Overview Checking your blood pressure regularly and tracking it on a chart is an invaluable diagnostic tool for you and your doctor. The chart shows patterns that may be emerging and can be a warning tool for you to take…
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Wellness programs are based on all aspects of personal health. They encompass improving social, mental, physical, occupational, spiritual and emotional health. Recently, wellness programs have become frequent in places of employment. They focus primarily on decreasing health care costs of…
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As far back as the 18th century, herbalists have used wild yam, or Dioscorea villosa, to relieve menstrual pain, abdominal discomfort and coughs, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC). The dried root of wild yam contains the…
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Even if you can’t afford to put solar panels on your home or drive a hybrid car, you can still make small, everyday environmental choices. Learning to live green can reduce your use of energy and resources, and in some…
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The pectoral muscles are located on your chest and include the pectoralis major and minor. The pectoralis major helps move your shoulder joint through numerous ranges of motion, and the pectoralis minor draws the scapula bones on either side of…
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May 20, 2015 Skincare & Beauty
Overview Working out is good for you, but if you are African-American, it can be very hard on your hair. Black hair tends to be coarse, which causes it to dry out quickly. The salts released with sweat can dry…
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Overview Use resistance bands to build muscular strength and endurance without bulky weights or machines. Resistance bands offer resistance by stretching, much like a rubber band. Incorporate resistance bands into your fitness regimen at home or at the gym. Types…
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Exercises to stretch and elongate the muscles of your back reduce tension and increase flexibility. By doing exercises that work to stretch your back, the muscles must lengthen and relax to allow for a stretch. You might not grow several…
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In addition to flexing your spine forward, your abdominals also contract to create intra-abdominal pressure in a maneuver called bracing. Your core muscles, which consist of your rectus abdominus, obliques, transverse abdominus and erector spinea, draw in and around your…
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Yoga DVDs can be a good supplement to a fitness program if you can’t make it to a class or studio as frequently as you’d like to practice. A good yoga DVD can also be an alternative way to try…
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Students face a variety of challenges when trying to eat healthy. Many live in dormitories served by cafeterias that do not allow diners to create their own meals. Others live in apartments without fully equipped kitchens — and might not…
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The internal and external oblique muscles comprise the sides of the abdomen. These muscles assist with flexing the spine forward, flexing the spine laterally, or sideways, and rotating the torso in both directions, explains Dr. Susan Hall, author of the…
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Your knees are a synovial hinge joint consisting of your tibia, femur and patella bones and are capable of flexion, extension and moderate rotation when bent. The knee joint is held together by the cruciate and collateral ligaments, and the…
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According to the National Institute on Aging, endurance exercises are activities that elevate your heart rate and breathing for a prolonged period of time. Endurance exercises help you walk farther, faster or up steep terrain. They also make your activities…
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Patchouli essential oil has an exotic, heavy, musky scent that is frequently used in perfumes, potpourri, incense and massage oils. The plant which produces patchouli oil is a tropical member of the lamiaceae family, distantly related to mint and lavender….
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While food poisoning can be caused by a variety of bacteria and viruses in uncooked or improperly handled food, the majority of food poisoning from eating chicken is a result of Campylobacter contamination. By one estimate, about half of all…
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May 20, 2015 Diseases & Health Conditions
1. Spend Time Outdoors Regular exposure to sunlight can help alleviate negative emotions. Take a walk every day, preferably in a pleasant place such as a park or a tree-lined boulevard. If you live in a place with bad weather,…
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The adrenal glands are small, endocrine organs located just above each kidney. They are partially controlled by the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland in the brain. These organs produce several hormones and play a critical role in the body’s ability…
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May 20, 2015 Diseases & Health Conditions
In small doses, stress might motivate and improve productivity, according to health care professionals at the University of Maryland Medical Center. Too much stress, however, can increase anxiety and cause physical ailments, likely adding even more stress to your life….
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Flattening your tummy doesn’t have to be the most difficult thing in the world. According to the National Federation of Personal Trainers “Personal Trainers Manual,” the most effective way to flatten your tummy and expose your abdominal muscles is through…
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The Bowflex Ultimate home gym comes with 310 pounds of resistance from power rods, and can be increased to 410 pounds with an additional pair of 50-pound power rods. Each power rod is marked with its weight rating on top…
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Most people find their first gray hair sometime in their 30s, while some are lucky enough to keep their natural color into their 50s or 60s. Some, however, start to go gray in their 20s. According to the University of…
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Overview Anatomically speaking, the ear consists of three sections: the outer ear, the middle ear and the inner ear. The outer ear and the middle ear are used only for hearing, while the inner ear is involved in both hearing…
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Sleep is an important component of a healthy lifestyle because it allows the body to restore lost energy and helps with stress management. According to the Better Sleep Council, 32 percent of Americans have a restless sleep at least one…
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A 2007 study by Cornell University linked 40 percent of deaths worldwide to pollution in soil, water and the air. Soil can become polluted through chemical runoff, toxic waste or garbage dumping. Mining, manufacturing, overuse of herbicides and chemical fertilizers,…
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Posture describes the alignment of your joints, in particular your spine. Good posture means that, when seated or standing, your joints should be positioned so little muscular effort is required to hold you in place. Modern living, however, discourages good…
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May 20, 2015 Sports & Recreation
The practice of fish farming is called aquaculture and it’s a fast-growing segment of the U.S. economy. Aquaculture produces more protein per acre than cattle, chicken or other livestock. Due to rising international demand, farmed fish are expected to supply…
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May 20, 2015 Weight Management
Just because a fitness program is simple, doesn’t mean it will not be effective. The more complicated your fitness program, the greater the chance of making mistakes. If your goal is a trim, flat tummy, simplicity should be a key…
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May 20, 2015 Weight Management
Overview With childhood obesity tripling over the past 30 years, focusing on increasing activity levels and healthy eating practices is vital. Children who are overweight or obese can face a host of health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, heart…
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The adrenal glands are small organs in the human body that are positioned on the top of each kidney. These glands are responsible for secreting a number of hormones, including cortisol and aldosterone, which are crucial for maintaining normal body…
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