The Other Side of the Coin for Nicotine

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photo of nicotine chemical symbol
When one thinks of the word nicotine, it is generally associated with smoking and consequently cancer and death. Such may be a common notion, but there is actually another side of the coin pertaining to this substance: Nicotine is good for the health. By this, it means nicotine alone and has nothing to do with smoking. The substance, in its pure form is actually safe and non-toxic. One may well keep in mind that there are over 4,000 odd chemicals consumed when smoking a cigarette, and it is basically some of these chemicals that are hazardous to health and not nicotine.…

Boredom and Depression: Beat One, Beat the Other

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photo of bored office worker
It is frustrating indeed. When you sit there, looking out the window and there seems to be just..nothing. Nothing to do, and even nothing to think about. And that’s what it basically seems to be all about- nothing. This is boredom, and when it creeps in there isn’t seem to be anything which interests you. Boredom is generally viewed as an unpleasant emotional state in which the individual feels a pervasive lack of interest in and difficulty concentrating on the current activity. You have lost your enthusiasm and zest, everything you do is drudgery.…

Core Fitness Exercises for the Abs and the Back

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photo of core exercise
Perhaps there was an instance when you did some vigorous housework and attempted to lift something heavy. And suddenly, you felt a stabbing back pain. A fair diagnosis could be that you may have a weak core. What is your “core”? Actually, it is the seat of power for your whole body. A strong core prevents lower-back pain. Improving mobility and strength in the hips, thighs, glutes and back not only prevents back pain, it can also relieve the aches. You may have heard of the term “core training” on TV and in fitness magazines.…

In the Shoes of Depressed People

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Depressed woman
It takes much patience and understanding to deal with depressed people. Depressed people often see things in a different light. But such a perspective is gloomy. For depressed people, there seem to be no light of day which can give them reasons to smile. Depression can happen at any age. Your race, where you live, or how much money you make doesn’t change your chance of having depression. Depending on the degree of depression, depressed people feel that they are buried in a dark abyss.…

The Puzzling Phenomenon of Sleep Paralysis

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photo of man sleeping on bed
It is a puzzling phenomenon, sleep paralysis. Puzzling in a sense that one may think it is of a supernatural nature. I have suffered from sleep paralysis in the past, and from time to time. The experience can be gripping, and yes, frightening. And often it leaves a feeling of distress and exhaustion the next day.  Sleep paralysis is a temporary inability to move or speak that occurs when you’re waking up or falling asleep. Many people who suffer from this condition are reluctant to talk about it.…

Leg Pain and Growing Pains in Children

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photo of child's leg in pain
During the ages of 3 to 12 years old, children go through a growth spurt period. Along with this transition may be discomforting symptoms, such as aches and pains. For instance, a child might complain of having achy legs. When the child experiences it but doesn’t have a fever, then he/she might be going through growing pains. Kids get growing pains in their legs. Most of the time they hurt in the front of the thighs, in the calves, or behind the knees. And what are growing pains, you might ask?…

The Backers and Detractors of Alternative Medicine

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photo of garlic, ginger, lemon
The term “alternative medicine” is becoming a common byword nowadays. By alternative medicine, we mean the use of certain methods and practices for treatment other than conventional methods of treatments such as surgery and medications. Chinese medicine and the Ayurveda medical practice in India are considered as alternative medicine in Western cultures, while it is considered as conventional in those places where they originated from. Alternative medicine is popular because it is often helpful and cost effective. Thus, alternative therapies are also largely a matter of social and cultural context.…

Saving Lives with Emergency Medicine

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Photo of hurricane aftermath
Emergency preparedness has taken a different face and on a different phase since a number of devastating natural calamities struck nations worldwide. It did not seem to matter that one is considered a “superpower” such as America when it was overwhelmed at a time when they have sent missions in space and spent millions in health care with multi-defense systems breaking in the occurrence of that one natural disaster. The importance of preparing ourselves for disasters is universal. Because of that, imperative even more to have the right emergency medicine and equip with emergency skills that can start with a simple first-aid kit close by.…