The Jeffrey And Tracey Info Emporium

Another good workout to build your abdominal strength is the vertical leg crunch. This exercise has shown to be a proven method to building the abdominal muscles. This exercise is performed correctly by lying on your back and extending your legs up in the air while slightly bending the knees. Place your hands behind your head; be sure to keep your chin up and not to pull on your neck. To contract your abdominal muscles you lift your upper body off the floor until your shoulder blades are not touching the floor. Keep your legs in that same position and lift your upper body in rhythm. Start these exercises in a pattern of five and increase with your daily exercise to your preference.

These are only a few abdominal workout exercises you can choose from to use or you may want to try all of them. With all exercise program be sure to research and use them correctly. If used correctly they all will be effective and you will see results in no time. Be sure to check with your doctor to ensure your physical ability to perform these exercises. Abs exercises and workouts will not only make you stronger, you will feel better too.

Recent versions of Microsoft Windows come with the rather basic Narrator. Most legally blind people 72 percent do not use computers. Access technology such as screen readers and Screen magnifiers enable the blind to use mainstream computer applications. The console-based Oralux Linux distribution ships with three screen-reading environments: Emacspeak, Yasr and Speakup. There are also open source screen readers, such as the Linux Screen Reader for GNOME and NonVisual Desktop Access for Windows.

Approximately 11 percent of those deemed legally blind, by any measure, have no vision. While Apple Mac OS X includes VoiceOver, a more feature-rich screen reader. The latter developed in part by Knopper who has a visual impairment. Web browsers, word processors, icons and windows and email programs are just some of the applications used successfully by screen reader users. The primary audience for such applications is those who have difficulty reading because of learning disabilities or language barriers. This year nonprofit worker Anthony Loeff is testing software for people suffering from blindness Linux distributions for the blind include Oralux and Adriane Knoppix. Screen reader choice is contentious: differing priorities and strong preferences are common. Experimental approaches in sensory substitution are beginning to provide access to arbitrary live views from a camera.

The movement towards greater web accessibility is opening a far wider number of websites to adaptive technology, making the web a more inviting place for visually impaired surfers. The Macintosh OS also comes with a built-in screen reader, called VoiceOver. This interpretation is then represented to the user with text-to-speech, sound icons, or a braille output. Only a small fraction of this population, when compared to the sighted community, have Internet access.

Later versions of Microsoft Windows include an Accessibility Wizard and Magnifier for those with partial vision, and Microsoft Narrator, a simple screen reader. Increasingly, screen readers are being bundled with operating system distributions. Screen readers can be assumed to be able to access all display content that is not intrinsically inaccessible.

The rest have some vision, from light perception alone to relatively good acuity.

A screen reader is a software application that attempts to identify and interpret what is being displayed on the screen. Screen readers are a form of assistive technology potentially useful to people who are blind, visually impaired, or learning disabled, often in combination with other AT such as screen magnifiers. A persons choice of screen reader is dictated by many factors, including platform and the role of organizations like charities, schools, and employers.

Therefore, using a screen reader is, according to some users, considerably more difficult than using a GUI and many applications have specific problems resulting from the nature of the application.

However functionality remains limited compared to equivalent desktop applications, the major benefit is to increase the accessibility of said websites. The open source GNOME desktop environment long included Gnopernicus and now includes Orca.

What is the patients role in a doctors office? Did you ever schedule your appointment and wonder why the doctor is running behind schedule?

There are many reasons why the doctor is running behind schedule see them listed below:

(1) The receptionist over scheduled appointments.

(2) The doctor became involved in a long telephone call with an other doctor or patient.

(3) The patient the doctor was seeing had a more complex issue and required more time.

(4) The doctor had an emergency case that needed to be squeezed in before the scheduled patient.

(5) The doctor got held up at the hospital for various reasons.

This is just a short list there are many more.

The patients role in keeping the office running on schedule is very important.

See The Reasons Listed Below:

(1) Always have your medical insurance card ready to be copied when arriving at the front desk to check in.

(2) Always bring your medical records with you, if required.

(3) Always bring your x-ray films with you, if required.

(4) Always tell the receptionist if your medical insurance has changed or if you have moved.

(5) Give the receptionist a copy of your referral or authorization paper. Without the paper or oral authorization numbers you might not be seen.

(6) Write down your questions you want to discuss with the doctor. Your time with the doctor is short and you might not think of everything.

(7) If you are a new patient always arrive about twenty minutes early to fill out the paperwork.

Do not be afraid to make a suggestion about the treatment of your problem. All the doctor can say is no, “I want to try something different.”

Many people are afraid to make suggestions to the doctor about their own care. But who better to make the suggestion, you are the patient and nobody knows their problems better than you.

If you talk to the doctor about your suggestion at the time of the visit, it will relieve your mind. If you are not satisfied with the doctors opinion about your care, you can always get another opinion providing your medical insurance will allow it.

There are people who are to timid to make a suggestion to the doctor about their care when they have the doctors attention.
This causes unnecessary telephone calls back to the doctors office when the patient arrives home.

This is why writing down your questions, including your suggestion on your medical care and handing it to the doctor to read might help eliminate the situation.

You can also fax a letter to the doctor with your concerns about your medical care. This letter will be paper clipped to your chart for the doctor to read. This is a great way for the patients children or care giver to keep your doctor aware of your condition.

All the ideas discussed in this article is a reason why the doctors office does not run on time.

As a patient, the doctors office is not allowed to give out any information to another person except a spouse. This is called patient confidentially. If you need a family member or friend
help you with your medical bills or intervene on your medical care, you must have a letter signed by the patient on file in the doctors office.

If you do not have an medical insurance read my article listed below:

When I Don’t Have Medical Insurance! What DO I Do?

If you have Medical Insurance and still have bills, read my article listed below:

Horrifying Medical Bills! When You Have Medical Insurance! Fight Back.

If you want to know why medical costs are sky high, read my article listed below:

Get The Money.

Everybody is entitled to have affordable Medical Insurance. If there is a problem with the system. Change it.

Please let me hear from you about this article or any other article I have written. Just post a comment.

Copyright 2006 Linda Meckler

Linda has worked in many doctors office and has seen first hand what holds up the doctors schedule. Now she has published her first book “Ghost Kids Trilogy,” a childrens adventure book for ages 8-14 to adult. It is 3 books in 1 book. Love, Family Values, and Charity burst off the pages. (Book 1)Ghost Kids: Two children and two Ghost Kids team up to send the Ghost Kids back to their parents. (Book 2) Blue Vase Mystery: Uncle Charlie the villain of the book lives in a magical blue vase. He wants out of the vase in exchange he will tell the children where Pirates’ Treasure is hidden. (Book 3) Pirates’ Treasure-the hunt. Go on a treasure hunt with the children. Check out my website http://member.cox.net/ghostkids. My email lmecky@tns.net.
Order my book at http://www.amazon.com or http://www.buybooksontheweb.com. With an order of 5 books =40% discount. An order of 20 or more free shipping and handling. ISBN 0-7414-2273-5.

As America’s “baby boomer” generation enters the second half of their lives, we face some heartbreaking choices as to how best to care for our aging parents. Many families are already struggling to cope with these issues, as they are caring for their elderly parents while raising their own children who are still living at home. Stretched to the limit of their physical and personal resources, these families must face the realization that it is time to hire an in-home health care provider. If you are at a loss as to where to begin, below are some tips that will help you to evaluate your needs, as well as those of your loved ones, and to make decisions that will give everyone peace of mind.

First, decide whether you want to hire a caregiver from a state agency or private agency. Usually, a state agency is funded by the state in which it operates, and is considered to be a state subcontractor. A private agency is just as it sounds. It is independently owned and operated, and its clients are called private pay clients. There are advantages and disadvantages to each. A caregiver from a government agency is subject to hiring practices that are standardized. Accountability and administrative procedures are taken care of at the agency. Private pay companies are often staffed by a small group of hourly workers. They have their own accountability standards, as with any sole proprietorship. The option you choose may depend upon your financial situation. Private pay service is usually much more expensive.

Get it in writing: Assess the needs of both the family caregiver and the person for whom care will be provided. Use a worksheet to create a “contract for services,” so that it is clear exactly what is expected of the care provider.

Generally, caregivers provide four categories of services (think of the acronym H.E.L.P.): Health Care Services, Emotional Care, Living Independently, and Personal Care Services. Health care services can include managing medical appointments, medications, and physical therapy. Emotional care consists of meaningful social activities, hobbies, a creative outlet or simply companionship. Living independently can require that the caregiver run errands, fulfill transportation needs, go shopping, cook, clean and performs other household chores. Personal care services can include bathing, dressing, and using the toilet.

Both you and your parent should actively participate in the hiring process. Your loved one may have strong preferences about the type of person he or she wants to hire. Make sure that these preferences are clearly expressed in writing. For example, your parent may prefer one gender over the other, cultural similarities, a non-smoker, and so on. You may also want to make note of what type of cooking, shopping and housekeeping routines you prefer.

Get all the info: Most agencies and private pay companies run background checks on their care workers; however, get all the information that is available about the person who will have full access to your loved ones and their home. Be as thorough as you would be for child care.

Check in on occasion. By checking in on your loved ones, you are letting the care providers know they are being supervised. While you may adore the young lady or gentleman who is caring for your elderly mother, you may not know who or what is being brought into the house during your absence.

Recognize the signs of abuse: Isolation from family and friends is one of the first signs of abuse. If you are not allowed unfettered access to your family member, or you believe excuses are being made for your parent’s absence or lack of availability via phone or in person, be sure to look closely at the situation.

Call for backup: Know what options are available for last-minute services should a care provider become unavailable. Have backup options ready. Even caregivers need to call in sick on occasion.

Reevaluate regularly: As health requirements and personal preferences change, so must the services provided. Establish a pre-set date for periodic review of the personal services contract. This allows for maximum flexibility and will give you the breathing room you need to modify or amend the contract, if changes are warranted.

Finally, be sure to express your gratitude. You are hiring a care provider because you either cannot or will not take up this immense task. The person taking care of your parent’s needs is giving the greatest gift they could give. Theirs is a noble profession, one that requires compassion and infinite patience. Be certain that you acknowledge their efforts and show your appreciation for a job well done.

Copyright 2005. All rights reserved.

Laura Gillson is a speaker, author and educator specializing in disability awareness, advocacy, accessibility and assistive technology. For corporate, community or caregiver training, visit Eloquent Insights at http://www.eloquentinsights.com If you need help with in-home care, you’ll find it at In-Home Insights at http://www.inhomeinsights.com Finally, you’ll discover a site for sore eyes at Accessible Insights at http://www.accessibleinsights.com The author’s email address is lgillson@eloquentinsights.com.

A common cause of heel pain is the heel spur, a bony growth on the underside of the heel bone. Heel spur syndrome is the best known heel problem, but plantar fasciitis is the most frequently encountered cause of heel pain.

Plantar fasciitis causes pain in the heel and bottom of the foot, especially noted upon first arising in the morning. If the pain persists, we recommend soft-soled shoes or heel pads or prescribe foot orthotics. There are many other causes of heel pain, which has become one of the most common foot problems reported by patients of podiatric physicians. If symptoms of heel pain develop, icing the foot should begin immediately.

Do not delay in seeking health professional advice for heel pain or any other foot problem because of something seen on ePodiatry. The heel bone is designed to be the first contact the foot has with the ground. Their pain referral is to the bottom of the foot, particularly to the heel. Therefore it is advisable for you to get a soft gel pad for your heels!

Usually, heel spur pain can be diagnosed during a physical examination. The pain from plantar fasciitis is not usually from the heel spur. The presence of a heel spur is no indication of the amount of pain that exists. The heel spur is caused by the same process as the heel pain, but the spur is not itself the cause of the pain. Indisputable evidence of the harmlessness of a heel spur is when trigger point therapy stops the pain.

Pressing on the bottom of the heel where the arch begins usually causes pain. That, in turn, can cause heel or arch pain as tissues in your feet are unduly stretched to make up for tight calves. A rupture can sometimes occur at the origin of the arch ligament and result in inflammation and heel pain. The pain is usually centered at a location just in front of the heel toward the arch.

Check the shoes that you most often wear, if a shoe can be bent in the middle (arch area) when flexed, it won’t help your heel pain because it gives too little support. Ask yourself if the pain around your heel is centered in front of the heel, towards the arch. Therefore, it is very important to invest in good quality shoes.

Many things can slow down your active lifestyle, but heel pain can definitely bring it to a stop. Come Find out More about Heel Pain at HeelPain.eabout.info

Alternative medicine is a practice which people either live by
or laugh at; there does not seem to be any middle ground. When
it comes to treating Attention Deficit Disorder, alternative
medicine refers to any treatment technique which falls outside
the realm of standard behavioral treatments and medication.

Dietary intervention is one such treatment in which certain
foods are eliminated from a child’s diet to reduce or eliminate
the negative effects of ADD. This is based on the misguided
belief that ADD is caused by food allergies or certain
manufactured products, such as food dye or preservatives. While
many people strongly trust this belief, there does not seem to
be any scientific foundation for it.

Another alternative treatment is the taking of nutritional
supplements, which, of course, is the opposite principle of
dietary intervention. Specifically, the use of glyconutritional
supplements, megadose vitamins, amino acid supplementation,
Gingko biloba, or any number of other herbal remedies have been
touted to cure ADD. Special care should be taken in consuming
herbal remedies as they are not regulated by the FDA. Children
are also especially susceptible to negative effects of such
supplements. Seek the advice of a doctor before giving any type
of medication to your child.

Interactive metronome training, which trains the child to keep a
rhythmic beat in time with a computer, is based on the lack of
motor timing and planning abilities in children with ADD. This,
in turn improves upon that inability. While only one study has
been done, this technique shows some promise. It, of course,
requires more research before its usefulness can fully be
assessed.

The use of lead treatment in children with ADD is base upon
increased hyperactivity in animals as a result of lead
poisoning; this has led some to believe there may be a
correlation between high lead levels and hyperactive children.

A specific realm of treatment which has gotten little respect is
that of motion sickness medication, treatment for candida yeast,
and optometric visual training. These each fault inconspicuous
culprits for ADD, such as inner ear problems (motion sickness
medication), toxins produced by excessive yeast in the body
(candida), or faulty eye movements and eye sensitivity
(optometric visual training). Each of these have been completely
disregarded by the medical community as having no basis in
reality.

Other alternative treatments for ADD include applied
kinesiology, or the realigning of the bones of the skull, as
well as chiropractic treatment to balance brain activity through
spinal manipulation.

The very first thing you must realize when trying to cure your
acne is the type of acne that you actually have. This is
important because it gives insight into what may have actually
caused the acne outbreak to begin with. And of course, once you
know exactly what it is that triggers the acne, you have a leg
up on either preventing it from happening again, or effectively
treating it as it occurs.

There are many forms of acne, which would explain why it is so
difficult to treat. I have listed several causes of acne and
many of those may surprise you, but I also hope that they will
help you discover what causes your acne. For instance, a great
many people would likely be surprised to learn that acne is not
caused by stress, as they may think, but more likely can be
attributed to their fancy new perfume or cologne.

Adult acne can be caused by a hormonal imbalances, pollution,
medications, or stress to name a few. Studies have shown a
direct correlation between hormonal imbalances and outbreaks of
acne in women ranging in age from 30 to 40 years.

Acne Cosmetic is just what it sounds like. It is the outbreak of
acne due to the aggravation of the skin and pores caused by the
active ingredients contained in the cosmetics that you wear.

Acne Conglobata can cause serious scarring on the face and back
and it is usually attributed to hereditary factors.
Unfortunately, there’s not a lot that can be done here.

Acne Detergens is the result of the use of soaps and cleaners
that cause an irritating effect on the skin.

Acne Excoriee is actually brought about by the constant picking
of the pimples on the face and body. This, perhaps more than all
the other symptoms, can and should be avoided.

Acne Fulminans is a very serious form of acne that can accompany
a fever and body aches. This acne is predominantly found amongst
males and it includes the abrupt onset of acne, severe scarring,
fever, loss of appetite and a high white blood cell count.

Acne Keloidalis is common among people of African descent. It
usually flares up in and around the neck area.

Acne Mallorca is brought on by exposure to sunlight.

Acne mechanica is caused by materials and fabrics such as
clothing and purse straps that chafe against bare skin.

Acne Medicametosa is a side effect of certain medications which
include oral contraceptives and over the counter drugs that
contain potassium iodide, chlorine and bromide.

Acne Neonatorum is acne that affects infants. It is transferred
by way of hormones from the mother to the child.

Acne Pomade is commonly caused by the use of oils found in hair
care products. The oil migrates from the hair to the forehead,
where it can clog pores and cause acne.

The bottom line is, that many forms of acne key and you’ve
waited by taking simple precautions and knowing what causes
irritation and your specific case. One great tip is to avoid
touching your face with your fingers. People have no idea how
dirty their fingers actually are and in many cases the
occurrence of outbreaks can be avoided.

Organic aromatherapy recipes have been used for centuries and
its usage is very diverse and spread all over the world.
Hundreds of recipes have been found and perfected over thousands
of years. Aromatherapy makes use of essential oils to combat
everyday maladies in our lives such as stress, depression,
indigestion, menopause, nausea, immune deficiencies, fatigue and
numerous others. The following aromatherapy recipes are for your
aromatic information.

First things first! Always remember that essential oils are very
potent and volatile liquids that can be very harmful if used
carelessly. CAUTION: Never apply undiluted oil on the skin
without use of carrier oil such as sweet almond oil, hazelnut
oil, sunflower oil or grape seed oil. Massage is perhaps the
most popular way to use essential oils. It combines the healing
art of aromatherapy with the healing art of touch. Self-massage
is just as effective as being massaged by another person and
lack of a partner is no excuse for not trying these relaxing
recipes. As a general rule, always use ten drops of total
essential oils per mixture, and keep it around five for maximum
effectiveness.

You can always concoct your own innovative recipe using many
essential oils that available in the market. You don’t really
need a branded expensive aromatherapy product or go to an
expensive aromatherapy spa and some wholesale aromatherapy
vendors can be too expensive. Here are a few quick, instant and
easy natural aromatherapy recipes that can be formulated at your
home: Beat the depression with 3 revitalizing drops of orange
essential oil and 2 drops of zesty ginger. Drive out insomnia
with easeful drops of Roman chamomile, clary sage and bergamot
oils. Reduce menstrual cramps with pacifying drops of
peppermint, cypress and lavender oils. Soothe stress with
calming drops of Roman chamomile, lavender and vetiver oils.
Enhance memory with stimulating drops of peppermint and lemon
oils. Boost your immune system with protecting drops of
eucalyptus, pine and peppermint oils. Fight acne with toning
lavender and antiseptic tea tree oil. Ease a grieving heart
with oils of warm rose and sandalwood. Disinfect the kitchen
sink with the citrus smell of lemon, lime and grapefruit oils.

Apart from these most common recipes, you can also prepare
hundreds of them by using correct amounts of essential oils.
All-Purpose Face and Neck Massage: 3 drops violet oil + 2 drops
rose oil: in 20 ml of carrier oil. Add vitamin E for extra
richness. Anti-Tension Massage: 2 drops petit grain oil + 2
drops lavender oil + 2 drops sandalwood oil: in 20 ml carrier
oil. Apply on the neck, shoulders, and temples. Backache
Massage: 2 drop eucalyptus oil + 2 drops lavender oil + 1 drop
lemon oil: in 20 ml carrier oil. Focus on areas of tension with
fingertips. Bedtime Massage: 3 drop sandalwood oil + 2 drops
chamomile oil: in 20 ml of carrier oil. Calming Back Massage: 4
drop ylang ylang oil + 3 drops jasmine oil + 2 drops geranium
oil: in 20 ml of carrier oil. Circulation Improvement Massage: 6
drop lavender oil + 4 drops rosemary oil + 2 drops vetiver oil:
in 4 oz. of sesame oil. Face and Neck Massage: 2 drop galbanum
oil + 3 drops neroli oil: 20 ml carrier oil. Hand Massage: 5
drops lime oil + 5 drops thyme oil + 5 drops eucalyptus oil + 5
drops cajuput oil: in 4 tablespoons carrier oil. Leg Massage: 2
drops cypress oil + 2 drop lime oil + 1 drop lemon oil: 20 ml
carrier oil. Massage on calves, using gentle pressure on
varicose veins. Mature Skin Massage: 2 drop myrrh oil + 2 drops
lavender oil + 2 drops neroli oil: 20 ml wheat germ oil.
Pain-Relieving Massage: 3 drop pine oil + 3 drop eucalyptus oil
+ 3 drops frankincense oil: 20 ml carrier oil. Apply on sore
joints. Relaxing Full-Body Massage: 3 drop neroli oil + 2 d
jasmine oil: in 20 ml of carrier oil. Relaxing Massage: 2 drops
geranium oil + 2 drops rose oil + 2 drops lavender oil: 20 ml
carrier oil. Face and scalp massage. Sensual Body Massage: 2
drops patchouli oil + 3 drops geranium oil + 3 drops rose oil:
20 ml carrier oil. Stimulating Body Rub: 1 drops peppermint oil
+ 1 drops myrrh oil + 2 drops lavender oil: 20 ml carrier oil.
This is an excellent winter rub. Summer Stimulating Massage: 2
drop lemongrass oil + 3 drops orange oil + 1 drop rosemary oil:
20 ml carrier oil. Good for back and shoulder massages.
Uplifting Massage: 2 drop bergamot oil + 2 drops orange oil +2
drops petit grain oil: 20 ml carrier oil. Good early-morning
body rubs. Varicose Vein Massage: 2 drops lime oil + 2 drops
cedar wood oil: in 20 ml carrier oil. Rub lightly, using only
fingertips. Wrinkled or Puffy Face Massage: 2 drops rose oil + 1
drops violet oil + 1 drops geranium oil: 20 ml carrier oil. Rub
lightly on face, using only fingertips. Oils which are not
preferable for home use include: cinnamon, clove, hyssop, and
sage. Oils which should not be used during pregnancy include:
basil, clove, cinnamon, fennel, hyssop, juniper, marjoram,
myrrh, peppermint, rosemary, sage, and white thyme. Oils which
are not recommended for steam facials include: bay, clary sage,
ginger, juniper, pine, and tea tree. Oils which are
photosynthesizing include, but are not restricted to: lemon,
bergamot, lime, and orange. Do not go out into the sun for at
least two hours after applying these oils to your skin.

By Arun Tibrewal Team ModernSage.com

Drinking two glasses of Gatorade can relieve headache pain
almost immediately, without the unpleasant side effects caused
by traditional pain relievers.

Did you know that Colgate toothpaste makes an excellent salve
for burns?

Before you head to the drugstore for a high-priced inhaler
filled with mysterious chemicals, try chewing on a couple of
curiously strong Altoids peppermints. They’ll clear up your
stuffed nose.

Achy muscles from a bout of the flu? Mix One Tablespoon of
horseradish in 1/2 cup of olive oil. Let the mixture sit for 30
minutes, then apply it as a massage oil for instant relief for
aching muscles.

Sore throat? Just mix 1/4 cup of vinegar with 1/4 cup of honey
and take one Tablespoon six times a day. The vinegar kills the
bacteria.

Cure urinary tract infections with AlkaSeltzer. Just dissolve
two tablets in a glass of water and drink it at the onset of the
symptoms. AlkaSeltzer begins eliminating urinary tract
infections almost instantly, even though the product was never
advertised for this use.

Eliminate puffiness under your eyes: All you need is a dab of
preparation H, carefully rubbed into the skin, avoiding the
eyes. The hemorrhoid ointment acts as a vasoconstrictor,
relieving the swelling instantly.

Honey remedy for Skin Blemishes. Cover the blemish with a dab
of honey and place a Band-Aid over it. Honey kills the bacteria,
keeps the skin sterile, and speeds healing. Works overnight.

Listerine therapy for toenail fungus. Get rid of unsightly
toenail fungus by soaking your toes in Listerine mouthwash. The
powerful antiseptic leaves your toenails looking healthy again.

Easy eyeglass protection. To prevent the screws in eyeglasses
from loosening, apply a small drop of Maybelline Crystal Clear
nail polish to the threads of the screws before tightening them.

Coca-Cola cure for rust. Forget those expensive rust removers.
Just saturate an abrasive sponge with Coca Cola and scrub the
rust stain. The phosphoric acid in the coke is what gets the job
done. (And people drink this stuff?)

Cleaning liquid that doubles as bug killer. If menacing bees,
wasps, hornets, or yellow jackets get in your home and you can’t
find the insecticide, try a spray of Formula 409. Insects drop
to the ground instantly.

Smart splinter remover. Just pour a drop of Elmers Glue all over
the splinter, let dry, and peel the dried glue off the skin. The
splinter sticks to the dried glue.

Hunt’s tomato paste boil cure: Cover the boil with Hunt’s tomato
paste as a compress. The acid from the tomatoes soothes the pain
and brings the boil to a head.

Balm for broken blisters. To disinfect a broken blister, dab on
a few drops of Listerine, a powerful antiseptic.

Heinz vinegar to heal bruises: Soak a cotton ball in white
vinegar and apply it to the bruise for one hour. The vinegar
reduces the blueness and speeds up the healing process.

Kills fleas instantly. Dawn dishwashing liquid does the trick.
Add a few drops to your dog’s bath and shampoo the animal
thoroughly. Rinse well to avoid skin irritations. Goodbye fleas.

Rainy day cure for dog odor: Next time your dog comes in from
the rain, simply wipe down the animal with Bounce or any dryer
sheet. This instantly makes your dog smell springtime fresh.

Eliminate ear mites. All it takes is a few drops of Wesson Corn
Oil in your cat’s ear. Massage it in, then clean with a cotton
ball. Repeat daily for 3 days. The oil soothes the cat’s skin,
smothers the mites, and accelerates healing.

Vaseline cure for hairballs: To prevent troublesome hairballs,
apply a dollop of Vaseline petroleum jelly to your cat’s nose.
The cat will lick off the jelly, lubricating any hair in its
stomach so it can pass easily through the digestive system.

Quaker Oats for fast pain relief. It’s not for breakfast
anymore! Mix two cups of Quaker Oats and one cup of water in a
bowl and warm in the microwave for one minute, cool slightly,
and apply the mixture to your hands for soothing relief from
arthritis pain.

Published for public Interest By Modern Sage. If you want to
know more about healthy living, contact one of our experts or
sign up for our bi-weekly newsletter
http://www.modernsage.com/index.php?file=subscribe

or Visit http://www.modernsage.com to learn more about living a healthy lifestyle,
alternative medicine, and many more

Or like to view more articles on healthy living click here
http://www.modernsage.com/index.php?file=category&category_id=1

The internet can be a source of information - too much information, in fact. How do you sort out what’s useful and what’s nonsense? Here are a few tips to help sort out internet fact from fiction:

1) Usenet groups can be sources of support, but the medical information you read may be a mixed bag. If you’ve been diagnosed with any disease, from the common to the rare, find a site or a group that has other people with it can be a supportive environment, providing information on how different people experience and cope with their disorder. People may have information on what doctors they like and why, what they’ve experienced on a particular treatment, and what organizations have useful information.

However, usenet groups can’t evaluate your condition or determine what the best treatment is for you. Treatments and their effectiveness vary from person to person - as do many diseases. Don’t use your fellow usenet users as medical advisors.

2) Websites cannot provide a diagnosis. If your symptoms match symptoms of a disease that you read about on the internet, that may be a clue that this is something to ask your healthcare provider about, but it does not mean that you have that disease. Even quizzes with answers that provide a possible diagnosis are exactly that - one of many possible diagnoses. Until someone has actually examined you and done any appropriate tests, a match of symptoms might not mean a thing. You would be suspicious of any healthcare provider who talked to you from the other side of a curtain, didn’t examine you, see you, or order tests, just asked you a few questions and then said, “Ah, I see, you have liver cancer.” And well you should be! A physician who does that isn’t worth his or her salt as a diagnostician. And that’s exactly what any website that purports to give you a diagnosis is doing.

3) Just because it’s on the internet, doesn’t mean it’s true. Rumors, fiction, and half-truths abound on the internet, particularly about health. Ask your healthcare provider for good sources of factual information about health and illness.

4) Check for who is running the website - a .gov or .edu at the end of a website is a clue to look into the site further. Sites run by a major medical center, university hospital, or governmental agency is more likely to have regulated and reviewed content. Ask yourself if the site trying to sell something, whether physicians regularly review the web content, and whether the site has had a recent update. Also check out Health-On-The Net Foundation (HON), Hi-Ethics, and the IHC Code sites - they provide seals of approval that let you know that sites run by for-profit companies are reliable.

5) Use the Web to help you arm yourself with information. Gomez.com gives medical and health websites a score based on expert evaluation and user questionnaires. Twirlix.com also rates health and other sites, using an automated system that includes a couple of dozen criteria.

Ian Mason, owner of Shoppe.MD, your source for Online Prescription Medications and health news.

Ian studies health, weight loss, exercise, and several martial arts; maintaining several websites in an effort to help provide up-to-date and helpful information for other who share his interests in health of body and mind.

Contact Ian Mason by e-mail at ian@shoppe.md.