When to Worry About Dehydration in Your Baby

Dehydration refers to a condition when the amount of fluid in a person's body is less than the ideal requirement. Babies and infants are commonly susceptible to dehydration. Dehydration in babies occurs mainly when they take in less fluid than they lose, typically through vomiting, diarrhea, fever, or perspiration. While dehydration is often mild and easily reversible, sometimes it can also be serious and potentially life threatening.

The following symptoms indicate that your child could be getting dehydrated:

o Your baby does not pass urine for more than six hours.
o Your baby's urine is dark yellow in appearance and smells quite strong.
o Your baby's appears lethargic.
o Your baby's mouth is dry or the lips are parched.

The following symptoms indicate that your baby has serious dehydration:

o Your baby's eyes are sunken in the sockets.
o Your baby's hands and feet feel cold and appear splotchy.
o Your baby experiences dizziness or seems delirious.

Here is what you can do:

o If you suspect your baby is becoming dehydrated, consult a pediatrician immediately. You could give your baby a special electrolyte liquid drink that is designed to help recover lost water and salts from the body.
o If you suspect serious dehydration, rush your baby to the emergency room. Babies get dehydrated quickly and an intravenous infusion may be necessary to restore the balance of fluids.

Note: Do not give your baby one of the sports drinks that are advertised to help sportsmen cope with dehydration; while these contain electrolytes, their sugar concentration is too high. Use Pedialyte, Infalyte, ReVital, or similar brands of electrolyte liquids that are specially designed to help rehydrate children. You may continue to breastfeed or bottle-feed your baby.

As newborn babies grow and develop, there are various child development stages that they go through. If your child has a fever, appears sick or dehydrated, has moderate to severe diarrhea or is vomiting, you should call your doctor right away.

Facts About E Coli Food Poisoning

E. Coli O157:H7 is a foodborne pathogen that was discovered in 1982 during an outbreak of hemorrhagic colitis due to contaminated hamburgers. Since then, the toxin has been identified in a variety of different food sources including ground beef, sausages, orange juice, lettuce, spinach, or even water. This dangerous bacteria can lead to fatal complications, especially in young children, elderly individuals, and those with a weakened immune system.

Cases of this disease can range from mild to severe. The potential complications caused by this bacteria include the following:

• Abdominal pain


• Severe cramps


• Bloody diarrhea


• Vomiting


• Fever


• Bowel necrosis


• Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS)


• Acute kidney failure

Recent estimates conclude that over 70,000 Americans fall victim to E.Coli bacterial infections every year. The symptoms usually last for about one week; in healthy individuals with mild cases, symptoms will usually fade without causing long-term damage or requiring intensive treatment. Some cases may require treatment with antibiotics, and potentially hospitalization for health monitoring and administration of fluids. One of the primary risks of this disease is the threat of dehydration. Without treatment, a severe infection of this bacteria can be fatal.

About five to fifteen percent of these cases can develop into HUS, which can be life threatening. Children, elderly people, and people with compromised immune systems or other pre-existing health problems are especially vulnerable to dangerous medical complications related to this disease. No one should have to suffer any negative side effects or HUS because of the food they eat, especially when they are prepared in an improper manner.

Lower Back Pain and Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Is there a correlation between lower back pain and Irritable Bowel Syndrome? Researchers have long argued that IBS may be caused by abnormal functioning of the nerves and muscles of the bowel. No indication or explanation is ever given as to why this malfunction might occur. To my knowledge there has been no adequate evidence to support this assumption. More over, I have not seen, heard of or read about any studies which were specifically implemented to test this hypothesis. Because of my own observations about my own IBS symptoms, I am inclined to believe and support this hypothesis.

Some of us who suffer Irritable Bowel Syndrome have tried for many years, without success, to eliminate the often debilitating affects of this mysterious disorder. Generally those who suffer have spent a great deal of time and money, having test after test only to be told that nothing conclusive was found.

Often after years of diagnostic procedures and expensive studies, patients are told there was nothing wrong with them. Their complaint of symptoms are brushed off as imaginary or more properly put in medical terms, psychosomatic. But with the ever increasing number of patients complaining of the same generalized list of symptoms, the medical community has been forced, in at least a small part, to acknowledge the malady as something more then imaginary symptoms of hypochondria.

So what can we surmise about IBS? It is a condition or disease in and of itself? Or is IBS is a condition caused by or a symptom of some other physical, neurological or possibly even psychological problem that is as yet undetected or undiagnosed as being relative to the IBS condition? I find this to be a more plausible conclusion and will provide some insight for my personal belief that IBS is a secondary condition rather then a condition unto itself.

For years doctors have proposed the secondary condition concept in relation to Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Unfortunately, they have not yet been able to successfully document any evidence to conclusively say what might be the root cause of IBS. Moreover, I believe there is not just one cause, but several causes, all with the same secondary symptoms, which make up what is termed as IBS.

Please don't think that it is my intent to say the IBS condition is not real, or the symptomology is psychosomatic in nature. I know from painful experience the condition and symptoms of IBS are very real. I also would venture to say because of the sheer number of reported cases, the medical community had been forced to re-evaluate their approach while dealing with patients with complaints of Irritable Bowel Syndrome-like symptoms. I am merely going to express what I personally have concluded about another possible causation for IBS which may be overlooked by the medical profession.

I would like to also toss up for consideration that IBS, with its list of many symptoms, may be a traceable progression of symptoms stemming from a single causation. I believe, in my case, this is a very valid assumption. I have as yet been unable to get any physician to agree with me, at least to the point of taking up the position on the record.

Before going any further, I think it would be a good idea to review a partial list of Irritable Bowel Syndrome symptoms. IBS may be characterized by a combination of any or all of the following symptoms:

o Abdominal discomfort or pain, usually in the lower abdomen

o Altered bowel habit

o Chronic or recurrent diarrhea, constipation, or both. May be mixed or in alternation.

o Bloating

o Heartburn

o Nausea

o Abdominal fullness

o Feelings of urgent need to evacuate the bowel

o Feeling of "incomplete" bowel emptying

o Low back pain

o Headache

o Fatigue

o Muscle pain

o Sleep disturbances

o Sexual dysfunction

More and more it is generally believed that the symptoms of IBS are produced by abnormal functioning of the nerves and muscles of the bowel. More and more I personally agree with this as a valid and plausible perception of at least one of the causes of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. With some personal observations, I hope to give light as to why I believe this to be a possible causation for many IBS sufferers. Unfortunately, what I have come to believe as the causation for my particular brand of IBS, most assuredly will not be a diagnosis for all cases of IBS.

I think we who have suffered Irritable Bowel Syndrome tend to minimalize our symptoms and pain. We have been led to believe that other than common sense changes to diet and exercise there is nothing we can do because there is no cure. Many people who suffer will suffer in silence for years before seeking medical treatment. By then, and I include myself in this group, we may have subconsciously lessened or even put aside some of the lesser symptoms that IBS causes, focusing only on the ones that cause the most pain and discomfort.

Worse yet, we are less likely to bring symptoms to the attention of a doctor by mere assumption that it is just another facet of our complex disorder. This could become a dangerous scenario for anyone who suffers from IBS. We may ignore persistent symptoms that have gotten more intense or new symptoms that seem to be related only because we are discouraged by being told there is nothing anyone can do.

Doing these kinds of things could lead to serious life threatening symptoms being overlooked. Symptoms of conditions that, unlike IBS, can be treated if caught in time. Things like colon cancer, stomach cancer, esophageal cancer or many others, might be missed because we want to ignore our IBS symptoms after so many trips to the doctor.

My story of IBS starts over 20 years ago when I was a young man of 26. While helping lift a very heavy cast iron wood burning stove from the back of a pickup truck, the other person lost their grip and the load all shifted down hill onto my back. I felt my back give way as the stove went crashing to the ground at my feet. I knew I had sustained a serious injury. I couldn't erect myself from the 90 degree bent forward position I was in. I had to literally pull my self up by using my hands and arms against the side of the pickup.

Being 26 and stubborn and thinking that I was invincible, I had my wife help me home and to bed, not bothering to go to the emergency room. I had some left over pain killers which numbed the pain enough to allow me to sleep. When I awoke in the morning I was horrified as I could not feel my legs. They were both cold and numb to the touch. I could move them, I just couldn't feel them. After about 30 minutes of movement the feeling began to return to my legs and at that point I knew it was time to get to the doctor.

After the examination and x-rays what the doctor had to say wasn't pleasant to hear. He told me I had two options. One was to go to a surgical specialist and have fusion surgery on several of my lower lumbar vertebra because the discs between them had been severely compressed. He mentioned that having this type of surgery would reduce my physical mobility by as much as 30% or more. At best, he explained, the surgery was about 40% effective.

My other option, he told me, was time... time allow let my body try to heal itself. He explained I would probably never be as good as I was before the accident, but with time my body should partially heal it self. He told me the inflammation which was causing the pain and partial paralysis should lessen. At age 26 losing permanently 30% or more of my mobility was an unthinkable option. At least the second option offered some hope of recovery. He gave me muscle relaxants and pain pills and that was that.

I trusted this doctor...we were good friends. We had a good personal and professional relationship. I took him at his word. By today's medical standards, his medical advice probably wouldn't hold water, but over 20 years ago, it was most likely a very good perception of my problem.

For the next 6 months, I would wake up to cold, numb legs and each day, but as he said, the symptoms gradually got better. I was so focused on my back injury improving; I didn't pay attention to other, minor things going on which had become bothersome.

The first and most prevalent symptom was a change in my bowel habit. Not a big change, but it seemed that instead of a daily movement, it was now once every other day, and it took a bit more effort. But with the back issue, it seemed minor in comparison and for several years seemed to be the only symptom. My back continued to get better but my bowel never did return to normal.

I have always been a large person, in 1986 at the age of 26: I weighed about 220 pounds, standing 6 feet tall. Slowly, my weight began to rise. I attributed my initial weight gain to a lessening of physical activity over the first year or two of my back problem. By the end of the second year, my physical ability and activity had almost returned to normal. I learned to deal with the pain and my legs no longer went numb. I was able to function fairly well. Only occasionally did the pain in my back become such that I was unable to function in my "new" normal fashion, and usually only lasted a day or two. I now had added 70 pounds to my weight with no real explanation.

Only in the past couple of years (over 20 have passed since my back injury) have I begun considering the original injury being related to my bowel and stomach problems. Because I believed there was little I could do to rectify the situation, I have done as well as I could to manage the pain mentally. I did this well until the pain in my back started to worsen to the point that again my legs started going numb again. Not that this happened all the time, it was only occasional, but these bouts of pain have gotten much worse.

Only now that the back pain is impossible to ignore have I come to realize the cycle of events which have taken place. Now when I notice my legs are beginning to go numb on a more frequent basis, I have also noticed an increase in my IBS symptoms. More frequent and painful symptoms seem to begin with chronic constipation, lasting for many days. This is followed by the gas distress fatigue, head aches, bloating, acid indigestion, heartburn and eventually explosive diarrhea. Along with other symptoms, all interwoven into a cycle I now believe to be directly related to some type of nerve injury due to my original back injury.

I have since gone to a neurosurgeon and been diagnosed with severe disk compression and degeneration and spinal stenosis in the lower lumbar region. The treatment is as yet to be mapped out, but I now have at least one doctor who agrees that many, if not all, of my symptoms could be tied directly to nerve dysfunction resulting from my present spinal condition.

If you have sustained a back injury, or have IBS with lower back pain, it may be prudent to have a spinal study, to find out if an underlying back problem might be involved in the causation of your IBS symptoms. It stands to practical reason that if there is injury to the spine or lower back from where the nerves controlling lower bowl function stem, there could also be bowel dysfunction. With bowel dysfunction, the progression of symptoms in logical sequence right up the line to the top of the digestive tract would be a very plausible scenario.

If you have IBS and low back pain you really have nothing to lose and everything to gain by having a spinal examination. At the very least you may find out that there is no problem with your spine thereby eliminating one more source.

Homeopathic Remedies For Acid Reflux

There are some foods, and other personal lifestyle choices that can help not only treat acid reflux symptoms, but can cure the problem as well. One thing that won't cure it is drugs and medication. These will at best only prove some relief from the symptoms, which, you can get from natural foods as well.

Remember that minor symptoms can be a sign of a more serious condition. Severe acid reflux can damage the linings of the esophagus in which case you can have it medically treated depending on the severity of the condition of course. A doctor can easily check it by doing an endoscopy.

Instant remedies for acid reflux symptoms

Here is a list of foods that can quickly neutralize reflux attacks:

• apples


• cucumbers and their juice


• walnuts


• brown rice


• raw organic apple cider vinegar


• baking soda with water

Homeopathic remedies for acid reflux

Arsenicum album - this is commonly used by homeopaths as a general digestive disorder treatment. It's prepared by diluting arsenic trioxide which is also used to treat arsenic poisoning.

Arsenicum album helps abdominal cramps and is recommended to relieve heartburn accompanied by anxiety, chills and thirst.

Nux vomica - this is derived from the seeds in a tree found in India which also contains the poisonous strychnine.

Nux vomica as a herbal medicine is helpful for heartburn especially when it's cause by fatty or sour foods.

Sulfur - as a homeopathic remedy is used for a variety of things and a common one is digestive disorders. It can be very effective specifically for acid reflux symptoms related to burping, flatulence, vomiting and diarrhea.

If you have chronic heartburn you should get medical attention. Occasional symptoms are often prescribed antacid medications but these should be used only on a very temporary basis as they can destroy necessary stomach acids needed for proper food digestion.

Don't Ignore the 5 Primary Symptoms of Colitis

Colitis masquerades by many names, and the symptoms of colitis are no fun. They include severe stomach pain, diarrhea, and constipation, to name a few. Colitis is a serious problem that causes the lining of the large intestine to be inflamed and swollen.

The primary cause of colitis is the use of antibiotics. Antibiotics destroy the mucosal lining of the intestines. Without this lining, the health of your colon declines dramatically, since the lining protects the tissue in your gastrointestinal tract. Once damaged, your body's digestive enzymes then work on destroying the lining, which causes the tissue to be eaten away.

These are the five most common symptoms of colitis:

1. Diarrhea: This can range from mild and occasional to frequent with unpredictable urgency. Diarrhea is often triggered by eating and then having to run to the bathroom. Some people have a condition known as IBS-C, or Irritable Bowel Syndrome with constipation. This latter condition is found most commonly in someone genetically pre-disposed to constipation. This condition is caused by failing to properly hydrate the stool.

2. Intestinal/stomach pain: While this may indicate a stomach bug (stomach flu) or food poisoning, it is also a symptom of colitis and/or constipation.

3. Bloody stools: Along with fever and dehydration and diarrhea, these symptoms may indicate ulcerative colitis.

4. Mucus in stool: When you add the above symptoms to mucus, it may be Crohn's Disease.

While not a physical symptom, this last symptom may be the most paralyzing side-effect of colitis and IBD:

5. Paranoia: This is seen in someone who is too afraid to leave home to attend social events, go the mall, go out to eat, go to a movie, etc. Paranoia is most commonly found in those suffering from a more severe irritable bowel disease. Many have had "accidents," and even when cured, find it difficult to leave the safety of their home for more than a short period of time.

The progression in the severity of the syndrome from colitis to Crohn's is based on the fact that all of these are the same condition. The primary difference is the amount of damage done to intestinal tissue, which has a strong correlation to how long you have suffered through the symptoms without treatment.

Bottom line -- don't tolerate this pain and these symptoms any longer than you have to. Taking drugs isn't the answer -- there is an alternative that works that involves rebuilding your gut. Do your research, discover the tissues that comprise your colon, and don't ignore these five primary symptoms of colitis.

High Blood Sugar Levels and Diabetic Coma

Type 2 diabetes should not stop you from enjoying a healthy, active life. With good management you most definitely can keep your blood sugar levels under control. When a diabetic coma occurs it is a serious concern; it can be brought on when major physical stress occurs... stress such as surgery or even infection.

A diabetic coma usually comes on slowly... over a period of days or weeks and is a reaction to a dangerous combination of high blood sugar levels, insulin deficiency and excessive urination. This leads to serious dehydration. Undiagnosed diabetes combined with illness, as well as reactions to specific drugs can also be responsible for triggering this type of coma.

It is always important to be aware of warning signs of diabetic coma so that you can remain within reach of medical help should these appear... an untreated diabetic coma can be fatal.

One of the following may become the precipitating factor:

• prolonged vomiting or diarrhea


• blood sugar levels spiraling out of control


• medications that are not compatible with the diabetic condition


• kidney failure


• severe trauma such as a heart attack


• illness or infection

There are also several symptoms that could indicate an approaching problem. Not all will present in any given case, in fact, just one of these could be a serious warning. Call your health care provider immediately if you are ill and experience these symptoms:

• excessive urination


• extreme thirst


• hunger


• weakness and drowsiness


• frequent headaches


• restlessness sometimes accompanied by an altered mental state


• an inability to speak, or


• shallow rapid breathing

Call your health care immediately if your blood sugar level is higher than 600 mg/dL (33.3 mmol/L)... this is the threshold beyond which a diabetic coma may occur. Or make your way to the nearest emergency room... this is a life threatening complication.

Medical treatment involves hospitalization and replacement of fluid by intravenous therapy. Usually potassium is included and sometimes insulin.

The best way for a person with type 2 diabetes to avoid diabetic coma is to take notice of the warning signs and symptoms as soon as they appear. There is a good chance of preventing a diabetic coma from occurring by checking your blood sugar regularly, and when ill, increase this to once every four hours and generally practice preventative measures to control your blood sugar levels.

Physical Ailments That May Develop From Excessive Stress in Your Life

We all go through stressful times; the loss of a loved one or job, financial problems and other events are universal. However, you may not know what it is quietly (or not so quietly) doing to the rest of your body. Here are some examples:

Appetite Problems: This can go either way. In many of us, the idea of eating becomes repugnant. You have to force yourself to eat on a regular basis, and may need to use some sort of distraction to allow you to get the food down. Others come to food as a source of comfort. Often, foods high in fat, cholesterol or sugar are craved, and the struggle that comes about is in avoiding these cravings.

Headaches: Tension in the neck and shoulders can result in some nasty headaches that don't always respond to a pain killer. If this occurs, massage, heat and a long soak in a hot tub may be your best bet.

Heart Disease and High Blood Pressure: There is a strong relationship between stress and these conditions. If your stressor is long term, see your doctor. If you already have either condition, that becomes even more important. It could mean that what you are taking is no longer strong enough to keep your numbers in a healthy range.

Lowered Resistance: It will be much easier to catch whatever's going around if you are dealing with this issue. Use caution if you decide to improve your immune system with echinacea, as it cannot be taken for more than two weeks straight.

Nausea, Vomiting and Diarrhea: This can happen with both short and long term areas, but is more likely in long term. Don't be surprised if the vomiting is explosive in nature. Watching what you eat and drink could help prevent some of the worst episodes. Watch fats, sugar and sodium.

Weight Gain/Loss: This goes back to the appetite problem. If you are dealing with that, this is the possible result. It will take work to avoid this aspect of stress problems.

Long term stress may require the help of your doctor. Medications can help calm you, and counseling could help you find ways around it. Getting this help is not a sign of weakness, it's a sign of intelligence and a desire to remain healthy. If you are on medications or have any medical conditions on top of this, make sure the doctor knows as it may change which methods chosen.

The Many Ways of Combating Feelings of Sickness

Dr Pam Brown continues our series on complementary medicines by looking at how they can help reduce or overcome the feelings of sickness that can be caused by some anti-cancer treatments.

Nausea is when you feel sick and vomiting is when the contents of your stomach actually empty.

If there is no obvious cause for your nausea or vomiting, always ask your doctor for advice. Some causes of nausea and vomiting need urgent treatment, and some other causes can be treated easily, so there is no need to suffer these distressing symptoms.

Conventional treatments for nausea and vomiting

Eating small light meals may help. Dry crackers and low fat foods are easy to digest. Avoid citrus juices and fizzy drinks. If you are vomiting, instead of eating take frequent sips of water or an electrolyte solution (such as Dioralyte or Rehidrat) to help put back the fluid and salts which you have lost.
Anti-sickness medicines

* Metoclopramide

* Domperidone

* Cyclizine

* Prochlorperazine (Stemetil)

* Newer, very effective anti-sickness drugs such as ondansetron are used before and during chemotherapy.

Sometimes you will need a combination of different types of anti-sickness drugs to stop you vomiting.

Always ask your doctor for advice if you notice blood in the vomit, the vomiting is accompanied by abdominal pain which doesn't settle after a few hours, or the vomiting continues for more than 12 hours.
Which complementary therapies can help?

Acupressure on pericardium point 6 (P6) can be effective in all types of nausea and vomiting. Point P6 is located on the inside of the wrist, 3 finger breadths up from the wrist crease nearest to the hand. Press on this point in line with your ring finger for 30 seconds to 1 minute on each side with the thumb of the other hand. Alternatively you can wear acupressure bands ('Anti-nausea bands') sold for travel sickness. Acupuncture treatments from a therapist may also help.

Peppermint, spearmint, lavender, sweet fennel and chamomile aromatherapy oils are soothing and can ease nausea. Add a couple of drops to the bathwater, add to a diffuser or burner, or mix a couple of drops into a spoonful of vegetable oil and massage into your chest so that you can inhale the aroma easily.

Ginger can help with all types of nausea, including that associated with chemotherapy, but should be avoided if there is any problem with the clotting of the blood. Check with your doctor before taking ginger capsules if you are pregnant. Ginger appears to have a calming effect on the gut. You can drink ginger ale (but make sure it is made with real ginger), eat ginger biscuits or crystallized ginger, or grate fresh ginger and infuse it with boiling water to make a tea. For more severe nausea, ginger root powder or standardised ginger extracts are available as capsules. Always follow the dosing directions on the pack if taking capsules. Studies which compared ginger capsules with conventional anti-sickness treatments found ginger was just as effective for seasickness and sickness after surgery, but with no side effects. Ginger started to work after 20-30 minutes, and the effects lasted for about 4 hours.

Green tea is helpful when nausea and vomiting are due to food poisoning. Drink a cup as needed. Camomile tea can be used twice daily for its soothing properties both on the stomach and the nerves, and peppermint tea may also aid digestion and settle nausea and vomiting. (Avoid peppermint if you are pregnant.) Cinnamon tea contains catechins which help with nausea.

Homeopathy offers three main remedies for nausea and vomiting. Ipecacuanha is helpful for intense, continuous nausea and sweating which is unrelieved by vomiting. Arsenicum album can help when there is burning pain and acid vomiting, with diarrhea, coldness, chills, weakness and anxiety. Nux vomica works best when there is a heavy, bloated feeling in the stomach with belching, heartburn and nausea, and symptoms are worse in the morning and after food. Let a 6c tablet dissolve in your mouth every 15 minutes to an hour, up to a total of 6-10 doses, or use three times per day. Leave about 30 minutes after taking conventional treatments or cleaning your teeth before you take a homeopathic remedy.

Reflexology may be helpful for nausea. If you explain to your reflexologist that you are feeling sick much of the time, s/he can work carefully on the stomach and bowel areas to make sure these are as healthy as possible. This may help your nausea.

Always check with your doctor first before using any complementary therapy.

Side Effects of Antibiotic Therapy - Recover With Probiotic Therapy

I am not a big fan of antibiotics but sometimes they can't be avoided, especially if you have an acute medical condition, such as a deep infection, that needs immediate attention.

In these cases, antibiotic therapy is sometimes the quickest way to resolve the problem. Unfortunately, sometimes the side effects of antibiotic therapy are just as bad as the medical condition.

Side Effects of Antibiotic Therapy

There are lots of different kinds of antibiotic therapy being used these days, so it's not possible to cover all the side effects. The main problem with antibiotics, though, is that they tend to kill off the beneficial bacteria (also called probiotics) that live in your gut.

Probiotics are important not only for good digestion, but also as a first line of immune defense. They also help support your body so you don't develop either seasonal, environmental, or food allergies.

In addition, the side effects of antibiotic therapy can include:

* itchy skin or rashes
* diarrhea and other digestive complaints
* yeast infections,
* nausea and dizziness
* dry eyes

And that's only the short list! Now the question becomes, how do you recover from antibiotic therapy?

Oral Probiotics Overcome the Side Effects of Antibiotic Therapy

Since the side effects of taking antibiotics stem from the fact that antibiotics kill of the naturally-occurring probiotics in your gut, the simple solution is simply to replace those probiotics by taking them orally.

The most commonly-taken probiotics are acidophilus (which live in your small intestine) and bifidus (which live in your large intestine). Taking high-potency capsules of these probiotics orally during and after your course of antibiotic therapy will prevent most of the side effects, and keep your digestion functioning normally.

During antibiotic therapy, and for 2 week afterward, I suggest taking 4 capsules of acidophilus in the morning and 4 capsules of bifidus at night. After that, you can reduce your daily regimen to 1-2 capsules of each daily. If your digestion suffered seriously during the course of antibiotics, and you are having problems like constipation or gas, try a more powerful full-spectrum probiotic to address the entire gut. Just add 2 capsules to the regimen mentioned above, morning and night.

Choose the Highest Quality Probiotics

The side effects of antibiotic therapy are not pretty, especially if you have to use antibiotics over a long period of time, but luckily you can easily replace any probiotics lost during that time. Oh yes, when you go to choose probiotics, go for the good stuff that is stored in refrigerators or sold online by reputable companies. If you are going to go to the trouble of replacing your probiotics, you might as well start with probiotics that are guaranteed to be high-density and stored in ideal conditions.

Experiencing Ayahuasca, The Vine Of Death

Ayahuasca is known as the vine of death. The Roman Catholic Church called it demonic and tried to stamp it out. Those who drink the herbal tea brewed from the ayahuasca vine report that is the most vile, worst tasting thing they have ever experienced in their life. People who go on ayahuasca retreats often have to endure primitive living conditions in the Amazonian jungle, eating a diet of bland food, or even fasting. Ayahuasca ceremonies are often marked by intense vomiting and diarrhea. So why, if it is so unpleasant, do people drink it? The reason is because of the unique insights and healing properties frequently reported by people who go through an ayahuasca experience.

For the Amazonian natives in Peru, Colombia, Bolivia, Brazil and Ecuador for whom the herbal tea has been a part of their native traditions for as long as anyone can remember, the herbal tea brewed from the vine is sacred; part of a religious ritual. In the collection of the ethnological museum in Quito, Ecuador is a ceremonial ayahuasca cup that is at least 2,500 years old.

For westerners who travel to the Amazon to experience the powerful effects of ayahuasca, it is done for healing and to gain insight into their lives. The healing may be both emotional and physiological. In a report published in a National Geographic magazine in 2006, it was reported that curing metastasized colorectal cancer has been documented.

Most often, however, the ayahuasca experience is undertaken for its alleged spiritual benefits. People who take the hallucinogenic tea commonly report having the sensation of hearing receiving instructions or information from a higher voice, providing advice or knowledge about one's self or life history. This very personal information frequently teaches individuals facts about their lives they had not previously realized.

An ayahuasca journey is a spiritual vision quest, during which the traveler often reports being lifted out of their bodies and propelled into an enchanted land where they encounter the spirits of jaguars, snakes and other frightening jungle animals. After author William Burroughs took the herbal tea, he wrote that the experience was space time travel.

Similar to the benefits of psychotherapy or psychological counseling, the positive effects of an ayahuasca experience can help people know themselves more fully. This can lead to the living of a more authentic life, greater satisfaction and an increased sense of accomplishment. One leader of ayahuasca retreats into the Amazonian jungle has stated that this herbal medicine teaches a deeper respect for life for others. If world leaders would drink ayahuasca, he said, it would help create world peace because their thoughts and feelings would be more positive and more supportive of life.

Tonsil Stones and Tongue Blisters - Causes and Treatment

Even though the tongue is one of the strongest organs in the body they too can be effected by bumps or blisters on them. Bumps or blisters on the tongue might be mainly caused due to injury, allergies, stomatitis, Kawasaki syndrome, scarlet fever, herpes, leukoplakia and oral thrush.

Tonsil stones and tongue blisters if found are diagnosed and assessed by physicians after going through the medical history of the sufferer, a thorough physical examination is done, bacteriological cultures tested, blood sample tested and then also checked using x-rays. Various reasons might have caused the formation of tonsil stones and tongue blisters like strep throat, viruses, food particles if any stuck in the mouth or viruses deposited in the tonsils.

Tonsil stones and tongue blisters might also be caused because of a condition called hand-mouth-foot disease which leads to bumps similar to blisters on the cheeks, tongue, near tonsils and throat. Various enteroviruses and coxsackie viruses might be responsible for this condition which stimulates this disease. Since it is caused due to viral infestation, administration of antibiotics might not be of great help. Instead of that the person suffering from this disease should consume more fuel avoiding dehydration and also should consume acetaminophen in case of fever accompanied with it.

Tonsil blisters is a condition which might be caused due to an infection known as herpangina which starts along with fever and results in appetite loss. The condition might also exhibit various symptoms including headaches, running nose, backaches, vomiting, diarrhea and even drooling. Normally in children it might take four to six day's time. Some effective home remedies for tonsil blisters include sipping liquids that are warm, gargle water with salt many times in a day, popsicles or colder liquids are used for getting some relief from sore throats, enhancing the production of saliva by sucking various things like throat lozenges or hard candies, using humidifier or cool mist vaporizer to make the region wet and get relieved from tonsils. The burning sensation of the blisters can be controlled with the help of pain killers available over the counters and by consuming acetaminophen.

Persons suffering from tonsil stones, tongue blisters or tonsil blisters should avoid eating food items rich in acid content like sugars, flours and so on. And can even change their toothpastes if they contain a chemical called sodium laurel sulfate which is known to make the mouth lining dry. More quantities of fruits especially apples should be eaten as there is a proven record of lowering the occurrence of blisters.

Home Remedies for Curing Tonsil Stones

Tonsillectomy not only can lead to various health problems later but also does not come at a cheaper price. The surgery can also hinder day to day activities for some time. Hence, it is avoided most often. In fact, there are natural and scientifically proven ways to get rid of tonsil stones so they never return. It's absolutely not necessary to go for a long, drawn out surgery or wasting your money on expensive nasal sprays and tablets.

Editing and Proofreading Tips For Bloggers

Protect Your Post from Careless Errors

Blogs have become one of the most popular forms of media in recent years. Anyone with a computer and an Internet connection can now publish his or her written material. Blogs are easy to access, easy to create, and often easy to read. Unfortunately, the simple nature of blogs and blogging often breeds a careless mindset when generating a post. Individuals are often too caught up in the thrill of their story or opinion to properly edit or proofread their piece. Our editors at Scribendi.com have compiled a short list of tips in order to help the average blogger optimize his or her posts and get the most out of his or her online publications. Follow these tips and your messages, thoughts, arguments, or ponderings are sure to be well received.

1. 
   Proofread your post
   This is easily the most important step in generating worthwhile blog posts. There is nothing that renders a blog useless faster than a post riddled with careless spelling mistakes. As blogs are often statement or opinion based, it is likely that the blogger is trying to make a point or convey an argument of some sort. A blogger could make the most profound statement of all time, only to have it torn apart in the comments section by readers who are quick to point out that he or she used 'there' instead of 'their.' Always go over your post several times to ensure that you've removed every grammar or syntax error you're capable of finding, and your posts will improve tremendously.
   


2. 
   Edit for context
   Are you a professional? A politician? A pro wrestler? Or just an average Joe looking for a creative venue to vent your frustrations about everyday life? A CEO should not use the same language as a schoolgirl, as their readers are from vastly different walks of life. Your blog post will say a lot about your personality, so be mindful of your tone. What's more, when you're publishing things online, anyone can find your entry and read it. Take your personal context into account in the editing process: remove any language or thoughts that you wouldn't want your boss or co-workers to read. Conversely, if your post is aimed at fourth graders, don't use terms suited for university graduates.
   


3. 
   Fact check
   Editing your blog for truth is a necessity. Although the Internet does not require citations and references, nothing will affect your readership more than blog posts filled with obvious lies and false statistics. You should edit your posts to remove outlandish statements masquerading as facts. Again, it is important to assess your facts in relation to the context of your blog; a humor blog is more likely to exaggerate events in order to get a chuckle, but if your genre doesn't call for outrageous antics, edit them out. Fellow bloggers tend to be a tough crowd, and if you're constantly spouting lies and false truths, your credibility will forever be in question.
   


4. 
   The shorter, the better
   Internet-savvy folks may be familiar with the term TLDNR, which stands for "too long did not read." TLDNR is used to quickly and efficiently communicate that a blog post's length is far too long to attract potential readers to even begin. Who wants to read a 46-page blog post when they could potentially get the same information on Twitter in 140 characters? This leads directly to our final tip:
   


5. 
   Remove the rambling
   Steady, unrelenting, coffee-induced stream of consciousness ramblings worked for Jack Kerouac and the Good Doctor Thompson, but in the blogosphere, these instances of verbal diarrhea tend to draw negative comments or even result in a loss of readership. This goes hand in hand with the TLDNR concept, as readers will get lost in incoherent blathering or unnecessary instances of verbose declarations. Edit the language of your posts to remove redundancies; your readers won't frequent your blog for long if they can barely understand what you're talking about.

Make your blog a must-read

These are just a few examples of how a thorough edit and proofread can potentially improve your blog. If you want people to read, or continue to read, your blog, then you must ensure that what you are writing is not only worth reading, but is plainly readable. Try applying these five steps to your next post and keep an eye on the comments section; chances are your feedback will be more about the content of your post than any grammar or stylistic errors. If you're not sure you've got what it takes to properly edit and proofread your own post, that's ok! Submit your entry to Scribendi.com for a critique. A second set of eyes is always helpful when it comes to catching errors.

Dangerous Methods of Weight Loss

Some people will do just about anything to lose weight. Eating disorders have become a very common problem in America. The phrase "dying to be thin" has become more of a literal definition of what people suffering from eating disorders are doing to themselves. Today's society puts a lot of pressure on people, especially young women, to be thin and beautiful. How far will people go to be thin?

Many people resort to using dangerous methods to lose weight when they don't get the results they want from regular diet and exercise. Most individuals suffering from eating disorders want to see results fast. For most, their goals are unrealistic.

Ipecac syrup is one method some individuals suffering from eating disorders use to lose weight. Ipecac syrup is used to induce vomiting and is only supposed to be used in the case of accidental poisoning. Used on a regular basis, ipecac syrup can cause irregular heart rates, difficulty breathing and cardiac arrest. It has been the cause of death of many people suffering from an eating disorder.

Laxatives are also very commonly used among those suffering from eating disorders. Laxatives do not work in the way of weight loss, as the calories have already been absorbed into the body by the time the laxative works. Laxatives do, however, make the those suffering from eating disorders feel as though they have lost weight because of the fluid loss. This feeling of productivity is only temporary, as water is retained in the body every 48 to 72 hours. This may cause bloating and the individual may feel the need to use the laxatives again. Laxative abuse can lead to bloody diarrhea, dehydration, nausea and vomiting. Prolonged use of laxatives can cause an inability to move the bowels without them. They can cause permanent bowel damage and even death.

The use of diuretics, otherwise known as "water pills", has become nearly as common as the use of laxatives to promote fast weight loss. Much like laxatives, diuretics do not provide the results expected of them. Diuretics can cause dehydration and the body's response to it is to retain water later on. This results in further abuse of diuretics. Prolonged use of diuretics can cause kidney damage due to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.

The sale of diet pills continue to rise throughout North America. Most manufacturers of these products claim that they are safe and effective methods of weight loss. Studies have shown that this is not true. The use of diet pills can have very harmful affects on the body over time. Many diet pills include the ingredient Fenfluramine (Fen-Phen). Fen-Phen is a stimulant and can become very addictive. Over time, the use of Fen-Phen increases the risk of Primary Pulmonary Hypertension. Primary Pulmonary Hypertension is a rare but fatal lung disease. The average life span of an individual suffering from Primary Pulmonary Hypertension is apporximately three years. Other serious side effects of the ingredient Fen-Phen are high blood pressure, dry mouth, chest pains and palpitations.

These methods are all dangerous and should not be overlooked. This is one way an eating disorder can be displayed. Using these methods of weight loss are just as serious as anorexia nervosa and bulemia. Anyone displaying the symptoms of any eating disorder should be urged to seek professional help immediately.

How to Get Started With Homeopathy Crohns Relief

Choosing Crohn's-friendly foods isn't the only way a sufferer can improve their condition, other treatments such as homeopathy crohns relief may also be beneficial for some. Homeopathy is a unique type of remedy that treats the person as a whole. Therefore, the type of remedy that is prescribed is based on a person's mental and physical wellbeing. The treatments administered focus on ridding the person of their specific problems. Thus, no two people will be provided with the same treatments.

In order to receive proper homeopathy crohns treatment, you will need to visit a qualified homeopath to have your condition properly accessed. That being said, the following are five examples of homeopathic treatments you may be prescribed based on your symptoms:

Note: The vast majority of homeopathy treatments are derived from natural substances that come from minerals, plants and animals. A remedy is made by diluting the natural substance through a specific process without destroying its healing properties. Most remedies are extremely diluted, taken orally, and are available in tablet, pellet or liquid forms.

Argentum nitricum:

This homeopathic crohns remedy is administered to those who suffer from an upset digestive system that is also accompanied by nervousness and/or anxiety. Such a person often experiences symptoms of nausea, bloating, tummy rumbling, flatulence and sudden, intense diarrhea with a greenish hue. Diarrhea may suddenly occur after eating excessive salty or sweet foods or directly after ingesting water. In addition, a person prescribed this treatment is also likely to be impulsive, expressive, and suffer from claustrophobia issues.

Asafetida:

This homeopathy crohns substance is given to those who feel as if their entire digestive tract is constricted. The individual may feel as though they have a lump moving upwards from the stomach or have a bubble in their throat. Their abdomen generally feels inflated; however, the person has difficulty passing gas for relief. This person likely has painful bouts of constipation, explosive cases of diarrhea, and possibly regurgitates small amounts of food. This individual may have strong emotions and is quick to become worked up.

Colocynthis:

An individual who is experiencing sharp pains and cramping in their abdomen or pubic bone that urges them to bend double or lie down is often prescribed this homeopathy crohns. The pain that is experienced usually worsens before diarrhea passes, after drinking water or eating fruit. Many of these symptoms are also triggered by emotions, especially anger.

Lilium tigrinum:

This is usually administered to a person who is constipated throughout the day but is plagued with sudden diarrhea the next morning. This person tends to feel as if there is a lump in their rectum that feels worse when they stand. This person may develop haemorrhoids, and experience tightening in their chest. The symptoms are often triggered by strong emotions, and excitement that often accelerates into feelings of irritability or rage.

Podophyllum:

This remedy for homeopathy crohns is often prescribed to those who suffer from abdominal pain and cramping, and have a sinking, empty feeling in their gut that is followed by very loose, and watery, foul-smelling diarrhea. The person may also experience constipation or bowel movements that feature pasty, yellow stool with mucus. This individual tends to feel worse in the early hours of morning and later feel weak, faint or headachy afterwards. An individual who suffers from these symptoms may also experience stiff joints and muscles.

Homeopathy crohns is generally safe when administered by a professional, especially remedies that have been extremely diluted. However, it is not uncommon for a person to feel worse during treatment. This usually only occurs for a brief period and is usually not uncommon. However, extreme or prolonged side effects such as worsening or no relief from symptoms should be brought to the attention of your health care provider.

Although homeopathy may be an ideal complimentary form of treatment for Crohn's, it should not replace a doctor's advice. In addition, if you have a serious case of Crohn's with persistent symptoms, you may require medical aid for relief and to get the condition under control. Therefore, make sure you consult your health care provider about homeopathy crohns treatments before you begin.

Infectious Hepatitis In Dogs

Infectious hepatitis in dogs is a highly contagious viral disease transmitted only to dogs. It is not the same hepatitis found in man. It primarily affects the liver, lining of the blood vessels and the kidneys. It can cause liver disease in dogs.

The symptoms of canine hepatitis range from those of mild or subclinical infection at one extreme to a rapidly fatal one at the other. It is difficult to distinguish the disease from distemper at times.

The virus multiples in the dog's tissues a few days after it is exposed and is shed in his tool, urine and saliva. During this stage, the disease is most contagious. It is spread to other dogs coming into contact with the sick dog or its urine, saliva and stool. Dogs that have recovered and convalescent dogs may shed the virus in the urine for months.

The most severe cases occur in young puppies during the first few months of life. Dogs of all ages are susceptible.

In the fatal fulminating form, the dog suddenly becomes ill, develops bloody diarrhea, collapses and dies. Puppies can die suddenly without obvious signs of the illness.

Hepatitis signs in the dog are a high fever, bloody diarrhea, and vomiting blood. He refuses to eat and movement is painful. He may exhibit a tucked up belly which is caused by painful swelling of the liver. Liver failure may occur. Light hurts his eyes and he may squint and tear a lot. Bleeding beneath the gums and under the skin, tonsillitis, and yellowing of the whites of the eyes may occur. This is the acute stage.

In mild cases, the dog simply appears lethargic or below his normal condition. You will notice a loss of appetite. A blood test is needed to help make a diagnosis.

About 25 percent of dogs develop a characteristic clouding of the cornea of one or both eyes after the acute symptoms have subsided. It clears spontaneously in a few days in most dogs. If the disease persists, it should be treated by a veterinarian. Rarely does the eye remain permanently clouded.

Blue eye can occur after a hepatitis vaccination. This only occurs in a small percentage of dogs.

The disease can be prevented by proper vaccinations. Vaccinations must be kept current in the dog.

All types of hepatitis are not caused by the canine adenovirus type one virus. This is known as idiopathic or periportal hepitatis. This type of hepatitis is of unknown origin and occurs in dogs that are at least five to six years of age, in most cases.

Puppies and dogs that are unvaccinated are at the highest risk of being infected by the virus that causes canine hepatitis.

Treatment of hepatitis includes using a broad spectrum antibiotic and administering intravenous fluids with a dextrose solution to rehydrate the dog.

It is important to know that after recovery your pet can still shed the herpes virus in his urine for up to nine months.

Is it Possible to Have Withdrawal Symptoms When Cutting Out Gluten?

Are you concerned about cutting out gluten from your diet because you think you might experience withdrawal symptoms? Or have you recently cut out gluten from your diet and now you're suffering from a whole manner of uncomfortable symptoms? Is it really possible to really suffer so badly just from cutting gluten from your diet?

Well, to answer that question: yes, you can go through a withdrawal phase when you first remove gluten from your diet. The reason for this is because gluten has a kind of opiate effect on the system and you actually become "addicted". The thing is, it's not normally thought of as an addiction since gluten is such a common part of most people's diets.

The likelihood is that when you first cut out gluten you will feel worse for a few weeks before you feel better. This is totally normal, and is just the body sorting itself out.

Aside from just riding it out until it eventually passes and you feel better, the best thing you can do during this time is to make sure you are getting plenty of good food in the rest of your diet. For example, plenty of fruit and vegetables, lots of good protein (fish, nuts, seeds, beans and pulses), and other replacement grains such as rice. It is important to keep up your nourishment, so that your body gets all the nutrients it needs and gets a steady supply of energy. If you approach it in this way, any withdrawal symptoms will feel easier to cope with.

Reasons for Bloody Stool in Cats

Seeing traces of blood in a pet's stool can upset you tremendously especially if it happens to your cat. Though small traces of blood or streaks in the stool do not signify anything serious, considerable amount of blood that occurs frequently should be a cause for concern. The presence of blood in the stool is termed clinically as hematochezia. Most often people tend to confuse this with melena which is characterized by dark or tarry stools whereas hematochezia has fresh traces of blood in stool.

The reason for the presence of bloody stool may be something minor that can be easily rectified or it may also be indicative of some serious or fatal disorder your pet has. Frequent bowel movements or diarrhea should always be looked into immediately. Some of the most possible causes for bloody stool in cats are listed here.

The most likely cause for hematochezia is the presence of infection. Bacterial infection especially the ones caused by salmonella, clostridium and E Coli cause colitis and diarrhea with presence of blood in the stool. Salmonella and E coli can be identified only by culture tests done on the sample whereas clostridia are easily recognized in fecal sample tests.

Presence of parasites like tape worms, hook worms and round worms in the intestinal walls also lead to internal bleeding and hematochezia. Intestinal parasites can be identified by doing stool sample tests.

The cat may sometimes ingest rat poison or chemicals like house cleaning supplies that are left lying around the house and yard. This will irritate the intestinal wall and cause bleeding which appears as blood in the stool.

Benign tumors like intestinal polyps present in the colon and the rectal areas also cause the appearance of blood in cat stool. Malignancy is another important reason for concern that causes bloody stool in cats. The lower bowel area is the most prone region for malignancy to occur.

Other than the above listed reasons, inflammatory bowel disease, colitis and other intestinal disorders can also initiate bleeding. Allergic reactions, ingestion of antibiotics that the cat is allergic to and foods that cause allergy can also cause blood to be seen in the stool. Coagulation disorders are another important cause for the appearance of bloody stools.

Symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea along with the appearance of blood in the stool should be treated immediately. Get the help of the pet's veterinarian who will suggest a series of diagnostic tests like fecal and rectal examination, radiographs, blood tests, coagulation tests and ultrasound of the abdomen. These will help identify the specific cause for the bleeding.

The treatment given in case of hematochezia is usually a regimen of antibiotics if infection is present and a change in the regular diet pattern of the pet. The diet is changed to a high protein content one with less of fats and more of fibers included. In case of inflammatory bowel disease a hydrolyzed dry diet is given.

When you notice blood in cat stool you should know the various reasons for the presence of blood so that you can take appropriate measures and get veterinary help to treat the condition immediately if it is a serious one.

The Dangers of Food Poisoning

Food Poisoning

When you visit a restaurant, you expect to be served thoroughly cleaned and cooked, safe food. When you purchase perishable goods from a grocery store, you expect for these products to have been stored properly and labeled with the correct expiration date. When food providers fail to take this care to deliver you with safe and uncontaminated food, you run the risk of suffering from food poisoning.

Every year, there are approximately 76 million cases of food poisoning in the United States alone. Hundreds of thousands of these victims are hospitalized for treatment, and up to 5,000 victims die from these illnesses annually. Clearly, food poisoning is a relatively common phenomenon. Typically, it is caused by bacteria or salmonellae.

Typically, food becomes contaminated when it is exposed to fecal matter during the processing or harvesting procedures. Meats and produce that are not cleaned and cooked through can still possess these dangerous microorganisms when they are served an ingested. Meats and other perishables can also spoil if they are not stored properly. 

Most of the time, food poisoning is very uncomfortable but relatively mild. Rarely does it ever reach the point of being life-threatening. Depending on what type of contaminant has entered your body, you may experience any combination of the following symptoms:

·         Nausea
·         Stomach cramps
·         Vomiting
·         Diarrhea
·         Fever
·         Nervous system damage

If your diarrhea is bad enough, you can become extremely dehydrated. Sometimes, victims will also experience bloody diarrhea. If you ever notice your stools being off-color, as if they have blood in them, you should seek medical attention immediately.

While most people typically recover from food poisoning on their own without outside treatment, some severe cases will require professional medical attention. In general, however, most people are advised to follow these guidelines to avoid the worsening of symptoms and to have the speediest recovery possible:

·         Avoid dehydrating agents such as caffeine
·         Avoid dairy products, as they can upset the stomach
·         Avoid solid foods until the worse of the diarrhea has passed
·         Make sure you replace your lost fluids

Of course, if your condition persists or worsens over time, you should visit a doctor.

Ayurveda and Three Basic Principle Energies of the Body

The study of Ayurveda identifies three basic principle energies of the body. The energies are present in everyone and everything. These energies are Vata (pronounced: vu tha), pitta (pronounced: pith tha), and Kapha (pronounced: cu pha). These principles can be related to the basic biology of the body.

Vata is the subtle energy associated with movement of Space and Air. It governs various aspects of human body such as breathing, blinking, muscle and tissue movement, and pulsation of the heart. In balance Vata allows one to be creative and flexible. When out of balance, Vata produces fear and anxiety. Few more characteristics of people who have predominantly Vata constitution are

• Creativity and mental quickness,
  


• Highly imaginative,
  


• Quick to learn and grasp new knowledge but also quick to forget,
  


• Sexually easily excitable but quickly satiated,
  


• Slenderness; lightest of the three body types,
  


• Talk and walk quickly,
  


• Tendency toward cold hands and feet, discomfort in cold climates,
  


• Excitable, lively, fun personality,
  


• Changeable moods,
  


• Irregular daily routine,
  


• Variable appetite and digestive efficiency,
  


• High energy in short bursts; tendency to tire easily and to overexert,
  


• Full of joy and enthusiasm when in balance,
  


• Respond to stress with fear, worry, and anxiety, especially when out of balance,
  


• Tendency to act on impulse,
  


• Often have racing, disjointed thoughts,
  


• Generally have dry skin and dry hair and don't perspire much,
  


• Typical health problems include headaches, hypertension, dry coughs, sore throats, ear-aches, anxiety, irregular heart rhythms, muscle spasms, lower back pain, constipation, abdominal gas, diarrhea, nervous stomach, menstrual cramps, premature ejaculation and other sexual dys-functions, arthritis.
  


• Most neurological disorders are related to Vata imbalance.
  

Pitta expresses as the body's metabolic system which is made up of Fire and Water. It governs digestion, absorption, assimilation, nutrition, metabolism and body temperature. In balance pitta allows one to be understanding and intelligent. When out of balance, pitta arouses anger, hatred and jealousy. Few more characteristics of people who have predominantly Pitta constitution are

• Medium physique, strong, well-built,
  


• Sharp mind, good concentration powers,
  


• Orderly and focused,
  


• Assertive, self-confident, and entrepreneurial at their best; aggressive, demanding, pushy when out of balance,
  


• Competitive, enjoy challenges,
  


• Passionate and romantic; sexually have more vigor and endurance than Vatas, but less than Kaphas,
  


• Strong digestion, strong appetite; get irritated if they have to miss or wait for a meal,
  


• Like to be in command,
  


• When under stress, Pittas become irritated and angry,
  


• Skin fair or reddish, often with freckles; sunburns easily,
  


• Hair usually fine and straight, tending toward blond or red, typically turns gray early; tendency toward baldness or thinning hair,
  


• Uncomfortable in sun or hot weather; heat makes them very tired, Perspire a lot,
  


• Others may find them stubborn, pushy, opinionated,
  


• Good public speakers; also capable of sharp, sarcastic, cutting speech,
  


• Generally good management and leadership ability, but can become authoritarian,
  


• Like to spend money, surround themselves with beautiful objects,
  


• Subject to temper tantrums, impatience, and anger,
  


• Typical physical problems include rashes or inflammations of the skin, acne, boils, skin cancer, ulcers, heartburn, acid stomach, hot sensations in the stomach or intestines, insomnia, bloodshot or burning eyes and other vision problems, anemia, jaundice.
  

Kapha is the energy that forms the body's structure that is bones, muscles, tendons and provides the bonding material that holds the cells together which is formed from earth and water. Kapha supplies the water for all bodily parts and systems. It lubricates joints, moisturizes the skin, and maintains immunity. When in balance Kapha is expressed as love, calmness and forgiveness and when out of balance, Kapha leads to attachment, greed and envy. Few more characteristics of people who have predominantly Kapha constitution are

• Easygoing, relaxed, slow-paced,
  


• Affectionate and loving, Forgiving, compassionate, nonjudgmental nature
  


• Stable and reliable; faithful,
  


• Physically strong and with a sturdy, heavier build,
  


• Have the most energy of all constitutions, but it is steady and enduring, not explosive,
  


• Slow moving and graceful,
  


• Slow speech, reflecting a deliberate thought process,
  


• Slower to learn, but never forgets; outstanding long-term memory,
  


• Soft hair and skin; tendency to have large "soft" eyes and a low, soft voice,
  


• Tend toward being overweight; may also suffer from sluggish digestion,
  


• Prone to heavy, oppressive depressions,
  


• More self-sufficient, need less outward stimulation than do the other types
  


• A mild, gentle, and essentially undemanding approach to life,
  


• Sexually Kaphas are the slowest to be aroused, but they also have the most endurance,
  


• Excellent health, strong resistance to disease,
  


• Slow to anger; strive to maintain harmony and peace in their surroundings,
  


• Not easily upset and can be a point of stability for others,
  


• Tend to be possessive and hold on to things, people, money; good savers.
  


• Don't like cold, damp weather,
  


• Physical problems include colds and congestion, sinus headaches, respiratory problems including asthma and wheezing, hay fever, allergies, and atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).
  

Curing Constipation Naturally

It's not something we like to discuss, but constipation affects almost 1 in 5 adults in the UK within a 12-month period. In the UK about 10% of the population are regularly constipated; 20% or more in the elderly. Women, particularly, are prone to suffer.

Constipation is the result of waste material moving too slowly through the large intestine, leading to infrequent or painful elimination. Bowels should be moved at least once per day - ideally once for every meal! Otherwise harmful toxins accumulate in the body and may cause many different problems such as bad breath, body odour, coated tongue, depression, diverticulitis, fatigue, wind, headaches, indigestion, piles, hernia, insomnia, obesity, varicose veins or more serious problems. Poor absorption and blocked intestines can also reduce absorption of nutrients and medication so no matter how good your diet, you can't absorb food correctly.

Did you know?

* The average person has 1 - 3 kg of unwanted, putrefying matter stuck to their bowel wall. This creates a source for toxicity and a welcome home for parasites.

* 37 million drug prescriptions are made in the UK for digestive diseases every year.

* 1 in 5 people in Europe suffer from a gut disorder.

* 1 in 10 of all deaths in the UK are from gut disorders.

* Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) affects 20 - 30% of the UK population.

* The number of bowel movements per day should equal the number of meals eaten.

The Problems with Laxatives

Many sufferers are tempted to resort to laxative substances to promote bowel movement, but these can cause problems. There are four basic types:

* Stimulant laxatives irritate the intestinal wall, stimulating peristalsis. They can damage the bowel walls with habitual use, as well as leading to dependency. Long term use can damage nerve cells in the colon wall, which will perpetuate constipation rather than alleviate it.

* Stool softeners soften faecal matter so that it passes through the intestines more easily. The mineral oils contained in these can damage the lungs if inhaled, and they decrease the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. Long-term use can cause liver damage and increase the toxicity of drugs.

* Osmotic agents promote secretion of water into the colon, initiating bowel movement. These are safer than stool-softeners and stimulant laxatives, but if used regularly, dependency can result.

* Bulk-forming agents increase the bulk and water content of the stool and are the ONLY type than can safely be taken on a regular basis.

What Causes Constipation?

The cause of constipation is often poor diet with excess junk food and insufficient fiber or fluid intake. Experts recommend that we should have 20 - 35 grams of fiber daily, however the average person consumes only 10 - 12 grams. We need both soluble and insoluble fiber, which keeps your colon clean, and helps to relieve both constipation and diarrhea.

Other causative factors include lack of exercise, advanced age, poor diet, muscle or structural disorders.

It may also be a side effect of iron supplements or certain prescription medicines. If you suspect the latter, do not change any medication without your GP's approval.

How to Stop Constipation

The following recommendations should help.

* Drink plenty of water whether you are thirsty or not.

* Aim to drink 2 litres of still mineral water daily. This final target may need to be built up to over a period of a few days. If adding fiber supplements (see below) make sure you have a full glass of water with each dose. Herb tea or fruit juice diluted 50-50 with mineral water add variety to your fluid intake, but alcohol, tea and coffee do not count towards the total - in fact they can have a dehydrating effect.

* Eat small portions of food, minimise large, heavy meals.

* Vitamin C supplements at higher doses can encourage loose stools.

* 6-8 prunes (or 3 figs) before breakfast may be helpful. If this is insufficient, eat more before dinner. They are best eaten before meals as they can otherwise cause flatulence.

* Other foods with a mild laxative effect are: strawberries, raw spinach, watermelon, garlic and dandelion leaf tea. Fruit (bananas, citrus fruit and apples) and vegetables (cabbage, raw green leafy vegetables, celery, peas and carrots) should help as they contain good levels of fiber. Rice, nuts, lentils and seeds are also good sources of fiber.

* Whole-grain products contain more fiber (and vitamins and minerals) than white.

* Soaked flaxseeds may be helpful too, but be sure to drink plenty of water and chew them well. Ideally grind them, to avoid them passing through you undigested.

* Avoid fried, refined and processed foods. Also minimize foods like dairy, fats and spicy foods - these stimulate mucous production and are difficult to digest, as well as containing little fiber.

* Essential fats help stool formation - these can be obtained in supplement form or in foods such as nuts (almonds, Brazils, cashews, walnuts) and oily fish (salmon, mackerel, herring, sardines, tuna).

* Visit the toilet 20 minutes after every meal to encourage a habit reflex. Relax with a book for ten minutes, don't strain or push. Leave if there's no bowel movement and don't worry.

* When you do get the urge to 'go', don't delay.

* Exercise can help prevent constipation, even a brisk daily walk, as physical activity speeds the movement of waste through the intestines.

* It's important to have a healthy balance of good bacteria (probiotics) and bad. Heavy laxative or antibiotic use may have caused the bad to crowd out the good. Acidophilus or consumption of live, unsweetened yogurt daily can help restore the balance. Garlic helps destroy bad bacteria.

The colon is a holding tank for waste matter that should be removed from your body within eighteen to twenty four hours. If this does not happen, harmful toxins can form. These can cause distressing conditions such as migraine, Candidiasis, wind and bloating. Or they can play a role in the development of serious conditions such as diabetes, thyroid disease and bowel cancer. If the suggestions above don't help constipation to clear up quickly, please ask your GP to check that it doesn't have other, potentially serious, causes.

Panic Attack or Heart Attack

Unless you know the facts, you may mistake the chest pains that normally accompany panic attacks for a heart attack.

Every year, thousands of people having chest pain, difficulty breathing, pain or numbness in the left arm and tingling throughout the body end up in a hospital emergency room because they believe they are having a heart attack. Typically, a few tests are run, and the patient is sent home because the nature of the attack he or she experienced is one of panic, not coronary.

It's easy to understand how a panic attack can be mistaken for a heart attack; the two share several common symptoms-with subtle, but recognizable differences. For instance, the chest pain from a heart attack is focused in the center of the chest and is crushing, as if a heavy weight is sitting on top of the chest. It is usually persistent, may radiate to the left arm, neck or back and lasts longer than 5 - 10 minutes. Heart attack victims don't hyperventilate (unless the person's fear of heart attack triggers a panic attack), any tingling they experience is usually confined to the left arm, and vomiting is common.

During a panic attack, chest pain is localized over the heart and described as "sharp, and comes and goes. The pain usually intensifies with breathing in and out, and pressing on the center of the chest. Panic attack may cause nausea, but vomiting is rare, and if tingling is present, the entire body tingles. Hyperventilation almost always precedes a panic attack. Using deep breathing techniques dispel this and combined with relaxation exercises, other panic attack symptoms disappear in less than 5 minutes. If the location of the pain moves to the center of the chest, doesn't go away within 10 minutes, is accompanied by more than one incident of vomiting or diarrhea, or goes away and returns a few minutes later, you should immediately get medical attention.

Panic attacks don't cause heart disease, and some experts say that they actually affect the heart similarly to the way cardio exercise does, by causing the release of adrenaline, increasing the heart rate, and expanding blood vessels. On the same note, heart disease doesn't cause panic attacks, although a person with a history of panic attacks who is actually having a coronary may also panic for fear of worsening the heart damage, dying or being disabled.

Using the correct techniques and exercises, you can learn to control panic attack symptoms. I'm one of those with anxiety/panic disorders who have benefited from these practices. I've learned to overcome the symptoms of panic attack and differentiate them from heart attack symptoms. It takes practice to control panic attack symptoms, but if you learn to recognize the difference between panic and heart attack signs, and you know that what you're experiencing is only a panic attack, they'll be much easier to deal with.

If you want to learn more about heart attacks and how to deal with panic attacks, there is a great amount of information on the Internet. Learning the difference between the two kinds of symptoms makes all the difference in how you react to panic attacks!

Remove Fluoride From Drinking Water - Discover Why It Is Urgent For You And Your Family

There has been quite a bit of talk lately about whether or not to remove fluoride from drinking water, and I am frankly on the side of getting rid of it. I know that we have benefited substantially from the introduction of this compound into the drinking water system, as it has certainly brought tooth decay way down.

We have simply reached a point where there is no reason to continue using it. We are now putting fluoride into toothpaste and other things, and that is probably more than what we need. People really need to understand that while this compound is beneficial for your teeth, it is also toxic.

I'm not sure that the Public Health Service actually visualized what the long term effects of regularly ingesting fluoride would be when they introduced fluoridation back in 1950.

We should probably remove fluoride from drinking water, because we now know that it is a cumulative poison that builds up in our bones. According to a book called the Clinical Toxicology of Commercial Products, fluoride is more toxic than lead, and only slightly less poisonous than arsenic.

A study by Proctor and Gamble concluded that as little as half of the amount regularly present in our water can cause significant genetic damage. The Journal of the American Medical Association has published several different reports citing evidence that link fluoride accumulation and increased hip fracture rates.

Mayo Clinic researchers reported in a 1990 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine that fluoride treatments for osteoporosis were leading to increased hip fractures, and bone fragility. The compound was originally thought to lower fracture risk slightly. It is a good idea to remove fluoride from drinking water, because it often occurs naturally in concentrations well above what is considered safe.

This leads to several adverse long term effects, including the aforementioned weakened bones and severe dental fluorosis. Putting additional fluoride into water where the levels are already exceptionally high can lead to overfluoridation, which causes acute fluoride poisoning.

The symptoms of acute fluoride poisoning include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, and there have been three reported outbreaks in the U.S. related to improper implementation of water fluoridation. The worst of these outbreaks occurred in Alaska back in 1992, in which 262 persons became ill and one person died. In another incident in North Carolina just last year, 60 gallons of fluoride that were supposed to be released over a 24 hour period were released in 90 minutes.

Until authorities decide to remove flouride from drinking water, you can always filter your water with a special activated alumina filter. If I were going to filter my water, I would rather invest in a purifier that removed all of the toxic and carcinogenic contaminants in our water.

I truly believe that it would be better to focus on a wide range of detrimental substances, instead of only one. It may take a few years, but eventually I think they will decide it is better to remove fluoride from drinking water.

It is going to be virtually impossible for them to remove all of the chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and disinfectant resistant pathogens from the water. Better to try to protect yourself from these instead with a good water filtration system.

Severe Diaper Rash - What to Do Before You Call the Doctor

Most babies get diaper rash at some time or the other. It's just a part of baby life, and while parents can do their best changing diapers, wiping bottoms, and using diaper rash ointment as needed, diaper rashes are just going to pop up now and then and even sometimes linger on for a while. However, when a parent notices raised or fluid filled bumps on baby's bottom or extreme pain from the intense redness and peeling, a normal situation has turned into a severe diaper rash that needs additional attention. When that has happened, follow this treatment for severe diaper rash, and you may find you can clear the rash and ease the pain without a doctor's intervention.

1. First of all, don't freak out. Simply having a baby with severe diaper rash does not mean you are a bad parent or that your baby will most definitely require emergency care or suffer long term. Even skin disorders to this degree can happen due to frequent stools and wiping, diarrhea and resulting bacteria from antibiotic prescriptions, acidity, and even sometimes allergies to something a toddler or nursing mother has eaten. While you always want to change diapers frequently, gently clean and allow baby's bottom to dry before diapering again, and use the best diaper rash cream for your baby on a regular basis, flare ups can and do occur even with the best parenting Also, there are both severe diaper rash cures you can do right at home that provide relief and healing and then additional steps your doctor can routinely recommend or prescribe if needed, so this is usually a simple obstacle that parents need to go through. Even the severest of this kind of condition may not mean anything other than something just happened that needs mom's and dad's attention now, and just a little extra loving care and concern is all that is needed to quickly correct the situation, many times without even the need for a doctor.

2. You'll still want to make sure you are changing your little one's diaper frequently, but do not use scented baby wipes when your child has a severe rash. In fact, you may want to opt for unscented baby wipes all the time due to the fact that some babies are sensitive to the fragrances used in these kinds of wipes. However, when dealing with a severe diaper rash, definitely change to an unscented diaper wipe, or even better, use plain water to clean your baby's bottom at this time. Depending on what is most comfortable for you and also on the type of soiling that has occurred, you can either gently pat your child's bottom with a wet, soft wash cloth, or you can squirt water on your baby's behind using either a squirt bottle or a plastic bulb syringe. Do this with every diaper change during this time, making sure your baby's bottom is dry before putting a new, dry diaper on. You should also consider actually placing your baby's behind one or two times a day in a baby bath with Aveeno Soothing Bath Treatment for Baby, or put oatmeal in a knotted sock or half hose and place in bath water to provide great soothing relief to your child's pain during this time. Using plain water and extremely gentle cleaning strokes (or none at all if you can just squirt water) for diaper changes and then providing skin conditioning and relief with an oatmeal mixture (using Aveeno or old-fashioned oatmeal itself) together can go a long way in helping baby deal with the pain and get better more quickly.

3. While you should make sure your infant's little bottom is always dry before you put another diaper on, there is no more important time than now to do that. In fact, exaggerate this step and make this a part of healing your child's severe rash. After using plain water for diaper changes and then supplementing that with an oatmeal-based butt bath, keep diapers off completely as long as possible to allow for air drying. If you need to immediately replace a new diaper, then simply pat your baby's bottom with a soft towel or cloth as gently as possible. Do not stroke or wipe with long motions across your child's bottom. Just gently pat. If you do not need to replace the diaper quickly, let your baby go diaper free for a few minutes or even for longer if possible. Air has great healing powers for sore little bottoms.

4. Supplement the steps above with a superior diaper rash ointment that other parents have found trustworthy in dealing with bad diaper rashes. Burt's Bees Baby Bee Diaper Ointment, Triple Paste Medicated Ointment for Diaper Rash, and Diaper Rash and Thrush by Motherlove Herbal Company are all known as great severe diaper rash remedies. Some parents have found Aveeno Baby Diaper Rash Cream and even plain extra virgin olive oil works well too, even sometimes in extreme cases. If you want to use olive oil, make sure you are using extra virgin olive oil as that is the preferred grade of olive oil that is best for using on the skin. (I've routinely used extra virgin olive oil on my own skin a lot and can personally tell you it absorbs very well and is a very good healer of all sorts of skin disturbances.)

5. Immediately discontinue giving your child any highly acidic foods and do not eat any acidic foods yourself if you are nursing. Expelled acid can not only trigger severe diaper rashes, it can make any diaper rash worse. Processed fruit juices are perhaps some of the worse offenders, but other offenders include mom's coffee and colas, white bread and bagels, processed meats and cheeses, peanut butter, bananas, chocolate, and eggs. Do internet searches for acid foods list to avoid on the internet, and make sure you are very careful with foods for both your child and you right now if you are a nursing mother.

6. As an additional note, consider whether the rash may be a result of a change of disposable diaper brands or detergent, or even added bleach if you are using cloth diapers. Perhaps your baby is reacting to something he or she has had introduced via their diapers or clothing, and if so, make any changes necessary to change or remove the new culprit. If you are bleaching cloth diapers, sometimes adding white vinegar to the final rinse will remove any bleach remains from the diaper. Better yet, use an equivalent amount of white vinegar or 2 teaspoons of 100% tea tree oil in place of any bleach at all to brighten, deodorize, or sanitize clothing and diapers. These more natural alternatives are not only good during diaper rash flare ups but can be used all the time for a more gentle, natural household for baby's and toddler's needs.

Severe diaper rash treatment at home come take one to three days or even a little longer, but if you see definite improvements and are helping relieve your child's extreme pain throughout that time, these initial steps can sometimes provide the exact needed attention required to solve the problem. If your baby's rash worsens or does not respond to these first crucial steps, then a call to the doctor might then be order after all. There might possibly be a form of candida yeast or bacterial infection that requires medical attention, or your baby may have some other health issue your doctor might want to investigate and address. However, these steps are immediate steps that can make a crucial difference in intense cases sometimes and can certainly help your child feel better in the meantime.

Dog Health - 5 Human Foods That Are Toxic to Your Dog

We've all heard it said that we are what we eat, and with many families, that's not a pretty picture.

Long ago, dogs survived on the prey that they hunted. They chewed on bones and that's what kept their teeth clean. However, our pets don't live in the wilderness anymore. They've moved from an outdoor environment into our living room. Now, they wait or demand that we feed them. They love to feast on packaged foods, and oftentimes this can harm your pet.

The following five foods are toxic to your dog.

1. Alcoholic Beverages

Many dog owners would never dream of giving their pet a taste of alcohol, yet dogs are attracted to the sweetness, and it can cause serious and fatal intoxication. Never offer your dog an alcoholic beverage.

These are just some of the signs and side effects:

• Cardiac arrest and death


• Depression


• Excitement


• Incoordination


• Excessive urination


• Breathing rate is slowed

2. Avocado

Did you know that avocado leaves, fruit, seeds, and bark contain a toxin known as Persin? The Guatemalan variety is the most toxic, but all avocados have toxic potential. An avocado causes vomiting, diarrhea, and primarily gastro intestinal distress. You should keep avocados and any prepared avocado spreads away from your dog.

3. All forms of chocolate

Chocolate contains theobromine, which is a compound that is a cardiac stimulant and a diuretic. If your dog exhibits any of the following signs, you should question if s/he has ingested chocolate.

• Initial excitement


• Vomiting and diarrhea


• Seizures


• Increased heart rate and arrhythmia


• Increased water consumption and frequent urination

4. Macadamia Nuts

Although very tasty for humans, Macadamia nuts contain a toxin that affects the digestive and nervous systems of dogs. In addition, the nuts affect their muscles and leads to paralysis. Even butters made out of nuts can cause the same symptoms.

5. Apples, plums, peaches, and apricots

If your dog eats the stems, seeds, or leaves of these fruits, it can be toxic. Each of the fruits mentioned above contain a cyanide type compound. Signs of toxicity include difficulty breathing, dilated pupils, apprehension, shock, and hyperventilation.

E. Coli, Botulism, and Salmonella

When we eat out at restaurants, we expect for the food we are served to have been stored properly, handled safely, cleaned adequately, and cooked thoroughly. When we purchase goods at the grocery store, again we expect for it to have been processed, packaged, and stored safely. Unfortunately, however, sometimes the reality of the situation does not fully meet our expectations.

If food is handled in a poor manner, it runs the risk of being contaminated by harmful bacteria and viruses. Those who eat these infected edibles are at risk of developing an illness known as food poisoning. While food poisoning is typically not fatal, it can be quite uncomfortable and painful. Three of the most common forms of food-borne illnesses are E.Coli, Botulism, and Salmonella.

E. Coli

E. coli is a type of bacteria that can cause infections in the digestive tracts of humans. There are several different strands of infectious E. coli, all of which can cause any of the following symptoms:

· Bloody diarrhea

· Severe abdominal cramping

· Nausea and vomiting

· Fatigue

Sometimes, E. coli is diagnosed as a different (yet similar) disease, such as a stomach ulcer or inflammatory bowel disease. Other times, those with E. coli infections do not experience any symptoms. This can be particularly dangerous if these individuals handle food. They can easily pass the infection onto other, unsuspecting individuals without realizing it.

Botulism

Botulism is another type of food-borne illness that is passed onto individuals through their ingestion of contaminated foods. Typically, botulism cultures grow in home-canned goods, although they can also arise in roots like garlic and potatoes. The symptoms of a botulism infection include the following:

· Nausea and vomiting

· Stomach cramps

· Difficulty breathing

· Compromised vision

· Difficulty swallowing

· Weakness

· Paralysis

Typically, botulism is treated through medication-induced vomiting or the prescription of drugs that cause bowel movements.

Salmonella

Salmonella is a disease most commonly spread to people through their ingestion of contaminated food. Like E. coli and botulism, those infected with this disease will typically get better after a few days without any outside treatment. The typical symptoms of a salmonella infection include the following:

· Diarrhea

· Nausea and vomiting

· Abdominal cramping

· Fever and chills

· Headache

· Bloody stools

· Achy muscles

If the salmonella bacteria enter the body's bloodstream, then the patient is at risk of developing a very serious condition known as bacteremia. Patients who develop this condition need immediate outside treatment in the form of antibiotics. When bacteremia is not treated, it can be deadly.

Contact Us

If you or someone you love has suffered from any of these types of food poisoning as the result of poor restaurant or food manufacturing sanitation, then you may have the right to claim compensation. The St. Petersburg personal injury lawyers of Beltz & Ruth, P.A. have the experience necessary to help you recover the damages you deserve. To learn more, please visit http://www.personal-injuries-attorneys.com/ today.

Understanding Dog Worm Medicine

If you think your dog may have some form of worms or perhaps you've just come back from the vet confirming this suspicion, you might be feeling a bit worried. It's normal to feel a little anxiety after discovering your dog is sick. After all, worms are a parasite and are capable of killing their host. Dog worms are not a threat to be taken lightly.

Let me just say, it's very commendable that you've taken the time to investigate the subject. A dog owner who takes the time to investigate their dog's health has a lucky dog for a pet.

Now...about those worms...

I'm happy to say that your fears are about to be lifted. This article will give you plenty of relief from your worry over your dog's worms by explaining their symptoms, effects and how dog worm medicine will flush out the problem and get your best friend happy and healthy in no time flat.

Below I'll be explaining the three most common worm infestations.

When you understand how this parasite works, it makes fighting them more effective and increases the chances of a positive outcome. Additionally, by learning about dog worms here, you'll have some knowledge as to how to prevent them the next time around.

There are 5 different types of worms that can threaten your dog. They are heartworms, hookworms, roundworms, tapeworms and whipworms. They're all parasites, feeding off the nutrients and blood of your dog, multiplying within his body.

Additionally, these worms can be contracted to humans. If you have a dog with worms, make sure you wash your hands VERY frequently to avoid infection.

The symptoms of dog worms are relatively similar in each of the 5 different types of infestations.

The Symptoms:

• loss of weight


• loss of appetite


• pot-belly appearance


• cough


• fatigue


• diarrhea


• vomiting

Here are the three most common dog worm infestations.

Roundworms: are the most common worm found in dogs. Their eggs live in fecal matter, decaying meat from rodents or wildlife and in the soil. Your dog can easily pick them up by licking any of the mentioned specimens. Also, roundworms are commonly passed down from mothers to their puppies through milk.

When the eggs hatch, these worms can grow up to 7 inches in your dog's stomach and from there, hatch more eggs. You may notice them in your dog's stool or vomit. They look like white spaghetti strings. Also, a pot belly is common in dogs with roundworms. This is because the worms live in the dog's digestive tract, causing irritation.

The biggest threat with roundworms is that they can multiple over and over so many times that they create an obstruction in your dog's digestive tract which ultimately leads to death.

Hookworms: okay, just on a personal note...I think these are the grossest. Hookworms have teeth and also live in your dog's intestine during infestation. The difference however is that rather than nutrients, hookworms live off blood in your dogs body. Their giveaway is when you find blood in your dog's stool...especially diarrhea.

They can kill your dog by causing anemia and sometimes internal bleeding. Time is of the essence if you find blood in your dog's stool, so don't wait.

Heartworms: these worms are contracted through mosquitos during the warm summer months. The mosquitos suck blood from an infected dog and pass along the worms to another dog. These worms are obviously tiny. They make their way to your dog's heart and start to feed off the muscle tissue.

This can ultimately lead to congenitive heart failure if left untreated.

Heartworms are treated in a preventative way with most young pups. They go on heartworm medicine at an early age to avoid the disease altogether.

In all three common dog worm cases, medicine will usually flush out the problem before things get out of hand. That is, of course, if you catch the problem early enough. That's why reading articles like these are so important. By having the knowledge ahead of time you prevent the health problem from happening. Everyone knows preventions is the best medicine.

Choosing Baby Formula to Supplement Breast Milk

For some new mothers, breast feeding is a challenge and in some cases, it can seem to be almost impossible. Stress, illness and previous surgeries are just a few of the reasons that a new mother may under-produce breast milk. If you have recently given birth and discover that, in spite of your best efforts, you are not producing enough breast milk, you should talk to your pediatrician about supplementing your breastfeeding with baby formula. It can be a bitter pill but if, like me, you find that your baby is still hungry at the end of a feeding, deciding to supplement is actually a complete no-brainer.

If your baby is not showing any obvious signs of allergies or sensitivities (gas, diarrhea and the like) you can start with any cow's milk based brand that appeals to you. Remember that all formulas sold in the US are governed by the FDA so you can be sure the nutrition guidelines are similar from brand to brand. Similac, Enfamil, Nestle or (and I wish this had been available when I was supplementing my baby) organic brands like Horizon are all fine places to start. We used powdered formula and bottles with disposable inserts for mixing but you can also buy formula in super convenient ready to use bottles and concentrated liquid formulas that you can mix quickly with water. Obviously, work within your economics and hectic schedule but once your baby is established on formula, you can switch between these different types as you need to.

Once you pick a formula, it won't take long to see if your baby doesn't like it or if it doesn't agree with her system. She will tell you unequivocally with fussing, crying, turning her head away from the bottle, spitting up, vomiting or with some truly awful diapers and gas. Definitely consult your doctor on this but you may need to switch to a formula with low or no lactose or one made with soy milk. In any case, never, ever attempt to feed your baby regular cow's milk or soy milk... they are simply not nutritionally complete enough for a developing baby.

If you can, you should definitely continue to let your baby breastfeed before offering a bottle. For me, it worked something like this: I would make up a bottle first, then sit down with my baby to breast feed. When he lost interest in breastfeeding, I would offer him the bottle and, if he took it right away, I would let him drink as much of that bottle as he wanted. Be aware that sucking formula from a bottle is so much easier than getting it from your breast that your baby might become "lazy" about breastfeeding so always breastfeed first and be absolutely sure they are making an effort before you offer the bottle.

Finally, how do you know if your baby is getting enough formula? Not surprisingly, you will know if you are feeding your baby enough formula by looking for the same signs of satiation that you do with breast feeding: sleepiness, falling off the bottle and what every mother might call slight "intoxication."

In the end, the very best thing you can do is trust your instincts and not worry too much, anyway. After all, we're talking about our babies!