Healthy Living Blog

Asthma is an unpleasant condition, and unfortunately a very common one. Millions of people worldwide have been diagnosed with asthma, and many of them are children. In the United States, about 1/4 of all emergency room visits are asthma-related. So chances are, most of us know someone with asthma even if we do not have it ourselves.

If you, a family member or a friend has asthma, it's important to know the signs of an asthma attack. Knowing what to look for can facilitate early treatment, reducing the chance of a serious attack. Symptoms of an asthma attack include:

* Wheezing when breathing in, out, or both
* Frequent coughing
* Faster breathing
* Tightness in the chest and/or neck
* A feeling of panic
* A pale, sweaty face

Every day in our lives we experience stress.  Whether it’s at work or at home, there are so many tasks to perform and individuals to take care of that sometimes we forget to slow down and take care of ourselves.

Breathing meditation has immeasurable benefits, and is widely used to relieve the anxieties we face on an on-going basis.  It is one of the most effective way to reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and improve the immune system, and has been used for trying to stop smoking as well as other bad habits.

Meditation promotes an inner balance, well-being, and a revitalization of the mind and body.  The only requirement is that you find a quiet room.  There, you sit either on the floor or on a chair and begin the relaxation process by focusing on a sound of your own making, or an object.

Chocolate has long been a favorite cure for the sweet tooth. Our love affair with chocolate has led to the creation of innumerable snacks containing it. Unfortunately, these scrumptious snacks are usually laden with fat and sugar.

Although there has been a lot of negativity toward chocolate for many years, it's not all bad. You might be surprised to hear that dark chocolate is actually good for you. But much to the chocolate lover's delight, it's true. Study after study has extolled the health benefits of chocolate.

What Chocolate Does for Us

The power of chocolate lies in one ingredient: cocoa. Cocoa is derived from cocoa beans, which are positively loaded with a certain type of antioxidants called flavonoids. Flavonoids are found in tea, red wine and many fruits and vegetables, but cocoa contains more flavonoids than any of them.

While the combination of diet and exercise is important to maintain a healthy body, it is exercise that offers the most bang for its buck because it is conducive to an individual's overall well-being.

When a person is stressed, blood pressure rises, headaches can occur, and fatigue sets in.  Walking is perhaps the best form of exercise that can not only reduce stress and lower blood pressure, but also release endorphins which exhilarate the mind and help bring you into a balanced state.

Many people who are health-conscious may join gyms or purchase expensive equipment for home use.  However, there is one type of exercise which is completely free, and that is walking.  You can engage in walking anytime of the day, for as little or as long as you wish. 

There are several warning signs to indicate that one is having a heart attack.  Moreover, the signs may be different for men and women.

Understanding the warning signs is critical in getting help quickly.  What are the heart attack warning signs?

It may begin with discomfort in the chest such as pressure or pain.  One may also experience pain in the back, jaw, stomach, or in one or both arms.  The heart attack may cause shortness of breath or perhaps sweating, dizziness, and nausea.  These symptoms usually occur in men.

In women, while chest pain is one signal, shortness of breath, back or jaw pain, and nausea accompanied by vomiting may also be clear warning signs they are having a heart attack.