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Besides an abundance of fresh air day and night, summer and winter, personal cleanliness immensely aids to health and the ability to sleep. In the old days people bathed to clean themselves when dirty. In those days once a week was considered frequent.

Today we shower to keep clean. Someone, probably Joseph Fels, has said that the civilization of a people may best be estimated by the amount of soap and water it consumes. If we start out well-groomed in the morning fresh from the bath with clean linen, clothes brushed and all our personal needs duly attended to we carry our heads higher, feel an uplift of body and mind that is impossible to the careless or untidy person.

The same influence applies to going to bed at night. If we retire soiled and worn from the day’s experiences, we may toss and turn with discomfort whose source we may not understand, or we fall into heavy, unrefreshing sleep.

The body does most of its breathing during sleeping-time. You know how the moisture from the breath shows on a mirror when you breathe on it: well, the skin gives off about three times as much moisture as the breath, and, unless the pores of the skin are free from all obstructions such as dust, old, dried perspiration, and similar soil, it cannot perform its work properly and to the advantage of the sleeper. If you don’t like water, use oil as the Easterns do. Even dry rubbing, if the skin is moist, will keep the pores open.

The little trouble entailed is more than offset by the refreshed feeling, the lightening of the mind as well as of the body, the more restful sleep, and the better health resulting from the practice.

One of the advantages of the night shower or bath is that it reminds us to change all the clothes we have worn during the day. If they must be worn again the next day, they should be spread out on the backs of chairs or on hangers, that they may be thoroughly aired before morning.

If we feel that we must have something more than the pajamas or night-robe, then there should be separate sets of underclothes kept for that purpose alone old, thin, partly- worn ones may be reserved for this use. Whether showers should be hot, warm, or cold must depend upon the individual. There is no set rule that applies equally to all persons.

Many people do find the cold plunge or shower most invigorating in the early morning hours, it is too stimulating to be taken at night and others cannot stand the shock of contact with cold water at any time. There is but one wise thing to do to experiment for yourself and adopt the sort of wash that seems best suited to your needs. Most people will find the warm shower more satisfactory than the hot or cold.

I received an email recently about how doctor’s found great results in reducing a child’s night time cough by rubbing Vicks Vapor Rub on their feet, then putting the kid’s socks on, and letting them go to bed. Now this email stated that not only were they getting good results, but the Vicks technique was working 100% of the time. Hmmmmmm, Time to test

I have a young child and now that we are entering the cold season I figured I would have the opportunity to test this method out. Well, the doctors were right. One night I woke hearing my child coughing steadily in his sleep. Remembering the email that I received a few days earlier I decided to give the Vicks a shot. I went into his room and started applying the Vicks. Now, my child is a very sound sleeper and will sleep through anything, so me applying the Vicks to his feet did not even begin to stir him from his deep slumber. I tell you this because the results were amazing. After I applied the Vicks, but before the socks were even on I noticed that his coughing subsided and his breathing was deeper. I wanted to think that this was due to the fact that I had woken him up and he was simply not coughing ‘at that moment’. That wasn’t the case. He had literally stopped coughing all together.

I went to bed that night and was questioned by my child during breakfast on how the socks arrived on his feet in the middle of the night… he didn’t even know.

The skeptic that I am was amazed, but still thought that it was just luck. Needless to say a couple nights later my child was coughing after a long Halloween night. Immediately I went for the Vicks Vapor Rub. Again, the coughing stopped upon application. I can’t believe how well this works, but I wanted to share it with other parents out there knowing that a good night’s sleep is like gold!

Concerns about hyperhidrosis mostly has to do with the occurrence of excessive sweating. Hyperhidrosis is a condition where the body sweats more then it actually needs to. Also a common hyperhidrosis issue is underarm sweating.

Several different types of hyperhidrosis exist. That’s why no one has a definitive answer as to the exact cause of hyperhidrosis to this day. Excessive sweating does not necessarily take place in one location of the body.

When the body starts to sweat excessively it is known that the sympathetic nervous system runs at an extremely high activity level. For those people who experience hyperhidrosis the sympathetic nervous system goes into overdrive. This leads to stress and sometimes even socially debilitating situations in both ones professional and ordinary life.

No one likes to have sweaty armpits and it can often to lead to social anxiety. This prevents the individual who suffers from the above condition to recede socially. They begin to avoid social environments such as dances, parties and dates. There is also the concern that while one is at work that they are sweating excessively and causing body odor. This then can lead to feelings of embarrassment and depression.

So what treatments are there for this condition? There are ointments and salves that are available, they work by drying up the sweat glands. There is electrical shock therapy this consists of light electrical stimulation which is typically applied to the hands. The objective is to “stun” the sweat glands, and the treatment can last anywhere from six hours up to once week.

One of the most recent treatments is injecting Botox into the affected area. This can take many injections to notice a difference and its effectiveness lasts for one to six months. However there is a simple treatment that is available that you can try that could relieve your sweat problem for the rest of your life!

Have you heard of the stop sweating start living technique? Nobody likes to have sweaty arm pits or sweaty anything for that matter. This can be extremely embarrassing. Not to mention if along with it you have body odor. The medical term for excessive sweating is called “hyperhidrosis”.

The brain which controls the nervous system makes a decision as to where and how much to sweat. It picks the most efficient sweat glands or where it feels it can excrete the most. This could be on your back, feet or underarms to mention a few.

With the stop sweating start living technique the goal is simple. Reduce lower arm, hand, face, foot, and your overall sweating by up to 95%. It does not matter what you have tried before this method will help you reduce sweating significantly and they guarantee it.

Some of those who have tried the “stop sweating start living technique” have claimed positive results within five days some as soon as the next day. Many thought there would be a catch but much to their delight the results spoke for themselves.

Now they feel cured and confident. This has helped these folks start living again. No more trying to avoid certain clothing or interacting socially. Now they no longer have to fear raising their arms in Public.

So if you are tired of excessive sweating and have tried many methods, don’t give up. In actual fact you should never give up! Observe patterns and times when you start to sweat excessively. Try this method, you have nothing to loose because if you are not satisfied you get your money back. Make the change in your life today!

I am sure you are aware that sweating is a natural body function. However unfortunately for a very small percentage of people they sweat more frequently and to a greater extent. The question becomes why do some people sweat more than others?

So knowing that sweating is necessary, and understanding the fact that its purpose is to control and maintain our body temperature why am I one of the few who sweats so much under my arms? Sweat, which is also called perspiration, is the secretion of fluids through your skin. These fluids are composed mainly of water. .

The first question is why does this happen? Why do I sweat more under my arms rather than in different areas of my body? To clarify the medical term for excessive sweating is called “hyperhidrosis”.

The process that decides where to sweat begins in the brain which controls the nervous system. Here a decision is made as to where and how much to sweat, this is different for different people. In this case it picks the most efficient sweat gland or where it feels it can excrete the most.

So as it happens each of us can sweat excessively in different areas of our bodies. Some of us may sweat more on our hands, feet, or back etc. This is also the case for those of us who do not suffer from excessive sweating.

So what happens when excessive sweating occurs? Excessive sweating is caused when the Sympathetic Nervous System goes into overdrive. There is no one answer and it is not completely understood what exactly causes excessive sweating.

One fact is that people sweat less at night. When you exercise you can sweat less afterwards. Excessive sweating can occur when people smoke cigarettes or drink coffee, it can also happen when you have too much salt in your diet. So believe it or believe it not a healthy diet can actually reduce sweating.

So when looking at the evidence mentioned above a reduction in sweating can be directly related to reducing the stimulus to your nervous system, hence keeping your muscles and mind relaxed. When this happens your body feels that it doesn’t need to sweat due to an overactive nervous system.

So how to stop sweating in your underarms begins with understanding and observing when you start to sweat excessively. You can implement different techniques to stop sweating through a process of elimination.

Choosing a new lift chair is extremely important when accessing more mobility in your life. While there are many great lift chairs available on the market, there are also some that you should stay far away from.

But how do you know which is best for you?

There are many qualities you must look for; however, the main quality is to see if the new mobility device will actually enhance your quality of living. The concept of these came about in order to give individuals increased mobility and to allow those with limited mobility a way to perform daily activities. In other words, to be able to do simple acts such as sitting and standing without the assistance of another person. And with the proper choice, you are able to do just that.

One of the best choices on the market today is the Golden Technologies Signature Regal. This chair is one of the best because it gives users the options of not only reclining, but fully-reclining, allowing for world class naps. This can move back to resemble a bed, which is perfect for those who want to take a nap, but don’t want to walk to your bed. Now, you can have your afternoon nap without having to rise and walk across your house.

This is just another way these fantastic lift chairs can help streamline and make your life a little bit easier. With this, you are able to choose from a wide variety of fabrics, ranging from colors to overall comfort level. You can choose from standards fabrics, to padded-suede and even micro-suede. And for those that have premium tastes, you are even able to choose a wide variety of premium leathers, ranging in colors. The greatest aspect about this product is the fact that you can fully customize it to make it your own. Not every house or room looks the same, and Golden Technology understands this. Thus they have made comfort that allows you to customize everything from the color to the various features and options.

Another great product that has been selling very well is the Golden Technologies PR-751 Lift Chair with Tray. This is one of the most unique and comfortable available on the market. When you first order this, you are able to choose from a long list of various features and options that range from an installed reading lamp, which is perfect for those who use your lift chairs for reading, and there is even an optional feature that allows you to choose heat and massage.

However, looking beyond any of the optional features, this recliner is one amazing product. One of the coolest features that it comes with is the built-in cup holder and tray. This is a perfect feature for those who use your lift chair in your living room where you watch television. Now, you can have your TV dinner and eat it safely with the convenience tray.

There is also a chaise pad that runs throughout the entire length, giving you superior comfort and body support unlike any other. This is one of the most complete and comfortable available on the market. With the ability to easily lift and sit you, as well as having a various reclining positions, you are getting one of the best lift chairs in the industry today.

If you’re having trouble moving around and you’re looking for a way to enhance your mobility, or perhaps you already have a wheelchair and are looking for one that better suits your needs, you should know that there are many different options on today’s market. In this article, we present an overview of mobility products - from traditional manual chairs to power chairs to lightweight travel wheelchairs.

Traditional manual chairs: these wheelchairs are best suited to individuals whose mobility problems include only their legs. They must have good upper body strength in order to be mobile in these kinds of chairs. The chairs themselves are of moderate weight and somewhat maneuverable. It is important to keep in mind that people who control a manual chair may have changing medical needs down the road and require a power chair, and that using a manual chair can cause repetitive stress injuries.

Power chairs: these chairs are great for people who do not have the upper-body strength to maneuver a traditional manual chair, but yet want to retain independence. Power chairs are controlled by a device such as a joystick, which can be customized to be controlled by the hand, chin, or other body part as desired. A problem with power chairs is that they can be heavy and difficult to travel with.

Mobility scooter: this device is very similar to a power chair, but is usually purchased outside of the medical device market. Lighter weight, lower cost, and with fewer features, these chairs are a good choice for people with mild mobility problems and age-related mobility problems. However, like power chairs, they are difficult to travel with.

Lightweight travel wheelchairs: these specialized chairs solve the difficulties many people have in travelling with a wheelchair. Since they are ultra-light, they can be picked up, folded, and stowed easily. Travel wheelchair options include manual or powered, a variety of fun colors, and medical options such as a reclining back rest or extra padding on the seat area. Most people with lightweight travel wheelchairs discover that traveling with a wheelchair is a breeze, since the chair can be folded and stowed when traveling by car, or stowed as cargo when traveling by air.

No matter what your medical and mobility needs, there is a mobility device out there that can help you become more independent. When deciding on a mobility device, the most important factors to take into account are upper body strength and travel needs. In this article, we have given an overview of the most popular types of wheelchair in order to help you make this very important choice.

CLEAR WATER, Fla. - Eckerd Corp. is building a bridge that will link its pharmacists directly with chronically ill patients at home via the Internet.

The new service, which will be marketed to employers, HMOs and other managed care organizations, aims to boost patient compliance with doctor-prescribed drug regimens, detect adverse drug reactions among homebound patients, and monitor therapeutic effectiveness.

Eckerd is partnering with Health Hero Network, a privately held online health service provider, to deliver the new service to patients where they live. Under terms of the alliance, Eckerd’s ongoing Patient Care Program will be extended into the homes of participating users through Internet communications and an in-home communication appliance developed by Health Hero.

“We feel it’s important to help patients manage their complex drug regimens,” said George Kitchens, director of clinical services for the 2,900-store chain. “The Eckerd Patient Care Program will employ Health Hero’s platform so that our pharmacists can monitor their patients’ ongoing drug therapy and ensure that they comply with their … regimens, thus keeping them our of the hospital.

“We believe this is the future not just for Eckerd, but for the entire pharmacy industry,” he added.

Currently, Eckerd’s Patient Care program is an in-store service that boosts drug therapy management by a team of clinical pharmacists who are linked to stores via phone and computer. The new, online linkup will leverage that service, said Kitchens, through Health Hero’s existing Web site and patient communications appliance, called Health Buddy. The appliance, given to patients as part of the new service, connects to phone lines and allows pharmacists, acting as patient-care managers, to download health-related questions, educational information and therapeutic reminders to those patients through the Internet.

“Now, via the Internet, Eckerd pharmacist care managers can remotely interact with their patients,” noted an Eckerd spokesperson.

“This relationship with Eckerd marks the first time that our service is being used by the pharmacist and underscores our expansion into new customer channels that connect patients and their caregivers,” added Health Hero founder and chief executive Steve Brown.

EDMONTON — The Alberta government’s awaited announcement on health care includes:

* a process for public discussions about financing health care and to “resolve persistent issues of sustainability over the long term”; and

* a one-time only $700 million dollar injection into its health care system to reduce waiting times for orthopaedic and heart surgeries while tackling over-use of emergency rooms for non-emergency health needs.

The public discussions announcement came in place of an expected major challenge to the Canada Health Act and the federal government.

Those discussions will likely include a five-recommendation report from the MLA Task Force on Health Care Funding and Revenue Generation. The Task Force, which was formed in February 2000 in response to the Mazankowski Report on health care, was charged with recommending “a provincial funding framework and alternate revenue sources for regional health authorities.” The reports would allow for a greater role for the private sector in the system.

In their main findings the MLA’S noted that “wages and salaries, new technology, prescription drugs and a growing and aging population are the main cost drivers in Alberta’s health care system,” and recommend that “those with a greater ability to pay should contribute more than those with a lesser ability,” including combining premiums with an annual deductible based on the ability to pay.

* capital funding at $500 million, including–$350 million for health facilities and $150 million for capital equipment.

* development of business plans for pilot projects: 11 Local Primary Care Initiatives, involving 294 doctors who will work with other health professionals to increase 24-hour access to routine and non emergency health care.

Among the areas targeted for reduction in wait times is

* better use of elective, outpatient MRI’S through hospitals offering MRI services on weekends.

* new access standards for cardiac surgery, providing cardiac patients waiting for surgery with additional home care in order to free up more hospital beds for surgery.

The past five years saw the emergence of some colorful characters in long-term care leadership: the loquacious, down-home LTC veteran Larry Minnix, president and CEO of the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA); the rambunctious, shoot-from-the-lip Thomas P. Scully, until recently administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); and the crisp, plain-talking, always-ready-with-a-historical-analogy Charles H. Roadman, II, MD, CNA, known to his friends (and others) as “Chip.” Recently, Chip Roadman departed as president and CEO of the American Health Care Association (AHCA). The “CNA” he proudly sports after his MD credential says something about the man: Having served 30 years as a military physician, most recently as Surgeon General of the U.S. Air Force, Roadman accepted his AHCA appointment in 1999, but wanted to make sure he understood his new territory. He volunteered for a month of heavy lifting, toileting, bathing, and calming frail elderly residents, the core duties of a certified nursing assistant, and went on to receive his certification. That way, when he represented long-term care facilities to the powers-that-be in Washington, D.C., he’d be able to speak not only about the field’s political and financial problems, but of its heart and soul. Recently Roadman shared some of his parting reflections on his five-year tenure with Nursing Homes/Long Term Care Management Editor-in-Chief Richard L. Peck.

Roadman: Long-term care hasn’t gotten the respect, political clout, or resources it needs. It is the Rodney Dangerfield of healthcare. If there is any historical analogy that comes to mind, it is the situation with electric power production in California. Leaving aside Enron’s involvement, the state contributed to the problem by deregulating one side of the equation–the costs of production–but maintained a fixed price, which contributed to a shortfall of electricity production in that state. Similarly with long-term care, labor, technology, and pharmacy costs are starting to burgeon, but with government’s fixed prices, expenses are surpassing income. Meanwhile, demand is increasing; California is seeing steadily growing demand for electricity, and long-term care is facing an explosion in the population in need. Yet the field just can’t seem to get any traction politically.

Peck: Why is that?

Roadman: It must be that we, as a nation, don’t value our elderly. Every day we’re confronted with the “heartbreak” of not being young–the cosmetic surgeries, the extreme makeovers. Is this denial? Certainly, and people in Congress are no exception. And yet more and more of us have parents who are facing the issues of long-term care and the costs involved. Political leaders gag and blink at this, and say, “Give us a problem we can work with.” We need a champion in Congress. Congressman Claude Pepper [the Florida legislator who passed away in 1989] was one, but we don’t have them anymore.

Peck: With which issue would you say that Washington has been most receptive?

Roadman: I would say the Quality First initiative cosponsored by several of our organizations in long-term care. Today we see the field stepping up to the quality challenge, not fighting the issue the way it used to. We’re starting to see a partnership developing with government, replacing the old mutual vilification. It has made a huge difference. I would caution, however, that if government doesn’t continue to recognize its responsibilities in this, the whole thing could be derailed pretty quickly.

Peck: Of the issues you’ve dealt with on Capitol Hill, which in particular has been the most frustrating for you?

Roadman: I want to emphasize that I don’t view our role in long-term care organizations as adversarial with Congress. That’s really the opposite of my point. But, I must say, when I see MEDPAC looking at Medicare–12% of our revenue, compared with 66% paid by Medicaid–and maintaining that facilities are overpaid, I’ve found that very frustrating. This “silo mentality” overlooks how the system works as a whole, and it stops us as a nation from having a coherent strategy for long-term care.

Peck: Would more grass-roots activity by long-term care providers be helpful?

Roadman: You know, providers are the wrong messengers in this context, because what they say is often immediately discounted as expressing vested self-interest; it’s “business,” as if that were some dirty word. The real grass roots are the residents and their families. We, as providers, need to help them understand that the problems they confront in service delivery come, in large measure, from the design of the system. The grass roots also include the CNAs. Many of my beliefs come from my experience as a CNA, a real eye-opener.

As a doctor, I used to write orders like “a.m. cares” and see them done the next day, as if by magic. Then I became a CNA and found out that psychologically, emotionally, and physically, this was a very difficult thing to do. This was all very high-acuity, high-touch, and highly time-consuming. My low level of experience and the sheer number of people I had to take care of only compounded my problem. I came away with a very strong appreciation of what it takes.