The Health Aspects Of Chocolate

Chocolate is relaxing. It’s calming. It soothes our nerves and makes us feel good. And we often think of it as a sinful indulgence. But it doesn’t have to be. If you choose your chocolate wisely, you can enjoy it without the guilty feelings we normally associate with it.

What Are the Healthy Aspects of Chocolate?

By eating small amounts of the right chocolate, you will enjoy the many health aspects of chocolate. Chocolate contains high levels of potassium and magnesium, as well as vitamins B1, B2, D and E. If that’s not reason enough to reach for a daily dose of chocolate, consider that it can also lower blood pressure and prevent arteries from hardening, therefore protecting the heart.

Has Chocolate Been Wrongly Accused?

For the most part, chocolate has been wrongly accused. New studies are finding that common beliefs about the effects of chocolate are not true after all. While we used to associate chocolate with acne, researchers have now dismissed a possible link between the two. While some people avoided chocolate because of the caffeine level associated with it, we now know that a small serving only contains as much caffeine as a cup of decaffeinated coffee. Does chocolate really cause migraines? Well, only if consumed in large amounts. Again, moderation plays a big role here.

So before you reach for a Hershey bar of a Snicker’s, consider that the chocolate you eat should contain 70% cocoa. This can be found specifically in dark chocolates. You should invest in a quality dark chocolate and eat it in small amounts every day to see the health benefits. Make sure you enjoy each bite and let it melt in your mouth. It will have the same effect as the recommended single glass of wine per day.

What Kind of Chocolate Offers The Most Health Aspects?

True cocoa is the best chocolate to eat for health reasons. Not only will it satisfy your sweet tooth, but it will also provide health aspects beyond what many of us dreamed possible. The recommendation is to eat two small squares of chocolate per day. We’re not talking about a typical candy bar here. Dark chocolate contains higher levels of cocoa and lower level of milk and sugar.

Choosing Wisely

The best varieties of chocolate are more expensive and are dark or bittersweet. Good chocolate should only have a few ingredients on the contents label. In addition, you can buy organic chocolate or make your own homemade chocolate with a cocoa base.

Healthy Chocolate Snacks

There are some easy ways to get in your daily dose of heart-healthy chocolate. Try a steamy cup of hot cocoa, fruit dipped dark in chocolate, chocolate covered almonds or eat the squares of chocolate by themselves.

Chocolate in Moderation

Hearing that chocolate has health aspects does not mean we can load up our grocery carts with chocolate bars though. It is important to adhere to the daily-recommended dose since it is high in calories. Moderation is a key factor here. Balance your caloric intake with a variety of other heart-healthy foods and reach for the dark chocolate as a cure for your sweet tooth sparingly.

Lightning Protection Systems

Not much thought goes into an actual lightning protection system. People observe lightning all the time but seldom consider their homes or businesses being struck by lightning or the loss of life that can accompany it. Did you know that a Lightning bolt has an electrical charge of roughly 100 million volts and the heat generated in the path of a lightning strike gets more than 54,000 degrees Fahrenheit? That’s approximately 5 times hotter than the surface of our sun.

Lightning reportedly causes over 10,000 forest fires to start each year in the United States. The energy discharged by a Lightning strike is so intense that it can melt sand where it strikes and turns the sand into glass. These glass tubes that are formed are called fulgurite.

The only way to protect your home, investment and the lives of you or your loved ones is with a properly installed lightning protection system. No other form of protection works properly and many people and companies have tried to either harness or repel lightning before it strikes, but their efforts have been ineffective. The only effective means is providing a safe path to ground for the lightning strike.

There are more lightning strikes occurring in the United States each year than many people realize. Detection instruments and scientists have estimated that lightning strikes somewhere in the US over 24 million times a year and it kills an average of 73 people. That is just deaths; more than 700 people are seriously injured. Tornadoes kill approximately 68 people a year and hurricanes kill about 16 people a year in the U.S. About 10% of the people that are struck by lightning are killed while the other 90% are left with long term effects and problems such as migraines, headaches, seizures and mood disorders, numbness and possibly more. If you are listening to a radio and static starts to occur that can mean that lightning is about to strike (either the radio station or near you).

Lightning protection cable is specific and manufactured to work correctly for the millions of volts that lightning produces. Just using a large copper cable instead of proper Class I conductor cable will not work in a lightning protection system. Lightning conductor cable is specified to contain at least 32 strands and each strand needs to be 17 gauge (for copper cable) (24 strand, 14 gauge for aluminum). The entire cable must be woven or braided as the lightning charge travels on the surface of each strand. The cable must be specified as 65,000 circular mils of conductivity.

This type and quality of cable can not be obtained at a local building center or hardware store. The cable must be bare and never coated or painted. That would defeat the whole purpose of the correct conductor cable. Trying to save yourself some money on buying the incorrect cable will end up causing damage and your insurance will deny your claim if the wrong products are used. A lightning grounding cable needs to be UL certified and approved by the Lightning Protection Institute. Some insurance companies offer a homeowners discount if you have a lightning system installed on your house.

Calcium/Magnesium

When dealing with calcium/magnesium, it is understandable that calcium/magnesium is basically a combination of two vital minerals into one convenient product. It is considered that such combination is just one of the best means to prevent or treat myriad complaints such as from back pain and perimenopausal to PMS and endometriosis.

Many experts were encouraged to produce calcium/magnesium products for the reason that a combination of calcium, which is nowadays the most promoted mineral by proponents of conventional, nutritional, and alternative medicine due to its great role played for the proper functioning of the body, particularly the bones and teeth, and magnesium, which contributes a large part for the cardiovascular functions and the production of the energy, greatly ensures that one who take calcium/magnesium supplement will get a better health.

However, there is really a little chance to distinguish one calcium/magnesium product from another. To solve such problem, some experts have recommended that it is indeed a smart move to take a combination of calcium/magnesium product that essentially contains different forms of the key minerals like calcium citrate, carbonate, and malate, as well as magnesium citrate, aspartate, and glycinate. This move is highly recommended by some experts for making sure that at least one of those minerals will be taken into the system and performs its functions.

The calcium/magnesium is such an element that bears left/right sided cell receptors that have a great role for the human health. With that fact, the calcium/magnesium then becomes the “Gold Standard” in terms of discussing the supplements, paired cell receptors, mineral ratios, and other nutrition-associated health issues in general.

The calcium/magnesium are basically produced in order to treat certain health problems, such as aging, anxiety and panic, back aches and pain, depression, endometriosis, epilepsy and high blood pressure. Aside from such major uses of calcium/magnesium, there are certain that show the fact that due to the rich mineral content of calcium/magnesium combination; the calcium/magnesium combination can also be used for migraines, perimenopause as well as PMS.

It is considered in most findings that the amount of calcium/magnesium is typically little in combination products than those in its mineral supplement. For that, it is still best to take a look, especially for those who are concerned about the possible interactions of the calcium/magnesium, with the particular drug or dietary supplement that will fit for your health.

The calcium/magnesium is then a serious supplement that is intended for serious health issues. So if you are affected with thyroid, heart disease, or kidney, it is then best to consult your doctor before taking calcium/magnesium combination. It is then a proper move to take precautionary actions before taking it since any wrong move, like overdose or an excess intake of calcium/magnesium will only worsen the condition. So to mention in particular, the experts only recommend 500 to 800 mg of calcium twice a day and 250 to 400 mg of magnesium twice a day for the aging problems, and for those who have anxiety and panic, 1,000 mg of calcium and 400 to 800 mg of magnesium per day is usually suggested.

Reflexology Massage

Reflexology Massage, which is also known as the zone therapy, is an alternative medicine technique in which massaging, stroking, squeezing, pressing, rubbing and pushing on very specific areas of the feet, hands, and ears is applied to promote or stimulate beneficial effects to other corresponding remote parts of the body such as the vital internal organs and other essential systems. The intent is to improve the subject’s overall health of the body as a whole and the mind.

The American Association of Reflexologists claims that Reflexology Massage results in improved blood circulation, detoxification of metabolic wastes, reductions of tension and the facilitation of the body’s capability to heal itself. The Associations also claims that Reflexology Massage is effective for back pain, migraines, infertility, arthritis and a long string of other mind and body problems.

Since studies and research failed to reach clinical conclusions about the effectiveness of Reflexology Massage, medical professionals of the Western persuasion have repeatedly expressed concerns that the belief in this practice may dangerously delay treatments of potentially serious health conditions. They have even resorted to calling reflexology’s claim to maneuver energy (gi) pseudoscientific as there is no scientific evidence for the existence of life energy, crystalline structures or pathways in the human body.

In the United States, the same medical critics and others disapprove of the lack of medical training and the short duration of training such as it is. They further disparage over the fact that there exists no central regulation for accrediting and licensing Reflexology Massage therapists. Conversely, several European countries, among them Switzerland, require reflexologists to be trained and licensed medical practitioners with a thorough understanding of anatomy and physiology.

However, based on ancient Chinese healing, reflexologists claim that the human body contains an invisible energy field which is the life force or the gi and they insist that a blockage or an obstruction of this life force prevent or puts off the body’s natural inclination for self healing and the improvement of health and wellness.

Dr. William H. Fitzgerald, an ear, nose and throat specialist and his partner Dr. Edwin Bowers are said to have been the first to pioneer reflexology in the United States in 1913. Referring to their theory as “zone therapy”, Drs. Fitzgerald and Bowers claimed that, in fact, imposing pressure at some very specific sites of the body provides analgesic and anesthetic effects on other distant parts.

In the 1930s and 1940s, Eunice D. Ingham, a nurse and a physiotherapist, declared that the hands and feet are particularly receptive and proceeded to diagram the entire body into associated impulse or reflex points on the feet. By doing so, Ingham changed the previously spoken of “zone therapy” to “reflexology” or “reflexology massage” and his charted reflexes are still followed today.

Whether Reflexology Massage truly attains the exact results it alleges to attain is, in my opinion, not all that important. The more important issue here is the fact that a vigorous massage to the hands and feet feels so very good, especially after a hard day’s work, that it must be therapeutic in one way or another. Or maybe it just feels good and that’s OK too.

Damage Done By Overdosing on Tricyclic Antidepressants

Tricylcic antidepressants are used to treat depression, as the name indicates. There are some that may be used as an

effective treatment for varying degrees of anxiety, but for the most part, doctors don’t stray too far. They have also been

known to be useful in treating a variety of other conditions, apart form depression and anxiety. Primarily, they can be

considered alternative treatments for migraines and neuropathic pain. However, as useful as they are, no sane doctor is going

to prescribe amounts of tricyclic antidepressants that might be considered too high. This is because these medications, in

high enough amounts, have been known to cause fatalities. According to statistics, nearly 2% of people who had overdoses of

antidepressant medication died from an overdose of tricyclic antidepressants.

There are a number of signs that signify that someone has overdosed on the aforementioned medication. Most people who

overdose suddenly find that their bodies have become lethargic, with a heightened sense of agitation also being a common

sign. The muscles are also adversely affected, with various areas of the body undergoing involuntary twitching, seizures, and

jerky movements. Low blood pressure and heart rate have also been associated with overdoses of tricyclic antidepressants,

though these usually occur in the more advanced stages. Disturbances in the heart rhythm, sometimes to a potentially fatal

level, have been known to be common if the problem is not addressed early enough. It should be noted that all of the above

can be overdose signs of other drugs, though a simple blood test is often enough to identify the source of the problem.

The approach taken to dealing with anyone who has experienced an overdose on the above medication is the same as the approach

taken with anyone who has overdosed or been poisoned. As such, the initial procedure is to stabilize the vital signs of the

victim. In the case of an overdose of tricyclic antidepressants, this step usually involves low blood pressure and the use of

intravenous liquids to rectify that problem. Breathing could be a problem at any stage of poisoning, though it is most

difficult to start and stabilize if the overdose has caused the victim to enter into a comatose state. Some also use muscle

relaxants in treating overdoses, particularly if the body is convulsing or experiencing spasms. Sodium bicarbonate can

sometimes be used to prevent the effects of the medication from reaching the heart, though there is no pharmaceutical means

to counter the other effects.

Most people should realize that in the event of an overdose, people may not appear ill at first. However, the effects can

rapidly appear and will quickly become life-threatening if not subjected to proper treatment on time. Interestingly, most

cases of overdose of tricyclics are considered to be intentional. Alcohol has been known to increase the intensity of some of

the side effects of the medication, and should not be taken with such. Some patients have also reported becoming depressed in

connection with an overdose. As such, once the physical treatment has been completed, most doctors recommend that the patient

undergo some sort of psychiatric evaluation as soon as they are physically able to.

Confusing Retinal Migraine

Due to the varied types of the disease, most doctors would diagnose migraine based on the universally accepted standards of The International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD) to avoid misdiagnosis. Retinal migraine is a classic example of confusion and misdiagnosis, simply because the term is often poorly understood and widely misused.
When a migraine sufferer is given a diagnosis that lacks accuracy in diagnostic terms but is given more of a descriptive term, a problem may arise. When these descriptive terms are used frequently, they miss out on its real diagnosis. The International Headache Society (IHS) came up with a standard diagnosis to make communications easier for patients who need to consult other doctors or change doctors.
Retinal Migraine is an actual migraine diagnosis which is often misused to define any migraine that is associated with any visual symptoms, or a migraine with visual symptoms minus the headache. It is characterized by recurrent attacks of unilateral visual disturbances that precedes the headache period of the migraine attacks, starting with monocular (affecting one eye) visual symptoms such as scintillations, scotoma, and temporary loss of vision.
Symptoms
Scintillation is the perception of lights flashing in different intensity during the migraine aura and can be a symptom of the aura phase of a migraine attack.
The headache period begins during or within sixty minutes of the visual symptoms that are consistent with migraine without aura: Headache duration of 4 to 72 hours.
Symptoms should have at least two of the following characteristics:
1. unilateral location
2. pulsatile quality
3. moderate or severe pain intensity
4. aggravation by or causing avoidance of routine physical activity such as walking or climbing stairs
And at least one of these characteristics:
1. nausea and/or vomiting
2. photophobia (heightened sensitivity to light) and phonophobia (heightened sensitivity to sound)
The main difference between retinal migraine and migraine with aura (neurological phenomenon) is that the former has monocular visual symptoms as well as total, but temporary, monocular blindness.
Since there are no known causes of migraine disease, diagnosis is done by tracing the personal and family medical history of the patient to rule out other causes of the symptoms.
Treatment and Remedies
There are several over-the-counter and prescription medicines that can provide migraine remedies or aid in relieving symptoms of attacks when they happen. For most people, treatments to relieve stress prove to be equally helpful as migraine remedies.
Retinal migraine is a diagnosis of exclusion, however, and patients will generally require a complete cardiovascular evaluation to rule-out embolic and other vascular disease as a cause of the visual loss. Patients diagnosed with this condition may be treated in the same fashion as patients with migraine.
Patients who are having infrequent episodes are given medications used for other forms of migraine to relieve other symptoms. These medications can include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), anti-nausea medications among others. The choice of medications may depend on the age of the patient’s severity of the condition. For frequent migraine attacks, the same preventive therapies used for other migraines can be explored. But, as always, remember to consult your physicians for proper diagnosis of your condition before taking any medication.