At one time or another we have all experienced the unpleasant discomfort of having an ear ache. According to the 2001 National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, over 9.4 million Americans visited a physician’s office because of either an ear ache or ear infection. This large number of people accounted for doesn’t include all of us who just “suffered” through our ear ache without going to see a doctor. With such a common ailment, there must be some sort of
remedy out there, right?

In this article I will show you the basic symptoms associated with ear aches and some simple ideas for what you can do to prevent you and your loved ones from experiencing this awful feeling associated from having an ear ache.

What causes an ear ache?

While ear aches are most commonly found in children, they are something that everyone experiences at one time or another. The most common causes of ear aches are otitis media, an infection of the middle ear, or otitis externa, an inflammation of the outer ear canal. Ear aches are usually caused by either a minor injury to the ear canal or by fluid that becomes trapped in the inner ear. Swimming, bathing, or just by using those all so common cotton-tipped swabs can cause bacteria to grow and lead to discomfort and pain in the ear canal. This can lead to a swelling of the Eustachian tube (a small tube that connects the ear to the nose that regulates the pressure in the ear). As the Eustachian tube swells it can no longer drain through the nose and throat and the pressure in the ear will then build up causing extreme discomfort and pain. Ear aches are usually result from a complication to a cold and are not contagious.

What are the symptoms of an ear ache?

Symptoms of an ear ache can include all or any of the following:

o Severe, Stabbing pain

o Hearing loss

o Itching

o Fever

o Buildup if fluid behind the eardrum

o Nausea, or vomiting

o Swelling of the ear

o Ringing or buzzing sound

o Fluids draining from the ear

How do I get rid of an ear ache?

Methods for treating ear aches are limited in number so obviously, prevention is much better than the cure. However, if you already have an ear ache there are a few things that you can try to alleviate it. Taking painkillers and eardrops can help to subside the pain. Antibiotics are also available if the cause of the ear ache is due to an infection. However, you must not forget to take the doses and you should take the antibiotic until the bottle is empty or all the pills are used. Don’t save any antibiotics from one illness to another as they tend to lose their strength.

What can I do to prevent ear aches?

While there is no way to completely keep anyone from getting an ear ache, there are several ways to help prevent them. By regularly cleaning you nasal passages you can reduce your chances of “catching” an ear ache. Also, constant movement of the jaw by chewing gum will help to keep things working smoothly and draining properly. Other things like covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing and by using a clean tissue every time will assist you in preventing an ear ache.

Ear aches are very unpleasant and something that everyone should seek to prevent rather than wait to treat. You are now well aware of the causes of an ear ache, symptoms you may have when you have an ear ache, and most importantly, what you can do to prevent ear aches.

“Where do you get all your energy?” That’s a question many of us are asked as we finish leading an intense management retreat, conducting a training session, or keynoting a major conference. My answer, after I jokingly say, “Drugs!” is “Exercise”.

I’ve realized that some of the lessons learned in a physical fitness program are appropriate for our personal and professional growth and have also have application in the training room.

Cross train. It’s essential for continual improvement. We all get into our ruts, doing the same routines over and over again and wondering why we don’t see any improvement. The body (as well as the mind) slips into neutral. Cross-training challenges different parts of our physical structure. We have to learn a new way of holding weights, of balancing, of breathing. We gain a new appreciation for a different skill set. The parallels in organizational behavior are immediate.

Hydrate. The body demands water when it is being physically taxed. So too does the brain. Notice I didn’t say “coffee”. Just plain old clear water. Water might not be our favorite beverage but hydration actually helps our endurance. No wonder we want pitchers of water in our training rooms!

Push beyond your barriers. There are two kinds of barriers; those imposed by others and those imposed by ourselves. The latter are the most restrictive. I finally took a spinning class. This class uses a stationery bike that can be adjusted to tighten or loosen the gears. I can literally feel like I am pedaling up Mt. Everest or cruising along the beach sand. It’s the hardest class I have ever taken. I love and hate it. And I go because it makes me push against what my mind says “you can’t do”. Now, I’m NOT going to challenge Lance Armstrong. My body DOES know its limits. But I AM doing that which I said I could not. It’s a thrill!

End performance anxiety. Walk into a gym and you see the jocks who grunt and lift huge weights vying with their buddies for the most reps. Go to a class and you’ll see the double-stepping, dance-twirling footwork of some double-jointed exerciser. If you try that move, you’ll twist your knee and land in surgery. We are not built alike. While pushing beyond barriers, also know that each one of us has specific abilities. To demand that I hop and dance like the knee-torking guy in the front row is ludicrous. I am here to improve my body-not resemble theirs!

Talk is cheating. At my gym, there are members who spend most of their time swapping war stories and giving updates on current sport matches. Instead of working out, they talk. And then, they’ll ALSO talk about how hard they worked out. I call that cheating. Stick to the task at hand. Action ALWAYS is louder than words

Get a trainer. We can’t see our postures with free weights. We don’t know what different exercise might improve a specific problem area. And we don’t always stick to a regimen unless we’re accountable to someone besides ourselves. Call it a coach, an advisor, a mentor-whatever. But all of us can benefit from the advise and new eyes of someone outside of ourselves.

Celebrate your success. I admit: I despised exercise when I started. But I KNEW that I had to begin. I set a goal of 3 exercise times per week-30 minutes to start. Every time I exercised, I put a sticker in my appointment book. Yes-a fun sticker: animal, cartoon face, flower, you name it. Amazing but my appointment book began to blossom with crazy kid stickers. I could literally see progress every week. When beginning any new behavior, we all know that rewards are important. Stickers are cheap and visual. Whatever the reward, it’s the consistency of the giving that matters.

Workplace workouts, in the context of learning, can promise growth, stamina, productivity, AND ultimately profitable performance.

(c) 2004, McDargh Communications. All rights in all media reserved.

LeahâEUR(TM)s life is guided by two words: “Be nice.” In her
perfect day, everyone gets along, she anticipates and meets
the needs of others and goes to sleep knowing sheâEUR(TM)s a worthy
person because people tell her so. Leah avoids conflict and
she would never dream of making a scene. When she gave the
cashier at the grocery store a $20 bill for a $7 item and
got back $3 she didnâEUR(TM)t say a word. Her perfectionism usually
heads off criticism, but sometimes it backfires. She tried
to help her adult son, who said with annoyance, “Mom, stop
being such a people-pleaser.” LeahâEUR(TM)s darkest fear is that
she will not give enough and wind up all alone, abandoned by
her friends and family.

While being nice sounds like a good idea, thereâEUR(TM)s a problem.
It doesnâEUR(TM)t work. People pleasers often take care of others
at the expense of themselves. Activities that promote
health, like the daily walk and a good nightâEUR(TM)s sleep are
sacrificed when someone else is in need. Trying to avoid or
ignore conflict and anger is like trying to hold a beach
ball under water. Unexpressed feelings can pop up as
physical ailments, such as heartburn or depression or back
pain. When your value as a person is defined by what other
people think about you, and you donâEUR(TM)t measure up, food or
alcohol medicate the emptiness.

If youâEUR(TM)re a people-pleaser who gets sick, the same behaviors
that got you to the doctor in the first place may stand in
the way of getting good health care. You might not want to
“trouble your doctor” with your problems. If you have side
effects from a medication, you might simply stop taking the
pills rather than tell your doctor that you want to try a
different medication. A cross look from the front office
staff when you ask for a copy of your medical record may be
all you need to decide that youâEUR(TM)re not doing that again.

The bottom line is that being nice can be hazardous to your
health. It erodes your health and impairs your ability to
get better if youâEUR(TM)re sick.

I invite you to examine how being nice is working for you.
Serving others offers great rewards. Serving at the expense
of yourself comes with a huge cost that ultimately limits
your ability to serve. You can be freed from the
imprisonment of people-pleasing. If you want to treat
yourself with more love and respect, here are some thoughts.

Re-think being nice.

People-pleasing is a learned behavior that can be unlearned.
Although habits may be deeply engrained, small changes can
make a huge difference. Next time youâEUR(TM)re asked to volunteer,
instead of jumping in with a “Yes”, say, instead, “IâEUR(TM)ll get
back to you on that.” You will come to understand that “no”
is a complete sentence, and you can utter the word! If you
canâEUR(TM)t imagine doing this, use this “fake it till you make it
trick”…tell yourself that youâEUR(TM)re taking care of your
childrenâEUR(TM)s father, your motherâEUR(TM)s daughter or your petâEUR(TM)s
owner.

Take care of yourself every day.

Get exercise, nutrition and rest every day. Do something
that recharges your batteries every day no matter what. ItâEUR(TM)s
a cliché, but when youâEUR(TM)re on a plane youâEUR(TM)re instructed to
put on your own mask before taking care of others.

Bring an advocate with you to the doctor.

Engaging in acts of self-care, like going to the doctor, can
feel like swimming upstream to a people-pleaser. Being nice
takes the form of being a good patient who doesnâEUR(TM)t make
waves.

Here is something critical to remember: You are not there to
take care of your doctor; your doctor is there to take care
of you. In the past you may have made your medical choices
by raising your antennae and tuning into what you think will
make your doctor happy. You certainly want your doctorâEUR(TM)s
opinion, and in most cases you will agree with your doctorâEUR(TM)s
recommendations. Sometimes getting good care means making
waves, like asking , “What are the other treatment options?”
or requesting a more complete explanation or seeking a
second medical opinion.

While itâEUR(TM)s always a good idea to take a second set of
listening ears to a doctor appointment, itâEUR(TM)s particularly
important if youâEUR(TM)re a people-pleaser. An advocate will
assure that you and your health care team stay focused on
taking care of you.

Accept help.

People-pleasers can give from dawn to dusk, but they rarely
accept help, even when theyâEUR(TM)re sick. When I ask my patients
who are people-pleasers how it feels to help a friend
struggling with illness, the answer is a broad smile. Then I
remind them that when they accept help, they give their
friends a chance to have those same good feelings.

If you are a people-pleaser, your heart might be racing. I
assure you IâEUR(TM)m not asking to give up serving others. IâEUR(TM)m
suggesting that a healthy life is a life in balance, and I
encourage you to treat yourself as nicely as you treat
others. When you take care of yourself, you offer us the
gift of most fully who you are. Then you can really serve.

When it comes to life in general, 90% of us feel the need to lose weight or change the way we look in some way.

Once weâEUR(TM)ve undertaken our fitness quest for weight loss or hypertrophy, usually after the first week or two we find that the energy required to do so is becoming harder and harder to conjure. Usually, these physiological changes leave our bodies craving for the fuel needed to perform these transformations. In this article i’ll show you exactly how to get the energy your body requires and how to kick your body into 2nd gear.

What do I need to keep the pace up?

When it comes to gearing our bodies to perform at higher than average energy levels, firstly it takes time. Time requires patience, which is a virtue in itself. It also requires a strong belief in what you’re setting out to do.

Here are the 3 things you need to change for optimal energy.

1. Sleep

The first and most important of them all is sleep. It is during our sleeping hours that the body does the vast majority of its repairing. Usually, the first 4 to 5 hours of sleep are spent repairing the bodies neural systems and pathways.

The last 4 hours are spent knitting worked muscles, and replenishing glucose stores for the next days activities, which, remember, are going to be higher than usual.

Based on this first step, if your not getting at least 7 to 8 hours sleep every night, your body is eating into its energy stores and before long, you will find yourself with not enough energy to carry out your program, and once your mental stubbornness wears down, you will loose the will to want to do it in the first place and youâEUR(TM)ll revert to your previous habits.

The easiest way around this problem is to get regular, high quality sleep. Make it a priority equal to and above going to the gym.

2. Nutrition

The second step to gearing your body towards performance is nutrition. Eating right is vital to maintaining a program, especially for those of you who are participating in weight programs where the end goal is hypertrophy.

Your intake of food should be regular and healthy. Get as much fresh meat and vegetables as you can manage and stay away from processed foods wherever possible.

When writing nutritional plans for clients, I like to suggest a minimum of 5 meals a day. Beginning with breakfast as the largest meal of the day, and tapering down food portions accordingly, all the way to dinner.

Remember that it takes time and patience to get your body used to eating large meals early if it’s not something youâEUR(TM)ve been doing for a while. Eating regular, complete meals will encourage your body not only to grow, but also to shed fat, as fat is only there as an emergency source of energy for your body.

Contrary to what the media will have you believe, the way to loose fat is not by starving yourself, but by feeing yourself healthy meals regularly — every 2 hours!

By doing this, your body will think that you’re living in a time of food aplenty, and holding fat will do nothing but hold you back. If you want to gain weight without putting on pounds of fat in the process, simply eat this way and stay away from processed foods and sweets. Chocolate tastes great, but unfortunately it isn’t part of the human bodies evolution, and therefore useless if not harmful in building a healthy lean physique.

3. Program design

Now that you’re eating right and sleeping right, the third and final step is to get a program that is not only suited to you and your energy levels, but also in accordance with what your goals are.

So many people who frequent gyms and training halls these days are over trained for what they are physically capable of. To put it simply, you cant sit behind a desk all day every day for 10 years, wake up one day and start working out and running for extended periods of time and expect your body to sustain it.

IâEUR(TM)m not saying that you should be shy of hard training by any means — you cant get anywhere without hard training — but donâEUR(TM)t ever OVER train. If youâEUR(TM)re waking up in the morning and you can barely move out of bed then youâEUR(TM)re not recovering from the previous days training.

Weight programs with the intention of hypertrophy should last from 45 to 60 minutes max. If thatâEUR(TM)s not long enough then youâEUR(TM)re either socializing too much or doing too many exercises. Be specifically scientific about the way you build your programs, from the second you finish stretching, the clock should start ticking. You need designated rest intervals between sets depending on what stage youâEUR(TM)re training at — be it technique, cellular or neural.

Ask questions to whoever builds your programs, and if they canâEUR(TM)t give an informed answer on rest, duration and time under tension, find someone who can and get them to build a program for you. YouâEUR(TM)re playing around with your body and the only person who has to put up with it is you!

If running, cycling, skating, swimming or playing teams sports ensure that you stretch thoroughly before and after you train, then it will help you to be able to get up and do it again tomorrow. All these things should be down in your program, so that nothing is left out or forgotten.

By sleeping right, eating right and approaching your training with the right mindset, you will be able to function in your everyday life while building your body and not feeling that its too muchwork for you.

In todayâEUR(TM)s society of business, money and power, science and thorough work prevail, even though our bodies are expected to function in a slap and dash way. Approach your training in a scientific way and it too will run like the business you own or work for, and it will look after for many years to come.

I want to talk about the effect that stress and sleep deprivation may have on your weight. I spent the last six years of my life in Los Angeles partaking in the âRat Raceâ. Two things I discovered: only rats win the rat race and stress can play havoc on you emotionally, spiritually and physically. This stress can lead to weight gain and what is worse if you are trying to lose weight while you are stressed out or fatigued you will not gain any ground.

The reason is a little stress chemical called Cortisol. Cortisol aids the body in recovering from the effects of stressful experiences. Cortisol instructs the liver to release sugar into the blood and triggers the body to release storehouses of fat and muscle so the body can use it for energy. There is another piece to the cortisol puzzle and that is is also slows everything down so the body can replenish energy stores.

We all have cortisol circulating in the blood at all times. But after stressful situations our cortisol levels increase dramatically. So letâs say for instance you are experiencing a constant stream of stressful situations. After enough of these episodes, the body adjusts its control mechanism in the pituitary gland to maintain a higher constant amount of cortisol in the body. Continually elevated levels of cortisol can have long-term health effects including but not limited to weight gain, heart disease, ulcers, insulin resistance, and hypertension.

While cortisol may have served us well while we were a bunch of knuckle dragging Neanderthals fighting for our lives, 21st century living for the most part has kept us from facing daily life threatening situations. Unfortunately for most of us we have replaced those threats of the past with screaming bosses, unruly children and unreasonable partners all which can cause elevated levels of cortisol to be delivered into our bodies.

Stress is determined by what an individual perceives as stressful. The answer to balance lies in not taking things personally and finding ways to relax the mind and body. There have been many infomercials and advertisements touting the benefits of their âsnake oilâ to lower cortisol levels. Let me assure you, none of these claims are true and some of these marketers of these products are now facing indictments and large civil lawsuits.

After talking with several physicians the answer is always the same, manage your physical and emotional stress levels. This can be achieved through, meditation, massage, long walks, deep breathing exercises, Yoga, Tai Chi, basically anything relaxing and of course spending time with people who comfort you. By practicing these relaxation methods you will be able to bring your cortisol levels down. This coupled with a healthy balanced diet and exercise will result in a long life and slim physique.

As an MS victim individual, I never dreamed that I would be disabled. Who would, unless they were in to nightmares? Who would ever expect to become a burden to others, dependent on friends and loved ones for things that we all take for granted? Sure, these things do happen, but they would never happen to me. Right?

I am certain that most of us MSers share this basic feeling, regardless of gender. What I believe matters most are what we do with our lives once the reality sets in. Maybe, it doesn’t fully sink in for some time? It didn’t for me. I was going to beat this thing, bounce back, overcome the dread disease, in the same way I had always successfully overcome obstacles, by shear determinations: resolve, action, faith and âWill~Power!â This is a test.

Well, it was most frustrating to discover that my old methods of passing the tests were largely ineffective in the battle to be normal again. I had the resolve, just not the endless reservoir of energy from which I could always draw.

I would take actions, affirmative actions! Some of them impulsive and not affirmed by my physicians and professionals who have had experience with âProblem~Patients,â like me. I would become a test for them. I would even become their problem. Yeah, as if they didnât already have enough tests of their own going on in their professional and personal lives?

OK, I would defeat this deceitful devil then with faith. If I havenât been as close to my Devine Maker, Iâll see is I can be reunited. Heb.11:1 says, âFaith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not yet seen.â Well, I havenât any problem with the hope aspect, at least. And
James 2:26: âFor just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.â I am already into the works by my taking actions. Right? If Iâm not getting the desired results, perhaps I will need to study further? Job 36:15: âHard times and trouble are God’s way of getting our attention!âI am not really certain I like that…

Increasing my frustration was the fact that the strength, I could muster, was being increasingly consumed by mundane tasks involving movements. Simple things, like taking out the trash, were not so simple anymore. Everything, it seemed, was now a major task, an incredible object to be overcome.

At every turn, the same ugly question loomed, âShould I do it myself, or ask someone with legs that work to do it for me?â Tough test for an individual who has been independent. I suspect that this feeling of frustration has engulfed virtually every person with a debilitating disease or physical injury. Our response to this critical question is the subject of this article.

For slow learners, like myself, who resist what ~ we must come to realize ~ would have saved other people an incredible amount of frustration, this is an âOpen~bookâ test. Question: âShould we routinely ask others to help us?â Answer: âWe should ask for help.â

If our marriages and relationships survive, we learn to appreciate our partnerâs commitments to us ~ in ways well beyond what we might have ever imagined that person capable of. Maybe, we might wonder, if the situations were reversed, would I have been so committed? I hope so, but really ~ I wonder ~ would I have been?

When we fail to ask our partners or others for assistance, even when we want to believe we can do it ourselves, we put even more of a burden on the very ones we donât want to bother. Hey, they are bothered! I see it is a selfish act to cause people who care about us to worry that we might cause injury to ourselves or to others.

Perhaps, my limited energy could be better utilized by writing articles that will help others speed up their learning curves. Huh? Is this the best use of my âWill~Power?â

LetâEUR(TM)s face itâEUR¦.

Losing weight and feeling great isnâEUR(TM)t easy.

BUT the journey is well worth it!

Many people commit to their health and well being via a New YearâEUR(TM)s resolution. Why not? The New Year is a great time to make a fresh start and commitment to your health.

How do you remain motivated however for an entire year?

The single most important piece of advice I can offer you is this:

DonâEUR(TM)t give up, and pick yourself back up when you stumble or fall.

Everyone slips here and there. Just because you had one cheat day doesnâEUR(TM)t mean your entire fitness and exercise program needs to be ruined.

On the contrary. Everyone slips now and again.

The key to sticking with a program is to make the slips MUCH less frequent than the days you are firmly committed to your program.

So have that piece of chocolate on occasion and donâEUR(TM)t beat yourself up for it.

Here are some additional great ideas for staying motivated throughout the year:

Tip 1

DonâEUR(TM)t make a habit of skipping breakfast.

You should never skip breakfast. It is the most important meal of the day, and revs your metabolism to burn calories each and every day.

When you skip breakfast, you are more likely to overeat and then feel guilty later in the day.

Tip 2

DonâEUR(TM)t weigh yourself every day. In fact, you should weigh yourself only once a week, and when you do you should do it at the same time wearing nothing.

Why? Your weight actually fluctuates a good 2-5 pounds from day to day.

Much of this is associated with fluid retention, thus has nothing to do with your actual fat gain or loss. Weighing yourself too often can be discouraging rather than encouraging.

Tip 3

Grab a partner in crime.

Find someone that can be your âEUR~partner in fitnessâEUR(TM). Call them when you are feeling unmotivated, and have them do the same.

You are more likely to stay motivated if you have someone to lean on when times get tough.

Tip 4

DonâEUR(TM)t skip a workout because you are tired.

Did you know that working out will actually help invigorate you? If you are truly exhausted, consider toning down your workout, but never give it up completely!

Tip 5

Reward yourself on occasion.

All work and no play is not the way to go when it comes to your overall health and well being.

Consider booking yourself for a massage or other pampering treat each month to keep you feeling great mentally and physically.

Last but not least, remember to take small steps.

DonâEUR(TM)t set outrageous goals. You wonâEUR(TM)t lose 10 pounds in one week, but you might lose up to 2.

Over inflated goals will only serve to defeat you in the long run. Set reasonable goals and you will find yourself much more motivated throughout the year!

Surviving with heel pain or plantar fasciitis.

Have you ever been unlucky enough to be struck down with the pain of a heel spur? I have and if you have too then you’ll know just how debilitating it can be. But – as with all things medical – understanding the cause can go along way to providing relief and reassurance.

So… lets begin by asking “what is plantar fasciitis?”

Plantar means the sole of the foot, fascia means gristle and “-itis” means inflammation (as in tonsillitis, dermatitis, appendicitis, conjuctivitis etc etc. Plantar Fasciitis, then, simply means “inflammation of the gristle on the sole of the foot.”

The heel pain of plantar fasciitis is felt at the front of the heel and the pain often spreads along the sole of the foot towards the big toe. The heel pain is agonising when walking – particularly first thing in the morning. Putting your foot to the ground on getting out of bed in the morning is usually something you learn to dread because the gristle of the foot (the fascia) tightens up overnight as a result of the inflammation. The tight area is stretched as you put your weight onto the foot – causing a searing pain along from the heel to the base of the big toe.

Sometimes the inflammation encourages calcium or new bone to grow along the line of the fascia on the sole of the foot. This creates a spurred effect when the heel is seen on x-ray. You can see a heel spur x-ray on my website by following the link at the bottom of this article.

Plantar fasciitis or heel spur pain eventually settles without treatment in about 80% of cases but it may take many months to do so.

Common triggers for heel pain or plantar fasciitis include: poor footwear and a long walk (wellington boots in winter, tight calf muscles or achilles tendon tissues and flat feet or other changes in the shape of the arch of the foot.

Plantar fasciitis heel pain can happen at any age but is commoner in the elderly and in those who are overweight.

Treatment options for plantar fasciitis heel pain include: physical therapy including stretches and massage (this works but it can take a while), injection of the tender area with steroid and local anaesthetic (effective but can be painful if done by an inexperienced doctor), anti-inflammatory medication (not usually very effective and may have side effects) and orthotic insoles or heel cushions ( effective but can be uncomfortable in your shoes).

I find it is often better to invest in a pair of good quality running shoes with a deep cushion sole. This solution is often very effective – but not entirely fashionable if you’re more than 35yrs old!

If you are unlucky enough to suffer from this kind of heel pain then the best advice I can give is to STAY POSITIVE – the heel pain of plantar fasciitis will eventually go away even without treatment.

As we go through life, we all hope we can maintain good physical and mental health as long as possible. There is not much pleasure in living a long life if our final years are spent in pain and if we lose our ability to think and remember. As much as we may dread suffering physical pain and illness in old age, many of us fear even more the possibility that we might lose our mental capacities and end up completely helpless in a nursing home.

Often the first hint that our memory is starting to lose its sharpness happens around the fifth decade of life. As people enter their middle years, they start to notice more and more frequent lapses of memory, particularly their short-term memory. They may enter a room to do something, and forget what it is. They may be unable to recall the name of someone who used to live next door. And they may start to worry that their forgetfulness is more than just a harmless incident, they worry that it might be the first hint of something far more sinister–perhaps the onset of Alzheimer’s Disease.

Alzheimer’s is the name given to a very serious brain disease in which the brain cells are killed by microscopic plaques and tangled fibers. The parts of the brain needed to form and access recent memories are usually destroyed first. Brain cell destruction spreads to other parts of the brain, causing a loss of function, and eventually death follows.

At present there is no known cure for Alzheimer’s disease. Scientists are racing to learn the cause, or causes of Alzheimer’s, and to find a way to stop the destruction of the brain once it starts. As baby boomers age, millions of them will be at risk for acquiring Alzheimer’s and other serious brain diseases.

Alzheimer’s disease is not the only cause of loss of brain function in elderly persons. There are many other causes that can lead to a diminishment of mental capacity or to outright dementia in later years.

Fortunately, you can learn what the risk factors are which are associated with a higher likelihood of developing problems, and you can take steps to counteract them.

And the good news is: you don’t need to make a choice between looking after your heart, or looking after your brain. In many cases, what’s good for the heart will benefit the brain as well.

High blood pressure is a major risk factor in developing dementia. Not only does high blood pressure damage brain cells directly, but it also increases the risk of stroke, which will lead to the permanent destruction of brain cells. To prevent strokes, have your blood pressure checked regularly, and if your blood pressure is too high, work with your doctor to bring it down to a safe level.

Diabetics are at particularly high risk for developing dementia. If you are diabetic, it is very important to get your blood sugar levels under control.

If you want to protect your brain for the long term, avoid excess alcohol consumption. Long term consumption of more than two alcoholic drinks a day can directly damage brain cells, as well as deplete the body of important nutrients it requires to function, particularly Vitamin B1 (thiamin).

Every year, hundreds of thousands of people suffer brain injuries occur as a result of automobile accidents. Many of these traumas could be prevented or reduced by slowing down while driving, and by wearing a seat belt.

We know that some senior citizens are able to live into their eighties and nineties with their minds sharp and their bodies still spry. Will we be among the lucky ones? Is it just a matter of random luck? Is losing our mental powers as we age inevitable?

The good news is that statistically the odds are on your side. Most people are able to keep their thinking clear as they age unless they develop Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease, or diabetes. As long as the brain itself remains healthy, older people can preserve their ability to learn, to think and remember, although it may take them longer to process their thoughts than it used to. And in some forms of mental skills, seniors are actually able to outperform much younger people!

By studying the health habits of senior citizens who have reached old age with their minds and bodies intact, scientists have discovered some of the factors that seem to be associated with better mental functioning in old age.

Based on these studies, scientists believe that some of the factors that influence whether or not you stay mentally healthy in your later years are actually under your control.

There is some evidence that people who have a diet high in antioxidants have lower rates of getting Alzheimer’s. Fresh fruits and vegetables, particularly those that have strong, bright colors, tend to be high in protective antioxidants that help repair damage to the body’s cells caused by harmful chemicals called free radicals.

People who consume greater levels of cold water fish such as salmon, tend to have lower rates of Alzheimer’s disease. There are also vitamins, minerals and herbal supplements that seem to have a protective effect on the brain. Higher intakes of Folic acid are associated with a lower incidence of Alzheimer’s disease.

People who continue learning, who keep on reading, writing, and acquiring new skills tend to be sharper in their mental skills as they age. Scientists think that perhaps learning new things helps brain cells make more connections.

If you want to follow in the footsteps of those who manage to reach their later years with both their bodies and their minds in good shape, make it a priority to eat well, exercise regularly, and get sufficient sleep.

Reduce stress by learning to relax, take pleasure in your family and friends, and find ways to connect with causes greater than yourself. Keep learning, and look for ways to be happy, no matter what your circumstances.

Seventy percent or more of the population struggles with constipation. Some believe the number is even higher, 80- 90%. The market for laxatives is now approaching 1 billion each year. It appears that constipation is an issue that most of us have to deal with at one time or the other. Using natural means to clear constipation is what this e-book is all about.

I believe that to have good health we need to use mostly foods and supplements that are free of additives and food enhancers that are harmful to the body. We need to eat the right foods and watch how we prepare them so we can digest and absorb them without creating or leaving residues that get turned into toxic matter in our colon.

The first question that a nutritionist or any other health practitioner should ask you on your first visit is, “how many bowel movements do you have each day or each week?”

If you visit a doctor, your colon is the last area they discuss with you. And perhaps, this is an area they may never discuss with you at all.

In his article, The Bowel is an Ecosystem, in Healthy & Natural Journal, April 1997, Majid Ali, M.D. recounts,

“When I returned to the clinical practice of environmental and nutritional medicine after years of pathology work, I began carefully testing the assertions of nutritionists, naturopaths and clinical ecologist who claimed that various types of colitis [a deterioration of your colon wall] could be reversed with optimal nutritional and ecologic approaches. To my great surprise, I found that such professionals, who are usually spurned by drug doctors, were right after all. My patients responded well to the unscientific therapies vehemently rejected by my colleagues in drug medicine.”

Without good regular bowel movements and colon function, you will create various illnesses, colon discomforts, and diseases – including constipation.

By concentrating on eliminating constipation and preserving colon health, you can take a major step in preventing many body conditions and illnesses that can shorten your life or make your senior years a miserable time.

As with so many past health practitioners, I believe your colon is so important that any improvement you can make in your colon’s health will help you avert many unnecessary illnesses and suffering. If you make only one effort in improving your health, it should be towards creating a clean and healthy colon.

Heart attacks, cancers, senility, pathogenic organisms and so on cause most deaths that occur in the US and throughout the world. There are few deaths related to natural causes or old age.

Your colon provides nutrients and water to all parts of the body. So, when a specific organ has degenerated it is important to see what part colon toxins have played in this degeneration.

If your colon is toxic, the blood will also be toxic. If your colon is toxic, these toxins will gradually reach all parts of your body through the blood and lymph liquid. The result is the body and various organs affected will become less efficient. Overtime this decreased efficiency will cause the body will become diseased and you will lose your good health.