General Health Articles

How to Improve Sleep Quality

The average American is said to only sleep for 6.9 hours a night. And this is below the recommended length of hour that an adult should sleep. And due to this, when all shortened sleep hours accumulate, tendency is, it can have this big effect to the person both in emotional and physical aspects of his or her being.

The result of sleep deprivation due to several factors can be result to several things such can be summarized into four:

1.       Reaction time against things and happenings  is slower 2.       Blood pressure rises 3.       Bingeing, eating more than necessary happens 4.       Diabetes and obesity risk rises

Reasons for Sleep Problems/Disruptions

To be able to remedy sleep problems, it is valuable to learn of the things that may cause it. Each of us may have different reasons or factors that can cause sleeplessness or low quality sleep.

Sleep quality can be affected by lifestyle, your diet, your stressors and your sleeping environment. Trying to remedy and understand these factors may help in improving your sleep quality after.

Some Tips to Sleep Soundly

1. Avoid watching TV. Television shows may cause excitement on you which may cause you to have difficulty in falling asleep later. Instead, read a book. Put away all your gadgets and no internet in bed.
2. Avoid caffeine 6 Hours Before you Sleep. Caffeine may perk you up for the day but it can also cause you to have a disrupted sleep at night. So keep it in the morning and avoid it in the afternoon.
3. Make Your Sleeping environment conducive to sleeping. When you sleep, keep your bed as comfortable as possible. Keep your pillows and sheets clean. Let your room not be too warm or too cold. Turn off the lights r simply dim it if you don't want it dark.
4. Meditate. Breathe in breath out. A couple of yoga poses will help you.
5. Shower before you sleep. Warm ones, not too hot or too cold. Keep it warm to loosen muscles and add up some light scents if you soak in a tub. Don't use over powering scents, it may cause your brains to go haywire.
6. End exercise an hour before. Ending an exercise right before you sleep might not be a good idea. After exercise, your adrenaline is still pumping making you too hyped up. S insated, do it with ample time for your body to settle, then take a warm bath and settle down to sleep.
7. Don't drink alcohol. Alcohol may be inducing a sedative effect early in the night, but once it wears off during midnight or during early in the morning, fragmented sleep can happen which may cause excessive daytime sleepiness.
8. Sleep when you're sleepy or tired. OD not put off sleep nor force yourself to sleep. Do some worthwhile yet light things if you can't sleep yet.
9. Sleep at the same hour every night. Sleeping at the same hour overnight helps your body establish a pattern. Since it has been familiar with your system, your body will just voluntarily do it after.
10. Don't nap in the afternoon. Napping in the afternoon can rob you your sleep at night. And it will be a cycle after.
11. Having some supplement that can aid in your sleep. But better choose it wisely. By supplement, I don't mean sleep inducing pills but supplements such as Vitamin D, magnesium, Vitamin B and Omega-3.
12. Avoid stressing yourself out. Constant and chronic stress may not only affect you mentally but it can disrupt your daily function, say your sleep. Instead, solve your problems for the day or if you have worries at work leave it there. Managing stress can be hard at first but managing it effectively can give you ample sleep later.

A sleep diary or journal can help you track down your sleeping pattern. It can help you jumpstart your goal of improving your sleep quality. And also, make sure you eat well, balanced food. Avoid unhealthy ones and bank on fruits and vegetables.

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Kick that Bad Habit!

From overeating to watching too much TV, there's really only one way to break a bad habit : make a plan!

Unfortunately what may work for one person, may not work for another.  So here are some ways to break some of the most popular bad habits.  Hopefully it works for you!

Watching too much TV. : Studies show that ptoeople watch an average of 4 hours of television each day and these studies also show that excessive TV. watching can be linked to developing Type 2 diabetes and heart disease.  Here are some ways to avoid watching too much TV: only watch when there is something specific you want to see, do chores during commercials, make a list of things you need to accomplish before sitting down to watch TV, and create a TV-watching plan and stick to it.

Drinking too much alcohol. : Tired of being hung over and sluggish? Then you should do everything you can to cut back on drinking too much alcohol.  To cut back try these tips: drink one glass of water for every alcoholic drink you have, drink only when you are having a meal, or try drinking something that looks like an alcoholic drink, like rootbeer or a drink with a slice of fruit in it.

Smoking. : While this may be one of the hardest habits to break, it's still possible as many, many people do it every year. The best plan is to talk things over with your doctor because they can offer the best cessation treatment for you.  But some other approaches that you may consider include: hypnotherapy, exercise or electronic cigarettes.

Nail biting. : Because most nail biting habits are linked to anxiety, stress, or nervousness, your plan should start with creating a relaxation plan.  Think about what makes you bite your nails before you start.  When you get the urge to bite your nails or catch yourself in the act, do something with your hands : garden, cook, play with your kids or pets, clean or do the dishes.  Do something that takes your mind off of biting your nails.

Overeating. : No matter how hard you try to cut calories, it still seems like sometimes the cravings are still there.  Experts say that sometimes it is best to give into those cravings.  When people do give into their cravings every once in awhile they have a better chance of losing weight and keeping it off, than those who ignore their cravings and avoid certain foods.  Experts also advise that if you can avoid nighttime eating that you will be well on your way to prevent overeating as well.

Not flossing. : Not flossing your teeth increases your risk of gum disease, as well as contributing to heart disease, still only half of Americans floss their teeth every day.  To make sure that you are flossing every day try these tips: keep your floss in your shower so that you are already in “cleaning” mode when you see it, keep your floss on your nightstand to remind yourself to floss before you go to bed, or keep your floss in clear view of some place where you will see it each and every day.

Treating Sunburns Gently and Naturally

It's that time of the year again when the days are longer and the sun seems to shine a little bit brighter. But along with these hot and sunny days comes a common problem, sunburn. We always say that too much of a good thing is bad and when it comes to sun exposure, exposing ourselves for long periods under the sun could certainly do more harm than good.

We often make the mistake of only wearing sunscreen during our forays to the beach or strolls in the park. But the truth is that even when we are driving or just walking a few blocks to the office also leaves us susceptible to sunburns. It all starts with a noticeable darkening of the skin and before you know it skin areas have reddened or painful to the slightest of touches.

Sunburns are the result of overexposure to the sun's radiation or UV rays. But this does not only cause sunburns, it can also cause skin cancer. UV rays do not only damage the skin but could also damage our DNA.  The result is the production of abnormal skin cells that can lead to skin cancer.

Simple ways of treating sunburns includes applying anything wet or cool to soothe the skin. Cells might have lost their fluid content leaving them dry and damaged. Taking in anti-inflammatory medications such as aspirin or ibuprofen is also recommended.

Foods rich with anti-oxidants helps fight free radicals and prevent skin cancer. Soaking towels with water is an easy way of treating sunburns. It immediately relieves pain by soothing and cooling damaged skin areas. Drinking water also helps restore lost fluids and skin moisture.

Aloe vera has long been used as a treatment for sunburn. This could be used in the form of creams and gels or by using the plant's extract directly.  Aloe vera is not only an excellent first aid treatment it also helps in the healing process. It promotes natural healing and speeds up healing time. This has been proved by medical studies and is highly recommended by medical professionals.

Sun block is not only perfect for preventing sunburns. It could also be used as treatment. Sun blocks contain moisturizers that could help cool and restore lost fluid in the skin. Just be sure to use sun blocks that are fragrance- free or do not contain chemicals. The skin's naturally protection has been compromised leaving it sensitive to chemicals.

Another natural way of treating sunburns is by applying oatmeal to the skin. Oatmeal has long been used as a natural treatment for many skin diseases including chicken pox. It soothes the skin, reduces pain and itchiness. Oatmeal is also a great antioxidant, natural anti-inflammatory agent and is safe to use during bathing.

One interesting way of naturally treating sun burns is by using black tea. Yes, you could simply reach out for your tea bag to instantly heal your burned skin and reduce redness. To make this more effective, chill the bag before using it on your skin. The anti-oxidants are also great for helping restore your skin's health.

Many of the natural skin beauty treatments could also be used for sun burns. Because these are natural, they don't contain any chemicals that could harm your skin. Cucumbers for example are not only great for treating tired eyes but could also be used as a first aid treatment for sun burns. It is even more effective if chilled. Slices could be applied directly over the skin to immediately soothe and reduce pain.

Potatoes could be also be used for sun burns. Cold potatoes can reduce skin heat and its covering is said to prevent infection.

If you don't have any of these readily available, you just might have a carton of milk stored conveniently in your ref. You could use this in lieu of water for your cold compress. It's a natural way of relieving pain and itchiness. Simply soak cloth in a bowl of milk with ice cubes. You could also use yogurt as a substitute for milk.

Why go the trouble of treating sun burns when the best treatment is prevention. But just in case you find yourself with a nasty sun burn, these natural treatments could go a long way in alleviating the pain and itchiness without further damaging your skin.

Image credit: Freedigititalphotos.net/photostock

Keeping our Joints Healthy

Having osteoarthritis is a long-term proposition. Staying active and keeping your joints healthy so that you can do the things you want and need to do is your job, as independently as you can, for as long as you can.

Physicians say that there is nothing that they can do to slow the progression of osteoarthritis. And in the majority of cases, there's nothing the patient can do that would make the disease get worse faster.

You can manage your osteoarthritis on your own, with so much of the time. You'll need the guidance of a doctor or physical therapist to cope with pain, handle obstacles, and make sure you're steering in the right direction sometimes. When will you seek help?

When you're beginning an exercise program

When you have osteoarthritis, the worst thing someone can do is nothing. For those people with osteoarthritis, exercise is particularly important. Muscle strengthening takes strain off the joints while core strengthening has been shown to be very important in taking strain off the knee to prevent injury.

Of course you know how to walk, and your gym trainer can show you how to use weight machines. When you have arthritis, it is a bit more complicated to exercise than it is for a healthy 25 years old. To prevent injury and make the most of your exercise program, you should consult a doctor or physical therapist when you start so that you can get a customized program that's designed for your own individual needs and limitations.

When the pain gets in the way

When you're hurt when you walk or bend, you are avoiding your weekly golf game or working in your bellowed garden.

It's time to intervene when you're having enough pain that prevents you from doing what you need or want to do. You can relieve the pain sometimes with cortisone or other medications like drugs that mimic the effect of chondroitin on cartilage.

There are other ways to ease pain that include:

- Using of orthotics. These are custom-made shoes inserts that help protect knees and hips by acting as shock absorbers when walking.

- Use of knee brace to help stabilize the knee joint.

- Ice therapy. Putting ice to the affected joint may help improve swelling, pain and range of motion.

- To relieve painful joints, you can use topical analgesics.

- You can also use over-the-counter or prescription medications to help relief pain and stiffness.

When you have arthritis, it may seem like your home is filled with obstacles, such as doors that are hard to open, lamps that are difficult to turn on. Your home should be a place where you feel safe and comfortable. To make these everyday tasks easier, assistive devices for arthritis can help. There are tools that are available to ease the strain on your joints from opening small jars and bottles to getting out of the tub.

Don't let arthritis pain get in your way. There's no reason to ache when you can act.

Treating Skin Redness, Rosacea Naturally

Rosacea is a chronic and potentially life-disruptive disorder primarily affecting facial skin and is often characterized by flare-ups and remissions. A lot have checked that it typically begins any time after age 30 as a redness on the cheeks, nose, chin or forehead that may come and go. It may also occur on the neck, chest, scalp or ears.

The redness tends to become ruddier and more persistent over time, and visible blood vessels may appear. Bumps and pimples often develop, and in severe cases the nose may grow swollen and bumpy from excess tissue when left untreated. In some patients, the eyes are also affected, feeling irritated and appearing watery or bloodshot.

Individuals with fair skin who tend to flush or blush easily are believed to be at greater risk. Women are most frequently diagnosed with this disease, but more severe symptoms tend to be seen in men.

There are primary signs of rosacea:

Flushing

A lot of people with rosacea have a history of frequent blushing or flushing. The facial redness may come and go and this is the earliest sign of the disorder.

Persistent Redness

It is the most common individual sign of rosacea, and may resemble a blush or sunburn that does not go away.

Bumps and Pimples

You may have small red solid bumps or pus-filled pimples. Blackheads are absent and burning or stinging may occur while these may resemble acne.

Visible Blood Vessels

Small blood vessels become visible on the skin in many people with rosacea.

Help for Rosacea

Though rosacea cannot be cured, with the proper treatment and elimination of certain triggers from your lifestyle, this condition can be controlled.

Natural Remedies

There are a number of natural remedies and alternative techniques used to reduce rosacea symptoms. Here are some of the most frequently used alternative treatments for rosacea:

Chrysanthellum Indicum Cream

This a cream that contains an extract of the herb Chrysanthellum indicum that may help treat rosacea, according to a Study published in Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology in 2005.

A study on 246 people with rosacea used either a cream containing one percent Chrysanthellum indicum extract or a placebo every day for 12 weeks. The results have shown that the Chrysanthellum indicum cream was significantly more effective than the placebo in reducing rosacea symptoms. Mild adverse reactions were felt and did not differ from those experienced by members of the placebo group.

Niacinamide Cream

Niacinamide may aid in the treatment of rosacea when applied directly to the skin, it is a form of vitamin B3. In a 2005 study, researchers found that a niacinamide-containing facial moisturizer was more effective than a placebo moisturizer in improving the skin barrier among people with rosacea.

Azelaic Acid Cream

This is a substance copied from wheat, rye, and barley. Azelaic acid is thought to alleviate skin redness and reduce rosacea-related papules and pustules when applied to the skin.

Azelaic acid cream has several side effects like stinging on application and lightening of darkened areas of skin.