Hypo- or Hyperthyroidism: How to Tell the Difference

May 24, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Hypo- or Hyperthyroidism: How to Tell the Difference

Most people know that thyroid disease is a possibility in their lives. Many, though, don’t understand that there are very distinct differences between hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. If you think that you may be exhibiting systems of a malfunctioning thyroid, here’s how to know whether it’s underactive or overactive:

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is a condition that involves the under activity of the thyroid gland. According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of hypothyroidism include:

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  • Increased sensitivity to cold

Do you laugh it off when you’re wearing a sweater when everyone else in the office is in short-sleeves? Do your friends call you a freeze baby? One of the symptoms of hypothyroidism is sensitivity to cold. This means that you may feel cold when it is warm or that cold things feel abnormally cold to the touch.

  • Weight gain

Weight gain due to hypothyroidism is obvious. If you are gaining weight but there’s been no change in your diet, you may have an underactive thyroid. If the numbers on the scale are inching up steadily, take a good look at your lifestyle. If nothing has changed, you may want to request a blood test to check your thyroid function.

  • Dry skin

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Is your skin abnormally dry? Most people experience dry skin in the winter when the weather is dry; it’s completely normal. If, however, your skin is dry no matter the season and no matter how much lotion you use, it could be a symptom of thyroid disorder.

  • Increased menstrual flow

Women’s menstrual flows can change as they age. If you’ve received a clean bill of health from your OB/GYN, don’t be surprised if your heavy flow causes your doctor to recommend a thyroid test.

  • Muscle cramps

If you’ve recently taken up exercise, muscle cramping may be normal. If you’ve not changed your exercise routine and are experiencing frequent cramping of the legs, hands, feet and arms, you may have a problem with your thyroid.

2.Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism is a condition that occurs when your thyroid is overactive. The signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism include:

  • Increased perspiration

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Unlike hypothyroidism that causes an extreme sensitivity to cold, hyperthyroidism can cause increased perspiration. If you sweat when others normally wouldn’t or sweat more than what would be considered normal when performing physical activities, have your thyroid checked out.

  • Weight loss

Most people are happy when they lose a few pounds; many of us need it. If, however, you have a healthy appetite and are losing weight despite a normal or high caloric intake, the loss could be due to hyperthyroidism.

  • Thinning skin

You’ve undoubtedly seen the skin of the elderly at one point or another. As we age, our skin becomes thinner and tears more easily. If you are young or middle-aged, your skin should still be thick and supple. An overactive thyroid can cause thinning of the skin, a propensity to bruise and easier tearing of the skin.

  • Lighter menstrual flow

If your menstrual flow decreases dramatically, don’t take it as a necessarily good sign. While most women welcome a lighter flow, it could point to hyperthyroidism. If your lighter flow is accompanied by a decrease in the frequency of your menstrual periods, ask for your thyroid function to be checked.

  • Muscle weakness

If you suddenly find it difficult to lift heavy objects or walk for several miles, you may have hyperthyroidism. The condition can cause muscle weakness, particularly in the arms and legs. If you aren’t able to perform the tasks that you once were, due to increasing muscle weakness, speak with your doctor.

When your thyroid is functioning properly, you feel well-rested, strong and lively. When your thyroid is underactive or overactive, you may find that your muscles, wakefulness and vitality are affected. If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, talk to your doctor about having your thyroid function tested.

Karen Alton is a writer for healthtestingcenters.com. If you have any of the above mentioned symptoms they can test your thyroid levels with a blood test to determine if the thyroid is functioning properly.

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Facing a Natural Disaster

May 21, 2013 by Leave a Comment

After the horrendous weather of these past few days, the widespread destruction, and tragic loss of life, we find ourselves wondering what we would do in the same circumstances. Are there lessons to be learned from this catastrophe? There are some websites that offer good, sound, practical advice to help you prepare for disasters. The Red Cross has some excellent information. The Department of Homeland Security also offers some training exercises available to the public.

The first item to consider is what types of disasters are found in the area where you live. In the Midwest, tornadoes are a common occurrence. The West Coast can experience earthquakes, while the East Coast is plagued with hurricanes. Raging forest fires is another that can strike anywhere. Regardless of the circumstances, there are some basic rules that could apply to nearly everyone.

Take a personal assessment of your own living situation and determine if you have any special needs that need to be addressed in your disaster preparedness. Do you have small children, aged parents, someone with a disability, or pets? You must take into consideration each individual that you are responsible for.

Do you have relatives or friends that live nearby that can offer assistance to you with respects to housing? You should work together to look out for each other and coordinate your planning strategies to best fit everyone’s needs. Knowing that you have someone to depend on can make facing life’s difficulties easier.

Planning family drills is another way to help prepare for potential life-threatening situations. Children in school and parents at work can result in families being separated. Basic communication may be interrupted and you may need to rely on other sources for information. Careful advance planning can help to relieve these concerns.

If you are interested in purchasing some first aid kits for your home, automobile, office where you work, our BetterhealthInnovations.com website offers a nice selection. Air and waterpurification systems can also be purchased there. Two of our other sites offer survival kits; SurvivalCampingWorld.com and Survivalcentral.com.

Perhaps you would like to share what lessons you have learned from your own experiences. You are welcome to leave a comment anytime. Take care and may God Bless, Angela O’Malley

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4 Construction Materials That Pose The Highest Health Risk

May 20, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Home is where we can rest our worn out body, raise our children, and stay protected from the climate changes and elements. With that said, it is essential for the home to be a safe and healthy environment. Unfortunately, the materials used in constructing homes are usually toxic, and buying a brand new house makes no difference.

Although you may not be able to smell, see, or taste it, home construction materials usually emit different gasses and other highly toxic compounds into your home. In addition, these materials can contain volatile organic compounds which can put you and your family at risk. For instance, you may suffer from:

  • Fatigue
  • Allergies
  • Dizziness
  • Respiratory illnesses, such as asthma

If you are thinking of building a new house from scratch, you must educate yourself about the common construction materials that may pose a huge health risk for you and your family. The following are a few of the most toxic building materials you must avoid using.

Engineered Wood Products

These products are created by sticking together layers of fragmented wood. Engineered wood products are typically used to create cabinets, kitchen counters, wall paneling, and so on. These products are not advisable since the adhesives used to glue together the fragmented wood emit pollutants, such as formaldehyde into the environment.

As an alternative, you can consider using natural, solid wood for your wood product, furniture, and cabinets. If you really want to use engineered wood products, choose those that contain no or reduced levels of chemicals.

PVC or Polyvinyl Chloride

PVC has been used for many years in home construction. As a building material, it is very affordable, easy-to-install, and can be replaced easily. For these reasons, many contractors believe that this is an ideal building material; however, PVC poses a huge health risk for those who use it.

PVC products, such as vinyl flooring, can release chemical compounds known as phthalates. This chemical has been associated with the increase in asthma cases in residential homes. In addition, the lead additives found in PVC mini-blinds are found to be the major cause of lead poisoning in some children. Other health problems which may develop due to exposure to toxic levels of PVC include developmental disabilities, disruption of hormones, and respiratory problems.

Insulation

Most of us are aware of the health risks of asbestos in insulation, but did you know that even the standard fiberglass insulation can be quite dangerous? Small pieces of fiberglass can be toxic if you or any of your family members inhale them. In addition, some types of fiberglass contain formaldehyde which can be released into the environment.

To lower health risks, you can buy safer types of insulation, such as cotton insulation, from a green building supplier. You can also use insulation made from recycled paper since it is formaldehyde-free.

Oil-Based Paint and Paint Strippers

Oil-based paint can contain about 300 toxic chemicals and 150 carcinogens. This is based on the study made by John Hopkins University. Among the toxic chemicals found in this type of paint are mercury, methylene chloride, methyl ethyl ketone, toluene, lead, alkyl resin, and kerosene. The vapors emitted by this type of paint can be released into the environment while painting. It can irritate the eyes, skin, and lungs.

Paint strippers, on the other hand, are used to get rid of oil-based paint. They also contain toxic and highly volatile chemicals, such as acetone and methanol.

As an alternative, you can use water-based paints or low-volatile paints since they contain lower toxic solvents. Although water-based paints can still cause eye or skin irritation, they are less harmful and less toxic as compared to oil-based paint and strippers.

Citations:
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The author, Kris Lim, is a health advocate who offers basic information about the toxic construction materials that can pose the highest health risks. Some of her written works have been used by Hayden Homes in Junction City.

Betterhealthinnovations.com offers a great selection of air and water purifiers to help rid your home of harmful pollutants.

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6 Reasons Why Teeth Turn Yellow

May 19, 2013 by Leave a Comment

When you smile at yourself in front of the mirror, do you worry because you have yellow teeth? You might wonder why your pearly whites are becoming yellow. You take really good care of your teeth. What are you doing wrong?

Causes of Tooth Discoloration

Most people worry that their yellow teeth are very off-putting. They are also afraid that others might think that they don’t take good care of their teeth just because these are slightly discolored. But having yellow teeth is not necessarily due to poor dental hygiene. What you should know is that there are many reasons why teeth turn yellow. Read on for some interesting factors that contribute to teeth discoloration.

1. Heredity

Genetics is one factor. If your parents have yellow teeth, chances are that your teeth might turn yellowish too as you grow older. There are also times when children not only inherit the color of their parents’ teeth, but also their susceptibility to certain dental defects.

2. Lifestyle

- Food and Drinks

As you get older, the enamel of your tooth also becomes thinner and more prone to cracking or chipping. Due to this, certain types of food and drinks can now easily stain your teeth. Foods, such as blueberries and dark sauces, as well as beverages, like tea, coffee and dark beer, should be avoided. But if you really are craving for black coffee, indulge yourself. Just make sure to brush your teeth or gargle afterwards to lessen the staining.

- Smoking

Smoking is another factor. Those who smoke and chew tobacco will experience more severe staining as compared with cigarette smokers. Also, cigarettes that contain more nicotine and tar can worsen teeth discoloration.

3. Supplements, Vitamins and Medicines

Supplements or vitamins containing high amounts of iron might cause discoloration. Certain prescribed medications are also known culprits of why teeth become yellow. A few examples are: antihistamines, antipsychotics, and medicines that manage high blood pressure. As much as possible, doctors also avoid giving certain antibiotics to young kids, especially to those whose teeth have not yet fully developed. For example, doctors avoid prescribing tetracyclines and doxycyclines as these can make teeth yellow.

4. Materials Used in Dentistry

Sometimes, dental materials can stain teeth as well or the colors might be different from the natural color of one’s teeth. Those that contain silver sulfide are especially noticeable as these can make teeth look gray-black.

5. Poor Dental Hygiene

Poor dental hygiene is often blamed for the yellowing of teeth. Though it is not the number one cause, it is still a huge factor. When you do not regularly brush and floss your teeth, plaque will develop. Substances that stain teeth will also build up. All of these will make your teeth become more yellow.

6. Old Age

As mentioned earlier, the tooth enamel gradually becomes thinner as a person becomes older. When this occurs, the next layer of the tooth becomes more exposed. This is called dentin, and it is naturally yellow.

Citations:
Featured images:

Claire Patel is a freelancer who regularly blogs about health-related matters. Many of her articles offer tips about how to improve overall health care, including dental care, and these materials have been used by a number of Forsyth dental clinics.

A healthy body will put a smile on everyone’s face, go to www.BetterhealthInnovations.com for all of your health and wellness needs.

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4 Great Tips To Improve Your Health

May 18, 2013 by Leave a Comment
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file0001283627038[1]Everyone is understandably busy in today’s world. This often makes it difficult to take the time to prepare a healthy and nutritious meal. The good news is that people can still make good choices and eat a well-balanced diet even when they are on the go. There are several things that can be done to ensure that burgers and fries do not become dinner every night.

Quick and Nutritious Breakfast

So many people skip breakfast because they simply do not have time to prepare it and then sit down and eat a nutritious breakfast. Don’t worry, however, because there are breakfast options that you can prepare the night before and then eat as you get ready in the morning. One good option is sliced fruit with cubed cheese. You can grab pieces as you get dressed, get the kids ready and prepare for your day. The key to a nutritious breakfast is fiber, protein and carbohydrates. Other good choices that are quick include whole grain toast with low-fat yogurt and instant oatmeal with berries.

Fast and Healthy Lunch

By the time noon rolls around your stomach is probably grumbling and wanting to be fed. You may feel a bit tired too and this is because your body needs to be refueled. To ensure that you have a good, healthy lunch everyday, it is a good idea to take five to 10 minutes before heading to bed at night to prepare your lunch. This will save you time in the morning and will ensure that you have a good lunch to take to work with you. A good traditional option includes a turkey sandwich on whole wheat toast with avocado and veggies, a piece of fruit, a few pretzels and some milk. Another option would be whole wheat pasta with chicken and broccoli. You can add a low-fat Alfredo sauce or a red sauce depending on your taste.

Quick and Well-Balanced Dinner

Dinner can be hard because it will always take some preparation time. One option you can take advantage of if your weekdays are just very busy is to prepare a few meals during the weekend so that they only need to be heated during the week. This can be done with most foods and they will retain flavor and freshness as long as they are stored properly.

You can purchase pre-cooked, grilled chicken strips at grocery stores. These will only have to be heated for a few minutes and are ready to go. They can be added to whole wheat pasta dishes or salads. Using these, you can prepare a good, well-balanced meal in about 15 to 20 minutes depending on what else you are having.

You can always get quick-fix brown rice that takes less than three minutes to cook in the microwave, fresh vegetables that take about five minutes to steam and add these wish a thinner fish that can be broiled in about 15 minutes. This will provide a full meal rather quickly.

Snack Smart

A mid-morning snack is a must if you do not eat lunch until later. This will keep you focused and alert. You want some carbohydrates in this snack so something like a handful of wheat crackers and some string cheese is both satisfying and provides the nutrients you need. Other quick options that you can eat as you work include an apple with milk, a banana and some peanut butter or some berries with yogurt.

 

About the Author: Brandon Travis likes to spend his free time swimming and training for his next triathlon in the spring. When he’s not working out he likes to review sites like iRollOver. Good health starts with good sleep.

Good lifestyle changes start with a healthy diet and exercise. Check out the fitness equipment at our home website.

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