Happy and Fit Soul

Acute liver failure is a rapid deterioration of the liver function, occurring even in young people or anyone who hasn’t suffered a pre-existing liver disease. It can cause serious complications like increasing pressure in the brain and excessive bleeding.

The most common cause is an overdose of one common medication which might be in your home right now.

Acetaminophen and Acute Liver Failure

The statistics show that acetaminophen is the cause of over 2,600 hospitalizations, 56,000 visits to the emergency room, and around 460 death per year. This ingredient is included in many over-the-counter drugs, like Tylenol, NyQuil, Excedrin, and Theraflu.

Even in low doses, taking acetaminophen for a longer period can harm your body. The majority of the reported acetaminophen overdoses have happened when people were using several acetaminophen drugs at a time, like taking a cold medicine and a painkiller at the same time.

This ingredient is toxic to the liver. The Journal of American Medical Association has published a study that shows that even if you take acetaminophen as directed, it can still damage your liver. There were 145 healthy participants separated into 3 groups. The participants from the first group were given an acetaminophen/opioid combination; those from the second were given just acetaminophen; and the participants from the last group received a placebo.

The participants received only the recommended dose of acetaminophen. The study lasted for 2 weeks, and the results showed that the levels of an important liver enzyme in the participants from the two groups who received acetaminophen significantly increased – from 31 to 44%. This suggested that acetaminophen was indeed damaging their liver.

This ingredient depletes the body of the antioxidant glutathione. If depleted too quickly, the liver can be stressed so much that it can lead to acute liver failure. Patients with acetaminophen poisoning receive an IV or glutathione shot when treated in an emergency room, in order to protect the liver.

The Scary Truth

Nowadays, acetaminophen is one of the most dangerous drugs on the market. But, the more concerning fact is that it’s present in most households at any time. Annually, there are over 100,000 calls to Poison Control Centers across the U.S. caused by acetaminophen.

As researchers explain, taking this medication with alcohol increases the danger, like taking Tylenol for a hangover, or a headache pill before drinking. This dangerous combination has proven to increase the chances of kidney damage by 123%.

There’s an extremely small margin between a “safe” and potentially lethal dose of acetaminophen. According to PBS News, taking acetaminophen for a few days, as little as 25 percent above the maximum daily amount, or only 2 additional extra strength pills daily, can damage the liver.

We all know that prescription and over-the-counter drugs usually come with dangerous side effects. What’s more concerning, however, is that most households contain one of the most dangerous drugs on the market.

Drugs that include this dangerous ingredient are consumed by millions each day, as they are intended for various purposes, like treating headaches, joint, and muscle pain, back pain, cold and flu, etc.

Now that you know that acetaminophen overdose is the most common reason for acute liver failure in America, you might start considering more natural approaches to healing.

Via David Wolfe | Mayo Clinic | Medscape | Dr. Mercola | NCBI

Sciatica describes weakness, numbness, or leg pain that begins at the low back and goes down the sciatic nerve in the leg and causes sciatica pain. The largest nerve in the human body is the sciatic nerve which starts in the lower back and travels down the buttock and the lower limb.

The Journal of Neurosurgery, in the year of 2005, showed that 5 percent and more of adults in the US have sciatica and a person has a 40 percent possibility to get it, but fortunately, yoga practice can help you to reduce sciatic nerve pain.

What causes sciatica is irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve.

Other causes of sciatic nerve pain are:

• Degenerative disc disease.
• Spinal disc herniation.
• Narrowing of the spinal column.
• Nerve entrapment (a muscle in the buttock presses the sciatic nerve).

How to Find Out If You Have Sciatica

To find out if you have sciatica look through the following:

• Discomfort and pain along the pathway of the sciatic nerve: in the buttock, lower back, back of the calf, and thigh.
• Weakness: lack of strength that causes your knees to warp while standing up or can make it difficult to rise from a position of sitting.
• Numbness: Feeling loss. You can test yourself for this with a tooth stick or the edge of a matchbook. Compare the skin areas on one leg with the same on the other leg.
• Reduced reflexes in the Achilles knee and tendon.
• Paresthesia: unusual feeling, such as tingling, needles, pins pinching, and burning.
• Foot drop is a condition in which you cannot flex your ankles enough to walk on heels.

The strange places to feel sciatica pain are in the heel, down the back of the leg, in the back of the thigh, on the side of the foot, and outside of the calf.

So, sciatica is not the cause but the symptom of the discomfort and pain, and most of the time you need to visit a medical professional.

Yoga and Sciatica

There are other articles about sciatica nerve pain as 1 Minute VIDEO Exercises To Ease the Sciatic Nerve Pain and Top 10 Sciatic Pain Natural Treatments, but in this article, we will introduce you the yoga exercises for stretching your sciatic nerve.

You can do these exercises at your home. If you are a novice, follow the video in this article – Yoga for complete beginners.

Even if yoga can help you with sciatica and pain in the lower back, it can also cause pain in your back, so be careful.

If a medical professional says that the cause of your pain is muscle tightness or spasms, then these exercises can help you.

When stretching, be sure you do stretches on both sides.

Nowadays, yoga is performed by 20,000,000 people in America and it is used to stretch, strengthen and improve the overall balance of muscles.

And the good thing is that yoga can be done at your own home.

Attention: If you suffer from severe sciatica, consult your doctor before starting yoga.

Follow this video of yoga against sciatica:

Via Healthy And Natural World

An average modern adult individual has spent years making poor eating decisions like unhealthy food, improper eating habits and patterns, and making combinations of incompatible foods.

As a result of this practice, our small intestines have become less efficient mostly because the foods are blocking the inner wall lining. In case your diet doesn’t include sufficient amounts of fiber, it is very likely that you will experience this problem at some point.

The fiber is lost due to the consumption of alcohol, pharmaceutical drugs, processed and refined foods, flour products, etc.

Once we consume these foods, some parts of them remain in the intestines for months and they eventually begin rotting and create encrustation in this area. One of the symptoms is halitosis or bad breath. The small intestines have several functions, but one of the most important ones is the proper absorption of nutrients.

However, due to the fact that the inner wall is lined with the aforementioned encrustation, the process of absorbing nutrients is not very efficient. Once the functioning of these intestines is reduced, people start experiencing different health issues.

Some of the symptoms that suggest that the gastro intestines are “polluted” include poor metabolism, chronic constipation, inadequate or excess weight gain, type 2 diabetes, liver disease, kidney disease, eye and ear problems, hair, nail, and skin issues and many different chronic diseases like cancer and arthritis.

If you remove the fecal accumulation, mucus, and micro parasites that dwell in the intestines, you will be able to protect yourself and heal many different health issues.

That’s why many experts suggest gastrointestinal detoxification before performing any kind of juice detox so the use of nutrients found in these juices is improved.

Enemas Performed on a Daily Basis

The procedure that we will describe now will provide effects only if you include enemas performed on a daily basis in order to eliminate the soft fecal particles thoroughly while the process of detoxification lasts.

So, it is crucial to conduct an enema and this is especially important for those dealing with chronic constipation.

Taking three tablespoons of flour made of flax seed in a period of three weeks can provide complete intestine cleansing and help us remove fecal buildups and mucus as well as parasites without any negative effects on the microflora found in the intestines.

The method we will show in this article allows fast stabilization of weight and quick burning of fat. In addition, it has a positive impact on the process of lipid metabolism stabilization and management. Flour based on flax seed absorbs and removes the toxins from our boy and lowers the levels of blood cholesterol.

In case you notice any of the following symptoms that come as a result of weak gut health, you can rely on this colon cleanse.

Performing The Colon Cleanse

Replace your breakfast with this specific mixture for three weeks:

• First Week – One tablespoon of flour based on flax seed and 100 ml of raw kefir;
• Second Week – Two tablespoons of flour based on flax seed and 100 ml of raw kefir;
• Third Week – Three tablespoons of flour based on flax seed and 150 ml of raw kefir.

In case you can’t find such flour in the stores around your home, purchase flax seed and carefully grind it. Make sure to buy organic flax seeds. Don’t store this mixture – make fresh servings each morning. If you store this mixture it is very likely that the seeds will be rancid after a while. Feel free to keep the remaining flax seed in your refrigerator.

We should also mention that both kefir and flax seeds come with many different health benefits.

In case you are practicing this efficient, natural cleanse, it is highly recommended to consume at least two liters of water per day. In addition, in case your body weight is more than 54 kg or 120 lbs, you should drink more water.

According to some practitioners, in order to feel the best effects, you should drink eight ounces of tap or filtered water with one teaspoon of organic honey and one teaspoon of unprocessed apple cider vinegar mixed together right after you consume this healthy mixture in the morning.

Note:

Avoid this special cleanse in case you are suffering from cancer or some other chronic disease. You should also avoid it if you are recovering from surgery, some serious illness or injury, or if you are nursing or pregnant.

In case your ordinary diet is not rich in fiber, you may experience mild gas and stomach bloating in the beginning. Be sure to consume a sufficient amount of water and to allow proper bowel movement. If you don’t consume enough water you may experience constipation.

Kefir is a product that comes after a specific fermentation process which means that it is usually safe for people who may have a lower tolerance to lactose. If you can’t find or would like to try a recipe that doesn’t include a dairy product, you can use some other cleansing solution.

There are people who may have to visit the toilet more frequently than usual when they perform this colon cleanse. This is quite natural because the body is trying to move out fecal buildup. So, if you are preparing for this cleanse make sure that you have access to the toilet all the time.

Once you complete this cleanse for the first time, you’ll witness some amazing health improvement. In addition, the nutrients will be absorbed easily. Perform this procedure once or two times a year.

Via Juicing For Health

What’s better than taking a shower to start or end a long, busy day? Even if not every day, you’re probably doing it several times a week. Well, we don’t blame you for focusing on the result of your relaxing shower, but it’s good to know how to take a shower the right way without causing any damage to your skin and hair.

The thing is, there are possible mistakes you might be making in the process of showering once in a while. All that soaping, rinsing, lathering, and luxuriating might actually damage your skin leading to dry and itchy skin, or even eczema.

So, learn how to take a shower without damaging your skin and hair in the process.

How to Take a Shower the Right Way by Avoiding The Following 14 Mistakes

1. Too Hot Water

Are you one of the many who enjoys a hot shower in winter? Well, we bring some bad news. Too hot water is bad for both, your hair and skin. What hot water does is dry them out, making your hair frizzy and your skin flaky. Still, if you can’t imagine taking a shower without some hot water, the last thing you can do is limit the time you use it.

So, feel the hot water on your skin for a bit, and then use warm water, especially when washing and conditioning your hair.

2. No Exfoliation

Your soft sponge is not enough to remove the dead skin cells from your body when showering. Therefore, you can make a homemade scrub using ground coffee or brown sugar, or simply use a not-too-rough loofah.

It’s up to you to decide how you will exfoliate your skin, but the important thing is to do it regularly, although not too often.

3. Too Much Exfoliation

Moderation is the key to everything, including exfoliation. If you exfoliate your skin every time you take a shower, you’ll cause a boomerang effect. Too much scrubbing increases the production of the oily substance called sebum.

Sebum keeps the skin moisturized as well as dirt and bacteria trapped on the surface. Therefore, too much scrubbing can make your skin oiler.

4. Using the Same Loofah for Too Long

Never use the same body puff or loofah for longer than a month! Over time, they grow mold and bacteria which can cause infection in the hair follicles, called Pseudomonas folliculitis. Dr. Farris explains these skin conditions can be very itchy and pesky, although not dangerous.

Another tip regarding your loofah or puff is to let them dry outside the shower after using them. Or you can use a washcloth for gentle exfoliation.

5. Rinse with Plain Water

Before you shampoo your hair, rinse it with plain water for a minute. Rinsing it with plain water will remove any dirt and hair product residues. Also, don’t forget to rinse your hair thoroughly at the end to prevent shampoo or conditioner from leaving residue on your scalp.

6. Give Your Hair a Break

If you wash your hair every day, it’ll only become drier, and oilier more quickly. But, if you really need to wash it regularly due to sweating, exercise, or living in a polluted environment, we recommend washing it with plain water without any shampoo or conditioner, every other day.

This will refresh your hair without drying or greasing it more quickly.

7. Too Long Showers

Taking a shower is so relaxing that you can easily lose track of time and spend a bit more time under the spray. However, showering for too long can dry your skin. Try to limit your time in the shower enough just to wash, shampoo, condition, rinse, and/or shave.

8. Too Much Shower Gels

If you use too much body wash or shower gel, you’ll cause the same drying effect on your skin as when showering for too long or with too hot water. These products deprive your skin of the natural oils required for its optimal function and health. Dry skin can cause itchiness and various skin irritations, or even worsen existing skin conditions like eczema.

9. Don’t Switch Shampoos

We understand your urge to try all those different brands of shampoos, but you have to know that switching your shampoo too often can damage your hair. Moreover, make sure you use a hair conditioner to prevent hair breakage when brushing it after each shower.

Besides protecting your hair from damage, it’ll also make it softer and smoother. Therefore, never skip applying hair conditioner even when you’re in a rush, but never apply it to the roots.

10. Don’t Rub, but Tap

Instead of wiping your body and hair harshly with a towel, tap them dry. Harsh wiping can irritate your skin and damage your hair. Also, don’t wrap your hair up in a towel after washing it. Instead, wrap it while hanging it down, and pat it dry.

11. Don’t Use Deodorant Soap

The Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology at Yale University, and dermatologist in Milford, CT, Rhonda Klein, M.D., explains that the harsh chemicals and fragrances in deodorant or antibacterial soaps can make your skin dry, itchy, and flaky. Instead, use soap-free cleansers, especially if you’re an older person.

The next time you buy soap, stay away from those containing parabens, triclosan, fragrances, formaldehyde, synthetic colors, and sodium Laureth sulfate/ sodium lauryl sulfate. All of these chemicals can worsen an existing skin condition and cause abnormal dryness and contact dermatitis.

12. No Need to Soap Your Whole Body

Dr. Bailey recommends soaping only the odor-causing and oily areas of your skin such as the face, feet, groin, buttocks, and armpits. There’s no need to soap your arms and legs every time you take a shower, as these body parts don’t have a lot of oil to give up.

13. Waiting Too Long to Moisturize

Dr. Farris and Dr. Bailey recommend applying moisturizer within three minutes of patting dry your skin after leaving the shower. Otherwise, your skin will lose precious moisture by evaporating in the air.

Knowing the right moisturizing protocol will prevent your skin from becoming dry and covered with cracks which can let in various allergens and bacteria.

14. Spending Money on “Natural” Products

Not all “natural” products are always good or worth the money. Even they can destroy the protective lipid barrier on the skin, thus making it dry and prone to different skin irritations and conditions.

report this adJust make sure you choose products without harsh ingredients like artificial colors and fragrances.

Do you make some of these common showering mistakes? If you know any other, feel free to tell us in the comments below.

Source The Guardian | Huffington Post | Guardian