Green Tea for Health: Are You Really Getting the Benefits?

Of course you enjoy sipping that warm, fragrant cup of green tea in the morning, but you also appreciate the health benefits. Although some people choose green tea for the taste, others make the switch for health reasons. Preliminary studies suggest that green tea can have a variety of benefits ranging from promoting heart health to the prevention of certain types of cancer. If youre drinking green tea for health, a new study suggests that you may want to consider how youre storing it.

What makes green tea so special? The component of green tea that seems to be responsible for many of the health benefits are antioxidant compounds known as catechins. Catechins have been found to have a variety of beneficial health properties and are believed to be the key reason why green tea is healthier than black tea which has fewer catechins due to its additional processing. Researchers have recently discovered that the catechins found in green tea may break down over time resulting in a compound thats much less beneficial from a health standpoint. The results of this discovery are published in the most recent issue of the Journal of Food Science. If youre using green tea for health, this research could have a significant impact on the way you buy and store your tea.

The researchers suggest that storage times as short as six months may reduce the levels of catechins in green tea resulting in a product that has fewer health benefits. Even if you store your green tea for less than six months, the tea leaves may have been stored in a warehouse for a long period of time before it reaches the store to be sold. You would have to factor in the time the tea sits on store shelves. Unfortunately, if youre drinking green tea for health, theres no way to really know if you have a fresh, healthy product. Tea is likely to be stored for long periods of time before reaching you since its not perishable, although the taste quality can decline over time.

Most experts recommend that green tea be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dark place .It isnt clear whether this type of storage helps to prevent the breakdown of catechins, although it may help preserve the quality of the tea. If youre drinking green tea for health, buy the freshest leaves possible and purchase in small quantities so you dont have tea leaves in storage for long periods of time. Whatever you do, keep drinking green tea for health as well as for its delicious taste.

Healthy Customized Candy Bars Made Just for You

The quest to find a healthy candy bar is a daunting one. Most candy bars are filled with enough sugar and fat to bring on a guilt attack for even considering them. What if you could have a customized candy bar designed that has just the ingredients you want without any of the bad stuff? Customized candy bars have become a reality at an online site called youbars.com. These candy bars are created by you and for you without all the work of mixing up the ingredients yourself. You choose what ingredients you want in your candy bar and once theyre custom made for you. Once theyre finished, youll receive them by mail to enjoy at your leisure. What could be better?

The process of building customized candy bars on this site couldnt be simpler. Start by choosing a base which can include a variety of nut butters including soynut butter or organic dates. You then have the option of selecting from a variety of protein types ranging from whey protein to rice protein as well as a selection of organic nuts or flaxseed. The list of fruits that can be added to your customized candy bars include such interesting choices as goji berries as well as the standard ones such as sweetened cherries, raisin, and cranberries. You are then given the option of adding an organic sweetener including agave nectar, rice syrup, or clover honey. You can then add various grains and seasonings such as cocoa powder, coffee crystals, or cinnamon. Lastly, you can choose to add a healthy vitamin or fiber infusion to make your customized candy bars even better for you. At each step you can specify if youd like a lot or a little or each ingredient and a tab is kept of the calorie count and nutritional profile so youll know exactly what youre getting.

Once youve designed your custom candy bars, youll then be asked to name it. This is your chance to be original, so think of something clever. Your candy bar will now be custom made for you and delivered to your door in about seven days.

If youre not sure what to put in your customized candy bars, you can buy some of the You Bar favorites such as Honey Cashew or Great Date with Chocolate or use them as guidance for choosing your own ingredients. Youll even find photos of celebrities holding their favorite customized candy bars as inspiration for you. This is your chance to have your candy just the way you want it. Who knows? Maybe youll invent the next hot candy sensation!

The Symptoms of Cat Scratch Fever

Its a disease that affects 22,000 cat lowers a year and many cat owners are unaware it exists. Cat scratch disease, also known as cat scratch fever, infects people who come into contact with cats through a bite or scratch. Less commonly a human can be infected by a tick carrying the disease that has bitten a cat. What are the symptoms of cat scratch fever?

How Do You Catch Cat Scratch Disease?

Cat scratch fever is caused by Bartonella henselae, a tiny organism carried by cat fleas. Its also carried in the red blood cells of some cats. The disease is most common in children and is transmitted to them through cat scratches or a cat bite. Although children are its most frequent victims, adults who get a cat bite or scratch can get it too.

Symptoms of Cat Scratch Fever

The first sign of cat scratch disease is a bump or sore on the skin five to ten days after a cat scratch or bite. The sore may be so insignificant in appearance that it goes unnoticed. Swelling in the lymph nodes involving the neck, under the arms groin or chest usually follows about a week or two later. The swollen lymph nodes commonly affect one side of the body only, and they may be quite large and tender. The majority of people go on to develop flu-like symptoms such as fever, muscle aches, achy joints and fatigue.

In the majority of cases, the symptoms of cat scratch fever go away after a few weeks to months even without treatment and usually arent a serious threat to health. On the other hand, people who have poorly functioning immune systems can have complications such as brain, eye or liver involvement. Cat scratch fever can, rarely, spread to bones or infect a heart valve.

The symptoms of cat scratch fever dont necessarily require treatment if theyre mild, but anyone with immune system problems should get antibiotic therapy to reduce the risk of serious complications.

Symptoms of Cat Scratch Fever: The Bottom Line?

Anyone who has swollen lymph nodes or flu-like symptoms after a cat bite or scratch needs evaluation. Cat Scratch disease is diagnosed through a blood test looking for antibodies to Bartonella henselae, the microorganism that causes cat scratch fever. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, a decision as to whether to use antibiotics can be made - and the healing can begin.

References:

American Family Physician. Volume 83, Number 2. January 15, 2001. Pages 152-155.

How to Clean a Yoga Mat and Avoid Foot Infections

If youre a student of yoga, you know how important your yoga mat is to your stretching success. It might surprise you to learn that yoga mats at health clubs can be a source for athletes foot due to ineffective cleaning of these mats. If you have your own yoga mat, youll need a plan to keep it clean and free of germs and odor. Heres how to clean a yoga mat and keep it looking fresh:

Clean a yoga mat: Dont share your mat

This is the first simple rule of avoiding a fungal or bacterial infection from a yoga mat. Buy your own mat and make it exclusively yours. Dont share it with anyone. Consider your yoga mat to be as personal as your toothbrush and youll reduce your risk of contracting a nasty foot infection.

Clean a yoga mat: Use your washing machine

Most people dont realize they can clean their mat in the washing machine. Use cold water along with a mild detergent and stop the dryer before it goes through the spin cycle. Once removed from the dryer, lay the mat out to dry completely before storing it. Avoid exposing your mat to heat as this can cause the fibers of the mat to break down.

Clean a yoga mat: Cleaning a slightly soiled mat

If your mat only has light soiling and doesnt require a cycle through the washing machine, you can mix a cup of warm water with several drops of mild detergent to create a dilute, soapy mixture. Use a sponge to gently massage the soiled areas with your homemade solution. Follow up by sponging down with a sponge dampened in warm water. Allow your mat to dry thoroughly.

Clean a yoga mat: Clean it lightly after every use

To keep your mat looking and smelling fresh, spray it lightly with a mat cleaning spray. To make your own all-natural mat cleaning spray, add three drops of tea tree oil, two drops of peppermint oil, and two drops of lavender oil to distilled water. Mix thoroughly and place the solution in a spray bottle. Spray your mat lightly after every use and wipe it down gently with a damp sponge.

Clean a yoga mat: Have a regular cleaning schedule

To keep your mat looking and smelling great, have a regular cleaning schedule. In addition to spraying it after every use, place it in the washer every three to four weeks for a more thorough cleansing.

By having a regular planning for cleaning your yoga mat, you can keep it smelling sweet while reducing your risk of potential foot infections.

How to Make Decorative Bath Soaps Using Custom Soap Decals

Beautifully decorated soaps can really add to the d?cor of a bathroom, giving it a unique personal touch. If you dont want to go to the trouble of making your own soap, you can still make custom decorative bath soaps using pretty soap decals. A soap decal can be created from almost any copyright free image you find in a magazine or other paper product such as gift wrap. These decals are easy to apply to a ready made bar of soap to give it a unique, personalized, and decorative look. Heres how to make decorative bath soap using soap decals:

Make decorative bath soaps: Find your images

First youll need to decide what type of images you want to use to decorate your soaps. Does your bathroom have a Victorian look? If so you might want to use old fashioned floral images or other Victorian motifs to apply to your soap bars. A good place to get interesting patterns and images to use is from wrapping paper. Why not visit a paper store that carries unique wrapping paper and see if you can find some unique wrapping paper that can be used to cut out designs for your soap decals?

Make decorative soaps: Apply the images

Using a small pair of scissors carefully cut out the soap decals youll be applying to your soaps. Lightly moisten the back of the image as well as the surface of the soap where youll be applying the image. Place the image onto the damp portion of the soap and lightly rub to smooth away any wrinkles.

Make decorative soaps: Cover your image with wax

Using a double boiler, melt your paraffin wax until the wax appears clear in the pan with no visible cloudiness. Once the wax is ready, dip the soap with the soap decal face down into the melted wax. The surface will now have a thin coating of wax. Lay the soap face up on wax paper until it dries completely. It may appear slightly cloudy at first but will dry clear. Complete this process with all the soaps you plan on decorating.

Make decorative soaps: Display your soaps

Once your soaps have dried completely, its time to display them in your bathroom. Place them in pretty soap dishes or in baskets decorated with ribbons. Dont forget these soaps make wonderful gifts and the images can be customized to meet the needs of your recipient.

Making decorative bath soaps using soap decals is also a great way to keep a child occupied on a rainy day. Why not create some special bath soaps of your own?

Is it Dangerous to Eat Apple Seeds?

Did your mom ever tell you not to eat apple seeds or an apple could grow in your stomach? Well, your mom may have been right. You shouldnt eat apple seeds, but its not because of the apple tree. Apple seeds contain substances called cyanogenic glycosides (a cyanide containing compound) which could cause health problems if consumed in very high quantities. Apple seeds arent the only fruit seeds that contain cyanide, so do the seeds of peaches, apricots, cherries, and raspberries, to name a few. Its quite likely youve swallowed a few apple seeds in your life, if theyre poisonous, why didnt you experience any serious symptoms?

Cyanogenic glycosides, as the name suggests, contains cyanide attached to a sugar molecule. When this compound is acted on by an enzyme, the sugar molecule is cleaved off, leaving behind the well known poison, cyanide. The truth is if you were to eat apple seeds in large quantities, they could kill you, but in most cases, the seeds pass through the digestive system without releasing significant amounts of cyanide unless you chew on them to release the toxin. Even if some poison is released from the seeds, your body has the capability of neutralizing small amounts of cyanide and you probably wouldnt experience serious effects unless you were to eat apple seeds in very high amounts. Unfortunately, a small child or a pet may not be so lucky. It might not take a large number of apple seeds to cause symptoms in a child or pet which means you should avoid giving your pets apples unless you remove the seeds. The same applies to children.

What kind of symptoms would develop if you were to eat apple seeds to the point of toxicity? You might experience neurological symptoms including seizures, headache, lightheadedness, and dizziness along with fluctuations in heart rate, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Vomiting and excessive salivation could occur. If you consumed enough seeds, you might develop severe breathing problems followed by respiratory failure and death. Because of the large quantity of seeds needed to poison a human, this isnt commonly seen, although animals are not infrequently affected.

The bottom line? You probably shouldnt panic if you swallow a few apple seeds. Its more important to make sure children and pets dont eat apple seeds. (or other fruit seeds and pits). Whatever you do - keep giving the kids those seedless apples! Theyre a healthy source of fiber and antioxidants.

A Natural Treatment for Uterine Fibroids on the Horizon?

Almost one in three women will deal with a uterine fibroid at some point in her lifetime. These benign tumors of the uterus can become so large that they require surgery to relieve the heavy menstrual bleeding, frequent urination, and backache they cause - an event few women look forward to. Fortunately, new research in mice shows there may be a natural treatment for uterine fibroids on the horizon - and it may be as close as your tea cup.

Green Tea to Treat Uterine Fibroids?

A study conducted on mice showed that a green tea extract containing EGCG slowed down the growth of fibroid tumors in mice. Twenty mice were injected with uterine fibroid cells that were destined to grow into fibroid tumors. Half of the mice were given EGCG, a polyphenol found in green tea, in their water, while the other half drank only plain water.

The results? The mice that drank the EGCG water had tumors that were smaller and weighed less. One mice had no tumor at the end of a two month period. Because EGCG slowed down the growth of uterine fibroids in mice, researchers are hoping that giving EGCG or a green tea extract might also slow down their growth in women so they dont become large enough to require surgery. If these studies are confirmed in humans, EGCG from green tea could be a natural treatment for fibroids - one that could slow down or stop their progression.

Benign Tumors of the Uterus: Can Green Tea Prevent Them?

Can drinking green tea or taking a green tea extract be used to prevent fibroid tumors of the uterus? Once further studies confirm that EGCG slows down the growth of uterine fibroids in humans, researchers may want to know if drinking green tea can stop these tumors from occurring in the first place. Studies have shown that green tea lowers estrogen levels. Estrogen is the fuel that stimulates the growth of these benign tumors of the uterus, so its not surprising that drinking green tea could offer some protection.

It may be too soon to use green tea to treat uterine fibroids, but, if these studies are confirmed it may spur the development of a safe and natural treatment for uterine fibroids that doesnt require going under the knife.

References:

http://women.webmd.com/news/20100126/green-tea-extract-may-treat-uterine-fibroids?src=RSS_PUBLIC

How to Determine If Your Hair is Damaged From Perms

If you have naturally straight hair and have wanted masses of wavy hair, you may have taken the plunge and gotten a perm. Unfortunately, one of the biggest disadvantages of adding perm chemicals to your hair is damage and with a poorly done perm the damage can be considerable. Even though your hair may look deceptively healthy, you can still have dryness, breakage, and porosity as a result of over perming. How can you tell if you have significant perm damage to your hair? In most cases, if youve used chemicals on your hair for any length of time, some damage is to be expected, which may be partially improved by deep conditioning treatments and cutting back on the use of chemical treatments. Here are some ways to test the health of your hair strands to determine if you have perm damage:

Visually inspect your hair.

Take an honest look at your hair in the mirror under a good light. Does it look dull and dry in appearance? Do you notice a lot of fly away strands? These are all signs of perm damage and over processing. Look at the ends of your hair closely. Do you see split ends? While a few split ends here and there are not a cause for concern, if theyre numerous, you probably have a significant degree of perm damage. How does your hair feel? If it feels dry, like straw, your hair is seriously moisture deprived.

Do the pull test

Cut off a single strand of hair. Hold it firmly between the fingers of two hands and pull. If the hair strand snaps quickly with tugging, your hair is deprived of moisture and needs a deep moisturizing or hot oil treatment to moisturize the hair shaft. Healthy hair is usually difficult to break in this manner. If the hair strand stretches excessively when you pull on it can mean damage to the protein structure of the hair due to the over processing from perm chemicals.

See if it floats

Cut off a strand of hair and place it into a sink filled with water. Healthy hair without perm damage will tend to float on the surface as its nonporous and doesnt absorb the water. If the hair sinks to the bottom, the hair is porous and over processed from perming and needs an acid based conditioner to reduce porosity and close the hair shaft.

If you find that your hair fails these simple tests to determine perm damage, you may want to consult your hair dresser. Together you can devise a plan for repairing your dry, porous hair and preventing future damage.

Should You Stretch Before Running?

Should you stretch before running? Some runners do - and some dont. It would seem that stretching would be a way to reduce the risk of injury. After all, running with warm muscles sounds like a good preventative strategy - but is it?

Stretching Before Running - Yes or No?

According to a new study presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, stretching before running doesnt prevent running injuries.

They discovered this after studying 2,729 runners, who ran at least 10 miles per week. The runners were divided into two groups. One group did 3 to 5 minutes of stretching exercises where they stretched all of the muscles in their legs before hitting the track. Another group did no stretching.

Surprisingly, it didnt seem to matter whether the runners stretched before running or not. The risk of for a running injury was the same. In fact, the biggest risk factors for a running injury was being overweight and having a history of an injury within the prior four months.

Runners who changed their approach to stretching such as starting to stretch when they normally didnt or stopping stretching after previously stretching before a run also increased their risk of injury. As you might expect, runners who logged lots of miles were at greater risk for a running-related injury.

Should You Stretch Before Running?

It may not reduce your risk of a running injury, but some runners feel better when they warm up their muscles before a run. If you choose to stretch, dont stretch cold muscles. Walk a few minutes to warm up before stretching them out. Do each stretch slowly, holding the position for 15 seconds - no sudden movements or bouncing.

The Bottom Line?

Whether or not you stretch before running may not affect your risk of getting a running injury, but being overweight and logging too many miles without giving your muscles a chance to rest does. If youve had a recent running injury, be conservative about how many miles you run, because your risk of injury is higher.

Stretch before running or not? Do what makes you feel comfortable, but be consistent. Dont stretch one time and not stretch the next time. Inconsistent stretching before a run can lead to injury.

References:

Eurekalert.org. "Stretching Before a Run Does Not Prevent Injury"

Runners World. "Should I Stretch Before or After Running?"

Teenage Drinking and Impulsive Behavior

Most parents worry about teenage drinking because of the risk of car accidents, alcohol toxicity and run-ins with the law. But, according to a new study, theres a new reason to fear teenage drinking. Heavy drinking during the adolescent and teen years could lead to impulsive behavior later in life.

Teenage Drinking and Impulsive Behavior

In a study scheduled to be published in the journal Alcoholism, researchers followed 500 kids from the age of 6 to the age of 20. With the help of interviews and questionnaires, they gathered information about their drinking habits and whether or not they exhibited impulsive behavior.

What did they find? Adolescent boys were more likely to engage in impulsive behavior if they had drunk heavily the prior year. There was a direct correlation between the amount of alcohol the teens drank and their degree of impulsivity.

Teen Heavy Drinking: Does It Lead to Impulsive Behavior?

This study only shows a correlation between impulsive behavior and heavy drinking. It doesnt necessarily mean that one causes the other hand. Its possible that teens that are prone toward impulsivity are also more likely to abuse alcohol. But researchers have another theory. They believe that heavy drinking during the critical adolescent years alters an area of the brain known as the prefrontal cortex.

In addition to its other functions, the prefrontal cortex plays a role in controlling social behaviors. When this area of the brain is damaged, impulsive behaviors become more common. Such impulsive behaviors not only put a teen at risk for injury, they lead to even more heavy drinking with all of its negative health consequences - creating a vicious cycle of impulsivity and heavy drinking.

Can the Impulsive Behavior Be Reversed?

According to this study, teens that stopped drinking heavily also became less impulsive - so the effects may not be permanent. The key is to get them to stop.

Teenage Drinking and Impulsivity: The Bottom Line?

Theres now another good reason to keep alcohol out of a teens hands. It could temporarily change the area of the brain that suppresses bad impulses. Discuss the danger of teenage drinking with your kids so they wont be tempted to start. It could save their life - and their brain.

References:

Eurekalert website. "Impulsive Behavior in Males Increases after Periods of Heavy Drinking

How to Make a Tie Dye Silk Scarf in Your Microwave

How would you like to create a colorful, tie dye silk scarf quickly and easily using your microwave? A tie dye scarf can really add a boost of color to a springtime outfit and youll have the satisfaction of knowing you made it yourself. Heres how to tie dye a silk scarf:

Materials needed:

A microwave

A microwave safe pot with lid

A pre-washed silk scarf blank

Silk paints

Apple cider vinegar

Gloves

Cording

Make a tie dye silk scarf: Buy your supplies

You can buy silk paints from you local craft store or online. Choose three or four different colors to use in this project. Youll also need a silk scarf blank. These can be found at some craft stores and are readily available online. A scarf blank is simply a white, silk scarf thats are ready to dye.

Make a tie dye silk scarf: Prepare your scarf

Put on gloves to protect your hands. Start by tying cording around your silk scarf randomly to create the tie dye effect. The look will vary depending upon how thick your cord is and how many times you bind it. Once your scarf is tied with the cord, pour some cider vinegar into a bowl and place your scarf in the bowl to presoak. Allow your scarf to remain in the vinegar for ten minutes.

Make a tie dye silk scarf: Apply the paint

Using an eye dropper or paint brush, paint or drip the silk paint onto your presoaked scarf blank. Theres no right or wrong in how you apply the paint since each scarf will be a one-of-a-kind work of art. After applying the paint, squeeze the scarf with your gloved hands to encourage blending of the colors.

Make a tie dye silk scarf: Microwave

Place the painted scarf into your microwave safe pot and cover it with the lid. Microwave on the medium setting for four minutes. Once the scarf has cooled, you can unbundle the cords. You should see a beautiful abstract pattern of colors on your scarf. Rinse your scarf in cool, clean water to remove any residual color. Allow your scarf to dry and iron out any wrinkles before wearing it.

The heat from the microwave serves to heat fix the silk paints to your scarf making it resistant to fading and dry cleaning as long as youve used paints designed for silks. You can now have the pleasure of coordinating your new scarf with other items in your wardrobe. Itll be a beautiful accessory to wear as the weather turns warm.

Can a Child Outgrow Allergy Symptoms?

Its challenging to deal with a child who has multiple allergies. Kids get into so many things, and they may not understand the importance of avoiding certain foods and exposures that could trigger their allergy symptoms. Food allergies in children are on the rise, and its not clear why. Some experts believe its due to increased awareness and better diagnosis, whereas others attribute it to the hygiene theory, which suggests that kids raised in a more sterile environment are more prone to allergies. Nevertheless, most parents hold out hope that their kids will outgrow their allergy symptoms as they get older. Is this likely?

Do Kids Outgrow Allergy Symptoms?

Its possible for a child to outgrow allergy symptoms, but a lot of it depends on what type of allergy they have and how severe it is. Kids are more likely to outgrow an allergy to food as opposed to an environmental allergen such as allergies to plants, dust or pets. In fact, environmental allergy symptoms may worsen as a child gets older.

In terms of food allergies, a child is most likely to outgrow allergies to dairy and eggs and less likely to outgrow nut allergies, although up to one in four will. The severity of the symptoms also plays a role in whether a child outgrows allergy symptoms. Kids who have severe symptoms such as wheezing and chest tightness with minimal exposure are less likely to have their symptoms improve with age. Also, if an allergist determines that a child has high levels of IgE antibodies against an allergen, its less likely theyll outgrow it.

Kids Who Outgrow Allergy Symptoms Can Still Have a Recurrence

Even when kids outgrow allergy symptoms, theres a small chance that the allergy will recur. The risk of this happening is higher if a child continues to avoid the allergen after outgrowing it. Once a child has outgrown an allergy to a particular food, most allergists recommend that the child eat the food frequently and continue to carry an epi-pen just in case.

Outgrowing Childhood Allergies: The Bottom Line?

Kids can outgrow food allergies, especially to milk and eggs. Even when they do, its important that they continue to carry an epi-pen to treat a reaction should the problem recur. Talk to your childs allergy doctor about this.

References:

Mayo Clinic Health Reference. "Peanut Allergy: Can a Child Outgrow It?"

Merck Manual. Eighteenth edition. 2006.

Unique Small Business Idea: An Upscale Taxi Service

Do you have the dream of working for yourself? Of course, to do this successfully you need a business idea that will bring in enough revenue to support your lifestyle. You would also want to select a business that you enjoy as youll be spending a great deal of time growing your business. Heres a unique, small business idea that may appeal to you if you enjoy cars and interacting with people.

Youre obviously already familiar with the concept of the taxi. Taxis are an important form of transportation in many large cities where there are tourists and city dwellers who dont own their own car. The typical taxi cab is a low budget car thats functional but not particularly impressive to look at. Riding in one of these standard taxicabs is not always the most comfortable experience either. The seats tend to be too hard and the cab too cramped. Not exactly an experience youll remember fondly.

The idea behind this unique, small business idea is to start a small cab company where the drivers drive luxury taxis such as BMWs, Lexus, and Mercedes sedans. To make the experience of riding in your taxicabs even more luxurious, your cabs would have heated seats and television screens in the back. As an alternative to television, you could have relaxing, new age music playing in the background to make your customers ride more enjoyable. You could even have a bottle of cold spring water on ice in the back to ease your customers parched throat on summer days. Theres no doubt your luxury taxi service would be a welcome break from the standard taxi ride.

You could market your luxury cab service to business people who want to travel in style, and to wealthy, well heeled clients, and tourists who are on vacation. Many people are hesitant to take taxis because of the negative connotation associated with riding in a small cramped car thats not always as clean as it should be. Of course, your luxury taxicabs will be spotless.

To market your unique, small business, you could use yellow page ads emphasizing how your taxi service is different as well as network with upscale hotels in the cities where youre located. Word of mouth would bring additional business very quickly, helping to keep your advertising costs down.

Who knows? With a little planning and marketing, you may be able to take this unique, small business idea to a variety of cities or even franchise it. Its a business with an endless potential for growth.

A Better Way to Diagnose Appendicitis in Children?

To diagnose appendicitis, doctors usually do a thorough physical exam, and sometimes combine it with a CT scan of the abdomen. Unfortunately, using abdominal CT scans to diagnose appendicitis exposes a child to radiation - and it can be difficult to get a good quality scan in children and adults who are thin with little abdominal fat. Is there a better way to the diagnosis of appendicitis?

Is Ultrasound a Better Way to Diagnose Appendicitis?

According to new research carried out at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, ultrasound may be a safer test for diagnosing appendicitis. When researchers compared ultrasound to abdominal CT scan, they found no greater rate of false-negative or false-positives with ultrasound than with CT scanning.

A child suspected of having appendicitis may require up to three CT scans to make the diagnosis. This exposes a childs rapidly dividing tissues to a hefty dose of radiation. Childrens cells and tissues are more sensitive to radiation since theyre actively growing. On the other hand, an ultrasound imaging study involves no exposure to radiation.

Another Benefit of Diagnosing Appendicitis Using Ultrasound

Its usually faster to do an ultrasound than a CT scan, which means a child can be diagnosed quicker with less wait time. This is important for a sick child whos uncomfortable or in pain. Less radiation and little wait time is a winning combination for parents who are worried that their child has appendicitis.

A Drawback to Making the Diagnosis of Appendicitis with Ultrasound

The biggest drawback to using ultrasound to diagnose appendicitis is it requires a well-trained ultrasound technician whos skilled at the procedure and is available around the clock. Not all hospitals have the staff at all hours to do this procedure, and so they resort to using a CT scan.

Making the Diagnosis of Appendicitis with Ultrasound: The Bottom Line?

Ultrasound is as reliable as a CT scan for diagnosing appendicitis in kids - and may be a superior option for children who are thin. Plus, its radiation-free. Not all children require imaging studies such as CT scan or ultrasound to diagnose appendicitis, but when they do, ultrasound may be a safe and effective alternative to a CT scan.

References:

Medscape.com. "Ultrasonography Offers Safe, Radiation-Free Alternative to CT Scan for Diagnosis of Pediatric Appendicitis"

The Dangers of Tanning Beds If Youre Taking Medications

Most people are already familiar with the dangers of tanning beds, although some ignore them and get an unhealthy bronze glow anyway. Some people even use tanning beds as a way to treat skin problems such as itchy skin rashes, believing that exposure to the ultraviolet rays of a tanning bed will help it clear up faster. This may be true for rashes caused by psoriasis and eczema, but if the skin rash comes from a medication reaction, the results could be deadly.

Tanning Bed Dangers if Youre Taking Medications

A long list of medications can cause photosensitivity reactions, which is really just an exaggerated response to the sun. This type of reaction leads to severe sunburns from even brief exposure to the sun or tanning beds.

More serious is the risk of a condition called toxic epidermal necrolysis. This is a life-threatening condition where the top layer of the skin called the epidermis separates from the lower dermis, leading to severe blistering, skin erosions and swelling. It occurs in people who take a medication theyre allergic to and can be brought on by exposure to U.V. light from the sun or from a tanning bed.

The danger is that a tanner will visit a tanning salon to treat a rash theyve self-diagnosed as psoriasis or eczema, not knowing that they actually have a rash related to a drug theyre taking. When they expose their skin to ultraviolet radiation, it can bring on this very severe form of skin condition that has a mortality rate of 20%.

The trend of treating skin rashes by visiting a tanning salon is a growing one among young people, and most arent aware of the dangers of tanning beds if theyre taking certain medications.

Dangers of Tanning Beds: The Bottom Line?

Visiting tanning salons carries with it the risk of skin cancer and premature aging, but if youre taking medications and step into a tanning salon you could get a severe sunburn or, even worse, toxic epidermal necrolysis. Never visit a tanning bed if youre taking medications or have a skin rash without consulting your doctor first. Even better? Stay away from tanning salons entirely.

References:

Medical News Today. "Tanning Bed Exposure Can Be Deadly When Complicated By Medication Reactions"

Merck Manual. Eighteenth edition. 2006.

Does Turkey Make You Sleepy?

Being able to sleep is a frustrating experience. After tossing and turning for a few nights, some people reach for a bottle of pills, but its safer to bring on sleep the natural way - through foods. Turkey almost always tops the list of sleep-inducing foods. Is turkey a good food for sleep?

Turkey and Sleep: Does Eating Turkey Cause Drowsiness?

Turkey is a good food for sleep because it contains tryptophan. Trytophan is a precursor to the brain neurotransmitter serotonin, which helps to promote calmness and make a person sleepy. On the other hand, theres nothing magical about turkey. Chicken has the same amount of tryptophan as turkey, and pork isnt far behind.

The key to eating turkey for sleep is to pair it with carbohydrates. The tryptophan in turkey will have a tough time reaching the brain if you dont. This is because tryptophan has to compete with other amino acids to make it into the brain. Eating carbs stimulates release of insulin, which ferries other amino acids into the interior of cells so there are fewer left in the blood to compete with tryptophan to reach the brain. This leaves tryptophan a clear path to get to where it needs to go to make serotonin.

If you plan on eating turkey for sleep, enjoy it on an empty stomach without consuming other protein sources, and dont forget to add some carbs. Make a turkey or chicken sandwich, and eat it slowly about an hour before bedtime. Stay away from caffeine and alcohol if you want to make it to dreamland.

Is Turkey Good Food for Sleep: The Bottom Line?

Turkey is one of the better sleep-inducing foods, but its not the only tryptophan-rich bedtime snack option. Chicken, pork and cheese are all decent sources of tryptophan. So, if you dont like turkey, dont fret. You have other choices. This is one time where high-glycemic carbs work in your favor, because they promote insulin release, which clears a path for tryptophan to enter the brain. The next time you cant sleep, pair a tryptophan-rich food with a high-glycemic carb, and youll soon be nodding off to sleep.

References:

Worlds Healthiest Foods website.

Merck Manual. Eighteenth edition. 2006.

Synthetic Wig Care Secrets! How to Take Care of a Wig!

Synthetic wigs offer alot of advantages over natural ones including the ease of synthetic wig care. They tend to be far quicker and easier to dry than natural hair wigs, plus they tend to hold their style and shape better. Because they have a preset style, youll spend less time restyling and shaping them. They also tend to be lighter and cooler to wear in the warm summer months. Because theyre made of synthetic fibers, you dont have to worry about them changing color in the sun. Combine that with the decreased cost and easy availability of synthetic wigs and you can see why so many women choose them over natural hair ones.

If you want your wig to last a long time, its important that you practice good synthetic wig care. Heres how to wash your wig safely :

1. Youll need to purchase a synthetic wig shampoo designed specifically for synthetic wigs. Never use a regular shampoo on a synthetic wig.

2. Brush your wig lightly with a wire brush before washing. Never brush your wig with a regular hairbrush as it can damage the fibers.

3.. Add a teaspoonful of wig shampoo to a bowl of cool water. Never use hot water on a synthetic wig.

4. Place the wig into the water for one minute until its saturated with the shampoo/water combination. Do use it lightly in the basin for an additional minute.

5. Remove your wig from the basin and gently squeeze excess water from your wig. Never twist or wring your wag to avoid damage.

6. Gently blot your wig dry with a towel.

7. Place wig back on its form to dry completely before styling. Never style a wet wig!

8. You can periodically condition your wig by applying hair conditioner periodically after washing and before the final rinse.

9. Always store your wig on its wig stand when not being worn. This will help to maintain its form and style.

How often should you wash your synthetic wig?

Its generally recommended that synthetic wigs be washed after every 15-20 wearings. If you wash too frequently, you risk shortening the life of your wig. If you keep your own hair clean underneath the wig, you can reduce the frequency with which your wig needs washing which may further help to prolong the life of your wig. Be sure to take your wig in to be styled by a professional at regular intervals.

By following these guidelines for synthetic wig care, you should be able to enjoy your synthetic wig for a long time!

Should You Get a Treadmill Exercise Test Before Starting a Fitness Program?

Have you made the commitment to get into shape? Congratulations! The decision to start an exercise program is one of the wisest choices you can make with regard to your future health. Before you get out your running shoes, its important to be sure youre ready for an intense exercise program. While exercise is healthy for the heart, if you have underlying heart disease it may not be wise to do strenuous exercise. One way to find out how your heart will respond to exercise is to undergo a treadmill exercise test or stress test under the guidance of a doctor.

How is a treadmill exercise test performed? A stress test is carried out by having you walk on a treadmill while attached to a monitoring system that documents your heart rate, blood pressure, as well as records an EKG tracing of your hearts activity. Youll be asked to report any symptoms such as chest pain and shortness of breath that occur during the test. This allows the doctor to determine how your heart responds to the challenges of exercise in a safe, controlled setting. A treadmill exercise test usually lasts ten to fifteen minutes and can give a good indication as to whether your heart can withstand the stress of intense exercise.

Who should get a treadmill exercise test? Not everyone who starts an exercise program needs a stress test. If youre over the age of forty-five and starting a new exercise program or if youre over the age of thirty-five with a strong family history of heart disease, stress testing is a good idea to screen for underlying heart disease. If you are diabetic, have a history of heart disease, or have hypertension, a treadmill exercise test may also be recommended before beginning an exercise program. Other situations where a stress test should be considered is if youre a heavy smoker or have a history of chest pain or shortness of breath. This is why its always recommended that you see your doctor before starting an exercise program.

If you have any of these risk factors for heart disease, talk to your doctor before you purchase that new gym membership and make sure your heart is as ready for the challenge of exercise as you are. Once you get a clean bill of health, youll be ready to tackle your new fitness program with gusto, knowing that youre doing something good for your body.

Does Eating Watercress Stop Breast Cancer Growth?

Theres little doubt that what a person eats plays a role in whether or not they get cancer. Some foods, particularly fruits and vegetables, contain natural chemicals that stop the growth of cancer cells in the laboratory, and, at high enough concentrations, they might prevent cancer from developing in the first place. Now, a new study shows that eating watercress helps to stymie breast cancer growth in women unfortunate enough to have this disease.

Benefits of Watercress: Eating Watercress for Breast Cancer

According to research from the University of South Hampton, a natural compound in watercress helps stop breast cancer growth. This compound, called phenylethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC) blocks the action of another protein that recruits new blood vessels to breast tumors - to supply them with the oxygen and nutrients they need to grow and spread. Eating watercress could certainly have its benefits.

Researchers tested the power of PEITC by giving breast cancer survivors a bowl of watercress and measuring their blood levels over 24 hours. Even after a single meal of watercress, these women experienced higher levels of this chemical in their blood, and, most importantly, PEITC blocked the protein needed to recruit more blood vessels to actively growing breast tumors. Even a relatively small amount of watercress could have the capacity to thwart breast cancer growth.

Eating Watercress to Stop Breast Cancer: It Has Other Anti-Cancer Benefits Too

Theres more good news about watercress. According to other research, eating watercress reduces DNA damage - a forerunner to all types of cancer. Its also a good source of carotenoids - natural compounds that play a role in cancer prevention.

Eating Watercress for Cancer Prevention: The Bottom Line?

Theres still more to be learned about the role PEITC plays in cancer prevention; but you cant go wrong eating more of this healthy vegetable thats so rich in antioxidants and phytochemicals. To get the full anti-cancer benefits of watercress, eat it raw rather than cooked since heat destroys the PEITC. Add it to your next salad and enjoy the many health benefits of eating watercress.

References:

Science Daily website. "Watercress May Turn Off Breast Cancer Signal"