Health

You may know someone who is going through counseling and therapy for a dilemma or issue they are facing. You may even have had the chance to experience counseling and therapy first-hand, but perhaps you felt that the process wasn’t particularly beneficial to you. One reason is that you may not have had the best therapist or counselor who had your real interests and well-being in mind. But whatever impression or idea you have about counseling and therapy, one thing’s for sure: it can be a tool and stepping-stone for you to have a better life and emotional wellness. If you are unsure of how counseling works and how it can really help you, here’s what you need to know.

The process: how it works

In counseling, the counselor or therapist and the client will explore various situations where the client feels dissatisfied or has difficulties. If you are experiencing emotional pain, for instance, or if you are under stress, you and your counselor can talk about your feelings and emotions as a way of processing whatever it is you are going through. The process starts when the counselor asks you about whatever it is that is bothering you or whatever it is that you are dissatisfied with and gives you a chance to talk about the problem. Through the process, your counselor will be able to gain a better understanding of how your problem or issue is affecting you. In turn, you will be able to gain better insight into your dilemma or concern as well. You and your counselor can then begin exploring new avenues and processes in dealing with the issue, and you can also begin to assess and examine patterns and processes which are related to your concerns. Additionally, you and your counselor can begin exploring new thought processes and patterns in order to address and resolve the issue.

Your comfort is essential

When you go through therapy and counseling, it is essential that you are truly comfortable with the process and how it is going. For this reason, you should not be afraid to let your counselor or therapist know if you have any discomfort or concerns. In the same vein, you should feel comfortable enough during your sessions to ask whatever questions you have in mind. The mere act of asking questions may even help you move forward in a more significant and emotionally satisfying way. What you should remember is this: with proper counseling and therapy, you should have a good and productive relationship with your counselor or therapist. The counselor or therapist should be open to whatever questions or concerns you have, and no question is too simple or complex. In fact, the more questions you have, the more your counselor or therapist should welcome it, as it can also help them help you better.

A good counselor or therapist will also know that there may be times when talking about a specific problem or dilemma can be painful or uncomfortable – and this is why they will set a pace which is comfortable to you and which is according to your comfort level.

Good therapy and counseling should always be geared towards finding solutions for whatever you are facing or feeling. Your comfort comes first, and you should always feel that you are getting the consideration you need. You need to feel safe with your counselor, and this also comes with a feeling of trust. In finding the right therapist and counselor, think about these factors, and you should be well on your way to finding the solution (and answers) you need.

Authored by: Clinical Staff Contributor

Having a healthy heart and good blood pressure overall might be something a lot of us take for granted, but I’m certainly not one of them. In fact, I have unfortunately been dealing with blood pressure issues for most of my life. Some things work for me, and others just come up short.

I have been looking around for something that could possibly work for me overall, and nothing over the counter was really doing the trick. After hearing about StrictionBP, I knew I needed to give it a try and see if the great reviews were actually true.

How I Came Across StrictionBP

It was fate, as some would say, that I found out about StrictionBP. I was doing some shopping for other supplements that might be able to fit into my lifestyle at my local GNC store. I did not think that I would actually find something for blood pressure there. Sure enough, I came across StrictionBP on a GNC store shelf and decided to take a mental note of the product.

Once I got home I decided to look online for StrictionBP reviews. I saw that plenty of people were having success with it. I specifically found Bill Michelon’s review and Ian at TagWorld.com’s review super helpful. It just made sense to me after all my research to go ahead and make a purchase. Maybe this was finally the solution I was looking for!

Benefits I Saw From Using StrictionBP

Right away, I felt like I was getting healthier overall. Maybe this was a bit because I was also changing my diet at the time, but I could tell the way I was feeling wasn’t due to diet alone. I knew StrictionBP was helping.

Blood pressure problems usually involve the heart as well. I knew that if I continued to let things get out of hand, there is a chance that I was going to be facing some serious health issues down the road. I certainly do not want that, which is why StrictionBP really fits into my lifestyle right now.

How Much Did StrictionBP Cost Me?

I knew that after my initial discovery at GNC that I was not going to have to pay a ton of money for a month’s supply of StrictionBP. It was pretty competitively priced for just one bottle, coming in at under $50. It was almost the same price at GNC, so it comes down to personal preference on where a person wants to do their shopping.

If a person really likes the supplement, there is always the option of ordering in bulk. The discount can be significant if purchased in bulk, so keep that in mind. However, bulk pricing only applies to orders made through the official manufacturer’s website: https://www.optimal-health.com/product-info.php?name=strictionbp.

My Overall Review of StrictionBP

It’s been a little over a month now since I made my first purchase of StrictionBP. Overall, I am very satisfied with my results. It seems like the company really did a good job of making sure that so many different things were tackled in one supplement. What I like most is that it feels like a true overall supplement instead of something that is just tailor-made for my specific issues. Even though it does a great job of tackling blood pressure, it also just keeps me healthier in general.

Anyone who is suffering with blood pressure issues should definitely give the supplement a try. It is much more affordable then other options out there, and there’s no prescription needed. A person can start to feel better overall in just a few weeks.

You have probably already heard it a hundred times – a food supplement that is so effective, it is considered a miracle worker and that all of the doctors hate it. Unfortunately, for all the hot air that most food supplements expend to try to get you to purchase them, their patented formulas are generally less than stellar. However, there are certain natural remedies available that are worth looking into; CBD Oil is one of them.

Also known as cannabidiol oil, it is one of the compounds present in marijuana and is completely safe to ingest. As a matter of fact, there are companies out there utilising CBD oil as a liquid for vaping. If you are curious about why CBD oil UK retailers supply is growing in popularity, here are just a few reasons why it is worth looking into.

CBD oil treats anxiety and depression

Unfortunately, the treatment of anxiety and depression tends to vary depending on the person, and the side effects often associated with pharmaceutical drugs used to treat anxiety can sometimes make the problem worse. CBD oil is known to treat the symptoms associated with these psychological disorders, and the results of utilising the oil for treatment have had promising results.

The fact that it is a natural supplement has also proven to be a factor in helping some individuals feel better about taking it to treat anxiety. The best part is it does not hurt to try it as an antidepressant, as CBD oil has no severe side-effects.

CBD oil is known to treat acne

Perhaps it is due to the anti-inflammatory properties of CBD oil, but it has been known to reduce the effects of acne. Similar to the treatment of depression, traditional medicine often comes with side-effects which could aggravate the situation. The use of cannabidiol oil is considered to be an excellent means of treating acne without having to worry about side-effects.

CBD oil reduces the risk of high blood pressure

It comes as no surprise that high blood pressure is linked to many different – and often fatal – health conditions. The use of CBD oil has been known to reduce high blood pressure, which lowers the overall risk of suffering from conditions such as stroke and heart attack.

Have there been recorded side-effects?

While there have been no severe reactions from the use of CBD oil, there have been recorded cases of side-effects from its use. These include fatigue, a change of appetite, as well as diarrhoea. Fortunately, the effects are rare, and you will likely not experience any problems using CBD oil.

While it is understandable to be hesitant regarding the use of a supplement such as CBD oil, there are plenty of reasons why it would be worth your time. If you are looking for a natural means of treating a range of different conditions from anxiety to acne without a high risk of side-effects, CBD oil could be just what the doctor ordered!

To read more on topics like this, check out the health category.

The common cold, despite the name, does not have a cure. When you come down with symptoms of a cold, you need to prepare yourself for several days of misery and plenty of rest. What you can do in the meantime is to try some well-known and effective remedies to make it a little less insufferable while you allow your body to heal and recover naturally. Here are natural remedies that can help reduce the discomfort of enduring a cold.

Turmeric and ginger tea

You may have already heard about the excellent benefits of turmeric, and many recommend drinking turmeric for colds. Scientific studies show that turmeric contains a powerful anti-oxidant called Curcumin which can help boost the immune system and reduce inflammation.

You can make turmeric tea and combine it with ginger to help soothe a sore throat and reduce further symptoms. Turmeric is also available in supplement form which you can take directly or combined with other beverages such as fruit juice mixed with a shot of turmeric and ginger.

Hydration and nutrition

When you are staying home due to a bout of cold, the best thing you can do to recover quickly is to drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious food high in vitamin C. But, hydration also means you need to stay away from coffee, alcoholic drinks, and other caffeinated drinks that can worsen dehydration. Drink water, fruit juices, and natural teas as well as eat lots of fruits to help your body combat the illness.

Increase air humidity

Decongestion is one of the most uncomfortable symptoms of a cold. It is much harder to sleep when your nose is stuffy. Adding moisture to the air in your room or home can help loosen a congested nose. There are vaporizers and humidifiers you can use along with essential oils to improve air humidity and reduce nasal congestion. If the congestion is too severe, you may also try over-the-counter nasal sprays.

Pain medication

If you are experiencing some aches and pains along with the usual symptoms of a cold, you can try pain medication like Ibuprofen. Nevertheless, you need to ensure that you are taking the proper dose or at least consult your doctor if you are taking other medicine for a chronic condition.

Over-the-counter cold medicine

Cold medication will not exactly cure the symptoms but may help relieve some discomfort like nasal congestion. There are over-the-counter cold medicines with multiple ingredients, so you still need to be careful and take them with precaution.

Probiotics

Probiotics are not necessarily a cure for cold symptoms but including them in your diet regularly can help boost the immune system and strengthen your body’s natural defence against illness. There are many nutritious and delicious sources of probiotics like yogurt which you can eat daily as a snack.

Vitamin C supplements

Similar to probiotics, taking vitamin C supplements can also help improve your immune system and reduce your risk of getting sick when it is the cold or flu season. You can drink vitamin C supplements or get your daily dose from fruits and vegetables.

To read more on topics like this, check out the health category.

We’ve all heard it said that somebody has a ‘sweet tooth.’ We may even have heard it about ourselves! Many of the foods that we enjoy most in life – ice cream, chocolate, candy – contain sugar. In some cases, it’s more sugar than our bodies would ideally like to be processing. But is it possible that we could actually become addicted to sugar, and if so, could you be a sugar addict yourself?

You may think that the idea of being a sugar addict is absurd. We tend to think of addicts as people who are hooked on drugs, alcohol or gambling; habits that can destroy lives if they get out of control. Sugar is legal to purchase and present in so many of our foods that we think of it as being mostly harmless. We know we should avoid eating too much of it because it’s bad for our teeth, but as far as most of us are concerned, that’s as harmful as a sweet tooth can get.

Put that thought to one side for a moment, and consider all the ways you might ingest sugar on a daily basis. Do you have a lump of sugar in your tea or coffee? Do you drink sodas throughout the day? Do you use mayonnaise when you’re making food? How many takeaways do you eat in an average week? All of those are ways that we consume sugar without really thinking about it. And that’s before we even start talking about adding sugar to breakfast cereals, which often contain too much already.

Sugar stimulates dopamine

Happiness is a chemical process. When we do things that make us feel good, it’s because the act we’re performing releases a chemical in the brain called dopamine. Dopamine is our brain’s reward system; it releases it when we do something pleasurable. Like all chemicals though, dopamine can become addictive.

This is primarily how drink and drugs become addictive; they either trigger the release of dopamine, or they mimic its effects. To a lesser extent, the same is true of gambling. There is nothing wrong with enjoying the occasional drink or playing slot games, so long as you’re in control of the habit rather than the other way round. The occasional drink can make you more sociable. Playing slot games is excellent entertainment for a lot of people, and skilled play can bring rewards in terms of cash winnings. In the same way, a little sugar rewards you by boosting energy levels and maintaining the appearance of your skin by releasing glycolic acids. It’s only when a habit becomes excessive that it can be damaging.

Without getting too deep into the science, activities that release dopamine rewards become addictive because they make you want to feel the same way again. Whether it’s social interaction, great tasting food, a spin of the reels or an extra drink, we’re genetically predisposed to wanting a little bit more.

Signs you could be addicted to sugar

Now we’ve established that becoming addicted to sugar is possible, how do you know whether you’re at risk yourself, or even whether you’re addicted already? There are some telltale signs, and we’ll list them for you.

Do you always have a sweet course after a meal? It’s not uncommon to have dessert when you visit a restaurant, or after an evening meal, but do you find yourself consuming something sweet after something savory with every meal of the day? Do you have a cookie, an ice cream or a sugary yogurt after lunch? If so, do you think you could easily do without it? Try it and see how you get on. If you find yourself pining for your missing snack, it may be the sugar that you’re missing.

Do you find yourself eating when you’re not full? Almost everybody is guilty of this to an extent, but are you a regular ‘between meals’ eater? Do you have snacks in the fridge, cupboard or a draw at work that you snack on throughout the day? If so, what kind of snacks are they? If your go-to snack is sweet, you could be feeding yourself regular sugar hits without consciously considering your intake.

Do you use sweet food as a comforter? Nobody is happy all the time, and that’s why ‘comfort eating’ exists. When you’re feeling a little blue, do you find yourself turning to food? If so, this works just like the snacking situation we mentioned above. What kind of food do you find yourself turning to? If the answer is cake, candies or chocolate, the chances are that you’re not only indulging a sugar craving, but you’re using sugar as emotional support. That’s a clear sign of addiction, and a good reason to change your habits.

Do you get headaches if you’ve not eaten something sugary for a while? This is a withdrawal symptom, and happens in every case of addiction when an addict is denied access to whatever they’re addicted to. Your brain has become accustomed to receiving a certain level of its preferred stimulant every day, and these cravings manifest themselves as physical pain. If this sounds familiar, the good news is that the headaches and cravings will pass in a few days. You just have to force yourself to endure them for a while if you want to break free.

If you recognize yourself in any of the above scenarios, don’t panic. There are worse things you could be addicted to than sugar, but it’s never desirable to be reliant on anything to feel good, and we know from a medical point of view that too much sugar can cause diabetes. That means you’d be better off breaking free of the cycle. You don’t have to cut out sugar completely; you just have to reduce your intake to a healthier level.

Drinking water can help, as it reduces cravings. Eating a piece of fruit will often give your body the sugar it wants in a healthier way than consuming artificial sugars, because it comes from a natural product. Even taking a bath or going for a walk can help, as they take your mind off eating. Most importantly, always check the labels on your food.

We don’t want or need to live in a world without sugar, but we could all do with ingesting a little less.

If you did some research on orthodontic services, it’s likely that you encountered the term Invisalign®. What exactly does this word mean? Is it a medical term or some brand name?

If you visit an orthodontist in Woodbridge VA or some other city, for example, you can ask this question and get an unambiguous answer. However, if you prefer knowing things in advance, read on for a clear and concise explanation.

Invisalign®

Invisalign® is written with the “®” or “Circle R” symbol, which means that the term is a registered trademark. It is a brand of a custom-made dental aligner product that can be changed biweekly for a period ranging from six to eighteen months. The term Invisalign is a portmanteau created out of the words “invisible” and “align”. It is named as such because it is usually made of clear plastic; hence, it is not that conspicuous when worn.

Invisalign® provides an excellent alternative over the usual metal brackets. Using it entails the wearing of a series of customised clear plastic aligners to guide the shifting of the teeth into the desired position. The orthodontist first obtains X-rays, photos, bite outlines, and teeth and gum impressions on polyvinyl siloxane to come up with a 3D representation of the teeth. This representation serves as the basis for the custom-made clear aligners. Once the aligners are made, the orthodontist moves the teeth to the intended position by about 0.25 to 0.33 millimetres in each instance. Typically, the full treatment requires six to 48 aligners.

Created by California-based medical device maker Align Technology, Invisalign® was conceptualised by Zia Chishti while he was himself an adult orthodontic patient. He came up with the product idea as he noticed that the use of a series of retainer-like devices to effect small movements could produce a significant overall change in the position of the teeth.

Is it good?

Initially, orthodontists hesitated to use Invisalign®. One of the main reasons for this hesitation was the fact that the creators of the product were not orthodontic experts or had no relevant credentials. However, the product rose to popularity. The US Food and Drug Administration eventually approved it in 1998. According to Align Technology, more than 5 million people have already been treated with the Invisalign® system around the world. Achieving this number of users is not possible if the product does not work.

Invisalign® has the advantage over traditional braces because the aligners can be taken out when eating, drinking, brushing, and flossing. The clear plastic aligners are gentle on the gums and cheeks and don’t have hooks, springs, and other tiny parts that are prone to damage. As such, the inconveniences of using it are minimal. However, it does not address all of the dental issues that can be solved by traditional braces. It is not the right solution for severe malocclusion or bite alignment problems. It is not useful in aligning tooth roots, particularly when there are gaps involved.

Invisalign® is an effective teeth alignment solution, albeit a little more expensive compared to traditional braces. It does not solve the same range of problems braces can address, but it is effective and less cumbersome.

You might only go to your doctor to have medical tests if your job requires you to, or you are applying for a visa. You need these tests since you might not get what you want without one. However, it is important to consider getting medical tests even if you are not using the results for any transaction. You might only want to know whether you are healthy or not. Don’t feel complacent that you are feeling okay right now since things could quickly change. Your body might not show any symptoms yet, but you might already have an illness. Getting tests is the only definitive way to know if you have problems.

It is better to know now than later

You need to book a doctors appointment now and go through the tests for early detection. Several people have survived a deadly disease because of early detection. For instance, early detection can help prevent cancer cells from spreading. If there is a need for surgery, you can schedule an operation right away. It is better to know the results now and take the necessary action to save yourself than wait until it is too late.

Results have an interpretation

When you receive the results, you need to listen to what your doctor has to say. Positive or negative test results don’t mean anything unless you understand the underlying explanation. There are also tests that come back in numbers. You will receive a legend that states whether or not you are under the normal bracket. Despite that, you still need to listen to the explanation to know your real health status.

You can sleep well at night

Sometimes, even if your body is doing okay, you end up getting sick because of stress and anxiety. You think of several negative thoughts, including your health. To let go of this issue, you need to get tested. You might be worrying for nothing. The test results will calm you down and let you sleep well. Even if the results are not favourable, it is okay. At least you know what is wrong and you can now focus on how to get well.

You can save up

Some illnesses require thorough medication that results in high expense. You need to know the results now for you to find out how much you need to spend on recovery. You can consult with your health insurance provider to determine how much they will cover for surgery, medicines and other treatments. You can even open a fundraising page if you can’t afford the expenses based on your savings and insurance. Many people around the world die from a disease not because they are in the late stage, but because they can’t afford medication.

Be courageous enough to book an appointment now and hope for the best. Once the results are ready, and you need to change your lifestyle, you need to do it. If the results were not what you were hoping for, you should take it easy and compose yourself, and then enquire about the next steps to take.

Image: Unsplash.com

You might not realise it, but hormones play a crucial part in your bodily functions. Without these hormones, you will face different illnesses, as they regulate the glands in the body. Human growth hormone or HGH is one of the most important hormones in the body. It is responsible for making you tall, and in building your bones and muscles. With HGH, human growth and development are possible.

Not everyone is lucky enough to have their bodies produce a generous amount of HGH to maintain these bodily functions. Some people need HGH therapy to inject the hormones into the body and avoid these potential illnesses.

Chronic kidney disease

The kidney is a crucial part of the body. It screens toxins and other waste the body produces. Some kidneys don’t function well because of a lack of HGH. Therefore, this therapy helps in making sure that the kidneys work well and avoid possible chronic disease.

Short bowel syndrome

It happens when the body fails to absorb the necessary nutrients. It may be due to intestinal issues or the removal of a large portion of the intestines due to surgery. With HGH, people suffering from these problems have the hope of living a normal life again.

Anxiety and depression

The production of HGH also has something to do with mental health. The brain controls all the movements of the hormones in the body. Therefore, a lack of HGH may also affect one’s mood and emotions. The therapy helps ensure that people become emotionally stable again.

Love handles

The excess fat on the side of your belly and lower back are also known as ‘love handles’. They are the most annoying fat in the body since it is not easy removing it. Even if you try hard, you can’t get rid of it. The good thing is that with HGH therapy, the body functions well, and it could lead to proper absorption and use of nutrients. Hence, you might soon get rid of that unwanted fat. Of course, you need to couple it with exercise and diet, but it helps to have this therapy available.

Heart disease and stroke

Several issues cause the existence of these problems, which are usually fatal. The therapy might help improve heart and brain functions, which could reduce the risk of suffering from these diseases. Proper blood flow is also another product of HGH therapy.

Reduced ability to think

Your mental functions may also have something to do with the hormones released by your body. When you can’t think well, you might want to consider this therapy to help improve brain functions. It does not magically make you smart, but it can at least improve your thinking processes.

HGH therapy is getting popular these days because it holds potential to cure tons of diseases. You might want to give it a try if you suffer from any of these illnesses. Given how safe it is, and several people can attest to its effectiveness, you need to consider it.

Image: Unsplash.com

For more health tips from the Vanilla Mist Blog, click here.

Chiropractors help relieve you from recurring body pain. They make the necessary “adjustments” to ensure that the body pain starts going away. You might need a couple of sessions with your chiropractor to start seeing the results.

If you are yet to seek help from a chiropractor, you need to find the right person for the job. These tips will help you land the perfect chiropractor to soothe your pain.

Get referrals

If you have friends who have sought help from chiropractors before, ask for a referral. They might tell you someone whom they are confident will do a great job. You may also ask your primary care doctor if they can give you a list of qualified chiropractors in your area.

Once you narrow your choices down, call their offices and ask for an appointment to do a consultation. You don’t need to undergo a chiropractic session right away. You can get to know your chiropractor first and see if you are comfortable asking for their service.

Check credentials

It also helps if you check the credentials of the chiropractor. A licence is vital in the selection process since it tells you that the chiropractor got approval from experts to do the job. Years of experience and training are also a part of the standards to consider. The absence of malpractice history is also a sign that you have a good chiropractor.

Specific experience

You also need to know the previous cases the chiropractor dealt with. When someone has tried dealing with different spinal health issues before, it gives you confidence that you will also get the same quality service. You will know it by interviewing the chiropractor, if they have enough knowledge on different spinal issues and understanding of potential complications.

Quality of hospital or clinic

Chiropractors might have an association with hospitals or clinics. You need to check the quality of the said medical establishment to determine if you are getting quality treatment from your chiropractor. Top-rate hospitals are a good choice as they ensure high survival rates and few complications. The location of the hospital also matters since you don’t want to make it difficult to move back and forth during sessions.

Communication style

You want someone whom you can communicate with easily. You can ask a question and get appropriate responses. It is not easy trusting a chiropractor whom you have not met before to do a procedure you might be unfamiliar with. A chiropractor who can communicate well with you, and help you feel confident in moving forward with the process is the right person for the job. You need assurance that everything will end well.

When you have screened the choices, you can choose the right chiropractor and schedule a session. You can look at a Cirencester chiropractor if you reside in the area. You need to seek help soon before things get complicated. You can’t take the pain any longer and pretend that everything is okay when it is not.