Talent Mash

If you have ever had a cat, you know how unpleasant the smell of cat urine is and how difficult it is to eliminate this odor.

Essential oils, or “essence-of” oils are plant-based products that have a very distinct and unique aroma. These oils are derived from thousands of plants. They can be extracted from leaves, roots, seeds, fruit, flowers and bark. They are concentrated in their pure form. Aromatherapy is one branch of science that relies upon essential oils to aid the relaxation process in aromatherapy sessions.

Your nose is like a time capsule. Memories and emotions are tied to the senses, most notably the sense of smell. Certain smells can and will trigger emotional responses based on history and personal preference. These can be positive or negative, depending on the origin of the aroma and pleasantness of the memory it’s associated with.

There are hundreds of different essential oil scents available on the market today. Some of which are even grown using 100% organic farming to ensure the most pure and unprocessed product possible. Lavender has been shown to be the most popular aroma in essential oils. Essential oils can be used in several ways, the most basic being a simple essential oil ring placed on top of a light bulb. The heat from the light bulb will activate the oil and will bring up cozy scents and feelings in no time.

An anise scent can be used to add a subtle and delicious aroma to your rooms that will have everyone looking in the kitchen for your hidden baked goods. Larger, electric oil diffusers are available, some of which can fill your whole house with pleasant aromas. There are also flame less oil diffusers. The most popular being the “reed diffusers” Several thin reeds are placed in a sealed bottle of essential oil, letting the scent travel up the reed into the air, giving off a more subtle aroma.

Regardless of how the oils are used, they will always provide you with a pleasant aroma that you will enjoy.

In this article we’re doing to discuss one of the most dangerous allergies, especially to children who really enjoy their peanut butter and jelly and the arguments for giving or not giving peanut butter to young children in potentially high risk allergic groups.

Let’s face it, if you’re a kid, or even a kid at heart, you love peanut butter and jelly. Who doesn’t? Unfortunately, peanut butter doesn’t love everybody as many are allergic to it and this is one allergy that can be downright deadly. Recently a girl died just because she had kissed somebody who had eaten peanut butter. That is a very scary thought.

One of the biggest controversies these days is when to actually allow your child to start having peanut butter. Years ago the only warning was not to give your child big chunks of peanut butter but to spread it thin. This could be started at any age. But today, with the alarming number of kids turning out to be allergic to peanut butter, it is recommended that a child not be given peanut butter until 2 or 3 years of age. Even though allergies to peanut butter are not the most common, they are the most deadly and because of this it is believed extra care is needed. Also, these allergies are the least likely to be outgrown.

There are several determining factors in avoiding giving your child peanut butter. The irst factor is if they have shown allergies or intolerances to other foods or even their baby formula. Then there is whether or not they have other allergic type disorders such as eczema, allergic rhinitis, or asthma or if they have members in the family that have these conditions as allergies can be inherited. Also, if they have other family members with food allergies, especially if another family member is allergic to peanut butter.

It is actually recommended that for high risk children they not only avoid peanut butter until they are older but also cow’s milk, citrus fruits and juices and wheat until they are at least 1 year old. They should avoid eggs until age 2 and finally peanuts and shellfish until they are over 2 years of age.

This is where the controversy heats up. Some experts say that children who are not considered to be in a high risk group do not have to do these things. Others say that because food allergies, especially peanuts, are so deadly that it just doesn’t make sense not to err on the side of caution. They say that even children not in a high risk group can still have allergies to peanuts and therefore the only way to avoid a reaction is to never allow them to eat peanut butter. Some say that’s extreme, others say that one reaction can be the last one.

Ultimately, it comes down to the parent. You have to weigh the risks of giving your child peanut butter against the benefits. Yes, peanuts are high in protein and peanut butter and jelly is a very convenient and easy lunch to make, especially for bringing to school. But if your child is severely allergic it only takes one bite of one sandwich.

Depending upon the type and stage of cancer, as well as the treatment protocol, an appropriate exercise prescription should be seen as an important part of the treatment strategy.* This article will address several of the physical and psychological benefits of exercise and will assist cancer patients resume their daily living activities and a sense of normalcy. In addition, an increased level of fitness will allow those going through the cancer experience to tolerate treatments more effectively with a greater adherence to the treatment schedule and possibly better results.

Physical Benefits

Aerobic Capacity

Aerobic activities utilize major muscle groups, are rhythmic in nature and are slow enough to allow the heart and lungs to supply oxygen to the exercising muscles. They may be done as part of a warmup or lead in to other activities or more as a “stand alone” activity. As part of a warm-up, some form of aerobic activity should be done prior to flexibility and resistance exercises. Examples include walking, cycling and swimming. The use of aerobic exercises approximately 20-30 minutes a day, several times a week have been shown to minimize the effects of fatigue, nausea and depression for many cancer patients. The increased circulation will also assist in the removal of waste products due to the effects of chemotherapy or radiation.

Balance

Balance exercises may improve balance that may be due to a loss of muscle mass or neurological damage such as neuropathy.

Bone Density

Moderate weight bearing exercise such as walking or lifting weights will minimize the loss of bone density that may result from metastasis to the bones or from the use of hormone therapy such as estrogen therapy for prostate cancer or tamoxifen for breast cancer.

Fatigue

Fatigue or what is known as cancer related fatigue (CRF) is very common occurence during the treatment and post treatment phase. A spiralling effect often occurs whereby an individual becomes less physically active and deconditioned. The individual therefore loses strength and does less. Aerobic and resistance exercises have been shown to intervene in this cycle with less fatigue on the part of the patient.

Flexibility

Flexibility is often lost as a result of scarring of the connective tissue or skin related to surgery or radiation, as well as the shortening of muscles due to inactivity. Stretching prior to exercise such as after a warm shower or a daily walk is suggested. Stretching at the end of an exercise session is also an ideal time as muscles have been warmed up and are more pliable. Stretch slowly not using too much momentum or bouncing types of movement when stretching. Lifting weights slowly through a complete range of motion will often increase flexibility.

Strength

Many cancer patients lose strength simply due to a lack of use. This is common in breast cancer where patients are afraid to lift objects with an affected arm. Moderate strength or resistance training will assist in maintaining strength which is essential in performing daily activities such as carrying groceries or raking the leaves.

Weight Management

Some cancer patients gain weight due to inactivity and hormone treatment. Those with advanced cancer often experience severe weight loss or cachexia due to the loss of fat and muscle. Aerobic activities will assist in the management of weight gain while light resistance exercise will maintain some degree of muscle mass for those experiencing cachexia. Exercise may also stimulate one’s appetite which is often lost during chemotherapy.

Increased Tolerance of Treatment

While exercise will, unfortunately, not cure cancer its therapeutic effects will often allow for a greater tolerance of treatment. Greater adherence to one’s treatment regimen may, in turn, increase the likelihood of recovery. A common mistake for those undergoing treatment is waiting to feel better before beginning to exercise or stated differently, “waiting to get better, to get better” thereby delaying the recovery process and a return to their former self

Psychological Benefits

Anxiety

Whether due to a “time-out” effect, biochemical changes or the increased body temperature of exercise exerting a calming effect, many symptoms of anxiety such as muscle tension or sleeplessness can be reduced or managed by moderate aerobic activity or by the slow meditative movements of the Eastern traditions such as Tai Chi.

Control

Loss of control and identity is commonly associated with cancer diagnosis. Many of the physical benefits of exercise enable one to perform activities of daily living (ADL) and gain a greater sense of control and identity.

Depression

Whether biochemical in nature or by gaining a measure of control, exercise has been shown to reduce depression that is commonly associated with cancer.

Support

For many, exercise classes may become an informal support group. Indeed, it may be said that exercise classes are often support groups for those who dislike traditional support groups. They may also provide needed structure and interaction for those who are not working and feel a sense of isolation.

Appropriate exercise should not be seen as something that is done only when you feel better or “waiting to get better to get better.” Rather, you will feel better once you become active once more.

* Please contact your physician before any beginning an exercise program.

Sinusitis is caused by an inflamed membrane which lines the sinus cavities. This inflammation can be caused by virus, bacteria or fungus or by allergens like smoke, dust and pollen. Inflammation in the lining of the maxillary sinus cavity can cause jaw pain sinus disease. Not being able to smile or laugh or even speak properly is so terrible.

Jaw pain sinus disease can also occur due to lack of proper oral hygiene. Our jaws and teeth are connected to the maxillary sinus cavity via the alveolar process which is ‘U’ shaped. If a person doesn’t take good care of his/ her teeth and gums there is bacterial growth in the teeth and gums. These bacteria may spread to the maxillary sinus cavity causing sinusitis. It is recommended that a person should brush twice a day, floss regularly and visit a dentist periodically.

Jaw pain sinus disease is easy to diagnosis as it is normally accompanied with other symptoms of sinusitis like a runny nose, headache mild fever and facial pain. The cheekbones become very tender and are extremely painful if touched.

Jaw pain sinus is often confused with normal dental pain though both of them are very different. Jaw pain sinus can occur only in the upper part of the jaws because only those are associated with the maxillary sinus cavity. Dental pain can occur in any part of the jaws. Jaw pain caused by sinus is very spontaneous unlike dental pain which is continuous. Swollen gums are also associated with jaw pain sinus disease

Jaw pain sinus can be treated just like any other sinus. It can be treated with over the counter medication or antibiotics. Only some extreme cases of sinus require surgery. In this case the infected mucous from the maxillary cavity is removed surgically.

Lack of oral hygiene is not the only cause of jaw pain sinus. The maxillary sinus can also get affected if the other cavities are infected. Infection due to bacteria, virus or fungi and allergies can also cause jaw pain.

Jaw pain sinus disease can be prevented by proper oral hygiene and refraining from allergens like smoke and pollen.

The dietary habits adopted by developed countries over the last centuries are largely responsible for many of the chronic diseases that are now commonplace in Western society.

Diseases such as coronary heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and cancer of the colon are virtually unheard of among the few hunter-gatherer populations still remaining in the world.

The stone age diet is based on the foods that our hunter-gatherer ancestors would have eaten before they became farmers.

Even over the last fifty years, our food has drastically changed. Where once our food was made up of simple, natural foods with minimal added ingredients, our food now contains a multitude of different ingredients.

Often it can be hard to even find modern-day food that does not contain some form of milk or wheat, which are common triggers in food allergies, and this leads to people eating the same ingredients every day and often at every single meal.

The stone age diet is nutritionally balanced and a very low allergen diet ideal for people who suffer from food allergies or food related ailments.

The foods you can eat on the stone age diet should be from natural sources and include items such as fruit (except citrus), fresh fruit juices (except citrus), all game and fish, free-range eggs, all vegetables, fresh vegetable juices, fresh nuts (except peanuts), herb teas, natural seasonings (salt, black pepper, herbs) and bottled or filtered water.

The foods you must avoid on the stone age diet are milk in all forms, milk products, cereals and their related products, any form of sugar, domesticated animal meat (meat from pigs, cows, sheep etc.), chicken, eggs (unless free-range), citrus fruit, alcohol, coffee, tea and all manufactured foods such as canned, packaged, bottled foods and ready-meals, processed meat or fish, chocolate and cocoa products, spices and tap water.

The above list may seem restrictive but you will find your health and well-being dramatically improves just be removing the foods to avoid from your diet.

There are also some exceptions which you are allowed to eat on the stone age diet which do fit in with our modern lives and dietary practices. Live low-fat yoghurt in moderation is a good addition to the diet and some grains which are well tolerated, even by those with a food allergy, are rice and millet.

If alcohol needs to be consumed (perhaps you’re at a wedding or celebration) then a small amount of dry white wine or real ale can be taken.

The stone age diet is based on natural, nutritionally rich foods and following the dietary habits it provides will ensure you reap the benefits and achieve a strong, fit and healthy body.