Healthy Living Digest

If you suffer from allergies, you can still enjoy the company of a canine best friend. You just need to choose your breed carefully.

In most cases, your allergies are to dog hair, saliva or the flakes and scurf that is constantly being shed from their skin. This means that you will react less to a dog that doesn’t have much hair or has a single rather than a double coat. When you are choosing a breed, take into account lifestyle factors such as how much yard space you have, how active you are and how much you can spend on food and other dog expenses. Here are some breeds that you may want to consider.

Hairless Dogs

Dogs such as the Mexican Hairless Dog and the Chinese Crested Dog don’t have a lot of hair, so are ideal for allergy sufferers. However, they look quite unusual and they may not be what you had in mind for your dog.

Poodles

This breed is considered to be low allergy, and they come in three sizes. This means that you can find a poodle in a size that suits you. The miniature, toy and standard Poodles are very intelligent so you will need to keep their mind active. Otherwise they’ll make their own entertainment! They do need regular hair trims to keep them neat and tidy, and to reduce the allergens that are shed from their skin and coat.

Maltese

If you prefer a smaller, prettier dog, then the Maltese may be a suitable breed for you. It has a long coat that does need regular grooming, but they don’t shed much.

Puli

Now this is an unusual looking breed. These dogs have dreadlocks all over their body which are very easy to look after.  Because their hair becomes matted in these dreadlocks, they tend not to shed too much.

Labradoodle

This breed is a cross between the Labrador and the Poodle, and was originally created to be an assistance dog for blind people with allergies. It is still a good choice for allergy sufferers, especially those who enjoy an active outdoors lifestyle.

Terriers

A number of the terrier breeds are considered low allergy, including the Irish Terrier, Fox Terrier and Yorkshire Terrier. These smaller breeds are intelligent and active, but still don’t take up a lot of space or cost much to feed.

No matter what breed you choose, there is still the chance it will make you sneeze and itch.  It’s a good idea to visit some dogs before you make your choice, just to see whether or not they cause problems for you.

To reduce likelihood of an allergic reaction when you bring your dog home, bathe him frequently to remove loose hair and dander, and vacuum your home at least daily. There are also medications you can take to reduce the symptoms of allergies. This is a lot of work, but there are many benefits of owning a dog that make it all worthwhile.

Dr. Susan Wright, DMV is an expert on dog containment systems with DogFenceDIY.com. Susan has been providing care for pets as a practicing veterinarian for over 10 years. As an authority on domestic pet care, Susan enjoys writing articles that help people provide the best care for their pets.

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Mental peace is important to live a healthy life, which lacks in today’s man. Yes, we all are driven towards life that hardly gives us space to live our own way. Hectic work schedules have always posed a barrier in lives of many who yearn for a better life yet are unable to obtain mental peace. Breathing meditation has arrived as one of the major meditation techniques in use. With this unique and most simple meditative form, one can aim to reach his inner self. The technique is extremely peaceful, helping develop a connection with the soul. Breathing techniques are primarily focused when one tries to access the well-being of his soul.

Starting to Meditate with Breathing Therapy.
Meditation requires the perfect atmosphere facilitating a feel free breathing process. Barring distractions from your mind is the preliminary stage of attaining mental peace. Free your mind by eliminating disruptions. Make it more lucid and transparent. The process begins as you start breathing easily, taking in the goodness and breathing out elements that have been polluting your mind. Remember, a healthy mind is the key to physical wellbeing.

It is best if you choose a serene surrounding where your mind won’t be perturbed by external factors. Practicing breathing meditation demands you to sit comfortably with your legs crossed. The cross-legged position is most preferred in this case. However, the process involves pursuing a straight posture where the back won’t be bent. A straight back prevents your brain or the mind from being sluggish. After setting your body to a perfect position you have to partially close your eyes and keep focus on your breathing. Breathing meditation only requires you to breathe normally and naturally. Your nostrils are the pathways from where you take in pure breath. Do not attempt to take control over your breath. Allow yourself to perceive the breath as you take it in and leave it out through your nostrils. Experts opining on this therapy specially mention the fact that an individual undergoing breathing meditation should perceive the breathing sensation which helps him to meditate and gain confidence over oneself.

Those who underwent this meditative process found out that their minds get busier as they try to concentrate. On the contrary this only leads you to think deeper and be aware of the busy state of mind. An urge to know other aspects of the mind should be stopped at once, and it is important that you keep your attention focused on the breathing sensation. Let the wandering mind settle to feel the sensation of breathing, continuing to focus on the later. Breathing therapy is one amongst the efficient meditation techniques helping man to better his mind and thoughts.

By: Kylant

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After nearly becoming extinct, reports of bed bugs have been on the rise in the last few years. Their resilience to pesticides and the ease with which humans can travel large distances have helped lead to their resurgence. If they are found inside a residence, owners will want to get rid of them as quickly and efficiently as possible. While chemicals are always an option, the health and safety of the family must also be considered. Before relying on pesticides to eliminate the problem, there are several non-toxic methods to use to prevent bed bugs from entering a home, and to kill them if they do.
Preventative measures
The best “green” method of eliminating bed bugs is to make sure they don’t infest a home at all. While it’s true the pests can be found even in very clean homes, there are some steps to take to discourage them.
*Clutter – Messy piles strewn throughout a home provide excellent places for bed bugs to hide and reproduce. Vacuum and clean on a regular basis.
*Change the sheets – Bed bugs will hide in the smallest of places, including the seams of bed linen, so be sure to wash and dry them often, or at the very least inspect them on a weekly basis.
*Cracks – Seal any cracks around the house using caulk.
*Used furniture – Check any upholstered furniture bought second hand for signs of bed bugs, especially rust-brown stains.
Extermination
Despite the best intentions to keep them out, there’s still a possibility bed bugs will find their way into a residence. If an infestation occurs, exterminating all of them is the only way to completely solve the problem.
*Heat – Bed bugs can be killed by high heat. Use a steamer on the mattress and on walls around framed pictures and artwork. Also be sure to use it on the baseboards and in any cracks along the walls.
*Vacuum – Use a vacuum to suck them up when they are seen. After vacuuming, immediately remove the bag or container, empty the contents into a plastic bag and tie it and throw it away in a covered, outdoor garbage receptacle.
*DE – Also known as bed bug powder, diatomaceous earth can be bought online and appears to the human touch to be a soft powder. On the microscopic level it has very sharp edges that can pierce the soft, waxy shells of bed bugs and cause them to become dehydrated. There are reports that it can be harmful if it gets into human lungs, so be sure to follow directions carefully when using it.
The best way to deal with bed bugs is to take the necessary precautions to avoid getting an infestation in the first place. If an infestation does occur, there are options available for killing the pests besides using dangerous chemicals. It might require repeated treatments and take a little longer, but can be safer for the health of the family.
Karen Barnes writes for a website that has advice on bed bug steaming and other non-toxic ways for exterminating these nasty pests.

By: Karen Barnesxtinct

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The history of drinking green tea goes back thousands of years, and science is finally catching up with reasons why green teas like Matcha have been so popular.

1. Rheumatoid Arthritis—EGCG, found in green tea, has been shown to prevent the destruction of cartilage, as well as reduce pain and swelling of the joints. This can make it a potent arthritis remedy.

2. Lose Weight—Some studies have shown green tea can be just as effective as prescription drugs when it comes to fighting obesity. It tends to be more effective when drunk habitually, as opposed to in large amounts sporadically.

3. Blood Pressure—Some studies have shown that green tea helps maintain a healthy heart. It can reduce cholesterol levels and fatty acids within the bloodstream. Its ability to reduce lipids in the blood can help prevent cardiovascular disease.

4. Norepinephrine—An important hormone and neurotransmitter, norepinephrine can affect the function of the heart. Green tea has been shown to help regulate norepinephrine and maintain a healthy heart.

5. Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s—Evidence connecting the enzymes in green tea with brain cell protection has emerged in recent years. Green tea can act as a protein blocker, preventing the nerve damage that can ultimately result in Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease.

6. Immune System—Theanine, an amino acid found in green tea, can help boost the immune system. Drinking tea each day can also result in anti-bacterial protein levels (levels five times higher than that of coffee drinkers).

7. Multiple Sclerosis—For those people suffering from Multiple Sclerosis, green tea has been shown to have some significant benefits. EGCG, a flavonoid found in green tea, can not only protect against injury, but also may help with reducing inflammation.

8. Catechins—Catechins are commonly found in teas and act as powerful antioxidants. Many believe there may be a connection with catechins and the prevention of cancer and heart disease—as well as other protective properties.

9. Blocks Fat—The internal journey of food becoming fat has several stops along the way. Green tea has been shown to halt that process, preventing fat cells from forming. Green tea has also been shown to have an impact on digestive enzymes, helping your body absorb fewer carbohydrates and less fat.

10. Depression—A recent study has shown that frequent drinking of green tea correlated with a reduced rate and severity of symptoms of depression. So for those suffering from depressive symptoms, green tea could be a good option for them.

These are just some of the benefits associated with habitual consumption of green tea. It’s been used for millennia, so there’s no reason to not take advantage of all it has to offer. Supplements, exercise, and eating right can all contribute to improved health and wellness; but regularly consuming healthy drinks can also help you maintain the health you’re looking for. Water can only do so much, and obviously sugary drinks aren’t good for you; so find a healthy drink alternative, like green tea, and stick with it.

By: Chris Dayley

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Ever wonder about what the doctor writes in your patient folder while taking notes during an exam? What would happen if both patients and doctors had convenient access to these notes? Would knowing a doctor’s honest opinion about their health change the way a patient heeded their advice? These are just some of the questions asked in a recent study released in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Beginning in the summer of 2010, the OpenNotes project began inviting patients to read the notes written by their physicians following office visits. Through the use of a secure website, patients could view the notes and other portions of their medical record. As part of their agreement with researchers, primary care providers (PCPs) could elect to not share their notes with patients who they believed would be caused undue distress by the information.

Patients involved in the study were very eager to review the information found in their medical folders, with over 90 percent of the study’s participants believing the information would be helpful. Reaction from PCPs, however, was less enthusiastic, as only 69 percent of doctors participating in the study thought open sharing of notes a good idea, while only 16 percent of doctors not participating in the study favored the idea.

Proponents of the project believe the benefits of doctor/patient transparency greatly outweigh any negative effects. Patients instructed to undergo blood work or a radiology procedure could gain a valuable insight into why the test was ordered. Proponents also argue that seeing a doctor’s opinions in print could greatly impact the way a patient views his or her health. Hearing from a doctor that you need to lose weight might carry more gravitas if you read in the notes that your considered obese or at a high risk for diabetes and heart disease.

Opponents to the idea argue that patients could decide to omit telling their doctor vital information out of fear that the information could become public knowledge. Thirty-five percent of participants in the study had concerns about privacy, and 22 percent anticipated allowing others to review their notes.

While researchers have yet to release any definitive results about the benefits of the OpenNotes project, early feedback from patients and PCPs has been favorable. Over 74 percent of doctors in the study believed that open note sharing would help improve patient communication and education, and 84 percent believed OpenNotes would increase patient questions between visits. However, 50 percent of the doctors involved believed the program would cause greater patient concern.

Timothy Lemke is a freelance writer living in Portland, who greatly enjoys reading the blog of Dr. da Costa, a dentist in Beaverton, Oregon.
By: Timothy Lemke