When it is cold, we may become lazier and it seems to us that going outside to practice a sport or just to walk is too much effort or even imprudent. But, as we will see, that is not the case and we also have an extra motivation: the sun is no longer a nuisance as in summer, but a pleasure.

Walking also provides obvious health benefits and winter is an optimal season to do so. Those who are well sheltered do not have to fear the cold and can even see it as an advantage: when it is not hot, they sweat and drink less and feel less tired, they get rid of the feeling of numbness caused by the cold, breathing fresh air revitalizes them …

And, above all, it is a very good way to get moving and do some exercise, which has many advantages for health, both physical and mental: winter obesity is prevented, the rhythm of walking appeases us, clarifies thinking, calms agitation, attenuates grief, helps to seek inspiration and regulates and stimulates meditative thinking, reflective, poetic, spiritual…

BENEFITS OF WALKING

Walking also helps to recover and improve deep breathing and with it the improvement of bearing, posture and alignment of the back.

Walking is the best stimulus of the vertebral discs, which becomes a good exercise for recovery from herniated discs.

In relation to posture, it has been shown that the use of high canes at chest or even head height improves dynamics and bearing much more than low canes, which favor postural imbalances and decompensations.

The combination of cold plus exercise is ideal for physical and mental training and above all to enhance what naturopathic medicine has called the vis naturae mediatrix: the healing force of nature.

And also, what current medicine and psychiatry call resilience, that is, the ability to creatively face adverse situations and strengthen oneself with them.

Walking improves circulation and mental relaxation, prevents bone decalcification, raises muscle tone and joint mobility, and reduces discomfort in PMS.

WHY WALKING IN THE COLD IS BETTER

Aerobic metabolism is doubled by the concomitant effect of training and cold, which increases body performance. This translates into:

• A decrease in heart rate at rest and during exercise. A decrease in the myocardial need for oxygen, which saves cardiac work.
• Anti-diabetic effect (helps control body weight and improves glucose tolerance and peripheral insulin sensitivity).
• Increased fibrinolytic activity and decreased aggregability of blood thrombocytes
• Decreased release of catecholamines, hormones associated with stress.
• Improved performance in energy metabolism
• Increased HDL cholesterol or “good” cholesterol
• Greater psychic stability, as they increase self-confidence, tolerance to stress and the joy of living. Feeling the muscles in a pleasant way, their ability to contract and relax, provides security; The feeling of power over one’s own body is recovered.

TIPS FOR GOING FOR A WALK IN THE COLD

One technique that helps in adapting to the cold is to always keep your feet warm, both before and after walking.

If the feet are very cold it is convenient to make an alternate bath of hot water and cold water before starting to walk. First, they are introduced in hot water 2 or 3 minutes, then cold water is applied for a few seconds and then rubbed well to stimulate circulation and warm them. They bundle up and the march begins

If you are in the mountains near a grassy meadow or a stream, or on the shore of the beach, you can take the opportunity to walk in the grass or dip your feet in the water of the stream or the sea for a few seconds.

It is enough to be careful after rubbing them and wrapping them well, putting on shoes and continuing the walk.

This small workout helps to adapt to the cold, but you have to make sure that afterwards the feet are very warm. The exercise in the mountains will allow the bathed part to recover normal heat.

For Sebastián Knipp, the naturist priest who most defended barefoot walking, this was the exercise that most enhances the healing force of the individual.

Doing it in nature, in contact with all the energies that emanate from it, allows you to take advantage of the natural cold as an agent to make the organism react, stimulating it, toning it and balancing it.

The physical strength that derives from such a walk in the countryside does not translate, therefore, into large muscles or competition tests; It is something that is felt deep inside and that helps to recover the feeling of living fluidly and healthily.

HOW TO OPTIMIZE THE RIDE

The cadence of the steps is the oldest music composed by the human being. While walking it is good to observe the landscape. Especially in the mountains, contemplating the scenery that surrounds us places us in nature and magnifies us.

It is not necessary to walk like automatons: we can, for example, stop suddenly and turn as if someone were calling us, that is, practice spontaneous movements on the fly.

If we walk in company, this makes it easier for us to talk and communicate. You should never force the march to the point that it makes you lose your breath. Being able to chat on foot is a good sign that the step is right; In addition, conversations on the go improve the ability of the intellect and memory to remember thoughts.

The Greek philosophers Plato and Aristotle already realized this when they set up their academies and their teaching around the dialogues on walks.

Subsequently, other pedagogues have rediscovered this method as an ideal way to learn and teach. Communication in motion makes us adopt rhythmic postures in communication; Two who communicate well acquire the same rhythm of movement and walking favors it.

MOUNTAIN STRETCHING

Before and after the walk it is advisable to stretch and properly stretch the muscles. Stretching your legs, back, and shoulders before and after walking prevents injury. Doing it in the breaks helps to rest and recover.

• Squatting. It can be done on flat ground or, if difficult, somewhere with some slope, looking down. The feet should be well supported, while the heels can be separated according to the flexibility of each one. This position stretches the back, front of the legs, knees, ankles, Achilles tendons, and groin. It should be held for about 30 seconds. It provides a great rest and relieves tensions in the lower back.
• Elevate your feet. Putting your feet up is an excellent and relaxed way to provide rest to your legs. It also prevents and relieves varicose veins. You have to lie on the ground, lift your legs and rest them on a large rock or tree with a thick trunk. The buttocks should be about 8 centimeters from the point of support and the back, flat on the ground. The arms rest open, with the hands on the back of the neck.
• Stretch the groin. Lying on their backs, they bend their knees and open relaxed to the sides, with the soles of their feet together. You have to let the force of gravity be the one that maintains the stretch, for at least 30 seconds.
• Tilt the trunk forward. With the feet separated by the distance between the shoulders, the trunk is slowly dropped forward, flexing the hips and slightly bending the knees. It advances, without forcing, until you feel a gentle stretch in the back of the legs and stays between 15 and 25 seconds, relaxing. This posture stretches the hamstrings and the back of the knees and relaxes the back.

ACCLIMATIZATION IS HEALTHY: THE GROUND CURE

When walking in winter and with cold we not only get warm, but when we go out to the street, to the mountains, to the beach … It gives us the sun and we take advantage of the benefits of light, scarcer in winter. With this we practice what is called a cure of adaptation to the terrain.

The healing of the ground is carried out by performing gentle exercise, such as walking under conditions of adaptation to the cold or the ambient temperature. The first to define this type of cure was Max J. Oertel, a German physician (1835-1897).

Thus, something that should be totally normal and natural, in a society like ours becomes a therapy for the many people, especially in large cities, who are maladapted to the environment where they live.

The increasingly frequent conditions of artificial life and urban climate, with people living with heating in winter or air conditioning in summer, make it increasingly important to stay in places of adaptation of the organism to adverse situations so that it can acclimatize and harden, putting its homeostasis mechanisms in tune.

Already in the last century, the transformation of cities made these acclimatization points, sanatoriums or spas famous. Nowadays these places proliferate, but you can also favor this acclimatization by turning off the heating or air conditioning and stimulating exercise in our own home.

The climatic cure of the terrain is based on two fundamental principles applied simultaneously: the cure of the land itself and the use of climatic stimuli in a controlled way.

The union of these two methods enhances the beneficial influences of the climate through body exercise. As a terrain cure is understood in this case to walk on mountainous roads with slopes of inclination previously known at a certain speed of passage.

The duration of the exercise varies between 20 and 40 minutes, with a periodicity of 3 to 4 times a week, for a minimum period of time of three weeks. The most important condition for the success of the cure is a correct dosage.

For this, pulse and blood pressure parameters are used as a measure of physiological reaction, performance and body overload.

The therapeutic objective of this technique is to stimulate cardiovascular functional capacity, muscle metabolic exchange, the musculoskeletal system and the respiratory system.

The thermal conditions of the high mountain climate in combination with the possibility of choosing trails with different slopes offer the ideal circumstances for this climate and movement therapy. But any of our cities can also serve us in winter: we can train during the week in the city and take advantage of the weekend to do it in the mountains.

If you do not stop training in the city the adaptation to the mountain on the weekend will be much better and there will be no loss of the physical form that is acquired with this practice.

TRAIN LITTLE BY LITTLE

The cold ambient temperature exerts a favorable effect on aerobic training.

According to a study conducted in Bavaria, in the seaside resort of Bad Worrisome, when the ambient temperature or the feeling of cold drops to 2 ºC, there is a decrease in the concentration of blood lactic acid of 0.5 millimoles per liter, compared to people who exercise in thermally neutral conditions.

This difference is accentuated after four weeks of aerobic training and can reach 1 millimole per liter, which improves aerobic capacity.

The fundamental element of the field healing is the progressive body training and adapted to the forces of each one.

It is not worth, then, to want to get the effects on a weekend: the ideal is progressive training. Its purpose is to affect various organic functions, such as cardiocirculatory, muscle metabolic exchange, coordination of movements and the respiratory sphere.

The so-called group dynamics also exert a considerable influence on the success of this cure, that is, the psychic effects derived from group training in a pleasant environment, which tend to favor perseverance and to solve or mitigate conflicts of an emotional nature.

Beware of those who, in order to succeed in the cure, believe that they must exaggerate the effort! It must be made clear that the effort must always be gradual and appropriate to the individual conditions of each person.

HEALING WITH SNOW AND ICE

Water continues to be an element to be discovered. It is surprising how when it solidifies in the form of ice or snow it loses density and floats.

It is also surprising that each type of ice water differs, as Masaru Emoto’s photographs demonstrate, and that large differences are observed when the water is contaminated or has received “bad vibrations”.

Feeling the cold while contemplating the beauty of the snow produces a bodily reaction either of adaptation or rejection. This simple reflex conditions the possibilities that snow and ice exert preventive and therapeutic effects.

Ice and snow have been used for therapeutic purposes since ancient times. There are still remains of the ice pits that were made in the villages to collect the snow and prepare the ice that was then used for the sick or to store some delicate food.

The reaction to cold is one of the mechanisms by which the immune and thermoregulatory systems are stimulated, and by which the oxidizing systems that delay aging are stabilized,

You can apply to the skin ice and snow collected directly from nature, packets with ice and iced gel (hydrocolloid) or even packages of frozen vegetables. They also serve cold baths.

Ice is usually used after receiving a strong blow to avoid edema or swelling and pain, because the cold acts by slowing or stimulating the inflammatory response.

The ice also cools the tissues before, during or after a surgical act, and during the rehabilitation of certain musculoskeletal pathologies: it manages to reduce pain and allows early movement and stretching,

The cold soothes the pain in points. tender or painful and decreases metabolism, which in turn decreases oxygen demand as cellular needs are reduced. This hypothermia is used in organ preservation banks for transplants and in cardiac surgeries.

Prompt treatment of burns with hypothermia also decreases pain, edema, fluid loss, tissue damage, and decreased blood volume.

The application of cold is capable of causing pain or pain relief to some extent depending on the attitude with which it is received, but it must be borne in mind that a bad application or excessive sensitivity can cause frostbite. To avoid the risk of burning, do not apply the ice for a long time.

People with vascular disorders, arterial insufficiency, decompensated heart disease, heart attack or recent angina pectoris should also be careful with the cold.

3 ADVANTAGES OF WALKING IF IT’S COLD

• Improves circulation. As a consequence of the vasoconstriction produced by cold on the skin surface, the muscles are more irrigated during physical exercise, which can lead, through repeated training and exposure to cold, to an increase in blood capillarization.
• Accelerates muscle metabolism. When it is cold, during exercise a greater number of red muscle fibers are activated, which work aerobically, which stimulates muscle metabolism.
• Burns fat. The stimulus of cold increases fat metabolism, which ultimately increases the anaerobic metabolism of lactic acid. Cold helps burn fat, reducing insulin resistance more than any other exercise.

The post Healthy Benefits of Adapting to the Cold appeared first on FreeLifeHealth.

To relieve the typical minor ailments of winter, hot infusions are revealed as a great help. We propose plants that can be easily obtained in any herbalist and lend themselves to varied combinations to reinforce their action and offer different flavors.

When it is cold outside, when we have had to return home walking or driving in the rain or hit by a cold blizzard, many of us feel like warming up with the help of a good hot infusion that comforts.

HOW INFUSIONS HELP WHEN WINTER ARRIVES

Lovers of medicinal plants and regulars to herbalists know well that it is not necessary to settle for the classic cup of coffee or tea, because the range of herbal infusions appropriate for the time is wide and allows you to experiment with new sensations and flavors.

These are infusions that also help, if necessary, to alleviate some of the health problems of these weeks, such as untimely colds from which few manage to get out, coughing attacks and throat clearing, tenths of fever, asthenia, constipation and fluid retention, among others.

To make the infusion appeal, plants with a not particularly pleasant taste can be associated with fennel, mint or star anise.

7 VERY BENEFICIAL PLANTS FOR THE FIRST MONTHS OF COLD

Borage, with anise or mint, is a good infusion for the winter, very useful to relieve respiratory conditions and for its diuretic action. Other useful plants are pulmonary or horehound.

But in this case our proposal focuses on 7 well-known and diverse plants.

MALLOW (MALVA SYLVESTRIS)

The infusion of mallow is no less pleasant and very hot drink helps to quell coughing attacks and decongest the airways. It also helps fight constipation and gastric inflammation.

PROPERTIES OF MALLOW

• Mucolytic
• Demulcent
• Antiinflammatory
• Antitussive
• Laxative.

HOW TO TAKE MALLOW

In single or combined infusion, in syrup, tincture and liquid extract.

SAFFRON (CROCUS SATIVUS)

The infusion of saffron strands, of pleasant flavor, helps to gain appetite and to overcome the states of apathy and lack of motivation, so widespread in winter. However, it should be avoided in pregnancy and lactation.

PROPERTIES OF SAFFRON

• Nervous stimulant
• Antiasthenic
• Appetizer
• Digestive
• Carminative
• Antispasmodic
• Lipid-lowering.

HOW TO TAKE SAFFRON

Infusion of stigmas, in powders, as a food seasoning, and also in tincture and liquid extract.

The infusion of saffron strands helps to overcome apathy. Licorice root is used in case of constipation

LICORICE (GLYCYRRHIZA GLABRA)

Licorice root, in decoction, combined with fennel and cinnamon if you will, is ideal to combat digestive disorders and helps end constipation.

It is also useful in case of throat irritation and bronchitis (recommended for smokers), and leaves a good taste in the mouth.

PROPERTIES OF LICORICE

• Antiinflammatory
• Expectorant
• Antispasmodic
• Digestive
• Carminative
• Antacid
• Antibacterial
• Febrifuge.

HOW TO TAKE LICORICE

In decoction, powders, fresh plant juice, maceration, tincture and also fluid extract.

HAIRY (HIERACIUM PILOSELLA)

Hairy (Hieracium pilosella)

A little-known plant but much loved by herbalists is the hair.

Due to its high diuretic and purifying power, it is very useful to counteract the excesses of the holidays, help lower blood pressure and uric acid and urea levels, as well as combat febrile states in flu processes and bronchitis.

PROPERTIES OF VELOSILLA

• Diuretic
• Cleansing
• Uric acid and urea reducer
• Hypotensive
• Lipid-lowering.

HOW TO TAKE THE VELOSILLA

In simple or combined infusion, decoction of the root, tincture and liquid extract.

THYME (THYMUS VULGARIS)

Thyme infusions are well known to country people in our country. They have an intense flavor and multiple therapeutic virtues.

In winter they are ideal for fighting colds, flu processes, irritative cough, throat clearing and throat irritation, as well as pharyngitis and bronchitis.

They are no less valid for treating stomach disorders, slow and heavy digestion, gas and nausea.

PROPERTIES OF THYME

• Toning
• Digestive
• Carminative
• Appetizer
• Antiseptic
• Balsamic
• Choleretic
• Antispasmodic
• Anthelmintic.

HOW TO TAKE THYME

In decoction and infusion, tincture, liquid extract, drops of essential oil (externally) and in broth.

CHINESE ASTRAGALUS (ASTRAGALUS MEMBRANACEUS)

With a growing presence in Spanish herbalists, Chinese astragalus or huang qi is a good resource for Chinese herbal medicine to strengthen the immune system and promote the adaptation of the body to climate changes.

It is a good energy tonic, which improves physical endurance and protects from infections.

PROPERTIES OF CHINESE ASTRAGALUS

• Energetic
• Toning
• Immune stimulant
• Adaptogen
• Vasodilator
• Antiviral
• Antiseptic
• Diuretic.

HOW TO TAKE CHINESE ASTRAGALUS

Decoction, maceration, capsules and tincture.

LINDEN (TILIA PLATYPHYLLOS)

Many, in winter, more than gaining energy need to temper their nerves before the accumulation of problems. Linden is a classic remedy, very typical for this time of year, which helps combat anxiety attacks, insomnia, irritability and tachycardia.

It is indicated to hypertensive people and those affected by bouts of nervous hyperactivity. It is an effective sedative in nervous migraines and relieves menstrual pain.

PROPERTIES OF LINDEN

• Tranquilizer
• Antispasmodic
• Antimigraine
• Diuretic
• Sudorific
• Hypotensive.

HOW TO TAKE LINDEN

In single or combined infusion, liquid extract, tincture and capsules.

6 RECIPES FOR COMMON DISCOMFORTS

TO TAKE CARE OF THE VOICE AND THROAT: MARSHMALLOW, ERÍSIMO AND BORAGE

Marshmallow is an effective protector of respiratory mucous membranes, with balsamic, antitussive and anti-inflammatory effects. The erisimo is also an excellent balsamic and anti-inflammatory remedy. Borage is demulcent and sudorific.

The combination is ideal for inflammation that occur with hoarseness and sore throat.

HOW TO PREPARE IT:

A tablespoon of the mixture of the three plants in equal parts. They are boiled for three minutes, allowed to infuse for seven minutes and strained. If lemon juice is added, its action will be reinforced and the flavor will improve.

WHEN TO TAKE IT:

Two glasses, not very hot, when you get up and in the middle of the afternoon.

WHAT IT COMBINES WITH:

You can practice gargles with infusions of plantain, erisimo and chamomile, and rest.

FOR COLDS: VIOLET, PLANTAIN AND DROSERA

Violet is antitussive, anti-inflammatory and demulcent. The plantain is expectorant. Drosera is antiviral, antibacterial and antispasmodic.

HOW TO PREPARE IT:

A tablespoon of the three plants, in equal parts. Pour boiling water over the mixture and let stand for eight minutes. It is sweetened with thyme or eucalyptus honey.

WHEN TO TAKE IT:

Two or three cups a day, moderately hot, until symptoms disappear.

HOW TO ENHANCE IT:

It is important to stay in bed for a couple of days and drink plenty of fluids.

FOR THE FLU: ULMARIA, ELDERBERRY AND GINGER

Ulmaria acts as an antipyretic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory. Elderberry is an excellent sudorific and demulcent. And ginger is febrifuge, antitussive, expectorant and mucolytic.

HOW TO PREPARE IT:

One tablespoon of the mixture in equal parts per cup of water. Boil for three minutes, let stand another eight and add a teaspoon of thyme honey.

WHEN TO TAKE IT:

Three cups a day, the last one an hour before bedtime (or getting ready to sleep).

HOW TO ENHANCE IT:

It is necessary to stay in bed and drink fruit juices, rich in vitamin C, and hot vegetable broths.

FOR TONSILLITIS: LICORICE, MALLOW AND AGRIMONY

Licorice has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and balsamic effects. Mallow is an excellent protector and repairer of mucous membranes, and acts against pus. Agrimony exerts an astringent and anti-inflammatory action.

HOW TO PREPARE IT:

One level tablespoon of the mixture, in equal parts, per cup of water. Boil for three minutes, let stand another eight and strain. A pinch of honey sweetens the preparation.

WHEN TO TAKE IT:

Three cups daily, at a moderately hot temperature, until the inflammation subsides.

WHAT IT COMBINES WITH:

Gargles with sage, agrimony and lemon juice and mists with myrtle or eucalyptus are effective.

FOR BRONCHITIS: MULLEIN, HOREHOUND AND ANISE

Mullein is demulcent, anti-inflammatory, antiasthmatic, antitussive and expectorant, ideal in case of mild bronchitis. Horehound is balsamic and febrifuge. Green anise is mucolytic, antiseptic and antispasmodic, apart from a good flavor corrector.

HOW TO PREPARE IT:

A level tablespoon of the mixture of the three plants, in equal parts, for each glass of water. Boil the preparation for about three minutes, leave it to rest for another seven and strain well, so that the mullein fluff does not pass, which could be irritating.

WHEN TO TAKE IT:

Up to three hot cups of tea a day.

WHAT IT COMBINES WITH:

Warm linen poultices on the chest help reduce inflammation.

FOR SINUSITIS: ELDERBERRY, MINT AND PINE

Elderberry flowers are sudorific, astringent and febrifuge. Scots pine buds have antibacterial, antiviral, antipyretic, antiseptic, expectorant and immunostimulant effects. Peppermint is antiseptic, antitussive, decongestant and mildly analgesic.

HOW TO PREPARE IT:

One dessert spoonful of the mixture of the three plants per cup of water. Boil for three minutes, let stand for another five and strain.

WHEN TO TAKE IT:

Two or three glasses a day, the last shortly before bedtime.

WHAT IT COMBINES WITH:

Inhalations of thyme and mint essence (two drops of each) are very effective.

The post Winter begins: 13 effective infusions to take care of your health in the cold months appeared first on FreeLifeHealth.

A scientific team with mostly researchers from Michigan State University (United States) has found that eating sauerkraut and cabbage regularly from adolescence reduces the risk of developing breast cancer.

IS SAUERKRAUT THE REASON THERE IS LESS BREAST CANCER IN POLAND?

131 women with breast cancer aged 20 to 79 volunteered to participate in the study. 284 women without breast cancer served as a control group, but otherwise met the same criteria as sick women in terms of origin, age and place of residence. All the women were originally from Poland but now lived in the United States.

In Poland, breast cancer rates are lower than in the United States, but when Polish women immigrate to the United States, their risk of breast cancer increases and eventually equals that of American women. What could be the reason?

In Poland sauerkraut is eaten in abundance: 13.6 kg per person per year. In the United States, consumption is 4.5 kg. Therefore, if Polish women in the United States adopt local dietary habits and eat less fermented cabbage and less cabbage, this could contribute to the increased risk.

SAUERKRAUT AND CABBAGE REDUCE THE RISK OF BREAST CANCER

So, you looked at how much cabbage and sauerkraut the study participants had eaten, both raw and cooked quickly and cooked for a long time, and found the following:

• The more cabbage and sauerkraut women consumed during their youth, and also in adulthood, the lower their risk of breast cancer.
• However, if cabbage or sauerkraut were cooked for a long time, vegetables stopped positively influencing the risk of breast cancer.
• If women ate a lot of cabbage when they were young (4 times a week or more), their subsequent risk of breast cancer decreased by 64% compared to women who ate little cabbage and sauerkraut when they were young.
• The risk of breast cancer was reduced by 50% if the women had eaten a lot of cabbage and sauerkraut, at least in adulthood.
• If women had eaten cabbage and sauerkraut more than 3 times a week in both their youth and adulthood, either raw or cooked briefly, their risk of breast cancer was reduced by 77% compared to women who only ate 1.5 times a week or even less frequently.

A serving of raw sauerkraut is corersponde with about 95 g. That of a short cooker cabbage dish is 60 g, and that of a long-cooked cabbage or sauerkraut dish ranges from 150 to 330 g.

WHY CABBAGE AND OTHER CRUCIFERS PROTECT AGAINST BREAST CANCER

Of course, sauerkraut isn’t the only vegetable you should eat. A high total consumption of vegetables in general can also reduce the risk of breast cancer, especially hormone-dependent cancer.

But cabbage and other vegetables of the cruciferous family (radish, arugula, mustard, watercress) contain very special active substances that make them more effective in reducing the risk of cancer.

These substances are indole-3-carbinol and a result of its digestion, 3,3-diindolylmethane (DIM). However, these vegetables are usually cooked, which leads to high losses of their anti-cancer active ingredients. It is more advisable to eat cabbages and sauerkraut raw or by heating them briefly.

The post Why should women eat more cabbages? appeared first on FreeLifeHealth.

In the cold season we have less to do in the garden and on the balcony. What is important now is to closely monitor temperatures and, if necessary, react in time, because when temperatures drop below zero degrees some plants have to move to warmer rooms.

Domestic perennials have little to no problem with freezing temperatures. Other plants, such as those in tropical areas, do not easily survive winter outdoors in certain areas of our country.

WHAT PLANTS SPEND THE WINTER INDOORS?

When deciding whether a plant should hibernate outdoors, in a winter garden or in a greenhouse, it is good to know where the plant came from.

Exotic plants and some Mediterranean plants do not tolerate frost or only few and short-lived. So that these plants can be easily placed in warmer winter quarters, they are usually planted in pots.

A general rule of thumb for correct placement is:

• The warmer the room, the lighter the plants need.
• Permanent temperatures between two and seven degrees Celsius in moderate light are ideal for most potted plants.
• Evergreens should be in well-lit places.
• Those that lose their leaves in autumn can also remain in semi-darkness.

THESE PLANTS MUST BE ENTERED BEFORE THE FIRST FROST

Plants that are left to dry in winter, can stay in a cool and dark place and only become active again in spring and are not very difficult to hibernate. These include the following potted plants:

• Geraniums hibernate best in a bright place on the unheated staircase, in the unheated winter garden or in the cold basement (below 10 degrees). When preparing them, you need to remove all flowers and leaves and shorten the stems to 10 cm. Then, remove the geranium from the pot, remove the potting soil and wrap the plant in newspaper, or leave the geranium in the pot and don’t water it until spring.
• Cane of the Indies. Place the pot with the plant in the cool basement. It is important that you do not water it until March. Do not remove the leaves until they have dried then the rhizome will be reinforced and cut close to the ground. It sprouts again in spring, when that happens remove the old soil and plant it in new soil. Now water moderately and place the perennial in a bright place.
• Dahlias. You must enter the dahlias after the first frost at the latest. The rule is to do it as soon as possible, the better. Carefully remove dahlias from the bed with a shovel or hand rake. If they continue to grow, remove the soil well and cut the leaves about 5 cm above the tubers. Also cut rotten or dry areas. Then place the bulb in a wooden box or on a cardboard and let it dry well for a few days. Then, store them in sand and/or old, dry potting soil in a box.

HIBERNATE MEDITERRANEAN PLANTS IN POT

Mediterranean plants that are not frost-resistant can also hibernate easily. A permanently lit, cool (5 – 10 degrees) and frost-free place is suitable for this, preferably next to a window that faces south or southwest. You should be careful to water them only moderately.

Many Mediterranean potted plants tolerate light frosts for a short period of time. However, the following plants should not experience temperatures permanently below -5 degrees Celsius if possible:

• Oleander
• Citrus plants
• Laurel
• Olive tree

This category also includes agapanthus that even likes slightly lower temperatures between two and seven degrees. With those temperatures they bloom profusely the following year. If the temperature is warmer the flowering power weakens.

Other plants that can be included in this category are fuchsias, lantanas, and angel trumpets.

COUNCILS:

• Do you have large Mediterranean plants in your garden? Then it is worth asking the nearest nursery whether it is possible to winter in your greenhouse.
• Any citrus sprouts that grow upwards and do not bear fruit should be cut before wintering.
• Oleanders and olive trees should be cut in spring after spending the winter.

WHAT PLANTS SPEND THE WINTER OUTDOORS AND HOW?

Domestic, perennial, and hardy plants from other countries can also overwinter in the pot, that includes shrubs native to North America, perennial grasses, and small trees.

More sensitive plants such as lavender, camellias, young fruit trees and most roses can only survive the winter in the garden with proper protection. For this purpose, a thick layer of mulch or spruce twigs should be placed on the ground.

For potted plants in the garden, it makes sense to cover the pot with heat. You can firmly fix thick wool or coconut mats around. In the case of young or Mediterranean trees, it is best to ask a gardener if it makes sense to put a loose fleece hood on it.

MAKING PLANTS GET THROUGH THE WINTER PROPERLY

In order for you to enjoy your plants again in summer, it is important not only the hibernation itself, but also the proper preparation of winter quarters. These tips will help you:

1. Take the potted plants out of their old substrate and plant them in a new one. This minimizes the risk of them being attacked by pests.
2. Catch annoying mosquitoes, one of the most common pests when hibernating plants indoors, with traps catching mosquitoes (yellow adhesive papers).
3. You should not fertilize the plants from late August to March.
4. Water the plants only moderately and avoid waterlogging at all costs.
5. Potted plants that are outdoors and wrapped with fleece or a coconut mat are best placed on clay bricks or legs so that the protective material does not come into direct contact with the soil and begins to rot.
6. If the drought persists and temperatures are mild to warm, you should water the potted plants. Those who stay outdoors in winter are more likely to suffer from drought, the so-called frost dryness, since more than the cold, the water evaporates with frost and sun.
7. Pots can be placed in groups or on the wall of the house. Then the pots don’t cool down so quickly.
8. Never place pots inside too soon. Always be attentive to the weather trend.
9. Outdoor perennials, whether in pots or beds, should never be trimmed before winter. This makes them more sensitive to frost and prevents numerous insects from overwintering.
10. Place the plants that hibernate quickly back outside. Whether they must return indoors depends on weather conditions.
11. Cut dry shoots.
12. In spring, it is better to fertilize potted plants with long-term fertilizers, such as primitive rock meal, horn shavings or horse dung and plant them with fresh soil in a larger container.

The post What plants do you have to go indoors when it’s cold? appeared first on FreeLifeHealth.

• What is inflammation?
• Difference between chronic inflammation and immune response
• Why does chronic inflammation occur?
• How to treat inflammation?
• Anti-inflammatory diet: the keys
• Other Natural Remedies for Inflammation
• Plants with anti-inflammatory action

Any inflammatory process, which is named by adding the suffix -itis to the affected organ (appendicitis, gastritis, arthritis, bronchitis …) It is a global response of the whole organism to a traumatic situation for it such as the injury or destruction of own cells, even if it manifests locally.

Although inflammation can occur in any organ or tissue, the most frequent chronic inflammatory processes are expressed through:

• the respiratory system: rhinitis, sinusitis, bronchitis, asthma,
• the digestive system: tonsillitis, esophagitis, gastritis, hepatitis, ulcerative colitis,
• joints (arthritis)
• and the skin (dermatitis).

However, there is currently a lot of talk about chronic inflammation of the body, which is valued by the high number of inflammatory markers: substances that mediate inflammation that are released and participate in this process, present in the blood.

In chronic inflammation, the response that was expressed locally in a given organ with acute inflammations has acquired such intensity that it has become a process that is present through circulation in almost all corners of the body, and that creates a medium that facilitates the genesis of various pathologies such as cardiovascular, neurodegenerative (Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s …), autoimmune problems, psoriasis, etc.

WHAT IS INFLAMMATION?

Inflammation is a defensive reaction of the organism and is characterized by the appearance of flushing, heat, tumor, pain and the consequent functional alteration.

Its objective, in addition to eliminating or isolating the irritant or pathogen and the cells it has damaged, is the repair of the injury produced.

The affected organ or area defends itself by increasing the arrival of blood (redness, flushing) and slowing down its circulation (increase in local temperature or heat), which facilitates the flow of elements to neutralize the aggression and combustion of morbid substances.

This congestion and blood stagnation allows the exit of the vessels and capillaries of substances (serum and chemical mediators) and cells (leukocytes) that act as a defensive barrier (swelling, lump, swelling or tumor).

At the same time, they force the functional rest of the affected tissue by activating the nerve endings present there (local pain).

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CHRONIC INFLAMMATION AND IMMUNE RESPONSE

The inflammatory reaction and the immune response typical of infections, allergies or autoimmune diseases are usually equated.

The two processes share mechanisms and are often linked: sometimes inflammation precedes immunity (allergic asthma secondary to an inflamed bronchial mucosa), and at other times immunity is prior to inflammation, as often occurs in many autoimmune diseases, such as arthritis.

The difference is that inflammation is nonspecific, has no memory of the aggressor and acts quickly against all kinds of substances, germs, and immunity is specific (it is directed towards a specific antigen or aggressor), and has a slower response but more adapted to aggression.

Simplifying, we could say that the inflammatory response is present in the immune system response (infections, allergies and autoimmune diseases).

Inflammation or chronic disease appears when the acute process is not completely resolved and is prolonged over time.

This can happen due to an insufficient response capacity of the organism to overcome the aggression (weak defenses or low immunity) or by a persistence of the cause that originates it.

WHY DOES CHRONIC INFLAMMATION OCCUR?

The causes of inflammation can be multiple and varied. The continuity of these causes, or the body’s poor response capacity to defend itself from them, are what can turn acute inflammation into chronic.

Bacteria, viruses and parasites that invade the body are one of the most frequent reasons for the inflammatory response that manifests itself in infections, such as chronic tonsillitis.

Heat, cold, radiation, electrical stimuli or simple but repeated mechanical trauma (chafing on the shoe for example) can be agents that injure or irritate tissues and awaken the inflammatory reparative response. The cells themselves destroyed by these aggressions increase the inflammatory reaction.

External irritating substances that we incorporate into our body such as those present in tobacco, alcohol, coffee, varnishes and paints, environmental pollutants, etc. can produce an inflammatory reaction that is initially expressed in mucous membranes of respiratory and digestive tracts, but later, when entering the blood, can also act on the arteries (thromboangiitis obliterans or Buerger’s disease, typical of smokers) or other tissues.

There are also internal irritants, such as excess pepsin or digestive acids as a necessary response to digest very complex foods such as meat daily or due to sustained stress, or excess uric acid and other metabolites resulting from the digestion of some of these foods, can lead to gastritis or metabolic diseases of inflammatory component such as gout.

The central nervous system coordinates and directs all organic reactions, and chronic inflammation is one of them. In turn, the nervous system is influenced by the emotional situation of the person.

There are studies that show that anxiety and stress favor inflammation, since they circulate substances that participate in this process. The treatment of emotional conflicts can largely correct this problem.

Dietary imbalances, especially fat and protein overfeeding, which results in an increase in the deposit of substances in the body (fat in adipocytes, and this together with proteins in the walls of the arteries hindering the exchange with cells and retaining in the blood large amounts of glucose, water, uric acid, lipids, insulin…).

They are the origin of obesity and the so-called “metabolic syndrome” so fashionable today and that brings together problems such as diabetes (increased blood glucose), hypertension (increased fluids in the blood), gout (increased uric acid), hypercholesterolemia (increased fat), etc., typical of adults but that are spreading in the child population.

All these substances if deposited to an excessive degree in the body cause a pro-inflammatory effect, as a defensive response to an abnormal situation (demonstrated in cases such as adipocytes), and although it is not appreciated externally, it does contribute to the appearance of a multitude of pathologies.

For example, we are working on the hypothesis that many chronic diseases of the so-called autoimmune may be the result of small modifications of own cells induced by the different substances of pro-inflammatory effect that circulate in the blood.

Asymptomatic chronic intestinal inflammation increases the permeability of the digestive barrier and allows the entry of substances and molecules much more complex than the body is prepared to receive.

The appearance in the body of these foreign substances, such as small polypeptides foreign to the body of complex proteins such as those of cow’s milk, are considered one of the possible causes of the chronic inflammatory response of allergic type.

HOW TO TREAT INFLAMMATION?

As we have mentioned, chronic inflammation is the response to an aggression that remains in the body for a long time without being resolved.

This response, initially defensive, healing and restorative, if not heard or well interpreted can become a source of health problems.

That is why before any acute inflammatory process it is essential to identify the aggression to avoid it, and accompany the organism in its healing process.

If we do not act like this and simply administer as treatment medications or symptomatic products such as anti-inflammatories, which what they do is suppress this healing and restorative response, the process is still active becoming chronic in a situation in which the organism ends up accommodating to the aggression, living with it and mobilizing defenses that are systematically aborted by suppressive treatment.

Therefore, sometimes, the only way to solve a chronic pathology is to achieve its exacerbation, suppressing the causes and releasing again the healing forces that are expressed with all their vitality (redirected with natural resources) in what in naturopathic medicine are called healing crises.

This is what happens, for example, when a chronic dermatitis that has been suppressed with anti-inflammatory medication such as corticosteroids, reappears after a while when making a cleansing cure and elimination of toxins, and needs a series of changes in habits, dietary, phototherapeutic, emotional support, etc. for its definitive solution.

However, in most cases, the recognition and withdrawal of the agents or substances causing the inflammatory or pro-inflammatory effect makes the healing crisis much milder or even does not occur.

Just as it is a mistake to treat inflammatory processes only with anti-inflammatories, so is directing this treatment to a single organ, since inflammation is a global process that can manifest itself locally.

It does not make sense to treat chronic asthma exclusively with bronchodilators if we do not modify the diet, reduce tensions, decongest the lymphatic system, protect the liver, etc., measures aimed at eliminating the factors that generate inflammation and recovering the balance that can keep the person healthy, freeing him from other pathologies associated or of common origin to asthma, such as rhinitis, bronchitis, anxiety…

Preventing and treating chronic inflammatory processes requires eliminating the causes that generate inflammation and supporting the body in its task of tissue and emotional cleansing and reconstruction.

In some cases, it is advisable to use for a while the suppressive and symptomatic treatments of conventional medicine (anti-inflammatories, bronchodilators …), until the body can assume, with the help of natural resources, complete control of the process.

Do not be overwhelmed by temporarily maintaining a medication that we know that in the long run does not cure, but that helps to pass a situation that would otherwise be difficult to control.

Psychophysical techniques such as yoga, tai chi, sophrology, visualization, etc., as regulators of the connection between mind and body that they are, can play a very active role in the prevention and treatment of chronic inflammatory processes, being also very useful in the control of pain.

The science of psych neuroendocrine immunology gives us more and more information on the importance of good emotional balance to obtain good body health.

For this same reason, the resolution of emotional conflicts, in collaboration with a good professional, is a recommended task.

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DIET: THE KEYS

Although every patient with a chronic inflammatory process needs personalized advice, there is a basic preventive and inflammation-moderating anti-inflammatory diet useful in all cases.

Its objective is not to suppress the body’s defensive response, which is inflammation, but to eliminate the factors that produce and multiply it, cleanse the tissues and promote tissue reconstruction.

Let’s look at the main features of the anti-inflammatory diet:

• The diet in general should be low in calories, rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and nuts, with moderate consumption of legumes, which regulates weight and decreases the deposit in the blood and tissues of substances that can stimulate a pro-inflammatory effect.
• It has been proven that a well-planned vegetarian diet, especially without dairy or eggs, meets these requirements, purifying and reducing inflammation thanks to the antioxidants and other phytonutrients it contains.
• It seems that the regulatory effect of inflammation increases if the proportion of raw foods (juices, fruits, salads) is highlighted, at least a third, because heat can alter or destroy some of these protective substances.
• In addition, raw foods are very useful in inflammatory processes because they have a great regenerative power of cells and tissues, due to their richness in ferments and enzymes that accelerate the reconstruction processes.
• It is very important that all the oils used are obtained from first cold pressing and also biological.
• Vitamin C (citrus fruits and fresh vegetables) and vitamin E have inflammation-regulating properties.
• The recommended amount of daily vitamin E (8 to 10 mg daily), inhibits the excessive production of COX-2 and therefore prostaglandin E2 and inflammatory cytokines.
• Foods rich in this vitamin are vegetable oils of first cold pressure (especially wheat germ), oleaginous nuts, seeds and whole grains.
• Copper, in general, helps control inflammation, as do selenium, zinc and manganese, all of which are powerful antioxidants. A vegetarian-leaning diet is rich in these trace elements, but treatment can be reinforced with preparations that contain them and others more specific to each expression of inflammation.
• Milk and dairy products, due to their allergenic components, are also pro-inflammatory products. In this same situation are additives, preservatives, etc., and as such should be moderated.
• White sugar, due to its immunosuppressive capacity (decreased activity of leukocytes) and because it is a thief of vitamins, minerals and trace elements, is not advisable.
• Suppressing individual toxic habits, such as tobacco, alcohol and coffee, is especially advisable, especially in inflammatory processes of the respiratory and digestive tract, but also in arthritis, dermatitis … for being responsible for irritation and inflammation.
• Foods with a lot of fiber (vegetables and whole grains) and raw foods should be avoided in the crisis phases of people with chronic inflammatory digestive processes, especially intestinal (ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease …).
• The digestive mucosa needs a very soft and above all astringent diet (lemon juice, boiled white rice, peeled and grated raw apple, cinnamon that is astringent and hemostatic …).
• The fiber of the algae for its richness in mucilage and antacid action can be taken. After the gastroenteritis phase and digestion stabilized, it would be convenient to move to the basic anti-inflammatory diet described above.

FATS AND INFLAMMATION: WHICH ARE MORE SUITABLE?

Inflammatory problems may be related to an excess of omega-6 fatty acids and a deficit of omega-3.

Omega-3 are found in the fats of oily fish (mackerel, herring, sardines, salmon …), in vegetable oils of first cold pressure (flax, walnut, wheat germ, soy …) and in the foods from which they come.

Soybeans, their smoothie (soy milk) and tofu also contain a significant proportion of omega-3s.

As or more important than providing nutrients that the usual diet is deficient, is to moderate the foods that favor inflammation.

For example, those that contain an excess of omega-6, from which arachidonic acid of pro-inflammatory effect is produced, such as pork and eggs.

PURIFYING VEGETABLE BROTH

The naturist dietetics advises in all these cases a vegetable broth called anti-inflammation, with a great purifying, mineralizing and decongestant power.

Ingredients:

• 6 medium onions
• 2 green celery branches
• 3 or 4 carrots
• 1 apple

They are boiled for an hour over low heat, without oil or salt, in two and a half liters of water. It is strained and the liquid is stored in the refrigerator in a glass or stainless-steel container.

It is taken warm twenty minutes before the three main meals with the juice of a freshly squeezed lemon.

Other vegetables can be added: a head of garlic or three leeks in cases of arthritis or painful joint or muscle processes, three or four green leaves of lettuce when there is an important component of anxiety due to its sedative effect …

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DIET: THE KEYS

Although every patient with a chronic inflammatory process needs personalized advice, there is a basic preventive and inflammation-moderating anti-inflammatory diet useful in all cases.

Its objective is not to suppress the body’s defensive response, which is inflammation, but to eliminate the factors that produce and multiply it, cleanse the tissues and promote tissue reconstruction.

Let’s look at the main features of the anti-inflammatory diet:

• The diet in general should be low in calories, rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and nuts, with moderate consumption of legumes, which regulates weight and decreases the deposit in the blood and tissues of substances that can stimulate a pro-inflammatory effect.
• It has been proven that a well-planned vegetarian diet, especially without dairy or eggs, meets these requirements, purifying and reducing inflammation thanks to the antioxidants and other phytonutrients it contains.
• It seems that the regulatory effect of inflammation increases if the proportion of raw foods (juices, fruits, salads) is highlighted, at least a third, because heat can alter or destroy some of these protective substances.
• In addition, raw foods are very useful in inflammatory processes because they have a great regenerative power of cells and tissues, due to their richness in ferments and enzymes that accelerate the reconstruction processes.
• It is very important that all the oils used are obtained from first cold pressing and also biological.
• Vitamin C (citrus fruits and fresh vegetables) and vitamin E have inflammation-regulating properties.
• The recommended amount of daily vitamin E (8 to 10 mg daily), inhibits the excessive production of COX-2 and therefore prostaglandin E2 and inflammatory cytokines.
• Foods rich in this vitamin are vegetable oils of first cold pressure (especially wheat germ), oleaginous nuts, seeds and whole grains.
• Copper, in general, helps control inflammation, as do selenium, zinc and manganese, all of which are powerful antioxidants. A vegetarian-leaning diet is rich in these trace elements, but treatment can be reinforced with preparations that contain them and others more specific to each expression of inflammation.
• Milk and dairy products, due to their allergenic components, are also pro-inflammatory products. In this same situation are additives, preservatives, etc., and as such should be moderated.
• White sugar, due to its immunosuppressive capacity (decreased activity of leukocytes) and because it is a thief of vitamins, minerals and trace elements, is not advisable.
• Suppressing individual toxic habits, such as tobacco, alcohol and coffee, is especially advisable, especially in inflammatory processes of the respiratory and digestive tract, but also in arthritis, dermatitis … for being responsible for irritation and inflammation.
• Foods with a lot of fiber (vegetables and whole grains) and raw foods should be avoided in the crisis phases of people with chronic inflammatory digestive processes, especially intestinal (ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease …).
• The digestive mucosa needs a very soft and above all astringent diet (lemon juice, boiled white rice, peeled and grated raw apple, cinnamon that is astringent and hemostatic …).
• The fiber of the algae for its richness in mucilage and antacid action can be taken. After the gastroenteritis phase and digestion stabilized, it would be convenient to move to the basic anti-inflammatory diet described above.

FATS AND INFLAMMATION: WHICH ARE MORE SUITABLE?

Inflammatory problems may be related to an excess of omega-6 fatty acids and a deficit of omega-3.

Omega-3 are found in the fats of oily fish (mackerel, herring, sardines, salmon …), in vegetable oils of first cold pressure (flax, walnut, wheat germ, soy …) and in the foods from which they come.

Soybeans, their smoothie (soy milk) and tofu also contain a significant proportion of omega-3s.

As or more important than providing nutrients that the usual diet is deficient, is to moderate the foods that favor inflammation.

For example, those that contain an excess of omega-6, from which arachidonic acid of pro-inflammatory effect is produced, such as pork and eggs.

PURIFYING VEGETABLE BROTH

The naturist dietetics advises in all these cases a vegetable broth called anti-inflammation, with a great purifying, mineralizing and decongestant power.

Ingredients:

• 6 medium onions
• 2 green celery branches
• 3 or 4 carrots
• 1 apple

They are boiled for an hour over low heat, without oil or salt, in two and a half liters of water. It is strained and the liquid is stored in the refrigerator in a glass or stainless-steel container.

It is taken warm twenty minutes before the three main meals with the juice of a freshly squeezed lemon.

Other vegetables can be added: a head of garlic or three leeks in cases of arthritis or painful joint or muscle processes, three or four green leaves of lettuce when there is an important component of anxiety due to its sedative effect …

The post What is inflammation, why it happens, and how to keep it from making you sick appeared first on FreeLifeHealth.

• Why do hernias come out?
• What is an inguinal hernia?
• What is a femoral or clural hernia?
• What is an umbilical hernia?
• What is a hiatal hernia?
• What is an epigastric hernia?
• What is an incisional hernia or eventration?
• What is a herniated disc?

A hernia occurs when part of an internal tissue or organ (such as the intestine) comes out of the place it normally occupies in the body.

Often, hernias cause no symptoms or only a small lump or bump is noticed in the affected area, which can be pushed in and come back out with exertion. Sometimes, however, tissue or intestine can become trapped (or “strangled”), which can cut off blood flow and cause a serious problem that requires immediate attention. There are different types of hernias, depending on the area where they appear in the body.

WHY DO HERNIAS COME OUT?

The cause of hernias is usually a combination of two factors:

• The pressure exerted on the area, which can be for various reasons, such as heavy lifting, constipation or having a persistent cough.
• An opening or weak spot in the muscle or connective tissue (fascia) that contains the organ or tissue. In some cases, weakness in the muscle is present from birth, but most often appears over the years.

The pressure pushes the organ or tissue through the opening or weak spot in the muscle.

Most commonly, hernias occur in the abdomen, between the chest and hips, but they can also appear in other parts of the body. Let’s look at some of the most common types of hernias.

WHAT IS AN INGUINAL HERNIA?

In an inguinal hernia, the intestine or other organ of the abdominal cavity protrudes through the groin, into the upper inner thigh, and may descend into the scrotum. The bump it causes is usually painless, increases in size when standing and decreases when lying down.

Inguinal hernias are the most common type of hernia and occur much more often in men than in women.

WHAT IS A FEMORAL OR CLURAL HERNIA?

Another type of hernia that appears in the inguinal region is the clural or femoral hernia. It also occurs when part of the intestine protrudes through the groin, but in this case not as close to the pubis as the inguinal. It appears just below the groin crease, in the part of the thigh where the femoral artery and vein exit the abdomen in the direction of the leg.

Femoral hernias are much less common than inguinal hernias and mainly affect women, especially pregnant or obese.

WHAT IS AN UMBILICAL HERNIA?

In an umbilical hernia, part of the small intestine protrudes through the belly, near the navel.

This type of hernia is common in newborns (affecting between 10% and 20%) and occurs because the opening of the belly has not closed properly after birth. In most cases it resolves on its own before the age of 5.

It also occurs frequently in women who are obese or who have had many children.

WHAT IS A HIATAL HERNIA?

Hiatal hernia occurs when the upper part of the stomach protrudes into the chest through the hiatus, an opening in the diaphragm (the muscle that separates the chest from the abdomen).

Although it often does not cause any symptoms, hiatal hernia can cause food and liquids not to be retained properly and to return upwards instead of down into the stomach; In this case, symptoms include heartburn, reflux, pain in the upper abdomen, or trouble swallowing.

It is not known for sure what causes hiatal hernias, but it is believed that the weakening of the diaphragm over the years to age or pressure on the abdomen may have a lot to do with it.

WHAT IS AN EPIGASTRIC HERNIA?

In an epigastric hernia, part of the intestine or the fatty tissue that covers it protrudes through the epigastric region (the pit of the stomach), between the navel and the lower part of the sternum.

It is three times more common in men and usually does not cause pain. The bump may be visible only when the person coughs, sneezes, or lifts weights.

WHAT IS AN INCISIONAL HERNIA OR EVENTRATION?

When part of the intestine protrudes through the abdominal wall at the site where an operation has previously been performed, we speak of incisional hernia or eventration.

• This type of hernia is more common in older or overweight people who have been inactive after having abdominal surgery.

WHAT IS A HERNIATED DISC?

Herniated discs occur when the vertebrae are displaced by overload or excessive pressure and squeeze an intervertebral disc, often pinching a nerve.

Most herniated discs occur in the lower back, but they can also occur in the neck (cervical hernia) or other parts of the spine.

In many cases, herniated disc causes no symptoms, but in others it can cause pain. Most often, symptoms improve over time without requiring surgery.

• Depending on the herniated intervertebral disc, it can cause pain, numbness, or weakness in an arm or leg.

The post What is a hernia and what types are there? appeared first on FreeLifeHealth.

• At death you can “see” a summary of life
• A discovery by accident
• We don’t know exactly when life ends
• A source of hope
• Increased gamma activity

Neuroscientists at the University of Tartu in Estonia have recorded the activity of a dying human brain and discovered rhythmic patterns of brain waves around the time of death that are similar to those that occur during dreams, remembrance and meditation.

AT DEATH YOU CAN “SEE” A SUMMARY OF LIFE

The researchers believe that this process of brain reorganization could explain the “life summary” that many people contemplate in “near-death experiences” (NDEs). In just a few seconds, people relive the most memorable moments of their lives.

What happens in the brain during these experiences and after death are questions that have intrigued the human being. According to the paper published by Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, the brain may remain active and coordinated during and even after the transition to death.

A DISCOVERY BY ACCIDENT

They hypothesize from the case of an 87-year-old patient, who died of a heart attack while undergoing an electroencephalography (EEG) after having gone to the emergency room for a fall that caused a brain hematoma. The unexpected event allowed scientists to record the activity of a dying human brain for the first time.

WE DON’T KNOW EXACTLY WHEN LIFE ENDS

“We measured 900 seconds of brain activity around the time of death and established a specific approach to investigate what happened in the 30 seconds before and after the heart stopped beating,” said Dr. Ajmal Zemmar, a neurosurgeon at the University of Louisville who led the research.

“Just before and after the heart stopped working, we saw changes in a specific band of brain electrical activity, in so-called gamma waves, but also in others, such as delta, theta, alpha and beta waves.”

Brain waves are patterns of rhythmic brain activity that are normally present in living human brains. Different types of waves or oscillations, including gamma waves, are involved in cognitive functions, such as concentration, sleep, meditation, memory retrieval, information processing, and conscious perception, as are those associated with memory flashbacks.

“Through the generation of waves involved in memory retrieval, the brain may be reproducing a last memory of important life events before death, similar to those reported in near-death experiences,” Zemmar speculated.

“These findings challenge our understanding of when exactly life ends and raise important subsequent questions, such as those related to the timing of organ donation.”

A SOURCE OF HOPE

While this study is the first of its kind to measure brain activity during the death process in humans, similar changes in gamma waves have previously been observed in rats maintained in controlled environments. This means that it is possible that, during death, the brain organizes and executes a biological response that could be conserved in all species.

However, these measurements are based on a single case and come from the brain of a patient who had suffered injuries, seizures and brain swelling, which complicates the interpretation of the data. However, Zemmar plans to investigate more cases and sees these results as a source of hope.

“As a neurosurgeon, sometimes I face losses. It is indescribably difficult to break the news of the death to distraught relatives,” he said. “One thing we can learn from this research is that although our loved ones have their eyes closed and are ready to leave us, their brains may be reproducing some of the best moments they had in their lives.”

INCREASED GAMMA ACTIVITY

The study notes that before death there was an increase in gamma wave activity, which was not reduced like the other rhythmic patterns after cardiac para. In fact, coordination or coupling with other brain waves from different areas of the brain was observed. The human brain may possess the ability to generate coordinated activity immediately before and after clinical death, the authors say.

The researchers warn that the results of their research have to be contrasted with new studies that rule out the influence of the clinical situation and the drugs administered to the patient.

The post What happens in the brain when you die? The surprising finding of a study appeared first on FreeLifeHealth.

• What is a urine infection?
• Urine infection: causes and risk factors
• Urine infection: symptoms in women
• Urine infection: symptoms in men
• How to prevent urine infections?

Urinary tract infections are among the most common infections and are very common in women (especially from adolescence), although they also occur in men. They usually occur in the bladder and can become very annoying and painful. However, there are ways to avoid them or, at least, to reduce the likelihood of suffering them.

WHAT IS A URINE INFECTION?

A urine infection occurs when an infection occurs somewhere in the urinary system, which includes the kidneys (responsible for filtering blood and making urine), the ureters (tubes that collect urine from the kidneys and lead it to the bladder), the urinary bladder (where urine is stored), and the urethra (the tube that connects the bladder to the outside).

The microorganisms that cause urine infection usually enter the urinary tract from outside through the opening of the urethra (the penis in the case of men and the vulva in the case of women), from where they rise to the bladder and can even reach the kidneys.

• In much less frequent cases, microorganisms can reach the kidneys through the blood.

Most of the time the microorganisms responsible for UTIs are bacteria (mainly the bacterium Escherichia coli), but they can also be caused by some viruses, fungi and parasites.

Urinary tract infections are usually classified into two types, depending on where they occur:

• Lower tract infections include infections of the bladder (cystitis), urethra (urethritis), and prostatitis (prostate infection).
• Upper tract infections are those that affect the kidneys (pyelonephritis). They are less common, but more serious.

URINE INFECTION: CAUSES AND RISK FACTORS

Having sex is the main factor that facilitates urine infections, because movement makes it easier for bacteria to enter the urinary tract. In addition, the use of diaphragm has been linked to a greater likelihood of suffering from them, as well as spermicides, which can alter the vaginal flora and make it more vulnerable.

Women have much shorter urethras than men: while theirs measures about 3 cm, theirs measures 20 cm. The short urethra and its proximity to the vagina and anus makes access for microorganisms easier and that is why bladder infections (cystitis) are much more frequent in women.

Another risk factor in women is menopause. The decrease in estrogen that occurs in this period promotes the imbalance of the vaginal flora and makes it easier for recurrent cystitis to appear.

Other factors or situations that increase the risk of a urinary tract infection include:

• Being pregnant.
• Kidney stones.
• Having diabetes.
• Abnormalities or obstructions in the urinary tract.
• A weakened immune system.
• Having poor intimate hygiene.
• Manipulations of the urinary tract (probes, surgeries).

URINE INFECTION: SYMPTOMS IN WOMEN

As we have mentioned, bladder infections (cystitis) are more common in women. The main symptoms are:

• Needing to urinate frequently (even if the bladder is empty).
• Burning or a painful sensation when urinating.
• Cloudy or strong-smelling urine. It may also have a pink or brownish hue (sign that there is blood in the urine).
• Pain in the pelvis (especially in the central part)
• Urinary incontinence (especially in older people).
• In some cases, fever.

Symptoms of infection in the urethra include burning when urinating and discharge. When infection occurs in the kidneys (pyelonephritis), symptoms are:

• Pain on the side of the lower back.
• High fever.
• Tremors, chills, or night sweats.
• Nausea and vomiting.

In some cases, urine infection is detected in a urine culture, but does not cause any symptoms.

URINE INFECTION: SYMPTOMS IN MEN

The urethra of men is much longer than that of women, which makes cystitis less frequent. In them, it is more common for infections to be related to abnormalities of the urinary tract and require further study by doctors.

Prostatitis is a type of urine infection that causes inflammation of the prostate, causes symptoms similar to cystitis (pain, burning, frequent urination, cloudy urine …) and also:

• Pain in the abdomen, groin, or lower back.
• Pain in the perineum (the part between the scrotum and rectum).
• Pain or discomfort in the penis or testicles.
• Pain when ejaculating.

On the other hand, the symptoms of urethritis or pyelonephritis are the same in men as those described in women.

HOW TO PREVENT URINE INFECTIONS?

Treatment usually involves taking antibiotics, especially in the most serious infections. However, as the best treatment is a good prevention, take note of these tips and natural solutions that will help you keep urine infections away:

• Drinking plenty of water favors the elimination of bacteria.
• Cleaning from front to back (women) prevents microorganisms from the anus from passing into the vagina.
• Avoid non-breathable underwear.
• After sex, urinate as soon as possible.
• Eating blueberries prevents urine infections because they have nonstick properties that prevent bacteria from adhering to the bladder wall, as indicated by several studies.

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A combination of the plant extracts Acacia catechu and Scutellaria baicalensis can significantly increase antibodies after flu vaccination in healthy adults, according to a new study by pharmaceutical company KGK Science Inc.

Total levels of IgA (immunoglobulin A) and IgG (immunoglobulin G) increased in people who received the botanical combination, compared to placebo, while influenza B-specific IgG increased nearly 20% during the 28-day post-vaccination period, according to data published in the Journal of the American Nutrition Association.

MEDICINAL PLANTS IMPROVE HUMORAL IMMUNITY

This type of adaptive immune response is known as “humoral immunity.” The response of the humoral immune system through the production of antibodies after vaccination is considered a useful measure that correlates with specific protection, the study scientists explain.

KGK scientists conducted a parallel, randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled study with 50 healthy adults aged 40 to 80 years. Participants were divided into one of three groups: a placebo group, a group that received Acacia catechu and Scutellaria baicalensis, and a third group that received a mixture of aloe vera gel powder, rosemary and Poria cocos extracts.

ACACIA CATECHU AND SCUTELLARIA BAICALENSIS INCREASE THE PRODUCTION OF ANTIBODIES AGAINST INFLUENZA

The immune status of the participants was analyzed 28 days before vaccination and 28 days after. The results showed that the group taking the two medicinal plants showed significant increases in total IgA and IgG levels in the immediate post-vaccination period of 28 days. During this period, influenza B-specific IgG increased by 19.4%. From day 0 to day 56, influenza B-specific IgG increased by 11.6%.

This suggests that a 56-day supplementation with the mixture of the two plants may be beneficial in generating a robust humoral response after vaccination, the researchers have claimed.

THEY ALSO REDUCE OXIDATION CAUSED BY THE VACCINE.

The data also showed that serum glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) increased during the initial 28-day pre-vaccination period with supplementation. The GSH-Px enzyme is part of the antioxidant defense system that maintains redox homeostasis and plays a critical role in mitigating oxidative stress generated by influenza infection.

Administration of live attenuated influenza vaccines causes an increase in biomarkers of oxidative stress in the breath of healthy participants. Therefore, the combination of two medicinal plants may be beneficial in reducing the response to oxidative stress after vaccination.

PROPERTIES OF ACACIA CATECHU

Acacia catechu extract has been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of various diseases. It has hepatoprotective, antipyretic, antidiarrheal, hypoglycemic, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antinociceptive, antimicrobial, free radical scavenging and antioxidant activities.

In addition, recent studies have shown that Acacia catechu exerts spasmolytic and antispastic activities in vitro by interacting with calcium channels and muscarinic receptors, without affecting lactobacilli and bifidobacteria, the most represented intestinal species, suggesting that it may benefit patients suffering from diarrhea.

PROPERTIES OF SCUTELLARIA BAICALENSIS

Scutellaria baicalensis, also known as “huang qin” or Chinese skullcap, is a root extract used in traditional medicine. It is often used in combination with other herbs. Most studies have been conducted in the laboratory rather than in humans, and suggest anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity.

There are studies on the effectiveness of this plant, alone or in combination with other species, in the treatment of cancer, arthritis and hepatitis. Cancer studies have been done in laboratory cultures, not in people. Its consumption is not advised if you are taking anticoagulant medications, statins or cytochrome CYP450.

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Proper blood flow in and out of the brain is essential for its proper functioning. A thrombus or blood clot in a blood vessel in the brain can cause strokes and strokes. Hemorrhage is life-threatening, and the death of neurons from lack of oxygen and nutrients can lead to severe disabilities. Thrombi are the enemy and a scientific team from North Carolina State University (NCSU) has created the ultimate weapon to eliminate them: a tool that creates a sonic tornado capable of breaking down blood clots in the brain.

WHAT IS THE ULTRASOUND VORTEX?

The tool consists of a transducer specially designed to create a swirling and vortex effect using ultrasound. The device is also small enough to fit inside a catheter, which doctors can insert through the circulatory system to the location of the blood clot. To test the technology, the researchers created a 3D-printed model of the cerebral venous sinus, where they placed a cow blood clot.

The ultrasonic “tornado” offers a faster solution in in vitro models of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) than currently available existing techniques for removing clots (the system has not yet been tested in people). “Based on available data, pharmaceutical interventions to dissolve CVST blood clots take at least 15 hours and an average of around 29 hours,” reports Professor Shi. “During in vitro testing, we were able to dissolve an acute blood clot in less than half an hour.” In this way, the damage caused by stroke and bleeding could be greatly reduced.

“Our previous work looked at various techniques that use ultrasound to remove blood clots using what are essentially forward-propelled waves,” explains Xiaoning Jiang, co-author of the study in a statement from the university. “Our new work uses vortex ultrasound, where the ultrasound waves have a helical wavefront.”

“In other words, ultrasound swirls as it goes,” says Xiaoning, professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at NCSU. “Based on our in vitro tests, this approach removes blood clots more quickly than existing techniques, largely due to vortex wave-induced shear stress.”

“The fact that our new technique works quickly is important, because CVST clots increase pressure on blood vessels in the brain,” adds Chengzhi Shi, co-author of the paper and assistant professor of mechanical engineering at Georgia Tech. “This increases the risk of bleeding in the brain, which can be catastrophic for patients.”

“Existing techniques rely heavily on interventions that dissolve the blood clot. But this is a time-consuming process. Our approach has the potential to address these clots more quickly, reducing the risk to patients.”

“Another reason why our work here is important is that current treatments for TSVC fail in 20-40% of cases,” says Professor Xiaoning.

CASES OF BLOOD CLOTS IN THE BRAIN ARE INCREASING

CVSTs occur when a clot forms inside the veins responsible for draining blood out of the brain. CVST incidence rates were between two and three per 100,000 people in the United States in 2018 and 2019, but the incidence rate appears to be increasing since then.

There is always a risk of damage during any catheterization or intervention, but the new tool may cause fewer injuries than other options. For example, it could damage the blood vessel itself.

To allay this concern, the study authors conducted a series of experiments by applying vortex ultrasound to samples of animal blood veins. Those tests produced no evidence of damage inflicted on blood vessel walls. Further tests were performed to assess whether vortex ultrasound caused significant damage to red blood cells, but no substantial damage was observed.

“The next step is for us to conduct tests using an animal model to better establish the feasibility of this technique for CVST treatment,” says Professor Jiang. “If those trials are successful, we look forward to continuing clinical trials.” The study has been published in the journal Research.

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