Archive for the ‘health’ Category
Highland Chiropractor Explains Why “Pale Yellow” Is A Dependable Key To Good Health
Air and water are the Big Two for human survival. We humans cannot live long without either. Now, most adults likely haven’t intentionally held their breath to see how long they could go without breathing (or in order to see if mom or dad would give in and give them what they wanted) since they were children. But, how often do we, adults, forgo the other necessity of life…drinking water? And, not just drinking water, but drinking enough water. In order for the human body to function optimally, it needs water (and plenty of it!) Every cell, tissue, organ and system in your body relies on the water you drink. For instance, did you know that your saliva, and the fluids around your joints, are essentially water? It’s true, and in addition to generating dry mouth, dehydration may make your joints ache. Furthermore, water controls the temperature and metabolism of your body and keeps your blood circulating. And, there are still more wonders to drinking sufficient water, such as the improvement of nutrient absorption and toxin removal, as well as the reduction of heartburn, hypertension, exhaustion, headaches. Even back pain has been attributed to staying well-hydrated. As a Highland Chiropractor I make it a point to ask my patients with back pain and joint pain how much water they drink each day, and I advise all of my patients to drink plenty of water on a daily basis.
When it comes to staying well-hydrated, “water on the brain” is a very good thing! Drinking enough water is fundamental for optimum health in all the ways described above one day researchers may find even more. Now, most humans would not be foolish enough to try to go through the day without breathing, yet all too often many of us go through our day either not drinking water at all or not drinking enough. No matter what phsycial activity a person may engage in, the human body requires proper hydration. When it comes to functional challenges caused by dehydration, athletes (and you’d think they’d be far more cognizant of the importance of hydration than non-athletes!) are markedly at risk. Researcher, Susan Yeargin, assistant professor of athletic training in Indiana State’s College of Nursing, Health, and Human Services, said of athletes,”Physiologically, their core body temperature could be higher than it should have been if they were hydrated. Their heart rate will be higher, and they’re going to perceive that they’re working harder than they actually are.”
People often ask how much water is sufficient. Chiropractors like me, your chiropractor in Highland, agree with most health care professionals in advising at least eight, 8-ounce glasses of water daily for most of our patients. However, for our patients who are athletes, or for patients who carry around excess weight or exercise or work where it’s hot, we advise even more! So, how can you tell if you’re drinking “enough” water? It’s simple! The answer is in the color of your urine. If you’re well-hydrated, your urine will be a light, pale yellow!
Treat Varicose Veins and Other Leg Problems with Horse Chestnut
The Europeans have been using horse chestnut for years for a variety of vascular roles, particularly the legs. This natural supplement is now gaining ground in the United States and other places around the world because it has shown in a number of clinical trials its effectiveness in treating a variety of conditions.
Horse chestnut trees are native to Greece, Albania, Bulgaria and other countries in the Balkan Peninsula. However, you can find these trees elsewhere in the world as well. Also called the Spanish chestnut and the buckeye, horse chestnut should not be confused with the buckeye trees in California and Ohio. It is important when you use horse chestnut that you choose a seed extract supplement form rather than preparing a treatment yourself as some parts of the tree are poisonous.
If you have varicose veins, leg swelling, nerve twitching and itching, restless legs, skin ulcers or general leg pain, you could benefit from horse chestnut. Most often found as a seed extract, this supplement is also effective with a condition called CVI or chronic venous insufficiency, which also presents some of the symptoms above.
Evidence of Effectiveness
In a number of tests, horse chestnut seed extract was used in patients with CVI. In a large percentage of cases, leg swelling decreased significantly as well as pain, nerve itchiness and even leg tiredness. Restless leg occurrences were reduced as well. While some professionals are still unsure of this natural supplement, many people who suffer from a variety of vascular leg conditions have found that horse chestnut is just as effective as the common treatment of wearing compression stockings.
Other Conditions Possibly Treated
Because of the anti-inflammatory properties of horse chestnut, there are a few other conditions that might benefit from its use. Rheumatoid arthritis, deep venous thrombosis, hemorrhoids, menstrual cramps and even a variety of skin conditions could find relief with this natural supplement. People with tinnitus and post-trauma swelling have found relief too.
Some Warnings to Note
If you are otherwise in good health, horse chestnut can definitely help with inflammatory conditions. However, some people may have adverse reactions if they take anticoagulants or have hepatic or renal problems. Children should not take this supplement. If you have a metabolic condition like diabetes, medical professionals advise against using horse chestnut. Always consult with your personal physician before adding any supplement to your daily medication regiment. Read more…
Treat Varicose Veins and Other Leg Problems with Horse Chestnut
The Europeans have been using horse chestnut for years for a variety of vascular roles, particularly the legs. This natural supplement is now gaining ground in the United States and other places around the world because it has shown in a number of clinical trials its effectiveness in treating a variety of conditions.
Horse chestnut trees are native to Greece, Albania, Bulgaria and other countries in the Balkan Peninsula. However, you can find these trees elsewhere in the world as well. Also called the Spanish chestnut and the buckeye, horse chestnut should not be confused with the buckeye trees in California and Ohio. It is important when you use horse chestnut that you choose a seed extract supplement form rather than preparing a treatment yourself as some parts of the tree are poisonous.
If you have varicose veins, leg swelling, nerve twitching and itching, restless legs, skin ulcers or general leg pain, you could benefit from horse chestnut. Most often found as a seed extract, this supplement is also effective with a condition called CVI or chronic venous insufficiency, which also presents some of the symptoms above.
Evidence of Effectiveness
In a number of tests, horse chestnut seed extract was used in patients with CVI. In a large percentage of cases, leg swelling decreased significantly as well as pain, nerve itchiness and even leg tiredness. Restless leg occurrences were reduced as well. While some professionals are still unsure of this natural supplement, many people who suffer from a variety of vascular leg conditions have found that horse chestnut is just as effective as the common treatment of wearing compression stockings.
Other Conditions Possibly Treated
Because of the anti-inflammatory properties of horse chestnut, there are a few other conditions that might benefit from its use. Rheumatoid arthritis, deep venous thrombosis, hemorrhoids, menstrual cramps and even a variety of skin conditions could find relief with this natural supplement. People with tinnitus and post-trauma swelling have found relief too.
Some Warnings to Note
If you are otherwise in good health, horse chestnut can definitely help with inflammatory conditions. However, some people may have adverse reactions if they take anticoagulants or have hepatic or renal problems. Children should not take this supplement. If you have a metabolic condition like diabetes, medical professionals advise against using horse chestnut. Always consult with your personal physician before adding any supplement to your daily medication regiment. Read more…
Balanced Choices Pave the Way to Good Health and Longevity
Recently I saw an article on sciencedaily.com about a study carried out on aged mice induced to develop symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and the benefits of caffeine in reversing memory loss. The article lead with the suggestion that “Coffee drinkers may have another reason to pour that extra cup.” It went on to report on a sequence of studies published online July 6 in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease that showed that caffeine considerably decreased abnormal levels of the protein linked to Alzheimer’s disease, both in the brains and in the blood of mice that had developed symptoms of the disease.
However, before you decide to add an extra cuppa to your daily routine, let me, Dr. Jamie Phillips warn you that also on the website, under “Related Stories,” were at least two articles regarding studies that showed the negative effects of caffeine, “Morning Jolt of Caffeine May Mask Serious Sleep Problems,” and “Coffee Consumption Linked To Increased Risk Of Heart Attack For Persons With Certain Gene Variation.”
In my experience, I’ve noticed that there are conceivably many studies that will confirm, or at least bolster, any angle of thought, especially when it is about age-related health issues. The “yin-yang” of caffeine benefits-deficits certainly aren’t, of course, the only ones. But, it did get me to considering about the probability that there will not ever be just “one thing” that will incontrovertibly assist we, humans, in living longer, healthier lives. We are dynamic, biological creatures. We are free to make choices in life. We’re not bred in a cage! And, let’s face it, though Alzheimer’s disease may be on the rise, obviously none of us has been “bred to develop symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease,” therefore caffeine isn’t entirely the “one thing” that is going to prevent or reverse it.
Our body is an exquisite, complex system that is designed to function homeostasis (balance). It is likely, then, that good health is about a healthy, balanced way of living, rather than our jumping on the bandwagon of the latest health study and “doing” or “overdoing” one particular thing in the hope that it will reverse all of the other over-indulgent and harmful things we do to our bodies.
As a doctor of chiropractic in Santa Barbara, I believe that every single day we have an opportunity to choose healthfully for our body, decisions that will assist us to live longer, healthier lives. When it comes to what is good for us, we know what actually “feels” right and what doesn’t. So, the if you reach for that extra cup of coffee or that second glass of red wine, I hope that you’ll keep this in mind. There is no “one thing” that will do “everything” for your good health.
Dr. Jamie Phillips
601 E. Arrellaga St. #201
Santa Barbara, CA, 93103
http://www.santabarbarachiropractic.org
This item: Walk Yourself Well: Eliminate Back Pain, Neck, Shoulder, Knee, Hip and Other Structural Pain Forever-Without Surgery or Drugs by Sherry Brourman