Halstead Hospital

Have you ever wondered: what does fish oil do to improve my health? I know I did, and you may have wondered the same thing. Let me try to clear things up for you. Fish contains omega 3, which is an essential fatty acid. "Essential" means that we need it to maintain normal body functions, however we must actually consume it in the foods we eat or take a quality supplement as our body cannot produce it on its own. Docosapentaenoic acid (DHA) and Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) are the two most important omega-3's. So what exactly does fish oil do for you that makes it so essential? Here are five short answers to that question. 1. Improves Brain Health: This is the big one. 60% of the human[..]

If you are a "Baby Boomer", you have noticed that your health may be a bit different than in your younger years. I am not a "B-Boomer", but I am right behind you! I am in my 30's and notice things don't sit the way they did when I was in my 20's! Ah, The good ol' days! When gravity didn't affect me as much, and I could eat pizza without seeing it appear quickly on my legs and belly, as well as behind me. But such is this time of our life. So, what are we to do? What are the things that affect us the most. We are all different, some more fit than others, some more stressed , and some, unfortunately, with greater physical needs. Some of us, if not most, are affected by aches and pains of[..]

What Causes Arthritis? Arthritis is one of the most common causes of chronic pain. But, arthritis pain relief is not as common. There are over one hundred diseases associated with arthritis, affecting areas in and around joints. Just below heart disease, arthritis is the second leading cause of disability and the inability to work. Pain from arthritis can limit the ability to perform simple, every day activities. Many people believe that nothing can be done for arthritis - but there are ways to relieve the pain caused by arthritis. The most successful way is to manage your pain and try to avoid things that aggravate the problem area. In many situations, arthritis is caused by the[..]

Medifast Plus shakes are an option that Medifast offers, in addition to their regular weight loss products. Each shake includes supplements designed to help with some additional health issues. One of the more popular is the Medifast Plus for Joint Health shakes, which include supplements for arthritis pain. So let's take a look at what they can do for you. The Joint Health shakes are especially designed to help alleviate some of the symptoms of arthritis. Each packet contains 500mg each of glucosamine and chondroitin. These two supplements work together to help increase elasticity, repair cartilage, and decrease joint pain. Both supplements normally are formulated using the shells of[..]

How much fish oil does it take to reduce the need for anti-inflammatory drugs when people are suffering from rheumatoid arthritis?  What about the amount that it takes to reduce the risk of heart disease or to provide optimal nutrition during pregnancy?   Those are just a few of the questions that researchers have looked at in recent days.  Others included the benefits for people with high cholesterol and those with heart disease that did not respond well to aspirin therapy.  Another looked at dementia.  Yet another focused on inflammatory bowel disease. All of those studies have been conducted and the results published within the last six months.  Are omega-3s some kind of miracle[..]

There is a very simple connection between brain and fish oil. Our brain is primarily made up of various type of fats and of them DHA is the most prominent one. Fishoil has a high concentration of DHA. So, if you are looking for best brain food, fishoil is where your search ends. There have been many studies that have concluded that high quantity of DHA is very beneficial in treating brain conditions like dyslexia, depression, mood swings, learning capabilities and boosting the IQ. Based on such studies, many people have started consuming fish to compensate the lower levels of DHA type omega3. This is not correct because: Fish these days are known to amplify toxins present in the oceans.[..]

The average adult has 206 bones in their body. As you know, our bones are important for many reasons and thus we need to care for them diligently to remain healthy and maintain a quality of life. There are many people who are developing a serious disease called Osteoporosis which increases the risk of fractures, especially of the hip, spine and wrist. Most people who test positive for Osteoporosis are very surprised as they feel fine and look the same as they always did. Yet they've had years of bone loss occurring. Osteoporosis is rising as the generation ages. Of concern is the large number of cases of young women (late teens to mid-twenties) being diagnosed with Osteoporosis (some[..]

What is hypertension? Hypertension is a condition in which the blood pressure is persistently higher than normal. It is more common in men than women, especially from middle age onwards. The pressure of the blood as it flows through the arteries and veins varies naturally. It is lower when the body is at rest and rises during physical exertion. It can also rise temporarily in response to stress. However, if your blood pressure is persistently higher than normal, even when you are resting or relaxed, you are suffering from hypertension. What causes hypertension and who is at risk? The arteries harden and become narrower as a result of ageing or a high fat diet. This restricts the[..]

An herbal tea is an herbal infusion made from anything other than tea buds. Herbal tea has been imbibed nearly as long as written history extends. It can also be used as a tisane or herbal infusion. Herbal teas is simply the mix of boiling water and dried fruit, flower or herb tea and then leave it to brew. Formerly, combining some leaves, flowers and spices directly in boiling water until the desired flavor is reached made herbal tea. Some varieties of herbal tea: * Anise tea, made from either the seeds or the leaves. * Artichoke tea, recommended for health benefits . * Bissap. * Boldo, used in Latin America to cure upset stomachs. * Citrus peel, including bergamot, lemon and orange[..]

What is Hives Hives are red and sometimes itchy bumps on your skin. An allergic reaction to a drug or food usually causes them. Allergic reactions cause your body to release chemicals that can make your skin swell up in hives. People who have other allergies are more likely to get hives than other people. Other causes include infections and stress. Hives usually cause itching, but may also burn or sting. They can appear anywhere on the body, including the face, lips, tongue, throat, or ears. Hives vary in size (from a pencil eraser to a dinner plate), and may join together to form larger areas known as plaques. They can last for hours, or up to one day before fading. Causes of Hives[..]

Autism is one of a group of serious developmental problems called autism spectrum disorders (ASD) that appear in early childhood — usually before age 3. Though symptoms and severity vary, all autism disorders affect a child's ability to communicate and interact with others. It's estimated that three to six out of every 1,000 children in the United States have autism — and the number of diagnosed cases is rising. It's not clear whether this is due to better detection and reporting of autism, a real increase in the number of cases, or both. Holding Therapy In this technique, the parent hugs the child for long periods of time, even if the child resists. Those who use the technique[..]

Do you know that you can get rid of your acne condition very fast when you follow certain steps strictly? Acne is one condition which you simply can not take for granted since you never know how intense it might get with time. There are several natural ways using which you can easily get rid of acne. Read on to discover what these natural ways are and achieve the desired results fast..... The majority of your diet must contain fruits and vegetables- Most people out there don't even tend to have enough fruits and vegetables in their diet. You see this is the major reason why so many individual out there have to deal with skin issues including acne. This is the prime reason why you should[..]

Documented Facts About Skin Blemishes Skin blemishes are not only uncomfortable but can involve a person's confidence and self-worth, particularly during teenage years. You will never think a mere blemish could do all that, but research demonstrate that people with blemishes have lower self-esteem and problems with self-confidence. We are thankful that we breathe in a world in which blemish removers are copious and inexpensive. All you have to do is take what works best for you. History 1. At one time, the only treatment accessible for skin blemishes was homemade remedies or something like witch hazel, which was used commonly used for skin-blemish remover. People in Asia and other[..]

What is depression Depression is a mental health disorder that can affect the way you eat and sleep, the way you feel about yourself, and the way you think about things. A depressive disorder is more than a passing mood. It is not a sign of personal weakness, and it cannot be willed or wished away. A depressive disorder involves the body, mood, and thoughts. People who are depressed cannot "snap out of it" and get better. Without treatment, symptoms can last for months or years. Treatments such as antidepressant medications and psychotherapy can reduce and sometimes eliminate the What causes depression? The exact cause is not known. Anyone can become depressed. Some people are more prone[..]

The link between Asthma and Allergies I believe is a very important.   Understanding medicine is a complex business that requires years ofstudy, often to prove beyond a shadow of doubt things that sufferers ofillnesses have long accepted as fact.   I know from hard evidence that allergies play a big role in asthma.  My Daughter is allergic to cats – getting near a cat causes asthma attacksso bad, she can be hospitalised.  Plus she is allergic to other thingsthat can trigger attacks. So let's explore further …   Over recent years Asthma and allergic diseases have increaseddramatically. In fact Australia has the second highest prevalence ofasthma in the world; 1 in 4 children, 1[..]

Heat stroke is a form of hyperthermia (abnormally elevated body temperature) with accompanying physical and neurological symptoms. Unlike heat cramps and heat exhaustion, two less-severe forms of hyperthermia, heat stroke is a true medical emergency that can be fatal if not properly and promptly treated. People most at risk of heat stroke. Anyone can suffer from heat stroke, but those most at risk are: ·    People over 65 years, particularly those living alone or without air-conditioning ·    Babies and young children ·    Pregnant and nursing mothers ·    People who are physically unwell, especially with heart disease or high blood pressure ·    People on medications[..]

Asthma is a disease that was for a long time considered to be governed by the malfunctioning of the nervous system. For this reason in the old texts this disease is mentioned as Asthma nervosa. Only when it was completely established that this was not entirely true, this practice was discontinued. However it is still considered to be a disease that has some connection with the emotional state of the patient. Many patients do show marked changes in their psychological behaviour once they are diagnosed with asthma. Also some studies have established that people with certain temperaments and personality traits are more likely to catch asthma. The studies by Dr. Bastiaans and Dr. Groen in[..]

A bruise gets its deep color from a blood vessel or vessels that break under the skin and leak blood into the surrounding area. As it heals, it becomes paler in color and less painful to the touch. Depending on how many vessels were broken, bruises can be the size of a pencil eraser or 6 or more inches across. A black eye is also bruise-if there is no accompanying eye damage or nose breakage, it can be treated just like any other bruise. Bruising is bleeding that occurs underneath the surface of the skin. Normally, it is usually caused by injury. In patients with bleeding disorders, however, spontaneous bruising may occur or a bruise may appear with minimal injury. Since bruises are[..]

There are currently more than 5 million people in the UK living with asthma and 400,000 of those are Scottish. Research by the Global Initiative for Asthma (Gina) published last month revealed that one in nine Scots children finds it difficult to breathe, higher even than any other part of the UK. These are some of the findings of a report on the global burden of asthma by the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA), which discusses the need to reassess current asthma management in the UK. The report revealed that Scotland is worst affected with more than 18% of people experiencing symptoms. Although the statistics are shocking, experts at the National Asthma Campaign say that these results[..]

Unlike people with type 1 diabetes, people with type 2 diabetes produce insulin; however, the insulin their pancreas secretes is either not enough or the body is unable to recognize the insulin and use it properly. This is called insulin-resistance. When there isn't enough insulin or the insulin is not used as it should be, glucose (sugar) can't get into the body's cells. When glucose builds up in the blood instead of going into cells, the body's cells are not able to function properly. THE CAUSES OF DIABETES TYPE 2 The exact mechanism that causes the disease is not known. There may be an autoimmune response to insulin or to the molecules on the cell surfaces that the insulin connects[..]

The human body and every part of it have their own offensive and in some unfortunate cases repulsive smell. Body Odour Smells if left unattended can turn into a horrible stench. Many types of odour are common enough for their identities to be pinpointed to certain regions of the body. Take the feet or under the arms these are both host to distinguishing smells. You will find there are 3 sorts of secretor glands on the skin - one which we are most familiar with is the sweat gland where the odour is of an acrid smell. This turns into a putrid type smell if the sweat is left to build up - build up is brought about by the sweat getting trapped which then prevents evaporation. The other type[..]

A brain tumor is an abnormal growth of tissue in the brain. The tumor can either originate in the brain itself, or come from another part of the body and travel to the brain (metastasize). Brain tumors may be classified as either benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous) depending on their behavior. As people age, the brain and nervous system go through natural changes. The brain and spinal cord lose nerve cells and weight. Nerve cells may begin to transmit messages more slowly than in the past. Waste products may collect in the brain tissue as nerve cells break down, causing plaques and tangles. Lipofuscin (a fatty brown pigment) may also accumulate in nerve tissue. Problems that[..]

How many times do you hear overweight people say things like, "I'm only this way because I'm big boned" or "both of my parents are big so it's in my genes" or even "all of the women/men in my family are overweight". So now the question is, if other members of your family are overweight and have always been, does it mean that you might have inherited the "fat" gene and are predisposed to being overweight yourself? Is there anything that can be done about it, or are you doomed to be overweight for the rest of your life? There are some facts that must be considered before you assign blame for your weight problem to your family tree. Genetics do decide what the shape of you body will be as[..]

Shingles is a skin rash that is caused by the Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV), the very same virus that causes chickenpox. Once a person gets over the initial outbreak of chickenpox, this virus lives in the nervous system, never fully leaving the body. When certain situations, such as stress, or the onset of immunodeficiency disorders develop, the virus can reactivate, causing shingles. More commonly however, the actual cause for the reactivation of the virus is never found. Anyone who has ever had chickenpox is at risk or developing shingles. What are the symptoms of Shingles? The initial onset of shingles can display as an extreme sensitivity or burning sensation on the skin in the[..]

A hiatal hernia occurs when part of your stomach bulges upward out of your belly and into your chest cavity. There are three main types of hiatal hernia: sliding, paraesophageal, and mixed. A sliding hiatal hernia is the most common type and is generally not a serious condition. Paraesophageal and mixed hiatal hernias may progress and are more serious. Hiatal Hernia Symptoms Midlife spread may be partly to blame – in fact, I think it plays a major role. Consider this: Theaverage woman gains about a pound a year from age twenty-five onward. This means by yourmid-forties, you could be sporting twenty extra pounds. What’s more, as you get older, your bodyfat tends to shift from your[..]

What is Dizziness Many different terms are often used to describe what is collectively known as dizziness. Common descriptions include words such as lightheaded, floating, woozy, giddy, confused, helpless or fuzzy. Vertigo, disequilibrium and pre-syncope are the terms in use by most doctors. Dizziness is sometimes a symptom of a balance disorder. Dizziness: Painless head discomfort with many possible causes including disturbances of vision, the brain, balance (vestibular) system of the inner ear, and gastrointestinal system. Dizziness is a medically indistinct term which laypersons use to describe a variety of conditions ranging from lightheadedness, unsteadiness to vertigo. Dizziness is[..]

Due to inappropriate diet and obesity, many people suffer from gall bladder disease. Gall bladder disease commonly affects overweight people as a result of high blood cholesterol levels. The consumption of foods that are rich in fat also contributes to the development of gall bladder disease and many people suffer from gall bladder affections as a consequence of inappropriate diet. Gall bladder disease is usually caused by gallstones, solid structures formed from cholesterol, calcium and bile salts. Gallstones can cause cholecystitis (inflammation and swelling of the gall bladder), choledocholithiasis (occurs when gallstones accumulate inside the bile duct) cholangitis (infection of the[..]

Obesity is one of our nation's most critical health problems; each year, hundreds of thousands of people are affected by serious and sometimes life-threatening mental and physical complications as a direct consequence of their obesity. Appropriate treatment not only improves individuals' quality of life, it can save lives. Symptoms of Obesity Following are the major obesity symptoms: Excessive sweating with bad smell Feeling fatigue without doing any work Excessive hunger and thirst Joint pain and reduced mobility Osteoarthritis, a disease in which the joints deteriorate Loss of flexibility and increased incidence of musculoskeletal injuries Pulmonary (breathing) problems, including[..]

Most people in certain time of their life want to lost some weight. There are many ways to lose weight, some are easy some are not. Some are costly and some are FREE. One good way of reducing weight which I personally find it effective but tedious is to increase Metabolism rate of our body. What is metabolism rate? How does metabolism works? Metabolism actually 'control' whether to burn fats in our body for energy or to store fat in our body to use later. The main source of energy our body get is from Glucose (know commonly as blood sugar). When our blood sugar runs low, it will burn the fats in our body to create energy. But when our blood sugar is high, metabolism will then store fats[..]