avoid germs that can easily be picked up by what we touch, but most of wouldn't remember to wash out our noses every once in a while in order to flush out the bacteria that can easily be taken in with the air we breathe. But that's all that is necessary to avoid most of the problem.

When searching for nasal cleaners or sprays, be sure to look for xylitol as a main ingredient. It is a natural threat to bacteria, keeping the bacteria from performing its normal routine of attaching itself and living in membranes of the nose and the throat.

Joe Miller is specialist in online advertising. For more information on post nasal drip, please visit Xlear.com.

Author: Joe Miller

Paterinty Testing: Are You Raising

The dawn of the DNA test

Back in the 1700s, the best way to determine paternity was by a good hard look at the child, followed by a good hard look at the father. Enough coincidences and maybe a relationship could be proposed. A hundred years later, eye color was discovered to be a paternity identifier. This theory has had its flaws exposed because of recent DNA advances. We now know that eye color is determined by at least six alleles, or genetic markers. Paternity testing has become a lot easier and affordable over the past few years due to advances in DNA science. Although an estimated 200,000 DNA tests are conducted each year by states needing to sort child-support and welfare issues, few people are willing to conduct their own at-home paternity test. Few people realize the simplicity and convenience of an at-home paternity test.

How does a home DNA test work?

Paternity testing requires a painless sample from both the child and possible father. Even without a sample from the mother, DNA paternity test results are up to 99.9999% accurate?that's one-in-a-million odds your results are incorrect. Most companies provide a free home kit for you to provide the samples and require you to send the kit back to the laboratory with the accompanying fee.

Because many companies are aware of the discomfort of drawing blood from a child in order to get a sample, buccal (mouth) swabs are being accepted as an alternative. By gently massaging the inside of the child's mouth, cheek cells are collected. These cells are then sent to the lab for testing. Labs analyze up to sixteen genetic markers of the child and match them against the markers of the alleged father. Because each of us receives half our genetic markers from each parent, the results of DNA paternity testing are still accurate without the DNA information of the mother. Most labs will have results in 10 days and charge about $290 for a basic paternity verification test.

What else can a DNA test do?

DNA kits can also be used to analyze siblingship, establish cousin or grandparent relationships, determine twin zygosity (i.e. whether twins are fraternal or identical), identify ancestral origin, verify Native American decent, assure parents they left the hospital with the right baby, and most important, provide legal evidence ? be prepared to pay a bit more for legal tests. Legal tests can be used to settle adoption issues, settle child-support disputes, and provide information for immigration files.

How to choose a DNA laboratory

Accreditation is a vital part of choosing a laboratory. Accredited labs have an annual audit and inspection, undergo internal and external reviews, and have their equipment calibrated for accuracy. Look for an ISO and/or AABB certification. Accredited labs will have a good reputation and near 100% track record for court cases.

Look for hidden fees. Some companies will charge you for the kit and then charge you again for the results. Also, double check when you order your kit that you're only buying the results you need.

Ask about privacy. Make sure that your identity and intentions are kept secure.

• Enjoy piece of mind

  
  Be confident that the questions you have can be answered. DNA testing is safe and stress-free. Find a free kit and an information packet and you're on your way to getting the piece of mind that you deserve.
  
  
  
  Tom LeBaron is a marketing representative of DNA Bioscience and Sorenson Genomics. Receive your own free home paternity testing UK kit, or learn more about DNA paternity testing services.

Author: Tom LeBaron

Nail Fungus - No Need To Keep Living With The Infection

Nail disorders are rarely disabling or even painful. But they are a nuisance. One of the most common problems is toenail fungus (medical name onychomysosis)-about 15% of people have it, including nearly half of those over 70.

This infection has received a great deal of press and advertisement time, as there are finally therapies that actually successfully eradicate these infections.

A fast overview of the disease can really help us to get rid of it.

The body normally hosts a variety of microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi. Some of these are useful to the body. Others may multiply rapidly and form infections. Fungi can live on the dead tissues of the hair, nails, and outer skin layers. An infection of nail fungus (called-onychomycosis) occurs when fungi infect one or more of your nails. Onychomycosis usually begins as a white or yellow spot under the tip of your fingernail or toenail. This commonly affects toe nails rather than finger nails. The infection actually eats your skin and nail, so it can continue growing and may spread to other nails. Your nails may look "different," be so thick they're hard to trim, and may cause you discomfort, pain or tenderness that disrupts daily activities.The prevalence of onychomycosis is about 15% in the adult population.

Infections of nail fungus account for about half of all nail disorders. These infections usually develop on nails continually exposed to warm, moist environments, such as sweaty shoes or shower floors. nail infections may be difficult to treat and may recur often.

What are the symptoms of nail infection ?

Anyone can get a fungal nail infection. They are especially common in people with diabetes or circulation problems. Children hardly ever get fungal nail infections.

Primarily you may see, smell, or feel a nail fungus infection once it takes hold.

? Nails may look brownish, yellowish, or have little white patches. Some may even be brown or black.

? Nails may get flaky, brittle, and chipped.

? Bits of "gunk" or debris may collect under your nails.

Your nails may smell bad.

? Nails may get so thick that wearing shoes causes pain.

? Discomfort from the infection may make it hard to walk, work, or do other activities.

These symptoms may not get better. In fact, if nail fungus infections are not treated, they may get worse.

First, your healthcare provider will look closely at your nails. If your healthcare provider thinks you have nail fungus, he may perform a test. Your healthcare provider may clip off a small piece of your nail so that it can be examined. It may be examined in the office or sent out to a lab. This is the only way to know if you really have nail fungus.The sooner you visit your doctor and get diagnosed , the sooner, you can stop the infection from getting worse and begin to see healthier nails grow again.Fungal nail infections may be difficult to treat and may become a reservoir for fungal organisms, causing their recurrence in the skin or nails.

What are the causes of the nail infection and how did you get it ?

Nail fungus is made up of tiny organisms that can infect fingernails and toenails. These organisms are called dermatophytes. Nail fungus is very common.The nail fungus moves in under the nail. The nail provides a safe place for the fungus and protects it while it grows.Anything that damages a nail can make it easier for the fungus to move in, such as:

? An injury (like banging a fingernail with a hammer)

? Tight shoes that pinch the toes

Other risk factors that can increase your risk of developing nail fungus are:

? Wearing socks and shoes that hinder ventilation and don't absorb perspiration

? Perspiring heavily

? Walking barefoot in damp public places ,such as swimming pools,gyms and shower rooms

? Smoking

? People whose hands are often wet (for example, dishwashers in restaurants and professional house cleaners) are more likely to get fungal fingernail infections.

That's why it's so hard to reach and stop nail fungus.Most often, nail fungus appears in the toenails. This is because socks and shoes keep the toenails dark, warm, and moist. This is a perfect place for the fungus to grow.The organisms that make up nail fungus can sometimes spread from one person to another because these organisms can live where the air is often moist and people's feet are bare. This can happen in places like shower stalls, bathrooms, or locker rooms.Nail fungus may also spread from one of your nails to other nails.People with diabetes are nearly three times more likely to get nail fungus infection as people without diabetes. Because people with diabetes have circulation problems, left untreated, the infection can often lead to more severe health problems on the foot.

How to take care on the infection ?

Here are some things you can do to take care of your nails if you have a fungal infection:

? Keep your nails cut short and file down any thick areas.

? Don't use the same nail trimmer or file on healthy nails and infected nails. If you have your nails professionally manicured, you should bring your own nail files and trimmers from home.

? Wear waterproof gloves for wet work (like washing dishes or floors). To protect your fingers, wear 100 percent cotton gloves for dry work.

? Wear 100 percent cotton socks. Change your socks when they are damp from sweat or if your feet get wet. Put on clean, dry socks every day.

? Wear shoes with good support and a wide toe area. Don't wear pointed shoes that press your toes together.

? Avoid walking barefoot in public areas, such as locker rooms.

These are just some simple steps to do for your infection. The first step to beating nail fungus is getting a diagnosis. Your doctor will likely examine your nails first. Knowing the cause of your infection helps determine the best course of treatment.When your doctor diagnose your infection ,he will (most often) prescribe you some oral antifungal medication.It's quite impossible to beat fungus without proper medications.

These days there is one very effective drug to treat nail fungus. Lamisil (Terbinafine hydrochloride) is prescribed for the treatment of onychomycosis of the toenail or fingernail due to dermatophytes .Terbinafine is in a class of medications called antifungals. It works by stopping the growth of fungi.The fungus under your nails is attracted to keratin, one of the substances in your nails and skin. The fungus feeds on keratin deep under the nail in the nail bed. Terbinafine is also attracted to keratin. It can be there to attack the infection. Surface treatments may not be able to reach it in sufficient amounts, so terbinafine hydrochloride is given orally in tablet form, which is absorbed through the bloodstream to reach the infection. Lamisil Tablets are the #1 prescribed treatment for nail fungus infection worldwide.And because nail fungus infection can be so tough to treat, the medicine from Lamisil Tablets will stay in the nail bed months after your prescription is done and continue fighting the infection so you can grow clearer, healthier nails.Terbinafine comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken for 6 weeks for fingernail fungus and once a day for 12 weeks for toenail fungus ,but you won't see the end result of treatment until the nail grows back completely. It may take four to 12 months to eliminate an infection.

For more information about coping with nail fungus and other diseases you can visit my site http://www.gene-alliance.com/antifungal.html .

Author: Richard Clement

Liver Detox Diet

The liver is an amazing organ. Tasked with removing toxins from the body, the liver acts as a natural filter. However, with today's poor, overly processed dietary habits and overindulgence, it is easy for your liver to become overwhelmed and "clogged".

The liver filters the toxins from the bloodstream, chemically changing them into harmless substances that can be excreted easily. As one of the largest and most important organs in the body, the liver's efficiency is vital to overall health.

If the liver is unable to remove all of the harmful substances from the bloodstream, the toxins build up in our tissues and cause numerous health problems, including elevated cholesterol (and all of the problems related to high cholesterol), digestive problems including constipation, nausea and irritable bowel syndrome, allergies, depression and disruption of sugar levels within the bloodstream. Chronic fatigue and pain are often signs of a liver that is not functioning efficiently.

There are many herbal supplement plans on the market to help with liver detoxification. Many of them have great testimonials and are not too uncomfortable to use. Try to avoid the harsh colon cleansers and complete fasts, as these tend to "shock" your system and release a large volume of harmful substances into the bloodstream at one time.

You should always start with a simple less stressful plan for liver detox. Make a lifestyle change that will allow your liver to function more efficiently. First, have a liver detox diet that eliminate toxins from your diet and flush your system with filtered water. Eat organic foods and wash your fruits and vegetables carefully. Substitute organic, lean meats and fruits and vegetables in their natural form for processed foods. Switch to "liver healthy" foods that will support liver function: beats, artichokes, broccoli and cabbage, seaweed and radishes. Add a good multi-vitamin and support liver function with milk thistle, shown to regenerate liver cells.

Liver detoxification may be the answer if you are feeling achy and tired. Support your body's natural filter and eat a liver healthy detox diet. You may be surprised at how much better you'll feel.

Author: Sandra Kim Leong

Is Your Bed Making You Sick?

Do You Spend 1/3 of Your Life Not Only Immersed in Toxic Chemicals and Noxious Gasses, but Inhaling Fecal Matter?

When you get a new mattress or pillow, do you love that "new bed smell?"

Don't breathe in too deeply.

That "new" smell consists of gasses being released into the air, and they could be ruining your health. When chemicals reach certain temperatures, they release gasses, this is called "outgassing." Many of these gasses are toxic. This outgassing continues long after the smell has disappeared. You will breathe these gasses for as long as you own that mattress, for as long as your head is on that pillow

Why are there chemicals in your bed?

Read the label on your mattress. It very probably is made from polyurethane, most mattresses are. This material has thousands of modern uses. It can be formed into the softest foam, or into sturdy pilings. It is found everywhere. However it has a serious drawback. Polyurethane burns like gasoline when set on fire. The Consumers Union reports that a sofa made from polyurethane and set on fire will engulf a living room and fill the house with dark smoke and toxic gasses in just four minutes.

This problem was "solved" by soaking the polyurethane in fire retardant chemicals.

The good news is: these mattresses no longer burn like kerosene soaked rags. The bad news is: the fire retardant chemicals are causing serious health problems. The release of poisonous gasses by just three of the more common fire-retardant chemicals, arsenic, antimony, and phosphorus have been linked by scientists to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). (See our special report: What Do These Things Have in Common: An Epidemic of Baby Deaths in 1890, an Ambassador's Sudden Illness, Swamp Gas, and Old Mattresses? The Answer Could Save Your Baby's Life!)

What hazardous chemicals are you and your family being exposed to?

The manufacturers aren't required to put the fire retardant chemicals on the label. The most commonly used chemicals, and their health hazards are:

Boric acid ? Inhaling the dust can cause headaches, coughing, dizziness or difficulty breathing. Prolong contact may cause skin sensitization.

PBDE's ? are prohibited in the European Union after high levels were found in breast milk. California has decided to phase out the use of two of these, penta and octa PBDE by 2008. PBDEs accumulate in the body tissues and cause thyroid hormone disruption, permanent learning and memory impairment, decreased sperm count, fetal malformations, behavioral changes, hearing deficiencies and possibly cancer. U.S. women have levels in their body tissues 50 times more than European women. (For more eye-opening information, click on the link at the end of this report to "Our Stolen Future" Website containing results of a study of PBDEs).

Formaldehyde ? the U.S. Consumer Product and Safety Commission states in a report on urethane insulation, "Many health complaints, including irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and skin, headaches and shortness of breath, have been reported to CPSC over the last several years by consumers who have had UFFI in their homes. Less frequently reported symptoms include chest pain, diarrhea, nausea, fatigue, and sleep disturbance. Studies have shown that formaldehyde in liquid solution (and possibly formaldehyde gas) can, through repeated exposure, cause sensitization in certain individuals. When exposed to formaldehyde gas, sensitized individuals may exhibit allergic dermatitis or mild-to-severe asthmatic reactions." This was talking about formaldehyde outgassing from insulation. The same effects would occur from exposure to formaldehyde outgassing while you are sleeping in your bed. CPSC considers formaldehyde to be a potential human carcinogen.

Decabromodipheyl Oxide ? is a developmental toxicant. Exposing mothers to it during pregnancy can cause the death of or disrupt the development of the fetus. It causes birth defects and low birth weight. Behavioral or psychological problems can appear as the child grows.

• Melamine ? is a reproductive toxicant, which can cause premature menopause, decreases in male and female fertility, onset of puberty, and changes in menstruation, gestation time, and lactation. It is a development toxicant with all of the hazards of Decabromodiphyl Oxide mentioned above. It is a cardiovascular and blood toxicant. This affects the ability of red blood cells to carry oxygen, white blood cells to fight disease, abnormal heartbeat, decreased blood flow, and elevated blood pressure.


• Antimony ? The Australian Government Department of Environment and Heritage says of antimony, " Antimony compounds show toxic properties similar to those of arsenic. This depends on how much antimony a person has been exposed to, for how long, and current state of health. Exposure to high levels of antimony can result in a variety of adverse health effects. Breathing high levels for a long time can irritate eyes and lungs and can cause heart and lung problems, stomach pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach ulcers. Ingesting large doses of antimony can cause vomiting."When eaten by mold or mildew, antimony releases a poisonous gas called stibine. This gas has caused epidemics of deaths in the past.

These are a few of the chemicals used as fire retardants. Polyols, toluene diisocyante, amines, siloxanes, styrene, limonene, benzene and many others are also used. If you find any chemicals listed on your mattress label, you can search the web for more information. Write the chemical in the search box adding a comma, then write "health hazard."

How to Protect Yourself

You can protect yourself from the effects of chemical outgassing by wrapping your mattress in a gas impervious material, such as polyethylene. This can be bought in thick sheets at your local hardware store, or some websites sell mattress covers.

Many of these gasses are heavier than air. When you wrap your mattress, leave openings on the bottom so the mattress will ventilate away from your face. Whenever possible, use organic, chemical free bedding such as pure organic wool and pesticide free organic cotton.

Creepy crawlies in your bed!

Dust mites! Dust mites are related to spiders and ticks but are smaller than the periods at the end of this sentence. They are too small to be seen by the unaided eye. They live by the millions in your bed and feed off your skin flakes and dandruff. Your body provides the more than 50% humidity they need to survive and keeps their habitat toasty warm.

They are also the number one cause of allergies and asthma. But it isn't their tiny bodies causing the sneezing, wheezing, sniffling and coughing. The more than 40,000 of them counted by a scientist per one ounce of dust leave a lot of droppings. This fecal matter causes the reactions in sensitive people. It is estimated 15% of the population and 85% of asthmatics are sensitive to dust mite poo.

Polyurethane foam, feathers and down all are wonderful dust mite hotels. The foam is made of billions of air pockets the dust mites love to call "home." When the foam is compressed they have no problem hanging on, and when it is released (as you roll over) it sucks in more food and moisture for them.

You can't completely eliminate dust mites from your home. You can reduce their numbers by creating an inhospitable environment. If possible, take your bedding out into the sun to dry it out. Dust mites hate light and dryness. This doesn't work for polyurethane though. Wash bedding and stuffed toys in hot water or freeze them overnight. Freezing won't get rid of the fecal matter.

If there is an asthmatic in the house, their bedroom should have neither carpet nor upholstered furniture. Window blinds instead of drapes would cut down on the habitat. Mattresses should be covered with polyethylene or another moisture and gas proof material. Vacuum with a machine with a HEPA filter that will trap dust mites. Empty it after every use. Eliminate stuffed toys, or clean them in hot water (130 ?F) often, or buy toys stuffed with organic wool. Bedding should be changed weekly or more frequently.

Whenever possible, use pure organic wool as bedding. Wool wicks moisture away and allows it to evaporate. This not only makes it comfortable for the person sleeping, but it lowers the humidity creating an inhospitable environment for dust mites.

Although other materials require added flame retardant by law, pure wool does not.

References:

EPA national emissions standards for air pollutants

Chemicals used in making polyurethane and their health hazards:

http://www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/foam2/fr14ap03.pdf

Consumers Union on the flammability of polyurethane:

http://www.consumersunion.org/products/nasfmdc699.htm

Materials Data and Safety Sheet on boric Acid:

http://msds.ehs.cornell.edu/msds/msdsdod/a96/m47882.htm

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission on formaldehyde:

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml83/83054.html

Decabromodipheyl oxide:

http://www.scorecard.org/chemical-profiles/summary.tcl?edf_substance_id=1163-19-5#hazards

Australian Government Dept of Environment and Heritage on antimony:

http://www.npi.gov.au/database/substance-info/profiles/10.html

Our Stolen Future report on PBDEs:

http://www.ourstolenfuture.com/NewScience/oncompounds/PBDE/2004/2004-1104kuriyamaetal.htm

The Italian Stibene Epidemic:

http://www.criblife2000.com/gosio.htm

Website for baby mattress covers:

http://babymattresscovers.com/

Dust Mites:

http://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheets/HGIC2551.htm

http://www.aolsvc.worldbook.aol.com/wb/Article?id=ar170230&sc=-1

http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2157.html

Wool, naturally fire retardant

http://www.fabrics.net/fireproofing.asp

Natural organic wool products:

www.WoolieBeesOnline.com

Copyright 2005 All Rights Reserved

SharpWriting.net

Suzy Sharpe, copywriter and author is always asking why. She has a need to know the reason behind something and isn't satisfied until she finds out. This report is the result of her research.

This special report has been brought to you by

WoolieBees Online.

See our selection of pure organic woolen bedding made from 100% organic, chemical free, New Zealand wool.

Introduction to Consumer Credit

Consumer credit refers to credit in some form given to the consumers. It is a way of financing a client on condition of a deferred payment, at a later date or within a particular period of time.

The businesses that provide consumer credit facilities need to comply with some regulations as lay down by the laws of the state. It is equally applicable to specialist credit businesses like credit card providers and money lenders to mail-order businesses or shops that permit the customers to buy on credit or lease out or hires goods. That is, the enterprises that give consumer credit facilities have to have a valid consumer credit license from the Office of Fair Trading (OFT). It is a mark of assurance to the customer that the business firm certified by OFT is fit for serve the customers.

Let us see which all businesses require a consumer credit license as a mandatory requirement by the law. The businesses that sells on credit, leases out or hires goods for over a period of 3 months, lends dollars, involved in credit card selling, arranges credit for others, provides hire/purchase commodities, collects debts, and give advise on others credit standing come under the purview of a consumer credit license.

But those lends amounts or hire goods for a cost more than a fixed amount, those deal only with limited companies and those allow the clients to pay back the amount in four or lesser installments are exempted from the consumer credit license.

Ideally one should check the guidelines from the OFT website to find out clearly which all businesses need a consumer credit license. Remember, to trade without a consumer credit license when you are required to earn one is a crime that invites fine or prison term or both.

Consumer credit license is valid for a fixed time period (5 years or so) and is required by the business to renew it after its expiry. However, the OFT can revoke, suspend or change the license at any point of time. The decision to do so is at the exclusive discretion of the authority. All the consumer credit license holders will be listed in the Consumer Credit Register, which is given free of cost for the public.

If the business consists of many companies, each trading in any of the categories, then each of the firms requires a separate license. Also, the OFT has laid down rules regarding advertising credit and credit agreements. All these details are furnished in the OFT website.

The government and the regulatory body assume that it is the duty of the business to keep themselves informed about the rules and regulations that govern their enterprises. Any breach of conduct can result in hefty fines and prison terms. It is all about being law-obedient and straight.

Jakob Jelling is the founder of http://www.cashbazar.com. Visit his website for the latest on personal finance, debt elimination, budgeting, credit cards and real estate.

Identifying A Nickel Allergy

While we have all heard of people having a dust mite allergy, dog or cat allergy, peanut allergy, gluten allergy, and so on, very few of us have heard of the people living with a nickel allergy. Even so, the number of people living with a nickel allergy is actually on the rise, partly due to the ever-increasing popularity with body piercing in which nickel is a common metal. In fact, experts estimate that people with a nickel allergy has risen by as much as 40% over the past 10 years, specific to piercing.

With a nickel allergy, the symptoms can strike people of all ages and both genders. While some people will have immediate reaction, most will have a reaction caused by prolonged exposure to the nickel. If you have a nickel allergy and like piercings, then you might consider using stainless steel, gold, or silver instead.

Other people who have a nickel allergy include those working with various chemicals or machinery that involves nickel such as hairdressers, hospital staff, or those working with cleaning chemicals. The problem is that for alloy to be produced, nickel is added to other metals. Therefore, nickel could easily be a component of many things we use throughout our daily lives without us even knowing it. For example, eyeglasses, watches, belt buckles, and even zippers all have nickel. For the person with the nickel allergy, this would be a problem.

Other items commonly made from with degree of nickel include pens, razors, scissors, handles on kitchen or bathroom cabinets, cigarette lighters, catches on purses, toasters, needles, and so on. If you have a bad nickel allergy, you can actually purchase a testing kit that can help you identify the things you handle daily that might be a contributing factor. Although avoiding everything with nickel would be difficult, at least you would know some of the items to avoid.

Just as nickel should be avoided by touch, there is also concern about food consumption. Generally, if someone has a serious nickel allergy, his or her doctor would prescribe a nickel-restricted diet in which foods high in nickel would be eliminated. Some of the foods would include:

Beans, Buckwheat, Chocolate, Dried Fruit, Figs, Lettuce, Licorice, Linseed, Millet, Multigrain Breads, Nuts, Oats, Onions, Peas, Pineapple, Prunes, Raspberries, Salmon, Shellfish, Soy Powder, Spinach, Tea, Tomato, Wheat Bran or Wheat Bran Products?and more.

Generally a person with a nickel allergy will experience skin rash and irritation. This dermatologic effect can be magnified by humidity and sweat. Unfortunately, there is currently no way to desensitize the person living with a nickel allergy using pills, shots, or other forms of treatment. Therefore, the best method of treatment is avoidance. If a rash does develop from the nickel allergy, usually cortisone cream will help.

Grant Segall RPh is a practicing pharmacist and webmaster of http://www.allergy-allergy.comGrant Segall RPh is a practicing pharmacist and webmaster of http://www.allergy-allergy.com

How To Remove Dark Circles Under Your Eyes

Many women have dark circles under their eyes on a regular basis. In fact, 9 out of 10 people have to deal with dark circles under their eyes at one time or another. The condition has been blamed on anything from lack of sleep to the wrong diet. It is actually caused by one of three primary reasons.

Vascular inflammation caused by enlarged blood vessels beneath the thin skin under your eyes. Staying up late and allergies can cause the inflammation.

The bone structure of your face and add shadows under your eyes, making them look even darker then they are. This mostly affects people with deep-set eyes.

The third reason is hyper-pigmentation, a condition that is passed on through genetics.

Let's take a look at what you can do to get rid of these dark circles under your eyes, or at least "camouflage" them.

Get plenty of rest. I know it sounds very clich鬠but you really do need your beauty sleep. Do your best to get at least 7 hours of sleep each night.

Eat well and drink lots of water. Include plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, fish and lean meat. The vitamins and minerals in healthy food will improve your complexion, give you more energy and overall make you feel better. It will show in your eyes as well. Combine this with drinking at least 8 glasses of water and your skin will stay more elastic which helps with the appearance of dark circles in addition to many other skin problems.

Black Tea bags make for a great eye remedy. The black tea will help tighten the skin around your eyes, and it gives the eyes themselves a nice glow. Just brew yourself a cup of black tea and then use the teabag on your eyes. Don't burn yourself, but put it on there as hot as you can comfortably stand it.

Grate some potato with a cheese grater and put the potato pieces under your eyes. Let them soak in for about 15 minutes, then rinse with plenty of warm water.

When everything else fails, hide your dark circles under some light concealer. Pick a shade just slightly lighter than your makeup. Put some on your index finger and gently tap it under your eyes. Use a sponge to smooth it out. Don't use your fingers or the concealer stick to rub it in. That will make the circles appear even worse.

Visit http://www.LearnHowToRemove.com for a growing library of tips to remove those annoying messes in your life.

Author: Mila Sidman

How To Get Rid Of Flabby Arms

Hats off to a very brave women who stepped up and finally wanted to get rid of the flabby arms and the sooner the better. Luckily for her, this problem is quite common and the solution is quite simple and two-fold. Working to get rid of flabby arms comes with overall fitness but there's some specific exercises you can to in addition to reducing body fat that will bring those arms into super shape once again.

On just another normal day, I received an email with a cry for help.

"I would like to know how to build up the muscle around the humerous bones of the upper arms. I would like to know how to build up the muscle around the humerous bones of the upper arms. I want to get rid of flabby upper arms!"

For starters...

The muscle that is most problematic for flabby arms is called: The Tricep

Most women think of these things when it comes to that area:

* flabby arms * exercise for flabby arms * tone flabby arms * how to get rid of flabby arms * flabby arm help * flabby upper arms * etc

There are really two key concepts to that particular predicament. Keep in mind that this is such a common question so you are certainly not alone in this. But just keep reading because the answer is pretty simple and may surprise you!

First, get the idea out of your head that there's any such thing as 'spot reduction.' Meaning, if you do certain exercises for that area, the fat will magically disappear just from there and your arms will suddenly be taunt and tone again. Let me give you a real quick lesson on fat. Don't worry this is going to be easy.

Your body stores fat. It stores it in general areas that are common to you as a female. Most men store the most fat in their stomachs. Women tend to store it in their thighs, hips and buttocks. But with anything, you can and will store fat wherever. So the first thing you want to do is...

Reduce the body fat period!

Once you start to reduce fat, you'll see it disappear. Don't bother with creams and rubs and all the other gimmicks out there. You cannot spot reduce. Your body stores fat and the only way to reduce fat in any particular area that is bothering you is to reduce fat period from your body as a whole.

For all these reasons,...

Your first mission, should you choose to accept it, is to reduce the body fat.

Second, in order for that area of your arm to become tone, you'll want to build muscle in the back of the arm. That is called the Tricep and there's several good exercise you can do to build up that area.

But first, let me give you a list of some of the best exercises for flabby arms that will focus on the tricep and help you develop the area and make it stronger. This isn't all inclusive but it's some of the more common and better exercises you can do for the back of the arms.

* Weighted dips * Close grip bench press * Close grip push ups * Lying barbell French press * Overhead cable extensions * Cable press downs * Reverse cable press downs

Frankly...

Many people are caught up in the idea that in order for them to get rid of a problematic area they need to just work it out and do some exercises to target that area.

But that's only half of the solution as you've read.

By working out the area AND reducing body fat, you will progress at twice the speed and make twice the visual differences.

Let's suppose you only worked out the back of the arms. The muscle would be stronger and firmer no doubts, but it might not show IF your level of body fat is such that the muscle is still covered up.

As you see, by doing both, you will tone up (build) the tricep and make it more visible when the layer of fat that covers it up is reduced.

Men and women who want to reduce the 'flabby' anything simply have to realize that it's a combination of body fat in that area, maybe loose skin and a muscle that generally needs to be developed in order to be taunt.

But I'm getting way ahead of myself!

This is a two fold mission.

1- Reduce body fat

2- Do specific exercises to build muscle in the back of the arm so that once the fat is gone, you'll have a tricep and it will appear tight and tone

In a nutshell what this will do for you is make the back of your arms less flabby as the fat is lost from your body and the new muscle will bring added tone and tightness to the back of your arm.

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Marc David is a bodybuilder and author of the, Beginner's Guide to Fitness and Bodybuilding. You can get info on Marc's e-book at: http://www.Beginning-Bodybuilding.com . To get Marc's free e-zine, visit http://www.JustAskMarc.com