Most people who are trying to quit smoking are faced with the challenges of overcoming a physical and psychological addiction that has ruled their lives. The nicotine which causes the physical addiction makes several biochemical changes in the body which gives the smoker a small benefit of a suppressed appetite.

For years the common believe was that the oral gratification that the smoker received from lighting up was what was keeping them from eating. But recent research has shown that nicotine impacts the way in which insulin is used in the body and increases the blood sugar of smokers. This increased blood sugar (hyperglycemia) is an appetite suppressant which keeps the smoker from gaining weight.

However, when a smoker begins a cessation program they are faced with several challenges that pertain to weight gain or weight loss. The first is the immediate oral gratification that comes with lighting up a cigarette.  Read more...

Urinary incontinence is the involuntary loss of bladder control. This means that an individual can in voluntarily leak urine in specific circumstances. It is estimated that approximately 25 million adults in the United States alone suffer from some form of urinary incontinence. The sheer number of people who experience this condition prompted manufacturers to come up with acceptable means of controlling the situation so that more people would not be socially isolated.

Women experienced urinary incontinence over twice as often as men. Much of the difference can be accounted for by the structure of the female urinary tract, pregnancy, childbirth and menopause, all of which significantly impact the function of the urinary tract system. Both the men and women can become incontinent from other issues such as neurological injury, stroke, multiple sclerosis and other physical conditions that are associated with aging.  Read more...

So, you had a fun night out on the town last night with your romantic partner or a few close friends. Although you may have had a great time the night before, you may be feeling a little bit “weird,” the next day, especially if you consumed alcohol. If alcohol was consumed, you may be experiencing the ever so dreaded hangover.

Anyone who has every experienced a hangover before knows the feeling of just wanting it all to go away. Unfortunately, many individuals believe that there is no “cure,” for a hangover.

Although cure may not be the best word used to describe seeking treatment, there are a number of natural remedies which many claim do provide hangover relief. You are looking to relieve yourself from a hangover, please continue reading on as a few of these natural remedies, as well as tips for your next alcohol drinking outing are highlighted below.  Read more...

Kidney stones are painful. They occur due to disruption in the normal balance between salt, minerals, water, and other materials that are found in the urine. The kidney stones that develop are in a calcification form due to the urine changes. It is noted that certain medical conditions, lack of drinking water, heredity, or overproduction of the parathyroid glands, although rare, can cause them.

Symptoms of a kidney stone are pain, nausea, vomiting, blood in the urine and frequency. Diagnosis of a kidney stone is made by urine and imaging tests. Further testing to determine the type of stone is accomplished through analysis, history, blood work and additional testing of the urine.

Treatment of kidney stones is based on the size of the stone itself. If the stone is relatively small in size then it will likely pass from your body on its own. It is recommended that pain medication be taken, such as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory.  Read more...

Do you know what a kidney stone is? These are minerals are salts that are found in your urine and when it hardens, it becomes a stone. Most of the time, these are very small that it does not cause any harm but if they get bigger or it builds up, then there is a problem.

Kidney stones do not just stay in the kidney. It can move to other parts of the body. When that happens, you will feel certain symptoms. You could feel pain coming from your back or pelvis, experience spasms, notice bloody, cloudy or smelly urine, feel sick, urinate frequently and have fevers and chills.

It is hard to tell if you have kidney stones because these symptoms also happen when you have UTI or urinary tract infection. Your doctor can only tell which is which after conducting some tests.

The different tests available include blood test, urine analysis, x-rays, ultrasound and non-contrast helical computerized tomography. If initial reports and the results confirm that you have kidney stones, then the proper treatment is administered.  Read more...

Magnesium is an important mineral in the daily metabolic processes in all of us. The mineral is needed in every cell of the body. About half of the stores are found in cells of the organs and tissues and the other half is in the bones where it combines with phosphorus, calcium and K2 to form bone.

Magnesium happens only in 1% concentration in the blood and the body has to work very hard in order to keep levels constant. It is required to carry out a variety of biochemical functions including enzymatic activity. The recommended dietary allowance for men is 410 mg up to age 18, 400 mg to age 30 and 420 mg for 31 and above. The recommended daily allowance for females is 360 mg up to age 18, 310 mg up to age 30 and 320 mg for ages 31 and above.

Researchers have found that magnesium will protect the cells from a variety of toxins such as aluminum, mercury, lead, cadmium, beryllium and nickel. Evidence is now mounting a low levels will contribute to the heavy metal deposition in the brain that precedes Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer’s.  Read more...

by Dee Braun

We’re all familiar with summer thirst and I’m quite sure we’ve all been told and have read about how good water is for you and how the majority of us simply do not drink enough.

But, if you’re thirsty and water isn’t cutting it, what do you do? Well, for me that answer would be Coca Cola – ice cold, of course. For some it’d be a frost-brewed beer and others would opt for lemonade. But what’s the healthy choice here to both quench thirst AND aid our body’s health?

According to Jane Claxton-Oldfield, good old-fashioned soda pop has some major drawbacks. “…The fact that many sodas contain caffeine — a stimulant — is no secret. On the contrary, some soft drinks are being marketed on the basis of their high caffeine intake!”  Read more...