There are two methods for one to build self esteem:1. from his/her accomplishments, who he/she knows, what he/she does, financial success… 2. from self. Buildiing self esteem from self insulates one from tragedies of life as they happen whereas when self esteem is from other sources, life crisises can destroy self esteem.

Building Self Esteem can be a challenge. In my experience of conducting stress management programs and counseling for over 20 years, I found that roughly 99% of those I’ve worked with felt that they needed to improve self esteem. How could this be?

It’s because most of us have been taught to base our self-worth on our accomplishments, skills, physique, financial worth and earnings, ability to help others… Little wonder then when we:

• lose skills because of injury;
• lose a close family member on whom we’re very dependent;
• lose our financial nest egg because the stock market collapses;
• do poorly in a course of study;
• have a bad hair day; or
• don’t live up to our own expectations… we don’t feel good about ourselves and our self esteem and self confidence are challenged. Ultimately, this may:
• jeopardize our health;
• jeopardize our emotional well being;
• set us up for failure mechanisms;
• have us constantly trying to impress others;
• lead to an identity crisis;
• contribute to suicide;
• cause chronic depression…

Why is it when there are so many programs available for building self esteem and building confidence that is there a tremendous shortage of those who have self esteem?

The answer is that if you analyze most programs, trainings, and techniques for building self esteem, you’ll see that they actually create the path to easily put your self esteem self confidence in jeopardy with the first calamity that comes along in your life. Five things you might want to know about building self esteem.

1. Many programs focus on having you to:
• Acquire skills.
• Accomplish achievements.
• Change you physical appearance.
• Develop a talent.
• Obtain additional education…

Building self esteem on something you can acquire can set you up for a big let down, life crisis, anxiety panic attack, and loss of self esteem because these things are not the essence of you but superficial. While you certainly will accomplish many things, when you build self worth the right way, you will never be at risk of losing your self esteem. While talents, skills, accomplishments and so on may come and go, you want your self esteem to be impenetrable.

2. Many programs emphasize affirmations. While affirmations are important, they can also be rejected or ineffective. One method of determining acceptance of a specific affirmation is through the use of a pendulum. It’s simply to ask your subconscious mind if the affirmation is accepted or rejected while holding the pendulum over a chart with directions for “Yes” and “No.” Sometimes it’s simply a matter of rephrasing the affirmation.

3. Evaluate goal setting. Yes, many programs use the approach of setting and achieving goals to build self worth. While it’s ok to have and achieve goals, goals in themselves can be a catch 22 in building self worth. Should you fall short of a particular goal, your self esteem is in jeopardy. While you may have and achieve many goals, your self esteem should not be dependent on them for life is more often about dealing with the plans that fall through than it is about making plans.

4. Many programs only educate the thinking conscious mind. This approach could take forever. The limbic (emotional brain) lags behind the reticular (thinking cognitive brain). When you choose a program, make sure that the program nurtures the emotional brain otherwise, the thinking brain gets smarter and you get simply frustrated because you just can’t seem to put the material into action. The Program you use should have techniques to bring the emotional brain up to date to agree with the new information the thinking brain is receiving.

5. Few programs utilize the power of hypnosis and subliminal suggestions and those that do, may not tell you what the actual suggestions are and what’s worse the suggestions may be counter productive. For instance, many use a suggestion such as, “I am not going to feel badly anymore.” Because of how the brain processes words, this suggestion focuses on feeling badly and is therefore counter productive. Or they may use a complex suggestion which is useless because the subconscious doesn’t process complex suggestions. Choose a program that utilizes hypnosis and make sure the program informs you of the specific subliminal suggestions.

For improving self esteem or building self esteem, it’s important to observe (not criticize) the sources of your role models’ self esteem. It’s important to also observe (not criticize) where your self esteem has come from in the past, i.e. what makes you feel good about you and what you need to feel good about yourself. Thus you’ll understand the psychology of self worth and the causes of low self esteem.

The next step in restoring self esteem and beating low self esteem is to meet your own best friend–you. It typical that we often think we are our own worst enemy. The fact is that you can be your own best friend.Now, how do you handle emotions? I mean feelings of anger, uncertainty, confusion, frustration…? Self criticism in the past may have eroded your self esteem self confidence. You want to use negative emotional experiences to empower you in building self esteem through your experience of any emotion that life can throw your way.

Acknowledge your disappointments and your emotional reactions. Move through the emotional charge and use directional preference statements. Tell yourself that you want to:
• learn from the mistake.
• see the situation in from a different perspective.
• forget about it.And that even though you may be unhappy, you still like yourself.

This is your formula for improving self esteem on a daily basis.

About the Author

Richard Kuhns B.S. Ch. E., NGH certified operated a stress management clinic for 17 years, educator and seminar leader for various corporations, and is the author behind the best selling stress management hypnosis self help cds at http://www.DStressDoc.com and new treatment for anxiety panic attack using wakened hypnosis at http://www.PanicBusters.com

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Are you fear of making the money you want? Here is how you can overcome your fear and be a money magnet.

At times, you might have thought about excellent money making ideas, which can turn you into a millionaire. Unfortunately, you do not have the courage to turn your ideas into millions.

Is it fear that is holding you back? I notice that fear has everything to do with our lives, whether you realize it or not. Because of fear, people are willingly being ordinary, poor, and being caught in a boring job.

Fear is a very destructive force. It kills enthusiasm, encourages procrastination, eliminates self-confidence, drains your energy, and decreases imagination.

Why do you have fear in the first place? Indecision and doubt breed fear. Have you noticed that in your attempt to become rich, when you’re not sure and in doubt, fear will appear? The appearance of fear will stop you from achieving what you want.

More often than not, fear is only your perception and it’s not real. It’s only a state of mind. That’s why F.E.A.R. is the acronym for “False Evidence Appearing Real.”

Overcoming fear can lead you to not only have more money; it improves virtually every aspect of your life. But how do you live a ‘fearless’ life?

There are many ways to overcome fear.

One of my favorites is to gather as much information as you can. When I decided to learn stock trading, which was a totally new area to me then, I attended an investment workshop, surfed the Internet, read books on investment, and subscribed to newsletters. There is a lot of information, on any imaginable topic, easily available to you now. By gathering facts and information, you can overcome your fear and also learn from experiences of other people.

Another best way of overcoming fear is having a mentor. A mentor is not an advisor or consultant. A mentor is someone who has achieved what you want to achieve. And he has indicated his willingness to help you.
A mentor will advise you on the shortcuts and the mistakes that you should avoid. By having a mentor, your fear is gone since he will always be there to guide you. This also can save you time on trial and error.

Just do it. I borrow from Nike’s slogan. Yes, this is another way of overcoming fear. Most of the times, when you have a plan to achieve wealth, you tend to think too much and worry too much. You suffer from a disease called analysis paralysis. As a result, there is no action taken. Do not think too much and just do it. I’m not suggesting you to do it blindly. My advice is do not over-think, keep it simple, and just do it. Remember, indecision leads to fear. You’ll be surprised that once you did it, it’s not that difficult anyway. And the fear you had before just disappeared.

Ask yourself this question, “What is the worst thing that can happen to you in this situation?” If the worst-case scenario is acceptable to you and you’re willing to take the risks, by all means, go ahead. You are aware up front that even though you fail, you already know the consequences. The awareness of the worst-case scenario eliminates the fear in you, fear that holds you back. It’s even better if you know that the probability of getting the worst-case scenario is slim, this motivates you even further to take action to achieve your goals.

The more you fear, the more you need to confront your fear. You have to confront your fear, not to avoid it as what most people do. If you do not confront the fear head on, the fear will be always there. If you fear public speaking, the only way to overcome this fear is to stand in front of an audience and speak. I don’t think there is a better way to do this, do you?

Finally, believing in yourself helps you to overcome fear. You must believe that you can do it. One of the simplest ways of overcoming fear is to affirm to yourself, “I can do it. I can do it.” This simple exercise eliminates the doubts you have, as well as your fear. Believe in yourself and act as if it were impossible to fail.

Being rich is a matter of overcoming fear: fear of failure and fear of making mistakes. You owe yourself a better life. Use these techniques and conquer your fear, then you’ll have a life full of wealth and happiness.

About the Author

Abel Cheng offers small and medium enterprises exclusive global profits insider tips in his free publication, Abel Cheng’s Business Diary. To officiate a bi-weekly subscription, please go to
http://www.abelcheng.com/diary.html

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When it comes to all the hype about vitamins, you have probably wondered “Are vitamin supplements beneficial?” The question really boils down to whether an individual can get all of the required vitamins and minerals from their diet. Read on to learn the answer …

When it comes to all the hype about vitamins, you have probably wondered “Are vitamin supplements beneficial?” Despite the numerous nutritional studies conducted over the past few years, there is still much controversy surrounding the issue of daily vitamin supplements.

The question is not whether taking a daily multivitamin is safe - a daily regimen including a multivitamin has been proven both safe and effective. The question really boils down to whether an individual can get all of the required vitamins and minerals from their diet.

As you probably know well, today’s hectic lifestyle makes it very difficult to plan, prepare, and serve a nutritionally well-balanced diet. With people spending more time at work, or shuttling the kids to their extracurricular activities, eating out has become a standard practice for most individuals and families. Therein lies a major dietary problem!

Eating fast foods, or over-sized portions from the local diner, leaves a lot to be desired from a nutritional standpoint. These foods are often prepared with artery clogging oils, saturated fats, and nutritionally deficient ingredients.

When was the last time that you felt you ate a well-balanced meal at your local fast food restaurant?

Worse yet, many people skimp on meals, or miss them altogether, as their busy schedules take precedent over supplying their bodies with needed nutrition, including vitamins and minerals.

Another common “symptom” of today’s fast-paced lifestyle, stress is known to have a debilitating effect on an individual’s body and reduces its ability to process food efficiently. Unfortunately, stress has become a way of life for all of us. Our busy lives, and the methods we employ to cope with the resulting stress, almost ensures us of experiencing deficiencies in many essential vitamins and minerals.

If the above example even remotely resembles the way you live, it is very likely that you would benefit from a recommended daily vitamin supplement. On the other hand, experiencing a vitamin deficiency can result in serious physical issues. Symptoms can range from fatigue and listlessness to circulatory problems and nervous system damage.

So, in answer to the question “Are vitamin supplements beneficial?”, the answer is a definite YES. Both children and adults can benefit from taking vitamin and mineral supplements on a regular basis. A high quality multivitamin supplement taken daily can be viewed as a nutritional “insurance” policy.

So tell me, are you willing to take the risk of being nutritionally “un-insured”? The decision is yours!

About the Author

Bill Wilson is a writer and advocate of vitamins for health and well-being. He focuses on vitamins and minerals facts and the effects of vitamin deficiencies. For more information visit: vitamins and minerals facts

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Parenting is as much a learning business for us. It is one of the most difficult jobs that nature has provided us with. Being a parent means not only being sensitive to each child and each situation.

Parenting is as much a learning business for us as traveling through childhood is for our children. Parenting is one of the most difficult jobs that nature has provided us with. Being a parent means not only being sensitive to each child and each situation; it also calls on us to stretch our imagination as we respond to the constant challenges our children present us with. Children can be demanding, difficult and defiant! No advice can possibly make you get it right every time, but a few points kept in mind would take you a long way in dealing with daily discipline.

1. The miracle of touch.

Out of the five senses touch is considered to have healing qualities. Whether it takes the form of hugs, horseplay or simply holding hands on the way to school, loving physical contact provides a simple and almost unconscious way of showing you care.

1. Keep the fun alive.

With all the commitments at home and work, most parents forget the word “fun” aspect of parenting. Young children love jokes and being silly. The familiarity of special words, pet names and silly voices always manage to brighten a child’s day.

1. Flexibility helps!

Parents sometimes expect too much of children. They ten to forget that children have a vantage point that is above three feet lower that an adult’s! bending down to get a child’s eye view of a situation can save most upsets, accidents and mishaps.

1. Good manners go a long way.

Little children do not always know or remember “the right thing” to say in every situation. They should be encouraged to use the terms such as please, sorry, thank you where appropriate. It’s amazing the difference the right words can make. They can often help from the right attitude too.

1. Children need limits.

Being cool helps but children also need to learn the difference between what is acceptable and unacceptable behavior and understand that behavior has consequences whether pleasant or unpleasant. Idle threats should be avoided at all times and always mean what you say.

1. Being in charge does not mean being a tyrant!

Parents often forget that children are individuals and tend to mold them into ideal persons that they want their children to be. Although there are times when “because i said so” is appropriate, more often than not it is better to give a reason for what you have said. Even adults make mistakes and children have reasonable ideas. In such situations parents should apologize in the same way we expect our children to apologize us.

1. Check your “dont’s” No one likes a lot of negativity.

It sounds like nagging. Too many “dont’s” can hinder a child’s natural instinct to explore. Unless it is a life and death situation of something that will harm the child in some way, avoid using this word. Always check whether you are using it for your convenience or for child’s safety. Good behavior should be rewarded with praise, encouragement or a hug rather than with sweet treats or money.

1. Children should be children!

Parents often make the mistake of expecting children to be mini adults and be have the way they want them to behave. Children are naturally clumsy, forgetful, and accident prone. Therefore they should never be punished for pure childishness. Bad behaviors should be dealt with justly and the punishment appropriate to the crime. Naughtiness is sometimes prompted by boredom or a feeling of neglect. At such times the solution will involve providing a stimulating activity for the child or giving him attention.

1. Being “in control” is not really “controlling”.

Children do not need to be “Controlled” but when they deliberately misbehave parents should be “in control” of the situation. They should effectively manage and guide their behavior. Often the expression on your face or the tone of your voice will be enough to deter all but the most determined little ones. Yet there are times when just a stem face or a word would not do. Then appropriate and tangible action is required.

1. “Spare the rod” but do not spoil the child.

Children’s behavior sometimes calls for sterner measures than just a small punishment by way of forbidding what he likes to do or sending him to the room. Deliberate, repeated defiance and purposely hurting another child are situations that need to be dealt with immediately. A well timed smack can be most effective way of correcting this type of behavior. A controlled smack (on the hand, leg or the bottom) will help your child associate this unacceptable behavior with unpleasant consequences and deter him from repeating it. make sure he understand what he did wrong and encourage him to say sorry. However, by your words and actions let your child know that although his behavior may have been unacceptable, he is always loved.

About the Author

Family, relationship and fashion expert. Also SEO of Abdate.com totally free online dating site. Visit www.abdate.com for more information.

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Help your child be his or her best with these simple success secrets that I used with my five children. Probably your mother told you some of these.

Copyright (c) 2007 Mary Ann Copson

Help your child be their best with these simple success secrets that I used with my five children. Probably your mother told you some of these.

1. Make a choice for your child’s entire day by establishing a good morning routine. Wake up your child with a bang of the alarm, a blast of sugar on an empty stomach, rush him to get out the door while listening to sensational TV — and your child is set for tense energy, anger and frustration for the rest of the day.

On the other hand wake up and drag your child out of bed in slow motion in low lights and skip breakfast and she will go through the day in a near hibernation state, dreamy and lacking attention.

Learn how to create calm energy and pace your morning for low tension and high energy. Give your child enough time to wake up without rushing, Turn on the lights when your child gets up. Have a regular morning routine. Keep the TV turned off. Play upbeat music if you like. Talk about the plans for the day while sitting down for a good breakfast.

2. Start the day off right with a good breakfast. The first foods your child eats in the day are the ones that matter most throughout the day. Avoid high sugar breakfasts like doughnuts, cookies, candies and sugary cold cereals. Good choices for kid’s breakfasts include: oatmeal, pancakes, eggs, yogurt, waffles and cream of wheat. All with a piece of fruit and a glass of milk. Eating breakfast helps your child get going in the morning, be more alert and have a more positive attitude the whole day.

3. Get out in the light in the morning. Spending time in the morning daylight (even on cloudy days) helps your child stay healthy, learn better and be happier. Early morning sunlight stimulates better focus and energy production in the brain. Light sends a wake up call to your child’s brain. When the daylight floods your child’s eyes his energy and performance will grow and last throughout the day. Aim for 30 minutes of morning light and two hours total daylight throughout the day.

4. Get moving in the morning. Morning activity will give your child a boost. If your child is slow and sedate in the morning he or she will stay sluggish and tired and tense the rest of the day. Fifteen to thirty minutes of relaxed physical activity in the morning releases tension, activates your child’s focus, stimulates your child’s level of alertness and increases your child’s effectiveness throughout the day.

5. Make sure your child gets enough sleep and has a regular wake –sleep time. The potential for your child being her best is provided every morning by having her get all the restful, rejuvenating sleep she requires the night before. Your child can be more in control of her own activity by meeting her own individual sleep requirements. Children need 10-12 hours of high quality sleep each night.

Just as important as the amount of sleep children get is the need for a regular wake- sleep time. Make it a priority to put your children to bed at the same time every night and have them wake up at the same time every morning (even weekends and days when they are not in school). Establishing a regular wake-sleep time is one of the most important things you can do to help your child pay attention, learn quickly and easily, have more calm energy and be happier and more cooperative.

6. Establish regular and simple routines for your child to follow. Keeping things simple, consistent and in the same routine reduces distraction and the negative effects of uncertainty. Regular routines increase your child’s performance, sense of security and provide your child with a chance to use his strengths. The right routines tell your child when it is time to do things, that he is ready to do these things, and that he can do these things. Given the right rituals for sleeping, eating, traveling, resting, thinking, planning, acting, exercising, playing and connecting with family and friends, your child can always be prepared to do his best.

7. Eat dinner together as a family. Children who eat dinner with their family in a relaxed, pleasant environment have a stronger connection with their family and do better in school. To be her best your child needs your time, attention, love and guidance. The key to successful parenting is to teach your children strong values and be there for them. Slow down, nourish your self and your child and make dinner time a special time for sharing and being together.

8. Help your child establish a healthy rhythm between work and rest. Pushing your child beyond his normal limits for his body and mind will mean poorer performance at home and at school. It is essential for your child to take high quality breaks and rest periods throughout the day. Encourage your child to take a break every hour and a half and rest for about 30 minutes. These rest times help your child get refreshed and gather his energy for the next wave of activity.

9. Encourage your child to share his day with you. By learning to talk about his responses to the world around him, your child can begin to manage his mind and emotions. Reflecting on his day, what he did and how he felt about it, will help him gain control of how he perceives and understands his world. Help him to care about what he does and how he does it. Support him in understanding himself. Every day at dinner or when your child goes to bed, spend a few minutes talking about his day. Choose a group of questions from below and talk about them with your child.

What were your victories today?

What were your challenges today?

What kind of support do you need?

What was your High point today?

What was your Low point today?

What did you see that you liked today?

What did you feel that you liked today?

What did you hear that you liked today?

What were your strengths today?

What did you like about yourself today?

What were your weaknesses today?

What can you do so that weakness does not get in your way any more?

Name Three things that you…

Felt grateful for.

Appreciated.

Were happy about.

That were fun.

10. Read to your child every day. Reading to your child opens up new worlds of understanding and adventure. Children who are read to learn to read more easily and develop good thinking behavior. Reading encourages creativity and imagination. The time you spend reading with your child helps you and your child stay close to each other and develop a special bond with each other. Reading an interesting book before you start dinner is a good way for your child to slow down and become more focused.

About the Author

Mary Ann Copson is the founder of the Evenstar Mood & Energy Wellness Center for Women. With Master’s Degrees in Human Development and Psychology and Counseling, Mary Ann is a Certified Licensed Nutritionist; Certified Holistic Health Practitioner; Brain Chemistry Profile Clinician; and a Health, Wellness and Lifestyle Coach. Reconnect to your physical, emotional, mental, psychological and spiritual natural rhythms at http://evenstaronline.com

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Dry skin can be horribly annoying. Having dry skin on your face looks unpleasant and the dry flakes can mix with the few oils in your skin or your cosmetics and lead to clogged pores.

Dry skin on arms and legs can become irritating and itchy, especially during dry weather and winter months. You find yourself using lotion every day, but still seem to get dry skin. Is there no other way of getting back your happy, soft skin?

The answer to that is yes. Lotions and creams are not the only answer to the dry skin dilemma. In fact, there are several steps you can take in order to help ease and prevent dry skin.

The No Soak Rule. Soaking in a tub, Jacuzzi, or lingering in a hot shower may feel nice, but later on you may find your skin becoming exceptionally dry. Soaking in all that water does not add moisture to your skin, but instead strips away your natural oils that keep you staying soft and supple. Keep your baths or showers short and avoid extreme temperatures in your water; keep it warm but not too hot.

Skip the Bath Oils. Yes, bath oils may smell nice and seem like a good idea, but in fact, the opposite is true (well, except for the smelling nice part). When it comes to your skin, bath oils are not going to moisturize and instead make you want to soak for even longer than usual. We have already established the No Soak Rule.

Also, oils may wind up trapping some cleansing product ingredients to your skin. Having these ingredients stuck on you even after you step out of the tub can lead to more dryness and irritation. Wait until later to put oils on your skin.

Skip the Soap. Unless a soap is specifically made for dry skin and you know it will not make your skin worse, avoid them. Instead, opt for cleansers that are gentle on your skin and do not leave you with a feeling of dried skin anywhere on your body. When washing, avoid getting overzealous with scrubbing as this will only further remove natural oils and leave your skin even drier than before.

Exfoliate. Though you do not want to over scrub your skin, you do want to remove dead skin cells to give your skin a fresh, healthy look. Find a gentle product exfoliating product for dry skin. Be careful when choosing a product that contains harsh abrasive elements as these will only serve to harm your skin more.

Moisturize. Locate a moisturizer with plenty of ingredients meant to help lock moisture in to your skin and help protect skin from the elements.

Ingredients such as anti oxidants, anti inflammatory components, and lipids can be beneficial to your skin in keeping it soft and protected. Some ingredients in moisturizers can be susceptible to light and air, so buy moisturizers in containers that are not clear or in jars.

Moisturize Again. When you feel your skin becoming dry, it is time to put on more moisturizer. Do not worry about putting it on too much or too often; if you skin is constantly soaking it up and becoming dry again, there is nothing wrong with helping your skin out by adding more.

After you wash your hands, they can dry out, so that is a good time to reapply. If you put moisturizer on your face in the morning and then feel it drying out later after facing winter winds or harsh sunlight, reapply. This means you will have to keep your moisturizer handy, so find ways of keeping it with you wherever you go, just in case.

Get Oily. You have avoided the bath oils, skipped the bathtub soaking, and put on your best moisturizer. Now it is time to break out the oils. Find pure plant oils and give your skin a little added moisture in the spots that need it. Only a few drops will do.

Invest in a Humidifier. If you do not have a humidifier and are always struggling with dry skin, buying one may give you an extra edge. During winter the humidity drops, or if you live in a desert climate, you may not have much humidity to begin with. Loss of humidity will lead to loss of skin moisture. Getting a humidifier will help you retain that moisture and protect you from dry skin.

Following these simple steps can lead you to softer, smoother skin. Try not to neglect anything, because you cannot have baby soft skin if you fail to baby your skin in the first place!

About the Author

Keep YOURSELF looking and feeling great with these great FREE

Beauty Tips from http://www.NaturalElements.co.uk

In just seconds you can access over 36 beauty topics that will keep you looking younger and more radiant. You can now get the very latest information on Dry Skin Care by subscribing with RSS

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Modem medical system has not been able to find a cure for this crippling disease. Drugs and vaccines have only limited value in alleviating the symptoms. Most of these are habit forming and the dose has to be increased from time to time to give the same amount of relief. The frequent introduction of drugs in the system, while giving only temporary relief, tends to make asthma chronic and incurable. Allergy, which is the immediate cause of asthma, itself is an indication of lowered resistance and internal disharmony caused by faulty eating and bad habits. This is the root cause and the real cure lies in a return to nature.

The natural way to treat asthma consists of stimulating the functioning of slack excretory organs, adopting appropriate diet patterns to eliminate morbid matter and reconstruct the body, and practising yogasanas, yogic kriyas and pranayamas to permit proper assimilation of food and to strengthen the lungs, digestive system and circulatory organs.

The patient should be given an enema to clean the colon and prevent auto-intoxication. Mud-packs applied to the abdomen will relieve the fermentation caused by undigested food and will promote intestinal peristalsis. Wet packs should be applied to the chest to relieve the congestion of the lungs and strengthen them. The patient should be made to perspire through steam bath, hot foot bath, hot hip bath and sun bath. This will stimulate the skin and relieve congested lungs.

The patient should fast for a few days on lemon juice with honey and thereafter resort to a fruit juice diet to nourish the system and eliminate the toxins. Solid foods can be included gradually. The patient should, however, avoid the common die tic errors. Ideally, his diet should contain a limited quantity of carbohydrates, fats and proteins which are acid-forming foods, and a liberal quantity of alkaline foods consisting of fresh fruits, green vegetables and germinated gram. Foods which tend to produce phlegm such as rice, sugar, lentils and curds as also fried and other difficult-to-digest foods should be avoided.

Asthmatics should always eat less than their capacity. They should eat slowly, chewing their food properly. They should drink eight to 10 glasses of water a day, but should avoid taking water or any liquid with meals. Spices, chillies and pickles, too much tea and coffee should also be avoided.

Asthma, particularly when the attack is severe, tends to destroy the appetite. In such cases, do not force the patient to eat. He should be kept on fast till the attack is over. He should, however, take a cup of warm water every two hours. An enema taken at that time will be very beneficial.

Eating the right foods may alleviate or prevent asthmatic attack by helping control underlying inflammation of air passages, dilating air passages, thinning down mucus in the lungs and preventing food allergy reactions that trigger asthma attacks.

Eating onion regularly is one of the most effective remedies for asthma. A prominent researcher in the field, Dr. Walter Dorsch of Johannes-Guttenberg University in Mainz, Germany, has discovered strong anti-inflammatory activity in both onion juice and specific onion compounds. In one such test, an onion chemical diphenylthiosulphinate displayed higher anti-inflammatory activity than the popular anti inflammatory drug prednisolone. Dr. Dorsch has found that onions do have direct anti-asthmatic effects. He credits thiosulphinates in onions as the major active anti-inflammatory agents. However, onions are the richest of all foods in another powerful anti-inflammatory compound, quercetin, which also can relieve allergies.

Eating hot pungent foods can give immediate relief from asthma. According to Dr. Irwin Ziment, a pulmonary disease expert, hot chilli pepper, spicy mustard, garlic and onions can all make breathing easier for asthmatics by opening up air passage. He explains that such foods have mucus moving activity that thins out the viscous mucus which otherwise would plug up the small airways, making breathing difficult for asthmatics. Dr. Ziment believes that fiery foods stimulate nerve endings in the digestive tract which releases waterly fluids in the mouth, throat and lungs. These secretions help thin down the mucus, so it does not clog airways and can be expelled, allowing normal breathing.

Honey is considered beneficial in the treatment of asthma. It is said that if a jug of honey is held under the nose of an asthma patient and he inhales the air that comes into contact with the honey, he starts breathing easier and deeper. The effect lasts for about an hour or so. This is because honey contains a mixture of ‘higher’ alcohols and ethereal oils and the vapours given off by them are soothing and beneficial to the asthma patients. Honey usually brings relief whether the air flowing over it is inhaled or whether it is eaten or taken either in milk or water. It thins out accumulated mucus and helps its elimination from the respiratory passages. It also tones up the pulmonary parenchyma and thereby prevents the production of mucus in future.

Another effective remedy for asthma is garlic. The patient should be given daily garlic cloves boiled in 30 gms. milk as a cure for early stages of asthma. Steaming ginger tea with minced garlic cloves in it can also help to keep the problem under control and should be taken both in the morning and evening. Turmeric is also regarded as an effective remedy for bronchial asthma. The patient should be given a teaspoon of turmeric powder with a glass of milk two or three times daily. It acts best when taken on an empty stomach.

During the attack, mustard oil mixed with little camphor should be massaged over the back of the chest. This will loosen up phelgm and ease breathing. The patient should also inhale steam from the boiling water mixed with caraway seeds. It will dilate the bronchial passage. The patient should also follow the other laws of Nature. Air, sun and water are great healing agents. Regular fasting once a week, an occasional enema, breathing exercises, fresh air, dry climate, light exercises and correct posture go a long way in treating the disease.

About the Author

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Why is your baby’s stomach bloated? Why is his nose runny? Why does he have diarrhea? He might have a food allergy, and this article reveals the ins and outs of this phenomenon.

Is your baby susceptible to bouts of unexplained itchiness that you thought were merely a phase or skin sensitivity? Is her nose sometimes stuffy or runny? Is she cranky for no apparent reason and is she trying to tell you something?Is emitting large quantities of intestinal gas a regular affair for your infant? Is his tummy a little more bloated than other kids’ and does he struggle to pass even soft stool or diarrhea? If the answer is ‘”yes” to most of these questions, read on. Your baby might be dealing with a food allergy. First of all, don’t panic. It’s not as serious as it sounds. Food allergies are a common problem amongst babies and adults alike. There are many possible reasons for food allergies. Your infant could be allergic to cow’s milk or your child could be having some problems dealing with solids when you’re trying to wean him/her. Here are some possible causes for food allergies:

• Introduction of allergenic solids in baby’s diet before four months of age
• Allergy towards cow’s milk
• Allergy towards other foods like dairy products, fish, nuts, or wheat
• Heredity
• Enzyme deficiency which causes lactose intolerance
• In rare cases, a serious undetected illness or condition

Although food allergies in most cases are merely a nuisance and not life-threatening, parents still need to know the type of food or food group to eliminate from their baby’s diet. By avoiding, rotating the diet and playing food detective, we can minimize the discomfort and symptoms of food allergies as much as possible. First, try to eliminate the following products from your infant’s diet.

• Dairy products
• Soy
• Egg (or at least white of egg)
• Wheat
• Peanuts
• Tree nuts
• Citrus fruits
• All types of food additives (reduce introduction of canned, packaged or ready-to-eat food)
• Shellfish

If you’re not sure whether your baby is indeed suffering from a food allergy, observe your baby very closely and monitor his/her diet to see if she is experiencing any of the following allergic reactions:

• Rashes on face or other body parts that are red and scaly
• Hives· Swollen hands and feet, puffy eyes
• Dark circles under the eyes
• Throat soreness and tongue
• Sneezing, running or stuffy nose
• Wheezing
• Persistent cough
• Ear infection
• Red and scaly rashes around the anus
• Abdominal discomfort
• Diarrhea or soft stool
• Poor weight gain
• Bloating of the stomach
• Gassiness
• Fatigue, headaches
• Irritability, moodiness, hyperactivity
• Sore muscles and joints

If you’ve determined that your infant is, indeed, suffering from a food allergy, try substituting some of the allergenic foods with non-allergenic foods like apples, apricots, barley, beets, grapes, cranberries, mangoes and oats. Other non-allergenic foods include asparagus, carrots, cauliflower, chicken, broccoli, lettuce, rice, safflower oil, salmon, sweet potatoes, rye and honey. Food allergies, as mentioned earlier, are quite common among infants and can be dealt with easily. The most important thing is for us to detect them, minimize reaction and symptoms, get advice from a professional and eliminate the allergies’ immediate causes.

About the Author

When it comes to baby care, one thing you don’t want to be is out of date. Insure yourself against obsolescence: read the latest baby care news, articles and reviews at Magnificent Babies Magazine, edited

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“Allergy-proof” Your Home to Dust Mites

An allergic reaction occurs whenever the body enters into an altered state, or has a response, because of a substance. Many people have allergic reactions to dust mites. This allergic reaction includes watery eyes, a runny nose, and a rash that may even turn into full-blown hives. Dust mites are also the most common trigger for asthma. While it is usually best to avoid allergens, sometimes this is difficult to do.

So, what exactly is a dust mite? A dust mite is actually a mite that lives inside of the dust that is found within your home. The actual allergy is to their feces. This feces is produced approximately 20 times per day and is actually light enough that it can float in the air. For this reason, the humans that inhabit these homes can easily inhale the dust mites’ feces. It is interesting to note that there are approximately 40,000 dust mites per speck of dust. With this in mind, you can easily imagine just how many dust mite stools enter into your respiratory tract. These mites especially like to live in humid areas and conditions where their food (mold and fungi) is most plentiful.

These mites need to be eliminated from the areas in which they most commonly breed. This usually includes warm, humid places such as beds, carpets, and upholstered furniture. These mites also live on the skin cells that people and their pets shed, and deposit their waste in all of the areas in which they gather. This wreaks havoc on a person who has allergies to dust mites.

There are some ways in which you can “allergy-proof” your house. This is actually the first step that you should take towards effectively treating a dust allergy. While you may be thinking that you are going to have to tear the house apart for this to work, you do not have to do so. Here are some simple ways in which you can begin “allergy-proofing” your home today.

• Dust and sweep your house on a weekly basis. You should also use a HEPA filter vacuum cleaner to keep your furniture and carpet clean.

• Keep your house moderately cool and maintain low levels of humidity by using a dehumidifier. Dust mites do not like living in this type of an environment and thus keeping your home air cool and not humid, you will be able to hamper their growth. Dehumidifiers are also helpful here.

• Ensure that your house is properly ventilated. HEPA air filters are useful here.

• Take time to wash your bedclothes on a weekly basis and dry them on high heat. There are also anti-allergen casings available for mattresses and bedclothes.

If you take the aforementioned measures and still find yourself suffering with dust mite allergies, then you should seek medical attention. Doctors can offer antihistamines and allergy injections, both of which can be very helpful for persons who are allergic to dust mites. There are also holistic measures that can be taken, but you would need to seek the advice of a homeopathic practitioner in order to see what would work best for you.

About the Author

Nikola Babovic is editor for http://www.beyondallergy.com - an online magazine and resource for allergy sufferers offering latest news and information on different types of allergies and treatments.

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Food allergy symptoms can be quite uncommon. You might not believe this but only 1 out of 70 adults suffer from true food allergies. Food poisoning or even food intolerance is sometimes mistaken for a food allergy because of the similarities in symptoms.

Food allergy symptoms can be quite uncommon. You might not believe this but only 1 out of 70 adults suffer from true food allergies. Food poisoning or even food intolerance is sometimes mistaken for a food allergy because of the similarities in symptoms. If you are unsure if you are allergic to a particular food, you should learn to decipher what classic food allergy is. Mostly affecting children, food allergy is an illness where the body’s immune system defends itself from a substance that it considers to be harmful. The allergic reaction experienced is the sign that the body is trying to overcome the allergy-causing substance. Doctors usually run test to determine and confirm your food allergies. They might even ask you questions regarding your family’s general health since food allergy is thought to be partly hereditary. If your doctor finds a history of eczema, hay fever or asthma, then you have a higher risk of having a food allergy. A true allergic reaction usually starts with swelling and itching in the throat, tongue and mouth. Other food allergy symptoms include skin reactions, vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, wheezing, runny nose and sore, red and itchy eyes. An allergic reaction could begin the moment you ingest the food you are allergic to. The symptoms, however, could take longer to develop, sometimes even several hours. An anaphylactic shock is the worst possible allergic reaction. It could cause severe swelling, unconsciousness, lowering of the blood pressure and breathing difficulties. If not given proper medical attention, it could possibly lead to death. As you can see, it’s important to deal with food allergy symptoms right away.Foods that cause allergy include peanuts, shellfish, tree nuts and fish. Some children develop allergies to cow’s milk, soya, eggs, wheat and seafood. If you have an allergy to a particular food, you could also have a reaction to other allergy-causing food. This is called cross-reactivity. Your dietician and physician could help you identify which foods to avoid and prevent allergic reactions. If you are still unsure if you have a food allergy, you should consult a doctor specializing on allergies. You would be asked questions pertaining to the symptoms you experience after eating a certain food, amount of the particular food you ate, preparation and storage of the food, medication you took to relieve the symptoms and effectivity of the medication. All these can help diagnose your food allergy. It is very important that you see a food allergy specialist. You must never, under any circumstances, try to determine the food you are allergic to on your own. You must remember that allergic reactions can be severe and you might be putting yourself in a very dangerous situation. If you’re allergic to something and you tamper with it, your body can react in bad ways.

Skin prick tests are sometimes used to diagnose a food allergy. A small amount of food extract is injected on the skin surface. An allergic reaction to that food extract will result to swelling and redness of the injection site. Sometimes, a false positive reaction is observed from a skin prick test. It would be wise to perform other tests, like a blood test for instance, to confirm food allergy and complete diagnosis.

About the Author

Article provided by Sven Ullmann, who runs Deserved Health - a site dedicated to different health related

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