Desperately Seeking a Cure For Bad Breath?

If you’ve ever experienced people stepping back away from you as you speak to them, or a friend commenting outright about your bad breath, or subtly offering you gum or mints, then in all probability, you have chronic bad breath or halitosis.

Diseased gums and teeth; parasites lurking in your stomach; bacteria at the back of your tongue and throat; a penchant for spicy & pungent foods and sulfur leftovers; dirty tongue; sinusitis, periodontal disease and digestive disorders; side effects of drugs like antidepressants and heart medications…. Any or a combination of these may be the culprit for your bad breath.

Some people are so dense, though, that they do not acknowledge that they have foul-smelling breath, thereby putting off a suitable cure for bad breath, and risking more embarrassing situations. Bad breath sometimes springs to life and makes itself known through a dry metallic taste in the mouth. In certain instances, bad breath accompanies certain conditions like tonsil stones, milk intolerance, stomach and intestinal disturbances. In such cases, proper medical consultation will enlighten you on the best procedures or remedies to treat your particular ailment and in the process arrive at a cure for bad breath too. Some dental clinics recommend zapping the mouth with lasers to get rid of bacteria lodged in the tonsils. Laser is recommended for people who require more dramatic, high-tech approaches to addressing bad breath which simple brushing of the teeth, flossing and other routine dental care cannot do.

For other causes of bad breath, like unhealthy lifestyles as excessive smoking and drinking, or vitamin deficiencies, alongside daily dental care habits like brushing & flossing, you may want to consider herbal remedies. Do check first with a health expert or medical professional before opting for a herbal cure. One example of herbal remedy is tea tree oil, a non-toxic, naturally occurring oil which can be used as a mouthwash. Tea tree oil is a great natural alternative to chemical mouthwash solutions. With its antiseptic compounds, tea tree oil is a suitably powerful disinfectant to go with other approaches you have selected as a cure for bad breath. An option is to use a natural toothpaste formulated with tea tree oil. Other mouthwashes to kill oral bacteria may be formulated form other herbal wonders like myrrh (put a few drops of the myrrh tincture in a glassful of water).

Aside from taking the herbal route, there’s no substitute, of course, for a good diet. Drink plenty of water and increase your intake of vitamins C and E, without exceeding recommended daily levels. Go for seeds, nuts, vegetables, grains and fruits. If brushing teeth immediately after a meal is not possible, snack on sliced apples, or chew sugar-free gum, the better to stimulate saliva production and prevent dry mouth syndrome and bacteria from setting in.

Posted under I To Health Care by itohealthcare on Tuesday 28 October 2008 at 7:25 am

ADHD Behavior Therapy and Good Parenting

In Great Britain the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence is now strongly recommending that ADHD behaviour therapy should be tried first, rather than dosing kids with doubtful ADHD drugs. Behaviour therapy or cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) has also been shown to be more effective than anti-depressant drugs in adults suffering from anxiety and depression. Anyone who is concerned about good parenting will take comfort from this fact that ADHD behaviour therapy is now a respectable and highly recommended means of ADHD treatment.

There is still a long way to go . If you read the parenting or ADHD blogs, there are stories of children and teenagers which make your hair stand on end. There is the story of a twelve year old boy who is still on ADHD medication after three years but his behaviour has worsened and his parents live like prisoners in their own home. He is aggressive and violent and has threatened to report them to the welfare authorities if they lay a finger on him. Good parenting skills are badly needed in this family.

While hyperactivity in children with ADHD may be a problem, just think of the problem if it is left untreated and carried on into adulthood. While adult hyperactivity and multi tasking is even approved of in certain executive circles, the long term damage to careers and relationships which is caused by ADHD can be devastating.

ADHD behaviour therapy can turn many a disastrous family situation around. I know parents who have used this type of therapy which has resulted in children knowing the difference between good and bad behaviour ! If parents follow the principles and strategies in an ADHD behaviour program, they can soon learn good parenting and it will save their sanity. They will learn how to deal with defiant kids, answering back and cursing, establishing routines, behaviour charts, and many other practical tips.

The other problem is that all too often ,medication has been thought of as the be all and end all. Given the harmful effects of many of the ADHD drugs, parents need to consider alternatives. That is why homeopathic remedies for ADHD sales have rocketed in the last five years. Very often, a gentle homeopathic remedy combined with psychological interventions, such as ADHD behaviour therapy can be the way to good parenting and a happier family life.

Posted under I To Health Care by itohealthcare on Tuesday 14 October 2008 at 7:25 am

Osteoporosis and Exercise

Osteoporosis is known as a silent disease. Early in the bone loss process, you may not see any signs, but eventually it can lead to broken bones, the disfiguring dowager’s hump, loss of height and certain types of back pain.

Throughout life, your body loses bone. New bone grows to replace lost bone. The rate of new bone growth changes as you age. Young adults reach their peak bone mass between the ages of 25 and 35. That is when your bone is the strongest. From about 35 years and older, bone mass slowly declines and that’s were weight bearing exercise becomes important to maintain and / or build bone density.

A rate at which your bone declines can be minimized and osteoporosis can be preventable. An active lifestyle, weight-bearing exercise and proper eating can significantly slow down the rate of bone loss. Eating foods rich in calcium and vitamin D will help protect your bones. Weight-bearing exercise will help your entire body and help you maintain bone mass. Resistance exercises help maintain bones by strengthening the muscles around them. Building muscle strength will make you less prone to injury. Non-weight bearing exercise, such as swimming or water exercise may help prevent back strain and pain by building muscles in your trunk and legs.

Osteoporosis affects men and women alike. The risk factors include heredity decreased hormones, lack of physical activity, inadequate calcium and vitamin D, certain medications, smoking, too much caffeine and too much alcohol.

The best way to see if you have low bone density or osteoporosis and are at increased risk for breaking a bone is to have a bone density test. This is a simple, painless and noninvasive exam by using sound waves or small amounts of radiation to determine the thickness or density of bones. Talk to your doctor or health care provider to determine if you are at risk and the possibilities of being tested. For more information and tips on exercise, go to http://www.easyexercisetips.com

Posted under I To Health Care by itohealthcare on Tuesday 7 October 2008 at 7:25 am