Read for Your Health. You May be Suffering from this Sickness

This article is a long one.  I tried summarizing but it just won't do.  The whole thing is too valuable, I decided not to cut anything and just share the whole thing

 

How to Treat Arthritis Joint Pain

Learning the Symptoms and Finding Relief

By Edward C. Geehr, M.D., Lifescript Chief Medical Officer

Published November 11, 2012 

 

 Your knees ache and hips creak. Did you do too much over the weekend? Or is it age? If you're a woman in your 40s, you may have osteoarthritis. But what is osteoarthritis? Learn what causes this painful joint disease and how to ease the aches and stiffness...

You feel great after that six-mile hike, those rousing sets of tennis, that morning jog. But lately, there’s an ache in your step. Some days walking feels more like hobbling.

You may be paying for living a longer, more active life than Mom or Grandma. Hobbies like hiking, tennis and gardening keep us fit and youthful into our senior years, but they also conspire against us.

The result of the wear and tear?

Osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease that causes pain and stiffness.

Arthritis has many forms, but osteoarthritis is the most common: More than 27 million Americans suffer from it, and women over age 45 are 10 times more likely to have osteoarthritis than men. Researchers don't know why, but it could be blamed on women's bone structure, or even the high heels women sometimes wear.

Former competitive athletes – from runners to divers to gymnasts – are particularly vulnerable.

Aging, excess weight and having a joint injury also increase risk of getting osteoarthritis symptoms. The disease usually targets weight-bearing joints, such as the hips, knees and lower back, but also the neck, fingers and big toe. 

 

The most common osteoarthritis symptoms include:

• Joint soreness after overuse or inactivity
  
• Morning stiffness that improves with activity
  
• Changes in posture or walking because of stiffness

What Causes the Pain?
Osteoarthritis breaks down cartilage, the primary shock absorber covering the joint ends. The subsequent damage occurs in several stages:

• First, the cartilage cushion loses elasticity and is more easily damaged from injury or use.
  
• As the cartilage wears down, the underlying bone thickens and develops growths or spurs. At this stage, bits of bone and cartilage float in the joint.
  
• The joint lining then becomes inflamed and releases irritants that damage cartilage even more. The normal lubricant also deteriorates, further exposing the joint surfaces to injury.
  
• Eventually, the joint becomes so painful and stiff that replacement may be the only option. The procedures are hugely successful: A study published in the journal Arthritis and Rheumatism showed that 77% of 112 knee replacement patients were satisfied or very satisfied with the results; 80% said they would have the surgery again.

Where You Feel Osteoarthritis Symptoms Most Hips: If you have osteoarthritis of the hips, you may feel pain in the groin, inner thigh or buttocks.

The discomfort may radiate to the thigh or knee and force you to limp when walking.

Knees: Osteoarthritis of the knees usually causes pain, grating or catching at the joint as you move, especially on stairs.

Women tend to wear out their knees differently than men. First, women are more likely to tear one of their key knee ligaments, the anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL. (Female college basketball players, for example, are up to eight times more likely to sustain an ACL injury than their male counterparts.)

The resulting knee instability increases the risk for developing arthritis.

Women also are more likely to wear down the outer knees. Our broader pelvis force the legs to angle inward at the knee instead of straight down.

Researchers have developed gender-specific joint replacements for a more comfortable fit.

High-heel shoes also increase osteoarthritis risk. Shoes with three-inch heels, whether stilettos or platform, put at least 22% more pressure on knee joints than low-heeled shoes because they strain muscles and tendons. 

Hands: It’s common in the fingers too, causing joints to ache and swell. They may develop boney outgrowths and your hand may lose its grip strength or fine motor skills that help you pick up small items or hold a pencil.

Back: Repetitive stress on the spinal discs that cushion the vertebrae can cause them to break down. Again, boney spurs may develop, placing pressure on the nerves exiting the spinal canal.

Osteoarthritis of the back can lead to stiffness and pain in the neck, shoulder, arm, lower back and legs. It can also cause pinched nerves, which leads to weakness in arms and legs.

Treatment for Osteoarthritis and Joint PainSo how do you get rid of the pain?

Step 1: See a physician for tests, such as a blood count, joint X-rays and possibly a joint MRI.

Sometimes the doctor will remove some joint fluid to look for deterioration and to rule out other forms of arthritis, which are treated differently than osteoarthritis.

Early diagnosis and getting treatment for osteoarthritis are key to managing the disease. You can’t reverse the clock, but you can minimize joint damage and maintain range of motion.

You can also control pain and swelling, improve function and slow osteoarthritis' progression. Often treatment for osteoarthritis includes weight management (the less weight, the less stress on the joint), exercise, physical therapy and medication.

Traditional medications include:

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve)
  
• Pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol)
  
• Topical pain relievers, such as creams and rubs containing wintergreen oil or camphor
  
• Steroids and viscosupplements, such as Synvisc, that a doctor can inject into the knee to supplement its normal lubricating fluid

 Fitted braces can also relieve some stress and reduce damage over time. Arthroscopic surgery may be necessary to clean up the joint, trim worn or torn cartilage and remove debris.

For advanced osteoarthritis, you may need a total joint replacement. Partial replacements (often called joint resurfacing) repair only the damaged area, allowing you to retain more of the original joint.

Relief, Naturally
Alternative treatments like glucosamine with chondroitin sulfate and methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) can help, often in combination with conventional methods.

Among the most popular:

Glucosamine: This sugar seems to play a role in cartilage formation and repair. One study showed that 50% of osteoarthritis patients had less pain when taking glucosamine supplements, particularly among those with mild to moderate symptoms.

But watch out: Glucosamine may upset your stomach and raise blood sugar levels. Also, don’t take it if you are allergic to shellfish. 

  Chondroitin sulfate: This protein part gives cartilage its elasticity. It may improve its shock-absorbing properties and help it retain water. Like glucosamine, chondroitin can upset your stomach.

Glucosamine and chondroitin: They've been used in combination for years in Europe to manage joint pain.

A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2006 showed that the supplements were more effective together. They had little effect on mild pain, but showed a significant benefit in people with moderate to severe pain.

Methylsulfonylmethane or MSM: This naturally occurring sulfur compound found in fruits, vegetables and grains may also reduce pain and inflammation.

A pilot study of 50 men and women with osteoarthritis showed that MSM reduced pain and improved physical function without major side effects, but no controlled trials substantiate the claim.

Before you add a nutritional supplement to your treatment regimen, check with your doctor.

Exercise for OsteoarthritisDoctors are increasingly recommending physical activity as a means for improving joint health.

As tempting as it may be to rest aching joints, structured mobility programs, combined with muscle-strengthening exercise and weight loss, seem to be the best methods of treatment for osteoarthritis.

Besides weight control, a range of exercises are prescribed by doctors to help manage osteoarthritis. Each pound of weight loss reduces pressure on the knee by four pounds. So even modest amounts of weight loss can reduce the risk of osteoarthritis or improve symptoms.

Exercises that improve flexibility can help decrease joint stiffness and improve range of motion. These include hamstring and calf stretches, knee-to-chest flexing and neck and back stretches.

Activities that strengthen muscles are also important, as long as they don’t put undue stress on affected joints. Ideal exercises include cycling, elliptical trainers, Pilates, yoga, swimming and Tai Chi.

For more information and expert advice, visit our Arthritis Health Center.

My Thoughts

One of the reasons I started walking and dancing. Maybe I should do some yoga, too.  I figured, I needed to do something to take care of my health.  This is a sickness I don't want. 

Exercise and Hypertension

High Blood Pressure? Lose Weight With Exercise

By Malia Frey, About.com Guide

Updated August 27, 2012

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board

If you’ve been diagnosed with high blood pressure, your doctor may have recommended that you lose weight with exercise. But starting an exercise program and trying to lose weight while managing hypertension can be confusing. Use this article as a starting point, along with advice from your physician, to come up with a plan that works for you.

Exercise Benefits for People Who Have High Blood Pressure

One of the greatest benefits of starting an exercise program is weight loss. Losing even a small amount of weight can bring your blood pressure numbers into the normal range. But even if weight loss doesn’t happen right away, just participating in a regular program of moderate exercise can have a positive effect on hypertension.

But the benefits don’t end there. Increasing your physical activity level can also help to decrease your risk of heart disease, prevent type 2 diabetes, reduce stress, decrease your body fat and improve your cholesterol levels. These are all improvements that will boost your overall health profile.

How to Lose Weight Safely

If you’ve been diagnosed with hypertension, be sure to discuss any new fitness program with your doctor. Mary Moon, M.D., a practicing family physician, counsels many of her patients to lose weight. She explains that many of them have high blood pressure along with other conditions including obesity or type 2 diabetes. While a weight loss exercise program may improve these conditions, she explains that it is important to seek specific guidelines.

“There is no question that exercise is an essential element that will help normalize blood pressure but individuals need to make sure they are doing the right exercises at the right intensity tailored to their particular exercise level or else it may be dangerous for them.”

She recommends that you start off slowly and gradually increase the time and intensity of your workout as your exercise tolerance improves.

Exercise Guidelines for People Who Have High Blood Pressure

When you discuss a weight loss program with your physician, you can use these guidelines as a starting point for setting up goals. Then, tailor a schedule that works for you.

• The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute recommends 30 minutes of moderate activity most days of the week for treatment of high blood pressure.


• The American Heart Association recommends 150 minutes per week or 30 minutes each day (most days of the week) to achieve heart health.


• The American College of Sport Medicine recommends at least 250 minutes per week of moderate intensity exercise to achieve significant weight loss.

If you are on blood pressure medication, you should also talk to your physician about the best way to monitor your exercise intensity. To lose weight, you want to make sure that you are working at the correct exercise intensity level, but some methods of measuring your level may not be effective if you are on a prescription pill. Heart rate monitors, for example, might not work if your medication keeps your heart beating at a steady rate.

Getting Started with a Program

Whether your goal is to control your high blood pressure, lower your blood pressure or just to prevent hypertension, a weight loss program that includes exercise will help you reach your goals. Get started by talking to your health care team. Then, come up with a plan that you are willing and able to stick to over the long term. 

_{Sources:
High Blood Pressure. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed: August 21, 2012. http://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/about.htm
Mary Moon, M.D., Interview. August 21, 2012.
Prevention and Treatment of High Blood Pressure. Title of Page. American Heart Association. Accessed: August 21, 2012. http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/HighBloodPressure/PreventionTreatmentofHighBloodPressure/Prevention-Treatment-of-High-Blood-Pressure_UCM_002054_Article.jsp
Your Guide to Lowering Blood Pressure. National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. Accessed: August 21, 2012. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/hbp/bp/bp.htm
American College of Sports Medicine. ACSM Position Stand on Physical Activity and Weight Loss. Accessed: August 21, 2012. http://www.acsm.org/about-acsm/media-room/acsm-in-the-news/2011/08/01/acsm-position-stand-on-physical-activity-and-weight-loss-now-available}

  

My Thoughts

I've been lucky!  I've never experienced high blood pressure. But this doesn't mean I shouldn't be careful.  Put the extra pounds and the age factor together - that makes anyone a candidate for hypertension.

30 minutes of moderate activity everyday - that's not asking much, is it?   I think I'd rather push myself to walk or to clean the house instead of making that trip to the drugstore for maintenance medicine.

Just be careful - remember I do not have hypertension.  I do not need to consult a doctor.  If you've already been diagnosed with this medical condition, you should be guided accordingly.

 

Protect your Joints

Last year, I saw a doctor who gave me a picture of what I could look like 10, 20 years from now - if I don't take care of my joints.  He scared the hell out of me.  He couldn't understand English and I couldn't understand Japanese.  But the picture he showed me was more than enough to get me thinking and to push me to do some research.

 

There's a wealth of resources on how we can take care of our joints.  I found this article most helpful - Managing Your Condition,12 Ways to Protect Your Joints,By Fran Smith, Special to Lifescript

Reviewed By Edward C. Geehr, M.D.,Published May 10, 2012 

 

The article spelled-out 12 ways of how we can keep our joints healthy.  

 

1.  Lose weight - the knee can't handle the extra load.

2.  Get active - physical activity reduces the stress to our joints

3.  Strengthen your abs - gives stability and movement control

4.  Lear Tai Chi - physical and mental exercises, combined, reduces risks t o our joints

5.  Run, but do it moderately

6.  Eat fish, fish, fish

7.  Stand straight, sit straight, walk straight

8.  Avoid high heels

9.  Lighten your handbag

10.  Exercise throughout the week, not just on weekends

11.  Eat healthy - process foods are harmful to the joints

12. When it's painful: stop and rest

 

There's  a lot more to it and you can go on and read the whole article.  But what struck me most was that - there's really nothing new in this list.  The tips are very simple, very easy to understand.  So, why are we not following them?

What To Do With Tummy Aches

 What to Do When Your Tummy Hurts

By Suzy Cohen, R.Ph., Lifescript Pharmacist

Published April 1, 2012 

 

Heartburn? Constipation? When your digestive system is out of whack, you don’t have to suffer. Here are simple tips for squelching 4 common digestive disorders...

Bad food can cause a digestive upset. So can chronic conditions such as celiac disease, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis (UC).

But no matter what the cause, you can ease an assault on your gastric system.

Here are 4 common digestive problems and ways to tackle them:

1. Constipation Do you have fewer than three bowel movements a week?

You’re officially constipated and you have plenty of company: More than 4 million Americans - mostly women and the elderly - are frequently constipated, according to the National Institutes of Health, and that can lead to bigger problems.

Constant straining can cause painful hemorrhoids and, over time, it raises the risk of developing tiny pouches in your colon that can become infected.

Constipation can also be a sign of colon or colorectal cancer, but your age, weight, exercise habits, diet, ethnic background and genetics all play a part in determining your risk.

 

 Medications and supplements that may make constipation worse:

• Allergy pills (antihistamines)
• Painkillers that contain hydrocodone, oxycodone, morphine and fentanyl
• Tricyclic antidepressants
• Parkinson’s medications
• Cholesterol-reducing drugs (statins)
• Iron and calcium supplements

How to fix itTo get things moving down there, first try small lifestyle changes.

Eat more high-fiber foods, such as oatmeal, apples or prunes. Drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water and get at least a half-hour of exercise every day.

Another option?

Take probiotic supplements: The live bacteria will reestablish a healthy ecosystem in your gut.

If you’re still straining or not going at all, try an over-the-counter laxative. The following two remedies may help. 

 

Stool softeners (bisacodyl; brand name Dulcolax® ): Within hours, this popular over-the-counter drug softens waste and stimulates your colon’s muscles to contract and squeeze out its contents.

The tablets must be swallowed whole — don’t crush or chew them because they’re specially coated to minimize gastric irritation and allow the drug’s active ingredient to be released only in the colon. If swallowing pills is troublesome, buy the liquid version or suppositories.

How to use it: Take bisacodyl with an 8-ounce glass of water.

Watch out: Some people feel faint or crampy after using bisacodyl tablets or suppositories. This is more likely if you take antacids, acid blockers or eat dairy products within one hour of taking it; they reduce stomach acidity and prematurely destroy the medication’s coating, causing the side effects.

Aloe vera (brand name Lily of the Desert): Most people use aloe vera gel to heal burns, but you can also buy the juice. Drink 2-4 ounces a day.

Expect more normal bowel movements within a couple of days. It prevents your intestines from absorbing liquid, so feces stay soft and exit easier.

How to use it: Aloe vera juice is virtually tasteless, so drink it plain or add it to tea, smoothies, juice or cereal. It’s also loaded with vitamins and minerals.  

Watch out: Drinking too much can cause diarrhea or cramps.

If these don’t work, ask your doctor for a prescription-strength laxative.

2. Painful cramps and chronic diarrheaThese symptoms point to many digestive disorders, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), ulcerative colitis, (an inflammatory condition that produces sores in the lining of the colon) and Crohn’s disease, an inflammatory bowel disease similar to UC.

Chronic diarrhea is dehydrating and robs the body of essential nutrients like B-vitamins and minerals, leaving you weak, tired and without appetite.

Medications and supplements that make cramps and diarrhea worse:

• Antibiotics
• Anti-viral drugs
• Anti-parasitic drugs
• Potassium
• Cough syrups, especially those containing guaifenesin (an expectorant)
• Magnesium
• Thyroid medication
• Antacids containing aluminum
• Acid blockers

 How to fix itProbiotics (Culturelle or florastor): These probiotic supplements can drive out bad bacteria and fungus, such as Candida albicans, a common cause for diarrhea, cramps and other illnesses like IBS. You can take one or both together.

In fact, whether you have diarrhea or not, take a probiotic daily to boost your overall digestive health.

How to use it: Take probiotics whenever you take antibiotics (and for three days afterward) to reduce the risk of a vaginal yeast infection. You can buy them at health food stores.

Watch out: Eating yogurt or kefir — a fermented milk drink available in some health food stores — isn’t a good idea for people with digestive disorders. For one thing, probiotics die in sweetened yogurt. But most important: A protein in dairy foods called casein can exacerbate existing digestive woes.

Ginger: The gnarly-looking roots at your farmer’s market or grocery store are Mother Nature’s best defense against digestive pain, cramps (including menstrual cramps), nausea and inflammation.

How to use it: Grate an inch of the root into pulp and add it to hot water. After 10 minutes, strain and sweeten the tea, if you like. Drink a cup twice daily. Add ginger to smoothies, soups, marinades and sauces.

Watch out: The maximum recommended dose is 4 grams daily. Ginger is a blood-thinner, so if you take aspirin or anticoagulants, talk to your doctor before using it.

Peppermint oil: The herb and essential oil calm the GI tract and may have antibiotic effects. It helps with IBS, indigestion, bloating and gas. It calms stomach muscles, so food passes to the bowel and helps you pass gas. It also improves bile flow, essential to digestion and fat absorption.

How to use it: Try peppermint tea, supplements, add fresh leaves to your salad and smoothies or just eat them raw.

Watch out: Peppermint supplements may exacerbate conditions like reflux (the backup of liquids from your stomach into your esophagus) and heartburn, the burning caused from reflux. Buy supplements with an enteric coating, which prevents them from dissolving until they reach the small intestine.

3. Hemorrhoids
Chronic constipation, IBS and other digestive disorders can lead to problems outside the gut, including hemorrhoids (swollen, painful veins in and around the anus).

Medications and supplements that may make hemorrhoids worse:

• Allergy pills (antihistamines)
• Painkillers that contain hydrocodone, oxycodone, morphine and fentanyl
• Tricyclic antidepressants
• Parkinson’s medication
• Cholesterol-reducing drugs (statins)
• Iron or calcium supplements

Conventional medicine’s answer is often surgery, but first try these non-invasive steps.

How to fix it
Ice packs: Put them on your anus for 15 or 20 minutes - no longer - to relieve inflammation. 

Stool softeners (Docusate sodium; brand name Colace): This stool softener is essential for people with a heart condition or “vagus nerve” disorder because straining can be dangerous for them. Stool softeners make it easier for you to pass bowel movements, so there’s less pressure on touchy nerve endings and sensitive hemorrhoids.

How to use it: Drink lots of water! It makes the drug work better and prevents dehydration, which causes constipation and more hemorrhoids.

Watch out: Side effects include stomach pain, mild cramping and diarrhea.

Silica: Found in seafood, seaweed and horsetail (whose leaves look like a horse’s tail), this crystalline mineral strengthens the delicate blood vessels around the anus.

How to use it: Squirt silica solution on a cotton pad and press it to your rectum to soothe the burn or take horsetail supplements.

Watch out: When you buy horsetail, make sure the ingredient label says Equisetum arvense and organic to ensure that it’s pesticide-free.

If you take too much silica or use an inferior brand, you may get mild digestive upset. The herb also has mild diuretic effects, so long-term use could deplete your body of potassium and other important minerals.

4. Heartburn
Mild, occasional heartburn is the result of reflux, the backup of acidic liquids from your stomach into your esophagus.

If heartburn and reflux accompany other chronic digestive disorders, you may be allergic to gluten, a protein in wheat, or the milk protein casein. See a GI specialist before taking any drugs or supplements.

Medications and supplements that may make heartburn worse:

• Bone-building drugs (brand names: Fosamax, Boniva, Actonel)
• Blood pressure medications
• Nitrates (like nitroglycerin) for the heart
• Breathing medications (theophylline)
• Asthma inhalers (albuterol)
• Some antidepressants and psychiatric medications
• Some sleeping pills

How to fix it
Antacids (Maalox and Tums): These work within minutes to relieve the burning sensation in your chest and throat.

But those symptoms could also mean something more serious, such as a heart attack. If the pain does not subside quickly after taking an antacid, call 911.

How to use it: Take them orally, in chewable, liquid or tablet form, according to package directions.

Watch out: People with kidney conditions should use antacids only under a doctor’s care. Long-term use can rob your body of B-vitamins and minerals.

DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice): Found in health-food stores, this natural supplement comes from licorice, but eating the candy won’t help. DGL’s active component is glycyrrhizinic acid, an anti-inflammatory that helps create digestive mucous and relieves ulcers, indigestion, heartburn, gastritis and upset stomach. 

How to use it: Chew a tablet before meals. DGL can help bring up mucus and other material if you have a cough or cold.

Watch out: Get the version marked deglycyrrhizinated. Plain licorice root extract can raise your blood pressure; DGL may lower it or thin the blood.

For more information on tummy troubles, visit our Digestive Health Center.

What’s Your Indigestion IQ?Are you familiar with the lingering discomforts associated with gastrointestinal issues? The good news is that you can take steps to prevent the unnecessary side effects brought on by certain behaviors. Do you know how? Take this indigestion quiz to find out.

Check out Health Bistro for more healthy food for thought. See what Lifescript editors are talking about and get the skinny on latest news. Share it with your friends (it’s free to sign up!), and bookmark it so you don’t miss a single juicy post!

Talk to us on Facebook and Twitter!

The information contained on www.lifescript.com (the "Site") is provided for informational purposes only and is not meant to substitute for advice from your doctor or health-care professional. This information should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing any medication. Always seek the advice of a qualified health-care professional regarding any medical condition. Information and statements provided by the site about dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Lifescript does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, third-party products, procedures, opinions, or other information mentioned on the Site. Reliance on any information provided by Lifescript is solely at your own risk.

 

My thoughts

 

Don't you just hate it when your tummy aches?  I do!  Lucky for me, I rarely experience stomach pains.  

 

I like the tips in these articles, especially the natural remedies recommended.  There's really no need to run to a regular drugstore immediately.

Why Wait for the Doctor?

Do You Need a Wake-Up Call?

Daily Inspiration

John H. Sklare, Ed.D

Published December 19, 2006

 

So you’ve been thinking about starting an exercise routine to feel better and lose weight.  You’ve been thinking about walking every evening, eating healthier and making real changes in the present to lay the groundwork for a healthier future.  The problem is that you haven’t yet moved beyond the thinking stage.  Well, perhaps I can help you do that today because, when it comes to your health, you don’t want the proverbial wake-up call.

 

The kind of wake-up call that I’m talking about is typically delivered by your doctor.  He or she will look you in the eye, get that very serious look on their face and tell you that it’s time to get serious about your health.  They then tell you that you have to lose weight because you have or are on the verge of developing diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol or some other obesity-related illness.  This is a wake-up call I’d prefer you avoid.  However, even a poor health report from your doctor isn’t enough motivation for some to change, but for the wise, they take action.  So, in an attempt to help you avoid that wake-up call from your doctor, allow me to perform a wellness intervention.  If this scenario strikes too close to home for you, why not use me as your wake-up call and avoid that more serious one from your doctor later!

 

Wishing You Great Health,

Dr. John H. Sklare

 

My Thoughts

 

I know a lot of people who don't want to see doctors.  They keep putting things off until it's too late to do something.  Putting off can be caused by a lot of things:  the expense, lack of time or simply fear of knowing we're in a state of sickness and not in a state of health.

 

The fear of seeing the doctor is magnified when we know we have not been taking care of ourselves: no exercise, lack of sleep, unhealthy food intake, stressful way of life.

 

If we're honest with ourselves, we don't really need our doctors to wake us up.  Who wants to be sick?  I would rather die peacefully in my sleep than in a hospital bed, thin and wasted after a series of radiations.

 

Dr. Sklare is right.  Absolutely. This article should be a wake-up call.  We have the choice between sickness and health.  Better start working on the latter.  Now.  Not soon.

 

Pick your PERSPIRATION DATE to extend your EXPIRATION DATE

Extend Your Expiration Date

Daily Inspiration

By John H. Sklare, Ed.D, Lifescript Personal Coach

Published November 04, 2011

 

We’re all familiar with a certain phrase that appears on perishable items: the expiration date. As you know, that date tells you the item’s expected shelf life. If the item is not purchased by the expiration date, it’s considered no longer safe for consumption and is removed from the shelf. One way that we humans are different from products lies in our ability to extend our expiration dates. With that said, I’d like to offer you a suggestion today about extending your expiration date.

If you’re looking for a way to enhance your health and extend your expiration date, I suggest you begin by picking a perspiration date. In other words, one of the critical keys to enriching your life, enhancing your wellness and extending your time on this planet lies in incorporating exercise into your life. If you’re like most people, you have given a mountain of lip service to starting an exercise program but just never seem to be able to put that thought into action. Pick a perspiration date, and then commit yourself to begin working out on that day. Check with your doctor first if you have serious health problems. I promise you that exercise will bestow physical, mental and emotional benefits that will make you feel reborn, reenergized and full of pride. This is one powerful way to give your old life a makeover, provide your mind and body a healthy wellness inoculation and extend your expiration date at the same time. So let me see a show of hands! Who wants to live a longer and healthier life?

Wishing You Great Health,
Dr. John H. Sklare

www.innerdiet.com  

 

my thoughts

 

i like this!  really! and i really have to squeeze in a perspiration date.  obviously for health reasons.  illness is a no-no.  i don't like hospital bills.  well, i don't like hospitals.  period.  never been confined.  but that's going to change if i don't pick my perspiration date. that's got to be SOON.

What' Healthy Breathing

Nose or Mouth? How You Breathe Matters
YOUR DAILY FIT TIP
By Jennifer Gruenemay, ACE-Certified, Special to Lifescript
Published September 20, 2011
from www.lifescript.com

Should you breathe out of your mouth or nose while exercising? And is this really a crucial part of a good workout? It really depends on what type of exercise you’re doing. For low-intensity, meditative moves like yoga, breathing in and out of the nose is best. Why? Because it forces you to breathe slower, which calms the nervous system and promotes relaxation.

But if you’re headed out for a run or to a high-intensity cardio class, nose-breathing probably won’t cut it. For workouts like this, you don’t want to limit the amount of oxygen you deliver to your brain and working muscles. Limiting oxygen means limiting energy production in your cells.

Basically, what it comes down to is doing what works best for you. Your body will tell you if nose-breathing is limiting your air intake because you’ll get light-headed from lack of oxygen to your brain. If you experience any lightheadedness or dizziness, just switch to mouth-breathing. It’s admirable to give nose-breathing a try, but go ahead and take in a big gulp of air through your mouth if you need to.


Check out Health Bistro for more healthy food for thought. See what Lifescript editors are talking about and get the skinny on latest news. Share it with your friends (it’s free to sign up!), and bookmark it so you don’t miss a single juicy post!

MY THOUGHTS

That's something to look into while exercising.  I never took notice.  But I never get dizzy while dancing or walking. So, I guess, I'm breathing properly?