Eating disorders are a real problem, especially among girls and women. In fact, according to research in the New York Times, 95 percent of patients with anorexia and about 85 percent of patients with bulimia nervosa are female. (1) How can you tell if you or someone you know is suffering the effects of bulimia,…
Experts consider tenesmus to be both a physical and mental condition. It feels as if there is stool to pass, but there usually isn't. Tenesmus is different than diarrhea because when you go to the bathroom not much, or nothing at all comes out. The sensation of needing to poop can be caused by faulty…
Everyone is familiar with massage therapy and its healing abilities for both the body and the mind. However, most people probably don't know that massage therapists use many Reiki techniques in their work. What is Reiki? I'm glad you asked. Reiki is thought to be a natural application of health in which massage practitioners place…
An ectopic pregnancy is relatively uncommon, occurring in approximately 1 out of every 40 pregnancies. While miscarriage remains the most common complication early in a pregnancy, some research indicates that ectopic pregnancies may be on the rise. Researchers point to increasing STD rates as well as more women using assisted reproductive technologies, including in vitro…
Jasmine oil, a type of essential oil derived from the jasmine flower, is a popular natural remedy for improving mood, overcoming stress and balancing hormones. Jasmine oil has been used for hundreds of years in parts of Asia as a natural remedy for depression, anxiety, emotional stress, low libido and insomnia. Research suggests that jasmine oil, which has genus…
Pasteurization is one of those “miracles” of modern culture that may not be so miraculous, after all. Although the Center of Disease Control (CDC) paints a picture of raw, unpasteurized milk as a relative horror story, even doctors have doubted the benefits of pasteurization from the beginning. As it turns out, we’re fed a lot…
Everyone has felt it. That sudden pounding heartbeat. Sweaty palms. A surge of energy as you scan for exits. That’s epinephrine. Epinephrine is a hormone released by the adrenal glands. The hormone is also called adrenaline. Epinephrine is released during periods of sudden or severe stress and is the energy rush behind our “fight or…
If you're like most people, the word "starch" may conjure up images of guilty pleasures and high-calorie treats like pizza, pasta and donuts. It's been drilled into our brains time and time again that starches are unhealthy and should be avoided at all costs if you're looking to stay trim and achieve better health. Not…
That burning, "pins and needles" sensation you experience when your arm or leg falls asleep is called paresthesia. While the vast majority of paresthesia cases go away once you change positions, there are underlying conditions that can cause chronic discomfort. Paresthesia can occur anywhere in the body, but symptoms are most often experienced in the…
Liver failure occurs when your liver, a vital producer of proteins for the body and an important filter of wastes, slows or stops working because of disease, malnutrition, infection or harmful chemicals, including drugs. The liver makes bile (fluid that aids in breaking down fats), stores fat and sugar as energy for the body and changes harmful…
