Month: December 2019

How Sleeping Properly Can Boost Your Immune System Naturally?

How Sleeping Properly Can Boost Your Immune System Naturally?

We all wish to remain as healthy and happy as much as we can. However, this is no easy feat. There is always too much going in our environments and in our daily lives that we don’t just get enough time for ourselves. This is 

4 Tips for Creating Your Best Morning Routine

4 Tips for Creating Your Best Morning Routine

A morning routine is supposed to prepare you what’s to come for the day ahead. When you don’t have the best morning routine or it gets messed up, then it’s hard to recover later. However, when you get it right, your stress levels are lowered 

Bulimia Nervosa and Social Media – a Dangerous Duo

Bulimia Nervosa and Social Media – a Dangerous Duo

Recently, the National Institute of Health’s National Library of Medicine published a study that established a relationship between the use of social media and the incidence eating disorders among young people in the USA. Studies performed by national psychiatric institutions indicate that up to 2.6 percent of the population will need treatment for bulimia nervosa or another eating disorder by the time they reach 20 years old. This research showed a relationship between eating disorders, self-image (a common contributing factor for eating disorders), and social media in a sample of about 1800 adults aged 19 to 25.

For this reason, modern bulimia nervosa treatment centers have begun to take social media into account. In cases where self-image is impaired and individuals compare themselves to the “beautiful people” they see on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, social media can be a strong triggering factor in the rise of bulimia nervosa and other eating disorders.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Bulimia Nervosa?

Although it’s relatively well-known, it’s important to outline the signs and symptoms of bulimia nervosa. In some situations, people might be confused about the difference between bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa. Some aspects of bulimia nervosa may be present in other eating disorders, such as binge eating episodes, which of course are found in binge eating disorder.

For an eating disorder to be classified as bulimia nervosa, the DSM-5 (the official listing of mental health disorders) requires certain criteria. The most prominent behavioral symptom is repeated and regular binge eating episodes, usually in secret, and often accompanied by feelings of guilt or shame about the caloric intake. This is coupled with a lack of control concerning being able to stop or control how much or what is being eaten.

Binge eating episodes are followed by purging. Purging methods, such as calorie restriction or fasting after a binge eating episode, self-induced vomiting (the classic behavior symptom), excessive exercise, or the misuse of diuretics, laxatives and other purging medicines, are used as a way to offset potential weight gain. These behaviors must both occur at least once a week for three months, on average.

Another symptom that relates to bulimia nervosa is a poor, negative, or distorted body image – thinking they are “fat” or “ugly.” As we’ll see, this directly relates to social media in many cases.

Other signs of bulimia nervosa can be the presence of compulsive dieting, an obsession with weight loss and the controlled intake of food. The signs of purging and binge eating episodes, like the smell of vomit or visiting the bathroom frequently right after eating, food wrappers or hidden food, or boxes of diuretics and/or laxatives – all these indicate a possible struggle with bulimia nervosa.

Bulimia Nervosa Treatment And Social Media

Social media’s impact on self-image and self-esteem is powerful and potentially destructive. While social media helps millions of people connect with friends and built communities, it can also be a source of harassment, social pressure, and bullying. On the whole, social media can be a positive influence, but at-risk people should be careful.

The flip side of the positives of social media are the ways it has been used to bully young people into doing and feeling like they aren’t living up to society’s expectations of them. In some ways, because the influencers and models they look up to are “real people,” social media can be even more dangerous than the traditional media.Promoting a focus on “thinness” can influence eating disorders because someone like an Instagram model can interact with the person they’re marketing to, unlike an actor in a movie.

Social media can influence the development of eating disorders, but it’s not the be all, end all of the situation. A proper diagnosis and early intervention are key in addressing body image issues and the symptoms of bulimia nervosa. It’s wise to secure a treatment plan from an accredited facility sooner rather than later. During this treatment, body image distortions, anxiety, depression or other co-occurring issues can also be addressed.

10 Questions You Should Ask an Anorexia Nervosa Treatment Center

10 Questions You Should Ask an Anorexia Nervosa Treatment Center

Choosing the right place to get anorexia nervosa treatment is one of the most important choices a person in need can make. Options can be overwhelming; anorexia is a complex disease that can require multifaceted and intense treatment. Because of the variety of symptoms and 

4 Essential Signs that Your Teen Might Have Anorexia Nervosa

4 Essential Signs that Your Teen Might Have Anorexia Nervosa

Privacy for your kids and being able to provide care for them is a tough balancing act -especially when a dangerous but often well-hidden disorder like anorexia nervosa is involved. At a time when children start to demand more personal privacy, there is also a 

Tips About Fermented Skincare and Their Benefits

Tips About Fermented Skincare and Their Benefits

Skincare is an integral part of keeping your skin looking healthy and radiant. While it’s true that food plays a massive role in the overall skin look, you still need to consider the products that you use on your face. There are a lot of skincare lines currently available in the market, but you have to be careful in selecting the components and ingredients of the ones you buy.

South Korea has developed the fermented skincare trend that eventually made its way to other continents and countries. This trend has turned into a must-have for upgraded skin routines because it utilizes natural ingredients that are processed to maximize its skincare benefits. As the current leader of skincare and beauty, South Korea has proven that its skin innovations and research are future-driven and beneficial for long-term use.

South Korean beauty brands like The Face Shop have jumped into the fermented skincare trend. The Face Shop is the parent company of a brand called Su:m37, which specializes in fermented and natural ingredients. To shop for skincare products from The Face Shop, click here.

Let’s talk about the fermentation process and its benefits for your skincare routine.

What is Fermentation Process in Skincare

The fermentation process is a procedure wherein the molecules of an ingredient, such as glucose, are anaerobically broken down. By removing oxygen from the equation, a component can be reduced into simpler particles that are easier to absorb into the body. Fermented products like yogurt, wine, and cheese are known for their health benefits when ingested.

Innovative beauty research has also shown that skincare products with fermented ingredients also increase the effectivity of serums and ampoules. Fermented essences can help your acids, vitamin C, and other products become more potent.

Fermented Skincare Benefits

The smaller molecule size makes fermented ingredients work better with your skin. You can combine it with any of the current products you’re using, significantly improving their quality. If you’re still having doubts about buying a skincare product with fermented ingredients, read on to know the advantage of using one.

Here are some of the known benefits of fermented skincare products:

1. Enhance the effects of sleeping creams

The fermented ingredients will help allow your sleeping cream to be absorbed into the skin better. The active cultured bacteria in fermented products are notorious for enhancing the therapeutic properties of the skin. In theory, the best time to use fermented products is when you’re about to go to bed.

2. Protects against skin aging

Aside from nourishment, fermented skincare products help protect against the natural aging of the skin. One of the most well-known causes of skin aging is the ultraviolet rays from the sun. The fermented ingredients can create a barrier wherein they will reduce the aging effects on the skin by allowing the anti-aging nutrients to be absorbed into the skin more efficiently.

3. Treatment for toddler and baby skin issues

You probably don’t know that a lot of the topically-applied baby products make use of fermented and probiotic ingredients. You can apply unsweetened and plain yogurt to your newborn’s diaper rash as a natural home remedy. These fermented products are known to help the following skin problems:

  • Baby acne
  • Ant and bug bites
  • Sores
  • Cradle cap
  • Rosacea
  • Heat rashes
  • Eczema
  • Other common skin issues

4. Aids against acne

Acne is perhaps one of the most common skin problems that happen at any age. There are several reasons why acne occurs, and it’s a good thing that fermented ingredients can help in preventing them. When ingested, the probiotic bacteria that you find in some fermented food products can attack bacteria like propionibacterium acnes and candida albicans, which can indirectly or directly cause acne.

When applied topically, a lot of fermented products contain lactic acid, which is another form of alpha hydroxy acid or AHA. This kind of acid is a common ingredient in skin peels and exfoliants that get rid of acne-causing bacteria on the skin’s surface and restore your face’s healthy glow.

Conclusion

Your skincare products should be personalized according to your own skin needs, and you don’t have to rely on what your friends use. Before investing in a fermented skincare product, you should check out its effects on your own skin by purchasing test sizes, or requesting for samples. The important thing is that you buy products that will enhance your skincare routine instead of hinder it.

The Best Ways To Find Optometrists Near You

The Best Ways To Find Optometrists Near You

When we are in trouble, we usually turn to someone we can ask for help. That way, we feel relief from the fact that there’s someone we can run to when we have problems or when we need help. Also, the mere fact that you 

Why So Many Mothers are Making the Switch to Organic Baby Products

Why So Many Mothers are Making the Switch to Organic Baby Products

Parenthood is filled with unforgettable memories and a lifetime of fun moments, but it also comes with lots of worries and tough choices. Should you breast or bottle feed, use a cloth or disposable diaper, feed them branded baby food or homemade foods? With so 

The Minor Health Concerns You Should Never Ignore

The Minor Health Concerns You Should Never Ignore

As an adult it often feels like you’re constantly getting ill- from minor aches and pains to full-blown flu, every day seems to bring a new health issue.

This leads many people to work through their ailments in a bid to prove their strength and avoid missing time out from work and social activities, but this can be dangerous. Here’s a list of some of the common minor illnesses that you should always treat to ensure that you enjoy good health throughout your life.

Unexplained Bruises

Everyone at some point finds bruising that they can’t exactly remember the cause of, but if this occurs regularly then you need to see a doctor and get it checked, as this could be a sign of a more serious issue. There are a variety of reasons why you could be getting bruises, and these could simply be a case of clumsiness or a propensity towards bruising easily, however they could also be a sign of something more serious, such as a more blood disorder.

Snoring

Snoring in your sleep might sound like a perfectly harmless issue, but it can cause sleep deprivation issues for your partner, or even be a sign of a more serious problem such as sleep apnoea. It’s important that you try to stop snoring or go to your doctor if the problem persists so that you can get rid of the issue and go back to enjoying restful, high-quality sleep every night. If this is an issue your struggling with, you can start by reading this guide by snorer.com which will help you to figure out which method you can use to stop snoring and whether it could be something like sleep apnoea instead.

Skin Rashes

Rashes and abrasions on your skin can be a sign of allergies or another skin condition. If the issue is small and minor, then you can try treating it with a cream or salve. You should also try to diagnose the problem if possible, be it by excluding items from your diet or beauty regime, or by trying to avoid a certain activity. If the rash spreads or starts to hurt, then consult your doctor so that they can give you a diagnosis and explain how you can treat the rash to get yourself looking and feeling better.

Blood In Your Faeces

There are many different reasons why you might have blood in your poo, but this could be a symptom of serious illness such as bowel cancer, so you need to get it checked as quickly as possible. If you notice that your faeces is very dark, streaked with blood, you see pink water in your toilet bowl or you find that there is blood on your toilet paper after you’ve wiped, then you need to go to your doctor to get it checked out.

Persistent Coughing

Coughs and colds are common, particularly if you live or work around children or in the healthcare industry, but if the cough persists then it could be a sign that your respiratory system is not operating to full capacity. When you initially get a cough, you should treat it yourself using over the counter medicines such as cough sweets and syrups. If your cough lasts for three weeks or more then you should go to the doctor and have them check that it’s not something more serious.

Migraines

Serious headaches where your entire body is incapacitated are known as migraines, and these can have serious implications for your health and quality of life. Occasional migraines could simply be a sign of stress, but if you get migraines regularly then you need to discuss this with your healthcare professional. They might be able to recommend a remedy that will help you or do some tests to find out if the problem is dangerous and needs urgent attention. If the problem is a headache that develops into something worse, and it often occurs after doing a certain activity, like reading or using a computer, then visit your optician to see if the issue is your eyesight. Problems with your eyesight can be dealt with using glasses, contact lenses or even corrective surgery.

Bleeding Gums

Bleeding gums are often a sign that your gums are receding, an issue that could lead to tooth loss. It could also be a symptom of other serious mouth maladies, so it’s important that if you notice blood when you eat, while brushing your teeth or when rinsing your mouth, that you make an appointment with your dentist to have it checked out.

Toothache

Another dental problem that you should never ignore is a pain in your teeth, known as a toothache. There is a range of reasons for getting toothache, including tooth decay, impacted teeth or cracks, as well as non-dental reasons such as sinus infections. When you first get tooth pain you should visit your dentist and find out the cause. Some issues, such as sensitivity, can be treated at home using medicines you can buy from your pharmacy, whilst other problems will require specialist dental treatment. It’s important that you find out what the cause of the pain is before you try to treat it yourself so that you don’t make the issue worse.

Vomiting

Being sick is often a sign that your body has ingested something that it doesn’t like, or that it has an infection that it is trying to dispel, but if the problem persists and there appear to be no other symptoms then visit your healthcare professional. For cases of vomiting where you know the cause, it’s important that you keep yourself hydrated until the illness subsides, so try to drink plenty of water, even if you don’t want to. Once you start to feel better, wean yourself back onto food slowly using plain dishes like lightly buttered toast or soup.

Irregular Periods

For women, periods can often be irregular and change each month, but if your periods repeatedly change or stop entirely then you should go to the doctor. Often, missed periods or persistent irregularity in your cycle are the sign of another health problem, like an issue with your digestive system or something serious, so if the problem carries on and you don’t have any other health issues or stress then go to the doctor to see if there’s another cause.

Muscle Cramps

Often caused by mistakes during exercise, heat or spending too much time in a certain position, muscle cramps are one of the easiest issues to treat yourself. Massages, ice packs and even changes to your diet can all help you to reduce your muscle cramps. If the problem persists, causes serious discomfort or doesn’t improve over time, then it could be an issue with your blood supply or nerve compression, so go to the doctor to get a diagnosis and learn about a way to alleviate the pain.

It’s important that you take the time to explore your minor illnesses and treat them as best you can so that they don’t become more serious concerns that will lead to permanent issues. If the problems occur in children, then you should immediately take them to your doctor to have the problem checked. For adults, self-treatment is advised in most cases, but what is more important is that as soon as you spot a problem, you take steps to treat it and keep a watch on it for signs of improvement or worsening. Being proactive with your health will ensure that you enjoy good health for years to come and are able to live the life you want.

How to Keep Your Children Healthy

How to Keep Your Children Healthy

Parents are responsible for providing a safe and loving environment for their children as they grow and develop. This environment usually encompasses behavior and belief development for the children as they seek to lay a strong foundation for a bright and fulfilling adulthood. This entails