Natural Health Remedies at Home – Treating Heat Rash

Author: Robert D. Williams
Source: ezinearticles.com

Heat rash also called ‘prickly heat’ is something most of us have experienced in our life time. It is caused by sweat that cannot escape and evaporate due to tight clothes, synthetic fabrics or skin rubbing against skin in people who are overweight.

What happens next is the skin swells, blocking the pores allowing sweat to leak back into the skin, which rapidly develops into a bumpy red rash. These bumps then burst as the body tries to purge the trapped sweat, often resulting in a stinging sensation. Hence the name ‘prickly’ heat.

This article will give you some proven ways to help prevent heat rash along with some natural remedies for soothing and healing heat rash quickly.

Preventing Heat Rash

If you live in or visit a hot, humid climate then heat rash will be something you will need to manage on a day to day basis. During the hottest time of the day, try and keep cool by staying indoors where air conditioning or fans are keeping the temperature regulated.

Also, where possible try and wear loose fitting clothes made from natural fibers such as cotton. The loose fit will allow for air flow keeping you dryer, and natural fibers are breathable materials so they allow heat to escape. Synthetic fibers such as polyester and microfiber on the other hand are synthetic fibers which trap the heat in. They are great for keeping warm in winter but definitely not appropriate if you want to keep cool in summer.

If you are overweight, then you might like to lose a few pounds as when you carry more weight you tend to heat up and sweat more, making you more susceptible to heat rash. This is especially so around the inner thigh area which often rub together in overweight people.

If you feel yourself heating up and starting to sweat, if possible go and have a cool (not cold) shower. Cold water tends to constrict the blood vessels, which is the body’s survival mechanism to conserve heat. Then after your shower, put on some fresh clothes. Remember natural fibers are always best.

Natural Heat Rash Treatment

Last year I took my partner and my 1 year old son over to Vanuatu for a few months. It is very hot and humid over there and my son suffered with it initially and broke out in a nasty heat rash that covered his entire little body.

Knowing exactly what to do we switched him over to cloth (cotton) nappies. In fact, from that point onwards we only dressed him in cotton.

We then gave him regular cool showers throughout the day, allowed him to air dry and then applied aloe vera all over him. His skin absorbed this quickly and it was amazing how much it seemed to cool his skin down after applying it.

We then covered him in cornflour (which is very fine and a lot like talc), which seemed a little strange at first but it actually was very effective in absorbing his sweat and keeping him dry. We did this for 3 days straight and low and behold his rash completely disappeared. There was no sign of it whatsoever. We were actually quite amazed because his heat rash was very severe.

From that point onwards we made the ‘cornflour covering’ a morning ritual and were conscious about him keeping cool during the hottest times of day. He made it through the entire Vanuatu summer without getting heat rash again, so this treatment really works and we have recommended it to many people since who now also swear by it. I am confident it will work for you too.

Robert D. Williams is a natural health remedies enthusiast and writes numerous articles on the topic. He also likes to write on a wide range of other niche topics, and has a best bath towels website that reviews all the latest styles, colors and textures including striped bath towels.

How to Improve Your Vision

Author: Stewart Goh
Source: ezinearticles.com

Every morning, take a bilberry supplement. They contain anthocyanosides that can help protect the retina against macular degeneration. Bilberry supplements can be easily purchased in pharmacies.

Instead of using yellow onions, cook with red onions instead. Red onions have more of the antioxidant, quercetin that is thought to protect against cataracts.

Wear goggles when swimming or doing home improvements. They protect you from the chlorine and debris from causing abrasions on your cornea.

Fishes are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids that can reduce the risk of dry eye syndrome. If you don’t like the fishy taste, try fish-oil supplements. Eat fish at least twice a week.

Eat spinach twice a week regardless of whether it is steamed, sauteed or maybe in a quiche. Have it regularly, regardless of how you have it. Lutein (which is very abundant in spinach) prevents age related macular degeneration and cataracts.

When you wear eye makeup, make sure you remove the eye makeup every night. This can prevent pieces of the makeup from getting in your eyes and causing cut your cornea. Also, change your eye makeup once a year. They are a great place to breed bacteria so you are likely to get eye infections.

Conjunctivitis or pinkeye is highly contagious if you share face towels and washers with anyone. So, make sure you use fresh towels when you wipe your face.

Air conditioning dries out the air, so turn down the AC to prevent drying out your eyes. Also, to keep the air moist, keep a lot of plants in the room you spend the most time in. When in your car, aim the car vents down at you feet. Corneal abrasion and blindness can be caused by severe dryness.

Having muscle tension headache problem? Check it out at tension headache symptoms for more information tips.

How to Spot the Warning Signs of Mold

Author: Linda Liu
Source: ezinearticles.com

Mold problems can be either very obvious or very sneaky and hidden. Signs of when you need a mold inspector are easy to spot when you are well informed. Spotting problems in their early stages and calling in a mold inspector can save you literally thousands of dollars in repairs that could have been prevented. Find out how to spot the warning signs of mold so you know when to get a mold inspector.

Is Your House Excessively Humid? A relative humidity level greater than 55% promotes mold growth. Use a humidifier with relative humidity controls. If you suspect your humidity levels are high than use a de-humidifier. Outdoor ventilation from appliances such as bathroom fans, dryer, and kitchen exhaust is optimal in reducing humidity levels. In addition, try to limit wet materials in the house such as indoor clotheslines and ensure that gutters are not blocked where moisture can be trapped. Check Your Basements or crawl spaces- these areas have higher humidity than the rest of the house and are often neglected areas.

Take notice of any water intrusion and look for signs of mold around those areas. Water and pipe leaks and flooding particularly when they lead to dampness for long periods of time are potential invitations for mold and other fungi growth. A roof that leaks or a basement flood may be detected by stains on the basement walls, attic ceilings or the ceiling on the top floor.

You will be looking for the following on each inspection; stains on the window sill or window case, fogged up windows, stains that appear yellowish on the ceilings, roof line or the roof eaves, stained stucco, stains behind wallpaper or faded wallpaper. Excessive moisture in the air can cause dry wall to bow out, the nail heads to rust through and the paint to being to peel off. Peeling or cracked paint is an excellent place for mold to grow inside the wall. Pull up a corner of the carpet and look for any stains there. Check the dust in the Heating Ventilating Air Conditioning (HVAC)return air vents and check for stains in grout. If you see any suspicious areas, call your mold inspector.

Mildew and odors that are musty smelling can be evident when the HVAC system is operating.

Take notice of greater incidence of allergies or respiratory illnesses by residents which appears to be associated with being in the house. Those who suffer from allergies or have a history of respiratory problems are especially sensitive to mold. Also be aware of signs of toxic poisoning. Toxic poisoning happens with fungi that produces Volatile Organic Compounds like black mold. It can cause headaches, dizziness, difficulty in concentrating and a short attention span.

The bottom line is if you spot any of these kinds of problems, smell anything unusual or have any concerns, the cheapest solution is to get an inspection done by a qualified mold inspector as quick as possible. This could save you thousands in the long run.

Linda Liu is a managing partner at Best Biddy Corporation an Online Home Service Marketplace where professionals bid competitively for consumer at-home service needs: http://www.bestbiddy.com

Asthma and Allergies – Hidden Mold Can Affect Your Asthma Or Allergies

Author: Art Emiss
Source: ezinearticles.com

We received a phone call from a homeowner who was concerned about mold in the bathroom ceiling. My first question to him was: Is there a roof leak that you are not aware of? He told me that a roofer had checked it out and said there was no roof leak. We made an appointment to do an Environmental Inspection of his home. Advised him not to change anything about the home until we got there to do the inspection.

No Moisture, No Mold is our motto concerning mold. During the inspection of the home, it was discovered that there was a slow roof leak that the roofer did not find. This is a common problem we find with roofers because they do not go to the area in the attic to check it out. This location was in the corner with minimal clearance, so the roofer did not go there. Well, the homeowner called another Roofing Company because they felt the previous Roofing Company was incompetent. In the current financial climate, it is important to do the best job possible. This is a prime example of what happens when you do poor quality work, the Roofing Company lost out on valuable work.

Now lets get to the another case of hidden mold. This is one example of hidden mold in a Home: The owner of the Home is complaining about getting ill with allergies after a water leak. This often occurs if the flooded area is not properly died up.The water was cleaned up in the A/C Closet within 72 hours which is generally sufficient to prevent microbial growth. No Moisture, No Mold. There was no visible microbial growth anywhere but the client was complaining about getting ill in the home.

The next question you are going to ask is if “No Moisture, No Mold” why is there a problem in this house. The first thing we did was take microbial air samples inside the 3 walls of the Air Conditioning Closet. We sent them to the Microbial Lab for analysis. The samples came back positive for Chaetomium and Staphybotris Mold in the walls. The next phase of the investigation requires an invasive investigation with a licensed Microbial Remediation who is properly trained.

During the second phase, it was discovered that there was an old water leak that was never cleaned up properly. This is common especially when the previous homeowner tries to hide existing water damage during a sale. This is why it is important to have your home properly investigated when you are buying an older home. The cost of the remediation to the homeowner was an approximately $950 plus clearance testing costs, which should have been paid by the previous homeowner. Guess, we live and learn the hard way.

In conclusion, roof leaks need to be investigated by a competent Roofing Contractor who checks it out in the attic if accessible. Most mold cases are clear cut and do not need an extensive Microbial Investigation. Just because you do not see mold, doesn’t mean there is not a problem. It can be hidden inside the walls. If you suspect mold, call in an experienced Professional Mold Investigator who has credentials from a valid organization such as the Indoor Air Quality Association. If you are under a Doctors care, always consult with them first before taking any advice concerning Asthma and Allergies from Microbial Growth.

If you have any questions, feel free to call us or visit our website.

To learn more about your home, visit our website at http://www.safe-homes.com or http://www.air-testing.com

Mr. Art Emiss is available as a professional speaker to help educate your community or group function on Asthma, Allergies, Mold, Indoor Air Quality and the Chemically Injured. Visit our website and sign up for our Free Air Conditioning Filter Change Reminder Service.

How to Treat with Chapped Lips

Author: Milly
Source: articlesbase.com

Chapped lips happen because our lips lacked the oil glands to manufacture melanin, unlike other parts of our skin. Thus, our lips become vulnerable to chapping when under constant exposure to intense sun rays or freezing cold weather.The truth is you do not really have to suffer with this irritating lip problem. Just try out these soothing tips and you can be sure your lips will be softer and smoother in no time.Chapped lips (cheilitis) are lips that seem dry, scaly, and may have one or more little cracks (fissures). Chronic chapped lips can be caused from nutritional deficiencies and dehydration, or over exposure to sun or cold and breezy conditions. It may be caused by the drying up of moisture. Cinnamon flavoring can yield lip chapping. This flavoring is generally used in gum, candy, and mouthwash. Many other lip care products are valued noting when it comes to narrowing in on allergic reactions. Lipsticks holding the ingredient propyl gallate can also result in a contact allergy.Chapped lips is a condition whereby the lips become dry and possibly cracked. Chapped lips can be painful, embarrassing, and uncomfortable. Chapped lips are most often caused by being in overly windy, sunny, or dry conditions. Chapped lips can have several causes, including dry weather, overexposure to the sun, lip biting and sucking, riboflavin (vitamin B-2) deficiencies and ill-fitting dentures. Most people get chapped lips from time to time. Dry, cracked or sore lips can interfere with many daily activities, such as smiling, kissing, eating and talking. Signs and Symptoms of Chapped Lips is dryness ,redness ,tenderness and sensitivity ,cracking, splitting, or peeling and pain. People may experience dry, chapped lips for a variety of reasons, including dehydration, constant exposure to the elements, and even allergic reactions to food or medications. Some people may even have a vitamin deficiency that causes the lips to become chapped. Other times, our very own behavior may be the culprit. One of the worst habits that can cause chapping is constantly licking your lips. To combat chapped lips, many people are prepared by always having a tube of lip balm with them at all times. In addition to applying creams or balms, one of the most important things to remember is to stay hydrated.Commonly found among people living under dry and humid weather condition or staying long hours in centrally heated or air-conditioned room. Those who suck or lick habitually on their lips are at risk too. According to Dr. Elsenberg of University of Connecticut Health Center,the over-wetting with saliva of the outer lips due to chronic lip licking can actually lead to harmful dryness or even infection of the lips, with peeling, cracking and discomfort. Chapped lips are exposed to the risk of sunburn too.Honey has antibacterial attributes which can help treat and soft chapped lips. Sun exposure causes to chapped lips so avoid exposure to sun rays. Before going to outside, continue apply coat of lip balm that involve sun block. Lip balm can frequent supply temporary relaxation, though it should not be used thorough. Avoid caffeine ,smoking and alcohol which are large tissue dehydrators. Avoid phenol and camphor which are frequent create in lip balms. Phenol is a big anesthetic and camphor adds a cooling, tingling sensation which in the small term may bring temporary alleviate but could irritate already sensitive lip tissues.

Visit for more useful information Tips on, Uses of Basil and Causes and Prevention of Bunion

What is an Allergy?

Author: Uma A Ilango
Source: ezinearticles.com

An allergy is such a common occurrence today that people talk about it openly in conversation with strangers. Most people have them, so asking if someone has a pet or if certain foods contain ingredients that won´t agree is easy to do. When a person´s body reacts abnormally to substances that are typically harmless, it is considered an allergy. When a person is not a sufferer, they have no reaction to that substance, but for a sufferer, their body reacts by creating chemicals that can be harmful to the body as a warning that something is wrong. Medications can cause side effects with similar symptoms, so a person may not be a sufferer in some situations.

Individuals suffer from reactions because the body releases leukotrienes and histamine, two chemicals released from mast cells and basophils that are aggravated by allergens. Often, a person´s immune system can be exposed to substances early, which helps to create IgE or antibodies that protect a person from symptoms. This process is called “sensitization” and allows a person´s immune system to produce antibodies that prevent reactions. If a person is not exposed until later in life, they develop an allergy to those substances. The type of symptoms vary depending upon the irritant and the exposure to that irritant. As an example, a symptoms of food reactions can be swelling of the tongue, throat and face, while a pollen reactions can be watery and itchy eyes and sneezing.

Allergies are more common in young adults and children, and can be shared through families. It is believed that families share allergies because the human body may have developed a reaction to foods to avoid parasites or other harmful factors that a food might produce, but over time, those factors have disappeared, and reactions continue to occur in those families although those harmful factors no longer exist. It is currently a mystery why some people develop them and others do not.

Sufferers can live comfortably by taking precautions to ensure that allergens are low or non-existent. Monitoring foods, pollen and mold counts, steering clear of pet dander and making sure their home has the proper air filters, air conditioning, and other clean air necessities are only a few ways to protect themselves from attacks. Reactions can also be curbed by being aware of the environment and the surroundings that are occupied – most attacks can be avoided by taking extra precautions and by asking individuals if those reactives are present.

Uma Ilango is a programmer from profession. Has lots of interest in non-technical writing too. She has written articles in several topics. Her hobbies include reading, surfing, writing and playing chess. She writes regularly at Bigarticlepool.com.Bigarticlepool.com is a source of expert content in the form of short, informative and educational or entertaining articles. We provide experts in hundreds of different niches from around the world. Thousands of new articles are added every month.

What Everyone Should Know About Their Skin

Author: Suzie A Bell
Source: ezinearticles.com

Skin Types
There are four basic skin types; these are Normal, Dry, Oily and Sensitive. You can also get a combination skin type which can be a variety of two or more of the four basic types.

NORMAL SKIN
If you have a normal skin type your skin will have an even color and smooth texture. Generally your skin will look and feel healthy. Your pores will be of average size and you will produce the correct amount of oil. Despite having healthy skin you should adopt a basic routine of cleansing the skin with a facial wash, toning with a gentle toner and moisturising with a medium weight moisturizer. It is also important to remember that the key to maintaining a healthy skin is to always wear sun protection.

DRY SKIN
A dry skin type will look slightly dull and will have a rough or grainy texture to it. You will have small pores and your skin will not produce enough oil causing it to feel tight at times. For a dry skin you should use a creamy cleanser and once again use a gentle toner followed by a heavier moisturizing cream. A dry skin type will age much quicker and sun protection is therefore vital as the sun will increase the speed at which collagen will breakdown.

OILY SKIN
Oily skin can sometimes have a sallow appearance and you will often notice a shine on the
T-zone. You will have larger pores and may be prone to congestion and breakouts. You should cleanse your skin with an anti bacterial wash or a clay based cleanser to help absorb excess oil, don’t be tempted to use an alcohol based toner as this could potentially strip your skin and cause dehydration, thus causing your skin to produce more oil as it will try to treat the dehydration itself. You should use a light moisturizer and an oil free sun block to protect your skin during the day.

SENSITIVE SKIN
Sensitive skin will have a tendency to redness, will burn easily in the sun and will often feel irritated and sore at times. It may react quickly to products. A sensitive skin needs to be treated very carefully. You should be using a gentle and calming cleanser that can be removed either with water of cotton pads, toning should be done with a soothing toner that will help your skin form a protective barrier. Try moisturizing your skin with a highly specialized moisturizer that will not irritate and always use a chemical free sun block for daytime protection.

Acne is also regarded as a skin type but is extremely difficult to treat. If you have acne regardless of whether you are taking medication or not you should certainly obtain guidance from a skin therapist.

try they will also tell you the types of products you should be buying for your skin. Visiting a professional is the only way to get a personally prescribed home care routine and this is essential if you want your skin to function at its optimum health.

The sun is responsible for a litany of skin issues, and more importantly skin cancer. Scientific studies have shown that repeated ultraviolet exposure breaks down collagen, impairs the skin’s ability to repair itself, and attacks our elastin. In fact, 90% of premature aging is caused by ultraviolet rays from the sun. The damage caused by these damaging rays can be seen through deep wrinkles, age spots (hyper pigmentation), spider veins, a rough, blotchy complexion and the dreaded ‘leathery’ look!

Lack of sleep / stress
Skin is the first place to be effected by lack of sleep – the immediate effects of exhaustion are represented through dark circles under the eyes and sagging skin.

Stress is inevitable – just like aging! But it also contributes to premature aging. Often when we are stressed we furrow our brow, place our hands on our faces and pull it in every which way and direction and twist our faces around, performing repetitive movements that impart permanent damage.

Exposure to the elements
Cold winds and low temperatures can dry out skin, depriving it of balanced levels of sebum (oil) that keeps skin lubricated. Without these oils, skin becomes dry, and is more prone to premature aging because of the lack of protective oils. This goes for forced air heating as well such as air conditioning. Warm and dry air acts like a giant sponge, soaking up moisture from everything it touches, including your skin.

Lack of exercise / poor diet
Lack of exercise can contribute to prematurely aging skin, as exercise keeps muscles toned and stimulates blood flow. A poor diet leads to a lack of nutrition for the cells and possible exposure to chemicals and preservatives. Fried and burnt food can also cause oxidation (free radicals from vitamins help counteract oxidation), leading to weaker cell structure.

Smoking
Smokers are more likely than non-smokers to develop wrinkled, leathery skin, as well as a yellowish hue in their complexions. And even if you are not a smoker, being around a smoker can still cause damage to your skin.

Ways to improve your skin …now!

Exfoliation
Exfoliation will help to remove dulling skin cells from the skin’s surface while improving penetration of beneficial ingredients. There are many different types of exfoliant available but the most effective form for reducing the appearance of the signs of aging is an alpha hydroxy acid based exfoliant. With this type of exfoliant you apply it as you would a masque, leave it on your skin for approximately 10 minutes and then remove. An alpha hydroxy acid based exfoliant will dissolve the inter-cellular glue that holds your skin cells together, thus loosening dead skin cells and removing them. Using this type of exfoliant reduces the amount of stimulation on your skin, as you don’t need to rub it over your skin as you would if you were to use a scrub based exfoliant.

Topically-applied vitamins
It has been scientifically proven that topically-applied vitamins do improve the health of the skin. Vitamin A helps inhibit collagen breakdown while stimulating collagen production, vitamin B aids in wound healing, vitamin C is an antioxidant that inhibits melanin, and vitamin E is an antioxidant that provides a barrier protection while smoothing the skin. An excellent product to try is Dermalogica’s Multivitamin Power Concentrate, which will give you a daily dose of all the vitamins that your skin needs.

Professional Products
The majority of professional products can only be bought from qualified beauty or skin therapists, and are usually only sold in spa’s, salon’s or skin care centers. These products contain up to 75% active ingredients, significantly more than the other two categories. These products may also be less well known than branded products despite being much more effective. The reason for this is that they rely on word of mouth and media attention for their advertising. Professional products are results orientated and their reputation rests on this. Dermalogica products are examples of professional products.

Finally…
It is also imperative to recognize that the success of your skin treatments will be heavily influenced by your professionally prescribed at-home regimen and the wearing of sunscreen anytime the skin is exposed to daylight. Also important is proper home care skin products and techniques. Do not use hot water when cleansing, don’t use excessive or abrasive movements (instead, go for gentle, upward circles), keep your surrounding temperature as moderate as possible, and stay away from products that contain artificial fragrances or colours. In addition, ask your skin therapist about products containing peptides. Peptides act as cellular messengers that regulate cell repair while stimulating collagen production. Peptides also help improve skin elasticity and tone while fighting the appearance of fine lines.

With the correct home care routine and small lifestyle changes you certainly can make a huge difference to premature aging, dryness or any other skin concern you may have and it is never too late to start making changes. If you require more information, or to receive a full and personally prescribed home care routine don’t hesitate to speak to your skin care therapist.

Any further question on your skin can be answered via our ”online therapist”

Here you will find expert knowledge on dermalogica products (leading professional skin care brand) and an online form whereby you can find out your skin type and what dermalogica products can be prescribed for you. You will also find great savings and free initial order dermalogica gifts to help start you dermalogica homecare routine, and then you will be well on your way to optimum functioning skin.

http://www.senses-skincare.com for expert skin knowledge and information about starting your intelligent investment into your future skin with dermalogica products

How to Green Your Workout

Author: Jini Cicero
Source: ezinearticles.com

What exactly, is meant by “greening” a workout? In today’s eco-conscious society, there is a way to “green” almost anything, to make it more environmentally friendly. Eco-conscious products and practices go hand-in-hand with organic products which not only protect the environment, but they contribute to protecting our health too. Here are some ways to “go green” with your workout:

Begin by taking it out of the gym (conserving energy normally used to run cardio equipment, air-conditioning, lights, showers, etc.) and take it into the outdoors where the air is fresh, and the earth is……uneven? That’s right. Working out in a gym is a controlled environment. Outside, our bodies are continually challenged by inclines, declines, obstacles, and wind resistance. These “unpredictable” variables put more emphasis on strengthening the core while developing more of the smaller, stabilizing muscles that support and give structure to joints like ankles and knees. Moving your workout outdoors puts a greater emphasis on body resistance exercises. Many of these exercises typically done in the gym can be easily adapted to an outdoor setting. With just a little creativity, things like push-ups, lunges, step-ups, standing abdominal work, and more, can all be done with what’s available outside. One of the bests benefits of all? Communing with nature. It’s simply one of the best de-stressing strategies there is. And just think of all the vitamin D you’re getting!

If all that exercise is making you a bit thirsty, try bringing along a stainless steel water bottle. You eliminate the use of a plastic bottle (that’s one less plastic bottle in the landfill) and you save your body from the potentially dangerous chemicals that leach into the water you’re drinking when those plastic bottles get heated up. And speaking of dangerous chemicals……particle-blocker based sunscreens (Solar Rx makes a good one) are a great way to get broad-spectrum sun protection without the dangerous chemicals that your skin absorbs when using chemical-blocker based sunscreens. Scientists have found that many such chemicals in our air and water supplies are contributing to a bleaching effect of the world’s coral reefs. Hungry? Take along the perfect snack. A nutritious, organic apple has a biodegradable core instead of that plastic wrapper that most protein bars come in (and they’re far better for you too). There are many more products that offer a benefit to both you and the environment. Bamboo clothing is one of the softest, most comfortable fabrics you’ll ever put on. And it’s rapidly renewable because-it’s a weed! It has the same thermal properties as silk so it keeps you warm in the winter, and cool in the summer.

So go green! Your body and your planet will thank you!

Learn how to get, be, and stay inspired RIGHT NOW! Go to http://www.jinifit.com and SIGN up for my FREE ezine THE MOTIVATOR and receive the FREE report 13 Effective Ways to Boost Your Energy. Visit my site and return as often as you can to maximize the potential you’ve always had!

Do the Benefits of Drinking Water Include Weight Loss?

Author: Kirsten Whittaker
Source: ezinearticles.com

Water… it’s an essential nutrient and the most common substance in the body. Water does many things for us… helps to regulate body temperature, assists in digestion and excretion. But are we drinking enough and do the benefits of drinking water include weight loss?

We’ve all heard, time and time again, that we need to drink at least eight glasses of water a day to stay healthy. Recent thinking has moved away from naming a number of glasses per day, but there are many who continue to hold that drinking lots of crystal clear water helps with weight loss, a healthy-looking complexion, flushes toxins from the body and fights cravings too. Though research in 2008 didn’t bear this out, water continues to be a healthy, all natural choice.

Surprisingly, you could be dehydrated right now, and not even know it. In fact, there are many who believe it’s rather common for us all not to be drinking enough water.

Part of this comes from the modern conveniences of heat and air conditioning, which tend to dry out the air inside your home or office. Add to that the average 10 cups of water our bodies lose each day and you can see why we might be in need of more fluid than we think.

Of course the weather is also a factor in dehydration, especially during the height of the summer season, those “dog days” of summer when the air isn’t moving and the sun is beating down from a clear blue sky.

Doing anything physical in this type of heat can be dangerous if you don’t drink enough liquid before, during and afterward. Feeling weak and dizzy are your first clues that something is amiss, if nausea follows, you need to get rest in the shade and fluids until your symptoms improve. If they don’t, seek medical help right away as heat illnesses can (and do) take lives, even young, healthy lives.

When it comes to weight loss, renowned and highly successful Weight Watchers expects you to log your water consumption each day, just as you list the foods you eat and other liquids you drink. Water has no points, but that doesn’t mean it is without benefit.

You might also think about doubling up on your water consumption for each and every serving of soda or other caffeinated beverage that you have during the day. The caffeine in these drinks acts as a diuretic that removes water from your system.

When you start to make the switch from other drinks to water, you’ll likely want a bit more zip in your drink than unflavored water as to offer. Here’s where you can add flavor with a bit of peppermint, a slice of lime or lemon. Seltzer or carbonated water are also options that bring a little zest to the good for you drink.

Once you get accustomed to drinking flavored waters, you’ll find that your taste for the unflavored variety comes into play and you’ll naturally move toward drinking more unflavored water.

An important point to be made about water and weight loss. About 22% of our calories do come from what we drink. Many of us drink calories without realizing the impact on our daily total. Switching to no calorie alternatives like water, tea or even diet sodas can have a big impact on the number of calories you take in.

Another benefit of drinking water for weight loss is to substitute it as much as possible for what you usually drink. Have water with meals, keep some ice cold water at your desk or in your car. It’s best not to try and chug your glasses all at once – too much water in too short a time can actually be quite dangerous – instead, drink regularly through the day. You might also up the amount of water you’re giving your body by eating water rich fruits (watermelon) and veggies (lettuce and tomato) can be effective ways to get the fluid you need and help you fill up too.

Next just head on over to the Daily Health Bulletin for more health tips including more on the benefits of drinking water and losing weight for the new year and get 5 free revealing health reports.

Beat The Heat And Survive The Summer

Author: Paul Purcell
Source: isnare.com

The “Dog Days” of summer are almost upon us and record temperatures are sweeping the country. Unfortunately we have the highest number of elderly and medically fragile people in history, and an aging infrastructure that is feeling the strain of heavy electrical use as our senior citizens struggle to stay cool.

We’re here to give you tips and tricks to help you beat the heat should you be susceptible to extreme temperatures, or should your power be out. Here’s a short list of suggestions:

1. Drink plenty of cool water to keep yourself hydrated and reduce your body’s core temperature. (Warm water won’t do this, and cold water might be a shock to sensitive systems.) Drink regularly, every hour, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Avoid soft drinks and alcoholic drinks that are actually diuretic and rob your body of the water it desperately needs.

2. Eat small, light, non-spicy meals. Eating heavy meals cranks your metabolism and can raise your body temperature. Also, digestion robs you of energy. Since the heat is already robbing you of some energy, you don’t need to add to this drain by taxing the digestive system. However, don’t skip meals since it’s food that replenishes the electrolytes you lose through sweating and increased water consumption.

3. Some sources suggest you wear “light colored, loose fitting clothes.” However, that’s only if you’re going outside. If you go outside, go with that rule and also wear a loose fitting hat or carry an umbrella for shade. Forget the fashion rules, follow the heat rules. (By the way, royal blue and/or white are the best colors to wear for their heat reflective qualities. Ever wonder why most tarps and boat awnings are blue? This is why.) For indoors though, forget all those rules and go with the “bare as you dare” notion. The more exposed skin you have the more efficient your cooling-by-sweating process can work. Also, be sure to tie up long hair, and if you have a beard, consider shaving in order to remove all that facial insulation.

4. Though “bare as you dare” is the way to go indoors in limited AC, most of us would prefer to have good air conditioning. If yours is out, or if power sources are uncertain, go someplace that has AC like the mall or other places that don’t mind people coming in and hanging around a while. Also, you can “AC pool” with friends just like you’d car pool. Go to a friend’s house who has a good AC system.

5. Failing to find another source of AC, and considering that the power might be out, here are a couple more tips. First, stand-alone floor unit air conditioners aren’t that expensive and can run off regular household current without the need for the special 220 volt outlets. This means that they can be operated using the smaller gas-powered electric generators. Can’t afford a generator? You can probably afford a power inverter which can sometimes be found for under twenty dollars. They plug into your car’s cigarette lighter and, using an extension cord, can power an appliance like your stand-alone AC, or at least some fans. Speaking of your car, if nothing else, if your car has AC you can ride around during the hottest hours of the day, providing you can afford today’s gas prices. If absolutely nothing else, go to your nearest “dollar store” and see if they have any of those little battery-powered fans.

6. Can’t afford a stand-alone AC but you have a generator? Your generator or power inverter can also power your fridge and/or freezer where you should have two-liter plastic bottles full of water filling up every empty space in both the fridge and freezer parts. Having cold water is a great thing. You drink cool water and use cold water to soak towels to wrap around your neck, wrists, and ankles where the veins and arteries are closest to the surface. This is one of the best ways to reduce your body temperature. Also, setting up a few of the frozen two-liter bottles in front of a fan can blow a nice cool breeze your way. (Write us at info@disasterprep101.com and we’ll email you instructions for a homemade AC unit that uses these two-liter plastic bottles.)

7. Now that we’ve talked about keeping you cool in the heat, let’s backtrack a bit and talk about reducing the heat you might experience. Naturally, the first rule is “block the sun.” Do what you can to reduce the sunlight that hits your house or comes in through the windows. Keep the shades drawn, and you might even consider hanging a white sheet or blue tarp as an outside awning on the side(s) of the house that catch the most sun. These tarps are also effective if placed on the roof as they’ll reflect the sun’s rays.

8. Next in cooling the house come ventilation and insulation. If you have an attic, and the power is on, you should have a vent fan that keeps air flowing through the attic. Along with that, we suggest you have roof vent turbines, or a ridge vent (your home supply store can tell you all about these). In extremely hot weather, you might set a garden sprinkler on your roof and let it run for the hottest couple of hours of the day provided your area is not on water restriction. As for “insulation” one way to insulate parts of the house is to close off seldom-used rooms (especially those on the sunny side of the house), and close off their AC vents if any. This blocks heat and also reduces the area that your limited AC has to cool.

While we’re here, we’d be remiss in our duties if we failed to give you the symptoms of sunstroke and heat exhaustion, both of which require medical attention:

Heat Exhaustion: Symptoms include heavy sweating, and skin may be pale, cool, or flushed. The victim will also exhibit a weak pulse, with fainting, dizziness, nausea, or vomiting.

Sun Stroke (sometimes called heat stroke): Symptoms are high body temperature, hot, dry, red, skin (usually with no sweating), rapid shallow breathing, and a weak pulse. Sun stroke is the more dangerous of the two.

The most immediate first aid for either of these is to get the victim into a cool spot, and reduce their body temperature with ice-cold wet towels around the neck, wrist, and ankles. You can also put them in a bathtub of cool water. Don’t use cold water in the tub as that will shock the system. Regardless of your first aid measures, you should seek immediate medical assistance.

Remember, hot weather is nothing to ignore, even if you’re not among the elderly or medically fragile. Heat can affect everyone. Play it safe, stay cool, avoid exertion, and stay healthy. Also, when considering heat safety, don’t forget your pets.