Medical Journeys

Posts Tagged ‘lifestyle changes’

I am always cold, and find myself complaining of being cold when others say they are "burning up." I often wear jackets in the summer time, and if I sit still for long periods of time my hands are cold but sweaty and my feet are very cold and clammy.

I cannot remember this happening for all my life, I have only recently noticed it (as in the past few years.) The only significant lifestyle changes I have made are choosing vegetarianism, and I am also thinking that lack of protein in my body could be causing this.

The Heart Disease Hit List

• FACT Heart disease is the biggest killer in the western world, and has been for more than a century.
• FACT Heart disease related deaths account for more than a third of deaths.
• FACT A large percentage of heart attack victims die before they reach hospital.
• FACT The first sign of heart disease that many heart attack victims notice is sudden excruciating pain followed by death.

Shocked yet? You should be! In-fact we all should be. Many people ignore the occasional chest pain, the twinge in the arm or shoulders after a meal etc, and take no interest in reversing heart disease. Feeling safe in the knowledge that if they have a heart problem theyll go to the hospital and get fixed up; maybe take steps toward reversing heart disease through lifestyle changes if the doc says so. Sounds like a good plan huh? Unfortunately as the above statistics clearly show, the plan can fail with tragic consequences, which could be avoided by reversing heart disease through a change of lifestyle.

Reversing heart disease should be of prime importance to every adult in the western world. Poor lifestyle and complacency are sadly all too closely linked to the heart disease death rate. Check out the chilling statistics and youll find that the heart disease death rates are similar in every western country, and yet the majority of people are still complacent about the dangers associated with this silent killer.

The main risk factors are:

• High Blood Pressure
• High Cholesterol
• Obesity
• Smoking
• Sedentary Lifestyle
• Stress

Combine a few, or perhaps all of these risk factors and you have a lethal time-bomb ticking away inside of you, with prevention being the best solution by reversing heart disease through lifestyle changes. Most of the major risk factors are silent. They must be sought actively, and much of the responsibility for their detection, and reversing heart disease lies with each of us as individuals. Regular checkups are particularly necessary if there is a family history of heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels or diabetes.

There has been a slight decline in the death rate from heart disease over the last two decades as a portion of the population has heeded the warning and taken steps to modify their lifestyle to reduce the risk factors and thus reversing heart disease that would otherwise have progressed within their bodies. Despite this decline however, the death rate is still far too high.

Another worrying problem is the high obesity rate among the young population today and its associated health problems, of which heart disease is only one. Many nutritionists and scientist believe this generation of adults will be among the first to outlive their children, a terrible thought for any parent. This highlights the importance of reversing heart disease factors for ourselves as well as our children through education and encouraging the whole family to get involved in making positive changes to diet and lifestyle.

As with many other degenerative diseases of our society, heart disease is best prevented; rather than trying to gamble on surviving your first wakeup call. Heart disease prevention is best approached by taking steps toward reversing heart disease gradually and always under a doctors supervision. Educating yourself is also a smart course of action for reversing heart disease and specialist information will always have significantly more effective results. Heart disease is no joke; its a matter of life and death!

2006 Colin L Wolfenden

Author: Colin Wolfenden
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Electric Pressure Cooker

You have a pesky headache, so you reach for the aspirin. You can ice a bruise to reduce swelling. When youve had surgery, painkillers are prescribed. The pain resulting from these situations may be acute but thankfully, its usually temporary. Chronic pain, though, lasts for days, months or even years, undermining quality of life. Chronic pain is common, yet managing it successfully can be elusive.

Chronic pain is a complex condition, involving the source and history of the pain how it has been treated, the perception of pain by the individual and the psychological toll it has taken. If youve experienced chronic pain, you may have suffered lethargy, fatigue, depression or anxiety. Dont ignore untreated, persistent pain; it could be symptomatic of a disease or injury that will only get worse without treatment.

How we address chronic pain

We first diagnose the source of chronic pain, and review its history, treatment, if any, and results. This may be difficult, because pain may have no discernable source, such as the widespread pain of fibromyalgia. Pain, with or without a known source is real, and should be taken seriously.

We find that a multidisciplinary treatment program is the best pain management approach, because it takes addresses the whole person, including physiological and psychological aspects of pain. Pain management is not all about medications. With appropriate medications, complementary therapies and lifestyle changes, patients engage in their recovery and gain a renewed sense of control of their lives. While a cure may not always be possible, managing pain should be.

Common causes of chronic pain i

These include headaches, back pain, arthritis, cancer pain, post-injury and post-operative pain, and neuropathic pain, which result from nerve injury. Treatment is specific to the individual. For example, someone with arthritis may need occasional over the counter medications, while another is prescribed regular aerobic exercise or physical therapy and prescription antiflammatory drugs.

Americans are conditioned to look for the quick fix, the magic pill. In some cases narcotic prescription drugs are appropriate, but the majority of chronic pain cases, theres a variety of effective and safer therapies, including some exciting new drugs. These therapies usually take more time to work, requiring more patience.

At Hanley Center, hanleycenter.org we treat many patients recovering from addictions to pain and other medications. Addiction is a brain disease with genetic components, so talk to your doctor about appropriate, non-narcotic pain medications if you have a family history of addiction, or if you are in recovery. Narcotics can also significantly change ones perception of pain, often making it intolerable. The impulse is to over-medicate. This dangerous and probably wont lesson pain in the long run.

Pain medications

Drugs traditionally used to treat chronic pain are acetaminophens, such as Tylenol, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen, such as Aleve (OTC) or Naprosyn (prescription). These drugs inhibit hormones that stimulate nerve cells the injury site, causing swelling and infection. Opioids such as morphine and codeine can be very effective for treating severe chronic pain. They block pain by locking onto opioid receptors in the brain. But they can be addictive and can cause lack of concentration, drowsiness, dizziness and constipation.

Newer drugs to treat pain have often been developed to treat other conditions such as seizures or depression. Duloxetine (Cymbalta) is an antidepressant, and is effective in treating diabetic neuropathy. Neurantin (brand Lyrica) affects chemicals and nerves in the body that cause seizures, and can treat some types of pain, as in herpes virus or shingles.

Managing pain with narcotics, other prescription medications and OTC drugs can cause serious side effects and interactions. Inform your doctor about all current medications.

The mind/body connection

Why do some people totally recover from injuries and others with similar injuries suffer for years? How a person physiologically responds to pain may determine the development of chronic pain. For example, after the initial trauma, the bodys neurological processes may cause the central nervous system to create a memory of the pain. And if the injured person relies solely on medication and doesnt carry through with prescribed physical therapy and exercise regime, chronic pain can become crippling.

There are many pain management methods. Some of these include:

• Acupuncture
• Expressive and creative therapies include art, music, movement, and journaling.
• Cognitive behavior therapy
• Massage
• Meditation
• Breathing exercises

Appropriate Exercise is important for almost anyone suffering from chronic pain. Weight bearing exercise is therapeutic for osteopina, the precursor of osteoarthritis. Try aqua-aerobics if walking is difficult. Yoga can be gentle, strenuous, or meditative. Many find Tai Chi and Jin Shin Jitsu healing.

Biofeedback: By using an electronic machine, the patient becomes aware of and gains control of muscle tension, heart rate and skin temperature, then learns to affect changes in her response to pain.

Attitude is key to successfully managing pain. Having a routine, a support system, paying attention to proper nutrition, getting adequate sleep, and not skipping exercise are all effective. Join a walking group, a gentle yoga class, the Y for aqua aerobics. Get moving and get involved.

Author: Barbara Krantz, D.O.
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Credit card currency-exchange fees

You’ve heard of wellness coaching and you’ve got questions. What does a wellness coach do? How does it work? Who is it for? Where do you find a coach? When should I hire one? etc. etc. etc. This article in no way can be a complete guide to answer all of the questions on wellness coaching, however it will give you enough background to decide whether or not you are interested in learning more, and perhaps even accepting a ‘free coaching session’ from a wellness coach willing to give one. Here are the answers to many of the most common questions.

What is a Wellness Coach?

A wellness coach is a professional trained in one or more areas of “wellness” who support their clients in making long term sustainable lifestyle changes such that their actions in relation to health and wellness are in alignment with their personal goals.

What areas of ‘Wellness’ does a Wellness Coach work in?

Wellness is a huge word that means vastly different things to different people. For some it means going to the gym every day, for others it means finding the right balance between work and home life, for others they define wellness as the spa at the corner shopping center! Given this broad array of definitions out there for the term wellness, its good to know what areas your wellness coach has a background in. Here are some common ones: physical fitness, nutrition, stress management, weight management, obesity, life balance, cardiac health, disease management, relationships, and mental health. Clearly, not all wellness coaches will have a background in all of these areas.

What Credentials should I ask About?

There is no universally accepted licensure for wellness coaches today – so don’t expect that there is one correct answer to the question of what credentials your coach has. Ask what your prospective coaches philosophies are on coaching, what coach training/ background they have. If they have had no formal coach training, ask what them what it means to be a coach. Many wellness coaches will have life coach training/certifications, or wellness coach training/certifications. No single program can be identified as ‘the best’, ask them what their training program looked like if you are concerned about their background.

How does a Wellness Coach Work?

Think of a wellness coach as your mentor and partner. The goal of a wellness coach is to put him or herself out of business because you leave the relationship with all of the tools and the inner motivation to conquer your goals on your own. While a wellness coach will most likely have a background in one or more of the areas of wellness listed above, you will find out quickly that coaching is not about passing along information. The coach will work with you to set goals, identify your strengths, develop your personal skill set, and most importantly to become self reliant on taking action.

How does a Wellness Coach differ from a Nutritionist or Trainer?

There are many Wellness Coaches that are nutritionists and personal trainers, however not all trainers and nutritionists are Wellness Coaches (and vice versa). The biggest difference is the approach that is taken towards achieving goals. A personal trainer is typically hired to provide guidance, motivation, education, hands on support and to tell you how to achieve your goals. This support is very appropriate in many cases. A nutritionist has a similar function, they are trained to provide information, guidance and design a recipe for success when someone has very specific dietary needs and goals. Again, they serve a fantastic role in supporting their clients through the questions they have.

A Wellness Coach takes a much different approach when working with clients. Fundamentally a coach assumes that you have your own answers. Certainly there are opportunities for education and sharing information when appropriate (and this information should be shared only in the coaches areas of expertise), however the focus of a wellness coach is one of empowering the client to clearly see for themselves the most appropriate path forward such that they can make sustainable, long term lifestyle changes. This is much different than telling them what they need to do today. It involves discussing goals, a vision, and designing a plan together.

Why Should I hire a Wellness Coach?

I’ve got another article written on this topic – read the full dialogue here.

Where do I find a coach?

Most wellness coaches work as sole proprietors rather than with large companies and are scattered across the country (and world). Coaches that work for large companies are typically working in an organizational setting and are not able to take individual or private clients. Since wellness coaching is a relatively new industry, there is no ‘best’ way to find a coach. If you’ve got a personal referral that is fantastic. If not, the best way that I know of to find a coach is to do a Google search for Wellness Coach. This will give you the most comprehensive listing for wellness coaches in the country.

Where do we meet?

Almost all coaches work telephonically (many do not even offer in person meetings), so distance should not be a problem if you are willing to settle for working by phone. Often times people prefer the ability to be more anonymous. Just know that it is most likely that you will need to contact the coach so if they are out of your local area code you may incur a charge for phone time if you do not have unlimited long distance.

Who should I Hire?

A couple of words of advice. Recognize that you are going to be establishing a relationship with the coach. Just as important as finding a knowledgeable coach is finding one with which you are comfortable with and most importantly, one which inspires you to take action (that is why you are hiring a coach in the first place). Many coaches offer a first complimentary coaching call, so take advantage of this. If they don’t, most will spend time with you discussing their services in depth and this should give you a good feel for their personality.

Who is Wellness Coaching for?

If you’ve made it this far in the article I suspect you may be a potential candidate. Wellness coaching is for someone looking for a partner rather than a teacher. A person looking for a wellness coach is every bit as interested in the question – How do I make lifestyle Change, as they are in the question what should I change. If you know what you need to do, but have not had success in the past, or if you know that personal support and interaction will be the key in making lasting lifestyle change, then a wellness coach may be right for you.

When should I hire a coach?

That’s clearly your decision. Ask yourself what the opportunity is with working with a coach. Is it weight loss? Is it improving stamina? Is it creating a life plan in which your work and family life are balanced? Ask yourself why you may be considering a coach and this should guide you to making the decision of when. In general coaches do not offer specials, there is no right or wrong time to begin working with a coach.

I will remind you however that when you do decide to hire a coach, you are taking a big step. You are journeying from the place of inaction to action. Hiring a coach alone (and committing to the relationship) is a symbolic action which states that you are ready, willing and on the path towards change. Its a big step and you deserve acknowledgement when you decide the time is right.

For more information visit www.i-grow.net

Author: Doug Nau
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Mobile device news