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Thursday, February 21, 2013

10 Things to Do at Home When Recovering From an Injury

You are likely used to being up on your feet, but when you have to have surgery on your foot or you experience an unexpected injury, you might find yourself stuck at home for several weeks or more. Since you are not used to being at home and lounging around, you might enjoy the time at first. However, once you have spent a little time alone, you might get bored. There are plenty of things you can accomplish with your time, even if you do not feel up to being out and about. Here are ten things you might want to consider doing to occupy your time and enjoy yourself while you are recovering from your injury or surgery.

1. Work on Photo Albums

You have good intentions. You take a lot of pictures and print them out and you mean to file them in the right albums. However, you are busy and time just slips away. When you are on crutches and it is not easy to get around, catch up on your photo albums. The job is something you can easily do sitting down and you will feel wonderful about getting caught up. You can get out your pictures and make scrapbooks or just get out your computer and make picture books online. Don't forget about that youngest child's baby book either.

2. Play One Person Games

You do not likely have a lot of time to play games on your own. With no one home during the day to entertain you, you might enjoy playing solitaire, Sudoku, or doing crossword puzzles.

3. Update iPod

New songs come out all the time, but you likely never have time to add those songs to your personal collection. Sit with your computer and refill your iPod with inspiring music. The new tunes will help get you from place to place as you try out your crutches around the house.

4. Read Classics

In order to keep your mind active, pick up some of the bestselling books and dig in.

5. Play Video Games

Your kids have plenty of time for games, but you never get a chance. During your recovery, get good at the games your kids love and then beat them when they get home from school.

6. Learn Skills

If you have always wanted to cross stitch, play the guitar, or learn some other skill, while you are on crutches at home alone you have the perfect opportunity.

7. Converse

You may have neglected friends and family members because of your busy lifestyle. When you are nursing an injury and are on crutches, send emails to people you haven't talked to in awhile or call them on the phone.

8. Organize

That filing cabinet, Tupperware drawer, or junk corner of your house has been calling to you for years. With time on your hands, it is a great chance to get it all done.

9. Pamper Yourself

You probably never have time to give yourself attention. Enjoy a manicure, facial, or anything else you can do for yourself.

10. Look at Alternatives to Crutches

Common Toenail Problems

Our toenails have a rough time; they deal with a lot of stress. They rub against shoes, stub against objects, and are often in closed, dark places with lots of fungi and bacteria (the insides of your shoes can be dirty too). With these conditions that are toenails are often subject too, it's no wonder they have these three common toenail problems.

1. Ingrown Toenail
You get an ingrown toenail, usually on the big toe, when the edge of the toenail grows into the skin beside it. This can be very painful and often accompanied by swelling, redness, and discharge of pus that is a common characteristic of an infection. The ingrown part of the toenail is usually invisible because it is below the skin. An ingrown toenail can be caused by improperly fitting shoes or socks or by having an abnormal toe shape.

Treatment of an ingrown toenail involves having the ingrown part of the nail removed. There may be cases where surgery is necessary. Removal of the ingrown toenail can alleviate the pain but it can be a recurring problem.

Monday, February 11, 2013

Medical and Lifestyle Causes of Hair Loss

Underlying medical conditions that cause or contribute to hair loss:

Diabetes encompasses a group of metabolic (chemical reaction that happens at a cellular level) diseases. The patient experiences high blood sugar levels. This condition happens because the body does not produce enough insulin (hormone created by the pancreas) or because cells do not respond to the insulin that the body does produce. Typical symptoms include frequent urination, increased thirst and increased hunger.

Lupus erythematosus is a collection of autoimmune diseases. A general characteristic of lupus is a hyperactive immune system that can't differentiate between viruses, bacteria, and other antigens and healthy tissue. As a result, the immune system begins to attack the normal, healthy tissue. The disease attacks many different body systems, including joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, heart, and lungs.

An overactive thyroid is actually a condition called hyperthyroidism. The gland produces and secretes an abundance of the thyroid hormones triiodothyronine and thyroxine. The alternate condition is hypothyroidism (or sluggish thyroid).

Hypervitaminosis A is a condition where the body has an abundance of vitamin A - specifically retinoid. Retinoids assist with many important roles including vision, growth of bone tissue, immune function, and activation of tumor suppressor genes.

Sunday, February 3, 2013

Prevent and Treat Hair Loss With Natural Remedies

Most hair and scalp problems can be treated at home. Dandruff and hair loss may be related to poor nutrition, stress, illness, treatment or harsh side effects of some medications. Hair loss can be due to temporary hormonal disorders or aging.

Sebum production of the scalp is related to genetic structure and hormonal balance, more intense in adolescence, it is manifested by increased cellular activity, taking the form of small crusts called dandruff, and can be caused by a fungal infection. Stress, shock, childbirth, illness or treatment with certain medications can cause hair loss. Stress-induced muscle tension stretches the scalp and prevents blood that brings nutrients to reach the hair follicles. Undernourished hair roots dry and hair can fall out prematurely. Lost patches of hair can be caused by a fungal infection such as Tinea capitis.

How to prevent hair loss

Hair and scalp condition is often related to lifestyle. To prevent the apparition and aggravation of some issues, eat foods rich in protein, carotene, essential fatty acids, iron, silica, zinc and vitamins B (especially biotin), C and E. Avoid carbonated drinks that acidify the blood and may lead to loss of minerals from the hair. Also, do not keep a diet to lose weight suddenly, unhealthy, and if necessary use stress control techniques. Regular exercise improves circulation in the scalp and hair follicles provides many nutrients.