Only on SkinInc.com: April is Rosacea Awareness Month

Posted: April 18, 2012

Although rosacea has become increasingly recognized as a common and conspicuous red-faced disorder, mounting evidence has shown that it can cause far more emotional stress and physical pain than previously known. April has been designated as Rosacea Awareness Month by the National Rosacea Society (NRS) to alert the public to the warning signs of this chronic and often progressive condition now estimated to affect more than 16 million Americans.
“Emotional stress frequently exacerbates or induces rosacea symptoms, creating a tailspin for many patients,” says Richard Granstein, MD, chairman of dermatology at Cornell University. “Combine this with the physical discomforts and the social impact of the disorder, and there are many aspects of rosacea that go well beyond its effects on personal appearance alone.”
Rosacea usually first strikes individuals between the ages of 30–60, and may initially resemble a simple sunburn or an inexplicable blush. Suddenly, without warning, a flush comes to their cheeks, nose, chin or forehead. Then, just when they start to feel concerned, the redness disappears.
Unfortunately, it happens again and again, becoming ruddier and lasting longer each time--and eventually visible blood vessels may appear. Without treatment, bumps and pimples often develop, growing more extensive over time, and burning, itching and stinging are common.
In severe cases, especially in men, the nose may become enlarged from the development of excess tissue. This is the condition that gave comedian W.C. Fields his trademark red, bulbous nose. In some people the eyes are also affected, feeling irritated and appearing watery or bloodshot. Severe cases of this condition, known as ocular rosacea, can result in reduced visual acuity.

Among the most famous rosacea sufferers is former President Bill Clinton, whose doctors disclosed that he has this condition in The New York Times. Others reported to have suffered from the disorder include Princess Diana, financier J.P. Morgan and the Dutch painter Rembrandt.
In new NRS surveys, 69% of rosacea patients said they experienced a flare-up related to emotional stress at least once a month, and more than 90% of the respondents said they had suffered some form of physical pain from their condition. A burning sensation was the most commonly reported discomfort, named by 75%, followed by itching, cited by 65%, and stinging, mentioned by 62%. Other types of pain associated with rosacea included swelling (44%), tightness (42%), tenderness (40%), tingling (31%), prickling (23%) and headache (20%).
Perhaps even more ravaging than its physical effects, rosacea often inflicts significant damage to people’s emotional, social and professional lives.
"It would be hard to invent a more embarrassing disease than rosacea," says Ted Grossbart, PhD, a psychologist at Harvard Medical School. "It affects the one part of the body that cannot be hidden—the face—and tends to strike people at a time in life when they may be increasingly self-conscious about changes in their appearance. Moreover, especially because this condition is not widely understood, it can leave its victims feeling isolated and even alienated from society."
In NRS surveys of more than 1,200 rosacea patients, 76% said rosacea's effect on their facial appearance had lowered their self-confidence and self-esteem. Sixty-nine percent of the survey respondents said they had experienced embarrassment as a result of the disorder, and nearly 63% reported difficulty in establishing new relationships. Forty-one percent said they had avoided or canceled face-to-face contact because of their condition, and 58% said the effect of untreated rosacea on their appearance had made them the subject of stares, misconceptions, rude comments or jokes.

Eighty-eight percent of those with severe symptoms said this disorder had affected their professional interactions, and nearly 51% reported they had missed work because of their condition. Thirty-nine percent said it might even have prevented them from being chosen for a new job.
Adding insult to injury is a common myth that rosacea sufferers, who often have a red face and nose, may be heavy drinkers. In fact, while alcohol may aggravate rosacea, these symptoms can be just as severe in a teetotaler. Another common misconception is that rosacea is caused by poor hygiene, while in reality it is unrelated to personal cleanliness.
Although the cause of rosacea is unknown, a vast array of lifestyle and environmental factors can trigger flare-ups of signs and symptoms in various rosacea sufferers. Common rosacea triggers include sun exposure, emotional stress, hot or cold weather, wind, heavy exercise, alcohol, spicy foods, heated beverages, humidity, certain skin-care products and many others.
“Although rosacea is a long-term disorder and there is no cure, the good news is that it can be effectively controlled with medical therapy and lifestyle modifications,” Granstein says. “This can substantially improve the quality of people’s lives.”
Only on SkinInc.com: Exclusive commentary from the NRS about how skin care professionals can identify and help relieve client depression due to rosacea.

Emotional stress is one of the leading rosacea triggers, and skin care professionals may detect signs of psychological issues by asking questions about clients’ emotional responses before or after a rosacea flareup.
In addition to medical therapy from a physician, skin care professionals may suggest clients keep a diary of daily activities to help them identify and avoid causes and types of stress that may trigger flareups in their individual cases.
If appropriate, it may be helpful to suggest that clients consult a psychologist to learn how to deal with emotional stress. Ideally, you should have a relationship with a local therapist that you trust so you can refer clients with confidence, and further solidify your role as a wellness resource for them. According to a recent study, individuals with severe rosacea appeared to benefit from cognitive-behavioral techniques, including relaxation training, which helped them reduce heightened heart rate, shift attention to other parts of the body and feel an overall sense of control.
Other helpful techniques may include yoga, Tai Chi, progressive muscle relaxation, guided imagery, hypnosis, meditation, self-talk and square-box breathing.
During April and throughout the year, people who suspect they may have rosacea can visit the NRS website, or call its toll-free number at 888-NO-BLUSH to obtain comprehensive information on the disorder. Information and educational materials are also available by writing the National Rosacea Society, 196 James St., Barrington, Illinois 60010, or via e-mail at rosaceas@aol.com.

The Truth About Garlic

Here are the claims that you can trust…

Garlic is one of the most exhaustively researched herbs—the National Library of Medicine’s Web site lists more than 3,700 studies addressing garlic’s effect on everything from elevated cholesterol and various types of cancer to fungal infections.
So why is there still so much confusion about the health benefits of garlic?
Even though garlic has been used medicinally by some cultures for thousands of years, much of the contemporary research on garlic is mixed—some studies show that it has positive effects, while others indicate no significant benefits.
Here’s what the research shows…

HEART HEALTH

Over the years, scientists have investigated garlic’s ability to reduce cholesterol levels and blood pressure and act as an anticlotting agent to prevent blood platelets from being too sticky—a main cause of heart attack.
Key scientific finding: A recent meta-analysis in China looked at 26 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials—the “gold standard” in scientific research. In that meta-analysis, researchers concluded that garlic reduces total cholesterol by 5.4% and triglyceride levels by 6.5% compared with a placebo. Garlic powder and aged garlic extract were found to be the most effective at lowering total cholesterol, while garlic oil had a greater effect on lowering triglyceride levels.
When it comes to high blood pressure, some credible research shows that garlic can help lower it.
Important scientific findings: Two meta-analyses showed that garlic reduced systolic (top number) blood pressure by 8 mmHg to 16 mmHg and diastolic (bottom number) blood pressure by 7 mmHg to 9 mmHg in people with high blood pressure.
As for garlic’s antiplatelet effect—that is, its ability to make blood less sticky and therefore less prone to clotting—a meta-analysis of 10 trials showed a modest, but significant, decrease in platelet clumping with garlic treatment when compared with placebos in most of the studies.
Bottom line: Garlic does help reduce risk for cardiovascular disease, with positive effects on both total cholesterol and blood pressure. It also has enough of an effect on clotting that I recommend patients discontinue garlic supplements seven to 10 days before surgery because it may prolong bleeding.
My advice: If you have a personal or family history of heart disease, ask your doctor about using garlic (in food or supplements) as part of a heart-healthy lifestyle. Be sure to consult your doctor first if you take a blood pressure or statin drug.

CANCER

Large population studies have shown that people who live in countries where a lot of garlic is eaten—as well as onions and chives—are at lower risk for certain cancers.
Key scientific findings: In China, high intake of garlic and other alliums, including onions, was associated with a reduced risk for esophageal and stomach cancers. Specifically, the study found that people who ate alliums at least once a week had lower incidence of both forms of cancer than people who ate these foods less than once a month.
Meanwhile, the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition, which involves 10 different countries, found that higher intakes of garlic and onions lowered the risk for intestinal cancer.
My advice: If you are concerned about cancer—especially if you have a family history or other risk factors for stomach or esophageal cancer—include one to two cloves of garlic in your diet each day.

INFECTIONS

Historically, garlic has received attention as a potent antibacterial agent. In 1858, Louis Pasteur touted garlic as an antibiotic. Garlic was later used in World War I and World War II as an antiseptic to prevent gangrene.
Bottom line: There have been few contemporary studies looking at the use of garlic to treat infections. However, preliminary research suggests that it may reduce the frequency and duration of colds when taken for prevention and may speed the healing of a fungal infection or wart.
My advice: For most people, garlic is worth trying as a preventive/treatment for these infections (see options described below).

SHOULD YOU USE GARLIC?

It’s wise to make garlic part of a healthful diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and fiber.
Caution: Consuming large quantities of garlic—either in the diet or as a supplement—may cause body odor and/or bad breath. Chewing a sprig of fresh green parsley, mint or cardamom can work as a breath freshener. Hot tea also can help by rinsing away garlic oil still in your mouth. Drinking a glass of milk—full-fat or fat-free—may be effective as well. Garlic, especially on an empty stomach, can cause gastrointestinal upset and flatulence.
Because garlic may also interact with certain prescription drugs, such as warfarin (Coumadin), consult your doctor before significantly increasing your intake of the herb if you take any medication or have a chronic medical condition.
Options to consider…
Raw garlic. If you prefer raw garlic, try eating one or two cloves a day. You can chew and swallow it or use it in pesto, guacamole or a salad dressing. Cooked garlic is less powerful medicinally—heat inactivates the enzyme that breaks down alliin, the chemical precursor to allicin.
Aged garlic extract (AGE). If you prefer liquid, AGE is available in this form, which is popular in Europe. Follow label instructions.
Powdered garlic supplements. These are typically sold as capsules or tablets and standardized to contain 1.3% alliin. They usually contain 300 mg. Typical dose: Two or three capsules or tablets a day.

FACTS ABOUT GARLIC

Garlic has been used since ancient times as a medicinal remedy. It is a member of the allium family of plants, which also includes onions, chives and leeks. Garlic’s medicinal powers are attributed to its sulfur compounds, including a substance called allicin, which is formed when garlic is crushed or chopped. Besides fresh cloves, garlic is available in supplement form made from fresh, dried, or freeze-dried garlic, garlic oil and aged garlic extracts.
Source: Ellen Tattelman, MD, director of the faculty development fellowship at the Residency Program in Social Medicine at Montefiore Medical Center in New York City. She is an assistant professor of family and social medicine at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University, also in New York City, where she organizes the integrative medicine curriculum. Dr. Tattelman specializes in a variety of integrative modalities, including herbal therapy and nutrition.

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Publication:

Bottom Line Health

Original publication date:

April 1, 2012

Research Done on Benefits of Graviola

Published by:  Tempe, AZ -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/20/2012 -- According to statistics, over 12 million people in the United States are currently living with some type of cancer.

While many cancer patients are going through treatments like chemotherapy and/or radiation and surgery, a great number of them are also looking for alternative, more natural ways to combat the disease.

For years, medical researchers have been studying compounds found in a fruit called graviola. Amazingly, they have found that graviola contains natural agents called annonaceous acetogenins, which can actually attack cancer cells. This discovery has led to a wide variety of graviola extract, capsules and other related products being sold in stores and online.

But for people who are interested in trying the possible graviola cancer cure, it can be confusing and even overwhelming to know which products are best.

A website has been getting a lot of attention lately for its in-depth and helpful reviews of many of the most popular graviola supplements.

The staff at Graviola Review and Health Benefits understands that there are many graviola products that are currently available. Unfortunately, they are not all created equally; some of them include synthetic ingredients that will dilute the potency of the graviola and may cause it to not work as well.

Graviola Review and Health Benefits also features educational articles that help explain in easy-to-understand terms why and how graviola works to fight off cancer, information about possible graviola side effects, and details about some of the scientific studies that have shown how taking graviola for cancer can be extremely beneficial.

“In 1976, the National Cancer Institute began research on this herbal remedy and the findings concluded with astonishing results,” an article on the website noted, adding that the leaves of the graviola tree were found to be successful in destroying malignant cancer cells.

In 1998, another interesting experiment was conducted at Purdue University’s School of Pharmacy and Pharmacal Services. Researchers discovered that two of the compounds from the leaves and fruit of the graviola led to significant anti-cancer activities in six types of human cancer cells.

In addition to the helpful reviews and factual articles about graviola, the website also tackles many other health and wellness-related topics including depression, the need for extra vitamins and minerals, and raspberry ketone weight loss products.

About Graviola Review and Health Benefits
Graviola Review and Health Benefits is a website that is devoted to educating readers about the cancer-fighting properties of the graviola fruit. The site also offers comprehensive and helpful reviews about many of the graviola supplements and other products that are on the market today. The free online resource also features other health-related articles about many other topics like weight loss, depression and more. For more information, please visit http://www.buygraviolabenefits.com

Images of Graviola

From: www.burnsidenews.com
By:  Ryan Young

There is a new study that's being sent and shared amongst my peers, spreading like wildfire, regarding the effects of massage therapy on Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (i.e.. DOMS). So I thought I would present some of the facts.
To be perfectly honest, what goes on inside the muscles and soft tissues after exercise is hugely complex and for all intents and purposes, poorly understood.
There are many "common sense" explanations that we're familiar with for what happens after intense exercise, but none come close to being complete.
For years, it has been claimed that massage therapy applied after intense exercise will reduce the effects of DOMS. The claim to fame here has been that massage therapy does so by means of manually increasing circulation and thereby removing lactic acid from the muscles.
The truth here is that isn't what happens. Massage therapy has not, in a controlled research setting, been found to significantly reduce the amount of lactic acid in the muscles after intense exercise. In fact, there's evidence from a Queen's University study in 2009 that while the muscles are in that sore and tender state, aggressive massage techniques can actually decrease circulation to those muscles. This would sort of make sense given that lactic acid is a "chemical irritant" to the tissues and the body wouldn't want to allow it to circulate freely in the tissues.
Then why do some athletes swear by their post-event massage?
Well, we do know that appropriately applied massage techniques do something positive for those sore muscles after exercise. The challenge is to understand how and to what extent this occurs.
The Queen's University study did suggest that massage therapy in conjunction with active recovery (i.e.. low intensity aerobic exercise or a cool down) shows significant results. This is what we often see on TV when NHL hockey players are being interviewed while riding the bikes. So, at best, massage therapy – when applied appropriately – may alleviate excess muscle tension that otherwise obstructs free circulatory flow.
The currently circulating study out of McMaster University in Hamilton, ON shows something new that does hold potential support for the use of massage therapy post-exercise. The study shows that massage actually reduces inflammatory agents associated with muscle damage from intense exercise and facilitates tissue regeneration.
As a step in the right direction, this study will hopefully give rise to further investigation into the ways that massage therapy can help to manage the effects of the torture we subject ourselves to.

Connie, Stevenswood Indigo Eco-Spa

What is guacatonga?

Home / Lifestyles / Home and Garden / Home and Garden

Herbal Healer: What is guacatonga?

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By Ted PanDeva Zagar Times Correspondent | Posted: Tuesday, April 17, 2012 10:02 am |

Although greatly diminished due to continued assaults by the timber, farming and grazing industries, the amazing Amazon rainforest contributes to the terrestrial web of life in ways unmatched by other living eco-systems. More than 20 percent of the world's oxygen is produced here, and three quarters of our foodstuffs call the rainforest home. Countless healing agents evolved in this unique part of the globe, and one of these botanical gems — guacatonga — is enjoying its ascent beyond the relative obscurity of local tribal medicine as it multiplies our knowledge of disease-and-cure in the modern research laboratory.
What does it do?
For centuries guacatonga has cast its protective armor over the sensitive and ulcer-prone stomach. In one impressive maneuver this herb relieves pain, stops bleeding and reduces stomach acid. Guacatonga earns praise and appreciation when it is summoned to combat the toxic effects of snakebites and bee stings. A trio of chemicals isolated by scientists in North Carolina exhibits anti-tumor activity, placing guacatonga on the list of plant healers that might fare well someday as precursors of effective anti-cancer medicines.
About the herb
Growing as a shrub or small tree, guacatonga rises 6 to 30 feet above the rainforest floor. Small white or green flowers grace the plant during blooming season, followed by the emergence of small fruits. Guacatonga has adapted well enough to thrive in both field and forest.
Recommended dosage
One half cup of guacatonga herbal tea taken two or three times daily helps in cases of acid reflux, indigestion and stomach ache. Applied topically, this brew relieves skin rash, burns and helps heal wounds. Use guacatonga as a mouthwash after dental work or tooth extractions.
The opinions expressed are solely the writer's. NOTE: Visit herbalastrology.com to read Ted PanDeva Zagar's other articles and columns that discuss the benefits of herbs and natural foods. DISCLAIMER: The author's comments are not intended to serve as medical advice, and he urges his readers to seek qualified wellness professionals to resolve matters of health.

Posted by:  Connie, Stevenswood Indigo Eco-Spa

Copyright 2012 nwitimes.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Posted in Home-and-garden, Healthy-living on Tuesday, April 17, 2012 10:02 am

Read more: http://www.nwitimes.com/lifestyles/home-and-garden/herbal-healer-what-is-guacatonga/article_4fe55848-63a9-5d88-a63e-8bb3d5ac37b5.html#ixzz1sKzRBTuK

 BEDS, SLEEP, & DREAM CYCLES                                      

The Correct Bed is pliable, & follows body curves w/ample support.

Bed wide enough to reach elbows of out stretched arms.

Bed long enough to lie with arms above head. 

Sagging Bed gives no spinal muscle support w/rolling sleeper positions.

         

Hard Bed does not cradle body & creates hollows at the waist, between ribs  &  knees,  making it impossible for muscles to relax.

Dreaming  is essential to good health; dreaming  takes the same amount of time as living out the dream,  & can be initiated by external stimuli.   In order to recall a dream,  we must wake straight up from a REM dream. Go to bed at the same time every night.   Good sleep regenerates Mind & Body,  repairs damaged tissues & cells, & strengthens immune system.  Sleep allied w/light & dark evolved  into our 8 hours (apes slept  in the dark  for protection).   48 hrs. w/o sleep generates a stress substance similar to LSD, impairs brain  function & concentration.    Withdrawl from drugs causes nightmares & vivid dreams increasing in time to compensate for the dream time lost.  We spend our nights in  repeated  “4-5 Descents & Asents (Dream Stage)” of  four sleep stages:

Alpha Rhythm:  Closing eyes, our brain waves show a special  rhythm of relaxation known as Alpha Rhythm. 

Stage 1  Sleep:  Waves become irregular descending into a state of drowsiness to sleep. Muscular spasm (Myoclonic Jerk) occurs w/or w/o knowledge.  Medical profession assumes spasms are caused by the brain switching from the conscious to the unconscious mind. Wives tale is that this spasm -jerk is ancesteral prehensile tail used to hang from trees & slips, so “the jerk is in our genes”.

Stage  2  Sleep:   Following the Myoclonic Jerk, 10 minutes to State Two while muscles relax &  heart slows down, the eyes roll side to side.

Stage  3  Sleep:  Muscles become relaxed, breathing is even, heart rate, temperature & blood pressure all continue to drop fairly rapidly.

Stage  4  Sleep aka Delta Sleep:  Final Stage where sounds will not wake us up as they would have earlier.                                                               REM:  1 hr. after sleeping, eyes begin rapid jerking motion in sync, heart rate & blood pressure become irregular, brain waves resemble the wakeing brain & oxygen intake increases, but our muscles become slacker,  head & neck lacks muscle support.                 THE END

                 

From:  healthymagination.com   by: By Mary Mihaly

Nowadays, more people are hiring massage therapists not as an occasional extravagance, but as part of their health regimen. A 2011 consumer survey by the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) shows that 86 percent of people see massage as beneficial to their overall health and wellness, and 90 percent think of it as an effective way to reduce pain. Among those surveyed, 31 percent used massage for pain relief in 2011, compared to 25 in 2010. The 2011 figure is more than triple the number of respondents who said they used acupuncture to quell pain.
For such a popular practice as massage, surprisingly few studies have been done on its effectiveness—but consumers and practitioners aren’t waiting for the research to catch up: According to the American Hospital Association (AHA), more than 42 percent of hospitals offer “complementary and alternative medicine” (CAM) services, which can include herbal medicine, chiropractic, homeopathy, diet and acupuncture. Massage therapy was in the top two services provided, both inpatient and outpatient.
Tanya Edwards, M.D., director of the Center for Integrative Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic, isn’t surprised. “Massage can be overwhelmingly relaxing,” she says, adding that massage therapy is her center’s third most-requested service after acupuncture and holistic psychology. “It impacts mood and pain very quickly. People are looking for gentler ways to treat certain disorders—ways that help them decrease the drugs they take.”
Massage therapy does affect patients biologically, contributing to their sense of well-being after a session. A 2009 study published in Journal of Alternative and Complimentary Medicine found that just one Swedish massage session modestly decreased the level of cortisol, a stress hormone, in participants’ blood and saliva, as well as their levels of arginine vasopressin, a hormone that can boost cortisol levels. Their lymphocytes, white blood cells connected to the immune system, increased.
Patients use massage for treating a variety of conditions. Among them are:
Chronic lower back pain: A July study found that participants who had received massage were still experiencing less pain than those who had received other care, and were better able to perform daily activities 10 weeks after their massage.
Pain and mood in cancer patients: The pain and distress experienced by cancer patients can be positively affected with massage therapy, according to a 2008 study conducted at 15 hospices across the U.S. Patients experienced immediate relief.
Psychological and physical distress in children: Massage therapy has been shown to reduce pain and anxiety in children with cancer and blood diseases.
“Depression, anxiety and chronic pain are three of the top conditions treated by our primary care physicians,” Edwards says, “so our massage therapists treating people with these problems are very busy.” Cleveland Clinic therapists also treat patients with arthritis, migraine headaches, and some gastrointestinal disorders with massage therapy. Healthcare workers elsewhere have reported benefits in lowering blood pressure, increasing circulation and improving sleep.
Edwards offers one cautionary note: “Patients with fibromyalgia need to be very careful when they get a massage,” she says. “Deep-tissue work can be extremely painful. Fibromyalgia patients need a much gentler touch.”