Studies have shown that drinking cranberry juice is a useful home remedy for preventing and treating UTIs in women. Organic elements of cranberries such as quinic acid and citric acid act as antibacterial agents to help eliminate bacteria from the bladder.

Urinary tract infections can be quite painful. Women may feel like they need to urinate frequently, have a burning pain while urinating and may even see blood in the urine. Medical treatment is not always helpful, so drinking cranberry juice can serve as an effective home remedy for preventing bacteria from adhering to the walls of the bladder so that infections aren’t as likely to occur.

The exact dosage of cranberry juice hasn’t yet been set, and the sour taste may keep many women from taking it. Fortunately, effective concentrated cranberry capsules or tablets are now available. The following steps are recommended by health care professionals for preventing Urinary Tract Infections:

• Drink seven ounces of cranberry juice daily. Remember to buy 100% cranberry juice, not cranberry juice drinks or cocktails containing little cranberry juice and plenty of sugar.
• If you prefer, you can take cranberry juice tablets. Be sure to follow the instructions on the label.
• Drink much water. Subsequent frequent urination will flush the urethra frequently and remove the bacteria.
• Wipe your genital area from front to back after a bowel movement or urination. This will help keep bacteria from the vagina and anus away from your urethra.
• Take showers instead of baths.

While research supports that cranberry juice prevents urinary tract infections in women, it may not be true for men or children. Women should consult their doctors if they are taking medications because drinking large amounts of cranberry juice may interact with some medications such as anticoagulants. Regular drinking of cranberry juice seems to reduce the recurrence of urinary tract infections in women.

The main factor for developing varicose or spider veins is genes, lifestyle, habits and hormones play a minor part. If a man or woman is born with weak vein valves, their vein walls may weaken and begin to disintegrate, causing unsightly veins. Appearance of spider and varicose veins can also be attributed to a surplus of hormones in the body at times of puberty, pregnancy and menopause; obesity, aging, injury to the legs and excessive time spent standing.

Fortunately, it is possible to treat these pesky, unattractive blood vessels in several ways without disrupting the body’s circulatory system. Several treatments available for spider and varicose veins include:

Sclerotherapy. A special solution is injected into small- and medium-sized varicose veins. In a few weeks, treated varicose veins should fade. Although the same vein may need to be injected more than once, sclerotherapy is effective if done correctly. Sclerotherapy doesn’t require anesthesia and can be conducted in a doctor’s office.

Laser surgery works by aiming intense light at the spider and varicose veins. Lasers are exceptionally accurate and cause damage only to the targeted veins, causing them to disappear painlessly and without affecting any of the surrounding tissue.

Vein stripping. This procedure involves removing a long vein through small incisions. This is an outpatient procedure for most people. Removing the vein doesn’t affect circulation in the leg because veins deeper in the leg take care of the larger volumes of blood.

By the way, there are some simple things you can do to prevent spider and varicose veins. They are as follows:

• Don’t cross your legs when sitting.
• Avoid standing for a prolonged period of time.
• Wear sunscreen during the exposure to UV-rays.
• Exercise regularly, especially by walking and running
• Avoid tight clothing.
• Control your weight.

1. Take anti-inflammatory pain killers. There are many over-the-counter drugs sold for menstrual cramps so it won’t be a problem to find the product that best matches your symptoms. Some women find that non-specific painkillers such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen are just as effective and are cheaper. For maximum relief, take painkillers before the pain gets too bad.

2. Lie down if possible at the first sign of pain, and place a hot water bottle or a warm heating pad on your abdomen or take a relaxing warm bath.

3. Try OTC remedies or coffee. Caffeine is also effective in reducing cramps.

4. Minimize stress where possible and get enough rest. The less stress, the more resources your body has available to deal with the problem. Be nice to your body, and it’ll be nicer to you.

5. Try progesterone cream. Progesterone can relieve cramping and improve a number of other PMS symptoms, such as irritability, anxiety-depression, mood swings, headaches and migraines. A good brand of cream to try available without prescription is Pro-Gest. Begin applying according to the directions at the onset of symptoms, and continue until your period arrives, or is due to begin. Remember that birth control pills or Depo-Provera, as well as body creams or lotions containing mineral oil or petrolatum will interfere or block the effect of progesterone.

6. Massage can ease menstrual cramps. Gently rub your abdomen, or ask your partner to massage your back.

7. Exercise routines, practiced throughout your cycle, but particularly a few days before the onset of your period may help to reduce pain. Exercise also helps to keep the blood flowing in your pelvis, easing that heavy, bloated feeling. Gentle exercise from the likes of yoga (especially hip-openers), aerobic and breathing exercises can be a great help for menstrual cramping.

Some factors as gender, age, the latter being the biggest risk factor for breast cancer, are beyond our control. But there is also the good news as by taking control of some lifestyle factors, you can lower your risk of developing breast cancer. Specialists advise to consider the following lifestyle changes:

Stay physically active. Regular physical activity (at least 30 minutes 4-5 days a week) has been shown to protect against breast cancer.

Limit alcohol. There is a strong link between alcohol consumption (regardless of the type of alcohol consumed) and breast cancer. Thus, it would be wise to limit alcohol to less than one drink a day or avoid alcohol altogether in order to help protect against breast cancer.

Maintain your health care. Regular screening tests for breast cancer, such as an annual mammogram and a breast exam during your annual checkup, increase the likelihood that your doctor will find breast cancer early, when it’s most treatable.

Supplement wisely. Vitamin D, folic acid and antioxidants may help decrease risk.

Reduce exposure to xenoestrogens. These chemicals with estrogen-like activity are found in common pesticides and industrial pollutants and as hormone residues in meat, poultry and dairy products.

Avoid exposure to radiation. Limiting the number of chest x-rays, especially at a young age, may decrease the risk of breast cancer.

Talk to your doctor. If you have a family history of breast cancer, your personal risk is increased. Let your doctor know your family history, and discuss other ways you can help to prevent breast cancer.

Remember that the best defense against breast cancer is a good offense and many things can be done to reduce your risk.

Benefits of Kegel exercises for women:

• Easier to climax.
• More intense orgasms.
• Elevated sensitivity in the vagina, heightening your sexual satisfaction.
• Lower risk of incontinence (i.e. not being able to hold your pee in).
• Easier childbirth and vaginal muscles will heal faster after birth.
• Improve sex for your male partner by being able to tighten harder around his penis.

For Men:

• Stronger erection.
• More Intense Orgasms.
• Increased power of ejaculation.
• Lower risk of impotence.

You can do kegels right at your desk, even right now. Tighten your PC muscles and hold for a count of eight, then slowly release and repeat 8 times. The PC muscle is the one you flex when you want to pee and are trying not to. Please note that Kegel exercises are normally not done while urinating. Another good time to do kegels, is when you are the passenger in a car. Keep a calendar and give yourself a check mark each time you do the exercises to keep yourself motivated. If you stop doing the exercises, start again! Just remember it takes regular practice to see the results.

Dry your vaginal area thoroughly after bathing or showering, because the best medium for yeast organisms is a warm and moist one.

Wear “breathable” cotton and loose pants, and avoid wearing panties, pants, or hose that fit tightly in the vaginal area.

Avoid harsh soaps, “feminine hygiene” sprays, and perfumed products. the alcohol and other chemicals in these products cause irritation and alter the pH balance of the vagina, allowing yeast to flourish.

Wash up extra carefully before lovemaking and ask your sexual partner to do the same.

Avoid routine douching. Women who douche frequently may actually increase their risk for yeast infections by altering the vagina’s pH balance.

Rethink your contraception. Women who take birth control pills or use contraceptive sponges appear to be at increased risk for developing yeast infections.

Have both partners treated. Often, men who harbor yeast organisms show no symptoms. So when one partner is treated for a yeast infection, the other should be treated at the same time to avoid reinfection. Couples who make love before a yeast infection has been completely cured should also use condoms during intercourse (even if another form of contraception is being used) to prevent passing the infection.

Practice good hygiene. Yeast can be passed to other people apart from sexual partners through shared baths or sharing towels.

Avoid stressful situations. They can provoke infection.

The first step in preparing for travel to a developing nation should become a visit to the doctor. Since your primary care physician may be unaware of medical trends in foreign countries, a local travel clinic may be especially helpful. Travelers to developing countries should have a complete check-up at least 8 to 10 weeks before the trip. They should obtain a summary of their medical histories to take with them, including a list of drug allergies. They should also prepare a list of medications they normally use, specifying all trade and generic names and dosages. In addition, the doctor should provide a letter authorizing any necessary medications to facilitate customs and security checks.

As far as vaccinations and other preventive medicine for travelers are concerned, travelers to developing countries should make sure their recommended routine vaccinations are up to date. Booster shots may be required even if travelers to developing nations have completed the initial series. Vaccinations may include polio, meningitis, measles, chicken pox, yellow fever, meningitis, polio, typhoid, cholera, Japanese encephalitis, rabies, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap).

Upper respiratory infections are very widespread after foreign travel. When traveling to any country during flu season, the influenza vaccine may be recommended, especially for the elderly and people at risk for serious illness.

Skin tests should be performed before traveling to areas with tuberculosis (TB) outbreaks; those with negative tests should have a repeat test 2 to 4 months after they return.

All travelers to developing countries and countries with a high prevalence of hepatitis B are highly recommended to be vaccinated against hepatitis A and B. The hepatitis B vaccination is especially important if you expect to have close or sexual contact with the local population.

Travelers to countries with malaria should take preventive drugs.

First aid supplies which may come in handy to each traveler include sunblock, topical disinfectants, bandage materials, insect repellent, thermometer, antifungal foot powder, hydrocortisone cream for rashes, Imodium for diarrhea, water filtering or water purifying supplies, nonprescription pain reliever.

Travelers also should check if their health insurance company offers any coverage abroad and if not, take care about individual health insurance policies for international travelers.

• Cholera. It can be contracted as a result of eating food or drinking water contaminated with V. cholerae bacteria in a country without adequate water and sewage treatment (like Africa, India, and Latin America). This disease is characterized by severe dehydration and often diarrhea. Fortunately, cholera doesn’t affect the intestines’ ability to absorb fluids, and a full recovery is almost guaranteed.
• Hookworms. Hookworms’ eggs usually enter skin through the toes while you are walking barefoot in the soil or sand, and form raised red spots, itchy lines, or blisters on the affected areas. Yet hookworms are rarely dangerous enough to demand treatment.
• Dengue. This disease is passed along by mosquitoes which bite one human contracted with the virus and then pass it on to their next one, also through a bite. Dengue often develops into a rash or pain in the eyes or joints. A more severe form of the disease, called dengue hemorrhagic fever, can cause a fever with a duration up to a week as well as bleeding or bruising. There is no treatment for dengue, and the illness usually clears up on its own.
• Malaria. The parasite that causes the disease is carried by female mosquitoes and lives in your liver. Even immediate symptoms of malaria don’t show immediately, the parasite eventually ruptures your red blood cells, causing high fever, chills, head and muscle aches, fatigue, vomiting, diarrhea, and anemia. Fortunately, malaria can be effectively neutralized with prescription drugs.
• Traveler’s Diarrhea. It is almost always caused by bacteria, parasite or virus found in food or water that has been contaminated and not adequately purified. This infection leads to watery stools, stomach cramps, low-grade fever, and sometimes even nausea and vomiting. Though it usually clears up within a few days, diarrhea should be taken seriously because it can lead to severe dehydration.
• Typhoid fever travels through food and water infected with Salmonella typhi, often through contact with the feces of an infected person. Fever caused by typhoid can reach as high as 104 degrees, and sometimes a rash of flat, red spots is formed. If treated with antibiotics, typhoid can disappear within a few days. Without treatment it is terminal.
• Yellow fever (jaundice). This disease is spread by infected Aedes mosquitoes. While the recovery occurs within three to four days, the virus can cause bleeding, heart problems, liver or kidney failure, or even brain dysfunction. There is no medical cure for yellow fever, only ways to ease the symptoms. As yellow fever can be terminal it’s highly recommended to get a yellow fever vaccination before you to travel to an affected area, namely sub-Saharan Africa or tropical South America.

Eating and drinking safely! In order to prevent oneself from contracting diarrhea, cholera, typhoid and hepatitis A the following foods should be avoided:

• Food that has been kept warm.
• Uncooked food (unless you can peel or shell it yourself).
• Food likely to have been exposed to flies.
• Ice cream sold from unreliable sources such as kiosks.
• Unpasteurized milk.
• Uncooked fish.

Taking care in the sun! While the sun is an important source of vitamin D and should be enjoyed, sunburn by overexposure can lead to premature skin ageing and an increased risk of skin cancer.
In order to avoid sunburns it is advisable to stay out of the midday sun, wear a wide brimmed hat and tightly woven but loose clothing. To protect parts of your skin exposed to the sun, sun cream should be used, and you should also wear sunglasses with UV-filter to protect your eyes.

Using insect repellent to cover up your arms and legs can prevent you from serious and sometimes fatal infections transmitted by insect bites.

Taking care in water. Never go swimming alone. Remember that fatal accidents can happen very easily in water. Watch out for your friends and family and make sure they are watching out for you too while you are swimming!
If you are going to dive into the water, make sure to find a place deep enough for this activity. It may look funny when you imagine this picture, but many people get permanently paralyzed or even killed as a result of diving into shallow waters.

Taking care on the roads. Traffic accidents are a major cause of death among travelers (both drivers and pedestrians). Always check the local traffic regulations as these can vary enormously from those in your country. Always wear your seatbelt if you are in a car; always wear a helmet if riding a bike or motorbike.
If you are hiring a car, make sure to check the general condition and the insurance cover. Obviously NEVER drink and drive.

Taking care while taking up hazardous sports and diving. Always follow the relevant safety guidance while taking part in a hazardous activity; make sure there are adequate emergency medical facilities nearby; make sure that your medical insurance fully covers you in the event of an accident. Divers should allow a minimum of 24 hours between their last dive and a flight.

Whether you are looking for relaxation or adventure - travel can be really enjoyable and worthwhile. just make sure you take all the necessary precautions to ensure safe your travel!

• Sleep on your side. You’re more likely to snore if you’re lying on your back, and sleeping on your stomach is stressful on your neck.
• Try cutting down on drinking and smoking as both these activities are often the culprits of snoring.
• Elevate your head. Sleeping with your head raised may take some of the pressure off of the airway, making breathing easier. Raise the head of the bed by putting blocks under the bed posts, or prop up your upper body (not just your head, which can actually inhibit breathing) with pillows.
• Those who breathe through their mouth often end up snoring. So, developing the habit of breathing through the nose is highly recommended.
• Do not have heavy meals within the three hours, before going to sleep.
• Try not to take sedatives and antihistamines just before going to bed.
• Get plenty of sleep. Go to bed and get up at the same time each day.
• Try to exercise on a regular basis. A healthy lifestyle helps in reducing the problem of snoring.
• If a blocked nose is your problem, try using inhalers and nasal drops. At the same time, avoid dairy products like milk, butter, cheese and cream, since they increase the production of mucus.
• Don’t do too strenuous work before going to bed. If you are overtired, you tend to get a disturbed sleep and end up snoring much more.
• Lose weight. Excess body weight, especially around the neck, puts pressure on the airway, causing it to partially collapse.
• Get your allergies treated. Chronic respiratory allergies may cause snoring by forcing sufferers to breathe through their mouths while they sleep. Taking an antihistamine just before bedtime may help. If your nose is stuffed up, try using an over-the-counter saline spray or a humidifier.

Pleasant dreams!