Stress can Kill You More Ways than you Think!

By the Vteam, Kamau Austin Publisher

When you think of stress and how it can kill you, do you picture a middle-aged, chain-smoking male with a big rig tire stretched across his belling yelling profanities into his cell phone and think, Nah, that’s not going to happen to me!

Now, imagine a picture you probably can relate to: a middle-aged, stay-at-home-mom, caring for several over-scheduled children who smokes (but not in front of the children) and drinks a glass or two of wine (or more but who’s counting) at the end of the day so she can unwind. Maybe you’re not a stay-at-home-mom, but you’re holding down a full-time job instead.

Regardless of the image particulars, do you know what these images have in common? They’re both examples of people living stressful lives, who are in serious danger of compromising their immune systems.

Good stress vs. Bad stress -

So often stress is thought of negatively. It’s frequently associated with feelings of anxiety, as happens just before you’re going to give a speech before a crowd. Or with change, like when you’re moving or when someone you love has died or while you’re going through a divorce or even when you’ve got way too much on your plate.

But when it comes to the immune system, stress is the signal this system needs to start preparing for battle. The moment the immune system believes danger is imminent, such as when an injury is about to happen or when a virus has infiltrated one of the body’s first lines of defense, stress hormones become stimulated and the number of stress hormone receptors increase.

This increase is what triggers the immune cells into action. The immune cells leave the bloodstream and travel to the affected tissues where they then deal with whatever organism is invading the body. When the immune cells are finished fighting, the number of stress receptors reverts back to normal. This is an example of what happens with acute stress, the “good” stress, and it’s the type of stress the body’s immune system was designed to handle.

Chronic stress on the other hand is bad. With chronic stress, your body is constantly stressed. As a result, stress hormones are constantly being released. Like they’re supposed to do, the immune cells go out searching for something to fight but they aren’t able to find anything to fight because the stress isn’t being caused by an injury or a parasite or a virus. It’s being caused by too much work, or feelings of depression or whatever else is causing constant stress.

Over time, the immune cells start to think that high levels of stress hormones are the new “norm” and they learn to adapt to these higher levels. Instead of preparing for battle when stress receptor levels are high, they don’t react at all or they react with much less strength.

The immune system then becomes involved in somewhat of a “boy who cried wolf” scenario. With stress receptors constantly high, immune cells don’t become stimulated, and if they do react at all, it’s usually with less efficiency and effectiveness. What this means is that when disease and infections do occur, it takes your body longer to heal and recover from them.

You’ve got to learn to cope

If you feel stressed all the time, you need to learn ways to better cope with stress. Your immune system and your health depend on it. Too many people turn to high-fat/high-carb foods, smoking or alcoholic beverages as a way of coping with stress. Doing so might seem right at the moment, but these actions only bring about a whole new set of problems within your body.

There are better ways. Learning deep breathing techniques, yoga and meditation may work for you, attending support groups, counting to 10, bike riding, running and avoiding confrontations are all positive steps you can take to deal with stress. And I also suggest looking into promising high quality supplements for immune system support.

An example of such supplements is Immunitril™. Immunitril™ is an herbal supplement that may help boost your immune system especially during cold and flu season. You can find out more about Immunitril™ at select etailers like Amazon.com and the Women's Fitness Resource.

Disclaimer: This article is for information only. It is not medical advice. Always consult with a health care professional if you think you suffer from chronic stress and also before taking health or food supplements.

Preventing Cold and Flu by Changing Your Family’s Bad Habits

By the Vteam, Kamau Austin Publisher

If you become sick this cold and flu season, you’re going to count on your immune system working overtime to make you better. Will it let you down? What about your children? If they become sick, will their immune systems take care of them? You better hope so.

But rather than hoping for the best, why not take time now to incorporate a few changes into your daily routines? If you’re not doing so already, it’s time to get your family moving more, eating right, getting more sleep and practicing better hygiene. Why? Because the better everyone’s overall state of health, the better everyone’s chances are of getting through the cold and flu season without getting sick!

Eat right to help combat colds and flu

Coffee, sugary juices and cereal bars for breakfast, soda, pizza and Chinese take-out for dinner. Does this sound familiar? With all the demands on your family’s time, this probably is how your family eats. The kids might like it, but in time their health is going to suffer.

The immune system and all of the other systems inside their bodies need a good mix of vitamins and minerals to work right. The best sources of these important nutrients are fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, good fats and foods with calcium. You might think you’re feeding your family well when you bring home a veggie pizza on wheat crust, but you really aren’t. You’ve got to take time to cook at home where you’re able to control what and how you cook.

In addition to boosting your family’s immune systems, when you feed your family a nutritionally-balanced diet, you’ll also be lowering their weight, their risks of cardiovascular disease, their “bad” cholesterol levels, their blood pressure, and their chances of becoming obese or developing diabetes!

Exercise counts, too

It’s one thing to get all those vitamins and minerals into their bodies, but once inside, those nutrients need to get around. That’s why moderate exercise is so important. Exercise increases the blood’s circulation, which helps those nutrients get where they’re needed. And with cold and flu season approaching, they need to be heading towards the immune system, so start moving now!

Don’t wait until you become sick to start exercising! That’s not going to help. In fact, if someone does come down with a cold or the flu, they’re not going to feel like working out; they’re going to feel miserable and want to rest!

As the temperature gets colder, it can be harder to get the kids outside. But you’ve got to try. Here are some ideas to get your family moving. Bundle up and go sledding. Take a walk through newly-fallen snow. Try cross-country skiing or dog sledding, or ice skating.

Rest and reduce stress

All that exercising in the cold weather is certain to tire everyone out and that’s a good thing. If your family’s always on the move, there’s a good chance everyone needs more sleep anyway. If you don’t think there’s enough time in the day to exercise then your family could be overwhelmed and feeling stressed. Stress only hinders the immune system, so take steps to eliminate stress from your home, starting right now.

Wash and cover

And finally, teach your family what they can do to help stop the spread of the viruses that cause colds and flu. Teach them to wash their hands with hot water and soap several times a day and to cover their mouths when they cough or sneeze. They can use either their hands or tissue just as long as they wash afterwards. And they’ve got to keep away from others who are sick.

Remember, the immune system’s job is to constantly be on the look out for foreign invaders. When you teach your family how to take care of their bodies by exercising, eating right, getting rest, reducing stress, and practicing proper hygiene, you’re helping them build stronger immune systems. Then, when trouble starts brewing, their immune systems can kick into action.

Along with changing your family’s bad habits, consider adding immune boosting supplements like Immunitril™ to their daily regimes. Immunitril™ is an herbal remedy designed with rich ingredients to help give your immune system additional support. You’ll find it at outstanding online stores like www.Amazon.com and BODeStore.com.


Disclaimer: This article is for information only. It is not medical advice. Always consult with a health care professional before taking health or food supplements.

Can What You Wear Protect You from Catching a Cold or the Flu?

By the Vteam, Kamau Austin Publisher

It’s true that how you dress says much about the person you are. But can what you wear some how prevent you from coming down with a cold or the flu? Or vice versa – can not wearing enough clothing some how increase your chances of becoming sick?

Your mother seems to think so. Just think how many times you’ve heard her tell you to “put on your jacket when you go outside or you’ll catch a cold!” You might roll your eyes and think she doesn’t know what she’s talking about, but nonetheless, on goes your jacket! And if you have your own children, how many times have you caught yourself making that same statement to your kids?

The truth is, if cold and flu season is approaching, so is the holiday season. And right now, your mind is probably worrying more about how it’s going to get your body to squeeze into that brand new holiday outfit than it is about putting on a jacket so you don’t catch a cold. But guess what? You won’t be going anywhere nor doing anything if you or anyone in your family comes down with a cold or the flu anytime soon. So it’s time right now to set the record straight and answer this question once and for all.

Can the cold weather cause a cold?

Many have tried throughout the years to find a relationship between the body being cold and it developing a cold or the flu. The underlying belief is that when the body temperature is lowered, the change in temperature can cause extreme stress which in turn can cause the immune system to function less efficiently. Consequently, when the immune system is compromised, the belief holds that it is less effective at combating the influenza virus and any other virus or bacteria that may be lurking.

The reality is however, that going outdoors for 15 or even 30 minutes without adequate protective clothing isn’t going to cause the body temperature to drop. Neither is getting caught in a rain storm or going outside with a head full of wet hair. The body, being the amazing creation that it is, has a built-in protective measure that kicks in when it starts getting too cold: it begins to shiver. Shivering is the body’s way of attempting to generate heat.

It is true that prolonged exposure to the outdoor elements can eventually cause the body temperature to drop, but if that’s happening, the affected individual has far more to worry about than catching a cold. Frostbite or hypothermia could set in, situations that ultimately could lead to the loss of a limb or perhaps even death.

As Pediatrician Lynn Wegner states, "A winter virus is not caused by going out in the cold air. It's viral transmission."

And many doctors and immunologists agree with Dr. Wegner’s findings. It’s just not possible to catch a cold or the flu without first coming into contact with the virus. So why has your mother been lying to you all these years, and more importantly, why are you continuing that lie with your family? The need for a mother’s children to go outdoors with suitable clothing likely has more to do with her need to protect her children than anything else.

Catching a cold does occur more frequently during times of colder weather which is probably how this myth began. And there’s a reason for this. When it’s cold outside, people stay inside. When people are stuck together inside an office building or a classroom, there’s an increased chance of spreading germs.

If you want to lower your chances of coming down with a cold or flu this season, make sure you and your family give your immune systems what it needs to work right. The immune system needs adequate rest, good nutrition, less stress, a bit of exercise and plenty of fresh air.

Quality supplements that are reputed by credible sources to help boost the immune system is something you should strongly consider. We have heard about one product with quality ingredients you will want in an immune system support supplement. Immunitril™ can help support your immune system especially during the winter season. Check it out at select etailers and online stores like www.Amazon.com and the BODeStore.com.

Disclaimer: This article is for information only. It is not medical advice. Always consult with a health care professional if you think you have a cold or the flu and also before taking health or food supplements.

Home Remedies for Preventing Cold and Flu – Fact or Fiction?

By the Vteam, Kamau Austin Publisher

If scientists ever were able to invent a guaranteed way to prevent the cold and flu, there’s no doubt that everyone in the world would wait in line for however long it took so they could get their hands on that magical product. Unfortunately, no major breakthroughs have yet been discovered.

There are however a number of remedies that claim to help prevent cold and flu viruses from invading our systems, and many others that promise to relieve the symptoms should we become unfortunate enough to catch one of those nasty bugs. But how do these remedies measure up? Are they everything they promise?

Let’s take a closer look at some of the cold and flu home remedies that have so far withstood the test of time.

Chicken Soup

Chicken soup is likely the most comforting home remedy you can prepare when someone you know comes down with a cold or flu. Mothers have been giving chicken soup to their sick children for generations, and moms today still swear by its comforting qualities. And so do some professionals.

In fact, placing a bowl of steaming hot chicken soup right in front of you nose can help unblock a stuffy nose. The steam has a way of breaking apart mucus, which helps it to move and makes it easier for you to breathe in that savory smell. When the mucus moves out of your nose, it takes along those nasty viruses that would rather cling to your nose lining so they can keep making you ill. Chicken soup also has been shown to be an effective anti-inflammatory. It seems there’s something in chicken soup that interferes with neutrophil movement. The hot liquid is also good for relieving sore or itchy throats.

If it’s made right, it’ll be loaded with vegetables and chunks of protein-filled chicken. Nutrient-rich chicken and vegetables can definitely help give your immune system a boost. Although there’s little difference when it comes to deciding whether homemade or store bought chicken soup is better for you, homemade chicken soup contains an ingredient not found in canned versions – and that ingredient is love. This special ingredient is what makes chicken soup that much more comforting. Eating a bowl of mom’s chicken soup can fill you up so you can get some rest. And getting ample amounts of rest is what your body needs to help it recover more quickly.

Vitamin C

Lots of people swear by this vitamin’s ability to help prevent the symptoms of a cold or flu from developing. But unfortunately, this just isn’t true. However, supplying your body with Vitamin C is great way to boost your immune system. When the immune system is functioning optimally, it’s better able to do its job which is to protect the body from foreign invaders. For some people, taking large quantities of Vitamin C at the onset of cold or flu symptoms helps make their cold or flu symptoms less severe.

Garlic

You’ve heard it’s effective at keeping the vampires away while you sleep, but can garlic really help you ward off a cold or flu? Well, the sulfur-containing compounds in garlic do have immune boosting qualities. It’s been said that garlic helps to ramp up production of white cells and helps kick the immune system’s natural killer cells into action. It can also make the production of important antibodies more efficient. So go ahead and add more garlic into your diet. If you can’t tolerate the smell, reach for a garlic supplement.

Herbal supplements

There’s a lot of talk about the benefits of taking Echinacea and zinc lozenges to help prevent colds and the flu and to help relieve the symptoms of both, but the jury is still out on these types of remedies.

There is a new herbal supplement that has so far shown promising results in terms of giving the immune system a boost. Remember the immune system is what keeps the body healthy by protecting it from bacterial and other types of foreign invaders. The herbal supplement is called Immunitril™ and it’s available right now at many better online stores and eTailers like www.Amazon and www.BODeStore.com.


Disclaimer: This article is for information only. It is not medical advice. Always consult with a health care professional if you’re sick and also before taking health or food supplements.

How do you Plan to Prepare for Cold and Flu Season?

By the Vteam, Kamau Austin Publisher

What do you do to help prepare yourself and your family for cold and flu season? Do you cross your fingers and hope you’re lucky enough to keep from becoming infected with the cold or flu virus? Do you put yourself and your kids through the pain of an annual flu shot? Do you do what your mother did and make massive quantities of old-fashioned chicken soup and then freeze it so you’re prepared with what most believe to be the best remedy for curing cold and flu symptoms?

Well, let me tell you one thing – if those are the things you do then you could be doing much more to help protect your family this cold and flu season. And most of what you can do revolves around keeping those annoying cold and flu viruses from invading in the first place. Easier said than done, you think? Well that’s not true. You’d be surprised at how far good common sense and proper hygiene can go towards keeping cold and potentially debilitating flu viruses away from your family.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers these tips to help keep the influenza virus from spreading. Now admittedly, keeping the influenza virus from spreading can be challenging, especially if you have small children. The virus is present in the air and it can also cover the things that you touch regularly like the telephone and computer keyboard.

How to stop the spread

The most obvious way to keep the influenza virus from spreading is to steer clear of others who are coughing, sneezing and blowing their noses! The influenza virus can ride along on those droplets that burst forth from the mouth each time an infected person coughs or sneezes. Try to stay at least 3 feet away from those exhibiting cold or flu symptoms. And if you’re the one who is sick, or you have a sick child, do everyone a favor (including the one who’s sick) and stay home! If you work, it can be hard to stay home with a sick child, but sending him or her off to school or day care is not going to do anyone any good. That sick child needs rest and you need to find a way to make that happen.

Another important strategy for keeping the influenza virus at bay is to stop touching your nose, eyes and mouth. Each of these areas has mucous membranes that the influenza virus can latch onto in a moment. If you’ve got the virus on your fingertips and then you put those fingertips into contact with a mucous membrane, then guess what? There’s a good chance you’ve just infected yourself. Children are notorious for touching one another with sticky, gooey fingers. They wipe their noses with their hands and even their arms and then they think nothing of twirling your hair with their contaminated fingers or sharing that salty taste by sticking their contaminated fingers into your mouth for you to suck on. Yuk!

So while it’s probably going to be difficult to get your kids to keep their hands to themselves, at least until they’re a bit older, there is something else you can do. You can teach them the importance of washing their hands. In addition to teaching them why it’s important to keep their hands clean, you’ve also got to teach them how to properly wash their hands. A little splash of cold water isn’t going to accomplish anything. Children and adults need to wash their hands with soap and hot water for at least 20 seconds or washing won’t be effective at containing the spread of germs. Twenty seconds might seem like a long time, but it really isn’t. And if it can help keep you and your family healthier, then it’ll be time well spent. Keep several boxes of tissues handy, too and teach everyone to use them.

There is one more thing you can do to help protect you and your family this flu season. You can try Immunitril™, an herbal supplement designed to help give your immune system a boost. I think Immunitril™ is definitely a product that includes outstanding ingredients which have been reported to have supportive benefits to help boost your immune system. Find out more about Immunitril™ at better online stores like www.Amazon.com and the BODeStore.com.

Disclaimer: This article is for information only. It is not medical advice. Always consult with a health care professional if you think you have a cold or the flu and also before taking health or food supplements.

How to Boost an Aging Immune System

by the Vteam, Kamau Austin Publisher

Unlike fine wines, people don’t always get better with age. Some people age gracefully while others unfortunately look much older than their years. How a person ages depends on many factors including genetics and lifestyle choices.

As of yet, no miracle pill has been developed that can stop the effects of aging. And as with most body parts, the effectiveness of the immune system naturally will begin to decline with age. While this may not be avoidable, there may be ways to help boost the immune system as it ages.

How the Immune System Changes with Age

Here are the most notable changes that occur within the immune system as it begins the aging process.

Skin

The skin is actually the immune system’s first line of defense. It keeps harmful bacteria from getting inside our bodies. Young skin is very resilient. However as we get older, the connective tissues beneath the skin start to break apart. Skin loses its elasticity and becomes thinner and as a result, it becomes more prone to damage. That’s when infections can set in.

Thymus

This organ is very active during youth, producing with alarming speed new T-cells, antibodies and the other chemicals the immune system relies on. Around puberty, the immune system is almost completely developed and ready to protect against infection and disease. As T-cells encounter various sources of infection, they develop immune responses to fight the infection. Those T-cells are also capable of remembering that response.

Since few new T-cells are produced after adulthood, most of those that exist will have already transitioned into a memory cell. If a new type of infection is introduced to the body later in life, there aren’t any “native” T-cells available to develop a new immune response. The immune system is therefore slow to react if it’s able to react at all.

Lymph Glands

Another change takes place in the lymph glands. As a person ages, the lymph glands do not stop producing lymphocytes, an important component in the body’s ability to produce infection-fighting antibodies. However, changes can occur in their configuration which can affect how these important cells react to infection.

Autoimmune disease is another change believed to be age-related. Over time, the makeup of cells can change due to the oxidative damage caused by free radicals and other reasons. When cells change, the immune system no longer recognizes these modified cells as belonging to the body. The immune system then begins to produce autoantibodies which are antibodies to one or more proteins native to the body. Organs to which these proteins are associated begin to become attacked. In other words, the body begins to attack itself, which is what happens with rheumatoid arthritis.

Is help available?

As mentioned above, it’s still unclear whether there is any way to keep the effects of aging from impacting the immune system. But there are ways older individuals may be able to give their immune systems a boost.

Shots

The Pheumococcal vaccine can protect the elderly from approximately 23 forms of pneumococcus bacterium. Bacterial pneumonia can cause death in older people which it’s why revaccination is recommended, especially for high-risk individuals. An annual flu shot can help protect against new strains of influenza virus. And staying current with tetanus shots can help protect against this potentially deadly bacterial infection which often (unknowingly) penetrates broken skin.

Changing diet/supplementation

Antioxidants help to neutralize free radicals, possibly diminishing the amount of cell damage they do to skin and organs. Adding brightly colored fruits and vegetables, especially those loaded with Vitamin A, E and C, to the diet is the best way to get antioxidants inside so they can go to work. If dietary change is difficult, try taking vitamin and antioxidant supplements.

Eliminating bad habits

It’s important to quit smoking because smoking can increase the risks of developing infectious diseases like pneumonia. Cutting back on your consumption of alcoholic beverages is also wise.

Maintaining social schedules

Depression is thought to be linked to a depressed immune system. Unfortunately, because of health reasons, death of a spouse, or immobility, many elderly spend too much time alone which can lead to depression.

Taking herbal supplements

You probably have seen many claims by herbal supplement companies about products that help boost the immune system. One of the better ones we have read about is Immunitril™. Immunitril™ combines many of the more promising ingredients reputed to help support the immune system. This new herbal supplement may help give your aging immune system a much needed boost during the winter season. You can find it at many of the better online stores and etailers like www.Amazon.com and www.BODeStore.com.


Disclaimer: This article is for information only. It is not medical advice. Always consult with a health care professional before taking health or food supplements.

5 Ways Women Can Boost Their Immune Systems

By the Vteam, Kamau Austin Publisher

When’s the last time you thought about your immune system? Most of the time you figure it must be working properly since it’s not often that you’re sick with the cold or flu. And for the most part, you’re right.

But what if you’ve been feeling tired or lethargic lately? What if your wounds take a long time to heal?

What if your herpes outbreaks are occurring more frequently or you’re experiencing other types of infections or allergies? These are other indications that your immune system isn’t working as it should. So stop blaming the kids, the job or the season.

According to Dr. Lawrence Wilson who specializes in nutrition, “To strengthen the immune system, one must address the needs of the whole body. A strong immune system is essential for health. It is a very complex system of the body...Factors that impair the immune system include nutrient deficiencies, contaminated air, water and food, unhealthful lifestyles and too much exposure to harmful microbes. Other factors that weaken the immune system are negative attitudes and emotions and the presence of toxic metals, toxic chemicals and biological toxins in the body. Others are sluggish metabolism, lack of rest and sleep, excessive stress or too much exercise. As these causative factors are removed or corrected, the immune system improves."

Here are 5 lifestyle changes you can implement right now, regardless of your age, which may help give your immune system a boost. They are, in no particular order:

Eating Right

To keep your body (including your immune system) running like a finely-tuned car engine, you need to make sure you give it the proper fuel. In humans, our fuel comes from the food we eat. After we eat, our digestive system breaks food down into carbohydrates, sugars, proteins and fats.

The circulatory system transports these nutrients via the bloodstream throughout the body. With the right type of fuel, everything works right.

If you’re not eating a nutritionally-balanced diet, you’re not providing your body with the nutrients it needs to function properly. You need to start eating more fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, “good” fats, whole grains and calcium-rich foods and you need to lower your intake of high-fat and processed foods, sugary snacks, and starches. And if you’re not drinking at least 6-8 glasses of water per day, then it’s time you start!

Exercising

Your body needs moderate exercise too. You don’t need to buy fancy new exercise equipment and you don’t even have to join a gym.

Incorporating moderate exercise into your life is as easy as walking more. Parking further away from store entrances, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, and walking during your work breaks are simple ways to get your heart beating faster, which increases the efficiency of the circulatory system and triggers the brain to release more “feel good” chemicals. All these actions can help strengthen your immune system, making it better able to fight off illness.

Reducing Stress

When you’re stressed, your immune system takes a direct hit. When the immune system is compromised, its army of white blood cells, antibodies and other chemicals isn’t able to do its job efficiently. Stress is the immune system’s signal that it’s time to go to work. When you’re always feeling stressed, your immune system is constantly in a battle-ready state. After a while, it becomes weary and less effective at fighting off foreign invaders like viruses, bacteria and fungi. You’ve got to get rid of the stress and one simple way is by adding moderate exercise into your routine. Other ways to reduce stress include taking a Yoga class, learning deep breathing techniques, changing occupations, or getting out of a bad relationship. You need to do whatever’s necessary to fight the effects of stress and you need to do it now!

Getting More Sleep

Most women place incredible demands on their bodies every single day. With all the responsibilities women have by day and often times well into the evening hours, most are getting fewer hours of sleep than their bodies need. Maybe you think you’re doing just fine on 4 -5 hours of sleep (or less!) each night, but you’re not. Even as adults, the body needs 8 – 10 hours of sleep to operate efficiently.

Try Supplements

In addition to the the 4 simple steps we covered earlier you may also want to also explore quality supplements to help boost your immune system. For instance Immunitril™ is an amazing new herbal formula that may be just what your immune system needs to keep colds and flu away this season. You’ll can find out about the quality ingredients of Immunitril™ at select etailers and online stores like Amazon.com and the www.BodeStore.com for more information.


Disclaimer: This article is for information only. It is not medical advice. Always consult with a health care professional before taking health or food supplements or beginning an exercise routine.

Getting Older Can Be A Pain In The…..???

Leg of course!!!!

By Ava Smith, the Vteam

The gorgeous legs woman so proudly showed off in their 20’s, possibly their 30’s, have disappeared when women reach their 40’s, 50’s and 60’s. Most adult women can’t get away with wearing mini-skirts during these older stages of life. There’s only but one Tina Turner. Matter-of-fact, the older we get the longer our skirts become or the darker our stockings. Now why is that?

I’ll tell you why, constant standing, weight gain, pregnancy and not enough exercise takes its toll on our bodies, especially our legs. Varicose or spider veins and cellulite are common reasons why woman do not ‘dare to be bare’. Society shuns those who reveal their orange peeled thighs or the meticulous blue web of veins which protrude so visibly. The only photographs you’ll in Elle or Cosmo of woman who suffer from this problem are on the very last pages under “Do’s and Don’ts”.


So what is one to do?
Well, let’s start by pinpointing the sources.

Those annoying enlarged, twisted bluish veins which sit near the surface of the skin are the varicose. It’s caused by faulty valves in the veins or weakened vein walls. They can be inherited (genetics), hormonal, ageing or many other things, including those aforementioned. And the spider veins are just smaller versions of twisted vessels which come in a variety of colors such as red, purple or blue.

Cellulite, the worst curse bestowed on woman (of course, developed by him). Just beneath the surface of skin, usually on the thighs, the bumpy, orange-peel looking fat that makes you think of grabbing a rolling pin and kneading dough. Attributed to hormonal changes and heredity, cellulite is a bigger demon to fight.

There are many options for those of use who don’t mind spending some cash. For varicose or spider veins, the purchase of support stockings, a procedure called Sclerotherapy (injection of a concentrated saline solution injected into the veins), lasers or surgery are available. But cellulite is a much harder battle to fight. There are no guarantees those treatments like miracle pills, Endermologie (a deep massage with a vacuum-like device) or plastic surgery will give you the youthful shape you desire.

The one thing which seems to be apparently clear is that unless we take care of our bodies by eating right and exercising, anyone of us can or will suffer from these imperfections.

How to Over Come Unsightly Veins

By the Vteam, Kamau Austin Publisher

Does the fall fashion menu of dress shorts and mini skirts strike fear in your heart because of unsightly veins? Hiding behind long pants and skirts can get terribly boring after a while but it is a way of life for many women with varicose and spider veins.

Causes
-------

Statistics show that approximately 60 percent of all Americans are affected by varicose and spider veins and women are more likely to be affected than men. A variety of causes have been suggested and include:

* Heredity – Did your mother, grandmother or siblings have them?

* Age - Age can be a factor because as the skin ages it
loses its elasticity and is unable to support the veins properly

* Obesity - stresses the entire circulatory system including the veins

* Pregnancy/Menopause – creates hormonal fluctuation and weight gain

* Smoking

* High sodium intake

* Birth control pills and other medications

* Sun exposure

Complications
--------------

There are many instances where varicose veins can lead to complications. Call your doctor if you have:

* Bleeding - Scratching a large varicose vein may cause severe bleeding

* High pressure in the varicose veins may cause them to bleed more than healthy veins.

* Blood clots – Phlebitis is an inflammation of a vein just
below the surface of the skin, which results from a small blood clot

* Fragile, itchy or scaling skin

* Skin color changes and fungal or bacterial infections.

* Pain when walking or standing

An Ounce of Prevention
-----------------------

While varicose veins may be inevitable for some, it is a great idea to take preventive measures, especially if you are predisposed. Here are some tips on lessening the occurrence:

* Exercise - Walking, swimming, and cycling are
great for the circulation but be sure to check with
your doctor before beginning any exercise program.

* Weight Reduction – Reducing your weight will alleviate the body,
including the veins, of unnecessary and unhealthy stress.


* Healthy Life Choices – High salt intake and smoking can
increase vein pressure and promote the appearance of
varicose and spider veins.

* Proper Footwear - Avoid high heels or any
tight, uncomfortable footwear.

* Restrictive Clothing – Tight underwear, hose, jeans, leggings and
other clothing can restrict the flow of blood throughout the body
creating ripe conditions for the appearance of spider and varicose veins.

* Standing/Sitting - Take breaks if you have to sit or
stand throughout your day.

* Leg Elevation - Elevate your legs whenever you are
lying down or rest your legs on a stool if you're sitting down.

Good News
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The good news is that most occurrences of varicose and spider veins are not a serious medical problem. They can, however, limit your fashion choices, create a loss of body confidence and at their worst, contribute to a lack of self-esteem.

What’s a fashion forward woman to do? Here are some of the treatments available.

Surgical Remedies-

Stripping is a lengthy procedure often performed under general anesthesia and requires a surgeon to make incisions in the groin and below the knee and remove the vein with a long, surgical instrument extending inside the leg to the knee. Vein stripping may require a hospital stay and general anesthesia. Risks of vein stripping can include permanent nerve paralysis in a small percentage of patients, pulmonary emboli, infection, and permanent scarring. General anesthesia provides some risks as well.

Sclerotherapy is a procedure where veins are injected with a sclerosing solution, which causes them to collapse and fade from view. Possible side effects of sclerotherapy can include temporary stinging or red patches, painful cramps at the injection site, spots around the vein and inflammation or lumps of clotted blood.

Laser Surgery – The use of lasers has become commonplace in all areas of surgery today. Laser technology is also being used to treat spider veins. Possible side effects include redness and swelling, discolored skin and a rare occurrence of burns and scars, generally from poorly performed surgery.


Oral Remedies-

A number of herbal remedies are suggested such as pine bark, horse chestnut, violet and even Vitamin C, but one should proceed with caution in their use as with any medication. Natural does not mean harmless particularly when imbibing or ingesting. Use caution in taking mega-doses of vitamins as well. Check with your doctor or consult a homeopathic or naturopathic physician regarding their harmful effects and drug interactions.

Topical Remedies-

Makeup – Concealers and other cover-ups are an option. You will have to experiment to see what works best for you. In some cases, they can be messy or impractical for everyday use (think leaving behind streaks on light furniture—yikes!) but might be useful for a special occasion.

Leg Treatment Creams – There are a number of creams like Veinuderm™ that work directly on the area and may be able to help. Veinuderm™ contains vitamin K which is used in the treatment of bruising or bleeding under the skin and lightening under-eye circles. These creams can take a few days to a few weeks to work so give them some time and use as directed. To find out more about this promising product do a search on better online stores like www.Amazon.com and the BODeStore.com.