Posts Tagged ‘illness’

When you’re feeling depressed, it’s always good to have someone to chat with. Sometimes it just takes a minutes to feel better. But, when days blur together and each one seems a bit worse than the next, this is a sure sign that something should be done. Seeking depression counseling is often a much needed solution. Depression counseling Denver is also sometimes the only way to battle this illness.

Feeling the need for this sort of counseling shouldn’t cause you to feel inadequate. Many people feel like they have failed at solving their own problems, when they seek counseling. This shouldn’t be the case. Just because you’ve decided to share your deepest problems with a licensed professional, this doesn’t mean that you’ve failed at all. It just goes to show that you’ve come to realize you don’t need to fight this battle all on your own.

Being able to have someone to talk to who is able to provide support during your time of need is a great feeling. This person is able to not only provide a listening ear, but can also give you plenty of reasons for looking forward to tomorrow. Some counselors have actual offices to visit them at, while others are able to be reached on the phone. Talking with a counselor over the phone is sometimes the only way that people without transportation or child care are able to get the help they need.

There is online counseling available for those who have internet access. This is another convenient way to talk with a counselor and can be done on your own time. Many of these services are free to the public, which is very helpful to individuals who would otherwise not have a way to seek help with their depression. Even though the internet can be a very public place at times, these online sessions are very discreet and privacy is guaranteed.

Counselors are capable of not only being able to listen to what is said to them, but they are also able to provide reassurance that the future will get better. They work on discouraging negative behavior and reinforcing any positive behaviors that are present. Being able to educate the family about what is going on with the patient is also helpful. By having a large supply of supportive individuals, fighting depression will be much easier.

One way that counselors are able to provide reassurance for people fighting depression is by instilling lots of hope that the future will be brighter. A mindset that counselors try to put people in is by getting to think of themselves as a cork.

To teach people that they need to be like a cork; nothing and no one should be able to hold them down. Reinforcing positive behaviors is done in a variety of ways; keeping a journal, finding pleasurable things to do, realizing that anti depressants don’t have to become a daily part of life and that these medications aren’t habit forming.

There are many parts to depression counseling and it doesn’t cure depression overnight. This service does provide the much needed support to get through an ongoing battle with depression, whether it has only just begun or has been raging for years.

Want to find out more about depression counseling Denver, then visit Kathy Allen’s site on how to choose the best counseling for your needs.

Stress is a state of mind and the best way to combat stress and its effects on the mind is through relaxation. Stress can cause many problems such as concentration issues, lack of good judgment, negativity and lack of productivity as well as many health issues such as heart attacks and chronic headaches. The best way to combat these feelings and factors of stress is through relaxation. Relaxation takes as little as ten minutes a day and can be as simple as breathing exercises, or as challenging as a kick boxing class, the choice is yours.

Some people think relaxation needs to be something extreme such as a seven year sabbatical or a three month vacation, this is not the case. The key is to find something you enjoy and teach your mind new tricks! Relaxation can happen anywhere, at home, in the office or while driving.

Finding your method of relaxation might be more difficult for some than others, but it is easy, just think about what you enjoy most. Maybe you like surfing the web, reading, meditating or walking. Any of these activities can be a relaxation method and can be scaled down to ten minutes.

Watching TV, listening to music, surfing the web and reading all offer a break from regular day to day situations. They each create an alternative world that is entirely your own. Your mind visually escapes into a place that is different and exciting instead of dull, boring and always the same as so many of us think our lives are.

Learning to control your breathing and meditation can be a little more complicated since you must learn these techniques in order for them to work properly. Meditation can help you learn to reflect on situations and to control your breathing to calm your mind. These techniques need to be mastered and exercised in order to achieve the maximum result. Once you have achieved your goal, you can relax at the drop of a hat and find inner control in as little as ten minutes.

The gym or fitness classes have an appeal to many as well. Some like to run, walk or lift weights in order to relax. Others might prefer a cycling, kick boxing or tai chi class. Running and walking burn off built up energy and are a great stress reliever, however not everyone wants to run a marathon. For them there are other classes and their purpose is relaxation, such as yoga. Many people choose to skip the classes and gym all together and simply walk their dogs in the park which offers equally as much stress relief.

Practice makes perfect and remember patience is a virtue. Listen to your body and practice until your body knows what relaxation feels like. Make note of what did not work for your mind and body, remember it for the future. Be patient, if you don’t get it right away, it will happen eventually so keep up the good work. But make sure to keep yourself motivated by reminding yourself you will be healthier and happier in the end and think how nice it is to do something you like!

Make sure you try different techniques, sometimes one might work better than another and it is best to have a variety. Learning something new is always a challenge however once you get the hang of it, it is like riding a bike, your body won’t forget how. You must make a conscious effort to remind and train your body to relax while performing this task. It may take time, but in the end the rewards will be worth it.

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As the news of influenza is seen everywhere we turn, more and more people are seeking every available means to support their immune system and potentially prevent the infection by any number of serious viral contagions — most notably these days is “Swine Flu”, though there may be more in our future. Historically, essential oils have been used during major plagues as a means to prevent infection. Pictures can be found in natural medicine textbooks of medical practitioners wearing facemasks stuffed with cinnamon, cloves, sage and other botanicals to ward of illness. Today’s leading professional aromatherapists also suggest the most important use of essential oils for humanity will be in the treatment and prevention of such infectious illnesses. Are essential oils a viable option as an alternative therapy for home use? Here’s a look at the scientific research, as well as formulas and practices to make use of aromatic medicines.

Research on Essential Oils as AntiViral Agents

In the last few years, more laboratory research has been performed revealing the ability of essential oils to actually destroy viruses. In addition, a limited number of papers have been presented noted that oils alter our cells in such a way as to prevent viruses moving between cells, thereby preventing the spread of infection. All the data referred to in this paper is available online through the Pub Med database, free of charge. To see these yourself, simply search for Pub Med, then enter terms such as “antiviral essential oil”, “essential oil virus”, “essential oil immune” and the like. This is an excellent way to further motivate yourself to get the most from aromatherapy oil use.

What Does the Data Mean?

With more than one hundred published research papers on the subject, a summary is in order. What scientists are finding is that many of the essential oils commonly in use today have antiviral properties. Whether an oil is effective against a particular virus depends upon the natural chemical makeup of the oil and the structure of the virus being studied. The data, without a doubt, is very encouraging. One study performed in Germany this year concluded with the note that Tea Tree was able to “reduce viral infectivity by greater than 96 percent”. The same study went on to clarify that the whole, natural oil, rather than any single chemical synthetically extracted, was up to TEN TIMES more effective as an antiviral agent. The precise reason for this is not known — it is clear that some of the most chemically complex oils exhibit the greatest antiviral effects, and perhaps this mixture of nature’s chemicals attacks the virus AND supports immune function is several ways at once.

One Pandemic Virus and The Oil of Laurel Leaf

Many of the studies utilize the Herpes Simplex Virus as a “test subject”, because of the widespread prevalence of infection, along with the relative ease of testing. However, if one digs into the data, many papers present information relevant in in influenza pandemic. SARS ‘Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome’ is caused by the highly infectious SARS-CoV virus that made world-wide news in 2003. A study in the March 2008 Journal of Chemical Biodiversity noted Bay Laurel essential oil to have significant antiviral action against this virus. They’d also noted the natural constituents of this oil, which are also found in a great many other essential oils. This is why you’ll see MANY essential oils noted as antivirals — because many oils share similar natural chemical constituents. So while this next oil is not readily available, the data is very interesting. In 2005, Chinese researchers evaluated the anti-influenza potential of the essential oil from a root used in Chinese medicine, concluding: “In vivo…it prevented influenza virus-induced deaths in a dose-dependent manner”. And the list of oil/virus combinations goes on and on. But this begs the question: how do we derive a formula for Swine Flu prevention?

Selecting Oils For Daily Flu Protection

It is this sharing of natural compounds that supports the literature’s assertion that there are a great many oils in use today that are antiviral — one reason you’ll typically see several oils, not just one, in an antiviral formula. But which oils to use for your needs? This is where the long-time historical practice of aroma-medicine therapists helps us choose. The antiviral and immune-supportive essential oils have been categorized by the symptoms the infection produces. The Cineol-containing oils, like Eucalyptus and Ravensara are chosen where the bronchial system is affected. Melissa and Tea Tree are most commonly used for viruses infecting the skin — though their antiviral action for other parts of the body should not be ignored, because their synergistic effects with other oils creates a formula with a complex mixture of natural chemicals — similar in respect to the balance found in the single oil Bay Laurel. Other oils are highly regarded for their positive effect on the immune system overall: Frankincense is considered by some to be the most potent immunostimulant, and Melissa has this property as well.

A short list of essential oils that one can select from to support immunity against influenza infection includes the following: Melissa (having significant anti-HSV activity, it is also thought to be a potent immunostimulant — boosting the ability of our immune defense), Tea Tree (a very broad spectrum antiviral/antimicrobial), Rosalina (also known as Lavender Tea Tree, with a natural chemical profile containing constituents of both these oils), Lavender (commonly used as an anti-stress agent — which itself supports immune system function — and also having antiviral action), Bay Laurel (Laurel Leaf, reported effective against SARS-CoV), Ravensara aromatica, Eucalyptus Radiata (one of many Eucalyptus species, this one is most often noted as “antiviral”), Frankincense (considered by some the most effective immunostimulant oil available), Thyme, and Hyssop decumbens (a highly regarded antiviral, with a highly complex natural chemistry makeup).

A Balanced Formula To Make At Home

A blend can be made using the following oils (and this complete formula can then be adapted to different applications as we’ll see): 1 milliliter (ml) Melissa, 1/2ml Thyme, 2ml Lavender (use Lavendula angustifolia), 1 and 1/2 ml Ravensara aromatica, 2ml Eucalyptus Radiata, 1 and 1/2 ml Hyssop decumbens, 3 ml Maleleuca ericifolia and 3ml Laurus Nobilis (Bay Laurel). A simpler, yet still effective formula with a more gentle nature — and more appropriate for children: 4ml Lavender, 3ml Melaleuca ericifolia, 1ml Ravensara, 1ml Eucalyptus, and 3ml Bay Laurel. While having a medicinal purpose, these blends do really smell wonderful as well.

How To Use The Oils for Influenza Prevention: Diffusion

The most knowledgeable and experienced practitioners believe diffusing this oil blend is the best way to give the most comprehensive support for both antiviral and immune system support. A cold-air nebulizing diffuser will make a fine mist of the essential oils, which quickly evaporates into the air in your home, office or other enclosed space. Typically, these diffusers are run for a few minutes every hour, getting oils into the air but not overdoing it. This conserves the oils, but allows continuous low-dose inhalation. One should never feel overwhelmed by the aroma; the oils are very potent, and typically “less is more” when using 100% pure therapeutic-grade essential oils. The use of an appliance timer can make this process very simple: just set the timer to run a few minutes every hour throughout the day — that’s it! Not only is the air being disinfected, but folks in the room are getting small amounts of oil in their bodies all the time. Again, it’s important to not feel more is more in this situation! Trust your instincts on the amount of diffusion necessary for your space and needs.

Topical Application and Baths

Immune-protection topical oil blends can be easily mixed, putting the essential oil formula in a carrier oil such as Coconut or Jojoba. This concoction can then be massaged daily into the feet (a highly receptive area of the body) or into regions of lymph nodes: the neck, armpits and sternum. Adding the essential oils to a carrier at a 5 to 10% concentration is suitable (10% would be 1 part essential oil mixture to 9 parts carrier oil). If you’d like to use a topical formula for children, use the “children’s” recipe above, and lower the concentration in the carrier oil to 1% for ages 2-4, 2% for 5-7, 3% for 8-12 (a 1% concentration is 8 drops total essential oils in each fluid ounce of carrier, 2% is 16 drops per ounce, etc). Soaking in a bath with oils added to the water is also an excellent way to gain their benefits — for young kids, add 2 drops essential oil to a teaspoon of ANY carrier oil (olive oil from the kitchen will do fine), then swirl this into the bath once it’s been drawn. 4 drops essential oil blend for older children, and 6 drops for adults.

The Future of Aromatherapy: Aroma Medicine

While we cannot be certain of the direct effects of essential oils for our needs, it appears to the lay practitioner that the evidence supporting their use is just and solid as for any other natural medicine choice. Recall that the world’s leading aromatherapists suggest that it is in the prevention and treatment of infectious illness that essential oils will find their place in our medical systems. Given the data that so many essential oils offer antiviral activity against a variety of viruses, it isn’t out of the realm of possibility that they will be effective as Swine flu prevention. And with their relative ease of use, and ready availability, there’s little reason not to see what they may have to offer for you and your family.

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. They are not intended to treat, cure or prevent any disease. The statements included in this document are the opinions of natural health professionals drawing on historical therapeutic practices and relevant scientific data. They are not meant to be a substitute for face-to-face consultations with trained and licensed medical professionals. Essential oils are considered to be supportive of the immune system’s actions my a great many health practitioners; at the same time, it is important to be aware of all the options available to you to make the best choices for your health and the health of your family.

The author regularly employs pure aromatherapy essential oils and Bach flowers therapy in her practice.

Nuts are tasty, loaded with good fat, protein, fiber, nutrients and phytochemicals that are heart healthy and potentially good for the waistline. Barring allergies, there aren’t many reasons not to include nuts in your diet. Let’s take a look at some interesting studies, tips and tidbits about nuts.

Nuts and the Heart

A study of 31000 Seventh Day Adventists that ate nuts more than 4 times per week were half as likely to die of a heart attack than those who ate nuts less than once a week. The Iowa Women’s Health Study came to a similar conclusion: Women who ate nuts or seeds 4 times per week were 40% less likely to die from heart disease than similar women who didn’t eat nuts. The Nurses’ Health Study showed that those who ate at least 140g/week of nuts were 35% less likely to be diagnosed with heart disease than those who ate less than 30g/month. Nuts and Weight

Most studies have shown that adding nuts to the diet does not cause people to gain much weight, if any at all. As an example, researchers gave participants 45-70g of almonds every day (320 calories worth) and gave them no further instructions about food intake. After 6 months, participants gained a very miniscule amount of weight (.2 lbs in women, 1.4 lbs in men). This study was funded by the almond industry.

There aren’t many studies that show nut consumption to help people lose weight, but one study showed that a low calorie diet that included almonds led to greater weight loss than an equal calorie diet that did not include almonds.

The Seventh Day Adventist and Nurses Health Study showed that those who regularly ate nuts weighed less than those who did not.

The Best Nuts

Are some nuts better than others when it comes to health benefits? All nuts contain good fats, fiber and proteins, but different kinds of nuts have different nutrient profiles.

Almonds are richest in vitamin E (35% recommended daily intake) and calcium (8%) per 1 oz. (30g) serving. Brazil nuts are highest in selenium with just 1 supplying a days worth. Cashews are richest in copper and zinc Peanuts (technically a legume) contain the antioxidant resveratrol, and are highest in protein and arginine content Walnuts have the most alpha linolenic acids (plant-based omega-3′s) How much?

Nuts are healthy but are a dense source of calories. 1oz/30g of nuts supply about 170-180 calories. Here is a chart that shows how many nuts are in 30g.

Number of Nuts in 30 grams (1oz)

Almonds: 20-24 Brazil nuts: 6-8 Pecans: 18-20 (halves) Cashews: 16-18 Pine Nuts: 150-157 Pistachios: 45-47 Walnuts: 8-11 Hazelnuts: 18-20

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People often confuse psoriasis and eczema. They are both skin conditions with some of the same treatments. For proper treatment, you need to know the eczema and psoriasis difference. Eczema affects mainly the young. It is often though to be a child’s illness and it can clear up with time. Psoriasis rarely clears up but may go into remission. It affects many adults in their forties and fifties.

The skin reddens and becomes dry in both eczema and psoriasis. These patches can be painful or itch. Neither psoriasis nor eczema has a cure. Eczema, however, is likely to clear up with time. Psoriasis may occasionally go into remission, but it is a lifelong disease.

A healthy diet can help control both psoriasis and eczema. One difference, however, is that eczema might be caused by specific kinds of food. A food diary can be kept to learn what foods cause an outbreak of eczema and can be avoided. Certain foods might make psoriasis outbreaks more severe. A food diary is helpful, but will not cure the psoriasis.

One difference between psoriasis and eczema is the cause. The exact cause of psoriasis is uncertain, though there is a genetic component involved. Eczema is an allergic skin reaction. It can be caused by foods, chemicals, or environmental factors.

Treatments for eczema and psoriasis is another difference. Both of them will likely be treated with topical lotions, ointments, and creams and can be prescribed by your doctor. The medication for psoriasis is stronger than for eczema and may include steroids. Photo-therapy can be used to treat psoriasis but is not used for eczema.

A similarity between eczema and psoriasis are some symptoms. Itchy skin that is dry and red is common to both conditions. While eczema may result in cracked skin, it will not form plaques. Plaques are skin cells that build up and form scales. This causes white scales to appear over the red skin.

A visit to your dermatologist is the quickest way to tell the difference between psoriasis and eczema. While cures aren’t known, they’ll get you on a proper treatment plan. This treatment plan, combined with healthy habits like diet and exercise, will reduce your symptoms and help you live without pain.

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Bipolar Disorder is complex in that there is not a single symptom or a single type of disorder. Some of the major symptoms are the unstable shifts of emotions and mood swings from the very high (mania) to the lowest of the low (depression) and the in between know as the middle hippo mania. The levels of the symptoms have a vast range from severe to rather mild and may include certain periods with no symptoms appearing at all.

Some Signs

One thing that we must be clear on is patients with this depressive disease don’t all go through the same bipolar symptoms in its strength, mood swings and length of time with its moods. Depending on each patient, this mental disease differs according to each individual illness. We are all different and because of that, this bipolar depression may show itself quite differently in each individual or tend to show itself differently on the same individual over time. Because depression is common and serious, it’s very critical that as soon as signs are seen – for patients to seek diagnosis from the nearest psychiatrist.

Depression stage may be likened to a severe depression in which symptoms can include low energy, sad feelings, depressed, anxiety, emptiness, being helpless and feeling hopeless and worthless. Going with these negative feelings are thoughts of suicide and wanting to commit suicide. Some other signs which can be added are guilt feelings, no interest in activities once enjoyed, loss of concentration, problems with sleeping, and change in appetite.

Children with Bipolar

The knowledge of how to recognize and handle a child with bipolar disorder is imperative for parents, teachers, counselors, school staff and teachers. Identifying the signs and symptoms early on can be incredibly beneficial to the future treatment and well-being of the child. Co-operation between everyone involved with help alleviate future behavioral, academic and social issues.

Seeking a Bipolar Treatment

The usual treatment for this illness may include mood stabilizing drugs and counseling. It is very important that victims of bipolar learn about their prescribed drugs and its possible bad effects. There must be a very reliable way of taking their drugs efficiently and taking it daily, even when the victims feel better and stable so as to prevent a relapse in the illness. Monitoring of mood must be constantly done by the bipolar patient, a member of the family or a close friends to stop severe episodes and moods from happening or patients will end up in hospital. Sleeping patterns, their behaviors, and loss or gaining of appetite must be closely watched as well. All patients must try and avoid the use of alcohol, illicit drugs like marijuana and other drugs, which can make bipolar symptoms worse. Living a very healthy lifestyle is important with a well balanced diet, exercise regularly and enough sleep. This is done with the aim of lowering the stress level to help patients control and improve their illness and quality of life.

Ken P Doyle is an advocate for bipolar disorder and has a wealth of information on mental illness. As an advocate he would like to share some excellent information and data on bipolar disorder symptoms and bipolar symptoms.