Schizophrenic Painter (louis Wain)

Last Updated on Sunday, 1 August 2010 08:00 Written by Natural Health Team Friday, 2 October 2009 02:54

Shows paintings by Louis Wain as he progresses downhill into full-blown schizophrenia. Creepy stuff.

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Sleep Apnea Machine Can Cure Sleep Apnea

Last Updated on Sunday, 1 August 2010 07:56 Written by Natural Health Team Sunday, 27 September 2009 11:14

Sleep apnea is a painful and arduous sleeping disorder that affects many adults. Not only does the sleeping disorder affect the amount of rejuvenating sleep a person receives, but it also affects their daytime activities and attitude. Many people who suffer from sleep apnea may not be aware of their sleeping disorder and will try to pursue medications and alternative healing to alleviate the daytime problems without realizing that they are not receiving adequate sleep. Luckily, for those who can recognize the symptoms and seek consultation from a doctor, there is a cure. These machines have been helping patients with sleep apnea for nearly three decades. With the proper maintenance and attention, a sleep apnea machine can help rid a person of sleep apnea for the rest of their lives. Due to the lack of oxygen entering the brain during the sleep cycles, sleep apnea can cause severe headaches during the day. Additionally, many people who suffer from this sleeping disorder report irritability, persistent drowsiness, and a constant feeling of not getting a good night’s sleep. While sleeping, patients and their spouses report loud snoring and obstructed breathing (which is a characteristic of sleep apnea). Sleep apnea can negatively affect a person’s job performance, as well as their self esteem. Sleep apnea can continue undiagnosed for long periods of time. In fact, it is usually the spouse of the person with sleep apnea that reports a sleeping problem with their mate. When the problem remains undiagnosed, problem sleepers pursue a variety of alternatives. Some may buy over the counter sleeping aides hoping it helps them achieve a deeper sleep, and others may seek prescription sleep medications to try and alleviate the nighttime arousal. Others may approach alternative healing by pursuing yoga or meditation classes. Once diagnosed, a person with sleep apnea only needs a prescription for a sleep apnea machine to alleviate their problems. There are a few different types of sleep apnea machines that can help aid sleepers. Apart from the CPAP, there is an APAP. The APAP automatically tunes the pressurized air on a breath by breath basis. There is also the VPAP, which is for more extreme cases of sleep apnea. The VPAP helps with both the inhale and exhale functions during sleep. Sleep apnea machines also offer several optional pieces that can help make the process more comfortable for users. A humidifier moistens the air and can help alleviate the discomfort of dry compressed air. A ramp is another optional feature that temporarily lowers air pressure to help the sleeper fall asleep. Another option is the exhalation pressure relief, which adjusts the pressure during exhalation. Finally, flexible chin straps can be added to help keep the candidate from breathing through the mouth. These sleep apnea machines are relatively easy to take care of, and are highly portable. The owner’s manual can provide detailed information for how to properly care for the specific sleep apnea machine. In most cases, the required maintenance entails a regular cleaning of the hoses and masks, and regularly changing the filters. Additionally, the machine must be checked regularly for any worn out attachments or tears in the connections or fabrics. If the sleep apnea machine contains a humidifying devise, it is pertinent to keep the devise clean of mold and algae. Since continuous unobstructed use of the machine is imperative to successful treatment, the machine is designed to be highly portable. Newer models of machines are incredibly light and compact. The sleep apnea machines usually come with a carrying case and international power units for electric sockets. These incredibly portable and low maintenance machines are the perfect solution for people with sleep apnea. After several nights with the sleep apnea machines’ assistance, sleepers will feel rested and more energetic than they have felt in while.

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Prostate Cancer- Knowledge Through Humor

Last Updated on Sunday, 1 August 2010 07:54 Written by Natural Health Team Friday, 25 September 2009 10:33

This is a humorous look at a serious subject, prostate cancer. Using old western clips, the video explains what prostate cancer is and encourages men to get a PSA test when appropriate.

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Schizophrenia Causes Symptoms Information With Treatment

Last Updated on Sunday, 1 August 2010 07:52 Written by Natural Health Team Saturday, 19 September 2009 02:54

Schizophrenia begins in late adolescence or early adulthood. People who have schizophrenia may have unusual beliefs, called delusions. Schizophrenia is believed to result from a combination of environmental and genetic factors. A child who has one parent with schizophrenia. Implicates abnormalities in both the brain’s structure and biochemical activities. Sometimes, the use of street drugs seems to bring on schizophrenia. These include ecstasy (E), LSD (acid), amphetamines (speed) and crack. Environmental factors, such as a viral infection, poor social interactions or highly stressful situations, may trigger schizophrenia in people who have inherited a tendency to develop the disorder. Schizophrenia more often surfaces when the body is undergoing hormonal and physical changes Schizophrenia is known to run in families. Thus, the risk of illness in an identical twin of a person with schizophrenia is 40-50%. A child of a parent suffering from schizophrenia has a 10% chance of developing the illness. The risk of schizophrenia in the general population is about 1%. Abnormal brain structure and function in people with schizophrenia. However, this type of abnormality doesn’t happen in all schizophrenics and can occur in people without the disease. The effectiveness of schizophrenia treatment is often assessed using standardized methods, one of the most common being the positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS).

Causes of Schizophrenia

Common Causes and Risk factors of Schizophrenia

Genetics factors.

Environmental factors.

Abnormal brain development

Infections

Birth complications

Head Injury.

Signs and Symptoms of Schizophrenia

Sign and Symptoms of Schizophrenia

Hallucinations.

Delusions.

Paranoia.

Lack of motivation and enjoyment.

Concentration

Treatment of Schizophrenia

Common Treatment of Schizophrenia

Treatment includes counselling, social support and rehabilitation.

Anti-psychotic medicines are available to treat the worst symptoms of the illness, such as hallucinations, but there is no “cure” at present.

Anti-psychotic drugs, though effective, are associated with a range of distressing side-effects which can result in constant twitching/fidgeting, writhing and disjointed movements. However, newer (‘Atypical’) anti-psychotic drugs are designed to offer control of symptoms and less of these disabling side-effects.

Support from family, friends and healthcare services is also a vital part of therapy

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Which Outboard Engine – 4 Stroke or 2 Stroke?

Last Updated on Sunday, 1 August 2010 07:51 Written by Natural Health Team Wednesday, 16 September 2009 02:21

Outboard engines fall into two main categories; 2 stroke and 4 stroke outboards. Both types have their advantages and disadvantages and the type you pick will depend on the intended use. This guide will help you choose which outboard engine is best for your type of boat.

2 Stroke Outboards

2 stroke engines are lighter and faster so when speed and acceleration are required, this would be the engine of choice. 2 strokes are also generally cheaper and keep their value better when it comes to resale. As 2 stroke engines have been around for almost 80 years, parts are readily available, making repairs easy. Also, the design on these engines is less complex than a 4 stroke, meaning problems are less likely to arise.

There are some disadvantages to the 2 stroke engine. 2 stroke engines are more pollutive than 4 stroke engines so they are not so kind on the environment. Their engines are lubricated by the oil that is mixed into the gasoline, meaning the exhaust is smoky and contains unburned oil, which in turn pollutes the water.

With new regulations, outboard manufacturers are looking to find new ways of producing the same power with less pollution.

Some 2 stroke outboard engine manufacturers include Mercury, Nissan, Yamaha and Evinrude.

4 Stroke Outboards

4 stroke engines are quieter, smoother and more economical. Heavier with slower acceleration, they are normally chosen for lakes and rivers. With less pollution and smoke they are also kinder to the environment. If you’re after a quieter, smoother ride, then the 4 stroke outboard is the better choice.

4 stroke outboards are more complicated with more parts so they often require repairs more often. When a repair is required it is usually more expensive and parts are limited.

4 stroke outboards are generally heavier than 2 stroke outboards, so if you own a smaller boat it may not be able to hold the weight of a 4 stroke engine.

Because 4 stroke engines are newer, they are continually being improved to make purchase and repair easier.

Some 4 stroke outboard engine manufacturers include Yamaha, Tohatsu, Suzuki, Nissan, Mercury, Honda and Johnson.

Environmentally Friendly Outboards

If you’re looking for a new outboard, it’s worthwhile considering one of the newer, environmentally friendly models. As well as producing lower emissions, there are a number of other advantages such as better fuel economy, quieter running and reduced operating costs.

The Mechanical Differences Between 2 and 4 Stroke Outboards

The terms “2 stroke” and “4 stroke” refer to the number of times the piston moves during one firing cycle of the engine. In the 4 stroke engine, the four movements, or strokes, are:

Intake stroke: With the intake valve open, the piston moves down allowing a mixture of air and fuel to enter the combustion chamber.

Compression stroke: The piston moves up the cylinder with the valves closed, so that the air-fuel mixture is compressed.

Combustion stroke: With the valves still closed, the fuel is ignited by the spark plug. The explosion pushes the piston down again.

Exhaust stroke: The exhaust valve opens and the piston moves up to push the exhaust gasses out of the chamber so the process can be repeated.

In a 2 stroke engine, there are only two movements of the piston for each combustion; one up and one down:

Combustion stroke: Combustion of fuel drives the piston downwards. As the piston moves down, it exposes an exhaust vent and fuel inlet in the wall of the cylinder allowing exhaust gasses out, and new air and fuel to be sucked in.

Compression stroke: As the piston moves back up, it blocks off the exhaust vent and fuel inlet and thus compresses the air/fuel mixture. The spark plug ignites the air and fuel causing the piston to move down again.

The fuel inlet and the exhaust vent in the wall of the cylinder eliminate the need for valves and the mechanism for opening and closing them which is why 2 stroke engines are much simpler in design.

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