Health Care

Muscles must contract for movement to occur. The contracting muscles are called agonists and are the prime movers. For an agonist to contract, shorten, and produce movement, a reciprocal lengthening of its antagonists must occur. For example, when the biceps muscle of the upper arm contracts, its opposite, the triceps muscle, must relax and lengthen. In this case the biceps is the agonist and the triceps is the antagonist. The triceps becomes the agonist for movements that require it to contract, in which case the biceps becomes the antagonist. Understanding these concepts is necessary to understand stretching techniques.Ballistic stretching uses dynamic movements to stretch muscles. Each time a muscle is stretched in this manner, the myotatic reflex (stretch reflex) located in that muscle is also stretched. It responds by sending a volley of signals to the central nervous system that order the muscle to contract, thus resisting the stretch. This is not only counterproductive-the mus...

In February 1995, the center for disease control and prevention together with the American college of sports medicine (ACSM) jointly released a new recommendation for physical activity. The new guideline stated that “every American adult should get 30 minutes or more of moderate intensity physical activity on most, and preferably all days of the week. ” This recommendation is aimed at the 78% of our population who are sedentary or marginally active. Only 22% of the population is currently exceeding the new recommendation. The essence of the new recommendation, which was written by a panel of experts, can be summarized by the following - We believe that the most reasonable interpretation of the currently available data is that Calorie expenditure and total time of physical activity are associated with reduced cardiovascular disease incidence and mortality There is a dose response relationship for this association Regular moderate physical activity provides substantial health be...

The term weight loss is too generic and implies that indiscriminate weight loss of body fluids, protein, and fat is desirable. A more appropriate goal is to measure success by the amount of fat lost rather than by weight loss. The term weight loss should be replaced by the more specific term fat weight loss. Until recently, advice to over fat persons was imprecise. For example, the suggestion simply to “cut back on calories” is an oversimplification of the truth and reinforces the misconception that diet alone is the problem. Successful weight management is rarely the result of following a diet or counting calories for a specific time period. Rather there must be a life long lifestyle change because the loss or gain of body weight, the development of fat cells, and the causes of obesity are complex issues related to the interaction of three factors-heredity, diet, and exercise.

Americans’ obsession with their body weight is evidenced by the 50% of women and 25% of men who are trying to lose weight at any given time One third of US adults and one fourth of US children are obese. Almost three fourths of all Americans are overweight. Americans are more sedentary and at the same time consume more calories than their peers of 10 years ago. Obesity is defined as being 20% over the recommended weight in height/weight tables. Better methods of determining obesity are those that involve actual fat measurements. With these methods, body fat percentages of 25% and 32% for men and women respectively are classified as moderately obese. Obesity is a risk factor for coronary heart disease, stroke, hypertension, some forms of cancer, some types of diabetes mellitus, respiratory disorders, and orthopedic problems. Obesity has been declared a disease by the National Institutes of Health. Dietary intake of too much fat and too many calories is the major cause of obesity...

Mental Health problem is difficult to classify into clearly defined diseases. It is the symptoms of mental illness that distinguish one type of disorder from another, but those symptoms often vary much more widely in both kind and degree than the symptoms of physical illness. Because of this it is sometimes difficult to tell whether or not a person is actually mentally ill or, if illness is obvious, to determine the probable cause and work out a possible cure. In general, if you are able to keep your mental balance during periods of emotional stress, you can call yourself mentally healthy. If you lose that balance you are ill, at least to some extent. The articles in this section are designed to help you recognize some of the warning signs of common forms of mental illness, not only in yourself but also in others. The arrangement of articles is based on two groupings. First, there are illnesses that arise primari1y from internal influences, such as schizophrenia, depression and comp...

There are a few simple truths about getting fit and healthy: To get fit, you have to work out regularly. To work out regularly, you have to be disciplined and stay consistent. This means you can’t postpone that morning jog just because it is raining. Now, if you’re wearing glasses, this might pose a problem. Glasses get wet and impair your vision, glasses may fog, and you might drop them if you trip over something while running. And refraining from using them while you exercise might get you run over by a truck. Thus: you need to buy contacts. Using contact lenses is the ultimate solution for every sportsman or sportswoman; lenses don’t disturb you when you exercise, lenses are easy to put in before exercising, and lenses give you perfect vision. Frankly, you will be surprised by the high quality of modern lenses; they are extremely comfortable, very effortless to use and need very little care.Contact lenses used to be the expensive alternative but today, there are many kinds of cheap...

Uncomfortable pressure, fullness, a squeezing sensation as if a band were being tightened around the chest, pain in the center of the chest lasting longer than 2 minutes Pain that spreads to the shoulders, arms, or neck The above warning signs as well as dizziness, fainting, sweating, nausea, and shortness of breath What You Should Do If These Signs Appear If you have chest discomfort lasting more than 2 minutes: Do not deny what may be occurring. Call the emergency service or have a friend or family member drive you to the nearest hospital that has 24 hour emergency cardiac care. Know in advance which hospitals have such a service. Prominently display the telephone number of the emergency rescue service and also carry a copy with you. Stroke: The Warning Signs The American Heart Association suggests that people be familiar with the following warning signs: Temporary loss of speech or difficulty in speaking or understanding speech Unexplained dizziness, unsteadi...

Do you know why there is so much hype about the Nueslim diet pills these days? It is because they truly deserved to be hyped! Yes, these can be said the ideal diet pills available in market today. They help you and me to reduce our excess fat that has accumulated due to our bad sedentary habits and help us get back into shape faster. These diet pills now come with lifetime money back guarantee. When the manufacturers are so much sure about the product, one must try this product to make use of its amazing ingredients. They help one get rid of high cholesterol too thus lowering the BMI significantly within short period of time. One will thus save himself or herself of serious cardio-respiratory complications due to obesity. These safe diet pills are wonderful companions of people who have hard time controlling appetite. These pills reduce appetite and help one get rid of extra pounds accumulating with each lunch or dinner. If you read the testimonials of people who have effectively ...

Depression is a type of mental disorder which is completely different from other mental feelings such as unhappiness and and sadness. Depression is a long lasting disease like heart disorders. The people suffering from depression can have a feeling of built, loneliness, worry, worthless and helpless. The depression is a gift of the very fast life style in which no one has time to pay attention to the body. The number of patients suffering from depression is increasing day by day. The reports suggests the eighty percent of the depression patients also suffers from anxiety disorder. Categories of depression disorder: There are three main categories of Depression disorder Adjustable Disorder with depressed mood: This type of depression occurs because of stressful movements in our lives. For example the breakup in relations, failure in any entrance exam. Sometimes the positive changes such as getting a new job, successful marriage can also trigger this type of depression. Clinical...

Acai has been best known for its qualities to assure a good health. Apart from raising the immunity level of body, another significant quality of this natural product is to help in reducing body fat. The pure Acai targets the excessive fat possessed by the body by enhancing the metabolic process of a body. The anti-oxidants provided by this product help in eliminating toxins and unwanted content of fats from human body. Thus, it is an impressive procedure to lose weight and gain a good body shape. It gas been proven that Acai acts faster than any other product in burning body fat and thus, is recommended by experts in the industry. The result is that many weight loss pills manufacturers have started using this ingredient in their products. The provision of Acai in diet pills has further boosted the effectiveness of diet pills in lowering down the body weight. However, it is important that you avail these pills from a respectable resource. Best Pills 4 Weight Loss happens to be o...

Antithyroid Drugs In young people with diffuse goiter of moderate size, there is much in favor of a long-term trial of antithyroid drug therapy. If successful, normal health and normal thyroid function may be restored. About 50 per cent may expect a long-lasting remission. If the response is satisfactory the treatment should be adequate and long enough, from one to two years or longer. A favorable response may be indicated in most instances by reduced pulse rate, increase in weight, and return of well­being feelings. Treatment should be stopped in those patients who experience adverse reactions to antithyroid drugs, such as skin wheals, (urticaria), loss of head hair (alopecia), or marked drop in the white blood cell count (agranulocytosis). Blood counts should be performed regularly at monthly intervals and a drop to less than 50 per cent of the initial white blood cell count should serve as a warning. Only a few patients are adversely sensitive to propylthiouracil or methimazole...

The definition of obesity varies, depending on the method used to assess body composition. It is generally defined as being 20% over the recommended weight in height/weight. The problem with this criterion is that it incorrectly places the emphasis on body weight rather than body composition. Body mass index (BMI) measurements provide a better approach for classifying levels of fatness). Many experts use a BMI of 27 as a single value at which obesity occurs. The best methods involve actual body measurements. Body fat measurements of 25% for men and 32% for women are classified as moderately obese. , which provides six levels of body fat classification. Regardless of which measurement technique is used, it is important to view body-fat assessment results as measures on a continuum. They are not precise points on a scale that when exceeded magically increase a person’s risk for health problems. For example, although 24.9% body fat for a man does not technically fall into the category ...

Measuring flexibility is rather difficult, and several instruments have been developed for this purpose. Probably the most widely used device is the goniometer. This device is a protractor like device that measures the range of motion about a specific joint. This method is the most accurate means of assessing flexibility. However, for the average person, assessing flexibility by using the goniometer is not practical.Several tests are suitable for measuring flexibility when more sophisticated means cannot be used. (The directions and norms for these tests are provided in the assessment activities.) You should warm-up and follow the rules for general stretching before taking the assessments. Developing a Flexibility Program Flexibility can be improved by exercises that promote the elasticity of the soft tissues. These 10 minute exercises can be done every day, both before and after exercise, and also during days of rest from exercise. Flexibility is an important component of a fitn...

Anaerobic Exercise Strength development exercises are anaerobic. Anaerobic literally means “without oxygen,” and when applied to exercise, it refers to high intensity physical activities in which oxygen demand is above the level that can be supplied during performance. Short term supplies of fuel stored in the muscles provide the energy for anaerobic activities. As a result, these can only be sustained for several seconds. Sprinting 100 yards, lifting a heavy weight, and running up two or three flights of stairs are some examples of anaerobic activities. Circuit Resistance Training Circuit resistance training (CRT) is very effective for individuals who wish to develop several fitness dimensions simultaneously. Muscular strength and endurance, changes in body composition, and improvement in cardiorespiratory endurance can be attained together. A circuit usually comprises 8 to 15 exercise stations. The weight selected for each exercise station should equal 40% to 55% of the...

The principles of exercise intensity, duration, frequency, overload, progression, and specificity apply to resistance training as well as aerobic training. Intensity and Duration For muscular development and health enhancement, the intensity of resistance training may be set by selecting a weight that can be lifted at least 8 times but no more than 12 times. This weight probably represents 70% to 80% of a maximum effort. Each of these lifts is called a repetition. The duration of resistance training is determined by the number of repetitions of each exercise and the number of sets completed; 8 to 12 repetitions of an exercise constitutes one set of that exercise. If the development of strength is the primary goal, you may select the appropriate resistance for each exercise by determining, through trial and error, the amount of weight needed to perform 6 repetitions maximum (RM). This means that you are strong enough to perform 6 repetitions but not 7. This is the basis of progressi...

Muscular strength is the maximum force that a muscle or muscle group can exert in a single contraction. It is best developed by some form of progressive resistance exercise, for example, weight training with free weights (barbells and dumbbells) or single multistation machine weights. These exercises are demonstrated on exercise machines and free weights, these methods are equivalent and work the same muscle groups.The two types of muscular contractions are static and dynamic. Dynamic contractions occur when muscles shorten and move the bones to which they are attached, producing movement around a joint. Dynamic movements consist of concentric and eccentric muscle contractions . A concentric contraction occurs when a muscle shortens as it develops the tension to overcome an external resistance. An eccentric contraction occurs when the muscle lengthens and the weight or resistance is slowly returned to the starting position. In eccentric contractions the muscles are resisting the for...

The ultimate goal in stress coping and management is to reduce the negative effects of stress. Different relaxation techniques have proved successful and can be used based on individual preference. Brief descriptions of various techniques follow. If you are interested in pursuing the use of these techniques further, more information is available in books or on tapes. These books and tapes can be purchased at bookstores or may be accessible at your library. Deep Breating as a Relaxation Technique Deep breathing is the most basic relaxation technique and is often the foundation for other methods. The primary benefit is that deep breathing can be done anywhere and anytime. It is beneficial to practice deep breathing several times a day. The methodology consists of completely filling the lungs when breathing so that the abdomen expands out ward. You begin by taking a deep breath and then exhaling slowly through the mouth. A hand can be placed on the stomach to ensure that it is fully e...

Visualization Visualization (imagery) is a form of relaxation that uses the imagination. Begin as before, by finding a comfortable position, shut your eyes, and take several deep breaths. Several variations of visualization can then be used. You can imagine a tranquil scene, such as a beach on a sunny day or a valley with a stream or forest, and then place yourself in the scene. All the sights, sounds, smells, and feelings can be imagined. People suffering from a terminal illness frequently imagine scenes in which their immune system attacks or destroys their disease, or they envision themselves as healthy and disease free. Individuals who want to make major life changes, such as losing weight or stopping smoking, can envision themselves slim or not smoking or imagine themselves in trouble situations. Difficult situations can be prepared for by envisioning yourself in a situation in which you are tempted to overeat or smoke and then see yourself making wise choices or not engaging i...

A study completed in Finland produced evidence that too much stored iron in the body is a risk for heart disease. Ferritin is the major stored form of iron in the body. Finnish men who had high blood levels of iron (more than 200 micrograms per liter of blood) were twice as likely to have a heart attack as men who had lower levels. These data seem to be consistent with animal study findings that an iron overload accelerated atherosclerosis in already damaged arteries. As a result, the hypothesis that excess iron might promote the oxidation of cholesterol into a more harmful form emerged. But data generated from several epidemiological studies in the united states were in disagreement with the finnish study. In fact, one of these long term studies showed that high iron levels actually lowered the risk of heart disease.Why the discrepancy between the american and finnish studies? Many experts are convinced that the differences are related to the major sources of iron consumption in each...

Influenza, or “flu,” is also caused by a virus. There are three primary strains of the influenza virus: A, B, and C. Most influenza develops from the A and B strains. These strains can change genetically, reappearing in an altered form every few years. Symptoms of all types of flu include chills, fever, weakness, headache, sore throat, dry cough, nausea, vomiting, and muscular aches and pains. All symptoms may not be present, and the severity varies greatly among people. Treatment for flu is the same as for the common cold. Aspirin should not be taken by children or teenagers because the potentially fatal Reye’s syndrome can develop.Vaccines are available that can prevent a particular type of influenza. Current recommendations are that priority should be given to children and adults with chronic cardiovascular and lung disorders, residents of nursing homes, medical personnel who may transmit the virus to high-risk patients, everyone over 65, and anyone with conditions such as diabetes...

With the possible exception of AIDS, there is probably no disease that strikes more fear in people than cancer. The term cancer refers to a group of diseases characterized by uncontrolled disorderly cell growth. It is the second leading cause of death, accounting for 20% of all deaths. It is the leading cause of death among adults ages 25 through 64. Cancer deaths have risen 7% in the last 20 years. (Heart disease deaths, the number one cause of deaths, by comparison have fallen 50% during the same time period.) The major cause of the increase in cancer deaths is lung cancer. If lung cancer deaths were excluded, cancer deaths would have declined 14% between 1950 and 1990. Death rates for many major cancer sites have leveled off or declined over the past 50 years. Still, 42% of Americans will eventually develop one or more of the 100 different forms of cancer; 40% of people who get cancer will be alive 5 years after diagnosis. Most of this 40% can be considered cured, whereas others st...

What is this condition? Pulmonary hypertension occurs when pulmonary artery pressure rises above normal, but is not caused by aging or altitude. Primary (idiopathic) pulmonary hypertension is rare, occurring most often in women between ages 20 and 40; pregnant women have the highest mortality. Secondary pulmonary hypertension is caused by existing cardiac or pulmonary disease. The prognosis depends on the severity of the underlying disorder. What causes it? Pulmonary hypertension Casues include altered immune mechanisms. Secondary pulmonary hypertension is caused by oxygen deprivation from an underlying disease. What are its symptoms? Most people complain of increasing shortness of breath on exertion, weakness, dizziness, and fatigue. Many also show signs of right-sided heart failure, including peripheral edema, ascites, neck vein distention, and liver enlargement. Other clinical effects vary according to the underlying disorder. How is it diagnosed? Diagnostic tests f...

Introduction The chief characteristic of anorexia nervosa is a refusal to maintain a minimally normal weight for age and height. Refusal to eat is the hallmark of the disease, regardless of whether other practices, such as binge-purge cycles, occur. Although specific causes of anorexia have not been identified, a combination of biological, social, and psychological factors contribute to the disorder. Support for an organic influence has centered on the hypothalamus (the portion of the brain reputed to house the appetite center) and the pituitary gland (the master gland of the body). Sociocultural theories focus on the compulsion of adolescent girls to become and remain lean. This exaggerated goal manifests itself at a time when girls are naturally depositing fat. Warning signs of Anorexioa Disorder Warning signs of Anorexia includes weight loss, amenorrhea (absence of a menstrual period), and a variety of psychological disorders culminating in an obsessive preoccupation with the...

Vomiting in infants and children is very common since it may be associated with numerous conditions. Among the most frequent causes are allergy, car sickness, infections, cutting of teeth, gastrointestinal infections or upsets, pylorospasm, pyloric stenoses, poisons, intussusception and other intestinal obstructions, psychogenic causes, pressure on the brain, and lack of normal amount of sugar in the blood. Vomiting is not to be confused with regurgitation, which is simply the spitting up of food after eating. This is usually caused by a bubble of air in the stomach. As a rule it is of no significance. It is very common in the newborn and young infant. Regurgitation of this type usually subsides and disappears before a child is six months of age. In a few instances it may continue as long as a year. The time-honored method of preventing regurgitation due to air-swallowing is “burping the baby” - holding the infant upright over the shoulder and patting him gently on the back until ...

Antithyroid Drugs In young people with diffuse goiter of moderate size, there is much in favor of a long-term trial of antithyroid drug therapy. If successful, normal health and normal thyroid function may be restored. About 50 per cent may expect a long-lasting remission. If the response is satisfactory the treatment should be adequate and long enough, from one to two years or longer. A favorable response may be indicated in most instances by reduced pulse rate, increase in weight, and return of well­being feelings. Treatment should be stopped in those patients who experience adverse reactions to antithyroid drugs, such as skin wheals, (urticaria), loss of head hair (alopecia), or marked drop in the white blood cell count (agranulocytosis). Blood counts should be performed regularly at monthly intervals and a drop to less than 50 per cent of the initial white blood cell count should serve as a warning. Only a few patients are adversely sensitive to propylthiouracil or methima...

The only direct means to measure the fat content of the human body is by chemical analysis of cadavers. The information obtained from cadaver studies has been used to develop indirect methods for estimating fat content. Because these estimates are indirect, they contain some degree of measurement error and should be interpreted accordingly. These indirect methods are commonly used in exercise physiology laboratories and fitness and wellness centers. Methods For Measuring Body-Weight Status Height/Weight Tables Optimal body weight is not necessarily reflective of optimal body composition. This was illustrated by a comparison of young and middle-aged men who were within 5% of their ideal weight as determined by height, weight, and frame-size charts. Although both groups were within the ideal range, the middle­aged subjects had twice the amount of fat as the young subjects. Height/weight tables and scales are not indicators of body composition, nor are they reliable reference point...

Hydrostatic Weighing Hydrostatic weighing, one of the most accurate of the measurement techniques, involves weighing subjects while they are completely submerged in water. Subjects may contribute to optimcal accuracy if they can exhale the maximum amount of air possible from the lungs and can sit still for 6 to 10 seconds while completely submerged. Accuracy is further enhanced if the technician has the equip ­ ment to measure residual air (the amount of air remaining in the lungs after a maximum exhalation). The equipment required for hydrostatic weighing includes an autopsy scale with a capacity of approximately 8 kg. The scale is suspended over a tank of water that is at least 3 feet deep. The subject sits suspended chin-deep, exhales completely, and bends forward from the waist until entirely submerged. This position is maintained for 6 to 10 seconds to allow the scale to stabilize. From 5 to 10 trials are required, and the underwater weight is attained by averaging the three ...

Body composition can be divided into two compartments: fat mass and fat-free mass. Body composition is the ratio of fat to fat-free mass. Fat-free weight includes all tissues-muscle, bone, blood, organs, fluids-exclusive of fat. Fat, which composes the other compartment, is found in the organs (for example, brain, heart, liver, lungs) and adipose cells. A dipose cells are fat cells that are located subcutaneously (beneath the skin) and surrounding various body organs. They are an insulator against heat loss and a protection for the internal organs against trauma. The majority of body fat is found in adipose cells where it acts as a vast storage depot for energy. A certain amount of fat is required for normal biological functions. This is referred to as essential fat. Essential fat is located in the bone marrow, organs, muscles, and intestines; it is a component of cell ­membrane structure, as well as brain and heart tissue. The amount of essential fat in the male and female bodies dif...