Health Blog

A healthy body and a sound mind

What Corrective Eyewear is Best for You

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As people age, many experience vision problems. The doctors would tell you that it’s a normal occurrence and one that will most likely happen to people with parents who have the same issue. Either the child can get it at a young age or as he or she grows old.

Normally, though, vision issues start to occur when an individual is at his late 30’s or early 40’s. Various symptoms can be experienced such as dizziness as if you’re on a ship and some imbalance problems.
Eyeglasses-and-Contact-Lens
Vision issues can include either be astigmatism, nearsightedness or farsightedness. Nearsighted means a person sees clearly only when things are closer to him while farsighted means the person can see clearly from a distance but has difficulty viewing those near to him. Astigmatism, meanwhile, refers to a refractive error that leads to blurry vision.

The right person to consult regarding this matter is an ophthalmologist or a physician specializing in eye and vision care. This type of doctor is trained in providing all kinds of eye care including prescribing glasses and contact lenses as well as performing surgical procedures.
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New Treatment Options for Sleep Apnea

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Sleep apnea affects millions of people worldwide. This health issue can be bothersome as it causes a person to wake up several times during the night and can lead to snoring or pauses in breathing.

The mild form can be easily treated through changes in lifestyle and sleeping habits. Medical experts say reducing weight, avoiding alcohol, smoking and sleeping pills are some of the ways to lessen the occurrence of sleep apnea. Additionally, changing one’s sleeping positions can help improve breathing. Sleeping on the back is not recommended.

For patients with suffering from chronic sleep apnea, a common treatment is the CPAP or the continuous positive airway pressure. This method makes use of a mask worn over the nose and/or mouth while sleeping. The mask is connected to a machine that provides continuous air flow to the nose.

Other treatments for this sleeping problem are the use of breathing devices, dental devices that help maintain an open airway and surgery in worse cases. Breathing tools include the bilevel positive airway pressure (BPAP) and adaptive servo-ventilation (ASV). The two basic oral tools are the mandibular repositioning and tongue retaining devices. Surgical procedures can be on the nasal area, the throat and palate and the face.
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What are the Requirements to become a Personal Trainer?

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Are you a health buff? Do you have a passion to help people get fit and lose weight? Perhaps you’re meant to become a personal trainer or fitness instructor.

Being in this position will give you an opportunity to assist people with weight issues and earn a decent livelihood. A rewarding experience awaits you as you share your knowledge and skills in helping clients stay fit and lead a healthy lifestyle moving onwards.

A background in physical education or physical medicine will be good enough to pursue your passion. However, it would help you more if you gain more knowledge by regularly reading books related to health fitness such as about anatomy, kinesiology, nutrition and exercise physiology.

An initial exposure to fitness clinics and gym would also be beneficial. This should have trained you on how to properly communicate with and motivate clients and how to use the different gym equipment.

In addition to that, you may need to enroll in a first aid training that includes CPR. This is an important subject to prepare you for any emergency when doing your sessions with clients.

But other than your educational background, trainings and initial work experience, a certification is a major requirement. Normally, certain organizations issue this certification. Make sure that you get yours from a nationally accredited organization such as the American Council on Exercise, American College of Sports Medicine and Aerobics and Fitness Association of America. Regardless of

Once you’ve obtained a certification, you also need to get a specific insurance that will protect you and your clients should you encounter problems in yor job. This is the personal liability insurance that covers for personal injury and property loss. Most personal trainers carry this wherever they go.

Those with no previous experience or exposure to this kind of job yet may find it worthwhile to work first in a gym or a fitness center. This will help you gain more skills and establish your network.

When you’re ready to go solo, decide on the fee you will charge on an hourly basis and the ways you’re going to market your services. Creating a marketing plan should be easy what with the internet and social media that you can take advantage for free.

Moving forward, do ensure that you pursue further studies to upgrade your skills and knowledge. This will enable you to learn about the latest in fitness training and equipment.

Photo via bodyperfectfitness.com

About the guest author:

Bobbie is a fitness writer who has followed several popular TV shows tracking people involved in a weight loss program. He recommends the PersonalTrainerCertification.net site for aspiring fitness instructors wanting to obtain a certification.

E-cigarettes: Are They Really Good for Quitters?

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There’s been much talk about these e-cigarettes which authorities say are good for smokers who want to kick their puffing habit for good. But amidst this hullabaloo, there’s concern particularly from the medical sector that these alternatives also pose health risks.

E-cigarettes or the electronic form are the trend today. They’re even used by Hollywood actors not only when shooting their scenes in front of the camera but as well as in real life.

Vaping is the term used for puffing this type of cigarette because it is actually just vapor that users are able to inhale while using it. The vapor emitted is from a solution containing propylene glycol that gets heated through the use of a battery.

What makes this product worth using is the fact that it does not contain tobacco. It is made from plastic and metal and comes in a disposable cartridge. Various flavors and nicotine levels are also available. Additionally, it does not stain the teeth like the usual cigarette.

Varied reactions have been given to this alternative cigarette. Some people who have tested it didn’t continue and returned to using the regular form while the others claimed to have gotten used to it and felt a big relief.

But the main issue still being debated by medical experts today is the lack of regulatory measures for these e-cigarettes. Concerns have also been raised as no clinical studies have yet been conducted to determine the effectiveness as well as adverse effects, if any, of this product to people who wish to quit their smoking habits.

So far, only one research done in 2011 has found that e-cigarettes may be able to help people stop smoking. The findings were published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

Apart from the health risks, however, government officials and parents are also concerned about the effects these e-cigs will have on teens and even the younger ones.Being referred to as something electronic, they fear there’s a possibility that young people will be tempted to buy the product out of curiosity. They believe the word electronic alone is enough reason for many youth to try out a new product.

China was the first to introduce the e-cigarettes in 2003. It became available in the U.S. three years after and currently, some 2.5 million Americans are now using it. Most are using it to stay away from the regular and addictive cigarettes.

Photo via happyshoppinglife.com

About the guest author:
Beverly used to be a heavy smoker but now uses a particular UK e-cigarette brand as a move to eventually stop smoking. She has joined several anti-smoking campaigns including on certain sites as her way of helping spread the word about the ill effects of cigarette use.

The odd story of the man with a tail

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If you had a strange physical deformity would you choose to keep it or would you want to remove it? You would think that most people would choose to have surgery to have it corrected but not Chandre Oram, who was born with a human tail.

In the womb human embryos have a prenatal tail but as the embryo develops into a fetus the tail is absorbed by the growing body. But this didn’t happen to Oram and he now has a tail 13 inches long. Despite this Oram has refused any operation to have it removed saying he wouldn’t be the same person without it.

Oram lives in West Bengal and  was born on the date known as Rama Navami, which is the birthday of Hindu King Rama. Because of this Oram is regarded by many as an incarnation of the ape like Hindu deity Hanuman. Thousands of people queue up each day to seek blessings from him. In a corner of the courtyard of his home, Oram has set up a small Hanuman temple, where he receives offerings on Ram Navami, which he later offers to the deity.

The monkey god Hanuman

“I was born on Ram Navami (birthday of Lord Ram).” he says. “People have a lot of faith in me – they get cured of severe ailments when they touch my tail. I believe I can do a lot of good to those who come to me with devotion,”

The author writes for The Freaky, a site that posts weird news and strange medical stories from around the world.

How Mental Health and Writing Once Saved the World

To be a writer is a blessing in disguise and the downsides? The Journal of Psychiatric Research’s findings reveals shocking revelations – “something about the life of an author tends toward depression”. It is believed environmental factors play a vital role in the triggering of such illnesses. Studies also suggest a link between bipolar disorder […]