Archive for November, 2009

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Holistic Nutrition – Training and Career Pathways


2009
11.26

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Have you ever entertained the idea of achieving a career in holistic health? From the many natural and alternative medicine occupations today, becoming a holistic nutrition consultant could be your key to a personally and professionally rewarding profession.

Individuals interested in this career path should explore the diverse aspects of the field, and should examine which natural health school will provide the best training to meet educational requirements to perform the job proficiently.

With a growing number of academic programs in holistic health and nutrition, candidates have several options from which to choose. For instance, if you would like to achieve a certificate or diploma in holistic nutrition, you can take a course that can be completed in about one year. General education in holistic nutrition certificate programs entail studies in carbohydrates, fats and proteins, whole grains and food preparation, metabolism, obesity, detoxification, hypoglycemia/hyperglycemia, vitamins and supplements, and more.

If you have already acquired academic education from an accredited school or university, you can enroll in an undergraduate or graduate program in holistic nutrition. For example, if you have fulfilled all educational prerequisites and would like to pursue your master degree of science in holistic nutrition, you can enroll in a program that will offer you extensive training and education in whole foods, macronutrients, disease processes, advanced nutrition, food science, biostatistics, health psychology, counseling, and other associated coursework. Master’s programs in holistic nutrition can usually be completed in about three years.

Nutritionists and nutrition consultants, who have received specialized training in holistic nutrition or other advanced education, can anticipate good job opportunities. Possibilities for holistic nutrition consultants exist in the broad healthcare sector; including in hospitals, public healthcare facilities, schools, and other medical healthcare settings. Prospective earnings for licensed/registered holistic nutrition consultants and holistic nutritionists can well exceed $57,000 annually.

Interested in learning more about this or other holistic medicine careers? Let professional training within fast-growing industries like massage therapy, holistic health, acupuncture, oriental medicine, Reiki, and others get you started! Explore holistic health [http://school.holisticjunction.com/clickcount.php?id=6634739&goto=http://www.holisticjunction.com/search.cfm] courses near you.

*Source – BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Holistic Nutrition – Training and Career Pathways

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Dog Allergies, Itching and Licking


2009
11.26

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Parasites

The most common reason dogs continuously lick, itch and scratch is fleas, ticks and mites, which is also an extremely easy problem to treat. Fleas can cause unnecessary discomfort for a dog, and it is a simple treatment to prevent them. If untreated, fleas can also cause anemia and tapeworms.

With so many different choices to protect our pets from fleas and ticks, veterinarians still see many dogs with flea problems on a daily basis. Spot treatments are the most common and seem to be the most effective way to control fleas, ticks and mites. Avoid dog skin problems caused by fleas and ticks by using spot treatments regularly, or as directed by the manufacturer or your vet.

Canine Allergies

My Black Lab “Lady” suffered with dog skin allergies since we brought her home as a rescued puppy over 11 years ago. Over the years, I have learned that allergies can be just as difficult to pinpoint in dogs as they are in humans. Allergies occur when the bodys immune system is weakened, which can be caused by improper or insufficient nutrition. Feeding home made organic dog food with added nutritional supplements or the top of the line organic dog food is the simplest way to determine if the allergies are caused by an immune deficiency. Giving a higher nutritional organic diet is what stopped my Lady’s allergies altogether. The continuous paw licking stopped completely because her immune system was increased, which in turn caused her allergies to be eliminated. There was also a drastic improvement is her overall health, well being and activity level.

Seasonal Allergies

If you notice your dog chewing and scratching more in the mornings after he/she comes in from outside, then it’s possible he’s/she’s sensitive to pollen, mold, ragweed or other environmental factors, just as we are. Also, allergies can include a sensitivity to dust, and some dogs are allergic to dust-mites. Environmental allergens are usually treated with anti-inflammatories or other prescription medication from your vet.

Food Allergies

Chewing the feet can be an indicator of food allergies. Although food allergies are less common in dogs, they can become severe. I believe either feeding an all natural organic premium dog food or using recipes and making your dog’s meals will help eliminate food allergies. Don’t give a large variety to start with, and slowly introduce any new foods over a period of several weeks to see if the chewing increases or decreases. Keeping a careful watch of what your pet eats, and noting any changes in behaviour shortly after the change, makes all the difference in catching an unknown food allergy.

So What Really is The Cause?

The first priority for owners tackling dog skin problems or dog allergies should be to immediately to switch to an organic based diet, whether home made or a premium brand name. A certification of over 70% organic products used should be on the label to ensure you are buying a high quality, premium food for your dog, with the first ingredient being meat, of course. An organic certification of 95% (of which there are a few) is equal the human grade food. This is something that definitely will not harm your pet, and is the easiest and least expensive way to start figuring out what is causing the licking and allergies. Remember, just because your dog doesn’t do well on lamb doesn’t mean that he won’t do well on a chicken based food. The premium organic dog food that I buy for my Lady is specifically marked for dogs with skin allergies, and this is what I believe cured her itchy skin problem. This had been ongoing for years, with medical treatments of prednisone, antihistamines, and costly vet bills for expensive allergy testing and after all that, the diagnosis was inconclusive. The real key is to observe your dog’s patterns.

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Chronic Fatique Syndrome Causes Symptoms Information With Treatment


2009
11.24

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Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease that was first named in the 1980s. Even now, as increasing numbers of people are being diagnosed with CFS, many people inside and outside the health professions still doubt its existence or maintain that it’s a psychological ailment. People previously healthy and full of energy may experience a variety of symptoms, including extreme fatigue, weakness and headaches as well as difficulty concentrating and painful joints, muscles and lymph nodes. Typically CFS follows a viral infection (e.g. cold or viral stomach bug), and is sometimes found after mononucleosis infections.

Non-specific symptoms of fatigue, tiredness, exhaustion, and aches make CFS difficult to diagnose and similar to other conditions such as lupus, multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia and Lyme disease. People with CFS are often unable to perform normally at work and home because of their long-term fatigue and problems with short-term memory. The hallmark symptoms of CFS are overwhelming fatigue and weakness that make it extremely difficult to perform routine and daily tasks, like getting out of bed, dressing, and eating. The illness can severely affect school, work, and leisure activities, and cause physical and emotional symptoms that can last for months or even years.

Causes of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

The common Causes of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome:

Changes in the levels of hormones produced in the hypothalamus, pituitary glands or adrenal glands.

Iron deficiency anemia.

Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).

Virus infection, such as Epstein-Barr virus or human herpes virus.

Dysfunction in the immune system.

Mild chronic low blood pressure (hypotension).

History of allergies.

Symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Some Symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome:

Headache.

Muscle and joint aches.

Persistent fatigue.

Fatigue from exertion.

Intermittent fatigue.

Tiredness.

Fatigue.

Tender lymph nodes.

Inability to concentrate.

Treatment of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Adjusting your daily routine so that you have regular sleep patterns can help.

Over the counter painkillers can help to ease muscle and joint pain and headaches. Stronger painkillers can also be prescribed by your GP, although they should only be for short-term use.

Medications to treat anxiety (anti anxiety drugs)

Antidepressants can be useful for people who have depression with CFS.

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) may identify the thoughts and feelings causing certain behaviour, and help you develop new ways of coping. It’s one of the most effective treatments for CFS.

Pacing is an important way of controlling symptoms. It means finding a balance between activity and rest, and avoiding large bursts of exercise that may set you back. Learning how to make the most of your energy can help to increase the amount you can do.

Medications to reduce pain, discomfort, and fever

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Craniosacral Massage – The Benefits


2009
11.22

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Craniosacral massage is a gentle, hands-on method of evaluating and enhancing the function of the craniosacral system.

It is a form of healing therapy, we look at the benefits of craniosacral massage and examine the benefits of it in more detail.

What is the Craniosacral System?

The Craniosacral system is a physiological system like the cardiovascular and respiratory systems and provides the physical environment in which the brain and spinal cord develop and function.

The membranes and cerebrospinal fluid of the craniosacral system surround and protect the brain and spinal cord.

Craniosacral Massage therapy deals with the bones of the head, spinal column, sacrum and the underlying structures.

This type of massage employs a very light touch and uses specifically designed techniques to release restrictions and compression in these areas.

Craniosacral Massage – How Does it Work?

Craniosacral massage taps into the inherent wisdom of the body which allows it to heal itself where possible.

The craniosacral system has a rhythm that can be felt throughout the body. Craniosacral massage therapists use a very light, soft touch to monitor this rhythm and pinpoint sources of obstruction and stress in the body.

Once located the therapist will assist the natural movement and release of the restriction to help the body self correct.

Craniosacral massage therapy can be used to treat childhood conditions such as poor sleep, restlessness, colic and ear infections.

It is a gentle and non-invasive therapy and can be used to treat babies while they are asleep.

Craniosacral Massage – Is it safe for Everyone?

Craniocascral massage is safe if performed for the right condition.

As with most massage treatments there are some medical conditions that are contra indicated and craniosacral massage should not be recommended.

These include conditions where a variation and/or slight increase in intracranial pressure would cause instability.

Acute aneurysm, cerebral hemorrhage or other pre-existing severe bleeding disorders are examples of conditions that could be affected by small intracranial pressure changes.

It is advisable to consult your medical practitioner before embarking on a course of treatment.

Craniosacral Massage – What are the Benefits?

Due to its influence on the functioning of the central nervous system, craniosacral massage benefits the body in a number of ways.

It is increasingly used as a preventive health measure for its ability to bolster resistance to disease and alleviate a wide range of specific medical conditions including:

o Chronic back and neck pain

o Headache

o Tension

o Migraine

o Autism

o Chronic Fatigue

o Post traumatic stress disorder

o Emotional difficulties

Craniosacral massage has also proved effective in treating stress related dysfunctions and various sensory disorders.
What Happens during a Session?

As with most massage treatment, craniosacral massage usually takes place in a quiet, private setting.
During the massage you will remain fully clothed and it is recommended that you wear comfortable clothing. Most people choose to remove their shoes.

You will be asked to recline on a massage couch or treatment table. The practitioner sits or stands and
will move around between the client’s head, torso and feet.

Some therapists may use a light organic oil to facilitate the massage.

Finding a qualified therapist

To get the best results from a craniosacral massage, seek out a suitably trained and qualified therapist who you feel comfortable with.

More and more massage therapists and osteopaths are incorporating some craniosacral massage techniques into their treatments and you should find craniosacral massage available at spas, salons and healthclubs.

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Global Warming Affects Allergies?


2009
11.20

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What does global warming have to do with allergies?

Global warming may have an impact on your seasonal allergies, according to recent research. Based on the information scientists have gleaned, there is reason to think that your allergies may become increasing worse as the temperatures change (and that people who had no previous allergic tendencies will begin to develop allergies). The warmer climate provides a longer growing season for ragweed and the additional carbon dioxide (CO2) present in the air substantially increases the amount of pollen produced.

The primary problem is the sheer amount of ragweed pollen being produced– the U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that ragweed pollen counts have doubled over the past 40 years. Perhaps this is one of the reasons that allergy and asthma related mortalities in the U. S. have practically doubled as well. This increase in deaths may not be attributed to worse symptoms, but an increase in individuals affected by allergies and asthma.

The Experiment:

Ragweed seedlings were planted over 315-day intervals. Different groups of plants were kept in glass houses and exposed to varying amounts of CO2. As the ragweed plants began to produce buds, open topped bags were placed over the flower clusters (called inflorescences) in order to collect the pollen they released. The plants that were exposed to greater amounts of CO2 had a high percentage of increased pollen production and the researchers deduced: “Overall, ragweed pollen production can be expected to increase significantly under predicted future climate conditions”.

(Visit the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences’ website to read the entire research lab report).

Because August is the month when ragweed begins to release pollen, here are a few things that you can do to reduce your exposure:
Keep all the windows and doors of your house closed – especially in the late afternoon and evening, which is when pollen counts climb dramatically. Close the windows while driving in your car-and if your car’s air conditioning has the option to recycle the air in the car, turn it to this setting. When outside, wearing a pair of sunglasses will not only protect your eyes from the glare of the sun, but it may help keep pollen from landing on the delicate linings of your eyes. Avoid freshly mowed lawns and fields- it’s not only the pollen that causes allergies, the same protein found in ragweed pollen is also found in the plant itself. Mowing chops up the plants into tiny fragments that are just as easily inhaled as pollen. Take off your shoes just outside your door to avoid tracking pollen indoors. Keep your hair pulled back while you are outside and take a quick shower before going to bed to wash away any pollen that has collected in your hair and will be transferred to your pillow. Use a HEPA air filter in your bedroom, or in place of your existing furnace/air conditioning filter to reduce the amount of free-floating pollen in your home. Dynamic Air Cleaners makes freestanding console units that are good for bedrooms and a panel filter that fits easily into the slot for your existing filter.

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Keep to your Dental Hygiene Routine with a Disposable Toothbrush


2009
11.20

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A disposable toothbrush is really handy for those short trips, outdoor excursions, romantic dates and long days and with recent bans on toothpaste in the flight cabin, a disposable toothbrush is just what you need for your long haul flight.

Dental hygiene is important for long term dental care and you should clean your teeth no less than twice a day. For those of us continually on the go it’s not always easy to take good care of our teeth and carrying around a toothbrush and toothpaste isn’t exactly convenient. With a disposable toothbrush life is so much easier, there is no need to carry toothpaste and a disposable toothbrush is so small and discreet that it can be slipped into a handbag or pocket.

There are several types of disposable toothbrush on the market with the two main concepts being a pre-pasted disposable toothbrush or one that contains one application of toothpaste or gel.

Pre-pasted disposable toothbrushes tend to work on the concept of a toothpaste powder which has been pre-applied to the bristles of the toothbrush. All’s you need to do is take the toothbrush out of its plastic wrapper, put it under the tap to activate the toothpaste and away you go.

If you don’t like the idea of a pre-pasted disposable toothbrush then you can get disposable toothbrush’s which contains gel toothpaste in the handle. To apply the tooth gel all’s you need to do is push down on the handle.

Disposable tooth brushes are really handy for those times when you want to keep to your dental care routine or just want to freshen up such as:

Going to the dentist

Out on a date

Flying long haul

Long days

Camping

Nights away

After smoking

After eating sugary foods

The list is endless and with the cost of a disposable toothbrush being as little as 65c to just over the $1 it’s not much of a price to pay for maintaining dental care or enjoying fresh breath.

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