By now you know that it is not possible to “live” with a toxic colon because it will not let you live. Yes, it can get very bad if neglected and lead to a host of debilitating health issues, including obesity, severe gastrointestinal dysfunction, gum disease, food allergies as well as recurring depression. But, how do you know if you are a victim?

You will certainly know when you cannot see your knees anymore – due to overweight. That sounds scary but it is a fact.

There are other ways of finding out the condition of the colon. One obvious sign is difficult and painful bowel movements. According to Robert Gray, a nutritional counselor, “Few people have any inkling as to how much old, hardened feces are chronically present within their bodies.”

Transit time can also be used to measure the health of a bowel, with the optimal transit time being 18-20 hours. Other symptoms of a toxic bowel are bloating and gas, weight gain, lower back pain, headaches, fatigue, depression, dark circles under the eyes, sallow complexion, abnormal body odor, tender abdomen and bad breath.

While observing the symptoms is essential, nutritionists also advise undergoing tests to get more detailed information about the colon condition. These tests may also help determine the treatment that is needed. (more…)

Terror is said to wound the brain just as bullets wound the body. Exposure to trauma and events that are extremely tough to handle affect the body chemistry.

This is what happens to soldiers at war, who develop disorders related to the brain or suffer from depression caused by traumatic experiences. Hundreds of thousands of troops serving the nation in Iraq and Afghanistan are said to be suffering from major depression or Post-traumatic stress.

This major health crisis is being handled by the U.S. Military in a way that has never been done in history – by popping the pill.

Growing numbers of U.S. troops are reported to be taking daily doses of Prozac, which is an antidepressant, to calm the nerves.

Officials say that increasing violence in Afghanistan and the isolation caused the troops to rely more on medication; although, it is the same in Iraq, but to a lesser extent. The Army’s fifth Mental Health Advisory Team report reveals data that shows about 12% of the Iraqi combat troops and 17% of the Afghanistan troops are taking antidepressants or sleeping pills.

Prozac (Fluoxetine hydrochloride) is the third most prescribed antidepressant, with over 22.2 million prescriptions having been filled during the last year alone. It has been approved by the FDA for use in treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder, clinical depression, panic disorder and bulimia nervosa. It is prescribed to alleviate anxiety and improve sleep.

Healthcare professionals say that antidepressants are to be used on people with chemical imbalances and not on people who are justifiably depressed because they see horror every day and they are thousands of miles away from home. If antidepressants are given to people without chemical imbalances, it can lead to adverse reactions and probably made worse by “medication.” They are also of the opinion that these soldiers need to receive appropriate care for the mental health conditions, or else they will have to face long-term consequences. (more…)

People in the habit of smoking know how difficult it is to win the battle of smoke, which is even worse than the battle of the bulge. Most people go through the “quit smoking” phase, but not many people are successful at following through. They hate using the word “addiction,” but that is what it is. Why does this happen?

Smoking makes people feel good by stimulating the mind, while soothing it. This soothing effect is hard to let go. This happens because of the nicotine present in the cigarettes, which triggers a flood of dopamine and several other neurochemicals that flow over the brain’s pleasure channels. Tobacco smoke inhalation is said to be the quickest way to send nicotine to the brain.

Researcher Dr. David Abrams is very understanding when he says, “I completely understand why you wouldn’t want to give it up.” Another researcher says, “It’s more difficult to get off nicotine than heroin or cocaine.”

Dr. Abrams explained that smoking takes charge of the reward systems in our brain that makes people seek water, food and sex. This rewards system also makes the person seek nicotine, making them feel the same urgency. The human brain starts believing that this is also an essential part of survival.

Regarding the addiction to nicotine, doctors say that nicotine does not afford the same level of addiction to all people. Many people never smoke because they do not enjoy it and then there are people that smoke occasionally but do not get addicted. However, most people who start smoking usually get addicted at some point and start smoking all day, every day. (more…)