Powerful Health Benefits of Taking a Bath

Head pounding from sinus pressure brought on by seasonal allergies? Muscles aching from a stressful week at work? Having trouble getting to sleep at night? You might think that these seemingly non-related minor health issues wouldn’t have anything in common, except you would be wrong.

Turns out one very simple and often overlooked activity could be the key to fixing them . . . taking a bath.

Alleviates Muscle Aches
Lower back and neck pain are all too often realities for people living in the digital age, many of whom spend day in and day out sitting at a desk working on a computer, practicing poor posture habits and barely getting enough stretching or exercising in each week. Baths provide a unique opportunity for muscles to be swathed in warm water, helping to reduce inflammation, boost blood circulation, and mitigate the pain signals being sent back to the brain.

Similar to applying a heat pad to a sore back, lying in warm bath water can alleviate dull aches and muscle tension, and potentially prevent you from having to take over the counter pain medicine. Arthritic joints that experience stiffness, inflammation, and pain can also receive relief both in and out of the bath. Some hydrotherapies involve lying in a cool bath, or ice bath, and when a person then transitions into a warm bath, blood flow rushes back through vessels and arteries flushing out lactic acid and built-up waste byproducts, and delivering fresh oxygen and nutrients to fight inflammation and aid tissue repair.

Improves Sinus Pressure
Pressure, pain, and headaches symptomatic of sinus inflammation can be debilitating, making it hard to carry on with even the simplest daily tasks. The cheekbones, forehead, and bridge of the nose may ache from a sinus infection, seasonal allergies, a cold, the flu, and so on. What causes that pain? Most often, sinus pressure results from inflammation of the lining of the nasal passageways as well as potential buildup of mucus and other gunk in the nasal cavities that result in a blockage.

The steam from a hot bath can provide temporary relief of some sinus pressure by opening up nasal passageways and eliminating some of the blockage. Nasal tissue inflamed from constant sneezing and blowing of the nose can also benefit from relaxing steam from a bath, especially when the water is enhanced with essential oils like peppermint or eucalyptus. Scientists have also found that elevated body temperatures (like with a fever or taking a bath) actually stimulate a more powerful immune response in the body which can potentially help you stave off infections.

Nourishes and Hydrates Skin
Did you know that an estimated 500 million skin cells will die off on the surface of your body every single day? While many fall off and become dust on your shelves and windowsills, millions remain building up, clogging pores, and making the appearance of your skin seem dull or rough. Taking a warm bath after exfoliating your skin can do wonders from scrubbing away built-up dead skin cells to improving tone, texture, and pore size. Experts recommend first showering and exfoliating with a cloth, gloves, or brush like a back scrubber - for back scrubbers, click this URL.

This washes off dead and damaged skin cells, oils, lotions, and any other potential contaminants that were on your skin. Following this routine with a warm bath then helps to rehydrate your skin, which is technically the largest organ on your body. The heat of the water raises both your temperature, which may cause you to sweat, your body’s natural cleansing process, as well as your heart rate, stimulating lymphatic flow and blood circulation.

Promotes Healthy Sleep
The combination of pain relief, cleansing, and stress relief a bath brings is in itself a recipe for better sleep at night, however, there is a unique way a warm bath also aids this process. The body naturally enters a cool down period when it is time to sleep, helping you relax and enter a deep unconsciousness where system functions start to repair, from the brain to your muscles.

When you exit a warm bath into naturally cooler air, especially right before bedtime, melatonin release is triggered in the body, a hormone which is responsible for helping you fall asleep. Bathing by candlelight, listening to calming music, and avoiding looking at digital devices prior to bed may help you fall asleep faster and even get better quality sleep.

This is a guest blog entry.

5 ways to ensure that you recover effectively

Being unwell is never a pleasant experience. It can be extremely frustrating to sit around and wait for the moment that you start to feel better. That is why you should be doing everything in your power to make sure that your recovery goes to plan.

Even small changes can make a huge difference. If you are desperate to be fighting fit again, you should read on. Below are five ways to ensure that you recover effectively.

Get lots of rest

If you are an active person, spending your days in bed may seem like a nightmare. However, plenty of sleep is one of the best ways to speed up your recovery. If you struggle to get a decent amount of rest, you could always try meditation. Alternatively, you could read or listen to soothing music. The important thing is to avoid overstimulating your mind. Being as relaxed as possible will help you to sleep well.

Recuperate in a pleasant environment

Make sure that you are recuperating in a pleasant environment. If you are surrounded by clutter and chaos, it will be extremely difficult to relax. That is why you need to clear the space around you. If you are not up to tidying, ask one of your loved ones to step in. You should also fill the room with items that bring your joy. You should surround yourself with positive affirmations and images that bring back good memories. This will provide both motivation and comfort.

Think about hygiene

If you are receiving visitors, you will need to think about hygiene. Make sure that you have an antibacterial gel in your room. Encourage everyone to use it when they are entering and leaving. You should also ask them to thoroughly wash their hands. When your body is recovering, it is more susceptible to illness and infection. Instead of being able to battle off a simple cold, you are much more likely to be affected. That is why you need to take every precaution possible.

Purchase the right equipment

Don’t forget to purchase the right equipment to help you with your recovery. This is one of the best ways to speed up your progress. For instance, if you are waiting for a wound to heal, you will need use the correct bandages. Tegaderm Transparent Film Dressing, provides a comprehensive bacterial and viral barrier. It is also flexible enough to allow for greater patient comfort. Why settle for a less than satisfactory product, when you can purchase equipment that is specifically designed to promote a more effective recovery?

Challenge yourself

When it comes to your recovery, you want to be making progress each day. That is why it is essential that you challenge yourself. You need to visualize feeling completely better and take consistent steps towards this outcome. However, it is vital that you do this in accordance with your doctor’s recommendations. Pushing yourself too far could result in a major setback. You need to strike the right balance between perseverance and patience.

This is a guest blog entry.

Hernia Guide - Causes, Symptoms, Treatment

Ever wondered how all of your internal organs stay in place? Connective tissues that vary from thin internal skins to a comprehensive network of nerves, blood and lymph vessels help keep organs in placed - they include areolar tissue, reticular tissue, and adipose tissue.

Sometimes, however, organs can bust through those protective tissues which hold them in place and cause real trouble - you know this occurrence by the term “hernia.”

What is a Hernia?
Occasionally, an organ will actually push through an opening in the tissue or muscle holding it in place leading to a painful and potentially dangerous injury called a hernia. Most often occurring in the abdominal region, hernias may also develop around the groin, belly, and upper thigh. If you discover a visible lump that doesn’t reduce in size and feels tender or aches, you should consult your doctor right away in case you do have a hernia. Symptoms of hernias depend on the type of hernia you have. Based on a physical exam, medical history, and discussion of recent strain and symptoms, your primary care doctor should be able to assist you in a customized treatment plan to prevent the hernia from worsening.

What Causes a Hernia?
Hernias may develop almost immediately or over a prolonged period of time. A combination of strain and muscle weakness is often the cause for a hernia. Damaged tissue from an injury or surgery, older age, chronic coughing, or some congenital defects can lead to weakness in connective tissues which can’t reinforce their own walls.

Strain can then result from a variety of activities from lifting heavy loads to sudden weight gain, excessive coughing or sneezing, constipation, buildup of abdominal fluid, and even being pregnant. When the weakened muscle causes an abnormal opening, the contained organ (like the intestines) will exit through the opening resulting in a bulge. Factors which put you at risk for developing a hernia include:

•    Family history of hernias
•    Chronic cough (and things which cause chronic cough like cystic fibrosis, smoking, etc.)
•    Chronic constipation (leads to strain when having a bowel movement)
•    Being obese or simply overweight

What are the Types of Hernias?
4 main types of hernias exist, varying in degree of severity as well as requirement of invasive treatment.

Inguinal hernia: The most common type of hernia, inguinal hernias result from the intestines actually pushing through a weakened or defective area of the inguinal canal (lower abdominal wall). These types of hernias are more common in men and can lead to symptoms including weakness, pressure, or a heavy dragging feeling in the groin as well as burning or aching at the site of a visible bulge, and pain or discomfort in the groin when coughing, lifting, or bending over. Note: A femoral hernia also appears in the groin, and while rare, most often develops in women who are overweight or pregnant.

Hiatal hernia: Hiatal hernias affect the diaphragm, the respiratory muscle used to help breathe in air. When part of your stomach bulges through the hiatus, the small opening of the diaphragm meant for the esophagus to go through to the stomach, a hiatal hernia occurs in your chest cavity. Symptoms of a hiatal hernia include heartburn, difficulty swallowing, chest pain, abdominal pain, belching, feeling super full after a meal, or even vomiting or excreting blood.

Umbilical hernia: While having the potential to affect adults, these types of hernias are most common in infants under 6 months old whose abdominal walls are still strengthening. A bulge in or near a baby’s belly button might indicate a hernia where an intestinal loop has pushed through the abdominal wall near the belly button. In addition to a visible protrusion, babies may experience pain, tenderness at the site, swelling, discoloration, or they may begin vomiting.

Incisional hernia: Following some type of surgery to the abdomen, you may experience a hernia where the intestines pokes through the incision site where the surgical wound never completely healed. The hernia may occur right at the scar, or in the surrounding, weakened tissues. A visible lump may be accompanied by pain, swelling, fever, and pressure.

How Are Hernias Treated?
Hernia treatment can vary from simple monitoring to surgical intervention. Depending on the severity of your hernia and its effects in the body, your medical care team will strategize a treatment plan that may include:

•    Exercises to strengthen the muscles around a hernia site
•    Dietary modifications to address acid reflux of a hiatal hernia
•    Activity limitations to avoid strain, lifting, and bending
•    Wearing a hernia belt to compress the raised bulge and alleviate pain
•    Medication to reduce stomach acid
•    If necessary, surgery to return the organ to its proper area and close off the tissue opening

Even if a raised bump or bulge doesn’t feel painful or tender, it’s critical to seek a medical evaluation as fast as possible. All hernias have the potential to lead to more complicated or life-threatening conditions like obstructed bowels, intestinal strangulation, and infection.

This is a guest blog post.

Potential Mental Problems Each Gambler Shares

Every gambler who has a gambling problem eventually loses control over the amount of money and time he or she spends in gambling. They start focusing more on gambling and forget about all other duties and the damage that gambling can cause. This eventually can lead to mental problems.

Mental problems caused by gambling

1.    Depression and anxiety

Most gamblers who gamble too much have mixed feelings. They know that their gambling addiction is affecting the people who love them and they get more anxious and sad and they may even hate themselves. However the desire to gamble is so high that they can’t control it. They feel that they cannot do away with the money, time, and emotion that they have put into gambling. They find it difficult to accept that they will never recover whatever that they have lost.

There are others who try to quit gambling but it is not easy. They fear getting caught by their loved ones and this drives them into hiding and into dept. They go on believing that they will win huge from casino offers such as free spins and put an end to all their problems. This can lead to depression and anxiety.

 

Depression, anxiety and stress are common to both the gambler and his loved ones. This makes thinking, sleeping, and solving issues difficult. Symptoms and possible indicators of major depression include:

●    Losing interest in the things one used to love doing.
●    Feeling depressed, irritable, and down.
●    Difficulties in falling asleep, poor sleep, or sleeping too much.
●    Change in appetite.
●    Gaining or losing weight.
●    Feeling hopeless, helpless, or despairing.
●    Finding it difficult to recall things and thoughts becoming slower.
●    Going over guilty feelings from time to time.
●    Feeling tired, heavy and slow, or feeling jumpy and uneasy.
●    Feeling angry
●    Contemplating suicide.
●    Ulcers
●    Muscle pain

2.    Suicide risk

The rate of committing suicide is very high for those that gamble too much. The ones who are highly capable of attempting suicide are those who have also suffered mental problems like depression or use of drugs. Those that have threatened to commit suicide in the past are also at a higher risk.

https://pixabay.com/en/people-emotion-dramatic-female-1492052/

 3.   Compulsive gambling

This is where a person seeks greater excitement while expecting a huge return for little or zero effort. Criminal thinking processes can exist in a person with such choices. They include:

●     Looking for huge payoffs for little effort.
●     Unrealistic expectations.
●     Lying by commission or omission to people who may hold them accountable.
●     Ignoring the consequences of one's actions.
●     Super-optimism in counting on an ultimate big score.
●     Betrayal of trust (for example, of workmates and family members).

Conclusion

Other mental problems associated with gambling include attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and bipolar disorder. These are serious problems which must be expedited for treatment. With the right treatment, gambling addicts can recover and become a winner for life.

This is a guest blog entry.

Key Risk Factors for Low Back Pain

Suffering from chronic low back pain? Looking to prevent old back pain from returning? Turns out a handful of activities you do and don’t do could be putting you at risk.

Low back pain is essentially any ache or soreness targeted to the lumbar spine region of the back where the spine is curved inwards toward the abdomen. The comprehensive system of musculoskeletal components that make up the lumbar spine area include bones, muscles, tendons, nerve roots, spinal discs, and joints. Any of these can potentially be involved in injury or strain.

Pain typically results from inflammation of muscles, tendons, and joints which puts pressure on vulnerable nerve endings. Additionally, sometimes the spongy pads (discs) that sit between each of the vertebrae and serve as shock absorbers degenerate or herniate, which can also cause moderate to severe pain.

So what are you doing that is putting you at risk for low back pain?

Sedentary Lifestyle
You may have heard the new saying “sitting is the new smoking” which refers to the health dangers associated with prolonged sitting. A new study from the Annals of Internal Medicine has found in the most serious degree that prolonged sitting, 12+ hours a day, especially for folks spending 60 to 90 minutes sitting at one time, can increase your risk of early death. Back pain from sitting might not seem as grave as those findings, however, it could be a more prevalent reality in your life.

When you spend significant amounts of time sitting down, you place up to 90% more pressure on the spine than you do when you’re standing. A hunched, rounded back can lead to muscle tension, pelvic imbalance, and constant strain in muscles and other connective tissues coming off the spine. Experts recommend never going more than 30 minutes sitting without standing up to stretch and briefly walk around.

Overweight / Obese
An astonishing 1 in 3 adults in the U.S. is obese according to StateofObesity.org. In addition to generating chronic low back pain, being overweight or obese increases risk for developing debilitating conditions like heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and dementia. There are a handful of indirect ways obesity can cause low back pain including promoting inactivity and altering center of gravity.

When you carry extra weight, especially around the abdomen/midsection of the body, your center of gravity is actually pulled forward. This can impact the way you sit, stand, and walk, causing you to pull forward than you normally should and causing your spine and back muscles to work harder to keep you supported and the aligned. Inactivity in the form of avoiding exercise also contributes to low back pain by preventing tense muscles and stiff joints from becoming stretched and lubricated, which allows for more circulation and less inflammation.

Physical Labor Job
One of the top causes of acute low back pain would have to be strain and injury from physical labor jobs which either require heavy lifting or repeated movements involving the back. Good examples include baggage handling jobs at airports, working in a warehouse, nursing involving lifting patients, or even hauling a growing baby and diaper bag daily like many new moms do.

The continuous bending, arching, twisting of the back combined with pulling, pushing, and lifting of heavy work pulls on crucial muscles in the back causing them to become inflamed, tense, and stiff. In addition to pain, you might experience spasms and limited range of motion. Experts recommend people in these fields avoid lifting more than 50 pounds at a time, wear proper fitting and supportive shoes, consider wearing an orthotic aid like a back brace, do gentle spinal stretches to lengthen and reinforce the spine, and always use help (from others or equipment) when possible.

Poor Posture Habits
Say you don’t have a job that requires awkward body positions or heavy lifting, and that you don’t spend most of the day sitting, could you still be doing something that is causing your back pain? Absolutely. Poor posture habits, either with sitting or standing are possibly the biggest culprit when it comes to back pain. Everything from slouching and slumping when sitting, to crossing your legs, leaning on one leg when standing, and craning your neck and head past your shoulders when staring down at a device like your laptop or smartphone.

The more work your back muscles have to do to keep your spine straight, aligned, and supported, the more inflamed and strained they become. Don’t fret though, there are myriad ways you can address bad posture and reverse those dangerous habits. Fortify the back with exercises that gently stretch back muscles and strengthen your core. Use ergonomic cushions like a lumbar support pillow for the car or desk chair. Sit on a stability ball when working at a desk instead of in a chair, or invest in a standing desk. There are even smartphone apps you can download like Perfect Posture Workout (iOS) and Perfect Posture (Android) that alert you when you need to correct your posture.

This is a guest blog post.

Health Benefits of Volunteering

When it comes to enhancing your own health and well-being, diet and exercise are typically top of mind, however, there are a handful of other activities that play important roles too. Volunteering covers all your bases - physical activity, social engagement, and feeling the positive effects of helping others. Healthwise, volunteering has been shown to:

Combat High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure, hypertension, plagues millions of Americans and is a key risk factor for developing a host of conditions including heart disease and diabetes. When the blood vessels in your body narrow or your heart becomes weakened, your heart must pump blood through with greater force to keep up with the circulation needs of all your organs, nerves, and so on. The higher that force, or pressure, the more stress and strain it places on the cardiovascular system and critical organs, even the brain. Findings from a 2013 study found specifically that older adults who volunteer regularly are less likely to develop hypertension than non-volunteers.

Relieves Stress
While a calming yoga session or relaxing music might be your go-to stress relievers, getting busy helping others might also do the trick. Volunteering has the unique power to help those serving others gain new perspectives and outlooks on life, don a sense of purpose and fulfillment to life, as well as engage them with groups that share their interests and passions. Even altruistic volunteering done largely to make one feel good about oneself can bring about feelings of confidence, self-reliance, and purpose that may have been lacking.

Improves Cognitive Function
As volunteering requires both physical and emotional contributions, it can be a powerful activity for improving brain health. A 2009 study from John Hopkins University found that elderly adults at higher risk for cognitive decline benefitted from volunteering as mentors for young people. Brain scan evidence revealed that crucial regions of the brain responsible for planning and decision-making actually experienced short-term gains and were matched by positive behavioral improvements too.

Boosts Mood
You know that little high you get when you eat chocolate or spend time with a good friend? That “pleasurable” feeling is actually the result of the hormone dopamine being produced in your brain. Turns out volunteering can also stimulate dopamine release, turning your time helping others into a feel-good sensation you will want to get more of. Prioritizing giving back by scheduling time to serve even when you are busy has also been shown to enhance feelings of personal efficiency and know-how.

Can Give You a Workout
Volunteering and service projects which incorporate physical labor can be beneficial to your mind and body by providing a low-impact workout that gets your heart pumping and your body sweating. Everything from building houses to highway cleanups, running camp activities, or volunteering to walk dogs for the local animal shelter can provide a physical workout that helps strengthen your muscles and bones.

Looking for health-benefiting volunteer ideas for the fall?
The beautiful weather of fall matched with an abundance of holiday activity make the last few months of the year the perfect time for volunteering. Fall service ideas include:

•    Volunteering at a fall festival or carnival in your community
•    Running or walking in a fall or holiday charity athletic event that raises money for a good cause
•    Installing fall prevention equipment like shower grab bars, railings, and ramps for an elderly neighbor
•    Serving at a local food bank or homeless shelter during the holidays
•    Walking and grooming dogs for the local animal shelter
•    Helping rebuild houses and communities impacted by recent hurricanes
•    Participating in a highway, neighborhood, park, trail or river cleanup
•    Rake leaves or shovel snow for a local nonprofit or homeless shelter

Where time and budget allows, volunteering also affords you the opportunity to travel and widen your horizons. “Voluntourism” is popular in many countries where people who want to travel and help others are put up for weeks or months at a time and can do a range of things from teaching to building houses and helping the environment. Look for volunteer opportunities near your with free online services like CreatetheGood.org and Volunteermatch.org.

This is a guest blog entry.

8 most common Sleep disorders that plague adults

In this busy life we all lead, sleep is one of the most important factors, combined with exercise and nutrition, that keeps us going. To ensure that we can accomplish everything we do every single day, we must get a good night sleep. Eight hours of uninterrupted sleep is the best scenario, but unfortunately it is an impossible target for about one third of the population. Several sleep disorders plague about 30% of the population, all over the world.

REM sleep behaviour disorder is extremely rare and consists of intense movement during sleep. The affected person could suddenly trash about in their sleep and even fall off their bed on occasion.

Narcolepsy occurs when the brain does not control the REM sleep cycle appropriately. This causes a person to fall asleep at the most peculiar moments or spend their days in some kind of daze; stuck in an in-between state where they are neither fully asleep nor fully awake. Bruxism, or teeth grinding is not only annoying for the people sleeping near the affected person, it has significant side effects. The person who grinds their teeth during their sleep will generally wake up with a sore jaw and severe headaches. This condition can be helped with the use of a mouth guard, but the underlying cause of stress should be identified to help the person reach better sleep.

Sleep terrors and sleep walking, although different, are generally more frequent in children. Sleep terrors manifest themselves with the person screaming in their sleep and waking up terrified, having a deep feeling of fear and danger. Adults suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) could also experience night terrors. Sleepwalking occurs when a person is walking about while not fully awake or conscious. It is generally due to fever, lack of sleep, or medication.

RLS or restless leg syndrome is a sleep disorder that reaches more than the legs. The affected person has an uncontrollable urge to move the limbs over 100 times during the night. Fortunately, the condition can improve with regular physical activity and diminution of caffeine absorption.

The last two disorders are the most frequent, affecting a large percentage of the population. Sleep apnea can be found in 10% of the population. It happens when a person’s airways, in the throat, get obstructed, therefore preventing the affected person from breathing properly. The brain then signals the person to wake up to re-open the obstructed airway. Far from ideal, this condition can cause side effects such as high blood pressure and constant tiredness. Someone suffering from sleep apnea might not be aware of their condition, but their loud snoring is sure to have been noticed by their partner.

Aside from losing weight, a good solution to this condition is the use of a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) device such as ResMed machines that push air through your throat, forcing it to remain open. Finally, insomnia is the most common of all sleep disorders and can be caused by stress, anxiety, depression as well as drug or alcohol abuse. A person suffering from insomnia might have difficulty falling asleep or might wake up during the night and not be able to get back to sleep. Aside from medication, cognitive behavioral therapy might be necessary to resolve the problem.     

For more detail on each disorder, consult the articles provided by the sleep foundation. Because of the seriousness of sleeping disorders, it is important to consult a sleep doctor if you or someone you know suffer from one of the conditions mentioned in this article. Trying to solve the issue on your own might prove more problematic in the long run. Don’t delay and contact your sleeping expert rapidly.

This is a guest blog entry.