Posts Tagged ‘health’

I first developed man boobs as a chubby fifteen year old. They caused me enormous embarrassment when I had to attend school swimming lessons and I vowed never to take my shirt off in public again.

That was over thirty years ago and I’ve stuck to my vow. I never take my shirt off during the hot summer months and would rather take a skiing holiday, where everyone stays fully clothed, than head for the beaches and some sunshine.

My excess chest flab has meant that I’ve had to miss out on many opportunities. I’ve tried all manner of diets and lots of exercise techniques but nothing has worked. But my life changed after a skiing accident in Val D’Isere.

Luckily it wasn’t a serious accident. I tore a ligament in my right knee which made it impossible for me to walk and so my skiing holiday was curtailed. I was so glad that I had some good winter sports insurance as I needed to be brought home straight away.

While at the hospital for treatment I was lucky to have a chat with an American consultant. It turned out that he was really a plastic surgeon currently on secondment to the hospital where I was treated. It was him who told me that my condition is called Gynaecomastia and that it effects around 50% of men.

He recommended a consultant in London who I should see when I returned, which is exactly what I did. Within a month I was scheduled for surgery.

It was a routine 2 hour operation during which excess glandular material was removed. I was required to stay in the private hospital, where treatment was carried out, overnight but was on my feet the following day, impatient to see the results of the plastic surgeons work.

The result is incredible. My man boobs are completely gone. My chest no longer looks like that of a page three glamour model. The operation has also resulted in a huge boost to my self confidence and I now have a new girlfriend and we are planning a holiday in the sun where I intend to stay shirtless for the whole two weeks.

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I strongle recommend that, when travelling, you always make certain that you have some comprehensice travel insurance and if you have a pre-existing medical condition make certain that you get the right pre-existing medical insurance.

Traveling is a great way to find something to take your mind off everyday routines though sometimes you may come away feeling dissatisfied when you return home from your travels which is the main reason to consider the benefits of spiritual travel. Cathedrals and Madonna portraits can only provide a certain level of satisfaction and often you won’t feel spiritually awake and so it pays to consider traveling to be spiritually awake.

Spiritual travel is not just a catch phrase that you hear from the lips of a travel agent because in fact people have from the very earliest times been making pilgrimages. Religious travel is therefore not something that has just become popular. In fact, in the sixteenth century Jesuits from Spain made their way to far away Paraguay and to Brazil as well as to Argentina for the purpose of establishing missions to convert the native peoples of those regions.

Nowadays, there are many places that you can visit if you want some spiritual satisfaction and some of these places are vastly different to the Vatican and to Yucatan and even to Egypt. There are for example numerous monasteries that have been erected by Buddhists which though mainly located in Asia are also found in the US and also in Europe.

However, for a true spiritual Buddhist experience you need to travel to Bodhgaya in India which is located in the Indian state called Bihar where Lord Buddha achieved enlightenment beneath a Bodhi tree. The place where Lord Buddha achieved his enlightenment is now the home of a vast Mahabodhi Temple complex.

This particular place is truly exceptional as the surroundings are serenity personified and everything here is absolutely peaceful so as to promote true spiritualistic experiences. It is here that monks read the Holy Scriptures and spend their time contemplating the complexities and meaning of life.

The best way to fly into Bodhgaya is to take a flight from Kolkata to Gaya airport. However, if you want to fly in from the rest of India you will need to deplane at Patna airport that is almost a hundred kilometers away from there. A train journey is the more relaxed and cheaper mode of transport and all it requires is to get off at Gaya from where Bodhgaya is not far away.

If you are traveling from other parts of India then there is the main airport at Patna the state capital of Bihar and this airport is about eighty-seven miles distant from Bodhgaya. Of course, if you don’t mind a train journey then it is certainly more convenient to use this mode of transportation that is cheap and which will help you reach Gaya very easily.

There are few better places to find spiritual peace than Bodhgaya that has kept itself pure and untouched by the ravages of modern civilization. So, a visit to Bodhgaya will not only be very pleasant and productive; it will also be a very different and unique experience as well.

Howie Holben offers suggestions for spiritual journeys. Spirit Journeys hosts extraordinary spiritual travel tours and they have a spiritual journey for most everyone.

Vacations are something that everyone takes in order to get themselves out of the hustle and bustle of the real world for a little bit of relaxation and rejuvenation. This time away is very important to both our physical and mental health. There are many different types of vacations that one can take in order to fill these needs.

You can vacation alone, with friends or family, or you can travel with a group. You can also choose to travel with a group of people that have similar backgrounds and interests. Spiritual travel is one choice for gay people.

On gay vacations, our gayness is one thing we all have in common. This shared life experience can only add to our vacation experience. Bonds are quickly formed in the group due to our shared experiences in life.

People we have just met can quickly become friends and confidants. This makes gay vacations all the more special and meaningful. We’re able to share our gay vacations experience with others that we know understand us.

Being understood allows us to open up, relax more and let our guard down. This vulnerability lets more of the vacation into our hearts and minds. The more we feel the vacation, the more we recover from the strains of life at home.

Taking it to an even deeper level, we can take gay vacations with people of similar intentions. Travelling with men and women that want to grow spiritually is one way to do this. Then not only do we share our gayness, we share goals for the vacation.

Exploring our spirituality while on gay tours visiting special places throughout the world is a wonderful combination. With the other group members by our side, we are encouraged to step outside our box and live free. Living freer is the main goal of all vacations, is it not?

Recommendations for gay travel. This essay is by Howie Holben. Spirit Journeys offers gay folks gay vacations and gay trips that are really unique.

The United States is a country that can provide a visitor great travel experiences. However, the experience depends on the visitor’s good health, which is often compromised during travel. Medical treatment is very expensive in the United States, a fact often not considered by visitors. visitors health insurance can help in this regard.

For peace of mind during your international travel, be it to the United States or any other country-you must purchase visitors health insurance. You must also schedule your checks ups accordingly, and select the visitors insurance plan that offers the benefits you need.

Visitor insurance for U.S. visits usually do not cover optical and dental care, so it is best to have those regular check ups before visiting the United States, especially for trips shorter than six months. Depending on the other coverage that is needed, a suitable plan can then be chosen.

Also remember to be up-to-date with all children immunizations such as for flu, chickenpox, polio, MMR (measles/mumps/rubella) and DPT (diphtheria/pertussis/tetanus). Depending on the sports activities during your U.S. visit, consider adding appropriate riders to your visitor’s health insurance plan.

You may be more susceptible to certain infections in the United States than elsewhere. Ensure that your visitors health insurance covers these. Some of these infections are valley fever, West Nile fever, Darling’s disease and Lyme disease. Swine flu, or the H1N1 virus, has become a matter of concern for travel to any part of the world.

Once you have all the factors in place, you must purchase the visitors insurance that is right for you. You can choose plan durations from five days to a year in most cases, with the possibility of extension. Remember not to suppress any information during claims – it may amount to insurance fraud!

Remember to pack a basic medical supplies kit with your carry-on luggage. Pack your medical records, and your trip’s worth of regular medication, if any, as most visitors insurance plans will not cover the costs of regular prescription drugs. A small supply of medication for cough, cold, pain, diarrhea, and common ailments is also a good idea.

A trip to the United States can be a journey to remember, if one follows the simple rules of travel. The best thing for a traveler to do is to take care of his/her health. Purchasing visitors health insurance, and informing the hosts at the first signs of illness, are important. Washing hands often is also a good way to ward off common infections.

Ray Sondeo often writes about Visitor insurance.

Greece offers an array of opportunities for fantastic gay travel.. Gay travel to Greece will naturally include amazing sunrises, relaxing on white, sandy beaches, trekking to historical sites to explore ancient ruins, and ferrying between several of Greeces breathtakingly beautiful islands. Whether you dream of a gay vacation that includes family fun like picking olives and exploring museums, a restful respite in a seaside resort with your partner, or a rowdy week of taking in the Athens nightlife with a group of friends, Greece will undoubtedly prove to be an ideal setting for your gay vacation.

Athens has much to offer to those on a gay vacation, including an enticing array of gay clubs and bars, gay-friendly and gay-owned coffee shops and cafs and a variety of welcoming lodging options. There are also two saunas for gay men who would like to partake in Greeces bathhouse culture, including Athens Relax, which is right across the road from a popular gay club and has a clientele of mixed ages, and Hera, a smaller sauna with a mostly mature clientele. There is also a beach area south of Athens called Limanakia, which is a great place for gay men to meet new people and explore the rocky shores.

The Greek Island of Mykonos is well-known as a welcoming location for gay vacations and a hotspot for gay travel. With pristine beaches, breathtaking scenery, a lively nightlife, friendly locals and a cosmopolitan feel, this island is an ideal stop on any gay vacation to Greece. There are plenty of gay-friendly lodgings on Myknonos, including a gay-owned, adults only hotel catering exclusively to gay travelers. Another great choice when choosing which Greek islands to visit during your gay travel is Crete. While Crete does not exactly have a gay scene, this island that is popular with all types of travelers does have a gay-owned bed and breakfast, a handful of gay bars and establishments, gay beaches and a generally welcoming atmosphere, making this another great stop on a gay vacation to Greece.

Lesbian tourists visiting Greece must, of course, venture to the Island of Lesvos where they can explore Eressos, the birthplace of Sappho, take romantic walks on breathtaking beaches, indulge in luxury spa treatments, relax over an ouzo in one of many cafs and partake in a lively women-focused nightlife. This beautiful island is constantly awash with lesbian travelers and is an ideal spot for a gay vacation.

Greece remains a mostly traditional, religious country, but those who visit Greece on gay vacations will find a welcoming environment almost anywhere in the country. One of the best ways to partake in a gay vacation to Greece is to visit this beautiful country as part of organized gay tours. Another great option is to plan your gay vacation to Greece through a travel agency that regularly plans Greece gay vacations. This will ensure that you will have the opportunity to experience all that Greece has to offer and will return with a lifetime of memories.

A travel advice article by world traveler Howie Holben. Howie also operates Spirit Journeys, a spiritual gay travel organization. Spirit Journeys is known the world over for offering unique gay holidays. You can learn more about Howie or spiritual gay tours at www.SpiritJourneys.com.

A good neck support pillow should help to relieve the stiffness in the neck thereby providing good quality of sleep. It should make one fall asleep in comfort and wake up refreshed and revived.

If you are suffering from chronic pain and stiffness, try using a pillow that renders the comfort of support to your neck, back and shoulders. It provides traction of the neck joints and restores the normal curve of the neck which could have been affected by routine activities like sleeping in odd positions hurting the neck, not sitting erect, reading, typing on a keyboard etc.

A neck support pillow will ease the tension that poor posture creates and helps by using the weight of your head to pull and stretch your spine and neck muscles out. Your spine will return to its normal position and fluid will once again be able to move freely through your body and ease health issues.

If you suffer from poor posture then you may have other health issues that are affecting your life such as headaches, pain in the neck and snoring problems. A neck pillow can help ease these problems by rectifying your poor posture and therefore giving you a good nights sleep.

Most neck support pillows are designed to be used with the patient lying upwards. This allows the upper chest to open up and create a bigger breathing space. The weight of your head will also stretch out your spine and nerves that may be otherwise in spasm. This again relieves any pains that may be in your neck and will help you achieve good posture.

Some neck pillows have added advantages:

1. Massage features: Some pillows are designed to massage your neck to relieve extra tension. These massages vary in intensity.

2. Buckwheat pillows. These pillows can be heated up in the microwave and work well to mold around your head and neck.

3. Microwavable.

4. Water pillows: These pillows provide your neck with a personal setting of comfort. This can be altered by adding or removing the water. This pillow is extremely comfortable.

5. Inflatable neck pillows: These pillows provide a customized amount of support. In order to get the right amount of support you simply take some air out using the air release valve.

6. Travel neck pillows: These pillows can be used just about anywhere including planes, trains and cars. They prevent your head from rolling sideways while you sleep upright.

7. Neck roll pillows: These pillows are designed to keep your head in one position. They prevent you from rolling around during the night and works in both an upright and laying down position.

There are so many different types of neck support pillow that many people invest in two or three. There is no one pillow that suits everyone as we all have different sleeping positions and different needs. Whichever pillow you choose you can be sure you will be in for a good nights sleep.

Do you hesitate to use neck support pillow? Don’t hesitate. Find out the top 5 benefits of neck support pillows at my neck pillows guide site.

Every year, America receives millions of international tourists from all over the world, from different backgrounds and pursuing different areas of personal interest. International tourists are advised to obtain the comprehensive medical security coverage offered by visitor insurance policies. These policies should essentially form an integral part of any travel plan, itinerary and international travel management.

The international visitor medical insurance is deemed mandatory by the U.S State Department, before it issues international permits and Visa. The extensive policy coverage also reduces medical bills during travel, as medication expenses in America could prove to be prohibitively expensive.

Even the most rudimentary medical condition can potentially turn lethal during an international trip without proper healthcare coverage, jeopardizing the lives of travelers. The visitor health insurance policy effectively remedies these crises and exigencies by offering comprehensive health coverage and prompt medical attention. The policy arranges for emergency hospitalization, doctoral attention and medication.

During a medical crisis, essential medical utilities like prompt ambulance services, intensive care units and essential diagnostics are provided by the insurance policy. The immediacy of medical response offered by the visitor medical insurance policy renders timely medical attention to the tourist in an emergency. The policy cover also arranges for emergency medical evacuation and repatriation of mortal remains for tourists covered by the policy.

The application procedures for the international visitor insurance policy are absolutely lucid, incorporating online payment through secure financial transactions. The tourists have the options of choosing the insurance policy with short term, or extended validity of coverage, depending on trip requirements. The insurance policies are underwritten by prestigious concerns like Lloyd’s London, Sirius etc, and hence offers absolutely reliable, comprehensive coverage.

International tourists should essentially travel light, carrying only necessary luggage and essential travel documents and national permits (which might be required often during the trip tenure). Adapting to the foreign climate is also imperative, and essential preventive medication for viral fevers, food poisoning and anti-allergies should be carried. Travelers with individual records of medical pre-conditions should carry necessary medication, and make provisions for physician’s consultations at the earliest.

People with existing medical discomforts should definitely carry individual medication for the trip, and should summarily consult a local physician. Tourist parties with infants are requested to stick to comfortable, known food and boiled water to prevent cases of stomach disorder and gastronomic incompatibility. A detailed idea of the local American climate should also be made before planning the wardrobe for the trip.

International trips to America offer lots of exciting opportunities and enthralling options for each individual tourist. Investing in the international visitor medical insurance is but a small step to guarantee total peace of mind while exploring the wonders of America.

Ray Sondeo often writes about Visitor insurance.

Scientific proof regarding the effectiveness of natural essential oils against a wide variety of viruses continues to grow. In the 1970’s, German researchers tested extracts of more than 90 species of the Lamiaceae plant family to have anti-viral actions. This discovery prompted great interest in the examination of essential oils in Europe for the treatment of viral infections. In more recent research, the essential oils distilled from these plants have demonstrated potent anti-viral properties. These concentrated forms of the plant medicine are easy-to-use, readily available, and can be highly effective in both supporting the immune system AND eradicating viruses with which they come in contact. In fact, many of the world’s leading aroma-medicine therapists believe the treatment and prevention of infectious illness to be the most important and efficacious use of essential oils. Here’s a look at which oils may be most effective for the professional and home practitioner to utilize for this purpose.

The Data Is In: Immunostimulants and Direct Anti-Viral Action of Essential Oils

For the treatment and prevention of infectious illness, essential oils are used for two purposes: the general strengthening of the immune system and the direct eradication of viruses. A great many peer-reviewed research papers have been produced showing the efficacy of essential oils for both purposes. Using the database of the National Institute of Health (www.pubmed.gov) one can review the data by searching for terms such as ‘essential oil virus’ (currently producing 93 results) or ‘essential oil immune’ (producing 143 results) and the like. Essential oils have been shown to actually increase the power of lymphocytes (the immune system’s troops, so to speak), making them better able to eliminate foreign invaders in the body (viruses, bacteria, and the like). Oils can also increase the speed at which the immune system produces antibodies to eliminate an infection.

Perhaps even more exciting is the direct effect of essential oils in actually killing viruses. To those in the natural medicine field, this is not so astounding — essential oils work as part of a plant’s immune system, and plants need to defend themselves from viruses as well. And the viruses which infect plants are not all that different from the viruses that infect humans — their envelopes and other structures are fairly similar (though with different transmission strategies), such that the mechanisms of killing the viruses will still be useful for human use. The same oils that are effective against SARS and HSV should show some, if not all of the same activity against H1N1 (also known as Swine Flu) and H5N1 (Avian influenza). At the same time, essential oils are relatively non-toxic for humans, allowing for regular use as both preventative and healing agents. In fact, when studying the anti-viral effects of essential oils, researchers found that normal cells seemed to acquire a special resistance to viral penetration, though the mechanism for this effect is not yet known. Using one or more oils topically (they are easily absorbed through the skin) or in a diffuser on a daily basis can support this effect (more on which oils to use in a minute).

Choosing the Right Oils for the Strongest Immunity

For these applications, essential oils can be characterized by the desired effect. Certain oils are considered especially effective as immunostimulants — when looking for any sort of support of the immune system, it is always crucial to take into account the vitality of one’s overall health. Obviously a person in poor health, or even in a very poor emotional state, will be more susceptible to infection than those in tip-top health. Those individuals reporting lower levels of stress will also have the best immune system function. In this regard, Frankincense essential oil, particularly Boswellia carteri species produced by carbon dioxide extraction, is considered one of the most highly effective oils. Other oils to consider to bolster one’s overall vitality (with a stronger immune system as a result) are Bergamot (highly regarded as an anti-depressant), Rosemary (for assisting detoxification, thereby lessening the load on the immune system), and Lavender (an anti-stress agent, as well as a broad-spectrum antimicrobial). These oils can be used via any classic aromatherapy method — topical massage on the feet surprisingly may be the most effective, as the feet are highly receptive both energetically and biochemically to essential oils. Diffusing these oils, again singly or in combination in a nebulizing diffuser (which makes a fine, easily evaporated mist of the oils in the air) is a simple way of protecting your entire household (the directly anti-vial oils can be used in this way as well).

Immuno-modulator and Antiviral Melissa Essential Oil

Melissa, a member of the Lamiaceae family also known as Lemon Balm, has been shown particularly efficacious against the herpes simplex virus. The oil has also been shown to have significant antidepressant effects, and can positively modulate the action of the immune system. While somewhat costly, as the plant itself yields a very small amount of essential oil, its potency is considered exceptionally high. Even small amounts within your formula can provide important protection. Melissa is noted specifically by Dr. Kurt Schnaubelt in ‘Advanced Aromatherapy’ to work in very low dilutions; Dr. Schnaubelt believes the oil’s effects will still be strong when used at one part per hundred in topical recipes.

Potent Australian Essential Oils

Tea Tree, because we’ve all been using for so long, slips our mind when considering oils for more ’serious’ applications. The naturally occurring terpines in Tea Tree are among the most potent anti-viral constituents found in essential oils. Yet not all of us are very fond of Tea Tree’s aroma; what’s important to know that Tea Tree actually has a wonderful ‘nutmeggy’ aroma when it’s fresh – and Tea Tree happens to be one of the essential oils that is better tolerated when it’s fresh (if the smell is unpleasant, it’s likely old or not of good quality). The research backing the antiviral action is probably more comprehensive than any other essential oil. While aromatherapists do not consider Tea Tree the first line of defense for influenza, it could certainly be a helpful component in blends with other appropriate oils for this purpose. Also in the Melaluca family is Rosalina, or ‘Lavender Tea Tree’. This relatively new oil seems to have an exceptional balance of properties, acting as both an anti-stress agent and a potent antimicrobial. Some therapists consider this oil may be the better choice for anti-viral protection.

Essential Oils Specific for Influenza

A great many other oils are recommended by medical aromatherapists for infectious illness which may be transmitted through airborne contact. Bay Laurel (also known as Laurel Leaf or Laurus Nobilis) is mentioned by researchers as particularly effective in eradication of the virus causing SARS, and should certainly be included in any anti-viral formulas. Eucalyptus Radiata (also known as Narrow Leaf Eucalyptus) has been called the ‘Aromatherapist’s Designer Oil’ for its pleasant aroma AND its immune supportive and anti-viral action. Ravensara aromatica (not to be confused with Ravenstara) is used for bronchial infections. Hyssop is another oil thought to have potent anti-viral activity; it naturally contains a very broad array of natural constituents which creates this potency. Finally, the essential oils from Thyme and Oregano herbs are strongly antimicrobial, and are often called for in immune and cold care recipes. These oils are very strong, and should be used with caution – only used in small amounts in diffuser blends of very diluted (to less than 5%) in topical formulas.

Putting It All Together

Making your own formulas for home use, whether in a diffuser or for topical application is exceptionally easy to do. Don’t be wary of mixing your own – once you do it, you’ll find it fun and educating, likely even giving you more personal ownership and understanding of the use of oils. Diffusing the oils in your environment is considered by some practitioners is considered by some therapists to be THE MOST EFFECTIVE way to use their protective effects. For this use, an example formula may be equal parts of Bay Laurel, Eucalyptus Radiata, Tea Tree, Hyssop decumbens, and Ravensara. If you find any of the aromas overwhelming, just reduce the portion of the blend of that oil. So you could just pipette 1 milliliter of each oil into a separate bottle, then use this formula in a nebulizing diffuser. The same formula can be mixed for topical application by blending 1 part of this recipe into 9 parts of a carrier oil (such as gently melted virgin Coconut oil – which is considered to have antiviral properties itself) and used as a daily foot massage. Melissa oil can be included if you wish to enhance the formula. Rubbing this blend into the areas of the body where the lymph nodes are close to the surface is also recommended: the sternum, armpits and neck are receptive areas. If you choose to use the blend in a diffuser, remember that the carrier oil should then NOT be used (it will not evaporate properly!).

These same essential oils can be made into a spray by diluting them in spring water at a 1 to 10 ratio. Simply add the oils to a small spray bottle with the water and shake vigorously. This is an excellent way to treat yourself and your family when traveling! Do, of course keep this blend away from the eyes and out of the reach of children. The formulas should be further diluted if they are to be used with young ones (dilute half again in water or carrier oil); there are a number of fine texts available describing essential oil use with kids — be sure to understand all precautions by consulting these manuals or discussing the use of essential oils with a knowledgeable practitioner.

Conclusion: The Case for Natural Solutions for Anti-Viral Health Support

The essential oils mentioned here are readily available, safe and easy to use. Their efficacy as anti-viral agents has a long history of use in traditional medicine, and should not be considered ineffective if one doesn’t believe in the more ‘new age’ aspects of aromatherapy. Essential oils are simply the carefully distilled, highly concentrated ‘volatile’ components of plants — and it is these same components the plants use to defend themselves from viral infection. They have long been used in Europe for just such purposes; it used to be in France that one would get an essential oil blend prescription from their doctor that was then filled at a special dispensary. The oils are not meant to replace other effectively means of preventing the spread and contraction of viral illnesses, but to complement them — as many therapists believe this may be the best use of essential oils in the medical arena, why not make use of them!

These are only a few suggestions of using essential oils for yourself and your family. See the wonderful selection of essential oils at The Ananda Apothecary for more.