Onychomycosis - What You Need To Know About Nail Fungal Infection

Nail fungus is known by physicians as Onychomycosis which is also known as "Ringworm of the nail". Nail fungus is a fungal infection of the nails or toenails where the actual infection is on the bed of the nail and of the plate under the surface of the nail. This is the most common of all the nail abnormalities. This affects about half of Americans when they reach the age of 70. 90% of the elderly may be affected by this type of infection and men are more commonly affected than women.

Causes:

The infection is caused by three types of fungi:

• Dermatophytes
• Yeasts
• Nondermatophyte Molds

Fungi are parasitic plant organisms that do not need sunlight in order to grow. This fungus may be picked up in damp areas like public gyms, shower stalls, locker rooms or swimming pools. This kind of infection can be passed on among family members. The condition can also spread from one toe to another or even to other parts of the body.

Symptoms:

• Swelling of the nail
• Yellow to Yellowish brown nail
• Thickening or crumbling of the nail
• Foul smelling debris may occur
• Streaks down the side of the nail
• Complete loss of the nail can happen

Risk Factors:

• Diabetes Mellitus
• Aging is the most common factor
• Psoriasis
• Perspiring heavily
• Moist environment
• Wearing socks and shoes that hinder ventilation
• Long-term steroid use
• A weakened immune system due to cancer, AIDS, or immunosuppressant medications following an organ or bone marrow transplant
• Vascular disease
• Barefoot in damp public places
• Having Athlete's Foot
• Minor skin or nail injury
• Circulation problems
• Damaged nail

Treatment:

• Oral medication - Systematic antifungal medications:

1. Clotrimazole
2. Itrafconazole
3. Terbinafine
4. Fluconazole

This medication when taken orally for 12 weeks can bring better cure rates. Patients who are taking oral antifungal medications should have a complete blood count (CBC) and liver enzyme workup every 4-6 weeks. One side effect upon taking this medication is an upset stomach. Treatment should be continued until microscopic exam or culture shows the fungal infection is gone.

• Topical medication - This is just for controlling the infection not completely curing it. Lotrimin cream should be thoroughly rubbed into the nail daily to control the infection. This medication is available over the counter.
• Antifungal Lacquer - This is prescribed for those with less severe cases. Penlac (ciclopirox) is an anti-fungal nail polish would be prescribed.
• Surgery - In very severe cases, surgery to remove the complete nail will be performed by the doctor.
• Photodynamic Therapy - This treatment is known to be effective. This is a laser treatment which uses intense heat generated by light to get rid of the nail after acid-treatment.

Prevention:

• Wash your feet regularly and dry them thoroughly when they get wet.
• Avoid putting on nail polish as it can seal in fungus and allows it to grow.
• Keep toenails trimmed and clean.
• Make sure to disinfect pedicure tools before using it.
• Wearing shower shoes whenever walking or showering in public places.
• Wear appropriate socks.
• Wear rubber gloves.

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How to Tape Your Foot for Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is a condition that affects the ligaments by causing microscopic tears and causes a lot of pain. In the last couple of years, the number of people suffering from this condition has risen and this is due to the fact that they don't know how to control the same. Yet, all it takes is wearing a good pair of shoes throughout the day. There are plantar fasciitis shoes which are designed to address this problem through provision of ideal support. While this is the case, it is essential to get a clear understand of what this kind of footwear has to offer and how you can choose the best.

What the Footwear Offers?

Before you go out and buy shoes, it is essential to look at some of the benefits they have to offer. Top on the list, these are designed to fit well and what this means is that they will address any complications that are caused by ill fitting footwear. They also have excellent heel and forefoot cushioning as well as arch support that is padded for increased benefits. What is more, these come with structural assistance which is perfect for providing support to the mid foot and arch. For the purpose of ensuring you get the most out of this footwear there are a couple of things you need to consider as well and some of these are as highlighted below.

• Should Fit Well

Ideally, wearing ill fitting shoes is known to aggravate this condition and as such, when making your pick, it is important to ensure you settle with options that fit well. Consider shopping in the evening since the feet tend to swell in the course of the day and as such, shopping early in the morning can only inconvenience you. It is better to end up with sandals that are slightly bigger than the opposite.

• Features to look for

When shopping for stylish footwear there are a couple of features you need to be on the lookout for. Be on the lookout for footwear that offers great padding for the front of the feet and the heel bone. It is ideal to note that comfort should be on top of your list and for this reason you should not experience any pressure on the feet. The footwear you select should also have a toe region that is bigger in order to avoid problems associated with bunions and other types of toe conditions. At the same time, you should ensure they have been designed with proper treatment needed to address this problem.

• Design

When shopping you should note that some have a distinct design which helps apply appropriate pressure to the fascia and as such, reduce inflammation. For this reason, it is crucial for you to take into consideration the design of the shoes before you make your final decision on whether to make the purchase.

By choosing the right pair of sandals you can effectively address problems that are brought about by this condition. However, it is essential for you to take time to carry out thorough research before you decide on the type of plantar fasciitis to buy.

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Information Vs Transformation

Recently I spent a weekend listening to a live-stream of a health and wellness conference. Every speaker was inspiring and motivating. Some were nationally recognized personalities, such as Dr. Andrew Weil and actress, Alicia Silverstone. Some were graduates of the school who are doing fantastic work to change the lives of many for the better.

One of my favorite speakers was Michael Ellsberg, IIN graduate and author. His story was captivating. Only 6 years ago this young man was at the point of considering ending his life. At age 30 he had been diagnosed with multiple personality disorders, and dealt with many physical ailments as well. He had been prescribed many different drugs and given no hope of recovery.

There was one doctor who recommended he give up alcohol and caffeine, but Michael wasn't ready and and figured he'd rather be dead than live a boring lifestyle.

When he did his own research on line, he discovered that there was a strong correlation between mood disorders and glucose intolerance. He actually asked his psychiatrist about it and was told in no uncertain terms that there was no connection between diet and mood disorders.

Broke and discouraged about his flailing writing career, Michael moved to Buenos Aires and began to live like the locals. The espresso, the pastries and gelato were abundant and the Argentinian Malbec was cheap and flowed freely.

As things became worse he contemplated suicide. Finally he decided that a 1 year commitment to diet and lifestyle change was preferable to jumping from his 4th story apartment window.

After a tough 2 weeks without sugar, caffeine and alcohol, Michael felt better than he had felt in his entire life. His drastic mood swings subsided and as time went on his condition continued to improve.

There is much more to the story, but the point Mr. Ellsberg drove home was that lack of information was not his problem. It was lack of transformation.

Information is all around us. We can research almost anything quickly and easily with a few clicks of a mouse. Like Michael, we can go into our doctor's office armed with a significant amount of information about our conditions.

So what keeps us where we are? Why do smokers keep smoking when it is common knowledge that cigarettes kill? Why do people keep ice cream and cookies in their house and expect that they can somehow produce enough willpower to leave them alone? Why do so many parents give their children foods that are colored and preserved and sweetened and rely on a pill to help them with behaviors?

The answer is not lack of information. The answer, as in Michael Ellsberg's case, is lack of transformation. So what does it take to transform?

Sometimes we have to enlist help to transform. Sometimes it takes support and accountability. Sometimes it takes a painful wake-up call. Many times the story of someone else's transformation inspires us to do the same.

Many of the speakers at this weekend's conference had stories that resonated with me personally. I found myself tweaking some of my behaviors today, not because I learned something brand new, but because someone's story touched me.

As I listened to some of the lectures, I thought about people I know who really need the information I was hearing. I thought about calling them or emailing them and telling them to check out a website or read an article. However, I know that unsolicited advice is annoying at best and resented at worst, so I'll wait for the opportunity rather than risk turning someone off.

Whatever it takes, it is up to each of us to seek out that which propels us from information to transformation. And in the case of those who want desperately to help others, it's our stories, not our advice or display of knowledge, that will ultimately lead to lasting change and transformation.

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Ways To Increase Your Chances Of Getting Pregnant

There are many ways to increase your chances of getting pregnant.

Sometimes, how to get pregnant naturally is not as easy as it sounds. For some, conception is a life time endeavour. You go through the pain and anguish of trying everything the doctors tell you to do and still fail to get pregnant. It adds to the frustration every time you take a pregnancy test and it comes up negative. However, there is light at the end of the tunnel!

If you have tried the medical approach, but have not yet conceived, then maybe it is time for a re-think, maybe a more natural solution to the problem.

The holistic approach is not the same as a physicians or the medical industry's way of working things out. It's a combination of the mind, body, and spirit working together to help you conceive. It is not all "mumbo-jumbo" either, but centuries old practices and methods that many doctors themselves give credit to.

Most holistic practitioners believe the reason you have yet to conceive is because your body is not healthy enough to carry a baby. There may be reasons why you can't conceive due to your body type. It's a complicated process that may be as simple as a drink you're consuming or a very complex problem that needs herbs, tea, and other formulas to bring your body back to health.

Every person's body is different.

The reproduction organs are very complex, even modern medical science has not figure them out completely yet! There are many herbs that deal with the health and treatment of the reproductive organs, and some are listed below. Alternatively, they might simply need to be toned, which is tightening up the muscles in the surrounding area, so exercise could be your answer.

Or maybe your stress level is too high. Trying to get pregnant month after month and failing will certainly cause your stress level to raise more so than it was before you started trying to get pregnant.

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy has been used for many generations to calm, lift and de-stress the body. After trying so hard to conceive, you may need to relax and de-stress and stop worrying about getting pregnant and enjoy the moment. The following herbs will help you relax and calm the spirit and mind as well as the body.

Rose oil: A gentle massage with rose oil mixed with carrier oil will increase sperm count and quality. It also acts as an aphrodisiac when a few drops are added to a bath. Use sweet almond oil as the carrier oil, so you don't over power the rose scent.

Tea tree and lavender oil: Tea tree and lavender oil are anti-inflammatory and anti-infective if you are suffering from a pelvic infection or inflammation. Tea tree oil is anti-infection, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and anti-viral in properties. Lavender's properties are calming, soothing and anti-depressant. Lavender also balances the emotions. It can dispel tension, insomnia, headaches, stress and hypertension with its soothing properties.

Geranium and Melissa: You can add a few drops of geranium or Melissa (lemon balm) in a bath or add to carrier oil and massage on the abdomen on a regular basis. Melissa has been used since the 17th century as a calming and regulating effect on the menstrual cycle. Since the Melissa oil is very expensive, it's best to use fresh or dried herb and add it to the bath or make a tea and rub it on the abdomen daily. Lemon balm calms the nerves, anxiety and uplifts the spirit as it works on the emotions by dispelling sadness and loss. You can also take it as a tincture.

These and many more herbs have wonderful properties that your body will respond to, even if you don't want it to. Becoming pregnant is not impossible and it may be you just need to relax more and not worry about the whys and wherefores of conception, but just enjoy each other and let nature take its course!

Good Luck!

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The Benefits of Exercise For Hormonal Health, Immune System and Joint Related Issues

We all know that exercise is important; there are many benefits of exercise like - cardiovascular health and overall stress management. But exercise is more than maintaining cardiovascular health. Studies on exercise have indicated that engaging in moderate exercise, meaning a brisk walk, 3x a week for 20 minute intervals, is beneficial for supporting hormonal balance, immune system function, cognitive ability and breathing disorders in addition to the many benefits seen for cardiovascular health. In fact, if one looked at the studies surrounding exercise, it becomes apparent that exercise may be the best preventative strategy for living a long and healthy life. Let's take a look at what a moderate exercise program can do for the human body.

Hormonal Health
Moderate 30 minute exercise programs have been shown to improve hot flashes and night sweats as well as elevate mood, decrease irritability, decrease headaches and improve sleeping patterns in menopausal women for a 24 hour time period following the exercise bout. Exercise programs have also been shown to improve stress levels and increase coping ability and these benefits seem to extend to tai chi and yoga based exercise programs and not only cardiovascular or strength based programs. Exercise also shows benefit in maintaining bone density and decreasing fracture rate for this group of women and promotes healthy cholesterol profiles, body composition and blood pressure management for those going through the menopausal process.

Immune System Function
Exercise is highly beneficial for immune system health and moderate exercise has been shown to stimulate immune cell production, elevate temperature to assist in the removal of bacterial agents, increase excretion of carcinogens and encourage early detection of viral infections. Exercise also modulates the stress response and controls inflammation in immune based episodes and appears to decrease both the duration as well as the severity of influenza (Flu) infections. Exercise also appears to decrease the prevalence of infections for those participating in moderate exercise and increases antibody response in response to vaccinations.

Memory and Cognitive Function
While there is a lack of research in this area, studies do indicate that moderate exercise programs reduce the risk of dementia for some individuals and that individuals with the lowest levels of exercise participation may be twice as likely to develop dementia conditions compared to those with higher levels of exercise participation. Research also indicates that exercise, in conjunction with a healthy diet, moderate alcohol intake and smoking cessation, may provide the greatest protection against the development of dementia.

COPD and Breathing Disorders
Research indicates that individuals with asthma can exercise safely providing that they are properly medicated, avoid triggers for allergic attacks and follow proper exercise protocols. For individuals with exercise-induced asthma, providing that proper prophylactic treatment protocols (ie. preventative asthma medications) are followed, these people should be able to engage in exercise programs safely. The benefits of exercise in COPD patients include increased physical capacity, decreased anxiety, greater independence in daily activities, and reduced fatigue. In studies on COPD and exercise it was found that exercise is an important component in pulmonary rehabilitation and that light to moderate physical activity is beneficial for improving the quality of life. Research also showed that COPD patients who engage in a progressive exercise program increased functional capacity from 0-80% after only 6 weeks of training.

And of course, the benefits of exercise for Cardiovascular Disease
Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death for women despite the emphasis put on the prevention of osteoporosis and breast cancer. Cardiovascular disease is the broad name given to disorders that affect the heart and circulatory system as a whole and includes angina, heart attack, high blood pressure, arterial blockages, congestive heart failure, stroke and peripheral vascular disease. Studies indicate that women are twice as likely to die within a year of a heart attack and twice as likely to die from coronary intervention methods such as grafts and angioplasty. The research indicates that exercise programs are safe and effective for increasing strength and endurance in individuals with cardiovascular disease and while cardiovascular disease is still thought of a condition that affects mostly men, more women die each year of coronary heart disease than from any other condition. For those individuals with cardiovascular disease, exercise programs encourage cardiac muscle tone and increase the hearts ability to utilize oxygen which decreases fatigue when doing normal activity. Other benefits of exercise for this group of individuals include the following:

• decreases body weight and fat percentage
• decreases blood lipid levels like triglycerides and LDL cholesterol levels while increasing HDL cholesterol levels
• Improves insulin resistance
• Improves blood clotting ability
• Improves blood pressure control

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