Archives for February 2010 | DoctorSolve Blog

February 27, 2010

Top 5 Ways to Be More Alert

Filed under: can\'t sleep,stay awake,Uncategorized — Candace @ 12:07 pm

It is exceedingly difficult to find time for an adequate amount of sleep. When balancing work, school, family, fun, and sleep sometimes it feels like you have to sacrifice something to fit all you need into your day, and the 1st thing to go is sleep. Here are some ways to stay alert and awake when you are not able to get the right amount of sleep.

1. Caffeine – Not always in a form of coffee, caffeine is a wonderful tool to keep you awake. You can get caffeine through an energy drink, a cup of tea, coffee, soda, etc.

2. Exercise – Exercising boosts your energy and is all around healthy! Just 30 minutes of exercise can boost your energy for the whole day!!

3. Eat breakfast – Breakfast is the most important meal of the day! Having a breakfast including at least 3 food groups is the best, for example granola on yogurt, and a piece of fruit.

4. Reduce your alcohol intake – Alcohol gives you a lower quality of sleep than you would have otherwise and leaves you sleepy the next morning.

5. Eat meat – Eating the recommended 3 – 5 servings a day of protein will help you to stay alert and awake. Having a lack of protein will make you feel wearier and wiped out.

DoctorSolve Healthcare Solutions Inc., a Canadian Internet-based pharmacy intermediary (license #BC X23), offers low cost, long-term prescription drugs. A professionally registered pharmacist fills all Canadian prescriptions. A certified member of the Canadian International Pharmacy Association, DoctorSolve is ranked as one of the best online Canadian pharmacies by PharmacyChecker.com.
For more information on how to order Canada drugs safely and securely call 1-866-732-0305 or visit http://www.doctorsolve.com/ – a trusted and reliable Canadian online pharmacy since 1999.

Comments (0)

February 23, 2010

Food For Thought

Filed under: brain,caffeine,carbohydrates,memory,memory loss,omega-3,Uncategorized — Candace @ 5:40 pm

If you have a job, which you most likely do since you have access to a computer to read this, you are quite likely required to think. What you eat and drink in your day is 100 % related to your work or school performance. It is important to have a healthy diet to keep your brain working; it is also possible to feed your brain with the best foods to further increase its activity and better its performance.

1. Eat fish – Is this why people stereotype Asian people as smart? Maybe. Fish have choline and omega-3 fatty acids. Both of these improve your brains activities. A test was done on baby rats by giving them a dose of choline. When given to young rats, the results were lifelong memory enhancement. In a human experiment, pregnant women were given cod liver oil or corn oil through their pregnancies. Because of the omega-3 fatty acids (which were in the cod liver oil but not the corn oil) the children given the cod liver oil had a considerably higher IQ score at the age of four.

2. Stop with the Carbs – Although you do need carbohydrates on a daily basis, people are getting more than enough already. When we eat too many carbs our bodies will shut down and we will become tired. This makes it difficult to concentrate. Fruits and vegetables are a better option than bread and pastas.

3. Caffeine – Do you need caffeine to stay awake? Don’t become addicted. Caffeine can help your brain function more quickly and efficiently, but you should not need to rely on caffeine on a daily basis. Once you have become addicted to caffeine, your brain will function less than normal until you have had your caffeine intake. This is unhealthy.

4. Eat a balanced breakfast – How can your brain function without food? Can you imagine yourself turning on a flashlight that doesn’t have batteries in it? It will not work because it has no power source. Food is your batteries. Try and get at least 3 food groups into your breakfast. An ideal breakfast would be granola cereal, yogurt, and an apple.

Thinking requires quite a specific diet. Eating lots of protein, as well as drinking lots and lots of water, and filling up on fiber will guarantee you a more efficient brain.

For more information on how to order Canada drugs safely and securely call 1-866-732-0305 or visit http://www.doctorsolve.com/ – a trusted and reliable Canadian online pharmacy since 1999.

Comments (0)

February 17, 2010

Happy = Healthy

Filed under: happy,healthy,heart attack,heart disease,heart disorder,Uncategorized — Candace @ 6:59 pm

Mom always said “Don’t smoke,” “Eat healthy,” “Exercise,” and many other demands that we rolled our eyes at. Not only was she right about all those, but also when you were grumpy and she told you to cheer up, she was right as well. Smoking, bad eating habits, a lack of exercise, and unhappiness, are all attributed to causing heart attacks.

New research conducted at the Columbia university shows that happy people are less likely to have heart problems. Out of 1700 people studied, 145 with heart problems had an overall lower score in the scale of happiness. Even if you are a completely, undeniably pessimistic person, just pretending to be happy can have a positive effect on your heart.

The happiness scale used in the study was a 5 point scale. Research proved that for every point you go up on the scale, you are 22 per cent less likely to experience heart problems. It is still unknown whether happiness may be altered through genetics. There may be a gene passed on which can happiness (and heart disease).

Stress is a major cause of heart problems. Stress releases hormones which can damage the heart, so avoid any stress. Depression obviously takes away happiness so this is not the best emotion when looking to have a healthy heart. Try your best to be optimistic! Think positive! Try to catch yourself when you think negative thoughts. Instead of thinking “I only got a B on that paper; I’m stupid.” Think, “I got a B, what else could I do to improve my mark?” Soon you will not even remember those negative thoughts that used to pop into your head all the time. The key is to always keep an optimistic view (easier said than done, I know) and you will be healthier (and happier)!

Comments (0)

February 10, 2010

Tonsil Stones

Filed under: coughing,little white curds,remove tonsils,tonsil stones,Uncategorized — Candace @ 6:08 pm

Tonsil stones are little white or yellow lumps coughed up. They smell terrible due to volatile sulfur compounds and bacteria. Tonsil stones are only found in people who have their tonsils. Normally the little dead cells in the tonsils shed and are swallowed, but for some people (with tonsil stones), the dead cells accumulate and form a hard little ball, they also attract bacteria. 7 % of the world’s population has tonsil stones.

What essentially happens is a piece of matter forms in the crevasses of your tonsils. If this piece of matter is too big you may be able to feel it with your tongue. Tonsil stones often cause bad breath, but don’t worry, they are easily removed. To completely remove tonsil stones and prevent them from returning the only option would be surgery to remove your tonsils, but other temporary relievers will work.

Self-removal – Some people insist on removing tonsil stones with just their fingernail. This is not sanitary and you may scratch your tonsil. You can use an oral analgesic like Chloraseptic to suppress your gag reflex.

Cotton swab – If you insist on using a cotton swab to push against the bottom of the tonsil and pushing upward until the stones squeezes out. Moisten the swab with water before sticking the swab into your mouth.

Toothbrush – Out of these 1st 3 methods, using a toothbrush is the best idea. Although it may provoke the gag reflex, its more effective and more sanitary than the 1st two. Gently brush the portion of the tonsil where you believe the tonsil stone is.

High-tech – A high tech option is a Waterpik Irrigator. This costs about 40 dollars. The tongue attachment sprayed directly into the area containing the tonsil stone should immediately dislodge it. Use the lowest setting possible as any other setting may tear through tonsil tissue.

Gargle – Gargling with salt water, cider vinegar, or mouthwash can help to extricate the stone.

Flex – No, not your muscles. Flex your throat, raise your tongue to the roof of your mouth and swallow. This tenses your tonsils and can your tonsil stones to pop out.

Drink carbonated drinks – Club soda, seltzer water, and tonic water have been helpful in dislodging tonsil stones. This may take a while though.

Medicine droppers – Medicine droppers, especially with a curved tip, can suck out small stones. First irrigate the area with saline (salt water) and then suck out the stone with the dropper.

Be extremely careful when undertaking any of the methods listed above. The tonsils and throat are incredibly sensitive, and can be injured or aggravated quite easily. Embedded tonsilloliths (which develop inside tonsils) are not simply removed, but will naturally dislodge from the tonsils over time.

For more information on how to order Canada drugs safely and securely call 1-866-732-0305 or visit http://www.doctorsolve.com/ – a trusted and reliable Canadian online pharmacy since 1999.

Comments (0)

February 8, 2010

6 Myths Your Parents Told you: Were they right?

Filed under: Arthritis,benefits of coffee,catch a cold,cold and flu,Diabetes,diabetes prevention,nightmares,stomach acids,Uncategorized,virus — Amanda @ 5:43 pm

1. If you don’t wait 30 minutes before you swim after you eat, you will get stomach cramps and drown

False! I truly believed this when I was a child. The only time I ever swam immediately after I ate, I had an unfortunate accident and was convinced it was because of this myth. For some reason parents were under the impression that because your blood moves to the stomach to help digest food, there will not be enough blood to circulate through your arms and legs to keep them working properly. In truth we have enough blood to keep all of our parts functioning just fine after we eat. This myth was probably created to allow parents to rest after eating before having to be on the watch over their children at a pool without lifeguards.

2. If you swallow your gum, it will take 7 years to digest

False! Perhaps our mom’s got confused somewhere down the line when the gum packages read “indigestible”. Indigestible means that the components of gum can’t be broken down by your stomach acids. The same thing that happens to corn happens to your gum – you will find it intact upon exiting the body.

3. Don’t crack your knuckles – it will give you arthritis

False! For those who are avid knuckle crackers, this is good news. According to research, there has been no solid proof that there is a link between cracking your knuckles and developing arthritis. It is believed that when the bones are pulled apart, they release a gas bubble and break the adhesive seal in the joints and many people thought that this can inflame the joints and cause arthritis. The truth is that although many people in the US partake in frequent knuckle cracking, it probably isn’t the healthier habit out there. Cracking your knuckles can decrease your grip strength and weaken the fingers.

4. Having candy before bedtime will give you nightmares

True! Studies have found that going to bed on a full stomach can increase brain stimulation, therefore triggering nightmares. Apparently unhealthy foods create even scarier nightmares. A study conducted in 2000 found that after feeding ice cream, sandwiches, and candy bars to participants 30 minutes before going to bed, seven of the participants had nightmares while sleeping. The next night, the nightmares dramatically diminished for four of the participants. This may have been a way for your parents to scam you out of dessert though – sleeping on a full stomach (no matter the sugar content) can have the same effect.

5. Coffee will stunt your growth

False! I actually believed this up until the time I met someone who is 6 foot 1 and apparently started drinking coffee when he was a toddler. Research proves that height can only be affected by genetics – no matter how much coffee you drink or don’t drink, your height is predetermined. The reason the myth was created was probably another way to keep kids under control – the caffeine in coffee is a very strong stimulant. In adults, coffee can actually be a good thing for your body – there are recent studies that have found a link between coffee and diabetes prevention.

6. Going outside with wet hair or without a jacket will make you sick

False! This is more to keep you feeling comfortable outside than anything. The only thing that can make us sick is exposure to a virus. By inhaling airborne viruses released by the cough or sneeze of a sick person is the most common way to catch a cold. Its more likely that you will get sick indoors where viral particles are trapped than outside.

For more information on how to order Canada drugs safely and securely call 1-866-732-0305 or visit http://www.doctorsolve.com/ – a trusted and reliable Canadian online pharmacy since 1999.

Comments (2)

February 5, 2010

Hangover Remedies Fact or Fiction

Filed under: avoid hangovers,hangover myths,hangover symptoms,medications for hangovers,myths,Uncategorized — Candace @ 10:59 am

Consuming 8.5 ounces of an alcoholic drink will cause the body to force out 27 to 34 ounces of water. Hangovers are unpleasant. Many people have said things like drinking in the morning or chugging fruit juice will help prevent you feeling the symptoms of a hangover (or at least lessen the symptoms of the hangover) Some of these said remedies are true, and some are absolute bogus.

1. Burnt toast – This is true! Carbon, found on burned toast, is like a sieve to the body; it strains out most bad substances. Carbon is better than some over the counter remedies, as they may (in some cases) attract congeners.

2. Black coffee – Coffee, jam-packed with caffeine, helps fight exhaustion (a symptom of most hangovers). Coffee is excellent in some ways and terrible in others. It helps rid of headaches associated with hangovers, but caffeine during a hangover, may make you urinate more often, and increase your dehydration. Also, as long as you have coffee in your system, you will be aware and awake, but when it wears off, you can be even more tired than you were initially.

3. Hair of the Dog – Drinking alcohol the morning after is not a good idea. It only will delay your hangover. Your liver is still sifting through toxins left from the alcohol metabolism, so drinking more will worsen your hangover when your liver has to break down more alcohol and more toxins.

4. Fried Foods – This is not recommended. Fried foods will upset your stomach and it has already endured enough so do not put it through that as well. If you eat fried foods before consuming alcohol, this is okay; in fact it may even be beneficial. This is because fatty foods stick to the stomach lining longer, slowing the alcohol absorption into the bloodstream.

5. Eggs – Eggs will give you a ton of energy, and they contain cysteine, which breaks down toxins which cause hangover symptoms.

There are other measures you can take when preventing hangovers. Things you can do before consuming alcohol include, drinking water before and throughout drinking, eating fruit, taking a vitamin B supplement, eating a ton before drinking. You can also rely on medications if nothing else works.

Comments (0)

February 4, 2010

6 Health Signs That Shouldn’t Be Ignored

Filed under: Asthma,cancer,chest pain,Diabetes,headaches,heart attack,obesity,shortness of breath,stroke,Uncategorized — Amanda @ 5:02 pm

Last winter, actress Natasha Richardson was admitted after complaining of a headache. Earlier that day she was skiing on a beginner hill and took a fall without wearing a helmet. She claimed she felt fine and joked about the fall with her ski instructor, and carried on with her day. An ambulance that could have saved her life was turned away. Richardson said she felt fine and didn’t think anything of the head trauma, ignoring a dangerous health sign that caused her death. Seemingly mild symptoms can be more dangerous that we think – so a little knowledge about health signs could one day save your life.

1. Splitting headaches - We all get headaches every now and then, but if you ever experience a headache more painful than any other headache you’ve had before, make sure you go to the doctor. It could be a sinus headache if you have a cold, but it could also be a brain tumor or a hemorrhage. If you aren’t completely sure what causes the pain, have it checked out. Painful headaches are also a symptom of brain bleeding and could be signs of an aneurysm. If you also are unable to move your neck, you may have meningitis and require immediate antibiotics to prevent damage.

2. Pins and needles sensation in the feet or legs - Nearly 24 million Americans have diabetes, and 1/4 of those are not diagnosed. High blood sugar levels could damage your nervous system (causing pins and needles) and resulting in diabetes and deadly complications if not diagnosed. This is the first sign of diabetes for many people.

3. Stomach pain - If you have intense pain in your stomach and still have your appendix, head to the ER right away. An appendix could rupture within 48 to 72 hours after symptoms start. A ruptured appendix can cause an infection that can be life-threatening.

4. Calf pain - A blood clot that occurs deep down in the calf vein is called thrombosis. Affecting 2 million Americans a year, deep vein thrombosis can be life-threatening. A piece of the clot can break loose and cause a clot in the lungs. Cancer, obesity, immobility due to bed rest or long-distance travel, pregnancy, and advanced age are risk factors.

5. Chest pain - Chest pain is the most important health symptom that shouldn’t be ignored. Discomfort in the chest (such as pressure) is the first sign of a heart attack. Don’t wait for the feeling of pain before you call a doctor – if it feels like an elephant is sitting on your chest, have someone call 911 immediately.

6. Shortness of breath - If you feel short of breath after running after the bus or taking the stairs, its nothing to be worried about. If you are experiencing shortness of breath while sitting down, however, it is a sign of heart failure. It could also be asthma, anxiety, or a blood clot in the lungs.

For more information on how to order Canada drugs safely and securely call 1-866-732-0305 or visit http://www.doctorsolve.com/ – a trusted and reliable Canadian online pharmacy since 1999.

Comments (0)

February 2, 2010

What to do (and not to do) in a Medical Emergency or Household Accident

Filed under: choking,epilepsy,heimlich maneuver,how to stop a nose bleed,nose bleed,pain relief,seizure,sprained ankle,Uncategorized — John @ 4:52 pm

Many people have very different ideas of what to do in certain medical emergencies and even household accidents. The problem with this is some things can increase the chance of permanent or serious injury.

Seizure – If someone is having a seizure make sure to call 911 and try to roll them on their side. Do not try to pry their mouth open or move them, unless they are in an unsafe location. If the person suffers from epilepsy, only call 911 if the seizure lasts more than 5 minutes.

Spraining your ankle – If you sprain your ankle you should use ice, as this will help reduce swelling. Do not heat your ankle. Heat actually makes the injury worse and may cause it to take longer to heal. Normally a sprained ankle does not require medical attention, but if you experience significant pain and are unable to put pressure on your foot, consider seeking medical attention.

Nose Bleed – When it comes to nose bleeds, many people have many different ideas on how to handle the situation. My grandmother still refuses to admit that there is a better way than the one she used back in “old country.” The proper treatment is to lean forward and pinch your nose shut, just underneath the bone. You shouldn’t lean back as this can be dangerous in severe nose bleeds. If the bleed lasts more than 5 minutes seek medical attention.

Choking – What to do if someone is choking depends greatly on the situation. If the person is coughing and still able to talk let them continue coughing. Coughing and talking is a sign that the airway is still partially open. Don’t touch the person or give them food or anything to drink, as it may cause the object to completely block the airway. If the person is not making any sounds or is turning blue you must act. Call 911, and begin the Heimlich maneuver. This will hopefully force the obstruction out.

Comments (0)

February 1, 2010

Vegetarian Versus “Meatetarian”

Filed under: meatetarians,omnivores,Uncategorized,vegan,vegetables,vegetarian — Candace @ 6:11 pm

Being a vegetarian takes plenty of sacrifices but may reap great benefits. It is thought that a vegetarian’s diet lacked many essential nutrients only acquirable with eating meat. Comparing the pros and cons of meat free diets may change people’s minds about vegetarianism.

Pros of Vegetarianism:

An omnivore’s diet is normally high in fat.

Hamburgers are made from cows which are dead, disabled, diseased, and dying.

In eating cow, we also maintain the chemicals and hormones that are supplied to them to promote growth and weight gain.

Vegetarians have a cheaper diet than omnivores.

Meat raises cholesterol levels and increases the risk of arthritis and gout.

Vegetables contain protein.

Soy products provide isoflavins, which limit bone loss, restrain tumor growth, and lower cholesterol (healthier than meat)

A successful diet of a vegetarian lessens ones risk of various diseases including cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes and obesity.

Vegetarians can live up to ten years longer than “meatetarians”.

Green leafy vegetables are a terrific source of calcium.

Cons of Vegetarianism:

Having a diet including meat gives you rich quality proteins and essential amino acids which can only be obtained by eating red meats.

Red meat also contains iron in great amounts.

Phosphorous is also more easily acquired through meat than through vegetables.

Vitamin B12 can only be obtained through meats only. Although vitamin B12 can be found in seaweed and fermented soy products, it is thought that vitamin B12 does not have the same benefits when eaten in plant form. B12 is needed in forming red blood cells and helpful in keeping the nervous system healthy.

Vitamin B2 may also be lacking in a vegans diet. This vitamin is essential in changing protein, fats and carbohydrates into energy.

A vegetarians diet lacks Vitamin D as well.

From this you can conclude that being either a vegetarian and being an omnivore have different outcomes.

Comments (1)