There are a few preparations that you need to make even before you set foot on a plane. The first thing that you should think about is which vaccines you’re going to when you get to your destination. They really are vital – some countries, require proof of that you’re vaccinated against certain diseases, like yellow fever, before you’ll be granted access. An appointment with your doctor should let you know which vaccines you’ll need to have

If you’ve got a long flight ahead of you, then it might be a good idea to take some steps to prevent jetlag. This can happen when travelling across time zones. To help guard against the symptoms of jetlag, you should try to adjust your sleep patterns a few days before have your flight. If you’re flying east, go to bed earlier, if you’re flying west, do the opposite.

When you finally touchdown in your holiday destination, you need to start making sure that you safeguard against any potential dangers. If you’re in a country that is significantly hotter than the climate you’re used to, then you should try to drink more water than you usually do. Normally, we need about drink about 2-3 litres of water a day, if you’re sweating more than you usually do, then you should try to drink more water.

However, it is important to be careful how you rehydrate yourself. In lots of countries, tap water is not suitable for drinking. It’s a good idea to check out beforehand whether tap water in the country you’re visiting is safe to imbibe. However, if you get there and you’re not sure, don’t risk it.

Hygiene is also important if you want to stay healthy on your travels, this is particularly true for hand hygiene. Even at home you can pick up a lot of germs on your hands; however, there is usually somewhere to wash them. In some countries however, there won’t always be somewhere that you can properly wash your hands.

You can help to avoid a holiday illness caused by transferring germs from your hands to your mouth or eyes by using alcohol hand gel. The gel is available in small, carry on pots, doesn’t require soap or water, kills most harmful bacteria and dries without a trace.

It’s best to take advice from local witch doctors with a pinch of salt. Some supplements suggested to you by a local medic may even cause you harm. However, some supplements may actually help. If you’re going somewhere at high altitude, then taking coca leaf can help you to prevent suffering from holiday illness.

Here are five common health myths busted so that you can understand facts instead of believing in hearsay:

#.1 The Five Second Rule

How often have you heard that if you drop food on the floor it’s okay to pick it up and eat it before 5 seconds of impact? The supposed logic behind this is 5 seconds is the minimum amount of time it takes for bacteria to infect it.

However this is completely bogus because it has been proven in countless studies that bacteria swarms your food upon impact, which means that once food has touched the floor, should be tossed even if it has been lying there for just one second. Over 1800 bacteria can accumulate over food on the floor in one second, which means that you can easily get Salmonella poisoning amongst other diseases.

#.2 Tilting Your Head to Stop a Nosebleed

This myth probably started from TV. One can see the logic behind it. By tilting your head back you’re reversing gravity which would prevent blood from excessively flowing out of your nose which can cause major blood loss.

However, this is completely bogus because tilting your head back will cause blood to go down your throat, which is more likely to make you vomit and make matters worse.

#.3 Hot Air Hand Dryers Remove Germs Better than Paper Towels

The bathroom is a breeding ground for germs and bacteria which make you sick, which is why it is essential to wash your hands after you use the toilet. Many people install hot-air hand dryers so that they do not have to touch any surfaces in the bathroom after they have sanitized their hands. The supposed logic here is, germs transfer through physical contact.

However, bacteria thrive in heat which is why hot air dyers are the perfect home for it. This is why it’s always better to dry your hands with a paper towel.

#.4 Fried Food Causes Acne

Fried food seems to be the root of all evil when it comes to food. Loaded in cholesterol and fat, since it is cooked in oil, it’s bound to make your skin oily as well. The supposed logic behind this is that oily skin is more prone to acne breakouts, which is why consumption of oily food would increase our chances of getting acne.

However this is bogus because oily food is actually beneficial for the skin in moderation because it helps skin retain moisture and elasticity. Besides, there has been no scientific study that has yet been able to prove that there is a connection between the oily food and oily skin.

#.5 Cracking Knuckles Cause Arthritis

This myth is probably a result of people’s irritation at hearing the sound of cracking knuckles. However the supposed logic behind this myth is that you weaken your bones when you put pressure on them which can cause arthritis.

This is bogus because arthritis is caused by reduced bone density. Researchers compared two groups of people, one that did crack their knuckles and one that didn’t and found no difference between the two over a study which lasted decades.

Allan enjoys blogging. Over the last 3 years, he has contributed several articles on health related topics in various online publications and blogs such as Franks blog. Aside from blogging, Allan loves spending time with his family and friends.

How Is It Done?

The iPad is the perfect size for the small fingers of little kids. Kids that are autistic have trouble getting the words they want to say across. Some autistic kids are completely non-verbal and parents worry about what they want, need or are thinking. But using an iPad allowed parents of some autistic kids to open up and use the iPad to express their emotions and thoughts.

In some cases, the small tablet is even helping teach autistic children to speak. Learning programs are being used to help engage these children in interactive games and apps that allow them to have some measure of control over the content, which autistic children lack in their overall lives and crave to feel independent.

Apps have been created solely to help learning disabled children prosper educationally with these devices. Currently in the App store there are over 700 apps directed towards autistic children. These apps are meant to be fun as well as educational and interesting for kids that have autism as well as other learning disabilities.

The Benefits Of iPads For Kids

No child likes to have to stop playing a game just because they can’t take it with them. With the iPad, autistic kids can take their games and apps with them anywhere, negating the frustration they may have with not being able to play computer games or learning programs when there isn’t a computer around. It’s also a more engaging replacement for speech and learning than previous learning tools like flash cards.

A Learning Tool

While the iPad is a useful tool for the learning disabled, other treatments and programs that are helpful to the child should not be stopped. The iPad can supplement the programs your child is already taking part in and will ultimately be a creative addition to his or her current holistic or comprehensive therapy program.

Overall, the iPad is a very ingenious tool to help teach kids who have autism. If kids can’t speak at all, they can learn to key in words or phrases to help lessen frustration. There are many fun apps available that can teach children how to play music, do simple word games, learn colors and shapes, and practice coordination with puzzles.

Posted by guest blogger Shane, who is passionate about helping children with autism through the use of iPads, as well as helping companies learn about SEO services.

The Effect of Loud Music

If you have been to a concert that seemed particularly loud, you might have experienced a ringing in your ears similar to the noise that someone with tinnitus would hear all the time. That is a warning signal that should not be ignored in view of the fact that a large proportion of us seem to spend a great deal of time wearing headphones or listening to a loud car stereo or high volume surround sound TV speakers. Despite the obvious enjoyment created by this experience at the time, it is also a significant contributing factor towards creating a generation with hearing problems, and unfortunately a higher than acceptable number of us will ultimately be affected unless we start paying more attention and value to our hearing.

Hearing Loss

This is sometimes referred to as a loss of intimacy due to the fact that as hearing acuity declines our ability to pick out a voice over a background noise is one of the first red flags that something is wrong.

The Price of Suffering from Hearing Loss

Someone with a hearing impairment will often sit quietly, nodding politely, but effectively excluded from a conversation because they don’t want to ask someone to continually repeat what they were unable to hear the first time around. A poignant aspect of hearing loss is that it so often affects people who have a particular passion and love of music. It is certainly ironic and even perhaps a little sad that the price for spending so many hours listening to your favourite music, often with headphones on that are accentuating the problem, is the potential subsequent loss of hearing as a direct result of this leisure pursuit.

Age is Not the Defining Issue

It should be remembered that young people can be just as susceptible to hearing damage. The first instance when hearing damage occurs is when we lose the ability to hear higher frequencies which fundamentally changes our perception of frequencies and then creates harmonic distortion. Put in basic language, the result of this damage is that your favourite song is unlikely to ever sound as good as it did before.

Always Respect Your Hearing Ability

A good analogy to describe hearing loss would be to imagine a field of lush grass which if you walk on it will compress the grass but it will spring back up again in a short while. If you keep trampling over it you will eventually damage the grass beyond repair. That is what you are doing to the hairs that catch the vibration and interpret them as sound. Too much loud noise will cause irreparable damage to your hearing so it is best to respect your ability to hear and consider reducing your exposure to noise stress.

Quick Guide to Preventing Hearing Loss

If you remember that each loud sound is contributing to reduced hearing later on in your life, look after your ears and limit your exposure to loud sound. Get your hearing checked regularly so that any loss of performance is quickly identified and if you must listen to your music on a frequent basis, consider using noise cancelling headphones, they may be expensive but they will improve the sound quality of the music and reduce potential hearing loss as you will be able to listen at a lower volume level.

The bottom line is if you spend your ears wisely and you will get many more years of enjoyment out of them than if you choose to ignore the obvious warning signs.

Author Bio:

Post written by Liz, on behalf of National Hearing Care.

Instead of constantly running to the salon to fix the damage you’ve inflicted, prevent it!  Follow these tips and you can stop split ends before they start.

Understanding the Basics of Hair Science

First, let’s take a look at hair science.  If you know a little about the structure of a hair, it’s easier to avoid split ends.

Each individual hair shaft (the part that is visible above the scalp) is made up of two parts.  The cortex, or center, makes up the main part of the hair shaft.  It consists of strands of a soft protein called keratin.  Keratin gives the hair shaft its special qualities such as elasticity and curl.  This inner layer is covered by the cuticle.  The cuticle is a series of overlapping, dead cells, very similar to the bark of a tree.  When the cuticle is stripped away, the keratin strands begin to unravel.  The result is a split end.

Preventing Split Ends

It makes sense that if we protect the cuticle, we’ll avoid split ends.  Here are a few tips on how to do just that.

• Frequently washing your hair strips it of natural oils that keep it looking healthy.  For best hair health, only shampoo your hair every two to three days.  When you do lather the suds, don’t for get to follow up with conditioner.  A good conditioner restores the natural oils to your hair, improves hair strength, and increases shine.
• Don’t be rough with your hair!  Give it a gentle touch!  Vigorously rubbing your hair with a towel causes friction.  This unwanted friction removes the cuticle.  For best results, simply let your hair air-dry.
• Your hair is incredibly vulnerable when it is wet.  When possible, wait until your hair is completely dry and tame it with a wide-tooth comb.  Never attack your wet hair with a brush since this process will stretch and break the hair.
• If you absolutely must use heat-producing tools of the trade, use them sparingly.  Wait until your hair is about 90% dry before grabbing the hair dryer.  Blow cool air in the general direction of your hair from several inches away; avoid close contact with hot air.  Also, try not to let your curling iron linger in any one spot for too long.  After a few seconds, move on.  The best way to show love to your locks is to use no-heat styling procedures.
• Hair treatments (like coloring, straightening and perming) cause trauma, resulting in a head full of split ends.  Try to limit severe treatments to just one major procedure at a time.  For an additional safeguard, don’t wash your hair for at least 48 hours afterward a treatment.

After seeking the advice a Tampa hair transplantation specialist, blogger Linda Anderegg learned there was a way to restore her thinning hair.  Now she takes extra precautions with the hair she is grateful to have!

If you’re not convinced yet, here is some more information:

1. The products were first developed by NASA.

This special material was first developed using technology invented by NASA scientists back in the 1960s, and manufacturers have made many additional advances since then to make the products even more comfortable and supportive. They offer enough support to keep an astronaut safe during the often painful g-force pressure of takeoff. At the same time, the material offers enough comfort to remove that pressure and make the whole experience much more pleasant, whether you’re in space or in your own bed at home.

2. Improvements have been made to create the ultimate sleep surface.

The leading memory foam manufacturers, such as the Boyd LuxaRest, have taken the invention of NASA and taken it to another level of customer satisfaction. The mattresses evenly distribute the weight, offer heavenly comfort and support and bounce right back to shape when morning comes.

Modern memory foam mattresses are made from visco-elastic material that is both elastic and viscous at the same time, so it can expand and contract directly at the point of contact without affecting the rest of the bed. Molecules rearrange every time someone lies down on the bed to quickly absorb and contour to the shape, weight and temperature of that person’s body, which makes it perfect for people suffering from arthritis, lyme disease, fibromyalgia or perhaps various injuries. Not to mention the fact that a memory foam mattress can naturally prevent any sleep related muscle strains, which tends to be quite common over the age of 50.

3. Shopping online can be done with ease.

It’s easy to shop for memory foam mattresses, even if you prefer to shop online. The leading products are available online, so you can research, compare and view photos of all the products that are available. You can either make your purchase online and have it delivered straight to your door, or you can have a better idea of what you’re looking for when you make it into the store. In either case, a new level of comfort awaits!
Becky loves to write about bedroom furniture. Please visit http://www.boydmemoryfoammattresses.com/ for more information.

Nicotine

Those who have struggled with street drug addiction know firsthand that kicking a nicotine addiction is often much more difficult than stopping use of any other substance. Stopping smoking is especially difficult because cigarettes are widespread, always available and legal. Therefore, it is much easier to develop an addiction to it than to other substances. It is well documented that most people who smoke become smokers for life. Long term use can lead to various cancers, strokes, heart disease and emphysema.

Sugar

Researchers have determined that refined sugar is more addictive than cocaine. Sugar also feeds tumors and has a negative effect on cancer outcomes. In recent studies, rats that were addicted to cocaine were provided a choice between cocaine and sugar water – and 94% of them chose the sugar. Since sugar is in so many of the foods we eat, it is easy to become addicted while also developing diabetes.

Crack and Cocaine

Extracted from the coca plant, cocaine and its crack derivative are some of the most available and profitable illegal drugs worldwide. Cocaine affects dopamine absorption, associated with pleasure, by attacking the central nervous system. This is what makes it so addictive. By altering brain chemistry, its power cannot be underestimated. It creates a euphoria, confidence and hyper-alertness that is equally addictive. Its side effects are similar to Crystal Meth.

Crystal Meth and Methamphetamine

These substances bring on feelings of exhilaration and sharpened focus, for more alertness. There is also a sense of lack of sexual inhibition, keeping users awake for long periods of time. Smoking it raises body temperature, respiratory rates and blood pressure. The drug can also cause paranoia, hallucinations, psychotic behavior, short term memory loss, rages, nervous system damage, convulsions, coma and death.

Oxycodone

Also known as Percocet, OxyContin, Percodan, Tylox or Hillbilly Heroin, it was created as a morphine and heroin dependence free relief solution. It is used to manage pain for a variety of illnesses and injuries. Some effects include: euphoria, lightheadedness, fatige, headache, nausea, constipation and anxiety. In addition, it can be responsible for fainting, eye swelling, seizures and difficulty swallowing.

Heroin

This white or brown powder is processed from morphine. It instantly affects brain chemistry and creates a sense of euphoria. Pleasure does not last very long. In as little as one hour from the last dose, users can have withdrawal symptoms, from bone and muscle pain to vomiting and diarrhea.

Alcohol

This highly addictive, yet legal substance is a relaxant that lessens anxiety and inhibitions. Despite a notable cheerfulness, eventually, unpredictable and erratic behavior occurs. Alcohol abuse causes liver, pancreas, and heart damage. When mixed with caffeine, it can be lethal.

Caffeine

Caffeine is in more foodstuffs than most people imagine. Like sugar, it is consumed in large quantities by many people daily. Caffeine is classified as a stimulant and can be found in everything from coffee to tea, soft drinks and chocolate. Caffeine addicts usually feel as though they cannot get through a day or concentrate without it. Regular caffeine consumption often leads to headaches, dizziness, increased respiration, high blood pressure, insomnia and has been linked to pancreatic cancer.

Peter Wendt is a writer and researcher living in Austin, TX. His hobbies include windsurfing and skiing. If you are looking to make a break from addiction and lead a healthier life, he recommend you visit Origins Recovery Centers in Texas.

Targeted Moisturizers

If you’re buying a different type of moisturizer for your face, body, hands, feet, and so on, you’re spending way too much on lotion. The vast majority of moisturizers aren’t that much different than each other – not different enough to justify purchasing more than one for your entire body. Find one good body or face lotion that you love, and use it everywhere.

Age-Reversing Products

Unfortunately, everyone gets older. Our skin is going to change, wrinkle, and not look as glowing as it did when we were young. Buying anti-aging products to reverse this product is pretty much useless. Anti-aging products are usually a lot of hype, too; some will produce minimal results, but it’s up to you whether or not the results are worth the price.

Toners

Lots of women swear by toner, but it’s really an unnecessary extra step in your beauty routine. Toner doesn’t really produce the cleansing benefits we think it does, and with a lot of use it can actually dry out your skin. The only people who might want to use toner are those with very large pores, because it can help shrink them. Don’t spend a lot on toner, though; inexpensive versions work just fine.

Cellulite and Stretch Mark Creams

While lots of products claim to be effective at diminishing or removing cellulite and stretch marks, we’ve yet to find a product that really, really works. While some may ever so slightly reduce the appearance of them, none are going to make enough of a difference for you to purchase them. You’re a lot better off embracing these flaws than trying so hard to get rid of them.

Exfoliaters

You can spend a lot of money on exfoliating body wash and creams and lip exfoliater, but you shouldn’t. While exfoliating body wash can help remove dead skin, giving yourself a good scrub with a loofah is sufficient for everyday purposes. Lip exfoliater isn’t necessary, either. Lip balm should work just fine to smooth out your lips, and for an even more inexpensive option, just use Vaseline.

Shaving Cream

Using shaving cream will make your skin feel smooth and help you get a close shave, but you do not need it. While shaving any part of your body, and really good lather with your regular soap will work just fine. Put on lotion afterwards, and you won’t be able to tell a difference. You can also use conditioner or oil – yes, even olive oil from your kitchen – instead of shaving cream, too.

Cayla Crenshaw is a beauty expert and freelance writer who loves to take a hard look at today’s beauty products. She often writes about anything from relationship advice to getting great deals on cosmetic brushes.

Caffeine Contributes to Depression and Fatigue

Yes, really.  Contrary to popular belief, caffeine will make you feel gloomy and sluggish.  While indulging on an occasional cookie or bottle of soda is good for triggering a “sugar buzz” that lifts your spirits, constantly ingesting sugar and caffeine can result in depression and fatigue.  Doctors often tell their severely depressed patients to cut sugar and caffeine from their diets (thus saving them money on future health insurance costs!)  The results are usually very remarkable.  People report feeling a lot happier and more energetic after giving up their morning coffee and donuts.

Caffeine Dehydrates You

If you drink too much caffeine, your body starts losing water.  Much like alcohol, caffeinated drinks are diuretics, meaning they take more water out of your body than they put in.  If you can’t give up your morning tea, that’s OK.  You just need to drink a glass of water for every caffeine drink in order to stay hydrated.

Caffeine Causes Fertility Issues

Researchers aren’t quite sure why.  They believe that, since caffeine changes the balance of hormones in the body, it may interfere with a woman’s ability to ovulate.  After studying over 1,400 women at John Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health, researchers concluded that the women who consumed more than the recommended amount of caffeine a day (300 mg) were at least twice as likely to have delayed conception than the women who consumed less.  In extreme cases, caffeine may even cause infertility.

Caffeine Adds to Stress

Next time you stay up all night working to meet a deadline, pass on that 5-hour energy shot.  You’d be better off without any more caffeine in your body, because it stimulates the production of cortisol, a stress hormone that raises your blood pressure and heart rate.  A study conducted at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center found that those drinking just 2 to 3 cups of coffee a day had much higher blood pressure than those who drank less.

Caffeine Reduces the Absorption of Vitamins

You may want to think twice about downing your vitamin supplements with Pepsi.  Caffeine is known to block the absorption of many kinds of vitamins, including calcium, iron, and vitamin D.  The effect of caffeine varies greatly from one vitamin to the next.  Take iron, for instance.  Caffeine can reduce absorption of iron by up to 80%.  You can read more about that here.

Tip on Controlling Your Caffeine Intake

The best way to control your caffeine intake is to stop using it as your daily ritual.  Instead of drinking a cup coffee to start your day, you can drink a glass of milk or water.  If you’re a soda addict, you can replace soda with juice.  Use caffeinated drinks only when you need a “sugar buzz”.

Giving up or cutting back on caffeine is hard, but it’s totally doable.  Your body will thank you!

This guest post is written by Scott Webster, a part time blogger, who is currently writing on behalf of Health.com.au. Health.com.au is an Australian health insurance company which offers a quick and simple health insurance cover plan.

Check the Labels

The quickest way to rid your home of harmful chemicals is to check your labels. There are FDA regulations on labeling, so products with harmful ingredients will have labels that say things like “warning,” “danger,” “poison,” “irritant,” “corrosive,” “toxic,” or “flammable.” You should also look for labels that have “caution,” but look closer to see what the “caution” message is really about. When you find products with offending labels, get rid of them! Just make sure you dispose of them in a safe manner; the label might have instructions, or you can ask your local waste management office.

Check the Ingredients

You should look for something else on a product’s label: the list of ingredients. Many products have harmful chemicals, but there’s not a warning because they’re not considered dangerous enough to our health or the environment to tell us about. Some chemical ingredients to watch for are: phthalates, parabens, formaldehyde, phenols, sodium laureth sulfate (SLS), ethylene, propylene, benzene, and coal tar. If you find these ingredients, you should also dispose of them safely.

Check the Ingredients Again

While lots of products don’t contain extremely harmful chemicals, they still contain chemicals. For example, artificial colors and dyes. When you’re reading the ingredients of a product, see how many of them you can identify and pronounce. If there are a lot of long, difficult, chemical-sounding words, you should look for a more natural alternative. Look for products with fewer ingredients and those that are made primarily of plant-based ingredients, like essential oils, for instance.

Look for Common Offenders

Oftentimes the most chemically-infused products aren’t so obvious. Some products that are particularly dangerous and full of chemicals are air fresheners, fragrance sprays, fabric softeners, dryer sheets, and anything that contains synthetic fragrance. The simplest thing you can do is to get rid of these products. When applicable, purchase products like detergents that are fragrance-free instead, and stay away from cleaning products that advertise their great smells.

Go Natural

While you’re reducing the chemicals in your home, you may find that you don’t have very many products left! Especially when it comes to cleaning products, it’s hard to buy any from the store that aren’t full of chemicals. The best way to make up for the reduction of chemicals is to replace products with natural alternatives instead. For example, baking soda and vinegar are very effective at cleaning just about anything in your home. Essential oils are also natural with many purposes. For example, some may be used to holistically disinfect surfaces or replace your perfume, cologne, body lotion, and shaving cream.

Jerome Tonge is a chemical safety professional and writer who loves to blog about everything from tips on how to limit your exposure to harmful chemicals to the benefits of safety data sheets.