Vitamin A Can Be a Lifesaver

A good dose of vitamin A as a life-saving measure is recommended by the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund.

Measles, a deadly viral disease characterized by skin eruptions, can be arrested with heavy doses of vitamin A.
A single dose of 200,000 units of Vitamin A, given upon diagnosis of measles, may spell the difference between life and death especially when the child has not been given measles vaccination.

The dosage for children below one year of age is slightly lower at 100,000 units. Children with obvious signs of vitamin A deficiency are given an even heavier dosage. The recommendation is for the single dose to be repeated the next day.

The occurrence of eruptions in measles patients appears to deplete their vitamin A reserves. Those already suffering from Vitamin A deficiency because of malnutrition run a greater risk of secondary infection; this condition may even threaten the patient’s life.

Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin found especially in animal products such as egg yolk, milk, or fish liver oils. Lack of this vitamin causes the epithelial tissues of the body to become keratinous or horny. If this condition affects the eyes, visual defects occur.

© 2010 Athena Goodlight

The Benefits of Yoga for Menopausal Women

The practice of yoga is beneficial for women who are experiencing menopause.

flickr image by lululemon athletica

The stages of menopause (pre-menopause, menopause, and post-menopause) occur between the ages 40 and 60. During this menopausal stage, hormonal imbalance occurs. Irregular menstruation, hot flashes, night sweats, palpitations, and unusual cravings for sweets and/ or carbohydrates, fatigue, weight gain, depression, mood swings, insomnia, anxiety, joint pain, and back pain may be experienced. An increased rate of heart disease and osteoporosis are what post menopausal women are at risk of.

According to Mariko Fusillo, a yoga therapist, personal trainer, and meditation guide, the practice of yoga is beneficial for women who are experiencing menopause.  It helps in releasing the uncomfortable symptoms and it makes the woman’s body simultaneously become stronger and more flexible.

 

Here are the steps that help alleviate the symptoms of menopause in addition to the other yoga exercises:

Lymphatic Massage – While sitting or standing, place hands on the upper chest and gently make a circle around breastbones and sternum.  Next, place the hands on the lower ribs side to side and make circles.  After belly circles, breathe in and breathe out, into the belly.

Cooling Breath – Extend the tongue and curl it like a tube.  If the tongue doesn’t curl, shape it into a bowl.  Inhale slowly through the tongue, like sipping the nectar from the flower.  Hold the breath for a second and exhale slowly through both nostrils.  Repeat until cool down.

Tips on Breastfeeding an Adopted Infant

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It is possible to breastfeed your adopted newborn even if you have never been pregnant yourself.

Bear in mind, however, that much preparation, experience, and expert consultation is required.  On the month before you expect to receive the baby, consult with a lactation specialist or go to a breastfeeding clinic that has had experience in helping out adoptive mothers to lactate and breastfeed.  You will need a good electric breast pump to prepare your breasts.  You can purchase or rent one.  Every three hours during the day, you should pump your breasts.  Next, begin feeding the newborn right after delivery.  If possible check into the hospital yourself.  Make prior arrangements for this.  It is even better to take the infant home from the hospital as soon as possible if the infant is medically well.
 

The baby must begin feeding at your breast before he or she has a chance to get hooked on a bottle and develop nipple confusion. It is possible that you won’t have milk for several weeks. Because of this, your baby will need a supplemental formula, as prescribed by your lactation specialist. You will be fitted with a supplemental nutrition system composed of a small plastic container that fits into your bra into which formula is poured. A tiny tube comes from the container and rests over your nipple. The baby gets the formula from the tube when the baby sucks from your breast. Most adoptive breastfeeding mothers temporarily dislike the gadgetry at first. This is a normal reaction. Later you gradually notice these gadgets less and your breastfeeding baby more. What’s important is that your baby will be sucking from your breast. This continued sucking will eventually bring your milk in and decrease the amount of supplemental formula needed. Don’t worry about how much milk you will eventually produce because some mothers, at best, produce only about half of their baby’s nutritional needs. The main benefit of breastfeeding an adopted baby is the closeness of the breastfeeding experience and the fact that your baby is stimulating your maternal hormones by sucking.

Copyright © 2011 Athena Goodlight

How to Treat Diaper Rash

Diaper rashes are a normal occurrence when sensitive skin and diapers come in contact especially for several hours. These rashes are caused by the chemical reaction of urine and the mechanical rubbing of diaper material. Bacteria react with the urine to form ammonia, acting as a chemical irritant, when urine stays in the diaper for a time. This causes the pungent odor.

Here are some tips to help lessen the frequency of your baby’s diaper rash:

• Change the baby’s diaper as often and as quickly as possible.
• Try to detect if the diaper is wet or dirty by observing the baby’s reaction or by the odor produced.
• After changing the diaper, rinse his diaper area with water with or without a mild soap and blot dry with a soft cloth.  Don’t use a strong soap or excessively rub the already sensitive skin. 
• Allow your baby’s diaper area to dry awhile before putting on another diaper.  Exposing the baby’s diaper area to air and a bit of sunshine is a good diaper rash preventative. 
• When your baby is asleep, let him lie bare bottom up and place a diaper underneath to catch the urine.
• Avoid tight-fitting, elasticized diapers and rubber pants, which retain moisture and prevent the skin from breathing.  Instead, use waterproof mats to protect bedding.
• Experiment with both cloth and disposable diapers to see which one is most comfortable and least rash-producing for your baby.  If you use disposable diapers, be sure to fold the edges of the diaper down so that the polyethylene lining does not touch and irritate the skin around the belt line.

Diaper rash should be treated early before the skin barrier is broken down and becomes infected. Once you notice the first signs or irritation (reddening of the skin), apply a barrier cream such as zinc oxide. Babies who are teething, have colds, diarrhea, and are under antibiotic treatment are more prone to diaper rashes. If the diaper rash is pustular, raised off the skin, rough, or getting worse, consult the pediatrician for a prescription medication.

Copyright © 2011 Athena Goodlight

How to Make Your Own Oatmeal Facial Treatment

Did you know it's not necessary to spend a lot of money for a great facial, try looking in your kitchen cabinets first. Lots of spas are turning to homeopathic methods of cleansing and invigorating the skin. Why pay someone for an oatmeal facial when you can make one for yourself for a fraction of the cost and without leaving your home? Below are a few recipes you can make at home with the items found in your home.

A tablespoon of oatmeal powder, a single egg white, and a few drops of lemon oil are what you need for this first recipe. Most natural or homeopathic stores carry lemon oil or you can look for it in the organic section of your grocery store. Grind some of the oatmeal you have on hand to make your own oatmeal powder. Make sure it is natural oatmeal and not the heat instantly kind! Because you're using egg in this mixture, it's important to mix the ingredients together thoroughly and completely. Be careful to avoid your eyes as you spread the mixture on your face. Allow mask to dry completely, which should take about twenty minutes. After it's dried, wash off with water and a soft washcloth. This next recipe is great for dry skin. Mix a cup of oatmeal with a ripe banana that has been mashed. This makes a really thick mixture which you can thin with some milk to make a creamy paste. Spread the resulting paste on your face, avoiding the area around your eyes and let sit for around fifteen minutes. After the fifteen minutes, rinse it off with clean water. And now you have wonderfully moisturized skin.

Chop of a tomato-the whole thing, skin, seeds, etc. Add a tablespoon of oatmeal and a teaspoon of lemon juice. Mix until blended into a coarse texture. Now wash your face and rinse clean then pat dry.

Now simply apply this mixture onto face and neck areas avoiding the area around the eyes. Once you've let this sit for a few minutes, around 10 is good, then you can rinse with warm water.

You probably already have all the ingredients needed to make these recipes. Not only will you save money by making your own facials but you will have beautiful skin. If you can get the same results in the comfort of your home, why spend extra money at a spa?

Homemade Hair Care Solutions

The hair is our crowning glory. We can make it look its best even without splurging a lot of money on products and salon treatments. Here are some homemade solutions for hair and scalp care.

Wash off hairspray

To easily remove residue of hair products from hair such as hairspray, gel, wax, etc, just blend a little baking soda with your regular shampoo. You can also try mixing baking soda with water and massage it into your hair before you shampoo. Be careful not to get any baking soda in you eyes.

Beer revives

Revive limp hair without spending a fortune on expensive hair products. Use beer. The residue brought from commercial hair products can leave your hair feeling heavy and lifeless. Beer can get rid of these residues. Flat beer can strip away soapy film on your hair and brings new life and bounce to it. Just mix three tablespoons of flat beer in half a cup of warm water and pour it over your head during your shower, then rinse it off.

For blondes

You can get rid of the greenish tint you sometimes get from chlorine after swimming in pools by using aspirin. Dissolve an aspirin in a cup of water and pour it over your hair from roots to ends. Massage well into hair, then rinse.

Homemade hot oil treatment

Want hot oil treatment on a budget? Just warm up some olive oil and massage it into your hair and scalp, then wrap your head with cling wrap and a warm towel. Wait about 20 minutes, then shampoo and wash hair as usual.

Salt scrub for dandruff

Scrub away dandruff with ordinary table salt. Just shake a tablespoon or two into your hair while dry. Rub the salt through your hair, massaging your scalp, then shampoo and rinse as usual.

To make hair shine

Make your hair shine using apple cider vinegar. Mix a half cup of apple cider vinegar with two cups of warm water, and pour over hair after shampooing and conditioning.




Copyright © 2/17/2010 Athena Goodlight (Healthmad)

Sunshine and Exercise As Natural Treatments for Insomnia

There is a connection between sunshine, exercise and insomnia.Dr. Richard Allen of the John Hopkins Sleep Disorder Center works on the premise that sleep is controlled by the balance within the body of wakefulness and sleep.  Increasing alertness during the day should have a reciprocal effect on sleepiness at night.  Dr. Allen urges insomniacs to spend at least 20 minutes in the sun first thing in the morning.  “Sunlight early in the day advances circadian clocks, making people feel alert earlier,” he points out.

He also recommends daily exercise.  Studies show that 15 to 30 minutes of strenuous exercise, such as walking or stretching, about two hours before bedtime alters what is typically a quiet time for insomniacs.  Patients are expected to get up at the same time every morning no matter how sleepy they are.
“No naps, and don’t even think about doing anything in a horizontal position during the day,” Dr. Allen warns his patients.  If they get drowsy during the day, they are to stand up and move around.  Of 51 patients in a study, 11 dropped out within the first two months, and 39 had been significantly helped by the end of a year –all these with no sleeping pills or even a warm glass of milk.

By Athena Goodlight on December 3rd, 2009 (Healthmad)