Alpha-1-Antitrypsin Deficiency

Have you heard of Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency? It is a genetic condition caused by a lack of the protective protein, Alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT) that is made by the liver. If you are asking what this has to do with COPD, that is a good question. AAT acts to protect the lungs from damage and without it, certain enzymes in the lungs end up causing destruction of lung tissue that eventually leads to emphysema. For more information about AAT deficiency and what you can do about it, visit my latest article on About.com:

What is Alpha-1-Antitrypsin Deficiency Emphysema?

Treatment of COPD

That COPD is an irreversible lung disease, speaks loudly for the importance of treament in slowing down the progression of the disease and improving quality of life.
While many medications are available to treat COPD, no drug has demonstrated effectiveness in halting the progression of the disease. Rather, the goal of drug therapy at this time is to maintain control of symptoms and prevent COPD exacerbation.

For more information about COPD treatment, stop by http://www.copd.about.com/ and read one of my most popular articles:

There is Hope: Treatment for COPD.

Please be sure to leave a comment.

COPD and Exercise: Walking Your Way Toward a Healthier You

If you have COPD, your exercise tolerance is probably not what it used to be. In fact, you may find yourself short of breath just walking across the room. Low impact exercises, such as walking can help the body utilize oxygen more efficiently which awesome news for those with COPD!


Discover more about the health benefits of walking, and how it can help people with COPD lead a better life in my latest article on About.com:

Exercise and COPD: Walking Towards a Healthier You

How Flu Shots Can Help Prevent COPD Exacerbation

Have you gotten your annual flu shot this year? If so, that is great news, especially if you have COPD. Did you know that getting a flu shot each year can help you to prevent a worsening of your COPD symptoms, better known as a COPD exacerbation? Find out more about flu shots and how those with COPD should be among the first in line to receive them by reading my latest article on About.com:

Flu Shots Help Prevent COPD Exacerbation

Share Your Quit Smoking Success Story

As the COPD guide for About.com, I am currently looking to interview several individuals who have successfully quit smoking for at least 2 years or more. The goal is to post the best interview on my website at www.copd.about.com.

If you have a great success story to tell about quitting, please email me at copd.guide@about.com and I will send you the list of interview questions. Only your first name will be posted with the story on the site. May the best quit smoking story win!

Kick the Habit For Good: Quit Smoking Resources from Your COPD Guide at About.com

Pictured to the right is what your lungs look like if you are a smoker! If that is not enough to make you quit immediately, as your most excellent COPD guide for About.com, I have devoted an entire section of my website to quitting smoking. Learn more about quitting smoking from tips to help you quit to the health hazards of secondhand smoke by visiting Quitting Smoking or my site's homepage to discover everything you ever wanted to know about COPD but were afraid to ask at http://www.copd.about.com/.

Health Hazards of Secondhand Smoke

If you have ever needed a reason to quit smoking, the health effects of secondhand smoke on the people that you love may just give you one. Secondhand smoke is filled with toxic chemicals, such as benzene, formaldahyde (yes, the stuff they embalm people with), and carbon monoxide, to name a few. To read more about the hazards of secondhand smoke, visit my latest article on About.com:

The Health Hazards of Secondhand Smoke

Please be sure to leave a comment and join my forum so that we may welcome you!

Do You Suffer From COPD?

If you have been diagnosed with COPD, or you think you may be at risk for developing this lung disease, I have great news for you! I am the new COPD guide for About.com and have spent the last couple of months preparing my site for the public! Well, it is finally done. If you are looking for a wealth of valuable information about COPD, including the definition of COPD, risk factors and causes of COPD, symptoms of COPD, treatment and prevention of COPD and much more, be sure to check out my new guide site at

www.copd.about.com

Would love if you joined in my forum discussions and signed up for my free weekly COPD newsletter. Hope to see you there!

A Ringing Epidemic Growing with the Use of Electronics and Among Troops Coming Home from Afhganistan and Iraq

The following is a guest post contributed by one of my readers, Laura Giardina,
Senior Account Executive for Robin Leedy & Associates, Inc.

An estimated 50 million people (according to the American Tinnitus Association) suffer from some degree of tinnitus (ringing in the ears) that ranges from mild to severe – so severe that it can have a huge impact on one’s life. While the cause of tinnitus is not fully understood, experts say that it may be the result of an injury to the hearing mechanism caused by a sudden loud noise/explosion or repeated and prolonged exposure to loud noises (loud music, occupational exposure, etc.) Until recently, tinnitus was experienced mostly by those over 50.

However, with the increased use of the newest devices that stream loud sounds directly into the ear, such as iPods, hands-free phones, etc., the growing epidemic of ear ringing is becoming a more widespread problem among younger people – one that isn’t going away anytime soon,” explains Andrew Cheng, M.D., an otolaryngologist and clinical assistant professor in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery at New York Medical College. “In fact, many of the troops returning from overseas are reporting a high incidence of tinnitus despite the fact that most of them are quite young. According to the Department of Veteran Affairs, hearing damage is the No. 1 disability in the war on terror, and some experts say the true toll could take decades to become clear. They also reported that nearly 70,000 of the more than 1.3 million troops who have served in the two war zones are collecting disability for tinnitus, a potentially debilitating ringing in the ears, and more than 58,000 are on disability for hearing loss. The condition, according to Dr. Cheng, “is reaching epidemic proportions.”

While there are some treatments available for tinnitus, there is no cure. However, doctors often suggest making lifestyle and dietary changes to help ease the intensity of the ‘ringing.’

What to do if you have tinnitus? Dr. Cheng offers this advice:

• Control Blood Pressure – If you suffer from high blood pressure and you have tinnitus, now you have another reason why you should control your pressure. “If you are taking medicine for high blood pressure, you should be diligent about it,” advises Dr. Cheng.


• Decrease salt intake – When trying to minimize or lessen the intensity of tinnitus, most physicians will suggest eliminating sodium as the first step in the management of tinnitus (since sodium retains fluids). “In some cases, tinnitus results when the fluids of the inner ear mix,” explains Dr. Cheng. “Therefore, the less fluids retained in the body, the less opportunity there is for them to mix in the inner ear.” Reduce or eliminate salt in the diet, paying close attention to the sodium content on the labels of the foods you eat and beverages you drink.


• Dietary Supplements – Dr. Cheng has been recommending Lipo-Flavonoid, a nutritional supplement that contains the B complex group of vitamins in a base of lipotropic agents, such as choline, inositol and pantothenic acid, plus vitamin C and bioflavonoids. “Many of my patients with tinnitus have had success with Lipo-Flavonoid, which provides nutritional support to improve circulation in the inner ear for overall ear health.” “The exact formulation of ingredients in Lipo-Flavonoid has been tested numerous times in clinical studies on humans and the results have demonstrated relief and improvement in the tinnitus,” says Dr. Cheng.


• Avoid nerve stimulants (caffeine & nicotine) – “Nicotine and caffeine constrict your blood vessels, increasing the speed of blood flow through your veins and arteries,” explains Dr. Cheng. “Caffeine is one of the most common tinnitus aggravators and should be very limited or completely eliminated.” Coffee, teas, caffeinated colas, and chocolate all contain significant amounts of caffeine capable of constricting blood flow in the ear.


• Cover up the noise – Tinnitus is usually more bothersome when the surroundings are quiet, especially when going to sleep. “A competing sound, such as a ticking clock, a radio, a fan or a white noise machine may help mask tinnitus by creating a special environment,” advises Dr. Cheng. For some people, tinnitus maskers — devices similar in appearance to hearing aids that produce a pleasant noise — may help, too, since the quiet of silence can actually seem loud to tinnitus sufferers.


• Acupuncture – Some tinnitus sufferers have found relief in alternative therapies, such as acupuncture.


• Avoid Stress - Stress can make tinnitus worse. “Stress management, whether through relaxation therapy, biofeedback or exercise, may provide some relief, not to mention be beneficial to your overall health,” advises Dr. Cheng.
  
  Visit

http://www.stopearringing.com/ for additional information about tinnitus and Lipo-Flavonoid.

Additional information about Lipo-Flavonoid:

For everyone who suffers from tinnitus, whether the cause is known or not, it is necessary for sufferers to take control of their personal situation for greatest relief, since it can affect a sufferer emotionally and physically to hear a continual noise that no one around them can hear. Lipo-Flavonoid, a nutritional supplement developed by an otolaryngologist (ear, nose and throat doctor, or ENT) in the early 1960s, has been providing relief and improvement of the condition for many sufferers. Until recently, it had a limited following, with people learning about it mostly through word-of-mouth from those who have used it successfully or seen it work (doctors who recommend it- the well-respected, syndicated health columnist Dr. Peter Gott, has recommended Lipo-Flavonoid to his readers on several occasions. Here is one link http://www.crescent-news.com/news/article/3367851 .However, as the success of this supplement has become more widely known due to the Internet, media coverage and increased doctor recommendations, it is now becoming a more mainstream brand with mass market distribution.

Lipo-Flavonoid provides nutritional support to improve circulation in the inner ear for overall ear health. When the circulation in the inner ear is improved, the microscopic hair cells responsible for transmitting electrical impulses of sound to the brain stay flexible, and fluids within the ear canals may flow better (it is thought that a primary cause of tinnitus is damage to or stiffening of these microscopic hair cells within the ear). Lipo-Flavonoid® nutritional supplement is recommended by ear, nose and throat doctors nationwide, and patient feedback has shown it to be effective in helping to reduce tinnitus in a significant number of users.

Thai Basal Chicken and Vegetable Stir Fry: Negative Calorie Food Recipes

Hey all, I am on a roll with the negative calorie food diet that I have been on. It is fantastic and I just created this delicious, fat burning recipe that is possibly one of the best I have ever tasted. Simple, delicious and fast, you and your family will LOVE THIS MEAL!

Thai Basal Chicken and Vegetable Stir Fry: Negative Calorie Food Recipe

Lose Weight With Negative Calorie Foods

Have you heard of negative calorie foods? If you haven't, don't worry, you are not alone. Negative calorie foods require the body to use more calories during their digestion, than the foods acutally contain.

For your dieting pleasure, I have put together a weight loss plan that can super-size your fat burning potential. With my plan you can safely lose an amazing amount of weight in a short period of time.

You can check out the article here:

How to Lose Weight With Negative Calorie Foods

Please be sure to leave a comment here at RN ONline to tell use what you think!

Coping With Alzheimer's Disease: Even If You Don't Have It

By-line:
This article is contributed by Sarah Scrafford, who regularly writes on the topic of Care Plans. She invites your questions and writing job opportunities at her personal email address: sarah.scrafford25@gmail.com. RN Online invites others to share their guest posts. Please email djtphn1@gmail.com if you would like to contribute.

They didn’t have a name for it in those days, or if they did, we did not know what it was. We were only 9 and 10, my brother and I, but we were old enough to know that our grandfather, Pappy, as we affectionately called him, was no longer the same. I still remember the summer we rushed back to our grandparents' farm eagerly anticipating the good times that awaited us, only to be shell-shocked when Pappy looked at us as he would strangers. As we learned much later in our lives, Alzheimer’s disease crept up on him pretty rapidly, and it was as if we were fighting a downhill battle from that point forward.

The vibrant and good-natured grandpa we knew and loved morphed into a shadow of his former self. He hardly remembered us. He would leave the stove turned on, shout at the nursing attendants for no reason at all, wander across the hall to other people’s apartments, (mom and dad brought him home to the city to live with them once his condition deteriorated) or sit like a dummy in front of the television with no reaction what-so-ever on his face.

Alzheimer's changes lives overnight. Not just the lives of the people afflicted, but of the people involved in caring for the Alzheimer's patient. In moments of lucidity, people suffering from the disease are aghast at the parodies their lives have become. These moments however, are few and far between, as they slip back into the child-like state that we call Alzheimer's.

Most affected by Alzheimer's disease are the caregivers, especially if they are close family members. They practically put their lives on hold, becoming stressed out from providing constant care to those who have the disease. It is a thankless job, and as one associated with providing palliative care for a disease that has no known cure, it can turn its tentacles on the people doing it. I know, because I watched my mom become a totally different person as she tried to be a good nurturer and caregiver to Pappy, my grandfather, her beloved father.

Caregivers not only deal with patients exhibiting symptoms of the disease, but also with the side-effects that arise because of the medication. They need help too, perhaps more than the patients they care for. Organizations like Alzheimer’s Association, The Department of Health Care Services, and Alzheimer’s Online exist to help people like my mother care for loved ones who have Alzheimer’s disease. From answering questions on care-giving basics to helping in planning for the future, these websites are a veritable storehouse of resources designed to help the Alzheimer’s caregiver.

Chef's Diet Video: Grilled Salmon with Mango Salsa & Roased Asparagus Recipe

MMmmmnnnn, just saying the words, "grilled salmon with mango salsa and roasted asparagus" makes my mouth water in delight! If you are like me, and always looking for tasty low-fat, low calorie recipes to cook for yourself or your family, why not try this delicious salmon recipe from Chef's Diet:

Yield:

1 Serving

Protein:

6 oz. Fresh Salmon Fillet (Boneless and Skinless)

Carbohydrate:

1 ea. Mango (1/2 cup, diced)
1 ea. Lime
1 ea. Plum Tomato (diced)
1 ea. Tomatillo (Green Tomato) (diced)
1 ea. sm. Red Onion (diced)
1/2 tsp. Cilantro
1/2 cp. Corn Niblets
7-8 ea. Asparagus Spears
1/4 cup of Wild Rice (cooked)

Fat:

1/8 cp. Olive oil

Method:

Turn grill on low flame. Spray cooking oil on heated grill.

To make salsa, toss together the diced mango, red onion, tomato, tomatillo, corn, cilantro and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Squeeze the juice of 1/2 a lime and add pinch of salt & pepper to taste. Toss lightly and set aside to allow all the flavors to merge together.

On a sheet of aluminum foil, place raw asparagus and drizzle about 2 teaspoons of olive oil and a pinch of salt and pepper on top. Fold to wrap the foil completely around the asparagus. Place on the grill for about 5 minutes, turning halfway.

Marinate Salmon with the remaining half of fresh lime and 1 teaspoon of olive oil. Grill over low flame on both sides until done (look for fat deposits rising to the surface), about 4 minutes on each side.

Want more information about this recipe? Visit the chef!

I have personally tried Chef's Diet and it worked great for me. If you want fantastic tasting meals to help you lose weight for summer, go to my side bar and click on the Chef's Diet icon. Get in shape for summer now!

Recipe courtesy of Chef's Diet.

Asperger Syndrome: From a Personal Perspective

If you are like me, you may have never heard of Asperger's Syndrome until today. This proves to be a bit embarrassing, because I am a nurse. But hey, I learn something new everyday, and today is no different.

According to Wikipedia, "Asperger syndrome is one of the autism spectrum disorders (ASD) or pervasive developmental disorders (PDD), which are a spectrum of psychological conditions that are characterized by abnormalities of social interaction and communication that pervade the individual's functioning, and by restricted and repetitive interests and behavior".

So, what does that mean? I was browsing hubpages and found a hub about this fascinating and virtually unknown disorder written by my friend, Isabella Snow. Written from more of a personal perspective, Isa tells it like it is when it comes to Aspergers, without pulling any punches. Read more about Asperger Syndrome in her latest hub:

Asperger's Syndrome: What's It Really Like?

Fat Burning Foods

Are you trying to lost weight only to be stuck in a rut with the scale tipping upward? Maybe it is because you are eating the wrong foods. Did you know that foods that are high in protein and fiber will help you burn the most fat and lose the most weight! Find out more about fat burning foods:

Fat Burning Foods

Tooting My Own Horn

As an RN, I am often frustrated with the current state of health care. Being a nurse just "ain't what it used to be", and I often wonder why the powers that be can't see that the nurses of today would better serve patients if they actually took care of them instead of the paperwork. I really despise it, and decided to do something about it when I started focusing more on my writing. I did not want writing to be merely a "hobby". I wanted it to be a job, something that I could make money doing, while working towards getting away from bedside nursing. This mind you, is not because of patients, but because of bureaucracy.

And so I did just that. I have been working night and day for months on end doing different freelance writing jobs that focus on health care. And, it has not been that lucrative, until now. I have just become the guide for About.com's COPD site and could not be happier. About.com is owned by the New York Times Company! Finally, a real freelance job that allows me to use my knowledge of health care while helping people in an online forum. The job is perfect for me and I just wanted to tell everyone about it. I have been working for almost 3 weeks developing the site, and when it goes live, I will of course provide readers with a link to my new site. I am so excited!

In the meantime, I will not forget RN ONline or my other blog, The Writer's Block! I hope you don't either!!! Thanks for your continued support.

How to Stop Bed-Wetting

Children should never be punished for wetting the bed. To do so could cause emotional scars that may follow a child into adulthood. If you have sought medical attention for your child's bed-wetting problem and there is nothing physically wrong, there are some methods available that may help you to solve the problem and reduce the frustration both you and your child may be experiencing. To read more about bed-wetting cures visit my latest article on EHow:

How to Stop Bed-Wetting

Please don't forget to leave a comment and vote!

How to Cure Bad Breath

If you have ever wondered if you have bad breath, you probably do! Garlic, onions, hot peppers, fish, cheese......all these foods have one thing in common, they have essential oils in them that cling to the plaque on your teeth and cause your breath to smell rank! Never fear however, as RN ONline has come to the rescue. I have just published a new article on Hubpages on how to cure bad breath forever! Be sure to read it here:

How to Banish Bad Breath

As usual, please leave me a comment, you do not have to be a member to do so. Thanks for your continued support!

New Take on Weight Loss

If you are tired of yo-yo dieting, Andrea Albright, a new author from Hubpages, has written an interesting article on weight loss that I thought I would share with you.

Healthy Weight Loss: 5 Easy, Pain-Free Tips For Natural Weight Loss

This is a great read for all you dieters out there. Hope you enjoy it and as usual, please be sure to leave a comment!

Alternative Cure for Athlete's Foot

Summer is coming, and it is a perfect time for your tired feet to become afflicted with athlete's foot! Whether you are an athlete or not, this little bug is an equal opportunity fungus and does not care if you are a star quarterback or a couch potato! It thrives in warm, moist environments, so be sure to keep your feet clean and dry and change your socks and shoes often. And, if you are looking for a cure, I have a great, alternative treatment that is sure to help, althought it is somewhat unconventional! Click below to visit:

How to Cure Athlete's Foot

As usual, please leave a comment!

4 Risk Factors of COPD that are Preventable

If you have ever seen someone die from respiratory distress secondary to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), it is something you will probably never forget. While there is a genetic component to the disease, there are a variety of risk factors of COPD that can be eliminated to avoid developing symptoms.

To read more about the devastating effects of COPD and learn how to reduce risk factors, see my latest article published on AC:

To Breathe Again: 4 Risk Factors of COPD that are Preventable

11 Tips to Cure a Hangover

Headache, nausea, vomiting.....nope, it is not the flu, you just had a bit too much of the sauce last night and now you are paying for it dearly! Relax, I have composed a detailed list of 11 tips to cure a hangover in record time so that you will be back on your feet and ready to go in no time! See my latest article published today on Hub Pages! If you have ever had a hangover, you had better read this!

11 Hangover Cures That REALLY Work!

Impotence: A Natural Cure

Hey guys, remember that I said we were going to talk more about sexual health this month? Well, I am keeping my promise by writing an article on EHow about curing impotence naturally. We have all experienced it in some form or another at some point in our lives so I wanted to give all you hot men out there a natural approach to dealing with the problem.

Be sure to check out my EHow article by clicking on the link below:

How to Cure Impotence Naturally

As usual, please make sure to rate the article if you like it, and leave a comment. And don't forget to look at all my other blog posts before you leave!

Side Effects of Nexium

The healing purple pill may be effective in treating Acid Reflux Disease, but it does not come without side effects and risks. To learn more about the side effects of nexium, check out my recent article published on AC:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/602341/nexium_side_effects_my_best_friends.html

As always, please make sure you leave a comment and vote! Thanks for your continued support!

Side Effects of Prednisone: My Personal Experience

Several years ago I took Prednisone for a respiratory infection and it worked wonders to cure what "ailed me"! Today, I published an article about it at Associated Content. Check out my recently published content on AC:

Prednisone Side Effects: My Personal Experience

Side Effects of Lexapro: My Experience

I have recently been writing alot for Associated Content. Whenever I do, I like to share it with you. My latest endeavor was my own personal experience with the antidepressant Lexapro. Lexapro side effects can range from mild to severe, but overall, I believe if you are suffering from depression, this may be the drug for you. Check out my recently published content on AC:

Lexapro Side Effects: My Personal Experience

2008 Grammy Awards: From a Cynic's Standpoint

Hey, guys, I know that this is supposed to be a health blog, but I was wondering if any of you watched the Grammy Awards last night and what you thought about them? If you don't mind, leave me your comments as I am quite interested in other people's opinion.

To read mine, check out my recently published content on AC:

2008 Grammy Awards: A Cynic's Review

Symptoms of Male Menopause

As promised for the month of February, we are going to be talking about SEX! Now that I have your attention, to be more accurate and not be so naughty, what I really mean is sexual health.

Male menopause is a caused by a troubliing decrease in the male sex hormone, testosterone. Symptoms of male menopause can be so disruptive for many men, that it actually affects their home-life, employment and self esteem.

To learn more about the symptoms of male menopause Check out my recently published content on AC:

Male Menopause Symptoms and Treatment: My Ex-Boyfriend's Experience

Genital Herpes: When Should You Tell

Genital herpes is a topic that has become very popular on television these days, as big time pharmaceutical companies spend millions of dollars advertising their immuno-suppressive drugs such as Valtrex to treat this sexually transmitted disease. While herpes is no longer a "taboo" subject in the news, it continues to be very difficult for those who are afflicted with it to "spill the beans" when they are faced with a potential new relationship.

Many people who have herpes used to think that as long as they did not have sex during an outbreak, that it was ok to keep the secret, as they were not putting people at risk if they had no visible lesions. But according to the latest studies, it is possible to spread herpes at ANY time, even while you are being treated with say, once daily Valtrex to minimize the occurence of epidodes.

So, the question remains, when should you tell. And the answer will always most likely remain the same. You should tell BEFORE YOU HAVE SEX with someone. Doing otherwise is an outright lie by omission, and can be seen as a betrayal of trust. If you have a desire to start a relationship with someone, then being upfront and honest at the beginning, will show the other person that you have integrity, and they will be far more apt to stay with you when you do tell, as they will respect you for having the courage to face your worst fear, rejection!

If you withhold this information, have sex and then enter into a relationship, you have put that person at risk, and when you finally do tell, they may not be very happy about it. Getting it out of the way in the beginning will put you at ease so that you can be yourself. If the person does not want to be with you because of it, then you will not have wasted any of your precious time.

But, you are asking, how do you tell? You start by doing so in a non-confrontational manner, by just being honest and open, and simply taking responsiblity for doing the right thing. When you tell, you should be in a neutral environment, not in the bed ready to have sex. This will give the other person some time to think about things, so they won't feel pressured or uncomfortable. Heck, have them over for dinner and tell them after having a glass or two of wine, so that you feel more relaxed. Whatever, the key here is that you don't want to make a huge deal out of it. You want to be honest and informative, so make sure that you are knowledgeable about the disease, so that if your partner has any questions, you can answer them accordingly.

Just remember, honesty is always the best policy, and the truth will always set you free! If you use this as your personal motto, then you will always do the right thing and it won't come back and bite you in your proverbial ass!

Sadness: A Poem

Today, I was overcome with grief about my granddaughter, whom I have lost. In a moment of profound sadness, I put her pictures away, and it broke my heart. I wrote a poem about it and wanted to share it with you. If you are struggling with grief and loss, perhaps my words can somehow articulate how you are feeling too.. Please read it by visiting the link below:

Sadness

RN ONline is Getting a Makeover!

Hey everyone, just wanted to let you know to check back often in the next few days, because RN ONline is getting a makeover! Yes, that is right, a whole now look will adorn my blogsite and you won't believe how fabulous it is going to be! I am bringing a new topic to the table, if you will, as well! We are going to be talking a lot more about SEX this month because of Valentine's Day! If you have any problems in the bedroom, or questions that you may be too embarrassed to ask your doctor, by all means, ask a nurse and please email me. RN Online would love to help you resolve your sexual health issues. I have featured articles that will focus on sexual health that will appear each week during February. Here is a list of some of them:

1. Symptoms of Male Menopause

2. Vaginal Orgasms: Can Women Have Them?

3. Mutual Masturbation: Enhance Sexual Intimacy

4. Herpes: How to Tell your Lover You Have Them

5. Top 5 Birth Control Methods

Stay tuned, you won't want to miss these hot topics during this special month for lovers!

Weight Watchers Chicken Recipes

Are you currently trying to lose weight with Weight Watchers? Need some great tasting, simple dishes to try. Try these tasty Weight Watcher's chicken recipes from Maddie Ruud....Makes me hungry just thinking about them! Maddie is known for publishing some great low fat recipes and I know these are going to be sure hit for easy weight loss success! Let us know how you like them! Click HERE to view these delicious recipes now!

Side Effects of Vytorin

It is no secret that high cholesterol increases the risk of heart disease, stroke and heart attack. Vytorin, developed by Merck Pharmaceuticals, is a combination of both Zocor (a simvastatin) and Zetia (an antilipidemic). It is noted for its ability to treat both types of high cholesterol, the first, resulting from the foods we eat and the second, due to our family history. To read more about the side effects of Vytorin, click on the link provided below to read my most recent article, published today on Associated Content, Vytorin: Serious Risks and Common Side Effects! Don't forget to rate it at the top and leave a comment at the end! As always, I really appreciate your support!

Low-Fat Cupcake Recipes

Want to put a delicious treat into your hubbies lunch box this Valentine's Day? Why not get him in the mood for a romantic evening my making him these delicious, low fat cupcakes in either chocolate, vanilla, lemon or red velvet? Published by Maddie Ruud on Hubpages, these cupcakes are simply divine and will be a wonderful surprise on the most special day of the year for lovers! Don't forget to leave a comment for Maddie, when you stop by:

Low-Fat Cupcake Recipes (Chocolate, Vanilla, Lemon, Red Velvet)

A Nurses Prayer

Several months ago, a patient of a fellow nurse died as a result of negligence on the part of some of the staff and the hospital. It affected me so, that I went into the break room several days later, and wrote a poem, if you will, about the experience. To read the poem and find out more about the events of that day, please click HERE to go to my hubpages. Hope you enjoy it, and please be sure to leave a comment when you stop by! You may also want to have a box of kleenex with you when you read it!!!

Lowering Your Cholesterol and Other Benefits of Hearty Lima Bean Soup

In the cold, drudge of winter, this delicious, hearty Lima Bean Soup recipe is just the ticket for warming your soul!

Beans are low in fat, while high in protein and fiber, and can help to fight cancer and lower your blood sugar if you are a diabetic. They will also help to lower the risk of heart disease!

Make sure to visit my hubpages for my delicious Lima Bean Soup recipe and learn more about the benefits of eating beans!

How to Prevent Bed Sores

If you are caring for a bedridden family member or friend, you should know that, due to immobility and other factors, they are more prone to acquiring bed sores. Bedsores, also known as decubitus ulcers or pressure ulcers, can be prevented by taking daily precautions to avoid them.

I have just written a great new article on EHow entitled How to Prevent Bedsores, and would love you to take a look! Click HERE to visit my article now, and don't forget to leave a comment. I appreciate your support!

More on the Flat Belly Diet and MUFA Meals

I blogged a couple of weeks ago about the new, Flat Belly Diet, that has recently been introduced to the dieting industry. my take on it: JUST ANOTHER SCAM! But, I wanted to see what others thought so I did a little searching. I found a great article about the diet and MUFA meals on hubpages. Published by Maddie Ruud, it is a really well-written article...Click the below link to read it:

http://hubpages.com/_vajs531wdt59/hub/MUFA-Diet

How to Treat a Sprained Ankle

So, you have twisted your ankle doing that new Samba move on the dance floor again? How many times have you told your partner to quit stomping on your feet? You are probably now experiencing severe pain, increased swelling and it may be turning an amazing color of crimson and azure blue. Click here to go to my hubpages article and find out more about signs and symptoms of a sprain and the best treatment for a speedy recovery. Oh, and we will also go over the mechanism of a sprain and find out how it is caused....Some really interesting stuff, I assure you. Stop by my hubpages for additional really cool articles written by me, RN Online!
http://hubpages.com/_vajs531wdt59/hub/How-to-Treat-a-Sprained-Ankle

How to Avoid a Winter Cold

Winter Colds are the worst, aren't they? And to top it off, colds are the result of a virus for which there exists no cure! So, the best that we can do is try to prevent ourselves from catching one in the first place. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure and that is so true when it comes to the common cold.

I have written a really cool article on EHow giving you tips and advice about how to NOT catch a cold this season! Click HERE to read the entire article NOW!

The Truth About the Flat Belly Diet

Flat Belly Diet: Just Another Diet Scam?

After the New Year, everyone is busy first making and then trying to keep from breaking their New Year's resolutions. It is no wonder then, that keyword searches for diet plans to assist individuals in reaching their goals are HOT, HOT, HOT as far as major search engines like Google and Yahoo are concerned. Topping the list of On Fire Topics and sparking the latest media frenzy is a new revolution in diet plans, a "breakthrough in medical science", the so-called Flat Belly Diet. Recently spotlighted on the Good Morning America show, the diet claims that frantic dieters can lose 15 pounds in 32 days and get a flat belly without ever doing a single crunch! The diet was developed by Editor in Chief, Liz Vaccariello and Nutrition Editor, Cynthia Sass, both of Prevention Magazine! Yes, you did hear me correctly! This supposed "breakthrough in medical science" diet was actually created by two MAGAZINE EDITORS!

The diet is fully detailed in a book for $31.95 plus offers an online support system, similar to Weight Watchers and the South Beach Diet. Wow, sounds like a great deal! But really, is it?

This article hopes to serve the purpose of reviewing the major claims of the Flat Belly Diet and will attempt to offer the conscientious consumer an alternative view on these claims, thus enabling them to make informed choices about whether this is a diet miracle, or just another contemporary, predator-style, marketing-friendly diet scam stalking it's next desperate, overweight prey!

Major Claim #1: Lose 15 pounds in 32 days.

Unfortunately, our current generation focuses on the dense desire for instant gratification! We want everything NOW, and sometimes even yesterday! It is no mistake, then, that brilliant advertising executives exploit this concept by marketing these "quick fix" types of diet plans, such as the Flat Belly Diet.

First and foremost, any diet plan that offers dieters a quick fix in losing weight is an absolute farce! While quick fixes may often result initially in rapid weight loss, this weight loss tends to be short term, consequently resulting in an even greater weight gain further down the line.

Additionally, physicians recommend that weight loss that is most beneficial for your body, your health, and will ultimately be easier to maintain is weight loss that occurs slowly, at a rate of about 2 pounds per week. Therefore, losing 15 pounds in one month's time, although an attractive concept is NOT HEALTHY!

Losing weight is such a simple matter, yet most individuals make it so difficult, especially when people are brainwashed by this "quick fix" mentality. It's a matter of a simple balancing act of diet, exercise and then maintaining your weight loss with your continued efforts. The bottom line is you must either eat less than you burn, or burn more than you eat! It is all about calorie intake vs. calorie expenditure, period!

Major Claim #2: MUFA at Every Meal

The Flat Belly diet claims that eating MUFA, or mono-unsaturated fatty acids at every meal is the key to their weight loss program. MUFA's include foods such as vegetable oils, nuts, seeds and some plant foods.

According to "Dietary Fat and Heart Health: in Search of the Ideal Fat", MUFA intake at the expense of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFA) and saturated fatty acids, (SFA) does not actually counter the presence of dietary cholesterol very well and can lead to an actual increase in LDL/HLD ratio. A balanced SFA/MUFA/PUFA ratio, which is a blend of each type of fatty acids, is said to incorporate a better fatty acid balance than just MUFA alone. In general, their study found that a balance of 1:1:1 produced the best LDL/HDL ratio.

Major Claim #3: Get a Flat Tummy without any Crunches

So, let me get this straight? Lose weight and get a flat belly without any exercise? Wait a minute, it IS a miracle!

Come on folks, let's use our heads, here and think about this concept for just a minute. Bodybuilders will tell you that getting flat, six-pack abs is no easy task. It requires hard work and commitment. When you see a lean, muscular bodybuilder during a competition, their ripped, washboard stomachs are the result of intense dieting down during their pre-competition preparation. Furthermore, they do a great deal of abdominal exercises, along with additional cardiovascular and strength training as well.

In complete opposition to what the Flat Belly Diet leads you to believe, a flat belly does not magically occur with little or no effort. In order to achieve a sexy, flat tummy, regular cardiovascular exercise is required, along with strength training for the ENTIRE body, not just the stomach, and a healthy, low calorie diet. And sorry folks, you are going to have to do some regular sit ups to build those muscles. Losing belly fat without strengthening underlying abdominal muscles will only leave you with a soft, flabby tummy that looks like mush! So, contrary to what the Flat Belly Diet is telling you, it is just not that simple and will take some time and hard work.

Conclusion

According to USA Today, 65% of Americans are either overweight or obese! It is also thought that this rate will continue to rise to even greater alarming levels within the next few years. Quick fix methods of weight loss do not work. Long term efforts that focus on lifestyle changes have proven to be the best way to promote healthy weight loss that will be able to be maintained throughout one's lifetime!

The weight loss Industry will continue to prey on those desperate individuals who are looking for quick fixes in an attempt to solve a long term problem. It is up to each individual to educate themselves and not fall into the trap that these large corporations try to entice them into. This article hopes to open your consumer eyes ever so gently to this concept to assist you in defending yourselves against big business, corporate weight loss scams. The Flat Belly Diet, in this author's opinion, falls into this type of category, but you, the consumer, must judge for yourself!

Happy New Year

I would like to wish everyone a safe and Happy New Year! I hope to continue to blog my way into 2008, by posting my very first blog of the New Year. I have just said goodbye to 2007, opened up the front door, literally, and let 2008 in. I hope all you can do the same!