Depression is a serious medical condition that can affect anyone. Men, women and children are all susceptible to this disease which can have devastating effects on someone's daily life. Depression can come on suddenly, for no reason, or it might follow a traumatic experience such as a death or some other traumatic experience.

Symptoms of depression can interfere with a person's ability to work, sleep, study and enjoy life in a fruitful way. If you find that these symptoms persist for more than a few weeks you should discuss it with your doctor. The symptoms to look for include: sadness, irritability, no interest in hobbies and activities which once were loved, hopelessness, problems sleeping, fatigue, thoughts of suicide or death, feelings of guilt and significant weight change.

Once these symptoms start affecting the way you live your life, it's time to seek help. M.I., who has had depression on and off for many years says, "I never really knew what was wrong with me. I would have these bouts with trying to cope with life, but all I would end up doing is staying sad and crying all the time. I couldn't see any way out of what I was dealing with in my life, but I'm glad I hung in there. Being able to find out what was wrong with me and knowing that I could get treatment for it changed my life."

Depression an also affect the physical health of a person, which is a symptom that is often overlooked. I. A., a depression sufferer shares, "I would get these pains in my arms, shoulder and hands. My doctor told me that he couldn't find anything wrong. Nothing wrong with my bones or my joints, but the pains never seemed to go away. Now I know it was related to the depression."

No one knows what exactly causes depression, but some believe it might be caused by an imbalance of certain chemicals in the brain, and in that instance you and your doctor might decide that you need to take antidepressants. One form of depression called "Seasonal Affective Disorder" (SAD) uses light therapy as treatment since it's thought that a lack of sunlight during certain times of the year could be a cause.

If you think depression might be entering your life, don't wait to get help. There is nothing wrong with asking questions and trying to get help. Many people are too afraid or feel guilty about asking for help for depression. A lot of the world still thinks that depression is "just the blues" or just a person feeling down. Depression is a very real medical condition that is just as valid as having a broken bone that would need to be treated.

"A reluctance to get help can lead to years of disability and not having a good and happy life," says B.D., "I could have gotten help a long time ago, but I waited for about ten years before taking action. I thought I should have been a person strong enough to beat depression on my own. I sure wish I had made the move toward help instead of waiting."

Remember, depression is a treatable condition that can get better. You need to take the steps to get the help you need.

People often use the word 'depression' to describe when someone is feeling miserable, low or 'in a bad mood'. It can be difficult to tell the difference between a depressive illness and someone feeling low. The diagnosis of depression can be made after the patient has been assessed for the severity of the low mood and other related factors.

Depression is a common, treatable problem that anyone can develop. Although many people may assume that a person suffering from depression simply needs to 'snap out of it', this is not the case! There are things that can be done by the individual or their peers to alleviate the symptoms and aid the road to recovery.

The causes of depression are not fully understood, but early life experiences or genetics may be contributing factors. Other events that may trigger an episode of depression may include the loss of a job or a loved one, a relationship ending or other stressful experiences. It may also be caused by the use of recreational drugs or through drug treatments, or even because of a physical illness.

Some of the symptoms include the loss of interest in normal activities, having no energy and feeling tired all of the time, waking up early in the morning or difficulty sleeping, lack of appetite, loss of sexual appetite, irritability, restlessness and anxiety, the lack of self-confidence and the avoidance of other people.

Unfortunately there is no real test for depression and it can only be diagnosed by the symptoms. Once diagnosed, a person can be treated by a Doctor, a counsellor, a psychiatrist, a psychologist or a psychotherapist.

Depression can be treated in different ways, depending on the severity of the condition. If a person has a mild condition, psychotherapies are offered and can be as effective as medication. If the condition is more severe, medication will probably be needed, but psychotherapy may be used as a supplement.

Your physician will choose which medication is suitable for you, depending on the side effects of the drug and your symptoms. Unfortunately not everyone responds to the medication and as a result a higher dose or a different medication may be required, or even a combination of psychotherapy and medication may be needed.

Some people need more specialised help, so may be referred to a psychiatrist. The psychiatrist will want to find out about background information, including work and home life, what problems a person is suffering and if there are any emotional or health problems. The psychiatrist will also need to know what current medication you are on.

If you are suffering from depression the last thing you should do is bottle things up. You should start by talking to people about your problems, then get help from your physician. Lying in bed all day or locking yourself away from the world will only compound the problem. Getting regular exercise can often help and can keep your mind off things. This is often easier said than done when suffering from depression, as you may not feel like doing anything, but you should try to be as active as you can. Try not to drink excessive amounts of alcohol as it will only make the symptoms worse and harder to treat. It is also important to remember that you are suffering from an illness and it is treatable. Do not suffer alone!

Thoughts of suicide is most likely the worst type of depression. Suicide is " The act or an instance of intentionally killing oneself." (See Sources Below)

Suicide is considered the highest level of depression, usually thoughts leading to death. This sign of depression was the 11th leading cause of death in the United States, taking the lives of 30,622 people in 2001 alone. It outnumbered homicide 3 to 2. 55 percent of suicides were commited with a firearm and it is said that the older the person, the more likely they are to commit suicide. This form of depression was the 8th leading cause death of males, and 19th death of females.

So what are some risk factors and possible signs of this depression? Take a look at them:

* Previous suicide attempt(s)

* History of mental disorders, particularly depression

* History of alcohol and substance abuse

* Family history of suicide

* Family history of child maltreatment

* Feelings of hopelessness

* Impulsive or aggressive tendencies

* Barriers to accessing mental health treatment

* Loss (relational, social, work, or financial)

* Physical illness

* Easy access to lethal methods

* Unwillingness to seek help because of the stigma attached to mental health and substance abuse disorders or suicidal thoughts

* Cultural and religious beliefs—for instance, the belief that suicide is a noble resolution of a personal dilemma

* Local epidemics of suicide

* Isolation, a feeling of being cut off from other people

(See Sources Below)

As to most depressions, there are solutions. Suicide has prevention strategies as well. The NCIPC came up with this one as seen on their site-"This strategy results from collaboration among several federal agencies (including CDC), coalitions, community-based organizations, practitioners, and other partners. As conceived, the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention (NSSP) requires a variety of organizations and individuals to become involved in suicide prevention. The NSSP emphasizes coordination of resources and the application of culturally appropriate services at all levels of government—federal, state, tribal and community—and in the private sector. The NSSP represents the first U.S. attempt to prevent suicide through such a coordinated approach. Information about NSSP is available from the Department of Health and Human Services website."

Obesity in children is the biggest challenge facing parents in these early years of the twenty-first century and this article is designed to take a long hard look at the reasons.

Over the past 30 years children, and population in general, have been heading deeper into an obesity pattern, just as hours spent watching television or sitting in front of a computer have risen proportionately. In fact the graphs for obesity and television/computer sitting rise almost in unison, so there is little doubt that the two are linked. The challenge that faces parents is to tempt their children away from passive activities into action activities. A child gains more from chasing a ball in a local park than they do from TV or the internet so the first question you should ask of yourself is: “Am I doing enough to ensure my child achieves the basic level of sporting activity?” - It is parents that have created this situation by spending too much time at work at the expense of their children and therefore it is parents who must correct the situation.

The next thing that needs looking at is diet. A burger, pizza or some other take-home meal is fine as a once a month treat but not as a basic diet. There is a food pyramid indicating what we should eat to remain healthy and we should all be doing our utmost to follow the recommendations if we are truly interested in maintaining a healthy and long life.

Parents that I’ve met have made a pyramid of excuses why they can’t get their children into sport and physical activity, why they can’t get them to eat healthy food etc. But they all have one thing in common; they are just excuses that try to convince them that there is no problem. The problem isn’t in the children, it is a parental problem because when a parent states: ‘I’ve tried everything but it doesn’t work.’ They are really saying; ‘My children call the shots and lack respect for me and my judgment.’

Think about it for a moment.

- Isn’t it the role of a parent to give guidance to a child?

- Isn’t diet and activity guidance that will lead to a long healthy life a worthwhile goal for a parent?

- Do you think that a child truly respects a person that constantly gives in to them?

- If your child doesn’t learn to respect advice from people with greater experience what chance do they have at school or work?

There is a whole list of other questions but I think the few above are enough for now. It is not cruel to children to feed them a healthy diet and a healthy, but fun, exercise routine. I leave it to you to answer the alternative question: Is it kind to make your children unhealthy because doing the right thing takes a little effort at times? It is the healthy, well adjusted, children who will show most love to their parents in years to come. The secret is to make life fun and you have to be healthy to enjoy fun.

In the past few years, information on childhood obesity seems to be everywhere. The reason for this is because of the frightening rate at which the number of obese children is growing. Society is consequently trying hard to react to a worsening problem that is spreading to almost epidemic proportions.

There are four main steps all parents must take in order to prevent childhood obesity in their children.

Abolish soft drinks from the diet

One of the biggest problems in children’s diets today is that of carbonated soft drinks. Because of the fact that there is absolutely no nutritional value in these drinks, it is crucial that they are eliminated from the diet. This is particularly recommended by physicians and nutritionists as an important factor in combating the epidemic of childhood obesity that has become a reality of the modern era.

Elimination of these drinks from your child’s diet may be a difficult process, depending upon age and the amount of consumption. If the child is at an age where he or she does not yet make a choice in what is consumed, then the process is easy. This is where you simply stop giving these drinks to the child, replacing them with more healthy alternatives. Where children are old enough to help themselves, it is important to ensure that no soft drinks are available. Stock your refrigerator with low-fat milk, water, or fruit juices made from real fruit.

Remember that you are a role model for your child and therefore, it is important that you lead by example in your choice of nutritious drinks both at home and when dining out.

By creating a soft drink free environment at home and teaching your child about healthier alternatives, you can help to change the thought processes. This is only one step but that step can go a long way toward helping your child to achieve or to maintain a healthy weight.

Restrict fast food

For children who are already showing signs of obesity, it is best to completely eliminate things such as hamburgers, fried chicken, chips, milkshakes and other fattening products from fast food restaurants. However, if this has been part of the child’s routine, it may be difficult. Although scientific literature gives no specific recommendations, it is believed among nutritional experts that fast food is acceptable on a once per week basis.

It is not necessary to totally eliminate takeaway food from the diet but rather to help the child to make healthier choices. Many fast food restaurants are now listening to public opinion and providing a healthier range of food rather than just the traditional range that they are renowned for.

To totally eliminate fast food would be unrealistic as there is also a social connection, particularly in the older children. Often this is a meeting place for friends and it would be hard for the child to resist temptation. It is crucial therefore, that parents ensure their child understands how the traditional fast foods contribute to obesity.

Limit television viewing It would be unrealistic to think of eliminating television from your child’s life not to mention deprivation. There are many programs on television these days that are beneficial to your child’s development. However, it is important to limit television viewing as well as other technology such as DVDs and internet.

Child rearing professionals advocate no television at all for children under two and no more that two hours per day for children over two. This also applies to other media technology though internet surfing for homework purposes could be exempt. Remember also that if your child is spending a lot of time on the internet, it is important to have internet security software for their protection.

Another way of restricting television viewing is to only have a television in the family room rather than allowing your child to have one in the bedroom.

Dinner time is for enjoying the meal and also for enjoying the company and closeness of family. Turn the television off to promote conversation.

Promote physical activity One of the great regrets of our modern age is the lack of activity of our children. Imaginative play has been replaced by media technology which induces sedentary lifestyles. Our children should all be physically active every day. This can take the form of play, sport, physical education, walking to school or shops, community activities, or any other activity that requires a level of physical exertion.

Pre-school children should be engaging in a minimum of three sessions each week of physical activities that last more than twenty minutes at a time and that require moderate to vigorous levels of exertion. This should increase as the child gets older. As the child reaches school age, this activity should be reaching around 30 minutes to an hour of physical activity on all or most days of the week.

These recommendations will be difficult at first for the child who has been inactive so don’t expect results too quickly. Aim for fun activities with siblings or parents at first. Things such as playing a game of tag or going for a family walk in the park are better than doing nothing and will be beneficial to everyone. Gradually increase the activity during these outings. If done in a fun atmosphere, the child will look forward to these activities and it will become a natural way of life.

Looking to the Future Unfortunately, obese children often grow up to be obese adults. They are then likely to suffer diseases attributable to this obesity and the economic costs to the community are substantial.

It is therefore in everybody’s interests for measures such as the abolition of soft drinks and fatty fried foods, sweets and chips and any other obesity producing foods to be banned from school tuck shops and in other areas where children frequently purchase foods. Advocating for our children’s health and for the future of this generation is of the utmost importance.

Obesity is a major problem with it affecting children as well as adults. Obesity is when there is too much stored in the body's fatty tissues. When this excess increases, there is a corresponding increase to other medical risk as well. Some of these medical risks have the possibility to be life threatening.

The severity of obesity is measured through body mass index (BMI). The BMI is calculated by dividing the person's weight by the square of their height. (This measurement is done in metric.) The value is separated into ranges which would represent their weight classification from underweight to severely obese.

The cause of overweight conditions is when the energy intake from foods in greater than what the body needs. The excess is turned into fat cells and stored in the body. The amount of excess energy intake is very small but over time can add up to cause the overweight condition. The factors can range from the person's diet to eating disorders to mental stress among others as well. There are some statistical factors showing a higher incidence of obesity with women that have married into lower economic status than women that married into higher economic status.

The best results in reducing excess weight has been in controlling diet and a moderate exercise program. Small drops in weight have created lower health risks for the person. Most dieters that achieve greater weight loss tend to regain the weight they lost within the next several years. Other methods of weight loss include drug therapy and surgery. Both of these come with risk of complications and mortality risks as well.

In many cultures, obesity represents attractiveness or wealth. This is represented in some of their art work. Someone that I talked with once commented that they were doing work overseas for their embassy. They threw a party and invited several guests. One of their guests commented to them that everyone thought they were very wealthy because they put more than one slice of meat on their sandwiches. Other people in foreign lands receive comments of their apparent wealth because they are over weight. When asked about the comment, the reply is that people of that country could not have excessive weight unless they were wealthy because they could not buy sufficient food to be overweight.

To treat flu: Symmetrel (Amantadine), Flumadine (Rimantadine), Tamiflu (Oseltamivir), Relenza (Zanamivir).

To prevent flu: Symmetrel (Amantadine), Flumadine (Rimantadine), Tamiflu (Oseltamivir). Zanamivir is not currently approved for preventive use.

Used against influenza type A: Symmetrel (Amantadine), Flumadine (Rimantadine), Tamiflu (Oseltamivir), Relenza (Zanamivir).

Used against influenza type B: Tamiflu (Oseltamivir), Relenza (Zanamivir).

Dosage forms

* Amantadine and Rimantadine are taken orally in pill form.
* Tamiflu, the first neuraminidase inhibitor in pill form. It is also available as liquid suspension for children.
* Zanamivir is administered by inhalation. Zanamivir can be inhaled using a device known as a Diskhaler.

Age

* Zanamivir is used for people age 7 and older.
* Oseltamivir is used to treat flu in people age 1 and older; to prevent flu in adults and children age 13 and older.
* Amantadine is used in adults and in children older than age 1.
* Rimantadine is used to prevent and treat type A influenza in adults and children age 1 and older.

Possible Side Effects

Side effects differ widely for each antiviral medication. The neuraminidase inhibitors generally cause fewer side effects than the older flu drugs.

Amantadine: The most common side effects associated with Amantadine relate to the nervous and gastrointestinal systems. Elderly people are especially sensitive to the effects of Amantadine. Amantadine may cause light-headedness, difficulty concentrating, dizziness, nervousness, insomnia, confusion, loss of balance, and seizures. Elderly patients often have reduced renal function and are better treated with Rimantadine, which is 75% metabolized by the liver.

Rimantadine: CNS effects like light-headedness, dizziness, headache, difficulty concentrating, nervousness, insomnia, loss of balance, and seizures. Side effects occur less often with Rimantadine than Amantadine.

Zanamivir: Some people who have asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and use Zanamivir may experience reduced lung function and have difficulty breathing. Other side effects usually do not need medical attention, and may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine.

Oseltamivir: The most frequent side effects are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. These symptoms are mostly mild to moderate and generally occurred within the first two days of administration of the drug.

None of these drugs is recommended for use during pregnancy or nursing. These drugs have not been evaluated in pregnant women.

Cost

Both drugs Amantadine and Rimantadine are available as generic. Oseltamivir and Zanamivir are new medications and are available only as brand name drugs. Therefore, of the four antiviral flu medications, Zanamivir and Oseltamivir are the most expensive.

Conclusions

Amantadine and Rimantadine are of limited use today due to side effects and the rapid appearance of resistant virus that can be spread to close contacts. Furthermore, Amantadine is associated with several drug interactions (with antihistamines or other medications that stimulate the central nervous system) that may increase the risk of side effects such as insomnia, anxiety, and seizures. Also they are only effective against influenza A, a less dangerous form of flu than influenza B.

Oseltamivir and Zanamivir have fewer side effects and may be used as a treatment and post-exposure prophylaxis of both A and B influenza. Additionally, they are better structured to treat and prevent mutating virus strains. Oseltamivir, that has recently become famous as an effective treatment for bird flu, is an orally administered drug and is more convenient to use than the inhaled administrated Zanamivir.

At present time four drugs in the United States are approved by the FDA for the treatment and prevention of flu:

* Neuraminidase inhibitors: Oseltamivir (brand name: Tamiflu) and Zanamivir (brand name: Relenza)
* Adamantane derivatives: Amantadine (brand name: Symmetrel) and Rimantadine (brand name: Flumadine)

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved two drugs to both treat and prevent influenza type A - Amantadine in 1976 and Rimantadine in 1993. In 1999, FDA approved two new antiviral medications to fight the flu: Zanamivir (Relenza), the first neuraminidase inhibitor, and Oseltamivir (Tamiflu), the first of a new class of antiviral drugs called neuraminidase inhibitors. The antiviral drugs approved for influenza in the United States all are prescription drugs.

Influenza antiviral medications are drugs that suppress the ability of influenza viruses to reproduce. When used correctly, they can reduce the duration of symptoms and some complications from influenza virus infection. When used for treatment within the first 2 days of illness, all 4 antiviral medications are similarly effective in reducing by 1 or 2 days the duration of illness caused by influenza A viruses, and make you less contagious to others. Only Oseltamivir and Zanamivir are effective against influenza B viruses, though they do not cure influenza outright.

Oseltamivir and Zanamivir are preferred for treatment in part because influenza viruses are more likely to develop resistance to Amantadine and Rimantadine. The 4 influenza antiviral drugs are effective only against influenza viruses. They will not help reduce symptoms associated with the common cold.

All of the antiviral drugs are different in terms of who can take them, approved uses, approved ages, how they are given, any dosing changes based on age or medical conditions, side effects and costs.

Mechanism of Action

The surfaces of influenza viruses are dotted with neuraminidase proteins. Neuraminidase inhibitors block the enzyme's activity and prevent new virus particles from being released, thereby limiting the spread of infection. Zanamivir is inhaled through a device called a Diskhaler. This inhaler device delivers the medicine to the lungs, where the influenza virus multiplies. Oseltamivir is taken as a pill. Zanamivir and Oseltamivir help prevent influenza A and influenza B viruses from multiplying in the body by interfering with the production and release of virus from cells that line the respiratory tract. This may slow the spread of the infection within the airways and lungs.

Amantadine and Rimantadine: inhibit entry and uncoating of influenza A virus. These drugs block penetration and uncoating of the virus by preventing acidification of the endosome and thus the pH-dependent activation of the fusion activity of the virus hemagglutinin by interfering with the function of the M2 protein of Influenza A virus. Both agents are active against some influenza A virus strains (H1N1, H2N2, H3N2), but are inactive against influenza B (influenza B does not possess a M2 protein).

In our western communities, statistics have been offered which account for one person in four dying of cancer and one in four of heart disease. If these figures are accurate, the other half of our population is left to account for all the kidney failures, contagious diseases, arthritis, respiratory problems and other innumerable diseases suffered by so many. To this, we must add the deaths from accidents and now the horrifying forecasts that another one in four of the total population is anticipated to suffer from mental diseases of various kinds. Statistics may present us with certain facts about our society, but it is the human side of the equation that affects us most potently.

To avoid becoming another statistic, we are forced to think about what present day medicine can do to help us. Or perhaps we should ask if modern methods themselves are part of the cause of our problems?

In our medical system there is an enormous amount of drug medication. Surgical operations are so heavily in demand that patients have to wait their turn. Pathology is a roaring business and doctor’s waiting rooms are never empty. There is a great deal of activity, tests and treatments going on and no doubt much relief of pain but there seems to be little cure of serious illnesses. The wonderful treatments and surgical skills used in repairing damaged bodies after accidents and severe burns, deserves optimum appreciation in these special spheres of expertise, which are very successful. However, in spite of these and other areas of treatments offering temporary help, modern medicine cannot cure the most common diseases such as cancer, arthritis, asthma and heart disease that still plague us. 'Cure' in this case means that the condition is treated and gets better and better, until no further symptoms occur.

Modern medicine also offers organ transplants and these usually taken from accident victims and sometimes in the case of dual organs, from relatives or other generous donors. But a philosophy of healing that depends upon the death or mutilation of another person is surely flawed and to a sensitive person who is not desperate to live under any circumstances, somewhat horrifying. Can it be that we are 'advancing' to depend upon a system based on such unnatural procedures? To many people it seems that there is no stronger admission than that of the medical system’s inability to offer a cure, or even improve a patient's diseased condition to the point where it can be tolerated and the person kept whole.

Generally, apart from drugs to suppress symptoms, or to reduce pain, doctors have a limited range of alternative medications to prescribe. It is left to the alternative professionals and the pharmacies in our country to offer safer herbal medicines, food supplements, vitamins and mineral tonics. Additional areas of concern are the pharmacist’s general products, which are always displayed and easily purchased over the counter, such as the headache tablets, laxatives and others.

Medical doctors are beginning to recommend that patients 'try' some alternative herbal or homoeopathic medicines but they themselves always prescribe drugs. They are well educated by the drug companies who provide assistance in advising doctors as to the appropriate range of drugs to prescribe for every condition. Unfortunately very few doctors inform their patients of the possible side effects, some of which are very serious. Sometimes doctors are not fully conversant with the facts themselves. Patients are wondering more and more about the value of all the years of intense study of general practitioners if medical practice is reduced to writing prescriptions for drugs.

But possibly the most common patient's complaint would be that of disappointment. They have a reasonable expectation that a doctor would prove knowledgeable, skilled and compassionate. They also have an expectation of a doctor who is caring enough to have a fund of experience, which would allow at least some simple wisdom, and understanding of healing enough to offer an attitude of hope and encouragement along with the written prescription. There must be many caring, dedicated and intelligent people in the medical system but they are considered rare by many of the public who are forced to turn to self-education and self care practices to ensure their health when general practitioners let them down.

Regarding the billions of dollars being spent on cancer research, no cure as yet has been announced. Economists may well question the profitability of the avenues in which these enormous resources are spent, particularly as there is no obvious satisfactory accountability to benefactors or to the public. Even after decades of serious scientific exploration into the causes of cancer, with research taking one avenue of investigation after another, it continues to baffle those who look for one simple solution. So can it now be accepted as a complex disease, with multiple causes? Some suggest that it is our modern lifestyle and our toxic environments that are the cause, which offers no solution but that we change our modern lifestyle. If so, the billions of dollars spent in cancer research could have been better spent providing the needy millions of people in the undeveloped countries with good water!

We can however be filled with wonderment and appreciation for some of the medical successes and for the fact that answers have been found to control a great deal of pain and suffering particularly in extreme situations. There are a great number of almost miraculous skills demonstrated in surgery, particularly in repair of damage after accidents and burns for instance. But internal medicines on the whole, are doubted by a large percentage of the population who no longer wish to suffer side effects almost as bad as the original complaint, or to find they have an allergy to a particular drug administered. People want safe, healing medicines that make them better, for an enduring time, if not permanently.

Although there is a gradual change in the attitude with individual doctors considering it wise to comply with requests from patients regarding alternative treatment methods, generally such requests meet with scorn or even ridicule. This leaves many to resort to self-care and self-healing methods.

By its complex referrals and functions, the medical system is self-sustaining from doctor to drug company, medical institutions, or hospitals with surgery of some kind seen as routinely inevitable. Mainstream medicine allows no thought of treating a patient by any other methods than those that are considered orthodox medicine today.

The drug situation is exacerbated by the chemical cocktails of drugs which independently administered have a proven effect, but when combined in different human bodies and along with a different mix of chemical conditions, produce unexpected and sometimes dire results. These bad reactions to drugs are called 'side effects' as if inconsequential, but when exploring medical texts one begins to think otherwise. There must be a better system which requires fewer hospitals, fewer doctors, less medical drugs and which embraces the vital need for better nutrition, more exercise, proper respiration, improved posture, hygiene and an education about physiological function that prepares a patient for basic self care. Doctors cannot control the diet or eat the food for the patient, or do all the general health disciplines required by the individual. So a great deal of health responsibility comes bouncing back to the patient himself.

As long as patients rely upon the profession to patch them up rather than to consider them in total as complete individuals requiring assistance in reducing their fears, coping with problems, creating a good self image, gaining confidence and undertake a positive programme of self discipline, they will continue to be disappointed.

There must come a change from dependence upon anyone of any profession as we enter a new attitude and a new century of progress. We will have to learn to undertake responsibility for our own health and well being and become better educated re health matters and less reliant upon healing professionals in general until the medical system truly advances into a wider and more capable healing profession.

Only then will the health of the community improve, the number of hospitals decrease, the institutions freer to concentrate on the important needs of the less fortunate.

The first and most important step to take is to decide to take charge of your child’s asthma. Parents of asthmatic children suffer a range of contradictory feelings. Strongest is the natural concern for their child. Are you giving them the best treatment, or is there something you have not thought of or are unaware of? Then there are the doubts about being over or under protective. If they have non-asthmatic siblings do you treat all of your children the same? Perhaps there is some guilt that asthma may have been inherited and it is your fault your child has the condition.

Let’s take charge of the situation and dispel this myth straight away. You have not willed it onto your child. It is nobody’s fault or a judgement of some sort any more than an inherited ability that makes someone more likely to be good at sports or singing. You can also take charge by educating yourself about the condition. Do not waste time worrying if there are better treatments or medications for your child. Find out. Use the medical profession, library and internet. The best prescription is knowledge.

The next step is to be aware of your child’s health. One problem with having an ill child is their inability to clearly explain how they feel. An asthmatic child may not come to you in the middle of the night and mention difficulty breathing, or persistent coughing. Instead they may leave their condition to worsen until their lungs have expanded enough to start pressing on their stomach. At this point they may mention they feel sick.

Some children just take a rest when their breathing becomes difficult and never mention they feel out of breath.

If you suspect your child may have asthma you probably know the classic signs to look for: coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, changes in color of skin, nails, or lips, and a tightness of the chest. But also be aware there are other signs that suggest there may be a problem: nausea, lethargy, and low appetite. Also notice if your child has to hunch forward as they exhale if they are feeling short of breath.

If possible take a look at your child’s breathing as they sleep. This will enable you to see how they breathe when they are relaxed. Then you will be able to tell when their breathing becomes labored.

Next, ensure your child takes any inhaled medication properly. Many asthma medications are delivered by inhalers and it is often difficult for a child to understand and perform the necessary sequence of breaths to take these medicines. How long did your child take to learn to blow their nose properly? I know of one child who insisted they were holding their breath while they kept their lips firmly together as they breathed through their nose. Many children feel they cannot hold their breath for the required interval and end up dramatically gasping for air. If your asthmatic child has to take medicines through a metered dose inhaler it is often best to use it with a spacer or aero-chamber.

You need to be prepared for an asthma attack. Know what to do. If your child suffers an asthma attack keep calm and resist the urge to cuddle your child. Though this is perfectly natural it will constrict their chest and make it harder for them to breathe.

If you are driving your child to ER or a physician while they are having an asthma attack you must still buckle them into their child seat. Do not hold your child. Imagine what would happen if there was an accident.

To deal with asthma effectively you have to understand the disease and understand your child. You may be tempted to let your doctor make all the decisions, but there is so much more you can do than just administer medication. You can improve the condition by making changes to the home environment, to your child’s diet, to how they breathe, and to the exercise they take. The more you know about asthma the more effectively you can control it.

Oily Skin- A Trouble?

Oily skin is a big trouble for many of us. Why our skin oozes more oils than others is a big mystery for the sufferers. The skin attracts more dirt and is more prone to acne. it has shining look and causes all types of cosmetic problems. Why do we have that kind of skin? Can we do something to eliminate this problem forever? Let us find out.

Skin- Why Does It Produce Oils?

Our skin produces sebum. This sebum is mainly made of lipids. The sebum protects us from microbial infections and keeps our skin moist. Along with sebum, we also produce sweat. Our skin also sheds dead skin cells. All these combine and form a layer on the skin. Those who have oily skin, produce more of sebum. Hormones mainly activate the sebum production and some of us are genetically conditioned to produce more oils. To learn more about sebum, click here. You should talk with your doctor if anything can be done with the hormones.

Oily Skin Management-

To manage oily skin the only common way is to use oil free products. Wash your face at least twice a day with soap. Use oil absorbing blotting papers. Use more of powder products. Astringents will remove lot of oil and so do the toners. Look after your oily skin because you will get fewer wrinkles than those who have dry skin. They will envy you after some years.

This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article.

Halitosis (bad smelling breath) usually comes from the mouth because that’s where it’s produced: bad breath out of nose passages may be sign that something more complicated is going on. Most sources agree that the hydrogen sulfide smell so typical of halitosis is caused by the production of volatile sulfur compounds by bacteria living in the moth. When air is expelled from the mouth, the odor is detected. When air is expelled from the nose, the air comes from the lungs and bypasses the mouth, so it’s unusual for air coming from the nostrils to smell bad.

Bad breath coming thru the nose is more likely to originate in the nose, sinuses, or throat, or even more unusually, from the lungs, lower airways or stomach. The first step is to confirm the existence of bad breath out of nose passages – your sense of smell might be off due to a viral infection or anything else that causes sinus irritation. Are you suffering from dry nose, allergies, a cold, or anything else that might be affecting your sense of smell? Your bad nose breath may be an illusion – have a good friend confirm that it’s real before you overreact.

Bad breath out of nose passages may be caused by a blockage or obstruction in the nasal passages that is preventing normal airflow and drainage. Individuals, especially small children, sometimes push objects into their nostrils that may then become lodged in the airway. Swimmers may inadvertently inhale objects in water if they take in water through the nose. Occasionally undigested food gets lodged in the sinuses when an individual vomits. Any of these things can set up a situation that will result in bad breath coming through the nose.

Bad nose breath can also be a result of infection in the nose or sinuses, or even in the throat or lungs. Infection, however, seldom happens without other symptoms. If the person experiencing bad breath out of nose passages has swelling, redness, heat, or pain in the sinuses, an infection may be brewing, and a doctor should be consulted. Similarly, lung and throat infection typically also cause pain and fever. Bad breath coming thru the nose is an incidental sign of these infections that is distant from the infection itself.

Some medical conditions can result in bad breath out of nose passages; however, the odor noted in these cases is usually different from the typical hydrogen sulfide smell of halitosis. Some malignancies (cancer) of the airways can cause an odor, as can kidney and liver disease, and ketoacidosis (a serious complication of diabetes). Again, though bad breath coming thru the nose is noted, the odor comes from elsewhere. See your doctor if you notice bad nose breath and there is no obvious reason for it, especially if you are feeling at all unwell.

Many disability and workers compensation insurance payers have used independent medical examinations (IMEs) for years to make payment determinations about disability and workers compensation claims. Yet many payers today are finding that a more effective alternative is to use an independent medical review from an IRO.

Why this shift? An independent medical examination isn’t as objective and unbiased as you might believe. When an IME is performed, the patient has an opportunity to convey their own personal viewpoint on what ails them to the doctor or doctors. Doctors are in the business of being apathetic with their patients and may a patient’s claims at face value without necessarily looking at the medical facts. When a patient says, "My back hurts and I can’t stand up straight," the doctor might not substantiate this through an examination. So if the patient does a good job of faking an illness or an ailment, it's very easy for the doctor to concur with what the patient says.

An independent medical review, on the other hand, allows an objective review of the medical chart notes to arrive at a decision based only on the evidence present without being prejudiced by a patient’s comments.

Independent medical reviews are also excellent alternatives to independent medical examinations when disability and workers compensation insurance carriers need to adjudicate claims quickly. When a person files a claim, the carrier is obligated to start paying benefits immediately… but oftentimes it can take several weeks, if not months, to arrange for an independent medical examinations. An independent medical review can be sent out immediately and turned around in a matter of three to seven business days instead of the three to four weeks it takes to schedule an independent medical exam. The speed of independent medical reviews means that the insurance payer can save weeks and weeks of not paying premiums if a patient is not eligible for coverage on the basis of medical necessity.

So, an independent medical review can help adjudicate claims more quickly and cost effectively, as well as save the disability and workers comp carrier significant premiums for falsified claims. That’s why it makes sense for disability and workers comp carriers and payers to use an independent medical review as an alternative to IMEs.

Everyone wants to save money, and the good news is that purchasing medicine online is both easy and affordable. This is because online pharmacies have a much lower overhead expenses.. The US Pharmacopeia (USP) has joined forces with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) together with the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) has established quality control standards for all medications dispensed by pharmacies throughout United States. Their intention is to prevent consumers from receiving poor quality and/or harmful medicines from online pharmacies.

US Pharmacopeia (USP), Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and National Association of Boards of Pharmacy offer these ten tips to consumers who are thinking of buying health products online:

1. Do not purchase from an illegal website. This means putting yourself at risk. The danger of you being able to purchase contaminated or counterfeit product is there, aside from the fact that you may also be given the wrong product, an incorrect dose or worse yet, you could not receive any product at all since most illegal web sites do not maintain longevity.

2. Purchasing an unsafe or inappropriate medication may put you at risk or cause serious health consequences.

3. Obtain prescriptions from your doctor before purchasing drugs online. Moreover, it is not a good idea to purchase a prescription drug online without seeing first your doctor even if you fill out a health-probing questionnaire. The questionnaire does not provide sufficient information that would enable a doctor to determine if that drug is safe for you to use, if another treatment is more appropriate, or if you have an underlying medical condition which could be negatively affected by the drug you are about to purchase.

4. Always try to consult a doctor before using any medication for the first time. This way you can thwart any negative side-effects that the medicine might cause you.

5. Avoid sites that offer to prescribe a prescription drug for the first time without a physical exam, sell a prescription drug without a prescription, or sell drugs that are not approved by Food and Drug Administration. Taking drugs without any physical check up can be harmful to your health and may even cause death.

6. Do not buy from a web site that does not have any access to a registered pharmacist that can answer questions.

7. Avoid sites that don’t contain information about the owner of the site and do not provide a street address and phone number to contact should problems arise.

8. If possible, refrain from purchasing from foreign web sites because generally it is illegal to import drugs from these sites and the risks you are facing are much greater. You could actually be held personally liable for importing this drug.

9. Be very careful in dealing with sites that claim that they have found a new cure for a certain serious disorder and offer quick cure-alls for a wide range of ailments. Likewise, stay away from sites that include undocumented case histories claiming remarkable results.

10. Beware of sites that make use of impressive sounding medical terminology to disguise their lack of research or those that claim that the government, the medical profession, or research scientists have conspired to suppress a products in spite of the effectiveness of the product to cure serious diseases. And if you want to be sure that you are purchasing from a licensed online pharmacy you may check out the site with the VIPPS and see whether it is a licensed pharmacy with good standing.

Almost everyone has used an antibiotic like penicillin or Terramycin at one time or another. You may have tried using an antibiotic ointment for bad cuts or scrapes, or your doctor may have prescribed antibiotics to help you get over fever, boils, pneumonia and other infections. Antibiotics work very well against so many infections that they are often called "miracle drugs". But the more accurate name for them would be "microbe drugs" for that is what antibiotics really are. Antibiotics are essentially chemicals that helped kill or stop the growth of certain germs and bacteria. It comes from two Greek words meaning "against life".

More than 3000 years ago, Asian peoples had already stumbled on molds that could cure certain afflictions. The Indians of Central America as well the Chinese used molds to treat infected wounds in rashes however, they did not understand either diseases or treatments in the way we do now. Many of them thought in terms of magic and spiritualism, so they simply believed that molds drove away evil spirits that cause the disease. As time passed, men had slowly gained some more knowledge of disease. True understanding began only in recent times. In the 1860s, a French scientist Louis Pasteur proved that many diseases were caused by bacteria and concluded that man could learn to fight these bacteria using other bacteria.

Two German doctors, Rudolf Emmerich and Oskar Low, were the first men to make an effective medicine from microbes. Among other things, they successfully proved that the germ that causes one disease can also cure another. The two men took germs from infected bandages and grew them in test tubes. They managed to isolate a vicious germ that caused the green coloring in infected and opened wounds. This bacterium was the Bacillus pyocyaneus. When the doctors placed some of these bacteria into test tubes containing other germs, the Bacillus pyocyaneus would wipe the other germs out. The good news was the other bacteria it managed to wipe out were the bacteria that caused cholera, diphtheria, anthrax and typhoid fever.

Emmerich and Low began to use Bacillus pyocyaneus to make"pyocyanase". This would be the first antibiotic to be used in hospitals, but unfortunately it was ahead of its time. Nobody knew how to control its production or how the chemical worked. It was also noticed that the medicine did not have the same effect on all patients. While some people got better, others only became sicker. So pyocyanase was eventually abandoned.

Other scientists continued to look for a safe and effective antibiotic, but it was only in the summer of 1928 that a research scientist named Alexander Fleming would produce the first real breakthrough in antibiotic medicine. While studying the germ called Staphylococcus aureaus (which causes a number of ailments that lead to brain disease) he noticed that the molds in one of his petri dishes became spoiled. He noticed that around the spot of mold was a germ-free ring of gelatin that meant the mold had killed the germs around it. He did more research and eventually called it penicillin. An American, Dr. Selman Waksman, discovered streptomycin which proved to be effective against diseases that penicillin could not cure, such as the bubonic plague.

At around the same time, sulfa drugs came about. The drug was a chemical that had been found in a substance used to make dyes. These were powerful weapons against disease but had serious drawbacks. It was then found that sulfa drugs did not kill germs but rather weakened germs, which gave the body a chance to defend itself.

Research scientists then began a worldwide search for the most helpful soil microbes. One laboratory discovered Aureomycin and that does the work of both penicillin and streptomycin. Another laboratory discovered Chloromycetin, which was proven effective against typhus, whooping cough and typhoid. In 1949, an Indiana laboratory discovered Terramycin, now considered to be one of the most effective antibiotics ever found because of it's wide effect on so many bacterial diseases.

A habit is an action or series of actions that we perform in a subconscious manner. We don't have to consciously think about doing these things, they seem to happen on their own. Habits can be good or bad, depending on how they enhance our quality of life, or detract from it.

Have you ever driven home or to work and then had no recollection of the ride? Or have you taken the wrong exit off a freeway because it's the one you usually take, when in fact you had intended to keep on to another exit? Our minds become conditioned to doing things in a certain way, simply because we have done them over and over again in that exact way. This can be a good thing, as it makes much of our daily routine somewhat effortless. Imagine having to focus intently on every little thing you did, like washing dishes or taking out the garbage. Sounds exhausting, doesn't it?

However, negative actions can also become habits, and that makes them extremely difficult to change. How many times have you tried to adopt an exercise program, quit smoking, lose weight, or give up junk food? It takes between 21-30 days to form a new habit. This means you must perform your new actions repeatedly, day after day, for up to 30 days before your subconscious mind will begin to do them automatically. Until then it takes consistent effort and focus.

When trying to break a bad habit, it is usually helpful to substitute a good habit. Otherwise you'll end up feeling restless and gravitate back to the bad habit again to fill the void. For example, when quitting smoking, take up gum chewing, exercise, deep breathing, knitting, etc. When the urge for a cigarette hits, you have other activities you can use to busy yourself. At first, the new habit may not seem like an adequate substitute (especially if nicotene withdrawal is part of the equation!), but with consistent reinforcement, your mind will begin to let go of the old habit of smoking and adopt the newer habits you have substituted.

When trying to adopt a new habit, such as exercise, you may need to place visible reminders at your desk, on the refrigerator door, or the bathroom mirror. Remember that your mind is accustomed to not thinking about exercise. It will take some focused attention to change that.

It is important to have patience with yourself as you work on changing your habits. Remember that they are habits because they are largely subconscious. As you focus your conscious mind repeatedly on your new actions, they will also become subconscious, just like the negative actions did. Print out this handy Habit Forming Chart and hang it up where you will see it everyday. It can serve as a great reminder for your goals, as well as show your progress from day to day.

Don't beat yourself up if you have "failures" here and there as you work on forming new habits. No one is perfect, and you will probably have days where you don't meet your goals. The most difficult aspect of forming new habits is becoming aware of the automatic actions we take each day, and making a conscious decision to change them.

Your health can be influenced, positively or negatively, through the lifestyle choices you make everyday. Today people are generally more informed about health issues, than 30 years ago. Changes made in the way you live, no matter how small, will lead to a healthier and longer life. Sometimes drastic changes are difficult to sustain therefore followed for a short time only. Health choices are choices you make for life!

Today we have access to better food, sanitation and healthcare services, which have caused people today to live longer by almost 20 years compared to 30 or more years ago. Having a healthy lifestyle comes down to two factors - chance or choice. The chance factors are those you cannot change such as your genetic makeup. The choice factors are those that you can change and improve such as alcohol consumption, smoking, exercise routine and dealing with day-to-day stress. Occasional overindulgences won't damage your health irreparably, but your body will need time to repair afterwards. Having a balanced approach to a healthy lifestyle is important. Make changes to your life gradually over a period of time. An example is to substitute a cooked breakfast with a healthier alternative such as a bowl of yogurt and muesli. The same is advised for exercise. Look at activities you enjoy, that will fit into your daily routine and that you can afford. The secret is to increase the amount of exercise gradually.

Healthy habits are best started from childhood, instead of then usual bad ones that are picked up then too. One of the most effective ways to influence your children is through example. If you spend too much time in front of the television, sitting and eating high fat or sugary foods, then the chances of your children doing the same are high instead of playing and exercising their bodies outside. It all goes back to balance, a little television viewing in the evening is fine as long as there has been more active play earlier in the day. Unfortunately, bad habits are easy to incorporate into our lifestyles, but changing these habits will become much more difficult later on. Educating your children on health damaging issues from an early age can have a positive effect in their lives later on, by helping them to make healthier choices, such as smoking cigarettes. Positive health influences vary from promoting healthy diets to organizing quality family time together. Bike rides in the woods or fishing on the lake are examples of time spent together as a family, which will set a pattern for later in life.

Keeping our lives uncomplicated, happy and harmonious can sometimes be very difficult. Studies have revealed that positive thinking can help us to deal more effectively with daily stress and be beneficial overall to our emotional and physical health. Therefore it can be hugely beneficial both psychologically and physically to integrate positive thinking into every aspect of your life.

A few basic guidelines to follow:

• Make an effort to be positive and encourage yourself and others instead of being negative and critical.

• Keep perspective in a crisis and if necessary see them as a solvable problem.

• Focus on the good things in your life.

• Try calming techniques such as taking deep breaths or visualizing tranquil scenes when faced with a stressful situation.

Inner health is a very important subject because 95% of life threatening diseases starts inside our bodies where we can’t see what is happening. By ignoring symptoms we often allow the problem to increase until treatment becomes difficult or, in the worst cases, impossible. It is also true that one hour of prevention is far better than one year of treatment. In this article we will look at the main source of “body fuel” – the food that we eat and, more importantly, how we eat it. But before going into that subject there are other things we should not be doing:

1. No smoking.

2. No drinking alcohol to excess.

3. No taking of unprescribed drugs.

This article is written on the assumption that you abide by the three rules above.

What we eat is the starting point. There is no point in eating foods that are saturated in fat as your basic diet and complaining that you are overweight and/or feel unwell. Of course you do because this is self-inflicted by inadequate diet. A good diet requires daily intake of the five major food groups that we have covered extensively in previous articles.

Small meals taken regularly (even six meals each day) are better for you than long periods without food followed by a heavy meal.

Large, rich, meals late at night should be avoided, especially for older people. A cooked meal at midday is digested better than a late night meal.

You should drink at least one and a half quarts (1.5 liters) of fluid each day; much more if the weather is hot. If you become ill you should double your fluid intake. Water is best.

Improving your diet is not as difficult as most people claim. In most instances it is simply a case of adjusting the balance of what we eat. Here are a few tips:

Eat more fiber in the form of fruit, vegetables and whole grain bread. In addition add two tablespoons of coarse bran to your breakfast cereal. This provides bulk, or roughage, that your digestive system depends upon to function properly.

Cut down on fat, normally taken in fast foods and fries etc. Eat more lean meat, fish. Grill rather than fry foods where possible.

Eat less sugar (This means no soda’s because the average can of soda contains an equivalent of 20+ Tablespoons of sugar equivalent) Do not drink beer with meals because beer stops your body from breaking down fats. Water is the best drink followed by low calorie drinks and unsweetened fruit juices.

Walk for at least half an hour each day. Park your car at the furthest parking space from the supermarket; the exercise will increase your lifespan. If possible use stairs rather than escalators. All of these small things, together with your balanced diet, will increase your health and lifespan.