Making the Decision to Be Gluten Free

Going Gluten Free is a Lifestyle Change

Gluten free living is not just a diet, it is a lifestyle change which requires both dedication and commitment. People with celiac disease and those with gluten intolerances have to go on this type of diet. But some are choosing to take on this lifestyle change simply because they want a healthier lifestyle. Cutting wheat and other gluten-containing grains out of your diet certainly isn't a bad thing and it can have significant health benefits if you eat a wholesome, diverse diet. It can even be the key to maintaining your weight. Another reason why people may choose a this diet is that they realize that several health problems may be alleviated by going on this type of diet. Some of these are: Headaches, including migraines, fatigue, gastrointestinal distress, depression and anxiety, joint pain, infertility, autistic behaviors, and ADD/ADHD behaviors.

Is This Just a Fad?

New diets pop up all the time and celebrities swear by them and they tend to last about as long as celebrity marriages do. But this is a lifestyle that is perfectly in sync with the way our bodies were designed to eat and that is why it is so effective in improving our health. Our bodies were not designed to eat all the junk that we consume including bagels, cereal, and pasta. The rush of new gluten free products into the marketplace is staggering. According to market research publisher, Packaged Facts, 1,182 new products and beverages were introduced in 2008, with an average 33% annual increase since 2004. There is also a wealth of information gleaned from both books and websites which claim that this type of diet can help with weight loss, autism, and many other conditions.

Does a Gluten Free Diet Help People with Autism Spectrum Disorder?

The publication of a book in 2000 by Karyn Seroussi, "Unraveling the Mystery of Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorder: A Mother's Story of Research and Recovery, and the work of Jenny McCarthy through activism and books, prompted many parents of autistic children to try a diet free of gluten and casein, which is a protein in milk. Parents reported some success with this intervention so scientists performed studies to try to pinpoint the effect that the diet had on behavior. As of today, scientists have not been convinced that this diet works in helping people with autism.

Can a Gluten Free Diet Lead to Weight Loss?

There is no evidence that this particular diet can lead to weight loss. Actually, moving from regularly processed food to gluten free ones may result in weight gain. These products are higher in fact than gluten based ones. So, unless a person has celiac disease or gluten intolerance in which they must go on a gluten free diet, the choice to go gluten free is a lifestyle choice with many considerations to think about.

Top Five Tips For Choosing Incontinence Products

Living a manageable life with incontinence can be challenging, at best. Fortunately for the millions of sufferers around the globe, newer and better products are being manufactured to improve their daily lives. Whether the products are for young professionals who lead active lives or ageing patients who need to cope with their condition, today's incontinence products come in a range of designs and features to suit every person's needs. Here are top five tips for choosing products that work for you.

Get your physician's advice before purchasing your pads or pants. There are different degrees of incontinence and your doctor is the best person to recommend which pads, pull-ups or additional accessories you'll need. There are some people who cope with severe leakage while others only experience mild to moderate incontinence. Your physician can tell you whether you'd be better off with disposable incontinence pants or washable products.

Scrutinise the design and workmanship. Make sure that the product is contoured and will not be too bulky to wear under your clothes. If it's bulky, you could end up feeling uncomfortable and be unwilling to move freely. This is especially crucial to younger people who need to be able to do the regular things they do such as play sports, go for a run, or play with their kids.

Look for incontinence pads with different hydrophobic layers. This allows the liquid to be drawn away from your skin so that you stay dry. As you know excess moisture for some people can cause infection. Different pads can absorb different amounts of liquid. Ask your physician if you need to get the 1250 ml pack of pads or just the 400 ml pack of pads.

Consider how your incontinence pad or pants will figure into your lifestyle. If you lead an active life with a regular gym workout, weekend rugby games, or go on climbs and hikes, disposable products might better serve you. On the other hand if you lead a more relaxed life with the usual job on weekdays and staying in on weekends, washable pants might be more economical.

Shop online. These days, you don't have to walk into a brick-and-mortar store and feel awkward about having to purchase incontinence pants, a pack of pads, or incontinence chair pads. You can shop in the privacy of your home and at any time of the day, without any anxiety. Choose online shops that carry a wide range of products, including wash creams and bottom wipers, bedwetting alarms, pelvic floor exercisers, bathroom and toilet aids, and infection control products. This way you get everything you need in one online shop.

Living with incontinence doesn't have to leave you weighed down and filled with anxiety. By choosing your products well and implementing certain lifestyle changes to manage the symptoms (e.g. cutting down on caffeine and alcohol, quitting smoking, and losing excess weight), you'll be able to go through your regular routines and live a better life.

How to Stop Motion Sickness - 2 Basic Steps To Stop Motion Sickness

Lots of individuals even seasoned travelers suffer from motion sickness. It is really upsetting for yourself as well as others as it turns travelling into an unpleasant experience. Though there are a number of ways to help prevent the symptoms, you can start by knowing how to stop the sickness from happening. Here are the two basic steps with helpful instructions to make your travelling more comfortable:

1. Prevention is better than cure

First and foremost, try to stop the symptoms of motion sickness from taking place. There are several methods that could be used to help prevent the sickness or stop the existing symptoms from getting worse. The methods may vary according to the means of transportation.

By Car:

• Whenever possible, try to take the front seat

• Open the windows or adjust the direction of the air vents to your face for extra air flow

• Place your focus on objects or land on the horizon like buildings or mountains

By Plane:

• Sit next to the window that's above the wing

• Adjust the direction of the air vents to your face

• Look at the clouds floating by through the window

By Boat:

• Get a cabin close to the boat's centre, if you can

• Go to the deck to get some fresh air

• Place your focus on things on the horizon, if not then where the water meets the sky

On the whole, the following techniques of preventive care may also be helpful:

• Stay calm

• Sit facing towards the front

• Avoid reading

• Rest the back of your head against the headrest

• Stay away from anything with a strong scent

• Avoid drinking alcohol or having big meals prior to traveling

• Avoid being near people who are feeling unwell

2. Consult your doctor regarding getting treatment for your motion sickness.

When practicing preventive care isn't enough to help relieve motion sickness, you must talk to a doctor who is a specialist for the diseases of the nervous system, ear and balance. Your physician will then work with you and generate a treatment plan that suits your lifestyle and requirements in the best way possible.

There are several types of treatment available for relieving symptoms, such treatments might include:

• Acupressure (like acupressure wristbands) or acupuncture

• Medications that comprises of drugs like cyclizine, scopolamine, promethazine, dimenhydrinate, or meclizine.

• Homeopathic medicines that consists of remedies like cocculus, petroleum, borax, nux vomica, tabacum, sepia which can be used in combination as well

• Mind-body medicine consisting of methods like Cognitive behavioural therapy, relaxation techniquds or biofeedback training & relaxation.

• Herbs like ginger, black horehound or peppermint that are used in tea or sold as tablets.