Saturday, November 29, 2008

An Overview of the Liposuction Prices

Liposuction Price – How Much Does It Cost?

The liposuction prices are will vary greatly depending on the cosmetic surgeon you decide to engage for your plastic surgery, as well as the areas of the body to be treated. As liposuction has become more and more popular over the recent years, liposuction prices have decreased to a point where liposuction is now available to people of all income brackets.

However, to some doctors, many people are confused about liposuction prices. When considering the costs it can be useful to compare the liposuction prices in different areas of the world.

How Much Does Liposuction Cost?

Cost of liposuction is a complex concept. If you are thinking about undergoing liposuction, make sure to include a thorough analysis of what the procedure will cost and how you are going to pay for it.

"How much does liposuction cost?” is maybe the most frequently asked question during the exploratory process for most prospective patients. Your surgeon might not have this information readily available, in which case you should be a little wary. You should reasonably expect your surgeon to have a well defined liposuction price list.

Something else you also might want to keep in mind is that liposuction surgery costs also can depend on the individual doctor that you are being treated by. Liposuction surgery costs are highly dependent on the specifics of what is being done.

The Facts – What You Need To Know

When the guesswork is eliminated, your confidence will get a boost from knowing the facts as well as the cost related to liposuction surgery. You can expect your doctor to tell you these facts – these include the potential risks, the benefits, the pre- and post-operative procedures and care, plus the time required for recovery.

Liposuction Surgeon

If you are thinking about having any liposuction procedure, you need to speak with an experienced doctor or surgeon as soon as possible. Talking with several good liposuction surgeons in your area can help relieve your natural anxiety and stress. Although you should not limit yourself geographically if the liposuction price saving is worth it and the surgeon has a good reputation.

Liposuction costs vary greatly by city and state, but other factors in liposuction costs include surgeon's fees, facility fees, anesthesia, garments, medications, and more. Always consider the total procedure price broken down by the major components including the liposuction surgeon's fee, the anesthesiologist's fee, and more.

When looking around for a good plastic surgeon to perform the procedure, it is not necessarily the wisest choice to go with the cheapest surgeon. Although cost is an important factor when choosing your cosmetic surgeon it is a good idea not to be too frugal about it.

Before committing to a particular surgeon, you should investigate all possibilities. These include location, status of the surgeon, past experience and clientele, number of liposuction procedures performed, area of body the procedure is done, facility fees, medication, anesthesia, post-operative garments and any other costs. It is important that you discuss each specific price and cost with the surgeon before making your decision.

The cost is between $4,500 and $8,000 based on the national average liposuction price ranges, which leaves a wide difference for potential patients to deal with. The ASAPS (American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery) has reported that their average liposuction price is a national average, and that geographical differences is likely to occur.

Basically, liposuction price depends upon the area of the body which is being treated, the size of the patient, the amount of fat that needs to be extracted as well as the geographical location of the surgeon…

The overall liposuction price list should include non-surgical as well as surgical fees. As stated earlier, liposuction prices varies greatly on what you want done. So remember to take the cost into account when you’re making your decision.

In essence, liposuction prices depend upon the “where”, the “what” and the “how”. In conclusion it’s very important to note that how much your liposuction surgery costs, depend on how much research you do before choosing your surgeon.

How much research are you willing to do?

For more information on liposuction prices, please check out:

The Liposuction Price Guide

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Smart Lipo - Fat Removal With Lasers Instead of Suction - But Is It Right For You?

SmartLipo is the newest scientific alternative to liposuction to get rid of unwanted fat.  Originating in Europe, this technology uses lasers, like those used for dental work or laser eye surgery, to zap fat cells and liquify them before removing them from the targeted area of the body. 

The fact that the fat is liquified means that the surgeon can use a smaller tube to take off the fat, meaning smaller incisions and less bleeding.  The result of using smaller instruments is less swelling and fewer problems after surgery.  Studies have likewise established that the fat doesn’t redeposit as often as it happens after liposuction surgery.  Only local anesthesia is utilized for the surgery, making it safer than liposuction, which uses a general anesthetic.  This means less recovery time for the patient, as well as a safer surgery.

The perfect prospect for Smart Lipo is an individual who is 25 pounds or less overweight and is healthy.  The patient must workout regularly and eat a healthy diet.  If diet and exercise aren’t getting rid of particular areas of fat, then Smart Lipo can take care of it.  As described at the Thermage clinic site, the patient must want a permanent, surgical solution to getting rid of the fat that they haven’t been able to on their own.  Only you and your surgeon can determine whether you are a great candidate for SmartLipo, so a consultation would be in order if you are interested in this operation.

The reviews of SmartLipo are rather varied it appears.  Many of the patients endured the surgery just fine and are ecstatic with the outcome.  Other patients have various complaints and issues.  It would appear that the outstanding problem with their surgeries, however, was their surgeons. 

As SmartLipo is a fairly new technique, numerous surgeons are not properly educated or knowledgeable in performing the surgery.  If you are thinking of SmartLipo for yourself, be very inquisitive about the experience your surgeon has had with this procedure, and ask to inspect his before and after photos from past patients.  If he will give you references, meaning former patients, give them a call and inquire about their feelings.

SmartLipo is not as high-priced as one might think, but it does seem to depend on where you live.  The prices people have paid range from 3 to 8 thousand.  The higher ranges are for patients who elected general for anesthesia, and had more areas targeted.  Nobody can tell you if SmartLipo is for you, but if you have been thinking about liposuction, you should talk over SmartLipo with your doctor as well.

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

What's Really The Cost of Abdominal Liposuction

What’s the Cost of Abdominal Liposuction

If you are considering the cosmetic surgery procedure of abdominal liposuction, you will also need to consider the cost. If you got a healthy lifestyle and plenty of exercise and it’s not giving you the body shape you desire, and you are seriously thinking about abdominal liposuction, you must also consider the liposuction cost in addition to other factors.

Abdominal liposuction can now also include more advanced techniques like laser-assisted liposuction. The cost of abdominal liposuction and laser-assisted technology might increase the cost of the liposuction procedure somewhat. However, these newer technologies should to be considered for their effectiveness.

The cost of abdominal liposuction alone should not be used to determine whether or not you go ahead with the procedure.

Fees and Expenses

The cost of abdominal liposuction depends greatly on the amount of fat that must be removed. You can expect to pay anywhere between $3,000 and $7,500 for abdominal liposuction. The overall abdominal liposuction cost includes both surgical and non-surgical fees. Non-surgical fees will include the cost of using the operating theater, post-op garments, supplies, and pre-op laboratory tests. The surgical fee is the actual cost of the abdominal surgery. The greater the fat deposits, the more it will cost.

Things to Consider

When shopping around for a good plastic surgeon to perform the procedure, it is not necessarily the wisest choice to go with the cheapest surgeon. Many patients have taken this option and ended up with uneven spots, too little fat removed and other negative factors. Although cost is an important factor when choosing your cosmetic surgeon it is a good idea not to be too frugal about it.

Abdominal Liposuction – Look at The Financing Options

Most health care plans do not cover liposuction, primarily because it is a cosmetic procedure. But, if you choose to undergo this procedure, there are other ways to pay for it. The first recommendation would be to pay the cost of the abdominal liposuction in cash at the time of the procedure. But if that option isn’t available to you, you might want to consider financing it, including loan and credit card payment option.

Choosing to have liposuction performed is a completely personal choice. It is only for your personal benefit and satisfaction. How you decide to make your body more beautiful is up to you. You care about your body and your money as well.

For More Information About The Cost Of Abdominal Liposuction, click the link below:

The Cost Of Abdominal Liposuction

Monday, November 24, 2008

Low Fat Diet - What It Is And How To Best Implement It

The term "low fat" isn't so simple these days. With trans fat, saturated fat, unsaturated fat and all the other convoluted terms, how do we know what to look out for? What is a normal fat intake, and how does it change from person to person? What is the link between cholesterol and fat? There are so many questions that we'd rather not ask our general practitioner, but education is the first step toward prevention of congestive heart failure, strokes, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases.

Let's discuss "good fats" to include in your otherwise low fat diet. In addition to transporting vitamins, protecting the body and filling us with energy, some of these fats are deemed so essential because they deliver omega-6 and omega-3, which the body cannot make on its own but relies very heavily upon. These essential fatty acids help the body to regulate hormones, stimulate the metabolism and boost the immune system, thereby fighting off cancer, preventing blood clots, controlling cell growth and regulating all intracellular processes.

"Bad fats" are trans fats: margarines, shortening, deep fried chips, fast food, baked goods, hydrogenated vegetable oil. The reason they have such a bad wrap is that they're known for lowering HDL cholesterol, which is the kind your body needs to function, as well as increasing triglycerides and LDL cholesterol, which is the bad cholesterol that leads to heart disease and diabetes. Saturated fats found in whole milk, butter, cheese, ice cream, red meat, coconuts and chocolate should also be limited for the same reasons. Fat from these sources should be 16 grams or less for a 2,000 calorie diet. For those looking to actually lose weight, the saturated fats should be less than 12 grams.

A low fat diet doesn't have to taste gross. Think of your new diet as a "detox" program for the heart and body. Like with alcoholism or drug abuse, you'll experience some initial discomfort as you attempt to wean yourself off the sugar, the salt, the cholesterol and the calories your body was so accustomed to getting. With such an abundance of junk food and "convenience" foods on the market, it's understandable how many Americans can fall into this trap. However, you've made the right decision to control your eating before it kills you!

As we get older there are critical numbers that start to weigh heavily upon us. We have to concern ourselves about our blood pressure, weight and our cholesterol level. Things we may have ignored our entire lives now all of a sudden have great importance. But these are some of the thing that should not have been ignored. A lifetime of mistreatment on the body yields simply damaging things when left unchecked.

 

Your cholesterol level is certainly all-important if you want to stay healthy and your body functioning in good order. High levels has the ability to lead lead to heart attacks and stroke, both of these things you do not want to have to deal with. Being mindful when it comes to your cholesterol level is not merely for the aging. It is something both younger people as well as older people must worry as well as be conscious of if they want to conduct a healthy life. In this article we will go over the basics of cholesterol and hopefully you will realize just how crucial a healthy level is to your body and peace of mind.

What is bad cholesterol?

LDL cholesterol is bad. All cholesterol is carried by lipoproteins but the low-density lipoproteins moves in the blood stream and allows the cholesterol to begin to accumulate. If there is too much LDL then the cholesterol begins building up on the walls of the arteries. It begins to form plaque which makes the arteries hard and not as flexible. When clots form and block the artery a heart attack or stroke can occur.

How can you prevent high cholesterol?

You can help take steps against having too much LDL cholesterol in your body by exercising, not smoking and eating right. These three things are the primary reasons why people have excessive LDL. Yes, some of your cholesterol levels have to do with family history but doctors have proven time and time again that a diet rich in fish and Omega-3 along with a healthy weight will reduce the overall LDL numbers. The body needs to have plenty of exercise as well.

In what way is the blockage from the arteries removed?

The initial stage is through medicines but if there is a acute constrictive or obstruction in the artery or blood vessel then a slightly more aggressive operation is required. The actual procedures might vary however one common method is through a balloon angioplasty. The mechanical device is entered into the artery and then naviagted to the blockage where the build up of plaque has occurred. The balloon is then inflated to clear the passage. Nowadays the operation is minimally intrusive and the majority of patients are capable of going home that day.

Does a diet rich in fish really help lower my cholesterol?

You may be surprised but a diet rich in fish, particularly salmon, can help you lower your overall LDL cholesterol while helping raise the HDL cholesterol. It is the omega-3 fatty acids that have been shown to help the body. But do not stop at just salmon. There are other great foods that can help you reduce your LDL's and raise your HDL's such as: avocados, garlic, black beans, uncooked soy and even Shitake mushrooms.

To learn more educational information go here Cholesterol Numbers with more helpful material at Cholesterol Drugs as well as Cholesterol Ratio

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Kids Coping With Food Allergies

A food allergy is a very scary allergic reaction to a particular item of food. Food allergies are usually not diagnosed until a child has been exposed to the allergen and experienced an adverse reaction. Parents of children who have a food allergy know how scary and unpredictable the problem can be. Often our children are exposed to food items that have ingredients they are not completely aware of, thus exposing them to the food they are allergic to.

Food allergies, as opposed to food sensitivities, occur in the immune system. A true allergy to a food results in a violent, life-threatening reaction caused by the immune system attacking the offending protein as it enters the body and bloodstream. The immune system produces an antibody called IgE, which seeks out and bonds with the protein of the food that the child is allergic to. The build up of IgE proteins in the blood stream releases a torrent of chemicals that can cause itching, swelling, vomiting, fever, difficulty breathing, and many other symptoms, and can eventually lead to the systems of the body shutting down.

Most food allergies appear before a child reaches three years of life. If, however, a child is never exposed to a certain food that they have an allergy to in the toddler years, they might show an allergic reaction later in life. Most common allergens include wheat, milk, nuts, soy, and eggs. In fact, those foods incorporate over ninety percent of the allergies children face.

There is a difference between having sensitivities to certain foods and being allergic to certain foods. Those who merely have sensitivities to certain foods will encounter allergy-like reactions long after eating the food. Many times, there is a lapse of at least two hours before the reaction occurs. People who have true allergies to a food will feel the effects almost immediately. These reactions will also happen each time there is ingestion of the responsible food. Although some allergies, if avoided early on, can be outgrown, there are still few that the child will still battle with even as an adult.

Although some food allergies cause problems for a lifetime, many of them can be outgrown.
If you are concerned that your child may have a food allergy, it is crucial to have them screened through the use of an allergy skin test. This will eliminate any doubt in your mind about whether or not there is allergy present. Once diagnosed, inform all caretakers, family, and friends about the allergy, and teach your child to ask what is in the foods that they are offered. The best way to deal with allergies in children is to completely avoid the foods that cause the reaction.

It is not practical or realistic to try to shield a child from harmful foods all the time. Although you might be able to give your child only those foods that they are not allergic to, there is always the potential that they will eat an offending product when you are not around. Be certain that you and your child's caregivers always have access to medicine that will neutralize their allergic reaction. In most cases, this will be a special medical tool that administers epinephrine, otherwise known as adrenaline. Afterwards, it is vital for you child to receive quick medical attention.

To find out additional information head on over to Health Risks Among Obese Children also Guide To Child Obesity and go to Obesity In Children Versus Adults

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Why Sleep Is So Important To Your Childs Good Health

How to Set a Healthy Sleep Schedule for Kids

Getting enough sleep is one of the most important factors in having a child that is healthy and developing properly. But when you are the parent of a child that hates to sleep, this can often be an almost impossible chore. How do you make sure your child gets enough sleep when they are kicking and screaming all the way? Sometimes it is simply easier to let the child stay up a few extra minutes rather than fight a temper the size of Texas. But when those minutes add up to hours, your child's health will suffer from this compounded lack of sleep.

How much sleep does a child need? Because your child can function on six or seven hours of sleep, does that mean that he is getting enough? It is important to realize that all children are unique individuals, and what is the required amount of sleep for your child might be entirely different from the right amount of sleep for your best friend's child.

Babies need significant amounts of sleep, because their bodies are growing and changing at an enormously rapid pace. Generally, during the first six months of life babies will average around ten hours of sleep a night, along with an average of five hours of naps during the day. While these are long periods of sleep, they will include many interruptions for feedings. It is important for parents to feed their babies during the night, as their tiny tummies cannot hold enough food to allow them to sleep through the entire night. At around six months of age they should be encouraged to sleep through the night, because uninterrupted sleep is crucial for a baby's proper development. At this age naps often are reduced to around three hours. The best way to teach your baby to sleep through the night is to avoid getting them out of bed when they do awaken. Teach your baby to put himself back to sleep without needing you.

Toddlers typically sleep between ten and thirteen hours each night. This also should be uninterrupted sleep, but since this is the time when babies start to actively dream, you can expect to have a dream or two that wakes up your child. It is a good idea to hold and comfort your child after a scary dream. This is also the time when many children drop their afternoon naps. If your child stops showing signs of needing a nap, it is fine for them to drop their nap routine. As your child begins the preschool years, they will still need around ten hours of sleep each night.

All children are different. As such, they all have different patterns. Your child will have a time of day when they start to exhibit signals of sleepiness. When you establish this pattern, make this their bedtime each night and stick to it as much as possible. This is of key importance for your child to establish healthy sleeping habits. Also, create a bedtime routine with your child. As with an adult's bedtime routine, this will serve as a time of relaxation before falling asleep for the night.

For additional useful knowledge click here Child Obesity as well as Child Obesity Genetics and Child Obesity Due To School Lunches

Monday, November 17, 2008

Dealing With Childhood Obesity With Good Nutrition

You would have to be hiding with your head in the sand not to notice the obesity epidemic in America today. In fact, obesity rates have doubled in the last twenty years, and in children the rate has tripled, according to research conducted by the American Dietetic Association. Obesity is much more than simply a cosmetic problem. Being significantly overweight causes serious health problems, and when obesity starts in childhood, it often sets the child up for a lifetime of poor health.

While obesity can be hereditary, there are many steps a parent can take to keep their child from becoming obese, even if there is a genetic predisposition towards the condition. The most important factor leading to today's obese children is poor nutrition. Snack food is readily available, and often full of refined sugars that contain no nutritional value. 

In order to encourage your children to eat properly, start feeding them high quality food that is full of nutritional value at an early age. As the children age, model proper eating behavior. Encourage your children to eat slowly at meals and enjoy their food. Parents who urge their children to finish their meals quickly are setting them up for poor eating habits in later life. The slower a child eats, the less food he will consume. 

One particular problem we face in America is the use of food as a reward. When children do well in school or behave properly at the store they are rewarded with candy or ice cream treats. This teaches the child that food, especially sweet, fattening foods, are emotionally fulfilling. Consider rewarding your child with a small toy that they will enjoy for much longer than a treat. 

Have convenient, healthy foods on hand for quick snacks. Consider keeping some fruit salad sliced up in your fridge. A small amount of lemon juice will keep the fruit from browning. Carrot sticks are another satisfying snack. For a sweet treat, freeze some pure fruit juice into a tasty Popsicle. A fruit smoothie with pure yogurt is another desert option that is high in nutritional value.

While it may not be impossible, or necessary, to avoid fatty, sugary foods altogether in your child's diet, it is best if they are a rare treat. This will teach your child to look for foods that provide solid sources of fuel for their bodies. Then, when the birthday cake or Christmas treat comes around, they can enjoy some sugar, and you do not have to worry about the health risks because you know that their normal diet is healthy and nutritious.

Healthy foods are a good source of energy, especially for children.  Children who eat foods that are fatty and sugary have less energy and are less inclined to be as active as those children that eat nutritious foods.  More activity means more calories burned which, in turn, helps to keep children at a healthy weight.  The more nutritious a child's food intake is, the more likely they will be to play in order to burn off their healthy energy.

To learn extra educational knowledge go here Childhood Obesity Concerns with more helpful material at Diets That Work For Obese Children also head on over to Obesity In Young Children

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Exercise and Your Child - Teaching Your Child To Be More Physically Active

Exercise For Kids

Childhood obesity is a major problem in today's society. More and more children are being classified as not just heavy, but actually clinically obese. Obesity in children is a problem with many causes. Today's food is not as healthy as it was ten or even twenty years ago. Sugary snacks are convenient and often cheaper than healthy alternatives. When your children are hungry, it is often easier to grab a snack cake than to sit down and cut some carrot sticks or something else that is a healthy alternative.

Food is not the only culprit when discussing the causes of childhood obesity.  Many parents do not do enough to encourage their child to "go outside and play" or get involved in athletic activities.  There are so many things to do inside the house while sitting in a big, comfortable chair that a child feels no need to move anymore than they have to.  Naturally, your child's safety does play a large part in their ability to roam around outside.  But there are alternatives that provide avenues for both exercise and safety.

There are several things that parents can do to encourage their children to become more active. The best way to encourage children to exercise is to be an example. Even when your children are babies, they should see you exercising, making physical activity an important part of your life. As they grow up seeing you enjoying being active, they will learn that exercise and physical activity is fun and an important part of your life.

Make exercise fun for your family. Think of things you can do together that encourage your children to get up and start moving! Install a basketball hoop in your driveway, and spend time shooting hoops with your kids. If your kids enjoy riding bikes, get yourself on your bike and take a ride as a family. If your child enjoys martial arts, then enroll him or her and a karate class. The key is to find something that inspires your child and encourage them to pursue that activity.

Another way to get your child moving even if the weather outside is not conducive to outside activities is through exercise videos. Find an exercise video or DVD that is aimed at children, and do the routine with your children. Not only will your children be healthier, but you just might loose a few pounds as well! Again, keep it fun! Laugh at the mistakes that you make, and stay upbeat!

Not all children have the ability to be athletic.  If you child does not have an affection toward any sport, do not force them into playing sports.  Sports are not the important factor when teaching your child about exercise. The importance of finding fun and enjoyable activities that your child will look forward to doing should be a parent's main focus to reduce the child's inactive habits.  Helping them to see that exercise is not a mundane, boring part of life but rather a fun and exciting idea will help ensure that your child will take these ideas with them as they grow into healthy adults.

To find out additional information Childhood Obesity Grants similarly Doctors On Child Obesity also head on over to Children And Obesity

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Depression and Children - Can Kids Get Depressed?

Sadness in small children is not an unheard of emotion.  Small children often get sad, but when that sadness is a constant emotion, it is a sign of depression.  Even though many children have happy and normal childhoods, many of them still have a proclivity to being depressed.  The general feeling that children cannot be depressed consequently leads to many children not receiving professional help for their chronic depression.

In order to understand childhood depression, you must have a definition of depression in mind. Many people say, "I am so depressed" when they have a particularly disappointing or sad day, but there is a major distinction between these momentary, fleeting feelings of sadness and genuine clinical depression. Clinical depression is a continual, pervasive sense of sadness, dread, and anxiety. When left untreated, depression can lead to serious health issues and even thoughts of suicide.

Many adults assume that children have no reason to be depressed, provided they are in a stable home, well fed and cared for properly. But the truth is, childhood is not entirely the carefree frolic we wish it to be. Many children feel extreme pressure from their peers and society to be something they are not in order to fit in. Still others feel that they must reach a level of perfection in order to please the important adults in their lives. Children have little to no control over their lives, and this can be very frightening for them in a way that they have a hard time understanding. These situations lead many children to depression.

Depression, while exhibited as an emotional response, has a chemical cause that can and should be treated. While scientists have very limited understanding about the function of the brain, they do realize that certain chemicals can become imbalanced in the brain, leading to depression. The treatment for depression often involves medications and relaxation techniques that balance out these chemicals.

The most important thing a parent can do to help their child battle depression is to be aware of the risk their child faces and knowledgeable about the symptoms they might see in their children. Children who are depressed will have persistent feelings of sadness or be constantly irritable. They will often express or exhibit a low self-image. This is often exhibited in statements such as "I'm so dumb" that seem to come out of nowhere. 

Children who are depressed will find it difficult to concentrate on their schoolwork or other responsibilities. They may loose sleep, or begin to sleep too much. Their appetite will either increase or decrease dramatically. The same occurs in their level of activity.

Depressed children often exhibit physical symptoms, such as a persistent stomachache or headache that seems to have no trigger. Other changes in the child's normal routine or behavior can be signs of depression. While the depression may be triggered by an obvious event, such as the death of a relative or sudden move, if the symptoms persist for an extended period of time, it becomes dangerous. 

Parents who have a feeling that their child may be depressed should contact a doctor or other professional immediately.  Contact your family doctor and ask if they have any knowledge of how to treat a child who is depressed.  If they don't, they can refer you to someone who has more experience with this situation.  Treating your child for depression may involve medication along with intensive therapy.  Being a concerned and aggressive parent can be a life-saving trait for your child to have a normal life.

To find out more head on over to Child Obesity Graphs similarly Child Obesity and go to Obese Female Child

Friday, November 14, 2008

Using Chiropractic Treatment for Children To Enhance Their Health

Chiropractors are generally thought of to be helpful only to adults.  Whether the problem is back pain, neck pain, or any other of a number of ailments, adults have sought the treatment that only chiropractors can give.  But younger people are starting to reap the benefits that chiropractors have been giving to adults for years.  It is possible that many problems suffered by adults can be fixed at a very young age by a qualified chiropractor.

You might be thinking that there is no reason for a healthy child to visit the chiropractor. If you view a chiropractor as a "bone cruncher" then this assessment of chiropractic treatment for children is probably well founded. But chiropractors rarely fall into the stereotype of back-cracking, pain-inducing doctors. In fact, today's chiropractic treatments are often painless and even relaxing!

Why do children need to see the chiropractor? In order to understand the treatment of children, you must first understand chiropractic care in general. The goal of chiropractic care is to align the spine correctly. All of the nerves in the body are connected to the spine, and each vertebra controls certain nerves, and therefore certain bodily functions. When the spine is misaligned, nerves become pinched, cutting off the flow of neurological signals to the parts of the body that are controlled by that nerve. This situation is called subluxation. Subluxation does not always cause pain in the back or neck, but it is caused by a problem in the spine. When the vertebrae are realigned correctly, the nerves are no longer pinched, and the body begins to function properly.

Babies in the womb have perfect spines, provided there is no trauma to the baby before birth. The birthing process, however, puts extreme pressure on the neck and spine. Also, when the baby is right at the point of being born, there is not much room in the uterus, and the spine can become compressed. Once the baby is born, the acts of crawling and learning how to walk can cause subluxation in the spine.

There are many benefits that a child can experience from chiropractic visits.  Because of the fragile nature of children, the treatments are far less painful than they would be with adults. And don't worry about the "snap, crackle and pop" scaring your child.  The absence of scar tissue in their spine will eliminate those sounds.  As a result of chiropractic treatment, sleeping becomes more restful at night, which leads to more alertness and pleasantness during the day.  Colic is far less of a problem for infants who visit chiropractors, also.

Signs that your child might need to visit the chiropractor are frequent bouts of crying that are inconsolable. Children who experience colic or reflux symptoms can find relief from the chiropractor. Because a misaligned neck leads to headaches, many babies who need to be seen by the chiropractor will be quite fussy for no apparent reason. Other persistent physical problems, including chronic sore throats and chronic ear infections, often stem from subtle problems in the spine. 

With the low-risk of chiropractic treatment, any parent can reap the benefits that this type of treatment can offer.  Although many pediatricians are not fond of this idea, they can hardly argue with the positive outcomes that chiropractic treatments often bring.  Although the benefits are great, parents should educate themselves on the advantages and disadvantages of chiropractic treatment for their young child or infant before deciding on it as a viable option.

For more educational content click here: Child Obesity Charts also Child Obesity Media Coverage and certainly try School Age Children With Obesity

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Teenager's Weight Loss Problem

As a skinny little shrimp at the age of 9, I was never bothered about fat. Fat people were those people mum and I saw on the bus. I'd never be like them.Then, all of a sudden at 18, I was one of them! How did it happen and what could I do to get my sylph-like figure back?

 As I reached puberty, I began to get naturally more rounded. What I didn't realise was that my lifestyle also became less energetic. From rushing around with my brothers and getting into all sorts of mischief at 9 and 10, I started taking more interest in girlie things and slowed down.By the time I was 11 or 12, my weight had increased to about 156lb. Things that I used to take for granted, like running for the bus after school, became more difficult. But that was because I 'had a period' or  'wasn't too well' or 'had just eaten'. Nothing to do with me getting fatter, of course. I didn't even know that I was fatter!

 Then there was boy trouble. Those strange creatures I used to enjoy rough and tumble with changed into annoying boys. Boys who would laugh at your attempts to play football or cricket, even though I was better than most of them! They were suddenly so unpredictable. One minute they'd be talking like a normal human being, the next they'd dash off with their friends to play football without a word. I was left to watch or talk with my friends, eating an icecream or a cake or two.

 By the time I was 16, my weight had increased to 190lb. By now, people had started to make jokes about how big I was. But it still hadn't struck me that they really meant it. Until one day a particularly cruel boy, Joe Bartlet, decided to play a joke on me that would change my life. I used to catch the bus home every day after school and usually struggled to get to the bus stop in time. This particular day I was strolling along as usual with a group of friends, most of whom had not succumbed to my comfort eating habits. Well we met Joe on the way and, of course, we girls got in a flutter as he was 'the most gorgeous boy on the planet'. Joe started to flirt with me. Chatting away and keeping me spellbound with his 'fantastic wit'.

There I was in seventh heaven, laughing and giggling as only a love struck 16 year old girl can do. I had not noticed that we had slowed down to a crawl. I only had eyes and ears for Joe. Then he ran off and I realised the bus had reached the bus stop some way down the road. As he got to the bus he turned around to see me doubled over trying to catch my breath. "Come on, you fat cow!" he shouted before jumping on the bus. The bus pulled away and I watched in despair, knowing that I had another hour to wait. It was not until later that I learned that Joe had told the driver that I wasn't catching the bus that day. My dad was picking me up. I realised at that moment that I needed to lose weight!

During the next two years in the 6th form, I tried all sorts of things to lose weight. I tried to cut down on meat and ate more vegetables and fruit. I couldn't quite make it to being a vegetarian!

I began to walk more often and for further. I joined the school hockey and netball clubs. But by now I had become the object of ridicule. Boys would come to watch our games and laugh at my efforts to run after the ball. Instead of keeping to my diet, I'd snack out at the interval and after the game to help me to block out their cruel taunts. I'd go home and binge eat just to prevent me from remembering the names they called me. Instead of a weight loss, I was having a weight gain! By the time I left school at 18, I had gone up to 232lb. 

I was determined to lose weight by the time I came home from university at Christmas. But how was I going to achieve this miracle? During that summer holiday, I started my diet and exercise regime in earnest. I was intelligent and determined. I could easily do it. Or so I thought! By the time for going to uni. had come around, I was a measly 4lb lighter! Something else was needed.

A new friend at university gives me the answer to my prayers. I settled in to 'Halls of Residence' and started making a few friends. We would sit around talking about all sorts of things, getting to know each other. It was then that one of the girls gave me the information that was soon to change my life around. After following her advice, I went home at the end of that term a fantastic 62lb lighter at 166lb. A total drop of 66lb from my end of school weight.

Now although my diet of more fruit and vegetables, more fish and less meat was necessary, it was not enough. My excercises and more activity made me feel better, but they were not enough to achieve the weight loss I was after. No, I needed that special extra ingredient that my new friend had shown me.

Her secret, and none of our other friends had heard of it before either, was a rather strangely named program. She told me about 'The Secret 2 Fat Loss' program.  A weird name, but a fantastic weight loss program. I found it at:

http://www.TheSecret2FatLoss.fw.nu

Saturday, November 8, 2008

How do I Know the Difference between Overweight and Obese?

obese American

This is a very crucial question because while being overweight can have social represuccions like not finding many cute outfits to choose from nor enjoying time at the beach, being obese American can have serious medical effects as well.

The best way to distinguish beteween being overweight and obese is to calculate your body mass index, or simply use an overweight test. It is a more meaningful number as opposed to the three digits you see on your bathroom scale. This is because it tells you if you are in the ideal range of weight in proportion to your height, age and gender.

Illustration

A 5ft woman who weighs 160lbs can be considered obese, but another person who stands 6ft may be just at the correct weight.

A number BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 is known as a healthy average. Anyone with a BMI of 25-29.9 is considered to be overweight and a BMI over 30 is considered obese. A BMI of 40 or above indicates that a person is morbidly obese and it could increases risk of death manifold.

To determine the proper weight, always use the BMI. It's inaccurate to look at how the jeans fit, dress size, or other projections. There is no weight loss bible that says a size 10 is fine and a size 12 is fat. Age and gender is a factor along with height. As you grow older, the weight range which is ideal for you expands a little to accommodate for a slower metbolism. However, gettng older is no excuse for gettng fat either. Joint trouble, heart problems and other conditinons can plague you if your are old, weak and fat.

You Can Do It!

Obesity in teens has unfortunately become one of the major threats in the United States which is  ironic because we work more than any other nation, take fewer vacations and are more educated than other countries. We continue to have stationary jobs and then eat highly processed and high fat foods.

If we just eat a little more healthfully and move a little more, we can fight the obesity epidemic. Make the change and don't be laughed at when ordering those Whoppers or huge lattes. We need to take this as a wake up call and start incluclating healthy habits, if not for our sake, for the sake of our future generations.

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Weight Loss in 5 Months - Down from 280lb to 126lb

280lb to 126lb in 5 Months!

 

I thought it would be impossible for me to lose so much weight. Especially in such a short time. Having given birth to my third child, Charlie, I found it impossible to lose any of the weight I had put on while pregnant. Instead, I gained 70lb!

 

What with the baby and the other two kids, comfort eating took its toll. I went up from 210lb to 280lb within a matter of months.To tell you the truth, I was struggling to do things for myself, let alone making sure the kids were ok. Simple things like putting my shoes on were a major operation. Then my GP said my weight was beginning to put a strain on my heart. If I didn't lose weight soon, I'd become seriously ill. What should I do? I had to make changes to my life if I wanted to live to see my kids grow up.

 

First of all I had to change my diet.

 

The whole family were big eaters, so it was difficult to cut down. Especially on the comfort foods which had crept in. So to help my weight loss, I gradually introduced more fruit and vegetables and cut down on the 12 ounce steaks for breakfast!

 

Second change was to get much more exercise.

 

With three kids, it's hard, not to say very tiring, to do much straight forward exercise. But I started to walk more. And instead of getting my husband, bless him, to carry everything up and down stairs, to and from the flat, I started doing it myself. To be honest with you, it was hard work at first and there were many times when he had to come and rescue me as I struggled up those darned stairs. But you know how it is when something as important as your health is involved, you just have to grit your teeth and keep trying. I say it was a struggle at first. In fact, I struggled for quite a while!

 

The next change was to the way in which I thought about myself.

 

When you've just given birth to your third child, you tend to let everyone else do a lot of the work for you. "Can I help you out, darling. You sit down and take a rest." Sounds lovely, and it is. But it isn't really helpful in the weight loss stakes. Where I thought of myself as being rather frail and needing pampering at first, I slowly got to thinking, 'I'm too fat and if I don't get on and do things for myself, my life is going to be miserable.' Not only that, but all the family would have miserable lives. I began to change the way I thought about my life and how I was living.

 

Finally, I recruited my husband!

 

Actually, he didn't need much recruiting for this change! The last thing on your mind when you leave hospital after having a baby is sex. Nothing was really further from my mind! But one of the best exercises for losing weight, and one of the most enjoyable(!), is having sex. So after a month or so of the new weight loss routine, sex was on the agenda again.

 

Now, of course, to have such a large weight loss in such a short time, all the changes above were not enough in themselves. They were all necessary, but they definitely weren't sufficient! Something else was needed. But I knew of nothing to help me. It was a bit of luck for me that a very good friend of mine recommended something that I had never heard of before. And, as you can imagine, I am very glad she did!

 

I'm Debbie Sweet and I live in a small village in Wales, UK. My good friend, a life saver if there ever was one, introduced me to 'The Secret 2 fat Loss'. A rather inelegant title for an excellent weight loss program. You can read all about it at: 

 

 http://www.TheSecret2FatLoss.fw.nu

 

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

How Can You Tell If The Time Has Come To Lose Weight?

Are you amongst the millions of men and women who look in the mirror each day and say to themselves "I need to lose that excess weight"? Almost all of us have done this at one time or another and in most instances you really do need to lose some weight. However, this is not always the case and so how do you know whether you really ought to lose some weight?

A major problem with weight gain lies in the fact that it often seems to arrive when you are not looking and this is increasingly being witnessed especially in countries like the USA where obesity is now officially said to be an epidemic. Because your weight often rises slowly over many months, you frequently simply are not aware of the increase as far as changes in your looks are concerned and are only conscious of it when you jump on the bathroom scales. Therefore, it is a good idea to get into the habit of checking your weight regularly (roughly once a month is usually sufficient) and when you discover that it has risen appreciably then it is time to lose some weight.

There are differences of opinion about precisely what amounts to obesity but for our purposes here if your weight has increased by more than perhaps thirty pounds then you are most likely heading for obesity and a raft of associated health problems.

The next sure sign that you need to lose weight is if a friend tells you that you are overweight. Now you might well be offended when somebody tells you that you ought to lose some weight but bear in mind that they probably found it hard to find the courage to tell you and are also more likely than not showing a very real concern about your health, rather than passing comment about the way you look.

Another indication that you have put on too much weight is when you start having difficulty with normally simple tasks like climbing a flight of stairs or running to catch a bus and discover that you are getting short of breath all too quickly. Of course this will not necessarily be the result of carrying too much weight and can be caused by other health problems, however you would be surprised at how many times the cause is indeed weight. If this happens your body is beginning to ring its alarm bells and these should definitely not be ignored.

A last and very simple, although often dismissed, indication of weight gain is simply finding that your clothes do not fit as they used to. A bit of a tight waistband post Christmas is normal for many of us but when it continues to get tighter and tighter and you find yourself buying larger and larger clothes every time you shop then it is time to go on a diet before your growing waist stretches not only your clothes but also your credit card.

Here we have looked at just a small number of examples of the many signs that you are overweight and need to take some corrective action. Excessive weight has a habit of creeping up on you gradually and it is far too easy simply not to notice it at all. However the secret to looking and feeling good is quite simple - know your ideal weight and hop on the scales regularly to make sure that you are not putting on too much weight.

Obesity, and particularly teenage obesity, nowadays is a rising problem and one which has serious medical complications. It is also wise therefore to learn how to calculate BMI which is the medical indicator for obesity.