Tobacco Research and Invention Program has determined out three major reasons why smokers go to cigarettes at stressful times:

1.    They think that smoking gives them a much deserved break.
2.    They feel a sense of camaraderie because smoking is usually done in a group of people.
3.    They feel relief because smoking eliminates nicotine withdrawal symptoms.

For many smokers cigarettes are like pacifies: when a baby is restless, parents give a pacifier; when an adult is in the same condition, cigarette is the choice. While for the majority of people smoking is the solution in a stressful situation, there is no proven evidence that nicotine eases stress. Some other things might actually be helpful in such situations there have been studies on exercises and they actually help with stress in evident way: physical activity increases the production of endorphins, known as stress fighters, natural pain relievers, or hormones of happiness.

Some researches show that smokers have higher levels of stress than non-smokers. Partly it is so because nicotine does not relieve stress. People with higher levels of stress go to a cigarette for help, but it will only reduce stress level to normal, but not eliminate it. Soon after smoking, there will be a need for another cigarette because the level of stress rises. If the body will not receive a dose of nicotine, the stress will affect even more with the combination of withdrawal symptoms: dryness of the mouth, nausea, irritability, insomnia, coughing and many others.

Unfortunately withdrawal symptoms cannot be recognized by many smokers. In the beginning they come in a very light form: a smoker might experience hunger or mild anxiety. After some time the symptoms get stronger and more numerous. When a smoker lights up a cigarette, the feeling of anxiety and restlessness disappears leading to the thought that smoking relieves stress, although in reality it deals with the nicotine withdrawal symptoms.

Only when a smoker can see these facts and distinguish stress from nicotine addiction power, he or she will have a desire to quit, understanding that there are many ways to deal with stress, and smoking is not one of them. It is hard to find the will and strength to quit, because there will be a conflict between the two parts: one is addicted and wants to reach for a cigarette because nicotine withdrawal symptoms are too strong; the other one is the common sense and willpower which have to be strong enough and fight knowing that smoking is unhealthy and it does not eliminate stress.

Cholesterol is the substance produced by the liver and its main purpose is to produce some important hormones, eliminating the fat from our bodies. This sounds like a good thing that we should not be worried about, but the problem is we get cholesterol from our food as well: primarily from meats (beef, pork, etc.), eggs, and dairy products. This causes an excess of the substance, and therefore instead of doing a good job, this “bad” cholesterol damages and clogs the arteries.

Scientists all over the world started studying the connection between cholesterol and oats more than 45 years ago. The results were better than they expected. A group of scientists led by A.P. De Groot decided to feed their laboratory animals with rolled oats instead of wheat starch. The study was published in the Lancet magazine in 1967, and the result showed that the oats made a great influence on lowering of the cholesterol level.

Many other studies on both animals and humans have been held since then, proving the same point. The secret of the “magic” oats is a special substance called beta-glucan which has unique qualities on the molecular level. According to many researches beta-glucan in oats absorbs cholesterol from the blood and the walls of blood vessels.

In 1997 the United States Food and Drug Administration announced that beta-glucan in oat products is high enough to reduce both the cholesterol level and the risk of heart disease. In order to be worthy of a claim like this, a product should contain more than 0.75 grams of beta-glucan in one serving; and oat products (oatmeal, oat flour, rolled oats, etc.) fit this qualification.

Daily consumption of oats significantly lowers the LPL level. A bowl of oatmeal might reduce the cholesterol by 8-23 %, but it does not have to be an oatmeal breakfast every day. If a person prefers some variety, there are such things as oatmeal cookies, oat milk and other products which give the same benefits to blood system and heart.

The medication is used to treat bacterial infections in dogs and cats. It is banned from use in domestic-food animals such as cattle or swine. Federal law restricts Clavamox to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian.

The drug comes in a form of tablets of four different sizes and in drop form. A veterinarian prescribes the dose of Clavamox depending on the body weight of an animal. As a rule it is measured by 6.25mg/pound for every 12 hours.

The wide spectrum of action includes treating of respiratory, ear, urinary tract, skin, and soft-tissue infections. It works well against cellulitis, abscesses, and wounds. Clavamox is also effective in the treatment of canine periodontal disease, pyoderma (the second most common skin infection in dogs), and various skin infections in cats. The drug is proven to be a safe anti-bacterial treatment in general.

After the medication is prescribed it should be given regularly, without missing a dose. Even if symptoms of the disease improve, the patient must keep taking Clavamox for the whole prescribed period.

It is recommended to give the drug together with food, because animals accept it more willingly in this case and the stomach is not affected negatively with the medication. It has been proven that Clavamox is stable in the presence of gastric acid. When mixed with water, the drops should be stored in a refrigerator. The unused portion has to be thrown away after 10 days.

Side effects might occur. They are nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, hyperactivity, diarrhea, or allergic reactions. Sometimes kidney problems can occur. Usually there are no side effects or they are minor and do not require medical treatment. If allergic reaction happens (swelling, rash, hives, or shortness of breath) or the side-effects are severe, the patient should seek for emergency health care.

First of all, those who have a “weak” stomach are recommended to control the types of food and the times it is taken:

• Stay away from fried, fatty, spicy, or junk food.
• Avoid onions and citrus fruits.
• Say “No” to alcohol and caffeine.
• Do not eat protein- and calcium-rich products at night.
• Give preference to carbohydrate rich food like rice, because it is easily digestible.
• Small meals are better for digestion than large portions.
• Try to have dinner at least two or three hours before going to bed.

This diet might be hard in the beginning, but after the person keeps it as a pattern, it becomes easy as one-two-three. The best results can be achieved if the person combines the diet with some exercises. It does not have to be some big workout: a daily walk for about 30 minutes is good for health and keeps acidity level in control.

Depression and anxiety worsen digestion, but healthy, happy life treats it well. Relaxation techniques make many people feel better and lead them away from stress. Get enough sleep and be sure you sleep in the right position, do yoga exercises and meditate - all of these things are good cures for acidity problems.

Chemically prepared medicines suppress acid formation in the stomach, but they ruin digestive system and have other negative side-effects. A person can look for some natural treatments, if there is a need for something to deal with the acidity. Here are a few home remedies:

• Take one or two glasses of water in the early morning regularly.
• Holy basil or tulsi gives relief from acidity and controls its level: chew a few leaves of it any time the acidity is high.
• Take two tablespoons of honey with two tablespoons of natural cider vinegar before a meal.
• Mint juice or mint capsules with peppermint oil lower gas formation and treat acidity if taken after a meal.
• Eat cucumbers, watermelons, papaya, and/or bananas to relieve acidity.
• Cold milk, coconut water, almonds, and raw garlic are good treatments for acidity and heartburn.

One of the most popular loop diuretics is Lasix. It is used to treat fluid retention and high blood pressure, because it prevents the body from absorbing too much sodium (salt) allowing it to be passed in the urine. Lasix can also be used for other purposes, for example, it works well to prevent race horses from bleeding through the nose during races. Sometimes people take it to drop weight, if their weight gain is caused by high water retention.

The name of the medication comes from the phrase “lasts six (hours)” reflecting the duration of action. Lasix acts quickly: within one hour blood pressure goes down and the patient starts urinating more often. The effect of the drug continues for six hours. Sometimes it is a one-time medication which is taken once to eliminate the problem, but in other cases a doctor might prescribe a whole course and the schedule should be kept precisely.

The doctor might decide on different doses depending on medical condition and the patient is supposed to follow the instructions without changing the dose. It should be measured by a dropper or other device that comes with the prescription. If Lasix is taken close to bedtime, the person might have to wake up frequently to urinate, so it is best to have the medication at least 4 hours before going to bed.

Since Lasix removes water from the body, the patient might become dehydrated easily. As a rule, doctors give some advice on the drinks which can be taken: potassium supplements which give enough salt or potassium to the body in the right balance. Gatorade or PowerAde, also called “Sport drinks” are usually recommended.

This drug makes the skin sensitive to sunlight, so the person should not be exposed to it, otherwise sunburn or uneven pigmentation might occur.

Lasix is not supposed to have any harmful effects on a person, but if it does, the doctor will watch kidney and liver condition and test the blood on regular basis. Minor side-effects caused by Lasix are headache, diarrhea, numbness, burning, dizziness, or blurred vision. It is important to stop using the medication and consult the doctor if the side-effects are serious as urinating less than usual, nausea, vomiting, higher blood pressure, easy bruising, skin rash, hearing loss, or symptoms alike.

First of all the heart will be healthy if cholesterol level is kept low. This is why it is important to stay away from products high in saturated fat such as meat and high-fat dairy products. Fruits and vegetables contain a lot of fiber, various vitamins and minerals being low in calories. While eating them, people can control their weight easily and protect the heart from the risks of cardiovascular disease.

Grains also provide benefits for heart. Oats, barley and whole grains lower cholesterol level. They also contain a lot of nutrients and fiber. Many researches showed that whole grains have numerous disease-fighting compounds and take good care of the heart. Nuts have similar characteristics. Recent studies show that they lower cholesterol level and improve heart health.

Scientists believe that the secret of the San Blas islands’ residents is that they eat a lot of dark chocolate. It is different than all other deserts people are used to, because dark chocolate contains polyphenols, which lower blood pressure and improve the flexibility of blood vessels.

Brain stays healthy as long as it receives good blood flow, this is why all the above mentioned groups of food are not only good for heart, but for brain also. In addition, it is recommended to eat a lot of antioxidant-rich products (blueberries, grapes, juice and walnuts). Studies show that they help fighting age-related brain problems: memory loss, dementia and others.

Fish and shellfish are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids which are known to protect against irregular heart rhythms that lead to heart failure, and defend against depression and age-related memory loss. The fatty acids can also be found in various types of oil: fish oil, flaxseed oil, canola oil and olive oil.

Coffee is usually criticized for high amount of caffeine, but daily consumption of this drink has good impact on brain condition. It has been proven that people who drink 3-5 cups a day in their middle age are less likely to suffer age-related mental problems like dementia and Alzheimer’s.

Older people also have problems with bones. Osteoporosis and bone loss are the leading problems connected with age. Food rich in calcium and vitamin D helps to postpone this process. Calcium can be found in low-fat dairy products, dark green leafy vegetables and tofu. Sun is the best source of vitamin D and it is recommended to spend at least 30 minutes in the sun daily. It is understandable, that it is hard to find sun in cold season, so many products now are fortified with vitamin D, to provide enough of it for daily needs.

The first generation is presented by hydroxyzine also known as Atarax and Vistaril. It was discovered in the beginning of 1950s and is still used. Some countries sell Atarax over the counter, because it does not cause abuse, dependence, addiction, and toxicity as the other drugs of this family. Nevertheless, the majority of countries requires prescription for Atarax as for any other antihistamines, because it still has some of their dangerous characteristics: it is sedative, hypnotic and acts as a tranquilizer.

As all other antihistamines, Atarax decreases the effect of histamine, a chemical that body produces during allergies and some viral infections. After it builds up on cells, histamine causes sneezing, itching, and increased mucus production. As a rule, antihistamines prevent the build-up on the cells and lower the production of histamine.

Atarax is mainly used in combination with other drugs to treat anxiety as a result of physical illness, itching and swelling in nose, eyes and throat as an allergic reaction. It also works as a sedative before and after general anesthesia. Due to its effectiveness, hydroxyzine became especially popular in dentistry and obstetrics.

If the drug is used properly and the dose is not exceeded, there should not be any side-effects except for drowsiness. Dry mouth, twitches, tremors and convulsions might occur when Atarax is overdosed. If the patient has allergic reaction to Atarax, as swelling, itching or rash, it is strongly advised to seek for emergency health care.

Hydroxyzine interferes with certain drugs, so the patients should be cautious while taking them. The effect of some could be increased, the others decreased, and the third are altered: the effect of the drugs that depress the activity of the central nervous system is usually increased by Atarax, so the dose of such medications should be reduced while the patient takes hydroxyzine. Atarax interferes with barbiturates, such as Phenobarbital and Secobarbital, narcotic (morphine) and non-narcotic (acetaminophen and ibuprofen) painkillers, so the patient should notify the doctor before taking Atarax. This medication increases the effect of alcohol and it is strongly recommended to avoid such beverages while taking the antihistamine.

All people with extra weight can be roughly divided to apple- and pear-shaped. Big belly is the result of eating wrong food: unhealthy snacks, junk food, fast food, and products high in sugar. The weight gained in thighs or gluteofemoral fat is different. Konstantinos Manolopoulos, a researcher from the University of Oxford in England says, “In day-to-day metabolism it appears to be more passive than the abdominal depot and it exerts its protective properties by long-term fatty acid storage”.

Belly fat accumulates quickly, but it is also easy to reduce its amount because this is a special storage place where body keeps extra calories for future use when the person needs more energy. Many weight loss programs are aimed to burn the abdominal fat and most of them are very successful. However, the fat breakdown process pushes out a stream of inflammatory proteins which are closely connected to heart disease, insulin resistance and diabetes.

These proteins are called cytokines. Several researches show that burning of thigh fat releases fewer cytokines and their amount is insignificant. It is also interesting that people of pear-shaped body style with a wide range of age, weight, and health status have healthier cholesterol level. It takes more time to accumulate gluteofemoral fat and it is more difficult to give it up.

“If you’re going to have fat, you’re definitely better off if you’ve got some fat in the lower body,” said Dr. Michael Jensen, director of endocrine research at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. “If you look at people who have primarily the pear shape, they’re healthy in all the ways that this fat behaves. It’s not just less heart attacks or less diabetes, it’s all these ways we think about fat as an important organ for our health.”

Thigh fat is measured by thigh circumference, hip circumference, and fat deposits on the legs. A study made by researchers from Copenhagen University Hospital and published in British Medical Journal in September 2009 shows that the people whose thighs measured less than 24 inches on circumference had increased risk of heart disease and death. In the end of the study report they made a conclusion that “smaller thighs are a disadvantage to health and survival for both sexes”.

In the conclusion we would like to quote another statement made by Jensen, “If you’re a healthy thin weight, you’re going to be every bit as healthy as someone who has weight, but has all the weight in the lower body”.

The program was unveiled by a dermatologist, Harold Lancer, MD, in the March 2006 issue of Harper’s Bazaar. It is one of the main anti-wrinkle techniques used by stars when they have to look especially well.

In the beginning the face, neck and upper shoulders should be cleansed with a two-percent salicylic acid cleanser. This process removes dead skin cells from the surface. There are a number of cleansers on the market, but the most often recommended ones are Murad Clarifying Cleanser, JOEY New York Pure Pores Cleansing Gel with Vitamin C, and Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash.

After the dead skin is removed, the person should think about strengthening the new cells with vitamins and minerals. One of the quickest ways to do so is to improve the blood flow to the areas. Harold Lancer recommends applying a five-percent glycolic acid toner to the face, neck and upper shoulders. The good ones in this category are Neutrogena Pore Refining Toner, Physician’s Complex Glycolic Acid Toner, and Reviva Labs Glycolic Acid Toner.

The final phase of the three-step program is the moisturizing of the skin. When the areas are clean and well-“fed” they should be revitalized with a good moisturizer. This type of cosmetics varies depending on the skin type. The universal ones for all types of skin are usually based on aloe-vera or retinol blend (it stands as “retinol palmitate” in the list of ingredients).

Although this program works well, it is not recommended for everyday use. Many cosmetologists say that facial skin is so sensitive that it prefers pure warm water without soap and cleansers for daily use. Exfoliation or the process of the removal of dead skin cells and the first step of the program cannot be done more often than once a week.

The second step requires toners and they usually make skin very dry and should be avoided as much as possible, especially if the person has dry or normal skin type. Moisturizers tighten pores and plump skin making it feel so soft and nice. But there have to be times when the person lets the skin be open to fresh air and breathe. Mr. Lancer advises to use the cleansing program for special events only. In this case it will show the best result and work perfectly on skin.

Several studies have been made on animals which showed that nimodipine, the main ingredient in Nimotop, was affecting cerebral arteries more than any other arteries in the body. The scientists say that the reason for this is the high lipophilic nature of the chemical which allows it crossing the blood brain barrier.

There have not been a lot of studies on the effect of Nimotop on human body, but those which took place, had positive results. The medicine is taken by mouth and within the next hour the pills works at its best. After this the effect of Nimotop slowly fades away. This is why it can be taken frequently: every 4 hours. There has not been noticed any accumulation of nimodipine in the body because it goes away with the urine in the form of metabolites.

Nimotop was designed to reduce the severity of neurological deficits which appear due to vasospasm in people who had recent subarachnoid hemorrhage. There have been four independent studies in which patients were taking the pills four times a day for at least 18 days. The studies took place in the U.S., France, the U.K., and Canada. The results showed that Nimotop was effective when the problems were related to the spasm, but did not have any effect if the deficits were not caused by it.

This medicine should be purchased with a prescription only. The patient should consult a doctor before taking Nimotop and follow exact instructions on the right dosage and other important information. The doctor might run some tests and ask questions before prescribing the medicine because Nimotop might interfere with the other medical treatments that the patient might have. Knowing medical history in details will also help the doctor to make the appropriate prescription.

As a rule Nimotop should be taken at least one hour before or two hours after eating. The patient is recommended to avoid having a grapefruit or any grapefruit products while taking the drug. If a dose is missed, the pill should be taken as soon as possible, unless it is close to the time of the next dose. In this case, the missed dose should be skipped.

Nimotop may cause dizziness or lightheadedness; this is why the patients are strictly asked to stay away from driving or operating machinery. Taking other medicines or alcohol might worsen the case.

Other side-effects of the drug are diarrhea, flushing, headache and nausea. If the patient has severe allergy reaction, has bloody or black stools, depression, changes in heartbeat or any other negative health conditions, it is necessary to seek for emergency health care.