Anxiety Disorder-Several Conditions That Cause You To Be Anxoius

The term 'anxiety disorder' actually applies to several conditions that make people feel anxious on a frequent basis. Some of the more common anxiety disorders include panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), separation anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), various phobias, and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Here is a quick overview of each condition along with treatment options.

NOTE: You must always talk to a medical professional about any and all health concerns, including those related to anxiety.

Panic disorder is described as intense, brief incidents of hesitation or fear. Even though most people find the worst of it passes after ten to twenty minutes, sometimes the disorder escalates into a panic attack. A person with this anxiety disorder may believe they are having a heart attack or dying, and may seek emergency medical service (it's always better to err on the side of caution) for their symptoms.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder is usually associated with people who do repeated actions or rituals that don't make apparent sense to an outside observer; for example, checking thirty times to see if the oven as bee turned off, frequent hand washing, or touching every telephone pole as they walk down the street. However, OCD also extends to a person's thoughts and can be manifested in other ways which connect a particular action with a desired result, even though the two aren't actually connected.

Separation anxiety occurs when the sufferer is separated from a place or person. A common example of this is when a toddler has a tantrum when their parents leave them with a babysitter. While this is fairly normal, it can become an issue if it is excessive in a child, or if it continues into adulthood.

Post-traumatic stress disorder is often associated with soldiers returning from combat, but can happen to anyone who has gone through a traumatic experience. The experience may be a one-time event or a prolonged series of events. Symptoms often include depression, anxiety, and reliving the events (flashbacks).

Phobias come in many different varieties and make up a large portion of all anxiety disorders. If you are afraid of something specific such as dogs, spiders, open spaces, social situations, clowns, snakes, water, or anything else for that matter, then you probably have a phobia. However, if you have a lower level of fear for just about everything, then you may have the following condition…

Generalized anxiety disorder is just what it sounds like: having an overall, general anxiety about all kinds of things. While most people get anxious about something at any given moment, somebody with GAD has a constant sense of anxiety about several things at the same time.

Each anxiety disorder has several treatment options available. Generally speaking, the treatment will involve learning coping mechanisms, medication, or both. Because everybody is different, it may take a bit of trial and error to find the most effective treatment for an individual. The good news is that effective treatment is possible.


 

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Home Remedy For Dry Skin-Tips For Do It Yourself Relief

There is no shortage of products that you can buy to help conquer dry skin. Many of those products do work, but what if you run out? When that happens, you need an effective home remedy for dry skin. Just as there is no shortage of for-purchase products, there is no shortage of home remedies that you can select from. The following are just a few of the possibilities that you can use when trying to get rid of dry skin.

1. Do not completely dry yourself off after bathing. It is much better to gently dry off, but to your skin slightly damp. The water will help to moisturize your skin from the outside, and it will also prevent you from being too rough on your skin.

2. If you apply a moisturizer, then doing so right after you are partially dry is best. Again, the water left on your skin will work with any moisturizer you use. At the very least, it should reduce the total amount of moisturizer you use.

3. Avoid the use of harsh soaps and skin cleansers which only server to strip away the natural oils in your skin. Who knew that getting rid of some of your current skin care products could be a home remedy for dry skin? There are all kinds of remedies in your home, and it's often just a matter of looking at things differently.

4. Those who live in colder climates will often find that their skin is much drier in the winter. This is because the air is less humid, and that can lead to dry skin. The solution here is quite simple: get a humidifier for your home so the humidity levels are normal. This one simple change can make a huge improvement in how your skin feels.

5. Honey and olive oil are two of the best home remedies for dry skin. Honey has humectant properties, which means that it not only serves to moisturize the skin, but it also locks in that moisture, allowing your skin to feel great for a longer time than when using a non-humectant moisturizer. Olive oil has been used cosmetically for centuries, and one of its best properties is how well it moisturizes dry skin. Other vegetable oils such as peanut, safflower, and sunflower may also be used.

6. Avoid hot baths and showers as the heat can be harsh and dry out the skin. You don't have to take an ice-cold shower, but don't make it so hot that it damages your skin. The same concept of not overdoing it holds true when it comes to your skin care regimen as well.

Each home remedy for dry skin listed above will have your skin looking and feeling great, but that's only the start. There are many other remedies you can use to get rid of dry skin. You should take advantage of any remedies that you can find…your skin will thank you for it.


 

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Weight Gain And Cholesterol

It's really not a secret that there is a connection between weight gain and cholesterol levels. If you are overweight one of the best things you can do for your body is lose your excess body weight.

Weight gain and cholesterol is a common problem for many people as they age. When we age we often have slower metabolisms and just don't get as much exercise.

Those factors can lead to an increase in the amount of excess body fat you put on.

Of course, sometimes having trouble with your cholesterol levels is a result of hereditary factors, but more often than not it is a result of lifestyle choices.

If we eat too many foods that are bad for us: high in fat and calories and generally lacking in any nutritional value, for example, we will most likely gain weight as well as increase the levels of bad cholesterol.

According to the American Heart Association, you should try to keep your overall cholesterol levels below 199mg/dl. Your bad cholesterol levels, LDL, should be less than 99mg/dl.

The higher your LDL levels the more fat you have in your bloodstream. This fat can clog your arteries and lead to many serious health related issues such as heart attack and stroke.

Of course, you do have many ways you can help control your cholesterol levels and you don't have to (in many cases, ultimately you need to ask your doctor) rely solely on medication.

Eating right is your first line of defense. For many people, just eating a healthier diet will be enough to prevent developing any cholesterol problems in the first place.

Lean protein, vegetables, more fruits and lots of water can go a long way to ensure that your cholesterol levels are kept where they should be.

You can start small too. Just stop eating so much of the bad stuff. If you really love your burgers why not just cut back on the amount you have in a week?

Or, why not try a leaner ground beef or possibly even a turkey burger. It's up to you but you can see that there are many simple things you can do to eat better and not eating as much bad stuff.

Another simple fix is to eat less sugar. For many people this can be accomplished just by cutting way back on some of the beverages they drink.

I had a friend who lost 10 lbs. in one month and the only thing she did was stop drinking pop. Most beverages are loaded with sugar and some of the worst offenders are energy drinks.

Getting less sugar in your diet can be a simple way for you to loss excess body fat and lose weight.

Weight gain and cholesterol do go hand in hand but you can lose weight with some simple changes to your diet and exercise program. Don't give up and make sure you talk to your doctor before you start, but you really can have a positive impact on your cholesterol levels.


 

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Treatments And Committed Attitude Will Help You Control Alcoholism

When you have a problem with alcoholism abuse, it is good to know what treatments there are and that you can be helped to overcome your problem. Alcoholism abuse is not a new problem and is not something unique to any one culture or region. Throughout time people the world over have struggled with alcoholism. The good news is that millions of those trying to quit are successful and you can be part of that number. The hard thing can be finding that one treatment that will work for you. While millions may have success, there are those who need something else. The key is to keep trying until you find that one method that works.

The most popular method for quite a few years has been the twelve step program that has empowered millions allowing them to first admit that they have a problem and then trying to restore the damage done by their addiction to alcohol. The community and support system has been invaluable for most of those who find themselves drink free for years after committing to getting better and sticking with the program.

Many will find success in therapy. This can be one on one sessions with a therapist or part of group therapy. In these sessions they are able to look at the causes and triggers and meet them head on. Some find that family therapy will help as they are able to utilize their greatest support system, those people that are closest to them.

Most people will deny there is a problem at first. Until it is admitted there is a problem, nothing can be done to help. You can't fix what you don't believe is broken. This takes some honest self-evaluation and introspection as well as the admitting weakness. It is only when you admit you are weak that you can ever find the strength to overcome addiction.

Once one decides that they have a problem, it then needs to be decided just how serious the problem is. It could be that the problem is just drinking too much in social settings, then it is just a matter of some behavior modification and learning moderation. Cutting back on the amount you drink might just be enough.

For those who have more serious problems, total abstinence from alcohol might be in order. While this may be difficult, the long-term rewards are well worth the struggle. To find out just how alcohol dependent you are, try abstaining for a few days. If you can't make it through the first couple days, abstinence may be the best goal.

The most important thing to do is to quit denying that you have a problem and the seek treatment as soon as possible. If you find one method that doesn't work, don't give up. Keep fighting and trying to find one that will work. Don't let yourself be discouraged. Alcoholism abuse is a tough opponent, but you can take back the control.


 

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Men And Menopause-Experience Symptoms That Are Similar

When we hear the word "menopause" most of us don't immediately think of men, but men too can suffer from some of the symptoms a woman goes through during menopause. This article will go over some of the reasons men and menopause may actually go together after all.

Over the last few years there has been more said about so called "male menopause". Obviously, that is not a totally accurate way to say it since men don't menstruate and menopause literally means the end of menstruation, but it does refer to other issues that men may share.

One thing that men and menopause do have in common are hot flashes. Men can actually suffer from hot flashes just like women do.

And, like the hot flashes suffered from by women, the possible types of relief available are hit or miss in their effectiveness – to say the least.

One of the most common reasons for men to suffer from hot flashes is due to a type of therapy used to treat prostate cancer.

Some of the medications and treatments used to treat hot flashes may actually make your cancer spread so you do need to be very careful which ones you use and always talk it over with your doctor before you start.

Here are a few ideas of medications that may provide relief. Make sure you talk with your doctor first since only he can advise you of the safest course of action based on your unique condition.

1. Antidepressants have been shown to provide some relief from hot flashes for women and men. The downside is that it may lead to sexual dysfunction for men.

Depending on the antidepressant another possible side effect could be an increase in blood pressure.

Ask your doctor to find out the pros and cons as well as weigh the risk vs. reward for each type.

2. Another promising drug to help control hot flashes for both men and women is a drug used to stop seizures in epileptics.

One of the possible side effects, though, is dizziness. Again, talk to your doctor about the side effects before you fill that prescription.

3. If you are a man who suffers from hot flashes but aren't undergoing therapy for cancer, you may have other options too.

Many women have had good success with natural herbal remedies to control their hot flashes.

Things like Black Cohosh or Red Clover have been said to provide some relief. But, again, these may still have side effects so definitely talk to your doctor first before taking them.

And, you must remember that the results are hit or miss at best. Some swear by these treatments while others have had no relief from taking them. Only you can find out if they will work for you or not.

At the end of the day there are a lot of options of things you can try to alleviate your symptom. Unfortunately it is largely a matter of trial and error until you can find the right combination to get rid of your symptoms.

But, even though it is a challenge to find the right "mix", it isn't impossible. Just talk to your doctor about men and menopause to get answers and ideas for relief.


 

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Treating And Identifying Acne Scar Problems

Acne facial scars affect thousands of people around the world. While acne is prevolent in adolescence, their scars can make a permanent mark on your appearance and self-esteem.

Acne scars, like all scars, result from a wound or injury. They contribute to the skin's normal healing process. While superficial wounds heal without leaving a scar, anything that damages the dermis will create a scar. Inflamed lesions (papules, pustules, or cysts) are what cause acne scars.

There are many types of acne facial scars and treating them depends on their characteristics.

Ice pick scars, as the name implies, are deep and narrow. They cause the skin to look as if it has been pierced by a sharp instrument. Some may look like large, open pores. These usually develop after an infection from a cyst or other deep inflamed blemish. The most effective treatment of ice pick scars is the punch technique. This surgery literally takes out the scar and sews up the wound.

Boxcar scars are wide round or oval indentations with steep vertical sides. These occur when an inflammatory breakout destroys collagen and tissue is lost. The most suitable treatments for boxcar scars are punch excision or elevation, dermal fillers, and laser resurfacing.

Rolling scars create "wave-like" undulations across the skin–they are most effectively treated with subcision (detaching the scar from deeper tissue, which allows a pool of blood to form under the scar and brings it up level to the skin's surface).

Hypertrophic or keloid scars are raised and very red and although they can appear on the face, it is more frequent that they appear on other areas of the body. These types of scars often grow larger than the original wound. They develop because of an overproduction of collagen which can occur during acne breakouts. The most common treatments of these types of scars are steroid (cortisone) creams, tapes, or injections which can shrink and flatten the scar. Laser technology is also being tried on these types of scars.

The best way to prevent acne scarring is to reduce the inflammatory breakouts as much as possible. Also, do not pick, scratch or squeeze pimples. This only forces bacteria deeper into the dermis and spreads the infection to other cells. If you do get a scab, do not pick at it. A scab is the skin's natural "bandage". It protects the wound as it heals. Picking a scab off a wound before it is ready prolongs the healing process and raises chances of scarring.

You may develop acne scars even if you are doing everything in your power not to let this happen. Luckily, there are many treatments that can minimize the appearance of scarring. If you're worried about scarring, discuss one of the many treatments with your doctor.

The above information about acne facial scars does not substitute medical advice given by a health professional.


 

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Anxiety Attack-Also Called Intense Panic Attack

Anybody who has ever had an anxiety attack (sometimes called a panic attack) will tell you that it isn't any fun at all. The attack will be very intense, and may or may not have an apparent trigger associated with it. If you believe you have had an anxiety attack, or know someone who has, then the following information will help.

NOTE: You should always take health symptoms seriously. If you think you are having a heart attack, you should get help immediately. Always talk to your doctor about all of your health concerns, including those related to anxiety and panic attacks.

Anxiety attacks are sometimes confused for a more serious health problem, such as an inability to breathe or having a heart attack. Here is one way that this happens. Many people with anxiety have an acute sense of awareness, and then amplify that awareness. Perhaps they are sitting quietly and then suddenly notice their breathing. They then focus on their breathing and they start to wonder if they are breathing properly. The funny thing is that this thought process actually changes their breathing pattern, and they then become even more aware of this change. This process keeps escalating until the person thinks they could die from not being able to breathe, and they are now in the middle of an anxiety attack.

Understanding this process is one of the keys to getting an anxiety attack under control. If this happens to you, then you should do your best to interrupt the thought process, which will prevent simple awareness from progressing into an attack. Again, all symptoms should be taken seriously, but you will get better at telling the difference as you handle more panic attacks successfully.

Having an anxiety attack can be scary. You may feel an impending sense of doom, or as though you are going to die. It's unpleasant, to put it mildly. One of the most frustrating side effects of these attacks is the fear of having an attack when you are in public. Unfortunately, this fear can start a downward spiral that leads to agoraphobia (fear of open places) and can lead to a full-blown panic disorder.

While a large portion of sufferers will have an anxiety attack without warning, there are also some people who have recognizable triggers for their attacks. Be careful! The downside of potential triggers is that the perceived trigger may not be the real cause of an attack. The fear of having an attack in public is one example of how this plays out. Let's say somebody has an attack while they are at the movie theater, it's a horrible feeling and they leave the theater as soon as possible. Later, when they are assessing what went wrong, they assume it was the movie theater that caused it, even though it could have been something completely different. But, perception reigns supreme and they decide to never go to the theater again. Over time, they have fewer and fewer places where they feel safe, and this is why it can be such a big problem.


 

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The Most Common Attention Deficit Disorder Symptom

What is the most common attention deficit disorder symptom? There are many symptoms that can lead to a diagnosis of ADD or ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder) and many of these are used to diagnose other conditions as well which makes diagnosis challenging.

How can you tell if you or a loved one has ADD? Obviously, the final diagnosis comes after an evaluation by a skilled professional, but the hallmarks of ADD/ADHD include similar childhood symptoms and persistent adult symptoms that interfere with work and relationships, all throughout life:

If a child has ADD/ADHD, even if he/she is officially diagnosed, he/she is at risk for having ADD/ADHD as an adult. A child with ADD/ADHD usually demonstrates symptoms of not being able to sit still, listen or follow directions, no matter how clearly they are presented. He/she may constantly fidget and tend to blurt out inappropriate comments at inappropriate times. Or he/she may just appear to always be "spaced out" or daydreaming (more common in girls than in boys with ADD).

In adults, the difficulty of being able to concentrate and organize becomes more prevelant than in children. Adults with ADD/ADHD have an extremely hard time concentrating. They can't follow conversations and continue to unintentionally zone in and out. Finishing tasks might feel impossible, although they may have started many. ADD causes adults to get very easily distracted or forgetful, which then leads to errors or incomplete work.

Another attention deficit disorder symptom affects organization. Keeping things in place both at home and work could be an enormous challenge for someone who suffers from ADD. So, they are usually viewed as just being overly messy.

In children, hyperactivity, another symptom of ADD, can be pretty obvious to identify – a hyperactive child may bounce around a lot and never sit still, even when seated. But in adults, hyperactivity manifests itself differently. Often adults with ADD get easily bored, irritated and experience mood swings. They tend to be restless and full of nervous energy and just unable to relax, making quiet activities seemingly impossible. Some also feel the need to talk continuously.

Another symptom is trouble controlling impulses. In children with ADD, impulsitivity is seen when they blurt out answers or constantly interrupt others' conversations or activities. An adult with ADD might have a hard time managing finances due to their impulsive purchases. Impulsitivity also affects decision-making. Someone with ADD might have a pattern of making sudden decisions "on a whim" or have trouble listening to others.

If someone with ADD/ADHD remains untreated, the disorder can disrupt everything from his/her career to relationships, health and financial stability. While most of us sometimes have challenges in these areas, the persistent chaos and disorganization of ADD/ADHD can make managing the problems worse and worse.

While much is still being learned about ADD/ADHD and how to tackle one attention deficit disorder symptom at a time, we see that there are also positive traits associated with this condition. Impulsivity, boundless energy and the tendency to switch tracks constantly may turn into creativity, flexibility, the ability to rapidly adapt to new information or tremendous drive and commitment.


 

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Five Stretching Exercises To Relieve Back Pain

Stretching exercises to relieve back pain can help overcome the day-to-day stress that our bodies undergo and the toll that it takes on our backs in particular. Depending on our occupation, we are forced to either stand or sit in one place for long periods of time. This poor posture and the constant compression of our spines can bring about not only short-term pain but long term problems. Correcting your posture and doing stretching exercises to relieve back pain will help remedy the situation.

Another problem that people face is on the weekends over compensating for their lack of activity during the week by undergoing rigorous physical activities. While getting exercise is highly recommended and beneficial, it can also cause problems if your body is not ready for the endeavor. This can make your body, in particular your back susceptible to injury. Getting a little bit of exercise during the week can prevent this and also doing stretching exercises to relieve back pain.

Five stretching exercises to relieve back pain that you can do that take only about 15 -20 minutes a day will help your body recover from the stress we put on our bodies Monday through Friday. For these stretching exercises to relieve back pain you will need an elastic exercise band available at most department stores.

Low Back Stretch:

This is accomplished by sitting upright on the floor with your legs together and stretched straight out. Take the exercise band and wrap it around your feet holding on to both ends with your hands. "Climb" towards your foot using the band pulling yourself one hand in front of the other. Do this until you can feel the stretch going from your calves all the way to your spine and lower back. Hold this for 8-10 seconds breathing normally. Do this 3 times.

Groin Stretch:

Lay on your back with your legs almost in a split. Bend your left leg till your foot is flat on the floor. Wrap the elastic band on the right foot and gently pull with both arms. Hold this for another 8-10 seconds and then repeat 3 times. Then switch legs and do it all over again.

Glutes and External Rotator Stretch:

Still laying with your back to the ground wrap the elastic band around one toe and straighten that leg, holding on to the band. Once it is extended then twist at the hip until that leg is on the ground, keeping your back as flat as can be. Hold this for the full 8-10 seconds repeating 3 times and then switch legs.

Hamstring Stretch:

Assume the same position as the External Rotator Stretch and instead of twisting at the hip, stay straight, with your leg straight up and pull gently back towards your head. This stretches the hamstring, which relives some of the tension from the back.

Quad Stretch:

Lay face down and wrap the elastic band around your toe pulling your leg towards your head. Once you feel your front thigh fully stretched, hold it for 8 seconds and then repeat two more times and do the same with the other leg.

These exercises will not only make you stronger and a bit more flexible, they will also be great stretching exercises to relieve back pain.


 

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Find Natural Remedies For Dry Skin Or Should We Say Organic

Dry, itchy, red, scaly skin is such a hassle! It's uncomfortable, unsightly, and hard to live with. If you suffer from any of this, then it's only natural to ask "where can I find natural remedies for dry skin?" While everybody is different, and no single remedy works for every person, it's a good idea to try as many remedies as you can. Once you find a few you like, keep using them to have a better looking skin that also feels great!

1. A fantastic way to clean your face and battle dryness at the same time is to soak your face in water that is at room temperature (or slightly above) for five to minutes. This is as simple as it is refreshing. However, you need to be careful that you don't use water that is too warm as that will only serve to dry out your skin even more.

2. Dry skin also includes having dry and chapped lips. You can use a mixture of heavy cream with a touch of rose water for a soothing remedy for chapped lips. You should try to use this remedy on a regular basis to get the full benefit. Using it once in the morning and once before bed should be enough.

3. Another natural remedy for dry skin is to make a lotion comprised of one egg yolk, one teaspoon each of olive oil and orange juice, and a few drops each of rose water and lime juice. Mix it together and use it right away while the ingredients are still fresh. Apply it to your skin when you first get up in the morning, and before bathing. Let it sit for ten to fifteen minutes then gently rinse it off with cool water.

4. You can also use pure grapeseed oil extract to combat dry skin. You may have to check your local health food store to find it, but it's worth seeking out. This is one remedy that may cost a bit more, but it will be worth it if it means having moist and radiant skin.

5. A very simple natural remedy for dry skin is to mash one ripe banana and apply it to your neck and face. Leave it on for several minutes and then rinse it off using lukewarm water.

6. When dealing with dry skin, you can try massaging almond oil or olive oil into your face or other problem areas of your skin. Doing this on a regular basis will give you the most benefit.

As you can see, the answer to the question of "where can I find natural remedies for dry skin" is "in many different places". The grocery store is loaded with all kinds of things that you can use to get rid of dry skin problems. It's easy to do, and you will feel great when use the remedies that really work.


 

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