Take Charge of Your Health Care Carnival April 26, 2009

Welcome to the April 26, 2009 edition of take charge of your health care. Wow! We had over 100 submissions to the Carnival this month. Our Take Charge of Your Health Care Carnival is really growing and getting traffic.

Here in the Northeastern United States, April is a time to get out those gardening tools. In an effort to economize during this economic downturn, I decided to do the landscaping myself this year. I am pleased to report that I am getting a great aerobic work-out especially with my non-power tools. I am enjoying the fresh air as well and relaxing my mind as I concentrate on gardening tasks. I’ve got a lot more work to do, so these gardening activities should help this baby boomer stay fit.

I am enjoying watching everything come to life during the month of April, starting with a few crocuses emerging, followed by the beautiful yellow blooms of the forsythia shrubs. Soon the hyacinths and tulips bloomed which is a prelude of more flowers to come. The trees started blooming beginning with the majestic magnolia and soon to be followed by other fruit trees and later the beautiful dogwood trees.

It’s not too soon to be thinking of summer and looking good in that bathing suit. We had many good blog posts about diet and fitness this month. We also had some excellent posts on nutrition, saving money on health care, health insurance, alternative medicine, and consumer driven healthcare. There were also some good blog posts on women’s health, so I will be adding this as a separate category. You will find many good tips in this carnival, but remember to check with a health care provider if you have any questions particularly in relationship to dietary changes. Acceptance in this carnival does not mean that I recommend any particular plan. This is for you, the reader, to decide.

A number of authors submitted multiple submissions to the carnival this month. To keep the carnival manageable and published in a timely manner, I have limited submissions to only 2 per author. While I accept over 90% of article submissions, I am basically looking for family friendly articles on health related topics with good content and decently written. Preferred submissions are true blog posts with comments enabled. Also, a well written comment accompanying your submission will also help to get this carnival out in a timely manner. Spun articles that don’t make sense and blog posts that are primarily advertisements with little or no content will not be published. Thanks for your cooperation.

Alternative Medicine

Alvin Hopkinson presents Tips in Preparing a Diet to Prevent High Blood Pressure posted at High Blood Pressure Treatment and Medication Reviews, saying, "Observing and maintaining a proper diet is often the key solution we arrive at as we evaluate certain causes for high blood pressure. We should be aware that some food, even if it is the right kind should still be handled or prepared in such a way that can prevent high blood pressure."

Alvin Hopkinson presents How to Treat Gout the Easy Way posted at Relief From Gout - How to Gain Comfort, saying, "How to treat gout is what immediately comes into our mind if ever we are diagnosed of having one. The joint lining of the sufferer becomes inflamed resulting to severe pain, warmth, tenderness and redness thereby needing an immediate remedy on how to treat gout."

Joseph Alban, L.Ac. presents What can Acupuncture Treat? posted at Alban Acupuncture & Chinese Herbs Clinic, New York City. Editor’s note: This article is a good introduction into conditions that are helped by acupuncture.

Y Niz presents Exercise Can Reduce Risks Of Diabetes(Natural Cure For Diabetes) posted at Natural Cure For Diabetes, saying, "The 2 types of diabetes are type I and type II. Type I diabetes is characterized by the pancreas making too little or no insulin. An individual with diabetes type I will have to inject insulin throughout the day in order to control glucose levels."

Aparna presents Kapalabhati Pranayam posted at Beauty & Personality Grooming, saying, "Persons doing Kapalabhati will be inhaling a good amount of oxygen which purifies the blood and in turn strengthens the nervous and brain centres. It also gives good massage to the internal abdominal organs. Incorporating Anulom Vilom Pranayam and Kapalabhati breathing exercises in your daily exercise regimen not only cures chronic diseases but also strengthens your immune system, thus, warding off many diseases."

Ann Monahan presents Anxiety and Panic Attacks posted at Find Panic Attack Solutions, saying, "A PANIC ATTACK is the sudden onset of intense anxiety, characterized by feelings of intense fear and apprehension and accompanied by palpitations, shortness of breath, sweating, and trembling. This site is dedicated to Finding Panic Attack Solutions."

Megan Wong presents Affordable Sinus Infection Home Remedies posted at Sinus Home Remedy, saying, “Sinus infection home remedies are about discovering sinus home remedies to stimulate your body to stay strong and healthy by using drug-free treatments and most important with no side-effects.”

Ann Monahan presents Rosacea - Banish Embarrassing & Painful Rosacea Symptoms posted at Find Rosacea Treatment Solutions. Editor’s note: This is a review of a book which recommends a natural treatment for Rosacea.

Brett Slansky presents How to treat your Baby’s Eczema: a Healthy Alternative to Steroids and Prescribed Medications posted at Baby-Eczema.net. Editor’s note: Some good advice for handling your child’s eczema.

Cyndi presents Another Simple Way to Release Stress Now posted at Evolution Ezine?Evolution Ezine - Collect your free mind power and self growth gifts, saying, "Feeling down and need a fast way to turn it around? This article gives you a step by step FREE method to improve your mood and decrease negative side affects instantly. It takes very little time and the rewards are endless."

Y Niz presents The Difference Between Anxiety Attacks And Anxiety Reactions(Anxiety Symptoms) posted at Anxiety Symptoms, saying, "Ninety-five-percent of Americans experience Anxiety Reactions occasionally while five-percent are battling to survive Anxiety Attacks almost on a daily basis. In which group are you?"

Farid presents Acne Treatment Products posted at Acne treatment, saying, "Many teens suffer from unsightly blemishes as their hormones fluctuate during puberty, and there is an acne treatment for every teen's skincare needs."

Consumer Driven Health Care

Beth L. Gainer presents Don't Be Complacent posted at Calling the Shots, saying, "This article is about self-advocacy and being proactive in your own health care."

Beth L. Gainer presents The Gateway Doctor posted at Calling the Shots, saying, "This article is about how to find a good primary care physician."

Roy Schwartz presents 5 Genetic Diseases You Might Have And Not Know About, and What You Can Do About Them posted at A Disease A Day. Editor’s note: This is a well written and informative article.

cfgoulart presents What are the Symptoms of Diabetes posted at Your Health n Mind, saying, "A look at the symptoms of diabetes - many people have symptoms, but do not get diagnosed. If you have any of these symptoms, a simple blood test can check for diabetes."

Gary R. presents Basic Camping First Aid posted at Camping Tips, saying, "Nothing ruins your camping trip like a brush with poison ivy, a pesky bee sting or other minor injury."

Joshua Seth presents Reasons to Stop Smoking posted at Joshua Seth Blog, saying, "Want to motivate someone to stop smoking? Then take them to see the “Bodies Exhibition” that’s touring the country. It offers one of the most compelling reasons to stop smoking I’ve ever seen. I just went to it this past weekend in Puerto Rico and was really struck by the room that features the effects of smoking on the lungs."

Verna Morris presents 25 Amazing Nurses on Twitter posted at Online Nursing Degree Guide. Editor’s note: This is a good resource of 25 top nurses and their websites.

Margaret Garcia presents The Top 50 Pharmaceutical News and Research Blogs posted at Pharmacy Technician Certification, saying, to help you find the best of the best in what the web has to offer, we’ve sifted through hundreds of blogs to compile our rankings of the top 50 pharmaceutical news and research blogs.

Ashley Cook presents The Relation between Anxiety & Depression & How to Overcome It posted at Anxiety Go Away, saying, "Anxiety and depression can feed off of each other."

Mesquite Pete presents West Nile Virus posted at Mosquito Basics, saying, "Must know information about the West Nile virus."

Cory presents Coping with Seasonal Allergies posted at Eating Healthy, saying, "As Spring comes upon us, many will begun suffering seasonal allergies."

Nancy Miller presents Physical Therapy Assistant Schools posted at Physical Therapy Assistant Schools. Editor’s note: Some good anti-aging tips.

Den Levin presents Types of Anxiety Disorders posted at Battle Anxiety, saying, "An introduction to the various types of anxiety disorders."

Steve Parkinson presents Mobility Scooters can give you freedom posted at Mobility Scooters Birmingham. Editor’s note: Some good information is presented on mobility scooters.

Steve Norris presents Scooter vs. Wheelchair Power - by Lala B. Mobility Scooters Bradford posted at Mobility Scooters Bradford. Editor’s note: The author provides a good comparison on power wheelchairs vs. mobility scooters.

Farid presents Acne Information101 Acne Facts and Acne Treatments posted at Acne Facts, saying, "Let's start by understanding some key acne facts... Acne is a skin condition marked by inflammatory outbreaks, consisting of lesions and cysts that result from the blockage of hair follicles and pores, which in turn can be caused by a number of factors, including genetics, your body's hormonal balance and changes in hormone levels, skin irritation, stress, hyperactive sebaceous glands, the accumulation of dead skin cell's on the surface of skin, bacteria in skin pores, use of certain medications, and even exposure to certain chemicals. Many people associate diet and acne, because diet can also play a role as a cause"

Beauty

Helene Zemel presents Ground Floor Opportunity with GeneWize Life Sciences posted at Work at Home Mom and Dad, saying, This is an opportunity to get in on the ground floor of a revolutionary new health, beauty and wellness company, a subsidiary of a 12 year publicly traded company. At GeneWize, we make a customized nutritional supplement based on an assessment of the customer's DNA. Coming soon will be our LifeStyle Boosts and DNA based skin care program.

Sally Tyler presents Sensible Advice On Body Creams posted at Anti Aging Products 101. Editor’s note: Some good advice on skin care and body creams.

Eric White presents Why not Treat yourself to some spa time? posted at Skin Care Tips and Treats, saying, " If you have a spa or beauty salon near you, the chances are that they have regular promotions offering free or discounted treatments on certain days ."

Eric White presents Skin Care - Things to avoid at all costs posted at Skin Care Tips and Treats. Editor’s note: Some tips to follow when selecting a good skin care product.

Kylie presents Patient Gagging & Your Plastic Surgeon? - Medical Spa MD - Forums and clinical exchange directory listings for Plastic Surgeons, Dermatologists, Cosmetic Physicians, & Med spas, posted at Kylie, saying, "Information on 'patient gagging' for women. Why some plastic surgeons and dermatologists don't want you looking for information about their laser clinic or medical spa online."

Kylie presents Cosmetic Dermatology from the Point of View of a Full-Time, Non-Core Cosmetic Physician - Medical Spa MD - Forums and clinical exchange directory listings for Plastic Surgeons, Dermatologists, Cosmetic Physicians, & Med spas. Editor’s note: This post contains some good information on cosmetic dermatology.

PK Shukla presents Latest Beauty Tips posted at Fenny Lopez, saying, "We at Latest Beauty Tips look forward to provide you the best. Latest-Beauty-Tips.com is a platform to discuss about beauty tips, fashion, health care, weight loss, cosmetic surgery, makeup trick and lot of similar issues. Please feel free to post all feedback, concerns, comments & suggestions here."

Farid presents Lip Treatments, Lip Plumpers and Enhancers, Lip Repair posted at Lip Conditions and Lip Repair, saying, "When it comes to facial skin care, our lips our often the most neglected part of our face, even though they need the most care. The skin on our lips only contain three to five cellular layers, which makes it much thinner than facial skin, which means it's also more sensitive, to weather and other environmental conditions and to health.

Steve Philips presents Various Filler Applications posted at Medicadepot.com The Blog, saying, "The following chart describes the 10 most popular treatments for facial lipoatrophy, how each works and the comparative benefits and risks."

Steve Philips presents Radiesse the long lasting filler posted at Medicadepot.com The Blog, saying, "It’s quite impressive because much like other fillers it gives instant results but over time stimulating collagen production for a longer period of time than Restylane and far longer than collagen."

Diet & Fitness

Helene Zemel presents Introducing GeneWize LifeMap Nutrition™ System posted at Health Plans Plus, saying, "All of us have unique nutritional needs. Everyone at some point will feel the effects of aging, but some of us will come down with lifestyle related conditions such as metabolic syndrome, diabetes, osteoporosis, cancer, heart disease, and even Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases much sooner than others. Now you can have a customized nutritional supplement based on an assessment of your DNA to address this problem."

FitJerk presents What Is MSG & Why You Should Avoid It! posted at FlawlessFitness, saying, "Information about the dangers of MSG and why you should avoid it." Editor’s note: This is a must read. The food industry uses many different names to disguise the use of MSG.

Irene Rivera presents Phytosterols in Acai Found to Reduce Bad Cholesterol posted at Acai Facts Online. Editor’s note: Well thought out and researched article on cholesterol and the health benefits of the acai super fruit.

Mike Robbins presents Best Exercise to Lose Weight posted at Body Solid Fitness, saying, “The best exercise to lose weight is to begin a full and truthful assessment of where you are, and where you want to go.”

Jerry Navarro presents The Ultimate Anti-Aging Vitamins posted at All About Family and Health. Editor’s note: When evaluating antioxidants, let’s not forget the importance of Vitamin C.

Joshua Seth presents Lose Weight or Die posted at Joshua Seth Blog, saying, "Here’s a thought: What if being overweight were as lethal as being a smoker? What if it could literally kill you? We all know how bad smoking is for your health. It can take years off your life. We beg our loved ones not to destroy their health by smoking but think nothing of “carrying around a little extra weight” ourselves, right?"

Dejan Banovic presents How To Loss Weight posted at Weight Loss Writings, saying, if you are one of those who have lost weight, then put it back on, perhaps a more important question is how to you keep the weight off once you’ve lost it..

Dejan Banovic presents Healthy Weight Loss posted at Weight Loss Writings. Editor’s note: 20 sensible tips to help you lose weight.

FitJerk presents See Fast Fitness Results Using The Power Of Social Media posted at FlawlessFitness, saying, "Alright, so we all know how well social media works from a business standpoint...but how do we relate it to fitness? Let me show you the ways Social Media can boost your fitness results."

robert galway presents Fitness Boot Camp posted at robertgalway.com, saying, "Boot camp exercises are chosen to build strength and total body conditioning through repetition, duration, and gradual intensity. A typical day of full basic training in the booth camp exercises are also easy to weave into your running program, as you can do them at regular intervals during your workout at a park, trail or track. Depending on your fitness level and length of your run, do 5 to 10 minutes of running and then stop to do a boot camp workout, then run for another 5 to 10 minutes, do another boot camp exercise, run, etc. Boot camp exercises are great for losing body weight, fat loss, endurance, and fitness. The practice also improves other areas including, stability, balance, flexibility, agility, and posture. Train hard but train within your capabilities." Editor’s note: Click on the title of this blog to read the full article.

robert galway presents Fitness and Exercise posted at robertgalway.com, saying, "Fitness training courses train you to get a fit and fine body through toning and conditioning, weight training, endurance, and cardiovascular fitness exercise techniques. Fitness training also helps in increasing the metabolism of the body, which means more muscles using more calories in the body. The training helps increase fit muscles in the body, by burning the calories." Editor's note: Click on the title of this blog to read the full post.

Jack Russel presents The Amazing Benefits of the Acai Berry posted at Pure Acai - Acai Berry Info Blog, saying, "The Acai berry has been heavily promoted by the media in recent times. It has been endorsed by top celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey and Rachel Ray. The Acai fruit is believed to have many health benefits, and is therefore gaining prominence very quickly. Although many people are still learning about the health benefits of the Acai berry, the fact is, Central and South Americans have long known about these benefits."

Jack Russel presents Diet Pill Reviews to Choose the Best Diet Pill posted at Pure Acai - Acai Berry Info Blog, saying, "Diet pills are gaining immense popularity when it comes to putting off weight in a short span without indulging in any physical activity. Before you purchase any diet pill, it is necessary to know the best diet pills available in the market, which are safe in use, do not have any side effect and should also help in shedding the extra bulk from your body."

Yanda Atmaja presents Cellulite Remedy With Endermologie Cellulite Treatment posted at Cellulite Remedies Tips, saying, "The Endermologie cellulite treatment is today one of the most popular ways to treat cellulite because it is the only non-surgical technique which gives amazing results. What is cellulite? Cellulite is nothing more than fat, combined with toxins, which are packed tightly in between tissues under the skin. When this happens, you will find that the skin gets a typically puckered or dimpled look, which most find unsightly."

James presents 3 Day Heart Diet, posted at Lose Weight In A Week. Editor’s note: the diet presented by the author is a good way to jumpstart your diet.

Terry Young presents how-does-the-acai-berry-help-with-diabetes? posted at Your Complete Diabetes Health Care Information, saying, "Many doctors believe that the underlying cause of diabetes is chronic inflammation, but what does that mean? Quite simply, it means that type two diabetics can benefit tremendously from eating a balanced diet of low glycemic index foods and taking anti-inflammatories, such as acai."

Ralph Jean-Paul presents Building Self-Discipline posted at Potential 2 Success, saying, "Having trouble sticking to your diet or exercise program? Take charge of your health by adding more discipline to your life. Learn some steps needed for you to build discipline in every aspect of your life."

Mike Robbins presents Never Ever Go Food Shopping Hungry! posted at Body Solid Fitness. Editor’s note: In addition to not going to the supermarket with an empty stomach, it is also a good idea to bring a list and strictly adhere to only purchasing the items on your list.

Mike Batey presents Jivamukti Yoga posted at Yoga Mad, saying, "Created by David Life and Sharon Gannon, Jivamukti yoga is a yoga style that combines physical, spiritual and philosophical aspects of traditional yoga. The Jivamukti method of yoga is one of the nine internationally recognized styles of Hatha yoga, the other eight being Ashtanga, Iyengar, Viniyoga, Sivananda, Integral, Bikram, Kripalu, and Kundalini."

VikramKir presents What to eat to lose fat? Food for weight loss! posted at Thoughtfully Vikram...., saying, “The secret of fat lose is Metabolism!” Editor’s note: the author provides some good weight loss tips.

Cynthia Kerry presents Different ways you can get rid of belly fat posted at Best Fat Loss Reviews. Editor’s note: Some good advice on how to get rid of belly fat.

Wayne Hairston presents Reduce Chest Fat - The Best Way to Get Rid of Man Boobs in 3 Steps posted at Lose Your Man Boobs Now, saying, “There are 3 things you can do to reduce chest fat starting today.

Wayne Hairston presents Exercise Man Boobs with 3 Effective Techniques posted at Lose Your Man Boobs Now. Editor’s note: The author lists several exercises to help men get rid of chest fat.

Paul Hooper presents How to Lose Weight posted at online-niche-store.com, saying, "So what is the best way to lose weight? Well, there are a million and one answers to that question, as you can see by all of the weight loss products on the market these days.But one thing is for sure. In order for you to start and maintain a healthy diet and fitness program, one that will work, and continue to work for you for years to come, you need something that you feel comfortable and have confidence in."

Joel Riley presents How to Use Diet Bets And Other Tips posted at Master Cleanse Diet Blog, saying, “There's really no other detoxification and cleanse program other than the Master Cleanse that has been so well received by health professionals around the world.”

Joel Riley presents How To Lose Weight - Starting With Just A Glass Of Water posted at The Master Cleanse Diet, saying, “The trouble with dieting is that low calorie diet would throw the body into starvation mode.”

Health Insurance

Jim DeSantis presents How To Investigate Health Insurance Providers posted at On Line Tribune Health, saying, "The growing number of consumers needing reasonably priced health insurance plans with decent coverage has led to the mushrooming of scam health insurance providers. These providers often target new retirees, the elderly, young families, and small-business owners who can't negotiate group rates with legitimate insurers. Here's how to find legitimate low cost providers."

Nancy Miller presents Safety First – For Your Child posted at Comments on: Top 100 Diet and Fitness Blogs. Editor’s note: Some important safety pointers to protect your children. It’s a sad world, but I remember my mother telling my daughter who was just a toddler at the time about the “bad man.” Of course, there are women who one must watch out for as a sad case in the news about an 8 year old California girl who was abducted, sexually abused, and murdered.

Save Money on Health Care

Ishan B presents How to Save Money on Prescription Drugs posted at Save Few Bucks, saying, “In this tight economy, it is very difficult to take out money for expensive Prescription Drugs. But there are a few simple ways in which you can Save Few Bucks on Prescription Drugs. I have detailed those in this article.”

Kirby Horton presents Help With Prescription Assistance Programs posted at Rx HELP, saying, "Advice and guidance on how to apply for prescription assistance programs."

Stanley Samuel presents Use leverage to transform health care in the US posted at Wall & Main. Editor’s note: The author suggests that preventative medicine be added to the four essential principles of healthcare reform: coverage for the uninsured, cost control, coordinated care, and choice.

floid presents Its Time for an FDA Makeover! posted at Branches Of Health. Editor’s note: The author reports on some of the important changes that the Obama administration will be bringing to the FDA.

J.D. Bell presents Howard Dean Triple Dog Dares Barack Obama To Compromise On Health Care it-takes-work.com posted at It Takes Work. Editor’s note: The author presents an alternative view on the healthcare crisis. Unfortunately, in my opinion, the current U.S. health care insurance system, which was based on an employer pay model, has grown too expensive for small businesses, the self employed, and individuals to afford. When the cost of health insurance is as much as a mortgage or rent payment, something is radically wrong. I also think that it is a question of morality that all have access to quality healthcare.

Women’s Health

Pregnancy Hut presents Introducing Your Dog to Your New Baby posted at Pregnancy Calendar, saying, "If you're a die-hard dog lover, you've got to be prepared for the fact that bringing home a baby will have a huge impact on the relationship you and your pooch share."

Pregnancy Hut presents Preparing for Your Baby ?Recipes that Freeze Well posted at Pregnancy Calendar, saying, "As a new mom, you'll be lucky if you have time to sleep at all - spending an hour on dinner the way you did before you got pregnant is probably out of the question until your baby is old enough to spend time alone."

Asheesh presents Pregnancy Spotting - It Can Be a Warning Sign Pregnancy Advisor posted at Pregnancy Advisor, saying, "Pregnancy spotting can be a form of implantation bleeding as well as a sign of danger."

Elisha Webster Emerson presents The Labor Politic posted at My Inconvenient Body, saying, "Musings on the political condition that is child delivery."

Pregnancy Advisor presents How to Choose a Pregnancy Doctor Pregnancy Advisor posted at Pregnancy Advisor, saying, "It is important to be under the care of a qualified pregnancy doctor."

Erika Collin presents 100 Best Wellness Blogs for Women posted at Masters in Health Care, saying, “These blogs offer sound advice from those who have made positive changes in their lives as well as experts in a variety of fields.”

Miscellaneous

Gary R. presents Easy to Prepare Campsite Meals posted at Camping Tips, saying, "When you're packing up for your big camping trip, the last thing you want to do is to weigh down your car with all the extra pots, pans and kitchen utensils you'll need to prepare your favorite meals over the camp stove."

swapnil warang presents Are Cell Phones Harmful to Our Health posted at switch2life. Editor’s note: Some good information on cell phone use.

mangoz presents RAW VEGAN NORI SUSHI ROLL DEMONSTRATION posted at Vegetarian Culinary, saying, "Easy guide on how to make vegan sushi rolls!" Editor’s note: You will enjoy watching the chef prepare sushi on this video.

Pat Doyle presents How to Arrange Your Bedroom for Good Feng Shui posted at Feng Shui Crazy, saying, "The bedroom is one of the most important rooms for Feng Shui. You spend one third of your life in bed, and a restful sleep is important for your general energy level."

Jenny Jen presents Yoshiblade posted at JennyReviews.com, saying, "I got an expensive kitchen knife a while back, and I love it, but now it’s getting pretty old and sharpening it is just a pain. That’s why I decided to get the Yoshiblade ceramic knife, no sharpening needed!"
J.D. Bell presents Dr. Seuss Explains The Bailout it-takes-work.com posted at It Takes Work. Editor’s note: An interesting and different perspective on the bailout situation.

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.

Technorati tags: take charge of your health care, blog carnival.

Take Charge of Your Health Care Carnival July 20, 2008

Welcome to the July 20, 2008 edition of take charge of your health care. This being Summer in the Northern Hemisphere, our authors’ beauty and fitness tips should help you look your best at the beach or pool.

This month we have some interesting articles on women’s health issues. A number of new author’s have contributed to this Carnival. As always, be a questioning and knowledgeable health care consumer. This will save your health and your money.

Alternative Medicine

Amy S Quinn presents 50 Online Tests and Tools to Calculate Your Health & Wellness posted at Nursing School Search Blog, saying, “While going to the doctor is the only real way to ensure you have a clean bill of health, these online calculators and tests can help you determine if you’re at risk and should consult a physician or just help you determine some fitness and health goals for yourself.”

Dean Moyer presents Back Pain posted at The Back Pain Blog, saying, "Dean Moyer of The Back Pain Blog explains the advantages and disadvantages of water-based physical therapy in his post Aquatic Therapy for Back Pain."

Leisa Wheeler presents Breast Cancer and HRT posted at EmbracingHealthBlog Alternative Health and Lifestyle Views. Editor’s note: the author cites an Australian study that shows a correlation between the reduction in the use or Hormone Replacement Therapy and a reduction in the number of breast cancer cases. This is good news indeed.

Helene Zemel presents Hormone Replacement Therapy - Part 2 Estrogen Dominance and Natural Progesterone posted at Health Plans Plus, saying, "Estrogen dominance can be a problem even for younger women who experience PMS, painful menstrual cramps or long, heavy periods. Natural forms of progesterone can prove helpful in alleviating symptoms caused by estrogen dominance."

Helene Zemel presents Hormone Replacement Therapy - First Do No Harm Part 1 - Estrogen Replacement Therapy (EST) posted at Health Plans Plus, saying, "It has long been known that estrogen (both natural and synthetic) can increase the risk of certain cancers, yet these hormones continue to be prescribed by physicians. Fortunately there are natural products that act like estrogen without the dangerous side effects."

James Chambers presents Hyperhidrosis Causes posted at Hyperhidrosis. Editor’s note: Good information on a problematic condition.

James Chambers presents Heavy Sweating Due To Anxiety posted at Hyperhidrosis, saying, “Call it what you want but heavy sweating due to anxiety is a common condition that affects more people than you know.”

Consumer Driven Health Care

Shaheen Lakhan presents Should Doctors be Paid by Drug Companies for Research? posted at Brain Blogger, saying, "Though the Research Ethics Boards exists to protect research subjects in clinical trials by providing guidelines, sometimes healthcare companies and doctors find a way around them. Is money that big a draw that a doctor could go against his own ethics?"

Alvaro Fernandez presents Brain Age, Posit Science, and Brain Training Topics posted at SharpBrains: Your Window into the Brain Fitness Revolution, saying, "In summary, the great news is that there are more tools available than ever before to assess and train a variety of cognitive skills. The bad news (is this really news?) is that we shouldn't be expecting magic pills and that "brain age" is a fiction."

Ginni Eyes presents Second Opinions posted at Circle of Healing, saying, "Sometimes you have to rely on your own "expert" opinion when managing your health care, even if it means going against your doctor's."

Dental Care

Tip Diva presents Top Ten Tips - Treating TMJ Pain posted at Tip Diva, saying, "If you suffer temporomandibular joint disorder (commonly referred to as TMJ) like Tip Diva, you may have trouble getting your medical and dental insurance plans to cover any treatment. But there are at-home remedies you can use to reduce, or even get rid of, the pain."

NAOMI presents BAD TEETH BRITS EMBARRASSED TO SMILE posted at Diary From England, saying, “It’s not surprising many Brits have bad teeth as trying to find an NHS dentist in most areas of the country is like trying to find a needle in a haystack.”

Alex Bo presents Dental Tourism Call To Travel For Healthy Smile posted at Worldental - world dental treatment guide. Editor’s note: more and more people from the U.S., Canada, and Europe, are traveling abroad to take advantage of the much lower cost of dentistry in foreign countries.


Diet & Fitness

Aparna presents Hip fat is actually beneficial posted at Beauty and Personality Grooming. Editor’s note: This is an interesting perspective on body fat.

Heather Johnson presents Forced to Rest? Watch your Weight! posted at Mark Corner. Editor’s note: Some excellent advice for those who must restrict their activities due to an illness, injury, or surgery.

Ellen Landauer presents Natural Alternative Health CoachingHealth Freedom Coaching: dandelion recipes posted at Health Freedom Coaching, saying, "Dandelion greens are a great health (and beauty) food, a time-honored liver-cleanser and awesomely nutritious! They are still in season if you know where to find them. In this article I so enjoyed writing, some personal dandelion lore, unique recipes for dandelion greens and hints on where you can still find succulent leaves. As well, storage suggestions and a special ‘dandelion detox’ procedure to rinse away environmental toxins."

Joshua Seth presents Summer Weight Loss Tips posted at Joshua Seth Blog, saying, ""It's swimsuit season and chances are if you're like most people your old New Year's Resolution is about to become your new summer weight loss program. Oops! Here are 3 simple things you can do today to start losing weight this summer..."

Ralph Jean-Paul presents posted at Potential 2 Success, saying, "Get your hands on these foods and begin to experience the powerful health benefits they provide"

Dan Taylor presents The Truth posted at The 45-Year Old Six Pack, saying, "Do you really want to know what's holding you back?"

James Brausch presents Diabetes posted at Weight Loss Dude. Editor’s note: The author makes some interesting observations on the medical establishment. Is diabetes truly incurable if you get blood sugar levels to normal?

Joshua Seth presents How To Double Your Weight Loss posted at Joshua Seth Blog, saying, "A study came out yesterday that discovered a key difference between people who are successful at losing weight and those who are not. The simple act of keeping a..."

Victoria E presents WANTED: Women and Men Who Adore Yoga posted at Victoria Everman :: Sustainable, Creative, Enlightened Living :: San Francisco. Editor’s note: If you are a serious practitioner of yoga, this blogger is looking for contributions for Yoga Journal Magazine. You will want to read this article.

Victoria E presents VE on Gaiam Life: Yoga-on-the-Go Guide posted at Victoria Everman :: Sustainable, Creative, Enlightened Living :: San Francisco. Editor’s note: some products and advice to help you continue your yoga practice while traveling on the road.

aruntheace presents ?What is there to Know About Diet Pills?? posted at HealthyBitz. Editor’s note: Some good advice for those considering taking diet pills.

Health and the Environment

http://www.powerfull-living­.biz/blog/2008/05/21/10­-qualities-that-foster-trust­-safety-in-business-personal­-relationships/trackback presents 5 Tips to Be At Your Best posted at Powerfull Living, saying, "Striving for excellence rather than perfectionism invites you to be at your best day-to-day. Learn 5 tips to help you help you shine."

Joanne presents Accept Both Positive and Negative Emotions posted at Open Mind Required, saying, “Why are we so obsessed with feeling good and so afraid of feeling bad that we take drugs and food to elevate our mood?.”

Mike Remer presents Is STRESS Real? My Path To Fitness Blog posted at My Path To Fitness Blog. Editor’s note: The author discusses stress and gives some tips for dealing with it.

Save Money on Health Care and Health Insurance

Adam Zekmueller presents Comparison of top discount online eyewear retailers posted at Get Better Glasses!, saying, "Save money on prescription eyeglasses by purchasing them online! This post compares the top online retailer so you know you are getting just what you need and at a price you can probably afford."

Swiper presents How Aggressive are Insurance Companies? posted at Boston Personal Injury Lawyer, saying, "This article explains insurance companies aggressive tactics when it comes to personal injury cases."

Jose DeJesus MD presents Declare Your Financial Independence! posted at Physician Entrepreneur. Editor’s note: This post raises the issue of the reduction in Medicare payments to physicians and the probability of insurance companies following suit.

Alvaro Fernandez presents Computerized Cognitive Assessments: opportunities and concerns posted at SharpBrains: Your Window into the Brain Fitness Revolution, saying, "You know your weight, and your physical fitness, and a variety of health-related metrics. What about your brain fitness?"

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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Hormone Replacement Therapy - Part 2 Estrogen Dominance and Natural Progesterone

While many troublesome menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, mood swings, vaginal dryness, insomnia and anxiety are caused by too little estrogen, other symptoms during perimenopause and menopause can be caused by estrogen dominance. This is most often due to either too much estrogen or a reduction in progesterone. Estrogen dominance can be a problem even for younger women who experience PMS, painful menstrual cramps or long, heavy periods.

In my post of October 7, 2007, Hormone Replacement Therapy – Part 1, I focused on Estrogen Replacement Therapy. Because of the known side effects of estrogen replacement, especially its known effects on the hyper-proliferation of both breast and uterine tissue, many women suffering from menopausal symptoms are looking for a natural alternative.

As I stated in my previous post: It has long been known that estrogen (both natural and synthetic) can increase the risk of certain cancers, yet these hormones continue to be prescribed by physicians. Estrogen has a direct effect on the uterine lining and is known to increase a woman’s risk of endometrial (uterine) cancer and some pre-cancerous conditions such as atypical hyperplasia. Estrogen can also increase the risk of breast cancer because of the effect of estrogen on breast tissue as well as the development of potentially deadly blood clots.

In my previous post, I recommended the use of black cohosh, red clover, and soy which contain natural phytoestrogens which can reduce and eliminate annoying menopausal symptoms without the dangerous side effects of estrogen. Since women during perimenopause and menopause experience a reduction in both estrogen and progesterone, it seems quite natural to add natural progesterone to balance the phytoestrogens in the formula. Natural progesterone is available in creams available in health stores and as Wild Yam Root which contains diosgenin from which progesterone can be synthesized. I will not recommend any specific products, but combinations of natural herbs with both estrogenic and progesterone effects can be found in pharmacies, health product catalogs, and on the internet.

And what about estrogen dominance? In this case, we will want to use progesterone to counteract the effects of too much estrogen secretion. This is a common occurrence in both menopause and perimenopause and is responsible for extremely heavy, anemia causing periods during perimenopause and the spotting that can occur during early menopause. While synthetic progesterone such as Provera and generic version medroxyprogesterone can have serious side effects such as proliferation of breast tissue, increase in blood glucose, anxiety, weight gain, blood clots, and even cancer, women can enjoy the benefits of progesterone therapy through the use of natural progesterone cream or Wild Yam Root cream or capsules without these side effects. These products can be easily found in pharmacies, health stores and catalogs, or online.

Although there is some controversy over the effectiveness of Wild Yam Root, probably brought on by the big pharmaceutical companies, in a future post, I will describe how Wild Yam Root cured my estrogen dominance.

For an affordable health plan that encourages consumer driven health care and alternative medicine visit: Health Plans Plus.

Hormone Replacement Therapy - First Do No HarmPart 1 - Estrogen Replacement Therapy (EST)

Menopause is the time in a woman’s life when her ovaries stop releasing egg cells and menstruation ceases. At the same time, a woman’s body produces less estrogen and progesterone, the two main female hormones. This reduction in hormone levels may lead some women to experience bothersome symptoms such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, insomnia, anxiety, and mood swings.
While these symptoms are the result of natural processes and can be relieved by natural remedies, along came the big pharmaceutical companies to make a disease out of menopause and as a result increase profits.

The first hormone replacement medication was the drug Premarin. This medication consists of horse estrogens taken from pregnant mares—hence the name PREgnant MARes urINe. The pregnant mares were usually kept in cramped conditions so they could be on a urine production line. The majority of the resulting foals were destined for people’s tables and sold for slaughter. Horse meat is a delicacy in some overseas market.

It has long been known that estrogen (both natural and synthetic) can increase the risk of certain cancers, yet these hormones continue to be prescribed by physicians. Estrogen has a direct effect on the uterine lining and is known to increase a woman’s risk of endometrial (uterine) cancer and some pre-cancerous conditions such as atypical hyperplasia. Estrogen can also increase the risk of breast cancer because of the effect of estrogen on breast tissue as well as development of potentially deadly blood clots.

Although the best course is to treat menopause as the natural body process that it is, if menopausal symptoms are intolerable, there are several natural therapies that can bring relief with minimal or no side effects. These therapies include black cohosh, red clover, and soy.

Black cohosh (also spelled cohash) has been used for many years as an effective alternative herbal treatment for menopausal symptoms. This herbal remedy has even gone mainstream. In 2001, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists stated that based on consensus and expert opinion, black cohosh could be helpful for the symptoms of menopause. The pharmaceutical company, GlaxoSmithKline, now markets black cohosh, sold under the name Remifemin, as a treatment for the vasomotor symptoms of menopause (hot flashes, night sweats, irritability, etc.). Remifemin has been the subject of double blind, placebo controlled tests proving its effectiveness without causing the effect on breast tissue that estrogen can have.

Red clover and soy are two other supplements that can be beneficial for menopausal symptoms. Red clover is a source of both phytoestrogens and isoflavones which are plant estrogens which mimic human estrogen. This product is also marketed under the name Promensil and has been the subject of research studies proving its effectiveness. Soy products, available in both food and supplement form, also contain phytoestrogens and may provide some relief of menopausal symptoms.

For information on health benefits that are friendly to alternative medicine, visit my website at health plans plus.