Curing High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure becomes increasingly a problem as you get older. Can anything be done to prevent or cure this? Read the article below to find out more about this disorder, and what you can do to stop it.

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a serious problem for a lot of people. It is especially common in the United States, in people who are 10 or more pounds overweight, and in people 50 and older. However, a plenty of young and otherwise healthy people also suffer from high blood pressure. Because having a high blood pressure increases your risk of heart disease, heart attack, and strokes, it is not to be taken lightly.

Blood pressure is measured by two different numbers, the first is your ‘systolic’ pressure, and the second is your ‘diastolic’ pressure. Systolic represents your blood pressure during the period of ventricular contraction in your heart, and diastolic pressure represents your blood pressure when the atria are contracting and the ventricles are filling up. Because the ventricles are the larger and more muscular heart chambers, the systolic reading is always higher than the diastolic.

Blood pressure readings are given as systolic over diastolic. An example would be 120 over 80, which is considered to be a textbook standard for healthy blood pressure. Systolic readings from 100 to 140 and diastolic readings of between 70 and 90 are considered the normal range. A systolic pressure of more than 140, a diastolic higher than 90, or both is considered high blood pressure.

A number of different factors can contribute to high blood pressure. First of all, an inactive, sedentary lifestyle greatly increases you likelihood of developing high blood pressure. Being overweight will also likely result in a high blood pressure. Both weight and a lack of exercise contribute to high cholesterol, which in turn boosts blood pressure.

Some other factors that lead to high blood pressure include smoking, drinking, and excessive use of salt or high sodium products. Also, most stimulants including caffeine, ephedra, pseudophedrine, and diet pills will boost your blood pressure, sometimes into dangerous levels.

If you suspect you have high blood pressure you should see a doctor. If you’re not sure, you should see a doctor. Any time you visit a doctor for anything, they usually take a blood pressure reading, and if they don’t they should. A doctor can help you determine if you need to be on blood pressure medication, or if simple lifestyle changes will be enough to help fight your high blood pressure.

"Some other factors that lead to high blood pressure include smoking, drinking, and excessive use of salt or high sodium products."

If you already know you have high blood pressure, and have already seen a doctor about it, you may consider buying your own blood pressure monitor to keep tabs on your progress. They are available in electronic form today, are very easy to use, and are a wise investment for anyone suffering from exceptionally high blood pressure.

Well, I hope you found this article to be helpful and useful. There are medications you can take and other methods to lower your blood pressure, but changing your lifestyle now is the best way to keep a healthy blood flow.

Need Information about Heartburn?

Heartburn is a killer annoyance, and also very painful. The first step in preventing and curing the disease is learning what causes it and why it happens. Read the following article to learn more and get tips for preventing and stopping heartburn.

Heartburn is that burning sensation in your chest that usually occurs shortly after eating a meal. It is especially common after eating a meal high in grease and acids, or when you just simply ate too much. Because the burning usually is felt in the same are of the chest that the heart rests in, its called heartburn, but of course the condition has nothing to do with your heart. It can, however, actually mimic the symptoms of heart disease, such as shortness of breath and tightness in the chest.

The actual pain caused in heartburn is due to acids backwashing out of the stomach and up into the esophagus. The muscle that is supposed to contain these acids in the stomach, called the esophageal sphincter, is not always perfect at what it does. When you over eat, you put an abnormally large amount of pressure on this sphincter muscle, and it is more likely to fail in its job and let some of the acids into your esophagus, causing heartburn. Laying down just after eating will also put more pressure on your sphincter. Also, greases are better able to slip by this muscle, which is why greasy foods are especially prone to causing heartburn.

Most cases of heartburn are occasional, and result just from a particularly greasy or large meal. If you suffer from heartburn less than once a week, you probably will be okay treating it with just an antacid. Antacids neutralize the acid in the stomach, and provide a very fast acting albeit temporary relief from heartburn. Though antacids containing calcium carbonate, which is essentially chalk, have been popular for years, lately there are some newer ones that use aluminum hydroxide. Personally, I think aluminum hydroxide is a much more effective heartburn treatment, and doesn’t leave you feeling like you just licked a black board.

A longer lasting heartburn treatment can be found by using an acid reducer, such as Zantac or Pepcid AC. If you know you are prone to occasional heartburn and you know you are going to be eating a lot of greasy foods, popping one of these pills before hand will keep you heartburn free for several hours.

"Antacids neutralize the acid in the stomach, and provide a very fast acting albeit temporary relief from heartburn."

If you have heartburn more often, as in once a week or more, you should probably see a doctor about it. The acids from your stomach can eventually do some serious damage to your esophagus, which will increase your chances of getting esophageal cancer. Fortunately, treating even the most severe and chronic cases of heartburn is not difficult. There are a number prescriptions available today that are very effective in treating chronic heartburn. In the most extreme cases, a low-risk medical procedure may need to be performed to help close your esophageal sphincter.

Well, I hope you enjoyed reading this article and found it to be informative and helpful. Just watch what you eat and take the necessary steps, and you'll minimize your risk of getting heartburn.

Differnet Kinds of Health Insurance

If you're looking for health insurance, you may be a little uncertain of which packages would be best for you. Perhaps you're just looking for an overview of some of the differnet types of health insurance. If you are, I suggest you read the following article.

Few things are as important as health insurance. Many countries have what is called “single payer” healthcare. Health insurance for everyone comes out of taxes. If you get sick, you are automatically covered. Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way in America. Without health insurance, a serious but treatable illness could be a death sentence. This is why it is important to always be insured.

I knew someone who was travelling overseas. She was young and in good health, and figured she didn't need health insurance – she had scarcely been sick a day in her life. She was in South America, when she started to feel nausea, and dizzy spells. At first she ignored them, but they soon grew worse. She returned to the United States and went to a doctor, and discovered that she had cancer. A doctor's visit, combined with a battery of tests can, by its self, cost hundreds of dollars. Treatment for cancer can run into the thousands, or even the tens or hundreds of thousands easily. She was unable to afford this kind of expense, and grew sick and eventually passed away. It was a tragic and avoidable death – if she had been insured, things might have turned out much differently.

"Without health insurance, a serious but treatable illness could be a death sentence. This is why it is important to always be insured."

There are several different kinds of health insurance. The most traditional kind is called a Fee-For-Service plan. It has the advantage of giving you a greater range of choices than any other health care plan – you can go to any doctor you want to. You pay a monthly premium, and also have a deductible, perhaps $250 or $500. This is the amount of medical expenses which you have to pay in any given year before your insurance takes effect. After that, it pays a majority of further medical expense while you pay a small portion, often around 20%.

Another type is called the HMO or Health Management Organization. An HMO has a staff of doctors, often in one or several central locations, which it requires all of its patients to go to. Although you don't have nearly the number of choices yo do with a fee-for-service plan, your health costs will be much lower. There is a small fee charged for each visit to a doctor, but most other costs are covered by your insurance.


Most professionals are insured through their jobs. Their bosses are able to buy insurance at group rates, which saves money, and so they can offer their employees cheaper insurance than they could purchase on their own. Unfortunately, the way health insurance is set up can cause serious problems for an employee who develops a serious or chronic condition. If they wish to leave the company, they will not be able to find new insurance to cover them, because of their pre-existing condition. Other insurers will not want to cover them, because their condition means that their healthcare costs are likely to be higher than the amount of money which they pay for coverage. Therefore, they may because of their illness, be unable to leave their company, even if their job is unsatisfying.

So, I hope you are conviced that health insurance is necessary, and hopefully you have a better understanding of what's out there. Now you just have to shop around at the numerous sites that offer health insurance.

The Varieties of Health Insurance

Most people around the world have health insurance. There are many types you can get, and each one does something a little different for you. Below is an article that sheds some light on health insurance in general, and also on some of the more specific terms.

Health insurance is something that most people don't think about very often and yet it is something that when comes foremost to mind when a loved one is sick. Health Insurance coverage varies across the world, even across the different states in the United States of America.

Health insurance is a very specific type of insurance. With this type of insurance the insurer pays the medical costs of the insured if the insured becomes sick due to covered causes, or due to accidents. The insurer may be a private organization or a government agency. Health Insurance can protect a family from financial devastation in case of serious illness.

Today, according to statistics from the US Census Bureau, many Americans, approximately 85%, have some form of health insurance. Many people, about 60%, are insured through their place of employment or through health insurance acquired personally. For about a quarter of the population, federal or state government agencies provide the insurance. These agencies may include Medicare and Medicaid as well as various state funded health insurance plans.

Today, health insurance costs are rising, which is a concern to many people. Because of ongoing advances in medical care and in technology, medical treatment is more expensive. These advances help people to live longer. Today there are more senior citizens than ever before – our population is aging. The elderly population is more frail and prone to illness thus requiring more medical care than a younger population that is healthier. This also causes an increase in the price of health insurance.

"Today, according to statistics from the US Census Bureau, many Americans, approximately 85%, have some form of health insurance."

Health insurance costs are also rising due to personal health choices made by individuals. Poor eating habits, smoking, drug and alcohol abuse, a lack of exercise, obesity are some of these poor health choices. In addition, there are still rural areas where there is a lack of health professionals including doctors.

Today, health insurers offer discounts and incentives to people who love a healthy lifestyle. Often, a person will provide health information and a personal medical history when buying health insurance. This history may address questions such as smoking, weight, drug use, and disease history. The incentives offered by health insurance companies today may encourage individuals to quit smoking or make other positive changes in their lifestyle. Many times, heath insurers will not insure pre-existing medical conditions. The medical history provided will screen out such applicants.

Because of the concern over pre-existing medical conditions, there are now state and federal laws that help ensure that those individuals with pre-existing conditions can acquire or maintain health insurance, even if they need to change plans or providers. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a federal law ensuring that all health insurance plans nationally have a common set of standards. In addition, states can also have laws regulating health plans including group health insurance and individual health insurance. This means that the laws regulating your health insurance protections may vary from state to state. Keep in mind, that even with these laws, access to health insurance may not be protected in all situations.

COBRA continuation coverage can help you if you leave of change your job. Under COBRA, you may be able to remain in your old group health plan for a certain length of time. This can assist you in those times when you are between jobs or waiting for a new health insurance plan to cover your pre-existing condition. Under COBRA, there are limits to what you will need to pay to continue your coverage.

So, there you have it. A nice overview of health insurance. I suggest you now look around at the numerous websites that offer you great insurance packages.

Healing Headaches- How do you do it?

Are you sick of trying to get rid of those nasty and annoying headaches? Spending a little too much on medication? Below is an article on somemnew techniques that you may want to try to get rid of headaches.

Healing Headaches with the power of your mind is not only possible it is natural. There is certainly nothing wrong with taking aspirin or other pain killers to help ease a headache. But there are other ideas and internal process you can take to ease the pain. Use these approaches and ides along side of any medication you may be using from a doctor.

First off, start thinking in terms of transforming Th headache, instead of getting rid of it. Getting rid of it just adds more mental noise and judgmentent. Shift your attention from judging the headache to transmuting it.

Next, explore what a headache really is. Do not explore your idea of it, instead explore it. Feel it. It is there right? Feel it. Get a sense of the sensation. Go into it. It has been said many times that what you resist persists, and what you embrace you can erase. Approach your headache in this fashion. Give in to it.

Giving into it is surrending to the fact that you have a headache. It does not mean you are being self-destructive. This does not mean you truly want to feel pain. It just means that you want to accept the pain that you are feeling now.

"First off, start thinking in terms of transforming Th headache, instead of getting rid of it. Getting rid of it just adds more mental noise and judgmentent. Shift your attention from judging the headache to transmuting it."

Acceptance opens the door for a more spacious feeling in your brain. Acceptance of a headache flues a sensation of openness, and that is what brings about the healing. Openness is peace of mind. Openness is a calmness that surrounds the headache. Feel a sense of openness amidst the headache. This is how you heal headaches.

Healing headaches is not difficult, because openness is your natural resting state of awareness. Openness is like the ocean; your headache is like a floating piece of seaweed. Rest in the ocean and the headache will become far less intense.

So, the trick to healing headaches is to let the seaweed (headache) float in a sea of awareness. Be the observer of your headache, instead of being trapped in it. Being trapped in a headache is the pain. Stepping outside of the headache is freedom from it.

The best time to practice this is when you do not have a headache. Pretend that you do have one, from time to time. This may sound strange but it works. Feel your head. Feel as if you have a headache and then try to get a sense of being larger than the headache.

Then, next time you have a real headache, you will have gained some skills. Healing headaches happens when you become bigger than the pain. NO bigger in the sense of being able to withstand the pain; just bigger in the sense of feeling bigger, feeling more expansive.

By all means, continue to take aspirin. But at a certain point you may find it not necessary.

So, there are ways you can heal and get rid of headaches besides that normal medication. Healing headaches doesn't have to be as hard as you think, just give it a try.

Some Methods for Curing Headaches

As we all know, headaches are a terrible thing. You can't concentrate at what you're doing, you irritable, and you'll do everything a little less efficiently. That's the curse of bad headaches. So, what can you do to help cure them? Below is an article that discusses headaches and what you can do to stop them.

A bad headache can go a long way to completely wrecking your day. Talking to people can be unbearable. You start to get cranky, not wanting to work or play or do anything but sit in bed and maybe watch a movie. What can you do about these demon headaches? What causes them, and how can you make them go away?

Headaches can be divided into two categories: migraines and tension headaches. Migraines are caused by the contraction of blood vessels in the brain; this causes a buildup of pressure in the brain and the resulting pain of a headache. A tension is caused by constant muscle tension, usually in the neck, upper neck, and in the back of the head. It’s the constant pressure and tension in these muscles that causes a tension headache.

"Pain medicines like aspirin and acetaminophen can also help cure headaches, though it’s usually more effective to cut off the pain at its source: the muscle tension."

It can be tough to cure headaches, especially if you’re experiencing a migraine headache. Some drug manufacturers have released drugs set up to cure headaches of this sort, with mixed results. Some people who have great success with one particular drug while others will get no relief at all. It’s usually best to experiment with different treatments and dosages to see what works best for you, and it pays to consider talking to your doctor for a prescription headache medicine as well.

Fortunately, it’s easier to cure headaches stemming from tension, as it usually just involves reducing the amount of tension in the upper neck. Massaging your own neck is often one of the quickest cures, as is resting your neck if it’s usually under stress. Try rolling your head forward slowly, over to one side, then the other. Though rolling your head back can be back for your neck and throat, it sometimes helps to relax the muscles in the back of your neck. Repeat these stretches a few times, allowing your muscles to relax completely before turning your head again. Drinking lots of water is also a good way to go at curing headaches, as muscles and ligaments will contract if they’re dehydrated.

Pain medicines like aspirin and acetaminophen can also help cure headaches, though it’s usually more effective to cut off the pain at its source: the muscle tension. Commercial massagers can also be helpful in this respect, as can a kind friend. Reducing the amount of stress in your life is a great way to cure headaches, as most people will carry tension in their shoulders and necks when under stress. If you can cut down on the cause of the muscle tension then you can completely nip the problem in the bud.

Well, I hope you found that article to be helpful and useful. As you can see, the method you use to cure a headache all depends on the type of headache. Good luck getting rid of that annoying and unpleasant aching!

How to Cure a Canker Sore

When most people think of a cankor sore, they might think of that annoying and painful stinging sore in their mouth, especially right after you eat something hot and spicy. These sores can be tough to get rid of, but do not fear, there are ways to help prevent and heal canker sores.

You may have had a canker sore at some point in your life and not realized it. You would have noticed it though, since canker sores are painful. They are found within the mouth and can last anywhere from seven to twenty-one days.

If you’ve had one you’ll know how you wished you could have done something to help it to heal quicker. A cure for a canker sore can range from something as simple as eating healthier to changing the brand of toothpaste that you are using.

Canker sores are caused by several different things. One of these is an injury to the mouth. If you’ve had dental work done or if you were hit in the mouth, you may have developed an open sore. Open sores within the mouth take longer to heal than other places on the body simply because of the moisture.

If this open sore becomes infected it will become a canker sore. Canker sores are painful and one way to treat them is to use a topical solution to dull the pain. There are several brands available at most pharmacies and if you follow the directions, you’ll find the pain must easier to bear.

"A cure for a canker sore can range from something as simple as eating healthier to changing the brand of toothpaste that you are using."

Changing your diet might be the best cure for a canker sore. If you have a canker sore there are foods that you will want to avoid eating in order to speed the healing process. Citrus fruits are difficult to eat when you have a canker sore. The acid they contain when it comes in contact with the sore not only irritates it but it causes a good deal of pain for you. Therefore try and avoid anything that contains a high level of acidity as well as things like chewing gum or hard candy.

Some foods that work as a cure for a canker sore are yogurt, buttermilk and cottage cheese. These foods contain a substance that fights bacteria. Ingesting it will help heal the canker sore. If you are prone to getting canker sores it’s wise to incorporate them into your regular diet.

Another cure for a canker sore that isn’t obvious is changing your toothpaste. Some toothpaste on the market contains SLS. SLS is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate. This substance is hard on the delicate mucous membranes within the mouth. If you have a canker sore it will only irritate it more and cause it to heal at a much slower pace.

Although canker sores are a pain you can effectively treat them so that they heal quicker and are much less painless. It’s just a matter of making a few small changes.

As you can see, there are multiple ways to help get rid of and prevent canker sores. You just need to add or take away some foods, or avoid biting yourself by chewing carefully. Well, I hope you found this article to be very helpful.

Why Computerized Medical Records are Beneficial

With today's great technology, everything is becoming digitalized, including our medical records. The following article explains why they are so advantageous.

If the thought of computerized medical records gives you shivers, there's just one thing to do. Get over it. Really. We're lucky for computerized medical records!

It might sound harsh, but whether you like it or not, computerized medical records are here, and pretty soon all of our records will be digital, and file cabinets of handwritten notes in dusty back rooms will be a thing of the past. Don't worry, though, because this is actually a good thing.

When your records are in digital mode, there is less chance of them getting misplaced. When you check in, your receptionist can call up those parts of your record she is allowed access to, and all the information will be at her command. Later, in the exam room, the doctor will have a terminal from which he can call up all of your records in an instant. And he'll be well informed to make better decisions about your health and appropriate treatment options. In real time, right there in the room, he'll add his notes to your file, and they will be accessible to all personnel authorized to view them and participate in your care.

Here's another great thing. Remember how difficult it is to read your physician's handwriting on his prescriptions? You really have to trust that your pharmacist is part code breaker as well as expert in all things drug related. In this evolving digital age, handwritten prescriptions as well as charts will also be a thing of the past. All instructions and notes will be typed. This will dramatically reduce errors that occur due to illegible instructions written in a rush.

Notice how I've mentioned the concept of authorization. Some fear a Big Brother type phenomenon, but technology is at a point where encryption safeguards make it so extremely difficult to break into records that most nefarious people look to easier targets for their marks. Your handwritten records are far more vulnerable than computerized ones.

"In this evolving digital age, handwritten prescriptions as well as charts will also be a thing of the past. All instructions and notes will be typed. This will dramatically reduce errors that occur due to illegible instructions written in a rush."

Another huge benefit to computerized medical records is that experts can view them long-distance. If you live in Merced, California, for example, but your doctor needs to consult with a specialist in San Francisco, the specialist can call up your digitalized records and provide a perspective within minutes, which can save lives. This applies to intensive care units too. Rather than have doctors on call through the night who have to physically come in to the hospital if a problem develops that those on site cannot handle, a central center for a particular hospital system can be staffed 24/7, and those in the center can actually monitor patients using video technology, view their records on computer, and give instructions to personnel on site via phone and e-mail. Pretty amazing, and definitely not something to fear.

Color Blindness- A Confusing Genetic Disorder

People who are color blind know that it annoys the heck out of them. One color appears as another. At first, this is very confusing to them, but they learn to adapt. Below is an article that sheds some light on color blindness. You're going to want to read this.

Color blindness is a genetic condition that results in difficulty distinguishing certain colors from others, and sometimes a complete inability to see certain colors the way they would appear to everyone else. Since it is passed along in genes, it is present at birth and is incurable. It is much more common in men than it is in women, and some studies suggest that as many as one in twelve men are color blind.

"The term color blind is something of a misnomer. Most forms of color blindness would be more accurately described as ‘color deficiencies’."

The reason it is seen primarily in men is because the gene that codes for colorblindness is carried on the X chromosome. Since men only have one X chromosome, if they inherit an X chromosome coded with some kind of colorblindness they will be affected with the disorder. Women need to inherit two affected X chromosomes in order to display the disorder, and it is therefore extremely rare to see women who are color blind. Women with one affected X chromosome have normal vision, but they act as the ‘carriers’ for the trait, passing on the disorder to 50 percent of their male children. A male affected with color blindness will not pass on the disorder to any of his sons, but all of his daughters will be carriers for the trait.

One extremely common misconception is the belief that color blind people can’t see any colors whatsoever. The term color blind is something of a misnomer. Most forms of color blindness would be more accurately described as ‘color deficiencies’. Though there is such a form of color blindness that results in a complete inability to see any color, called monochromasy, it is extremely rare. More common versions of the disorder reduce the affected individuals ability to distinguish between two colors. The most common form is called deuteranopia and is a loss in the ability to distinguish reds and greens. Tritanopia, another common form of color blindness, is a deficiency in distinguishing blue and yellow.

Color blindness comes in varying degrees of severity as well. Only in the most severe cases is the ability to distinguish certain colors completely lost; usually people only have trouble with certain shades of the color. Because it can sometimes be very mild, it can actually be hard to determine if you are color blind or not. One popular test, called Ishihara plates, are often used to help diagnose the disorder. Many samples of Ishihara plates are available today online, as well as a multitude of other resources to help people determine if they are color blind or not.

Well, I hope this helped you out in determining to find out if you're color blind, or if you were looking for more information on it.

What is Cerebral Palsy?

Cerebral Palsy is a terrible disorder, but it doesn't have to be disabilitating. Diagnosed to babies when they are born, this can come to parents as a shock. The following article discusses this defect, what it does to the person, and how it can be combatted and prevented.

Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy is a name given to a group of neurological defects that cause lack of body and muscle coordination, due to damage in one or more parts of the brain. These defects can range from mild to severe, and can only be treated symptomatically; there is no cure. According to the Cerebral Palsy Source, an online publication dedicated to the disease, nearly 8,000 infants are diagnosed every year in the United States. All women envision having a happy healthy baby, and while many do, there is an astonishing number that don’t. Many of the causes of cerebral palsy can be completely preventable, which is why there are now a growing number of attorneys that specialize in litigating these types of cases.

When cerebral palsy occurs, nerve cells in the motor control center of the brain are damaged, and when these cells die, the muscles that are controlled by them no longer function properly. Cerebral palsy has many causes and may result by more than one insult to the brain. The infant may be deprived of oxygen during birth, the mother may abuse drugs or alcohol, the obstetrician or midwife may exert too much pressure with the vacuum device, or injure it with forceps during delivery. The mother could have been infected with a bacterium during pregnancy, such as rubella, or she may have endured some type of injury to her body through a fall or an assault, or there could be a blood incompatibility between the developing fetus and the mother. The infant’s brain could be damaged by someone dropping it, or not taking care to make sure the baby was safe. A motor vehicle accident could also be the cause, or the cerebrum may be under developed, all causing the signs and symptoms of cerebral palsy to appear. Now you can see why cerebral palsy is so prevalent, and why there are so many different scenarios that can occur causing damage to the brain, and risking the onset of cerebral palsy.

"When cerebral palsy occurs, nerve cells in the motor control center of the brain are damaged, and when these cells die, the muscles that are controlled by them no longer function properly."

Symptoms vary greatly because it is clearly dependent on the severity of damage to the brain, and to what area of the cerebrum is most affected. Some children may require only leg or arm braces, others cannot hold themselves in an upright position, and some are completely paralyzed. Uncontrolled drooling and grimacing is also common, and some children cannot speak or swallow and must be fed through a gastrointestinal feeding tube. Seizure disorder is also common in infants and children that suffer from cerebral palsy. There are required to be on various anti-seizure medications and neurologic agents to control these episodes for the rest of their lives. Oxygen may be required to administer in case of deprivation during a seizure, and be very scary for anyone observing, if not trained properly on how to intervene.

There are many foundations and organizations dedicated to educating the population about cerebral palsy, how it occurs, and how it can be prevented. Even with all the medical technology that is available, it cannot be cured, only the symptoms can be treated. There are many children and adults who have to live their lives with this debilitating disease, and in some instances, it could have been totally preventable.

I hope you found this article to be helpful and useful. Hopefully your child will never have to go through it, but if they are diagnosed with it, do not give up hope. There are organizations that will help you and the person with Cerebral Palsy.

What You Can do About Brain Injury

One of the worst repurcussions of an accident is injury to the brain. The brain is the most important part of you body, and it is essential to protect it. If you or someone you know has suffered a brain injury, then I suggest you read the following article about someone who had an accident, how the brain injury effective them, and what you can do about it.

Brain Injury:

My 21 year old cousin was a very talented painter and graphic artist. He had recently moved out west to pursue employment and enjoy his freedom. He quickly made friends, loved his work and enjoyed living within close range to the mountains.

Unfortunately, he was out mountain biking one day. He attempted a stunt which involved riding down a nearly vertical incline. He lost control of his bike and flew over the handlebars, smashing his head on a rock.

Although he was wearing a helmet, he still ended up in a coma for three months. When he finally woke up, he was a different person. He had suffered a moderate brain injury and would never be the same.

His personality changed drastically. He went from being a shy, sensitive and caring person, prior to the accident, to an obnoxious, angry and confrontational young man. His family was very supportive, but after several violent outbursts, his parents and sisters became afraid of him.

"It's been two years since my sister's car accident. She will likely never be able to return to teaching. She spends most of her time in bed and is medicated to such an extreme degree that she's basically sleeping her life away."

Today, thanks to medication, my cousin is no longer as given to these angry episodes. He has a modest apartment in a residence for disabled persons, not far from his family home. He works one hour a week in a local donut shop and has been reduced to a very limited functioning capacity. All due to his brain injury.

A couple of years after my cousin's accident, my own 23 year old sister was driving home from work. She was in her second year of teaching at a Montessori school - she had really found her calling. She was about five minutes from home, on the edge of town. An older man driving a one-ton truck, made a legal left turn just as she proceeded into an intersection on a green light. The vehicles collided and my sister was mashed inside of her crumpled car. Ambulance attendants had to use the Jaws of Life to get her out of the vehicle. She was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. Along with a broken back, shattered arm and ankle, she also suffered a brain injury.

It's been two years since my sister's car accident. She will likely never be able to return to teaching. She spends most of her time in bed and is medicated to such an extreme degree that she's basically sleeping her life away.

Prior to the accident, my sister was a very kind, loving and compassionate person. We have noted extreme changes in her attitudes and behavior due to the brain injury. She has great difficulty being around children for any extended length of time. She becomes very anxious in social settings and has demonstrated self-destructive behavior on many occasions.

In addition, since the car accident, she has demonstrated strong signs of Bipolar Personality Disorder, triggered by the trauma and resulting brain injury. Her life will never be the same.

Both cases indicate the disastrous results of vehicle accidents and the ensuing tragedy of living with a brain injury. It's a sobering reminder to value our health and to never take for granted life as we know it.

Brain injury takes away the lives of many people each year. While sometimes you can't stop it from happening, you can take steps to prevent it. Also, there are doctors and medications out there to help the person through the brain injury.

Blood Pressure Monitors- Essential Machines

Wouldn't it be nice if you could regularly check your blood pressure, instead of having to go into the doctor and have them do it? You'd be saving time and money, and perhaps your life. Especially if you have high blood pressure, you should have on in your home. Below is an article on why blood pressure monitors are important, how they work, and why you should have one.

If you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, or hypertension, it would be convenient for you to have your own blood pressure monitor at home. You can always go to Walgreens or Sam’s Club, or another pharmacies that have the sit down automatic blood pressure machines available to customers who want to check their own blood pressure. These are usually fairly accurate, but your blood pressure may be slightly elevated than it would be if you were checking it at home. Think about it, you’re out shopping, driving around, dealing with traffic, trying to find things in the store, and then waiting patiently to check out (many times not). Your blood pressure is bound to be a little high, and yes, it is normal for it to fluctuate throughout the day. But stress has a significant effect on blood pressure, which is why you might be better having your own blood pressure monitor at home to check it at times when you are not influenced by the rat race going on in the world outside your home.

"If you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, or hypertension, it would be convenient for you to have your own blood pressure monitor at home."

There are many different types of blood pressure monitors available for home use, and can be purchased in most pharmacies and online sites. Prices vary also, starting as low as $25 and keep going up to $300 and more, depending on the features of the unit, and whether it is electric, battery operated, or manual. Blood pressure monitors come in different styles that can test using the finger, wrist, or arm. Some of them inflate automatically and others must be pumped up manually with the attached bulb. Larger sized cuffs are also available if needed, and most if not all blood pressure monitors will tell the individual their pulse as well as blood pressure reading. To go just a bit further, some blood pressure monitors will also tell the user if an irregular heartbeat, if a low or high reading is detected, and will give you average of three readings. Most blood pressure monitors also come with a carrying case, batteries, and forms to record your readings. More expensive models have more features, more than one size cuff, extra bulbs, and just about extra everything.

All these bells and whistles are really not necessary, and just a basic unit from Walgreens for $35 will serve your purpose just fine. Most blood pressure monitors offer a warranty card you can send in, along with an address you can send it to if you have any problems. But if you’re buying an inexpensive unit, it may just be worth it to just buy another unit, instead of taking all the time and trouble to send it in. Whatever you decide to do, a home blood pressure monitor could be a real life saver. After all, that’s why they call hypertension the silent killer.

I hope you now know the importance of buying a blood pressure monitor for your home. As you can see, it could help save your life. Hopefully you also got some insight as to how much it will cost you and where you can purchase one.

Need a Blood Pressure Monitor?

If you are suffering from high blood pressure, than it's probably a good idea to have a blood pressure monitor, so you can take care of yourself 24/7. Why? Well, the article below discusses blood pressure monitors, their uses, and why you should have one in your home.

A blood pressure monitor is a good thing to have on hand, especially if you know that you suffer from high blood pressure, or have a family history of heart disease. Because blood pressure is an excellent indication of how your heart is performing, and how much stress it might be under, your blood pressure is a vital piece of information in determining your overall health. Indeed, along with your heart rate, your blood pressure numbers are often referred to as your ‘vitals’. One of the first things most doctors or nurses will do when they see you in a treatment environment is to measure your vitals with a blood pressure monitor.

I worked at a residential drug and alcohol treatment center for over a year, and during my time there I became very familiar with the use of blood pressure monitors. The old school and more traditional blood pressure monitors that you usually see your doctor use are called sphygmomanometers. This is the typical cuff thing that they Velcro onto your arm, and then pump up by hand. It has a pressure gauge attached, and requires careful watching to accurately determine your blood pressure. These traditional blood pressure monitors are usually used in conjunction with a stethoscope to give a reading of your heart rate as well. That means taking vitals the old school way is a very active process and requires some amount of training.

"A blood pressure monitor is a good thing to have on hand, especially if you know that you suffer from high blood pressure, or have a family history of heart disease."

Fortunately, there are newer and easier to use blood pressure monitors available today. Today you can purchase electronic sphygmomanometers that are programmed to basically do everything for you. All you need to learn how to do is properly attach the cuff to the subject’s arm, which is easier than tying your shoes. Then with the push of a button, the blood pressure machine does the rest. It even records your heart rate, and displays it along with your blood pressure in a little LCD display. All you have to do is wait for it to finish.

Needless to say, these automatic blood pressure monitors made my life a lot easier when I was working at the treatment center. Anyone that works in a medical environment that doesn’t have the training nurses and doctors have gotten in the use of a regular sphygmomanometer will certainly appreciate having an automatic blood pressure monitor on hand.

Since my time at the treatment center, I have purchased my own electronic blood pressure monitor. It’s a nice tool to have on hand to accurately gauge any stress your heart may be under if you think you may be having heart trouble.

Well, I hope you enjoyed this little story about why blood pressure monitors are important. It's always good to be on the safe side, instead of the dead side. All you have to do now is go shopping for some blood pressure monitors!

About ADD- Attention Deficit Disorder

Do you or someone you know have ADD? Well, in order to fight it you must learn a little about it. The article below will help you understand this disease and how you can further fight it.

While I am not an expert on ADD—Attention Deficit Disorder—I do have it, have had since God only knows when, was not until my early forties diagnosed with it, and have in the past four years read up on and written on ADD and the options for ADD treatment. So I offer you some information as I experience it and as I understand it.

First, I must stress that though I don’t adore this disorder, I do appreciate it and prefer it over other disorders (if, like Vonnegut’s Harrison Bergeron we each must be saddled with one flaw of extreme degrees, anyway). I am blessed with creative skills, have a reputation for being hyper…aware, cautious, and correct, and have a respect for challenged thinkers and learners.

I also will note that when I was first diagnosed, when my brilliant and life-saving therapist suggested I look into ADD and ADD treatment alternatives, I had been trying to understand what was wrong with the way I approached the world…to the point of conceding to having a behavioral problem and a subsequent or precedent drug addiction—to speed (street meth). So at the time of discovery and the blessings of a real name for the disorder, I had been twelve-stepping in recovery programs like Narcotics Anonymous, and was reticent about getting medical/chemical ADD treatment.

But after reading the best books, magazines, and on- and offline articles on ADD and finding that 1) all those years of snorting crank pointed not to a rebellious adamancy to staying a dope fiend but to an authentic and savvy self-medicating effort; 2) I was not an addict who needed more and more to normalize; and 3) there are medications that are designed for ADDers that are BETTER than stepped-on street speed…I decided on chemical ADD treatment.

So here are the treatments I read about (or studied up on), as defined and described by the greatest ADD specialists in the country—David Sudderth, Joseph Kandel, Thom Hartmann, Sari Solden, Thomas Whiteman, Michelle Novotni, Kate Kelly, and Peggy Ramundo:


Biofeedback

Typically involuntary, certain impulses and electrical activity in the brain can be voluntarily modified. The ADDer, whose brain wave patterns are evidently different than non-ADDer brain wave patterns, is hooked up with electrodes (no pain). The ADDer sits facing a video screen/monitor, as the technician “amplifies brain activity.” The resulting patterns appear on the screen, whereby the ADDer manipulates controls electronically to manipulate and take control of the brain wave activity.

Behavior Modification/Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
You might already understand behavior modification as consisting of a system of punishments and rewards, each applied to reinforce positive behavior. For the ADDer, the disorder is as much about “unacceptable/inappropriate” behavior as it is about miserable feeling and unique thinking. There are approximately 69 symptoms of ADD, most of them behavior-based: perception of social cues is skewed; the ADDer interrupts/blurts; he/she has demanding difficulties with organization; he/she has trouble with time and timing; he/she is challenged by waiting; he/she cannot easily relax or enjoy leisurely activities…. With behavioral therapy, which targets one or a few of such challenges at a time, the ADDer learns to “self-regulate.”

Food Changes/Dietary Intervention

A close investigation of foods that are or contain allergens and irritants to the nervous system has revealed the possibility of ADDers being especially negatively impacted. ADD treatments in this area include eliminating or curbing intake of white flour, sugar, and/or additives/preservatives. But the controversy still roars on this one, and FDA and other regulatory bodies have not acknowledged the veracity of gross dietary changes…yet.

Psychotherapy

A schedule of sessions with a trained and qualified therapist enhances one’s understanding, gives one a reflecting surface (human), and provides one with the social tools of communication (the give and take), self-improvement, and social protocol. Therapy is often recommended in conjunction with medication or other treatments, as one method compliments the other and one method’s weaknesses are compensated for by the other…and vice versa.

Medication

Taking pills is an abhorrent habit to some. To others, pills are a “crutch” we too easily lunge for when a peep of an ailment appears. But for those with a chemical insufficiency or imbalance, the replacement or stabilizing effects of external chemicals is a Godsend. Consider it this way, the way it was explained to me: when I was pre-ADD (before they identified the exact problem), I was severely depressed. (ADD and depression are bedmates, best friends.) I finally went [back] to therapy, seeing a doctor of psychiatry who volunteered at the clinic I visited every Friday. I rarely was awake and dry-eyed. I heard my own brain rationalize at least twenty times a day that after the walking, hiking, praying, writing, helping others, etc., the only solution was to kill myself. Not in any dramatic way, but as a utilitarian solution, as an out. After initial intake discussions, Dr. N. announced he would put me on Prozac.

Now, I was an NA veteran by this time, having been in recovery for over ten years. I was terrified of drugs (ironically, after being the queen that ruled over them for so long). Hey explained, “So you’re walking down the nastiest part of town at 3 a.m.. You get stabbed. You don’t stand in the middle of the street with a huge gaping, bleeding, and painful hole in your chest, pontificating on the pros and cons of getting medical treatment. You have a hole in your heart. We are going to give you medical treatment for that.”

Dr. N was right. And he made me laugh at my resistance and my philosophizing—as some are wont to do—about how horrible you are if you take a pill. So I take pills. I take Dextroamphetamine capsules, but you may go for something different…for different reasons:

Amphetamines: the formula/dosage I take is perfect for me, for focus, for emotional and (ugh, yes, behavioral) control or balance or leveling or calming or whatever you wish. Interestingly, speed is perfect for this ADDer who is normally speedy (in action, thought, and blunder). It somehow counteracts, or does a reversing of the very properties it and the speedy one have. It has a half-life (lasting effect) of about 6 hours, and in the time-released form for me lasts over 12 hours. At the same time, I can eat, sleep, and do other things that a dope fiend on a bag of speed cannot…like have great sex, laugh, etc..

Ritalin: Ritalin is one of the grandparents, the elders, of ADD treatment drugs. It is also still debated over constantly, especially with regards to children. (Do we dope every little imp that acts like a class clown or swings like a chimp on the jungle gym?) Ritalin is still mysterious as an agent for quelling ADD symptoms, but many swear by it for or despite its minimal side effects (weight loss, mood swings, and others) compared to its positive effects, which lend themselves to clarity, stability, patience (physical and mental focus), and other nuances I cannot speak to here. The half life is approximately four hours, but Ritalin also now comes in time-released pills, so the effects can be sustained for longer periods of time.

Other more commonly used meds: Also in contention with the two most “popular” or most often used or most studied meds are the increasingly introduced Adderall; Cyclert; and some of the SSRIs and MAOs. As with all medications, with these and the ones I describes from a personal (and not professional) point of view, research thoroughly before asking a doctor about one in particular, before, that is, committing to one. Each works in mysterious ways, still, and each works differently for and on each individual.

For me, the luck of history (of speed “abuse”) pointed to the med, and the blessing of having been with a therapist for four years—both together—have become my [literally] life-saving grace. May you, too, be so blessed.

I hope you enjoyed this very informative article. There's hope for those who have ADD with all the great medications out now. Just go around and shop for some!

Does Acme Juicer Perform?

The article below discuss Acme juicer, one of the leading juice products for people going on fasts. Hopefully you'll get a good review out of this article!

Are you considering going on a juice fast? If so, it's a good idea of make juice yourself from a variety of fruits and vegetables, preferably organic. The whole purpose of a juice fast is to cleanse your body, so that's why organic produce is preferable and fresh, unprocessed fruits and vegetables are far better than canned or bottled juices, which have lost most of their nutrients through the processing. So, if you're going to be making your own juice, you'll need to pick out a juicer.

The Acme juicer is highly recommended by people who know the ropes of fasting. The champion is another juicer that comes highly recommended. Some other popular brands are Omega, Green Power, Oster, and Juiceman. An Acme juicer or any other quality juicer can cost 200 dollars or more, but if you think of the thousands of dollars in medical bills you can probably save down the road, 200 dollars doesn't seem like much. It's an investment.

The Acme juicer, or juice extractor, is manufactured by Waring, a highly respected company, known for making quality blenders found in many an American kitchen. One model is called the Acme White Supreme Juicerator. It has a vibration-free 550-watt motor, which is powerful, but also quiet. It is an induction-type motor that has no brushes that can wear out, and it requires no lubrication or maintenance. The juicer converts both fruits and vegetables into pulp-free juice with commercial quality stainless steel blades that have a floating action, distributing the pulp more evenly and reducing wear and tear. It disassembles easily for cleaning and comes with a five-year warranty. A citrus attachment is optional (but if you suffer from arthritis, some doctors recommend that you refrain from citrus fruits and citrus juice.

The Acme juicer is called a high yield juicer because it uses centrifugal force where a stainless steel basket inside spinning 60 times per second (that's right 60 times!) forces the juice from your fruits or vegetables through thousands of miniscule side openings. The pulp is left adhering to the sides. This efficiency means it extracts the maximal amount of juice. That's why it's high yield. The basket is precision-balanced and has a two-quart capacity. The juicer also has a patented, stable base called a gyro base that keeps it from moving despite the force of the motor.

Fresh juice should be consumed as soon as possible after being extracted because the very beneficial enzymes in the juice begin to break down as soon as it's extracted. And the fresh enzymes in fresh fruit are part of what make it so good for the human body.

Well, I hope you found that article enjoyable and very helpful, because now it's time to go get yourself some Acme juice!

What is Acid Reflux Disease and What Can You do to Stop It?

Many Americans are plagued by acid reflux disease also known as heartburn. There are ways to help prevent, lessen, and stop this terrible disease. The article below discusses acid reflux disease and what you can do to prevent it.

Acid reflux disease is also called heartburn and is very unpleasant. It can be caused by many things: bad diet, stress, or just a wonky stomach which produces too much acid. Basically, it is when stomach acid is too strong and bubbles up into the throat, causing pain and burning. It can potentially damage the esophous and its walls, which is really dangerous over the long run. The way it is usually treated is with medicine that reduces stomach acidity, causing the pain to dissipate. According to the website of Nexium, a pill used to treat acid reflux disease, “Acid reflux occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter – the valve separating the esophagus and stomach—does not close properly, allowing acid to back up into the esophagus.”

I've always found that pills are unnecessary to treat this damaging condition acid reflux disease, which I used to suffer from myself. Basically, I would overeat fatty, or starchy foods, and there would be the acid, slowly burning a hole in my esophogus. When it got too bad and I couldn't put up with it any more, I decided to do something about it: I switched to a diet of nothing but vegetables, grains, and an occasional bit of starch, and began to eat smaller and more frequent meals instead of huge fatty meals which I used to eat.

I still get acid reflux disease sometimes when I'm under lots of stress. This is common, according to many doctors, who say that stress is a chronic contributing factor to many diseases of the stomach. Instead of worrying until my stomach twists itself into knots and propels acid reflux disease upwards into my throat, I stop and take several deep breaths to calm myself. I then think of something peaceful. One of my favorite is a lovely blue sky shining over a placid, beautiful beach with the ocean in the background. Even telling it to you right now, I can see it and hear the gentle lapping of the waves on the beach as the ocean falls and rises, falls and rises. When I picture this placid scene, combined with the calls of seaguls and the feel of the breeze on my cheek, and the warmth of the sun, I just can't stay stressed out, and my whole body and mind calm down immediately. This loosens my stomachs violent churning, and makes the acid settle down right to where it is supposed to be, instead of getting all up in my throat.

I hope you got a better understanding of acid reflux disease, and what steps you can take to prevent it or lessen the effects. Just remember that this is something you can fight, and there's medicine out there to help you do that.

What is Acidophilus? And What are the Benefits?

Acidophilus. At first, this word may sound complicated, but there really is a simple explanation as to what it is, what it does, and how it helps your body. The article below discusses how acidophilus works, and how you can apply it to increase the effectiveness of your digestive system.

There are good and bad bacteria as far as our health goes. With 60 to 70 million Americans suffering from various digestive diseases, that means we need to pay attention to those little critters working 'round the clock inside of our bodies. Acidophilus, a common organism in yogurt and cultured milk products, such as kefir, that are said to foster a healthy balance of bacteria in the stomach. It's one of the "good" or "friendly" ones, out of about 400 types of bacterial that live in our intestinal tract and, for women, in the vagina as well. It's helpful because it aids manufacturing of B vitamins and production of lactase and other antibacterial agents.

Without good bacteria, also called probiotics, living in the gut, digestive processes go haywire. In a healthy state, our bodies just naturally maintain the proper balance. Some of the things that disrupt the natural functioning of our gut are preservatives and other additives in our foods, diets with a very high content of fat, birth control pills, alcohol consumption, and even stress.Acidophilus supplementation can help when things are out of balance.

Eating yogurt won't necessarily help. You have to read the labels because some of the yogurt on grocery store shelves don't actually contain any viable acidophilus due to the fact that they've been highly processed. It's difficult to process foods so that we're safe from harmful bacteria and yet keep the helpful bacteria alive.

Here are some of the potential benefits of supplementing your diet with acidophilus. A really big one is the suppression of candida, a type of yeast that can be very harmful, especially to our reproductive system and urinary tract. If you like to visit other countries, you'll be happy to know that supplementing your diet with acidophilus while abroad can help thwart proliferation of infectious organisms people commonly encounter in countries that do not have highly developed systems of public health. It can also help control both diarrhea and constipation. And it helps reduce internal gas, bloating and bad breath. Some find that it even helps counteract lactose intolerance and helps lower cholesterol due to its enhancement of the body's ability to absorb fats. There's more. It may also enhance immune system function, aid in the treatment of respiratory infections such as sinusitis and bronchitis, and lower the risk of asthma, hay fever and eczema. Not bad for an organism too tiny to see with the naked eye.

Pretty cool article, huh? I hope you enjoyed it and learned a little more about this good bacteria.

What Really is the Best Weight Loss Plan?

You might be overwhelmed at the number of weight loss plans out there, so which one is the best? This interesting and informative article below discusses dieting and the best plan to implement. I hope you get a lot out of it!

So it’s no secret anymore that America is one of the most overweight countries today. Our weight issues have been a hot subject in the media and news for several years now, and new trendy diets and weight loss programs have been spawning out of control. If you are like many millions of other Americans and are overweight, you’re probably very interested in finding the best weight loss system possible. Are these new trendy diets the way to go? What about medication, or even surgery?

The rise in the use of both medication and surgery is to me a little scary. While they are both the best weight loss methods with respect to losing weight fast, they are also the most risky, and have vastly more side effects and dangers compared to dieting and exercise programs.

Surgery, whether it’s liposuction or a gastric bypass, is always inherently risky. While liposuction is definitely the safer of the two common forms of weight loss surgery, it remains very expensive, and can leave you with a pretty vicious scar. Gastric bypasses are more drastic, and can lead to serious tissue damage, medical conditions and nutrient deficiencies. So surgery is the best weight loss procedure in that it gets the weight off fast, but because of its danger and high cost, it really should be reserved for people that suffer from obesity that is causing serious and immediate adverse health effects.

Medication is less drastic than surgery, but not by a lot, and in itself has plenty of dangers associated with it. Regardless of what you hear advertised, any drug or ‘herb’ that suppresses your appetite will have some potentially harmful side effects, and shouldn’t be taken without talking to your doctor first. As tempting as they may be, medications aren’t the best weight loss method for most people, and should be reserved for more serious forms of obesity.

Unfortunately, its good old diet and exercise that is the best weight loss method in the end. The good news is our understanding of both diet and exercise is improving. We now know that starving yourself is not the answer. Actually, studies today are showing that the best weight loss diets are the ones that encourage you to eat a lot and often, but stick to healthier foods. Foods high in fiber, vegetables, lean protein, and low fat, eaten throughout the day will help you maintain a high metabolism. If you’re hungry, eat! Starving will slow down your metabolism considerably, so keep eating but just eat healthy things.

So as you can see, the best way to lose weight is by doing it the old fashioned way. I know it takes work, but people have been doing it for hundreds of years, and it really is the best way to go about it. However, you may find that surgery is essential if you have a genetic problem. Visit my other posts to find out more about dieting.

Is the 3 Day Diet Effective? Does it Even Work?

The article below discusses the 3 day diet, how it works, and whether it really is effective or in fact healthy for you. I hope you find this article stimulating, helpful, and interesting.

The 3 day diet is one of those trendy little diets that seems to be popular today. If you follow the 3 day diet correctly, you can supposedly lose upwards to 10 pounds in just three days. That seems like a lot of weight to lose in such a short period of time, is it healthy or even possible?

While its certainly possible to lose 10 pounds or even more in just three days, it’s probably not healthy, and generally not recommended by health professionals. The 3 day diet is invariably frowned on by nutritionists as being an overall a fad diet that is not very effective in producing sustainable weight lose. Sure you can lose 10 pounds in three days, but the chances are you’ll put it right back on again when you finish.

Like many diets, the 3 day diet recommends drinking 4+ glasses of water daily, and allows you to add any low calorie seasonings to your food, such as Worchester sauce, spices, mustards, vinegars, salt and pepper, soy sauce or ketchup. It also allows for drinking tea, coffee, or diet soda, so long as there is no sugar added.

The 3 day diet isn’t really anything scientific or overly complicated. It’s basically just your typical calorie restricted diet. Most formulas for it involve three meals a day consisiting of very limited portions of low fat, low sugar foods. Some examples of a few of the meals recommended in the 3 day diet include half a grapefruit and one slice of toast for breakfast; a half a cup of tuna (no mayo) and a slice of toast for lunch; and a three ounce portion of chicken, two cups of vegetables and one cup of ice cream for dinner.

So does this kind of 3 day diet plan work? Chances are you will in fact lose some weight if you stick to it. However, going from eating normal or oversized portions to eating the kinds of meals recommended in the three day diet is going to through your body’s metabolism for a loop. Essentially, you’ll be on starvation mode, and the moment you resume regular food consumption you’ll promptly start gaining wait again.

The recommendation to drink plenty of water is really the only thing the 3 day diet does right. Everyone should drink at least 4 glasses of water a day, whether dieting or not, and ideally should drink even more.

Overall, the 3 day diet is not the best diet plan. If you are otherwise healthy and just want to lose a few pounds for a reunion, wedding, or some other event coming up on the weekend, the 3 day diet may help, but in terms of an effective sustainable weight lose program its not going to help much in the long run.

As you can see, the 3 day diet isn't really the best way to lose weight, even in the short run. Sure, you might lose the weight for that special event, but you probably won't keep it off and it certainly isn't the best long term solution. If you want more tips and information on dieting, make sure you check out my other articles as well.