Health Medical - Health Fitness Medical Information Resources Tips

Whenever you switch on the television set there seems to be an advertisement about the ways in which ageing affects a person’s skin, and what the remedy is. As a result there are any number of existing commercial skincare products available on the market, with new ones appearing on almost a daily basis. Most manufacturers of these products promise the user a younger looking skin that is free of wrinkles.

Traditionally skincare products and advertisements have been aimed at women; however, an increasing number of men are also becoming concerned about the signs of aging. Both women and men will pay a lot of money for these products, when there are more natural ways to keep your skin looking its best. However, many trials have shown that most of the cheaper products on the market do just as much good as the expensive ones. Creams will not rid your face of the appearance of lines; however, some beauty serums can smooth the appearance of these wrinkles a little, which means these are worth trying.

One of the most important things that affects the appearance of our skin is that of diet. Those people who eat as much fresh fruit and vegetables as they can afford, a good helping of protein and low carbohydrates will have a better and younger looking skin than those who don’t. Fruits such as grapes and cherries have a high level of antioxidants in them and this helps to fight off the effects of free radicals and other pollutants that are in the atmosphere.

Our modern lifestyle means that we do everything at a faster pace than we used to and this has led to a tendency for many people to live on a diet of fast food and ready meals. These things are fine as an occasional treat, but if they become the mainstay of your diet then the effects on your skin and on your health will soon become apparent. You may think that eating well takes more time than you can afford but there are plenty of recipe books on the market that show you how to make a nutritious meal in a matter of minutes. It is worth giving more thought to your diet if you want your skin to look its best

Along with a good diet it is also important for you to incorporate regular skincare as part of your normal routine. You should exfoliate your skin on a regular basis. There are plenty of reasonably priced products on the market and they all do much the same job, clearing away the dead skin cells – this leaves your face and neck looking cleaner and brighter.

When you have exfoliated your skin, the next step is to use a good moisturiser. As we get older our skin loses moisture much more quickly than when we were younger. A moisturiser puts some of that back; you should ensure that the moisturiser you use also has SP15 as this helps to protect your skin from the harmful rays of the sun.

OK so you are a man and upon viewing the title your brain starts to think , It’s not my job my Girlfriend or wife will sort that side of the relationship out, Sorry but you are wrong. It would be a very naive way of thinking for a man to jump into bed thinking that he isn’t responsible for the contraception side of things.

Out there it’s a tough world and with sexually transmitted diseases on the up rise it’s vital as a man that you look after your sexual health. If your girlfriend or wife is taking a pill, had an implant and is protected against pregnancy. You need to be aware that pregnancy is not the only thing to protect yourself from. There are many men that think pregnancy is the problem; In the UK today one in 3 sexually active men under 30 will carry a STD and not even now of its existence.

I don’t mean to soon sexist, because it’s the women too! For 1 in 3 men that carry a disease the same figures also apply to women. However as a man you can think about protecting your manhood. There is an ingenious invention called a condom!

Don’t worry about the cost of a packet of condoms it is nothing to the harsh reality of having to go through the embarrassment of getting treated for an STD. If you can’t afford the cost and feel it’s too much then there are family planning clinics that offer free condoms. Most NHS doctors will offer you free family planning and there are centres for young men up until the age of 21 to call in and get free condoms.

These centres are called the brook advisory clinics and there could be one local to you depending which town in England you reside. There has been a lot of talk recently about a new study done into a male contraceptive! – Don’t want to worry you it’s not avalible yet but scientists have discovered new research that by injecting the male hormones into your body it can actually prevent you from producing child bearing sperms.

There is also the possibility of getting a vasectomy. A vasectomy is a small operation made to a man that prevents your sperms from producing the chromosomes that are needed to create a human life.

Most men that go through this process do so as they already are married and have more than one child without wanting any more. This is in most cases is an irreversible process and it’s certainly not a decision to be taken lightly.

The best way to protect yourself from unwanted pregnancies, diseases and embarrassment is to use condoms. They won’t harm you and are less expensive than your life is worth!

Be wise protect your manhood,

Women in the UK are taking contraceptives to stop themselves from getting pregnant, but can it be that there really are no side effects to taking the pills, injections and what not. The medical profession have made such an important and serious issue seem like a child in a candy store choosing sweets. Here in England we have a much laid back approach to sexual health and in many cases trust the words of our doctors without doing any research beforehand.
In England when women visit an NHS clinic they are able to stock up on supplies of pills, have an injection there’s even a contraceptive device that’s inserted in to the uterus to block sperms from being able to fertilise the eggs (the intra uterine device) But just how seriously did the scientist consider side effects of taking the concoctions to prevent pregnancy. Say for instance a woman that was taking the pill to stop getting pregnant became one of the few women that still got pregnant whilst taking the contraceptive, If she falls pregnant whilst continuing to take to pill she will in fact be harming her un born child, she will be faced by the harsh reality of aborting the child or in fact delivering a stillborn, miscarrying and even having a child with birth abnormalities.
With each pill that is popped she will be as a term of speech (destroying the life inside her) There has been research conducted that has proven that the pill form of contraceptive can cause the following side effects in women:
·    headaches
·    tenderness of the breasts
·    nausea
·    slight weight gain
·    Blood spotting in-between periods.
·    heart attacks (coronary thrombosis)
·    strokes
·    Thrombosis (clotting) in the leg veins - possibly leading to a clot in the lung.
Think back to that visit that you took to your local NHS clinic the very moment that your doctor prescribed you with the contraceptive of your choice did you ever consider that you are putting yourself at risk by taking this prescription. Perhaps your doctor explained with you briefly the benefits and the risks of taking the medication but did the warning signs start to ring enough for you to stop and consider is it really worth taking the medication.
Experts in the NHS say that taking the pill can help to prevent breast cancer in women (feeding your child by the will of nature can do this) Experts say that the pill can help to prevent you getting bowel cancer (sorry to inform you but eating a healthy diet of fruit and vegetables is able to do this)
Another benefit that is said to be true of those women that are taking the pill is that they can reduce their risk of cervical cancer. (Sorry to sound negative however having regular smear tests and maintaining that you only sleep with one sexual partner for life will rapidly decrease your chances of getting cervical cancer)

Forms of contraceptives that are available on the NHS in England are as follows
·    The Combined pill(you take daily for 21 days and stop for 7)
·    Condoms
·    Contraceptive implant (40mm)a flexible tube that contains progestogen is inserted to the upper arm area ·    The Contraceptive injection Depo-Provera lasts 12 weeks and the Noristerat lasts 8 weeks
·    The Contraceptive patch sends oestrogen and progestogen into your blood lasts 1 week
·    Diaphragms and caps made of latex silicone inserted to the vagina(each time you have intercourse)
·    Emergency contraception (A pill that can be taken within 72 hours of intercourse)
·    Intrauterine device (IUD) A T-shaped plastic and copper device that’s inserted into the womb lasts 3-10 years
·    Intrauterine system (IUS) T-shaped plastic device lasts for 5 years
·    Natural family planning (working out when your cycle is and when you ovulate)
·    The Progestogen-only pill contains the hormone progestogen is taken daily.
As you can see there are many types of contraceptive devices, pills etc available but could it be that the old fashioned days of having one partner, marriage before sex could be more effective and healthy? The choice is yours
There are many health scares popping up in the UK and a worrying fact is that the contraceptives have been around for a short period of time. Apart from the condom the more recent types started to be introduced from the late 60s and up. Perhaps it could be that in the years to come more risks of taking them will emerge.

Complementary medicine is rapidly becoming very popular and ranges from homeopathy, ayurveda, acupuncture to Chinese herbs. Many doctors are beginning to learn more about the complementary aspect of medicine because they are realizing that half of the people try some kind of complementary medicine before consulting their doctors, which is considered the Western medicine.

Many believe that the strongest character of Western medicine is in its trauma care and therapies for those problems that require urgent care or are considered acute. Complementary medicine is very helpful in the areas of chronic or consistent problems and preventive medicine.

Another difference between Western and Complementary medicine is complementary treats the Yang and the Western treats the Yin.  Everything in the entire world or universe is described in terms of Yin or Yang which is the Chinese philosophy of the Oriental Medicine or Complementary Medicine. The meaning of Yin is the shady side of the hill, which corresponds to the night and less active functions and is the feminine qualities of the universe. The Yang is the sunny side of the hill, which corresponds to the day and more active functions and is the masculine qualities of the universe. When thinking on medicine in general, Western medicine acts upon the Yin of the body, the actual chemicals and cells, and the substance of the body. The Complementary medicine acts upon the energy that makes the cells react. The Western medicine diagnoses and treats the state of the disease on the body itself while the alternative medicine diagnoses and acts upon the energy that makes the disease state.

With the invention of the microscope and discovering the cell, Western medicine has become more materialistic in approaching the human body. If you can’t see it under a microscope, can’t make a chemical equation of it or can’t touch it then it isn’t materialistic or if it isn’t in the physical realm then it isn’t real. In the Oriental or complementary terms, this is Yin.
The complementary medicine acts upon the Yang of the body or the Qi, Chi, energy. The Yin and Yang are always connected and acting upon how the Yin will affect the Yang and how the Yang will affect the Yin. Complementary medicine is a more casual and deeper approach to medicine than Western medicine. The most important difference between these two major medical treatments, Western and Complementary, is the difference between acting upon the body’s energy and acting upon the body’s material.

Western medicine has a tendency to treat the symptoms while complementary medicine treats the cause and complements the western medicines. The Western medical community is beginning to accept some of the complementary medicine treatments and is also offering education in the complementary treatment programs. Therefore, many Western medical practitioners are including these complementary treatments along with their conventional methods because they are becoming more educated and familiar with the use of the complementary medicines. It is very evident that Western and complementary medicines can work together and be used for the good of the patients but the patient has to be sure to check with their physician before combining these to be on the safe side.

A well organised and well stocked first aid kit needs to be in every home, vehicle, and possibly at outdoor activity centres. Having the supplies together ahead of time will help contribute to being able to handle common injuries and minor emergencies. Everyone in the family should know where you store the first aid kit. You can buy first aid kits already stocked with most items your need for minor accidents and emergencies, you can also create your own first aid kit.

Use a container for your first aid kit that is durable, easy to open and lightweight, such as a light weight tackle box or an art supplies box with a handle. A first aid manual and your list of emergency phone numbers should be included in your first aid kit. The family emergency phone numbers needed are home, parents’ work, and cell phones. Then you also need to have a person to contact in case of an emergency and all their phone numbers and what relation they are to you. Be sure to add any family medical conditions that anyone in your family might have. The other emergency phone numbers you need to have are emergency services other than 999, Poison Control Center, your GP surgery and possibly your pharmacist. You should also have the phone number of NHS direct, which is: 0845 4647.

Among the basic supplies needed to be packed in the first aid kit is adhesive tape, aluminum finger splints, antibiotic ointment, antiseptic solution or towelettes.
More of the basic supplies are a roll of elastic wrap, band-aids in assorted sizes, instant cold packs, cotton balls or swabs, disposable gloves, gauze, eye goggles, petroleum jelly or other lubricant. You also need a plastic bag for the disposal of contaminated materials, safety pins of assorted sizes and a save-a-tooth storage device containing salt solution and travel case. Scissors, tweezers, a needle, instant hand sanitizer, sterile eyewash, thermometer, triangular bandage and bulb suction for flushing out wounds are more basic supplies needed for the first aid kit.

Among the medications needed are activated charcoal (only used as instructed by poison control center), anti-diarrhea medication, antihistamine, aspirin, acetaminophen and ibuprofen, calamine lotion, hydrocortisone cream, personal medications, EpiPen (if prescribed by a doctor), syringe, medicine cup or spoon.

The emergency items needed for your first aid kit are a cell phone and accessory plug for your car, flashlight and extra batteries, candles and matches, sunscreen, and mylar emergency blanket.It is recommended to check your first aid kit every three months to make sure the flashlight batteries still work and you will need to replace any items that have expired or have been used.

You are encouraged to also attend first-aid classes so you can be prepared for a medical emergency. Be sure the classes offer cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and how to use an automatic external defibrillator (AED). You will need to renew your CPR certification at least every two years.

Contact your American Red Cross to find classes that will prepare children for medical emergencies. These classes will help the children to understand and use the first aid techniques and kit.

Welcome to the health medical. This blog sets out to bring you information and resouces on health, healthy loving, nutrition, fitness and should you need it information on medicines and other resouces to keep you fit, healthy and active.
We seek to inform you on both Western Medicine and complimentary medicine which some calls alternative medicine. We welcome feedback on our articles, please do get back to us to let us know if you find the information provided useful.

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