Diseases – Page 2

I have been practicing Yoga for close to 5 years now. Prior to this time, my life had been a day-to-day existence erected by symptoms of depression and low self-esteem. Aggravated by acne and burdensome asthma symptoms, not feeling depressed was usually a rare occurrence. A rare occurrence that is; until I discovered Yoga and how it could help with depression treatment.

It’s not a surprise that I was not alone during this time as research has shown that some form of depression treatment medication is offered to over 20 million Americans annually. However, what should be the main cause of concern are the many side effects common to these anti-depression drugs. Effective as they may be for a while, it’s been noted that these depression drugs have several side effects which may include nausea, fatigue, insomnia and some sexual dysfunctions.

Thankfully, as with nearly any human ailment, at least in its not fatal stages, drug-free healing is not limited to curing any discomfort-including depression and this without these side-effects. One standout alternative for depression treatment my friends will be the incomparable Yoga.

How is this so? Well, first of all, with Yoga and its gentle movements and poses, Alpha waves (relaxation) and Theta waves (unconscious memory, dreams and emotions) tend to increase significantly after its execution. This finding is based on a Scandinavian study conducted by Eric Hoffman, Ph.D., that measured brain-waves before and after a two-hour Yoga class.

As a result, you tend to have more contact with your own subconscious and emotions. Moreover, after its use, alpha waves increases in the right temporal region of the brain as other studies have shown that people with depression tend to have more alpha activity in the left frontal-temporal region, while optimistic, extroverted people have more alpha activity on the right.

Moreover, with the execution of Yoga, a noted reduction in the hormone known as cortisol and increase in the hormone prolactin occurs—which is believed by many professionals to be the key in producing the anti-depressant effect of electroshock therapy

If this all sounds a bit advanced, perhaps a simpler illustration of how Yoga works effectively for depression treatment may be that it exercises the motor centers of the brain, making the blood flow away from the emotional activity center; consequently one becomes more receptive to positive thoughts.

Although this can be accomplished by the use of several Yoga poses, I will narrow the wide array of choices down to three simple yet very effective ones namely the Sun Salutations, Shoulder Stand and Relaxation poses.
Depression Treatment: Choice of Yoga Poses for depression help

1. The Sun Salutations:
The sun exercises stimulates and balances all systems of the body including the endocrine and nervous systems that have marked effects on our emotions, furthermore they induce deep breathing, which has been known over the ages to help alleviate many a stressful situation. Performed in rounds of 3, they actually are a combination of very simple movements executed in a flowing motion. Although they are usually a warm up to other Yoga poses, they can stand on their own as a Yoga session so you may not have to spend too much time to reap Yoga’s benefits as an alternative treatment for depression.

2. The Shoulder- Stand:
In spite of what its name may suggest, no worries, this pose is indeed very easy to execute and is the one pose that both old and new Yoga Instructors and writers view as near panacea for most human ailments including depression. It is essentially a very easy inversion pose that I see most kids practicing unknowingly…most of us have at some point, so again, it’s really easy. Being that you’re inverted, everything is turned upside down, throwing a new light on old behavioral patterns. Working together with its counter poses, you will see for yourself what this pose can do for depression treatment.

3. The Relaxation Pose:
Daddy of them all! As the name suggests; it involves lying motionless on one’s back with emphasis on deep, even breathing and meditation. It is usually performed for several minutes to alleviate stress and mental tension and positive affirmations such as helpful verses from religious books could be mentally repeated during its execution.
Being a Christian myself, one of my favorite verses while executing this pose will be a personalized derivative of Rom 12: 2-“I am being transformed by the renewing of my thoughts.”

Depression Treatment: Closing Thoughts on Other Factors.

No one is saying that Yoga POSES alone will be the end all be all of your depression. No. Poses alone DO NOT constitute Yoga. Breathing exercises (known as pranayama), meditation, (which could be rooted in your religious or spiritual beliefs) and a proper diet all being important limbs of Yoga, should be used in your use of Yoga for depression treatment.

These limbs will be subjects of other articles to save space; however, for a depression treatment alternative without unwanted and oft times harmful side effects, dare I say drug-free healing using simple Yoga principles and natural methods might be your best bet, it did work for me.

So the next time depression sends you to the doctor, you may do well to ask for a new prescription for depression treatment-Yoga. I believe it won’t hurt and possibly could help you immensely.

Most people strive to have beautiful skin. In this article, you will find advice to help you clear up your skin and avoid future outbreaks.

Try using lemons to combat acne breakouts. Some people find that lemon juice is very effective in getting rid of acne. If you have enlarged pores and oily skin, try applying lemon juice to the area. You should limit the use of lemon juice to only once or twice a week to avoid drying out your skin.

To help keep your skin free of ailments like acne, make sure you keep your stress levels under control by incorporating relaxing exercise or meditation into your daily routine. Stress is one of the biggest factors in acne outbreaks, therefore minimizing it will have a great impact on your skin.

Add some healthy nuts to your diet to combat acne breakouts. Healthier nut options, such as almonds and Brazil nuts, contain essential oils and fatty acids that help your skin. You can also get the mineral, Selenium, from them which can help with repair and prevention. In fact, many cases of acne are caused by a Selenium deficiency.

Applying tea tree oil can help to clear up your acne breakouts. You will need to dilute the tea tree oil before application. Simply use a cotton ball to apply the diluted solution directly to your acne. Tea tree oil helps to heal your breakouts quickly, by killing the bacteria.

There is a household item that can help you get rid of your unwanted acne. It is right in your medicine cabinet. If you take just a dab of toothpaste and put in on a pimple before you go to sleep at night, by the morning it will have reduced in size and will be less red.

Aside from regulating water intake to control acne, you should regulate your food intake as well. Eat less red meat and dairy to prevent more waste that can lead to acne, due to digesting high protein foods. Eat less sugar to prevent an insulin surge that may cause increased sebum production, which leads to acne bacteria growth. Increase your intake of fruits and vegetables that are high in fiber to help rid your body of waste that can result in acne.

If you are trying to get rid of acne, you do not want to stay in the sun too long. This will cause cells to die and create more blockage in your pores. One way to prevent this is to wear some kind of protective head gear like a hat.

A great way to treat acne is by using skin care products that contain salicylic acid. When salicylic acid is combined with beta hydroxy acids, the cells of skin shed quickly.

An important tip to consider when concerning acne is to be sure that you are getting your treatment information from a reliable source. This is important to know because friends, family, or the internet may be full of incorrect information. Consult a specialist before doing anything drastic, or if your current treatments are not working.

Most people desire skin that is acne free and clear. Acne is bothersome and isn’t something you have to live with. Use the information previously discussed to clear up your skin and keep it clear.

Acne is one of those things that everybody seems to get at one point or another, and yet nobody really likes it. While some cases are mild, other cases are quite severe and can lead to visible scarring. So, not only do these people have to suffer through a bad outbreak of acne, they then have to live with the scars for the rest of their lives. Or do they? The answer to that is no they don’t, or at least they can try any number of acne scars remedies that will minimize the scars that are there. Not all of these treatments will work the same on everybody, but they are worth trying if it means you can feel better about yourself.

One of the best-known remedies for acne scars is citrus juice. You can apply the juice of a lemon or lime directly to the problem areas. However, some people find that pure citrus juice irritates their skin, so you may want to try different dilutions until you find the one that’s best for you. Apply it once or twice a day for several weeks and see how much lighter your scars look. It can take quite a while, but if it just doesn’t seem to be working for you, then you can try other acne scars remedies.

A lot of people swear by olive oil for making their acne scars less visible. In fact, there are any number of different oils that you can try. Simply massage the oil into the scar and the surrounding area, and let it sit. This helps to soften and moisturize the skin which can help diminish the visibility of acne scarring.

Here’s a natural remedy for acne that you may not be familiar with: tomatoes! That’s right. Tomatoes are high in Vitamin A which keeps the body from producing too much sebum, which is the substance that is largely responsible for acne to begin with. Tomatoes are also rich in antioxidants which are beneficial for repairing the skin.

One of the most soothing acne scars remedies is a mixture of rose water and sandalwood. Simply add a few drops of the rose water to the sandalwood until it is at a pastelike consistency. Then put the resulting paste directly on the scars and let it sit for about an hour. This is generally very gentle on the skin, so you can even leave it on as you sleep.

You have to be more careful if you are currently experiencing an acne outbreak, as you shouldn’t let any foreign material (such as any of the above ingredients we’ve talked about) get into the sores. Not only can it be irritating, but it can also make the acne worse. However, if you need immediate comfort, you may want to try an icepack to help cool and temporarily tighten the skin.

While a lot of people have found success with the above acne scars treatments, you should always consult with a qualified medical professional before doing anything that has to do with your health.

Those of us who are prone to acne can live in fear of the next breakout. It’s hard to put your best face forward, after all, if acne has got you hiding your face! Learning about acne and what you can do to minimize your chances of breaking out can make a big difference.

Avoid wearing makeup constantly if you suffer from acne. You need to keep your pores as clear as possible. When they become clogged with makeup, it only contributes to the creation of more blackheads and pimples. Wear a water-based makeup when you are going out, but on days when you don’t have to, give your skin a break.

Caffeine found in various beverages and foods can have an adverse effect on the skin and can lead to acne. Cutting caffeine out of your diet may improve the appearance of your skin.

Tretinoin, a topical retinoid, is a popular medication used to treat comedonal acne, blackheads and whiteheads. It is the acid form of vitamin A and works by increasing skin cell turnover and clearing blocked pores. The medication is available in cream or gel form under the following brand names: Stieva-A, Aberela, Atralin, Airol, Retin-A, Avita, Refissa and Renova.

To reduce the redness that often comes with acne-irritated skin, stay cool. When your body overheats, it gets rid of the extra warmth by sending heat into your capillaries, where the heat can escape through your skin. Unfortunately, this creates a flushed look that can emphasize already-reddened pimples or broken capillaries. Have a cool drink, turn on the fan and avoid steam rooms and sunburns if you want to keep redness at bay.

When you are in the shower and washing your hair, tilt your head back when cleaning off your shampoo. Shampoo can sometimes stick to your face after your shower, irritating your skin and creating more acne. Alternatively, you can wash your hair in the sink to establish more control and eliminate the soap from hitting your face.

If over-the-counter treatments haven’t improved your acne breakouts, a dermatologist can prescribe more advanced treatments. A cream that might be prescribed for you is Retin-A, which you apply to your skin daily. While effective for many patients, it’s important to understand that it does take several weeks to achieve improvement.

Drink plenty of water to help keep your skin clean and clear of acne. This will help to clear all the bacteria off of your face, as well as keep you looking young and fresh. Try to drink around ten glasses of water a day to get the full effect.

If you are using medicated creams or gels to fight acne, don’t forget to use a moisturizer regularly. Most acne medications contain drying chemicals and alcohol. These drying formulations can lead your skin to overproduce oil, which can then lead to further and more aggressive breakouts. Make sure to work a moisturizer into your skin care regime to keep your skin’s oil production balanced.

Acne need not ruin your life. Effective treatments are available and you can find a course of action for your acne that will work for you. We hope that the up-to-date information presented in this article has been helpful to you. Here’s wishing you a clear, healthy complexion!