The Health Benefits Of Getting A Spa Treatment

Spas are an ideal place to go to relax, but they can also impart some fantastic health benefits. While some of the more outrageous claims of slimming the body and cleansing are fake, many offer benefits you may be unaware of.

One of the most important aspects of a spa treatment though, is the pampering you get while you are there. The act of being touched and made to feel comforted can do a lot to change every day outlooks and keep you from being depressed. It can also make it easier to deal with problems that may arise in your personal life, because you are likely to feel more confident.

Some Treatments To Look Out For

There are treatments that may cause some adverse side effects in certain people. Full seaweed wraps can be bad for the skin, because they contain large amounts of iodine. While this helps some people's pores and skin to clear, by sucking out the oils, it can also cause blockages in other people's pores and cause itchy breakouts.

If you are concerned that you may have an adverse reaction to a particular treatment or if you have sensitive skin it's advised to test on a small patch first. This will help to insure you don't have a bad reaction on a large surface area. It's also important to ask plenty of questions if you have sensitive skin.

Treatments That Really Work

Massage treatments are one of the most effective available. They are ideal for stress relief as well as removing tension. Usually a spa's onsite massage therapist has some level of certification or training. These professional massages can help to keep your body and muscles relaxed which will promote overall health. Mineral water baths and mud packs are also some good choices for restoration. They can reintroduce minerals and compounds into your body that you may have been lacking. These are a quick way to increase your total well-being on a spa day.

Pampering For Yourself

The act of getting pampered is what is the most beneficial about having a day at the spa. Being pampered can help you feel more confident at work or in your personal life. It can also sharply reduce that amount of stress you are feeling. Stress is a major contribution to many maladies, and can include depression. Managing stress is extremely important to a happy and healthy life.

If you are looking for the perfect spa day, visit http://www.spareveil.com/ and search through a large selection of treatment and stay options for your perfect stress relief vacation.

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Complications Associated With Depression Treatment

These days, the medications used to treat depression are actually remarkably good.

Not only are they effective, but they have proven to be safe, and are even not addictive. Most people have little or no side effects from the medication at all, and if they do experience mild side effects, those effects usually pass rather quickly.

The complications associated with depression treatment don't actually pertain to the medication used at all -- but there are some complications indeed. You see, usually when people experience major depression there is an exceedingly legitimate chance that depression will reoccur later.

In fact, research shows that of everyone who seeks treatment for depression and are able to get past the depression and discontinue the medication -- with the approval of their doctor -- one-third of those people will experience depression again, often within a year. Furthermore, of those people, approximately half will experience depression again within their lifetime.

Depression also has other effects. There is, of course, a 15% chance of suicide. People who suffer from depression, typically are not as healthy as those who do not, from a physical standpoint. Furthermore, those who suffer from depression are less likely to live through a heart attack or stroke.

This does not mean that you are doomed if you suffer from depression. It is crucial to seek treatment and work closely with your doctor. Counseling should be sought, and should continue even after the depressive episode has passed. Your doctor will work with you, to adjust medication appropriately -- and to discontinue the medication when it is not needed. He or she will also help you to be more aware of depression as it starts creeping in.

Studies have shown that the earlier the depression is treated, the sooner it is likely to pass. Therefore, it is vital that you and your doctor stay up to date with your mental and physical state.
Dealing with psychological problems, such as anxiety and depression, is a daily challenge for sufferers.

If you think you or someone you love may be coping with one of these ailments, you probably have many questions, including, "What are signs that someone is depressed?" or "What is the treatment for borderline personality disorder?"

If you or your loved one is truly struggling, it is important to remember that professional treatment should be sought. The facts you see here are merely meant to guide you through the process of understanding these disorders; they are not designed to replace actual counseling and therapy.

Read more on our blog about Bipolar Disorder, Depression, Anxiety and Borderline Personality Disorder - "Our main Mental Health Blog": http://bipolardisorderdepressionanxiety.com/
Category page: http://bipolardisorderdepressionanxiety.com/category/depression/

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Too Much Antioxidants Is Bad?

Is it possible to get too much of a good thing? It is when it's an antioxidant, but primarily when it is in supplement form. Antioxidants are found naturally in fruits and vegetables, which are enough to provide the health benefits needed to ward off disease and keep the body strong. Antioxidants prevent the buildup of reactive oxygen species that cause oxidative stress and is linked to a variety of health issues.

To enjoy the benefits of antioxidants, health professionals recommend eating five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables each day, which can be challenging for even the healthiest of eaters. This is why so many people turn to antioxidant supplements to make up the difference. Unfortunately, there is growing evidence that this causes more harm than good.

Have Our Efforts Backfired?

Recent research has found that high level doses of some of the most protective antioxidants could be dangerous. Men taking high doses of vitamin E supplements showed an increased risk of prostate cancer. There was also a link shown between high levels of beta carotene and cancer in smokers. The important thing to note is that these high level doses came from supplements. It would be nearly impossible to achieve the dangerous levels of antioxidants from diet alone.

Intake of antioxidants from supplements resulted in the opposite effect of what is intended. Researchers believe this is because the high doses of antioxidants completely eradicated reactive oxygen species, preventing the body from ridding itself of microbes and rogue cells. When these cells are left to their own devices, they begin to divide and develop into cancer. Antioxidants supplements "overdid" their work.

This is similar to what happens when a person excessively sanitizes his or her environment. The goal is to kill bad germs and bacteria, but too many antibacterial products also kill the good germs and bacteria. There is nothing left for protection and the immune system becomes weak.

Keeping Things in Balance

Like most things related to health, balance should be your goal. The key is to achieve a balance of reactive oxygen species and antioxidants in the body. This keeps the body's immune and healing systems operating at optimal levels.

The best way to ensure you keep things in balance is to get your antioxidants from natural sources. They occur in low concentrations and are accompanied by other helpful nutrients. The body is also able to absorb and use the antioxidants more efficiently when they come from natural sources. At most, a quality multi-vitamin can fill the gaps in a less-than-perfect diet.

As more is discovered about antioxidants it will become easier to determine exactly how much is the perfect amount. Until then, enjoy the benefits of eating fruits and vegetables without overdoing it from supplements.

Want to learn more about how to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight the natural way? Subscribe to Lanna's weekly vegetarian recipes at http://www.lannapotter.com Also, please like Lanna's facebook page http://www.facebook.com/lanna.potter.3

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What Is Gluten?

You walk through the store and you see the label 'gluten free' all over the place, right? What does it really mean? Does it mean that product is healthier for you? Marketers are hoping that's what you think so you'll buy the product, but the truth is, gluten isn't bad for you unless you have celiac disease or are sensitive to gluten.

What is it? Gluten is actually a naturally occurring protein that is found in wheat and some other grains. It is also used as an additive in many other processed foods.

How does gluten affect people?

If a person has true celiac disease, gluten actually damages their intestines, preventing them from absorbing nutrients, and causing subsequent malnutrition. It's possible for someone to be sensitive to gluten, but not have full blown celiacs, and in that case, they may have symptoms such as bloating, diarrhea, digestive upset, fatigue, joint pain, and brain fog. Many symptoms that cannot be otherwise explained can stem back to gluten intolerance. Because it can cause inflammation in the body as the immune system is attacking the gluten proteins, it can cause other problems too, like hormonal imbalance, chronic fatigue, thyroid problems, and can also cause increasing food allergies. Once the digestive system is compromised or damaged, it can lead to a host of issues and be the underlying cause of other conditions. Migraines, neurological issues, and even MS have been found to be caused by gluten intolerance.

What can you eat if you can't have gluten?

Processed foods that are labeled 'gluten free' do not always make the best choices for a healthy diet because a lot of times they are loaded with more calories, more fat, and more chemical additives to make them taste better. Whole, natural foods are a much better choice, and are readily available.

Foods that typically do not contain gluten are:

Unprocessed meats

Fruits & Vegetables

Sweet potatoes, and white & red potatoes

White Rice, and things made from white rice, like hot rice cereal, puffed rice cereal - check the labels for additives

Brown Rice and things made from brown rice, like rice cakes, snack crackers - check the labels for additives

Nuts and natural nut butters

Beans

Most dairy products, but again, double check the labels

Coconut & Almond Milk

Gluten and weight gain

Gluten itself does not necessarily cause a person to gain weight, but if a person is gluten sensitive, the body's reaction - inflammation - can cause them to bloat and prevent them from losing weight. Going gluten free for the sole purpose of losing weight is not recommended.

What to do if you suspect you are gluten intolerant

If you think that you may have symptoms of gluten sensitivity, it may be beneficial to see your doctor, who can test you for celiac disease. If your symptoms are minor, you can simply remove gluten from your diet for 2-3 weeks and see if your symptoms improve. If you do avoid gluten, it's not something that you do intermittently as it can take awhile for it to get out of your system, so you would have to eliminate it completely to get accurate results.

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Free Range, Free Run and Organic: What Is the Difference?

Many people are familiar with the terms free-range, free run, organic and halal, but are unsure of what they really mean. As more and more consumers become concerned with where their food comes from, these labels are becoming more common on egg, beef, pork, sheep and chicken products all over. Let's clear up the confusion and shed some light on what each term means.

Free Range Chicken

As the name suggests, free-range refers to animals that have free access to the outdoors. The term free range applies to chicken, beef, sheep, goat and pork.

During the cold winter months, be cautious of free-range products labeled as "fresh" in stores. These products may have actually been frozen and then defrosted before being put on store shelves. In this case, you want to avoid re-freezing the product once you return home.

Free Run

The term free run is very different from the term free-range. These animals may not necessarily be raised outdoors. At the same time, they may not necessarily kept in cages or tight quarters either. Free run chickens, cows, goats and pigs have the freedom to move around the barn and stretch their legs. Most animals that are raised for meat are considered "free run."

Organic Beef

Beef, pork, sheep, chicken and egg products that are labeled as organic must adhere to strict requirements. For example, the animals must be fed organic feed that is free from antibiotics, hormones, animal by-products and other supplements. These products must also be approved by a particular certification body before they can be labeled as organic.

Raised Without Antibiotics

When animal products are labeled as "raised without antibiotics," it simply means that the animals were never treated with antibiotics.

Grain and Grass Fed Beef

Many chicken, beef, sheep, goats, pork and egg products are labeled as "grain fed" as a way to market their product to consumers. In reality, most animals are fed a diet that consists primarily of grains; therefore, lean toward purchasing "grass fed beef". Some brands do try to boast the use of special types of grains in order to entice customers to purchase their products but choose the grass-fed whenever available.

Steroid and/or Hormone Free

There are some marketers that choose to label their meat and egg products are "hormone free" or "steroid free" -- excellent choice.

Vegetarian Grain Fed Animals

Vegetarian grain fed cows, pigs, goats, sheep and chickens consume a diet that is free from animal by-products. In most cases, animal by-products are included in conventional feeds as a source of protein for the animals. Vegetarian grain; however, only contains vegetable proteins such as soy. The meat from animals that are raised on this type of grain will have a different color and flavor. Both pigs and chickens are omnivores. It is possible to raise these animals on vegetarian feed, but adequate amounts of protein must be included in the feed in order for the animals to remain healthy.

Animal Products Labeled "Halal"

Food products labeled as "Halal" meet the requirements put forth by Islamic laws. These foods are sought after by Muslims that wish to adhere to these requirements. The term "Halal" simply means that the foods products are permitted by Allah, or God. Muslims believe that animals should be handled with care and given plenty of rest in order to keep their suffering to a minimum. There are many stores that offer Halal food products today. Visit http://www.GoOrganicAmerica.com and share on organic topics, how to get your kids to eat healthy organic foods and share nutrition advice.

Welcome to http://www.GoOrganicAmerica.com Your #1 US resource online for organic shopping. Your Search for tools and resources to support a balanced lifestyle including healthy eating tips... Stops Here! We offer a wide range of natural and vegan products at the best prices you'll find anywhere! We take pride in offering all Americans with valuable tools and resource articles about living a balanced lifestyle, eating healthy and more, all in one place. No more searching online for the best prices or the hardest to find organic products or information... Go Organic America offers the BEST prices and most VALUABLE resources online.

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Accessing Surgical Treatment For Shoulder Pain

The shoulder joint is used in just about everything - lifting, pulling, pushing, and carrying among other activities. This is why it's essential to ensure that the shoulder is maintained in a healthy condition. Apart from body builders, most people rarely think about how to keep the shoulder muscles and joints in good shape and for this reason, many find themselves getting shoulder problems at some point. In some cases however, shoulder pain arises due to health conditions or injuries incurred during an accident. Regardless of the cause, getting the right treatment is what matters most.

When to Get Help from a Shoulder Surgeon

When you experience shoulder pain you may decide to take pain killers or go for physical therapy to reduce the level of discomfort. For some individuals, this may work quite well as the problem may go away completely. However, if you attempt to use such remedies but the uncomfortable feeling doesn't stop and your range of motion remains limited, you may need to seek treatment from a shoulder surgeon.

In most instances, shoulder injuries come as a result of activities carried out on a day-to-day basis, but this doesn't imply that one should refrain from taking part in sports or other physically involving exercises. It simply means that you should be alert to any negative reactions from your body.

Recovering From Shoulder Surgery

SLAP tears, dislocations, rotator cuff tears, frozen shoulder and fractures are the common problems that people encounter prior to obtaining the services of a shoulder surgeon. These practitioners know how to target such conditions, and this implies that not all cases call for full surgery. With SLAP tears for instance, the surgeon may use arthroscopy, a surgical technique that is effective yet minimally invasive. Likewise, with rotator cuff tears, cortisone injections and specific exercise routines may be recommended over surgery.

In cases where you have to undergo surgery however, you should be patient because it may take quite some time before you are able to do all the things you want again. The recovery period will depend on how your body responds; it may take a month for some people, and two months or more for others. Therefore, you need to give your body a chance to fight and heal by not putting too much pressure on yourself.

Once a two month period has ended, you should expect to get a pre-designed exercise schedule from your therapist, and this should help you recover better and regain your movement as well. At this point, you are often advised not to take part in any activity that will stress your shoulder or cause a delay in your recuperation.

A shoulder surgeon can carry out an operation to help you get back to your normal life. Even so, as an individual, there are things you need to do to keep the problem from cropping up in the first place. Developing and sticking to a fitness program is one good way to go about this. When you are physically fit, your body will be less prone to injury and disease.

If you have a business in Phoenix, you may find helpful resources on the following website:

Shoulder Surgeon Phoenix Az

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Are My Sleep Habits And Nutrition Related To Why I Get Tired In The Late Afternoon?

It's pretty clear to us that lack of sleep could be a big reason of why we get tired in the late afternoon. Whatever rest we gain from a small amount of sleep is used up in the morning and there isn't much left for the afternoon. So having established that, let's look further to see if the reason we aren't getting a good night's sleep is related to the types of food we are eating.

I did some checking and found some studies that sleep loss was very common in those people who have type 2 diabetes. This is the kind of diabetes that is mostly due to obesity which may have come about from high sugar intake. It is common knowledge a poor diet causes obesity. Studies have shown that those of us that are overweight also have disruptive sleep issues which could be one reason why we get tired in the late afternoon because its about that time of day when our sleep energy is burned up.

Studies have shown that "normal" sleepers have the highest food variety in their diets, and on the flip side the "short" sleepers had the least variation in the types of food they eat. Eating different types of foods gives us multiple sources of nutrients for good health. Short sleepers tend to eat more calories and have less variation in the types of food they eat, usually quick carb type foods giving quick energy. Again, once the energy supply is used up its another contributor to why we get tired in the late afternoon. Long sleepers, on the other hand, eat more foods containing vitamin C, nuts, leafy greens, fruits and vegetables which have complex carbs that produces longer periods of energy getting us past the late afternoon up to the time of our evening meal. Another interesting comparison between the two type is that long sleepers drink more water during the day as compared to the short sleepers.

Eating right is something we know we should do, but with our schedules and life demands it can be difficult to find time to plan and prepare healthy meals. There are some healthy product alternatives available to get us through the days where we are running from one event to another. There are some great online sources for such products as well as your local health food store.

Eating on the run, consuming fast and processed foods or anything edible in our path may be the reason we get tired in the late afternoon. Not only is good nutrition related to good health, it appears to also be related to good sleep patterns. When we give our bodies what they need to function well, then it will reward us with balanced energy and better sleep.

For more information about grab-n-go nutritional products to help keep you from getting tired in the late afternoon, check out this website: http://abundanthealth4you.wix.com/get-more-energy

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Tips On How To Save On Medical Expenses

Medical expenses can sometimes get very expensive. The good side is that there are some things that you can do to save on the expenses. Here are some of the things that you can do:

Use prescription discount cards

From their name, these are cards that allow you to be given discounts when you buy prescription drugs from a pharmacy. The good side with the cards is that they are available to all people and no qualifications are required. This is because the cards are not regulated by health conditions, age, previous insurances or income.

To get the card you need to approach the necessary company and you will be given the card after paying a small fee. There are also some companies that offer free cards where you don't require a signup fee.

Once you receive the card, you can use it in any participating pharmacy where you are given a discount on any drugs that you buy. The card is usually a win-win situation for you and the pharmacy: you save a lot of money and the pharmacy earns top recognition.

Get medical insurance

This is the best known way of saving on medical expenses. Here you need to choose a policy from an insurance company. Once you have made your selection you will be required to pay monthly or yearly premiums.

You should be very careful when choosing an insurance company. This is because some companies are out there to rip you off. To be on the safe side you should do plenty of research before you settle on a given company.

Haggle

Just like you would save a lot of money when you haggle for a car or a home, you tend to save a lot of money when you haggle for medical expenses.

The best way of haggling for medical expenses is by comparing prices. Here you need to ask your doctor for a current procedural terminology (CPT) code. This is a universal code that gives some of the services that can be billed.

For example if you want an MRI, you need to ask your doctor for the CPT code then plug the code into the American Medical Association's CPT search engine and you will be able to see what different health facilities charge for the services.

As rule of thumb you should only consider receiving the service from a health facility offering the highest quality services at low cost.

Visit us at www.MedicationCard.org to learn more tips on how to save on medical expenses

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