How Emily the Cow Taught Me to Become a Vegetarian

I was the king of the drive-thru, it was my turf. My royal servants were McDonald's, Burger King, Arby's etc.. Each visit they would ask me, " Do you want fries with your order, Todd?" Yeah it was pathetic, they even knew my name. Then someone very close to me took me to Peace Abbey in Sherborne, MA. It can be best described as a museum/bed - breakfast/spiritual center where peace is the word. Many visitors who visited included Mother Teresa, Desmond Tutu, the Dalai Lama and Yoko Ono. That is one amazing list of people that would catch anyone's attention, but one particular bovine resident changed my life forever.Her name was Emily the cow and her story will amaze you. Emily and her friends were lined up to be killed at a slaughterhouse in Hopkinton MA. She noticed her friends were not coming back and she decided to jump a nearby fence and go on the run. The slaughterhouse workers were baffled by this and left haystacks in the woods to try to lure her back to no avail. The local news got a hold of the story and Emily became a media sensation. No one wanted to see her get caught, farmers who lived in the area left hay where she was last seen and found it gone the next day.Emily was seen foraging the woods with a pack of deer. Her story caught the attention of Meg and Lewis Randa, the care takers of the Peace Abbey. Meg called Frank Arena, the owner of the slaughterhouse and asked if they come to a resolution and give Emily a place to live. Frank was surprisingly kind and offered Emily to the Peace Abbey for $350.00, at the urging of his grand daughter who named Emily, changed his offer to $1.00. Sold! Emily lived the rest of her life as an ambassador of vegetarianism and cruelty-free living at the Peace Abbey. Many visitors from as far away from India would come to visit her. After she passed, she was buried behind a statue of Gandhi and a statue was erected in her honor.Emily changed my life and she reminded me that each life is precious and that we have to honor and respect animals. As of today, I have evolved from being a vegetarian to a full fledged vegan. My health has improved immensely and veganism has become more mainstream in the media.Thank you Emily for making me see the light.

The Ailing Welfare Service: Reforms of Health and Social Care Needs Proper Scrutiny

Change is part of a humans' existence therefore, it is unavoidable and timeless. This concept is interrelated and insensitive to current occurrences within the wider welfare institutions in the UK's health and social care sectors in particular. At present, health and social services are yet again undergoing a painstaking restructuring that is creating psychological and physical stresses to the entire workforce and consumers. This trajectory is building uncertain future due to continuous re-organizations, change of emphasis and redirections of care delivery to the general public. Ironically, people are not sure where their future and loyalty lies as changes in the system is triggering great worries to all concerned.On reflection, health and social services went through a huge conscientious change in 1990s (The NHS and Community Care Act), that reconfigured the welfare systems to what many practitioners and managers thought would be a modern establishment. However, the New Labour government in 1997 to 2010 changed the prospect and redesigned it to new approaches such as personalization of services (Direct payments, Cash for Care and Personal Budgets) that transformed services delivery within the sectors. Change can make or break staff commitment, maximization of services, profitability or industrial disputes between the management and employees, this owing to mishaps within industrial relations' policies and protocols.Changing organizational cultures as well as philosophy and employee's terms of reference requires effective governance and scrutiny in order to ensure health and social care reforms work for the benefits of all. The key to making the reforms work as planned would be to safeguard effective analysis of all new policy directives and structures. It is now questionable whether the "New Ways of Working" is capable of changing the fabrics and structures of the welfare services in the UK. The main themes of the overhauls are to reduce costs/budgets, staffing and improving quality and standards of services.Decision making in some departments or services are proving to be irrational because costs are escalating, standards declining and waiting lists for assessment increasing across many social services departments. Most quality newspapers affirm that the coalition may have done everything they could to start implementing health and social care modifications before being properly examined. But, without careful considerations and good governance the plans would be an unmitigated disaster. That notwithstanding, the speed of restructuring and reallocation of services have produced an unsettling atmosphere for most health/social care workers and managers. The government' itinerary to continue with reforms and their failure to allow time for study or to win the professional's backing for these radical plans have been challenging to the wider community of experts and the public at large.Considering the clamor amongst practitioners and clinicians, the question is, would the governments' defiant be regarded as democratic or dictetorism? In contrast, it is believed that democracy means "government for the people and by the people". If that is the case, the coalition would have itself to be blamed for any criticisms regarding their actions. The dismantling of the (PCT) Primary Care Trusts throughout the country in the next two or three years could be termed as political vandalism of tax payer's money and good governance.Similarly, most strategic health and local government authorities have expressed concerns regarding cutbacks on their budget, which could have huge ramifications to services for older people and other vulnerable groups such as people with disabilities and mental health. This has also been widely highlighted by a large proportion of the professional bodies such as the Nursing and Midwifery Council, British Medical Association and BBC 2 News Night in particular. The criticisms of the government is now without seasoning because health and social care organizations needs to double their expected cuts in order to remain afloat.The growth of older people and their increasing demand for care is now unprecedented and becoming a threat to the welfare service and public services. This is despite extraordinary support from informal caregivers who are believed to have saved the government over eleven (£11bn) billion pounds a year. That notwithstanding, change is needed to reduce duplications within the system therefore, what is desirable now is a long term strategic alliance between all stakeholders (the national and local governments, health and social care and family members etc.). This would guarantee and strengthen collaborative services and minimization of costs and wastage within the sectors involved. Yet, judging from the current state of the economy both the macro and micro variable, it is certain that change is foreseeable in order to meet the challenges presented by the turmoil in the financial market and escalation of cost to maintain health and social care.However, the difficulty in planning, management and administration of the ageing universal service in the UK has been made a lot harder as a result of disproportionately deep cuts to local authorities. The Big Society agenda indicated that the government should devolve responsibilities to the community, individuals, families and the third sector. By all assumptions, this would ensure that service users' care would continue while restructuring is in progress. In hindsight, the key to making the reforms work would be to safeguard effective control and scrutiny of all the workflow patterns and services delivery. Practically, this has proved overwhelming for the organizations and management as details of the shake-up is superficial in terms of economics and socio-politics in line with social policy in the UK.Presently, the government seems unconcerned and flustered regarding the "House of Common's" health select committee's proposal that councillors should be appointed to have seats on the boards of GPs consortia. On reflection, the quality and capacity of the representatives of some voluntary bodies such as: patients/service user's liaison body and the local involvement network agencies could be inconsistent and lacking because of clinical and financial expertise. Thus, as a scrutiny committee, it would in practice be problematic to work closely with Health Watch, as well as with the health and wellbeing boards.For further reading connect to my blog: http://changinglifeparadigm.blogspot.com

The Way to Deal With The Symptoms of Andropause The Natural Way

Male andropause is a disorder well-known among older males and is indicated by a reduction in the bioavailability of testosterone. Most men who possess this disorder usually suffer a loss in muscular mass and sexual dysfunction. While testosterone supplement is readily available, the side effects of ingesting the hormone are not totally identified.Allow me to discuss with you a few natural means of dealing with andropause. These suggestions will help males to maintain optimal testosterone levels at any age.First, keeping a regular workout program can help naturally increase a man's levels of testosterone. Studies have shown that men who workout three hours or more every week have better levels of testosterone in their bodies than men of the same age who do not do exercises on a regular basis. The physical exercise stimulates the endocrine system to keep on making testosterone and is one of the easiest ways to deal with male andropause. Talk to a doctor before starting intense exercising, but a moderate activity such as walking or riding a bike is advisable.Secondly, maintain a diet that contains soy and fish oil. It is noted by medical professionals that there isn't any drop in the testosterone levels of men who consistently feed on fish oil and soy. It is not usual to find soy in a person's diet. The converse holds for fish as many like to eat this healthy food. Add fish for instance tuna and salmon and be sure to eat these meals 3 times every week. Some men decide to instead have fish oil supplements..Thirdly, a lot of vegetables like broccoli, cabbage and brussel sprouts includes Indole-3-carbinol. This natural substance is able to maintain aging men's testosterone levels normal. Moreover, it can reduce a person's chances of having cancer. The best means to take a regular dose of indole-3-carbinol is by means of eating veggies. It is more easily absorbed by the body in comparison to the consumption of supplementations.Fourthly, get enough level of zinc. Zinc helps maintain the testosterone levels in males at an optimum. This mineral's important role should not be ignored. Other essential functions of zinc are testosterone metabolism, sperm development and motility. Zinc is frequently utilized to treat male infertility due to low levels of testosterone. It can be found in nuts, meats and can be supplemented with men's multi-vitamin.The last natural means to increase testosterone is through nettle root as it helps liberation bound testosterone. There are instances that the testosterone inside the body can't create a libido effect because it is bound to the serum globulin. By binding to the serum globulin, testosterone loses any biological activity and has no further use in the body. Andropause is not simply caused by lack of testosterone, but by the biological inactivity of testosterone inside the body because it is locked to the serum globulins. Researchers who learned about this disorder discovered that substances in nettle root would bind to the serum globulins and free the testosterone to continue being active.Now you are equipped with these natural approaches to combating male andropause. As men get older, they must maintain optimal testosterone levels inside their bodies. Testosterone does not only affect a man's libido but his heart, bone growth and predisposition to obesity as well. When you use these five natural ways to keep adequate levels of testosterone, you will be in good health as you grow old.

Common Misconceptions About Hip Replacement Surgery

With an ever increasing active lifestyle, we are no longer willing to accept painkillers as part of our lives. We want a permanent solution to any issues we are facing. With an advancement in medical and materials technology, hip replacement surgery can be a permanent thing already. With ceramic bearings gradually replacing metal bearings in the hip components, the wear and tear rates are lesser. However, there are many misconceptions out there about hip replacement surgery that should be clarified.Better range of motionWhile surgery may help to reduce pain and any stiffness in the joints, it cannot help to increase the range of motion. Range of motion is fixed and cannot be increased by any means.It is meant for old peopleAlthough people who are more senior are more prone to getting arthritis, adults of any age can experience pain in their hip joints. With minimally invasive surgery being commonly performed and the choice of surgery for surgeons, many adults in their 30s to 40s are already having hip replacement surgery. However do take note that if the patient is very active in his daily life, the hip replacement may not last as long as someone who is not active.A long recovery period is requiredAlthough hip replacement surgery is a major one, patients will require only around a week's rest in the hospital. However, it varies among patients and some are able to leave the hospital in just a couple of days as long as they can bear weight comfortably on their hip. Short term recovery takes roughly 4 weeks and a full recovery will take roughly half a year. Physical therapy will help speed up the recovery period.It should be the last resortSurgery is the last thing on people's mind and the same goes for hip replacement surgery. They prefer to go for medication, physiotherapy and other methods when possible. However in many cases, the pain is almost unbearable and only surgery can help to provide the relief required. When medication and physical therapy do not work, go for surgery immediately.You have to give up sports after the surgeryThis is totally not true. Some people opt for hip replacement surgery simply because they want to go back to low impact sports such as swimming and cycling. Do consult your doctor for professional advice before participating in sports though.Advances in medical technology and surgical techniques have caused hip replacement surgery to be more fuss free than before. Patients have a shorter recovery time and the success rates are higher. Be sure to dispel all those misconceptions and go for surgery if it is really required.

What to Look for in Nursing Rehabilitation Centers

If you have a loved one who is either elderly, ill, or both, you are probably considering placing that person into a nursing rehabilitation center. Nursing rehabilitation centers provide people with the care that they need when their loved ones can no longer do such. Finding a reliable center saves people time and money as well as improving the client's quality of life.One should look for several qualities when choosing a nursing rehabilitation. Anyone considering placing a family member in care should review the facility for the following aspects and choose the location that exhibits the most benefits.A facility that has been in operation for many years will provide the best care for its patients. Tenured facilities have had decades to work on policies, procedures, and practices. They will have the most beds and the most extensive staffing. Additionally, long-standing establishments will have a plethora of former and current clients who will speak strongly and kindly about their ethics and reliability. A person should choose a facility that has been in business for over 10 years. A facility of this sort will have had time to refine its craft.The most important element of a good nursing facility is its staff. The staff members are the people who will be looking over the elderly and providing them with the items they need to sustain life. All staff members should have a kind and compassionate demeanor. They should all be licensed and trained for the positions they have. Additionally, staff members at a professional facility will work together to provide the very best care for all of their patients. A person can get a good idea of how the staff operates by visiting the facility and speaking with several members.Cleanliness is another factor that depicts the quality of a nursing rehabilitation facility. A simple walk through will give a prospective client a mental picture of how well the facility follows safety and health standards. The elderly deserve to live in a clean and disease free environment. Therefore, anyone thinking of admitting a loved one should pay a visit to review this quality.Not all people can afford to keep their loved ones in nursing rehabilitation centers. Therefore, one must search for a facility that gives several payment options. A facility that takes several forms of insurance gives opportunity to a larger base of people. Likewise, facilities that take Medicare and Medicaid will make services available to more people.After sifting through the various qualifications, a prospective client should be able to choose the best facility for his or her loved one. If you are the person looking to care for a family member, you will want to choose only the best care.

What Is the Best Temperature for Human Beings - Might I Suggest 70-79 Degrees Fahrenheit?

We all know when the weather is good, and that is when we feel great and comfortable. If the humidity is too high, when it is too hot, or when it is too cold with wind chill we get uncomfortable. Okay so, nothing you didn't know right, also nothing you really need a weather report for, you know when it is comfortable and nice outside, and you definitely know when it is miserable, the weather that is. Still, it seems that humans have a sweet spot when it comes to the weather and comfort, and I'd like to share some concepts with you about all this.There is an interesting paper on this topic, the title being; "Effect of the Prevailing Air Temperature on Mortality," by RK MacPherson from the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, University of Sydney and Lidcombe Hospitalt, Lidcombe, New South Wales, Australia. In the summary it stated;"In an institution for the aged and chronically ill the mortality for all ages was least 14% below the annual daily average when the temperature was 70 to 79-degrees F. At 50-59 degrees F. the deaths were 19% and above 89-90 F deaths were up 13%. The effect of successive hot days appeared to be cumulative. The effect of temperature first became plainly evident at 70 years of age and increased thereafter with increasing age. In the relatively mild climatic conditions prevailing, the effect of unfavorable temperatures was small, possibly having some part in 6.3% of all deaths."Okay so, if you wish to live a long time, where should you live? Well, wherever the temperature is fairly steady at 70 to 79 degrees Fahrenheit of course. So, you'd want to live on the Southern California Coast or a similar climate, with only moderate humidity, or stay inside in the air conditioner more, or have your home heated to that temperature in the Winter months. And might I add you should allow the outside microbes access to your humble abode as well, they can help your human bio system to a major degree as well.If you are running a large business, retail outlet, apartment high rise, institutional facility, government building, stadium, cruise ship, or even the International Space Station these are all issues that should concern you. Happy and comfortable humans give their best performance in these temperature settings. Indeed, I hope you will please consider all this and thinking on it

Things to Remember Before Using Infant Heel Warmer

Infant Heel Warmer is a chemical heat pack designed to boost the infant's blood circulation in the sole and heel area. It is frequently used by caregivers to facilitate collection of blood sample with the help of heel stick. It is considered safe when used according to the manufacturer's guidelines.Types of infant heel warmersAn infant warmer is a disposable device comprising of a non-toxic substance. An exothermic reaction that occurs when it is activated instantly raises the temperature of the heel area to about 104°F or 40°C. The high temperature lasts only for a few minutes. Gradually the temperature declines and the heel area regains its original temperature.There is a variety of heel warmers. Most of the manufactures sell patented devices. Usually gel based components are used for increasing the temperature. The top quality products usually reach the desired temperature within a minute. No complex procedure is involved in activating the device. It is activated simply by squeezing the pouch containing the gel. By warming the heel and sole for several minutes, the Infant Heel Warmer offers sufficient time for carrying out the heel stick procedure. Good quality warmers do not contain DEHP, latex and other substances that are considered harmful for the tender skin of the infant.Things to remember while using infant heel warmerAlthough rare, few adverse events following Infant Heel Warmer use has been reported. While investigating the cause of the harmful effects, studies have revealed that improper use of the device is responsible for the reaction. Second to third degree burns are rare side effects that can be easily avoided by following the manufacturer's instructions while using the device.Before applying the product, assess the condition of the infant's skin. A heel warmer should not be applied to skin that is damaged. It should be used only when the skin is intact. Even minor bruises can cause significant problem following application of a heel warming gel. The caregiver should be especially careful while applying the product to the sole or heel area of a premature infant.Carefully follow the instruction manual while activating the device. Do not activate it near the infant. Keep the device away from the eyes while activating it. Few incidents have been reported when the heel warmer had burst open and its ingredients had splashed in the eyes, resulting in emergency ophthalmic treatment for the caregiver.

How to Easily Get Rid of Tonsil Stones

You have heard about tonsil stones and the sometimes desperate measures taken to get rid of them, but could you possibly have them? You keep trying to clear your throat of the feeling that something is stuck there. You feel the need to cough, even though you don't have any symptoms of a cold or flu. And worst of all, is that awful taste in your mouth, which tells you your breath is way offensive to everyone around you. Do any of these symptoms sound familiar? If so, it may be possible that you are suffering from tonsil stones or tonsilloliths.We have all heard of kidney stones, but there are other parts of the body where troublesome stones can appear, such as the tonsils. Tonsil stones are small whitish calcified formations which can weigh as much as 42 grams each and they can cause a variety of problems for those prone to the condition.Why Me?Developing tonsilloliths can generally be contributed to two main factors. The first factor to be considered in the development of tonsil stones is your very own set of tonsils. The majority of people have tonsils that are relatively smooth which provides a difficult surface for the stones to attach to. Tonsils are comprised of a highly complicated system of crypts (pockets throughout the tonsils), but the number and depth can effect tonsil health. If you are unfortunate enough to have a great number of deep crypts on your tonsils you will have an increased risk of developing stones. This type of deep environment is perfect for the calcified bad guys to find hiding spots in which to take root and cause you untold misery.The second contributing factor is bacteria. We all have bacteria in our mouths, but if your system is not doing a good job of cleansing, the bacteria will add to the formula for creating stones, as well as cause the sometimes horrific halitosis that is often associated with tonsil stones.What to DoUsing a mirror and good lighting, take a look at the back of your throat. You may or may not be able to see any stones. The throat and tonsils have many folded layers, so it's conceivable that if you have tonsil stones, they may be hidden within these folds. Your doctor will probably have more success with a visual examination, but a CT scan can also be used to pinpoint where they are located.If the stones are not causing you too many problems, your doctor many suggest warm salt water gargles or some other simple pain relieving solution to alleviate the throat pain that is often associated with these benign growths.If the pain is frequent and just too much to handle, your ear, nose and throat specialist can remove the tonsil stones in a simple office visit with or without local anesthetic (depending on your discomfort level and gag reflex).If you are more inclined to do it yourself, then you are not alone. Many people successfully remove their stones without the doctor visit. This self extraction can be done with a wet cotton swab or a non-sharp dental pick. Even gentle brushing can sometimes dislodge the stones. People have reported success using a gentle spray from an oral irrigator, such as a Waterpik. However, caution and a gentle touch should be used if you decide to undertake any removal project on your own.If you experience more pain than is comfortable, then relying on your ENT doctor to surgically remove the stones might be advisable. Remember that they may return, as it can be a recurring condition, but in the meantime, you can enjoy life again, without the worry of a sore throat and bad breath.

Guide to Get Fit at Home

If you want to start getting in to shape but do not have the option of joining a gym or paying for expensive home gym equipment, no need to worry. Getting fit at home is easy if you have the time, motivation and ability to consistently follow through each and every day. This is often the hardest part for many people because at home we have many distractions including the television, children, computers, and phones. There is a way around this and you only need to be distraction free for 30 minutes to an hour. This makes it feasible for anyone to do.Home WorkoutsIf you have ever researched the term "home workouts" then you are probably aware of the numerous exercises and home videos available on the market. Some prefer to do their own exercises while others prefer to follow a video. Getting fit at home doesn't require a lot of space either.Jumping jacks, pushups, leg lifts, running or jogging in place, squats, crunches and dancing are just some ideal home workouts. If you have a hard time coming up with what exercise to do a video might be a better option. You can find affordable videos that will target the exact goal you have in mind such as to lose weight, tone up, build muscle, etc.Free of Distractions -amp; FocusBefore you begin getting fit at home you will need to remove all distractions so that you can follow through without any interruptions. Shut down the computer or turn off the screen, put your phone on silent and give your children an activity they can do on their own to keep them busy. A great way to focus during a workout is to imagine your ideal body. This can push you farther than you might think or expect.Stay MotivatedGetting fit at home isn't always an easy task because you have to make yourself do it every day. A great way to stay motivated and on track is to keep track of your progress. Consider joining an online fitness community. Most of these are free and allow you to track your food and physical activities. In addition many will offer a journal to allow you to interact with those who have the same goal; getting fit at home. Create your own journal or spreadsheet to keep track if you prefer this over a community however, it should be noted that these online communities are also great for support and inspiration.Getting fit at home doesn't have to be difficult however many times it sure seems that way. Every day you successfully complete your daily fitness goals is one day closer to reaching your final goal. You are in the comfort of your own home and do not have to spend a penny to get in shape; there are no excuses left. What are you waiting for?

Homemade Lavender Body Lotion

Body lotions and oils are great for the winter. Cold weather, indoor heat, hot showers all dry out skin and it's great to have lotions or oils on hand to soothe skin. The problem is that natural chemical free and gluten free lotions are very expensive to buy. Also, a lot of the so-called natural body products still have some undesirable ingredients in them. Sometimes I am amazed at the lengthy list of ingredients and the number of ingredients that look like chemical names in products that say natural on the label. I have never found a lotion in the store that meets all my standards and also is a reasonable cost. This is why I decided to start making my own lotion. This is how I make my lotion:Lavender Body Lotion3/4 pure oil - olive oil, sweet almond oil, coconut oil, grapeseed oil, etc.3/4 cup distilled water2 tbsp shaved bees wax30 drops lavender essential oiltea tree oil or grapefruit seed extractglass mason jars to store lotionTools needed: I have separate tools just for lotion makingBlenderglass pyrex measuring cuprubber spatulaInstructions:Sterilize all tools by using the dishwasher or boiling water.Pour the distilled water into the blender and set aside.Pour the oil or combination of oils into the glass measuring cupShave off the bees wax with a knife or vegetable peeler (it usually comes in a block), measure and put into the measuring cup with the oil.Heat water in a pot and create a double boiler with the glass measuring cup to melt the bees wax into the oil.When the bees wax is melted remove the measuring cup from the double boiler and let sit for 2 minutes.Turn on the blender with the water already in it and slowly pour the oil into the blender creating an emulsionOnce the oil and water are fully combined, add your essential oils for scent. (I like Young Living oils best)Add some tea tree oil or grapefruit seed extract to act as a "preservative"Blend until combined.Transfer into mason jars to store.This is what the finished product looks like...This recipe has worked well for me and it makes 2-3 small jars of lotion. The lotion is very soothing and seems like a luxurious expensive creme which is why I love it. The lavender scent is also very calming. You can make changes to the recipe to get the lotion you like the best - change the different oils that you use or you can use herbal infused oil which adds a nice touch. One of my favorite infused oils is calendula infused oil - I use this to make diaper rash creme for my daughter which has worked great.Do you make your own lotion? Do you have any tips or tricks to share? What are you favorite oils or herbs to use in lotions?

What Is a Yeast Infection

A yeast infection is a fungus that most commonly occurs in the vagina, often the type of yeast infection found in the is Candida Albican. Yeast is normal and healthy to find in moist areas like the vagina or mouth which is where they normally occur. To answer the question what is a yeast infection, first we need to discuss a few things like: what causes it, what kind of symptoms do you have with the infection, how common is it, and what are the treatments.Causes of a Yeast Infection can vary from woman to woman and furthermore, the same woman can have different causes of the vaginal infection at different times. It happens when the vaginas normal and healthy environment is shaken up and disturbed. One of the leading causes to them is douching. The vagina is delicate and does not need to be cleaned by outside products. When you douche, it disturbs the vaginas normal natural balance, leading to the infection. Taking birth control, pregnancy, and women with diabetes are at a higher risk for infections in the vagina caused by yeast.If you have the condition or suspect that you do, you will notice that it itches in and around your vagina. Itching is a very common systems of vagina yeast infections. Painful intercourse and soreness may also be present. You may see cottage cheese like discharge and it may feel like your vagina is burning. The infection is not a STD even though it may feel and seem like one. Gonorrhea and Chlamydia causes symptoms much like the vaginal infection. Women who are sexually active and have unprotected sex need to rule out symptoms that could be STDs by being evaluated.Vaginal yeast infections are common in women of all races. In fact, 75% of women will suffer from them once in their lifetime, with many women having more than just one of them before they die. It is true that even men can get them orally and around the genitals. The most common for men occurs in the mouth called Thrush. Men can also get painful penile infections. The research is unclear if these infections occurring in men come from sexual activity or some other source.Once it is determined that it is a vaginal infection from yeast not a STD you may be prescribe medication. Treatment is usually given by oral medicine sometimes combined cream to rub into the vagina and around it. However, vaginal tablets are now preferred by most doctors to treat most vaginal infections cause by yeast. Medications from drug stores can also bring relief, however if you still have symptoms after taking these generic medications to treat your yeast infection, you need to see a doctor to rule out other possibilities.

How Do I Cure a Yeast Infection Quickly, Easily and Naturally?

Are you currently suffering from the almost unbearable symptoms of a yeast infection? If so, immediate treatment is required. This condition can be very embarrassing, painful and if not treated can continue to become more and more severe. I suffered my infection for roughly a year and a half and to this day I have never suffered a more traumatic experience. So to begin lets familiarise ourselves with what this infection really is.A yeast infection develops when a number of different factors are present together and cause an imbalance in our probiotic bacteria and candida levels. The 5 main factors are:1. Antibiotics use2. Hormonal Imbalance3. Imbalance in acid/alkaline levels and digestive enzymes4. Toxins present in digestive tract5. Poor dietIt is very uncommon for just one of these factors to cause the infection by itself, but when a number of these are triggered together it creates the perfect environment for the candida to outnumber our probiotic bacteria and cause the Infection.So if it takes more than one of these factors to cause the infection, obviously the treatment must focus on more than just one. A proper treatment should focus on all relevant factors that are causing your infection otherwise it pointless. A metaphor I like to use for this is if you were standing under a roof with four holes in it, no matter how well you patch up one hole you are still going to get wet through the other three. So if there are five factors causing your infection then what good is it focusing on just one?When most people ask their doctors the question, how do I cure a yeast infection they are usually pointed towards medications and creams. But the problem with those is that they only focus on one aspect of the infection and although they may see slight relief they will never cure the problem because like I explained above focusing one factor will not work.The solution to this is an effective natural treatment which focuses on every factor of the infection and fights it from every angle. Using the natural method drops the risk of being harmed by powerful medications and also saves you a lot of money because there is no need for continual use of a product. So when you ask yourself the question, how do I cure a yeast infection? Instead of grabbing for the medications try a proven natural treatment that will actually cure your yeast infection.

What Are Yeast Infection Symptoms for Both Women and Men

Not sure if you have a yeast infection? Well to figure out whether you do it's important to know what are yeast infection symptoms.But before I go into what are yeast infection symptoms it's important that you are aware that there are a number of different types of the infection. The one that most people know about is genital yeast infection. This is extremely common in women but is also found in a lot of men. It can be a very painful experience and can also last years and years. Some other types include mouth and throat, urethra, kidneys, bladder bones and eyes.For this article I will mainly be referring to symptoms of genital infection but if you have another type than it also very likely that you are suffering a number of the same symptoms. For women there are two types, localised (genital area) and systemic (other parts of the body). They basically refer to where in the body the symptoms occur. Now the most common are:LocalisedItching, irritation and burning
White discharge
Painful urination
Pelvic aching
Sensitive pubic hair follicles
Inflamed redness in Perineum area
Systemic
Fatigue, lethargy
Difficulty walkingWhat are yeast infection symptoms for men?For men the symptoms are quite similar. However there a couple which are slightly unique to them. For example:Burning sensation after and during intercourse
White lesions and red rash in genital area
White discharge from penisIf you are suffering any of these symptoms it is very likely that you have the infection. For this, treatment is needed. There are a number of creams you can buy over the counter but the problem with them is that only relieve the symptoms. They do not get to the root of the problem and cure the infection. For this a natural treatment which focuses on all the factors that cause this condition is required.An all-natural treatment is much more effective because they are designed so that they not only fight the infection from one angle but instead all angles. For example an over the counter cream may relieve a bit of the itchiness but how is it going to cure the internal problems which cause the infection. Most people are unaware that this infection is mostly due to internal factors, not just external. So you know what are yeast infection symptoms now go ahead and cure it with an all-natural treatment.

5 Best Exercises for Thighs

Exercises for thighs are a common request as a trainer. To be clear, by "thigh" most people are talking about upper leg. Before I get into the list, I should point out that the best "thigh" exercises work the entire leg including the glutes (butt muscles). None of the best exercises isolate only the thigh muscles. Isolating exercises i.e. Leg extensions, leg lifts, etc. aren't the best. They are far inferior to functional movements in every way and some can be harmful to your knees. That being said, if when reading this list, you think of one of these exercises as a butt exercise, you're right. It works that, too.1. SquatsWhen done right, squatting motions are awesome exercises for the thighs. The thigh muscles (four muscles on the front of your upper legs) AKA: quads, are one of the prime movers in this motion. There are many variations of this exercise. A few of them are:
Holding on to something while squatting up and down
Holding dumbbells for more resistance
Holding a weighted bar on your back2. Step UpsI'm surprised that step ups are not performed in gyms more often. They are definitely one of the best exercises for the thighs. And, they are extremely functional and all you have to do is find a step and go to work. When done properly, they are harder than they look. Done in everyday life, we rely heavily on momentum to get us up stairs. But for an exercise, I recommend removing momentum as much as possible and keeping tension on the thigh muscles throughout the exercise until fatigued.You may need to hold onto something to help you up until your strength improves. The eventual goal should be to hold weights (probably dumbbells) while stepping up.3. Suspension LungesThese are utilizing cables attached overhead. There are a few brands on the market. This is the newest exercise to my list simply because exercising with suspension cables is newer than the others. I like them because, like all suspension exercises, it's so easy to adjust the intensity. This exercise is good because it allows you to get a greater range of motion at the knees than most any other lunges. The great range of motion allows you to develop other muscle fibers than typical lunges and enhancing the development of the thighs (quads).4. LungesLike squats, lunges can be performed several ways. Unfortunately, the type I see most is the one that I like least: lunging forward and then backward. I'm fine with lunging forward, it's lunging backwards that I don't like. I think it places too much strain on the knee. My favorite lunges are:
Step Back Lunges
Travelling (walking) lungesStep back lunges are especially good if you're learning and/or still developing the strength for other lunges. If necessary, you can start out by holding onto something to assist you. The eventual goal should be to hold weights while performing this exercise.5. Hamstring Presses on BallI don't think there are any better exercises for the back of the thighs (hamstrings). Variation on this exercises include performing it with different angles of the knee. If you don't have an exercise ball, you can do the same exercise on a chair or bench.In addition to these exercises, I need to emphasize that if what you really want is leaner legs, these exercises will help accomplish that, but you need to make sure you're doing the exercises as a part of a well-rounded exercise program that emphasizes fat loss and/or weight loss. Because let's be honest, the best exercises in the world can make your thigh muscles look good, but won't help them look much better if there is too much fat on them. So, make sure you also have a good program that also focuses on fat loss.