Using The Buteyko Method To Treat Asthma In Infant Children
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Effects of Tobacco Smoking on Children
Smoking causes eighty percent of lung cancer around the world. One in 5 deaths in the U.S results from the use of tobacco & each year, smoking claims 400,000 lives in the U.S. alone. In 1999, 65% of all secondary students reported having used some type of tobacco product during their lifetime. There was a 16% increase in smoking among high school seniors between 1996 and 1999 in U.S. Each year about more than 3,000 non-smoking adults die of lung cancer as a result of breathing the smoke of other’s cigarettes. Each year, smoking around children leads to hospitalization of ~15,000 children & ~ 26,000 new cases of asthma, approximately 150,000 - 300,000 lung infections like bronchitis and pneumonia. Maternal smoking is responsible for 35% of all SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) deaths in the U. S. and smoking during pregnancy triples the risk of SIDS. Over 40% of SIDS is due to mothers smoking during and/or after pregnancy or another person smoking in the house. Some of the common problems in children which can be attributed to second hand smoking include, but are not limited to: Ear Infections, The toxic chemicals in smoke irritate the lining of the Eustachian tube, which leads from the back of the nose to the ear. The irritated lining creates mucous which collects behind the eardrum. The ear may become infected and cause pain or hearing loss. Asthma, Irritants in tobacco smoke can cause the lining of the airways to swell making it difficult for a child to breathe. Tobacco smoke or even the stale odor of old smoke in a car can trigger an asthma attack in a child. Problems after birth, Mothers who smoke during and after pregnancy may have children who are more likely to suffer behavioral problems such as hyperactivity. In one study, children from similar backgrounds who had parents that smoked scored 6% lower on tests than children whose parents did not smoke. Birth defects, some studies suggest that smoking during pregnancy can cause birth defects such as cleft (split) lip or cleft palate (an opening between the nose and the roof of the mouth). Smoking is also responsible for low birth weight babies, miscarriages, and SIDS. Cigarette smoking is not only harmful to an individual, but it is particularly detrimental during the reproductive period, when it may not only harm the unborn child, but may also damage the reproductive capacity of the next generation. Even though tobacco smoking seems to be decreasing considerably among the older age group, unfortunately the same is not happening among the younger generation. It is estimated that in the U.S. 38% of males and 39% of females between ages of 20-24 are regular smokers and more children than ever before start their smoking habit at a very young age. The most important point that can be made about cigarette-induced fetal damage is that it is totally preventable and only by informing both prospective parents about the potential dangers of tobacco smoking before conception, and particularly the dangers of maternal smoking whilst pregnant, can we hope to reduce these ever increasing statistics of pre-term births, low birth weight infants and children presently suffering from various neuro-developmental disorders and general ill-health. About the Author: This Article is written by Tarun Gupta, the author of Health Information Articles. More information on the subject is at Effects of Tobacco Smoking on Children, and resources from other home health and wellness testing sources are used such as Second Hand Smoking Test.
Source: KnowHow-Now.com
Organic Coffee: The next great health food for whom?
Throughout the early 1970s many small family owned natural and gourmet food stores were boycotted by health food distributors because specialty coffee was carried. These health food distributors would refuse to deliver their orders. It is amazing that after thirty-five years and thousands of studies on the health effects of coffee, just how much has changed. A summary of the findings of these studies may lead one to think that coffee is the wonder drug of the new millennium. Some of these findings include the discovery that coffee drinkers have a reduced rate of Type 2 diabetes, Parkinson0s disease, certain types of breast cancer, gallstones, colon cancer, asthma attacks, bladder cancer, cirrhosis of the liver, depression and suicide, and even a reduction in cardiovascular disease. Coffee drinkers also have been shown to have improved performance on memory tests and improved athletic performance as well. Additionally, one serving of coffee has more antioxidants than a serving of blueberries, raspberries, or orange juice and up to ten times more antioxidants than that found in green tea. Green coffee extracts are available which have a high polyphenol antioxidant content with 90% less caffeine then typical coffee most people around the world consume giving one the benefits of the coffee bean with little caffeine side effects. However, all individuals do not react the same to a particular food. Actually, individuals may develop irregular heart rates when they are subjected to any form of caffeine, including chocolate, soda pop, aspirin, or coffee. Some individuals may also be mildly susceptible to the somewhat addictive effects of these products. But, there is a much more serious health question pertaining to coffee, how was yours produced? Since coffee is grown in over eighty countries worldwide and consists of a seventy billion dollar market at retail, the positive and negative influence of coffee growing, purchasing, and trading are extremely significant. Coffee business provides sustenance for over 123 million people throughout the world. Most of the coffee produced is grown conventionally using pesticides, herbicides, and artificial fertilizers. DDT and lead arsenic, along with a lot of other banned chemicals, are used in coffee growing. The uterine cancer rates in women and rates of child birth defects are out of control in those areas where conventional coffee growing takes place. Deforestation in ecologically significant areas of the planet is rampant, since sun hybrid coffee is planted in places of shade, causing varieties to boost yield per acre. The good news is that the old, better tasting varieties, which were grown the old way under a canopy of shade trees and using organic farming methods still exist. Small family farms have been organized into Fair Trade Cooperatives and have been trained to grow their varieties using the latest organic farming methods. This results in a product that will sustain your lifestyle and also provide for the people and the environment where your coffee comes from. Different certifications can help to recognize and support sustainable agriculture and social justice when enjoying your cup of healthy coffee. These labels include Organic, Fair Trade, and Smithsonian Shade Grown 0Bird-Friendly0. Coffee remains to be one of the world0s true values, with just 60-80 cups per pound a serving being just 12-16 cents. Thanks to our farming partners and roasters, the world is consuming the real value of specialty organic coffee. — More information on Premium coffee and extracts is available at VitaNet ®, LLC Health Food Store. http://vitanetonline.com/
Source: KnowHow-Now.com
Second Hand Smoking: Medical or Physiological Effects
Secondhand smoke is a combination of the smoke produced from a burning cigarette and the smoke exhaled by the smoker. Second-hand smoke is also known as passive smoke or environmental tobacco smoke (ETS). Mostly the term second-hand smoke is used as opposed to ETS because the latter infers a relationship between tobacco smoke and the environment in general resulting in confusion about its exact meaning. Such environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) can be easily recognized by its distinctive odor as it contaminates the air and gets retained in clothing, curtains and furniture, etc. However, it is not just limited to irritation; ETS represents a dangerous health hazards across the globe. Over 4,000 different chemicals have been identified in ETS, and around 50 of these chemicals are known carcinogens. Some of the commonly found chemicals in secondhand smoke include, but are not limited to: 0 Benzopyrenes: These are otherwise found in coal tar, one of the most potent cancer-causing chemicals. 0 Formaldehyde: It is normally used to preserve dead animals. 0 Hydrogen cyanide: It is used in rat poison! 0 Ammonia: It is used to clean floors and toilets. Breathing second-hand smoke can be more dangerous than inhaling smoke through a cigarette. It has twice as much nicotine and tar as the smoke that people smoking inhale and five times more carbon monoxide, a deadly gas that starves your body of oxygen. Harmful effects of Passive Smoking: People who do not smoke, and who are exposed to the toxic chemicals in second-hand smoke on a regular basis, can suffer serious and life-threatening health problems. In the long term, people exposed to second-hand smoke have a greater risk of suffering from lung cancer, nasal sinus cancer, heart disease, stroke, and breathing problems, including increased coughing, wheezing, pneumonia, bronchitis, and asthma. In fact every time a person breathes in second-hand smoke, he/she consumes over 100 harmful chemical agents - carcinogens and toxins. People who live with someone who smokes and are exposed to tobacco smoke on a regular basis have around 30 per cent increased risk of developing lung cancer and heart disease. Even as little as 8 to 20 minutes of passive smoking can cause physical reactions linked to heart disease and stroke, such as increased heart rate, less oxygen to the heart, and constricted blood vessels that increases blood pressure and makes the heart work harder. Effects on Infants: Children are at even higher risk because their lungs are still in a stage of development and can be more easily damaged by second-hand smoke. Infants also inhale more amount of the smoke because they breathe much faster than adults. Infants who breathe second-hand smoke have a greater chance of dying from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), also known as crib death. More than three times as many infants die from second-hand smoke-related SIDS as from child abuse or homicide. Effects of tobacco smoking on children is more than adult person. Children who are exposed to second-hand smoke have double the risk of getting bronchitis and pneumonia. Second-hand smoke can affect children0s behavior and their ability to understand and reason. Studies have shown that children who are regularly exposed to second-hand smoke score lower on tests in reading, math, logic and reasoning skills. For children with asthma, exposure to even small amounts of second-hand smoke can trigger an asthma attack. Breathing second-hand smoke can increase the number of asthma attacks. Exposing children with asthma to second-hand smoke in the home increases the number of emergency room visits and hospital stays. Exposure to second-hand smoke can cause children without asthma to develop it. About the Author: This Article is written by Tarun Gupta, the author of Health Information Articles. More information on the subject is at Second Hand Smoking: Medical or Physiological Effects, and resources from other home health and wellness testing sources are used such as Second Hand Smoking Test.
Source: KnowHow-Now.com
The Three Keys To Healthy Living
Healthy living boils down to three major areas: Exercise, eating right, and mental health. Your ability to exercise regularly, eat the right things, and have a positive mental health can keep you from having problems in with the 0big three0 health issues 0 cancer, heart-disease, and diabetes. Please note, as in all things health-related, always consult with a physician before beginning any kind of diet or starting out on a new physical routine. You may have a condition that needs monitoring or additional considerations related to any kind of diet or exercise you might want to undertake. Exercise is critical to a healthy lifestyle. Reports show exercise can reduce your risk of cancer, heart-disease, and diabetes. Studies have shown you need to exercise for at least 30 minutes at some percentage of your maximum heart rate. There are many ways to exercise. I0ve found walking for 30 minutes during my lunch break at work to be extremely beneficial. You could swim, ride a bike, or go to a gym for an aerobic workout. Exercise will help you keep your weight down. Being overweight may cause many problems including the 0big three0 mentioned previously. In fact, there is a definite link between obesity and Type 2 diabetes. Exercising at the proper percentage of your maximum heart rate is a definitive way to keep your heart in shape and prevent heart disease. Eating right is also an important part of healthy living. A healthy, balanced diet is crucial for maintaining a healthy body and the right body weight. You need to be especially careful to watch your nutritional intake while dieting. Many sources recommend taking a daily vitamin supplement to ensure you get the necessary nutritional elements you might miss because of your dieting. The latest food pyramids are now recommending 6 to 11 servings of breads, cereals, grains, rice, etc. per day. They also recommend 3 to 5 servings of vegetables, and 2 to 3 servings of fruits. Likewise, 2 to 3 servings of milk-based products (yogurt, milk, cheese, etc.) and 2 to 3 servings of protein-rich foods such as meat, poultry, nuts, eggs, beans, etc. Many studies have related various fruits, vegetables, and even herbs as anti-carcinogenic edibles. Similarly, you0ll find eating more fruits and vegetables will help in keeping your weight down (reducing the risk of diabetes), and lowing your cholesterol levels (reducing the risk of heart disease). Your mental health, like your physical health, is important to your overall well being. A poor mental state can affect your overall health and even your physical health in negative ways. As many as 1 in 4 adults in the United States of America can be diagnosed with some sort of mental illness. One such mental problem is depression. Professionals have associated depression with suppressed immune systems. Studies have shown that 25% of all cancer patients suffered from depression before getting cancer. Forty percent of people with heart disease have some sort of depression. Links have been found connecting depression to diabetes and Alzheimer0s disease. Anxiety is another mental health problem affecting physical health. People with anxiety are prone to increased blood pressure leading to heart disease, decreased immune system function, increased asthma attack frequency, increased stomach problems, and weight gain. While you want to make sure to consult with a medical professional concerning any mental health issues you may have, you0ll also find that maintaining a proper physical condition will assist in keeping a healthy mental condition. For example, studies have shown exercise and eating right will positively affect your mental health. If you0re interested in maintaining a healthy lifestyle, then you should ensure you do things to improve you physical and mental health 0 exercise regularly, eat right, and make sure you consult with your health professional as necessary. About the author Please visit http://www.markhoustonrecovery.com/the_effects_of_meth_use.php and http://www.markhoustonrecovery.com
Source: KnowHow-Now.com
