Healthy Eating: The Best Rx?

As New Year’s approaches, individuals are gearing up for their great resolutions, which usually involve some form of health goal. Losing weight, eating healthier, working out more; generally all top the lists of the typical American. Obviously these items are at the top of our lists because we fail to strategize, plan, and allow our health to be at the top of our lists on the average day. The reality is, most individuals have already stopped reaching for their goals by the middle of February, if not sooner.

The most accurate method of ensuring that our goals are met is by changing our way of thinking about food. Can healthy eating be the best prescription? In a society where consumerism is focused on purchasing quantity over quality, we need to re-address this ideology when it comes to how we purchase and prepare our foods.

Healthy eating doesn’t need to come in the form of counting calories, purchasing and eating only foods that we don’t like because they are healthy or eating little. It does mean, making better food choices, eating unhealthy foods that we crave in moderation and enjoying food as a means for our bodies to be nourished for adequate daily energy.

The FDA has a great tracker that incorporates the food pyramid on their website that can be specifically tailored to your own personal health needs that take into consideration the foods you like, as well as how much you weigh and how active your lifestyle is. Based on this information it calculates foods your body needs in each of the food group areas. This is a great resource to start with as individuals endeavor into the world of healthy eating.

Eating healthy foods has shown to improve health all around, from energy levels to improving pain management and more. Let’s all jump on the healthy eating bandwagon and make 2011 a productive year.

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Chronic Pain Management

Managing pain is dealt with in many different ways, specifically depending on what type of ailment it is associated with. Some examples might be back pain, chronic headaches, endometriosis, arthritis, or muscle pain.

While short term treatment of any ailment can be aided with the use of Tylenol or ibuprophen, these drugs are generally not recommended for long term use. A physician visit should be scheduled for pain management that is more than a few days. In many situations alternative pain therapy can be provided, including physical therapy, exercise, or stretching exercises including yoga. These are generally alternatives or used in conjunction with other chronic pain medications, which are not designed to be for long term consumption.

For chronic headaches and other ailments doctors generally want to find the cause of the ailment. Tests might need to be performed to figure out if there are other problems and the pain is masking another chronic condition, or if the headaches can be relieved with some form of massage treatment or diet change, which is often the case.

Many ailments are not just temporary or there aren’t many treatment options beyond chronic pain management. For some ailments, like endometriosis or fibromyalgia, which are both inflammation diseases, hormone therapy and other dietary changes can provide relief, but the pain is pretty consistent in a person’s life. Treatment options should be discussed with a physician so that the patient understands what options they have to undertake to feel some normalcy as well as when the inflammation is too much to bear and another treatment needs to be discussed.

It is important to mention that pain therapy should never be independently decided. Always seek the care of a physician before taking any over the counter drugs. As with any drug, research can be done to learn more about the pros and cons of the medication, which should be done for any ailment.

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Benefits of using Zicam or Airborne

During cold season there are always multiple advertisements which present drug and cold remedies, including Zicam or Airborne. While these two drugs aren’t the only over the counter purchases that individuals can make for cold prevention and treatment, they are popular for individuals since they claim to shorten the negative symptoms and the length of a cold. So, what are the true benefits of using Zicam or Airborne?

Both of these homeopathic cold remedies include an array of vitamins and minerals which our bodies typically need on a regular basis. If our bodies are deprived of natural vitamins and minerals, which many people’s are from unhealthy eating, the natural vitamins can help our immune systems fight off the cold virus that infiltrates our bodies.

Even for individuals that do regularly consume vitamins or eat healthy, the extra vitamins in Zicam or Airborne can significantly reduce the length of cold symptoms since they are generally consumed in larger doses than you would take in a daily vitamin. Consider how much extra orange juice you might drink during a cold. The extra Vitamin C is being used in your body to help fight the cold. While these remedies do contain slightly different vitamins as well as quantity within each remedy, the idea is the same, more vitamins to ward off the symptoms.

Some individuals find certain aspects of the homeopathic remedies to be less than ideal. These items generally come in a variety of packages, from mouth spray, nasal swabs, to liquid, melting tablets, and the like. The method of use is based on preference and availability. Reviews of both of these remedies have been positive from individuals that are trying to shorten the length of their common cold.
These homeopathic remedies are generally safe to take, unless you have an allergy to a specific ingredient or are directed by your doctor to not use.

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Benefits of Vitamin D

In an ideal world the foods that we eat would provide all of the natural vitamins and minerals that our bodies need without the use of supplements. Bottom line is, we do not always choose wisely, foods that are grown are so chemically engineered that they do not have much nutritional quality, or dietary restrictions keep us from getting certain vitamins that our bodies thrive on.

Vitamin D is one of these vitamins. The natural source of Vitamin D comes from the sun, and our skin absorbs the ultraviolet B light. Vitamin D is also naturally found in some foods, such as fish, eggs, meat, and mushrooms. In many countries, Vitamin D is also fortified within certain foods, such as milk, bread, and orange juice.
Within the body, Vitamin D is like a super vitamin, where in the immune systems it is converted to help ward off infection. When Vitamin D is paired with calcium, it can help maintain our bone health and keep us from getting osteoporosis, and has been known to help aid in the treatment of inflammation.

Vitamin D is a powerful vitamin that is helpful in preventing disease and warding off infection. If you spend a lot of time outdoors or eat a diet with a staple of fish, you likely receive an adequate amount of this vitamin in your diet. If you don’t, consider fortified foods, or a supplement which comes in the form of a pill, and often is found alongside calcium supplements. In the United States, the FDA does not require foods to have on the labels that they contain Vitamin D, however, most labels do state if the product is fortified with this vitamin.

As our bodies age, we are less able to convert the ultraviolet light from the sun and convert it to Vitamin D, so it is very important to seek this nutrient out either in foods or in supplement form for maximum health benefits.

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Culprits of Abdominal Pain

Most women face abdominal pain on a monthly basis with menstruation as its main cause. There are simple remedies available over the counter that will aid specifically to relieve of cramping. Ibuprophen is the best over the counter medication since it helps relieve inflammation, which is in part why cramping happens, along with muscles working to release the endometrial layer that builds every month with the expectation of pregnancy.

In some cases women have extreme cramping or other abdominal pain not associated with their cycles. One culprit that can be a minimal problem to extremely severe is endometriosis. Doctors aren’t sure why women get endometriosis or what causes it. Some women have abrasions where the inflammation of endometriosis collects, causing extreme pain. Other women have microscopic inflammation, and other women need complete hysterectomies from severe tissue that has cysts or tumors with tissue that has collected and is inflamed from this disease.

Endometriosis is quite uncomfortable if not downright painful. With more women coming forth with symptoms, doctors have started locating medications that do work to minimize pain, as well as to stop the estrogen feeding cycle of endometriosis. Because the inflammation is fed by estrogen during a woman’s cycle, there are hormonal medications, including some progesterone birth control pills that regulate the levels of estrogen in the body. Some women choose to have veins cauterized with surgery or to simply have their entire uterus removed, however, some inflamed tissue can still remain. Choosing an option for treatment must be done carefully.

Endometriosis is generally diagnosed with a non-invasive surgery called laparoscopy, where a tube is inserted into the bellybutton and a camera is able to view the lining of the endometrium. This is generally where the inflamed tissue collects, however, with the scope, doctors can see what’s going on inside. Treatment options can be determined from diagnosis.

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Allergy Sufferers

It seems as though everyone has some form of allergy, at some point during their lifetime. There’s no escape! Allergens are immense, from pollens, which can be specific to a certain type of flower or tree, to grass, animals, foods, etc.

Sufferers of allergies even have a varying degree of severity. Many food allergies are extremely severe, requiring individuals to carry around an epi-pen which will ensure their bronchial tubes do not restrict airflow to their bodies. While other allergies are merely annoying and require choices in our lives that will keep us from certain allergens. Those with minor food allergies can generally still consume foods, just might have some side effects that bring discomfort. People that have animal allergies have a choice to not go around that particular animal.

Treatment for allergies is generally in the form of an antihistamine, which can be consumed either as needed, specifically Benadryl, Sudafed, or other over the counter allergy remedies. Other individuals that suffer from pollen allergies and other dust related allergies might need a regular mediation. Over the counter remedies include Zyrtec or Claratin are the main popular brands on the market today.
Doctor’s generally will share which over the counter medication will work best for which form of allergy you seem to have. There is such a variety that it can often seem daunting to make a choice, from nasal sprays, to pills, to nasal cleansers, to decongestants, the list goes on.

The most intense treatment of allergies is shots, which can be prescribed for intense allergies. Shots are usually administered regularly, from every few days to every week. While they do not cure allergies, they significantly reduce the allergic reaction a person would have when exposed. Shots generally also require life changes, including dietary restrictions. While this is the most intense, it generally helps the allergy sufferer long-term.

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Preventive Health

Most American’s do not focus on preventive health, but start to change their ways when they get sick. For instance, an individual might suffer from multiple colds, yet when they go to the doctor, they realize that they could have added more vitamin C to their diet to lessen their changes of illness. A person might suffer from a serious heart attack, due in part to unhealthy eating and smoking. Obvious changes need to be made to a person’s routine to ensure healthy practices on a daily basis.

Preventive health includes any choice that is made that results in an action to stay healthy. This includes healthy eating, regular exercise, vitamin selection, regular doctor examinations, and any other recommended procedures that should be completed based on your age. These vary between females and males and can be specific based on your age. Healthfinder.gov is an excellent resource for age specific tests and procedures. Some are as simple as having your blood pressure tested, to having specific procedures that test for cancer or other diseases that affect individuals at certain stages in their lives.

Preventive health means taking action and ensuring that you are making healthy choices in your life on a daily basis. Some choices might be more challenging than others, however, they all result in the same aligned thinking -remain healthy.
As the new year approaches, it is a great time to assess individual health needs and focus on what small steps can be made within larger goals to increase positive healthy choices that will lead to maintaining preventive health. These steps might be simply eating an additional vegetable, while others might be more serious and drastic losing a specific number of pounds.

Everyone should address preventive health strategies and make healthy living a priority. It’s less costly to be healthy than to get sick and pay for unnecessary doctor and hospital bills, which could have been prevented.

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Pristiq for the Relief of Depression

Pristique was approved by the FDA in February, 2008 as a drug for the treatment of major depressive disorder in adults. Pristiq controls the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine to the brain. Checking for the levels of certain neurotransmitters is fruitless as the medical community does not know what the levels mean at this time. They hope the future of diagnosing depression will be assisted by knowing how the levels of serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine affect the brain and contribute to depression. Pritiq warnings include the same side effects as most antidepressants. Users should watch for these symptoms: nausea, dizziness, trouble sleeping, hyperhidrosis (increased sweating), constipation, fatigue, decreased appetite, anxiety and sexual dysfunction in men. Additionally if you have thoughts of suicide or if you have feelings of anxiety, aggression, increased depression or irritability you should remain in close contact with your physician and should be seen regularly. If you are allergic to descenlafaxine or venladfaxine or if you are using a MAIO (monoamine oxidase inhibitor) you should not be using Pristiq. Monitoring by your physician should include dosage levels if you suffer from any of these conditions: bipolar disorder, liver disease, kidney disease, heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol. If you have had a stroke or seizures due to epilepsy you also should seek constant care of Pristique was approved by the FDA in February, 2008 as a drug for the treatment of major depressive disorder in adults. Pristiq controls the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine to the brain. Checking for the levels of certain neurotransmitters is fruitless as the medical community does not know what the levels mean at this time. They hope the future of diagnosing depression will be assisted by knowing how the levels of serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine affect the brain and contribute to depression. Pritiq warnings include the same side effects as most antidepressants. Users should watch for these symptoms: nausea, dizziness, trouble sleeping, hyperhidrosis (increased sweating), constipation, fatigue, decreased appetite, anxiety and sexual dysfunction in men. Additionally if you have thoughts of suicide or if you have feelings of anxiety, aggression, increased depression or irritability you should remain in close contact with your physician and should be seen regularly. If you are allergic to descenlafaxine or venladfaxine or if you are using a MAIO (monoamine oxidase inhibitor) you should not be using Pristiq. Monitoring by your physician should include dosage levels if you suffer from any of these conditions: bipolar disorder, liver disease, kidney disease, heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol. If you have had a stroke or seizures due to epilepsy you also should seek constant care of your physician while using Pristiq. It should be noted that taking Pristiq while you are pregnant or nursing can harm your infant so you should alert your physician if you plan to become pregnant while taking Pristiq. If you are younger than 24 years of age and have thoughts of suicide while taking Pristiq you should be carefully monitored by your psychiatrist. Your drug levels are very important to their effectiveness and the success they have at relieving depression. Pristiq does not interact with venlafaxine (Effexor) and you should stop taking that drug immediately when you begin Pristiq.your physician while using Pristiq. It should be noted that taking Pristiq while you are pregnant or nursing can harm your infant so you should alert your physician if you plan to become pregnant while taking Pristiq. If you are younger than 24 years of age and have thoughts of suicide while taking Pristiq you should be carefully monitored by your psychiatrist. Your drug levels are very important to their effectiveness and the success they have at relieving depression. Pristiq does not interact with venlafaxine (Effexor) and you should stop taking that drug immediately when you begin Pristiq.

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Drug Interaction

An undesirable outcome of drug interaction is known to occur when the affects of the property of one drug is either increased or decreased by the introduction of properties of an additional drug. What is not widely known is that food and herbs can also interfere with the affects of a drugs intended response. Whether intended or not, misuse of a drug can occur when the active ingredients are interfered with by the introduction of another substance.
Today there are countless resources that will assist you in monitoring your health and the drugs that you take. If you are under the care of more the one physician it is extremely important to inform each doctor of your drug intake to be certain that you are receiving the desired benefit of each prescription medication.
Taking charge of your own health requires attention to the drugs that are prescribed to you. Read the labels for the side affects. Report all over the counter medications that you are also taking to your doctor as well as educating yourself about how they may interact with your prescription drugs. A little knowledge can go a long way in avoiding health risks. There are several websites that will also give you information about how your drugs interact. Enter the name of your drugs and they will list the side effects and possible dangers that occur when used in conjunction with each other.
There are three drug interaction categories to consider. Drug to drug interaction occurs when one drug affects the other and the most commonly known concern. There is drug-food/beverage where certain beverages and foods will increase or decrease the effects of your drugs. Drug-conditions are certain health conditions that need to be monitored because a new drug may aggravate the condition.
When your doctor prescribes a new drug make sure to also discuss vitamin and herbal supplements as they too can interfere with a drugs performance.

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A Prescription for Responsibility

While it is your doctor’s responsibility to ask you important questions regarding your health and daily-life before writing your prescription, you are also responsible for knowing that what you are taking is safe. Despite the doctor’s best intentions, errors do happen and they happen often. You don’t want to discover that mistake by suffering the effects of bad medicine. So here are some tips for you to help keep yourself safe when being prescribed something new.

You should try to stay informed as to what you are already taking. Tell your doctor about medications you are on currently and be thorough. Whenever you are prescribed a new medicine, write down the name, dosage, and why you were prescribed the medicine as this will help you remember for later. Write down the ‘over-the-counter’ medicines you’d typically take as well, like Advil or Nyquil, and ask if it’s ok to still take them while on your new medication. Telling your doctor these things can save you the misery of a potentially painful conflict and it will help you inform any new doctors or nurses before they make any decisions about you. Make sure to write down your allergies as well, both food and medication. This information is extremely important as an allergic reaction to a prescription drugs can be fatal.

There is also the potential mix-up of taking the wrong medication at the wrong time. If you are being given your medication by a nurse or someone helping you at home, make sure you are receiving what you should be taking. Either have the nurse check your identity or read the bottle’s label every time. It may seem rude to constantly check, but it’s your health and the consequences of taking something that isn’t yours can be severe.

In summary, you should do your best to stay informed. Your doctor has many patients and a lot on his mind. So in order to minimize mistakes and keep yourself healthy, keep a good eye on your medicines because you always know yourself best.

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