When teenagers and women get their ears pierced, it is not uncommon for infections to occur. Even from a small opening, bacteria entering the body require immediate attention.

When you decide to have your ears pierced, know that there is risk involved. Many don’t think about it because it is such a simple procedure, but you are introducing a foreign object into your body. Whether the earring is 24-karat gold or surgical steel, it is still not part of your natural tissue.

The earlobe is different from the cartilaginous portion of the ear when it comes to the incidence of infection. Most piercings take place in the lobe of the ear, where the blood supply is rich. When piercings are done further up the ear, the blood supply is not as good in the cartilage, and it needs to pull blood from nearby vessels, which can create a more extensive infection if it occurs there.

Even with precautions an infection can still occur. Here are some steps that you can take to clear up an infection from ear piercing:

* Remove the earring – This is advised when the ear is not newly pierced. If it is, removing the piercing can seal the infection in the ear tissue, which can stem the source of the infection.

* Cover the ear in a solution of salt – Using balanced salt solution or Epsom salts will flush the wound and promote healing. Do this at least twice a day.

* Squeeze the ear – This might be painful, but it is necessary to remove any pus and bacteria from the ear that is forming. Constantly removing infected fluid and irrigating with salt solution will clean it out.

* Use warm compresses – They will bring more blood supply to the area to speed healing. Try it twice a day for several minutes. Be sure to completely dry the ear afterwards. Bacteria love moist places and you don’t want to spread the infection.

* Apply antibiotic ointment – This ointment can seal the wounds and keep other bacteria out. Just apply a small amount around both sides of your ear.

* Continue to turn your earrings daily – The infection has interrupted the healing process. As it is stopped, the ear will recommence closing. Turning the studs will prevent the tissue from attaching to the piercing.

* See a doctor – If the infection seems to be getting worse instead of better after a few days of at-home treatment, seek medical attention. A doctor can prescribe an oral antibiotic for more aggressive bacteria.

An infection doesn’t have to stop you from enjoying pierced ears. Wear pure metal earrings to avoid allergic reactions that can contribute to an increased risk of infection.

It can be embarrassing to be wearing dark-colored clothing and have someone wipe white flakes off your shoulder. This is the result of dandruff, but it can be controlled.

What Is Dandruff?

Dandruff is actually dead skin that is sloughing off your scalp. Like skin cells on the rest of your body, the uppermost layer dies and the cells are removed, without anyone noticing. However, with dandruff, there is dryness there as well, which makes the dead skin more noticeable.

According to the experts, the cells of the skin go through a cycle in which they are renewed every 45 days. In people with dandruff, this cycle occurs more quickly than normal. Because the sloughing cells lose moisture and are thicker is one reason that they can be seen. The loss of moisture can make your scalp itch, which aids in the visibility of these clumps of dead cells.

No one is certain as to the root cause of dandruff, but there are several speculations. One is stress. It is a fact that stress in excess can alter your body chemistry and lead to a change in hormonal cycles. This abnormal skin cycle can also lead to an increase in skin flora. These microorganisms can break down the oil in sebaceous glands, causing inflammation on the scalp, causing itching and scratching.

How to Get Rid of Dandruff

It can be quite embarrassing to have to scratch your head in public or wipe flakes off your clothing. Still, it is not proven to lead to baldness. Constant harsh scratching can do damage to the skin of your scalp, however. Taking care of dandruff when you notice it is the best course of action. Here are some tips:

* Wash your hair often – Washing the hair gets rid of excess oils, which are a breeding ground for skin flora and irritation.

* Try dandruff shampoo – This can restore moisture to the scalp while removing flakes and stopping the itch. Allow the shampoo to penetrate the hair shaft before rinsing. Repeat a couple of times.

* Add oil to the scalp – Adding a little bit of oil can make it easier to remove dandruff without more irritation. The clumps of dead skin will cling to the oil and you can brush them from your hair.

* Talk to a dermatologist – Even though dandruff is not dangerous, consulting a professional can ensure that nothing else is wrong with your scalp.

There are some steps you can take to reduce the incidence of dandruff, thereby keeping it under control.

Gambling can become an addiction just like drugs and alcohol. The only way to get a handle on this type of addiction is to seek help.

Signs of Gambling Addiction

It is not uncommon for someone to gamble, especially if you are vacationing in Las Vegas or Atlantic City. Gambling in a casino is one of those things that most people want to try once.

You may notice that the machines are brightly lit and the tables are sparkling, all to attract the eye. As you sit at the slot machines or go to the blackjack table, be prepared. Know how much money you are prepared to spend before you go to the table. It is all too easy to spend all the money in your pocket to recoup a loss or increase a win.

If you don’t believe that, try a slot machine. Even a penny slot machine can sap all of your money without you realizing that you are constantly feeding the machine. It can be a scary experience once you realize what you have done, but gamblers with an addiction don’t reach that point. Instead, they use self-deception to delude themselves into thinking that they will stop when they get enough money, but that point never seems to come.

Here are a few of the signs that gambling has become more than a passing experience:

* Constantly thinking about gambling
* Days absent from work to gamble
* Irritability when they can’t gamble
* Shirking responsibilities to go to the casino
* Lying to family and friends to get money
* Things are missing around the house (the gambler has sold them for cash)
* Financial problems (the gambler has dipped into household funds for their habit)

A gambler will do whatever it takes to get the money they need to feed their habit. They may feel momentary remorse, but it is short-lived. They have lost control over their addiction and that can lead to violence and even incarceration.

Getting Help

You need help to break that addiction. Here are some resources that you or a loved one can use:

* Therapy – Therapy sessions can help a gambler realize what they are doing. They show the gambler concrete evidence of what they are doing to themselves and their family.

* Gamblers Anonymous – When gamblers express their desire to get out of their present predicament, meeting with other gamblers can help them to realize they are not alone.

* Psychiatric care – This type of therapy can consist of behavioral modification or cognitive behavioral therapy to help fight the urge to gamble.

Getting help for gambling addiction is not easy. It requires a commitment from you, your family and friends to be there for support and tough love.

With legalization in many states and casinos everywhere, gambling has become more of a problem in today’s society. People have more access to gambling, but it becomes an addiction for some.

If you have ever been to a carnival and played a game that you believed to be a scam, but you played anyway, you will remember that before you knew it, you were so obsessed with getting the prize that you spent a lot of money and then left without your money or the prize.

This is a part of the addiction of gambling. Depending on the game you like to play, the chance of winning with each throw, turn of the cards or pull of the handle sends adrenaline pumping through your system. It’s like exercise in how the body reacts as endorphins are released from the brain, creating a euphoric state.

As human beings, we often want what will make us feel good. For some, that feeling comes when they gamble and they want more of it. Unfortunately, unless the person is lucky at cards, gambling can become an expensive addiction very quickly.

Causes of Gambling Addiction

Here are some reasons why gambling can become an addiction for some. Certain personality traits and lifestyles are more prone to addiction than others:

* Depression – Depressive or anxious personalities can develop gambling problems. As we said, it creates a euphoric condition as adrenaline gets going with each new game. It is like a drug that cuts through that depression for a moment, but the problem is that you want more of it at any cost.

* Debt – The lure of easy money and the specter of debt hanging on your shoulder can lead to gambling addiction. This is especially true if you have a few wins under your belt. You keep on gambling to get the money you need to beat your debt, but often you can’t stop there and instead you incur more debt once the winning streak is over.

* Emotional pain – Gambling can become an escape from pressures at home or at work. As you win, people are cheering for you. As you feel good about yourself and something that you can do, you keep at it. When you lose, you keep playing to reach that high again.

Once the lure of gambling has taken hold, an addict will do whatever they need to do to get more money to feed their addiction. It is just like drugs, alcohol and other addictions. The addict will lie, cheat, steal, embezzle and even borrow to get more money. At this point, they are going for the feeling. They want to win, but even winning won’t stop them from gambling.

Before you try gambling, know the possible causes and dangers of a gambling addiction.

Toxins arise from many different sources. Not only do we have to look for unwanted chemicals in our food and in the air we breathe, but also in the clothing we wear.

Most people don’t give a second look to the make-up of their clothing. The different fiber materials used to make clothing don’t come only from organic sources.

Newer fabrics are created to move with you but not to show signs of wear and tear, such as wrinkle-free fabrics created by chemical processing. Fabrics that stretch, clothing that breathes and garments that can be rolled up without sustaining a wrinkle are all treated chemically.

These chemicals can be toxic to your health as you are exposed to them over time. The process of making these fabrics do what we need them to do often requires the use of some industrial-strength chemicals, which are retained in the fabrics that are manufactured.

For people who are sensitive to chemicals, wearing certain fabrics can make them itchy or feel bad for seemingly no reason. Here is a short list of some of the types of materials that you might want to avoid:

* Polyester
* Rayon
* Acrylic
* Nylon
* Acetate

Also try to avoid any clothing that says it is stain resistant, wrinkle resistant, resists static or repels anything. This indicates that the fabric has been chemically treated.  Instead, try to use untreated organic fabrics such as:

* Cotton
* Silk
* Wool
* Hemp
* Linen

Some of these fabrics are more expensive, but the fibers are stronger and will last longer. To combat wrinkles, get your steam iron back out and use heat to remove wrinkles instead of chemicals.

If you are chemically sensitive or environmentally conscious, allow that to extend to your clothing as well.

Steroids, such as anabolic steroids, have been used for years by athletes who want to enhance their performance. They are illegal owing to their dangerous side effects they have on the body.

Even though steroid use is banned and not recommended, athletes are still using them because of the results that they get. Anabolic steroids mimic the effects of steroids manufactured by the human body. The most powerful steroid in the body is testosterone. The body uses steroids to alleviate stress and promote growth.

The human body is a tool that we can fine tune with exercise and eating right. The right amount of steroids is released as the body needs them. Introducing more steroids through pills and injections, which are synthetic compounds that mimic natural steroids, overloads the body and can affect it in other ways.

Those who use steroids will notice that the same workout will give them more results and, they can work out longer, but what is not clear is what happens to the rest of the body because of steroid use.

Signs of Steroid Use

One of the most mentioned signs of steroid use are anger issues. Increased levels of testosterone lead to increased aggression in both men and women. Over time you will notice mood swings, paranoia and delusions that can lead to uncharacteristic behavior.

Other signs of steroid use include increased risk of cancer, stroke, heart attack, growth problems, nausea and vomiting, urinary problems, hair loss, depression and sleep problems. The person who is taking steroids may notice that there are issues with their workouts and the resulting performance in their sports.

The use of steroids increases endurance and with that comes overtraining, which can result in aching joints, high blood pressure, trembling, muscle and skeletal injuries. This factors into poorer performances even though the athlete is using steroids.

Female Side Effects of Steroids

Steroids are not just taken by men. Some female athletes also try steroids to enhance their performances. The female body does contain some testosterone in smaller amounts, but it is there.

For women, prolonged steroid use can result in many male characteristics occurring within the body. This includes, but is not limited to a deeper voice, hair growth in areas that are specific to men (on the chest and face), changes in menstrual cycle and loss of female characteristics (breast shrinkage).

Male Side Effects of Steroids

For men, there are other side effects in addition to aggression, which include the appearance of female characteristics (increased breast tissue), testicular shrinkage, impotence, sterility and painful urination.

Owing to the results that one gets from using them, steroids are addictive and they can stay in the body from a few months up to a few years.

If you are feeling run down, maybe the fast pace of your life leaves you wanting to get into bed when you arrive home. Here are some ways to get more energy into your life.

If you sometimes wish that there were more than twenty-four hours in a day, the problem could be your energy levels and you may need is an energy boost. Here are some ways that you can increase energy and get more out of your life each day:

* Change your diet – You could be eating the wrong foods. To gain energy, try to eat more antioxidant-rich foods. Antioxidants fight stress, which is known to sap your energy. Also try high fiber foods, which will clean your digestive tract.

* Vary your routine – Doing the same thing every day can become mundane. Walk the stairs instead of taking the elevator. Drive home by a different route. Breaks in the daily grind can give you a refreshed attitude.

* Exercise – Exercise releases endorphins. These are the body’s “feel good” pills. You will get a burst of energy and maintain a healthy weight in the process. Exercise also helps you to sleep better.

* Sleep – We always think of sleep last of all, but it is sleep that helps us get set for the next day. During sleep the body rejuvenates and repairs itself. Try to get eight hours a night. When you shorten your sleep cycle, you could be shortening your life span overall. Without proper rest, the body will be sluggish to begin with.

* Drink water – Dehydration can lead to a loss of energy. Each person needs at least eight glasses of water each day and if you ensure that you consume that amount of water, you can increase your energy levels.

* Try caffeine – Caffeine is not recommended in all situations, but you can use it to fight occasional slumps in your day. Try a cup of strong coffee or a caffeinated soda to help you recover.

* Take a power nap – Everyone’s talking about them. Especially after lunch, the body needs a little break to get going again. Instead of fighting it, give in. Taking a ten or fifteen-minute power nap can help your brain refocus and remain alert for the rest of the day.

* Take a walk – We already talked about exercise. This is a walk at lunch or to the water cooler to give your body a jolt. A little light conversation can also help you get back on track.

Try these suggestions to get going again even in the middle of the day.

Chewing bubble gum and blowing bubbles used to be a favorite pastime for children, but all of that sugar was a disaster for their teeth.  Is sugar-free gum any better?

First, let’s state the difference between bubble gum and chewing gum. Bubble gum is used for blowing bubbles and the flavor lasts only for a little while and then the gum gets stale. At that point, children take another piece.

All of the sugar in the mouth combines with acids to promote the growth of bacteria that are harmful to teeth, which lead to tooth decay in children and adults.

Chewing gum is for just that – chewing. It usually holds its flavor longer and most people have turned to chewing gum as a result of the tooth problems that are caused by bubble gum.

The Benefits of Chewing Gum

Chewing gum comes in two varieties: sugar and sugar-free. You see more varieties of sugar-free gum on the market today because many sugar-free gums contain xylitol, a sugar substitute made from natural products. Unlike sugar, it does not stimulate the growth of harmful bacteria in the mouth.

In fact, chewing sugarless gum with xylitol actually helps to protect the teeth from decay. It also helps to refresh your breath. Chewing it after eating can restore a pleasant smell to your breath.

Gum has been chewed by people after gastrointestinal surgeries to speed recovery. The process of chewing increases saliva production. This in turn stimulates hormones in the bowel and helps return bowel function to normal after a surgical procedure.

Gum can also increase your metabolism. Chewing on gum can burn about ten more calories an hour. The jaws also get a workout and the muscles learn to stretch more.

If you have an upset stomach, you might reach for the bicarbonate or the ginger ale, but try a piece of gum. Chewing on gum can increase saliva to help neutralize the rising stomach acid.

And don’t forget the fact that chewing gum keeps your ears from popping on the plane.

If you are not you chewing sugar-free gum, it might be a good time to start. There are many benefits you could be missing out on.

It never feels good when you just can’t keep your eyes open anymore and it’s only two o’clock in the afternoon. Power napping is the newest consideration in the area of office productivity. The concept has been around for a long time, but now it is more widely accepted as a practice. Power napping is one of the most effective ways to help you get a second wind on a busy day. It doesn’t take as much time as you think and you can do it on your lunch hour.

Causes of Sleeplessness

The human body needs about eight hours of sleep a night. Most people don’t get that much, usually between six and eight hours. When you don’t get enough sleep, the body doesn’t have time to repair itself properly. This can lead to irritability, increased stress and decreased productivity. It can also lower your life expectancy.

However, when you get too much sleep, nine or more hours, it can leave you feeling tired even though you have just slept all night.

Benefits of a Nap

Afternoon naps are widely accepted for children, but not for adults. The fact is that after eight hours of moving around, the body needs a rest, and adult bodies need one, too. That is where the power nap comes in.

Here are just a few benefits of taking a midday break:

* Increased productivity – When your body starts to wind down, your brain begins to shut down. It is hard to keep working at your previous pace. Once energized after a nap, you can perform just as well as you did when you first arrived at the office.

* Increased focus – We’ve talked about the brain shutting down. It starts wandering around when we get tired. The words you need to finish that report are floating around just beyond your reach, especially after lunch. That can change with a power nap.

* Less stress – When we are tired, our fuses get shorter. We are more likely to lash out at others or overreact to a simple situation. To regain your composure and your level of well-being, a brief respite could be what you need.

The Ideal Power Nap

The ideal power nap is between 15 and 30 minutes. Find a quiet place like your car, or your office if you have a door. Turn the light down low to induce a sleep cycle. Close your eyes and relax.

The best time to power nap is when you begin to feel sleepy. You are already relaxing. If you need to, set an alarm so that you don’t oversleep.

Power napping is one way to re-energize your body midway through your day. Maybe you can’t take a long nap like you did when you were a child, but you can still catch a few beneficial winks.

What Is Restless Leg Syndrome?

Restless leg syndrome or RLS is the term used to describe the movement of your legs when your body is at rest. Those who have this condition often say that they have an uncontrollable urge to move their legs even though they want to go to sleep.

The only thing that seems to make the legs feel better is to move them, but if it is midnight, you would rather be asleep than walking around.

Millions of people are affected by this condition. While some have inherited it, the incidence of RLS can increase as you get older. In any case, as the day winds down, your legs are just ramping up. If you have been experiencing this, it’s time to get help.

There are many different words used to describe the sensation, but here are just a few:

* Crawling
* Tingling
* Pain
* Electric feeling
* Tension
* Itching
* Burning
* Creeping feeling.

This occurs throughout the entire leg. It is often felt in the calves and thighs. Some people even feel these sensations in their feet and hands.

No one exactly knows why restless leg syndrome occurs. It is believed by researchers to be linked to the level of certain neurotransmitters in the brain, specifically dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that controls muscle movement in the body. Low levels of it are believed to lead to problems like this.

You can reduce the incidence of discomfort in your legs with a few tips:

* Get exercise. Muscles change and grow as they respond to stress placed upon them. This is what happens when you get your body pumping with exercise like aerobics and weight training. The muscles need time to rest and repair after a good workout, and this can lead to a calmer night for you.

* Avoid caffeine and other stimulants. If you need to feel refreshed in the morning then have a cup of coffee, but try to avoid drinking it too late in the afternoon. Caffeine can over stimulate you and even increase your leg movement at night.

* Engage your mind. If your body has to sit, then let the mind stay busy. In the evenings, try reading a stimulating book, engage in a little “neur-obics” with crossword puzzles, or try a hobby such as sewing, model building or painting.

* Take a relaxing bath. Muscles become more pliable and relaxed in the presence of warmth. Try a nightly soak in the bathtub with infusions of lavender or chamomile. Both are herbs that are used to relax the body. Give those legs a good rub as well to settle them down.

Restless leg syndrome can disrupt your sleep cycle and your entire life. Use the tips above to help alleviate as many symptoms as you can to get your life back under control.