Tag: Causes

  • Why People Smoke After Sex And Not Before

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    There must be countless scenes in old movies of couples having the celebratory cigarette in bed after sex. In the more subtle days just the smoking scene was enough to imply the unseen steamy activity which had just gone before.

    So why do we see this after sex and not before? The after cigarette implies relaxation, comfort and satisfaction, which is curious because nicotine has nothing to do with these states.

    Imagine the scene with the before romance smoke. Now we have the ashtray mouth, or the smoke enriched hair killing the moment of passion. Maybe the moment of passion would pass, which certainly isn’t a good idea but maybe there is a strongly bio-chemical reason behind it all.

    One cigarette causes a dramatic shut down in your ability to shunt blood to your brain and your genitals for about four hours. This means your nitric oxide levels are about as good as an 80 year old, which translates as a lack of blood and function to your important parts!

    A robust 20 year old may not notice any problem but issues of impotence for men and sexual pleasure for women start to creep in clinically in the mid to late twenties and by the mid-forties studies show that as many as 50% of people either can’t perform or don’t enjoy sex.

    There are a number of issues involved including, alcohol, industrial omega 6 fats, xeno-estrogens from chemicals and soy oils, medications and sleep deprivation, but smoking is virtually guaranteed to create a problem.

    Plus the days of smoking being sexy have long passed and the smell of cigarette smoke would turn off most prospective bed partners.

    So you light a cigarette, and the smoke fills your lungs. Most of the toxins will enter your blood stream and travel through your heart. Those toxins which don’t enter your blood stream just have the sensitive tissue of your lungs to attack.

    From your heart the toxins travel via arteries, to arterioles, and right down to capillaries. The toxins cause these tiny blood pathways to constrict, and it is these small pathways which supply blood to your entire body.

    There is no upside to this restricted circulation, only limited blood flow, nutrient transport and diminished waste removal. So you system starts to look like New York during a garbage strike, instead of a super fast autobahn. And a disturbed system this is certainly not how you want to feel in a tender moment.

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    Source by Ian Newton

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  • How To Cure Borborygmi (Borborygmus)

    How To Cure Borborygmi (Borborygmus)

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    Borborygmus (or Borborygmi being the plural) is the term given to loud rumbling stomach noise which occur when food/gas is passed through the stomach, intestine and gut. Borborygmus is the term given to this and occurs in both humans and animals.

    This condition can be a very embarrassing, painful and annoying condition for those who suffer from it. Many of it’s symptoms can be compared to Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) such as diarrhea, stomach bloated, stomach gurgling and many more.

    This condition is easily cured or remedied with a simple change in diet once you know what causes it. I was a personal sufferer of this condition and since changing my diet I have been symptom free for over a year now.

    What Causes Borborygmi?

    Borborygmi is the sound of undigested carbohydrates within your digestive system. Many foods produce carbohydrates, some foods are far worse than others. For those who suffer from borbrygmi should carefully select the carbohydrates that they eat and try to avoid the ‘unnatural’ or unsuitable foods that cause borborygmus.

    The most likely foods that cause thos condition include:

    • Milk
    • Wheat
    • Oats
    • High sugar fruits
    • High sugar vegetables
    • Beans
    • Bread
    • Sugar (particularly fructose)
    • Gluten

    Many of the foods listed above are simply not natural for human consumption. Foods such as wheat, sugar, bread and even milk. This may come as a surprise but foods that are ideal for human consumption are foods that the caveman would eat such as meat, vegetables, fruit With the increase of such foods into our diet over the last 100 years conditions such as borborygmi and IBS has increased significantly.

    How To Cure Borborygmi

    With the cause of borborygmi now established it gives us a better idea of how to remedy this condition. Ideally you should look to restrict your intake of foods to very low sugar items. Items with a very low GI rating and items with very little carbohydrate content. These items are digested over a longer period of time and are more natural and easier to digest. These foods by their very nature cause very little gas, it is the gas that is created that will cause very loud abdominal pain, stomach bloating and……..borborygmi.

    A diet plan is the best approach to curing this problem. I have written a more indepth view of borborygmi which is called Common Causes of Borborygmi, check it out, many people have commented on the help it has provided them.

    Once you eliminated these problem foods then you should ideally remain eating them for a couple of weeks to give your body enough time to adjust to this new way of eating. Once this two week period has elapsed then slowly introduce high protein and low sugar foods into your diet one week at a time. There is more information on this diet and cure for borborygmi on the link above.

    Good Luck….

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    Source by Alan Kings

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  • Conventional, Versus Wellness Approach, To Health

    Conventional, Versus Wellness Approach, To Health

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    What we consider, the conventional approach, to health, in the United States, differs, in many ways, from the way, most of the rest of the world, considers, and approaches, this concept. Many seem to believe, a conventional approach, means, using allopathic medicine, which includes, a primary emphasis on chemically designed, prescriptions, and treatments, while, in most other nations, this approach, includes, both allopathy, as well as alternative remedies, and treatments. Which way, is best for you, depends, on your specific mindset, attitude, overall health, condition, beliefs, etc. With that in mind, this article will attempt to briefly, consider, examine, review, and discuss, the different approaches, and some of the different advantages, and disadvantages.

    1. Conventional approach: The disadvantage of the so – called, conventional approach, is it pays more attention, often, to the symptoms, rather than all the possible causes, etc. It treats ailments, usually, by using a chemical – drug, to reduce and treat the ailment. It is important to recognize, illnesses, and ailments, should be divided into, chronic versus acute ones, and life – threatening, versus, more common illnesses. I strongly believe, there are many acute conditions, which are best treated with drugs, but there are also circumstances, when the side effects, and potential dangers, may make it less logical. Obviously, when the ailment is life – threatening, such as cancers, severe organ issues (such as pneumonia, liver problems, etc), they need immediate, dramatic treatment, while, at other times, it might make more sense, to use, an alternative approach.

    2. Alternative approach: Many use methods, such as Reiki, acupuncture, Ayuverdic, homeopathy, herbal remedies, vitamins and supplements, etc, as an essential part of taking care of their overall health. These often, enhance our immunity, and what we refer to, as resistance. However, one must take care, to do so, in consultation, with a qualified, open – minded, health professional, who is able to use, either approach. Don’t abandon prescribed medications, without thoroughly discussing with your doctor! Know the risks and benefits.

    3. Wellness: An intelligent, seamless, merger of both, conventional, and alternative treatments, is, often, the wisest approach. In most of the rest of the world, non – chemical approaches, are used, before conventional ones, in order to minimize over – use, and dependence, and minimize side – effects, and attempt to enhance our body’s immunity and immune system. This is the essence of a wellness program, where we proceed, and take advantage of any modalities, which might enhance and improve our overall health.

    Beware, you should do your research, and consult qualified, trained health professionals, in order to use the best combination. It’s up to you!

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    Source by Richard Brody

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  • The Risk/ Reward Approach, To Better Health: 4 Scenarios

    The Risk/ Reward Approach, To Better Health: 4 Scenarios

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    Doesn’t it, make sense, to be more willing to use, more extreme approaches, possibilities, and approaches, if there is a serious, and/ or, life – threatening, treatment, than, when, this doesn’t exist? Several years ago, I remember watching a television advertisement, for a prescription drug, for treating, foot – nail fungus. This product, perhaps, effectively treated its desired ailment, yet, when the contra – indications, etc, were listed, which included causing cancer, liver ailments, etc, I wondered, why, anyone, would use this, for a seemingly, less – than, life – threatening ailment. With that, and similar issues, considered, this article will attempt to, briefly, consider, examine, review, and discuss, 4 possible scenarios, and, whether, they are warranted, using the risk/ reward approach, and mindset.

    1. Chronic ailments: Many of us, suffer, from one, or more, chronic ailments, especially, as we age. Some people learn to live, with the discomfort, and/ or, address it, by using some safe alternative remedy, and/ or approach. Others, either, are so uncomfortable, have such a low pain/ discomfort threshold, etc, they seek more aggressive treatments, and modalities. A chronic ailment, is one, which lingers, on an ongoing basis, either, consistently, or on a sporadic time – frame.

    2. Acute ailments: Acute ailments are those, which come on, rather suddenly, and may, come from known, or unknown causes. Known causes may include injuries, due to falls, strains, etc, while, unknown ones, often, come from something, we may not even recall happening. The smart approach is to, first, recognize, and consider, the reasons, and causes for the discomfort/ ailment/ pains/ aches, etc, and, then, evaluate the possible remedies. It is always wise, to contact, and consult, a trusted, health professional, as soon as possible, in order to ensure, nothing is overlooked! Once, more serious ailments, and/ or, causes, have been ruled out, it is often wise, to consider alternatives, which may be safe, effective approaches.

    3. Life – threatening illnesses: Obviously, if you are diagnosed with a life – threatening disease, such as cancer, etc, it makes sense to consider using a more aggressive treatment, with potential severe side – effects, than it is, for lesser ailments. If, without the treatment, your chances are somewhat poor, your risk is limited, and reward enhanced!

    4. Options/ alternatives: If you don’t pay keen attention to taking care of yourself, no one else will! Examine your true needs, medical causes of your discomfort, and your options and alternatives. The lesser, the danger of the ailment, it is wise, to take fewer risks/ chances, and vice versa!

    Take care of your health needs, by using the risk/ reward approach, and consideration! Doesn’t that make sense?

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    Source by Richard Brody

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  • Using Sex Toys With a Bent Penis

    Using Sex Toys With a Bent Penis

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    More and more men (and couples) are incorporating sex toys into their sex play, and with good reason: sex toys can be fun and can add a new layer into someone’s sex life, especially if it has become a trifle routine. Some men, of course, are resistant to using sex toys, for a variety of reasons – worries that using sex toys makes them less of a “real man,” for example (which is far from the truth) or that there could be penis health issues from their use (generally not a problem if used properly). And many men with a bent penis assume that their excess curvature makes using sex toys unfeasible – but that is simply not the case.

    What kind of bent penis?

    It pays to define terms, especially one like “bent penis.” The fact is that, while many men have a perfectly straight penis when erect, many others sport an erection that offers some curvature. For some, there’s a graceful swoop up or a slight leaning to the left or right, or a small inclination downward. This can make the manhood even more aesthetically pleasing to some women, and as long as the curvature is not extreme or causes pain, then such a condition is not a problem.

    However, sometimes a man has a penis so bent that it does create issues. If the curvature is such that it impedes penetration or causes pain during sex – or even when simply in an erect state – then a man is usually diagnosed as having Peyronie’s disease.

    In Peyronie’s disease, the bent penis is typically the result of a build-up of scar tissue in the penis, often over a long period of time. This usually is the result of trauma to the penis. It can be a large trauma, such as being hit in the penis by a line-drive baseball. But it also can be the result of many episodes of small trauma, such as the penis being handling extremely roughly during partner sex and/or masturbation.

    Sex toys

    Because an extremely bent penis may make penetration difficult or impossible, many men assume that sex toys are off limits. In fact, many sex toys are still very much an option for a man with a bent penis.

    For example, penis rings can still be used, especially if he has found that maintaining erections is challenging. These rings constrict blood flow out of an erect penis, often enabling a man to stay firm for a longer period of time.

    In addition, penis extenders or sleeves may be a benefit to him and his partner. These are typically hollowed out silicone items in a phallic shape which fit over the penis. Some men find that these straighten out their bend somewhat (while they wear them at least) so that they can more successfully engage in penetration.

    In addition, Peyronie’s sometimes causes a loss of sensation in the penis, making ejaculation and orgasm more challenging. Using sex toys such as anal plugs, prostate massagers or dildos in the anus can stimulate the prostate, which often helps bring about ejaculation and orgasm in many men.

    As always, men should be certain to follow the directions when utilizing sex toys and to consult with a doctor if there is any reason why sex toys might pose an issue for an individual man.

    Whether they have a bent penis or not, men will enjoy sex toys even more if they keep the penis in good shape, which can be aided by regular use of an excellent penis health creme (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin). Be sure that the selected crème is going to deliver a sufficient range of vitamins – especially vitamins A, B5, C, D and E. And the chosen crème should also include L-carnitine, an amino acid with neuroprotective properties which helps maintain proper penis sensitivity.

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    Source by John Dugan

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  • Created To Bond – Changes That Heal – Part I

    Created To Bond – Changes That Heal – Part I

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    Since God is a relational being and we were created in His image, we too are relational. We were created as relational beings and it does not matter who we are or what we may possess materially, we still need an emotional connection to other human beings. When we are outside of relationship, we lack the very essence that makes us who we are as a person. One of the most pervasive truths is that close connection with others is fundamental to our existence.

    It has been said that no man is an island. Every person on the earth is related to someone else through family, associations, employment, religion and a myriad of other ways. At our very core we are relational beings and must be connected in some ay to others. In order to survive we draw on the resources of others for things that we do not have within ourselves nor can provide for ourselves without the assistance of someone else.

    If we are to prosper and grow, we need to be connected to God and to one another. This connection fuels our transformation and causes us to blossom and bear fruit. Many times we find ourselves in a state of barrenness because we think that we can survive without other people. It is evidenced in some of our verbal expressions such as, “I can do it on my own; I don’t need you; I don’t need nobody.”

    As this attitude of emotional and spiritual isolation continues serious problems arise because with relationships to others we cannot be ourselves. This lack of relationship and bonding brings about alienation and a sense of emptiness that leads to pain, depression and hatred. Often times we remain in this state not understanding that it is the lack of relationship that is causing the pain and we are not willing to renew relationships in order to alleviate that pain.

    This unwillingness leads to our tying to hold ourselves together not knowing that in order to do so we need the support of those whom we refuse to connect with. Therefore, we find that we remain alone and our world becomes increasingly chaotic. Truly, no man is an island for even an island must be in relationship even if it is with what is not like it (the ocean) otherwise it could not be what it is.

    Developing And Renewing Relationships

    We are born in a state of non-conformity. We move from a warm, safe environment to a harsh and cold one. Often the first thing we feel is pain as the doctor or nurse whacks us on the behind. We are now in a position where we have to depend on fallible people to care for us. Yet, as we grow, time and the relationship that develops with others, specially our mother, help us to begin the bonding process. Many people believe that as children, we automatically love our mother. They have not come to the understanding that the emotional bond between a mother and child is one that develops through the love, closeness and care that the mother provides for the child. As time passes, the child internalizes his mother’s care and comfort that gives him a greater sense of security. It fills his memory storehouse with thousands of loving memories from which to draw in times of loneliness and grief. These memories are also an encouragement to him during his passage through hard times in his life because they leave an indelible impression on him as to his worth. This impression is a means for him to have a sense of being emotionally secure in who he is even though he may be alone. It also helps him to connect with others.

    All sorts of emotional, psychological, and neurological processes begin in a child based on the child’s emotional bond with its mother. As the child develops and is nurtured he develops a sense of security and belonging. This is the mechanism that propels the child out into the world to establish other friendships and helps him to bond as he begins to feel as apart of the group.

    In time, this confidence that emerges from being a part of something bigger than themselves leads to a desire to separate from their home and enter into the adult world where emotional attachment can be formed to fuel and support them for the rest of their lives.

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    Source by Franklyn T. Johnson, Ph.D

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  • 5 Major Reasons Why Marriages Break

    5 Major Reasons Why Marriages Break

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    Love: Yes, I mean love. I know you are wondering how love could cause a break up. It is believed that love is the basis of marriage. It is love that brings about marriage. You only marry once you realize that you love somebody else just as yourself. You can not marry somebody you hate. Unless is for some other reasons. When the sweet love you once shared turn into bitter, marriage is set to break. How will one live with a person that she / he resents so much. It is impossible, and that is why, most couples choose to separate and go their on ways. Every human being want to be loved. therefore, where there is no love, couples never stay together for long.

    In-laws: What part does in-laws play in your marriage? Well, there is no marriage without in-laws. When couples get married, they automatically get in-laws. Some of these in-laws are the best and some are the worst. One could wonder whether they ever wanted their son / daughter to marry. They interfere with their children's / brother's / sister's marriage a lot. Who is to blame in this case? In most cases, it is the in-laws from the husband's side that bring all these problems. In such cases the blame goes to the man. He should stand up for his wife at all time even if she is wrong. He should not be the one inciting his people against the wife. Am sorry to say this but some husbands have the audacity to bad mouth their wives to their families. Tell me, won't your in-laws hate you when they hear such bad things coming from your own husband? If you allow your family interfere so much in your marriage, then know that with time, your wife will get tired and call it a quit!

    Infidelity: This is the worst of them all. No one desires to be cheated on by the partner.in fact, if discovered by the other party, there is no forgiveness. When a man discovers that his wife is cheating on him, he can do the worst to the man involved with his wife. Women are lenient. On their part, they can forgive their husbands but will never ever love them again. Some women end up choosing to leave the man and even demand for divorce.

    Comparisons: This is a very painful reason for break ups. when a spouse chooses to constantly compare his / her spouse to another, it really hurt much. Even though the one doing it, could be doing it so unknowingly. In some cases, the spouse who does this comparisons, is aware of it and usually do it purposefully to hurt the spouse. The targeted spouse may in some cases, try to much up to the party being compared to and if the sacrifice is not noticed, this may lead to a break up.

    Physical, emotional and mental abuse: This is one of the major causes for marriage break ups. One couple could be abusive to the other partner. This could be physical / emotional torture. An abusive spouse is worse than a murderer. The reason is: they usually use intimidation and manipulation to keep the abused partner under control at all time. They are sadist! They never want to see their spouses happy! They beat them up, call them all sort of abusive names and even cause the other partner feel useless and unworthy. With such, the marriage will definitely break up especially when the abused get tired of constantly being abused.

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    Source by Leah Simiyu Mbatha

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  • Sore Penis TLC – Help for Bruised Penile Tissue

    Sore Penis TLC – Help for Bruised Penile Tissue

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    Bruises can be painful and a little disconcerting no matter where they appear on the human body, but when they show up on the penis, men might reasonably react with more than a little alarm. Thankfully, most cases of penile bruising are mild, and they tend to dissolve and disappear on their own, with a little supportive penis health care. But there are times when a bruised, sore penis merits a trip to the doctor for more advanced healing options.

    Bruising Basics

    The tissues of the penis are lined with blood. Deep channels inside the penis fill up with blood when a man is aroused, and this movement of fluid makes an erection possible. Even when a man isn’t focused on sex, however, the penis is nourished by blood flowing into thick veins and arteries that line the penis, as well as tiny capillaries that lie beneath the skin.

    Both large blood vessels and the smaller channels can burst when they’re subjected to pressure or some other form of trauma, and when they burst, bruises are soon to follow, as the blood rushes out and flows freely beneath the skin. Penile trauma can come in many forms, but common causes of intimate bruising include:

    • Surgical procedures;
    • Rough or dry sex;
    • Twisting motions during masturbation;
    • Accidents or blunt trauma.

    A typical bruise looks reddish when it first appears, but as the bruise heals and the blood is reabsorbed into nearby tissues, the skin can take on spectacular colors, including purple, green and yellow.

    Cause for Concern

    Some bruises are best handled with the help of an expert. For example, some bruises develop when a man hits his penis on something hard, like a partner’s pubic bone, and the impact can break delicate internal tissues. Such trauma won’t heal on its own, and it is often very painful, so incidents like this require a trip to the doctor’s office or ER.

    Helping the Healing

    An ordinary bruise that has no other complicating factors tends to disappear within a few weeks, no matter what a guy might do. Human physiology is adept at healing these sorts of damaged tissues, and the body’s cleanup crews head to the site mere minutes after the original injury and make sure that all is progressing as it should. There are some things men can do, however, to ensure that this process moves as quickly as it possibly can.

    Allowing time for healing is vital, as continued pressure or friction on bruised tissues can allow yet more blood cells to escape, and the bruise might spread instead of disappearing. Even if a man isn’t experiencing pain, it might be best to avoid sexual activity until the discoloration begins to fade and the tissue returns to its normal color. If pain accompanies the bruising, letting the injured tissues rest is especially important.

    Washcloths dipped in cool water can provide relief in the 24 to 48 hours following the injury, but in the days that follow, warm compresses can also help to speed healing. The warmth allows blood vessels to expand, so the damaged cells can be accessed and swept away as quickly as possible. A washcloth soaked in warm water, applied several times per day, should help the discoloration to fade.

    Applying a high-quality a penis health creme (most experts recommend Man1 Man Oil) may also help to promote healing. While penile creams are not intended as a cure for damaged tissue, vital nutrients such as vitamin C can help to promote the restoration of circulatory tissue, while natural moisturizers such as shea butter keep the skin feeling soft, supple and responsive to the touch.

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    Source by John Dugan

    Views: 0

  • How To Prevent Alcohol And Drug Addiction

    How To Prevent Alcohol And Drug Addiction

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    Drug addiction is a serious disorder. If not treated, it can lead to crises like loss of employment, living quarters and important relationships. And as if this weren’t enough, this kind of addiction can cause illness and even death. Drug addiction is multi-layered and has a variety of causes as well as contributing factors. With the knowledge we have today, Simplistic anti-drug campaigns, such as the “Just Say No” program back in the 1980’s, and even more complex programs like “War on Drugs” is not very effective. The reason for this is that these campaigns do not address the root causes of drug addiction but battles the symptoms not the causes of drug addiction.

    When most people consider a drug addiction problem, their minds go automatically to old movies or TV-series. A junkie trembling on a street corner, selling her own body for her next fix, or a tragic, pale old man lying in a gutter with a needle in his arm, or even a college girl snorting a line of crystal meth in a frat house bathroom during a wild party. These images are powerful indeed, but drug addiction generally creeps up in a slow but determined pace. Months or years are passing, during which time the addicted person is still able to function in a job, maintain a place to live as well as keeping relationships going. A drug or alcohol addiction problem generally passes slowly through several phases. Just because someone you know has not lost everything he or she owns to drugs does not have to mean that he or she does not have a drug addiction problem.

    One of the most insidious drug addiction is prescription drug addiction, followed closely by alcohol addiction. Let’s face it; we are a nation of pill poppers and alcohol beverage drinkers. Since we were children we learned that if something hurts, we should take a pill to make the pain disappear. We also see that children are being prescribed drugs such as Ritalin in increasing amounts, as parents and doctors smudge the line between active, healthy kids and kids with a true Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). All the time we are bombarded with advertising for pain relievers, sleep medication and a lot of other remedies; prescribed and over the counter. Seen from this point of view, prescription drug addiction is not hard to understand. We hardly question the doctor thoroughly about the risk of dependency on any medication, since using medicine for almost any problem is so widely accepted. It’s so easy to take the drug without question and before we know it, we may have developed a prescription drug addiction.

    Alcohol addiction is almost as easy to develop for much the same reason. We live in a culture of drinking. We often go out for cocktails after work or drinking beer with friends during a sports event slowly gives way to having one, two, three, even six or eight beers every night. It feels normal to continually re-visit the bar during a night at a pub. Next thing we identify is a full-blown alcohol drug addiction.

    How harsh (or maybe great) it may sound, you are the only person that can prevent alcohol or drug addiction, due to the choices or decisions you make. Although addiction is classified as a disease, it may well be one of the few diseases that people choose to get. Each drug or alcohol addicted person started their life as an addict by making a choice. You are free to make the same choice or you can choose to not allow drug addiction to be your disease. It’s your choice and whether you like it or not, it is the price you have to pay for being a human with a free will.addiction a seat in your life. It’s up to you.

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    Source by David Richards

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  • Climate Change: Its Ill-Effects on Health

    Climate Change: Its Ill-Effects on Health

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    The temperature increase in the atmosphere is more specifically referred to as global warming. But the climate change is the term currently favored by scientists, as it explicitly includes not only Earth’s increasing global average temperature, but also the climate effects caused by this increase.

    Any gas, which has the property of absorbing infrared radiation emitted from Earth’s surface and reradiating it back to Earth’s surface, is called greenhouse gas. Carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor are the most important greenhouse gases. Other greenhouse gases include, but are not limited to, surface-level ozone, nitrous oxide, sulfur hexafluoride, hydro fluorocarbons, per fluorocarbons and chlorofluorocarbons.

    Though a naturally occurring phenomenon, the greenhouse effect results in a warming of Earth’s surface and troposphere – the lowest layer of the atmosphere. Of the greenhouse gases, water vapor has the largest effect.

    Some important causes of greenhouse effect include burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas, deforestation, increase in population, farming, and industrial wastes and landfills.

    Greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere. With higher than normal concentrations, they lead to unnatural warming. The main cause of the current global warming trend is human expansion of the greenhouse effect, a warming that results when the atmosphere traps heat radiating from Earth toward space.

    Even a small global temperature increase could lead to troubling consequences like rising sea levels, population displacement, disruption to the food supply, flooding, and ill-effects on health. As a matter of fact, human health bears the greatest brunt of the consequences of the climate change.

    Ill-effects of climate change on health –

    Climate change can affect human health mainly in two ways: first, by changing the severity or frequency of health problems that are already affected by climate factors and second, by creating health problems in places where they have not previously occurred.

    Effects of temperature increase –

    Increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases lead to an increase of both average and extreme temperatures. This can compromise the body’s ability to regulate its temperature. Loss of internal temperature regulation can result in a cascade of illnesses, including heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heatstroke and hyperthermia in the presence of extreme heat, and hypothermia and frostbite in the presence of extreme cold. Temperature extremes can also worsen chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, cerebro-vascular disease, and diabetes-related conditions.

    People working outdoors, socially isolated, economically disadvantaged and those with chronic illnesses are more vulnerable to the impact of temperature increase.

    Effects of air quality –

    Climate change has modified weather patterns, which in turn have influenced the levels and location of outdoor air pollutants such as ground-level ozone (O3) and fine particulate matter. Increasing carbon dioxide (CO2) levels also promote the growth of plants that release airborne allergens. Higher pollen concentrations and longer pollen seasons can increase allergic sensitization and asthma episodes, thereby limiting productivity at work and school. Poor air quality, whether outdoors or indoors, can negatively affect the human respiratory and cardiovascular systems.

    Effects of extreme events –

    Climate change causes an increase in the occurrence and severity of some extreme events, which can have health impacts such as death or injury during an event, for example, drowning during floods. Health impacts can also occur before and after an extreme event, as individuals involved in activities such as disaster preparation and post-event cleanup put their health at risk. The severity and extent of health effects associated with extreme events depend on the physical impacts of the extreme events themselves.

    Vector borne diseases –

    Vector-borne diseases are transmitted by vectors, which include mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas. These vectors can carry infective pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, and protozoa, which can be transferred from one host (carrier) to another. The seasonality, distribution, and prevalence of vector-borne diseases are influenced significantly by climate. Climate change is likely to have both short- and long-term effects on vector-borne disease transmission and infection patterns, affecting both seasonal risk and disease occurrence over decades.

    Water related diseases –

    Climate change is expected to affect fresh and marine water resources in ways that will increase people’s exposure to water-related contaminants which cause illness. Water-related illnesses include waterborne diseases caused by pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and protozoa. Water-related illnesses are also caused by toxins produced by certain harmful algae and by chemicals introduced into water sources by human activities. Exposure occurs through ingestion, direct contact with contaminated drinking or recreational water and through consumption of contaminated fish and sea food.

    Effects on mental health –

    Mental health consequences of climate change range from minimal stress and distress symptoms to clinical disorders such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, and suicidal tendencies. The children, elderly, women (especially pregnant and post-partum women), people with preexisting mental illness, economically disadvantaged, and homeless are more exposed to its mental health consequences.

    Effects on food safety and quality –

    Climate change is very likely to affect global, regional, and local food safety by disrupting food availability, decreasing access to food and making utilization more difficult. Higher concentrations of CO2 can lower the levels of protein and essential minerals in a number of widely consumed crops, including wheat, rice, and potatoes, with potentially negative implications for human nutrition. Poor nutritional quality of food is more likely to affect adversely the vulnerable sections of the population.

    The bottom line –

    Over the last 50 years, human activities have released sufficient quantities of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases to trap additional heat in the lower atmosphere and affect the global climate. According to WHO (World Health Organization):

    • Climate change affects the social and environmental determinants of health – clean air, safe drinking water, sufficient food and secure shelter.
    • Between 2030 and 2050, climate change is expected to cause approximately 250000 additional deaths per year, from malnutrition, malaria, diarrhea and heat stress.

    So, in view of the serious repercussions of climate change on human health, we all have to make concerted efforts to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases through better transport, food and energy use choices so as to improve our health particularly through reduced air pollution.

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    Source by Dr. Pran Rangan

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