Exercise For Fitness News

Saturday, September 30, 2006

Practice yoga avidly to keep hypertension at bay


Hindu, India - 5 hours ago... Kendram at 98412-54332. Isha Foundation will conduct yoga at Annadhana Samajam, Perambur, from Monday. On Sunday an introduction ... Read more...

Back Pain Remedies

by Saurabh Jain

Back pain Remedies are required as back pain is quite a common phenomenon and generally occurs due to wrong posture or sudden movements. Each one of us is prone to back pain since the lower portion of our back supports a large portion of our body weight. The stability and the fitness of the lower back is dependant on the strength and the position of our vertebral bodies and the inter-vertebral disks.

Back pain is often a short-term phenomenon and can be rectified by exercises or painkillers. However, back pain can also become chronic and recur by even a small movement.

Back pain is generally not associated with an injury or illness and may even go away without any medication. Painkillers, such as Aspirin, Ibuprofen and acetaminophen, can prove to be quite useful in relieving back pain in initial stages. The application of a cold pack on the affected area in the first 24-48 hours is also effective in reducing the pain. Other most commonly available back pain remedies for back pain include a mixture made from Comfrey Root and special massage oils.

People suffering from back pain should avoid sudden turning or bending movements. Bed rest is not recommended for people suffering from back pain. Instead, one should continue with his/her normal activities, while taking precaution of avoiding sudden movements. Exercises, such as short walks, stretching and swimming, are recommended in case of moderate pain. Since back pain is generally not related to an injury, limited medical treatment is available.

For more information on Back Pain visit http://www.backpain-resources-online.com

Saurabh Jain is the Executive Editor of Online Back pain resource, www.backpain-resources-online.com. He has developed this site to provide valuable information to people suffering from back pain. This site enumerates different causes and factors related to back pain, guides through the different back pain treatments and suggests exercises for treatments of different types of back pain. The site is a free online resource for back pain and its remedies. The visitors can also find valuable information and reviews about the different equipments and therapies for back pain relief. Visit www.backpain-resources-online.com for more information.

Friday, September 29, 2006

Weight-loss surgery center shuts doors


The Morbid Me, FL - 20 hours agoAbout 25% of patients who have open gastric bypass surgery develop incisional hernias. These lead to serious complications. Holding ... Read more...

Thursday, September 28, 2006

Wellness for Women day


Chelmsford Independent, MA - 17 hours agoBeyond Bliss Yoga Center, 313 Littleton Road, Chelmsford, will present a Wellness for Women Workshop on Tuesday, Oct. 3 from 7:15 ... Read more...

Know The Symptoms of Juvenile Diabetes

by Tom Capizzi

According to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International (JDRFI), “every year over 13,000 children are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.” There is no known cure for this stealthy disease that attacks and destroys the beta cells that produce insulin. Symptoms present themselves suddenly and progress rapidly. Knowing what symptoms to look for, if you suspect juvenile diabetes has gripped your child, will lead you to seek the medical counsel of a physician.

Know the Symptoms:The need to urinate often. If your child has been potty trained and begins wetting themselves frequently, consider juvenile diabetes as a possibility.

Extreme thirst and a keen desire for cold drinks that are sweet.

A need to eat often and complaints of being hungry.

Eyesight problems such as blurred vision.

Irritable.

Child complains of nausea and is vomiting. (Acute symptoms that need immediate attention) Losing weight while continuing to display a healthy appetite.

Listless, tired, abnormally quiet.

Falling into a coma. (A life threatening condition that requires immediate medical intervention)

It’s not always apparent that a child has type 1 or juvenile diabetes. Some of the symptoms seem like average childhood problems that occur. Nausea and/or vomiting can be misconstrued as the flu. Irritability, being tired and listless may be attributed to behaviors all children exhibit at one time or another. The discovery of juvenile diabetes may happen during a visit to a physician for another ailment such as a vaginal yeast infection for girls or even a routine examination.

Untreated diabetic children may display restless behavior and an apathetic attitude when it comes to school. The inability to focus on tasks at hand leaves them somewhat dysfunctional and frustrated. Rapid, deep breaths that have a fruity odor are another more subtle sign that could easily be overlooked. The behaviors may go unnoticed by parents as symptoms of juvenile diabetes until the child reaches diabetic ketoacidosis. DKA is a serious condition with the body receiving little or no insulin and resulting in energy being produced by the breakdown of fat. This process causes ketones or acids to spill into the blood stream as toxins. One quarter of the children with juvenile diabetes has all ready advanced to the level of diabetic ketoacidosis before seeing a physician or being diagnosed. If the juvenile diabetes continues to go untreated, the child may lapse into a diabetic coma.

A diagnosis is made through blood tests that target glucose levels and urine tests that measure the level of ketones and glucose. The tests are far simpler to read than reading the behaviors of your child and being able to pinpoint them as potential symptoms of juvenile diabetes. With knowledge comes power and by knowing the symptoms parents have the power to begin successful management of type 1 diabetes giving their child the opportunity for as normal a childhood as possible.

Tom Capizzi owns http://www.diabetessymptomsonline.com .Get more details about Diabetes Symptoms at http://www.diabetessymptomsonline.com/.


Wednesday, September 27, 2006

Kingsville woman takes weight-loss hopes to TV


International News Service, Australia - 2 hours ago... In California, outgoing Democratic Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante is running for state insurance commissioner based on his own weight-loss program. ... Read more...

Tuesday, September 26, 2006

Health Risks associated with the use of anabolic steroids

by Richard Mitchell

Anabolic steroids are classed as illegal drugs and are banned by most legitimate sports organizations. There can be no disputing the fact that testosterone boosts the development of muscle mass and aids sporting performance. Equally there is no doubt that its use can adversely affect the health and wellbeing of users.

The androgenic properties of testosterone can affect the body in many ways but often users see these as inconveniences that can be treated by using other drugs. The most common side effects of testosterone supplementation include the following:

1. Testicle shrinkage - the body responds to testosterone overload by reducing its own production of the hormone. This causes the testicles to shrink due to lack of use. When steroid usage stops, the testicles will grow again but they could take at least six months to return to normal size.

2. Addiction - despite some users trying to convince themselves otherwise, the use of steroids can result in physical and psychological addiction. Withdrawal symptoms can be severe with muscle shrinkage, weakness and loss of libido.

3. Growth of breast tissue - this affects roughly one third of male steroid users. It is caused by the conversion of some excess testosterone into the female hormone estrogen. The breasts usually disappear when use of steroids ceases but in some cases they are permanent and may require surgical removal.

4. Baldness and skin conditions - excess testosterone can be converted into DHT, a hair unfriendly by-product that is responsible for male pattern baldness and oily skin.

5. Pain, bruising, infection and scarring may result from careless or incompetent injecting.

Some people have died as a result of steroid abuse and even those who adopt a careful, pragmatic approach have to accept that these health risks are unavoidable. My advice is, follow the natural route and use nutritional supplements to boost the anabolic process.

Richard Mitchell is the creator of the bodybuildingadvisor.com website that provides guidance and information to athletes at all levels of bodybuilding experience. Go to Bodybuilding Advice to learn more about the issues covered in this article.
Provided By: Recreation and Sports


Sunday, September 24, 2006

Gall Bladder and Back Pain

by Saurabh Jain

The gall bladder back pain is usually caused due to the inflammation or improper functioning of gall bladder, which is a small pear-shaped organ on the underside of the liver, in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen. Its main function is to collect and store bile, which is used by the body to digest fats. Bile is made in the liver cells (hepatocytes) and consists of water, electrolytes, bile acids, phospholipids and bilirubin. It assists in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, A, D, E and K.

Causes Of Gall Bladder Problems

Gall bladder diseases and problems are fairly common and affect both men and women. The symptoms can vary from indigestion and nausea to vomiting and pain in the right upper abdomen. This pain also radiates to the lower back, resulting in gall bladder back pain.

Other symptoms include:

1. Fever due to inflammation in the gall bladder

2. Abdominal bloating

3. Severe heartburn and gas

4. Jaundice

5. Diarrhea

Some of the gall bladder problems are caused by:

1. Production of toxic bile by the liver

2. Inadequate production of bile

3. Excess amount of cholesterol in bile, leading to the formation of gall bladder stones

4. Infection in gall bladder

5. Hormonal changes during pregnancy

6. Blood disorders or infections

The lower back pain can be attributed to a gall bladder disorder problem that results in gall bladder pain called biliary colic. Biliary colic occurs when gallstones block the small duct that drains bile to the small intestine. Gallstones or biliary calculi are small stones formed from a mixture of cholesterol, bile pigment and calcium salts. The formation of gallstones is a very common disorder and affects approximately 15% of the people at the age of around 50. However, in most cases, complication and infections don't arise until gallstones block a bile duct, which then leads to severe pain lasting from 30 min to several hours.

In such circumstances, you must undertake an ultra sound test to confirm the presence of gallstones and then get the proper treatment with the help of a doctor.

For more details on Back Pain Click Below http://www.backpain-resources-online.com/index.html

Saurabh Jain is the Executive Editor of Online Back pain resource, www.backpain-resources-online.com. He has developed this site to provide valuable information to people suffering from back pain. This site enumerates different causes and factors related to back pain, guides through the different back pain treatments and suggests exercises for treatments of different types of back pain. The site is a free online resource for back pain and its remedies. The visitors can also find valuable information and reviews about the different equipments and therapies for back pain relief. Visit www.backpain-resources-online.com for more information.

Saturday, September 23, 2006

Low Glycemic Diet + Weight Loss Plan


CarbWire.com - 10 hours agoWhen you are on the low-carb lifestyle, it is almost impossible to avoid hearing someone say about your weight loss, "Oh, it's just water weight that you are ... Read more...

Friday, September 22, 2006

Fitness For 50 And Beyond

by Varun Pratap

At fifty, many of us take stock of our lives.

We can look back on careers, friends, and family that we are proud of, but what do we want to do with our middle years?

How can we make the most of our lives?

Perhaps the most overlooked aspect of our later years, as well as the one that may have the greatest impact on our overall well-being, is our health and fitness.

How, then, can we best ensure our health and fitness into our mid and later years?

Exercise can help slow down the onset of the symptoms of aging.

The health benefits of a good exercise program are numerous.

Exercise helps maintain muscle strength and joint flexibility.

In addition, the stress put on our bones through exercise help maintain their strength and integrity.

Even our mood can be improved by staying healthy---researchers have discovered a link between exercise and a decrease in depression and anxiety.

This may be due to the increase in energy and the improved sleeping patterns among fit fifty year olds.

Of course, nothing beats exercise for battling weight gain and getting our body into the kind of shape that can still turn heads as we walk down the street.

Besides that, our blood pressure tends to drop, lowering the chance of heart disease.

Even our immune system gets a boost from regular exercise.

Believe it or not, physical activity has even been linked to improved mental function!

Think of the advantages of living a longer and a more active life.

>From walking, running or cycling, to push-ups and sit-ups to actual weight lifting, at home or at the gym, each form of exercise has its own benefits to keeping you fit and strong.

This will reduce the discomfort to the joints and muscles after the exercises are done.

Similarly, after a workout, make sure and take the time to stretch and cool down.

How you decide to stay fit and healthy is up to you.

If the thought of bouncing around a gym or workout center in spandex makes you cringe, take heart.

Chair aerobics are designed to give those with mobility problems a good cardio workout without putting strain on the joints and bones.

A chair aerobics session may include kicks, punches and stretches, and often includes the use of workout bands and weights to increase strength and resistance training as the workouts get more intense.

Better heart function, lower blood pressure, increased circulation and heightened alertness, say the experts.

It's the perfect solution if you can't leave your desk or if you work at home and can't get to the gym.

It's also an excellent solution for older Americans who may not be as mobile as they once were, but who can benefit from regular exercise.

According to many recent studies, engaging in moderate exercise three to five times a week can help reduce the risk of heart disease, hypertension, stroke, diabetes and arthritis.

Among the exercise that the American Physical Therapy Association recommends for seniors are golf, gardening, walking, swimming and jogging.

Water fitness classes are among the best aerobics exercises you can do, especially if you suffer from joint stiffness or arthritic pain.

Because you're in the water, there's no impact shock, making water exercises the ideal form of low-impact aerobic exercise.

Varun Pratap

Learn Tips on Health, Fitness and Weight loss at http://www.lifestyledecision.com


SHOPPING WITH A TWIST - APPAREL GURU: Fast-growing yoga clothing ...


American Chronicle, CA - 17 hours agoYoga is wonderful for nurturing a state of mental and physical well being. It ... you. Practicing yoga will increase your metabolism. ... Read more...

Thursday, September 21, 2006

Samar formulates strategic nutrition programs for LGUs, disparity ...


Record-Searchlight (subscription), CA - 16 hours ago... Shasta Senior Nutrition Program's spaghetti dinner will be held Friday in support of its Meals on Wheels service. The event will ... Read more...

Wednesday, September 20, 2006

Omega 3 Fish Oils: Their Effect On Our Heart Health

by Marcus Ryan

If you're interested in your heart health, then this article will interest you.

Omega 3 fatty acids have made into the medical journals because of several important and impressive health effects.

These omega 3 fish oils are available from natural food sources or as supplements (as fish oil capsules). Either way, they can be used to help keep us healthy in mind and body.

It is a real medical discovery that has both the medical community as well as the general population take notice.

In this article, we'll look at the benefits of omega 3 oils on heart health.

Benefits of omega 3 fatty acids in survivors of heart attacks (myocardial infarction)

The DART study (which stands for the Diet And Reinfarction Trial) showed that survivors of heart attacks who took oily fish, equivalent to about 500 to 800 mg of omega 3 fatty acids per day, had a reduction in total death rate of 29%. Those patients who chose to take fish oil capsules containing 450 mg of omega 3 fatty acids (DHA and EPA) per day, had a reduction in cardiac related death of 62%, and a reduction in risk of death of 56%.

Then came the GISSI prevention trial, which was a large Italian study of 11,324 myocardial infarction survivors.

This study showed that myocardial infarction survivors who took a capsule of fish oil every day, equivalent to 1 gram of fish oil, which is equivalent to 850mg of omega 3s, had a 30% fall in cardiac mortality, and 45% fall in risk of sudden death. And these benefits were apparent within just four months of the trial.

Then the Lyon study came into the picture, looking at 600 myocardial infarction patients.

It was found that those who took the advice of eating a Mediterranean diet, with an emphasis on fruit and vegetables, and in particular an adequate intake of non marine sources of omega 3 oils (alpha-linolenic acid), had a fall in their risk of heart related death at 5 years by 70%, when compared to those patients who had no such dietary advice.

Now let's have a look at fish oil effects in prevention of heart disease in the first place...

Benefits of omega 3 in preventing heart disease and sudden death in healthy individuals

Firstly, there was a study looking at the benefits of omega 3 fatty acids in healthy male doctors. This study was known as the Physician's Health Study.

This study found that those with the highest levels of omega 3 fatty acids in their blood streams, had a risk of sudden death that was only 1/5 of the risk of sudden death found in the group with the lowest omega 3 fatty acid levels. That is, their relative risk was 19%. Those with the second highest levels of omega 3 fatty acids had a relative risk of less than 1/3, with a relative risk of 28%.

Secondly, there was the Chicago Physician's Health Study Western Electric Study which studied a group of 1822 men over a period of 30 years.

This study found that those who ate more than 35 g of fish per day had 38% less risk of dying from heart disease, and a 44% reduction in risk of heart attacks, when compared to those who had no fish intake.

These are just sample of the various studies on the health effects of omega 3 fatty acids on cardiac health.

It is very sobering to realise that about 50% of heart attacks have no warning.

The benefits as shown in the studies above, relate to preventing heart attacks in those who have already had one, as well as reducing the risk of myocardial infarction and sudden death in healthy individuals.

The these essential fatty acids have been linked to reductions in risk of dementia and depression, in the treatment of depressed patients, and improvement in IQ of children.

There are even studies on the effect of fish oils on reducing levels of aggression in young adults.

The health benefits of omega 3 fish oils are certainly very interesting, and very promising.

They vary from heart health, to mental health.

If you have a medical condition, you should always seek the advice of your doctor before taking any new supplements or medications in case you are on medications or have medical conditions that contraindicate the use of natural supplements.

Remember that prevention is always better than cure.

And that health is really our greatest asset.

So be alert for more developments in this area, including more medical studies on the various health benefits of omega 3 fatty acids.

Marcus Ryan

Want to learn more about omega 3 fatty acids? Marcus Ryan helps you to discover the health benefits of omega 3 fatty acids and fish oil, including a clear understand of the results of medical studies and research. Visit http://www.omega3oils.info

Tuesday, September 19, 2006

Some doctors oppose Carilion Clinic plan


Roanoke Times, VA - 15 hours ago... weight-loss programs. Mankie now works for the nutrition counseling company The Nutrition Resource Inc on Electric Road. By the ... Read more...

Sunday, September 17, 2006

Yoga Shelter to stretch across Metro area, US


Huntington Herald Dispatch, WV - 4 hours ago... HUNTINGTON - Marshall Community & Technical College will be offering an Integrated Yoga class beginning Oct. 2 through Nov. 6, according to a prepared release. ... Read more...

Friday, September 15, 2006

Study Finds Further Evidence of Rapid Weight Loss in Senior ...


Market-Day.net, AZ - 19 minutes agoby Tracy Lee. You have set your weight loss goals and mapped out your plan to lose all those excess pounds that you have been dying to get rid off. ... Read more...

Thursday, September 14, 2006

How Doing Yoga For Golf On The Ball Can Quickly Improve Women Golfers Balance And Stability

by Mike Pedersen

Are you getting tighter by the day? Do you feel like your swing is out of balance and not very stable? Doing yoga with a ball will help.

Improving flexibility is a well-known thought for most golfers, including women golfers. But why are women golfers hesitant to stretch regularly? Could it be that it’s boring?

There is a growing population of female golfers who are taking up yoga. Yoga is a great resource for not only improving your flexibility – but strengthening your core and improving your balance for a more stable golf swing.

That’s why adding some interest by incorporating a stability ball in the routine might increase your interest in doing yoga.

Using a stability ball in a yoga routine can add some visual interest as well as challenge. The stability ball by itself works the core and stabilizing muscles of the entire body. Add some yoga exercises and you’ve got a great workout that will dramatically improve your golf game.

GOLF TIP: The Simple Exercise That Helps You Relieve Back Pain -- and stress on your hips when you play.

This exercise targets the muscle groups in your hamstrings, glutes and hips. Theses are key muscles to strengthen to not only reduce back pain, but improve golf posture and stability in your swing. Here's the exercise that will solve that problem:

I call it the "Bridge On The Ball" It requires the use of a stability ball. Sit on the ball and roll out until only your head and upper back are on the ball. Now raise your hips up until they are parallel with the ground. Hold this position for up to 60 seconds and repeat 3 times. That's all there is to it! Do this exercise everyday and you will notice a marked improvement in lower back pain and stability in your golf swing.


Consider this: It's proven that tension in the golf swing is a killer. Really pay attention to how you feel on the course. Standing over a shot that you don’t feel comfortable with. That’s a common scenario in golf. The result is undo tension - causing mishits and higher scores.

Being able to trust your body during every shot will greatly reduce the amount of tension your produce in your swing give you the best chance at solid-ball contact and greater distance and accuracy.

Mike Pedersen is a certified golf fitness expert and founder of the webs only online golf performance program for women at www.fitgolfforwomen.com
Provided By: Recreation and Sports

Wednesday, September 13, 2006

Surat turns to yoga


InTheNews.co.uk, UK - 8 hours ago... And over in India one family have reported that their dog has been taking yoga lessons. ... When I found that Hritik wants to do yoga I started training him. ... Read more...

Tuesday, September 12, 2006

Vivek Launches Kiddie Nutrition Book


Asian Tribune, Thailand - 6 hours ago... a press statement released by UNICEF in Colombo, "The Japan Committee for UNICEF has contributed US$2.3 million to help boost children s nutrition, as well ... Read more...

Monday, September 11, 2006

Unique yoga practice may help alleviate lower back pain


The Japan Times, Japan - 2 hours ago... After several bad experiences, which had pretty much convinced me to give up the idea of yoga altogether, I was introduced to my current teacher, Hikaru. ... Read more...

Sunday, September 10, 2006

UAMS Launching Study Of Weight Loss Plans


Huntington Herald Dispatch, WV - 14 hours ago... Remember that some foods provide more calories than others. Choosing low-fat foods can aid in weight loss by reducing total calorie intake. ... Read more...

Friday, September 08, 2006

Hypoglycemia- Know diabetes to control it-

by Nilutpal Gogoi

Hypoglycemia is a common problem of the diabetics. The most common sign of hypoglycemia is scarce blood sugar in the body. Actually, hypoglycemia causes the blood sugar to pass out via urine. This is notwithstanding the fact that different persons suffering from this dysfunction may have different types of symptoms. Mentionably, hypoglycemia retraces its steps the moment the blood sugar level turns normal.

Sugar is a good slave but a very taxing master. Sugar is one of the main sources of energy or fuel for the body. Now, our body extracts sugar from the meals we have. Sugar can be carbohydrates which is a complex form of this stimulating source or just plain sugar. It is rather interesting to note that our body always keeps a buffer stock of sugar in the liver. This vital storehouse of sugar is called glycogen. This storage of sugar provides ready backup of sugar during exigencies when the body badly needs to look for sugar reinforcements. Mention may be made of some really trying times as too much of physical labor or during long periods of fasting. Further, the body releases the requisite additional quota of sugar via a complex biochemical procedure. This method is known as gluco-neo-genesis. Its simplest meaning is to produce new sugar. What is more, the process changes the glycogen into sugar.

So we see how important sugar is for our body. Hypoglycemia happens whenever the body fails to regulate or supply such emergency sugar reinforcements. These problems appear due to malfunctioning of our pancreas. During such times, the natural capacity of the body to produce insulin gets affected. Our body’s blood sugar level is automatically kept under control by insulin. This hormone secreted by the pancreas carries out the job by lowering the blood sugar level the moment it crosses the danger stage. In a normal human being, the pancreas is the sentinel ever on vigil against the attacks of excessive blood sugar. The method is akin to the radiator fan in your car which starts automatically whenever the engine gets heated up beyond the requisite level.

Hypoglycemia is intimately connected with the typical metabolic ailment known as Diabetes mellitus. The ailment, diabetes, can definitely be kept under control but cannot be cured by the modern-day medications. It is a medical state that is chronic. In simple words, diabetes or hypoglycemia remains a person’s lifetime mate.

The diabetics usually posses high levels of sugar in their blood stream. Incidentally in the good olden days, diabetes was initially identified with ‘sweet urine’ and too much loss of muscles. Such sweet urine is the result of hypoglycemia when the body produces glucose more than its requirement. What is more, the excess glucose gets circulated in the blood. Only when the pancreas is functioning normally can its insulin hormone control the high level of blood sugar.

Patients suffering from diabetics (Types 1 and 2) complain of hypoglycemia. A person suffering from hypoglycemia generally encounters problems in controlling the blood sugar level. This again results because that person’s pancreas failed to either produce the sufficient quantity of insulin or totally failed to produce any insulin. The consequence is hyperglycemia.

There are many causes of hypoglycemia. Diabetics undergoing long periods of fasting can have hypoglycemia. This happens because their levels of insulin circulate fast. And, the fasting phase suddenly brings down this high circulating level. Moreover, certain drugs can also trigger off hypoglycemia. Even those persons who have inbuilt resistance to insulin may complain of hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia can be caused also by certain tumors which produce insulin. Such tumors are called insulinomas.

Nilutpal Gogoi is a writer and a freelance journalist having more than 18 years of service in several audio-visual and print media reputed organizations in North East India. He has published more than 1000 articles and a popular adventure book for children. For more information log on to http://www.mywellbeingcenter.com/ http://www.carehealthguide.com/ http://www.healthinesssite.com

Wednesday, September 06, 2006

EDITORIAL: Children's health


Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, MS - 2 hours agoThe Health Care Foundation of North Mississippi, an arm of North Mississippi Medical Center's comprehensive system, plans to build an interactive children's ... Read more...

Monday, September 04, 2006

In weight-loss world, Durham is the capital


News 10 Now, NY - 3 hours agoThe best way for diabetics to manage their blood sugar may also be effective for losing weight. Doug Shults, 60, started taking ... Read more...

Sunday, September 03, 2006

Health Care Reaches Tipping Point


ZNet, MA - 15 hours ago... Examining the roots of our health care and pension dilemma, Gladwell reports that when General Motors and the United Auto Workers were negotiating in 1950 ... Read more...

School Nutrition Association Names Kingsport District of ...


Toronto Sun, Canada - 12 hours ago... Canada. The Dietitians of Canada plays a lead role in this network by providing quality nutrition and health eating information. ... Read more...

Saturday, September 02, 2006

Olympic decathlon champ Mathias in failing health


Contra Costa Times, CA - 10 hours agoBob Mathias, a two-time Olympic decathlon champion, member of Stanford's 1952 Rose Bowl team and a former congressman, is near death in a Fresno hospital. ... Read more...

Friday, September 01, 2006

Holistic Medicine As Compared With Other Medical Practices

by Robert Thatcher

Holistic medicine is health care that comprises all the aspects of one' s personality to obtain the optimum state of wellness. It encompasses the process of looking into the wholeness of the person including nutritional, physical, environmental, spiritual, lifestyle and social values. Holistic medicine includes virtually all treatments and diagnosis known to achieve balance in personality. It upholds the responsibility of educating one's self to attain the ideal over-all health and well being.

Holistic medicine and Alternative Medicine

Alternative medicine is commonly associated with holistic medicine. By definition, alternative medicine is the medical techniques that are usually not accepted or practiced by conventional medical practitioners. Most alternative medicines are founded to have rooted on unscientific, untested and untraditional principles. Often, these forms of medicine are closely associated with metaphysical components and anti-scientific stands.

Many of these techniques don't normally have pharmaceutical values like the acupuncture, herbalism, Reiki, homeopathy and the likes. Yet the alternative medicine may also be used in experimental non-drug and drug techniques that are not yet accepted in the medical circles. The future of alternative medicine holds on the potentiality of transforming the "alternative medicine" into conventional medicine since it is now becoming widely appreciated and practiced by medical doctors. In fact, complementary medicine is the term used for alternative medicine practiced in combination with conventional medicine.

Due to these changes in view of the alternative medicine, holistic medicine has become a more preferable option among those who are quite doubtful of the alternative medicine.

Alternative medicine may appeal to metaphysical beliefs and so does the holistic medicine but on milder and more scientifically based approach. Yet the knowledge applied in holistic medicine still cannot hide the fact that it tends to cling to non-scientific knowledge.

Simply put holistic medicine claims to cure and treat the whole person. Holistic medicine stresses out the unification of the mind and the physical body. Holistic medicine practitioners give credence to the belief the man is not a pure physical body with systems and parts that encompass it. Man is also a spiritual being that requires spiritual healing. Holistic medicine concerns itself to the belief of the connection between the spirit and emotions and mind.

The gap between holistic medicine and alternative medicine is closed by the common practice of not using drug treatments and surgeries. They usually employ meditation, herbs, prayers, vitamins and minerals, as well as exotic diets in treating certain ailments.

Holistic Medicine and Conventional Medicine

Allopathy or conventional medicine defines individual health as the non-occurrence of diseases, which appeals to be a negative approach in defining the condition. Holistic medicine on the other hand concerns itself on a person's absolute state of physical, social, mental and spiritual well-being.

As based on the definition given (that is commonly used among medical practitioners), orthodox medicine remains to deal with one's susceptibility to diseases instead of the wellness as opposed by holistic medicine. Based on common observations, conventional medicine typically doesn't apply to healthy individuals. While holistic medicine focuses on the quality of living practiced by people. Sick people normally don't seek medical attention not until the symptoms of the disease/s are obvious. Thus, there is too little preventive treatment against sickness.

There are great differences between holistic medicine and the conventional type both in the diagnosis and treatments. Most of which are scientifically based. In oppose to this stand, diagnosis in holistic treatment are conceived through the manifestations of body imbalance. These are determined through certain procedures distinctive only to holistic medicine and other related medicinal practices.

People who have already undergone any of these procedures claim that is not bad trying on or all of these practices. Yet individual preferences still have the hand on what will be accepted as the ideal procedure.

Robert Thatcher is a freelance publisher based in Cupertino, California. He publishes articles and reports in various ezines and provides holistic medicine resources on http://www.about-holistic-medicine.info.