Daily Health Information

What You Didn't Know About Anger

2010-04-07T14:50:00.001-07:00

What do you know about anger except for the fact that it's one of the most consuming emotions ever known to man? I don't know much about it either until I searched for some facts about it.

Let me share some of the things I found out about anger:

Anger is not unhealthy. Sometimes the emotion is justifiable and therefore normal. The only time anger becomes destructive is when you let it run your life.

You don't always have to lash out when you're angry. There are other ways for you to express anger. You can do it objectively and say what you feel in a calm and composed manner. Yelling or acting out will never help calm you down nor will it help resolve your issue.

Bottling anger up is a great way to manage anger. As a short term solution, it works fine. But you'll start suffering from physical and psychological complications when you do it for too long.

I'm still no expert on the subject of anger or how to manage it properly, but learning all these helped me understand anger better. At least now I know that I shouldn't keep my anger in for too long if I don't want to end up being consumed by it.

By: Abbey Yap

Sinus Headache: An Overview

2010-03-24T12:44:00.000-07:00

Don't you just hate it when you experience a sudden headache that seems to originate from the bridge

of your nose and spreads to your forehead? Sinus headaches can be such a pain, literally!
But what triggers sinus headaches? Up until I experienced it more often, I didn't really care to think

of what's causing the headaches. Upon digging through the net, I learned about the usual sinus

headache starters. Here are some of them:

1.Allergens in the environment, like dust, second-hand smoke, or pollen from plants may trigger sinus

headaches.
2.Nasal congestion caused by allergies or colds may make one susceptible to experiencing sinus

headaches.
3.Deformities of the nose, be it congenital or accidental in nature, can induce sinus headaches.
4.Dental infections, although quite uncommon, may also cause one to experience sinus headaches.

You may think sinus headaches are not serious, but if you let it go on without treating it, you may

end up with a more severe condition. Keep in mind that sinus headaches are symptoms of acute sinusitis

which, when left undiagnosed and untreated, may lead to a brain infection.

You don't want that now, do you?

By: Abbey Grace Yap

Why You Should Always Check Cosmetic Product Labels

2010-03-18T14:31:00.001-07:00

I've never been fond of using make-up. One, I never really learned to apply it properly; and two, I often find myself itching half to death when I try to put some on. It could be because I'm not comfortable wearing make-up or I'm allergic to it.

Some cosmetic products contain toxic ingredients that can harm the skin. What chemicals am I talking about? They are:

Mercury – commonly found in mascaras under the name thimerosal, this metal can increase one's chances of developing cancer or reproductive health issues.

Petrochemicals – often found in foundations, petrochemicals in lipsticks and lip balm appear as petrolatum, mineral oil, or paraffin in product labels.

Hydroquinone – used in skin lightening products and moisturizers, this chemical may cause cancer and prevent your endocrine glands from properly functioning. Also, it may leave permanent bluish-black spots on your face.

To make sure that you're getting a skin-safe product, talk to your trusted dermatologist. Ask for a list of chemicals that you should be looking out for in make-ups. You should be very careful about what you put on your skin. It is, after all, your first line of defence against all the harmful elements out there.

By: Abbey Yap

The Truth Behind Common Fitness Myths

2010-03-11T12:57:00.000-08:00

A lot of people jump into fads without so much as taking the time off to learn something more about them before actually trying it. Take exercising, for example. Aside from the fact that it helps us get into shape and it keeps us healthy, what else do we know about it?

I've heard people say that when one looks fit, then he must be fit. Truth is, not all buff men are physically fit. To be physically fit means to have passing marks in all aspects of fitness – balance, coordination, endurance, flexibility, and strength.

Other people also say that using machines is better than exercising with free weights. Exercise machines only give you a false sense of working out that makes you develop muscles, but without building the strength and endurance offered by the resistance free weights provide.

These are two of the most common fitness myths that you may have heard of from other people. To learn more about fitness and exercise, discuss what you know with a licensed fitness trainer. You'll be surprised at how much of what you know is based on myths.

By: Abbey Grace Yap

Famous Artist With Drug Problems

2010-03-08T12:29:00.001-08:00

We all know that drugs are bad for us. We should definitely avoid these because they brings nothing but bad news to our health and well-being.

You know how we can easily condemn people with drug problems because they're just random people that we don't know? Do you think you'd feel just the same if you knew that some of the brightest minds in the world ever knew were junkies?

Ernest Hemingway – The novelist, famous for his memoir, A Moveable Feast, was a known alcoholic. In his later years, he began to experience physical and mental side effects of the alcoholism and was a frequent visitor in various hospitals.

Andy Warhol – He was known to be popping Obetrol pills like candy. Obetrol is a psychoactive drug used for mental problems. Obetrol comes in quick-release form, making it a source of instant gratification for the user.

Miles Davis – He was said to be addicted to heroin. But after four years of heroin-use, he was able to quit his addiction, thanks to Sugar Ray Robinson's inspiring dedication to stop his own addiction.

All three artists were commendable in their craft. Their addiction, not so much. But among the three, I give Mr. Davis the cake for actually being able to kick the habit. They really need some online medical advice.

Back Strengthening Exercise to Combat Back Pain

2010-03-05T13:04:00.000-08:00

Back pain is pretty common in an industry where work is done sitting down in front of a computer. It is said to be caused by an improper sitting posture. But with back strengthening exercises, we should be able to remedy and prevent back pain.

Doctors emphasize, though, that before getting into the exercise, you should warm up. Aside from that, you should also make sure movement isn't jerky as it increases chances of injuries.

Here is one of the many back strengthening exercises I found on the Internet:

Twist, Squat, and Lift. (You'll need an empty medium-sized trash can with a 5lb dumbbell inside for this exercise.)

Stand with your feet apart and the waste basket behind your right foot.

Twist to the right and squat to pick up the trash can.

Using your heels to push, stand up straight with the basket at waist level.

Twist to the left and squat to put down the garbage basket behind your left foot.

Stand back up straight to end one rep.

Do 8 to 10 reps before trying out other back strengthening exercises.

By: Abbey Grace Yap

Medical Myths We Subscribe To

2010-03-04T13:58:00.000-08:00

We've all grown up to some medical facts handed down by our parents or our older neighbors. It's funny how we still subscribe to them up until know. However, what's funnier is the fact that those medical facts seem to have been tweaked a little as it got passed on from one person to another.

What facts am I talking about? Here are some examples:

1.“Drink 8 to 10 glasses of water a day.” Most people take it that we SHOULD drink 8 to 10 glasses of water throughout the day. The truth is, that range is supposed to include the water we use in cooking.

2.“Don't crack your knuckles, you'll develop arthritis because of it.” The sound you hear is merely a gas pocket that formed and burst between your knuckle joints.

3.“Don't swallow gum because it'll take seven years to get out of your body.” Although it's true that the stomach cannot digest gum, it's not going to stick to the lining of your digestive tract.

It's funny how so many of what we thought to be medical facts are actually just half-truths. But I'm glad that I finally learned the truth behind them.

By: Abbey Grace Yap

The Great Pasta Diet

2010-03-02T13:13:00.000-08:00

Personally, I'm a big fan of pasta dishes. I like trying out different kinds of pastas with various sauces. I sometimes think that I eat too much pasta that the carbs are just making me bigger.

But according to this article, being wise in choosing the pasta you'll use in your cooking can actually help you shed off pounds.

Pastas made from whole wheat grains are great choices. This is primarily because they are rich in fiber that make you feel fuller faster. Aside from that, fiber is also good in fighting fat.

Another great tip is to learn moderation. I think this is applicable in all diets. Just because it's whole wheat, it doesn't mean that you can overindulge yourself with it. Too much fiber can make taking a dump a bit challenging. Also, whole wheat pastas have just as much calories as regular ones, only with more fiber.

Well, now that I've learned about this, I'm going to have to switch to whole wheat pasta from now on. I've tried some a while back and they're really great. It doesn't hurt that they're going to help me lose weight too.

By: Abbey Grace Yap

Great Foods We Often Ignore

2010-03-01T13:50:00.000-08:00

Everybody loves to eat. However, we tend to favor instant meals that aren't so good for the health. Sure, we eat fruits and vegetables, but I find myself stuck with the usual suspects.

Imagine how many nutritious foods we're missing out on because we're sticking to the popular healthy eats.

Here are some examples of healthy foods we're not paying much attention to:

Dieters avoid sweet potatoes because they are rich in carbohydrates. However, they take for granted the fact that sweet potatoes are also high on vitamin A, magnesium, iron, and other essential minerals.

Soybeans are rich in important minerals like iron, calcium, phosphorus, etc. Try mixing them in your salads or casserole to cover your daily dietary allowance of such minerals.

Although avocados are said to be a fatty fruit, at least they are the healthy kind of fat - the monounsaturated kind. Aside from using these in guacamole, why not try and use avocados in salads. It's high in vitamins E and certain B vitamins the body needs.

I'm going to take this as a hint to broaden my gastronomic horizons. I don't want to miss out on the nutrients I can get from these delicious foods. How about you?

By: Abbey Grace Yap

Your Parents and Your Coffee Drinking Habits

2010-02-26T12:16:00.000-08:00

I remember drinking coffee as early as age seven. I'd drink it during breakfast while my mom and dad read the papers and got ready for work. My mom would take hers with milk and sugar. She'd make mine the same way and up to this day, that is how I take my cup of Joe.

I came upon a certain article that said that our coffee drinking habits (or addiction?) could possibly be linked to what we see in our parents while we were growing up. Is there some truth to it? Or do I need a medical advice?

Personally, I think it may be true because my mom's coffee preference had somehow been passed on to me. I don't think it's genetics, but rather because it had become a habit to drink coffee the same way everyday as we're growing up.

It could also be possible that having drunk coffee at an early age, my young mind has enjoyed caffeine's psychotropic effects, making it easier to become dependent on coffee's feel-good effect.

This is all just me talking based on my personal experience. I'd like to know what you think though. Did our parents turn us into the coffee-chugging monsters we are now?

By: Abbey Grace Yap

First Aid for Severe Asthma Attacks

2010-02-23T14:10:00.001-08:00

Asthma is a very difficult disease to have. It literally takes your breath away. Attacks range from mild to severe, with mild to moderate asthma attacks easily remedied by breathing into paper bags or using inhalers.

Severe asthma attacks, however, are a different matter and may require heavier medications. If medications don't work, seeking emergency medical treatment is your best bet of surviving the ordeal.

In the off chance that you or an asthmatic friend do have a major attack, there are things you can do as a first aid treatment to help ease the spasming common in a full-scale asthma attack.

Bowen release method

This is designed to relieve the diaphragmatic spasms that accompany such a serious attack:

1.Locate the bottom of the breast bone. Directly below it is the Xiphoid process.

2.Place your thumb an inch below the Xiphoid process. It's going to be the soft portion in your stomach area.

3.Push up an inch and then press firmly inward.

4.Pull your thumb down with moderate force and speed to release the spasming.

5.Repeat if spasm continues.

Instead of immediately panicking if such an incident occurred, administer the Bowen release method to prevent further discomfort and complications.

By: Abbey Grace Yap

Straightening Chiropractic Myths

2010-02-19T11:53:00.000-08:00

Not many people are aware of what chiropractic therapy is. Although more people are enjoying the relief offered by chiropractic therapy, not all of them understand the truth about this treatment.

More often than not, what people know about chiropractic practice are just hearsays. Here are some examples of such hearsays:

1. Chiropractors aren't real doctors. They may not have the same diploma as a doctor gets, chiropractic practitioners receive a doctorate degree which certifies them as licensed healthcare providers all over the US and at other parts of the world.

2. Chiropractic treatment will hurt a lot. Just because you tend to hear cracking or snapping sounds during treatment, it doesn't mean that it hurts. In fact, most first time patients are surprised at how relieving the treatment is.

3. Chiropractic professionals require multiple sessions.. Some people get relief from one or two chiropractic sessions while some need more. Patients aren't forced to come back if they don't want to. Most of the time, the patients who come back for another session because of the relief they get.

Hope these facts help shed some light on chiropractic therapy for you. Truly, this treatment is very relieving, you should try it sometime.

By: Abbey Grace Yap

Lifestyle Changes That Can Help Reduce Childhood Obesity

2010-02-12T13:16:00.000-08:00

Childhood obesity is a growing concern for many parents. We don't want kids growing up with health conditions related to being overweight or obese now, do we?

Fortunately enough, recent studies are showing that certain habit changes can actually help curb down a kid's chances of becoming obese.

Have sit-down meals with the family. Kids who regularly eat with the family are more likely to eat healthier foods like fruits and vegetables. Also, they're less likely to develop poor eating habits or get into bad vices.

Get enough sleep time. Our body burns more fat in sleep than it does sitting in front of the computer all day. This is because the body uses up stored energy to repair the cellular damages we get throughout the day.

Lessen TV time. Instead of letting your kids entertain themselves with television for extended periods of time, encourage them to go out and play with other kids instead. The exercise will help burn stored fat and keep them fit and healthy.

Considering how kids are these days, these habit changes won't be easy to teach children. But once these changes stick, you can stop worrying about your kids growing up to be obese.

By: Abbey Grace Yap

Natural Asthma Attack Stoppers

2010-02-08T12:39:00.000-08:00

Most of the asthmatic people I know always carry an inhaler with them wherever they go. It's actually for a good reason. You won't be able to say when you're going to have an asthma attack.

But there are ways to lessen the occurrence of asthma attacks. And no, it's not by regularly taking medications. Here are some ways to naturally reduce the frequency and intensity of asthma attacks:

1. Water. Asthma attacks are caused by increased levels of histamine in the blood. Drinking lots of water will dilute the histamine concentration and prevent a full blown asthma attack from happening.

2. Relax yourself. Stress aggravates asthma symptoms. Do deep breathing exercises to induce relaxation.

3. Drink hot tea or coffee. The water will help dilute the histamine, the steam will loosen tight airways and the caffeine acts as a great bronchodilator.

Of course, if you think that your asthma attack is a severe and life-threatening one, don't hesitate to rush to the nearest hospital for the necessary medical treatment.

How To Take the Edge Off: An Anger Management How-to

2010-02-05T14:18:00.001-08:00

Being one who is quick to react with anger, I've been told that I need to find ways to get the edge off. And that I did, I searched the web for some helpful tips on self managing my anger.

This article actually offered a lot of useful tricks on how to prevent being overcome by anger. Here are some of those tips:

1.Before you react, ask yourself if your anger is going to make the situation any better. Not only is anger going to bring you down, it's also not going to help solve your situation.

2.Sleep it off. Instead of confronting the issue with anger right away, give it a day. You'll find that the anger has gone down and you can face the issue calmer.

3.Find a distraction. The more you think about it, the more you'll find a reason to justify the way you're reacting. Don't give yourself time to rationalize your anger.

These are only three of the tips that I find very useful when I'm starting to boil in anger. For more tips, visit the article here.

So You Think You Know A Lot About Stress

2010-02-03T14:02:00.001-08:00

We almost always complain about stress. I mean, I know I do. But aside from the fact that it gives us massive migraine attacks and it tires the hell out of us, what else is there to know about stress?

1. About 75% to 90% of doctor's visits are because of stress or stress-related concerns.

2. According to a study done by the National Health Interview Survey, 75% of the general population experience some sort of stress every two weeks.

3. Stress is the major precursor of substance dependency problems like alcoholism, cigarette smoking, and drug addiction.

4. It is also one of the major causes of obesity in the US.

5. People in the US are so stressed out that antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, and tranquillizers are among the most in-demand medications in the country, accounting for ¼ of all prescriptions written each year.

6. Stress increases people's risks of developing chronic diseases like heart conditions, stroke, and high blood pressure.
So, you think you know everything about stress? Think again.

By: Abbey Grace Yap

Proper Wound Care

2010-02-01T13:36:00.000-08:00

Wounds, even small ones, have the potential to become infected and lead to severe complications. This is why proper wound care is important, not only for fast healing, but also to prevent it from being infected.

First, ensure that your hands are clean. Wash them thoroughly with soap and water. Unless yours is a burn wound, you might want to wash the affected part with soap and water too.

Whether or not you're going to apply an antibiotic ointment on the wound is up to you. Just make sure that you cover the wound with gauze or bandage which allows your skin to breathe through the fabric after. It would also be a good idea to air your wound out every couple of hour as it will help speed up the healing process.

Lastly, don't forget to change your bandage frequently to prevent the bandage from sticking to the wound. Once it does, trying to take off the bandage may re-open the wound.

Keep in mind that if you don't properly care for your wounds, you may end up losing chunks of your flesh or worse, your entire limb. You wouldn't want that to happen now, would you?

By: Abbey Grace Yap

Hygiene Facts That You Might Not Know

2010-01-27T13:33:00.001-08:00

So you think you know a lot about cleanliness? Think again. Here are some weird but informational facts about hygiene that you might not know about :

Your armpits and groin actually have more bacteria compared to body parts that constantly get exposed to dirt. This is because such parts have a tendency to be moist and sweaty. Moisture is a precursor to the growth of bacteria.
Strong mouthwash that is said to kill bad breath-causing bacteria also kills the good bacteria that protect us from certain illnesses.
Ancient Egyptians were known to apply urine as treatment for minor cuts and burns. Disgusting as it may sound, it is actually for good reason – the urea found in urine actually kills common causes of infection like bacteria and fungi.

These are only a few of what I have found over the Internet. There are still lots that need to be shared. More to follow on succeeding posts.

If you have unique hygiene facts to share, please don't hesitate to add them over at the comments section.

By: Abbey Grace Yap

Daily Health Information

2010-01-21T13:49:00.000-08:00

As I start this blog, I promised myself to bring people what I learned in every little things from major health discussions and updates. The major news that is happening around the globe. Sharing useful information about my daily experience in life with the help of my friends here and outside the country.