The Chromotherapy
Colored light therapy is commonly known as the chromotherapy. It is the science and art that uses the power of colors in order to restore health and the personal well being of a person. During the ancient times, the Indians and the Greeks used colors in the treatment of the weak and the infirm. The Egyptians also believed that Thot, (one of their gods) was the divine origin of the natural color healing. The color light energy based its principles on the ancient belief that the human body is comprised of various energy fields. In order to replace the energy that is deficient, energy is needed to regain the balance in the person’s physical state.
The colored light therapy is applied in the treatment of various skin problems such as eczema, acne, and psoriasis. In some cases, the therapy is also used to counteract with some psychiatric and psychological illnesses or the seasonal depression. During the treatment the condition of the patient would dictate what color will be used for the procedure. Each color wavelength varies so a certain color can treat depression but not acne. The full spectrum color therapy is considered as the safest wherein the vibrations are in its full spectrum.
Basically, there are three ways on how the color therapy is administered. The first one is the spot therapy where a specific color is directly applied to a certain part of the body through direct touch. The second one is the chakra color therapy. The procedure includes the exposure of the energy points of the body or the “chakra” with a specific colored light. And the last one is the pyramid color therapy wherein the geometrical shapes of the pyramids are combined with the healing properties of colors.
The Seasonal Affective Disorder
Also known as the winter blues or depression, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a kind of mood disorder wherein a person with normal health condition can experience depressive symptoms during winter seasons. In some occasions, the person can also feel depression in the summer but not as frequently during winter and this happens year after year. However, in the DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder), SAD is not considered as a disorder but as “a specifier of major depression”.
According to reports, 6-35% of the patients suffering from SAD were hospitalized during the period of illness. In some patients there is also the risk of potential suicide that is why SAD is considered as a serious disorder with symptoms that resembles with that of the clinical depression or dysthymia. The patient will experience some tendencies such as oversleeping and overeating and the difficulty of waking up during morning. Other symptoms may include the difficulty in concentrating with the given tasks as well as the withdrawal from any social activities. In the Reverse SAD (depression during summer and spring), patients may experience anxiety, insomnia, decreased appetite, irritability and weight loss.
There had been various etiologies performed for SAD and one possibility associated with it is the lack of serotonin. Another theory suggests that some causes of SAD may have been related to melatonin, a substance produced by the pineal gland in dim light.
Treatments available for SAD includes the light therapies, ionized-air administration, medication, timed supplementation of melatonin and the cognitive-behavioral therapy. However, The Dawn simulation was found out to be 83% effective as compared to light therapy.
Electric Treadmill As Alternative To Conventional Jogging Exercise
Electric treadmill is one of the commonly used methods of indoor exercises. In relation to that, there are numerous benefits in buying an electric treadmill. We all know that jogging is one of the most effective approaches in getting cardio vascular workout. Running also in a treadmill could save you time without leaving your own home. It can let you loose those unwanted fat and weight. Though this machine is costly, the health benefits that we could gain through this machine cannot be compared to other methods.
Conventional jogging on trails and roads has the same effect as jogging on the treadmill, but this method can cause problems in the joints of your ankles and knees, not to mention its effect on your ligaments. With this innovation, electric treadmills give an alternative jogging experience with the same effect as jogging on roads and trails, but the good side of it is that, it gives a running surface that tends to give an easier and relaxed experience on the joints and muscles. This is one of the determining factors before procuring an electric treadmill.
Aside from its feature of being easier on the muscles and joints, electric treadmills today have many builtin features like heart beat monitor, and calorie burning statistics. Features on an electric treadmill are usually positioned at the strap of the treadmill itself; its CPU will accurately monitor your pulses at the course of the exercise. Depending on the model you buy, most of the electric treadmills have pre-installed calorie counter. This feature will actively count the calories you have burned and the rate depending on your speed and incline.
Having the capability to get a solid cardiovascular workout in the luxury of your home without all the hassles is probably the biggest advantage of having an electric treadmill. It provides a convenience and a natural exercise that you cannot achieve by using several other exercise machines such as a skiing machine, stationary bike, or elliptical machine.
It is great that we could now have the capability to get a cardiovascular workout at the comfort of our own home, without any hassles. This is one of the major advantages in securing an electric treadmill. By nature it provides us with a natural, convenient and hassle free exercise that you could not achieve using several machines such as stationary bike, skiing machine and many others.
Effects of Stress
Dealing with life’s daily challenges can be stressful and that is why there is a need to cope with it or else it will use up all your energy. Although stress can help you become cautious in some situations, once it is not dealt with properly, it can create harmful effects on the body. Intense headaches, insomnia, high blood pressure and muscle pains can directly stem from high stress levels.
There are two known common responses to any stressful occasion. These are the “fight” and the “flight” responses. As the names suggest, it is either that one faces the issue or moves away from it. These physiological reactions let the body produce adrenaline, a hormone necessary in order for one to deal with the present situation quickly. Aside from the adrenaline, cortisol is also produced along the way which suppresses some body functions that are not essential in the “dealing with the situation” process.
If in case the stress symptoms are just taken for granted, these can turn into a serious health concern issue. Severe depression, ulcers, substance abuse eating disorders and stroke can occur. Stress accumulates over time and that is why it is necessary to take the necessary actions before things get worse.
Whether you like it or not, stress carries along harmful effects for the body. Although proper stress management can reduce these harmful effects, it is good to trace back the root cause of every stress issues. Medical treatments are available for severe cases of stress. However with the proper health condition, such as the daily exercise and the healthy eating habit, these situations can be quite handled properly.
The Benefits of Omega 3 Oil
Omega 3 oil is an essential fatty acid that our body needs in order to function properly. Research reveals that people who include omega 3 oils in their diet lowers his risk of developing heart disease in the log run. It was also shown that the ADD syndrome in children and the Alzheimer’s for the elderly has led to remarkable condition improvements after the regular intake of the omega 3 oils.
The important elements in omega 3 oils are the docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), ?-linolenic acid (ALA), and the eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). The benefits that these elements provide were discovered by researchers in 1970s when they were observing the Greenland Eskimos. It was found out that consumption of omega-3 fatty acids in high levels reduced the blood pressure, heart rate, triglycerides, and atherosclerosis. And on 2004, the Food and Drug Administration of the United States gave a health claim that omega 3 fatty acids lower the risks for coronary heart diseases.
DHA omega 3 also contains the anti-inflammatory properties that can alleviate pains brought about by arthritis. Regular consumption of such essential fatty acid can help one in dealing with the anxiety and depression conditions which are common these days.
In order to increase the level of omega 3 fatty acids in your body, try consuming fish oil supplements. It is also important that they undergo molecular distillation so that impurities such as the lead and mercury will be eliminated. The distillation process is the only known method that separates the oil from the contaminants.
The Truth About Colon Cancer
Colorectal is a cancerous condition wherein the organs of the digestive system and the rectum are affected. The primary digestive organs include the large intestinal tract and the colon hence the term colorectal was coined.
Statistics show that there are about 145,000 people who are being diagnosed with the symptoms related to colon cancer. Symptoms such as severe pain in the abdominal region, presence of blood during bowel movements, loss of appetite, diarrhea and prolonged constipation can be associated with the disease. While these may not be considered as inclusive symptoms for colon cancer, they may be signs for some serious health conditions and must be treated right away.
With the application of the latest technology, doctors are using various methods in diagnosing colorectal cancer. The whole screening procedure usually includes the series of tests. This includes the rectum exam which will determine the presence of lumps or growths then followed by the fecal examination. The stool will be analyzed for any further abnormalities. Once abnormalities are detected, the patient usually undergoes Ultrasounds, Colonoscopy, or MRI’s. A biopsy will be considered once there are abnormalities detected along the process.
The most common treatment available for colorectal cancer is the surgery wherein infected portions of the intestines are completely removed. Depending on the kind of treatment designed by the doctor, treatment can either be intrusive or non-intrusive. In some severe cases, colostomy is often considered wherein a stoma is inserted and the waste products of the body are passed through the bag and discarded.
For non-intrusive treatments, chemotherapy, Electrofulgeration, or Immunotherapy are considered as an option for the patients. But like any other medical procedures, the doctors need to discuss each of them with the patient for this may cause some side effects.
Even though the sickness can attack people at a certain age, 50 up for instance, it may be best that people will learn how to take care of oneself before any sickness will strike them. Always remember that prevention is always better than cure.
Pregnancy Mystery
A healthy immune system can easily recognize any foreign substance that enters into the body. Cancerous cells are even detected right away and the antibodies immediately fight to eliminate it. Scientists discovered the significance of lactoferrin to the immune system while doing another research about a mysterious biological phenomenon called pregnancy. The scholars have been questioning about the reason why during pregnancy a woman’s body tends to keep the fetus when it obviously contains foreign antigens. Later, they found out that at time shortly after conception, a woman’s immune system is down-regulated. That is why the fetus is allowed to grow in the womb and is not recognized as a foreign matter. This is the very reason why pregnant women are not allowed to take lactoferrin and other unnecessary antibiotics without the prescription of a qualified medical practitioner.
Immediately after giving birth, a woman’s body produces colostrums or the first milk, which restores her immune system and provides powerful immune chemicals to the infant as well. Colostrum is an extremely complex fluid rich in proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals, and several biologically active molecules essential in growth. Lactoferrin is the primary immune-system chemical present in the first milk of women after giving birth.
Studies have shown that the mother’s beestings or first milk is the only source of significant immune substances for the infant. Synthetic formulas cannot offer the same nutritional, immunological, or physiological value, despite the continuous effort to produce formulas that mimic breast milk as closely as possible.
Alcoholism
Remember that everything that is being taken too much is bad. Take what is enough and don’t take beyond the limit. An example of taking things more than we need, is illustrated in drinking alcoholic beverages. We know that all excess is bad, and it is the same as drinking plenty of alcohol. In the United States, a survey discovered that there is a growing number of alcohol dependence and abuse.
Alcohol abuse refers to excessive or problematic use of alcohol. It produces one or more of the following effects in the person:
o Failure to fulfill major obligations at work, school, or home
o Legal problems]
Its recurrent use can bring hazard to situations and relationships. There are plenty of interpersonal problem that have been caused by or worsened by drinking.
Alcohol dependence refers to a more serious disorder involving excessive and wrong use. It leads to 3 or more of the following signs:
o Tolerance changes (need for more to achieve desired effect, or achieving the effect with lesser amounts of alcohol)
o Withdrawal symptoms following a reduction or cessation of drinking (such as sweating, rapid pulse, tremors, insomnia, nausea, vomiting, hallucinations, agitation, anxiety, or seizures) or using alcohol to avoid withdrawal symptoms (for example, early morning drinking)
o Drinking more alcohol or drinking over a longer period of time than intended (loss of control)
o Inability to cut down or stop
o Spending a great deal of time drinking or recovering from its effects
o Giving up important social, occupational, or recreational activities
o Continuing to drink despite knowing alcohol use has caused or worsened problems
Alcoholism can be prevented, same as smoking. Don’t start so it won’t get hard to quit. If you do, you would quit life in an early age. Every thing that goes beyond limit is bad.
The Secrets of Tai Chi
Physical fitness and mental peace is often associated with the ancient Chinese martial art Tai Chi. It originated from the traditional Qigong discipline which involves various movements that creates a calm and natural balance of energy necessary for the active kind of lifestyle. The warm up movements usually include dynamic stretching performed gently through a controlled range of motion that is gradually increasing. This warming up stage plays a vital role in Tai Chi training. There are three known styles of Tai Chi - Yang (this includes 24 movements), Wu (24 to 36 movements), and Tai Chi Chih (20 movements).
It is believed that the practice of Tai Chi can delay aging and prolong life. It aids in the treatment of various digestive disorders, heart disease, arthritis and even cancer. Positive effects on depression are also noted. It is a known fact that as we grow in age, our strength diminishes but recent study shows that adults between 60 to 70 years old who are engaged in Tai Chi were showing some improvements in terms of muscular strength as well as endurance. And since the practice involves movement, mental concentration and breathing, it then brings about the mind body connection which can combat stress.
This form of Chinese martial art is considered safe. There are no kicking movements and flying stances involved. Even the children can easily learn this form of art. Movements are gentle which does not require too much stress on your joints and muscles. You can do it at your own pace and it does not require any special equipment or clothing. What makes it more convenient is that you can do it anytime and anywhere as long as you follow the correct procedures. As a beginner, it is conventional that you do two to three routines each week. The more consistent you practice Tai Chi, the more health benefits are guaranteed.
Mind Matters: The Truth About Psychotherapy
The term psychotherapy comes from the Greek words “psyche” which means spirit or soul and “therapeia” meaning to nurse or cure. It was first developed in the 9th century by a Persian doctor named Rhazes. The earliest known approaches were the combination of medical and religious perspectives. Paracelsus on the other hand advocated the use of psychotherapy for treating insanity.
Psychotherapy is a process which involves the constructive means of dealing with problems and issues about life and increases an individual’s well-being. It is considered as an intentional interpersonal relationship between a psychotherapist and a problematic client. The therapy is designed to improve the mental state of a client.
In general, this treatment is usually recommended to patients who are having difficulties in dealing with common stress factors such as unresolved issues with the self and even depression. The whole procedure involves a spoken conversation and other various forms of communication applicable to the patient. Techniques to increase the self awareness of the patient are used within a therapeutic environment characterized by a secure climate which makes it easy for the patient to open up. Depending on the need of the patient, therapy can be administered on a one-to-one basis or within a group. Since it can address specific problems, more and more people are considering psychotherapy. However, if you adhere to the law of your own culture and is satisfied with the present moment, then there is no need to undergo such procedure.
Some critics of psychotherapy are somewhat skeptical about its healing power. They usually note that without therapeutic intervention, healing can take place through social contact with others. But since there are those who cannot cope with difficulty and emotional distress even with the presence of a support group or the natural independent coping, psychotherapy can be best considered.