Do You Suffer From Depression ? Try Omega 3 Fish Oil

Scientists are constantly revealing results of studies that show the positive effect that Omega 3 fish oil can have on our brains and on our mental health. It seems there's a lot of truth in the belief that fish is brain food.

Fish, particularly fatty fish, contain essential Omega 3 fatty acids that are not available anywhere else and yet our brain needs these fatty acids in order to develop and function healthily. So what happens when we don't get enough?

You can think of your brain as like a car. You put oil in your car in order to keep it running smoothly. However, put the wrong oil in your car and you may well find that your car struggles to run properly and may even break down altogether. It's exactly the same with the brain.

If the brain doesn't get the type of oil it needs in order to run smoothly, it has to take what's available from the body and these 'replacement' fatty acids are not cut out to do the job properly.

It's interesting that researchers are discovering that people with mental health problems often have much lower than normal levels of Omega 3 fatty acids in their blood. Now the question arises, are the low levels the result of having a mental health problem or are low levels of Omega 3 possibly, at least in part, the reason a mental health problem arose in the first place?

Is fish oil helpful for depression?

Depression is extremely common and affects around a quarter of the population at any one time. It is usually treated with anti-depressant medication or some form of talking therapy or a combination of both. This means that unless you do your own research and discover the benefits of fish oil yourself, fish oil is unlikely to be recommended by your doctor.

However, numerous research studies are constantly revealing results that show just how effective fish oil would be for depression and the brain. Here are just a few of the findings.

Dr Andrew Stoll and his colleagues published their results in the Archives of General Psychiatry in 1999. They found that fish oil can dramatically reduce the symptoms of bipolar disorder (manic depression).

In 2002, a study by Peet and Horrobin revealed that a dose of 1 gram of ethyl EPA daily, could be effective in treating depression

Puri et al discovered that brain scans carried out before and after treating a patient who had a severe form of depression with high dose EPA fish oil showed structural changes to the brain itself.

The Durham trials in the UK indicate that EPA fish oil can improve behaviour in children with ADHD and promote learning.

One Australian study conducted by researcher Natalie Sinn claimed that fish oil was better than Ritalin in the treatment of ADHD

A study carried out by Aberdeen university and led by professor Lawrence Whalley, found that fish oil could help the brain process information faster and could even increase IQ scores

The conclusion has to be that fish oil containing high quantities of the Omega fatty acid known as Eicosapentaenoic acid or EPA can have a positive effect on brain function as well as alleviate the symptoms of depression, so why might this be?

No one yet knows exactly how EPA works on the brain but the evidence suggests that it facilitates better inter-neural connectivity, it reduces inflammation, and it helps the blood to flow more easily to the brain. It boosts mood, helps concentration and can improve memory.

It is now believed that EPA is the Omega 3 fatty acid necessary for normal brain function on a day to day basis. So, if we do not get enough EPA in our diet, it stands to reason that our brain will not perform as well as it could and the result may be poor concentration and memory or perhaps an increased risk of depression and other mental health problems.

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Depression and anxiety are serious mental health conditions that can strike anyone at anytime. For more information about depression and self help come and visit http://www.fightingdepression.co.uk

Breastfeeding and Mastitis

Mastitis is perhaps the most distressing problem you may encounter when attempting to breastfeed. You have been making it through the sleepless nights, the relentless feeding schedule, the diapers, the leaking... when all of a sudden you want to stop breastfeeding. Why?

Mastitis is the answer. One of your breasts is engorged. There is a slightly red patch which is painful to touch. When the baby feeds it's extremely uncomfortable. After the feed your breast feels sore. You dread the next feed... and then you begin shivering. You think you have the flu. You have hot and cold sweats. You have a thumping headache. You retire to your bed and feel utterly miserable. Visitors encourage you to give the baby a bottle so you feel like you've failed... but there is a solution.

In most cases mastitis affects only one breast at a time. So what causes it?

Most often a new mum, whether or not she has previously breastfed, will suffer mastitis as a result of incorrect positioning or latching on of the baby. Consequently the milk is not properly drained from the breast and a milk duct becomes blocked. Other reasons include skipping feeds because you don't want to feed in public or in front of visitors, or the baby is sleeping and you do not want to disturb him.

If you recognise the sensation of a blocked milk duct you may be able to avoid it progressing into mastitis by gently massaging your breast in the bath or shower. Massage downwards towards the nipple. You may feel a small lump which disappears as the duct becomes unblocked. You can also try feeding the baby more often and again massaging the sore area towards the nipple as the baby drinks. Another effective technique is to try expressing milk with the aid of an electric or hand pump. However, if all your efforts are in vain and the duct does not unblock mastitis will often follow. Mastitis is simply when the blocked duct becomes inflamed and possibly infected.

Current medical advice is to continue feeding from the affected breast even if it is infected. The infection will not harm the baby. However, the last thing you may want to do is to feed from the affected side at all as it is so painful. This will only make things worse and you may end up with an abscess. If this happens you will need to have the abscess drained by a doctor.

If you are worried about your baby drinking milk from the affected breast a good alternative is to express and dispose of the milk and to feed only from the unaffected side. Your body will adapt. It will continue to supply enough milk for your baby from the unaffected breast. And as long as you express regularly from the affected breast the milk supply will be maintained. You produce breastmilk on a supply and demand basis so there will always be enough. When the infection clears up you can simply return to your usual feeding pattern.

If you do get mastitis and it does not clear up within a few hours you will probably require an antibiotic so speak to your GP. Make sure to tell him you are breastfeeding so a suitable antibiotic can be prescribed.

To avoid a recurrence make sure you position the baby properly. Ensure he is not sucking on just the nipple but that he has a good mouthful of the areola also. Try to sit upright or if lying down do not lie on the breast. Make sure the baby is tummy-to-tummy with you, his nose and mouth facing the breast and that he is not creating a blockage with his chin or a hand or arms.

Mastitis usually clears up completely within a couple of days so put it in perspective. Don't give up breastfeeding because you have mastitis. Instead ensure you don't get it again; position your baby correctly, feed on demand and avoid skipping breastfeeds.

Exercise During Pregnancy: Can You Continue With Your Normal Routine?

Can you continue with your normal exercise during pregnancy? Well, back in the old days, pregnant women were considered to be fragile beings that should be hidden away until delivery. Thank God we don’t live in those times now.

Just because you’re pregnant, it doesn’t mean that you can’t get out there and get some active exercise. After you get the “all clear” from your doctor, be sure to fit in daily exercises during your pregnancy. In order to clear you for exercise, your doctor may give you some guidelines to follow to ensure a healthy pregnancy, but to get you started, here are some exercise guidelines of our own.

Sports & Recreation activities and exercises to avoid include:

-Contact sports and most competitive sports

-Any activity that can result in falling, such as downhill skiing or mountain biking

-Lying on your back or stomach during exercise, after the beginning of the fourth month

-Lifting heavy objects or heavy weight lifting

-Intense cardiovascular exercise – your heartbeat should remain under 140 beats per minute during your workout.

-Scuba diving or any activity that involves pressurized air

The most appropriate exercise during pregnancy can include:

-Prenatal Yoga

-Walking

-Swimming

Exercise is important during pregnancy. It can alleviate aches and pains, depression, and fatigue. Exercise also gives you the endurance and flexibility to get through your pregnancy and through labor. So what are you waiting for? Get out there, get active, and stay healthy. Exercise during your pregnancy is a great thing to do for you AND your baby.

Bright Hopes For The Future Of Solar Energy

Research is shedding new light on an unexpected source of energy for heating homes and generating electricity-the sun.

The sun-directly or indirectly-is the primary source for most forms of energy found on Earth. Solar energy is clean, abundant and renewable.

Though we think of solar power as a new discovery, ancient civilizations found innovative ways to use solar energy. Among them, the Greeks, Romans and Chinese all developed ways to use solar warmth for their homes, including using southern exposures to maximize solar heating and making use of solar lighting.

Now, thanks to innovative technologies, it's possible to capture this energy, concentrate it, store it and convert it into electricity.

Sunlight is converted into electricity using solar cells. Solar cells are also called photovoltaic cells, or "PV cells" for short. PV cells were first developed in the 1950s for use in American space satellites. Today, they are used for power needs ranging from telecommunications to rural electrification. PV cells can be found on items we use daily, such as calculators, flashlights, radios, landscape lighting and children's toys.

Portable PV units are also available for emergency and disaster use, such as keeping cell phones and small appliances charged when the user is away from the grid or during blackouts.

Consumers can harness the power of the sun for themselves more easily than ever. Solar panels you see on buildings and homes have been available on the market for decades. New systems-which incorporate solar into roofing shingles-are now aesthetically pleasing, efficient and durable.

2006 ushers in new tax credits for solar energy technologies and consumers may also be eligible for state rebates.

For more information, consult with a tax professional, contact the Internal Revenue Service at www.irs.gov, or check out www.doe.gov for the latest in tax credit information.

Sunlight isn't only used to generate electricity. It is also used to heat water, which can be used to warm homes and businesses. Solar-powered radiant heating systems run some industrial processes and drive turbines to generate electricity. Many solar thermal technologies have been used in homes for decades and can last more than 20 years.

Experts believe that solar energy technologies can benefit this nation in many ways. They have the potential to help diversify this country's energy supply, reduce the dependence on imported fuels, improve air quality, offset greenhouse gas emissions and stimulate the economy by helping to create jobs in the manufacturing and installation of solar energy systems.

15 Strategies For Managing Attention Problems

The following strategies are offered for enhancing attention and managing attention problems. This listing is by no means exhaustive, but rather is meant as a place to begin. The best resources for strategies are the creative, inventive minds of enlightened assessment professionals, teachers and parents, in partnership with the students they serve. Together they can create multiple alternative strategies.

1. Take the Mystery Away

The first and perhaps most important management strategy is to insure that all students understand how attention works and identify their particular profiles of attention strengths and weaknesses. Then, students should be taught attention management strategies.

2. Understand Consistent Inconsistency

Teachers and parents should understand that the inconsistency of children with attention problems is not evidence of a poor attitude or lack of motivation. It is a part of their biologically based attention dysfunction, and is beyond their easy control.

3. Explore the Option of Medication

For many children and adolescents, medication can be helpful in dealing with attentional difficulties. Medication can improve mental alertness and the intensity and duration of concentration. In addition, it may diminish impulsivity and hyperactivity. The student and his parents may wish to explore this option with his physician.

4. Allow for Movement and Breaks

It is helpful for students who have problems with inconsistent alertness and mental effort to be provided with opportunities to move around. For example, at school, teachers could ask the student to erase the board, collect papers or take a message to the office. At home, parents and/or the student could schedule regular breaks and change work sites. That is, the student could work several minutes at the kitchen table and several minutes on the living room floor. Each time the location is changed, the student may experience a burst of mental energy. Additionally, students may need to be doing something with their hands while seated. They may doodle, roll a piece of clay or perform some other manual tasks that enhance their alertness and arousal.

5. Vary Instructional Strategies

Teachers should use a variety of instructional strategies and these should be changed approximately every 15 to 20 minutes. For example, they could deliver information for 15 minutes via lecture. This strategy could be followed by small group work or cooperative learning for 20 minutes. Next, students could engage in individual seatwork or watch a video.

6. Use Signals

The teacher and parents should have a private way of signaling students when they are tuned out. For example, a gentle tap on the shoulder may be effective. Also, the student's teachers and parents may need to signal him when something important is about to be stated. Looking right at him, his teacher or parent could say, "Now listen very carefully. I am about to give you important instructions about tomorrow's test.”

7. Leverage Interests

Attention is enhanced when interest is heightened. Thus, students should be encouraged to read, write and talk about subjects in which they are interested. Additionally, students' attention is enhanced when information is personally relevant to them. For example, if students need to learn a chronological timetable, the teacher could begin with having the students develop a chronological timetable of the important events in their own lives.

8. Minimize Noise & Other Distractions

Students who are easily distracted should benefit from a structured auditory environment. They may need preferential seating near the front of the classroom so that noise and distractions from other students are minimized.

9. Develop Previewing and Planning Skills

Teachers and parents can help students develop previewing and planning skills by requiring them to formulate plans for writing reports and completing projects. For example, when completing a book report, the students could submit plans for how they are going to accomplish this task. They will likely need specific instruction, followed by modeling, then guided practice, and finally feedback on performance. The concept of previewing should be explained to the students and they should be aware of the fact that the activities they are engaging in will help them develop previewing/ planning skills. It is helpful if they are first given practical examples of planning, such as planning for a party.

10. Use Behavior Modification and Self-Assessment

The use of behavior modification and self-assessment strategies can be helpful in increasing desired behaviors (e.g., task completion) and/or decreasing behavior problems (e.g., impulsive blurting out during class). The specific behaviors that need to be changed should be identified (e.g., completes reading classwork; raises hand before answering questions; brushes teeth before going to bed; puts dirty clothes in laundry). The specific consequences for behavior change should also be identified. The consequence for positive behaviors must be more rewarding to the student than failure to complete the positive behavior. For example, if the child is allowed to stay up an extra 15 minutes in the evenings, this behavior must be more rewarding than leaving his/her dirty clothes on the bathroom floor. Additionally, performance of the targeted behavior must be the only way that the student is able to obtain the reward. In the previous example, the child is only able to stay up the extra 15 minutes at night if he puts his dirty laundry in the designated place. School-home notes can be used to communicate back and forth between home and school. In both settings, charts and graphs can be used to monitor progress toward the goal. Students should be encouraged to assess their own behavior in addition to being assessed by the adult. They could be given an additional reward for accurate self-assessment.

11. Discourage Frenetic Work Patterns

To help students refrain from rushing through their work, teachers and parents could avoid making statements such as, "You can go out to recess as soon as you finish your assignment" or "You can watch television when you finish your homework." Offers such as these may inadvertently encourage students to work too quickly and carelessly.

12. Get Organized

A notebook with three sections labeled "Work to be Completed," "Work Completed" and "Work to be Saved" may be used to help students organize their assignments. Color-coding notebooks for different subjects may also be helpful for organizing work.

13. Use Daily Planners

A student should use a structured daily planner to help him organize his assignments and activities. A planner that is broken down by subject within the day and has sufficient room to write all the information he needs would be preferred. ELAN Publishing offers a number of good student organizers. Alternately, he may benefit from using a personal digital assistant (PDA).

14. Set Up a Home Office

At home, parents should guide their child/adolescent with setting up his/her own well-organized "office.” Parents should schedule a weekly time that their child/adolescent will dedicate to straightening up the office and making sure all office supplies are well-stocked (e.g., post-its, pencils, pens, highlighters, paper, paper clips, stapler). The student should find his/her best time(s) for studying (his/her most alert times of day), and post these times as his/her "Office Hours." The student should also experiment with different kinds of background noise levels that work best for him/her when doing homework of studying. Some children/adolescents actually concentrate better in a noisy environment or while listening to music while others may need to use ear plugs.

15. Allow Time to Wind Down

Many students with attention problems have trouble falling asleep at night. It is helpful for them to have an established routine for going to bed at night. For example, they could read a book or have a book read to them. They can engage in stretching exercises before getting in bed. They could drink a glass of milk or hot chocolate prior to going to bed. They might also listen to quiet, easy music while falling asleep. “White noise,” such as a fan, may also be helpful in facilitating sleep.

Spices Stifle Stress

That warm feeling you get after you have eaten a very spicy meal is not only a result of the heating effects of chilies and other spices. Apart from their delicious flavors and metabolism-boosting effects, all spices have extremely valuable health enhancing properties.

What has this got to do with stress you may ask? The answer is that, while all culinary herbs and spices provide health benefits, a select few have also been shown to act directly on the brain and nervous system to relieve stress and neurological disorders.

"Stress" as used in a colloquial context is usually a result of our maladaptation to the physical and emotional pressures of everyday life. Moreover, when our bodies are in a malnourished or diseased state we find it a lot more difficult to deal with emotional stress than when we are well nourished and physically healthy.

Spices (I include culinary herbs in this context) are still somewhat unrecognized as a source of a huge number of vital nutrients. Not many people know that they are the best source of antioxidants of all food groups. A study in the July 2006 edition of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that clove, oregano, ginger, turmeric and cinnamon had the highest antioxidant activity of ALL FOODS, including antioxidant-rich fruits such as blueberries.

Antioxidants are needed by our bodies to counter the free radical damage that underlies most common degenerative diseases.

There is not enough space here to elaborate on the general benefits of spices to our health. However it is worth noting that all chronic degenerative diseases are associated with free radical damage and an increased incidence of anxiety, stress and depression.

Therefore preventing or treating these related conditions by eating antioxidant-rich foods like spices, will also help to reduce the incidence and severity of these conditions.

Apart from their general benefits to health specific spices such as saffron, sage, chillies and cardamom do have positive benefits on a number of neurological conditions such as anxiety, depression and stress.

The following is a brief summary of the most important spices for anxiety, depression and stress:

Saffron - For centuries, saffron has been used to treat depression in traditional Persian medical systems.

Recently several clinical trials have shown that this yellow spice is indeed as effective as many of our current anti-depressant drugs in treating mild to moderate depression.

The first of these was a double-blind placebo controlled trial where patients with depression were given 30mg of saffron extract daily for six weeks. By the end of this period depression in the treatment group had improved by a far greater extent than the placebo group.

In two other clinical trials depressed patients taking saffron were compared to those taking two commonly prescribed anti-depressant drugs, imipramine and fluexitine (Prozac). In both these trials saffron was found to be at least as effective as the two modern drugs. An important bonus was that no side effects were observed in the patients taking saffron.

Chilies - Chilies also have mood elevating effects. They work by stimulating a specific type of pain receptor (called TRPV1) on sensory nerve endings. When these nerves are stimulated they signal the brain to release chemicals called endorphins. Endorphins, in turn, stimulate the release of the brain chemical, dopamine which in turn acts as a mood elevator and relieves depression. Many modern antidepressant drugs also work by increasing levels of dopamine in the brain.

Sage - A double blind placebo controlled trial has shown that sage reduces anxiety and elevates mood. It has been known for several years that compounds in this spice work by inhibiting cholinesterase, an enzyme that is intimately involved in the transmission of signals across nerve synapses. What it more, sage has the added benefit of improving memory.

Cardamom - Cardamom has been used by traditional Ayurvedic practitioners to treat depression in India for thousands of years. Although there are no clinical trials to back up the use of this spice to treat depression there are biochemical reasons that indicate why it is effective.

Use lots of different spices Spices tend to work more effectively when taken in combination with one another. The wider the selection of spices that you take every day, the more health benefits you can expect to gain from these amazing super-foods.

Spices can boost both your physical and mental wellbeing and in so doing provide you with a valuable foundation in your efforts to mitigate the many stressors that impact on your daily lives.

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Keith Scott is a medical doctor with an interest in the healing properties of herbs and spices. He has written several books including "Medicinal Seasonings, The Healing Power of Spices".
Download a free pdf copy of "Medicinal Seasonings" and read more about the health benefits of spices at:
=> http://www.medicinal-herbs-and-spices.com
Watch the VIDEO: Spices - A Health Mystery Solved => http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqIM6QB3wt4

Understanding the Benefits of Gabapentin

A powerful drug, gabapentin is used to treat various illnesses. Most commonly, gabapentin is prescribed for epileptic seizures. Although it cannot cure epilepsy, it can control the seizures, allowing people to live a more normal life. Gabapentin is labeled an anticonvulsant and works by releasing gamma-aminobutyric acid into the brain, thus stopping activity in the central nervous system. This drug is generally used to treat more serious illnesses.

There are some things to consider before taking gabapentin. You must let your doctor know if you have ever had an allergic reaction to this drug or any similar drug. Gabapentin is usually given to people over the age of twelve, although it has been given to younger children for treating partial seizures. Its safety for children under the age of three has not been established, however. There does not seem to be a problem for older patients, unless there are already age- problems with the kidneys. In these cases, an adjustment may need to be made in the amount prescribed. There have not been adequate studies done for women who are pregnant or nursing in regards to this drug, so serious risks should be considered.

Drug interactions is something that should be taken lightly. Side effects can be increased when using gabapentin with certain medications, vitamins and herbs. A few drugs or ingredients that should be taken cautiously with gabapentin are supplements containing magnesium, aluminum, and magaldrate. Care should also be taken if you plan to take this drug with alcohol or tobacco. If you have any other serious medical problems such as cancer, depression, mental illness or kidney disease, your doctor should know, as gabapentin may make your conditions worse.

Gabapentin comes in three forms - capsule, tablet and liquid - and should only be taken with a full glass of water, usually three times per day. Food is not imperative, although it may help if the medicine upsets your stomach. It is best to take the medication at the same times each day, no longer than twelve hours between doses. Often, doctors will start patients on a low dose to see how they do and slowly increase the amount as needed.

Because this drug works with the chemicals in the brain, the medication should not be stopped right away unless you have a doctor's permission. Otherwise, you could experience serious side effects as your body withdraws from the drug. Even if you experience some side effects, do not make any changes to your schedule until ordered by the doctor. Most often, the dose will be gradually reduced to avoid any withdrawals.

As an off-label drub, gabapentin has also helped treat patients with various drug and alcohol dependencies. Its effectiveness has seemed obvious for those suffering with menopausal symptoms, restless leg syndrome, bipolar disorders, anxiety disorders, migraine headaches and chronic pain caused by operations. Many physicians, however, will hesitate to distribute them because the drug is not yet specified to treat some of these conditions. Gabapentin has also proved to be helpful to patients suffering from the numbness and tingling caused by nerve damage due to diabetes, diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

Gabapentin is a powerful drug, so if you are having any surgeries, it is important to let your doctor know beforehand. Also, if you add any new medications, vitamins, herbs or supplements to your diet, let your pharmacist and doctor know so that there will not be any interactions between your medications. If you forget to take a dose, just take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time to take the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular scheduled dose. You should never double up on your doses.

As with most medications, there are side effects that might occur. Being aware of this will help you to understand what is happening in case you do experience any of these symptoms. The most common side effects of gabapentin are: drowsiness, dizziness, headache, blurred vision, anxiety, and memory problems. There are other side effects and all of these concerns need to be discussed with your physician and pharmacist.

People who have suffered with epileptic seizures, chronic pain and other medical condition have been given renewed hope through gabapentin. In order for the drug to be most helpful to you, understanding as much as possible is very important. As more is learned about gabapentin, its side effects and abilities, it will hopefully be able to be approved for treatment of more conditions. Gabapentin has already been proven to be helpful, however, to people who live with some very serious medical conditions.

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Is there a Medication for Fibromyalgia that will Help Ease the Pain?

Should you use Medication for Fibromyalgia?

If you have fibromyalgia (FMS) you most likely experience intense pain in trigger points on the body, sleep disturbance, chronic fatigue, depression, difficulty concentrating, anxiety and burning, aching and twitches in your hands and feet.

Fibromyalgia will probably follow you through the rest of your life. There is no effective and 100% sure way to remove it. However you can learn to manage the pain associated with FMS especially using medication for Fibromyalgia.

The good news is you can greatly improve the quality of your life and successfully treat Fibromyalgia by making changes, step by step.

Step 1 - Pay attention to your doctors' advice.

Step 2 - Slow down, get enough sleep and learn to control stress. If you have a bad day, try very hard not to think that you are never going to have another good day again.

Step 3 - Make sure to exercise at least 30 minutes 5 times a week. Use stretches, light aerobic and mild strengthening and toning exercises.

Step 4 - Learn to relax. Massage, deep breathing exercises, yoga, tai chi and prayer are a few examples of excellent relaxation techniques.

Step 5 - Improve your diet by avoiding as many processed foods as possible, and limiting or eliminating the "trigger" foods. For many people these are dairy, sugar, caffeine, alcohol, MSG and aspartame (NutraSweet).

Step 6 - Use an appropriate medication for Fibromyalgia. Medications will not magically remove your pain but they may greatly ease your pain, remove the stiffness, fatigue so you will be able to live a normal life once again. Sleep modifiers, antidepressants medicines, pain medicines and various other meds can be helpful. Often different medicines need to be combined together but even when a good combination is found, the medicines can stop working after a while and you may need to rotate different medicines over time for the best relief of FMS symptoms.

Unfortunately, not all medication for Fibromyalgia is safe and helpful.

Benzodiazepines, for example, can relax muscles and improve your sleep but are usually avoided. Other sleeping pills such as Ambien are used, but they produce effects for a short time and later it can worsen the situation.

In the case of acute pain, a doctor may prescribe a short-term course of narcotic painkillers. But the use of long-term narcotics is not effective because they are highly addictive and can create more problems than they solve.

There is one medication for Fibromyalgia that works wonders for so many people with Fibromyalgia and it may work for you too.

Which medication for Fibromyalgia is helping people? Soma Carisoprodol.

Soma is a muscle relaxer that blocks pain between the nerves and the brain and used to relieve the pain and stiffness of muscle strains, sprains and spasms. Does Soma really works for FMS? Is Soma the best medication for Fibromyalgia? Many people say it does help them while other people prefer other medications.

Are there any precautions you should know before taking Soma? You should not be taken Soma if you are allergic to Carisoprodol, or Meprobamate (Equanil, Miltown) or if you have asthma, epilepsy, blood disorders, kidney or liver disease, or a condition known as acute porphyria.

Of course always consult with your doctor.

Disclaimer

The information contained in this article provides helpful health information. This information may not be complete and may not cover all diseases, physical conditions, or treatments. This information does not constitute medical advice or treatment. This information should not be used in place of a consultation with a medical professional that should be consulted before deciding on a course of treatment or deciding not to seek treatment.

This article provides only general information. It does not cover all possible uses, actions, precautions, side effects, or interactions of the medicines mentioned. The information not intended as medical advice for individual problems or for making an evaluation as to the risks and benefits of taking a particular medication. The treating physician, relying on experience and knowledge of the patient, must determine dosages and the best treatment for the patient.

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Tom Win has been involved in the research of both Holistic and Allopathic medicine for over a decade. http://www.onlinemedsresource.com

I Am A Mental health patient - What Should I Expect ?

Mental health problems including anxiety related disorders and depression, are extremely common but despite the fact that there are many people suffering there is still a lot stigma surrounding mental health issues and as such it's not uncommon for an individual to try to battle it out on their own, keeping their thoughts and fears to themselves, in an attempt to avoid facing up to the fact that they need help.

This will not only delay recovery but can make the symptoms of a mental health problem much worse. Being unable or unwilling to speak to ones family and friends about it can be an intensely isolating and frightening experience. Not only are you trying to struggle alone with everyday practical routines involving work, home and relationships, you are also trying to deal with what's going on in your mind too.

The truth is, nearly all types of mental health problems are treatable and the recovery time may be much shorter than what you would imagine provided you get the right help. The first step though has to come from you and that means accepting first of all that you have a problem and secondly, that you need help. So what can you expect as a mental health patient?

How depression and other mental health problems are diagnosed?

In the first instance have a word with your doctor as he or she is the best person to offer initial advice on what might be the best course of action and possible treatment options for you.

Indeed, for many people, a visit to the doctor is the only step they ever need to take. Your doctor will be able to take into account your full medical history and your symptoms to rule out anything else that may be responsible for causing those symptoms. He or she will also be able to prescribe medication if that is considered appropriate and advise you on what to expect by way of side effects, or may recommend some form of talking therapy.

If on the other hand your symptoms are more severe then your doctor may consider it necessary to refer you to a psychiatrist or other mental health professional for a more in depth assessment. Again, this is a positive step in the right direction as someone who is more qualified in mental health disorders will be able to provide you with the sort of help and treatment you need in order to get well again.

What worries most people is the fear of what will happen if others know they are suffering with a mental health problem so they try to hide it. Most people who are suffering also have a lot of questions they would like answers to but have no one to ask. By putting yourself in the care of the right people you give yourself the best chance of making a full and complete recovery as quickly as possible.

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Depression and anxiety are serious mental health conditions that can strike anyone at anytime. For more information about depression and self help come and visit http://www.fightingdepression.co.uk

You Can Overcome Panic Attacks the Natural Way

To overcome panic attacks there are some mis-understandings to address. Are you able to answer a few simple questions?

Have you ever gone into accident and emergency at the hospital, convinced that you were having a heart attack, only to be told after being hooked up to some pretty scary electronic equipment, that you have had an anxiety or panic attack?

You know, you thought you were going to die because you were having difficulty breathing. You had pains in your chest?

Have you every worried about being sucked onto the rails as the train rushes past?

Did this fill you with dread?

Do you think you are going crazy?

Do you get uptight today by little things that never bothered you before?

Are they making you feel nervous and all on edge?

If you experience any of the following feelings, then you might well be suffering from panic or anxiety attacks. Our bodies react in so many different ways.

Do you feel? - Light headed and dizzy - A tightness in the throat and chest area - A racing, pounding heart - Hot flushes - Almost like you are somewhere else, distant and vague

All of these are very commonly associated with Panic attacks, but do you know what? Don't suffer in silence any longer. Help is at hand with some very easy techniques that can help you to restore control and overcome panic attacks.

The best part is they do not involve drugs and medication. One such method is controlled breathing, but that is only the start. Knowing where to look is often the hardest bit.

It is real to you and unless you have experienced it first hand, then no one can know just how real it actually feels. Most people have had some form of panic or anxiety attack without even knowing it.

It is difficult knowing just who to find reassurance from. There is a saying that goes like this "A friend is one who knows all about you and loves you all the same".

Talking is a great release and there are lots of groups available for just that, but you cannot beat a good friend. Don't be alone and feel trapped any more. Let today be the day it all changes.

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Fish oils Really Do Have Amazing Health Benefits

Most people will have heard of some of the benefits of fatty fish by now unless they're complete hermits and locked themselves away from society completely. Information on Omega 3 is everywhere. You read about it in magazines and newspapers, it's featured on Ads on the TV and on the Internet, there are posters in health clinics and doctors surgeries and it's plastered across the packaging on many of the foods we buy in the supermarket. However, are people really getting the message?

The simple answer is no! Of course they're not, or we would all be getting enough Omega 3 in our diet by now but we're not. Yes the majority of us are well aware that fresh fatty fish contain high amounts of Omega 3 fatty acids and that by eating more fish we can help protect against heart disease but that's not all there is to know.

Health benefits of Omega 3

The list of health benefits from taking Omega 3 on a daily basis is endless. The fatty acids in Omega 3 are anti-inflammatory and as some form of inflammation is believed to lie at the root of all diseases, increasing our consumption of these fatty acids can help improve health in general.

Here are just some of the amazing effects that Omega 3 can have on your health when taken as a daily supplement.

It can help prevent death from heart attacks in people who have already had a heart attack and it can reduce the risk of developing heart disease in the first place.

It can help alleviate the pain and inflammation associated with arthritis and in some studies has shown that it can reduce the need for taking non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS).

It can help to alleviate the symptoms of anxiety and many different types of depression including clinical depression, post natal depression, bipolar disorder, and even schizophrenia. In fact it is nature's natural anti-depressant and is good for mental health in general

It can help to improve skin conditions such as acne, psoriasis and eczema and encourage healthier looking hair and nails too. Indeed, one of the first signs that you are not getting enough Omega 3 is poor hair, nails and skin.

It can reduce the symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and improve performance at school. One Australian study claims that high strength fish oil is better than Ritalin for treating ADHD.

It can help promote weight loss when used in combination with a moderate amount of exercise.

It can help concentration and memory and improve one's ability to learn and process information.

All this is very well but we are advised to eat more fish in order to increase our intake of Omega 3 but not too much fish, as fresh fish contains toxins like mercury and PCBs and just knowing that is enough to put many people off including a lot of fish in their diets.

There is another solution though and that is to supplement our diets with Omega 3 fish oil and this is the preferred method for many for getting enough Omega 3 in their diets.

What's the best kind of fish oil?

What some folk still don't realise is that fish oils are not all the same quality or strength so unless you know what you're looking for you when you buy a fish oil, you might not end up with one that is going to do you much good.

You cannot just walk into a supermarket and pick the first fish oil off the shelf and hope that this is going to be enough to make a difference. It isn't. What you need is pure fish oil that is concentrated to contain high amounts of Eicosapentaenoic acid or EPA as this is the fatty acid that most researchers believe has the most health benefits to offer.

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Fish Oil Capsules And Your Mental Health

Taking a daily dose of fish oil can do wonders for your mental health and yet many of us are still unaware of this and tend to associate fish oil as having a beneficial effect on the heart or arthritis and not specifically on the brain itself.

It's no coincidence that fish has long been known as brain food and the facts are that by taking fish oil capsules on a daily basis you can improve your mental health as well as your brain power.

Many studies have now shown that the Omega 3 fatty acids, particularly Eicosapentaenoic acid or EPA, which is found in fatty fish, helps to protect against and alleviate the symptoms of many different types of mental health problems including anxiety and anxiety related disorders, depression, ADHD and ADD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and even Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia.

Facts about Mental Health Today

It's quite a worrying statistic that around a quarter of the adult population are suffering from some kind of mental health problem at any one time and that ten percent of children between the ages of 5 and 15 are suffering too.

Any one of us can develop depression or an anxiety related disorder at any time of our lives no matter who we are, where we live, or what our social status is. Mental health problems are common.

Researchers are now associating the rising numbers of people suffering from depression and other mental health related problems with a decline in fish consumption as we are not getting enough of the Omega 3 fatty acids such as Eicosapentaenoic acid to keep our brains functioning as healthy as they should be.

Studies have shown that Omega 3 fish oil high in EPA helps our brains to function better on a daily basis enabling us to process information faster, improve our memory and concentration and promote better learning at school as well as boost our mental health in general.

Although no one yet understands the exact mechanisms involved as to why this is the case, there are several indicators as to what is going on in our brains when we get enough EPA in our diets to make a difference.

What can EPA fish oil do for our brains?

Researchers have found that people who are suffering from depression or other mental health problems have lower than normal levels of EPA so it stands to reason that by increasing our consumption of EPA we improve our mental health too.

EPA is anti-inflammatory so if there is enough of it included in the diet it helps to reduce inflammation anywhere in the body including the brain.

As it thins the blood it also helps the blood to flow more easily throughout the body and to the brain itself bringing much needed nutrients. The brain itself is composed mostly of Omega 3 fatty acids.

It is also believed that Eicosapentaenoic acid improves inter-neural connectivity allowing better communication between the brain cells.

Finally, Fish oil containing high concentrations of EPA can boost mood and feelings of well being and bring back a sense of joy into our lives.

Unfortunately it is no longer advisable to eat a lot of fresh fish due to the amount of industrial toxins that can be present in the fish but as fish oil is safe to take for both children and adults alike, it is an ideal way of making sure you get enough Omega 3 fatty acids in your diet on a daily basis.

When purchasing a fish oil make sure that you buy one from a reputable source which has been through processes to remove the toxins and which contains high levels of Eicosapentaenoic acid.

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Lose Weight The Healthy Way

The healthy way to lose weight is through a healthy diet and regular exercise. When you take it slow and make lifestyle changes, the weight comes off and stays off. Diet pills and fad diets may be successful in the short term but almost always the weight comes back, and usually brings friends. If you're tired of yoyo dieting and ready to make some healthy changes, continue reading for tips.

A healthy diet plan essentially consists of eating balanced meals and getting regular exercise. Your body needs the right amount of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients in order to function properly and efficiently. When did dieting become synonymous with eating unhealthy? The food pyramid says that we need foods from all food groups to stay healthy. By creating meal plans for weight loss you give yourself the chance to eat healthy and lose weight.

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It should be your biggest and most nutritious. Eating breakfast starts your day off right. Your metabolism gets in high gear and you have energy for the day. Most of us are so busy we don't take the time to eat a full, nutritional breakfast. You need to adopt this healthy habit. If you eat a breakfast that is full of protein and fiber you will stay full throughout the morning. That way you are not starving by lunch time and you wont binge eat.

Finding a healthy way to lose weight is about doing what you need to do to make your body work at its best. One thing everyone needs to do, even if you're not trying to lose weight is to drink plenty of water. You should drink normally 6 to 8 glasses a day. Your body needs to stay hydrated to function properly. Water is a natural appetite suppressant. Instead of reaching for some chips reach for a bottle of water - you may be surprised when your hunger pains go away. You were probably having thirst pangs. Many times we think we are hungry when we are really thirsty.

You will also need discipline to exercise. You need to find an exercise that you will stick with. You should do some type of aerobic exercise at least three days a week.

It takes 21 days to break a habit or start a new one. Stick with your new lifestyle changes. At first it will be difficult but before you know it you will be headed down the weight loss road and not looking back.

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Controling nervousness at job interviews

To be worried or concerned about an up-coming job interview is normal, however to be excessively worried and nervous is not normal. Remember when you are overly concerned it only works against you because the person doing the interview can see and feel your situation. Try to remain calm and confident.

There are things you can do to help overcome your problem while going to your job interview. Here are some tips on how to overcome nervousness when getting ready for a job interview.

Remember your Talents and Strengths

When you are getting ready for the interview, make a list of what your talents and strengths are. practice, practice, practice, say them out loud and repeat. This is going to remind you what you have to bring to the company and what you can do for it.

Be Prepared

When you leave for your interview, make sure that you leave in enough time in case there is a lot of traffic and you get stuck. You can get the clothes for the interview ready the night before so that you aren't trying to figure out what to wear the day of the interview.

Be positive

Don't be negative, because that's something that will make things worse. Listening to upbeat music is a nervousness breaker so turn the radio up and enjoy it on the way there and do a 180 degree mental turn around and remember the successes you have had. Stay focused on the wonderful things that will happen because of the interview. Even if you aren't hired, you are going to find yourself smarter and more prepared for your next interview.

Act Confident and Smile

It doesn't matter what will happen during the interview - you should never let them see you become rattled. Make sure your eyes meet, smile occasionally, and make sure you remain relaxed. Of course, chances are that you are bluffing, but it doesn't matter. There is no way the interviewer could possibly know the difference.

Remember the Reason You're There

Finally, to overcome nervousness, remember the reason that you are there. You were asked to come in for an interview because the person who read your application thinks that you will make a good addition to the company. You are worthwhile, and the company wants to know more about you. Understand the reason the company is taking the time to interview you.

When you have an interview and you want to overcome nervousness about the interview, remember the tips in this article. It will help things to be better for you and it will give you confidence that you need. When you are prepared, both mentally and physically, you can take comfort in the fact that you have overcome nervousness and that you have shown yourself to be someone that the company would be happy to have.

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Overcoming nervousness is something we all deal with regardless of who you are, there are simply situations that affect people differently. If you have excessive nervousness,overcoming nervousness for a job interview, find out more about ways to help control this problem. Find out more at http://www.panicattackscontrol.com