Wednesday, October 29, 2008

IBS Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms and Causes





IBS Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms and Causes

Author: Eddie Hudd

A health condition that is often considered to be most disruptive to daily living is IBS Irritable Bowel Syndrome. As one can tell from the term itself, IBS is a disorder of the bowels that is most commonly characterized by frequent bowel movements, irregular bowel activity patterns and a great deal of discomfort. One of the primary symptoms of IBS is severe abdominal pain, which should be reported to a medical professional.






Other symptoms that are common to IBS Irritable Bowel Syndrome include things such as having excessive gas and bloating in the abdominal area, and often a sensation that the elimination of the stools was incomplete. Doctors have reported that IBS is the most common complaint that they receive in terms of people dealing with intestinal issues.

IBS is a condition that is more likely to affect women than it does men. Furthermore, it is most prevalent in the thirty to fifty years age bracket, but seems to impact all races equally. Irritable bowel syndrome has been classified as a functional disease of the intestines, since it interferes with and limits the ability of the organs of the gastrointestinal tract to perform correctly. IBS is a condition that cannot be diagnosed with x-rays or blood tests and anybody who has dealt with it can testify to the reasons why a healthy colon is so important.

IBS is typically referred to as functional bowel syndrome, irritable colon (since the large intestine is also known as the colon), spastic colon and spastic bowel. However, IBS is not the same condition as Crohn's disease, which is an inflammatory bowel disease. One of the frustrations with this condition is that it is often difficult to pinpoint the reason for the discomfort, making it difficult to treat. Oftentimes a person with IBS will have a colonoscope done only to discover that there is no indication of a physical problem.

Many doctors and health care professionals consider that IBS is caused by abnormal functioning, or a dysfunction, of the muscles in the gastrointestinal tract or in the nerves controlling the area, or both. However the root cause of this dysfunction remains a mystery in the majority of cases, which leads many folks to look for alternative remedies, such as doing a colon detox program or trying out colon cleansing pills.

However, there have been several reports of these steps actually making the condition worse, so they should be used with caution. This is particularly true of folks who have serious health concerns, such as diabetes, high blood pressure and migraines, to name but a few.

There are also many people who insist that IBS Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a result of the poor eating habits to which Americans have become accustomed. They advocate a change in diet to more natural and healthier foods, combined with a gentle, herbal colon cleansing formula that can help to restore the proper functioning of a clean colon.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/ibs-irritable-bowel-syndrome-symptoms-and-causes-426689.html

About the Author:
To learn much more about the Health Benefits of a Body Detox visit http://www.healthylivinganswers.com/body-detox where you will find this and much more, including Natural Body Detoxification methods that you can do at home

Are your Kids’ Halloween Costume Safe?




Are your Kids’ Halloween Costume Safe?

Author: Robert

We want our kids to have fun during Halloween, but have you thought about the safety of their Halloween costumes? Most of us want our children to wear cool costumes when trick-or-treating, but neglecting a kids’ Halloween costume's safety can turn that experience sour.



Are your kids' Halloween costumes too dangerous to wear? Find out if those Halloween costumes are safe to wear, tips for buying safe kids’ Halloween costumes, and how your children can wear cool costumes without sacrificing safety.



Are Your Kids' Costumes Really Safe to Wear?



Are your kids' Halloween costumes really safe to wear? The answer is yes and no. In 2001, the Disney Store recalled 54,000 Princess Ariel costumes after one girl received burn injuries. Keep in mind that kids’ Halloween costumes are required by law to use flame-retardant materials.


Another problem is ventilation in full-masked Halloween costumes. Most costumes don't provide enough ventilation for kids to breathe, resulting in carbon dioxide poisoning. If your child wants to wear a mask, nose holes aren't enough. Carbon dioxide builds up over time, causing your anxious child to faint from the lack of oxygen. You want your child to wear a well-ventilated mask to prevent any nasty side-effects.


Another lesser problem with kids’ Halloween costumes is visibility. This isn't just about how well your kids can see; it's also about how well people see them. A mask limits visibility. If little Joey can't see where he's going, he'll trip and skin his knee. If costumes aren't visible after dark, people -- more importantly, vehicles -- won't see the kids’ Halloween costumes, blindly running over happy trick-or-treaters. Halloween costumes aren't all bad news, however. Carefully selecting your kids' costumes and preparing it for night wear eliminates these catastrophes.


How to Select Safe Kids Costumes for Halloween


Before buying your kids' Halloween costumes, you'll want to make sure it's safe. Here are some guidelines:

o All kids’ Halloween costumes are required by law to use flame-retardant materials. You can't depend on companies adhering to this law, however. Pick clothing that fits well and doesn't hang. If your child wants to wear a cape, make sure the cape isn't long. If your child wants to wear a dress, make sure it doesn't drag on the ground. People love to decorate during Halloween, and some decorations include fire. If a loose costume accidentally brushes against this, it won't be a happy Halloween!


o Masks should be well-ventilated. Masks should have multiple ventilation areas with big holes, such as hockey masks. Most masks have little ventilation, so skip these kids’ Halloween costumes if you can. If your child insists on looking like their favorite masked character, use makeup instead.


o Make sure that the mask's eye holes are big enough. Holes should be twice the size of your child’s eyes. Make sure the mask lies flat on their face.

o If you can, stay away from dark clothing. It decreases visibility.


o Don't pick anything that covers their face, such as a messy wig.


Once your kids' Halloween costumes are selected, you'll need to prepare it for night wear.


How to Make Your Kids' Halloween Attire Safe


There are two ways to prepare your kids for a safe Halloween outing:


o Use reflective tape. This can be bought in most stores. Place two strips on your kids' shoes and two strips on their Halloween costume. These strips shine in the dark and alert drivers.


o Have your kids carry a flashlight. If your kids don't like it, find a flashlight with a strap. They can hang it from their wrists and keep it out of sight.


Of course some kids won't like your safe ideas. Some kids want to wear full-face masks when trick-or-treating. Some won't like wearing reflective tape. So how do you make your kids happy without sacrificing safety?


Getting Your Kids to Celebrate Halloween Safely

Getting your kids to like your safe ideas is difficult. Here are some suggestions:

o If your child insists on wearing a full-face mask, have your child wear it around the house for a while. Chances are your child won't want to wear it any longer this Halloween.

o Does your child refuse to wear reflective tape on their Halloween costume? Put it on their bag instead.


o If your kids insist on long clothing, have them wear it around the house. They'll get tired of it and opt for another kids’ Halloween costume.


If your children still refuse to wear safe kids’ Halloween costumes, talk to them about why it's important to stay safe on Halloween. Illustrations or stories are very effective with younger children.


Again, it's always important that your kids are safe this Halloween season, so start with their kids’ Halloween costumes. Make sure their costumes fit snugly, are marked with reflective tape, and don't interfere with their visibility. It's important to make the kids’ Halloween costumes safe so they have a happy, safe Halloween -- a great Halloween you and your kids will remember for years to come.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ecommerce-articles/are-your-kids-halloween-costume-safe-340727.html

About the Author:
Paul is the owner of the Halloween Costumes retailer, www.incostume.com .
Please vist them to see the full collection of Halloween Costumes on offer.

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Kids Teeth - 5 Tips For Getting Your Child to Brush Their Teeth Regularly

Getting your child to brush their teeth shouldn't be too difficult. It just takes a bit of mental discipline and time for the child to develop the habit of doing it. There are some basic things that you can focus on in order to get them on the right track.

Kids Teeth - 5 Tips For Getting Your Child to Brush Their Teeth Regularly
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Rick_Stevens]Rick Stevens

Getting your child to brush their teeth shouldn't be too difficult. It just takes a bit of mental discipline and time for the child to develop the habit of doing it. There are some basic things that you can focus on in order to get them on the right track.

1. While you want your child to get their teeth clean, this does not mean that they need a large amount of toothpaste on the brush. As with adults, only a pea-sized amount of toothpaste is needed. If you give them too much, then the foam will start to interfere with the brushing strokes. Too much toothpaste can also be unhealthy for your child. The fluoride in the toothpaste can cause your child to get an upset stomach if they eat too much of it. While swallowing the toothpaste is normal for kids, try to encourage your child to spit more into the sink and swallow less.

2. Never think that your child is too young to start brushing their teeth. Even toddlers that have very little teeth should learn what brushing is so that they can get used to it. It also feels wonderful on their teething gums. If your child is too little to brush their teeth, then doing it for them is always the best option. You and your child should discuss a comfortable brushing position, which is often standing beside or behind your child with your arm reaching around their head. Stand in front of a mirror with your child on a stool so that they can see what you are doing.

3. Most dentists recommend that you brush for a certain amount of time. This helps to make sure that your child is covering all of the teeth during the brushing period. A timer will make the process easier, or you can buy your child a toothbrush that will play a song for the time needed to brush. Never make your child think that brushing is a punishment. If you use a timer for timeouts, then do not use it for timing their brushing.

4. Do it by the numbers. An example would be to count out loud to 15 or 20 in order to get one area thoroughly brushed and then move on to the next. You'll basically be breaking brushing down into a few simple sections such as top, bottom, front, back, middle. Have them brush each area while you count and then have them count too themselves. It will also help them with their math!

5. Make it fun. Brushing teeth can be boring, especially for a child, but if you try to find ways of making it fun it can turn out to be a positive experience and may even allow you to bond with your child a bit more.

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rick_Stevens http://EzineArticles.com/?Kids-Teeth---5-Tips-For-Getting-Your-Child-to-Brush-Their-Teeth-Regularly&id=1541774


Monday, October 13, 2008

Is Your Work a Pain in the Neck?

Is Your Work a Pain in the Neck?Is Your Work a Pain in the Neck?

By Nancy Rishworth

Do you suffer from frequent headaches at work? Do you go home at the end of the day with a stiff back or aching legs? There's a good chance that the secret to your work aches and pains isn't related only to everyday job stress. You could be suffering from computer and desk strain.

As most jobs are increasingly automated, more people spend time sitting behind desks, staring at computer screens, and sitting in uncomfortable conference chairs. It's easy to understand that many of us leave work with muscle tension and stiffness. Unfortunately, this muscle pain can lead to headaches, migraines, muscle injuries and lower back strain.

One way to relieve some of the stress and strain is with workplace stretching exercises. Performing a few workplace stretches doesn't mean you have to squeeze in complex yoga moves. Instead, there are a series of workplace stretches that are designed to loosen those stiff muscles without getting into a full workout mode. These exercises can be done in your office or cubicle, within just a few moments.

The key to success with workplace stretching is to take frequent, short breaks to perform the stretches. One suggestion is that you take a 5 minute break every hour. Here are some examples of simple stretches you can do in your office: Upper back stretch - Stand up, feet firmly planted at shoulder width apart. Lace fingers behind your back and slowly try to bring your elbows together. Don't try to force the movement or move to the point of strain. Slowly and gently make the movement.

Side to side head shrug - While standing, turn your head gently to your right shoulder and hold for a few seconds. Slowly return to front, and then gently turn to the left and hold.

Back twist - While standing, keep arms at side, gently rotate head and back to look behind you to the right. Allow your arms to move naturally with your body. Return to center. Gently rotate to the left. Hold for 10 seconds on each rotation. Ankle stretches - While sitting, extend your right leg in front and gently rotate your foot in a circular movement. Return leg to floor and rotate left foot and ankle.

These workplace stretches will help alleviate some of the tiredness and stiffness from muscles that have been forced into place for too long. A regular pattern of stretching, both at work and at home, will provide greater flexibility and strength to your muscles. There's no reason work has to become a pain in your neck - a few workplace stretching exercises will keep you moving pain-free.

Copyright (c) 2008 Nancy Rishworth

Nancy Rishworth, grew up dancing and became a qualified Aerobics and Fitness & Personal Trainer. She is also a qualified Naturopath having studied various healing modalities through healthy eating, herbal remedies, vitamins, massage & exercise. Her Flexibilty Plus Workout Program improves flexibility, strength and overall health. For nutritional info and other core strength and cardio exercise tips and guidelines go to www.FlexibilityPlus.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nancy_Rishworth
http://EzineArticles.com/?Is-Your-Work-a-Pain-in-the-Neck?&id=1543620