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Hypertension, the extensive problem found in all age groups has created a panic throughout the world, as its proper and harmless cure is still not confirmed even by the physicians of the modern world. Hypertension in its definition means a condition where the blood pressure is higher than the normal.

There are several causes of hypertension but the major ones are:

Hormonal imbalance (increased secretion of epinephrine)
Food habits (Excessive intake of oily foods)
Age factors (narrowing of the arteries due to deposition of fat in them making the arterial wall narrower thereby which in turn increases the flow of blood)

Hypertension has drastic consequences like:
Strokes
Heart Attacks
Heart Failure
Arterial aneurysm
Renal/Kidney Failure

It is true that hypertension could be controlled through intake of several allopathic drugs like - ACE inhibitors, terazosin, propranolol, amlodipine, bendroflumethiazide etc. though there are several hundreds besides them. But it is mostly found that there are always some side effects associated with them.

The burning question! Is it fully curable? The answer for this is same for all deadly illness Every disease is curable but...? The statement continues. Anyway in this article I would like to focus how to control the problem of hypertension through Yoga practices.

Hypertension is mainly caused by improper working of arteries and heart which is ultimately controlled by our brain impulse. So if we are able to calm our brain its possible to calm our body parts too. Yoga provides a unique technique to handle this. Practices of several Yoga asanas (Postures) and Dhyana (Meditation) has proved beneficial to several high blood pressure patients.

Postures includes bending of legs and sitting in a fixed position, slow movement of neck in circular directions, lying on the floor over the front and bring legs closer to back etc., this relaxes the muscles which ultimately strengthens the blood vessels.

The other technique includes Meditation which is considered to be the best weapon against hypertension, this is one of the most ancient technique used for managing stress and other mental disorders. But some recent studies have shown that meditation even help in control hypertension because hypertension is caused by more or less a mental disorder. Meditation or Dhyana involves severe concentration of mind over one point, in order to do medication bring yourself in a relax able posture you like, after that concentrate your mind (Not eye, as we found in many books / articles which focus our eye over one object, it is entirely different phenomenon used to sharpen memory and has nothing to do with mental ailments) over any object with eyes shut. practice this method in several body postures regularly and ultimately you will find your mind in calm position thereby helping in coping with your Hypertension.

now-a-days several modern health organizations are promoting yoga for treating the hypertension and launching campaigns and workshops for the people to follow several Yoga guidelines in its treatment against Hypertension.

Author is a contributor writer for health. To get the latest books on yoga log on to www.aggarwaloverseas.com

posted by 46124  # 5:55 PM 0 comments

I had been to three different physicians. The car accident in 1990 had left me with terrible back pain. The only option offered to me was prescription medication. For three years I lived with chronic pain - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The prescription drugs helped relieve some of the discomfort, but I had to stop taking them when I began getting sick to my stomach which was often worse than the pain itself. Time and again I thought, This cant be the only choice. There must be another alternative.

It wasnt until 3 years later that I heard about magnetic therapy from a friend, and decided to try it. With nothing to lose, I used a magnetic pad on my back during the day and slept on a magnetic mattress pad every night. Much to my surprise, after two weeks my back felt much better. After a few months, the pain was completely gone!

My wife, who had a back problem caused by herniated disks, woke up every morning with pain and stiffness. Not long after sleeping on the magnetic pad, the stiffness began to subside, and she was soon waking up pain-free as well.

Although skeptical at first, I was amazed at the effectiveness of magnetic therapy, and began to intensely investigate the field of biomagnetics. Since my initial experience, I have had the pleasure of helping many people achieve similar results, enhancing the quality of life of those suffering from chronic conditions and injuries.

Now Id like to take the opportunity to help those of you who may be suffering from chronic back pain, and to tell you how to better prevent it.

Back pain is the number one form of pain experienced by people in the U.S. It accounts for 20% of all injuries and illnesses in the workplace, and is responsible for as much as $50 billion in diagnosis and treatment each year [1]. The National Institutes of health estimate that 4 out of 5 Americans will experience back pain at some point in their lives. Not a pretty picture from any standpoint.

The majority of back pain occurs in the lumbar region of the spine [2]. Here, most of your bodys weight is placed on the lowest 5 of the 24 vertebrae (bones) that make up the spine. Considering all the other muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, disks, and major nerves that are also a part of or connected to the spine, its no surprise that there are so many ways to injure your back as you twist and bend them [3].

Pain is considered chronic if its recurring, lasts more than three months, and can seemingly be stimulated by any small movement (for whatever reason) [4]. In the 21st century, were finally realizing that drugs and surgery are not always the answer for treating chronic pain or other musculoskeletal conditions & injuries.

The future lies in an integrative approach to promoting the bodys own healing ability by using noninvasive, safer treatments. Acupuncture, massage therapy, chiropractic and osteopathic care, and certain physical therapy exercises are just a few options to help with back pain.

Following an individualistic approach to treatment is key. A particular therapy that may work for one person may not work as well for another. Often its necessary to try a combination of treatment methods to begin feeling significant improvements.

For true recovery of back injuries and disease, pain and inflammation need to be reduced, proper function and strength restored, and further injury prevented [4]. With this in mind, lets discuss how magnetic therapy can help.

One of the primary benefits of magnetic therapy is the reduction of inflammation. Localized inflammation following an injury is a natural protective reaction. It creates an imbalance in sodium and potassium ion (charged particle) concentrations at a cellular level. As a result, fluid accumulates in the cells, causing the injured tissue to become inflamed. (Think of it as retaining water after eating salty food.)

If theres no intervention, the body will eventually heal itself and the inflammation will subside. However, this process can be very slow and painful. Because of this, treatments that can safely speed the overall process are needed, particularly in the case of chronic conditions like arthritis.

Applying a bio-north magnetic field safely rebalances electrochemical ion concentrations. Excess fluids and toxins are flushed from the cells and removed through the lymphatic system. As a result, healing time is often reduced by as much as 50%.

Since major nerve bundles run through the spine, its obvious why back pain is so common. Pain is caused by an electrochemical signal sent to the brain. The normal electric potential of a neuron (nerve cell) is around 70mV when in a resting state. When injured, a neurons charge becomes positive due to a shift in chemical ion balances. This triggers a pain signal to be sent to the brain.

Applying a bio-north (negative polarity) magnetic field lowers a neurons electric potential, bringing it closer to its normal, negative state. As a result, the pain signal diminishes faster, and in most cases, will eventually stop.

Another important goal when recovering from back injuries is restoring mobility. Magnetic therapy helps relax muscle tissue, thereby increasing flexibility and reducing the incidence of muscle spasms.

About four years ago, researchers in Italy tested the effects of a magnetic seating system on several volunteers. Each person participated by either driving or remaining seated at a computer workstation for prolonged periods, both with and without the magnetic system.

The results showed a decreased myoelectric (neuron) activity both at shoulder and lumbar level by using the magnet based sitting system for prolonged seated work tasks...The system appears to be an effective tool in preventing muscle contractures secondary to prolonged, constrained positions [5].

Because it can be so difficult and painful to move, many people feel they need to rest for a few days after injuring their back. But did you know that bed rest should really be minimized or avoided? According to David Lehrman, M.D. (chief of orthopedic surgery at St. Francis Hospital and founder of the Lehrman Back Center in Miami, FL), for every week of bed rest, it takes two weeks to rehabilitate [3].

A 1995 study in Helsinki, Finland found that out of 186 subjects, those who went about their daily activities as tolerated had greater flexibility and less pain than those who underwent backmobilizing exercises. The *slowest* recovery was seen in subjects that were prescribed two days of bed rest [6].

While an interesting fact, its one that some of us may grumble about. Bear in mind we still have to sleep and give our bodies a chance to heal and recuperate. As I found out years ago, sleeping on the proper magnetic mattress pad will help speed the healing process and can significantly reduce chronic pain over time.

Back in 1990, a 12month clinical test on the effects of magnetic mattress pads was conducted in Tokyo, Japan. The study, led by Dr. Kazuo Shimodaira, involved 431 subjects. 375 of them received full-sized magnetic pads and the remaining subjects received sham mattress pads for control. (Each magnetic pad contained 124 permanent ferrite magnets with field strengths of 750950 Gauss.)

Here are the results of the yearlong test:

On average, 53.3% of the subjects realized the effect of the magnetic mattress pad within 3 days, and over 70% within 5 days. Whats more is that thorough testing for side effects was conducted and none were found [7].

(Note: The magnetic mattress pads used in this study did not produce very strong magnetic fields. As stronger magnetic fields are more effective, a higher energy pad would improve results even further.)

Supporting these findings, a 1997 Johns Hopkins pain center treatment study compared magnetic therapy for chronic pain with a placebo therapy. It concluded that people using the magnetic therapy showed a dramatic improvement, whereas the placebo group improved only minimally. Again, there were no side effects detected [8].

Since the vast majority of adults are not in ideal physical condition, the risk of back injury for them is greatly increased.

If youre out of shape and are planning an activity that requires lifting, bending or twisting, its a good idea to take steps that can help prevent injury in the first place. Magnetic therapy is an excellent way of accomplishing this.

There are three primary actions that take place when using magnetic therapy for prevention. The first two are its ability to increase circulation and to relax muscles. The effects are similar to warming up and stretching before a strenuous workout. Its really the third action that sets magnetic therapy apart from anything else though. Magnetic therapy can effectively control energy flow along the bodys acupuncture meridians (energy channels).

Placing a magnetic pad or support over an area channels the bodys energy directly to that location. Increased energy availability, combined with improved circulation, significantly extends the amount of time that one can exert themselves before muscle fatigue sets in. In turn, this reduces the likelihood of muscle strain.

The combination of improving blood flow, relieving muscle tension, and reducing pain makes magnetic therapy ideal for treating back conditions and preventing further injury. While effective on its own, magnetic therapy is also an excellent adjunct to other treatments. Whether chiropractic, acupuncture, therapeutic massage, or another method, it can help improve and prolong a treatments positive results.

The next time youre out and about, make use of a high-energy magnetic support or back pad. Its a simple and effective way to continue through the day with less pain and a greater range of motion. Trust me. Your back will thank you!

SOURCES:

1 Centers for Disease Control National Institute for Occupational Safety and health, June 19, 1999.

2 Pain Central: What Causes Back Pain?

3 Pain Foundation: Back Pain

4 National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: Low Back Pain Fact Sheet

5 PubMed: Efficacy of a chair with magnets in the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders caused by prolonged sitting.

6 PubMed: The treatment of acute low back pain - bed rest, exercises, or ordinary activity?

7 Summary of a 12month double-blind, clinical test of magnetic mattress pads. Kazuo Shimodaira, M.D. Tokyo Communications and Kouseikai Suzuki Hospitals, Tokyo, Japan. 1990.

8 "Use of magnetic therapy for chronic pain" by Joseph Kandel, M.D. and David B. Sudderth, M.D. The Arthritis Solution.

TIPS & GUIDELINES FOR A HEALTHIER BACK

The National Institutes of Health provides guidelines for maintaining a healthier back. Following these and a few other tips will greatly increase your chances of preventing further injury while strengthening your back muscles.

When Standing:

Keep your weight balanced on your feet. Your back supports weight most easily when curvature is reduced.

Dont slouch when standing or sitting. (Keep your hands lightly clasped behind your lower back. This improves posture for your neck, shoulders and upper back, and reduces muscle tension.)

Wear comfortable, low-heeled shoes.

When sitting:

Make sure your work surface is at a comfortable height for you.

Sit in a chair with good lumbar support and proper position/height for the task. (Use a pillow, rolled towel, or lumbar cushion if needed.)

Switch sitting positions often and periodically take a short walk or light stretch to relieve tension and restore blood circulation.

If you must sit for a long period of time, rest your feet on a low stool or a stack of books.

When lifting:

Dont try to lift objects too heavy for you!

Pull in your stomach muscles, keep your head down and in line with your straight back, and lift with your legs.

Keep the object close to your body.

Do not twist when lifting.

Do not carry an object in one hand if it causes you to lean to one side. (Use both hands, or carry an additional item to balance the load.)

Exercise:

Always warm-up and stretch before exercise or other strenuous activity.

Following a prolonged period of inactivity, begin a program of regular lowimpact exercises. (Ask a physician or orthopedist for recommended exercises appropriate for your age and requirements.)

Speed walking, swimming, or stationary bike riding for 30 minutes a day can increase muscle strength and flexibility.

Yoga or Tai chi can help stretch and strengthen muscles, and improve posture.

Everyday habits:

Maintain proper nutrition and diet to reduce and prevent excessive weight (especially around the waist area).

If you smoke, quit. Smoking reduces blood flow to the lower spine and causes spinal disks to degenerate.

Therion Research

Your source for magnetic therapy news, research, and natural pain relief

Bruce Spiegler is a registered magnetic therapist and holistic health practitioner. He can be reached at TherionResearch.com - A provider of safe, natural magnetic therapy solutions for chronic pain management, sports injuries, sleep disorders, and natural healing.

posted by 46124  # 1:02 PM 0 comments

Bluetooth technology is all the rage these days. Most recently, the Belkin Company has designed and released a Bluetooth adapter that can access your iPod, another current rage with all age groups. With this Bluetooth adapter, even your iPod becomes a wireless remote of sorts, enabling listeners to enjoy song lists through their iPod stereo docks. By connecting the Bluetooth adaptor into a stereo and the iPod adapter into the iPod, users are able to control music choices as it plays from the iPod directly to the stereo. cool eh?

Unfortunately, music enthusiasts will have to be patient for the national release of the Bluetooth iPod adaptor, which will become available in March in the United States, followed soon after by release in Europe, Australia and Asia. Fans of Bluetooth and those curious about Bluetooth adapter capabilities can learn more by accessing information about the Belkin Bluetooth Dock Adaptor for iPod. The Bluetooth adapter allows users to control play lists from within 30 feet of stereo systems, and requires no additional software. This new Bluetooth adapter is also compatible with other Bluetooth stereo equipment and works with most first, second, fourth and fifth generation iPods. The Bluetooth adapters designed to work with the iPod docking system will run about $130.

Another capability of a Bluetooth adapter is as a computer peripheral device. A Bluetooth adapter can now make it easier for use with all kinds of Bluetooth enabled wireless devices. Specializing in wireless network capabilities, a Bluetooth adapter can connect to almost any piece of equipment nowadays. At a recent Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada, a company known as Newton Peripherals unveiled the world's smallest Bluetooth adapter called the 'MoGo Dapter', geared for laptop carrying business people from all over the globe. This handy little gadget will plug in to any free usb port on any computer without protruding into free space. Such a handy function in this Bluetooth adapter allows travelers and laptop users to insert the adapter and not have to worry about disengaging it when packing that laptop back into its case.

Research results show that the demand for the nifty Bluetooth adapter is immense and that more than 200 million 'older' laptops will benefit from such Bluetooth adapter support and technology. Bluetooth adapter technology doesn't stop there, however. New Bluetooth adapters are being created using what is called Cambridge Silicon Radio designs, which enable increased wireless networking capabilities in gathering data and analyzing that data. software is being designed to be compatible to Bluetooth adapters, enabling users to set up user accounts with Bluetooth, share work folders and allow secure password capabilities.

The best thing about a Bluetooth adapter is that they're user friendly and easy to learn and use. The popular growth of Bluetooth capabilities makes it one of the most popular electronics gadgets in today's electronics consumer's market. The Bluetooth adapter is the wave of the future, and learning a little bit about these tiny gadgets will definitely pay off in the long run.

posted by 46124  # 9:40 AM 0 comments

global warming is a term that refers to the increase of temperature near the earth's surface caused by the accumulation of greenhouse gases. It is interesting to note that this phenomenon was first observed in the mid 18th and 19th century during the industrial revolution in developed countries. This rapid industrialization, which used heavy machinery utilizing fossil fuels all added to the huge build-up of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere.

In science we learn that, in an ideal setting, short wave light from the sun enters through the thermal blanket (i.e. the greenhouse gases) which is made up of water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and ozone. The short wave light is reflected by the earth as infrared radiation back to the atmosphere. Only a fraction is retained by the thermal blanket and is returned to the surface to sustain an environment where plants grow and where human and animals live.

Unfortunately, due to mans neglect, the accumulation of greenhouse gases eventually reached massive and irreversible proportions. This leads to the damage of the earth's ozone layer. The ozone layer is our planet's shield against harmful UV rays emanating from the sun.

When industries started booming, the indiscriminate use of fossil fuels, chemicals such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFC for air-conditioners, aerosol propellants, etc.), forest fires during the dry seasons, oil-field fires during the Iraqi war in the 1990s, rapid deforestations in south America and Asia or even methane produced by cattle are all instrumental to the increase of greenhouse gases. This scenario will raise global temperature from 1.44 degrees to a worrying 6.3 degrees Fahrenheit by the year 2100, as reported by the Worlds Inter-government Panel on Climate Change. This may not seem like much of a difference in temperature changes but unless concerted global effort is initiated immediately to avert the ill effects of global warming, the earth will experience a disaster of immense proportions.

Continued rise in temperature which will in turn cause the polar ice caps to melt. sea water will rise considerably and inundate the low-lying areas all over the world, erasing habitable lands. Entire islands could be wiped of the map. This could lead to the extinction of species due to the loss of natural habitats and further erratic climatic behavior. The sad thing is that the polar ice caps has already begun melting, 30 years ahead of the projections made by experts in the field.

Copyright 2007
MMLnet.org
Learn more about global warming
at: Gwey.com This article may be freely reprinted in your ezine, e-book, blog or web site as long as it includes this copyright notice and all the links in the article are left unchanged.

posted by 46124  # 4:50 AM 0 comments