How To Manage When A Health Crisis Hits!

A brain tumor! Really?

This was my thought last April 2012 when I was diagnosed with a 3 centimeter tumor in the left occipital region of my brain. What happened to simple illnesses like a cold, or if that wasn't getting my attention how about a less life threatening illness? Of course those questions can't be answered, so I made a decision. I would do the best I could and use all the tools available to me (medical and other wise) to manage this crisis, learn from it, grow with the experience and free myself from it! This is the first of several articles that will outline the process of healing and understanding how to make the best out of a health crisis.

My Story: It is traditional at Passover Dinner for all participants to read. When it came to my turn, I tried to read and couldn't! Of course I went into immediate denial. "I'm tired from all the cooking" and "I just got a new puppy". Well that didn't make a difference. What did was my good friend Judy who yelled at me to "Call the doctor." "But I was in the middle of a TV show", I complained. She and my husband wouldn't leave me alone so I called. Two days later I had an MRI and 4 hours later I was up at Cedars Sinai Hospital with the best neurosurgeon in California. Three days later I was operated on to remove the tumor.

The good news... they got it all... the bad news... it was aggressive and I had to do radiation for 6 weeks and take chemotherapy pills for 6 weeks. The protocol for treatment is taking 5 days of chemotherapy pills every month for a year. I have also entered a clinical trial at Cedars Sinai for a vaccine that will disable these cells. The end result of the surgery is that I am healthy but still am unable to read or drive... darn... more to deal with! I believe that we have lessons to learn from the crisis in our lives. I will address that important issue in a later article.

Ayurveda - The Dynamics of the Life-Force

Ayurveda, the science of life, is the natural healing system of India, its traditional medicine going back to ancient times. The same great Vedic seers and sages that produced India's original systems of yoga and meditation established Ayurveda as well.

Ayurveda originated as part of Vedic Science, an integral spiritual science that provides a comprehensive understanding of the entire universe of matter, mind and consciousness. Vedic Science includes yoga, meditation, mantra and astrology, and sets forth Ayurveda as its special branch for healing both body and mind. On this broad and profound background, Ayurveda includes herbal medicine, dietetics, bodywork, surgery, psychology and spirituality.

Ayurveda is the healing gift to us from the ancient enlightened Vedic culture. According to astronomical records in ancient Vedic texts, the Vedic system, including Ayurveda, was in practice before 4000 BC, when the vernal equinox occurred in the stars of Gemini and the now dry Sarasvati river was the greatest river in India. Ayurveda reflects healing wisdom of this ancient Sarasvati culture that was one of the great cradles of world civilization.

Ayurveda has gone through several stages of development in its long history. It spread east along with Indian culture into Indonesia and Indochina, and to the west to the Greeks, who developed a similar form of natural medicine. Buddhists added many new insights to Ayurveda and took it along with their religion to many different lands. Ayurveda became the basis of the healing traditions of Tibet, Sri Lanka, and Burma and also influenced Chinese medicine, Many great Buddhist sages, like Nagarjuna, perhaps the most important figure in the Buddhist tradition after the Buddha, were Ayurvedic doctors and authors. Ayurveda therefore is a rich tradition, adaptable to many different times, cultures and climates.

What Treatments Are Available for Varicose Veins?

There isn't yet a perfect treatment for varicose veins. A perfect treatment would remove all the varicose veins completely to give you the blemish free legs you had when you were younger, the varicose vein would never return and there would be no side effects or complications from treatment. If the assessment is based on a comprehensive ultrasound scan and the treatment is performed under ultrasound guidance, the majority of people get an excellent result and are very pleased.

The four main treatment options are:

· VNUS Closure Fast and Endo-venous laser (EVL) - these involve the use of fine catheters placed inside the vein to heat it and seal the varicose veins

· Injections of solutions called sclerosants into the vein which start a healing process in which the vein shrinks and disappears

· a non-thermal medical adhesive called Sapheon Venaseal™. A fine catheter is inserted into the refluxing vein and medical "superglue" is administered inside the vein causing it to permanently close

· microsurgical removal of veins called Microphlebectomy

VNUS ClosureFast

VNUS ClosureFast is the latest "State of the art" treatment for varicose veins. It produces rapid results and an excellent cosmetic outcome. The treatment is usually carried out under local anaesthetic as a day case or "walk in, walk out" procedure. This means that charges are reduced, time off work is minimal and therefore the treatment is highly cost effective. Your suitability for VNUS ClosureFast is assessed by a comprehensive ultrasound scan.

After numbing the skin with local anaesthetic (similar to a dentist's injection) and cleaning the skin with antiseptic, a fine needle is inserted into the refluxing veins under ultra-sound guidance and then a fine catheter is passed up the vein. At all times, the exact position of the catheter is monitored by ultrasound. The precision radio frequency energy (a little like microwaves) seals the vein instantly and the catheter is gently withdrawn along the length of the unhealthy vein. The whole process is checked at every stage by ultra-sound to ensure excellent results.

After the procedure, a high quality medical graduated stocking is worn for 7 days continuously and thereafter during the day for two more weeks. Walking and normal activities are encouraged. Most people can get back to normal activities such as work and driving in a day or two. Simple painkillers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen are only rarely required.

How The Digestive System Works in the Human Body

There are many natural foods that will help your digestion and relieve a wide variety of digestive problems. You will bulk up your stool and have regular bowel movements by eating fibrous fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Your digestive system will be impaired by some foods, especially those good tasting fast or junk foods. If you want your digestive system to be healthy, it is important that you avoid this list of processed foods. Before you change your diet to improve the functions of your stomach and colon, discuss your proposed changes with your doctor before making any major diet changes.

Natural Foods that will Help You Digest Your Food

In order to function normally, your digestive system along with the rest of your body basically needs minerals, vitamins and other nutrients that are contained in large amounts, which are found in fruits and vegetables. Large quantities of fiber are found in most fruits and vegetables, which is the reason why they are among the foods that will help your digestion. Artichokes, berries, peaches, pears, plums, potatoes, squash and greens; are a few of the fruits and vegetables you should eat to help with your digestive process. A large percentage of the fiber is stored in the skin of the fruits and vegetables, which means if the skin is edible, then you should eat it. You will get a lot of fiber from dried fruits, like prunes or raisins.

Whole Grains

As mentioned, whole grains are also among foods that will help your digestion. If you want to increase your intake of fiber and nutrients, try eating more whole-grain foods instead of eating refined or white grain products. Whole grains are used to prepare food products such as bread, crackers, muffins and pasta. If you want to improve your digestive health, then you should eat more high-fiber bran and cereals. You can get 5.3 grams of fiber from a 3/4-cup serving of bran flakes. Although, I love Acacia fiber... 25 to 35 mg a day... on everything, or just in water, no more bulking, yucky Phsyllium!!!

I remember an old movie from the late 1960s entitled "you are what you eat". As time has passed, that movie title has remained in my mind, like "Jingle Bells."

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

If you wish to learn more about natural foods and nutrition, contact Talya Meldy at Clear Way Health. She can be reached at 310-391-2017.

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Bariatric Diet Foods Right After the Procedure

Bariatric diet foods are an incredibly important type of supplement and nourishment tool if you have had this procedure. The procedure changes the shape and size of your stomach and other components of your digestive system. Though there are many different variations to this procedure, it usually results in significant weight loss. Once you have the procedure, it will take your body time to heal and to recover from it. During this time, the food you eat needs to be chosen carefully.

Allowing You to Heal

If you broke your arm, you would not move it for a number of weeks to allow it to heal. With this procedure, it is not possible to go without eating while the internal organs heal. That is why you need bariatric diet foods. These foods are designed to fit your body's needs at this time without causing any type of discomfort during the healing process. There are several ways they do this.

The bariatric food contains high concentrations of nutrients. This will ensure that everything you eat is giving your body the energy it needs to heal. Most people will be up and back to life within just a few days. Your body requires energy to get back on track. Of course, since your goal is to lose weight, the foods cannot be high in calories. Rather, they need to provide high nutritional value to your body without actually being high in calories to encourage weight loss.

Additionally, these food products need to be soft enough to move through your body without actually hurting it. Because these openings are narrow, it is very difficult for any type of solid food to enter into the system at this point. While you are healing, you need liquid and soft products only to enter your body.

Food Can Still Taste Good

It is often a misconception that these programs will provide you with diet meals that are going to taste bad. You may not be drinking soda and eating chips, but you are going to get tasty food to enjoy. You may even find that these initial products are designed to curb many of the cravings you are having in the first place. Do not overlook the importance of selecting foods that will provide you with the nutrition you need, but are also tasty.

The right bariatric diet foods can make all of the difference in your body's ability to heal and to begin to lose weight. There are many program options available. You can feel good about what you are consuming and the changes you are making to your body without feeling deprived in the process.

If you need to learn more about what bariatric diet foods have to offer, come to our website. Read more at http://www.bariatricdirect.com.

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Healthy Lifestyle - A Comprehensive Approach

"What is this life full of care?

We have no time to stand and stare."

- William Henry Davies

Reflecting the hectic and complicated nature of present day lifestyles, this quote is a grim reminder of the precedence acquired by material considerations over health and happiness. In our eagerness to earn more, we have neglected the balance between various aspects of life. Research has proved the link between contemporary lifestyles and disorders like obesity, heart and lung diseases, depression, anxiety, mood disorders etc.

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as the state of complete physical, psychological, and social well being, not merely the absence of disease. Therefore, a healthy lifestyle is one that leads to such a complete state of well being. Broadly speaking, a healthy lifestyle can be attained by adherence to the following:

• Positive Thinking: The mind has great power over the body. The hardest part is making up your mind. If you are determined to adopt a healthy lifestyle - there is always a way. Develop a positive self image and be yourself. You can do well by not being unduly influenced by what other people say and by being ambitious only to a reasonable degree.

• Balanced Diet: A balanced diet contains adequate amounts of nutrients like carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, and fats along with fiber and water. These are essential for efficient operation of the body. Fruits, vegetables, cereals, milk, and meat, should be sufficiently consumed in a balanced manner. Consuming whole grains and salads is particularly beneficial. If you are fond of intoxicating brews, opt for red wine that is an appetizer and aids digestion. Liquor is beneficial only in moderate quantities.

For best results, distribute the food intake throughout the day and progressively decrease it as the day progresses. Include proteins in your diet at the start of the day - these suppress the feeling of hunger and, thereby, limit the desire for eating junk items between meals.

Herbal nutritional supplements are a natural way of compensating diet imbalances. They also improve immunity, memory, and sleep quality.

• Exercise: A thirty minute daily workout keeps the body fit. Priority should be given to cardiovascular / cardio exercises like brisk walking, jogging, aerobics, skipping / jumping rope, swimming, bicycling etc. which increase the heart rate and maintain it for a sustained duration. These exercises improve the heart rate, metabolism, immunity, and hormonal profile. Cardio exercises are different from Pilates that focus on strength building and stretching. Cardio exercises are more effective for burning calories and weight maintenance. Yoga, meditation, and breathing exercises are beneficial for similar reasons.

The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a reasonable measure of a person's fitness. It is the mass of the person in kilograms divided by the square of the person's height measured in meters. A BMI of 18.5 to 25 is considered normal for an average adult.

• Rest and Sleep: Rest and sleep repair the body, reduce stress and mood disorders, improve memory, and keep the heart healthy. Children need around ten hours of sleep, while adults can do with eight hours.

• Social Interactions: This is related to the spiritual - psychological wellness. Interacting with friends and relations transports us away from routine pressures thereby reducing stress. These meetings also produce a sense of belonging improving self esteem. Weekend picnics, holidays, vacations, and playing with pets have the same de-stressing effect.

• Healthy and Hygienic Habits: Maintaining a clean, dust free ambience at home and at workspace promotes health. Keeping things organized, so that they are easy to find, brings down stress levels. Personal hygiene reduces the possibility of skin disease and, possibly, allergies. Smoking can be a fatal habit and needs to be given away or, at least, kept in check.

An integrated approach for the maintenance of a healthy lifestyle can work wonders for your overall well being. This will not only keep you physically fit but make you happier with a positive attitude.

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Making Meal Replacement for Weight Loss Work

Meal replacement for weight loss can work for many people. Many individuals struggle to finally turn the corner and to start achieving their goals. Yet, it is incredibly important for you to take the time to find the right program and then stick with it. Sometimes, it all comes down to making a decision each time you sit down to eat the right thing. This is not easy. One way to take the risk out of the equation is to use a program designed to make it simple. It does the work for you. All you have to do is to follow the plan as it should be followed and you will see the results you want.

How Replacements Can Help

There are many ways that a meal replacement for weight loss can help you. If you are one of the many people that has trouble making the right eating decisions due to time factors, portion control, emotional eating, or other concerns, this type of plan removes that risk. You don't have to make any decisions at all. You do not eat more than you should. Ultimately, this will mean that you are less likely to make a mistake that will affect your goals.

For many people, the reason they do not eat a well balanced, portion controlled meal is the lack of time to prepare it. It is far easier to drive through a fast food restaurant instead of trying to do it on your own. Who has the time to plan a meal, not to mention make it? If that is the case, this type of choice makes it easy. You no longer are at risk of not having the food you need at hand.

Minimizing Risk Factors

It is easy to take a second portion or to enjoy a snack even when you are on such a plan. The problem is, doing this could really cost you in the long term. If you want this plan to work for you, you need a foolproof way of cutting out the risks. Replacements for your meals can help. They make it easy by keeping you from eating too much of the wrong thing. More importantly, they help you to get the type of food you really need.

Take a few minutes to consider the options in meal replacement for weight loss. When you do, you will quickly learn what choices you have and how this type of change can affect your health and well-being for years to come. If you want finally to be able to get rid of the weight that is holding you back, this could be the option for you.

Do you need to learn more about Meal Replacement for Weight Loss to see if it will work for you? Come to http://www.bariatricdirect.com.

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