10 early signs of liver problems!

The human liver is an important bodily organ essential for living a healthy life. Its primary function is to breakdown nutrients from food we eat and help with digestion. It performs several other functions which makes it important to pay attention to the health of your liver.
Here are symptoms of liver damage that should be taken seriously:

1. Skin changes

One visible symptom of liver damage is changes in the color of your skin. If your skin starts becoming paler or yellowish and your nail tips turn yellow your liver is not performing well and requires help. Newly yellow tints in skin are caused by the liver not releasing toxins which leads to bilirubin accumulation beneath the skin.
 

2. Abdominal changes

The liver is located near the rib cage, when liver health starts deteriorating it causes pain in the lower abdomen and ribs. Ascites can develop if the problem goes untreated.

 

3. Frequent gassy sensation

If you frequently suffer from a gassy sensation accompanied by stool pressure its an indication that the liver is not able to secrete digestive juices which are essential to break down food. It also means the digestive system is affected by liver problems.

4. Tiredness

When the liver breaks down food it releases energy used to perform daily tasks. Getting tired easily is a sign of lack of energy which can indicate the liver is unable to do its job properly.

5. Urine changes

When our liver starts getting damaged the color of urine changes to darker variants of yellow. It may also become bloody or tar-colored. Some think this change in color is due to dehydration, if you are ingesting sufficient fluids it indicates poor liver health.

6. Itchy skin

An indicator of liver problems associated with skin is itchiness. If you find itchy areas on your skin that continuously get worse its a sign of liver problems.

7. Nausea

Digestive issues such as indigestion and acid reflux are symptoms of liver damage. If digestive problems or nausea dose not improve with dietary changes its a sign of liver damage. In severe cases it may also lead to vomiting.

8. Severe weight loss

Sudden, unplanned weight loss can be seen as a symptom of liver damage. If you are losing weight without trying it may be from loss of appetite which happens when the liver becomes weak making you thin and malnourished.

9. Fluid retention

Fluid retention in various parts of the body, especially feet, is a sign of weak liver. This condition is known as edema and looks like swelling, it can happen in your ankles, hands, feet, and thighs. If you press a finger gently into a swollen area the imprint will stay a few seconds with edema.

10. Stool changes

Changes in stool can indicate liver problems. If you observe traces of blood in the bathroom, call your doctor. Other signs of liver damage associated with stool may include periods of constipation or irritable bowel syndrome.
 

Source- http://www.activebeat.com/your-health/10-telling-symptoms-of-liver-damage/6/

Source- http://www.livestrong.com/article/22836-early-signs-liver-problems/

Bipolar Disorder Facts

1- Bipolar disorder is a brain disorder marked by bouts of extreme and impairing changes in mood, thinking and behavior.

2- Bipolar disorder can be treated but not cured, it tends to be episodic in nature, but the goal of treatment is to manage the disease, decrease the severity of depressive and manic episodes and keep recurrences to a minimum.

3- There are many differences between bipolarity and depression, also known as unipolar depression because a person’s mood swings only in one direction, down, meanwhile manic depression is bipolar, because the mood swings range from low to high and back again.

4- A significant number of teenagers who abuse of alcohol and drugs are suffering from an underlying mood disorder such as depression or bipolar disorder. Without realizing it, they may be trying to self- medicate their symptoms of clinical depression or manic depressive illness, since they offer temporarily relaxation, or help them to feel confident or energetic, which can actually deepen depression.

5- All mood disorders start in the brain. Since the brain is an organ of the body, mood disorders are physical, biologically-based disorders. However, in mood disorders, the chemical processes responsible for normal brain function are disrupted.

6- How can I tell whether someone is bipolar or just dealing with stress? The signs to watch for are persistent changes in moods or behaviors that make the person seem different from normal.

Symptoms of bipolar disorder may include:
• Elevated mood—silliness or extreme happiness that is inappropriate
• Grandiosity—inflated sense of importance
• Racing speech and thoughts
• Talking more than usual
• Irritability or hostility
• Excessive distractibility
• Decreased need for sleep
• Reckless behavior or poor judgment (daredevil acts, hyper-sexuality)
• Hallucinations and psychosis

Symptoms of depression may include:
• Lack of pleasure in life
• Withdrawal from favorite activities
• Agitation and irritability
• Persistent feelings of sadness and/or crying spells
• Sleeping too much or inability to sleep
• Drop in grades or inability to concentrate
• Thoughts of death and suicide
• Fatigue or loss of energy
• Significant weight loss, weight gain, or change in appetite

7- Important relationships are often damaged or strained as a result of clinical depression or bipolar disorder.

8- Adolescents suffering from depression may not behave like themselves, and they are unable to tell others how awful and worthless they feel. Be supportive.
There are many ways you can support others with depression and bipolar disorder. Most importantly, encourage them to get treatment and follow their physician’s instructions.

9- Their self-esteem may be so low that it is difficult for them to believe that they matter to anyone. You may have difficulty because people with mood disorders are not always easy to be around and may even reject those closest to them. You should not take this personally, it is just another indication of how bad they feel most of the time.

10- It is important to have a balanced diet, rich in vitamins and minerals, such as Omega 3s, folate, and B vitamins, which may have a positive impact on mood, and have some impact on general health. It is important to have a healthy lifestyle, diet, exercise, and good sleeping habits to manage bipolar disorder more effectively


Source PositiveMed’s Costa Rica Team  Edited By: Stephanie Dawson

Stress buster smoothie

Stress can be anything that poses a threat or challenge to our well-being. We tend to use the word ‘stress’ when things become too much for us and we wonder whether or not can we cope with the situation. At this point, stress-busters can help you relax. Stress-busters can be any product, practice, or system designed to alleviate stress and can be of great help during times when you are having stress.




Following is a recipe for a stress-buster smoothie, which tastes great and will help you release stress and become calm and composed.
Ingredients:
• Blueberries – 150 grams or 4-5 ounces
• Small Banana – 1
• Natural yogurt – 200 mL or 6 ounces
• Ground Flaxseed – 1 Tablespoon
• A pinch of cinnamon
• Ice to blend

Method
Use a high-speed blender mixing all ingredients together until smooth and creamy and your stress-buster smoothie is ready to be consumed.
Serve immediately and enjoy!

While this stress-buster smoothie is easy to prepare, tastes great, and helps you to chill, the ingredients provide many health benefits as well.

• Blueberries – Like cranberries, blueberries contain compounds that prevent bacteria from adhering to bladder walls which are helpful in treating urinary tract infections. Moreover, blueberries get their blue hue from anthocyanins. These are known to attack cancer-causing free radicals and can even block the growth of tumor cells. They are also good for your brain.

• Bananas – Bananas are a calorie-dense fruit and consuming one banana can make you feel energetic. They are a good source of potassium and magnesium which are heart-protective, help maintain blood pressure, and are good for bone health. Bananas also protect against stomach ulcers as they have an antacid effect.

• Yogurt – Yogurt is an excellent source of protein and is easier to digest than milk. Eight ounces of plain yogurt contains ten to fourteen grams of protein. It can also help to lower the blood cholesterol. It is also a rich source of calcium. Absorption of calcium in the body is increased by the live active cultures in yogurt and that is a reason why yogurt gets more calcium in your body than milk does.

• Flaxseed – They are a rich source of micronutrients, dietary fiber, manganese, vitamin B1, and the essential fatty acid alpha-linoleic acid also known as ALA or omega-3. Flaxseeds can help lower risk of cancer, diabetes, and heart disease besides being a source of healthy fat, antioxidants, and fiber.

• Cinnamon – Cinnamon is helpful in treatment of muscle spasms, diarrhea, vomiting, infections, loss of appetite, the common cold, and erectile dysfunction. Its also helpful in stabilizing blood sugar and is capable of fighting bacterial and fungal infections.

Because of the above mentioned benefits of the ingredients of stress buster smoothie you can have this treat as often as you like, you can be certain that every time you consume this smoothie you are not only cutting your stress but getting health benefits from it.

(source - PositiveMed-Team  Edited By Stephanie Dawson)

10 Tips for choosing the healthiest mattress

Various factors like comfort, room temperature, and stress level determine how good of sleep you get. One thing you require as a basic need for a good night’s sleep is a mattress that is comfortable for you to sleep on and takes care of your health in every possible manner. Following are the tips that you should keep in mind before buying a new mattress:

• Have a word with your doctor – Talk to your doctor or physical therapist if you have a health condition, keep in mind what they recommend. Your doctor or therapist will know your physical condition so will be in a good position to give you useful advice.

• Choose one good for your back – Firm mattresses are not always good for your back. You should know the difference between firm support and firm feel. The one you look for should have firm support with a comfortable feel. Studies show medium-firm mattresses are best for low-back pain rather than firm mattresses.



• Check the chemical component – Have a look at the label on the mattress for information that will tell you if it contains many chemicals. If its not mentioned on the label ask the shopkeeper about it. Too much chemicals can lead to allergic reactions for people who have sensitive skin.

• See if your mattress contains pesticides – There are many active ingredients in pesticides still used in the U.S. that are carcinogenic. One such pesticide is organo–phosphates that are used in some mattresses and are known to have serious long-term effects on human health.

• Do not fall into the trap of “Hypoallergenic mattresses” – Many people think that buying this type of mattress will solve their allergy problems whereas the fact is that it can actually make them worse.

• Can obesity be caused by a mattress? – For everyone who thinks this is not possible, they should have a close look at this. While we all agree that getting a good sleep is very necessary for all human beings, we should also understand the repercussions of not getting good sleep. Sleep deprivation can result in overeating throughout the day to increase energy levels, overeating can result in obesity.

• Off-gassing – During off-gassing toxic gases are released from plastics or material and can be strongly felt for the first few days, afterwards it starts fading but has adverse health effects. One way to combat the toxicity of regular mattresses is to off-gas the mattress for the first few days in a garage or room that can be easily ventilated.

• Opt for an organic mattress – When you choose an organic mattress you eliminate risk of adverse health effects you might face by using a mattress loaded with chemicals and the toxic effects are minimal.

• Get the right size – It might sound obvious but one should not compromise on the size as it is important, especially for people who have had a back problem in the past.

• Consider your body type – Your body type plays an important role in determining the type of mattress you will buy. For example, a softer mattress will be a better option for you if your hips are wider than your waist as the width of your pelvis can be accommodated by the softer mattress and it allows your spine to remain natural.

(Source PositiveMed-Team  Edited By Stephanie Dawson )

How Long to Nap for the Best Brain Benefits

Taking a nap, we've seen time and again, is like rebooting your brain. But napping may be as much of an art as it is a science. Scientists offer recommendations for planning your perfect nap, including how long to nap and when.

The sleep experts in the article say a 10-to-20-minute power nap gives you the best "bang for your buck," but depending on what you want the nap to do for you, other durations might be ideal:
For a quick boost of alertness, experts say a 10-to-20-minute power nap is adequate for getting back to work in a pinch.

For cognitive memory processing, however, a 60-minute nap may do more good, Dr. Mednick said. Including slow-wave sleep helps with remembering facts, places and faces. The downside: some grogginess upon waking.

Finally, the 90-minute nap will likely involve a full cycle of sleep, which aids creativity and emotional and procedural memory, such as learning how to ride a bike. Waking up after REM sleep usually means a minimal amount of sleep inertia, Dr. Mednick said.

In addition to those recommendations, one surprising suggestion is to sit slightly upright during your nap, because it will help you avoid a deep sleep. And if you find yourself dreaming during your power naps, it may be a sign you're sleep deprived. While you're planning your nap, don't forget to time it during the right time of day as well.

Read more at http://www.naturalcuresnotmedicine.com/2013/10/how-long-to-nap-for-best-brain-benefits.html#pmymMmL5qsp33BV6.99