Take Charge of Your Health Care Carnival - December 22, 2008

Welcome to the December 22, 2008 edition of take charge of your health care. First of all I would like to wish every one of our readers a happy holiday. Chanukah, the Jewish festival of lights, begins today. I am getting ready to celebrate as I edit this carnival. To our Christian friends, have a very Merry Christmas on Thursday. A Happy Kwanzaa to those that celebrate this harvest festival.

As we approach our shortest day in the Northern hemisphere, it is interesting that so many cultures and religions celebrate with a festival of lights. It is definitely a feel good time of the year. Take some time out this holiday to enjoy your family and friends and experience the gift of giving to those less fortunate.

We had a large number of excellent submissions this month. Some of the posts on diet and fitness will help you make those resolutions for the New Year. Since I am the sole editor for this carnival, please don’t submit more than 2 posts per author. This will help me keep the editing job manageable and allow me to publish the carnival in a timely manner. To all of our readers, have a very happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year. See you next year with our January 22, 2009 edition.

Alternative Medicine

Fiona King presents Coping with Crohn’s Disease: 100 Helpful Resources and Communities posted at Nursing Assistant Central. Editor’s note: If you are living with Crohn’s Disease, you will find this informative list of resources helpful.

Erika Collin presents Back to Nature: Top 100 Herbal Medicine Blogs posted at NursingDegree.net, saying, “We’ve put together a list of the best herbal medicine blogs to help you get pointers on everything from gardening to herbal supplements for weightlifting and a whole lot more.”

Matthew presents Allergies posted at Fast Medical Information, saying, "An allergy is a reaction which is exaggerated in our immune system in response to a foreign substance, these are harmless and would not usually trigger a response in non-allergic people. The substances that produce allergy are known as allergens, and these could be dust mites, mold, dander, foods or pollen."

Valeria presents 10 Benefits of Meditation and How to Do It posted at Timeless Lessons, saying, “When expert Asian meditators began arriving in the West in the ’60s and early ’70s, researchers jumped at the opportunity to hook them up to EEGs and EKGs to test their unusual powers and abilities. Before long, Westerners were becoming adept at meditation themselves, and scientific attention turned to the potential health benefits of regular practice.”

Sarah Scrafford presents 50 Pricey Spa Treatments You Can Do at Home posted at National Massage Certification, saying, “just because you’re out of extra funds and extra time doesn’t mean that you have to sacrifice the relaxation and indulgence of a spa treatment. Below are 50 treatments you can do in the peace and comfort of your own home.”

Dean Moyer presents Sciatica Relapse Question posted at The Back Pain Blog, saying, "Could saline solution be the next big thing for treating sciatica? I know it sounds far fetched, but in a fairly recent study it did demonstrate the same effectiveness as epidural steroid injections. How it works is not yet clear, but it does present another possibility for people dealing with sciatic nerve pain."

Data SystemsPlus - Health Info presents Relieving Constipation With Evercleanse posted at Evercleanse - $25 Off Offer! Editor’s note: Some good advice for a common problem.

Consumer Driven Health Care

Sarah Scrafford presents Top 50 Eastern Medicine Blogs posted at NursingDegree.net, saying, “Eastern medicine is starting to play a larger role in Western health care facilities and research studies, from acupuncture to herbal remedies. To learn more about the ancient but still popular medical traditions from the East, visit these blogs.”

Matthew presents Advance Medical Directives posted at Fast Medical Information, saying, "Advance directives refers to specific treatment preferences of a patient and also the designation of a decision-maker if the patient themselves is unable to make their own decisions. This includes a living will, the power of attorney and health care proxy."

Atif Farid presents Say YES to a healthy heart posted at dratiffarid. Editor’s note: The author presents 8 lifestyle modification tips that can help prevent heart disease.

Heather Johnson presents 100 Global Health Blogs That Will Open Your Eyes posted at U.S. PharmD. Editor’s note: The author has provided a great list of health and medical care blogs.

Heather Johnson presents Top 50 Medical Ethics Blogs posted at U.S. PharmD, saying, “From bioethics to law and medicine to pharmaceutical ethics, the following blogs will help you stay on top of the medical ethics in this tumultuous health care era.”

Alvin Hopkinson presents Relief From Gout - How to Gain Comfort posted at Relief From Gout - How to Gain Comfort, saying, "Depending on the severity of the gout there are different methods used for treating it. Relief from gout comes from a combination of lifestyle changes, dietary modifications and exercising."

Matthew presents Treating Allergies At Home posted at Fast Medical Information, saying, "If you have any allergies then the best treatment is always avoidance rather than treating the symptoms once they appear. This means avoiding the allergens that trigger the symptoms in the first place."

Peter Garant presents Better Air through Cool Mist Humidifiers posted at Humidifier Reviews, saying, "Your doctor or physician may have just told you that you need a cool mist humidifier, C but you have no idea what that is exactly."

Sarah Scrafford presents 100 Terrific Mindhacks to Make the Most of Your Brain posted at Find Schools Online.com. Editor’s note: The author has presented 100 tips for keeping your mind in tip top shape.

Alvaro Fernandez presents Cognitive screenings and Alzheimer's Disease posted at SharpBrains, saying, "The Alzheimer's Foundation of America just released a thoughtful report advocating for widespread cognitive screenings after the age of 65 (55 given the right conditions)."

Diet & Fitness

Helene Zemel presents Introducing GeneWize LifeMap Nutrition™ System posted at Health Plans Plus, saying, “All of us have unique nutritional needs. The GeneWize LifeMap Nutrition™ System is the first scientifically supported nutritional supplement program that utilizes your DNA to create a custom nutritional supplement formula that contains the nutrients your body really needs.”

Alvaro Fernandez presents Brain Fitness 2: Sight & Sound, at PBS posted at SharpBrains, saying, "PBS just announced the second installment of their popular Brain Fitness Program show: "Join host Peter Coyote in "Brain Fitness 2: Sight & Sound," the follow-up to "The Brain Fitness Program," as he explores the brain's ability to change and grow, even as we age, helping us maintain and improve our vision and hearing.""

Aparna presents Sleep duration and weight gain posted at Beauty and Personality Grooming, saying, "If you have a tendency to put on weight, better keep a watch on your sleeping hours. A Canadian study has found that too much or too little sleep could lead to unhealthy weight gain. The study was carried out on 276 people for a period of 6 years. The findings from the study revealed that short sleepers (who sleep for 5-6 hours) were 35 percent more likely to gain 11 pounds than average-duration sleepers, while long sleepers (9-11 hours) were 25 percent more likely to gain 11 pounds than average-duration sleepers (7-8 hours). Furthermore, it was found that short sleepers gained 58 percent more around their waists and 124% more body fat than the average sleeper. The results of this study clearly indicate that besides sedentary lifestyle, genetic predisposition, and excessive bingeing, improper sleep duration also contributes to weight gain and obesity."

Cory presents Frequent Small Meal Diet posted at Eating Healthy, saying, "Did you know that eating many small meals every day is actually healthier than the traditional 2-3 large meals?"

Mr. Hamburguesa presents The Hamburger Is Going To Make A Comeback posted at Hamburger, saying, "Hamburger consumption is about to rise, big time." Editor’s note: Interesting take on the much maligned hamburger. Try using ground beef with a much lower fat content.”

Atif Farid presents 25 reasons to QUIT smoking posted at dratiffarid, saying, “No matter how old you are or how long you’ve smoked, quitting can help you live longer and be healthier.”

Margaret Garcia presents Hearty Advice : 6 Surefire Tips to Get Heart Healthy - Ultrasound Technician Schools posted at Ultrasound Technician Schools. Editor’s note: The author presents 6 easy to follow heart healthy tips.

Joel Gray presents Exercise And Stop Smoking Health Tips 101 posted at Health Tips 101, saying, “The decision to quit smoking will bring with it other changes in your life.”

Ralph Jean-Paul presents Keep Your New Year's Resolutions posted at Potential 2 Success, saying, "“"Start sticking to those New Year’s Resolutions by learning what resolutions really are, why some resolutions don’t work, and how to follow through on them.""

swapnil warang presents How to know if you are underweight posted at switch2life. Editor’s note: Good information on how to calculate the BMI (Body Mass Index).

The Push Up Coach presents Various Types Of Pushups posted at 1000 Pushups, saying, "The various types of pushups you can do."

Cory Albertson presents An Oldie but a Goodie posted at Eating Healthy, saying, "One of the easiest and cheapest (hey who isn’t looking for cheap ways to stay in shape nowadays!) fitness methods is the good old pushup."

Vic presents Make Your Own Organic Yogurt At Home... posted at Yogurt Maker Central, saying, "If you're concerned about the number and amount of artificial colors, flavors and preservatives in commercially produced yogurt, then you might like to try making yogurt at home. Using only the best organic products as ingredients you'll be able to make fresh homemade yogurt - a healthy snack for the whole family."

Joel Gray presents Dieting Tips for the Holiday Season posted at Health Tips 101, saying, “It is during this holiday season that we will have to not only find the will power to push ourselves away from the dinner table but to also try and find a balance between the foods we love so much and our decision to watch our weight.”

pnreddy presents 5 Rules To Follow For Eating Before Exercise posted at Fitness Health Zone.com. Editor’s note: The author presents some very sound advice about eating before exercising.

pnreddy presents Important Facts To Consider Regarding Healthy Weight Loss! posted at Weightloss Diet Watch. Editor’s note: More sound and sensible advice for achieving a healthy weight loss.

Julie maloney presents How I lost 60 pounds posted at The Cool Mom Guide. Editor’s note: You will find this blog post very inspirational, as did I, about the importance of finding a fun activity for weight loss and fitness.

GrrlScientist presents America's Food Availability Crisis posted at Living the Scientific Life, saying, "One thing that the Thanksgiving Holidays has made clear: America, the land of plenty where holiday overeating is celebrated as a social good, is suffering from a food availability crisis. Food availability affects family life as well as life-long eating patterns and overall health."

Alvin Hopkinson presents Key to Successful Weight Loss - 6 Tips to Get You There posted at Fat Loss Diet Blog - Effective Weight Loss Tips, saying, "Many people are looking for that one diet scheme that will actually work. Here are 6 tips that will help you to lose the weight and keep it off!"

Alvin Hopkinson presents Foods for High Blood Pressure posted at High Blood Pressure Treatment and Medication Reviews, saying, "Foods for high blood pressure are important to maintain a low blood pressure and minimize the affects of the annoying side effects caused by these medications."

Helene Zemel presents Turkey Stuffing with Cinnamon Goodness posted at Health Plans Plus, saying, "The beneficial effects of cinnamon on glucose metabolism have been well publicized. There have been numerous scientific studies that have demonstrated that cinnamon improves blood glucose levels in Type 2 Diabetics as well as lowering lipid and triglyceride levels. This delicious stuffing recipe is filled with cinnamon goodness, and you can adjust the amount of sugar used or even use a sugar substitute. Happy holidays."

brigid presents Brain Fitness at the New York Public Library posted at New York Public Library, saying, "After attending a recent staff training session offered by the library's Office of Staff Development, I decided to return to a habit of my childhood--eating sardines."

Garcia presents It Ain’t What You Eat: Understanding What Actually Causes High Cholesterol posted at Pharmacy Technician Certification. Editor’s note: The author provides some good information on both HDL and LDL cholesterol.

MCA presents Does Caffeine Raise Your Blood Glucose Levels? My Caffeine Addiction posted at Caffeine Addiction, saying, "How caffeine affects your blood sugar levels"

ChristianPF presents The Dangers of genetically modified foods (VIDEO) posted at A Natural Organic, saying, "An eye-opening video showing what is really going on with our food supply"

Keira presents Surfing and Wakeboarding for Weight Loss posted at Weight Ladder, saying, “Surfing and wakeboarding are two excellent examples of ways that you can lose weight non-traditionally, while still having a lot of fun in the process.”

Alan H. Wayler, PhD presents How Much Stress Do Weight Worries Create for You? posted at A Weight Lifted, saying, “What we often don't realize, however, is how much concern about weight can cloud all we do, adding stress to even the happiest situations.”

Health Insurance

Matthew Paulson presents Health Insurance To-Do's When You Lose Your Job posted at American Consumer News, saying, “Unless your insurance coverage continues as a requirement of a severance package, you are likely to be left seeking good insurance coverage on your own.”

Insurance Toolbox presents Are You Self Employed? Get Inexpensive Health Insurance With Sam's Club posted at Insurance Toolbox. Editor’s note: According to the author, Sam’s Club is now launching an inexpensive health insurance plan. This would be worth looking into.

Khan presents Health Insurance Options for Students posted at Higher Education and Career Blog, saying, "Having difficulty deciphering your health care options? Before you hand over all that paperwork to your employer, make sure you choose the coverage plan that’s best for you."

Ben presents Year End Policy Review Tips for Lowering Rates and Checking Coverage posted at Money Smart Life, saying, "Here are some year-end moves you can make with your insurance policies to help lower your rates and make sure you have enough coverage for next year.”

Save Money on Health Care

Aparna presents Swimming in over-chlorinated pools can have adverse effects on your skin, hair and teeth posted at Beauty and Personality Grooming, saying, "If wading in the cool waters of a swimming pool during weekends is your idea of breaking from the monotony and humdrum of daily activities, then you are indeed a wise fitness freak, who combines leisure, hobby and exercise in an amazing way. And why not - swimming is one of the best aerobic exercises around with tremendous health benefits. children in the swimming poolHowever there are certain tribulations that have to be faced. Most swimming pools, especially in the third world countries use chlorine as it is the cheapest and one of the most efficient ways of disinfecting the waters. The chlorine levels in the pool waters have to be monitored constantly and regulated carefully to maintain a recommended pH level. Correct levels of chlorine in waters don’t pose much of a health hazard. But if the level becomes too high, the water can become acidic and swimming in such over-chlorinated waters can cause many problems."

Miscellaneous

bookfundas presents How to Develop a Perfect Memory: DOWNLAOD eBOOK NOW..! posted at BookFundas.com, saying, "Dominic O’Brien won the title of World Memory Champion two years in a row, and also holds two Guinness records for memory. How does he do it? In this book, Dominic reveals his system and explains how it can help readers to remember names, faces, telephone numbers, learn languages and pass exams. As you work your way through the book you will learn techniques for mastering school work, memorizing for interviews, how to use your memory for a diary, memorize decks of cards and learn foreign languages in a matter of weeks! With a little bit of effort you will be reciting poems, speeches and 100’s of digits of Pi with ease!"

GrrlScientist presents Why Do We Yawn? posted at Living the Scientific Life, saying, "Even though yawning is a very common behavior among all vertebrates, the physiological and evolutionary reasons for yawning behavior are poorly understood. [excessive yawning has medical implications and also is associated with certain psychiatric medications]"

Gil Ortiz presents gilocafe posted at gilocafe. Editor’s note: Thanks for sharing this travelogue of Mexico. Travel is definitely a stress reducer and good for our emotional health.

Joe Manausa presents What is a RSS Subscription? posted at Tallahassee Real Estate Blog, saying, "Have you ever noticed that anytime you read a blog, there is a Subscription Button that encourages you to subscribe to it? Well, I have been questioned about this often enough to recognize that most readers do not understand how RSS works and why bloggers should continue to explain it in order to expand their subscribers list."

ChristianPF presents How to make homemade air freshener posted at Money in the Bible Christian Personal Finance Blog, saying, "It is really easier than I thought it would be!"

Sarah presents The Rules of Five and Seven Card Stud Poker posted at Female Poker Player, saying, "Before the surge in popularity of Texas Hold’Em Poker, Five and Seven card stud were the most popular poker games played in the US."

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of take charge of your health care using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

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