Let's Talk About Health: Healthy Living Tips, Health Care, Health Education, Women and Men Health

Boost your metabolism and lose weight faster

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 07:25:00 +0000

You can change your diet and workout so your body burns more calories. Nutritionist Joy Bauer shares tips on increasing your metabolism

In this installment of “Today’s Health,” we look at how you can boost your metabolism. Many dieters are quick to blame a sluggish metabolism for their inability to lose weight. But do you have control over your metabolism? Yes and no. Nutritionist Joy Bauer tells you how you can change your diet and your workout to increase your metabolism.

Dieters often complain that they can’t lose weight because they have a “slow metabolism.” Unfortunately, many companies capitalize on this misconception by marketing products that promise to give consumers a so called “metabolic advantage” that helps melt away the pounds. Here’s the real story:

What is metabolism?
Metabolism is the process by which your body converts calories from food into energy. People often believe that a slim person’s metabolism is high and an overweight person’s metabolism is low, but this isn’t usually the case. Metabolism alone does not determine your weight. Rather, weight is dependent on the balance of calories consumed versus the calories burned. Eat more calories than you need — you gain weight. Eat fewer calories than you need — you lose weight. Metabolism is merely the body’s engine that burns calories and regulates your caloric needs.

Three ways your body burns calories:

1. Basic body functions. Basal metabolic rate is the amount of calories your body needs to sustain vital functions — digestion, breathing, blood circulation, adjustment of hormone levels, cell growth and repair, etc. Typically, your basal metabolic rate makes up 66 percent to 75 percent of the total calories your body requires for a day.

2. Digestion and absorption of food. About 10 percent of your day’s calories are burned digesting and absorbing the food you eat. Yes, you actually need calories to burn calories.

3. Exercise. Daily physical activity accounts for the rest of the calories burned.

Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13910708/

Burn fat fast – speeding up your metabolism

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 07:19:00 +0000

A slow metabolism, gift or curse? Despite what people say about sluggish metabolisms being a result of low activity levels coupled with bad eating habits which makes people prone to gaining weight I can assure you this is not the full story.Some people just have a slower metabolism than others which make there bodies prone to storing fat if they over eat the same way some people stay skinny no matter what they throw down themselves.I have personally fought with a slow metabolism throughout the years and this has allowed me to figure out how to naturally boost my metabolism without overdoing cardio and workouts. Allowing me to keep a lean physique.There are 3 main points to keeping your metabolism revved1. Do weight training at least 3 times a week. Weight training is what causes you to lose body fat and turns on your body’s furnace for days afterwards.This is due to basic recovery biology; when you breakdown muscles through a weights workout your body will go into recovery mode causing fat to be used to fuel the process of muscle repair and rebuilding which happens mainly while you sleep therefore it is important to eat a small easily digested meal before you sleep try and stay away from complex carbohydrates in this meal as they are useless before sleep. opt for something light, like a protein shake with and apple or cottage cheese with pineapple.2. Make breakfast your biggest meal. This will really fire up your metabolism for the day as your body is in starvation mode after the nights rest. Therefore it is important to re-fuel and get your bodies engines going again.A perfect meal would be some Eggs with lean bacon and some fruit. If you are in a rush go for fruit and raw nuts.3. Eat when your hungry. all these meals should be small and light so you can digest them easily and keep your metabolism revved up. This is because your body burns of calories in the process of digesting a meal therefore eating a small meal every few hours will constantly kick start your metabolism as well as keeping your blood sugar levels stable which means you will have plenty of energy and feel great throughout the day. Try to focus on Lean meat, Vegetables, fruit and healthy fats.Now I am sure you have heard this all before. And well you probably have as they are easy ways to keep metabolism fired up. Don’t worry though there are some more un orthodox tips coming up which will make your metabolism burn like its on fire!!!—>Protein, Keeping a nice serving of protein in all your meals will do a great job of getting your metabolism going as Protein requires the most calories to burn increasing your metabolic rate, As well as this protein allows your body to build muscle and the more muscle you have the more calories your body will burn, knocking your metabolism up a gear. Whey Protein, Chicken, Tuna, eggs, Low fat cheese and milk are all great sources of protein and try and include a good serving with all your meals.—>Green Tea, No its not only for yoga teachers, all of us should be sipping at green tea and even taking the capsuled forms as it is a great metabolic booster and can make your body burn up-to 400 extra calories a day if you drink 4-5 cups a day. If you lead a hectic lifestyle and do not have the time to drink constant green tea I recommend you buy a good green tea supplement like that of Primaforce and take one capsule in the morning with breakfast.—>Chili’s, Add them to anything except breakfast(unless of course you enjoy it with your cereal), grab some cayenne, crushed chillies or tabasco and add it to your Pasta, salad, chicken and just about anything else, on top of making your food taste good. Hot foods will raise your heart rate which will increase your metabolism for a few hours after eating.—>Grapefruit, personally I like to start the day with a serving of freshly squeezed grapefruit juice or half a grapefruit 20 minuted before I eat breakfast. This is because Grapefruit has been shown to regulate blood sugar levels which is essential in the morning and will stop you craving all da[...]

Losing Your Belly Fat Naturally

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 13:00:00 +0000

It wasn't all that long ago when a strong set of arms really defined the sexiness of an individual but that has changed in recent years. It has a lot to do with the fact that people are showing more of their abdominals whenever they are out in public and for that reason, a sexy stomach has really replaced arms as the definition of physical fitness. That is why people will work on this area of the body to an excessive degree.

You might not be aware of this but the fact of the matter is that many of us are working our abdominal muscles in the wrong way. We may be embarrassed to show our abs in public because of a layer of fat that is covering over our muscles and not allowing that six pack to shine through.

In order for us to truly understand what we need to do to get the abs that we want, it is often necessary for us to look at it from a new perspective. First of all, it doesn't matter how hard you work your abdominals, that is not the way for you to get the good looking abs that you're looking for. This is a truth that is often hidden under much of the misinformation that we get from infomercials and other weight loss products.

In order for you to truly get the abdominal muscles that you want, it is necessary for you to look at other areas of your body. You're never going to lose fat from one area of your body and not lose it from others. If you have a layer of fat on your stomach, you have a layer of fat on almost your entire body, although it may not be as recognizable. Losing fat from one area of your body necessitates that you lose it from other areas as well.

Another thing that is true is that the larger muscles of your body are what is going to burn the fat off of your abs, not the ab muscles themselves. The leg muscles and at times, the muscles in the core of the body are the ones that you really need to concentrate on building. If you work out your legs on a regular basis, your body is going to be leaner as a result.

There is a simple formula that you need to keep in mind in this regard. Every pound of muscle that you have on your body is going to burn 60 calories every single day without any extra effort on your part. 10 pounds of muscle in your body will burn 600 calories every day, or a little bit over 1 pound of body fat every week.

If you're working the larger muscles of your body whenever you are at the gym, you are going to notice results in the body fat composition of your body as a whole. The leg muscles are the easiest for you to bulk up, so make sure that you're working them first while you're at the gym.

Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Losing-Your-Belly-Fat-Naturally&id=2454426

How to Lose Fat and Build Muscle With Exercise - 3 Exercises That Works Fast

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 12:59:00 +0000

Here I'm going to show you how to lose fat and build muscle with exercise.

Yes losing weight is great, but we also need to build some lean muscle along the way to be healthy and to gain a good amount of strength for good health.

Check out Compound exercises. These are exercises that involves more than one muscle and are the most effective when it comes to burning fat and building muscle all over your body.

If you don't or for some reason can't go to the gym, there are simple exercises you can do at home, but you have to do them at least 3 times per week, and make sure you end them with some stretches that last at least 5 minutes so that you won't be sore the next day or so.

1. First you can do some stretches, you can call this the warmup.

2. Do some leg squats. Back up against the wall and slide down until your legs are at a 90 degree angle. Then hold yourself in that spot for at least 15 seconds, then glide back up and start the process again. Do this for about 10-15 times and you're all set until the next time.

3. Push ups are very effective when done on a regular basis, at least 3 times per week. Make sure you Google in "compound exercises" to get a better understanding about them and to find out how much and how often to do them without over doing yourself.

Doing compound exercises combined with a well balanced diet can do wonders for you if you can make the commitment to stick with it. You asked, "how to lose fat and build muscle with exercise?" and I gave you a good place to start, and it works.

Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?How-to-Lose-Fat-and-Build-Muscle-With-Exercise---3-Exercises-That-Works-Fast&id=2455056

Mind Control to Lose Weight

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 12:58:00 +0000

We all want to lose weight, gain muscle and be healthier, but the trouble is that these things never seem to come to us. There is a reason for this and it is simply that we do not make small changes in our mindset to bring about the big changes.

For instance let's say that you want to lose weight. You try every diet for a few weeks only to fall off and fall into your old habits. Even the people on the Biggest Loser tend to gain their weight back and do you know why this is? The mind is not changed. You need to change your mind before the outward changes are going to manifest for you.

The best way to change your mind is not to one day say "I want to be thin" actually the best way to say this in your mind would be "I am thin" since your mind will accept the now but does not really understand the future and the past when making change.

The next thing that you need to do to make those changes in your life is to do the small things. To lose weight of course you need to clean out your cupboards but that is not going to help you at the grocery store, instead you have to change your mind on what you like and do not like for food. No one that I know of really likes rice cakes but they will always eat them to lose weight. What would be the point of eating rice cakes at home and then eating lots of cake when you go out for dinner?

The best way ot think of what you will eat is to change your mind from craving snacks and desserts all the time to changing to eating different fruits and vegetables in a way that is simple and really tasty. Change the way you think from wanting pie to wanting fruit salad instead.

This is the real crux of the whole diet dilemma. anyone can do a diet for a week or two but after that you are convinced that you can go back at least a little bit to those foods that you ate before so instead it is critical to change to eating the foods that are healthy, revel in that and make sure they taste good so that the lifestyle is changed to eating those instead of the food that is bad for you.

Food is not the only place where you want to make these changes in your head. When it comes to exercise often we will think that to lose weight we have to exercise. Instead the exercise mindset must be changed to "I want to exercise because it makes me feel good". So how do you make the changes to have your mind really believe that? First you need to exercise with the goal in the end not in losing weight but in feeling better, having more energy, and better stamina and concentration.

No one wants that feeling of exhaustion in the gym initially it is really uncomfortable and when the going gets tough you will want to stop since it seems like it is doing nothing anyway. If you focus instead on the idea that every workout is helping all these other parts of your life then you will see the results not only on the scale but in other parts of your life and you will continue to do those workouts for all the right reasons.

Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Mind-Control-to-Lose-Weight&id=2454805

Acai Berry - What is Acai Berry and Why Should it Bother You?

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 12:58:00 +0000

Has a previous ill encounter with the claims that accompany health products left you skeptical of trying anything new? Read on to find out why you cannot afford to miss this great way to lose weight with the acai berry supplement.

Acai Berry Is Tried And Tested

Having benefited the South American natives for centuries now, the acai berry fruit has recently found admirers across the globe owing to its miraculous properties. The claims of renowned experts like Dr. Perricone and Dr. Oz have further strengthened people's faith in it.

It Offers Amazing Benefits

This gift of nature is a must try if you are determined to get rid of those extra pounds. From helping you lose weight quickly without spending hours at the gym or living off that harsh diet regime to increasing your energy levels and fighting the aging process- this unique food does it all.

It Could Change Your Life Too

The magical effects of this product are enough to raise a plethora of doubts in the mind of a thinking soul. Having said that, if one devotes some time reviewing the wonder stories its users have to narrate; all that skepticism would vanish in thin air. After all, who wouldn't prefer a fit and healthy life over a fat one?

You too could change your life big time by incorporating this small wonder in your diet. No matter you shop for it online or at some health store, make sure that you go in for a reputed brand in order to lay your hands on a genuine enough product.

Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Acai-Berry---What-is-Acai-Berry-and-Why-Should-it-Bother-You?&id=2455172

Lose Belly Fat Fast - The Magic Way to Stop Fat From Being Digested

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 12:57:00 +0000

Have you been trying to get rid of your belly fat for long without any genuine success? Unfortunately, you are not alone in this situation! The word "magic" in the title may have drawn your attention. It is not a trap! Imagine there is a natural food able to prevent fat from being digested? It would be magic, isn't it? This substance does exist! It comes from crustaceans.

Shells of Crustaceans

Chitin, a polysaccharide isolated from mushrooms, was first discovered by a French chemist Mr. Henry Braconnot about two centuries ago. Later on, chitin was discovered in the shells of aquatic crustaceans and other arthropods (lobsters and crabs). Chitin can be chemically converted into the more valuable chitosan.

Chitosan Properties

Chitosan is a natural substance (with a structure that looks like cellulose) known as "the fat magnet" because of its capacity to act as a lipid binder at the rate to 5 to 10 times its weight.

Advantages

As you probably know, human body cannot digest fiber very well. When someone takes a dietary supplement of chitosan it passes through the gastrointestinal tract with an amount of fat bound to it and finally both of them, fiber and lipid, are eliminated through feces. As the result, this dietary supplement would help its consumer to lose both weight and fat. It would have weight loss properties. Additionally, it has also been observed that this substance can lower plasma cholesterol and triglycerides.

Disadvantages

In theory, chitosan is the perfect natural product to lose fat fast. But, there are a lot of controversies about its activity. Many scientists are skeptical about its capacity to play the role of a fat-blocker. Why? Because recent clinical studies on humans were not able to corroborate its famous biochemical function! In fact, during many years, studies were just conducted on animals!

Moreover, regular absorption of high-dose chitosan supplements induces a depletion of all the liposoluble vitamins (such as vitamins A, D, E and K) and some essential minerals (such as calcium and magnesium).

Are there other Losing fat programs without any disadvantages?

As we have mentioned in the introduction, it would be magic to find something natural able to stop dietary fat from being digested. It does exist, it's not a lie, but it seems to work just on laboratory animals. Are you a little bit disappointed? Don't give up! Stick with healthy eating habits and regular exercise.

Weight Loss the Easy Way - Creative Weight Loss Techniques

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 12:56:00 +0000

I call the following tips weight loss the easy way because they are small things that you'll do. The goal is to look and feel better and these small, easy tips are part of creative weight loss.

Chart your exercise habits and be in touch with your bodies feelings such as high or low energy points. Write all of this down to keep a record of how much progress you're making.

Bar graphs are perfect for really seeing the progress of your weight loss or inches reduced or increases in push-up or whatever it is you are doing in your weight loss program.

Being sure to get a substantial amount of sleep is an important part of weight loss the easy way. If you are exercising during the day your body will continue to burn fat while you're sleeping. Losing weight creatively means getting enough sleep and understanding the importance of feeling rested.

It's critical that you work on lessening any stress you have in your life. Stress will cause an increase in fat producing hormones. If you can get a grip on stress, you will find losing weight to be easier and you'll be happier.

Weight loss the easy way includes using techniques such as self hypnosis. There are many training manuals available and it's a cheap and effective method that you can do alone.

Let's make losing weight fun by getting into the habit of dancing at different times of the day. Put on some music you like and shake it on down. You'll fee better and be burning calories and fat.

Do some deep breathing as often as you can every day. It reduces your stress level and is a really healthy habit to get into. I hope that you will spend some time to be creative and to come up with your own ideas. Spend some time thinking and the ideas you come up with will be the most successful.

Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Weight-Loss-the-Easy-Way---Creative-Weight-Loss-Techniques&id=2456161

The Essential Steps For Removing Belly Fat For Men Over 40

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 12:55:00 +0000

I'm in my 50's and fight like hell every day to keep my fat level down. At one point last year I got fed up with being 260 pounds and 30 percent body fat. I was having back trouble just washing dishes. Now I was not exactly a couch potato, but I did not pay attention to the fact that I no longer worked out at the intensity or the frequency that I did when I was young, single and did not have two kids to yell at regularly.

If you are over 40 and still eat the same kinds of food and at the same quantity that you did when you were 20, you are kidding yourself, (unless you were such a freak at 20 that you ate 100% healthy foods in line with your BMI). There are a few people blessed with great genetics and monstrously good discipline. I don't know any and probably never will but here's the key, they probably never will fall off the wagon and need to figure out how to get back on. We humans who don't workout for a living or train five hours a day to look good for the camera have to find our own incentive to stay fit and healthy.

Here's my recipe for blasting your belly fat to shreds:

1. Eat like a cat - My cat eats seven or eight times a day. She waltzes over to her bowl and chows down for a few minutes and walks away. The amount of food that she eats in one sitting in very small, less than a tablespoon. She runs around all night and sleeps all day.

Unlike other cats her age, she is slim and trim. Eat meals that are no bigger than your fist.

2. Get your 30 minutes of aerobic exercise in at least five days a week.

If you are trying to lose fat, you'll need to do it every day until you reach your goal. I recommend that you get at least three days of strength training in along with your seven days of aerobic exercise. Strength training will build your muscles as you burn fat. The combination of strength training and aerobic exercise will trigger your metabolic rate and cause your body to burn fat like crazy.

3. Drink lots of water. If you are working out as much as I mentioned, you'll need to carry a gallon jug of water with you and finish it by bed time. You will need to keep your system flushed. Don't drink it in large gulps. Sip the water all day long and if possible, keep it cold.

4. Get lots of rest when you are training. Your body needs the time to break down your cells and regenerate them, making them stronger and more capable of handling the next workload.

If you want to bust your gut fat, you have to get intense about diet and exercise. Those fitness models on TV promoting the ab blasters and other consumer products spend a lot of time in the gym. That's because they make their money based on how they look.

Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Essential-Steps-For-Removing-Belly-Fat-For-Men-Over-40&id=2456248

Losing Belly Fat Quickly at Home

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 12:54:00 +0000

If there is one thing that more people are interested in than anything else, it's weight loss and getting as healthy as possible. Some people go through periods of time in her life whenever they consider weight loss to be important and other times at the don't think much about it. Other people, however, obsess over weight loss and weight gain and these are the ones that typically have the hardest time losing any weight at all.

There are a few reasons why people are having such a difficult time with their weight, and more than likely you are probably familiar with those reasons. We live busy lives and as a result, we tend to eat the wrong things because they are readily available. We also tend to lead lives which are rather sedentary and a lack of exercise certainly can contribute to a considerable amount of weight gain.

Fortunately, you're not left without options as far as how you can lose weight but it is necessary for you to understand the basics about weight loss before you do anything else. Weight loss is more of a science than an emotional necessity and at times, it is necessary for you to forget everything that you know about weight loss in order to fill your mind with accurate ideas. Here are a few that may have escaped you.

One of the main reasons why we gain weight is because most of us are insulin resistant to a certain extent. If our insulin is unable to take care of all of the sugar in our system or if we flood our bodies with insulin regularly because we eat sugary foods, much of that sugar is going to be stored as fat until the body can get around to assimilating it. Unfortunately, it never gets around to it.

One of the best things that you can do if you want to lose body fat is to watch the type of food that you're eating, not necessarily restricting yourself from the amount that you are eating. The reason why this is the case is because some foods that you eat are going to be released slowly into the bloodstream and this will keep your insulin levels low. These are known as low glycemic foods.

The glycemic index is an often forgotten list of foods which indicates how quickly the sugar from the food is released into your body. If you only eat foods that are low on the glycemic index, your insulin level will remain steady throughout the day and weight loss will be much easier. Not only that, you will avoid many of the highs and lows that you're probably feeling right now.

Although there is more to weight loss that eating properly, it is been proven that it is the most important aspect of it. Make sure that you stay away from the foods that you shouldn't eat but eat plenty of those that are low glycemic and healthy for you. The weight will begin to come off naturally very quickly.

Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Losing-Belly-Fat-Quickly-at-Home&id=2454393

Abs Exercise For Stomach Fat

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 12:50:00 +0000

The most effective abs exercise for stomach fat has little to do with sit-up or ab crunch(though these have a part that they play, but rather exercises that work on the entire body are by far more productive. Abdominal exercises like sit-up and crunches do not get rid of fat in the stomach it only firm up the stomach muscles but the fat still remains in the stomach.

If you are looking for abs exercises for stomach fat you will have to do exercises that will increase your body metabolism such as cardio exercises like jogging, walking,swimming, cycling etc. If you suddenly realize that your stomach is flabbier than it used to be then there is the likelihood that other parts of you body has also gathered additional fat even if you have not realized it; it just that the stomach is easily the most noticeable.

You cannot get rid of fat in just a particular part of your body in isolation of other part of the body, so if you are exercising just for the belly without doing exercises that will also involve other parts of body and reducing your fat intake then you will not experience a change.

cardio exercises with increase you heart rate and also increase your metabolism. Follow this regimen on a daily basis:

1. Do some heavy jogging or running for about 1-2 mins.
2. Then slow down to about 3-4 mins of casual jogging or walking.
3. Do this 8-10 times.
4. Take a 5 mins break and go through the entire process again.

Combined with a healthy diet, cardio exercises like jogging, walking and swimming are the best abs exercises to get rid of stomach fat because it increase you metabolism which burns excess calorie from your body.

Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Abs-Exercise-For-Stomach-Fat&id=2455411

How to Manage Depression Short of Having Octuplets

Mon, 09 Mar 2009 02:21:00 +0000

Nadya Suleman is a 33 year old unemployed single mother who recently gave birth to octuplets, conceived through in vitro fertilization. She grew up as an only child and had always dreamed of having a large family. Reporters, pundits and bloggers have called her irresponsible and selfish, as she already has six children under the age of seven at home. They say it takes more than love to care for eight babies, especially if you don't have a clear source of income or enough support to help raise them.The doctor who implanted the fertilized eggs is being investigated by the medical board. The risk of such a pregnancy is not only to the mother but also for the babies. There are potential physical problems that will need to be carefully monitored over the coming years. Likely there will be psychological issues to deal with as well. Even though Suleman loves being a mom, there are 14 children and only one of her. She can't do it alone. It's not possible for her to take care of the emotional needs of that many growing children. The potential developmental delays and learning disabilities will require adjunctive therapies. And the long term costs will be significant. Meanwhile, the hospital bill alone will run well over $2 million.Suleman called her childhood dysfunctional and said she didn't feel that she had much control over her environment. Almost everyone has some identity issues or feelings of powerlessness growing up. If you are depressed or need to take better care of your emotional self, begin by following these tips:1. Notice if you are in denial about your emotional state of mind. What are you doing that may not be in your best interests? And why? For example, if you're thinking about getting pregnant, it could be a short term solution to help lift your spirits. And this could leave you with other longstanding problems for yourself and your family2. Honor your body by understanding what makes you feel better, both physically and emotionally. Pay attention to your exercise routine, what you eat, your sleeping habits and what gives you pleasure. Reduce the situations that cause stress and increase the ones that make you feel more relaxed or alive.3. Forgive others who are important to you for some past wrongdoing. Watch their reaction and see how that makes you feel. That doesn't mean you have to totally forget about it. If you had a dysfunctional upbringing, try to understand the problems it is causing you now. Learn a lesson from the situation and move on, especially for your own good.4. Practice what you know about resiliency. Recognize how your character strengths support what you do. Integrate your core values and personal ideals into how you view the world. Notice the effect your attitudes and behavior have on other people in your life. Release tension through laughter and watch yourself begin to bounce back.5. Knowledge is power. Use it to your advantage. Get information about ways to deal with how you're feeling - explore the Internet or the self-help section of bookstores. Think about the natural and logical consequences of the decisions you are making. Talk about how you are feeling with friends and family whose opinions you respect.6. Support is a valuable tool - connect often. Accept the changes in your family, whatever they are, even if you feel caught in the crossfire. Find a class or workshop through your local university extension program or mental health center. Join an ongoing group or attend a weekend retreat to share concerns and gain new perspective.7. You may be confused about what to do next. Don't be afraid to seek out a parenting coach or a family therapist. Although you may see yourself as a natural, this is a unique situation. Learning skills and techniques from experts can make a big difference and[...]

Top Ten Non-Drug Treatments For Depression

Mon, 09 Mar 2009 02:20:00 +0000

Many of my patients do not want to take medication and I support their efforts to find a holistic solution. Here are my top recommendations:

1) Exercise: Believe it or not, exercise has been found to be the most effective treatment for depression. Of course, that's the last thing you feel like doing when you're feeling down. The minimum recommendation is 3 times per week for 20 minutes. More is better.

2) Weekly Psychotherapy: Long standing issues, family and cultural programming, habits of mind - these are just some of the issues that might be at cause. Depression is a sign that something in your life is not right. Get some help to deal with it.

3) Check your pleasures: Coffee, alcohol, sugar, and recreational drugs can lead to mood disorders. Even moderate use can be too much for depressed persons. Observe how your moods go up and down with use.

4) Supplements: All people suffering from depression should be taking Fish Oil for Omega-3 Fatty Acids daily. There is also compelling research on the use of Amino Acids, Sam-E, St. John's Wort, DHEA, and B vitamins. Read up and experiment.

5) Sunlight: It helps to get direct sun exposure every day if possible. If not available, a light box can bring a lot of relief. You can easily get your dose of light by sitting in front of one for 15 minutes a day. Light boxes are great.

6) Regular human contact: Many people are depressed because they are too isolated. We are social animals. Go to Meet-Up.com and find some people who enjoy the same things you do.

7) Challenge your thinking: Depressed people have depressed thoughts. A book that can be really helpful with this is Feeling Good by Dr. David Burns

8) Good nutrition: The way we eat may have a lot to do with fostering depression. Check out The Mood Cure by Julia Ross, Potatoes Not Prozac by Kathleen DesMaisons, and Seven Weeks to Sobriety by Joan Matthews Larson.

9) Yoga and Meditation: These are recommended for mild to moderate depression only. Severely depressed people need to become more active and outer focused.

10) Are you living your right life? Sometimes depression is an indication that things need changing. Sometimes drastically. Do an inventory of your life.

If these treatments have been tried and there is no change in a month, it is recommended get a full evaluation by a healthcare provider. It is important to rule out a medical condition such as low thyroid which would cause depressive symptoms.

Many people consider taking antidepressants a sign of weakness. It is not, any more than it is weak for a diabetic to take insulin. Depression is one of the most debilitating illnesses, with many people dying from it each year. It does not make you a better person to endure needless suffering.

Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Top-Ten-Non-Drug-Treatments-For-Depression&id=1920138

Natural Supplements to Fight Depression - 4 Supplements to Try

Mon, 09 Mar 2009 02:20:00 +0000

Depression is a common affliction that affects many people at some point or another in their lives. Symptoms can include persistent sadness, hopelessness, dread or anxiety about the future, loss of pleasure in previously enjoyed activities, lethargy, and changes in eating or sleep habits. While some cases of depression may be serious enough to merit a pharmacological approach, many milder cases can be managed using natural means. One natural approach that can help alleviate depression symptoms is the use of supplementation. Here are 4 supplements that can help ease depression:

1. Try a good food based multivitamin. This may seem obvious, but it is important to remember that the mind and body are closely connected, and the health of one impacts the health of the other. Addressing basic physical health provides a foundation for addressing mood and mental well being. If you do not eat a lot of calcium rich foods, consider supplementing additional calcium as well.

2. Take fish oil. Fish oil has a variety of physical benefits, including cardiovascular benefit, anti-inflammatory properties, and improved brain health. The fatty acids in fish oil have been shown to be important to maintaining emotional well being.

3. Try 5 HTP (hydroxytryptophan). This natural supplement is derived from tryptophan, which is the compound found in turkey that results in feelings of "turkey bliss' at Thanksgiving. Hydroxytryptophan breaks down into serotonin, a brain neurotransmitter involved in mood regulation. It is often found in capsule form.

4. Often taken in conjunction with 5 HTP, L-Theanine is a natural supplement that helps to ease anxiety levels. Available in capsule form as well as a more immediate relief spray form, L-Theanine can lower anxiety without causing drowsiness.

Are you interested in addressing your life challenges from a holistic standpoint, assessing the physical, emotional, and relationship components?

For a free copy of my ebook, "Natural Methods To Fight Depression", click here: http://www.stoptoxicrelationships.com/gifts-naturalmethodstofightdepression.html

Shannon Cook is a personal growth and relationship expert who has written a number of informative articles and ebooks on the topic of toxic relationships and holistic personal growth, including physical, emotional and relationship health.

Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Natural-Supplements-to-Fight-Depression---4-Supplements-to-Try&id=1915307

Seven Ways to Energize Yourself on Gray Winter Days

Mon, 09 Mar 2009 02:19:00 +0000

Gray wintry days seem to generate their own style of sluggish feelings, as if our moods want to match the skies. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) accompanied with depression is the most severe form of such winter blues. It may feel fine just to cuddle up with a good book on a gray day, but most of us also want to be able to find brighter emotions and participate in community life. This can be difficult when a low mood lingers on like a dark cloud.

Here are seven proven ways from the new field of Energy Psychology to shift your body's energies and your mood:

1) Look around your house at all the beauty there is. It may be the shiny leaf of a plant, a picture of a flower, a photo of a loved one.

2) Give thanks for what you have and for what works in your life. Make a list of the positives that come your way each day.

3) Tap on the thymus gland area located below the sternum in your upper mid-chest. This area relates to the master gland, the thymus, of the immune system. Allow yourself to laugh out loud while tapping with the sound "Ha Ha Ha!"

4) Face the area where the sun would be at a given time of day by standing at a window or outside. Even though you may not be able to see it, the sun is always there.

5) Bring in the energy of the sun to your heart center by stretching back as far as you comfortably can and then bring armloads of sunlight energy to the chest.

6) Imagine beams of sunlight in your internal core from head to toe. Note how you can create your own inner light.

7) Affirm, "I feel my sunlight...I create my light with my intentions." Skip, dance, move to music that you can hear within. Bless the day!

Dorothea Hover-Kramer, Ed.D., RN, CNS, D.CEP has been a psychotherapist in private practice for over 30 years and combines her career as a psychologist with a background as a clinical nurse specialist. She co-founded the International Association for Comprehensive Energy Psychology (ACEP), served as past president and was instrumental in designing and implementing its certification program. She is now a designated diplomate in comprehensive energy psychology (D.CEP).

Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Seven-Ways-to-Energize-Yourself-on-Gray-Winter-Days&id=1898016

How to Speed Up Your Recovery From Depression

Mon, 09 Mar 2009 02:18:00 +0000

The most powerful plan for recovery from depression focuses on not just one method such as antidepressants. That's merely a step. If that was the case, then there would not be millions of Americans still on antidepressants. You must think of your antidepressants as the crutch to support you while you dig deeper into what is truly causing your depression. The true answer is found in a complete approach. Here are a few powerful steps you can implement for your recovery from depression.

What are you eating these days? A diet high in Omega 6 fatty acids (a junk food diet) is usually the first problem. Omega-6 fatty acids, found in everything from margarine and ice cream to snack foods such as potato chips, have replaced the healthy omega-3 fats. As a result, you can damage your levels of happy brain chemicals - serotonin and dopamine. (Low serotonin is linked to depression, the risk of suicide, and violent and impulsive behaviors. Dopamine is crucial to decision-making.) ((Dr. Hibbiln, National Institutes of Health, 2001)). Your recovery from depression often begins with looking at what you are eating.

After looking at your diet, your recovery from depression requires focusing in on your thoughts. You can easily get into negative thinking habits if you suffer from depression. Rather than coming up with a solution to a problem and acting on it, you may often find yourself allowing your negative thoughts to spiral out of control. It is important to recognize negative thinking patterns and put a stop to it immediately. One powerful exercise is to journal your thoughts to help you recognize this.

A third powerful step to speed up your recovery from depression is to get out in the sunshine or use a specialized light box. Several studies have documented the advantage of specialized light for depression. Patients responded to light within a week verses several weeks for medication, and light posed no long-term negative side effects. A review of light therapy in Archives of General Psychiatry concluded the following:

"The evidence is in that light is an active neurobiological agent. Light therapy is easy to administer in outpatient settings, lacks major side effects, and, importantly, is cost-effective." - Archives of General Psychiatry, October 1998

So remember that recovery from depression requires you to look at a complete approach beyond any medication your doctor prescribes. Ask your doctor about a complete approach to recovery from depression.

Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?How-to-Speed-Up-Your-Recovery-From-Depression&id=1830669

Vitamin D and Your Brain

Mon, 09 Mar 2009 02:18:00 +0000

As you probably know, Vitamin D deficiency is common and - as you may not know - is associated with many psychiatric and neurological imbalances. Awareness of the Vitamin D crisis is growing as more and more associations are made to Vitamin D deficiency.Does Vitamin D cure depression? Prevent depression? Other Mood Disorders and Mental Health Problems? Well, it's too early to tell because there are simply not enough good studies. Most of the studies have encountered several shortcomings such as:- Using a very low amount of vitamin D (many past studies have used only 400-800 IU which we now know is like using a homeopathic dose of Vitamin D)- Measuring the wrong Vitamin D metabolite -1,25(OH)2D3 instead of 25(OH)D. (It's true -and these are our scientists we depend on. I mean, really - that difference may be gibberish to you, but they should know better.)- Using the less potent form of Vitamin D (ergocalciferol - D2 instead of the more potent and naturally occurring form of Vitamin D - cholecalciferol - D3)- Not getting the vitamin D3 levels to optimal (50-80 ng/mL) and many studies not even getting the D3 levels up to the minimum of 35 ng/mL over several months.But evidence is mounting: One major study done with depressed subjects during Canada's long winter showed a profound increase in vitamin D levels with supplementation of 4000 IU of vitamin D - and a corresponding dramatic increase in the subjects' sense of well-being. In some research done in 2007, it was found that vitamin D deficiency correlates with depression and anxiety in fibromyalgia sufferers. And mice with abnormal Vitamin D brain receptors (leading to low vitamin D levels) have increased incidence of anxiety, aggression, poor grooming habits, maternal pup neglect, and cannibalism. Having optimal Vitamin D levels has even been implicated in the prevention of schizophrenia. Male infants who are not supplemented with vitamin D are 12 times more likely to develop schizophrenia than those who receive vitamin D supplementation. Research shows that the elderly who are vitamin D deficient have 12 times the increase in depression risk. Elderly people with low vitamin D levels are three and a half times as likely to be admitted to a nursing home. There are a several studies showing that Vitamin D can positively affect seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Some even say that up to 75% of SAD sufferers can reduce their depression with the use of Vitamin D. And We Do Know that Vitamin D Has Major Effects On the Brain and Neurotransmitters.It appears that Vitamin D may have a positive effect on the synthesis of excitatory neurotransmitters. Summer sunlight - which is necessary for Vitamin D production in the body - also increases brain serotonin levels twice as much as winter sunlight. There are receptors for Vitamin D in neurons and glial cells in the brain. The biological effects of Vitamin D appear to play a role in the brain's detoxification pathways. The genes for important enzymes that are involved in Vitamin D metabolism are found in the brain. Vitamin D has been shown to profoundly affect the brain's neurotransmitters that are involved with depression. Several studies have now shown that prenatal vitamin D deficiency in animals and humans has important ramifications for developing brains. Some even suggesting that low prenatal Vitamin D levels can negatively and permanently affect brain development in children. Vitamin D is needed for the inducement of what is called nerve-growth factor (NGF) in the brain. NGF is a protein that is essential for the development of nerve cells in the brain and elsewhere. Without enough Vitamin D there i[...]

3 Ways You Can Cope With Depression Without Medication

Mon, 09 Mar 2009 02:17:00 +0000

I cannot take medicine for my Bipolar Disorder as every medication that they give me gets me high (ie. brings me into mania). I have had to come with other ways to cope with my depression and do life with it in my life. This is how I cope.

ONE I have people to ring or to visit me.

Having friends in your life is a very important way to cope with depression. People who ring you each day to check on how you are doing can be very important to your mental health. I know sometimes it may be hard to have friends when you are mentally ill, that is why it is very important to put some effort and time into the friendships that you have.

Often friends can be short of money, in these times picking up the bill for the coffee and cake that you are having are well worth it. I have a very good friend that has Bipolar Disorder and sometimes I like to stay up all night and watch DVD's with him or to simply chat, and the money I spend on him, or the money he spends on me is never counted.

It's important to have someone that you can ring when you just need to have a chat to when you are not tracking right. It's good to have someone that you can just tell it like it is instead of putting on a brave face for.

TWO Have regular places to go to that you will have a good time at when you go.

I have a place that I can go each day if I stay up the night before so I can get out of bed in time. It's a community centre run by the Salvation Army and inside it, it has a soup kitchen where I work and prepare and serve meals. For the past three years it's been hard for me to get out of bed before the afternoon such is my depression, so if I stay up one night, the next day I can go in and have a day of fun at the soup kitchen. I know and love many of the staff there and they are fun to speak to during my day.

On a Friday night I go to church and when there I have a good time catching up with people that I love. At church it is good to spend time singing to God and letting Him know how much I love him. Most weeks after church I go out for coffee with a friend and I enjoy that also.

THREE Escape into fiction

I enjoy escaping my life into the pages of a book or into a story at the movies for a couple of hours. A book can take you a whole night to ring and can be a good friend for the time I takes to read. Books are great fun.

I hope you have enjoyed reading this short article about what I do to cope with my depression. I have many other articles on many subjects if you want to check them out.

Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?3-Ways-You-Can-Cope-With-Depression-Without-Medication&id=1977835

6 Different Depression Types

Mon, 09 Mar 2009 02:16:00 +0000

There are several types that varies in symptoms and diagnosis, yet they all have a profound affect on the patients' life. It needs a mental health care professional in order to distinguish between them, since some of them share the same symptoms and signs.

Severe depression
this disorder is, as the name suggests, the most serious. It affects all life aspects. A person that suffers this disorder looses his ability to live a normal life. Working, studying, sleeping and also appetite are all impaired. It is also prevents people from enjoying their hobbies and activities they used to enjoy. They loose their self-worth and they feel guilty and hopeless. Patients can also suffer from suicide thoughts and plans and they are more exposed to often recurrences than the other types' patients.

Dysthymia
This type considered to be a less severe, yet chronic version of severe depression. People with dysthymia live their lives with a constant sense of sadness and melancholy, low energy and lack of enjoyment.

Bipolar Disorder
Also known as manic-depressive disorder, this disorder is one of the easiest to diagnose of all the other types, since it has a set of unique set of symptoms. The main symptom is having dramatic changes in mood. Bipolar disorder patient can suffer a low level of energy and sadness and in fact can show any of the major depression disorder symptoms, including desire to hurt themselves (the depressive polar), and than, after a short period time that can be days, weeks or months, show an excitable behavior (the manic polar) that can manifest in excessive money spending on shopping and gambling.

Cyclothymia
This disorder is another type of bipolar disorder, yet it considered to be less severe and more chronic. In this disorder the person suffers milder manifestations of both manic and depressive symptoms. The changes from one polar to the opposite one can be performed in just a short time.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
This type typically manifests during a course of a season. All symptoms are eliminated once the specific season ends. This is also one of the depression types that are easy to diagnose and it is more common in winter.

Postpartum Depression
This rare type can, of course, only manifest in women, after giving birth to a new baby. Those mothers suffer symptoms of a depressive disorder that can manifest anytime after delivery, sometimes even months after. The symptoms of this disorder are the same as other types symptoms, But Without proper diagnosis and treatment, it can also be dangerous for both the mother and the baby, since symptoms also include lack of ability to take proper care of the baby or lack of motherly feelings towards the baby and even resentment and hate. Without help, some of the patients can harm themselves as well as the baby.

Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?6-Different-Depression-Types&id=1824163

Signs of Depression in Men

Mon, 09 Mar 2009 02:16:00 +0000

Depression is something that most people face at some time in their lives. We all deal with it differently and it affects different people in different ways. It could be brought on by the loss of a job, a break up, gaining weight or several other different reasons. Oddly enough though, the signs of depression in men are somewhat different in men than women and you have to be aware of exactly what they are if you are concerned that you or a loved one may be falling into a depression.

Men who are depresses will often find themselves in a rut that they just don't seem to be able to get out of. They are hopeless and helpless and feel as though their life has no value whatsoever. They will often feel as though there is simply no way that their life will get better.

As these feelings fester, you will find that they will also lose all interest in their daily life and activities. They may stop working out or hanging out with the guys. Any hobby that they had when life seemed good to them suddenly becomes non-existent to them.

All of this inactivity will usually lead to a sudden gain in weight or even perhaps a weight loss as they many not even get out of bed to feed themselves. They are in bed all the time because they feel as though they have no reason to get out of bed, yet somehow they are also always tired.

As all of this is going on, their opinion of themselves starts to digress and they think that they are just totally useless on the face of the earth. You can see how this emotion can quickly get out of control and can lead to suicidal thoughts and the demise of someone's attitude toward life. This something that absolutely must be treated in the early stages or it can quickly get out of hand and lead them down a very ugly and destructive path.

Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Signs-of-Depression-in-Men&id=2058793

5 Tips to Reduce Depression

Mon, 09 Mar 2009 01:59:00 +0000

While war and poor economic conditions begin to affect people all over the world, more and more people suffer with depression. The more we focus on news events and the business climate, the more we are depressed. Whatever the reason you feel is the cause of your depression, the following five simple tips guarantee you reduce it significantly.1. Do not read newspapers.Newspapers publish negative stories most of the time. Even in peaceful periods, newspapers will find the worst in humanity and place negative stories on display in order to promote sales and subscribers. Stories focused on War, rebellion, death, destruction, doom and despair abound in the newspapers.You will not miss any news. Friends, family, and your local air raid siren will keep you informed if your attention is needed. Only pay attention to the things you can control in your life.Stop reading the newspaper and reduce the negative input to your brain.2. Turn off your television.Watching and listening about the horrible economy and the losses associated with War will add to depression. In fact, you guarantee the feeling of helplessness. Helplessness allows depression to nurture. If you really need to watch or listen to these kinds of news stories, promise yourself you will bury yourself in the documentaries that are sure to follow in the next 5 or 10 years. A way you can eliminate most of the negative input to your brain is by setting it aside for a date somewhere in the future. I guarantee in the future, you will not find it very interesting.When visitors come to your home, make sure you turn off your television and keep it off. News television broadcasters are fighting for your guests' attention as they promote despair, war, death, and destruction with many headline news interruptions. Those little banners that run across the bottom of the screen achieve your attention and they take hold of your consciousness. Television will diminish your positive spirit.3. Say good things about othersMy Mother always says, "if you can't say anything nice about others, don't say anything at all." However, when you find yourself in a conversation and a relative says, "Remember Uncle Phil?" " He was an alcoholic" Respond with " yes, Uncle Phil was an alcoholic and he was the most charitable person, I have ever met."Connect your friend's negative statement about Phil with a positive one. Set yourself up to find the positive in anyone's statement and you will keep negative thoughts and depression from overtaking your life.Og Mandino, a great motivator once said, "treat everyone you meet as if they were going to be dead by midnight." "Your life will never be the same again."4. Get physical exerciseAdults forget about exercise when suffering from depression. Make sure you are exercising daily and sending more oxygen to your brain cells. The result of exercise will improve your health as well as your attitude.5. Breathe deep and relax.Practice the following breathing exercise to relax your body and mind.Breathe deeply and relax. For 2 or 3 minutes each hour, take a short mental vacation.You can engage in this exercise while you are standing in the checkout line at the supermarket or when listening to others while talking on a telephone. You can complete the exercise at home or at work.Take three deep breathes and relax. As you inhale, concentrate on calm and peaceful thoughts. You may think about relaxing by a mountain, by the ocean or comfortably in your favorite room at home.As you exhale, concentrate on pushing any tension out of your l[...]

Attractive Eyes - Tips

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 03:02:00 +0000

We understand the world around us through our EYES. Fraction of a second is enough for our eyes to make out all about the things going around us and accordingly we take the action which moves our life.

Both eyes work together. With the help of Muscles, nerves and brain, our eyes help us to gain a full and clear view, inspite of change in climate, intensity of light.

Synchronized working of eyes, muscles, nerves and brain adapt to the changing climate and intensity of light so as to offer us correct information.

Weakness of the muscles and nerves around the eyes may give rise to different problems of sight. Problems could be temporary or it may take longer to overcome them.

Irritation in eyes, red eyes or swollen eyes may improve with first aid like splashing fresh and cold water in them. But sight problems (near-sightedness or far-sightedness or other refractive problems), dry eye problems or ageing problems may take longer time to improve, even after proper medical treatment.

Simple eye exercises have been found very effective in improving the Eye Health.

1. First thing in the morning, take water in the mouth, Splash clean water on the eyes and then throw out the water with a pressure from the mouth. Repeat this exercise 3-5 times.

2. Place thumb and index finger on both eye-brows and give light massage, 45 times

3. Place thumb and index finger on the cheek bone, just below the eyes and give light massage 45 times.

4. Shift the thumb and index finger on the end-point of the eyes (on the edge of eye-bone), give 45 light pressures.

5. Place thumb and index finger on the either side of the nose bridge, by the side of the eye and give 45 light pressures.

6. Place a black object (size of a golf ball), at a distance of 3 meters. Stare it without blinking eyes for 2-3 minutes. If the water starts coming out the eyes, let it come but do not blink. It will help in improving your eye sight.

7. Rub both palms 5-7 times. Place both palms on the eyes.

8. Blink the eyelids continuously for 60 seconds.

Blood circulation in the muscles and nerves of the eye are properly activated which takes care of the eye health. 'Pranayam exercise' (Breathing exercise) will further improve the health of the eyes.

The above exercise, if performed regularly, has been found very effective in improving the short-sightedness of the eye sight. There has been improvement in the problem of Dry eyes.

Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Attractive-Eyes---Tips&id=1742528

Tips For Finding the Perfect Sun Readers

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 03:00:00 +0000

Ever notice how often enough you see Hollywood stars with their sunglasses on? It's a lot and for good reason. These celebrities wear their sunglasses as a fashion statement, to hide themselves, and probably to protect their eyes from the flashing bulbs of cameras following them around. While the paparazzi may not follow you everywhere you go, you are still entitled to this celebrity trend.

If you're currently in the market for a pair of sun readers, here are a few things to keep in mind while choosing.

Lenses - The options are endless including tinted, color changing lenses and detachable frames that are custom made to fit over your regular glasses. Your eye safety is of utmost importance so look for high quality, UV protected lenses. Be leery of lenses that are simply darker. These types of lenses have shown no indication of the performance of the lens itself and offer no actual UV protection which is what causes damage to skin and eyes. Another thing to consider is sunreaders with rims or frames that wrap around your head tend to keep out more light protecting your eyes even more than typical in the front lenses.

Comfort - Keep in mind that glass is durable, but much heavier to wear. Sunglasses not only protect from the suns rays, but can also protect our eyes from sand and other items that can be carried in the air and wind. It has also been said that sunglasses can help fight eye strain and headaches caused by it which can actually make your vision worse. Polarized sunglasses, in particular, are effective in reducing glare which will help you avoid unnecessary straining of the eyes.

Price - With sun readers, you usually get what you pay for. You can always find cheap readers at your local drug store, but these are often fragile and, well, less than stylish. It's often worth upgrading to a higher-quality pair of reading glasses. Name brand sunglasses can provide trendy fun frames that are excellent quality and usually come with a cleaning cloth and case. All of these things are important when protecting your eyes and your glasses.

Style - Stylists suggest the shape of glasses is of importance when shopping for sunglasses. Many recommend wearers who have a round face shape steer away from round glasses. Choosing a shape for you sunglasses opposite to you face shape is suggested. A rounder face can look stylist in squared, oval shaped or wrap around glasses and a longer face will look better with a rounder set of frames. If you happened to be born with and oval shaped faces, you're in luck. Those with this type of face structure will find almost any frame style will suit them well.

Sight is your most used sense so protecting your vision from the sun's harmful rays is extremely important. Take the time to choose right and you can have a pair of sun reader glasses you love that protect your eyes for years to come.

Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Tips-For-Finding-the-Perfect-Sun-Readers&id=1915123

Is There Really a Connection Between Contact Lenses and Dry Eyes?

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 03:00:00 +0000

Frequent lenses wearers are surely aware of the problem - contact lenses and dry eyes. However is there a steady connection between this uncomfortable eye condition and wearing contacts?

Many people who don't wear glasses or lenses can experience eye dryness. There are several possible causes for this.

It might be that their eyes are not producing enough tears to moisture the eye sufficiently. Also some people have tears with content that does not provide enough moisture to the eye. If you fall into one of the above groups of people it seems that wearing contact lenses and dry eyes have no connection.

Being exposed to specific conditions such as smoke, extensive heat, dry air or wind can also cause dryness in your eyes. Again this can happen even if you are not wearing contacts.

Contact lenses and dry eyes however are connected. Many frequent lenses wearers complain that they feel their eyes dry. The reason behind this is the composition of the lens. Soft lenses usually contain water. Since part of their water evaporates they practically dehydrate your eye by absorbing water from your natural tear film covering the eye. For that reason it is recommended to wear lenses that have less water content.

Another connection between them is the length of the period you have been using contact lenses. People who have used extensively contacts for many years often complain that their eyes are dry. The simple reason for this is that they have damaged the structure of the cells covering the eye. The constant rubbing of the lenses with their eyes most likely damaged the special structures of the eye designed to keep the tear film stable.

Contact lenses and dry eyes is not a reason to stop wearing contacts though. All you need to do is to follow a strict routine of when, how and for how long to wear your lenses. It is not recommended to wear lenses when you are exposed to conditions that can dry your eyes in general. It is also not recommended to stay long hours or overnight wearing lenses. If you feel your eyes tend to go dry just purchase artificial tear drops and use them regularly.

Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Is-There-Really-a-Connection-Between-Contact-Lenses-and-Dry-Eyes?&id=1709176

Eye Doctors and a Second Opinion

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 02:59:00 +0000

If you have defective eyesight chances are you have visited an ophthalmologist or an eye doctor and have been prescribed one or several pairs of glasses. Chances are not all of these glasses were satisfactory. I am going to show you that you should not blindly trust a doctor and always should get a second opinion.

First of all, whenever you are checked for vision defects keep in mind that most doctors want to sell you glasses or contacts and they will try to find something wrong. Second, the conditions in the eye doctor's office are far from beneficial: the darkened room, stress: factors that will probably reveal that your eyesight is worse than usual: remember that vision is changeable and any refraction error in not permanent. No doubt you have noticed that your vision is always better in bright sunlight. The vision is usually worse in poorly lit rooms, like the doctors' office. So don't be alarmed if you are told that you have vision problem that you have not expected. You probably don't.

So what can be done as a counter measure? It's actually very simple. Download one of the eye charts from internet, or make one yourself and check your own vision in a normally lit room (not too dark or too bright). Then check it in bright sunshine and in artificial light: you will notice the difference. Always use the same chart because the more you look at the same eyechart, the more your eyes will get used to it and the less stressful it becomes for you. You should be able to tell whether your eyesight is normal or not. If it checks well under normal conditions and even in bright light do not wear glasses and start practicing natural vision improvement techniques.

Another thing to watch for during your visit is that some doctors will try to overprescribe your glasses. You do not have to see perfectly in your glasses, in fact if you do, chances are that your vision will deteriorate very rapidly. Instead get underprescribed correction that is around 20/40. Remember that 20/40 in good light will be worse in a darkened office.

Just tell a doctor plainly what you want and do not fall for any sales pitch. If you don't like your glasses: too strong or too weak and if you don't like your current doctor, go to another doctor and get a second opinion. It is always a good idea to get a second opinion. Find a doctor who understands patients, their needs and if you are lucky, supports natural vision improvement methods. I am going to tell you right now that there are not many of those around.

And finally, if you can read without glasses, then do so. Only wear your glasses as little as possible. Practice correct visual habits.

Get the book Perfect Sight Without Glasses by Dr. W. H. Bates and learn the best system of natural vision improvement. The book is available on internet but you can also find it in a public library. This book is indispensable if your eyesight has just started to deteriorate.

Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Eye-Doctors-and-a-Second-Opinion&id=1708733

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