Author Archives: schatzi

Depressive Talk

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When clients with stress and depression come to see me for NLP therapy at my NLP, hypnotherapy and CBT therapy practice in Aldbury Hertfordshire, the first and most important step in therapy is for the client to learn to ‘be at cause’ rather then be at ‘effect’.

Being at cause basically means taking responsibility for how you feel, what you do and the results you get. If you opt to live your life at effect (which is how clients tend to be existing when they first come to see me) how you feel will be at the whim of other people and events outside of your control. Cause is greater then effect, understanding and putting this into action makes for an incredibly empowered life.

So, how does this relate to overcoming depression?
As an NLP therapist, in Aldbury, Hertfordshire, one of the questions I would put to a depressed client is – How are you depressing yourself? The aim of this question is to begin to guide the client to identify the depressed way in which they communicate to themselves (this also places the client at cause).

This is because, depressed people communicate to themselves in ways that are different to happy people. Depressed people tend to use negative self-talk, remember negative aspects of experiences and experience automatic negative thoughts that they say to themselves in specific situations. These thinking habits sustain depression. If you are depressed, you will find your self-evaluations will be critical, feeding low self-esteem. For example, when a mistake occurs, the depressed person may think “I knew it, I’m useless and cant do anything right.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Neuro-Linguistic-Programming (NLP) are cognitive therapies available in Aldbury, Hertfordshire. They are very effective at helping you to identify and overcome negative thinking habits. Cognitive techniques are based on the philosophy that the content of our thoughts have a major influence on our emotions and behaviour. Through cognitive and NLP therapy, it is possible to learn ways to eradicate or manage the types of thoughts you have, which means that the state of mind they sustain, can be resolved. CBT and NLP are solution-focused techniques that focus on the ‘here and now’. Unlike, other talking therapies, the focus is not on the cause of your distress in the past, rather you will learn to improve your state of mind right now. This is achieved by learning to communicate to yourself in new positive and adaptive ways.

Can Acid Reflux Cause Dental Erosion?

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My teeth started to feel weird – like the enamel on them was wearing out. The smooth feeling I normally felt when my tongue pressed against the inside of my bottom teeth felt rough, and my tongue began to hurt from constantly rubbing against them. I was afraid to bite down on anything hard for fear they might break. And then one day a tooth did break.

The dentist suggested I get veneers but I couldn’t afford any kind of cosmetic cover-up, so I had to find other solutions to help me take better care of my teeth.

My teeth were also very sensitive – especially when eating or drinking cold things. The dentist repaired the tooth then suggested I use a sensitivity toothpaste with fluoride. After about a week of using it, the sensitivity disappeared but my teeth still felt very vulnerable and rough.

If you’re an Acid Reflux sufferer like I used to be, the following is information you absolutely need to know that will help you safeguard and protect your teeth from further dental erosion:

The Cause:

  • Dental erosion occurs when acid destroys your teeth. The minerals needed to keep teeth healthy are removed. This can be caused by an array of acidic elements found in foods, beverages, alcohol, drugs, medications – even the air. People who who work with acidic chemicals are especially vulnerable.
  • Any acid that is either consumed, inhaled, regurgitated or placed in your mouth can cause dental erosion, which then leads to decay and other dental problems.
  • Acid Reflux or Gerd is a major contributor to dental erosion. It not only erodes your esophagus, but it can also erode your teeth. This occurs when stomach acid makes contact with your teeth, especially when you’re sleeping.
  • Chew able acidic medications and vitamins such as asprin and Vitamin C also add to dental erosion.

What to do:

  • Give your teeth a break between eating acidic foods to allow them to re-mineralize.
  • If your teeth are sensitive, use a sensitivity toothpaste with fluoride. There are many kinds out there and they really help. It only takes about a week for you to really notice the difference.
  • When drinking acidic drinks, use a straw. It helps keep the acid away from your teeth.
  • Rinse your mouth out after eating or drinking acidic foods and beverages. If your mouth is especially acidic, drink milk which helps neutralize the stomach acids. Antacids work too.
  • Use a softer tooth brush, and toothpaste with no abrasives in it.
  • Opt for medications or vitamins you just swallow, rather than chew.
  • If you have a habit of grinding your teeth – quit, or get help so you can.
  • Chew gum to increase your salivary flow which breaks down the acid in your mouth.
  • Use good dental hygiene. Brush after every meal and especially after eating or drinking acidic foods.

Some Facts to Know About Home Health Care Nursing

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Having a home health care nurse is one of the new concepts in the health industry, which is rapidly picking fame. Through home health care, the patient’s privacy is maintained and even the family is released from the hassle of taking the patient to the hospital again and again for routine checkups. Home health care nurse services are best suited for people suffering from fatal illness, permanent or temporary disability, or prolonged health issues.

According to a survey nearly 7 million people require nurses for in home care. Until a couple of years back, nurses were needed only in hospitals, nursing centers, or high class living centers. However, today the need of nurses has taken a 360 degree twist. The nurses are no longer only required in the above stated places, in fact, families having members as patients demand receiving nurse care at their home. The nurses associated with home health care are allowed to practice nursing at homes, only after undergoing academic training.

Families also prefer hiring only those nurses that come with a sufficient amount of qualification and experience of several years. With time, several changes have been made in home health care. Now, a very secure home health care is provided to the families. Today, insurance is provided and proper documentation is also done between the nursing agency and the family. Also, with technological advancement in the medical field, now patients do not need to stay admitted in the hospital for long. They can easily shift home under the care of home heath nursing services.

Home health nurses come with an number of skills.They do not only treat the patients, but they also educate them regarding their illness. Also, they are looked upon to provide emotional support to the patients. From taking care of injured or sick young children, women who have recently given child birth, looking after the elderly, and all other patients suffering chronic diseases, nurses today can be looked upon for nearly every disease, injury, or other kind of treatment. Health care nurses are also capable of taking care of the patient in any particular setting. It is very important for the nurse to have strong communication skills. She should also come with the flexibility to adopt any kind of culture and customs that the family follows. If you are thinking of having a career in home health care nursing, then you should not waste more time and just get into it. The demand for nursing is said to increase by 10% in the coming future.

Are Swollen Testicles Testicular Cancer? Are Lumps, Cysts & Swollen Scrotum Cancer?

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Are you here after noticing you’re testicles swelling. Although not normally a reason for concern, it is however always a good idea to check out something that bothers you, and especially more so if it is linked to a health matter.

First you’re not to panic because you have swollen testicles; because there may be a perfectly simple explanation why they have swelled up. Let us look at some of the possible causes that could have give reason for this problem. Some causes we associate with swollen testicles are Hydrocele, Varicocele, and cysts. A reasonable explanation for why testicles swell is due to build up of harmless fluids, which when you think about it accounts for the way they look “full and heavy.” Swollen testicles on the other hand can also be a symptom of testicular cancer.

Hydrocele is common in newborn infants and the elderly but can also affect any age group. It happens as a result of fluids stocking up between the two membranes that cover the testicles. One or both testicles can swell. This specific condition shows swelling gradually increase over the weeks and running into months. Swelling does not normally bring pain to the patient. If the testicles appear chronically swollen, medical intervention may be necessary. Pressure causing the testicles to swell will need releasing. To do this may include withdrawing fluid out of the testicular membrane using a fine needle. (fine needle aspiration can be painful process.)

Testicular cysts, also known as spermatocele are fluid-filled cysts that develop on the epididymis. Spermatocele contain sperm and normally show on the top section of the epdidymis. As like hydrocele, testicular cysts are not known to cause pain, and the good news about genital cysts is they do not typically require treatment. Having said this there are particular cysts that might need surgery. Surgery or needle aspiration might be imminent if the spermatocele is big and affecting the look of the scrotum.

Varicocele another cause behind swollen testicles developing. This happens when blood flow inside the spermatic cord veins becomes thwarted, resulting in a swollen scrotum. When standing erect the swollen veins in the scrotum may feel like a “bag of worms.” Not a nice description but the best that can be given. Swelling of the scrotum appears not as severe when the man is lying flat on his back. 15% of the male species at some point in their lives will experience an episode of this. It is not a dangerous condition; however one associated with 35 percent of male infertility cases. Surgery is normally only carried out to correct this condition if fertility is giving cause for concern. It is important to have your GP check you over so you can eliminate the possibility of it being testicular cancer

Swelling of the scrotum has in some cases been seen as a symptom of testicular cancer. However not all cases of a swollen scrotum is, it is more likely the outcome of another disorder.

Symptoms

The primary symptom of testicular cancer is a lump, irregularity or swelling in one testicle. Other likely symptoms include:

A pulling feeling or strange heaviness in the scrotum

A dull throbbing in the groin/lower abdomen

Odd pain spasms in the testicle or scrotum

Tenderness or enlargement of tissue around the breast

A sudden flood of fluid in the scrotum

Although the symptoms above have been pointed out as signs of testicular cancer, they do not always mean that is is testicular cancer. Nevertheless see your doctor if you are concerned about any symptoms akin to the ones mentioned. Lower back pain, stomach pain or cough are other symptoms to look out for, which are known as a first sign.

Causes

Men born with a stubborn testicle which remains in the abdominal cavity rather than sliding into the scrotum may be at greater risk of developing testicular cancer.

Having a male family member who has had testicular cancer.

Fertility issues.

Having an uncommon complication of mumps called orchitis (testicle swelling and soreness.)

It is important to point out that having a vasectomy or injury to the testicles does not cause testicular cancer.

Diagnosis

We all see and feel lumps from time to time on the body, and even those in the scrotum nearly always turn out to be harmless Nonetheless if you have one or more of the symptoms above, seek medical advice. A physical examination may be performed by your doctor who may refer you to an urologist, a specialist specializing in the urinary organ. An ultrasound scan could be suggested so your GP can examine your testicles closer. If the ultrasound scan indicates signs of cancer, a surgical method called a biopsy will be done to clarify the finding. The biopsy will help determine what type of cancer has been detected. The biopsy will include removing a small amount of the tumor for further testing under a microscope in a laboratory. If the biopsy confirms cancer the doctor will remove the affected part of the testicle.

The upsetting thing about cancer is, it cannot be prevented; however you can reduce the threats that put you at risk for particular cancers. Sadly testicular cancer is not a cancer you can help reduce the risks because the usual risk factors are out of man’s jurisdiction, and they include age, race, and conditions occurring at birth. Hearing this is good reason for any man to feel despondent but you are not to let this happen. Stop despondency, and for overall healthy follow a healthy diet that will give your body the essential nutrients it needs, and take up exercise. This alone will make you feel good. A healthy body has more power to fight illness and disease if it is in good shape.

The best advice to all fella’s is, we are all scared and this doesn’t make you any less of a man if you’re feared. You may well be able to hold your own up against the next guy in a punch up but trying to fight something you can’t see then its game over. Let your GP do the fighting. You can only win this battle the quicker your GP knows about it. Seek medical help sooner than later, it makes sense if you want to beat this.