Bizarre Disorder: Couvade Syndrome

I always love reading about bizarre occurrences and I’m very much interested in the area of medical or mental disorders. As I was exploring the internet, I found this very odd disorder. Its name was Couvade syndrome. This medical phenomenon iss probably one of the most bizarre cultural disorders today that I’ve read. The term “couvade” was derived from the early French word “couver” or to brood. As such, it pertains to a medical or mental disorder involving fathers who experience some of the behavioral and physical manifestations of pregnancy, along with his wife, especially as they near the time of their child’s birth. A few of these pseudo pregnancy symptoms include weight gain, irregularities in digestion and elimination, breast enlargement, cravings, birth pains, and postpartum seclusion. These are quite odd considering that males should not go through them at all. In some worst cases, the fathers can grow a belly similar to a 6-7month pregnant woman and gaining 25 to 30 lbs.

Unlike what’s commonly suspected, couvade syndrome is actually very common. However, it is a poorly unstated phenomenon. There are several hypothesized causes for it. But among all of them, no specific reason(s) has been identified. Some people rally that psychological problems bring about this condition. As such, ambivalence towards fatherhood, parturition envy, and pregnancy-related anxiety are a few of those they pinpoint as probable causative factors. But in relation, some researchers believe that there is a hormonal aspect to this experience. In line with this, it has been suggested that sleep disturbances may cause neurohormonal imbalances that set off the couvade response. Since the pregnancy-involved hormone estrogen is also present in males, it might be that it is triggered upon a “sympathetic pregnancy” mindset. Other suggested explanations of how and why this occurs include an interaction of factors (such as circadian rhythms, pheromones, mitogenetics and simple stress). In addition,

Morning Banana Diet

Morning Banana Diet is the newest diet invented in Japan. It is simple, cheap and stress free. But a banana diet is not as effective without rules to follow. So I searched thoroughly around the internet and found some helpful information about the trend from various sources.

Morning Banana Diet is a daily morning habit that will require you to eat at least 3 to 4 pieces of banana for breakfast. The only beverage allowed during most meals is water, preferably mineral or filtered. The water must be at room temperature, not chilled or hot. Unlike the banana, there is no limit on the amount of water you can drink. What is important to remember about it is that you drink the water to answer your thirst and not use it to wash the food down. You have to chew the banana thoroughly and be mindful of the taste. This is how you will get enough satiety to last you ‘til the next meal. Oh, and during special occasions you can drink beer and wine.

After the banana breakfast, you can eat your normal lunch and dinner. There are no specific limits on what you can eat during lunch but you will need to lower the calorie intake during dinner time. It’s best to eat your meals just enough to satisfy your hunger. Avoid getting full or stuffed. If you’re still hungry after dinner you can try to eat fresh fruits, but don’t make this a habit. You may also need to avoid sweet foods. They contain the highest calories. You will need to control your sweet tooth during a snack, though some Japanese eat fist-sized rice ball for sweets.

Sleep by midnight (though earlier is much better). But before before you finally turn the lights off, consider a time interval of 4 hours from your last meal to allow your stomach the chance to digest your meal. For this reason, you are advised to eat dinner from 6pm upto 8pm.

Along with this diet, you can perform an exercise routine. But you should not stress your self into it. The best exercise would be walking everyday, if possible. This is to help burn fats. And above all, the most important thing to accomplish is your diet journal. Many successful Japanese dieters inctinctively documented their daily food intake and progress online via blogs, forums, or social networking services. Through this, they gain and feel extra support.

Health Benefits of Sauna

What is sauna? A sauna could be a small house or a room that is designed as a place where one can artificially experience dry or wet heat sessions. There are four types of saunas. First, you have the smoke sauna. The smoke sauna is simply a room that contains a pile of rocks without a chimney. Fire is directly lit under the rocks to create heat and smoke. This is one of the earliest forms of sauna. Another one is the heat storage sauna. This uses a sealed stone compartment and a chimney, which helps eliminate the smoke odor and eye irritation of the smoke sauna. The third type of sauna is the heat storage stove. Unlike the first two, the heat storage stove does not give up much heat before bathing since the stone compartment has an insulated lid. Lastly, we have the continuous fire stove. This is just a recent addition to the line of sauna baths. The continuous fire stove, there is a firebox and a smokestack present, and stones are placed in a compartment directly above the firebox. Any of those types of sauna works very well in relaxing and renewing your body. It’s up to you what kind of sauna you like. In connection, here are some of the health benefits of a sauna.
• Sauna sessions can bring about therapeutic effects that can aid in eliminating muscle pain and chronic pain.
• You’ll get a healthier, fairer looking skin.
• It can relieve asthma and other heart and lung conditions.
• It also promotes good circulation of the blood.
• It’s a great way of losing fats.
Those are some benefits you’ll get from regular sauna baths. Lastly, the sauna is a great place to calm the mind and have a chitchat with your friends and family.

South Beach Diet Review

In 2003, Dr. Arthur Agatston came up with the book entitled “The South Beach Diet”. As a practicing cardiologist for 20 years, Dr. Agatston came up with the idea of creating a healthy diet plan for his patients in order to improve their level of insulin and cholesterol. This healthy diet involves the balance of the right carbohydrates and good fats. At the end of two weeks, people who had taken the diet are likely to reduce as much as 14 pounds of weight.

The weight reduction is not due to the less intake of food but rather the elimination of carbohydrates in each meal. Aside from losing weight, the level of cholesterol is decreased and the risks of developing heart disease and diabetes are lowered while cravings are eliminated. According to Dr. Agatston, South Beach Diet allows people to enjoy a variety of food. What is taken into consideration is that foods that are taken in must be able to supply the body with proper and good nutrients.

The South Beach Diet involves three phases. The first phase is about restricting the intake of carbohydrates like bread, pasta, rice, sugar and alcohol that usually lasts for two weeks. This is the adjustment phase of the body. But once the person stops consuming these high carbohydrates food, the body will eventually cease to crave for it. In the second phase, some of the foods may be consumed again but in minimal amounts. And in the last phase, the person can enjoy the diet as a “way of life”. If in case there will be weight gain, the diet plan must be repeated.

In order for this diet to become fully effective, it must be accompanied with regular physical exercise.

Teen’s Abusive Drinking Problem

Teenage addiction to drugs and alcohol has become more rampant today than it is before thirty years ago. And in these most recent years, alcohol addiction has become alarming. The number of teenagers undergoing alcohol addiction counseling has increased tremendously. And even treatment centers have begun to accept patients younger than twelve. Though it is, teenage is such a delicate subject for psychology of teenagers is very complicated and external factors are influential in alcohol use in this age group.

Being a teen is not easy as some of us may have already passed this stage. This is the time where a lot of changes occur, both physical and emotional. And these changes play a large role in the confusion and the need for acceptance which teenage feel at this time. Peer pressure is a big motivator in the increased use of alcohol as well as drugs. Teenagers are experiencing a stage where they have identity crisis. They are beginning to prepare their life as an adult and this sometimes brings them to confusion. To a teenager, it seems that their friends are the only ones that understand them. And the need to be accepted to this circle of friends, is sometimes participating to drugs and alcohol.

Generally, professionals are hesitant to label a teenager as an addict. One of the reasons is because when a person is drinking alcohol regularly it doesn’t necessarily mean that they are already suffering from alcoholism. And another reason is that teenagers are developing psychologically and it would be very dangerous to diagnose them as an addict before they are at least 20 years old. Thus, it is not good to force a teenager into recovery neither it is to put them in a rehabilitation program just because you discover they are drinking alcohol. But if your child is beginning to develop serious alcohol abuse and cannot cease their use, then a treatment is necessary in this situation.

Health Benefits of Reflexology

Reflexology, also known as the zone therapy, is a method that involves massaging, pushing or squeezing certain parts of the body specifically the feet. The theory behind this alternative medicine practice is that the feet have “reflex” areas that correspond to specific parts of the body. Those who practice reflexology believe that the pressure applied to such reflex areas promotes well-being and that the healing energies reach the corresponding organ. In 1915, Dr. William H. Fitzgerald introduced this concept as “zone therapy” which was later developed by Eunice Ingram in the 1930’s.

A person who undergoes reflexology usually feels more relaxed. Scientific explanation shows that endorphins released from the pressure can reduce pain and stress. Aside from relaxation, here are some other health benefits that people get from reflexology.

• It enhances the condition of patients suffering from multiple sclerosis.
• It decreases women’s premenstrual symptoms (PMS).
• It helps in alleviating the health condition of people having migraine and severe headache.
• It improves stress-related conditions.
• It provides relief for arthritis and back pains.
• It cures digestive problems like constipation.

This popular alternative therapy encourages overall healing. The usual treatment lasts for about an hour and most people feel relaxed and often sleepy after the session. The reflexologist applies various movements before putting pressure on areas of tension in the feet. However, the pressure will depend on the comfort of the patient.

Many civilizations have been practicing reflexology since time immemorial. The earliest practice was dated way back some 5,000 years ago in China where the reflexology has its origin. Since then, different practices and manipulation of the feet techniques has constantly evolved.

Before getting into reflexology treatments, it is best that you consult a medical doctor first to have your health condition assessed. Always remember that reflexology is only recommended as one complementary therapy and is not used to replace any medical treatment.

Family Intervention

Individuals suffering from drug problems and alcoholism are often in denial of their predicament. Most of these addicted individuals do not submit themselves to rehabilitation centers where they can have full access to the kind of treatment they require. As a result, these individuals tend to suffer more from their addiction.

Be conscious of each of your family member. Take time to notice changes in behavior, lifestyles, friends and hobbies. If you suspect that a family member is at the verge of losing self to addiction, take the initiative to conduct family intervention.

Family intervention is an effective approach to stop loved ones from any self-destructive behavior and practice such as addiction. This process is especially helpful when addicted individuals continue to be in denial of their problems and when they refuse to accept the help that is offered them.

Basically, family intervention is used to cut self-destructive practices such as alcoholism and substance abuse. It is also proven effective in treating eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia.

Family intervention is conducted in such a way that love and respect for the addicted individual is manifested despite the shortcomings of the drug or alcohol addict. It is said to be a non-confrontational, non-judgmental approach which can effectively encourage drug alcohol addicts to seek professional help from rehab centers.

The Reiki Power

The term Reiki comes from two Japanese words- Rei meaning “God’s Wisdom or the Higher Power” and Ki which means “life force energy”. It is a technique that reduces stress and promotes healing and relaxation. The whole process is administered by the “laying of hands” as part of the application of the universal life force energy. Reiki healing is considered as one holistic therapy since it involves physical, emotional, mental and spiritual levels. The teaching claims that the inexhaustible universal spiritual energy can provide a healing effect. Once the hands of the practitioner are placed on the recipient, energy will flow through and the healing process can then take place.

During treatment, practitioners may use a fixed hand position or various positions depending on the kind of treatment being initiated. In a typical procedure which involves the whole body, 12 to 20 positions are applied and it usually lasts for about 45 to 90 minutes. Before moving to another position, the hands are kept still for 3 to 5 minutes. In a series of more than 3 treatments, a usual 1 to 7 days interval is observed especially in addressing patients with chronic disorders. Some practitioners may consider their intuition as a guide as to where the treatment is much needed. They usually take some time to enter a meditative state to become mentally prepared for the treatment. Unnecessary talking is avoided.

There are plenty of beneficial effects that Reiki healing brings. Many have already reported about miraculous results. Though it is spiritual in nature, it is not considered as a religion. The system of healing starts from within and there is a need to be in harmony with others. This whole process on the other hand is not dependent on certain beliefs and will work whether you believe in it or not.

The Importance of Thigh Exercises for a Woman

Shedding the fatty tissues around the thighs can be quite a challenge for a woman. What you can do is to find a gym that provides comprehensive workout routines, which can suit to your fitness needs. Bear in mind that it is considered very feminine to have a sexy lower body. Shaping the muscles from the waist to the hips is important, since most men are easily attracted to it.

An average time of six months is all you need in order to tone the muscles around your thighs. Also, the aid of gym equipments is very beneficial to your goals because it would make your life simpler by using such things. But don’t think that having an excellent fitness program would guarantee you of gaining those shapely thighs. You must also work out on your diet by eating fresh fruits, vegetables, and low carbohydrates food.

Most exercise routines involving the thighs would normally start in stretching the muscles. The purpose is to add flexibility to it during the routines. Different positions such as lying, seating, and standing exercises can work well with the thigh muscles. Accompany some weights to these exercises by holding dumbbells, or adding it to the legs in order to get the best results.

Remember that combining the right exercises, healthy diet, and perseverance can help you achieve your goals for a fit body. Just a reminder though, before starting any intense exercises, you should consult your physician if you have any injuries or ailments before proceeding. Plus, getting advices from a certified professional fitness instructor can help you on what routines to do inside the gym.

Swine Flu Outbreak hits United States

Scientists still do not get how the swine influenza has come to affect humans. Five U.S states have reported that swine flue is present in their states. Almost 40 cases are reported but only one case led to hospitalization according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta. The states that are hit by the swine flue outbreak were New York, Texas, Kansas, Ohio and California.

But in Mexico, where the outbreak started, hundreds were reportedly ill and 149 of them have died with the same strain of virus that hit the United States. Reports also emerge telling that the outbreak has reached other countries like Britain, Canada, New Zealand and France. Scientists now know what the virus’s main component is and found out that this kind of influenza strain contains genetic materials from swine, bird and human influenza. But it still remains a mystery how lethal the combination of these three does to people.

An epidemiologist in Atlanta says that until the biological properties of this influenza strain is understood, it is better for the people to refrain from going to Mexico where the outbreak started. Some officials also told the public to limit interpersonal contact, close schools in affected areas, canceling all social events and subjecting the people who have been exposed to the virus to quarantine is necessary.

Scientists are hoping that the timing of the influenza outbreak will limit the impact and they also said that as of now, no existing vaccine is found to be effective against this kind of strain. They believe that the outbreak will continue but they are positive that they can find a cure for this disease in time.

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