Six Common Liposuction Myths Finally Busted

Cosmetic procedures are becoming a lot more popular these days, which has caused a few problems. When more people begin discussing a subject, myths magically appear out of thin air. There are lots when it comes to liposuction.

This doesn't bode well for anyone considering it in the future. They'll be basing decisions on a few false truths. I think it's time we finally set the record straight. Let's bust a few common liposuction myths once and for all.

Myth 1. Liposuction Is Only for Women

There is a certain stigma attached to liposuction when it comes to men. It's long been considered something only women can enjoy for many years. Luckily, a quick look at the numbers shows attitudes are changing.

One big liposuction benefit is attracting men in droves. Once you've had liposuction your muscles will look a lot more defined. Why spend months in the gym when you can get the same results with a quick procedure?

Myth 2. It's a Great Weight Loss Tool

Liposuction can help you lose fat in stubborn areas around the body, but it's not a great weight loss tool. After you've recovered from your procedure you will still have to hit the gym.

Fat cells in other parts of your body will always find ways to pick up the slack. When you stop exercising you'll end up with problems somewhere else. Think of liposuction as a supplement to working out.

Myth 3. A Tummy Tuck Isn't the Same Thing

Even though a tummy tuck sounds like a fancy name for liposuction it's not the same thing. It's easy to get confused because they're usually carried out at the same time. Tummy tucks have to do with loose skin.

If you have lots of loose skin around your abdominal area, tummy tucks will remove it and tighten everything up. Liposuction comes into play when there is also a significant amount of body fat.

Myth 4. You're Too Old for Liposuction

When you have a medical procedure carried out your chronological age doesn't come into the equation. It's got more to do with your physiological age. That means if you're in good health liposuction isn't dangerous.

Obviously those who exercise on a regular basis will have a body much younger than their date of birth. The only real problem with older people is the fact there is less elasticity in their skin.

Myth 5. Your Cellulite Will Disappear

Women used to think liposuction got rid of cellulite, which was one of the reasons it was so popular. It does kind of make sense when you think about it. Sadly, we now know it's a myth that won't disappear.

There are a few treatments you can opt for if you're desperate to get rid of cellulite. Combine any with liposuction for even better results. Just don't think a miracle is going to happen when your fat is sucked out.

Myth 6. It's Ideal for Maximum Fat Loss

Do you want them to take out as much fat as possible during your liposuction procedure? Common sense says yes, but it's actually the wrong answer. It's not designed for maximum fat loss.

Liposuction is supposed to sculpt your body so you look great. This doesn't have anything to do with a specific amount of fat. Your surgeon will know the perfect amount to extract from your body.

Liposuction Can Easily Change Your Life

When you undergo liposuction it can change your life for the better, so it's important to dispel any myths surrounding it. You can't decide whether or not to try it if you don't know the facts.

This is a guest blog entry.

Cold and allergy season is here! What to do with winter upon us

We stand at the threshold between autumn and winter, which can be a time fraught with illness and allergic responses. Not only are many of the plant-born allergens present, as many common irritants bloom and seed before winter, but the sudden change in weather can fuel the spread of the common cold.

While those suffering from allergies often have their regimen well in hand, how can we better combat the passage of the rhinovirus and shorten the duration of a cold if we succumb? In the article below, we’ll discuss cold medications and cold and allergy palliative measures to help you stay healthy and resilient this winter.

Know the Enemy

Several viruses cause colds, formally known as coronaviruses or rhinoviruses. Many lack this basic understanding and believe that once caught that a cold can be “cured” by various methods. This belief is patently false. To date, there is no vaccine for any form of the common cold. Some individuals believe that antibiotics are effective. However, due to the nature of broad-spectrum antibiotics, the result is often to compound the illness; unnecessary antibiotics weaken your body’s ability to repel additional infections and fight existing viral incursions.

So, you might wonder what use many OTC medications are if they don’t cure the disease. The good news is that, while that’s true, what you can do is bolster your body’s natural ability to fight the cold virus and shorten the duration of the cold. This is the purpose of many of the over the counter cold medicines currently available. For very young individuals suffering from colds, be wary about what remedies you apply, since some OTC medicines can cause dangerous side effects in children.

An Ounce of Prevention

Of course, if you can, improve your chances of deflecting the cold viruses to which you are exposed. Wash your hands frequently or use alcohol-based hand sanitizers. Avoid touching your face during the day, since the human fingertip picks up more contaminants and particulate matter than any other part of your body.

Stay hydrated. The drying impacts of central heating and sudden temperature changes when transitioning from indoor to outdoor activities render your mucous membranes—sinus, throat, and eyes—vulnerable to infection. And take plenty of vitamin D, since less sunlight and more clothing naturally lower our body’s ability to produce this essential vitamin, which is responsible for respiratory health, among other things.

Of course, if you do succumb to a cold, there are measures and OTC cold medications that can shorten your illness. Most medical professionals recommend hydration with broth, tea, water, and juice paired with plenty of restorative sleep. Rest is the ultimate weapon against disease.

Zinc and magnesium are two substances that will also help shorten the duration of symptoms and can be found in remedies from lozenges to nasal swabs. Throat sprays and lozenges are great ways to soothe sore throats, and saline will alleviate congestion when applied through the nostril.

If you suffer from frequent respiratory illness, it might be a good idea to focus on boosting your immune system with preventative measures. However, for most of us, cold medications and therapeutic strategies can alleviate the worst impacts of these viruses. During cold and allergy season, it’s important to know what can work and what just won’t suffice to ameliorate the agony of the common cold.

This is a guest blog entry.

Factors To Think About When Purchasing A New Mattress

Each day is only 24 hours long. When you consider that 8 of those hours are spent sleeping, it is easy to see why it is so important to buy a well-made mattress that will help you get the sleep that you need. Luckily, finding the ideal mattress is easier than you might think.

The key is to focus on quality. If you choose a poorly made mattress, you can wind up experiencing countless problems ranging from back pain to poor sleep quality. These factors can have a negative impact on your life, leaving you feeling exhausted, sore, and unmotivated.

Although there is no cut-and-dry formula that works for everyone when it comes to choosing a mattress, the tips in the following section can help make the process of choosing the right mattress easier.

1. Do Research Ahead Of Time

One of the best ways to make sure that you are buying a high-quality mattress is by doing research ahead of time. This includes reading reviews from other people who have already purchased any of the mattresses that you are interested in. Try to find reviews that are written by people who are dealing with similar issues to your own. For instance, if you experience back pain on a regular basis, you should try to find reviews from other back pain sufferers. This can give you a better idea of how well the mattress will suit your unique needs.

Of course, nothing compares to being able to try out a mattress in person before you buy it. Once you have an idea of which mattresses you are interested in, you can visit stores in your area to view them in person. Because you educated yourself ahead of time, you don't have to worry about falling victim to a slick salesman.

2. Choose How Firm You Want Your Mattress To Be

There is a common misconception that firm mattresses are the best choice for back pain sufferers. In fact, however, that isn't always true. Many people who suffer from back pain do best with a mattress that has a medium firmness such as this T&N mattress. These mattresses are soft enough to be comfortable yet firm enough to provide support. When testing mattresses in the store, don't just get on them and get right back off again. Instead, lay on them for a minimum of 10 minutes. Although you may feel a bit self-conscious about doing this, it really is the best way to get a feel for whether or not a mattress is right for you. If you spend any less time than that, you won't really be able to get a sense of how comfortable the mattress is.

3. Consider Getting Input From A Chiropractor

If you regularly experience back pain, a chiropractor may be able to advise you on which type of mattress is best. If you already see a chiropractor for your pain, try bringing it up at your next appointment. Chances are, your doctor will be more than happy to help you find a mattress that will give you the support that you need.

4. Think About Getting An Adjustable Mattress
Today's most innovative adjustable mattresses allow you to not only adjust the angle of the mattress but also its firmness. This can provide you with a lot more flexibility in terms of your sleeping arrangements. You can experiment with different levels of firmness or bed positions until you find the settings that provide you with the best night's sleep.

5. Invest Your Money Wisely

Be prepared to pay a relatively large amount of money for a high-quality mattress. Cheaper mattresses may seem like a good deal. In fact, however, they rarely provide enough support for a good night's sleep.

Make sure that the mattress you choose has a warranty available. Most reputable manufacturers guarantee their products for a minimum of 10 years. Some companies even provide a guarantee where you can get your money back if the mattress doesn't live up to your expectations. At the very least, the company that you buy the mattress from should be willing to give you your money back within a 30-day window of your purchase if the mattress fails to meet your needs.

This is a guest blog entry.

Is surgery the only solution for treating hernia or it's possible to treat it without surgery?

A hernia is a somewhat unusual condition that can look like a bulge or swelling coming through your body. A hernia is when an organ or fatty tissue protrudes through a weak spot (abnormal opening) in the surrounding muscle or tissue that normally holds it in place. This can makes the organ/tissue clearly visible on your body.

All hernias occur due to the heavy pressure exertion combined with weakness of the muscles or tissue. There are many different types of hernia that can occur in your body such as the stomach groin, and belly button. They can occur in adults and children. Hernias can be very painful although not all hernias cause pain.

Most cases of hernia are treated with surgery. However, if the condition is not posing a significant health risk, then there are non-surgical approaches that can be used.  One option is a natural herbal medicine from Grocare known as Hernica which is used to treat hernia by strengthening digestion, reducing constipation, reducing inflammation, and making the muscles loose. This reduces pressure on the muscle wall. Another herbal medicine from Grocare is known as ACIDIM , which is designed to improve the ph acid balance of the intestinal and abdominal system.

Here is some more information on natural remedies to follow and options on how to get rid of a hernia naturally. In addition, here are some other tips that can help prevent hernia.

Proper Dietary Intake:

Proper daily dietary intake is important in reducing harmful impacts on your body. Food should be consumed in proper quantity, being careful not to overstuff yourself as this puts unnecessary pressure on the intestines and abdominal area. Natural foods such as vegetables (e.g., salad), fresh fruit, and juice have positive health impacts on your intestines as they help keep the intestines moving in a healthy way and provide many important vitamins and minerals.

Exercise and Yoga:

Exercise is one of the best ways to remain physically fit and conveys mental health benefits as well. A daily exercise routine between 20 and 60 minutes is ideal. Exercise can strengthen the abdominal wall when done properly but when done improperly it can lead to hernia. Thus, make sure you are using proper form when exercising. If you have already been diagnosed with a hernia, please consult with a doctor before exercising to make sure you are not doing anything to worsen the situation.

Yoga is a group of physical, mental, and spiritual practices that also conveys many health benefits. Yoga contains many different types of stretching exercises that can help strengthen and loose muscles. This may provide some benefit in hernia treatment, although yoga cannot cure hernia in isolation. Yoga can also reduce fatigue and improve motivation, which can make you more likely to exercise.

Lastly, be sure to consult with your doctor for additional hernia prevention and treatment options.

This is a guest blog entry.

Essiac Tea Powder - Pros And Cons

Essiac was introduced to the public through all of the tireless work of Rene Caisse, who was a Canadian nurse.  She used Essiac for treating cancer patients for more than 50 years, with a multitude of successful cases being reported.

Over her decades of working with Essiac, Rene Caisse used the mixture exclusively in tea form, except for the sheep sorrel's component for intramuscular injection during her early days.  As more people started using Essiac, other forms for ingesting herbs started appearing in the market, specifically capsules, tonics, and tinctures.  And although consumers have the freedom now for choosing among various forms, you do need to be aware of what the advantages and disadvantages are that are associated with them.

Essiac Capsule Advantages  

A majority of people agree that the most convenient way for ingesting herbs is to take Essiac in capsule form.  That is probably the most compelling reason why to choose capsules instead of other forms.  Tinctures and teas both require a degree of having to measure an Essiac dose and mixing with a beverage like water.  On the other hand, capsules may be taken right out of the bottle.  Capsules, like tinctures, have an advantage over tea due to how convenient they are to store based on their small volume and not having to be refrigerated.  In addition, capsules are very well suited to continue using Essiac while you are traveling.

Essiac Capsule Disadvantages    

The benefits received from Essiac depend on what the bioavailability is from the molecules that are in the constituent herbs.  What that means is the molecules need to be extracted from herbs in some way.  To release these biologically useful molecules out of the herbs that are contained in Essiac (or another herbal mixture), these herbs need to be immersed in some kind of solvent, which is usually water and/or alcohol.  When it comes to teas, boiling water is used to extract molecules.  With tinctures, the process takes place through using alcohol to steep the herbs for days or even weeks.  When it comes to capsules, there isn't any extraction before ingesting the Essiac.   

The extraction that Essiac capsules rely on is through exposing the capsules to oral water, digestive enzymes, and stomach acid intake.  Many people think that results in decreased potency and reduced absorption of essential compounds for capsules.  Also, the constituent herbs going into capsules are in the form of powder, which tends to decrease potency when it has been a long time since the herbs had been pulverized.  There is one potential solution to the problem of unknown periods of time since the powdering herbs happened is creating your own capsules completely from scratch.  It is possible to get the supplies from a health store.  Many individuals who are open to making capsules are much more likely to do it mainly to use while they are traveling when they empty the contents of the capsule into their boiled water for making tea.   

In addition, there are numerous Essiac fans who are strongly opposed to any other form besides traditional tea.  For this perspective, all of the decades worth of positive outcomes that Caisse experienced were solely from tea, and therefore Essiac consumers should stay faithful to this form.  All of the evidence for the efficacy of Essiac comes from research and using the tea, where capsules and tinctures are not studied too much.  For people who are reasonably healthy, it is a very convenient way for ingesting beneficial herbs. 

There are several forms that Essiac comes in, from the traditional, well-studied tea, to capsules and tinctures.  Although there is a strong argument that capsules are the most convenient form, there are also concerns about their potency as well as their ability to providing the key compounds that are responsible for the proposed health benefits of Essiac.

This is a guest blog entry.

Why Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is a Growing Health Problem

Imagine what you would feel if you want to go outside to enjoy a beautiful summer day but your feet refuse to take you there. Imagine wanting to pinch the cheeks of your cute nephew but your arms lay limp beside you. You cannot move them even if you want to. That’s what it feels like to live with a condition known as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis or Lou Gehrig's disease.

According to John Hopkins Medicine, approximately 30,000 people in the United States are living with ALS. Although the disease usually develops between ages 40 and 70, there are also reported cases of ALS in individuals who are in their 20s and 30s.

Understanding the Nature of ALS
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is not a communicable disease. It is a group of progressive neurologic diseases affecting the neurons (nerve cells) that control the voluntary movement of your muscles. Your voluntary muscles are the ones that allow you to move, eat, talk, and walk. They also affect your breathing.

In order for you to move, your brain sends signals to your motor neurons (the ones responsible for voluntary movement) to stimulate your voluntary muscles to move. In ALS, your motor neurons slowly deteriorate and die. This cuts off the connection and path of communication between your brain and your voluntary muscles. Without this connection, your muscles will no longer be able to execute what your brain wants them to do because they cannot receive the impulse (the command or the message) anymore.

Although the progression of the disease varies from person to person, a majority of patients with ALS die due to respiratory organ failure within 3-5 years from the first appearance of the signs and symptoms. Only 10% of the diagnosed cases survive for longer than 10 years.

Who are at Risk?
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis doesn’t discriminate among the different ethnicities. It can affect people from any racial background. The following identified risk factors can predispose you to have ALS:

• Age group. ALS can affect any age group but reports have shown that people who are 55 to 75 years old are more at risk.
• Sex. The disease is more common in men by 20% but it still affects both sexes.
• Ethnic background. Although ALS can occur is any ethnicity, the disease more commonly develops in Caucasians.
• Military veterans. The US Department of Veterans Affairs classifies ALS as a service-connected disease. This is because it has been shown that veterans are twice more likely to develop ALS. The rationale for this remains unclear but exposure to environmental hazards and toxins is being considered.

Signs and Symptoms of ALS
The onset of the signs and symptoms of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is gradual in nature. Hence, it is often dismissed or overlooked until it develops into a more severe form of weakness.

In the early stage of the disease, the following usually develops:
•    Cramping or twitching of the hand and feet muscles
•    Muscle tightness or stiffness
•    Loss of muscle control in the arms
•    Fatigue and weakness
•    Falling and tripping incidents
•    Inability to grasp things well
•    Period of uncontrollable crying or laughing
•    Slurred speech

As the condition worsens, the following might be observed:
•    Difficulty of breathing
•    Shortness of breath
•    Difficulty in swallowing and chewing
•    Weight loss
•    Generalized muscle weakness and muscle atrophy
•    Paralysis

One of the earliest symptom that the patient might observe is difficulty doing tasks that require fine motor skills such as writing and buttoning a shirt. Aside from their chewing and swallowing problem, people with ALS metabolize and burn their calories faster, making them lose a significant amount of weight in a short period of time.

Taking Care of People with ALS
• In the early stages of the disease, safety is important. Remove tripping and falling hazards from your home. They can still do daily activities on their own with minimal help. As the disease progresses, they might need more assistance with mobility.
• ALS doesn’t affect a person’s memory, understanding, and problem-solving skills. It means that they are aware of the deterioration in their body’s functions, making them at risk of suffering from depression. Communicate with them and be as empathetic and encouraging as you can.
• Because they find it difficult to chew and swallow, assist them to a sitting position during mealtimes. Give them foods that are soft or pureed.
• Bedsore prevention measures are important when the person has already reached the stage of paralysis. Using an air mattress can prevent bedsores by relieving the pressure on their back and improving blood circulation.

ALS has no known cure to date but some medicines are being prescribed to delay the progression of the disease. In the US, more than 6,000 people are being diagnosed with ALS annually. Raising public awareness of the condition can lead to a better support system for patients with ALS.

This is a guest blog entry.