What is jaundice?

Jaundice is not a disease but rather a sign that can occur in many different diseases. Jaundice is the yellowish staining of the skin and sclerae (the whites of the eyes) that is caused by high levels in blood of the chemical bilirubin. The color of the skin and sclerae vary depending on the level of bilirubin. When the bilirubin level is mildly elevated, they are yellowish. When the bilirubin level is high, they tend to be brown.

What causes jaundice?

Bilirubin comes from red blood cells. When red blood cells get old, they are destroyed. Hemoglobin, the iron-containing chemical in red blood cells that carries oxygen, is released from the destroyed red blood cells after the iron it contains is removed. The chemical that remains in the blood after the iron is removed becomes bilirubin.

The liver has many functions. One of the liver’s functions is to produce and secrete bile into the intestines to help digest dietary fat. Another is to remove toxic chemicals or waste products from the blood, and bilirubin is a waste product. The liver removes bilirubin from the blood. After the bilirubin has entered the liver cells, the cells conjugate (attaching other chemicals, primarily glucuronic acid) to the bilirubin, and then secrete the bilirubin/glucuronic acid complex into bile. The complex that is secreted in bile is called conjugated bilirubin. The conjugated bilirubin is eliminated in the feces. (Bilirubin is what gives feces its brown color.) Conjugated bilirubin is distinguished from the bilirubin that is released from the red blood cells and not yet removed from the blood which is termed unconjugated bilirubin.

Jaundice occurs when there is 1) too much bilirubin being produced for the liver to remove from the blood. (For example, patients with hemolytic anemia have an abnormally rapid rate of destruction of their red blood cells that releases large amounts of bilirubin into the blood), 2) a defect in the liver that prevents bilirubin from being removed from the blood, converted to bilirubin/glucuronic acid (conjugated) or secreted in bile, or 3) blockage of the bile ducts that decreases the flow of bile and bilirubin from the liver into the intestines. (For example, the bile ducts can be blocked by cancers, gallstones, or inflammation of the bile ducts). The decreased conjugation, secretion, or flow of bile that can result in jaundice is referred to as cholestasis: however, cholestasis does not always result in jaundice.
How is the cause of jaundice diagnosed?

Many tests are available for determining the cause of jaundice, but the history and physical examination are important as well.

History

The history can suggest possible reasons for the jaundice. For example, heavy use of alcohol suggests alcoholic liver disease, whereas use of illegal, injectable drugs suggests viral hepatitis. Recent initiation of a new drug suggests drug-induced jaundice. Episodes of abdominal pain associated with jaundice suggests blockage of the bile ducts usually by gallstones.

Physical examination

The most important part of the physical examination in a patient who is jaundiced is examination of the abdomen. Masses (tumors) in the abdomen suggest cancer infiltrating the liver (metastatic cancer) as the cause of the jaundice. An enlarged, firm liver suggests cirrhosis. A rock-hard, nodular liver suggests cancer within the liver.

Blood tests

Measurement of bilirubin can be helpful in determining the causes of jaundice. Markedly greater elevations of unconjugated bilirubin relative to elevations of conjugated bilirubin in the blood suggest hemolysis (destruction of red blood cells). Marked elevations of liver tests (aspartate amino transferase or AST and alanine amino transferase or ALT) suggest inflammation of the liver (such as viral hepatitis). Elevations of other liver tests, e.g., alkaline phosphatase, suggest diseases or obstruction of the bile ducts.

Ultrasonography

Ultrasonography is a simple, safe, and readily-available test that uses sound waves to examine the organs within the abdomen. Ultrasound examination of the abdomen may disclose gallstones, tumors in the liver or the pancreas, and dilated bile ducts due to obstruction (by gallstones or tumor).

Computerized tomography (CT or CAT scans)

Computerized tomography or CT scans are scans that use x-rays to examine the soft tissues of the abdomen. They are particularly good for identifying tumors in the liver and the pancreas and dilated bile ducts, though they are not as good as ultrasonography for identifying gallstones.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Magnetic Resonance Imaging scans are scans that utilize magnetization of the body to examine the soft tissues of the abdomen. Like CT scans, they are good for identifying tumors and studying bile ducts. MRI scans can be modified to visualize the bile ducts better than CT scans (a procedure referred to as MR cholangiography), and, therefore, are better than CT for identifying the cause and location of bile duct obstruction.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and endoscopic ultrasound

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) provides the best means for examining the bile duct. For ERCP an endoscope is swallowed by the patient after he or she has been sedated. The endoscope is a flexible, fiberoptic tube approximately four feet in length with a light and camera on its tip. The tip of the endoscope is passed down the esophagus, through the stomach, and into the duodenum where the main bile duct enters the intestine. A thin tube then is passed through the endoscope and into the bile duct, and the duct is filled with x-ray contrast solution. An x-ray is taken that clearly demonstrates the contrast-filled bile ducts. ERCP is particularly good at demonstrating the cause and location of obstruction within the bile ducts. A major advantage of ERCP is that diagnostic and therapeutic procedures can be done at the same time as the x-rays. For example, if gallstones are found in the bile ducts, they can be removed. Stents can be placed in the bile ducts to relieve the obstruction caused by scarring or tumors. Biopsies of tumors can be obtained.

Ultrasonography can be combined with ERCP by using a specialized endoscope capable of doing ultrasound scanning. Endoscopic ultrasound is excellent for diagnosing small gallstones in the gallbladder and bile ducts that can be missed by other diagnostic methods such as ultrasound, CT, and MRI. It also is the best means of examining the pancreas for tumors and can facilitate biopsy through the endoscope of tumors within the pancreas.

Liver biopsy

Biopsy of the liver provides a small piece of tissue from the liver for examination under the microscope. The biopsy most commonly is done with a long needle after local injection of the skin of the abdomen overlying the liver with anesthetic. The needle passes through the skin and into the liver, cutting off a small piece of liver tissue. When the needle is withdrawn, the piece of liver comes with it. Liver biopsy is particularly good for diagnosing inflammation of the liver and bile ducts, cirrhosis, cancer, and fatty liver.

How is jaundice treated?

With the exception of the treatments for specific causes of jaundice mentioned previously, the treatment of jaundice usually requires a diagnosis of the specific cause of the jaundice and treatment directed at the specific cause, e.g., removal of a gallstone blocking the bile duct.

For years the scientific community didn’t know “how blood circulates within the body.” I will attempt to reconstruct the scientific method steps that were used to establish blood circulation.

First we need a hypothesis. Prior to William Harvey, many scientists hypothesized that blood didn’t move at all, but simply pulsed in response to the heart. These were good predictions, but others taught that arteries and veins were helping the blood flow, and that the blood was being absorbed into the body’s system.

Because of the conflicting evidence or theories, the scientist had to devise experiments to prove their hypothesis and predictions. Harvey dissected animals and performed a series of experiments on laboratory animals that proved that the blood in the veins did flow back to the heart, rather than being absorbed like a tissue would absorb liquid.

The best experiment was having a patient’s arm squeezed and then watching the blood escape. When he pressed down on the vein, the blood would stop leaving, indicating that it was indeed flowing back to the heart!

Based on this experiment, William Harvey concluded that there was a pattern of events happening to cause blood to circulate continuously. He further concluded that blood is pumped from the heart to all parts of the body through arteries, and returned to the heart through veins.

The experiments and data phase of the scientific method were crucial to Harvey’s work. One can imagine him looking at the laboratory animal and tracing the veins, and because of his experiments with the tourniquet, we have a way to get blood from humans, medically, that we may have never thought about or realized.

Harvey was first to demonstrate the functions of the heart and the complete circulation of the blood, a feat very remarkable because it was accomplished without the aid of a microscope. Acceptance of his theories didn’t happen for many years, and it was not until 1827 that they were fully substantiated with evidence.

William Harvey was born in 1578. He was an English physician considered by many to have laid the entire foundation of modern medicine as we know it. He studied at Cambridge, Obtained his M.D. at the University of Padua, in 1602. After that he returned to London and became a physician of St. Bartholomew’s Hospital.

After that he was a familiar lecturer at the College of Physicians, and he was later appointed court physician. William Harvey was laid to rest in 1657. Harvey was a perfect example of a man who was determined to prove his hypothesis through tenacious research, testing, and hours upon hours working in his lab.

Harvey’s great contribution, EXERCITATIO ANATOMICA DE MOTU CORDIS ET SANGUINIS IN ANIMALIBUS, appeared in 1628. It was a badly printed 72-page book, done by an obscure printer in Frankfurt. Harvey probably arranged it this way in order to avoid trouble in England, for he realized that his teaching about the heart was not widely accepted in his country.

William Harvey is a true medical icon and someone we should definitely teach America’s students about on a most regular basis in the classrooms of our nation.

There are many different ways to approach guitar tuning. We’ll touch on a couple of the more effective methods on how to tune a guitar. Not necessarily the most popular as some methods, though extensively used, are considered ‘bad habits’ rather than genuine, effective guitar tuning alternatives.

The guitar standard tuning is as follows:

STRING - 6th String (bottom, bass, low) NOTE - E
5th String - A
4th String - D
3rd String - G
2nd String - B
1st String (top, treble, high) - E

Tips For Any Guitar Tuning Method

First, lets cover a few things that every player should know when taking the proper approach to guitar tuning and how to learn to tune guitar.

Learn to attach the strings to the machine heads properly. Never try to tune down to a note. Stretch the strings and tune up to the note. Tuning heads have a certain amount of ‘play’ in them so make a couple of deep bends and then fine tune the string. Before tuning a suspect string, check it against both adjacent strings to determine which string is actually out of tune. The string you suspect may not even be the culprit. When tuning a guitar with a vibrato arm, tune the string, give the arm a good shake, stretch the string, give the arm another shake and fine tune.

Veterans of guitar playing will already know these things so if you’re a beginner and just learning to play the guitar, you’re already ahead of the game if you implement these practices into your routine. For a great tool visit http://www.guitarmusician.com/guitar-tuner.htm

Here’s A Quick Method For Guitar Tuning

Tune the treble (high) E string to an A440 tuning fork by holding your finger on the 5th fret, then tune the open B string to the open treble E string – listening to the interval of a fourth. It’s easy to hear the fourth in that register.

Play the A note fretted at the 2nd fret of the G string, and compare it to the open treble E string – you’re listening for a perfect fifth interval.

Fret the 2nd fret E note on the D string and compare it to the treble E string open. Double check this by fretting the E note on the 14th fret of the D string.

Now tune the 7th fret harmonic on the A string (an E note) to the open treble E string.

Finally, tune the 5th fret harmonic on the bass E string to the open treble E string.

This is a simple guitar tuning method that works well.

Hair loss is a condition that effects both men as well as women. Despite the fact that hair loss might not be as prevalent as hair loss in men, the fact of the matter is that thinning hair is a traumatic occurrence for most women. If you happen to be one of those women that is suffering from hair loss, you should do some research into the possibility of getting a hair loss treatment for women.

Different Kinds of Hair Loss Treatment for Women

There are various types of hair loss treatment for women that are offered on today’s market. Nevertheless, you should bear in mind that not all types may be a suitable option for you and your present situation. To come to any type of informed conclusion you would first need to consult a doctor that specializes in the area of hair loss treatment for women.

Rogaine As a Hair Loss Treatment for Women

Rogain is an over the counter hair loss treatment for women. Rogain can be used as a topical agent on the balding areas of the head. Even so, this type of substance might not be a good option for women who are pregnant or for those who are nursing their children as various studies have indicated that this particular substance might be harmful for the baby as well as for the mother.

Women that have heart problems are also counseled not to use this type of substance. If you are not certain that Rogaine is right for you, then it is best for you to consult with you physician prior to attempting to utilize this product on your scalp.

Hair Weaving - Is it Good Hair Loss Treatment for Women?

Contrary to the prevalent belief that weaving the hair may prevent hair loss, hair weaving might not be of benefit to you. According to various published studies, doing hair weaving might cause traction alopecia which is the loss of hair through extended tension on growing hair. Hair weaving is said to be particularly harmful for women who have fine or thin strands of hair.

Hair Transplants

For women who have attempted various other hair loss treatments without any positive results, hair transplantation might be a better solution to their hair loss problem. Hair transplants as a hair loss treatment for women is more costly than other types of treatments but it might have a more permanent effect. If you are highly concerned for the condition of your hair, you might want to speak to your physician about this kind of hair loss treatment for women.

Beautiful shining hair is akin to beauty & health. However, many people experience unjustified loss of hair loss, which negatively affects their social life and self perception. Hair loss can be attributed to several reasons including hormone changes, dandruff, exposure to chemicals, side effects of strong medications, side effects of radiation, etc. Sometimes hair loss can be the most visible aspect of some serious diseases, inadequate nutrition, or serious physical conditions.

Causes of Hair Loss

Stress & associated hormone changes
Side effects of some medicines
Ill health of liver, kidney and other internal organs
Radiation
Dandruff & other skin diseases
Incomplete nutrition – lack of proteins, minerals (like zinc) & vitamins
Exposure to chemicals
Excess use of shampoo, soap
Application of too much or too little oil

Kinds of Hair Loss

Hair loss can be classified into different kinds according to the nature of hair loss.

Alopecia areata is characterized by loss of hair in circles. This is mainly induced by stress and mental trauma. Certain physical conditions like Systematic Lupas Erythematosus (SLE) can also be a cause of this condition.

Alopecia totalis is characterized by total loss of hair from the head, leaving behind a bald head and even barren eyebrows. The skin of head turns smooth.

Diffuse alopecia condition has unhealthy, thin and short hair.

Trichotillomania is another condition, prevalent among children, characterized by the children pulling their hair and eating it. Children do this without their conscious knowledge and the hair they eat can remain in the stomach as a ball of hair, leading to pain.

Androgenetic alopecia is the most common type of hair loss found among men. This is caused by excess activity of androgen, a hormone. Women too can suffer from this problem.

Holistic Food to Prevent Hair Loss

Every nutrient that helps in normal body functioning is also required for proper hair growth. Proteins, carbohydrates, lipids (fat), minerals and vitamins play important roles in body functioning and hair growth as well. Inadequate nutrition also first reflects on the hair.

The Essential Food Items to Take to Prevent Hair Loss

Include in your diet a good mixture of everything listed below. Take a mix of everything in moderation. Curcuma longa, cumin seed, etc are good spices to prepare food. Similarly, gooseberry (Embellica officinale), dried grapes, pea (small green pea), etc also promote good physical health and hair growth.

Green and colored vegetables
Wholegrain rice and wheat
Carbohydrate rich root items – tapioca, sweet potato, etc
Egg
Milk and dairy products
Fruits – especially orange, grapes, and other slightly sour fruits

However, the quality of the atmosphere, ground, etc under which the plants grow also affect the quality of the food you take. Food crops grown with excess use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, etc have very limited quality.

Food Items to Avoid

If you care about your hair and physical health, avoid the following items.

Soft drinks
Fast food
Overly cooked food
Processed food (canned, packaged)

Agreed, these items are good for your tongue. However, what is good for your tongue may not be good for your body, blood and hair.

Hair Care Precautions

Note the following points to take good care of your hair.

Gently dry your hair with a clean towel after bathing
Always use a clean comb
Don’t comb wet hair
Don’t comb your hair too often
Comb your hair in the direction of its growth and not against it
Don’t use shampoos that contain chemicals – better option is natural shampoos prepared from hibiscus leaves, henna, grounded small green pea, etc
Apply enough oil on hair 30 minutes before bathing – coconut oil, sesame oil, etc are enough

Be gentle on your hair. Don’t rub your hair violently and use hair dryer sparingly. Shampoos that contain chemicals actively destabilize your hair. You can prepare natural herbal shampoo from materials available from your backyard itself and it is better than any shampoo that you pay big prices for.

Ayurvedic Means of Hair Care and Hair Growth Measures

Ayurveda suggests different hair oils for healthy hair growth. Amalaki (Emblica officinale) is a major component of Ayurvedic hair oils. Massage your scalp with these oils and you can see healthier hair growth.

Treatments for Hair Loss

Allopathy medicine has quite a few treatments for hair loss, which are listed below.

1. Minoxidil – this medicine prescribed for blood pressure is prescribed for hair loss too. Apply the medicine on your scalp. Effectiveness is 10-20%. Hair loss will come back once you stop using the medicine.

2. Finasteride – this medicine usually prescribed for prostrate enlargement is handy treatment against hair loss. Temporary loss of libido and lowered quality of semen are the usual side effects of using this medicine. Women shall not use this, as it can cause the women to give birth to handicapped child.

3. Hair transplantation – hair from one part of the head is transplanted to other parts of scanty hair growth. Strip incision, laser grafting, punch grafts, etc are the main types of hair transplantation treatments. The possibility of hair fall in two-three years and the scars at the areas where hair is taken are to be taken care of.

4. Scalp Reduction – a kind of plastic surgery, where skin of hairless area is removed and the skin from hairy area is stretched. The success depends on hairless area of head and the elasticity of skin.

5. Hairpiece or toupee – wigs are attached to the skin, without being noticed. Can wear and tear in the long run.

Here is how to build a natural smoothie that can stop constipation, relieve acne, improve your skin and give you more energy. The smoothie base is liquid slurry that can be used to add more natural ingredients.
The liquid base can be made from various fresh juices or rice, oat, or almond milks. I stay away from milk since milk creates mucus along the gastrointestinal lining. Choose and mix any of the following liquids and pour them into a blender.
cruciferous veggies (broccolli, cauliflower), fiberous proteins like beans and legumes, and whole grains and nuts…all these items increase your fiber, which you need….imho, these supplements cause more problems than they are ever worth.

Eat fresh fruits and vegetables such as watermelon, grapes, cantaloupe, prunes strawberries, pears, apples, oranges, (Eat a piece of fruit before you eat breakfast and throughout the day.) greens, green beans, broccoli, cabbage, spinach, lettuce, carrots, peas, and squash.

If you are on a low or no fat diet, add some of the essential fats, such as omega 3 or omega 6. These are important for many body functions. Start by taking one or two tablespoons of cold-pressed flaxseed oil every day. You can add it to a blender drink, such as a smoothie or shake, or in cottage cheese. Ground flaxseed can also be used as it contains mucilage which is soothing and coats the intestinal tract. It provides both bulk and softness in the stool. If you use flaxseed, be sure to drink plenty of water, too, as it can cause constipation. The omega 6 fatty acids are found in Evening Primrose Oil (take 500 mg three times daily), black currant seed oil, and Borage Seed Oil.

The tests the doctor performs depend on the duration and severity of the constipation, the person’s age, and whether blood in stools, recent changes in bowel habits or weight loss have occurred. Most people with constipation do not need extensive testing and can be treated with changes in diet and exercise. For example, in young people with mild symptoms, a medical history and physical exam may be all that is needed for diagnosis and treatment.

Try to determine which cause fits your situation and then take corrective action. Establish a specific time for going to stool and do not be rushed. Drink plenty of water, eat a diet high in fiber, and exercise regularly and check your medications. Taking laxatives regularly may establish a laxative habit. It would also be beneficial if you stay away from beef for at least a week. Lean chicken and fish is ok, but not too much. Eating a vegetarian diet is by far the best cure for constipation.

Brown sesame seeds - are high in lecithin, vitamin C, E, and Calcium. They improve liver function and help in constipation.

Colonix from DrNatura.com works by physically cleaning you out with psyllium fiber, as well as eliminating parasites with Paranil, an herbal preparation. Believe it or not, parasites may be a large part of your problem. Kleri-Tea helps restore regular bowel function. We’re proud of how our wonderful Colonix system helps stop constipation, and we’re delighted with how much our product has meant to thousands of people.

Fixing bad breath depends on what’s causing it. In 80 to 90 percent of cases, it’s due to something in the mouth. Most often, bad breath is the result of nothing more serious than a dirty mouth. Plaque, the nearly invisible film of bacteria that’s constantly forming in your mouth, is often responsible. Another possible source of stink can be decaying food that’s trapped between teeth.

Chronic bad breath

Chronic bad breath is most often caused by bacteria or gum disease. There are some clinics that can perform specialized testing to determine which strain of bacteria is causing the bad breath and then prescribe a personalized treatment. Chronic halitosis can also be caused by certain drugs and medical conditions. If you have a case of bad breath that just won’t quit, have a dental exam as well as a physical.

What Causes Bad Breath?

Here are three common causes of bad breath:
foods and drinks, such as garlic, onions, cheese, orange juice, and soda
poor dental hygiene (say: hi-jeen), meaning you don’t brush and floss as you should smoking and other tobacco use Poor oral hygiene leads to bad breath because when you leave food particles in your mouth, these pieces of food can rot and start to smell. The food particles may begin to collect bacteria, which can be smelly, too. Plus, by not brushing your teeth regularly, plaque (a sticky, colorless film) builds up on your teeth.

Bad Breath can be stopped by brushing your teeth more often. Most dentists will tell you to brush three times a day, once after every meal. Don’t forget to floss and brush your tongue. The plaque found on your tongue and between your teeth is a part of the problem.

Don’t let your tongue become a dirty carpet.

Bad breath often strikes when people aren’t properly taking care of their oral health. The odor is usually caused by decaying food particles and bacteria in your mouth. That’s why brushing and flossing your teeth is so important, but don’t forget to gently brush your tongue to get rid of even more bacteria.

One of the easiest ways for a quick fix to your breath would be to keep some parsley handy. The green leafy herb that so many people use for garnish actually has a very productive purpose. Chewing on a sprig of parsley helps to absorb the substances that create the lack of freshness in your mouth, and as a bonus has several vitamins that your body could use anyway.

Eat a healthy breakfast

Quite apart from the well documented health benefits, a healthy breakfast can help with bad breath. Eating a coarse breakfast cereal like muesli, or a variety of hard fibrous fruit can help to clean the tongue as you chew and rid the mouth of odour-causing bacteria. Make sure you brush your teeth after breakfast though, so that you get rid of any food stuck in your teeth. You should wait an hour after eating before brushing your teet

Allowing a piece of chocolate to melt completely in your mouth can be helpful in ridding your breath of onion or garlic overtones. Gum and mints can also prove successful, so long as they are sugar-free - sugary gums and mints sometimes serve only to complicate your dragon breath.

Back Pain Relief through Back Massage. Massage therapy is often used by physical therapists with many other forms of active and passive therapy plus exercise and weight training to alleviate back pain. Massage therapy is also a stand-alone therapy that is used by licensed massage therapists. Massage therapists use oils for the purpose of decreasing friction during a massage. Reducing friction makes the massage more comfortable to the person receiving the massage, but the oils and reduction of friction also make the massage less effective. The less oil that can be used during a massage, the better the massage results will be.

The idea of a massage is to increase blood flow to the muscles and to relax the muscles so that the increased blood flow will continue once the massage is completed. Even those who are not trained in giving massages can help their loved ones who are suffering from back pain. Gently massaging taut muscles helps them to relax. Massages given by the untrained should be very gentle, and undue pressure should not be exerted on sore back muscles. It is possible to inflict further damage, so keep it very gentle.

Those who have been trained to give massages for the purpose of reducing pain will exert more pressure and massage tissues that are much deeper than those that can be reached by the untrained. Even very deep massages can be accomplished by well-trained masseurs without inflicting any pain. A massage given by a well-trained professional can provide almost instantaneous relief of back pain. Various back massage techniques are used. Some techniques are designed to simply relax tense muscles. Other techniques are used to promote better blood circulation and help to drain lymph glands.

Back Pain Relief Tips

Back pain just happens, and it happens to almost everybody at one time or another. “Relief” is the cry of those who suffer from back pain and back pain might be described as minor by others; but, never by the one who is suffering. Back pain not only hurts, it interferes with normal daily activities.

There are some ways to help relieve back pain until you can get the help you need. Most of the time minor back strains will simply right themselves within a few days.

1. Take Aspirin or Tylenol to help relieve some of the pain. If you have medical conditions that do not allow you to take these over-the-counter medications, you should consult with your doctor. Most people have no problem using one or the other. Neither aspirin nor Tylenol should be taken in greater dosages or more frequently than that advised on the labels.

2. Fill a tub with warm water and add a cup or two of Epson salt. Soak in the tub and add more warm water as needed. Your body will absorb magnesium from the Epson salt and magnesium is a natural muscle relaxant.

3. Use one of the over-the-counter analgesic topical rubs that are designed to help provide relief to strained muscles. Always read the directions and any warnings listed on the label.

4. Lay on your back on a hard surface (the floor or a firm mattress) and lift draw one leg up toward your chest. Catch the leg underneath the knee and draw it as far toward the chest as possible. Hold it for a few seconds. Release that leg and repeat the exercise with the other leg. Repeat several times with both legs.

Back Pain Remedies

There was most likely less back pain in earlier times because people didn’t sit in easy chairs for many hours every day. They sat on the ground or on the floor, and their back muscles developed so that they alone could provide support to the body without the aid of chair backs.

As a nation, we aren’t very likely to return to sitting on the floor or the ground. We are all rather fond of our easy chairs. When back pain strikes (and you will notice I said WHEN, not IF), you need to know what to do about it.

The first thing to do is to stop doing whatever activity you were engaged in when the back pain struck. The quicker you can stop the initial pain, the quicker the muscle is going to heal itself. You aren’t going to heal the muscle using any of the options listed below. The body will heal the muscle. These things will help you deal with the pain while your body does its thing.

1. Take an over-the counter analgesic. There is a variety to choose from and any of them will help you manage your pain. It is very important that you read and follow the directions on the labels of the product you choose. Do not take larger doses or take doses more often that directed.

2. Use an over-the-counter analgesic topical rub. It is also important to read and follow the directions for use on the label of the product that you choose.

3. Take a nice warm bath with a cup or two of Epson salt in it. Your body will absorb magnesium from the Epson salt and magnesium is a natural muscle relaxant.

We have all heard to cut alcohol out of your diet when you are attempting to lose weight. Alcohol is empty calories if you look at from the calorie perspective. There are good qualities to alcohol assuming that the consumption is moderate and not associated with any addiction. Different alcohols or spirits can be a part of a good weight loss or healthy diet. The best may be the Bacardi and Diet Coke.

First we have to look at alcohol being consumed in moderation. The liver can remove 2 glasses of beer or wine, and one mixed drink per day. Sorry, you are unable to save them up to have 10 on the weekend. On the LIVE Nutrition Plan one light beer, glass of wine, or distilled spirit is one fat exchange. The average person will have 3-4 fat exchanges throughout the day. Remember what we said about your liver, using all of your fat for alcohol would not be a good idea for the health of your liver.

Alcohol has many stress relieving properties. Alcohol is a depressant which means that it will support your ability to relax. Drinking alcohol in moderation, less than two a day, has been demonstrated to lower stress so that you live longer than people who drink no alcohol. Just remember two or less.

Light Beer on a Diet

Light beer seems to be the obvious choice when on a diet. The average lite beer is less than 100 calories with some of the new ultra beers having even less. If you can keep your consumption of these beers to two or under a day this is a good choice. The problem with lite beer is the quantity that most people can drink. Many people can consume multiple light beers with ease. Though each beer has few calories they start to add up having if you have 4-6 on a night.

Microbrews on a Diet

Wow, I get to drink dark beer on a diet? Aren’t dark beers more calories? The answer is yes dark beers are more calories; the good thing is it is easier to drink just one. The average person who could drinks 5 light beers will probably only be able to drink one dark beer, and the total calories. You total calories from one dark beer will be less than the 5 light beer calorie total.

Diet Wine

Wine in moderation has been known to lower the risk of heart disease. It doesn’t seem to be wine specifically, but the stress relieving properties of alcohol, as long as they are consumed in moderation. Wine works the same as light beer, less than 100 calories per glass and one fat exchange on the LIVE diet plan.

Bacardi and Diet Coke

One Bacardi and Diet Coke has 66 calories. Two of these mixed drinks are only a few more calories than one beer. Two Bacardi and diet Cokes are a lot less caloric than many beers on the market. This isn’t Bacardi specific, most distilled spirits and diet soda are going to be around the same number of calories. Remember that even though they have less calories, your liver doesn’t care when it comes to the amount of alcohol. Moderation of 2 or less is still best. Bacardi and Diet Coke is simply the most popular, which I found out while in Puerto Rico touring the Bacardi Distillery.

Alcohol as a part of a responsible diet can be a part of a person’s weight loss program or healthy diet. Remember the key is moderation and picking drinks lower in calories. Enjoy your next party.

These days, it seems like everyone is on some type of diet. Low fat diets, low carb diets, and low calorie diets are the most popular diets with the American public today. With low calorie diets, the number of calories in every item that the individual eats, even the calories in coffee, is added together to make the individual aware of how many calories they are eating during the day. Knowing how many calories are being consumed helps the individual manage their diet and reduce the amount of calories they eat over the course of a day.

Variables That Affect The Calories In Coffee

Counting these calories correctly can be difficult. Take the calories in coffee for instance. The calories in a cup of coffee can differ widely from person to person because there are many variables that can change the number of calories in your cup. One major difference that can change the number of calories in coffee is the size of the cup. One person may define a cup of coffee as an 8-oz mug full, while another may classify it as the 12-oz Styrofoam cup that they pick up every morning on the way to the office. To get an accurate count of the calories in coffee, a standard measurement is 8 fluid ounces or 1 Cup.

Another variable that affects the amount of calories in coffee is the specific type of the coffee. Flavored coffees generally have many more calories than a cup of plain black coffee. Differences can also range between specific brands and styles, such as Columbian Roast or Breakfast Blend. The number of calories in coffee brands is typically indicated on the label of the coffee container for consumer review.

The amount of calories in coffee has a lot to do with how it is prepared for consumption. Calories are added with each spoonful of sugar or creamer used to make the coffee more palatable. Just remember, as more things are added to the coffee, the calorie count rises. One of the additions that add the most calories is whitening agents such as cream, milk, or creamer. Depending on the amount used, an individual can add between 40 and 90 calories to eat cup of coffee with whitening agents alone.

Many of the additives used to flavor coffee, such as vanilla syrup or chocolate syrup, can also add to the calories in coffee. These flavored syrups can add 70 calories or more per shot added to the coffee. Some of these flavorings do come in sugar-free varieties, so opting for the sugar free flavorings will reduce the amount of calories in coffee drinks. By remembering that these agents all add calories to your cup of coffee, you can effectively manage your diet and reduce the amount of calories in your coffee.

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