Personal Health Care

Smoking Effect on Women

2009-03-03T21:56:00.000-08:00

Women who smoke have increased in the number that before even with all the dangers that medical experts have cited caused by addiction to this habit. Women have got more to loose health wise than men because, apart from suffering from common diseases linked to smoking, there are other specific illnesses that occur only to women.

To start with is the menstruation or menopause. Some reliable knowledge quote smoking as being capable of lowering the levels of estrogen in a woman’s body, which is why they develop normal cycle alterations or unusual bleeding. Also, they say that it is linked to severe problems during menopause or just having it come earlier than it should.

Infertility problems is the effect of cigarette smoking that many of us are aware of and women addicts stand a higher chance of giving birth to premature, low weight babies and reduced chances of conceiving.Women who also use hormonal types of contraceptives and smoke are said to be at higher risks of developing severe risks such as blood clots, heart conditions and stroke.

And is looking youthful when we are actually aged not what many women dream of? The bad news is that cigarette smoking cause premature wrinkling on the skin and the opposite happens.

What is certain and perhaps bound to happen one day in future is the consequences of having to be an addict of cigarette smoking in general.

Cigarette Smoking Health Risk

2009-03-03T21:50:00.000-08:00

Of all of the health threats existing today, the health risks involved with smoking are probably the most reversible and controllable because smoking is a conscious decision where if people decide to quit smoking they can counter the negative effects and expect to live healthier, happier lives, for longer periods of time.

Members of today's society are more health conscious than ever. They have considered everything; from the reason Cigarette Smoking Is Detrimental to Health, to a physiological, reduced immune response from work related noise. Today, everything has become a viable threat when it comes to health and the individual.

What is the reason cigarette smoking is detrimental to health? Well, there are many reasons, and some of the most applicable have to be that smoking has been proven to be the cause or suspected cause of some heinous diseases that plague Humans, such as bronchitis, emphysema, some forms of ulcers, heart disease, and the big one, cancer.

Certain chemicals found in cigarettes are proven to damage the airway by damaging its cells, causing an infection of the lungs known as Bronchitis. After a length of time the condition inhibits the bronchus' ability to function properly and discharge mucus from the lungs. That is not an attractive concept to consider, however, when we quit smoking the health risks are lessened and if they already exist the effects can be mitigated when we stop smoking.

Cigarette smoking is the suspected cause of emphysema too, the disease that destroys the lungs. In actuality, the specific cause has not been pinpointed, but a higher percentage of emphysema sufferers are smokers who might not have become victims of the disease if they would have quit smoking.

The health risks of Heart Disease can be avoided when you stop smoking, because smoking increases many of its factors. Smoking causes high blood pressure and lessens the Heart's ability to tolerate physical stress, besides causing the blood to clot, more than in people who do not smoke or who have quit smoking.

A more complicated but easier to see connection between smoking and lung cancer exists, and if anyone has paid the slightest attention to all the information related to smoking and cancer, then they know that to stop smoking lessens the health risks and therefore, lessens the chance of having smoke related cancer.

Besides the health risks there is also the risk related to physical attractiveness. Premature wrinkling caused by smoking is also a reality of smoking and should be considered. Smoking causes the blood vessels to become narrower and the narrowing restricts blood flow to the skin which speeds-up the aging process, causing irreversible wrinkling of the skin.

Cancer-Causing Foods

2009-03-02T23:38:00.000-08:00

Most people love to eat; as a matter of fact most of our money goes to food... But, do we know? Or are we aware that some of our favorite foods can cause us cancer? It is often included in our daily meals. We should be aware of the foods we take especially what we give to our kids. Here are the top 5 cancer-causing foods to help us understand the importance of healthy eating

1. HOTDOGS
Yes, it tastes good, it’s delicious and everyone loves it. Here’s a fact, they are high in nitrates, and therefore, the Cancer Prevention Coalition advises that children eat no more than 12 hot dogs a month. If you can't live without hot dogs, because like I said some really love it and It’s a fact that it really tastes good, just buy those made without sodium nitrate.

2. PROCESSED MEATS AND BACON
Another appetizing meal but then again is also high in the same sodium nitrates found in hot dogs, bacon, and other processed meats. These types of food raise the risk of heart disease. The saturated fat in bacon also contributes to cancer.

3. DOUGHNUTS
A very popular take home snack, with different food colorings and flavorings. Yummy Doughnuts are cancer-causing double trouble. First, they are made with white flour, sugar, and hydrogenated oils, then fried at high temperatures. Doughnuts, maybe the worst food you can possibly eat to raise your risk of cancer.

4. FRENCH FRIES
Another specialty of fast food chains, not only kids is a fan of this stuff. Like doughnuts, French fries are made with hydrogenated oils and then fried at high temperatures. They also contain cancer- causing acryl amides which occur during the frying process.

5. CHIPS, CRACKERS, AND COOKIES

Every time people do some groceries, this is often included on the list.
All of these are usually made with white flour and sugar. Even the ones whose labels claim to be free of trans-fats generally contain small amounts of trans-fats.

Yes… I agree these are all the delicious foods we love to eat and we usually crave for. I believe it’s just okay to have or to take a little of it sometimes and not to often I know we can’t help it, sometimes its too tempting. As they say “those that are forbidden tastes good” but then again think of how big the consequences are.

Know your eyes

2009-02-26T23:11:00.000-08:00

The human being is holy with five sensory organs and eyes are one among them. The eyes move a number of times a day to bring the objects in focus. Due to its sharp focus one is capable to see the far-away objects and the minute ones similar to needles. Any mistake in the functioning of the eye results in vision defects or problems so its proper to know first everything about the eye.

Tears: The first line of defense, they also serve as lubrication by keeping the eyes moist and nourished; they also have a corrective lens function.

Eyelids: Their main job is to protect your eyes from dirt, dust and harsh light.

Eyelashes: A protective net for your eyes.

Cornea: A refractive zone that guides light to reach the retina.

Pupil: Controls the amount of light that enters your eyes.

Lens: A refractive zone that also guides light into the retina.

Retina and Optic Nerve: A bunch of intricate wiring that carries vision signals between your brain and eyes.

Causes of Eye Problems

2009-02-26T23:03:00.000-08:00

Most of our work is done on computers, and there is usually no escape from it. It is a visually intensive task and, unfortunately, our work pressure and lifestyles do not give us the opportunity to be kind to our eyes. Like every other part of our bodies our eyes are also subject to wear and tear be it from the ultra violet rays of the sun, pollution and dust in the air, transmittable diseases or stress from looking at a computer screen all day.

Most of us go to our family doctors to undertake a physical exam to see how our overall health is. Other people take their health for granted. Why is it then that many of us disregard our eyesight. To guarantee healthy and normal vision, an annual visit to your eye doctor for your eye care exam is necessary.

The various causes of various eye problems are:

Reading in inadequate light
Working on computer for longer periods
Inadequate diet particularly the diet deficient in vitamin A
Watching television from close

Do ya think im sexy?

2009-02-26T16:49:00.000-08:00

Well being sexy is not so important, sexiness is just a result of being healthy, Having a radiant and glowing skin, healthy hair with a healthy body makes you more sexier than sexy.

I don't know but this video by Girls of FHM originally performed by Rod Stewart inspires me to be healthy and get fit.

Summertime Skin Care

2009-02-25T22:30:00.000-08:00

The skin has a defense mechanism against sun-damage, in the form of melanin. The production of melanin is accelerated on sun-exposure. However, we have seen that this defense is not enough. That is why protection of the skin, with ingredients that block the sun’s radiation damage, is so essential. These sun-block agents are incorporated into ’sunscreens’.

Avoid unnecessary sun exposure, especially between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., the peak hours for harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Avoidance of the sun, when ultraviolet radiation is at its height, can help to reduce the harmful effects. It is also essential to know that ultraviolet radiation is greater near water bodies, like the seaside and where there is snow. Snow, water and even sand reflect the ultraviolet rays and thus increase the reflection.

When doing summer outdoor activities, use sunscreens rated SPF 15 or higher. Apply them liberally, uniformly, and frequently. When exposed to sunlight, wear protective clothing such as long pants, long-sleeved shirts, broad-brimmed hats, and UV-protective sunglasses. Stay away from artificial tanning devices.

Exposure to the sun also causes moisture depletion and dries out the skin. Therefore, it is essential to step-up miniaturization, when you have been out of doors for a long time.

When you are swimming in the sea, or in an open-air pool, remember to apply sunscreen before and after your swim. Protect yourself with a parasol whenever you are out in the sun.Remember, you are exposed to ultraviolet radiation even on a cloudy day. Teach your children good sun protection habits at an early age: The damage that leads to adult skin cancers starts in childhood. Examine your skin head to toe at least once every three months.

Cigarette smoking contribution to skin aging

2009-02-25T18:20:00.000-08:00

Cigarette smoking is the second causative factor of premature skin aging after photo aging as it triggers biochemical changes in the body, which accelerate the aging process. It has been shown that individuals who smoke 10 or more cigarettes a day for a minimum of 10 years are statistically more likely to develop deep wrinkled, leathery skin than non smokers. Smoking exerts a noticeable effect on the skin such that it is often possible to detect whether an individual is a smoker or not by simply looking at his or her face. Such individuals have more wrinkles and their skin tends to have a grayish pallor compared with non smokers.

The most serious damage to the skin through smoking is often caused by the following:

reduction in the body’s storage of vitamin A, which produces protection from skin damage.
continual puckering from drawing on a cigarette as well as squinting in reaction to cigarette smoke create deeply wrinkled skin around the eyes and mouth – these are classic signs of “smoker’s face”.
restricted blood flow through the capillaries thereby preventing oxygen and nutrients getting to the skin.
restriction of the absorption of vitamin C, which is a vital oxidant for skin protection and health
acceleration of the decrease in collagen production, an enzyme vital to the skin’s elasticity.

Hair care for different types of hair

2009-02-24T21:02:00.000-08:00

Hair adds a crowning glory to a man’s persona. It is of utmost importance to take special care of this valuable asset and thereby preserving healthy hair. Modern and hectic lifestyle leaves little or no time for taking proper care of your hair. Unhealthy eating habits, lack of proper rest and sleep and stress badly affect your hair’s condition. This leads to thinning of hair, drying and in extreme cases hair falling out and even baldness.

There are so many shampoo and hair products that promise you to have a beautiful and shiny hair in just couple of weeks. But the problem is you really have to know first the type of hair you have before buying these product.

But having a beautiful and shiny hair doesn't only rely on the products that we use, In order to have a health hair we must also be observant to what we eat.

Basic Hair Care Tips

Hair Care Tips for Oily Hair

This condition stems from over secretion of the sebaceous glands.

Eat: Lots of green leafy vegetables, salads, fresh fruits, yogurt, baked and grilled dishes.

Avoid: Fried and greasy foods, milk products and red meat.

Hair Care Tips for Dry Hair

Increase intake of low cholesterol, polyunsaturated oils such as margarine, sunflower oil, fruits and foods rich in Vitamin B.

Eat: Foods rich in vitamin B, raw vegetables, pulses, wholemeal bread, brown rice, liver, bananas, nuts and oily fish. A supplement of Vitamin E capsules will also help.

Avoid: Salty and fatty cheeses.

Hair Care Tips for Normal Hair

Eat: Low fat fish, chicken, pulses and sprouts.

Hair Care Tips for Mixed Condition Hair

Eat: Plenty of vegetables and fresh fruits. Avoid: Butter, cheese and deep fried foods.

Hair Care Tips for Dull Hair

Eat: Foods rich in minerals - green vegetables, nuts, lentils, whole grain cereals, shrimps, oily fish and milk.

Hair Care Tips

2009-02-24T20:55:00.000-08:00

Beautiful, healthy and shining hair is a valuable asset. Healthy hair is dependent on the health of the scalp (hair requires a plentiful supply of nutrient-rich blood to nourish the hair follicles in the scalp) it makes sense that eating nutritionally balanced meals will promote healthy follicles and healthy hair growth. Consume omega 3 fat acid and protein for healthy hairs.

To have healthy and beautiful hair, you need some hair care tips as below

Choose natural shampoo - Natural shampoo is safer than chemical shampoo. Use a shampoo that is pH balanced and that is formulated for your hair type. Conditioner should be nourishing but not heavy. Rinse with cool water for extra shine.
Avoid rinsing hair so often - We tend to rinse our hair so often in the hot season. The risk to rinse hair so often, make your hair become dry and affect your head skin.
Avoid excess use of dryers - Blow dryer is commonly used to dry hair. This makes your hair broken. Use the tool properly to avoid your hair broken.
Scalp massage - Massage the scalp with the oil regularly to encourage oil production. Hot oil treatment is very beneficial in preventing hair loss.
Never brush wet hair, which can lead to breakage; instead, use a wide tooth comb after you shampoo.
After swimming, wash your hair with fresh water as soon as possible to remove chlorine residue.
Color your hair perfectly - To cover grey hair it is better to go a professional salon for coloring than doing yourself. Use the special shampoo; do not rinse your hair after 72 hours coloring.
Consult your stylist - We usually want to have new hair stylist. To do hair style, it must have chemical process. Consult your stylist the better way to choose, because your hair needs special care before or after chemical process.

How to properly apply shower gel

2009-02-15T22:46:00.000-08:00

Using shower gel leaves a gentle scent and moisturize your skin, as well as leaving you fresh and clean.

What's more, it just feels really, really fun to squish gel on you in a shower instead of soap. It's runny, gooey and marvelously scented! So you don't have to exert an extra effort to reach some of your body parts,

Get clean in such a fun and easy way:

Step in the bathroom/shower, and turn the water to the temperature that suits you best. (i suggest a lukewarm temperature because it opens your pores and it will absorb the minerals present in your shower gel)
Take a few minutes to wash your body, and enjoy the shower. Wash with soap if you really feel the need to cleanse with two cleaning products - otherwise, simply rely on the gel.
Pour about a tablespoon of shower gel onto your hand, wash towel, sponge.
Spread it evenly throughout your body.
Wash it off completely. (I also suggest cold water temperature because it tightens your skin pores)
Step out of the shower, and dry off like you would any other time.

Try also experimenting with different scents that suites you.

Summertime Skin Care

2009-02-09T22:50:00.000-08:00

Summer is approaching and you can't wait to plunge into the pool or head for the beach. But before you rush out to sample the joys of summertime, be physically prepared for common skin problem arises due to too much exposed to the direct sun rays, which send out ultraviolet radiation.

People with dry sensitive skin may notice that sun causes more dryness and irritation. In this case try to use herbal infusions instead of tap water when cleansing your skin. The best herbs are chamomile and sage - alone or in combination with linden blossoms. They will calm and soothe your skin. Having antibacterial properties, they will also prevent infections. If you spend a lot of time outside and feel that your skin is dry, soak cheesecloth in herbal infusion and leave it on clean face for a few minutes.

To make an herbal infusion you will need:

3 parts of linden blossoms 2 parts of chamomile 1 part rose petals 1/2 part peppermint leaves

Take 2 tablespoons of the herbal mixture and cover with 1 cup of boiling water.

In hot days when your face is sweating, do not rush to wash it with water. First wipe it with a cotton ball soaked in sour milk or sour cream. After 10-15 minutes rinse with sage infusion or green tea. Then apply your favorite moisturizer.

Some women think there is no need to use creams during summer since the skin sweats and already looks shiny. This is a big mistake. Oil and sweat are two different things. Oil depletion makes skin vulnerable to wind, sun, temperature contrast and other environmental factors. In hot summer days sweat evaporates from the skin surface making it even dryer and prone to injury or infection.

Wrong day cream can also cause sweatiness. Too much moisturizer or night cream used during the day will make your skin feel hot and look too shiny. Try to choose a light cream that makes your skin feel comfortable without leaving an oily residue and apply it to clean skin to ensure the best absorption.

Cold water is an excellent skin toner for summer. In the morning apply fresh squeezed fruit or berry juice all over your face and neck. If your skin is dry or irritated, follow with sour cream or oil (olive, sunflower, almond). Now wash your face with cold water. Ice cubes will feel great on normal and oily skin, however if you have visible capillaries, ice can make them worse.

Fruit masks is another easy summer treat. If you do not have allergies, they can be used everyday. Active ingredients in fruits will freshen and clean your skin. For the best result use fresh fruits and berries and make just enough juice or mixture for one application.

There are some general guidelines to follow as easy as 123:

Clean the skin first.
If your skin type is dry, apply a thin layer of light cream while the skin is still wet.
Soak a piece of cheese cloth in mashed fruit or juice and leave it on your face for 10-15 minutes (cut out holes for eyes in the cheesecloth to avoid eye irritation caused by fruit acids).

The mask can also be made with egg yolks, powdered oatmeal, or sour cream. For oily skin mix fruits with egg whites. If your mask has a thick consistency, you may not need a cheesecloth.

Fruits you can use:

- For dry skin - apricots, grapes, melon, plums, bananas. You may add carrot juice to your mask, it is great for dry skin. The orangy color will disappear pretty fast. - For irritated skin or if you have visible capillaries - parsley is the answer to your problems. - For oily skin and enlarged pores - cabbage, cranberry, red currant. - Tomato, cucumber, watermelon and orange juices will do good for any skin type.

After removing a fruit mask, it is not necessary to wash your face with water - wipe it with a cotton ball soaked in tea, herbal infusion or cucumber juice.

When using masks, don't forget about your neck - it needs just the same attention as your face.

7 Benefits from drinking Green Tea

2009-02-09T16:32:00.000-08:00

Green tea isn’t just a delicious and healthful drink; it can also be used as an at-home health and beauty remedy. By now, we know that drinking green tea is undoubtedly good for our bodies. The antioxidant and free-radical scavenging properties of green tea have made it a must-have for the health conscious and numerous studies highlight the potential benefits of green tea including cancer prevention and weight loss.

Read on to find out 7 surprising things you didn’t know about green tea

1. It can reduce puffy peepers: Stayed out too late last night? Soaking a cotton pad in green tea and placing it over eyes for 10 minutes can reduce the puffiness of tired eyes, making you look revitalized and refreshed.

2. It can soothe skin: Spent a little too much time in the sun? Use the naturally calming properties of green tea to soothe sunburned skin. Place green tea in a spray bottle and mist on sunburned areas for all-natural relief. Because it has anti-bacterial qualities, green tea can also be used as an antiseptic to spray on skin blemishes or irritations.

3. It’s great for teeth: Green tea has fluoride in it, making it a superstar for keeping gums and teeth healthy. Green tea can even be used as a mouthwash to maintain breath.

4. It can soothe sore throats: The anti-viral effects of green tea make it an excellent remedy to help prevent the effects of a cold or flu. In fact, you can gargle with green tea to soothe a sore throat.

5. It’s good for the bones: Naturally high in minerals, green tea aids in strong bone density, which is important for maintaining good posture.

6. It’s a room deodorizer: Green tea leaves have traditionally been used to naturally absorb odors in a room. Place tea leaves in a bowl to help absorb unpleasant odors or leave some in the fridge in place of baking soda.

7. It’s good for the feet: Soaking tired feet in green tea can prevent unpleasant fungal infections.

Hair me please!

2009-01-18T18:53:00.000-08:00

I think that every girl or every woman would agree with me when i say that one of the reasons of guys turning their heads at us is our "hair", its one of our physical assets that we should take care of. No wonder there's a lot of parlor and salon in every corner of every street as well as inside the mall, it's just everywhere!! We love to change our looks every now and then, however we need to be aware on how to properly take care of our hair.

We can't just do experiments on our hair without consultation, we can't just go to a salon and tell the stylist you want Angelina Jolie's new cut. One has to look or consider his or her physical traits such as the

shape of your face
your skin color
shape of your eyebrows
even the type of ears you have

Those are some considerations you have to think first before you decide of the cut, the color or the hairstyle you want. Sometimes, those cut or style that looks good on other people or its the "in thing" would also look good on us! Thats why we should consult or ask advice to hair experts if the look that we want would also look good on us!

I used to have a long shiny hair, and we all know it's hard to take care and maintain it, you really have to give time effort to keep it beautiful. My mom use to buy coconut and scrape its coconut meat, boil it and squeeze to extract its oil, put in in my hair and have it stayed there for an hour, rinse it with shampoo(you know old ways!), and you know what?? the smell of the oil stayed at my hair for 3 days even if i wash it with shampoo! It was sooo annoying i have to stay home the whole time, i don't want people to smell me that way. Good thing now, thanks to the advanced technology and experiments and studies, we can go to parlors or salons for hot oils smelling great after and there's the improved shampoo and conditioner to make our hair look better without spending much!

Some people really pays much to keep their hair beautiful, shiny and healthy, but we can also have that to a lesser or cheaper expense.
Here are some cheap tips,

Trim the ends of you hair once a month to keep from split ends,
Brush your hair when you wake up and before you go to sleep for a hundred times (believe me it still works),
Don't forget to apply conditioner for your hair after shampooing and when you condition your hair leave the conditioner for a minute or two,
Don't tie your hair if it's still wet and when you tie you hair,
Tie it loosely so it won't be wavy (this are for those who have straight hair)
Don't blow dry your hair too often.

If possible avoid chemical applications on your hair. I know most women go to salons to have their hair relax or rebonds or hair cellophane, hair spa, hot oil, etc., it's best to do it just one at a time every after six months so that your hair won't be damaged, cause there are a lot of cases of damaged hair due to improper hair care.

Over the past years I've already done lots of styles on my hair, I had a straight black hair, straight colored hair, straight streaked hair, short layered hair, bangs, short and long curly or permed hair. The style which is hard to maintain is the curly long hair, it usually takes me an hour to fix it, every time I have an appointment i make sure i have a 2 hours alloted time for bath, hair, makeup, getting dressed the longest time of it, I spend on my hair. That's why I just recently cut my hair straight and short cause it takes much of my time. One good thing about my long curly hair is that, it's really nice and I feel like a goddess, everywhere I go, people say something nice about my hair and some women envy it, one thing they don't realize is how hard it is to keep it that way. One great advice that I can give and that sure would really work is that no matter what hairstyle you have as long as you know how to carry it, how to project it, how to flaunt it you would look gorgeous! If you want to be beautiful, start within yourself.....feel beautiful because we all are.

It really pays to check the label

2009-01-14T19:30:00.000-08:00

For most women, part of their morning and evening routines involve a skincare regimen of applying creams, moisturizers, tonics, lotions,etc.....Women do this to combat the signs of aging, and to maintain youthful looks and beautiful skin! However, some women don't consider what is in the products they are using.
Some women probably do not realize that what they are putting on their skin may actually be undermining what they are trying to prevent to begin with. In fact the average woman puts twelve products on her skin daily, most of which maintain harmful chemical preservatives. Some say that beauty is only skin deep. Nonsense! I believe that true beauty is a reflection of true health, and true health begins deep inside each and every cell in the body. But true health and true beauty have an outer component, which is why we require protection from harmful environmental elements. The fact is, you simply cannot obtain a healthy body if your skin isn't healthy. And your skin can't be healthy if your are subjecting it to toxic substances that are ultimately harmful your body."

How can they be sure they are using the very best products on their skin so they can be healthy inside and out?

Here are 7 tips to assist in this process:
1. Be very aware of what is in skincare products. Use products that are all natural as much as possible.
2. Drink plenty of water! Water hydrates skin and hair as well as flushes toxins out of the body.
3. Look for products that contain Dermal Surface Renewal Technology. DSR smooths away existing signs of aging such as laugh lines, crows feet, and dullness.
4. Find products with Proteo-C and Proflavonol-T. These two vitamins protect the skin from premature aging caused by the sun, pollution, and other environmental factors. They also provide advanced nutrition to the skin to keep it appearing smooth and firm.
5. Use products that have regenisomes. Regenisomes penetrate the skin to speed cell renewal after sun exposure. They also use the light of photosomes to undo sun damage, and have ultrasomes to renew skin while sleeping.
6. If possible, use products that are paraben free. Parabens are synthetic chemical preservatives that are widely used in personal care products such as shampoos, conditioners, hair styling products, make-up, facial masks, skin lotions and creams, and deodorants.
7. Limit stress or learn to manage it effectively. Stress is harmful both emotionally and physically. Find that stress reliever activity that works best and use it on a daily basis!

Follow the above 7 tips to true beauty and health and always check the label before applying any of the products to you skin. “It really pays to check the Label”