Support Someone With A Brain Tumor

Support Someone With a Brain Tumor

The role of a caregiver is stressful at best. The endless hours of one-on-one care are critical for someone with a brain tumor. The time-consuming effort to give support to the one you love can be overwhelming. There are many aids available to guide you through this difficult journey.

Instructions

Learn to Give Without Giving Up

1. The caregiver is the major support for someone with a brain tumor. This may be a family member or close friend who tends to the daily needs during a time of illness.

2. Recognize the delicate balance between danger and allowing someone with a brain tumor to participate safely in daily activities. Since many brain tumor patients must take some type of anti-seizure medication in the process of treatment, it is against the law in most states for them to drive. Ask a member of your healthcare team to inform your loved one about the restriction.

3. Understand the process for administering first aid should your family member suffer a seizure. Your health care provider is the best resource for training on handle this common side effect of brain tumors.

4. Provide the support your loved one needs by being an active advocate. If you have any questions about your loved one and the effects of the brain tumor or treatment, be aggressive in getting answers. The health care team is available to assist you in caring for your loved one.

5. Explore the availability of in-home assistance or adult day care options in your community. You need a time away from the responsibilities of care giving if you're going to provide the best support for someone with a brain tumor. A few hours a week will make a big difference in your ability to cope with the stress of illness.

6. Schedule a reprieve with family and close friends for the day. Find someone who is willing to provide caregiver assistance, and take some time for yourself.

7. Learn everything you can about brain tumors. This knowledge base will help you better understand the physical and mental changes of someone with brain tumors.

8. Allow yourself to grieve over the loss of your loved one as you knew him. At the same time, anticipate good things happening as research continues to bring new hope and treatments for those with brain tumors.

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Treat Tendinitis

An example of how the tendon connects to the bone

Tendinitis is a painful condition often associated with exercise or sports. However, it can affect people who aren’t exercising regularly. Tendons are fibrous tissues that attach the bones to the muscles that help control movement. Tendinitis is an irritation of this fibrous tissue that often results in restricted movement, pain upon touching the area, burning sensation at the site, or swelling or redness.Tendinitis is no picnic. It’s an injury that requires a lot of care and patience to allow time for healing. The common areas where tendinitis occurs are: Achilles tendons (back of ankle), knees, hips, shoulders, and elbows. More often than not, tendinitis is caused by a strain to the tendon although lack of flexibility and injury can cause or aggravate the condition.

Instructions

Treat Tendinitis

1. Consult with your doctor. Tendinitis is painful but so are many other injuries. You want to make sure you’re treating the correct injury rather than delaying the treatment of a more serious condition.

2. Stop all activity. You will very likely aggravate your tendinitis if you resume exercising. There’s no need to make a bad situation worse. Give yourself and your injured tendon a break until you’re pain free again. Many sports injury specialists recommend taking three weeks off to heal the injured tendon.

3. Apply an ice pack to your tendinitis for five minutes at a time, every 15 to 20 minutes for the first hour. Then you can back off to 5 to 10 minutes every three to four hours. The first 24 hours are crucial to healing your sore tendons. Ice will soothe the immediate pain. However, you shouldn’t ice the tendinitis past the first 24 to 72 hours.

4. Take a few Ibuprofen to help reduce swelling and ease discomfort. Many tendinitis sufferers complain that the pain is much worse at night or upon waking in the morning. You might want to tailor your pain reliever doses to help you sleep. Remember to take the correct dose of Ibuprofen.

5. Elevate the injury above your heart to ease some of the soreness. You don’t have to raise your sore appendage very high. You should feel some relief immediately. Some people prefer to wrap their injury in an ace bandage to help reduce the swelling. This isn’t necessary but it might help ease some of the pain. Make sure not to wrap the injury too tightly.

6. Soak in a warm bath. Heat has a wonderful healing property. Pour the Epsom salts into the tub as it’s filling and soak for 30 minutes. Epsom salt contains magnesium sulfate that helps replace lost magnesium in the body.

7. Apply a heating pad to your sore tendon. Try 30 minutes of heat every four to six hours after the initial 24 to 72 hours of icing.

8. Massage helps stimulate the blood flow in and around the affected muscle. Use your own hands and gently rub the affected area after soaking in the tub or applying the heating pad.

9. Resume light exercise slowly. Don’ push yourself immediately right back into full exercise mode as soon as your injured tendon heals. Go slowly. Begin with stretching for a few days, then add a light workout. Gradually increase your intensity level until you feel comfortable returning to your regular activity.

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How Can Hepatitis B Be Spread

The Facts

Hepatitis B is a serious liver infection that can affect children and adults. According to the Hepatitis B Foundation, hepatitis B can be detected through the blood. This blood test is referred to as the HBsAg test. HBsAg stands for "hepatitis B surface antigen." During this test, the outer surface of the hepatitis B virus triggers an antibody response. A positive HBsAg result means the person has hepatitis B.

There are two types of hepatitis B: acute and chronic. A patient with acute hepatitis B recovers within about six months after getting the infection. Chronic hepatitis B continues after a period of six months. If hepatitis B is not treated, it can cause liver cancer, which could be fatal.

How It Is Spread

There are a variety of ways to get hepatitis B, including by exchanging bodily fluids through sex. Blood also transmits the virus, and another common way to spread it is by sharing needles with an infected party. Sharing toothbrushes or razors that have been exposed to the virus can increase the risk of spreading hepatitis B as well. Furthermore, according to the Hepatitis B Research Network, if a pregnant woman is infected with hepatitis B, it's possible for her to spread the virus to her child during childbirth.

Signs

Unfortunately, someone could be infected with hepatitis B and not show any signs, which can increase the risk of infection for others. However, there are many common symptoms to look out for, such as extreme lethargy, jaundice, a swollen stomach, pain in joints and vomiting. Some people even experience a sense of confusion and sleep disruption.

Treatment and Prevention

Although there is no cure for hepatitis B, many medications are available to treat the virus. Some of these medicines can retard the virus and prevent it from turning into a more dangerous ailment like liver cancer. A hepatologist or a gastroenterologist who specializes in hepatitis B can run tests and gain a general status of your liver's health and determine the correct treatment for you.

Additionally, when infected mothers give birth, it's recommended that their newborns receive the hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) shot within 12 hours of birth and two more shots over the course of six months to fully protect them from the virus. After all the shots are complete, it's important to test the children again to make sure the virus isn't detected.

To prevent spreading the virus, there is a vaccine available for those that have not already been exposed to the virus. If you're already infected, the vaccine will not work. However, it is important to lead a healthy lifestyle and consume a well-balanced diet. Also, it's a good idea to avoid drinking alcohol and smoking, since these two activities can severely affect the liver.

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Discover Disease Using Iridology

Discover Disease Using Iridology

Iridology practitioners examine the iris to determine possible problems with the rest of the body. Iridology isn't used to diagnose any specific disease; but it can be used to discover possible vulnerabilities or weaknesses in all major organs of the body, including the heart, lungs, brain and kidneys. Follow these steps to find out how.

Instructions

Discover Disease Using Iridology Equipment

1. Focus an iridoscope on the iris of the patient's eye to magnify and illuminate it. This is a completely harmless and painless process, akin to shining a bright light into the eyes.

2. Take a picture of the iris using an iridology camera. This way, the iris can be examined more thoroughly without causing the patient any undue discomfort.

Survive Being Shot

Surviving a bullet wound has much to do with receiving medical attention as quickly as possible. In the meantime, the victim's mental state goes a long way to survival. If you or someone around you is shot, it's crucial to remain calm and act expediently. The following steps outline the most important points.

Instructions

1. Stay determined to survive the wound. Consider immediately that the damage inflicted is survivable, and make a mental list of all the reasons to survive. Commit silently to family and self to survive.

2. Call 911 and seek medical attention as soon as possible.

3. Remain calm to decrease the chances of elevated blood pressure and/or shock. Concentrate on breathing normally. Elevate the head to ease breathing.

4. Try to summon mental images that induce calm and lower the heart rate. Think of a loved one, family, a good friend or a pet. Imagine the loved one or pet safely nearby.

5. Resist the temptation to examine the wound or try to treat it. Apply pressure to the site to stop the bleeding. Use a credit card to cover a "sucking" chest wound.

6. Ask those nearby for help. Have someone assist in applying pressure to the wound or to apply a tourniquet above a wound to a limb. Ask for a blanket or cover of some kind to preserve body heat.

7. Have someone secure the area by keeping people several feet back. Ask someone to stand guard over spent shell casings or the weapon in the event it is left behind.

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Natural Herbs For Depression & Anxiety

Herbal treatments can be effective in treating depression and anxiety.

Long before the advent of modern pharmaceuticals, people relied on natural herbs for relief of feelings of depression and anxiety. With advances in modern medicine, many of these traditional treatments were set aside as folk remedies, but they have not been entirely abandoned. Some of the more common herbal treatments, such as St. John's Wort, ginkgo biloba and kava kava, have been scientifically researched to determine their efficacy and safety.

St. John's Wort

One of the most well-known and well-documented herbs for relieving depression is St. John's Wort, or Hypericum perforatum. The flowering tops of the plant have been used since ancient Greece for a variety of medical uses. In the October 13, 2008, issue of ScienceDaily, it was reported that a Cochrane Systematic Review of 29 trials of St. John's Wort found the herb to be as effective as standard antidepressants with fewer side effects. Research has shown that 300 mg daily of a standardized 0.3 percent hypericin can be effective treating mild to moderate depression. St. John's Wort is not without side effects. It can cause increased sensitivity to sunlight, fatigue, headache, dry mouth or dizziness. It also interacts with several common drugs, including antidepressants, birth control pills, cyclosporine and digoxin. Do not take St. John's Wort without consulting with a physician, especially if you are taking other medications.

Ginkgo Biloba

Ginkgo biloba is another herb with a long history, and recent medical research seems to bear out reports of its usefulness. Several double-blind tests, such as the study published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology in October 1992, have shown that patients taking either ginkgo biloba or a combination of ginkgo biloba and ginseng showed improvement in mood compared to patients taking a placebo. It is believed that ginkgo increases blood flow to the brain, and can improve memory and attention, which may also make it helpful in treating some Alzheimer's patients. The usual dose in studies is 120 to 240 mg per day, divided into two or three doses. It can take up to 12 weeks for full effects to be seen. Look for an extract standardized to at least 24 percent gingko flavone glycosides. Few side effects have been noted, most commonly mild stomach upset or headaches, but ginkgo does interfere with blood clotting factors and may cause bleeding problems in patients taking other blood thinners. Consult with a doctor before taking.

Kava Kava

Kava kava comes from the root of a shrub that grows in the tropical islands of the Pacific Ocean. It has been traditionally used to make a ceremonial drink, and can have an effect very similar to alcohol or diazepam, which is sometimes used to treat anxiety. Kava also has a numbing effect, and is sometimes chewed to relieve a sore throat. In recent years, the relaxing properties of the chemicals called kavalactones have been the focus of scientific research. Patients taking kava have reported a reduction in symptoms of anxiety and depression, with few side effects. The best results have come from a 100 mg dose, standardized to 70 percent kavalactones.

The sale of kava has been banned in some countries after reports of serious liver damage in some patients. Further research has found chemicals in the stems and leaves that are toxic to the liver, and one theory is that impure kava was the cause of the illnesses. There is also the possibility that the liver damage may have been pre-existing, or that the patients took kava while drinking alcohol or taking prescription medications that could have combined to create damage. Consult with a doctor before taking kava, and do not take it for more than three months without a two-week rest period.

Other Herbal Treatments

There are many other plants and herbs that can help relieve anxiety and depression. Certain plants in the mint family are known for their relaxing properties when steeped as a tea, including peppermint, lemon balm and catnip. Combine one tsp. of the dried leaves with boiling water and steep for five minutes before drinking. The tea may be sweetened with honey.

Chamomile, passionflower and feverfew are other traditional herbs used to treat depression and anxiety, and are sometimes combined to make a tea. Feverfew is also used as a headache remedy. Siberian ginseng can be combined with other herbs to relax the nerves without causing the drowsiness sometimes experienced with mints or chamomile.

A herbal combination may work best for relieving symptoms. Combine three parts lemon balm with one part lavender flowers, one part rose petals, one part spearmint, one part St. John's Wort, and one part marjoram. Mix and store in a glass jar. To make tea, combine one to two tsp. of the herbal mixture with a cup of hot water, and allow to steep for five to 10 minutes. The tea may be flavored with honey or mint.

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Tuberculosis Cancer Treatment

Tuberculosis medication can treat bladder cancer.

Bladder cancer is a serious disease that can be life threatening. There are a number of treatments for bladder cancer. The progression of the tumor will determine the type of treatment that is used to cure it. Tuberculosis cells can be used as a bladder cancer treatment.

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis is a virus that usually effects the lungs. The tuberculosis bacilli, which is the young form of tuberculosis, is carried in the air, transferred from person to person by coughing, sneezing, breathing and talking. The bacteria sits in the lungs, where it may develop into the full-blown virus. The World Health Organization states that only 5 to 10 percent of people infected with the tuberculosis bacilli later develop the disease.

Bladder Cancer

Bladder cancer is the development of a tumor in the bladder. Transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) accounts for about 90 percent of bladder cancers, according to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Most examples of TCC are noninvasive, which means that the tumor is confined to the bladder wall. However, some cases of TCC become severe and invade the muscle wall of the bladder. Bladder cancer makes urination difficult, and can cause blood to appear in the urine. You may notice that the frequency of urination rises significantly.

Tuberculosis Treatment

If the bladder cancer is noninvasive, the tumor is easily removed using a minimally invasive instrument called a cystoscope. If there is a high chance of the noninvasive tumor recurring, the bladder will be treated with inactivated tuberculosis bacilli (bacilli that have been killed with heat or chemicals so that they do not cause tuberculosis but still elicit an immune system response). This causes inflammation of the wall of the bladder, which controls the growth of a tumor. This treatment is performed once a week for six weeks; then the bladder will be checked for tumor recurrence once a month using a cystoscope. This treatment is called Bacillus Calmette-Gu rin (BCG) therapy.

Complications

In rare cases, BCG therapy can cause tuberculosis-like symptoms to flare up. Any lung-related problems during therapy, such as coughing and bringing up blood, should be discussed with your doctor. If this happens, you will be treated with antibiotics. Tuberculosis can take a long time to cure, so patience is important. While BCG therapy is effective, there is still a chance that a tumor will recur.

Considerations

Contact your doctor immediately if you experience any symptoms of bladder cancer. BCG therapy is not a cure for bladder cancer, but is used to treat a bladder that has been affected by cancer.

Tags: bladder cancer, tuberculosis bacilli, bladder cancer, bladder will, noninvasive tumor, that tumor

The Symptoms Of Cervical Cancer

According to the New York Times, cervical cancer is the world's third most common form of cancer in women. The Mayo Clinic states that cervical cancer is more common in women over the age of 30. In most cases, this type of cancer is caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV), contracted by having sex with an affected person. There are symptoms you can look out for in order to prevent more serious repercussions of cervical cancer.

Early Stages

Unfortunately, there are rarely any detectable symptoms during the early stages of cervical cancer, or when you are first infected with HPV. The only way you can tell if you have cervical cancer is by getting Pap tests on a regular basis.

Unusual Bleeding

Symptoms of cervical cancer show up once it has spread to nearby tissues. The most common symptom is unusual bleeding. Bleeding during sex, between periods or after menopause, can be signs of cervical cancer. Bleeding from the bladder and rectum are also symptoms of cervical cancer. This unusual, excessive bleeding can cause anemia.

Vaginal Discharge

Cervical cancer may create a watery vaginal discharge that has a foul smell. The discharge is usually red, pink or brown in color. Typically women who have cervical cancer experience this type of discharge continuously, even between periods.

Advanced Stages

You may experience vaginal discharge or unusual bleeding during the advanced stages of cervical cancer, but there are other symptoms to watch for as well. These include bone fractures, excessive fatigue, leakage of feces and urine, loss of appetite, swelling in one leg, rapid weight loss and pain in your back, legs and pelvis.

Prevention/Solution

If you experience any of these symptoms, see your doctor immediately. Also, get your annual Pap smear tests. According to the Mayo Clinic, the ability of Pap tests to detect cervical abnormalities has greatly reduced the death rate from cervical cancer during the latter half of the 20th century and the first part of the 21st century. However, an abnormal Pap smear does not necessarily mean that you have cervical cancer. Additional tests will need to be administered to determine whether your Pap test and symptoms are a result of cervical cancer. There is also an HPV vaccination available that can be administered to women before they reach their mid-20s.

Tags: cervical cancer, have cervical, have cervical cancer, between periods, cervical cancer, cervical cancer, Mayo Clinic

Treatment Protocol For Stage Iii Colon Cancer

Stage III colon cancer is cancer of the colon that is no longer contained within this portion of the large intestines, according the Cleveland Clinic, and has now metastasized into the neighboring lymph nodes. With this more advanced stage of colon cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, certain treatment protocols will now dictate the course of care from this point out. However, the health of the individual as well as the severity of the spread will also determine the action a doctor may decide to take.

Surgery

For most people with stage III colon cancer, an oncologist will recommend surgery, either standard or laparoscopic. During this procedure, also known simply as a colectomy, the surgeon will essentially remove a portion of the colon containing the cancerous cells and any neighboring tissue as well. He would then construct a connection between the healthy portions of the remaining colon so that a somewhat normal function can take place within the large intestines.

Chemotherapy

Following surgery for stage III colon cancer, the patient would then go through a series of chemotherapy treatments. What this therapy entails is the oral or intravenous administration of "cancer-killing" drugs, according to Cleveland Clinic, to kill any remaining cancer cells that may still be present after the surgery. Because the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes, we already know that these cells still remain. Though post-surgery use is the conventional protocol for this stage of colon cancer, some oncologists will use it prior to surgery to reduce the size of the cancer.

Target Drug Therapy

In some cases, the oncologist may not opt for chemotherapy after surgery, but instead use a course of targeted drug therapy alone or in conjunction with chemotherapy. According to the Mayo Clinic, there are three drugs that are now available for people with more advanced stages of colon cancer, as would be the case in stage III. These are cetuximab, bevacizumab and panitumumab. These drugs deprive the cancerous cells of the nutrients they need to subsist and keep them from dividing. Some of these drugs are still considered experimental, but they can be used when other options haven't gotten positive results.

Radiation Therapy

While treatment protocol for stage III colon cancer entails a surgical procedure followed by chemotherapy or target drug therapy, some relatively rare cases dictate another adjunct form of care. This would include some type of radiation therapy. After surgery, the patient undergoes both chemo and radiation to kill the remaining cancer.

Side Effects

As with any course of care, there are side effects to each treatment within the protocol of care for stage III colon cancer. With surgery, this would include some pain and discomfort within the surgical site, constipation and/or diarrhea and the potential for infection. With chemotherapy, this would include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, hair loss and fatigue. With radiation therapy, this would include nausea, diarrhea, loss of appetite and fatigue.

Tags: colon cancer, stage colon cancer, would include, stage colon, stage colon, according Cleveland, according Cleveland Clinic

How Should You Cleanse A Bloodstone

Bloodstone is the stone for the month of March.

Deeper than forest green, bloodstone -- or heliotrope -- partly earned its name from the blood-like flecks of red that pepper its appearance. Bloodstone is rooted in folklore. New Age healers credit the stone with curative properties including, blood detoxifier, confidence boosting and dream aid. Others claim it protects against curses. According to the Gen Trade Net website, good quality bloodstone is difficult to find. As with any healing stones, like crystals, users cleanse bloodstones to purify it of negative energy.

Instructions

1. Use a glass or stoneware bowl to cleanse bloodstone. Pour enough purified water in the bowl to cover the stones you want to clean.

2. Add a squeeze of mild dish soap. Swish the water to make suds.

3. Wet a soft-bristled brush in the soapy water. Brush the stone all around with a gentle sweeping motion.

4. Rinse the bloodstone thoroughly. Dry it with a soft, lint-free cloth.

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Vitamins To Help Tinnitus

Tinnitus is usually described as a ringing or whistling in the ears when there is no external sound present. This ringing can be temporary, or it may be permanent. Be advised that the following is presented as information only. Discuss these ideas with your medical professional and carry them out only under her care.

Causes

This affliction can have many causes, including complications to an ear infection, ear injury and fibromyalgia, among others. However, the most common cause is exposure to loud sounds, especially over a long period of time. You may experience a temporary ringing in the ears after attending a loud concert. This usually subsides after several hours.

Permenant Damage

If the exposure to a loud sound such as an explosion is severe enough, it may cause permanent tinnitus, as delicate cells in the ear called "cilia" are destroyed. They do not heal. Exposure to loud sounds over a long period of time, as occurs in some occupations such as mining and using a jackhammer, and listening with headphones or earbuds to music at high volume levels, can cause permanent damage.

Vitamin A

According to reports, treating tinnitus using homeopathic methods has the best results when begun soon after the acoustic trauma occurs, preferably within 12 hours. A Swiss study discovered that survivors of explosions were able to regain their hearing by taking a massive dose of vitamin A for a short period of time. For 6 weeks, 300,000 IU of vitamin A were given. Long-term use of this much vitamin A is not advisable and can cause side effects, including liver damage. Pregnant women should NOT take more than 5,000 IU per day of vitamin A.

Vitamin B12

Benefit has been reported by an Israeli Army study from taking 250 mg daily of vitamin B12 for 6 weeks. B12 is considered nontoxic even at high dosages.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E works to make vitamin A more available in the bloodstream. Only a small amount is needed, just 100 IU taken for 6 weeks can be effective. If blood thinners are also being taken, consult with a physician before adding vitamin E to the diet.

Vitamins C and D

A vitamin C supplement that also contains bioflavonoids will help proper immune system functions, which can aid in preventing ear infections. Vitamin D is also useful in enhancing the immune system. A supplement of 400 IU daily can be taken.

Tags: period time, cause permanent, immune system, long period, long period time

Repair A Chi Machine

The Chi Machine is a device used in medical facilities and homes globally for massage therapy and reflexology. Its therapeutic, healthful benefits are similar to the results achieved from traditional massage, such as relaxation and pain management. Working with a defective Chi Machine, however, could turn the most relaxing situation into a frustrating one. Repairing a Chi Machine doesn't require tools or handling potentially hazardous materials -- you simply return it to one of the company's repair facilities.

Instructions

1. Call the appropriate telephone number for the closest repair center near you. See the References section for repair centers across the world.

2. Ask for a repair number (RP) when you reach an operator.

3. Give the next available assistant the original invoice order number from your purchase order receipt.

4. Let the assistant know your Chi Machine is under warranty, if applicable. If the device is under warranty, the repair will be free.

5. Box the machine, including your warranty number or certificate, and address it to the repair center that matches your RP number. Write the RP number and the original invoice order number on the outside of the box.

6. Mail the Chi Machine to the appropriate repair center.

Tags: repair center, invoice order, invoice order number, order number, original invoice

Pick The Right Tv For You

If your TV is outdated, do some research before buying a new one.

Buying a new TV can be an exciting experience for you and your family. Perhaps you are finally upgrading to a high-definition model, or maybe you're considering 3-D technology. Whatever TV you ultimately buy, it's important to avoid making a spur-of-the-moment purchase that you'll be using for a number of years. Consider a wide range of factors to ensure that your new TV is the right one for you.

Instructions

1. Decide how much you are willing to spend on your new TV by browsing store advertisements and getting an idea of the price range of various televisions. You'll likely spend a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. Once you have settled on your budget, you can narrow the choices down to TVs that fall within your price range.

2. Choose between LCD, plasma and LED technology. Each technology has pros and cons. A plasma screen is made of glass and can show more glare, while the colors on an LCD TV won't appear as bright as on a plasma screen. Speak to friends or family members who have recently bought new TVs and solicit their opinions.

3. Select a screen size that is suitable for your room. If your budget allows, you may be tempted to buy the biggest screen possible, but if your viewing room is too small, you may regret this decision. For a 40-inch TV, you should sit 5 to 8 feet from the screen for optimal viewing, according to electronics dealer Crutchfield. With a smaller TV, you can sit closer.

4. Decide how you will display or mount your TV before you make a purchase, as this will ultimately affect your budget. If you want to mount your new TV on a wall, you'll need to factor the cost of the mounting hardware into your budget. For a larger TV, a mount can cost a few hundred dollars. You can avoid this cost by purchasing a stand to support the TV in an entertainment unit.

Tags: your budget, hundred dollars, mount your, plasma screen, price range

Steps In Making Ointments

Ointments To Suit Yourself

There are many formulas for making ointments at home. It is even possible to toss together a fast ointment blended from your favorite unscented hand cream and the herbal or extract of your choice. By researching the many herbal sites and books, and by doing historical research, it is possible to recreate ointments from hundreds of years ago, or to create a formula as new as your own imagination. It is still a good idea to have a classic method as a starting point, however.

Standard Amounts

A single batch of a simple ointment will use one pint of vegetable oil (olive oil is a classic, but unless you want the scent to carry through choose a light oil) and 1 to 1 1/2 oz. of beeswax. A larger amount of beeswax will create a stiffer ointment, and a smaller amount will give a creamier result.

Creating the Base

Place the oil and beeswax into the top of a double boiler or in a small slow cooker set to the low setting. If using the double boiler, be sure to fill the bottom pan. When the wax is melted, blend the two together well.

You will then want to add the herbs. Use four ounces of fresh herb, or two ounces of dried herb. If the herbs are fresh, chop them lightly so that there are no over large pieces and so that the plant matter is somewhat bruised and crushed. Dried herbs can be rubbed lightly between your palms to crush them. Add them to the oil and wax base, and allow to cook on low heat for an hour or more. If you are using the double boiler, be very sure to maintain the water in the lower pan.

Straining the Ointment

After the ointment has cooked on low for an hour, the essential oils should be fully dissolved in the vegetable oil and wax base. It is now possible to strain the blended mixture through a sieve or a piece of clean cheesecloth. Squeeze and crush the remains to force as much of the remaining oils as possible from the remains of the herbs. The strained results can be poured or scraped into a small jar or covered dish and allowed to set up. The spent herbs can be thrown away. The cooking pot, the strainer, and any spoons or spatulas used should be cleaned promptly in hot water with soap. If the ointment and wax have set too firmly, you should scrape the tools and set them to simmer in hot, soapy water in a large canning pot. Remove with tongs, place in ordinary hot dish water, and clean with a scrub pad.

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Head Lice Treatment With Mouthwash & Vinegar

Head Lice Treatment with Mouthwash & Vinegar

Lice can be a frustrating, hardy pest to remove from a person's head. There are natural remedies that can be used in place of harsh chemicals that work well.

Lice Features

Head lice are small insects that live on the scalp and occasionally on the eyebrows and eyelashes. They are spread with contact from another person or person's belongings---such as a hat or pillow---who carry lice. While irritating, lice do not cause medical problems.

Mouthwash Treatment

Pour Listerine over the head or put Listerine in a spray bottle and spray the hair, being very careful to saturate the roots. Avoid the eyes at all times. Put on a plastic shower cap for two hours before rinsing well. This will kill the live lice, leaving the nits---or eggs---behind.

Vinegar

After the Listerine treatment is finished, saturate the hair with vinegar, ensuring the roots and several inches of hair from the scalp are saturated---this is where nits are most often found. Put on a shower cap for at least an hour before using shampoo and conditioner to clean the hair. Use a nit comb to comb out lice and nits.

Nits are hard to remove, since they stick to the hair shaft. Vinegar will dissolve the adhesive that keeps nits on the hair.

Household Items

To prevent a reinfestation, it is important to wash the bed linens and clothing of the person who was infected. According to Kids Health, wash these items in hot water and dry them on high heat for 20 minutes.

Soak hair accessories and brushes in rubbing alcohol, hot water or Listerine. Another option is to replace everything with new items.

Consider treating other members in the same household to prevent the spread and reinfestation from lice.

Lice Prevention

Avoid sharing hats, sports equipment or hair accessories. Also avoid direct head-to-head contact with people.

Tags: hair accessories, Head Lice, Head Lice Treatment, Lice Treatment, Mouthwash Vinegar

Natural Herbs For High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is a pervasive enemy that you often can't see, feel or even know you have. But it can have a significant impact on your health.

According to the American Heart Association, a blood pressure reading above 140/90 is high. Diet and exercise can reduce blood pressure, and although there are prescription medicines for it, many people prefer to try herbal alternatives.

Garlic

If your current blood pressure readings are normal, you can supplement your diet and help to stave off future problems by eating one clove of raw garlic per day, either as is or with other food.

If you have high blood pressure, consider taking a supplement that contains allicin, the ingredient in garlic that helps to lower blood pressure. The recommended dose is one 600 mg capsule four to six times a day. You should see results in about one month.

Hawthorn

Hawthorn has outstanding cardiovascular benefits that are derived from the leaves, berries and flowers of the plant. While it may take a while to work, it is often used to treat high blood pressure. A standard dose is two 500 mg. capsules or 1 tsp. of hawthorn tincture three times a day. Do not take hawthorn without medical supervision.

Reishi

Reishi is a medicinal mushroom that has shown promise for treating high blood pressure. Capsules are commonly available at health food stores and are safe to take on a long-term basis. Look for supplements that have concentrations strong enough so you are taking between 2,000 mg and 4,000 mg daily, without having to ingest too many capsules or tablets.

Motherwort

Motherwort is traditionally used in Chinese medicine to control blood pressure. It has a calming effect and can be found in most health food stores. Motherwort tincture can be taken daily on a long-term basis. Take two to three drops of the tincture daily, either as is or mixed in juice or water.

Gingko

Gingko dilates peripheral blood vessels, relieving pressure. Combining it with hawthorn makes a potent blood pressure lowering medicine. Mix 1 oz. ginkgo with 2 oz. hawthorn in a glass of water three times a day.

Warning

Always consult with your physician before embarking on any herbal treatment plan for high blood pressure.

Tags: blood pressure, blood pressure, high blood, food stores, health food, health food stores, high blood pressure

Hip Pain In Dogs

Hip Pain in Dogs

Hip pain in dogs is usually due to one of two things: hip dysplasia or arthritis. There are also less common causes, like panosteitis, Lyme disease, cancer or a simple injury. Your veterinarian needs to determine the cause of the pain before you can come up with a treatment plan. Once you know the cause, there are many approaches you can take to keep your dog comfortable.

Types

Hip pain originates from the muscle, connective ligaments or bones. It's common in older dogs who have mild hip dysplasia or arthritis (the two often occur together.) Stiffness or limping on getting up after a nap or after exercise are classic symptoms. The dog may also "bunny hop" with a hopping instead of striding gait.

Hip pain in younger dogs can be panosteitis--essentially growing pain when fast growth causes joint inflammation, early signs of hip dysplasia or a simple muscle pull. In (thankfully) less common cases, hip pain can signal bone cancer.

Diagnosis

Since dogs can't tell us exactly where it hurts, the location of the pain may be difficult to determine. Pain originating in the hock (ankle), stifle (knee), foot or even the lower back can be mistaken for hip pain. Any limp that persists for two or more days should be seen by a veterinarian. She will manipulate the joint, feeling for laxity and impeded movement. She may watch the dog walking, sitting down and trotting, and unless the cause is obvious, she will take x-rays. She may refer the dog to an orthopedic specialist for a definitive diagnosis and treatment plan.

Considerations

In the case of panosteitis, or a pulled muscle or strain, the treatment will probably be as simple as restricted exercise and perhaps an anti-inflammatory medication for one or two weeks. Treatment of lower spine problems or cancer are complex and depend on several factors, including the owner's financial situation (both can be very expensive to treat) and the specific diagnosis.

Hip dysplasia is graded by the OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) on a scale from mild to severe. A dysplastic dog's hip ball joint does not fit perfectly in the hip socket and this can be very painful. Mild hip dysplasia can usually be managed with diet, weight control and proper exercise. Severe hip dysplasia usually requires hip replacement surgery to alleviate pain.

Arthritis is best controlled with a multi-pronged approach, using NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like Rimadyl or Deramaxx, weight management and complementary therapies.

Complementary Therapies

Complementary therapies for pain control can be used in conjunction with, or instead of, allopathic veterinary treatment. These can include non-invasive procedures like acupuncture, massage and chiropractic adjustments.

Physical therapy is available for dogs, including hydrotherapy and water exercises. Many orthopedic veterinarians have a canine physical therapist on staff.

Adequan is an injectable glucosamine and offered by many veterinarians for joint lubrication and reducing inflammation. Typically two to four injections are given several days apart as a "loading dose." If the dog responds well, a maintenance schedule of injections is given at four to six week intervals.

Home Care

There are many things you can do for a dog with hip pain. The most important is to make sure your dog is lean. Overweight dogs suffer from many more health problems than thin dogs, and excess weight can both cause and exacerbate joint pain.

Exercise your dog as tolerated. Strong muscles can go a long way to compensate for weak joints. Dogs will mild hip dysplasia and arthritis can live full, active lives and even compete in dog sports like agility, field trials and Schutzhund if they are kept in lean, toned condition.

Add nutraceutical supplements like glucosamine, chrondroitin and fish oil to your dog's diet. Consider feeding a raw or home-cooked diet, or one of the grain-free kibbles. A diet high in quality protein and low in grain and carbohydrates has helped many dogs with arthritis, mild dysplasia or other forms of joint pain.

Tags: dysplasia arthritis, dysplasia usually, injections given, joint pain, less common

Copper Bracelets For Pain Relief

Copper bracelets have been used for years to induce pain relief for those who suffer from maladies like arthritis, joint pain and other painful conditions. Some claim that they help immensely, some claim that they don't help at all, and some know that it might just be a placebo effect taking place. However, it is a viable solution for some users to find pain relief.

Origins

Cooper bracelets have been used for many years as a way for those suffering from pain to find some relief, begun by the ancient Greeks. In the 1970's, studies were completed, pitting the copper bracelet against a placebo, and it was shown that a copper bracelet was in fact more effective when tested on those suffering from arthritis pain. Decades of patients diagnosed with arthritis have looked towards these copper bracelets to relieve their pain.

Scientific Backing

Besides a few scattered placebo tests, the effectiveness of copper bracelets being used for pain relief has not been widely tested nor proved. An animal test using copper taken by mouth showed that a copper supplement did reduce the pain of arthritis and slowed the progression of the disease. Hpwever, this copper supplement was taken by mouth and not worn as jewelry. The bracelets are a good source of antioxidants, but most food sources are even better.

Wearing a Bracelet

If you suffer from pain, and have tried everything, there is absolutely no harm in wearing a copper bracelet and hoping for positive effects. It may not heal your pain, but it could potentially ease it, or at the very least, trick you into thinking that you feel better. With so many attractive options, copper bracelets also make a fashion statement, and no one will even know that you are wearing one for pain relief. Copper bracelets are an inexpensive way to try to feel better.

Tags: pain relief, copper bracelet, been used, bracelets have, bracelets have been, claim that

Knee Injury Diagnosis

The purpose of the knee is to allow the legs to flex and extend so that the body can perform certain activities such as walking, kicking, running, standing and sitting. Every part of the knee is important. There are several ways to injure the knee, such as overuse of the knee without allowing adequate time to recover or an acute injury caused by a twist or direct impact to the knee.

Types

There are many different knee injuries, some of the most common are sprains-- when the ligaments in the knee are stretched beyond their capacity and are forced to tear. A twisting injury occurs when the cartilage or meniscus is overstressed. This causes the cartilage or meniscus to pinch between the tibial surface and causing a tear in the the femoral condyle. A strain of the muscle and tendon are caused by hyperflexion or hyperextension. A direct blow to the knee will cause bursitis.

Function

There are four bones that unite at the knee--femur, tibia, fibula and the patella. The thigh and quadriceps muscles provide balance and allow the knee joint to move. The joints in the knee are stabilized by the ligaments in the knee. The medial collateral ligament (MCL) and lateral collateral ligament (LCL) are located on the side of the knee. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) are in an X shape inside of the knee. The cartilage in the knee is called the meniscus and absorbs shocks. The bursae are sacs of fluid that surrounds the knee and cushion its range of motion.

Identification

Knee injuries typically cause pain and swelling, and it may be hard to bend the knee and put any weight on the knee. Swelling may not always occur at the time of the injury, and the knee may begin to swell after inflammation develops. In a meniscus injury, it is painful to climb stairs. In a patellar injury, it hurts to walk down stairs. If the knee is not stable, this is usually a symptom of a ligament injury. If the cartilage is torn, the knee will not completely straighten.

Prevention/Solution

There is no way to eliminate the risk of a knee injury, but there are several ways to reduce it. A workout routine using muscles will stabilize the joints. Proper stable foot wear such as high-top shoes or flat shoes may also reduce the chance of knee injury. The treatment for a knee injury will depend on the type of injury. If knee surgery is not needed, physical therapy is usually required. The R.I.C.E (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) treatment is a very beneficial way to treat a knee injury.

Warning

Certain symptoms from a knee injury are considered an emergency and will require a doctor's immediate attention. When there is immediate swelling in the knee, or the bone appears deformed or visibly out of socket, seek medical attention immediately. Do likewise if the knee cannot bear any weight or the pain is unbearable. When there is a loss of feeling or sensation below the knee or if the ankle or foot is cold and you cannot feel the pulse in the foot or ankle, get help quick.

Tags: knee injury, cartilage meniscus, collateral ligament, cruciate ligament, injury knee

Stop An Ant Infestation Dead In Its Tracks With This Natural Remedy

During the late spring and summer periods, there's a potential intruder in our homes that we always have to find ways to get rid of - that pesky ant.

We just went through that problem this year, and they were the worst we have ever experienced in the home.

Here's what we did to get rid of the ants completely

Instructions

1. What has to be done before anything else is identify the source of the ants entrance into your home.

You also want to find the trail they follow, as ants in general leave a scent which the other ants follow. That's why you have that long line of them when you see them travel.

2. So depending on where they're entering in the house and where they're going, that determines the strategy you'll use to combat them. Normally the destination is the kitchen area, as they're going to get the crumbs and food that may be on the floor or counters, or possibly temporarily in the sink or garbage.

This of course depends upon whether the kitchen or dining room is the place you eat. These days families eat in a variety of places in the home, including many times in their bedrooms, especially with teens.

The point is to simply find it so you know where you need to apply the remedy.

3. Now once you find where the ants are coming in and going, you can start formulating your strategy.

There are two things to consider here.

1. What type of floor do you have? Is it a flat surface or carpet?

2. Are the ants coming in through something like a light switch cover.

4. Before we go on, let me reveal this natural remedy to an ant infestation: it's cinnamon. If you've never heard a hint of this before, it's probably a shock to you.

More specifically, it's ground cinnamon, but that's only because of the ease of application, not necessarily because it's the ground part alone that is the key; although hints that the way ground cinnamon lays on a floor or is put on other surfaces may be the key to why they keep ants away.

All I know is they don't like to walk on the stuff, and that's good enough for me.

5. While we have both carpeted and non-carpeted floors in our home, the ants were primarily traveling on the carpeted area.

So what you do is sprinkle the cinnamon at the bottom of areas you found they travel on. This is done along the wall bottoms or in corners primarily.

In the case of carpet, picture if you didn't move a sofa to clean behind you corners for a while. Have you ever taken your hand and softly wiped it across the dust to remove the concentration? That's what we did when sprinkling the cinnamon on the carpet.

The only concern I would have is if you may have white carpet. You would want to test a small, out of the way place to see if it stains at all. On our carpet, which isn't dark, there is no signs of coloring or staining at all, so that shouldn't be a problem, but it's just a thought to consider just in case.

As far as the non-carpeted areas of the floor, we did apply it by simply sprinkling it on the edges of the walls and corners and left it there.

6. What about the place they were entering in?

In our case, it was through a light switch area. So what we did was remove the covering and take the insulated piece behind it and sprinkle it with cinnamon. It literally stopped them immediately from coming into the house. We haven't had a problem for over a week.

In other words, they were walking over that insulated piece to enter the home. They simply will not do that any longer.

Keep in mind that we were having an ant infestation. There were hundreds all over the place in any area that there may have been food at.

If you find ants coming in through other areas such as windows, if you have insulation, sprinkling cinnamon on it will be a great deterrent from them coming in.

7. The question may arise as to why we sprinkled cinnamon on their travel routes, if we stopped them from coming in.

First, there were still ants already in the house, so we had to deal with them. This took away their going to the areas they were looking for food.

And if the ants tried an alternative route, we would have measures in place to combat them once they entered. So far that hasn't been a problem.

8. What types of ants did it stop?

The good news on the ant control side, is that we actually had two different types of ants we needed to get rid of, so the cinnamon pest control strategy worked on both.

There were the tiny red ants you always see scurrying around, and we also had those medium-sized black ants; not those huge ones, but those about a quarter of an inch long.

Neither of those colonies have been in the house since we put down the cinnamon.

Tags: they were, ants coming, ants coming through, area what, combat them, coming through, from coming

Recipes For Natural Expectorant

Just as a cough happens to be one of the commonest complaints anywhere, ingredients for remedies of the same are also commonly found in any home. While breathing in steam, refraining from smoking, consuming spicy foods, using a humidifier, and drinking a lot of water prove beneficial, you can expect better and longer lasting results with a few homemade remedies as well.

Traditional Remedies

A cough benefits from a mixture of equivalent parts of honey and aloe juice and a mixture of carrot juice and honey in warm water. Dried bee balm leaves soaked in hot water not only act as expectorant, but also provide relief by healing infections as they have some antiseptic qualities too. Mixing cayenne pepper or Tabasco sauce in water to use for a gargle clears mucus congestion.

You could also grind a few garlic cloves, add a cup of grape juice, or mix freshly squeezed lemon juice with honey, or sip on ginger tea throughout the day for instant expectorant action. Honey helps against the constant throat irritation and guards against infection because of its antibacterial features. Another honey remedy would be to boil a lemon for a few minutes and then squeeze the juice in a mixture of honey and a little glycerin and sip on it.

Onions are known to have expectorant properties as well. Boil an onion for a quarter of an hour and take the resultant broth as many times as you want through the day to get relief from your congested throat. Even a mixture of the juice of a raw onion and honey is beneficial in the same way.

Apart from chamomile tea, tea prepared with angelica leaf or root, wild cherry bark, red clover, slippery elm, peppermint, rosemary, or thyme, provides huge relief from cough. Some have also benefited from sprinkling apple cider vinegar on the pillowcase before resting for the night. Vinegar, like honey, is useful as an expectorant. Mixing it with water or honey provides instant relief as it breaks down mucus and brings down inflammation. An early morning remedy would be taking a clove of garlic that had been swathed in honey and kept overnight. Licorice root, which is known to soothe the inflamed throat, could be powdered and taken with honey several times a day.

Aromatherapy

While breathing in steam, you can try adding a few easily available ingredients for a more potent inhalation. You can add a few drops of cypress, oil of juniper, and ginger for an effective concoction or merely add a few drops of eucalyptus oil to boiling water for instant relief from cough. Rubbing your chest with a mixture of cedar or myrrh with olive or jojoba or almond oil can prove beneficial. Adding a few drops of heated jasmine or essential pine or thyme oil to a handkerchief and inhaling the fumes will also act as natural expectorants.

Tags: relief from, breathing steam, from cough, instant relief, juice mixture, prove beneficial, relief from cough

Why Is Mucus Produced When You Have A Cold

Everyone who has suffered from a case of the common cold is familiar with the unpleasant side effects of a snotty nose and coughing up phlegm. But even though we know these symptoms occur when we catch a cold, most of us aren't sure why. In fact, most people aren't even aware that while mucous can be annoying during a viral infection, it actually plays an important role in our bodies. Read on to learn more about the general purpose of mucous, why production of it increases drastically after exposure to the cold virus, and what you can do to help alleviate symptoms.

Mucous come from the aptly named mucous-membranes, which are made up of a continuous lining of cells that serve to protect any body cavity that comes into contact with the external environment, such as our GI tract, respiratory system, and reproductive tracts. Specialized goblet cells and other cells residing in the membranes of the respiratory system produce mucous. Contrary to what some may think, mucous is actually produced in healthy individuals as well, and serves to protect respiratory tissues from drying out, since specialized proteins called mucins can absorb enormous amounts of water. Other proteins in mucous contain antibodies and enzymes to help fight off pathogens, and mucous also functions to help trap any foreign particles that end up in the lungs. Also, mucous helps moisten the air that we breathe.

Having normal quantities of mucous might be all well and good, but why does mucous production increase so drastically when you have a cold? Well, it's simple. When your airways get inflamed and infected due to the cold virus or allergies, mucous production increases to help remove pathogens and the foreign particles. Once this happens, voila! You've acquired a runny nose. Also, when the body's immune system starts the inflammation process in order to fight off pathogens or allergens, it also triggers a rise in mucous production. So, that annoying rise in mucous secretions is actually a normal byproduct of your immune system at work.

The increased production of mucous that accompanies a cold is not bad, in and of itself. However, the associated symptoms, including sneezing, sore throat, congestion, and coughing, can be annoying. Also, coughing, sneezing, and runny noses are a sure-fire way to spread the virus to others. And, if mucous thickens and gets trapped in the sinus passages, an infection can start. Therefore, cold sufferers may want to consider the use of decongestants to help alleviate symptoms during times of increased mucuous.

Tags: mucous production, alleviate symptoms, cold virus, fight pathogens, foreign particles, help alleviate

Ways To Quit Smokeless Tobacco

Quitting smokeless tobacco can be hard.