Probiotics Fight Colds, Antibiotics Fail

Consumers often turn to antibiotics as the answer to their medical maladies. Antibiotics, however, are far from effective against a number of diseases that frequently affect the average person – for example, colds, the flu, or other respiratory infections.

What Do Antibiotics Do?

Antibiotics have long been a staple in the medical community. Their introduction to human civilization cured previously fatal diseases. As such, they were hailed as the "wonder drug” in the early years of their discovery. 

Ever since Alexander Flemming discovered penicillin in 1928, antibiotics have been developed by leaps and bounds to counteract bacteria, parasites, and fungi that cause disease and infection. Antibiotics, however, are not the cure for illnesses caused by viruses.

Antibiotics are used to prevent or fight off  bacteria, which are microscopic organisms. Viruses are not microorganisms. Unfortunately, the common cold, sore throat, and other oft-occurring respiratory diseases are caused by viruses. Taking antibiotics may work for other infections, but in these cases, other medication or substances are required.


What Are Probiotics?

Enter probiotics – the “good bacteria.” Probiotics are found in food, drinks, and dietary supplements. Yogurt, milk, soy beverages, miso, and other fermented substances are good sources of probiotics.

Probiotics are taken to promote the growth of other good bacteria in the intestines. These bacteria are necessary to fend off harmful microorganisms like E. coli and salmonella. They’re also a source of B vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids, known to lower cholesterol in the blood and strengthen cell walls.

Several years of research has also proven that probiotics are much more effective at keeping the common cold and infections of the respiratory track at bay. This is because probiotics don’t only fight harmful organisms, but also boost one’s immune system and promotes general wellbeing.

Research on Probiotics

In 2005, the International Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics published a study that suggests probiotics are effective against colds and other viral infections that affect the throat or lungs.

A team of German physicians tested out probiotics and placebos on 475 subjects. These subjects, men and women alike, have not been vaccinated against the flu. 

One group of subjects was assigned to take probiotic supplements, while another group was given “fake” supplements or placebos. None of the subjects were informed which group they belonged to.

Subjects were told to take their given supplements for five and a half months and report any flu-like or common cold symptoms. Each case was monitored meticulously.

By the end of the research, subjects within the probiotics group reported a decrease in common cold symptoms by 19%, and a reduction in influenza symptoms by as much as 25%. The probiotics group also experienced and recovered from fever in only half the time than the subjects in the placebo group.

Immune systems were also reportedly improved in the probiotics group, especially within the first two weeks of taking the supplements.

Other Health Benefits of Probiotics
 
Aside from a means to protect oneself from the common cold, probiotics also offer medley of other benefits to one’s health. Probiotics have been known to:

• Produce enzymes that assist in digesting certain substances, particularly lactose and proteins.
• Promote good bowel movements and fights against digestive disorders; prevents diarrhea and constipation alike.
• Improve digestion, which leads to better absorption of nutrients that the body needs to strengthen and protect itself.
• Lower cholesterol level and blood pressure.
• Prevents bile from turning into carcinogens, or cancer-causing substances.

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People with Cognitive Disabilities May Qualify For Disability

Disability programs are offered through a variety of organizations, with three of the most beneficial being social security disability, veteran's administration disability and through private disability insurance providers. While most people assume that you have to be suffering from a severe, permanent disability that's obvious to the casual observer, this isn't always the case. In fact, the guidelines for what is a disability is constantly changing as new laws are put into effect and recent research findings have broadened the definition of what is a disability.

Understanding Cognitive Disabilities

The definition of certain types of cognitive disabilities can vary greatly, but the all agree that these disabilities are the result of an inability to process certain types of information properly because of some type of problem with the way information is processed. These cognitive dysfunctions can be caused by obvious conditions, such as Down's Syndrome, Traumatic Brain Injuries, or severe forms of Autism, or they can have no outward manifestation at all, making it more difficult for a disability provider to recognize and award disability payments to a person who is suffering from one or more cognitive disabilities.

If you have a less severe form of cognitive disability, don't despair. Disability insurers and the social security administration are increasingly recognizing cognitive disabilities that can impact your ability to work or develop a career because of issues with processing information or being able to function in certain environments.

Cognitive Disabilities Sometimes Recognized for Disability Coverage

Among the cognitive disabilities that may or may not be recognized on a case by case basis are:

• Dyslexia

• Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)

• Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

• Dyscalculia

• Memory Loss

• General Learning Disabilities

If you have been diagnosed or suspect you have some form of cognitive disability that is preventing you from providing for your family, a law firm specializing in disability issues can help guide you through the complexities of determining the extent of your disability and how to best approach your application for social security disability, veterans' disability or payment from your disability insurance provider.

Functional Disability vs. Clinical Disability

There are a variety of issues involved in determining the extent of a cognitive disability that can complicate issues. Clinical cognitive definitions tend to focus on the medical reason behind the disability. While this is fine from a treatment standpoint, it doesn't necessarily cover the issue of how the cognitive limitations will impact you in the working world.

For these determinations, it's often best to focus on the functional aspect of your cognitive disability. Some of the most common criteria for defining the level of cognitive disability include memory limitations, problem solving problems, attention deficits, inability to concentrate, reading, math or language comprehension problems, inability to comprehend visual or spatial relationships, and linguistics or verbal comprehension limitations.

In many careers, accommodating these various functional disabilities is simply impractical, making it extremely difficult for individuals suffering from functional cognitive disabilities to function in an office or working environment. The alternative is to provide enough properly documented information to back a finding in favor of disability payments so that the individual can provide for his or her own needs and family needs.

Improving Your Odds of Winning A Disability Claim

If you suspect or have been diagnosed with a functional cognitive disability, your first step should be to meet with a disability attorney who can help you pursue your claim. The right law firm will work with you to present your case clearly and concisely, outlining the severity of your cognitive disability and detailing how it impacts your daily living and limits your ability to provide for you and your loved ones.

The best disability lawyers will have a strong background in representing a variety of cases of cognitive disability. Look for an attorney who is board certified in Social Security Disability Law, is an Accredited Veterans Claim attorney, and an experienced litigator who keeps up to date on the constantly changing laws and regulations that have a bearing on disability cases.

Vern Marker is a freelance writer who loves to help others through education through his writing. He recently worked with a disability denial expert to bring you this blog post.

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A Few Minutes Now is Worth a Lifetime Later

Going to the doctor can be a scary prospect. Most people don't find it appealing to get poked and prodded while sitting half-naked on a table in a chilly exam room, but it is a necessary evil. Regular check-ups are an important part of maintaining good health and are the best method of cancer prevention. Should that dreaded “C”-word rear its ugly head, regular check-ups can provide early detection and your best options for successful treatment.

It's no secret that early detection can mean the difference between life and death when it comes to cancer. Those regular doctor's visits will let you know if you are at risk for certain types of cancers and what the early warning signs may be. Just as there are many types of cancer, there are many types of tests to detect cancer. Your doctor can advise you on which ones should be performed and how frequently.

Knowing your family health history can help identify your risk factors but lifestyle, ethnicity, and gender also play a role. Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer among all women. Among men, prostate cancer is most common. When caught early, the survival rates for these types of cancer are between 85 and 100% but, as the disease progresses, those rates can drop significantly and the treatments become more aggressive and invasive.
Even though there have been significant advances in cancer treatment, cancer prevention is still the best defense and it is not as hard as you might think. Avoiding or quitting smoking reduces the risk of lung cancer but also many other forms of cancer. Practicing sun safety helps prevent or minimize the occurrence of many types of skin cancer. Also follow your mother's advice and eat your veggies! Providing your body with the necessary nutrients and antioxidants will not only help prevent cancer but also other health risks, too.
There are no guarantees that you will be able to prevent cancer but there are actions you can take to reduce your risks. Incorporating cancer prevention techniques into your lifestyle and early detection through regular check-ups can provide your best defense against this disease as well as some peace of mind.

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The Importance of Servicing Medical Equipment

One often overlooked cost of operating medical equipment is the cost of its maintenance. Many of today’s medical devices use complex electrical and digital computer technologies that require the services of specialized biomedical technicians to maintain. Checking and servicing expensive medical equipment on a regular basis is important to improving the life-span and economic efficiency of medical equipment. This is why medical equipment providers often advertise maintenance policies along with their prices. Making sure that you purchase your equipment from a vendor that offers a good maintenance and repairs policy is something every new medical practice should take into account. Even if you’re purchasing refurbished medical equipment, you should look for a vendor that offers some kind of maintenance and repair program.

Maintenance is an ongoing process

Maintenance includes a variety of procedures including regular or semi-regular monitoring, calibrating and cleaning of medical devices. Maintenance costs vary depending on the size and complexity of the the machine in questions, but in all instances, maintenance must be done regularly and continuously in order to ensure that devices are working safely and optimally.

The many benefits of competent medical equipment maintenance services include:

· Improved utilization of medical equipment

· Reduction and prevention of long-term repair costs

· Reduction of energy consumption costs of medical equipment

· Avoiding unexpected equipment malfunctions

· Lowering the hospital or practice’s overhead costs

· Improved overall management

Choosing the Right Medical Equipment Services

If you’re looking for medical equipment service, you’ll find that there are a lot of service providers to choose from. Your best bet is to take the time to do your research. Go online and look at the each medical equipment provider’s website and read up on their policies, prices and services. A few things to ask as you’re doing your research include:

· Do they provide all the services you need? Be sure that they provide routine and emergency repair as well as preventative maintenance, testing and calibration services

· Are they fully insured? In case your equipment is damaged you’ll want to make sure that the company is prepared to cover the costs fully.

· Do they provide free estimates? It’s a competitive enough market out there that if a company does not provide free estimates, it’s likely not a company you need waste your time.

· Do they offer free pickup and delivery? As with free estimates, free pickup and delivery should also be a given, plus, especially when it comes to big pieces of medical equipment, having this taken care of for you is a huge load off your back. Medical Recruitment

· Do they provide complete documentation? A good maintenance company should be able to provide you with complete documentation after each visit to make sure you’re getting a fair deal. As with a car mechanic, always ask for estimates and other such important documents in writing.

Erick D. Smith is a blogger living in Southern California who occasionally writes for a San Diego medical equipment provider. It's important to service your medical equipment and whether you're choosing a medical equipment service in San Diego or any other city, research a variety of local companies before making your selection.

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Is your child eating right?

Our children are our bundle of joy, and we always want what’s best for them. We work hard to buy them new clothes, great toys and even the most expensive gaming console; but we forget about their health. Sure, you give them medication when they’re sick, but health is not all about that. Health has a lot to do with giving them the best nutrition, which a lot of parents seem to overlook.

Children, especially the young ones are very picky eater. But sometimes, the problem is also with the parents. Often, we are too busy that we’re too tired minding what our kids eat, or we have poor eating habits ourselves. Studies have shown that children with poor eating habits are more likely to keep the habit when they grow up, which often leads to health conditions such as diabetes and obesity. It’s time that you help your kid eat right, and you can start by following the weight loss tips below.

KEEP YOUR PANTRY HEALHTY

If you store junk foods such as potato chips, cookies and soda, chances are that’s all your kid will ever eat. Kids wanting junk foods are one thing, but making it easy for them to get one is another. If you are serious about making your kids eat healthy foods, start storing them. Instead of potato chips for a snack, make him a bowl of tortilla chips instead. You can even top it with ground beef and cubed carrots and peas to make it healthier. Just remember that your kid have nowhere else to go when he’s hungry, and he’ll just have to eat healthy food if that’s all he can find in the pantry.

Young kids love to play, and they’re more likely to eat fruits and vegetables if you make meal time fun. When you serve a plate of salad for example, shred the lettuce to make them look like grass, and arrange the fish so that they look like clouds. Arrange them in a creative way on the plate, and I’m sure your kid would just love them! You can also tell a story while he’s eating like “ok, now the powerful elf king wants to eat the clouds!” and you go ahead and feed him the fish. It sure takes a lot of effort, but seeing that your child is starting to eat healthy foods is well- worth it.

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Buying the Right Products for your Skin

More than half of your skin problems would cease to exist if you ended up choosing the right skin products. It is not as easy as it sounds, as you have to make sure that the product is not only suitable for your skin type, is result oriented and at the same time affordable. You may struggle when it comes to buying quality beauty products at a cheap price. In that case, a cheap Dermalogica product certainly presents itself as an option. It is difficult and at the same time may turn out to be quite overwhelming considering the fact that a plethora of products is up for grabs. 

It is necessary that you opt for products that are made out of natural ingredients. This way you can ensure that the skin does not sustain any damage as it absorbs everything that you apply on it. The thing that you should rely on the most, as part of your regular skin care regimen, is water. Apart from it, skin care products that form a part of your regular skin care regimen are cleansers, moisturisers, toners, anti aging products and eye cream.

You need to avoid any product that has solvent alcohol, petroleum, isopropyl, acetone, fragrance and artificial colours and mineral oils as its components. These will undoubtedly have an adverse effect on your skin.

It would be beneficial for your skin, if you choose a skincare product that is part of a skin care range. These are meant to function synergistically and therefore the effect of one product is definitely enhanced by the other. For example, when you buy a Dermalogica product, it is necessary that you choose from the range of products that the brand has on offer. Dermalogica Power Rich when used in combination with other Dermalogica products will undoubtedly yield better results.

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How to Make Your Fitness Resolutions Stick

Every year we proclaim grand New Year’s resolutions and just like clockwork, they fade from our mind in a matter of weeks or even days. It does not mean everyone is a failure; just that we generally struggle to stick with lofty resolutions. Keep your head up and spirits high though, because here are some basic tips you can use to stick to your resolution throughout all of 2011. Physical education news articles are only as useful as you can make them, so start the year off right by sticking to your first goal of the year. If you need good PE lesson plans or PE resources, check back on our site and blog for helpful tips and tools to keep you on track. Happy New Year to you and your new fitness goals.

1. S.M.A.R.T. (Specific, measurable, actionable, realistic, time-bound: SMART, Michael Hyatt): Make sure your resolution abides by all five of these words. If you only take away one tip, this is it. Stick to the five steps and you are 100 times more likely to succeed than everyone else at the party you went to on New Year’s Eve.

2. K.I.S.S. (Keep it simple, stupid): Aside from making a SMART resolution, simplicity is vital for success. It needs to be simple enough for you to manage it and take actionable steps immediately. There shouldn’t be any major thinking session to determine how to accomplish the goal.

3. Only Pick a Few Resolutions: Losing weight, quitting smoking, running a marathon, and becoming superman are all great ideas, but will set you up for failure if you are trying to conquer them all at once. Pick between 1-3 manageable goals that you realistically think can be accomplished over the next year.

4. Public Accountability: Get excited about the goal and go tell everyone you know. Start a blog so people can follow along with your progress, get your family support, or compete with your friends. Telling people about your goal will make you feel accountable to them.

5. Write It Down: Telling others is great, but make sure you remind yourself daily by writing it down. Put it on your fridge, on a poster on your wall, the bathroom mirror, or in your car. Writing it down and reminding yourself will eliminate the possibility of simply “forgetting” your resolution.

6. Buddy System: Pick a partner who is willing to pursue the same goals and work together throughout the year to hold each other accountable. The buddy system is one of the oldest tricks in the book because it actually works.

7. Revisions: Goals change overtime, but don’t let that deter you from yours. Feel free to make some small revisions, either increasing the goal or adjusting it to make it more feasible. It is better to make small changes than to give up completely.

8. Positive Goals Instead of Negative Goals: “I want to spend 4 hours per week in the gym,” is more effective than, “I want to stop being so lazy with my fitness.” Keep your resolution positive by trying to add something “good” to your life.

9. Reward Yourself: Drastic changes in life are never easy and if you are keeping on track then you deserve a reward. Pamper yourself by going out shopping, taking a vacation, or getting a massage.

10. Get Passed 30 Days: The first 30 days will be the toughest. Once you can get over the initial hump you will find a routine that works. Follow the first nine tips and 30 days will be a breeze. The other 11 months will be smooth like butter.

Erick D. Smith is a blogger living in San Diego, California who writes about health information and occasionally produces physical education news articles. He writes about teaching children the importance of a nutritious lifestyle and how schools can incorporate PE lesson plans into their curriculum.

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