The Benefits of Invisalign Over Metal Braces

Teeth play a major role in your looks as everyone wants to wear and see a beautiful smile. Overlapped teeth or gaps in teeth can look unattractive and also blemish your overall appearance. To correct these problems, earlier there was only one solution - Braces. Braces work by putting force against the teeth, moving them slowly over time. The braces are made of metal, plastic or ceramic.

Although braces give a remarkable result in straightening teeth, they carry with them a stigma of looking ugly while treatment is undertaken, due to their visibility. A permanent mouth irritation is also a factor. There is another orthodontist course of treatment for straitening teeth without metal braces called Invisalign.

In 1997 Align Technology Company receive FDA clearance to market Invisalign as an orthodontist device. Invisalign is proposed to do the same job as braces in terms of regular tooth movement.

Invisalign braces move teeth through the proper placement of controlled force on the teeth. It not only controls the force that is applied on teeth but also controls timing of the force. At each step only specific teeth are allowed to move.

Invisalign is an invisible method of straightening teeth. Instead of wires and brackets, Invisalign uses a series of clear removable aligners. These aligners apply controlled pressure on your teeth. To design these aligners, the latest 3D technology is used which simulates the stages the teeth will go through. And this technology also allows you to view your own virtual treatment model when you start, so that you can see how your straight teeth will appear when your treatment is complete. Your orthodontist will review these 3D models and will approve the treatment plan.

A strong medical graded plastic is used to manufacture Invisalign aligners. Most of the time, these aligners are worn for about 2 weeks and after 2 weeks the old set of aligners are changed changed out for new ones. But there is no tightening or adjustment. Your teeth move through a step-by-step incremental procedure until they attain a desired or specific position.

Invisalign gives you maximum comfort and ease. And eating, brushing and flossing are no more a problem as aligners are removable. Therefore, you can relish your favorite food during the invisalign process.

Time taken for Invisalign treatment is just half that of traditional braces. Total treatment time is between 9-15 months and the approximate number of aligners worn during treatment is between 18 and 30, but from case to case the time and aligners may vary.

Invisalign also has some limitations. Firstly it is a cost effective treatment, yet is more than traditional braces. Treatment cost may vary according to the complexity of the case. Also, there are some cases such as overcrowding, over bites and under bites that Invisalign does not treat. Patients may feel discomfort for a few days with each new aligner. Also, Invisalign may temporarily affect the speech of some people.

Invisalign may have some limitations but it not only provides you with a beautiful smile but also gives comfort during the entire process.

Brought to you by Laser Dental Center in Orange County.

Visit Laser Dental Center for invisalign braces, teeth whitening, skin care enhancements, and other laser dental services. We also host a health directory for other health and medical resources.

Adverse Effects of Dental Implants

Dental implants are a remarkable advancement in dental research. They resemble natural teeth, are extremely sturdy, require the same maintenance as natural teeth and often can last a person?s lifetime. Dental implants are defined as ?permanent fixtures of titanium posts anchored to the jawbone and topped with individual replacement teeth or a bridge that screws or cements into the post.? Dental implants got their start in Sweden but the technology and materials that are being used in North America today have been successfully used in European countries for the past thirty years.

The success rate for both upper and lower implants is extremely high. For instance, lower implants have the highest success rate at 98 percent while for upper implants it is 91 percent. However there are some adverse effects that are associated with dental implants although the good news is that there is not that many. Let?s take a look at some of them.

Sometimes dental implant surgery fails because of bacterial contamination that is to be found at the site of the implants. If the area is not adequately cleaned beforehand then this is likely to occur. In order to decrease the chance of infection occurring following the surgery, patients are often prescribed one or a variety of prophylactic systemic antibiotics. The use of antibiotics in some individuals can cause its share of adverse effects ranging from diarrhea and vomiting to more serious allergic reactions that require immediate medical attention. With the use of antibiotics comes a concern about bacteria that is antibiotic-resistant. Tests are ongoing to determine to what extent antibiotics are necessary where dental implant surgery is concerned. This issue is somewhat of a controversial one as some patients seem to benefit from the use of antibiotics after surgery while others find it a hindrance to healing and ushers in a host of other adverse side effects. Some researchers believe that prophylactic antibiotics are very effective in reducing the incidence of dental implant failures while others are still not sure. New research into these health issues is being undertaken all of the time.

Some individuals are more likely to develop infections after surgery than are others because of a comprised immune system or a metabolic disease, such as those with diabetes. Other people prone to infection following surgery include people who are at risk of, or who have a past history of, heart related infections (or endocarditis) and those who have had radiotherapy either in the area of their head or neck. Patients with any of the above conditions are often administered preoperative antibiotics before the dental implant surgery is undertaken.

Other adverse effects of having dental implants placed in one?s mouth include the discomfort, bruising and swelling that often occurs afterwards. No two people have all of the same adverse effect postoperative but most people will experience a small extent of at least one of them. Sometimes the dental implants do not integrate to a patient?s mouth. This is another way of saying that the surgery can be a total flop. The failure of surgery can depend on a number of factors but the most common ones have to do with the type of implants that are used as well as the general health of the patient getting the surgery. As a general rule, the better health a person is in, the more likely that the surgery will be a success.

Stephanie Dilson is a Dental Surgeon and in her spare time runs an informational site on Dental Implants for all those interested in the process to find out valuable information on the cost, benefits, risks and features of this increasingly popular procedure. For more information see http://www.dentalimplantsguide.com

Xylitol and Dental Health

Xylitol is a natural, low-calorie sugar substitute that has been approved and used during the last few decades. Chemically, xylitol, is a pentitol (five carbon polyol) or as they are alternatively called a sugar alcohol. It is produced mainly from birch and beech wood and this is the reason that xylitol is alternatively called birch or wood sugar. Xylitol has the same organoleptic properties as sugar, meaning that it looks and tastes like sugar, however it has a number of advantages over sugar. One of the main advantages is that it inhibits the creation of dental caries.

The first evidence of xylitol's beneficial effects in preventing dental caries came from a study conducted in Finland that was published during the seventies. After the publication of that study, several clinical trials have been performed to evaluate the potential beneficial effects of xylitol in dental care. Today, we have enough evidence to say with confidence that the use of xylitol, and especially the substitution of sugar with xylitol has beneficial effects for dental health.

The mechanisms through which, xylitol exerts these beneficial effects are both direct and indirect. First of all xylitol is not fermentable by the bacteria that inhabit the oral cavity, in contrast with sugar. That means that by substituting sugar with xylitol the bacteria that are responsible for the creation of dental caries are deprived from one of their main sources of energy.

In addition to that, one of the main reasons that the consumption of sugars and carbohydrates cause dental problems is that they reduce the pH of the mouth causing enamel demineralization. The consumption of xylitol on the other hand has the exact opposite effect, it raises the pH of the mouth, protecting tooth enamel from demineralization. It should also be noted, that since the pH of the plaque is not reduced by the consumption of products sweetened with xylitol, remineralization is promoted.

Another important attribute of xylitol is that it has bacteriostatic effects. That means that xylitol inhibits the growth of bacteria like mutans streptococci, that are the main culprits for the creation of plaque and dental caries. This effect of xylitol is attributed to the fact that when these bacteria take up xylitol it is converted to xylitol-5-phosphate which results in the formation of intracellular vacuoles and the degradation of their cell membranes.

Finally, a few recent studies have demonstrated that the habitual consumption of xylitol products and to be more precise habitual chewing of xylitol gum by the mother can have a preventive effect for their children dental health. This is attributed to the fact that xylitol consumption by the mother can reduce the mother to child transmission of bacteria that are responsible for dental problems.

All the above make xylitol a very attractive sugar substitute. Especially since it's natural and it doesn't have any known side effects. The most common way of consuming xylitol is by chewing xylitol sweetened gum. However, any xylitol sweetened product will have almost the same beneficial effects.

Dimitris K. is a nutritionist with an interest in natural sweeteners and especially xylitol.

Had it with Snoring Ask the Dental Doc

Dear Dr. John,

My wife and even my dog have had it with my snoring, I even wake myself up, what can I do. Do those dental mouthpieces work?

James it sounds like you are a candidate for an evaluation by an ear, nose and throat doctor [ENT or sleep disorder clinic. They can evaluate the type of snoring you have. Let me first explain what causes snoring. When you breathe, air causes the tissues of the soft palate, throat, uvula, tonsils or adenoids to vibrate creating the fluttering noises of snoring. The vibrations occur because excessive fatty tissues and overly relaxed muscles obstruct the airway. The most common tissues involved are the soft palate and the uvula. When the muscles in the soft palate relax, an upward fold occurs causing the uvula to vibrate with each breath of air. Sometimes the fold is so severe that it seals the back of the throat preventing the passage of any air to the lungs. This is called, obstructed sleep apnea [OSA. Sleep apnea can be a terribly disabling condition. Sleep apnea can be responsible for myriad of health problem. Sleep apnea is a common disorder in which breathing stops during sleep for 10 seconds or more, sometimes more than 300 times a night. Sleep apnea is common, and affects more than twelve million Americans, according to the National Institutes of Health. Risk factors may include but not be limited to being male, overweight, and over the age of forty, but sleep apnea can strike anyone at any age. It has been documented that this condition is causative agent responsible for, headaches, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, weight gain, poor job performance, chronic fatigue, memory problems, mood swings and a substantial increase in the risk of being involved in a motor vehicle accident

Mouthpiece devices have been somewhat effective for many snorers, including those suffering from mild or moderate obstructive sleep apnea. Generally they are plastic devices worn in the mouth during sleep to prevent the soft throat tissues from collapsing and obstructing the airway. Their aim is accomplish this by bringing your lower jaw forward and/or by lifting your soft palate. Some devices also stop the tongue from falling back over your windpipe. Most dentists should be able to fit you with such an appliance. I would suggest you try this less costly and invasive appliance before more invasive procedures.

There are surgical procedures available to remove the uvula and stiffen the soft palate. The purpose of these surgeries is to remove the excess tissues that vibrate when you inhale. The success rates of these surgical procedures seem to fall in the forty to fifty percent range and are reported to be very painful. There is a new procedure that looks very promising. It is called the Pillar Procedure. It?s relatively simple to perform, can be done with local anesthesia and in one short office visit. The doctor carefully inserts three plastic implants into your soft plate. These implants are 18mm long by 2mm in diameter and are made of medical grade polyethylene plastic. After the implants are placed, fibrous tissue grows between the implants stiffening the tissue of the soft palate. The actual procedure only takes about fifteen minutes and costs in the range of $1200-$1600. Although the clinical trials look promising with a seventy-five percent success rate, it is a relatively new procedure.

Better smiles for all
Dr. John Russo

Dr. John J. Russo is a graduate of the University of The Pacific School Of Dentistry. A graduate of the Pacific Aesthetic Continuum. He is the director of The Cosmetic dental Center and Russo Dental Care, and author of the weekly column As the dental doc.

Root Canal Disinfectants Antibiotics Prove Inadequate to Eradicate Bacteria

The bacteria dentists use to determine Whether treatment of a root canal infection has been successful, namely the absence of discomfort and pain; x-ray evidence that abscessed areas, granulomas and cysts have completely filled in with new bone; and trust that the medicaments used in producing these results completely eradicated bacteria, all proved inadequate when such teeth were subjected to further testing by Dr. Price and his group.

Testing for the presence of bacteria in root canal, after the use of disinfectants which appeared to have controlled the infections, proved that the organisms had not been eradicated.

Dr. Price, in making cultures after the use of over 100 different medicaments, including different strengths of each, found only eight which had negative responses after 24 hours, and only two after 48 hours of incubation; longer periods were found to be ineffective as medicaments lost their disinfecting power.

The two most efficient medicaments proved to be objectionable - silver nitrate because it turned teeth black and formalin because it was very irritating and painful to patients and destructive to surrounding tissues.

Though culturing to determine whether bacteria had been killed was formerly taught and practiced, I know of no dentists using such a testing procedure today.

Dr. Price in another series of tests took extracted infected teeth and treated them (much easier to do aseptically outside of the mouth) and found when these teeth were sectioned their dentin and cementum were still infected.

In still another investigation, Dr. Price made biopsy sections at and below the gum line and found bacteria present not only in the root of the teeth and their protective cementum but also in the first millimeter or two of adjacent bone. The importance of this factor in causing cavitations in bone after extractions will be discussed in a later chapter.

Dr. Price noted future developments might bring forth medicaments which are more successful. You will all be thinking that antibiotics are certainly the answer. However, antibiotics have not proven able to effectively penetrate the dentin tubules, cementum and adjacent bone sufficiently to eradicate these bacteria.

Testing of new medicaments, and current efforts such as new laser treatment methods, are of course necessary and were anticipated by Dr. Price.

All of these root canal side-effect problems should not deter the profession from continuing to explore new methods of how to save teeth. While we cannot learn how to save teeth by extracting them, Dr. Price fortunately has shown us ways to test procedures to prove whether infection has been eradicated in teeth we think we have saved.

About author: Dr. George Meinig,D.D.S.,F.A.C.D. is a Founder of the Association of Root Canal Specialists Discovers Evidence That Root Canals Damage Your Health Learn What to Do. Learn how Dr. George Meinig discovered that a meticulous 25 year research program, conducted by Weston A. Price, DDS, under the auspices of the American Dental Association's Research Institute, was buried by disbelievers of the focal infection theory. Along the way, Dr. Meinig has received many recognition citatons and awards, both Nationally and internationally. For further information: Visit:http://www.1stultimategumsolution.com

Edited and prepared by Sung Lee, alternate author. This article can be reprinted freely online as long as the entire article with resource box are included.

Constipation Bad Breath

Bad breath is caused by anaerobic bacteria that live in the back of the tongue and other areas of the mouth not exposed to oxygen. Every person has over 170 different types of these anaerobic bacteria living in their mouths. Yet even so there are many people who go through life without bad breath even when they do little more than ordinary mouth care.

Therefore, bad breath must be caused by something more than just the presence of bacteria in the mouth.

Normally, the bacteria present in our mouth are responsible for the break down of proteins found in our diet, saliva, mucous and phlegm. During the process, they release volatile sulfur compounds as waste products. These volatile sulfur compounds are highly odorous but the smell is not noticeable in individuals without bad breath. It is only when under certain conditions that the bacteria break down proteins at a much higher rate and excrete volatile sulfur compounds that the odor becomes highly noticeable and offensive.

But in addition to bacteria in the mouth, bad breath may also be a symptom of a problem in the person?s bowels. Constipation bad breath, for instance, occurs when there is irregularity in the person?s digestive system, causing the stool to become hard and extremely difficult to eliminate. While the condition itself ? constipation ? is not considered a cause of bad breath, constipation bad breath can be an indirect signal that there is an imbalance in the body processes which must be corrected.

Constipation bad breath could be due to several causes from dietary to hormonal or be even a side effect of medications and anatomical. Incidentally, normal bad breath (that is, bad breath not caused by digestive problems) may also be due to a side effect of drugs you are taking, which could dry up the mouth, causing bad breath.

Treating constipation bad breath consists in treating the constipation itself. If the problem is dietary in nature, then changing your dietary habits, laxatives, and fiber therapy could help treat the constipation and in the process the symptom of constipation bad breath. Enemas and surgery though rare may also be used to treat acute cases of constipation.

In addition, nearly any form of bad breath is treatable just by improving oral hygiene. In fact, it is safe to say that almost all cases of bad breath have something to do with a lack of proper oral hygiene on the part of the person. You may brush your teeth every after meal but if you are not doing it properly, then dental tartar and food debris could still collect in your mouth, proving as breeding ground for bacteria to proliferate. Therefore, it is important that you also make some changes in your oral hygiene practices if you want to get rid of constipation bad breath.

Milos Pesic is a successful webmaster and owner of Bad Breath Blog. Visit now to find out all you wanted to know about Bad Breath - and much more.

Acne 101

One of the most trying periods in a teener?s life is the stage when raging hormones give rise to ?mountainous ranges? on the face. ? These mounds are what dermatologists call acne. But although, acne problems often begin in the adolescence stage, the condition can persist until adulthood. Acne is characterized by the inflammation in the sebaceous glands of the skin. The condition can be caused by a whole lot of things, from heredity to hygiene issues.

Causes of Acne problems

Heredity
While it is still not clear what gene plays a role in causing acne, studies have shown family history of acne problems. If, for instance, your parents suffer from acne problems whether during adolescent stages or adulthood, then you will most likely suffer from the same fate.

Hormones
The body?s natural hormones often go on the overdrive during adolescence and other stages where the body is changing its physiological make-up such as during pregnancy. This causes the oil glands to over-function, producing too much oil on the skin.

Hygiene
Bacteria on the skin can also cause infections that may eventually lead to skin swellings. Acne can also occur when oil, dirt and dead skin cells clog the pores. While it is a good idea to wash your face everyday with a mild anti-bacterial soap, too much washing can also cause acne. When people over-wash, their skins may dry up and get irritated. Dryness, in turn, will cause the oil glands to produce more oil than what is usually released, thus, setting the stage for acne problem.

Make-up
Make-up can clog the pores especially when left unwashed after a day?s work. Coupled with oil and dirt, make-up can eventually lead to acne problems.

Diet
Although there are really no specific foods that cause acne per se, the effects that some foods have on the body can eventually lead to acne. Chocolates and nuts, for example, do not directly cause acne but these food items can increase the production of oil by the oil glands, thus aiding in the beginnings of acne. The same is true with greasy foods such as pizza, potato chips, French frieds and other food items that are deep fried. For people who already have oily skin, it is best to avoid oily and greasy foods so as not to exacerbate their predisposition to acne.

Treating acne
For some, acne will eventually disappear when the body regains its former balance during adulthood but for others, who have family histories of acne, the battle can still ensue even after the adolescence period, even well into adulthood.

Treatment of acne takes many forms. Mild acne, for instance, can be simply treated with the use of lotions and topical medicines, which are applied on affected areas. Moderate to severe acne, on the other hand, are often treated not only with topical medicines but also surgical procedures.

Sometimes, it is not even acne that most concerns dermatologists but the scars that the acne will leave behind after the treatment. This is why, may dermatologists advice that people have their acne treated when it is still starting. Treating acne that is already on its terminal stage can be very difficult and traumatic for the skin. Acne that are left untreated for so long can leave scars that cannot be easily removed.

Robert Thatcher is a freelance publisher based in Cupertino, California. He publishes articles and reports in various ezines and provides acne resources on http://www.your-acne-resources.info.

Mesotherapy Before And After

Most Mesotherapy practitioners claim remarkable results in treating cellulite, localized fat deposits, and wrinkles. There are numerous patient testimonials of successful treatment, and ?Before and After? photographs on Mesotherapy clinic websites. For cellulite, results may be seen in as little as four weeks, and by the time treatment is completed, patients may have lost between two to four inches from the body area being treated. Similarly, for localized fat loss such as in love handles and other problem areas, approximately ten treatments can result in the loss of two to six inches. However, there is wide variation in how soon results may be seen, depending on which body area is being treated. There may also be considerable variation between people who are having the same body area treated. For cellulite and mesolifts, or facelifts with mesotherapy, patients are typically advised to return for maintenance treatment every six months to a year after the initial treatment is completed.

The majority of mesotherapists point out that fat reduction results can only be maintained through exercise and a healthy diet. This is one reason Mesotherapy is considered controversial. Mesotherapy treatments typically extend over two to six months, a length of time that is adequate for results from healthy lifestyle changes to become visible. It has not been scientifically proven whether weight loss is attributable to these healthy lifestyle changes, such as increased exercise and a balanced diet, or to Mesotherapy itself.

Results with Mesotherapy are gradual, as small areas are targeted over a period of time to eventually have a cumulative effect. On the other hand, results with plastic surgery such as liposuction are immediately visible, and may be quite dramatic. For this reason, ?Before and After? photos of people who have undergone Mesotherapy may have more subtle differences between them than one would expect to see with plastic surgery.

Mesotherapy provides detailed information about mesotherapy, cost of mesotherapy, mesotherapy before and after, mesotherapy injections and more. Mesotherapy is the sister site of Mesothelioma Doctors Info.

Acupressure Fast Facts Get Pain Relief at Home

• Acupressure was originated in China thousands of years ago, and evidence has been found that acupressure was practiced in the stone age!
• Acupressure has been used to reduce post-operative nausea and vomiting in children.
• Acupressure also reduces nausea in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.
• Acupressure can be done anywhere without special equipment.
• You can treat yourself safely with acupressure, as long as you follow the guidelines of a professional acupressure practitioner.
• Correctly performed, acupressure increases circulation, reduces tension and pain and enables the body to relax.
• Acupressure strengthens the immune system and promotes wellness.
• Acupressure should be applied slowly and gently. Applying it too quickly or vigorously can do some damage, especially in the abdominal area.
• Special care and caution is needed in the case of a pregnant woman or in treating a person with burns, infections and recent injuries.
• Acupressure is more effective than physical therapy for the majority of patients with low back pain.
• Ear acupressure can be used to reduce stress and anxiety.
• Acupressure is used to reduce fear and anxiety in trauma victims and in pre-operative care.

Acupressure can be used to treat all these conditions:

• Tension Headaches
• Migraine Headaches
• Jaw Pain, Toothache, Earache
• Neck and Shoulder Pain
• Wrist, Hand, Arm pain
• Backache, Hip, Knee, Ankle and Foot pain
• Colds, Flu, Sore throat, Sinus Infection, Loss of Voice
• Allergies
• Anxiety Attacks and Nervousness
• Depression
• Insomnia
• Fainting
• Hiccoughs
• Improve Memory and Concentration
• Angina, Heart Palpitations and High Blood Pressure
• Constipation, Diarrhea, Heartburn and Stomachache
• PMS and Painful Periods
• Hot Flashes, Pregnancy Discomfort, Morning Sickness
• Bed-wetting, Incontinence, Urinary retention
• Nose bleeding, Itching, Asthma, Decreased Libido, Hangover

You can learn to do acupressure at home to supplement professional treatment. This is especially useful when you are stricken with illness or pain and you can't get to the doctor soon. For more information see my website listed below.

Nancy Barney is a free-lance writer and editor of http://www.natural-pain-relief-solutions.com where you will find more in depth articles on pain relief using alternative treatments.

You are free to reprint or republish this article as long as this resource box is included.

Malignant Mesothelioma

Malignant mesothelioma is a rare cancer in which malignant or cancerous cells form in the thin layers of tissue lining the human chest, heart or abdomen. When the cancer is in the chest, it affects the pleura or tissue lining the lungs and is called malignant pleural mesothelioma. This is the most common type of mesothelioma. In the abdomen, a cancer of the peritoneum or tissue lining the abdominal cavity and covering various organs is called malignant peritoneal mesothelioma. The least common form of mesothelioma affects the pericardium, or outer lining of the heart. The term mesothelioma literally means a growth of the mesothelium, a layer of tissue from which the pleura, peritoneum and pericardium all develop.

The majority of malignant mesotheliomas occur in people who have been exposed to asbestos, either directly or via people they live with. Avoiding exposure to asbestos can largely prevent malignant mesotheliomas. Depending on the location of the cancer, someone with malignant mesothelioma may have one or more of the following symptoms: breathlessness, pain under the rib cage or in the abdomen, an abdominal lump or swelling, and unexplained weight loss.

If a detailed medical history and physical exam suggests malignant mesothelioma as a possible diagnosis, a variety of diagnostic tests may be performed, including blood tests, x-rays, MRIs, CT scans and biopsies. Malignant mesotheliomas are graded upon the extent they have spread. A stage I, or localized, malignant mesothelioma is one that has not spread beyond the area it originated in. Stage II, III and IV malignant mesotheliomas are advanced, and may have spread to lymph nodes or to surrounding or distant organs and tissues. Depending on the stage, a treatment plan may include surgery, radiation therapy or chemotherapy. Some cancer treatment centers are involved in clinical trials using biotherapy and immunotherapy.

Malignant Mesothelioma provides detailed information about malignant mesothelioma, diffuse malignant pleural mesothelioma, malignant mesothelioma diagnosis, malignant mesothelioma lawyer and more. Malignant Mesothelioma is the sister site of Peritoneal Mesothelioma Lawyers.

The Healing Arts: A Firetender's Lesson Part Three Holding A Sacred Trust

Nobody knows how far back the Chips' lineage goes. It's fair to surmise that it went way back, perhaps thousands of unbroken years along with the Sioux. The records start in the early 1800s with two boys from different families who were orphaned at an early age. They were adopted by a Grandmother, who raised them as brothers. One's name was Woptura (Wo-p-tuch-ha). The other one's name was Curly, who, as he got older became known as Crazy Horse.

Woptura was recognized early on as carrying the Medicine. Some say he is one of the Immortals. It was he who made the medicine bundle that Crazy Horse wore in his hair that kept him impervious to bullets in war. (Crazy Horse did have his jaw shot through by the jealous husband of a lover, but that was the only such wound he suffered in his time, and never in war.)

The day that Crazy Horse was lured into a nearby fort and held captive, family legend has it that Woptura rode behind him, furiously trying to catch him to give him back the bundle upon which he had been making repairs. He was too late. Crazy Horse, unprotected for perhaps the first time in many years, had been killed.

Woptura lived in very turbulent times. Around the turn of the century, all the Sioux children were taken from their families and put into Missionary Schools. Speaking the Native languages was forbidden, and all practicing of the medicine ways, songs, ceremonies, and rituals was banned at the risk of heavy punishment by the government.

An old man by now, Woptura went underground and kept the medicine ways alive. John Fire Lame Deer states that all Lakota Medicine people today trace their lineage back to Woptura. It was Woptura, most believe, who originated the Yuwipi ceremony.

Woptura had a son who inherited his Medicine. He was named Charles Horn Chips. Chips was the best the government agents could do when the family tried to explain that woptura was the thin, fine particulate film that lies on the very top of pond water. Others described it as the very fine powder from ground buffalo horn. Even today, some members of the family spell their name Chipps to distinguish themselves from the government designation.

Charles Horn Chips had a son named Ellis. Ellis did not inherit the powers yet he was a tremendously accomplished Singer who went on to create the Sioux National Anthem. Ellis, living on the Pine Ridge Reservation, married a woman named Victoria from the Rosebud Reservation, about 75 miles East, and they had three sons.

When it was found that the youngest, Godfrey, would talk to the Spirits during Yuwipi Ceremonies (as offered by Horn Chips), Ellis obtained government permission to remove him from Grammar School and take on the full-time duty of training him in the Medicine ways. To the best of my knowledge, Godfrey was the last Medicine Man to have been granted that privilege. The edict, which I saw, stated that if father and son, or Godfrey alone were found in town on a school day, they would both be jailed. Ellis brought his son from Medicine Man to Medicine Man for his trainings, while also teaching him all that he himself had learned while assisting his Father.

It was quite a while before I became familiar with this history. For the longest time, all I knew was that this family, whom I was quickly learning to love, carried something very powerful and special when their intent was focused on the good of others, and it was in their blood.

I had been brought to some people to be shown an example of Spirit in action. They allowed me to learn and participate with them in the sacred ceremony and ritual of their people. They were extremely controversial amongst their people. Ellis had been told by Spirit in the 1980's that the Cannunpa was for everyone. They were the only Traditionals at the time who welcomed seekers of all colors and orientations into what had once been almost exclusive territory to people with Native American blood. By way of explanation, Charles offered, There's a lot of Indian spirits around, and not enough indian bodies to come back to.

Not once was I told what or how to believe. I was always directed to continue to cultivate my own relationship with Spirit, to build my own medicine, to find how Spirit spoke to me so that I could then help others. If I ran into their Lakota spirits in the process, well then, it wasn't for me to swallow what I was told about them, it was my challenge to build a relationship with what was really there.

And this was why, when I was asked about Sundance, even at that early juncture in my relationship with the Chips, I knew it wasn't Godfrey's request.

Next: A brutal reality.

Russ Reina shares over 35 years of experience in the healing arts through his web site http://mauihealingartist.com. It is a potent resource for those wishing to deepen their abilities in connection and develop their powers as healers. For a powerful free tool to explore your inner world, please check out his adjunct site http://thestoryofthis.net

(Permission is granted to reprint this article, unedited, provided proper attribution is made and the signature line -- the above resource paragraph -- is kept intact)

Interpreting the Bagua A Beginner's Guide to Feng Shui

People new to Feng Shui, especially those interested in becoming a practitioner, are sometimes surprised and confused by the bagua concept. They expect something a little more complex and involved. But, as it turns out, the magic is in the simplicity. You can understand the bagua better if you look at it through the eyes of a child rather than a learned scholar. A child has an attitude of hope and enthusiasm, uncluttered with the confusion or the irrelevance we acquire as adults. Choose to accept the Bagua as simplistic universal truth and its secrets will be revealed to you.

I have found it helpful sometimes to think of the bagua as a well thought out and ordered filing cabinet. The nine folders in this file contain all the possible life events you may experience. What could we find simpler on the surface and yet potentially so complex underneath. If we try to unravel its mysteries intellectually we will fail. The universe is far too miraculous for the human mind to comprehend. On the surface these nine squares appear pretty straightforward, but look at the bagua closely, study it, try to dispute it, try to add or subtract from it, try to think of a life experience that does not fit into one of the squares, or try to take away one of the squares as unessential. It can?t be done.

But as simple as it looks, who can juggle nine balls without help? Feng Shui through the bagua provides that help. But it won?t make sense to your intellect; it must simply be accepted on faith for it to begin to work. Feng Shui works on your behalf and translates your intentions into the thinking stuff that the universe can work with. But how in the heck can the color of a chair be responsible for me getting that new job or not? The chair and the color are only symbols of the underlying forces at work. Feng Shui and the symbols you use are the guardians of your intentions and have been put in place to remind the universe where you want to go and request it to help find the best way to arrive. The underlying power is unfathomable and must simply be accepted. There in lies the wonder of Feng Shui and of the bagua. It takes the complexities of life and simplifies them into a nine square picture, and thereby gives you a tool to connect to universal truths that will bring order and harmony to your life.

So, what about the bagua, how can something so simple be so powerful. The bagua concept is used to connect us to power we cannot understand as human beings. It connects us to a higher power that knows our best interests and how to achieve them. Our existence is far too complex for us to manage by our own resources. The harder we try to control our lives the more frustrated and folded up we get. We need help. We need to be in harmony with our environment to gain control. The Universe, in its broadest definition, is extremely dynamic and changing, yet balanced and controlled, it is deliberate and patient. We on the other hand tend to be indulgent and impatient. We want to live our lives in a day and we want everything immediately. The universe does not work that way. It does not run on our human timetable. The bagua reminds us of our environment and the balance it requires. Balance and patient is what Feng Shui teaches us, and the bagua is the tool or road map to find the happiness that we seek.

So lets look at this wonderment of wisdom and simplicity. As I mentioned above try to think of a life experience that does not fit in one of the nine squares. You can not. It?s all there. Nine areas of human existence in a certain order related one to the other and each one balanced. Look at the bagua and see the relationships that exist. See how each area is dependent on the others and none is more important than the next.

How many examples of unhappy people can you think of and now realize its due to imbalance. See the people with lots of money who are so unbalanced in relationships and love. Did I say Hollywood? See how many people are imbalanced with their career and their family life is in shambles. How many people have you seen that have all the Fame and Reputation that the world has to offer only to abuse their health to a point of dying years ahead of their time.

Are you getting the message? Balance and moderation will bring you in harmony and allow you to achieve the happiness you desire. Balance and moderation is what optimizes your life and brings you all the abundance that is really available and waiting for you to claim. Once your grasp this basic concept of Feng Shui you are ready to move on and see all the power packed wisdom this little nine square bagua map really contains.

Marie Schoonover

Marie's Bio,

I am a 4th generation healer and intuitive, who has earned Practitioner Level Certification in Yeun?s Energetics Academy as well as gaining the level of Feng Shui Master. I am a level 3 Reiki practitioner, an animal communicator, and intuitive reader. I have also spent over 20 years in corporate America as a Chassis, Occupant & Mechanical Packaging Designer and Supplier Support Specialist for the Big 3 domestic auto makers. All these gifts combined, allow me to offer many services utilizing my intuitive and healing gifts, as well as my design and organizational skills.

Is Feng Shui in your future? http://www.hypertracker.com/go/mariesfengshui/ezart//

Misdiagnosed Pleural Mesothelioma

Let us take the scenario of a seventy-year-old man, who is a nonsmoker and otherwise fairly healthy, approaching the local doctor with complaints of persistent cough, chest congestion and weight loss. Other symptoms may include difficulty in swallowing and loss of appetite. The physician has several options of diagnosis, but pleural mesothelioma, a lethal cancer that originates in the lining enveloping the lungs, may not be considered.

There are several reasons for this. Recognition of pleural mesothelioma as a separate disease entity started as recently as the 1960s. Currently only about 3000 cases are reported annually in the United States. Many doctors may not have seen a single such case during their career. The symptoms are similar to many lesser afflictions. The only general lead is that the disease seems to be more prevalent in the Pacific and Mid-Atlantic States. It is also known that the major cause for pleural mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. But how much contact with the material leads to this disease is unclear. Even the family members of an asbestos worker are at risk from the dust he carries home on his body and clothing.

This form of cancer has a long latent period and the symptoms manifest only twenty to forty or more years after exposure to asbestos. This also vitiates the possibility of correct diagnosis.

Once the doctor eliminates the chances of other diseases and pursues the pleural mesothelioma line, the patient is subjected to a battery of tests and imaging procedures like x-ray and CT scan. Fluid collection in the thoracic cavity is an indicator, but not conclusive. Confirmation can be obtained with a pleural (pleura is the membrane covering the lungs) biopsy using an electron microscope.

Since pleural mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer, early detection and immediate introduction of appropriate management are of critical importance. The possibility of a doctor who fails to diagnose pleural mesothelioma or misdiagnoses it, being sued for medical malpractice cannot be totally ruled out. But usually the law applicable is asbestos product liability.

It is generally accepted that pleural mesothelioma is a disease that is difficult to diagnose. To help the doctor, the patient should inform him at the very outset about exposure to asbestos, if any.

Pleural Mesothelioma provides detailed information on Malignant Diffuse Pleural Mesothelioma, Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma, Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma Survival Rate, Mesothelioma Pleural Brachytherapy and more. Pleural Mesothelioma is affiliated with Peritoneal Mesothelioma Lawyers.

Antioxidant Therapy and Disease

The process of oxidation takes place in the body as part of the body?s energy-producing metabolism. It provides the vast amounts of energy required to keep us alive, and it continues as long as we live. It is a very precise, ordered process, which calls for the presence of catalysts (such as enzymes) at various stages throughout, and it is designed to produce the maximum amount of energy for the cells without disturbing their balance and functions.

Free Radicals and Ageing

This process can generate by-products, in the form of highly reactive and destructive molecules, called free radicals. These molecules are dangerous because they are unstable. They carry a small electrical charge, and have a single unpaired electron, which makes them extremely volatile and liable to react with other atoms and molecules they contact. Even more free radicals are rapidly generated from these chain reactions.

Biological systems are designed in such a way that free radicals are part of their normal functioning. The body copes with oxidative stress by using its own antioxidant mechanisms based on certain enzymes, proteins, vitamins and minerals, described below. But if free radicals get out of hand, they can overtake this natural defence system and bring about the degeneration of body cells, which ultimately leads to ageing and degenerative disease.

Recent developments in the biochemical study of free radical action have provided a more unified understanding of degenerative processes. It is now possible for researchers to make sense of the causation of a variety of pathological conditions, including cancer, heart disease, atherosclerosis, arthritis, Alzheimer's and other diseases of old age, and to work towards counteracting and preventing these conditions.

Free radicals operate by attacking molecules of protein in the body and causing them to become cross-linked. Cross-linkage degrades the molecules of cells and tissues so that they harden and lose their elasticity. This happens both internally, resulting in hardening of the arteries and the degeneration of brain tissue, and also externally, producing wrinkling of the skin. Because proteins are the basic building matter of all the types of cells and tissue, this attack affects all protein functions, including cell building and repair, hormone and enzyme production, muscular and vascular tissue, and the immune system. The nucleic acids DNA and RNA, which carry the genetic messages of the cells, are also affected.

Causes of Increased Free Radical Production

To an extent, free radicals are a natural result of body processes. Especially in today's world, however, the production of free radicals is likely to be accelerated by many outside influences:

Pollution, Pesticides, Radiation, Solvents.
Air conditioners, Aerosol sprays, Drycleaners.
Car exhaust fumes.
Physical or emotional stress or trauma.
Cigarette smoke, Excessive alcohol intake.
Illness, Infection.
Faulty protein digestion.
Spoiled or tainted foods, Rancid, heated and hydrogenated fats.
Chemicals in food.
Ozone, Ultra-violet rays.

Add to this the fact that humans eat fewer natural foods (especially raw foods rich in protective elements), and we can see why our health is becoming compromised.

The Benefits of Antioxidant Elements

Ideally, the body protects itself with the help of naturally occurring elements, which it derives directly from the diet, or produces using dietary sources. The first of these to be discovered are often called the First Generation Antioxidants.

Enzymes: Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Glutathione peroxidase, Catalase.
Vitamins: Vitamins A, C, and E.
Minerals: Zinc, Selenium.
Amino Acids: Arginine, Cysteine, Glutamine, Taurine.

The antioxidant enzymes are the first line of defence. But the body needs adequate supplies of other nutrients before enzymes can be effective. Superoxide dismutase requires zinc, manganese and copper, and glutathione peroxidase requires selenium and vitamin E - which, as we know, operate synergistically. If these nutrients are not available in sufficient quantity, the scavenging activity of the enzymes is reduced.

The Second Generation Antioxidants

As research into antioxidants developed, a ?second generation? of more powerful free radical fighters emerged: the Carotenoids (associated with Vitamin A) and the Bioflavonoids (which enhance the action of Vitamin C). These were far more powerful in their action than Vitamins, and remained longer in the body, increasing their effectiveness even further.

Carotenoids (over 600): Astaxanthin, Lycopene.
Bioflavonoids (over 800): Rutin, Hesperidin, Quercetin, Anthocynosides, Catechins.

If a diet contains enough fruit and vegetables, bioflavonoids should not be lacking, but today's dietary habits and cultivation methods make for deficiency.

Some Notes About Antioxidant Herbs and Health Foods

Herbs: Bilberry, Echinacea, Evening Primrose, Garlic, Ginger, Ginkgo Biloba, Hawthorn Berry, Milk Thistle, Rosemary, Wild Cabbage.
Health foods: Fresh Fruits and Vegetables, Grape Seed Extract, Green Tea, Pollen, Propolis, Pine Bark Extract.

Tomatoes are the best source of the carotenoid Lycopene, the pigment that gives tomatoes and pink fruits their colour. Studies have proved that lycopene is far better absorbed from cooked tomato products than from raw tomatoes. Lycopene has been shown to have beneficial effects on prostate cancer.

Bilberry, in addition to vitamins A and C, has high levels of anthocynosides. These bioflavonoids fortify blood vessel walls, improving blood flow to the vessels that keep eyes healthy, and they help maintain good circulation throughout the body. Bilberry has a reputation for improving night vision and preventing and treating macular degeneration and cataracts.

Green Tea contains bioflavonoids called catechins. These antioxidants may selectively inhibit the growth of cancer. Positive results have been obtained from studies of green tea, although it appears black tea cannot be shown to have the same effects.

Fresh Berry Fruits contain bioflavonoids, especially the dark berries such as noni, goji berries, blueberries, blackberries and pomegranate.

Grape Seed and Pine Bark Extracts both contain proanthocyanidin bioflavonoids. The pycnogenol and catechins present in pine bark extract are said to be extremely effective, exerting a stabilising effect on collagen and cellular membranes of all kinds. Grape seed extract contains a very high level of proanthocyanidins.

Patricia Howitt
Webmistress, Author
Editor: http://www.healthnews-nz.com/
http://marketing.the-junglequeen.com/
http://www.webfeet.biz

Batting 101: Eyelash Extensions

Originating out of Korea approximately 3 years ago, Eyelash Extensions have become an enormous hit with women of all ages across Asia, Europe, and now North America. The reason? The eyes are the first thing people see when looking at you, as well it's what you see first in the mirror. With the extensions, your eyes appear bigger, brighter, more accentuated, and even downright sexy. Fans report looking already made up with just the lashes first thing in the morning, and feel no need for much makeup other than a little lip gloss.

The process involves bonding lashes, synthetic or human hair, to your own with a special adhesive. Depending on the type of application, the lashes stay on for the life of your natural lash. Like the hair on your scalp, eyelashes all grow and shed at different stages. In general, a human lash will shed approximately every two months. Because of this, some lashes will shed sooner than others, which is why refill appointments are necessary to replace the lashes that have fallen out.

There are three different types of lash applications currently available in salons. The price range for the different types range anywhere from $25 to $500, lasting anywhere from 2 weeks to 2 months. Because many places offer one type but not the others, consumers are a bit puzzled by the different claims in longevity and price. Here are the three different types simplified:

1. Flare or Cluster Lash

These are bundles of approximately 6-8 human hair lashes, knotted at one end, fanning out towards the opposite end. These lashes create the most dramatic effect, the fullest, most luscious lashes in the shortest amount of time. However, beware: you may not be taken seriously if you work in a corporate environment with these lashes, they do tend to look a bit fake. Because of their density, ideally they should only stay on for a week or two and be applied with a less potent, vegetable based glue. It is not advisable to keep these lashes on longer than two weeks as there may be some damage to the natural lash because too much glue is trapped between the cluster of lashes. It normally takes about half an hour to apply, the price ranging from $25 to $75 for an application.

2. Single Human Hair Lash

This lash is actually 4-6 lashes all sitting straight in one direction to mimic one single, thick lash. The results are a bit more natural looking than the Flare application, with a look of a thick coat of mascara applied. This type of application is great for weddings and special events as it gives you a fairly dramatic look without going over the top. Human hair tends to frizz after a while, especially with frequent showers and heat. Because of this, these lashes generally last about 3-4 weeks, and up to 6 weeks with a refill. Application usually takes an hour long, price ranges from $75 - $150.

3. Synthetic Single Lash

This type is the gold standard for lash applications. It is also the same type all the Hollywood celebrities are sporting. Looks can vary to fairy-like long & wispy, to full and thick, or it can be so natural looking that one cannot tell from two feet away. These lashes are painstakingly applied one by one. When done properly, there should be no clumping visible; lashes can be combed through with pointed tweezers, and will stay on until your own lash sheds. A quick application consisting of 20 lashes per eye will still take an hour, a normal application two, and three hours for a really full look. In Canada, the price range is between $135 - $350, however, in the U.S., expect to pay anywhere from $250 to $500.

Which type of application is best for you? It would depend on whether you're putting on these fun, flirty additions for an event or to wear long term. It is important that you discuss this with your technician prior to beginning the procedure. A good technician will explain to you the different types and give you a recommendation based on your needs. Beware of those who tell you that the flare applications can last you a month. It certainly can, but your lashes will not be in the same condition as before you had them on. If you are planning on wearing them on an on-going basis, then the synthetic lashes are the only type you should consider.

When choosing a technician for your lashes, ask them how many applications or how long they've been preforming this procedure. Eyelash Extensions is a relatively new service, so expect to hear no more than 2-3 years. Go to a reputable salon, where the environment is clean and sanitary, and beware of any place advertising Synthetics for less than $100 or that it takes less than an hour. In these cases, lashes are just randomly placed on with a large amount of glue. This creates a messy nest that will prevent your lashes from falling off naturally and ultimately ruin your own. Always remember that a single lash application should be just that - one on one, and that you should be able to comb through them with pointed tweezers. Other than the cluster applications, if you see a thick band of glue along the base of your lash line, you should have them professionally removed within two weeks or risk damage to your own lashes.

Veronica Tran is the founder of Pretty Lashes, located in Toronto, Canada. Pretty Lashes is one of the first in Canada to specialize in Eyelash Extensions. For more information on Eyelash Extensions, please visit http://www.prettylashes.ca or send an email to info@prettylashes.ca

A Simple Urine Test Can Early Detect Prostate Cancer

Human cells grow all the time. This is a specific way the body replaces useless cells with new ones. The new cells remain on the same tissue of organ, assuming the same function as the old ones. This is a controlled growing targeting the body development process.

Sometime the cells begin to grow out of control and form a mass called tumor. Tumors are cancerous only if they are malignant. This means due of uncontrolled growth they leave the 'parental' place and invade nearby tissues or spread throughout the body.

Prostate cancer happens when cells in prostate begin to multiply out of control and leave the prostate gland.

Treatment for prostate cancer may vary according to the stage of the cancer. Regular screening for prostate cancer can help in early diagnoses and in treatment effectiveness.

The most usual screening is done by routine yearly digital rectal examinations (DRE) beginning at age 40. The procedure involves a gloved finger in the rectum for a measurement of the size of the gland and feel for possible prostate tumor (nodule) cancer.

In addition, beginning at age 50, an annual PSA test is necessary because it is substantially more sensitive for men health than DRE when it comes to detecting early, tiny, or even microscopic cancers that are confined to the prostate gland.

But in many cases PSA testing is irrelevant as many men with normal test results are prostate cancer sufferers. Recent studies have found that a simple urine test may improve the diagnosis and treatment of this male disease. Urine screening can reveal the presence of thymosin ?15, a protein that sustain malignum tumor development by stimulating cell migration. This protein is produced almost exclusively by cancerous cells and it is detectable in urine.

Valerian D is a freelance writer specialized in health issues affecting men like prostate cancer treatment

Enlarged Prostate ? The Cause Remains A Mystery

Each day a huge number of men (something in the region of 13,000 in the US alone) call to see their doctor with a variety of problems associated with urination and come away having been told that they are suffering from an enlarged prostate.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia, benign prostatic hypertrophy or BPH, to give it its proper medical names, is an extremely common and treatable problem seen in many men over the age of 65 and is suffered by as many as half of all men in their sixties and ninety percent of men in their seventies and eighties.

But what causes this condition which is a simple part of the natural aging process and is as common as your hair turning grey with age?

The simple answer is that, despite all the advances in modern medicine, we don't know. We do, however, have enough evidence to start to unravel the mystery.

Men are more likely to suffer from BPH if their father, or a brother, has suffered from an enlarged prostate. This suggests that there is, at least in part, a genetic component to the problem.

One theory here is that genetic instructions given to the cells of the prostate to control its growth during puberty are again activated in later life and either cause further growth in their own right or make the cells of the prostate more sensitive to hormones which promote growth.

We also know that men who have their testes removed at an early age (before puberty) do not suffer from BHP. There is therefore a link between the aging of the testes and the development of an enlarged prostate.

Although the exact role played by the testes is not clear we know that men produce both the male hormone testosterone and small quantities of the female hormone estrogen throughout life. With increasing age however the quantity of testosterone present in the blood decreases although the level of estrogen does not fall in the same proportion. The theory, supported to some extent by research carried out on animals, is that the higher proportion of estrogen present in the prostate promotes the activity of other hormones which are responsible for cell growth.

Although this theory has been around for some time now researchers have found it somewhat difficult to explain satisfactorily the link between the theory and the fact that the removal of the testes before puberty results in a failure to develop the problem of an enlarged prostate.

The final, and perhaps at present most credible, theory is that an enlarged prostate is caused by the presence of a hormone known as dihydrotestosterone (DHT).

We know that DHT plays a crucial role in the development of the sex organs during pregnancy and that it is also largely responsible for the development of facial hair, the deepening of the voice and the development of the prostate during puberty.

DHT is derived from testosterone and is found in the prostate where it is believed to play a role in the growth of the prostate gland. However, as testosterone levels drop with age the body's ability to produce DHT does not appear to diminish and indeed DHT accumulates in the prostate and continues to promote growth. It is also interesting to note that men who lose their ability to produce this hormone derived from testosterone do not develop enlarged prostate glands.

Although it may be some years yet before researchers uncover the exact cause of BPH. While it is almost certainly the result of hormonal changes resulting from the aging process, the precise nature of these changes and the effects which they trigger remain something of a mystery today.

For more information on the problem of an enlarged prostate and on prostate cancer please visit ProstateCancerExplained.com today.

Major Holistic Health Therapies

Holistic health is the state in which we are whole, spiritually, mentally, physically and emotionally, in rhythm and in harmony with nature and our environment. So where does anthroposophical medicine or Ayurvedic medicine fit into this? What have biochemical tissue salts got to do with my holistic health and why are homeopaths, naturopaths, herbalists, traditional Chinese medicine practitioners, osteopaths, chiropractors, cranial sacro therapists so popular? If you?ve ever had an acupuncture session, done some qi gong or been to a cranial osteopath, you?d know that you feel better all over.

It isn?t just women that are enjoying the benefits of a regular massage these days, men have discovered it too. We?re talking about the benefits of holistic health therapies

We all know the benefits of massage therapy ? from the gentle stroke of a lover to a mother?s loving touch. It can play an important part in easing a wide range of health problems and is appropriate for almost any situation. Some of the most popular holistic therapies are commonplace these days. Acupressure, aromatherapy, chiropractic, flower remedies, massage and nutritional therapies, osteopathy, reflexology, shiatsu and lymphatic drainage are everyday treatments that some of us consider part of life?s necessities. Gone are the days when these treatments were regarded as little luxuries.

In many ways, acupressure is something we all enjoy when our instincts tell us to rub or apply pressure to a painful or injured part of the body. Developing from this basic awareness, the ancient Chinese discovered that there were specific points on the body that could be pressed in order to relieve pain, tension or discomfort. Aromatherapy is very trendy these days and it is a readily accessible, subtle therapy that uses highly concentrated essential oils from plants and trees that are used to improve well-being on a physical, emotional and metal level.

Chiropractic therapy manipulates the spine and other joints, and so gently encourages the body to carry out its functions in a balanced way as the spine returns to normal alignment. The 38 Bach flower remedies are gaining an increasingly popular profile - I?m never without Rescue Remedy, the 5 flower formula that has become extremely popular as a non-addictive, gentle medicine for the treatment of symptoms arising from trauma, stress or accident. With the increasing obesity of the western world, nutritional therapy is in ever increasing demand. We?ve all heard ?you are what you eat? ? it is one of the most fundamental strategies we can adopt to improve our sense of health and vitality and beyond that, we can use it as a therapy that can ease the symptoms of illness.

Osteopathy is an extremely popular system of wholistic medicine that focuses on the musculoskeletal system (bones, joints, muscles, ligaments and connecting tissue) and attempts to establish the greatest potential for health by restoring function and mobility to this system. Osteopaths view the person as a unit in which structure, function, mind and spirit need to be in balance for the maintenance of good health. Reflexology involves applying gentle pressure to points on the feet and hands. The regulated pressure to certain parts of the feet has a therapeutic influence on those organs, glands and parts of the body that corresponds to the reflex being stimulated.

Shiatsu is a dynamic form of body treatment that uses a variety of different kinds of pressure and stretches to stimulate the flow of energy along pathways (or meridians) that criss-cross the surface of the body. It may be regarded as parallel to acupuncture in that it seeks to rebalance and harmonize the flow of essential energy (or qi ? pronounced as chi) throughout the system as a whole and so enhances the body?s capacity for self healing

This list barely scratches the surface. The benefits of holistic health therapy vary from person to person and the specific impacts are as individual as we are. One fact remains, we all benefit from it.

Lizette le Clus-Fox is an ardent advocate for a holistic approach to health and runs http://www.wellnessthoughts.com and her ezine Wellness Thoughts provides regular in-depth information. To learn more about holistic health therapies visit her web site today!

How to Prevent Colon Cancer Disease

There are many cases of colon cancer today, with significantly more people being diagnosed with this potentially deadly disease below age 50 than previously. Colon cancer used to be considered a disease of the elderly, but nowadays many younger people are diagnosed with this kind of disease. This is more because of unhealthy lifestyles such as eating habits, lack of exercises and many other factors.

People tend to consume junk food and any other foods that are over-processed and contain high fat and sugar. This allows the chemically-laced food to sit in colon for longer time and lead to the cancer disease.

Several ways to keep your colon healthy:

1. Balancing your diet

A balance diet will supply your body with sufficient nutrition: balance in carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals. It will be better to get all these nutritions naturally by consuming healthy foods such as: fresh vegetables and beans, fish, fruits, seafood and milk. Taking daily supplements also will help.

2. Reduce over-processed foods

Reduce intake of over-processed foods, especially fried foods because these foods contain of high fat that is dangerous to health. You can also choose organic foods that are higher in nutrition. Avoid sausage, hot dogs, ham, and many of which contain salt, sodium nitrites and sodium nitrates, which play big role in leading to colon cancer.

3. Exercise regularly

Do exercise at least 3 times a week is adequate to maintain your stamina and health. If you have any disease, it would be wise to consult with your doctor what exercise suits your current condition.

4. Drink eight glasses of water daily

Adequate water is essential to your body and will help to clean your system by gently washing out offensive bacteria and germs that can harbor in the colon and lead to illness or problems.

5. Colon cleansing

Colon cleansing method has been so popular as an option to keep your colon healthy. Consult with your doctor if you wish to take this method.

6. Visit your doctor and have an annual medical check-up to prevent diseases.

J. Raizel is the owner of Beauty, Health and Fitness blog and Beauty, Health and Fitness eStore. You will find updated news, information, tips and articles about health, beauty and fitness and related products.

How to Eliminate Your Acne and HAVE FUN at the Same Time!

Have you ever wondered why we have acne and even more on how we can get rid of acne? Like a lousy tenant, acne doesn?t pay you rent, nor contribute anything beneficial to your life. It does however do the opposite by destroying your skin and worst of all, your self esteem and social life!

Well, before embarking on this simple method to destroy your acne for good, we need to know thy enemy. There are two major causes of acne and the rest are just secondary. Before we can tackle them, we need to understand what they are and how they affect us.

Firstly, acne is caused by imbalanced hormone production. When you were a teenager, your body began to produce a hormone known as androgens, which activates and stimulates the oil glands in your skin, thus increasing oil and sebum production.

Logically, with the limited size of each pore and the constant influx of sebum, your pores get clogged and you may notice the presence of blackheads and pimples. As that spreads across the skin, it becomes known as acne vulgaris.

Stress in this case acts more like a catalyst rather than a cause. But do not underestimate the damages of stress. It can potentially worsen the acne a person has.

Our secret weapon in eliminating acne lies in the sea water. The sea water is formed with a balance of the salts in minerals such as sodium, magnesium, potassium, calcium chloride and bromides. These forms of minerals are vital in their respective ways for acne treatment.

Magnesium reduces stress and water retention, hampering aging and soothes the nervous system. Calcium prevents water retention while increasing circulation.

Potassium balances skin moisture level and replenishes minerals lost in vigorous activities. Bromides ease muscle stiffness and tensions, thus eliminating stress, which is a major contributing factor to acne. Finally, sodium is a booster for immune system function. All these act as a natural defense for your body against any acne breakouts.

So how can we apply the power of sea water and exercise to your acne condition, the answer is simple. Just head down to the nearest beach and have a swim! The only thing you need to be careful of is sunburn. Therefore, only go on early mornings: 9am-11am or evenings at 5:30pm to 6:30pm.

You may begin to notice the effects of this treatment after your FIRST SWIM! And you will be amazed on how smooth your skin has become. The more vigorous your swim and the more you sweat, the more your skin will be cleansed. This is a double action cleansing as your sweat pushes the impurities off your skin, which by the way is no longer clogged after the sea water washes away the debris! Additionally, the minerals in the seawater penetrate the pores to do some deep skin cleansing, all while you?re having fun swimming!

If you wish to know more alternatives to fast and effective natural acne treatment that compliments the above sea water natural acne treatment 1st Natural Acne Treatment for more info and acne solutions!

Tips for Keeping Acne at Bay

The severity of acne varies from person to person. Some may experience only a mild outbreak during adolescence while many people have to deal with a severe outbreak in their later years, when one thought acne was least likely to occur. These skin care tips are common for all skin types and all forms of acne.

Clean the skin gently

The last thing you should do, if you have acne, is to scrub your skin with strong detergents and soaps and rough scrub pads, in the hope that it will bring to an end the acne outbreak and oil production tormenting your skin. Doctors recommend that people with acne should wash their face and other acne prone areas of the body gently and use a mild cleanser, morning, evening and after heavy exercise. Scrubbing only makes the problem worse. Wash from under the jaw to the hairline and rinse thoroughly afterwards. Astringents are not recommended as they tend to irritate acne prone skin. Only put astringent in spots where the skin is very oily which needs to be soaked and removed. Dermatologists also suggest that patients with oily hair, shampoo it everyday.

Don?t pick pimples

Squeezing pimples can do no good. In fact it makes the acne much worse as one can develop permanent blemishes and dark spots. You should also avoid touching and rubbing your lesions.

Shave with care

Men with acne should try out electric and safety razors to see which suits them more. If you use a safety, razor do soften your bristles with soap and water prior to shaving. Use shaving cream. Shave only when necessary and with a light hand.

Always use sunscreen

Acne medication sensitizes the skin to sunburns. A suntan that darkens the skin or sunburn that reddens the skin has the benefit of hiding the skin blemishes. However these advantages are short lived and in the long run excessive exposure to the sun ages the skin more rapidly and you run the risk of developing skin cancer.

Choose cosmetics with care

If you are prone to acne you may need to re-look at the cosmetics that you buy. Go for the oil free or non-comedogenic products. Avoid oily hair products that tend to drip to the forehead and close the skin pores.

Jack Smith writes about various topics. This article is free to re-print as long as nothing is changed, all links remained intact, the bio remains in full and the rel=nofollow tag is not added to any of the links. Thank-you - Please visit http://www.acne-sucks.info

Body Massage: The Healing Touch

Most of us experience this feeling of just giving up our fatigued bodies to a masseur who will massage away all the aches and pains caused by physical stress and mental tensions. The pain just seems to vanish out of your system once it is their expert hands. If you keep dreaming about this on your low days, well you are probably not alone for massage is a known stress reliever. Massage at its best has the power to restore the individual physically, mentally and spiritually.

What is a full body massage? How to massage?

Technically, full body massage is a hands-on manipulation of the skin, muscle and joints to relax muscle spasm, relieve tension, improve circulation and hasten elimination of toxins and wastes from the body. Massage is an ancient art. It has been known to be in practice in the Orient for over 3000 years. The expert hand of the masseur not only rubs away fatigue inducing stress but also improves blood circulation in the body. Apart from creating a pleasant sensation on the skin, it also works on the soft tissue (the muscles, tendons and ligaments) to improve muscle tone. Although it mainly affects the muscles just underneath the skin, its benefits may also reach the deeper layers of muscle and possibly even the internal organs.

Massage Therapy: Alternative medicine?

An essential part of alternative medicine, massage has gained popularity in the West too and is widely used to treat a variety of ailments. Different forms of massage include - Acupressure, Athletic Massage, Polarity Massage, Reflexology, Rolfing, Shiatsu, Sports Massage, Swedish Massage, Traeger Massage and Watsu. Aromatherapy massage makes use of aromatic essential oils known for their stress relieving effects. Manipulation of soft tissues affects many of our bodily systems; hence massage therapy stands to help many of the health problems we face today.

General Benefits of Massage

? Soothing relaxation
? Healing
? Eases tension, stiffness and pain
? Improves breathing
? Improves circulation
? Enhances well-being

The therapeutic benefits of massage

? Massage aims to develop, maintain, rehabilitate or augment physical function.
? Boost immune system function, improve circulation and speed up recovery time.
? Relax tight and tense muscles
? Ease or prevent physical dysfunction and pain.
? Reduces overall stress and fatigue
? Massage therapy is effective in the control of pain - chronic or acute, stress reduction and in creating a sense of soothing relaxation and well-being.
? Massage can be fun and can be wonderfully sensual; it can be an effective tool to revive a sagging sex life. Erotic Thai massages or even simple massages are a great way to begin a night of intimacy.

Full Body Massage helps you relax!

Although even a one odd massage does leave you with a pleasant feeling, the effects of massage are cumulative and undergoing a series or course of massage treatments, is what will give you the maximum benefits. Regular massages strengthen and tones the muscles and boosts the entire body mechanism, so as to prevent unnecessary strains and injuries. Massage has the power to stimulate the nervous system as much as it can relax, hence it can be used, depending on the individual's need.

Kevin Pederson has been managing a number of natural home remedies websites which have information on home based natural cures and remedies for some of the most common illnesses and health problems

Cancer Patient and Statistics (Part 2)

How long a prostate cancer survivor lives depends on a multitude of factors. It does not necessarily reflect the success of the treatment. To that extent the survival rates, whether for five or ten years are meaningless for an individual. When and how a person will die is beyond anyone to know. To say that he died unnecessarily or prematurely is a projection of one?s own prejudices as a result of his analysis. In my opinion, and I might be an absolute minority, there is no such thing as unnecessary or untimely death. Death is death, period; the qualifiers do not make any difference.

They are also the products of a conditioned mind. People use other qualifiers as well. For example, we often hear of a horrible death especially in connection with cancer. Or we come across the milder statement: ?It was not a nice death?. In actuality it is the life prior to death that is horrible because of the pain and suffering during that period of existence. The death ends that horrible existence. Children die or persons die in the prime of their lives; these are called untimely deaths. What is a timely death? Is it the death at a ripe old age irrespective of the nature of life in the preceding years? What do we know about death? As Confucius said: ?We do not even know what life is. How can we then know anything about death?? To add qualifiers to death presupposes that knowledge.

People young and old die of starvation as we have witnessed so graphically during the past few years; others die in accidents. We call these deaths unnecessary or avoidable. Many die in natural disasters; we call these acts of God. People have died in famines and disasters in all ages all over the world. Circumstances shape the events that lead to these deaths and these circumstances are beyond man?s control. We can analyze the events and come up with ideas as to what could and should have been done to avoid them but man?s role in shaping historical events is incidental. Man does not make history although historians will always say otherwise. A confluence of circumstances makes things happen. This confluence, as of stars, is beyond anyone?s control and, even worse, it is not predictable. Men can take steps to avoid a recurrence of undesirable events, at least ones that are man-made, but these steps can not guarantee success simply because there is another group of men on the other side of the fence trying to do exactly the opposite. In the final analysis man is just a pawn in the hands of circumstances.

It is the same way with an individual?s life. One broods over his past and says ?if only I had done this?. Or he thinks about someone?s death and says ? if only he had done this or that, he would be alive?. But ?if only? is in the realm of fantasy. The fact is that those things were not done or could not be done. If a person dies of lung cancer and he had been a smoker, his death is attributed to smoking. There are any number of people who were chain smokers but developed no lung problem. The body has so many unknown facets that make positive assertions meaningless. All we have is evidence in the form of correlations and again we are dealing with numbers and probabilities.

For a patient faced with a fateful decision all this discussion of numbers may give an impression of total uncertainty and chaos. But the purpose here is to show that no rule of thumb based on numbers or statistics can be followed blindly. Each individual is different, he can not take a decision entirely based on what happened to another man or group of men. He should look at the numbers and make his own informed judgment after a frank discussion with his physician. The doctor?s word is not gospel and there should be no hesitation on the part of the patient to put forth differing opinions or suggestions. It is his life at stake and the ultimate choice must be his own. In order to make that choice he should be fully aware of the limitations of each and every piece of information being used. His active participation in the treatment is essential; for this he must understand what is going on at every stage from a patient?s perspective. Only then he will have the satisfaction of having done everything to the best of his ability. The outcome is in the future and, hence, unknown and largely unpredictable. Worrying about it serves no purpose. At this point ?que sera, sera? is the best attitude; it is not fatalistic, it is the only realistic attitude one can have.

Dharmbir Rai Sharma is a retired professor with electrical engineering and physics background. He obtained his M.S. degree in physics in India and Ph.D. in electrical engineering at Cornell University. He has taught in universities here and also in Brazil, where he spent sometime. He maintains a website http://www.cosmosebooks.com devoted mainly to philosophy and science.

Combination Homeopathic Remedies: Your Introduction to Homeopathy

Of all homeopathic products on the market, combination remedies are arguably the most popular. You can find them prominently displayed in the homeopathic sections of most health food stores and placed near the cash registers in Whole Foods during cold season. Bestsellers, these products offer us the hope of a simple and straightforward solution: one medication for one diagnosis of anything that ails us, conditions ranging from teething, to head colds, to premenstrual syndrome, to hemorrhoids. But do they work?

It?s not hard to grasp the concept involved in manufacturing combination remedies. Two or more remedies known to relieve a particular symptom are combined in the same tablet. The expectation is that either the chosen remedies will enhance each other?s actions, or that at least one of the remedies will be exactly what the patient needs.

These remedies exist right on the border between allopathic (conventional) medicine and homeopathic medicine. On one hand, these preparations are prescribed for a particular ailment in the same way as conventional drugs. On the other hand, the components of combination remedies are homeopathically prepared substances. Their proponents argue that the combination remedies are much better then conventional drugs, as they have no side effects.

PROS AND CONS OF COMBINATION REMEDIES
Combination remedies sold in stores are proprietary to their manufacturers. As they are proprietary medications, I feel uncomfortable rating their efficacy. Nonetheless, I don?t want to leave you guessing about them without reliable information. So let me just say that, in my experience, all the major homeopathic manufacturers produce equally good combination preparations. I never use them myself, however some of my patients report that various brands produce more or less similar results. It is also my understanding that at the beginning of the 20th century different companies sold and bought the recipes of efficacious combinations from each other. This makes the process of selection easier. Major companies on the American market that offer combination remedies are Boiron, Hyland/Standard, Washington Homeopathic Products, and 1800HOMEOPATHY. There are quite a few smaller companies out there, too, and companies change hands from time to time, which is a great benefit to the consumer. Mergers or splits of these companies mean only one thing for you: a continuous exchange of experience leading to better products.

What are these remedies useful in treating? They can provide significant relief for self-limiting conditions in people with excellent or average health. There are impressive remedies for vertigo, acute sinus infections, teething, and hemorrhoids, for instance. The major homeopathic companies use combinations that have been tested for years and are shown effective, but to reiterate, only for the temporary relief of self-limiting conditions. Treating serious and or chronic conditions with combination remedies isn?t a good idea. In these situations you are much better off seeking help of a qualified homeopath.

You should avoid combination remedies, or any other homeopathic preparations, while you are receiving professional homeopathic care, as these preparations might interfere with single remedies used by classical homeopaths. For many consumers, taking homeopathic combination remedies is a good place to start testing the homeopathic waters, so to speak. Real healing requires an understanding of individual traits. My new book Easy Homeopathy teaches you how to achieve complete cure, as opposed to the temporary suppression of symptoms. I hope you begin your homeopathic journey today with a little help from my book and a lot of support from your common sense.

Edward Shalts, MD, DHt, author of Easy Homeopathy and The American Institute of Homeopathy Handbook for Parents is a vice-president of the National Center for Homeopathy and a second vice-president of the American Institute of Homeopathy. He also serves on the faculty of the Center for Health and Healing at the Beth Israel Medical Center in New York, the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine, and the UMDNJ Institute for Complementary and Alternative Medicine in New Jersey. Board certified in homeopathy, psychiatry, and alternative medicine, he has been working in the field of homeopathy for 20-plus years. He provides homeopathic care to adults and children through his private practice in Manhattan. He can be reached at http://www.EasyHomeopathyHome.com.

A Brief Overview of Mesothelioma

Introduction

Nowadays there is a lot of discussion all over the world, both offline and over the Internet, about mesothelioma. In the USA, there are mesothelioma awareness groups in almost every city in the USA. Besides discussion forums, mesothelioma legal cells, mesothelioma forums, mesothelioma awareness groups etc., today mesothelioma research is a very vast subject. There is even a Mesothelioma Memorial Scholarship that is offered every quarter. This scholarship is given in remembrance and honor of those that have been touched by mesothelioma. Billions of dollars have been spent in trying to fight this dreaded disease and find a cure. Let us begin by asking this simple question ? what is mesothelioma?

What is Mesothelioma?

Asbestos and mesothelioma are infamously related. Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that affects people who have been exposed to asbestos. It is a rare form of cancer, and affects only those people who have had a history of exposure to asbestos, not others. However, there can be secondary cases, where a person may come into contact with someone who has been exposed to asbestos in the past. The key to mesothelioma, as is apparent here, is exposure to asbestos.

The primary cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. Once the patient has inhaled asbestos dust/fibers, other factors like smoking can aggravate the condition over a period of time. There can be other causes of mesothelioma too. For example, there have been cases diagnosed where the patient has had no history of asbestos exposure. People can get it from people who have had asbestos exposure. Before we proceed further, let us define mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma definition: Mesothelioma is defined as is an uncommon form of cancer, usually associated with previous exposure to asbestos. In this disease, malignant (cancerous) cells develop in the mesothelium, a protective lining that covers most of the body's internal organs. Malignant mesothelioma cells proliferate at the affected area, and are usually very hard to remove totally.

Mesothelioma came to be widely known about only from about the 60s, when the symptoms started manifesting, and mesothelioma cases were diagnosed. Across America, for people working at facilities that were asbestos-related, it became a nightmare. This was more because at that time, asbestos, because of the number of advantages it had over other metals, was widely used across industries all over the world. It was a tragedy of epic proportions waiting to be unleashed, and when it was unleashed, it wrought havoc in the lives of people all across America. Thousands lost their lives to mesothelioma, and even now, thousands more continue to fight this dreaded disease.

Even today, more than 3,000 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma in the USA. Today, mesothelioma victims and their relatives struggle to cope with the disease. For survivors of mesothelioma legal action against the industries that brought this disease on them has been one way of exorcising the pain and agony they have had to undergo. For a number of victims of mesothelioma lawyers have been able to settle cases successfully. There are mesothelioma support groups to help mesothelioma victims and their relatives cope with life in the aftermath of the disease. There are websites like www.mesotheliomaweb.org, www.mesothelioma.com, www.cancer.gov, etc.

Mesothelioma is considered extremely lethal for a number of reasons:

?Mesothelioma diagnosis is often very late. It manifests in a person years after exposure to asbestos, as long as 15 to 20 years.
?While the gestation period is extremely long, as mentioned above, the exposure time is extremely short, as less as two to three months. This means that a person doesn?t even have to have prolonged exposure.
?The average lifespan of a person, after diagnosis, is very short, around 24 months.
?It affects not only a person exposed to asbestos; chances are that he can pass on the asbestos dust or fiber to his near and dear ones as well.

Types of Mesothelioma

Primarily, mesothelioma occurs in three areas, based on which mesothelioma is categorized into:

?Pleural mesothelioma (mesothelioma of the pleura, the outer lining protecting the chest cavity as well as the lungs)
?Pericardial mesothelioma (mesothelioma of the pericardium, the sac enclosing the heart)
?Peritoneal mesothelioma (mesothelioma of the peritoneum, the lining protecting the abdominal cavity)

Based on the types of cells seen in a mesothelioma patient, mesothelioma can again be categorized into 3 types:

?Epithelioid mesothelioma (approximately 50 to 70 percent of all mesothelial cells)
?Sarcomatoid mesothelioma (least common mesothelioma cell type, approximately 10 to 15 percent)
?Biphasic mesothelioma. (approximately 20 to 40 percent of all mesothelial cells)

Symptoms of Mesothelioma

The symptoms of mesothelioma depend on the kind of mesothelioma a patient may have. If a patient is suffering from malignant pleural mesothelioma, he would generally feel a pain in the chest region, accompanied by shallow breathing. These symptoms occur owing to the deposition of fluid in the pleura.

Peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms differ from those of pleural mesothelioma. In the case of localized peritoneal mesothelioma, the symptoms include:

?Fever
?Difficulties in bowel movements
?Anemia
?Abnormalities observed during blood clots

In the case of advanced peritoneal mesothelioma, the symptoms would further include pain, a swelling of the face or the neck, and difficulties in ingestion.

Mesothelioma symptoms usually map to those of other, lesser serious ailments. Therefore it is prudent to consult a specialist to ensure what the symptoms indicate.

Mesothelioma Diagnosis

Mesothelioma diagnosis is not an easy task, as the symptoms map to other lesser ailments, as mentioned above. The first step to diagnosing mesothelioma is a review of the patient?s medical history. It is important to know if the patient has had any illnesses whose symptoms mesothelioma too displays. At this time, it is also important to know if the patient has had prior exposure to asbestos. If the patient hasn?t had any illnesses displaying the symptoms related to mesothelioma, and has had exposure to asbestos, then there can be suspicion of mesothelioma.

It is important to do a detailed physical examination of the patient, including x-rays, CT scans, and MRIs. The focus would usually be on the abdominal and chest regions. If there is anything suspicious at the end of these examinations, it is advisable to do a biopsy.

A biopsy is usually done by a specialist, either an oncologist or a surgeon. Biopsy involves taking a tissue sample from the patient and subjecting it to specific tests to determine the presence or absence of mesothelioma. Biopsy in the case of mesothelioma can be:

?Thoracoscopy (done by taking tissue samples from inside the chest region, using a thoracoscope)
?Peritoneoscopy (done by taking tissue samples from the abdominal region, using a peritoneoscope)

Once the diagnosis is made, it is vital to learn the stage at which mesothelioma has been detected. Depending on whether the cancer is still at the original site or whether it has spread to other parts of the body, the mesothelioma can be called:

?Localized (still at the original site)
?Advanced (spread to other parts of the body)

Mesothelioma Treatment

Mesothelioma treatments vary depending on the type of mesothelioma, as also the stage at which it has been detected. The three most commonly used treatment forms against mesothelioma are:

?Surgery ? Surgically removing the cancerous body part. For example, malignant pleural mesothelioma treatment could involve removal of the affected lung by performing a pneumonectomy.
?Radiation therapy ? Exposing the affected part to high-energy rays to kill the malignant cells
?Chemotherapy ? Using chemicals/drugs to destroy the malignant cells, either by injecting them into the patient, or intravenously, or by direct placement in the chest or abdomen (intracavitary chemotherapy).

Besides these three options, research is underway to find newer and more effective treatment options. Clinical trials have played a major role in developing newer treatment options.

Mesothelioma Prognosis

In the case of mesothelioma, prognosis is not as accurate as it is with other lesser serious ailments. This is because prognosis usually depends on the phase at which an illness is detected. Mesothelioma is usually detected quite late in a patient, so it becomes difficult to state the cure percentage or lifespan of a patient after treatment. Whatever statistics are available are not as reliable as one would like them to be. While it has not been easy to determine which of the two ? pleural or peritoneal ? mesothelioma is harder to stage, experts are generally in agreement that a prognosis is quite difficult for both.

However, latest studies and research have shown that mesothelioma patients might not be as bad off as was initially believed. This data is tabulated below.

Stage of Mesothelioma DetectionChances of Survival (No. of Years)Percentage of Patients

Mid to advanced stages3 years10%

5 years5%

Early stages2 years50%

5 years20%

This is just general data on mesothelioma prognosis. There is specific data available n the Internet for specific scenarios and situations.

Resources

?www.mesotheliomaweb.org
?www.mesothelioma.com
?www.cancer.gov
?www.wrongdiagnosis.com
?http://www.mesolink.org/legal-guide/mesothelioma-legal-options-faq.html

The writer does freelance writing work. Primary areas are keyword-rich articles (especially in healthcare, insurance, credit), creative writing, blogposts, etc.

For more information please visit: http://www.projectrade.com

Aromatherapy Candles ? The Brighter Side Of Candles

Candles are commonly used for lightening a dark room when your home?s power is gone or more often in a candle light dinner. But, the usage of candles is not confined to this only. Introduction of aromatherapy candles have added a new perspective to the usage of candles, candles now serve as a basis to achieve health, vitality and rejuvenating of the body as well as mind and spirit.

Aromatherapy candles are made with beeswax, soybean wax or vegetable oil. One can even find pure essential oil candles in the market. The best thing about aromatherapy candles is that they are environmental friendly as they are derived from natural plant sources.

Uses of aromatherapy candles: -

Set the atmosphere

Improve the ambience in many situations

Can be used in any room of your home and provide a wonderful enhancement.

Scented with essential oils or herbs that send messages of relaxation or rejuvenation to the mind and body

Aromatherapy candles are available in different styles, sizes and scents. You can choose the appropriate candle as per your requirement and aspiration. Scented candles can add warmth to any home, they can give a clean, refreshing feel. Many candles are scented with essential oils, or oils that some from plants.

If by now you have decided to buy an aromatherapy candle, learn what kinds of scents they are available in and what are their benefits: -

Frankincense is warming.

Peppermint is strong and minty. Can aid with alertness

Lemon is also a strong scent and can help dispel fatigue

Jasmine smells as good as it sounds can help spark romance

Grapefruit is another citrus scent that can lift your spirits

Vanilla is very rich and helps to relieve tension and irritability.

Lavender is fresh and floral. This can help dispel a Soor disposition

Aromatherapy candles are cost effective and are natural candles. They have many benefits over candles made up of paraffin. Soy wax that is most commonly used in making aromatherapy candles is natural nontoxic, biodegradable renewable resource. It also burns slower and produces very little dust and smoke.

Internet has made it easier for all to access the desired aromatherapy candles with ease without going out for shopping. You can access infinite number of lenders with just a few clicks. Look for lenders who provide pure aromatherapy candles with essential oil.

Aromatherapy candles are the best cost effective means to relax and can rejuvenate your senses and body. Choose the desired candles with caution, a little bit of research can help you get the desired candles at reasonable rate.

Bryan Josling is working with the Horticultural Research Station in Adelaide. He has also been involved with research on plants. To find Aromatherapy essential oils, Aromatherapy Candles, Aromatherapy Massage Oil visit http://www.ndaroma.com