Sciatica Demystified

The sciatic nerve extends from the lower back and down the back of each leg. Sciatica is the pain you get when this nerve is pinched or pressure exerted on it in some way, usually by a herniated disc. No particular injury causes sciatica, it is mostly because of the wear and tear of the lower spine.

Sciatica can be pretty debilitating. It is a relentless pain and can affect one whole side of the lower back, buttock, thigh, leg, and foot. You will find it difficult to sit, and experience a shooting pain when you try to stand. The pain will be constant and may be accompanied by a lower backache as well.

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What Can We All Do to Keep off Cancer?

There is a good news doing rounds about cancer. It’s been declared that those deaths due to cancer have fallen over the past 16 years. This is the 2nd year in a row for the US that deaths due to cancer have shown a drop. It’s good news no doubt but that hardly goes to say that the potential threat of getting it is not looming as large as before.

The doctors and researchers are not always sure about the exact reasons or factors responsible in an individual for being diagnosed with cancer. The factors responsible for cancer could be environmental or genetic. These are responsible for the vast majority of cancers.

While genetic factors are not in our circle of influence meaning we sometimes may have not control over it. But environmental factors are within our control and we can minimize or reduce the risk of being affected with cancer by taking a few steps in the right direction.

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The Testosterone-Obesity Link

We already know that being obese puts people at risk for heart disease, some cancers, high blood pressure and stroke. With 65 percent of American overweight or obese, this is a growing concern. Now a new study by the University of Virginia is showing that obese men and teenage girls may have abnormal levels of testosterone.

A sex hormone present in all men and women, testosterone is responsible for maintaining muscle mass and bone density, as well as keeping energy and sex drive on par. Although people think of testosterone as a “male” hormone, it is present in lower amounts in females.

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Coping with Depression When You Have Cancer

The effect of cancer on the mind often takes second place to the ravages it heaps upon the body. The treatment itself surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy’s a lot to cope with along with fears for the future. Alterations in lifestyle and a loss of a job, or the worry about bills, insurance, and the effect it all is having on the family can weigh a cancer patient down heavily.

It is natural that depression should occur in such circumstances. And while treatment is ongoing for the physical ailment the mental well being of the patient suffers. When this happens, you should resist the impulse to withdraw into a shell and must seek counseling.

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High Fructose Corn Syrup – Sweet Like Sugar, Not As Safe

As a consumer, you’ll find high fructose corn syrup in most packaged items at your grocery store, from typical sweet items such as cookies, donuts, brownies and soft drinks to more surprising items like sauces such as tomato sauce, canned beans and even bread. However, evidence suggests that this popular sweetener once thought to be harmless, may have adverse health effects.

High fructose corn syrup has not always been the most popular sweetener in America. In 1966, for example, the majority of sugary products consumed were sweetened with sucrose a sugar that breaks down into fructose and glucose in the body.

But sugars made from corn became more widely used when companies discovered they were cheaper to process, sweeter than sucrose so less had to be used, and dissolved easily in drinks. In 2001, the average consumption of high fructose corn syrup was 62 pounds.

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Drop Pregnancy Related Myths and Get Real

I have listed some facts and myths related to pregnancy that may help some and entertain others.

Abortion which is drop pregnancy and ending of pregnancy due to removing the fetus before it can move to uterus.

However, if abortion occurs naturally or due to accident it calls miscarriage.

But above all I truly hope it serves as useful information.

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Lap-banding is an Effective Procedure For Adolescents

The obesity epidemic does not just apply to adults  children and adolescents also have obesity rates at an all-time high. For adolescents, the rate is 30.4 percent overweight and 15 percent obese.

Children who grow up overweight are much more likely to become overweight or obese as adults so, the search for non-invasive solutions is constant. Now a procedure called lap-banding may be an effective way to control obesity.

A new study at NYU Medical Center revealed that, for patients under the age of 17, lap-banding was very effective, resulting in about a 50 percent loss of excess weight over the time frame of a year.

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How Cycling Aggravates Back Pain

Actually it’s an incomplete headline. Not only does cycling aggravate back pain, it also sometimes is the sole cause for it! For people who think cycling is the best form of exercise, it helps all body parts to get their share of exercise and movement, helps breathing etc are thinking right but partly so.

Cycling does all the above but when its done correctly. In correct rhythm, in correct posture and for a short time. Honestly, how many of us really know the difference between the right ways of cycling from the wrong?

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