Feb 10 2011
When we think of Valentine’s Day, we think of hearts. Heart and circulation health are vital to our existence. Check out our February specials to assist you with cholesterol, fluid balance, sugar levels, and general circulation.
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Jan 01 2011
Happy New Year from Alternative Remedies Online! Make your New Year’s resolution to treat your body to alternative, natural remedies for continued good health.
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Dec 05 2010
Christmas is the Time for Giving
Get all your herbal, homeopathic remedies now in time to stuff the stockings on Christmas Eve. Check out our December specials as well as our new products.
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Nov 08 2010
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Oct 08 2010
by B. Chancey on October 8th, 2010 at 7:00 am
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in both men and women. The CDC reports that this year, heart disease will cost the U.S. over 3 billion dollars in health care services, medications and lost productivity. Every year, a whopping 785,000 Americans have their first heart attack, while another 470,000 who have already had one or more heart attacks have another attack.
Many of us know heart disease is serious, and those who have it can lower the risk of dying from it or needing heart bypass surgery or angioplasty by lowering their cholesterol and blood pressure levels; however, there is another lesser known way to ward off a heart attack: by keeping your teeth clean!
Brushing your teeth twice a day helps cardiovascular health. A recent study showed that individuals who brush their teeth at least twice a day were at a lowered risk for a heart attack, while those who brushed only once a day or less were considered high-risk.
It may seem a little strange that poor oral hygiene may hinder heart health, but there seems to be a direct correlation between oral health and heart disease. Poor oral hygiene leads to gum disease, which may turn into inflammation, a contributor to heart disease. Researchers found elevated signs of inflammation in individuals who did not brush regularly, mainly C-reactive protein. C-reactive protein (CRP) is a protein that rises in the blood in response to inflammation throughout the body.
Both the American Heart Association and the CDC published a joint scientific statement in 2003 after reviewing the evidence of the connection between CRP and coronary heart disease and stroke. Now, researchers are urging dentists to look out for oral infections in their patients since evidence shows that oral health directly affects the heart.
Follow these simple brushing guidelines for a healthier heart:
◦Brush your teeth twice a day
◦Hold the tooth brush tilted an angle of 45 degrees towards your gums
◦Clean the upper teeth first
◦Brush 3 teeth at a time, making your way around your whole mouth
◦Use a back and forth motion
◦Brush the gums gently to remove bacteria from lodged food
◦Brush the tongue
Oral-Assist™ relieves pain associated with tooth and gum abscesses, plus promotes oral health.
Jun 15 2010
by A. Grano on June 8th, 2010 at 7:00 am
Many of us are familiar with or have experienced trouble sleeping, whether falling asleep, staying asleep, or both. The causes are varied and sometimes transient, and may include anxiety, stress, certain medications, or excessive caffeine. However, there is one factor many people fail to consider that contributes to countless sleepless nights: pain.
Research suggests that while pain-related sleep disturbances affect men and women of all ages, women are more likely to be sufferers. The prevalence of physical discomfort is significant, afflicting 25% of women at least three times a week, according to the National Sleep Foundation.
Both chronic and short-term conditions can cause pain that disturbs sleep, such as fibromyalgia, back pain, arthritis, headaches and menstrual cramps. And for anyone who has had too many sleepless nights as a result of pain knows, a lowered pain tolerance and fatigue go hand-in-hand, which can greatly affect everything- from mood to functioning.
What You Can Do
It’s important to receive a proper diagnosis to address the underlying condition that is causing pain. Once that is established, you can begin trying various remedies to alleviate pain and help promote restful nights!
There will be restful nights ahead if you continue to practice a holistic approach to health!
Jun 08 2010
by P.Gough on April 20th, 2010 at 7:00 am
Buzz… Slap! Buzz… Smack! Warm weather will soon be moving in and mosquitoes will start thriving. I’m looking forward to hosting many backyard barbecues, but I won’t be able to relax and enjoy the food if I’m constantly swatting mosquitoes. I don’t want to slather myself with DEET, so I’m looking for a natural solution.
At first I was very excited to read about plants that naturally repel mosquitoes and other insects. The list of mosquito repelling plants included Citronella Grass, Catnip, Rosemary, Peppermint, Marigolds, Garlic, Lemon balm and Eucalyptus. I called my mom who lives in Florida and is already dealing with these pests to spread the good news, but she didn’t believe it and had to test the theory herself. She spent the evening in her garden looking for mosquitoes and found just as many swarmed her when she stood near the peppermint and rosemary as when she stood among her tomato plants.
So, what’s the truth about natural mosquito repellents and why do so many sources claim these plants are great for repelling mosquitoes and other insects?
Plants can be Made into a Natural Insect Repellent
Some plants do contain mosquito-repelling properties, but just planting some citronella grass won’t keep the bugs away. The mosquito-repelling oils and aromas are within the plants leaves and stems, and you must break, crush, or rub the plant to release the natural repellents. To make your own insect repellent from a plant, chop and crush a cup of leaves and stems and then add rice vinegar, vodka or jojoba oil. Don’t forget to apply your homemade repellent frequently as many natural solutions only work for 20 minutes.
Lemon Eucalyptus & Citronella Grass are the Best Natural Mosquito Repellents
The CDC and University of Florida both conducted their own tests on natural repellents and found Lemon Eucalyptus and Citronella Grass are the two most effective plants for repelling insects. The oil from Lemon Eucalyptus repelled mosquitoes for two hours, just as long as OFF! Skintastic. If you are looking for an alternative to DEET I recommend either making your own plant based insect repellent or looking for one with either of these plants as an active ingredient.
More Tips to Keep Mosquitoes Away Naturally
May 18 2010
by P.Gough on May 18th, 2010 at 8:50 am
Part 3: The Effects of Sleeplessness & Poor Sleep
A single sleepless night is tolerable to most, but when insomnia sets in it leaves you feeling tired, unable to concentrate, unable to make decisions, emotional and irritable. A lack of sleep can also be a contributing factor in some serious health concerns:
1. Obesity: Studies show that people who sleep for less than seven hours daily tend to be heavier than those who sleep for more. Insufficient sleep has an influence on the hormones which control hunger, lower leptin (an appetite suppressant) and increasing ghrelin (an appetite stimulant).
2. Diabetes: Studies show that people who sleep less than six hours daily are twice as likely to have diabetes.
3. Heart Attack: In 2003, a study discovered that people who sleep less than six hours a day were more likely to have a heart attack than those who sleep more. Blood pressure also tends to be higher in those sleeping less.
4. Disorientation: Lack of sleep increases disorientation and causes your body to not function normally, throwing you off balance and making you drowsy. This alone can make you more likely to fall or get into an accident while driving.
5. Depression: Sleep helps us relax, not just our bodies but our minds and our emotions, giving us time to evaluate and organizes thoughts and feelings. A lack of sleep will make you more sensitive, and more prone to worry, stress and depression.
6. Shorter Life Span: Many studies show that people who sleep less than five hours nightly have a greater risk of dying early.
May 18 2010
by P.Gough on May 17th, 2010 at 7:00 am
Part 2: Reasons for Not Sleeping Well
There seems to be a plethora of reasons why people either can’t sleep or don’t get quality sleep, and they range from everyday run-of-the-mill reasons to serious and life-threatening explanations.
-Being uncomfortable is a big one! This can mean the room is too hot or too cold, too loud, or that the bed is too big, too small, too hard, too soft, etc, even your blankets and pillows make a difference.
-Having an irregular sleep routine is another significant factor. Going to bed at the same time of night and performing the same nightly routine (walk the dogs, shower, read for 30 minutes) help get your body ready for sleep, so not keeping a routine can certainly hinder your sleep pattern. Even a partner who has different sleep pattern can affect yours.
-Exercise is another contributing factor. Studies show 30 minutes of daily activity at least 5 hours prior to bed time to aid in both the rate at which people fall asleep and increase the amount of time sleeping. Because a drop in body temperature aids in sound sleep it is important to not exercise too close to your bedtime.
-Eating habits also affect how well you sleep. If you eat too late it can be hard to fall asleep due to increased internal temperatures, but if you go to bed hungry, that can contribute to waking up earlier than desired.
-Cigarettes, alcohol and caffeinated beverages (soda, coffee and tea) all contribute to disruptions in sleep patterns. Both cigarettes and caffeine leave you feeling on edge and cause trouble falling asleep, while alcohol affects sleep patterns and often cause underlying conditions to get worse.
These are just the daily activities that can affect sleep. There are many more serious reasons for sleep disturbances that are not as easily adjusted, including emotional issues, problems at work, stress, excessive anxiety and worry, and depression. In addition, there are health conditions which also play a serious role in sleep like snoring, sleep apnea, sleep walking, nightmares, night terrors, restless leg syndrome and autism.
For women, there are some additional factors that can cause them to get less sleep, or have more disturbed sleep. Hormones play a huge role in sleep and women are affected by both the hormones produced during their monthly menstruation cycle and the decreased estrogen during menopause.
May 14 2010
by P.Gough on May 14th, 2010 at 7:00 am
I’m tired! And, to be completely frank, I am tired of being tired too. {My latest complaint leaves me with lots of company though, since there are more than 70 million people in the U.S. alone suffering from chronic, treatable sleep disorders, according studies performed by the National Institute of Health.} I go to bed tired, I wake up tired! This is not a pattern I enjoy, and the longer it lasts the more frustrated I feel.
So, I’ve decided it’s time to do some research… find out more about why this is happening to me, how my body and mind are affected and what I can do to banish this sleep problem once and for all.
In this 5 part series I will take you through the sleep process, show you how it affects you, and how you can improve your sleep.
Part 1: Understanding Sleep! Zzzz Zzzz Zzzz
Part 2: Reasons for Not Sleeping Well
Part 3: The Effects of Sleeplessness & Poor Sleep
Part 4: Natural Remedies to Help You Sleep
Part 5: Quick Tips for Getting Better Sleep
What does good sleep actually mean? Is the quantity of sleep that’s important or is it quality of sleep? What’s REM vs. Non-REM? Who would have thought there were so many questions to something that seems so simple, but to understand how to get good sleep we need to have a basic understanding of what normal sleep actually is.
Sleep is a natural and periodic time of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended. For most it occurs regularly every 24 hours and there are two main stages or types of sleep – REM and non-REM.
REM (or Rapid Eye Movement) sleep is a sleep stage is characterized by rapid movements of the eyes (usually side-to-side) and certain involuntary muscle movements. REM sleep is associated with fast, low voltage brain waves and irregular heart rate and respiration. Dreaming also happens during REM sleep and occurs multiple times throughout the night (usually 5), making up about 1/5 of our sleep.
Non-REM sleep is a sleep state characterized by four distinct stages which range from dozing to deep sleep and is the sleep stage that is most important for preventing daytime fatigue. About 75% of sleep should be spent in non-REM, during which hormones are released into the bloodstream and the body does most of its healing.
The four stages of non-REM sleep
1. Pre-Sleep: Relaxed muscles, slower heart rate and lower body temperature
2. Light Sleep: Still relaxed but can be woken up easily and without confusion
3. Slow Wave Sleep: Even lower body temperature, sleep taking or walking can occur.
4. Deep Slow Wave Sleep: Very sound sleep, hard to wake, confusion occurs if woken up at this stage.
The number of sleep hours each person needs is primarily based on their age and the quality of their sleep. Babies need about 17 hours each day, children 9-10 hours and adults generally require approximately 8 hours. Even though older adults need about the same amount of sleep, as they age they tend to have a single period of deep sleep in the initial 3-4 hours and then sleep lighter and are more prone to wake.
Surprisingly, research shows that throughout any normal night, people wake up for 1-2 minutes every 2 hours or so without actually realizing it. The occasions you do remember are those where the mini wake-ups are accompanied by another factor – snoring, outside noise, bathroom trip, anxiety.
This article is Part 1 in our 5 article series on sleep. For more information on sleep and your health see the following posts:
Part 1: Understanding Sleep
Part 2: Reasons for Not Sleeping Well
Part 3: The Effects of Sleeplessness & Poor Sleep
Part 4: Natural Remedies to Help You Sleep
Part 5: Quick Tips for Getting Better Sleep