Liver Damage

The main causes of liver damage are:

1. Sleeping too late and waking up too late are main cause.
2. Not urinating in the morning.
3. Too much eating.
4. Skipping breakfast.
5. Consuming too much medication.
6. Consuming too much preservatives, additives, food coloring, and artificial sweetener.
7. Consuming unhealthy cooking oil.
8. As much as possible reduce cooking oil use when frying, which includes even the best cooking oils like olive oil. Do not consume fried foods when you are tired, except if the body is20very fit.
9. Consuming raw (overly done) foods also add to the burden of liver.
10. Veggies should be eaten raw or cooked 3-5 parts. Fried veggies should be finished in one sitting, do not store.

We should prevent this without necessarily spending more. We just have to adopt a good daily lifestyle and eating habits. Maintaining good eating habits and time condition are very important for our bodies to absorb and get rid of unnecessary chemicals according to 'schedule.'

Kidney Stones Treatment

Kidney Stone:

A kidney stones is a hard, crystalline mineral material formed within the kidney or urinary tract. Kidney stones are a common cause of blood in the urine and often severe pain in the abdomen, flank, or groin. Kidney stones are sometimes called renal calculi. One in every 20 people develops a kidney stone at some point in their life.
Kidney stones typically leave the body by passage in the urine stream, and many stones are formed and passed without causing symptoms. The kidney acts as a filter for blood, making urine and removing waste products from the body. It also helps regulate electrolyte levels that are important for body function.

Causes of Kidney Stones:
Kidney stones form when there is a decrease in urine volume and/or an excess of stone forming substances in the urine. The most common type of kidney stone contains calcium in combination with either oxalate or phosphate. Other chemical compounds that can form stones in the urinary tract include uric acid and the amino acid cysteine.

Kidney Stones Symptoms:
The main kidney stones symptoms,

• Pain in genitals;
• Admixture of blood in the urine;
• Frequent urge for urination;
• Stones discharges.

Remedies for Kidney Stones:

• Boil 4 tablespoons of linseed in 1 litre (1 3/4 pints) of water then strain and drink the liquid with lemon and honey. It will soothe all kidney disorders. This will dissolves kidney stone.
• Take 4 figs and boil them in 2 cups of water. If one drinks this decoction for one month in morning with empty stomach then it shows the wonderful results.
• Take 60ml of fresh lime juice and same quantity of olive oil and now mix them a large glass of water. It is helpful in passing the stones in just24 hours and provides you relief.
• Take a pan and add a glass of water with 2 medium sized onions and cook them well. When it reaches to normal temperature, blend them in blender. Strain this and drink the decoction for 3 days. It is very helpful as you feel the passing of stone even on the second day.
• Since the body transforms vitamin C into oxalate, taking high doses (more than 3,000 milligrams daily) of the vitamin poses an issue for people battling kidney stones. Eliminate vitamin C supplements from your routine and opt to receive your daily dose from food.
• To lessen uric acid stone formation, lower the amount of animal protein contained in your daily diet. Meats and certain fish can hasten the formation of uric acid and calcium in urine, which can lead to stone formation.
• Out of all the fruits suggested for kidney stones treatment, watermelon is considered the best and safest because it contains the highest concentration of water and provides an impressive amount of potassium salts.
• To fight calcium stones, lowering your salt intake can help. Pass on sprinkling extra salt on your French fries, avoid pickled foods, and choose low sodium potato chips. You should aim for reducing your salt consumption to only two to three grams per day.

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)

Premenstrual Syndrome is a condition which affects many women during the one or two weeks before menstruation begins. It is characterized by troublesome but usually harmless symptoms including breast tenderness, mood swings, bloating, depression and backache.

There appears to be a common hormonal imbalance in women suffering from PMS which is due to increased levels of estrogen and decreased levels of progesterone. These hormonal changes lead to a build up of fluid in the body, and reduces the amount of oxygen reaching the uterus, brain and ovaries.

What Supplements May Help Relieve PMS?
Vitamin B6 & E, is an important nutrient for women during their menstrual period and several studies have shown that a good supply of vitamin B6 & E 200mg everyday may reduce discomfort associated with the menstrual cycle. B6 may help increase oxygen flow to the female organs as well as helping to restore estrogen levels to normal. Research has found a link between a B complex deficiency and PMS and so often the B complex vitamins are recommended by nutritionists for women suffering from PMS.

Magnesium deficiency has also been associated with the occurrence of PMS. One trial of magnesium levels and PMS showed a reduction in breast tenderness in 96% of subjects and of weight gain in 95% of subjects given magnesium supplements.

Vitamin E 200 mg has been widely researched, with most research focusing on breast tenderness. But it may also have positive effects on headaches, fatigue and depression.

Women suffering from PMS have been shown to have impaired conversion of linoleic acid (fatty acid) to gamma linoleic acid (GLA). Therefore a GLA deficiency may be a contributing factor in PMS, particularly breast tenderness. PMS sufferers often supplement with Evening Primrose Oil because it contains good levels of GLA. Evening Primrose Oil seems to work best when taken over several menstrual cycles.

What Herbs May Help Relieve PMS?
Agnus Castus may help to rebalance the normal levels of oestrogen and progesterone during the menstrual cycle. It has traditionally been used by women for a wide variety of female problems.
Blessed Thistle, Dong Quai, False Unicorn root, Sarsparilla root and Squaw vine are all herbs which exert a balancing effect and are often found useful by women suffering from PMS. Dong Quai is also know as the ‘female ginseng’ and it is believed to have an antispasmodic effect.
The herb Black Cohosh is approved for use in women with PMS in Germany. Native American women historically used it before their menstrual cycle.

Water retention is a common symptom associated with PMS. Many herbs possess diuretic actions such as bladderwrack, chilvers, ground ivy and burdock root and are often combined in licensed preparations for better results.

The Role Of Diet And Lifestyle In PMS:

• Generally PMS sufferers should limit their intake of refined carbohydrates such as sugar, white flour and bread. Women who eat more sugary foods seem to have an increased risk of PMS.
• Intake of fresh fruit, vegetables and fibre should be increased as several studies have suggested that diets low in fat or high in fibre may help to reduce symptoms of PMS.
• Caffeine should be avoided as it is linked to breast tenderness and acts as a diuretic. One study found that consumption of caffeine beverages were associated with increase occurrence and severity of PMS and that the more caffeine women consumed, the more likely they were to suffer form PMS.

Facts about Eyes

• Eyes are the most complex organs you possess except for your brain.
• Eyes are composed of more than two million working parts.
• Eyes can process 36,000 bits of information every hour.
• Under the right conditions, can discern the light of a candle at a distance of 14 miles.
• Eyes contribute towards 85% of your total knowledge.
• Eyes utilize 65% of all the pathways to the brain.
• Eyes can instantaneously set in motion hundreds of muscles and organs in your body.
• In a normal life-span, will bring you almost 24 million images of the world around you.
• The external muscles that move the eyes are the strongest muscles in the human body for the job that they have to do. They are 100 times more powerful than they need to be.
• The adult eyeball measures about 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter. Of its total surface area only one-sixth is exposed — the front portion.
• The eye is the only part of the human body that can function at 100% ability at any moment, day or night, without rest. Your eyelids need rest, the external muscles of your eyes need rest, the lubrication of your eyes requires replenishment, but your eyes themselves "never" need rest. But please rest them

Home Remedies for CHILDREN ::: CRYING

How to Still the Sobs

For most parents, a crying baby is no laughing matter. Many babies cry an hour or more each day, frustrating their parents who know that crying is a baby's only language yet are unable to translate it. When is it hunger? When is it pain? When do those plaintive wails that touch us to our very core mean, ''Come and pick me up''?

What most parents learn in the first three months of a newborn's life is that comforting a crying baby is a matter of trial and error. Eventually, the signals will become clear, as parents get better at guessing what baby wants. But in these early few months, a lot of crying seems to be a general plea for comfort.

Should you always comfort a crying baby? In general, the experts say, a baby under 12 weeks may need frequent holding and cuddling to help him settle down. After three months, babies should be given the opportunity to learn to comfort them, or crying may become a habit. Here are a few comforting techniques to try--but results are not guaranteed.

MEDICAL ALERT

When to See the Doctor Even though crying is normal in infants, there are times when prolonged or insistent crying could be a signal to call your doctor, according to Edward Christophersen, Ph.D., clinical psychologist at Children's Mercy Hospital, professor of pediatrics at the University of Missouri--Kansas City School of Medicine and author of Baby Owner's Manual: What to Expect and How to Survive the First Year. Be sure to call your child's physician right away if: * Your child's cry is high-pitched and painful rather than fussy. * Your baby cries constantly for more than three hours. * Diarrhea, vomiting, high fever or other signs of sickness accompany the crying.

Check for physical causes. ''Make certain nothing is hurting the child,'' says Dena Hofkosh, M.D., assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and coordinator of the Infant Development Program at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. Look for open diaper pins, scratchy clothing, a crib toy poking your baby in the tummy. Also, look for fever or other symptoms of illness, such as a rash. Did the baby burp after his last feeding? If not, he may be having gas pains.

Try A Quick Pick-Me-Up:

Some babies cry just because they want to be held, and as long as the baby is under 12 weeks old, you shouldn't hesitate. ''A lot of parents think they'll spoil babies if they pick them up when they cry, but that's just not the case,'' says Dr. Hofkosh. ''A study done at McGill University found that babies who were held more cried less.''

Give Daily Love Pats:

Touch your child briefly and gently 50 to 100 times a day even when he doesn't need it. Essentially what you are doing is providing unconditional love and rewarding noncrying behavior at the same time, says Edward Christophersen, Ph.D., clinical psychologist at Children's Mercy Hospital, professor of pediatrics at the University of Missouri--Kansas City School of Medicine, and author of Baby Owner's Manual: What to Expect and How to Survive the First Year.

Tune in to the Fussy Hour:

Many babies have a predictable fussy period each day. Although it can occur at any hour, it often comes around dinnertime, when the whole family is home and meal preparations are under way. ''Once you're convinced that's what it is, think of that crying period as an exercise time for your baby,'' says Robert Mendelson, M.D., a pediatrician and clinical professor of pediatrics at Oregon Health Sciences University in Portland. ''It's the baby's way of jogging, burning off the excess energy he has.'' So you might just want to let these crying spells run their course.

Bring On The Rhythm And Music:

''A lot of babies respond well to a recorded heartbeat,'' says Dr. Mendelson. There's something primal and soothing about the rhythmic thump-thump that was their piped-in sound track for nine months. Playing music can also help: Many crying babies are distracted by George Gershwin's ''Rhapsody in Blue,'' Raffi's ''Baby Beluga'' or anything that happens to be on the radio. Your humming can be very soothing to a fussy child. Even a running vacuum cleaner or clothes dryer can calm him down.

Put Them In Motion:

A walk around the house might soothe your infant. Your baby may also respond to gentle rocking, either in your arms or in a baby swing or cradle. ''For very irritable babies, vertical rocking seems to work,'' she says. Hold the baby on your lap or shoulder and rock up and down gently, applying some pressure to the chest and belly. ''Babies like frontal pressure, which is almost like being tucked into the womb again,'' says Dr. Hofkosh.

Take A Ride:

For some babies, a drive in the car is like a tranquilizer. When one of her daughters was a baby, Dr. Hofkosh recalls, ''we drove around for an hour-and-a-half in a pouring rainstorm because I couldn't deal with the crying anymore. I figured it was better than sitting home and waiting it out.''

Use A Baby Carrier:

''Some babies love the close comfort of being held on your chest in a front pack,'' says Dr. Hofkosh. ''Some parents like the backpack, but it may be better if the baby's front is in contact with Mommy or Daddy. It's also convenient. You can get things done with the baby sleeping there. I know I ate many meals with my daughters in a front pack.''

Change Positions . . . But not Too Much:

Like the rest of us, babies can get bored or uncomfortable staying in the same position, says Lottie Mendelson, R.N., a pediatric nurse practitioner in Portland, Oregon, and coauthor of The Complete Book of Parenting, with her husband, Robert. Some babies like to be vertical on your shoulder, while others like to peer at the world from your lap. But don't switch too frequently, says Dr. Hofkosh. ''Some babies take a longer time to adapt to a particular position so you need to avoid going quickly from one to the next.'' Give the baby time to figure out whether she feels okay in the new position, advises Mendelson.

Turn Down The Light And Noise:

Babies who are easily overstimulated- -or those who have had a big day full of strange faces and voices and a lot of handling--may need a little time to decompress, particularly before bed, says Dr. Hofkosh. By turning down the lights and keeping voices low, you can help the overstimulated baby relax.

Don't Plug Cries With Food:

''It's very satisfying for parents who hear a baby cry to be able to do something about it, and feeding is the most primal nurturing activity we can do,'' says Dr. Hofkosh. But she advises against feeding as the first response to a baby's cry. Babies do cry when they're hungry, but that's far from the only reason, notes Dr. Hofkosh. A baby who cries when she's bored will probably stop crying if you nurse or give her a bottle, but you will miss the opportunity to learn what her cries really mean and you'll be training her to think of eating as something you do when you're bored.

As a rule of thumb, says Dr. Hofkosh, most breastfed babies feed every 90 minutes to 2 hours and bottle-fed babies can often wait 2 to 2½ hours between feedings. ''If she cries sooner than that, it makes sense to try other things before offering food again,'' says Dr. Hofkosh.

Take A Break:

It's almost impossible for parents to remain calm when they have a crying baby on their hands. Every ''wah'' seems to be saying, '' You're a bad parent.'' But you're not a bad parent if you're child is crying, especially if you've done everything you can to console him,'' says Dr. Mendelson. ''A truly fussy baby is often inconsolable, which can drive parents crazy.''

Parents need to make sure they get regular breaks from a fussy baby, he suggests. Arrange to get an hour or two off daily--and possibly an entire afternoon off once a week--leaving the baby with a grandparent or trusted babysitter. And have an occasional evening out with your partner just to recharge.

Remember, This Too Shall Pass:

''Recognize that crying, especially in a challenging baby, is time-limited, '' says Dr. Hofkosh. ''Tell yourself that you can help your baby be okay even though he's the kind who cries all the time. Remind yourself it isn't a personality trait that's going to last forever.''

Give Them Some Time:

After a baby is 12 weeks old, you can begin to change your strategy. Rushing to comfort a crying baby or child at the first peep deprives her of a wonderful learning experience, says Dr. Christophersen. If you take care of her every need, she'll never learn how to calm herself, he warns. ''The only way I know to reduce crying is by teaching self-quieting skills,'' he says. So wait a few minutes--how long is dictated by your tolerance for crying--to see if the baby can find a way to quiet herself. If she's not in true discomfort, a baby over the age of about 12 weeks will often distract herself by playing with her feet, sucking her thumb or examining her surroundings rather than screaming for you.

Put Your Baby To Bed Awake:

Bedtime is often the best time to teach babies how to self-quiet, says Dr. Christophersen. Though there's a real temptation to nurse or rock babies to sleep, parents and babies eventually pay the price of sleepless nights (and cranky next days) because the baby comes to associate nursing or rocking with falling asleep. That may be fine at 8:00 P.M., but it's not such a pleasure at 3:00 A.M. when the baby begins crying for her ''sleeping pill,'' in the form of a long rocking session.

''If a baby nurses before bedtime and gets drowsy, carry her, maybe bounce her around a little, talk to her, change her diaper, wipe her gums and put her to bed,'' says Dr. Christophersen. ''She may go, ' Wah, wah wah,' and then she'll be gone. Best of all, she'll learn how to put herself to sleep. And if you know your baby can self-quiet, you won't feel like you're abandoning her.''

Take Your Baby Out Of The Crib Before He Cries:

''A lot of parents use their babies as a snooze alarm,'' says Dr. Christophersen. ''After 12 weeks, many babies who once woke up crying wake up babbling. But their parents don't pick them up until they cry. That teaches the child he has to cry before you'll pick him up. I'd much rather have parents taught children they get picked up for babbling and cooing, not for screaming.

Home Remedies for CHILDREN ::: DANDRUFF

Putting the Hex on Telltale Specks

Having dandruff is not something to be ashamed of,'' asserts Guy S. Webster, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor of dermatology at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. And if your child is dandruff prone, you might have to remind him that the doctor says not to worry.

When telltale specks of dusty white appear on the shirt collar and shoulders of school-age children, they may come in for quite a ribbing from the other kids. So it's good if parents can offer an explanation and reassurance along with some helpful treatments.

Dandruff is simply an overenthusiastic turnover of skin cells on the scalp. Everybody's scalp sheds, but if a child has dandruff, the skin sheds too quickly and too much. The child may complain that his scalp feels itchy, and you're likely to find some white flakes.

MEDICAL ALERT

When to See the Doctor Consult a doctor if your child's dandruff doesn't respond to two weeks of home treatment. And you shouldn't delay seeing the doctor if the child complains that his scalp is painful or extremely itchy, says Guy S. Webster, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor of dermatology at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. He also recommends taking your child to the doctor if you detect hair loss, notice that the scalp seems inflamed or see some scaliness and inflammation on other parts of the body. Other scalp conditions that resemble dandruff in some ways are cradle cap (usually in infants), ringworm, seborrheic dermatitis and psoriasis. These conditions usually aren't serious, but it takes a doctor to diagnose and treat them, according to Dr. Webster.

Though dandruff is not as common in children as it is in adults, kids do get it. If you see a scalp problem that looks like dandruff, go ahead and try some home treatment to see if it clears up, recommends Karen Wiss, M.D., assistant professor of medicine and pediatrics and director of pediatric dermatology at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center in Worcester. But she cautions, ''If the dandruff doesn't respond within two weeks, your child's symptoms may be related to other conditions that need a doctor's diagnosis and treatment.''

Here are the dandruff-fighting home treatments experts suggest:

Buy a good dandruff shampoo. ''A good dandruff-fighting shampoo is important because it reduces the scaling on the scalp and allows medication to penetrate where it is needed,'' says Alvin L. Adler, M.D., a dermatologist and attending physician and clinical instructor in dermatology at the New York Hospital--Cornell Medical Center and Beth Israel Medical Center, both in New York City. To ensure that you are buying an effective product, spend a moment in the drugstore reading some labels. Look for a dandruff shampoo that lists tar or salicylic acid among the ingredients, says Dr. Adler.

SHAMPOO OFTEN:

Your child should start out using the shampoo at least twice a week, says Dr. Adler. Many doctors suggest that if the dandruff doesn't go away, the child should shampoo twice a week with dandruff shampoo and also shampoo frequently with the regular kind. And if the child still has dandruff, use the dandruff shampoo even more frequently than twice a week.

For the child who is reluctant, make a game of lathering up. And make the bath-and-shampoo part of your child's schedule, so it becomes routine.

If the dandruff doesn't resolve with shampoo alone, a topical steroid medication may be needed, Dr. Adler says. Check with your pediatrician or a dermatologist.

USE NONGREASY HAIR FIXATIVES:

If you have an older child who has just started to use styling products, make sure that you buy nonoily gels or mousses. ''Greasy or oily conditioners and styling products will just make dandruff worse,'' Dr. Adler says.

KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR RECURRING FLARE-UPS:

''Dandruff is easy to control but not to cure,'' says Dr. Adler. After your child's dandruff is under control, you can switch back to regular shampoo, but be alert for signs of itchiness or flaking. ''Count on it--there will be another flare-up,'' Dr. Adler reminds parents. Keep dandruff shampoo in the cabinet and get your child to use it at the first signs that dandruff is back.

LOOK OUT FOR STRESS:

''No one knows why some people get dandruff and others don't, but stress can provoke it,'' says Dr. Adler. If your child gets frequent dandruff flare-ups, check out the possibility that she may be under too much pressure. You can help her reduce stress by talking about school and everyday problems and allowing more free time without planned activities.

Prevent Swine Flu - Good Advice

The only portals of entry are the nostrils and mouth/throat. In a global epidemic of this nature, it's almost impossible to avoid coming into contact with H1N1 in spite of all precautions.

While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1 infection, in order to prevent proliferation, aggravation of symptoms and development of secondary infections, some very simple steps can be practiced

1. Gargle twice a day with warm salt water or Listerine. *H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way, gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tami flu has on an infected one. Don't underestimate this simple, inexpensive, and powerful preventative method.
2. Blow the nose hard once a day and swab both nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt water. This is very effective in bringing down viral population.
3. Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamins C and D. If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that it also has Zinc to boost absorption.
4. Drink as much of warm liquids (tea, coffee, etc) as you can.. Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse direction. They wash off proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomach where they cannot survive, proliferate or do any harm.

I suggest you pass this on to your entire e-list. You never know who might pay attention to it -- and STAY ALIVE because of it.

Signs You May Have Hearing Loss

There are many different causes of hearing loss and even different types of hearing loss. The most common cause of hearing loss is presbycusis, hearing loss due to the aging process which most often occurs in the higher frequencies. Typically hearing loss due to age is also influenced by genetics, exposure to loud sounds through your lifetime and general overall health. So although hearing loss due to age occurs at different rates and affects each person differently throughout their life, one thing is common for all – it occurs gradually. In fact it occurs so gradual many persons don't even notice they have hearing loss.

Thanks to the millions of tiny sensory hair cells within our inner ears, we have the ability to hear all different frequencies (pitch) from very low to very high. Because of this, hearing loss can vary frequency by frequency. With age, we lose our hearing first in the higher frequencies. So because some people can still technically "hear" they may not be able to fully understand or pick up on every little sound.

Speech is a complex signal, meaning it contains low, mid and high pitch sounds. So although you may have high frequency hearing loss and miss parts of words, your hearing may still be relatively ok at other frequencies which allows you to get by and compensate. However, there comes a time your hearing loss becomes more significant and noticeable – you no longer are able to compensate and fill in the blanks as easily.

So like any medical condition, the sooner you address the hearing loss the better treatment outcome you will have. And for those of you reading this that suspect you or a loved may have some hearing loss, read on.

The following are ten common signs that you may have hearing loss and hey, life is too short to miss out on all the sounds that surround you. So, is it time to make that call to a hearing professional?

• You have trouble hearing people talking on the telephone.

Most phones come with a volume control setting, so you might not have trouble hearing your friend, co-worker, client or friend because you've amped the telephone to the max. Check the volume setting on the telephone receiver. If it's at max volume, chances are you, or someone at home or in the office, has hearing loss and needs to see a hearing professional.

• You have trouble following a conversation when people are talking at the same time.

Not always a sign of hearing loss. At a party, for example, you can have five conversations going simultaneously, and if you get a little mixed up, it's to be expected. Our ability to process multiple incoming and competing signals also deteriorates over time. However, let's say you're at a meeting at work or eating dinner with the family. When two or more people talk at the same time, does you have a hard time keeping up? Yes? Call for a top-down hearing evaluation. It won't hurt a bit, and it might make life a whole lot better. Better performance 9-5 and more interaction with family and friends. Don't isolate yourself due to hearing loss. There are lots of solutions – one sure to suit your hearing needs.

• The family complains that the TV is too loud.

Oh, brother, if this isn't a sign of hearing loss nothing is. When your own kids complain that the TV is too loud, you have a hearing problem.

Volume maxed out? Get your hearing checked

What, you're too young? Too hip? Too cool to have hearing loss? If you listened to loud music through 10 years straight (a rite of passage through the 'tween and teen years) you could well have damaged your hearing parts and the damage has finally shown.

The fact is, hearing professionals are seeing younger and younger patients – teens and young adults in their 20s – who have experienced some degree of hearing loss due to long-term exposure to music.

Time to call in a professional for a hearing evaluation – even if you still think of yourself as a kid.

• You strain to hear conversations.

Come on. How much confirmation do you need? Hearing loss affects the whole family who has to shout to be heard. Same with co-workers, this doesn't look good on your quarterly review at the office. If you find yourself straining to hear the speaker in the boardroom or at the podium, what does that tell you?

Time for a hearing evaluation. Worried about what others will think – especially on the job? He's old. She's broken. Well, today's digital hearing aids are smaller than a quarter, come in lots of styles and provide a better quality of hearing and a better quality of life. Hearing aids will help you stay in the game and maintain your reputation on the job.

• You have trouble hearing in noisy environments.

You're with some friends at the new bistro in town. It's noisy, just like any busy eatery. And all that background noise makes it difficult to hear the folks at your table.
People with hearing loss often have problems masking out background noise. Good news. Today's hearing aids – even the entry-level variety – come with directional microphones and digital noise reduction.

Directional mice pick up sound in front of you, while reducing the cacophony of ambient noise surrounding you. That's filtered out and softened so, son of a gun; you can join in the conversation. And add that with digital noise reduction, which reduces the din of background noise to improve comfort, you will have yourself a refined listening experience.

While you're eating in a noisy restaurant! When was the last time you could do that? Healthy hearing is a quality of life issue. If you're missing out on conversations, if you don't hear the birds tweeting or your grandchild's laughter, you aren't living life to the fullest.

Fortunately, there are lots of hearing solutions. You just have to find the one that's right for your needs and preferences.

• You say 'What?' a lot.

More than a couple of times a day? Look, just because you didn't hear a co-worker doesn't mean you have a hearing loss. It could be something as simple as you weren't facing the speaker, so you ask her to repeat what she just said.
Conversely, if "what?" is the most commonly-used word in your vocabulary, you aren't getting the sound signals you need to process information. Guess what?
Time to call a hearing professional to see what's going on in there. And remember, the hearing aid manufacturers know what you want so you have loads of options to get you back in the hearing game, eh what?

• People don't speak clearly.

They mumble. Ummm, yeah, sure, that's what it is. Everyone in your life has turned into a mumbler, right? Of course not! If it sounds like you've got cotton in your ears, even when you don't, it isn't the mumblers. It's your hearing! You aren't picking up the full range of sound – from high notes to low – so it all sounds like mumbling to you.

Is that how you want to go through life? No really, is that how you want to live? See a hearing professional. And stop the mumbling – your mumbling that is.

• You misunderstand what people say.

"You want me to eat a frog?" "No, Fred, I said, 'See the fog'." Kind of makes you feel a little silly. Not good for the old self-esteem. How about this? Have trouble hearing your spouse from the other room? And he's only 10 feet away, but there's a wall between you?

Wasn't like that a few years back, was it? You heard him just fine.
Don't miss another word. A pair of hearing aids will do wonders for your "silly" status. You'll be your old self again, and that's good for everyone's self-esteem – especially your own. (And good for your marriage!)

• You have trouble hearing children and women.

Okay, you have hearing loss in the higher frequencies. Children and women speak at a higher "pitch," out of your hearing range. So, you have no trouble hearing the basso at the opera, but the soprano? Nothing but pops and clicks.
As previously discussed, hearing loss within a specific frequency is pretty common and with age you're more likely to experience hearing loss within the higher frequencies.

That's why it's harder to hear what your granddaughter is saying than your best friend with a big, booming, deep voice. Oh, that's also why you need a hearing evaluation – to determine precisely which frequencies have gone soft on you. With a tuned hearing aid boosting sound at specific frequencies, while your natural hearing handles the low notes, is going to bring life back to life.
Hear it all.

• You become annoyed at others because you can't understand what they say.

Man, talk about deflecting blame. Why are you annoyed at your wife when you can't hear her 10 feet away? She's just doing what she's always done, speaking at the same level as she has for years. So, why are you annoyed?
Well, try to remember, you're not annoyed at the speaker. You're really annoyed that you can't HEAR the speaker as well as you once did.

Hearing loss isn't just about the ears. Loss of hearing is associated with depression, anxiety, isolation and other "emotional disorders." So stop the blame game. You're the one who needs to get tested and fitted with a pair of hearing aids.

• Moving Forward with Hearing Loss

Now, as you go through the list, you might recognize one or two of the "symptoms" of hearing loss. Doesn't mean you're deaf. Or even going deaf. We all have trouble hearing at different times and under different conditions.
However, if you recognize more than a few of these symptoms, chances are you have some degree of hearing loss. Now, you can learn to live with it and experience less of what life has to offer, or you can pick up the phone and make an appointment for a hearing test.

You can call a hearing professional within easy driving distance from you, no matter where you live. These professionals do a complete work-up on the extent and nature of your hearing loss. Then, they make recommendations of various types of hearing loss solutions – from discrete to diamond encrusted hearing aids.
There are a lot of choices available to treat hearing loss. One of them is perfect for you.

But, nothing is going to get better until you do something about it. You're the boss of your ears. So, you can live with hearing loss and miss out on a lot of the good stuff, or you can have a hearing test, get fitted with a pair of tuned hearing aids and live your life to the fullest.

Nasal Congestion (Winter)

Nasal congestion is more bothersome in newborns, as they are actually nasal breathers from the early neonatal period to about 2 months of age or so. Here's how you can ease breathing problems due to blocked nasal passage.

Symptoms and Causes

Some typical symptoms to be on the lookout for include:

· Difficulty with feeding

· Crying or becoming agitated

· Nasal discharge

· Noisy nasal breathing

· Possibility of fever

· Greater comfort when sitting upright

· Snoring

· Snorting

· Sneezing

· Coughing

The causes for nasal congestion can vary. Viral infections such as cold are common among children, and infants are susceptible as well. Acid reflux is another cause. Sinusitis/adenoiditis is (secondary bacterial infection) is possible if the nasal discharge is discolored and has been present for more than two weeks straight. Allergies may be another culprit - especially if the child is over the age of 2.

How long congestion lasts depends on the cause. If it's a typical virus, the symptoms can last for three to seven days. However, because children are susceptible to viral infections, there may appear to be short intervals between sickness and wellness, as children may have as many as 10 to 12 viral/cold infections per year.

When should parents be concerned? If a newborn's breathing is labored with congestion, if it persists more than six weeks or if a baby under 3 months of age has fever associated with it.

Here are some practical tips on how to handle a young child's nasal congestion/secretions during a cold:

Make sure there is adequate humidity in the child's room.

1. Ensure that the child is drinking enough. The ill child will probably drink less per feed than usual, but will drink more frequently.

2. Try to help clear the secretions in the nose. Salt water drops are helpful but only if used properly. Put in the salt water drops, and a minute or two later use a nasal pump to help suck out and clear the secretions.

3. When sleeping prop the head of the bed up a little. This will keep the drainage from running back into the throat which will cause coughing and gagging.

4. If your child is not showing signs of dehydration or difficulty breathing, then it is unlikely that a trip to the doctor is going to result in anything other than picking up another illness, unnecessary and painful tests, or needless and potentially dangerous medications.

5. If despite these measures your child is having difficulty feeding or is having trouble breathing then a call to your doctor is warranted. It is also advised to call your doctor if the nasal congestion lasts longer than 7 days.

The important thing to remember is that most of the time, nasal congestion causes nothing more than a little aggravation for the baby as well as the parents. Make sure that the baby is not:

· Feverish

· Unable to sleep

· Having any respiratory distress (breathing fast with flaring of the nostrils or deep, rapid retractions of the chest muscles with breathing)

These are symptoms that require immediate attention by the physician.

Does one need medicines if the child has nasal congestion?

False, most kids with nasal congestion will either have a cold (virus) or allergies. A cold is when your child has a viral infection in the nose. The body quickly fights this infection off with its own defense system. The most important part of this defense is sending more blood to the nose, which causes swelling and congestion in the nose. This process is helpful and essential. Interfering with this protective process will just make it more difficult for your child to get well.