Relaxing To A Great Book

We all require rest. In today's fast paced life, family responsibilities, careers and ever thing else that can consume us, we must make time and take time to relax. Reading a great novel is a great way to relax. It allows us to unwind and put away all those pressures, worries and burdens that come with life. Check out Angel With A Mission, A Christian novel.

From Author Donna Boddy comes Angel With A Mission, a captivating and inspiring story of true love, tragedy, loss, and the restoration, forgiveness and redemption that is found in Christ.

Angel With A Mission by Author Donna Boddy
Christian Book Trailer Productions

Heart Health

Coronary Artery Disease -What You Need to Know by: Blubert Tavedorn

Coronary Artery Disease is commonly known as Heart Disease or Atherosclerosis. In coronary artery disease, plaque builds up inside the arteries. These plaques are formed by fats and cause the arteries to harden. The deposits are made of fat that came from the food that we eat. These fat deposits narrow the arteries and impede circulation. The narrowing of the arteries also causes high blood pressure because the body tries to compensate for the inadequate supply of blood throughout the system.

Fat deposits in arteries are very dangerous. Aside from the fact that these arteries should not be present in the arteries, these deposits also cause a disturbance in the heart's normal functioning. The blood vessels with fat deposits are narrowed. It also causes hardening that inhibits the normal elastic function of the vessels. It causes decreased blood flow to the heart which results in chest pain called angina.

Angina occurs when the heart doesn't have enough supply of oxygen for it to function properly. The heart muscles need oxygen for them to function because it is necessary for the energy formation of muscles that it uses for working. Without adequate energy, muscles will fail to work. Angina is described as a painful squeezing feeling in the chest that is also felt in the jaws, extremities and the back.

A heart attack occurs after angina. The heart ceases to function because its muscles did not receive much oxygen. Certain muscles in the heart have died because of the inadequate supply of oxygen and therefore the remaining muscles have to compensate for the loss. Compensation gives extra workload and fatigue, causing it to stop.

There are a lot of factors that cause coronary heart disease. One of them is a major risk factor that can't be avoided and that is family history. If your family is known to have coronary heart disease, then you will likely also have the condition. Little is known about this theory but it is very consistent among patients with coronary heart disease.

If you are living a sedentary or inactive lifestyle, it is now time to change your ways and to do some serious physical work. A sedentary lifestyle will increase your risk of developing heart disease because without physical activities, your heart muscles will become flabby and weak. You need to do some simple exercises to tone your heart muscles and make it strong.

Obesity also increases the chance of having heart disease. Fat is a major contributory factor for the development of heart disease and people who are obese or overweight have a lot of fat stored in their bodies. These fats need to be burned down to lose weight and prevent having serious complications such as heart disease.

All in all, heart disease is caused by living an inappropriate lifestyle. Keep in mind that no matter how rich you are, it is not an excuse for you not to work. Exercise should also be a regular habit so that your muscles will be tougher and can reach their optimum functioning.

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Heart, Cardiology

After A Stroke: The First Days To Weeks by: Stephanie Trelogan

After a patient moves from the ER to the hospital, doctors will deal with any complications and help prevent future strokes. Here's what to expect during his hospital stay, and how to prepare for his care and recovery after he gets out.

Once a patient's stroke has been evaluated and his condition has been stabilized, he'll be transferred out of the ER and into a hospital bed. How long he spends in the hospital depends on a number of factors, including the type and severity of his stroke, what medical complications arise, and the extent of his disability. But it's unlikely that he'll be in the hospital for long. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, the average length of hospitalization for stroke in 2005 was 5.2 days.

Even though the person you're caring for is out of the ER, serious complications may still arise. An estimated one out of five stroke patients dies during his hospital stay.

The patient's treatment team has two main goals: To prevent another stroke from occurring and to minimize and respond to any complications.

To this end, the person you're caring for will undergo more testing to determine the cause of this stroke. Although the doctors should know what type of stroke he had, they'll still need to pinpoint the exact cause. They may perform one or more of the following tests:

• Carotid ultrasound to determine if either carotid artery is narrowed or blocked. This test is noninvasive and painless: A technician applies jelly to the patient's neck, then slides an ultrasound wand over the skin covering his carotid artery.
  
• Transcranial Doppler test for blockages in the large brain arteries. This test is similar to the carotid ultrasound, although the sound waves go through the patient's skull instead of his neck.
  
• Cerebral angiogram to look for atherosclerosis or a brain aneurysm. The patient will be sedated to minimize his anxiety and discomfort during this procedure. A long, thin catheter, or tube, is inserted into a large artery in his groin, then maneuvered all the way through blood vessels into his chest. Once the tube reaches his carotid artery, dye is injected, which travels through the artery into the brain. Then a series of X-rays is taken to spot any abnormalities in the blood vessels of the brain. Because this procedure carries a slight risk of causing another stroke, it will be performed only if other tests are inconclusive.

Depending on the patient's test results, his doctors will treat him to reduce his risk of having another stroke:

• For an ischemic stroke, he may be given anticlotting drugs, have a procedure known as a carotid endarectomy, or both.
  
• For a hemorrhagic stroke, he may need to have a torn brain artery or aneurysm repaired, both of which require major surgery.
  
• No matter what type of stroke he had, risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes will be evaluated and treated.
  
• Complications could include brain swelling, seizures, clots in his legs, aspiration due to difficulty swallowing, arrhythmias, bleeding stomach ulcers, and pressure sores. The patient's doctors will be on the lookout for these serious and potentially fatal complications.

The patient's hospital stay may be even more stressful for you than his stroke and time in the ER. Now that you're no longer in crisis mode, you have more time to think -- and worry -- about the future. But try to use that time to prepare for life after his discharge instead:

• Figure out how much care he will need. The extent of his stroke-related disability may not be immediately obvious, but it will become clearer as his recovery progresses. Talk to his rehabilitation team about how much care he'll need immediately after discharge, then discuss options for his care with his family or friends. Will he be able to return to his own home or to a family member's home? Or will he need more short-term or long-term attention and care? For more information about this decision-making process, see difficult work of recovery
  
  Resources:
  

• First Days After Stroke
  
• Short Hospital Stay After Emergency Room
  
  About the Author

Stephanie Trelogan is Senior Editor of the Heart, Stroke, and Depression channels. Older people in Stephanie's family have coped with a variety of stroke- and heart-related conditions, and several family membersincluding Stephaniehave struggled with depression.
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Blood Pressure

Savory Veggies Lower Blood Pressure by: Kurt Nimmo

It is known that certain dietary factors contribute to keeping a healthy and normal blood pressure, such as avoiding salt and eating plenty of high fiber vegetable, fruits and grains. But now, research has revealed that there is a certain flavor-enhancing compound found in all vegetables which could be one of the reasons why the "five portions a-day" diet protects people against heart disease. What they found is that vegetables such as broccoli and cabbage are particularly high in a chemical called glutamic acid which creates the fifth taste sense known as 'umami' - otherwise known as 'savory'.

Many people know this flavor as the one that also comes from MSG, a flavor enhancer commonly used in Chinese food and snack foods. Umami flavor is strongest when combined with aromas (e.g., monosodium glutamate and garlic), a result leading to speculation that glutamate may stimulate umami effects by acting simultaneously with the aromas, texture, and appearance of food. Other common natural sources of the umami flavor include beans, whole grains including whole grain rice, breads and cereals, soy products such as tofu and durum wheat which is used to make pasta.

The study of 4,680 people aged 40 to 59 found, on average that the more of the savory substance they consumed the more their blood pressure fell. The new research suggests glutamic acid may partly explain the link between vegetable protein and lower blood pressure. Future steps will be to reproduce this finding in other studies, and investigate how glutamic acid might exert an effect on blood pressure. Interestingly, MSG has been linked to high blood pressure but this may be due to the salt content in it. In the meantime, this much is clear: broccoli and cabbage are good for you so until the final results are in, feel free to chow down to keep blood pressure low and healthy!

Kurt nimmo is a health specialist and exercise guru. For more tips and advice by kurt, visit www.kurtnimmo.com
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Muscle Cramps

Muscle Cramps by: Richard Romando

Muscles, the storehouse of energy in a living body, contract to help in the movement of different parts of the body. The general body composition consists largely of voluntary muscles. It is called voluntary because its contraction and movement is consciously controlled by the living being. Sometimes, these voluntary muscles contract involuntarily and refuse to relax and return to normalcy. This is called a Muscle Cramp. Muscle Cramps are forceful contractions that sustain for sometime and reappear, often till the muscles relax. Cramps can happen to any voluntary muscle, mostly bending or curling the affected muscle.

Muscle Cramps come from the vigorous use of muscles. Cramp can result when a muscle or group of muscles that acts together in the movement of a certain part of the body forcefully become involuntary. For instance, athletes often complain of Muscle Cramps in calf muscles. But when it affects the feet, the group of muscles in the fingers too gets cramps.

Muscle Cramps occur due to various reasons. These can be dehydration or excessive loss of body fluid due to vigorous exercise or activities of the muscle; or a muscle fatigue caused mostly from a long rest period for muscles in one position or exertion of muscles leading to injury. It may also happen from some kinds of muscle disease. It is not always necessary for the cramps to attack 'over activated' muscles. Muscle Cramps can attack even when the muscles are at rest or dormant for a very long time. For instance, sitting in the same position for a very long time can cause muscle fatigue and may later become a cramp. Most of the cramps come especially at night, like the cramps in the calf muscle. This last for some time till the bend muscles flex and relax.

Muscle spasm and Muscle Cramp may seem to be the same. But a Muscle Cramp, unlike a muscle spasm, affects only a certain muscle. The affected muscle bulges or rolls and hurts till it gets its normal shape. Cramps can thus affect anyone, anytime and anywhere. Muscle Cramps affect pregnant women too. Hence as a precaution, their diet is supplemented with calcium and magnesium. Cramps can be kept at bay through exercises, especially stretch exercises, a nutritious balanced diet and proper water intake.

Muscles provides detailed information on muscles, build muscles, muscle cramps, muscle diseases and more. Muscles is affliated with Female Body Building.
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Tips To Boost Your Metabolism

11 Tips to Boost Your Metabolism by: Andrew Bicknell

Boosting ones metabolism is something many people try to achieve everyday. Having a high metabolic rate increases the amount of calories, or energy, the body burns on a daily basis. Without optimal metabolism the body will store excess calories as fat for future use. The problem for many people is they dont ever use these excess calories and as a result struggle with weight issues.

There are many factors that affect a person's metabolism including age, weight, hormonal changes, lean muscle mass, diet, genetics, stress and the amount of physical activity undertaken on a daily basis. As you can see boosting your metabolism involves many factors, but the fact of the matter is that it is relatively easy to boost your metabolism if you are committed to doing so.

Here are 11 tips to help you boost your metabolism:

1. Build lean body mass. As we age our bodies metabolism or ability to burn calories decreases. One way to offset this problem is by exercising. Lean muscle burns calories and the more you have the more calories you burn, even while resting. You can build muscle through resistance or weight training at least twice a week. You can also boost your metabolism by doing cardio exercises. You can choose to do this between or in conjunction with weight training. Simply going for a walk or using the stairs instead of the elevator are good ways to get in an aerobic workout.

2. Eat Breakfast. Many people ignore eating breakfast. What they don't realize is that it's the most important meal of the day. Breakfast gives your metabolism a boost and provides a consistent energy supply throughout the day. The majority of people who eat a healthy breakfast have fewer weight and health issues than those who don't.

3. Sugar is bad. Processed and refined sugar such as found in sweets and soft drinks overload the body with sugar causing many serious health issues including obesity and diabetes. Complex carbohydrates are a better energy source because they supply an even level of blood sugar. The human body just isn't built to deal with the large amounts of refined sugar most people include in their diet.

4. Spicy foods that make you sweat can help boost your metabolism.

5. Get a good night's sleep. There is research that shows that people who do not get sufficient sleep tend to gain weight. This may be because the body uses sleep to heal and regenerate itself, including its muscular system.

6. Drink more water. Water is the lubricant of the body. It also flushes toxins out of the body and keeps the kidneys operating at maximum efficiency. This allows the liver more time to do what it does best, metabolize fat stores.

7. Eat small meals. Eat 5 to 6 small meals per day spaced 20 to 3 hours apart. This gives the body a steady supply of energy and prevents binge eating.

8. Don't miss meals. Skipping meals in order to loose weight is counter productive because it actually slow metabolism and can lead to over eating.

9. Plan your meals. If you have a daily or weekly menu you are much more likely to stick to your plan.

10. Drink green tea. Green tea has been shown to boost metabolism and unlike coffee does not stress the body with caffeine.

11. Include more high energy foods in your diet including fruits, vegetables and whole grains. These provide a more balanced energy source and will not cause blood sugar spikes.

Boosting your metabolism can be done if you are dedicated to doing it. This does not mean you need to stress over each little thing but if you eat right and exercise you should see a decrease in body fat and a much more energetic and happy you.

For more tips to boost your metabolism and for more information about metabolism please click here.
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Fitness

Fitness by: Jimmy Sturo

Fitness is defined as a state of being healthy, which prepares the body for the physical necessities of daily life. To be more precise, fitness provides strength, flexibility and stamina for the proper functioning of the body. It is a total solution for a perfect, fine-tuned life. The five main components of fitness are aerobic endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, and flexibility and body composition. The right kind of physical and mental exercises and proper intake of nutritious food are the factors that contribute to fitness. A well-balanced diet not only makes one fit, but provides all necessary nutrients for the body. Mental fitness, essential for the psychological well-being of a person, is also a key factor in sustaining a healthy state.

Fitness lowers the risks of various health issues such as obesity, cardio-vascular problems, habitual inactivity and depression. It helps to prevent age-related problems. Moreover, fitness makes one feel relaxed and active throughout the day.

To stay physically fit doesn't entail spending hours in a gym or on costly fitness to develop muscle mass like body builders. All you need to do is improve power and endurance and get mobile. Nowadays, immobility has become part of a lifestyle, with people spending more time in front of the computer. So the need for exercise is a must.

A systematic workout of small exercises such as brisk walking, cycling, jogging and swimming can energize the body. An overdose of exercise might injure the body. So it is vital to find an enjoyable schedule of activity. The fitness methods adopted must be person-specific. It varies for men, women, children and the aged. Individuals have to choose exercises that are ideal for their body. Fitness methods include meditation, yoga sessions, aerobic classes and muscular fitness exercises.

Today, more and more people are struggling to keep their body and mind fit. This has resulted in the growth of a range of sophisticated multi-gyms, professional fitness institutions and clubs. Health and fitness magazines and publications are also available, and fitness tips and training programs are available via the Internet.

Fitness Equipment provides detailed information on Fitness, Fitness Equipment, Fitness Tips, Physical Fitness and more. Fitness Equipment is affiliated with Exercise Programs.

Editor's Choice Award:

Editor's info: Terry Kent - Editor, HealthCrazed.com:
The healthcrazed place for healthyminded people!
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