Stretching Exercises

What's the first thing you do when you get up in the morning? You stretch. This feels good and it's important to engage in regular stretching exercises in order to maintain a flexible and healthy body.
Some benefits to stretching include:
- Reduced muscle tension
- Greater range of joint movement
- Increased blood flow to parts of the body
- This increased blood flow adds to a greater amount of energy
First we need to define the two main kinds of stretching: These are static and dynamic. Most likely static comes to mind when you think about stretching. This is when you stretch a muscle and hold that position for a few seconds.
Dynamic on the other hand stretch your muscles with the use of movement. For example when your warming up before an exercise or physical activity and your swinging your arms back and forth across your chest you are performing dynamic stretches. Basically you are taking your arms and legs and using movement to make them reach their full range of motion.
Other stretching exercises include:
- Passive: This is similar to static except that a partner applies the stretch to the muscle.
- Ballistic: Ballistic stretching is similar to dynamic. With ballistic stretching your forcing your body part to go beyond its normal range of motion by making it bounce to a full stretch. This stretching exercise can be dangerous because it may lead to injury. Because of this only a conditioned athlete should perform ballistic stretches.
- Active Isolated: Active Isolated is when you attain a position and hold it using only the strength of your muscles. For example holding your leg up high and staying in that position for 10 seconds. The idea behind these stretching exercises is that one muscle contracts in order for you to hold the position while the other muscle relaxes.
- Isometric: When performing an isometric stretch you extend a muscle, then you begin to resist the stretch. Isometric is great with partners. For example your partner holds your leg up while you try to force your leg back down in the opposite direction.
Stretching is important for people of all ages and fitness levels. Stretching increases a joints range of motion which means your joints can move further before they are over extended and an injury occurs.
Working stretching exercises into your workout routine is a great way to increase flexibility, joint movement, and blood flow. Stretching will also help you feel better and in turn give you more energy to do the things you love. Remember, it's important for you to warm up and do light exercises before you perform stretches. Stretching cold muscles can cause injury which can delay your workouts for weeks.

Think Twice Before You Ask Your Doctor To Prescribe Antibiotics

Studies by health experts and reputed doctors have revealed that antibiotics cause more harm than good. By this, it does not mean that antibiotics do not do any good at all. They are good only if you take them when you are sick enough to need them. Of course, if you have undergone a surgery, you need antibiotics so as to ensure that no infection develops at the operated spot. Similarly, you need to take them when you have severe infections such as pneumonia or Pharyngitis due to Strep Throat. If you have common colds with cough, sneezing, etc., antibiotics are not necessary at all.
The problem is that there are many bacteria that are antibiotic-resistant also. They may survive the antibiotics you take and since they are quite strong, they may multiply more quickly than you expect.
It is true that the common cold you may be suffering from is viral. But common cold is not bacteria. So, you can not treat it with antibiotics. Further, antibiotics are capable of killing all types of bacteria in your body and this means that they will kill both the bad bacteria and the good bacteria. The gut in your system is full of good bacteria and only with their help, you are able to get your food digested. The number of such good bacteria in your body is more than the number of cells in your body. These good bacteria that are otherwise known as "intestinal flora" bestow immense health benefits on you. If you study about them, you will come to know these intestinal flora can ferment the energy substrates that remain unused, they can train body's immune system, can keep the growth of species that are harmful at bay, can regulate the gut's development, produce vitamins like Biotin, Vitamin K, etc. and also the required hormones that direct the body in the process of proper storage of fats.
By taking antibiotics when not needed, you will be killing these good bacteria. Instead, you should ask your doctor the ways to supply your body with probiotics. The best source of probiotics are fermented foods. Even fermented vegetables are good for improving the amount of good bacteria in your gut.
Simply put, you should take antibiotics only if you suffer from life-threatening illnesses or if you have undergone a surgery. You should never forget the fact that antibiotics are not capable of killing viruses. If you eat the right types of foods including fermented foods and do your exercises regularly, you may not fall sick at all and so, you may never think of taking antibiotics. Of course, your fermented foods will keep supplying your body with probiotics that may help you to have a good amount of good bacteria in your gut.

Pregnancy Week 8 Development

Being pregnant is probably one of the most exciting stages in a woman's life. As time progresses by, you are becoming aware of the changes which are happening inside and outside of your body.

What Happens In the Uterus

Your baby has improved a lot since conception. In fact, his size increases by around a millimetre everyday. He's about the size of a kidney bean now and he moves a lot but you can barely feel it. His legs, lips, nose and eyelids continue to take its forms as well.

By this time, your baby's webbed toes and fingers are now poking out from his feet and hands. His tail is almost gone and his nerve cells now begin to connect with each other. His genital is not yet full developed at this point in time. The heart has already divided into four chambers and it is beating around an impressive rate of 150 beats per minute. The elbows are now present and the legs and arms have become longer.

What Happens To Your Body

At this point in time, your doctor may have commented that your uterus is pretty larger than normal. Before your pregnancy, it takes the size of your fist but today, it can be as large as a grapefruit. Morning sickness should be well expected this time. But there's nothing to worry about. Morning sickness is a good indication that your pregnancy is going along well.

Aside from the usual morning sickness, some pregnant women may complain about the pain sensation or cramping in the lower abdomen. There are others who can feel the contractions or tightening of uterus. This shouldn't alarm you since it caused by the growing size of the uterus.

By this time, you might be in need for a larger bra to support your growing breasts. Your waistline is expanding as well. The most common pregnancy symptoms which you are more likely to experience this week include fatigue, vomiting, nausea, flatulence, food cravings and food aversions.

You might also have occasional headaches, increased smell sensitivity, bloating, constipation, and occasional dizziness or faintness. There is an increased vaginal discharge due to the surge of oestrogen which introduced leucorrhoea. It is a thin and milky vaginal discharge which helps in protecting the vaginal canal against infections by maintaining a healthy and balance of good bacteria.

A Healthy Lifestyle for Pregnant Women

Avoiding alcohol and quitting cigarette smoking are essential components of a healthy lifestyle for pregnant women. When paired with adequate amount of sleep, appropriate exercise and healthy diet, it would surely bring highly satisfactory results to the health of the mother as well as the baby.

A diet for pregnant women should contain healthy foods which are primarily composed of fruits and vegetables. Eating these fresh farm produce are beneficial to the body as they contain high levels of substances and chemicals that play vital roles in optimizing the health and development of the foetus inside the uterus. Mango is one of the best fruits to take during pregnancy.

Go For Mango!

Just like most tropical fruits, mangoes are lucky to contain loads of nutritional benefits for the human body. Aside from its Vitamin C content, mangoes contain pectin and other B Vitamins which are beneficial in addressing certain health issues including indigestion and constipation. It also helps in cleansing the intestines and clearing off indigestion.

It's Vitamins E and A content help in enhancing hormonal system. Aside from its ability to ward off scurvy, mangoes are fortified with antioxidants and phenolic compounds which are known to have anti-cancer properties. Mangoes, through its mangiferin content, are known to contain anti-inflammatory, chloretic, cardiotonic, diuretic and antibacterial effects to the body.

Mangoes are also rich in potassium, copper, magnesium, beta-carotene, astragalin, quercetin, riboflavin, niacin, panthothenic acid, thiamine, folate, Vitamin K, selenium and calcium, and each has its own profound benefits to the body.

The fruit contains Vitamin A which is beneficial in preventing the development of Xerophthalmia and measles. Since the fruit is rich in fibre, pregnant women are less likely to suffer from constipation, spastic colon, piles, cancer, heart ailments and some degenerative diseases.

Mangoes And Its Benefits to Pregnant Women

Worried about morning sickness? Mangoes can be a great solution to your problem. These fruits are said to be an excellent remedy for debilitating morning sickness. It actually helps in addressing nausea in pregnant women. Its iron content also helps women during pregnancy. At this crucial stage, a woman's iron requirement is very essential, thus mango helps in preventing the onset of anaemia.

Mangoes are fortified with Vitamin A which performs an essential role in the development of the foetus and the placenta. It actually exerts a great influence on the growth of the mucus membranes, retina and teeth as well as skin metabolism.

Training for Medical Emergencies Is Important

There are numerous reasons why people prepare for medical emergencies. Many men and women today do not believe that we live in safe, prosperous times. They want to make sure that they can take care of themselves and their loved ones. These individuals realize that there might come a day where they may no longer be able to afford a doctor, or medical help is simply not available. Others take training classes because someone close to them has been diagnosed with a life-threatening disease. They want to help during crisis situations. Keen hunters and campers should also practice medical preparedness in case someone in their party gets hurt during an outing or trip.
Taking CPR and first aid courses is a great start. Once you are familiar with the basics, you can move on to more in-depth training. At least one person per household should have certification. Is this necessary? Absolutely! People are vulnerable creatures. Even if everyone you know is vibrant and healthy, the reality is that you never know when disaster may strike. The list of reasons why you need medical training is extensive. Your expertise may be actively required in situations, such as:
• Criminal invasions
• Terrorist attacks
• Traffic accidents
• Earthquakes, and other natural disasters
• Extreme weather conditions, like hurricanes and tornadoes
• Work accidents
• Train derailments
• Airplane crashes
• War
Just listen to the tragedies mentioned on the news every day. It will soon become clear that everyone should acquire medical skills, know how to use a personal trauma kit, and take self-defense classes. Learn how to recognize and treat various injuries. In critical situations, you do not have the luxury of time. Your friend could bleed out from his wounds before the EMT arrives. Prevent this from happening by taking classes and having the necessary equipment at hand, such as a medical emergency kit or a D.A.R.K. (Direct Action Response Kit). Be prepared for the unexpected by buying essential tools. Know how to use them in a myriad of situations and stresses. You need supplies in your medical pouch, like quality gloves, Israeli bandages and battle dressings, pressure wraps, QuikClot gauze, and trauma shears.
The secret to preparing for medical emergencies is knowledge and training. Many organizations in your area offer courses. Some programs are completed in a few hours, while others take up an entire weekend. Prices vary. Learn as much as you can, and re-take those classes every few years. Techniques change and evolve. New and improved medical supplies continue to hit the market. Practice as much as you can. It will give you confidence, and helps you to remain calm when your know-how and skills are required to save someone's life.