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Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Alternative Health Care Tips – About Swine Influenza Symptoms

Swine Influenza,Swine Flu,Healthy Lifestyle,Alternative Health Care TipsWhat is Swine Influenza?

Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza virus that regularly causes outbreaks of influenza in pigs. Swine flu viruses cause high levels of illness and low death rates in pigs.

Swine influenza viruses may circulate among swine throughout the year, but most outbreaks occur during the late fall and winter months similar to outbreaks in humans.

The classical swine flu virus (an influenza type A H1N1 virus) was first isolated from a pig in 1930.

How many swine flu viruses are there?
Like all influenza viruses, swine flu viruses change constantly.

Pigs can be infected by avian influenza and human influenza viruses as well as swine influenza viruses. When influenza viruses from different species infect pigs, the viruses can reassort (i.e. swap genes) and new viruses that are a mix of swine, human and/or avian influenza viruses can emerge.

Over the years, different variations of swine flu viruses have emerged. At this time, there are four main influenza type A virus subtypes that have been isolated in pigs: H1N1, H1N2, H3N2, and H3N1. However, most of the recently isolated influenza viruses from pigs have been H1N1 viruses.

Swine Flu in Humans :-

Can humans catch swine flu?

Swine flu viruses do not normally infect humans. However, sporadic human infections with swine flu have occurred. Most commonly, these cases occur in persons with direct exposure to pigs (e.g. children near pigs at a fair or workers in the swine industry).

In addition, there have been documented cases of one person spreading swine flu to others. For example, an outbreak of apparent swine flu infection in pigs in Wisconsin in 1988 resulted in multiple human infections, and, although no community outbreak resulted, there was antibody evidence of virus transmission from the patient to health care workers who had close contact with the patient.

What are the symptoms of swine flu in humans?

The symptoms of swine flu in people are expected to be similar to the symptoms of regular human seasonal influenza and include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Some people with swine flu also have reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Is there a vaccine for swine flu?

Vaccines are available to be given to pigs to prevent swine influenza. There is no vaccine to protect humans from swine flu. The seasonal influenza vaccine will likely help provide partial protection against swine H3N2, but not swine H1N1 viruses.

Can people catch swine flu from eating pork?

No. Swine influenza viruses are not transmitted by food. You can not get swine influenza from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork and pork products is safe. Cooking pork to an internal temperature of 160°F kills the swine flu virus as it does other bacteria and viruses.

How does swine flu spread?

Influenza viruses can be directly transmitted from pigs to people and from people to pigs. Human infection with flu viruses from pigs are most likely to occur when people are in close proximity to infected pigs, such as in pig barns and livestock exhibits housing pigs at fairs. Human-to-human transmission of swine flu can also occur.

This is thought to occur in the same way as seasonal flu occurs in people, which is mainly person-to-person transmission through coughing or sneezing of people infected with the influenza virus. People may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

How can human infections with swine influenza be diagnosed?

To diagnose swine influenza A infection, a respiratory specimen would generally need to be collected within the first 4 to 5 days of illness (when an infected person is most likely to be shedding virus). However, some persons, especially children, may shed virus for 10 days or longer. Identification as a swine flu influenza A virus requires sending the specimen to CDC for laboratory testing.

What medications are available to treat swine flu infections in humans?

There are four different antiviral drugs that are for the treatment of influenza: amantadine, rimantadine, oseltamivir and zanamivir. While most swine influenza viruses have been susceptible to all four drugs, the most recent swine influenza viruses isolated from humans are resistant to amantadine and rimantadine. At this time, CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir or zanamivir for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with swine influenza viruses.

Is the H1N1 swine flu virus the same as human H1N1 viruses?

No. The H1N1 swine flu viruses are antigenically very different from human H1N1 viruses and, therefore, vaccines for human seasonal flu would not provide protection from H1N1 swine flu viruses.

How does swine flu spread among pigs?

Swine flu viruses are thought to be spread mostly through close contact among pigs and possibly from contaminated objects moving between infected and uninfected pigs. Herds with continuous swine flu infections and herds that are vaccinated against swine flu may have sporadic disease, or may show only mild or no symptoms of infection.

Friday, April 24, 2009

Toe Finger Nail Fungus Cures

What is Nail Fungus :-

Fungal infections are common on fingernails and toenails.

This is infection also known as onychomycosis is caused by a group of fungus called dermatophytes.

This infection occurs when fungi infect one or more of your nails.It may begin as a white or yellow spot under the tip of your fingernail or toenail.

As the it spreads deeper into your nail, it may cause your nail to discolor, thicken and develop crumbling edges — an unsightly and potentially painful problem.

You may get affected by the toenail fungus in damp areas such as public gyms, shower stalls or swimming pools.

Toe nail fungus can spread from one toe to another or to other body parts.

There are many medications available to help relieve the condition. It is necessary to find a good nail fungus cures in order to treat the condition early and prevent further infection.

Tee tree oil is a natural antiseptic that will help to fight that infection.

Soaking your feet and mouthwash, hydrogen peroxide and any other type of solution must be done on daily basis.

Applying oils directly on your nails and skin can help treat this fungus.

The use of vinegar is a method you can use for treating toenail fungus. Vinegar has anti fungal properties that can help fight nail fungus.

Symptoms of Finger Toenail Fungus are quite obvious. The nail will be affected, get yellow or brown color. It may become so thick and overgrown that it may be painful to wear shoes. Foul-smelling debris may get accumulated under the nail. The nail may crumble and eventually fall off.

People with diabetes could hardly treat nail fungi when infected due to weak immune system and blood circulation conditions.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Natural Home Remedies for Prevention of Prostate Cancer

What is Prostate Cancer :-

Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer that affects men.

It is when cancerous cells form in the prostate causing a tumor.

Once the cancerous cells have formed, it is then possible for them to travel away from the prostate to affect other parts of the body.

The prostate is a gland that forms part of the male reproductive system and is located below the bladder.

For this reason, prostate cancer only affects men.

Being ignorant about this disease will prevent you from even understanding some of the signs and symptoms that would have warned you early on before the cancer spreads to the rest of the body.

But if you take the time to learn as much as you can about the condition, you will be able to decipher the signs and symptoms and do something about it, before it spreads.

As all We know that antioxidant protect our body against free radicals that can trigger cancer.

Load up on antioxidants such as resveratrol and Vitamin A,C and E.

Food with strong color are also antioxidant rich.

Tomatoes are such type of example in which there is lycopene. Lycopene is believed to be the major active component in tomatoes that is responsible for the anti-cancer activity.

As consuming only two serving of tomatoes in a week significantly lower the risk of prostate cancer.

Eating tomatoes and broccoli together can enhance the anti-cancer potentency possessed by tomatoes and broccoli. The rats use diets with tomatoes and or broccoli get the smaller tumors. The diet with both tomatoes and broccoli is most effective and finasteride is least effective in slowing the tumor growth.

Anti-cancer compound such as polyphenols found in green tea and isoflavones found in soy-based products.

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Natural Health Remedies - Anxiety Disorder Attack Symptoms,Causes

Anxiety is not any type of Disease.

It can cause many different physical symptoms.


The body reacting to stress is the cause of an anxiety attack.

The stress is usually an event or happening that is directly related to the individual who is suffering the attack.

This broad term - anxiety disorder - includes general anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, social anxiety disorder and panic disorder.

Anxiety disorder symptoms may make you feel anxious most of the time, without any apparent reason.

The anxious feelings may be so uncomfortable that to avoid them you may stop some everyday activities. You may even experience bouts of feelings of anxiety so intense they terrify and immobilize you. Most anxiety disorders have some biological component and often respond well to medication for anxiety.


There are many treatment options available when it comes to the natural healing of anxiety.

Treatment or Natural Herbal Remedies for Anxiety :-
Passion Flower is a natural plant-based supplement that is used as a mild sedative and sleep aid. It also helps to reduce restlessness, anxiety, and nervousness.

Chamomile is effective for treating anxiety, sleeplessness and gastrointestinal conditions such as upset stomach and diarrhea. It is also used topically to treat mouth ulcers. There is a reason why chamomile tea is used before bed. It helps to soothe your stress and manage your anxiety.

Valerian is a soothing herb that has long been used for sleep disorders and anxiety, this can be taken at bedtime or at any time of the day when you are beginning to feel a little anxious. This herb has also been used for depression, headaches and irregular heartbeat.

Monday, April 13, 2009

Alternative Health Care - Exercise for Computer Users

Everyday Each of us can renew our efforts to lead a healthier lifestyle so that we can remain free from illness and pain this includes back pain.

Sitting at desk top computers is source of Upper Back Pain. This is often because we spend long periods of time sitting or standing in the same position, generally this tends to be in our place of work. By maintaining the same position the muscles in the upper back which connect the shoulders and help to keep our back straight become tense, stiff and painful.

More than 50 percent of computer users experience eyestrain, blurred vision, headaches and other visual symptoms. Many of these problems can be reduced through an anti-glare screens and eye exercises. Spending too much time looking at a computer screen may raise your risk of the vision-robbing eye disease glaucoma.

If you use computers frequently or other electronic equipment, you should drink plenty of purified water. The equipment dehydrates the eyes and we don't see as well when the eyes are dry.

When you are constantly focused on your computer screen, the celery body inside the eye becomes stressed and stiff, just as your leg muscles become stiff after hours of sitting. Looking at distance allows the canary muscle to stretch and relax.

Computer vision syndrome affects more than half of all regular computer users. The symptoms include headache, neck and shoulder pain, as well as blurred, tired, dry, aching, burning eyes. There are several things that you need to do to end the syndrome and relieve the symptoms.

There are specific eye exercises that help correct the syndrome. These should be done every ten minutes, but they are very simple. If you wear glasses, take them off. Find a point that is at least ten feet away from your seat and look at it for 10 seconds.

Swimming has to be one of the best methods of exercise because it uses all the bodies’ muscles. When swimming above water the weight of your body is supported which lets the muscles and spine to relax and stretch out, ideal for easing upper back pain.

Friday, April 10, 2009

Natural Health Care – Snoring Causes,Prevention,Remedies




















Snoring is a one of the serious breathing disorder.

It is nothing but one condition that leaves a person with vibration and resonation of loose tissue in their throat. Your breathing patterns change as your sleep moves into a deeper state.

That makes your breathing turn into a rhythm, which increases the odds of ending up with resonating.

Actually, People that suffer with this don't really have a problem with it because they're sound asleep. People with enlarged tonsils, long palate and uvula and loose tongue and throat muscles are susceptible as well. Men who are overweight are more likely to snore.

One of the best solution of this disorder that “Changing the way you sleep can help you to stop it.”

How we can Stop Snoring:-

One of the most famous snoring solutions is the simple act of rolling onto your side while you sleep.

With the help of chin strap, we can stop also. A chin strap is just a headband that you wear. It wraps around your jaw and the top of your head. It's really an easy way to keep your jaw closed.

Snoring Causes:-

There are so many factors can cause of snoring. From those factors include the anatomy of the snorer's mouth, alcohol consumption, problems with the nasal passages, or a condition called sleep apnea.

The anatomy of a person's mouth can contribute to a snoring problem due to the size of the tonsils, soft palate and tissues in the back of the throat. If any of these body parts are larger than normal, then they can narrow the air passages even more.

It may lead to weak or poor muscles in the throat and/or tongue. This may cause the tongue to fall into the throat, or the muscles of the throat to cave into the air passages, constricting the airways. Weak or poor muscles in the throat and/or tongue are also a cause of snoring.

Stress is one of the leading causes of many things that are unhealthy and is a leading factor in whether or not you snore. There are many ways to eliminate stress and this would be eliminating one of the snoring causes if you can find a better way to deal with stress.

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Natural Home Remedies – Prevent Infection through Hand Washing

Hand washing is a simple habit that can help keep you healthy. Learn the benefits of good hand hygiene, when to wash your hands and how to clean them properly.

Hand washing is a simple habit, something most people do without thinking. Yet hand washing, when done properly, is one of the best ways to avoid getting sick.

This simple habit requires only soap and warm water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer — a cleanser that doesn't require water. Do you know the benefits of good hand hygiene and when and how to wash your hands properly?

The dangers of not washing your hands :-

Despite the proven health benefits of hand washing, many people don't practice this habit as often as they should — even after using the toilet. Throughout the day you accumulate germs on your hands from a variety of sources, such as direct contact with people, contaminated surfaces, foods, even animals and animal waste. If you don't wash your hands frequently enough, you can infect yourself with these germs by touching your eyes, nose or mouth. And you can spread these germs to others by touching them or by touching surfaces that they also touch, such as doorknobs.

Infectious diseases that are commonly spread through hand-to-hand contact include the common cold, flu and several gastrointestinal disorders, such as infectious diarrhea. While most people will get over a cold, the flu can be much more serious. Some people with the flu, particularly older adults and people with chronic medical problems, can develop pneumonia.

Inadequate hand hygiene also contributes to food-related illnesses, such as salmonella and E. coli infection.

Proper hand-washing techniques :-

Good hand-washing techniques include washing your hands with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Antimicrobial wipes or towelettes are just as effective as soap and water in cleaning your hands but aren't as good as alcohol-based sanitizers.

Antibacterial soaps have become increasingly popular in recent years.However, these soaps are no more effective at killing germs than is regular soap. Using antibacterial soaps may lead to the development of bacteria that are resistant to the products' antimicrobial agents — making it even harder to kill these germs in the future. In general, regular soap is fine. The combination of scrubbing your hands with soap — antibacterial or not — and rinsing them with water loosens and removes bacteria from your hands.

Proper hand washing with soap and water.

Follow these instructions for washing with soap and water :-

(1) Wet your hands with warm, running water and apply liquid soap or use clean bar soap. Lather well.

(2) Rub your hands vigorously together for at least 15 to 20 seconds.

(3) Scrub all surfaces, including the backs of your hands, wrists, between your fingers and under your fingernails.

(4) Rinse well.

(5) Dry your hands with a clean or disposable towel.

(6) Use a towel to turn off the faucet.

Proper use of an alcohol-based hand sanitizer :-

Alcohol-based hand sanitizers — which don't require water — are an excellent alternative to hand washing, particularly when soap and water aren't available. They're actually more effective than soap and water in killing bacteria and viruses that cause disease. Commercially prepared hand sanitizers contain ingredients that help prevent skin dryness. Using these products can result in less skin dryness and irritation than hand washing.

Not all hand sanitizers are created equal, though. Some "waterless" hand sanitizers don't contain alcohol. Use only the alcohol-based products. The CDC recommends choosing products that contain at least 60 percent alcohol.

To use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer:-

(1) Apply about 1/2 teaspoon of the product to the palm of your hand.
(2) Rub your hands together, covering all surfaces of your hands, until they're dry.
If your hands are visibly dirty, however, wash with soap and water, if available, rather than a sanitizer.

When should you wash your hands?

Although it's impossible to keep your bare hands germ-free, there are times when it's critical to wash your hands to limit the transfer of bacteria, viruses and other microbes.

Always wash your hands:-

(1) After using the toilet
(2) After changing a diaper — wash the diaper-wearer's hands, too
(3) After touching animals or animal waste
(4) Before and after preparing food, especially before and immediately after handling raw meat, poultry or fish
(5) Before eating
(6) After blowing your nose
(7) After coughing or sneezing into your hands
(8) Before and after treating wounds or cuts
(9) Before and after touching a sick or injured person
(10) After handling garbage
(11) Before inserting or removing contact lenses
(12) When using public restrooms, such as those in airports, train stations, bus stations and restaurants.

Hand washing doesn't take much time or effort, but it offers great rewards in terms of preventing illness. Adopting this simple habit can play a major role in protecting your health.

Monday, April 6, 2009

Alternative HealthCare - Anger Management Tips,Types & Benefits

Anger is a very powerful emotion that can stem from feelings of frustration, hurt, annoyance, or disappointment. It is a normal human emotion that can range from slight irritation to strong rage.

What Is Anger?

Anger is a very powerful emotion that can stem from feelings of frustration, hurt, annoyance or disappointment. It is a normal human emotion that can range from slight irritation to strong rage.

Anger can be harmful or helpful, depending upon how it is expressed. Knowing how to recognize and express anger in appropriate ways can help people to reach goals, handle emergencies and solve problems. However, problems can occur if people fail to recognize and understand their anger.

What Are the Dangers of Suppressed Anger?

Suppressed anger can be an underlying cause of anxiety and depression. Anger that is not appropriately expressed can disrupt relationships, affect thinking and behavior patterns, and create a variety of physical problems. Chronic (long-term) anger has been linked to health issues such as high blood pressure, heart problems, headaches, skin disorders and digestive problems. In addition, anger can be linked to problems such as crime, emotional and physical abuse, and other violent behavior.

What Steps Can I Take to Help Manage My Anger?

When you start feeling angry, try deep breathing, positive self-talk, or stopping your angry thoughts. Breathe deeply from your diaphragm. Slowly repeat a calm word or phrase such as "relax" or "take it easy." Repeat it to yourself while breathing deeply until the anger subsides.

Although expressing anger is better than keeping it in, anger should be expressed in an appropriate way. Frequent outbursts of anger are often counter-productive and cause problems in relationships with others. Anger outbursts are also stressful to your nervous and cardiovascular systems and can make health problems worse. Learning how to use assertiveness is the healthy way to express your feelings, needs and preferences. Being assertive can be used in place of using anger in these situations.

Seek out the support of others. Talk through your feelings and try to work on changing your behaviors.

If you have trouble realizing when you are having angry thoughts, keep a log of when you feel angry.

Try to gain a different perspective by putting yourself in another's place.Learn how to laugh at yourself and see humor in situations.

Practice good listening skills. Listening can help improve communication and can facilitate trusting feelings between people. This trust can help you deal with potentially hostile emotions.

Learn to assert yourself, expressing your feelings calmly and directly without becoming defensive, hostile or emotionally charged up. Consult self-help books on assertiveness or seek help from a professional therapist to learn how to use assertiveness and anger management skills.

What Else Can I Do to Deal With My Anger in a Healthy Way?

If you believe that your anger is out of control and is having a negative affect on your life and relationships, seek the help of a mental health professional. A psychologist or other licensed mental health professional can work with you to develop techniques for changing your thinking and your behavior. A mental health professional can help you to deal with your anger in an appropriate way. Choose your therapist carefully and make sure to seek treatment from a professional who is trained to teach anger management and assertiveness skills.