Monday, August 27, 2012

New Research Reveals True Cause

What Causes Bad Breath:
Three Leading Factors Did you know:
1. Medications (including allergy medications) cause bad
breath
2. Alcoholic beverages cause bad breath
3. Mouthwash with alcohol causes bad breath
4. Smoking causes bad breath
5. Dry mouth causes bad breath
The fact is that everyday common over-the-counter hygiene
products, beverages an medications can be the "mysterious"
cause of your bad breath! Medications and alcohol dry out
the mouth, creating less saliva which leads to less oxygen
in the mouth. This combination creates the perfect breeding
ground for the Anaerobic Sulfur-Producing Bacteria that
cause bad breath. In short simple terms, oral bacteria
cause bad breath. Think of your breath in the morning,
probably not top-notch. At night your mouth is at rest and
drier than in waking hours, so bacteria grow. Upon waking
you're greeted with "morning breath." Likewise, when you
are sick and congested, possibly breathing out of your
mouth, you probably noticed your breath smells. This is
caused by dry mouth which creates bacteria which causes bad
breath.
How do I Avoid the Bacteria That Causes Bad Breath?
Bad breath is caused by excessive bacteria in the mouth.
Scientific study and clinical research on bacteria has
helped experts discover why bacteria causes bad breath and
how to best eliminate it. Surprisingly, those commercials
and ads that tell us to pop a mint or use a mouth wash to
deal with bad breath are always accurate. In fact many of
the mints and washes people use to combat bad breath,
actually cause bad breath or make it worse. How so? The
bacteria that cause bad breath live and breed beneath the
tongue's surface, on the tonsils and in the throat, not on
the surface where it can be scraped or brushed off or
dissolved with a wash or mint. Instead of getting rid of
bad breath, many of these products contain alcohol which
dries out the mouth creating a more favorable environment
for these odorous bacteria to grow.
Does Food Cause Bad Breath?
You bet your garlic breadsticks they do. Certain foods like
garlic and onions can cause bad breath because they contain
the same compounds, previously discussed, that create bad
breath. If you regularly consume these foods, it can create
higher amounts of bacteria and lead to halitosis. The catch
is that the Anaerobic Sulfur-Producing Bacteria that can
cause bad breath are in everyone's mouth, because they are
needed to assist in breaking down proteins in certain
foods. Researchers are still searching for a reason why
some people are prone to develop more of the beneficial
bacteria, which in bulk are no longer beneficial because
they cause bad breath.
The Secret to Getting Rid of Bad Breath (halitosis) is....
To truly eliminate the cause of bad breath you must eliminate the odorous bacteria by converting them to non-odorous volatile sulfur compounds. Okay, sounds complicated, right? In other words, make sure you are using the right type of bad breath eliminator to do the job for you. This cannot be done with mouthwashes or mints. These give your mouth a strong taste, which then leads you to believe if your mouth tastes "medicated" or minty, then your breath must smell good.

Monday, August 20, 2012

Dental Coverage Now Saves Big Money Later

Simply put, if you don't go to the dentist regularly now, you will later, and it will cost you thousands of dollars more.
Many families end up forking out over $8,000 for dental procedures and repairs in later years.
This is because they couldn't afford regular, twice a year dental check-ups in the early years
of their marriages and families.
I have always known going to the dentist mattered more than whether I had dental coverage
or not. Yet if ever there was a person with a good excuse not go to the dentist regularly, it
was me.
At the age of 8, my dentist was having trouble freezing my mouth. After 45 minutes without
success, he drilled into my cheek.
Later that week, my mother sat me down and told me that this particular dentist had snapped,
killing his ex wife, her boyfriend and himself.
No kidding, I thought at the time. That memory still sends shivers down my back, even nearly
30 years later.
Yet despite this, I have always made myself go to the dentist. That has been particularly true
for the last 12 years as a parent of two girls.
Dental Associations recommend that you have a dental cleaning and check-up every six
months. Without dental coverage, regular dental visits will cost about $100 to $140 a year
for two visits. Brushing is vital, as is flossing. Children are supposed to floss daily.
Earlier on, I waited too long to go to the dentist about two problem teeth. By the time they
were looked at, I was facing a $1,000 bill for root canals if I wanted them saved. There was
no way I could afford that, so I had the teeth pulled.
For that same amount of money, $100 per month, I could have provided my family nine years
of dental coverage.
Dental coverage options today include dental insurance, offered as part of company benefits
packages through employers.
For many, many people though, this is not an available option due to growing unemployment, downsizing, or reduced company benefits.
As a result, people have started looking online to explore their dental benefit options.
The most popular question being asked is what is the difference between Dental Insurance
and Discount Dental Plans.
Dental insurance is utilized by large groups and businesses to cover their employee's dental
care. Monthly premiums are paid for defined coverage. Premiums for dental insurance may be
as much as $30 per month for individuals and over $100 per month for family plans.
Dental insurance is not readily accessible to individuals and families. There are annual spending maximums, deductibles, waiting periods for certain procedures, and limitations and exclusions
on care. Dental coverage will include the cost of preventive services (such as cleanings and
exams) at 100% after deductibles are met.
For millions of North Americans, discount dental plans are an ideal form of dental coverage
when benefits are not available through their work. The plans are designed to provide
consumers access to dental networks at reduced rates.
The big plus is the plans are affordable to join and are the most widely available dental programs
for individuals and families.
The plans work differently than insurance but offer real and substantive cost savings on
dental procedures. Dental coverage includes secured discounts on most dental services, such
as dental exams, routine cleanings, fillings, extractions, root canals, dentures, crowns, and
braces.
Most discount dental plans provide a fee schedule with the discounted fees listed out in the
membership materials.
In some cases, dental insurance and discount dental plans can be used together in certain
situations to maximize savings.
For years, my wife and I used dental plans. In recent years, we now both have dental
insurance through our employers.
While the type and level of our dental coverage has varied through the years, we have always
made ongoing dental health a priority.

Monday, August 13, 2012

Hows of ADD/ADHD in Children

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD or ADHD) is one of the most common neurobehavioral disorders of childhood and unfortunately most of its causes are unknown. It can persist through adolescence and into adulthood. According to the estimation of American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-IV (DSM-IV-TR) 3%-7% of children suffer from ADHD. Some studies have estimated higher rates in community samples. Surprisingly, this dis-ease is diagnosed approximately three times more often in boys than in girls.
ADHD is a diagnosis applied to children and adults who consistently display certain characteristic behaviors over a period of time. The most common core features include:
· Distractibility (less concentration and poor sustained attention to tasks)
· Impulsivity (impaired impulse control and delay of gratification)
· Hyperactivity (excessive activity and physical restlessness)
ADHD does not often come alone and there are many other conditions that are commonly associated with ADHD like depression, bipolar disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorders and learning disabilities. These are just some of the conditions that can appear with ADHD. Some studies have indicated that between 50% and 70% of individuals with ADHD also have some other conditions.
Early diagnosis and treatment can often times prevent problems later. According to studies, anywhere from 24% to 30% of patients with ADHD also suffer from depression. In the past it was thought that depression might have been the result of constant failures due to ADHD symptoms. Therefore, if ADHD was successfully treated, the depression should disappear. Based on this assumption, ADHD was considered to be the primary diagnosis and the depression was ignored. However, a study by the Pediatric Pharmacology Department at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston indicated that depression and ADHD are separate and both should be treated one after the other or sometimes simultaneously (depending upon the individual case).
Clinical experience has shown that the most effective treatment for ADHD is a combination of medication (when necessary), therapy or counseling to learn coping skills and adaptive behaviors, and ADD coaching for adults.
Indeed, diagnosis can be very difficult. Stimulant medications, commonly used to treat ADHD, can sometimes cause side effects that mimic depressive symptoms. These medications can also increase symptoms of depression and bipolar disorders, making it hard to distinquish what are the true symptoms and which are caused from medication. Many physicians will, therefore, treat the depression first, and, once that has been controlled will begin to treat ADHD.
So in that case pepression becomes the “primary” diagnosis and ADHD becomes the “secondary” diagnosis. Other physicians will argue that treatment must be simultaneous, with treatment occurring at the same time. Arguments for this method of treatment say that in order to have either condition under control, both must be under control.
We should also understand that medication is often used to help normalize brain activity, as prescribed by a physician. Stimulant medications, like Ritalin, Dexedrine and Adderall are commonly used because they have been shown to be most effective for most people with ADHD. However, many other medications may also be used at the discretion of the physician.
Not just the medication, but behavior therapy and cognitive therapy are also often helpful to modify certain behaviors and to deal with the emotional effects of ADHD. Many adults also benefit from working with an ADHD coach to help manage problem behaviors and develop coping skills, such as improving organizational skills and improving productivity. Moreover, the role of parents cannot be underestimated in either case.
As it is one of the most common and deadly diseases, so it is recognized as a disability under federal legislation (the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; the Americans With Disabilities Act; and the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act). Appropriate and reasonable accommodations are sometimes made at school for children with ADHD, and in the workplace for adults with ADHD, which help the individual to work more efficiently and productively. The idea is to make them feel comfortable as they are already challenged as a human being we should help and respect them.
It is also believed that psychology does nothing to treat or even to address the real ADHD symptoms. Usually psychologist and counselor help you and your child live with and accept the condition. So everybody, including the doctors, agree that the current state-of-the-art treatment for ADHD does nothing really to treat the actual disorder. Some experts recommend that all individuals receiving a diagnosis of ADHD should also have a complete and thorough psychological evaluation to determine the presence (or absence) of any co-existing disorders. Once this has been completed, a treatment team, sometimes consisting of family physician, psychologist and psychiatrist, can work together to create a treatment plan geared specifically for that individual.

Monday, August 6, 2012

Five Ways to Fit Fitness Into Your Life

Everyone is pressed for time these days. It does not have to mean that
fitness can't be a part of your life. In as little as 10 minutes a day, you can
begin to make positive changes to your body.
People often have an all or nothing idea about exercise. They feel that if
they can't fit in an hour of exercise that they will do nothing instead.
Successful exercisers make fitness an important part of their lives. Try
scheduling your time to exercise like you would any other appointment.
If you are struggling to fit exercise into your day, try these fitness tips:
1. Tackle one body part per day and perform as many reps as it takes to
reach failure. Or set a rep goal for yourself and do as many sets as it
takes to reach your goal.
2. Exercise while you watch TV. (Don't just sit there, DO something.)
Why not do some crunches, or leg extensions while watching the tube?
How about some lunges? Anything yo can do in a gym sitting down, you
can do at home sitting down in front of the tube.
3. Superset your workouts. Put two exercises together and perform them
one after another with no rest in between. You can either do a mixed
superset of an upper and lower move combined, or you can choose two
opposing muscle groups like chest and back.
4. Combine 2 moves into 1. Any time you perform a lower body exercise
and your arms are not involved you miss out on a time-saving
opportunity.
Try performing a lunge with a curl, or lateral raise. Or a squat with on
overhead press.
You could create an entire workout around this concept and divide up
your body parts and exercises so that you keeps things fresh.
5. Circuit training. Select a number of exercises for your entire body and
perform them as a circuit with little or no rest in between. Repeat as time
allows for 2-3 circuits.
People will always find excuses to not exercise. These tips show you
how to fit exercise into the busiest of schedules and get the benefits of
regular exercise.
It's not about finding the time to exercise, it's about MAKING the time to
exercise. No matter how busy you are. It's always better to do something
than nothing.
The information contained in this article is strictly for informational
purposes and is not intended to provide medical advice. If you are
sedentary or over 40 please get clearance from a doctor before starting
an exercise program.
You have permission to publish this article electronically, without
changes of any kind, free of charge, as long as the bylines are included,
and remain working hyperlinks. Please send a copy of the URL where
you have posted this article.