Short Circuit Panic and Anxiety with Breathing

Somewhere in my childhood I had gotten into the habit of holding my breath when confronted with challenges. I think that pattern started subconsciously and somehow helped me with physical challenges, or possibly holding the breath is energizing for the “fight or flight" response. Then one day I noticed I was holding my breath when I was in deep concentration, or emotionally upset. That moment I said why am I holding my breath—that can’t be good for me?

I remembered the emphasis my yoga teachers put on breathing, which I had always found distracting. I wanted to master the pose, the yoga asana. I wanted to look like I knew what I was doing and breathing with the movement was distracting. (Of course I was naively missing one of the central points of yoga—the integration of breathing with movement.) I did however like one Cleansing Breath technique----You 1. Breathe in deeply raising your arms over your head, 2. Keep arms raised over-head and bend forward quickly at the waist 3. Force the air out of your lungs through your mouth creating the sound HHAAAA, 4. This raises the diaphragm up into the rib cage forcefully expelling stagnant air out of the lungs. I love doing this cleansing breath it is so energizing.

What is great about this Cleansing Breath technique is it could possibly save your life. The powerful exhalation of air is quite like the Heimlich maneuver. I had the chance to try it out. While taking a vitamin supplement pill, somehow I choked and breathed the pill into my bronchial tube. After the cough settled I could feel myself wheezing and feel the pill rattle with my breathing. My first reaction is what do I do? I could not imagine how anyone could get it out. I remembered my Cleansing Breath technique.

It took several trials then I coughed up the pill. I imagine if I had gone to an emergency physician, there is a technique for suctioning things out of lungs—but I’m not sure. I am quite sure that the breath technique was actually easier and less invasive.  

Previously, I discussed the relationship between feelings of panic and anxiety and a state of acidosis in the body. While the previous article focused on food choices and meal planning to short circuit feelings of panic or anxiety, this article focuses on breathing, oxygenation, to short circuit stress, and feelings of panic and anxiety.

Acidosis is displayed through three different processes 1. Metabolic acidosis, 2. Respiratory acidosis, and 3. Lactic acidosis. Metabolic acidosis is related to the processing of food into energy, respiratory acidosis is related to utilizing oxygen in the body, and lactic acidosis is the result of muscle functioning. Let’s look at respiratory acidosis and the role of oxygen in the body.

The process of breathing is called respiration, which is the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the atmosphere and the body cells. Proper breathing helps you stay alkaline. Blood tends to be alkaline because the vital combustions taking place in the body are mostly acid in character. This alkalinity of the blood allows chemical processes to move acid from the tissues to the discharge points such as the lungs, kidneys and bowels. It is the concentration of oxygen, O2, and carbon, CO2 gasses that affect the PH of blood, and thereby breathing-rate.

The lungs oxygenate the blood and to remove waste carbon dioxide. Oxygen passes into the blood through the alveolar and capillary walls and removes carbon dioxide out of the blood. When you breathe out of balance you may produce a physical state called respiratory alkalosis, which leads to hypocapnea and symptoms of asthma and shortness of breath. Alkalosis a physical state due to accumulation of base in, or loss of acid from, the body. Hypocapnia (or hypocarbia) is defined as low CO2. Its causes, symptoms and treatment relate to hyperventilation.

Hyperventilation is over-breathing, which causes dizziness, lightheadedness, a sense of unsteadiness, and tingling around the mouth and fingertips. Hyperventilation is common and normal after aerobic exercise. Hyperventilation can be caused by metabolic disease, and anxiety. Hyperventilation caused by anxiety can be relieved by breathing in and out of a paper bag to increase the level of carbon dioxide in the blood.

Poor breathing habits rob energy and impair mental alertness. A 20% reduction in oxygen blood levels may be caused by the aging process and abnormal breathing habits. Aging can cause the rib cage and surrounding muscles get stiff making inhalation more difficult. Less elasticity and weak muscles leave stale air in the tissues of the lungs and prevents fresh oxygen from reaching the blood stream. Rapid, shallow, breathing causes poor posture and weak or stiff muscles, which leads to poor oxygen supply, respiratory disease, sluggishness, or heart disease.

Out of balance breathing patterns can create either respiratory acidosis, or alkalosis creating these symptoms:

•                Feelings of tension

•                Hyperventilation

•                Burnout

•                Headache

•                Chronic fatigue

•                Sleeping problems

•                Concentration problems

•                Anxiety and phobia

•                Panic disorder

•                Depression

•                Heart disease

It is essential no matter what age you are that you participate in consistent physical activity every day to maintain lung heath and good breathing patterns.

When we change our breathing patterns this influences the body’s millions of biochemical reactions producing more relaxing substances such as endorphins and fewer anxiety-producing ones like adrenaline and higher blood acidity. Breathing produces over 95% of your energy and drives your nervous system. 

Breathing exercises do not replace a doctor’s care. However they can be an effective part of treatment, are an effective coping skill, and are great as part of an anti-aging lifestyle. Just as having a balanced acid/alkaline diet can improve emotional well-being, knowing and responding to your oxygen needs through breathing and exercise will give you some control over feelings of panic, anxiety and stress. Breathing exercises bring the over-arching benefit of reversing the myriad problems caused by chronic stress. Purposefully slowing your breathing pattern triggers a state of relaxation and raises the body temperature.

Unbalanced breathing tends to cause the body to over react by tightening in several areas, or you might hold your breath, or breathe shallowly to try to stay emotionally in control. This only worsens the situation by creating oxygen deprivation and more tension heightening the stress response. When high anxiety becomes an every day occurrence we tend to get used to it then a distorted breathing pattern sets in and never leaves.

"Practicing regular, mindful breathing can be calming and energizing and can even help with stress-related health problems ranging from panic attacks to digestive disorders.” Andrew Weil, M.D.

Breath exercises work quickly, can be done anywhere, and take very little practice to master. There are many websites with good explanations of breathing exercises. It would be best to do a self-review and take an inventory of your lifestyle habits before starting a breathing exercise routine.

If you are older and sedentary examine how aging affects your respiratory system. Have muscles around the rib cage gotten stiff causing inhalation to become more difficult? You may want to start with chair breathing exercises challenging yourself to breathe a little deeper each day—trying to improve the elasticity of your lungs. You may push yourself to walk a little more quickly each day. You may try walking a little more quickly up hill. Remember you cannot undo a sedentary life style in a day but it is good to set reasonable challenges and attainable goals.

Many of us have sedentary careers and when the workday is done we feel exhausted and stressed out. We need to realize a big part of that exhaustion is the result of carbon dioxide build-up in the blood from a lack of fresh oxygen, a lack of deep breathing. Deep breathing exercise or physical exercise will get the proper blood oxygen-carbon dioxide balance back quicker. Life style changes that enhance the appropriate oxygen balance in the blood include: appropriate food choices that do not burden the blood with digestive acidosis, increased physical activity to eliminate lactic acidosis of the muscle tissue, and elimination of smoking behavior which contributes to respiratory acidosis. 

Learning stress relief breathing is a healthy lifestyle choice. Breathing exercises help when you’re stressed and want to think more clearly, need to release tension in your body, feel frustrated and want to slow things down, and when in the middle of an altercation you need to feel more centered.

Here are a couple of easy breath exercises

COMPLETE BREATH EXERCISES

1. Sit up straight. Exhale. 2. Inhale and, at the same time, relax the belly muscles. Feel as though the belly is filling with air. 
3. After filling the belly, keep inhaling. Fill up the middle of your chest. Feel your chest and rib cage expand. 
4. Hold the breath in for a moment, and then begin to exhale as slowly as possible. 
5.  As the air is slowly let out, relax your chest and rib cage. Begin to pull your belly in to force out the remaining breath. 
6. Close your eyes, and concentrate on your breathing. 
7.  Relax your face and mind. 
8.  Let everything go. 
9.  Practice about 5 minutes.

•                


HUMMING BREATH EXERCISES

Follow the instructions for inhaling the COMPLETE BREATH (Steps 1-3 above). Now, as you begin to slowly exhale, make a HUM sound. Keep making that humming sound as long as possible. Pull your stomach muscles in, squeezing out a few more seconds of humming. Then relax. Practice for 2 to 3 minutes.

BASIC CONTROLLED BREATHING

Sit or stand in a relaxed position. Slowly inhale through your nose, counting to five in your head. Let the air out from your mouth, counting to eight in your head as it leaves your lungs. Repeat several times. Tip--As you breathe, let your abdomen expand outward, rather than raising your shoulders. This is a more relaxed and natural way to breathe, and helps your lungs fill themselves more fully with fresh air, releasing more “old” air.

http://www.cmhc.utexas.edu/stressrecess/Level_One/fof.html

http://www.breathing.com/articles/acid-alkaline-balance.htm

http://cas.umkc.edu/casww/brethexr.htm

http://stress.about.com/od/breathingexercises/ht/breathing_ex.htm

http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART00521/three-breathing-exercises.html

Short Circuit Panic Attacks through Diet

The heart of the mind-body equation is to respect the interactive nature of mind and body. Knowledge should allow us to take proactive actions to manage sensations of panic. Can an individual stop a panic attack before it starts, or short-circuit that feeling of being out of control? I say yes.

 I have experienced panic attacks in the past but I also know that I have a tendency to food sensitivity. Lay people such as myself often refer to food sensitivity as an allergic response, but to the medical establishment an allergic reaction would actually lead to anaphylactic symptoms and be life threatening. I also noticed that my more severe food sensitivities created symptoms that were very like symptoms of panic attack, and like symptoms of severe acidosis. No one wants to experience the symptoms of severe food sensitivity, panic attack, or acidosis, but at the same time no one wants to be rushing to the emergency physician for no reason.

My first response to feelings of panic is to think, did I eat something questionable? If my answer is yes, or I’m not exactly sure---I will take an antihistamine. If your tongue or throat is swelling seek medical help immediately as this is a life threatening allergic response.

If the symptoms continue after the antihistamine and they do not meet the level of an allergic response, I will do another self-check. If stomach issues or body sensations seem to predominate my thinking then I will sip baking soda, sodium bicarbonate, water. If my breathing seems rapid but heart rate seems fine, I will go for a brisk walk or use the mini-trampoline. The goal of exercise is to get the heart rate and breathing consistent with each other so one is not experiencing respiratory acidosis. At this point if my thoughts are still out of control or gloomy, I will start therapeutic self-talk, turn on an engaging television show, or call a friend to come visit me now.

A panic attack is often referred to as the Fight or Flight response. The panic episode can occur at any time, even during sleep. Panic attacks are characterized by several of these symptoms: “Racing” heart, Feeling weak, Faint, or dizzy, Tingling or numbness in the hands and fingers, Sense of terror, Impending doom or death, Feeling sweaty or having chills, Chest pains, Breathing difficulties, and Feeling a loss of control.

Sometimes what we are experiencing is not completely the result of anxiety or fear, but are automatic processes. The bodily sensations we are experiencing are the result of acidosis. Our “Fight or Flight” reaction creates a metabolic state of acidosis in the body, which is meant to generate the energy we need to handle the stressful threatening situation confronting us. But our culture and responsibilities often ask us not to fight or flee but to address the problem through a mental activity. Unfortunately mental activity does not eliminate acidosis.

In the Fight or Flight response a threat is perceived and the body responds. The autonomic nervous system automatically puts the body on alert. The adrenal cortex automatically releases stress hormones. The heart automatically beats harder and more rapidly. Breathing automatically becomes more rapid. Thyroid gland automatically stimulates the metabolism. Larger muscles automatically receive more oxygenated blood. These processes create biochemical changes in the body that create acidosis.

Acidosis can be displayed through three different processes 1. Metabolic acidosis, 2. Respiratory acidosis and 3. Lactic acidosis. Metabolic acidosis is related to the processing of food into energy, respiratory acidosis is related to utilizing oxygen in the body, and lactic acidosis is the result of muscle functioning. These are complex chemical processes. The focus of the article is to raise our level of awareness on the impact of metabolic processes on our daily life.

Acidosis, blood acidity, should not to be confused with digestive acidity. Digestion is a metabolic process, where food is used as fuel and is burned up. Some foods produce an acid residue and some an alkaline residue. Blood acidity occurs when the normal pH balance of the blood veers towards the acid end of the scale. In normal health blood tends to be alkaline which is essential for our physical and mental well-being.

Acidity tends to be a general term indicating that the blood, or one of the body secretions is less alkaline than it should be. Excess acid gives rise to many distressing symptoms such as gastric disturbance, irritation of the skin and mucous membranes, impoverishment of the blood, palpitation of the heart, twinges of rheumatism, headaches on top of the head with a sense of fullness, a persistent feeling of tiredness and other symptoms of disturbed metabolism. 

Blood tends to be alkaline because the vital combustions taking place in the body are mostly acid in character. This alkalinity of the blood allows chemical processes to move acid from the tissues to the discharge points such as the lungs, kidneys and bowels. It is the concentration of oxygen, O2, and carbon, CO2 gasses that affect the pH of blood, and thereby breathing-rate.

Carbohydrates and fats form about nine-tenths of the normal fuel of the body and through the process of metabolism converts them into vital nutrients, carbon dioxide gas and water. A diet high in such foods as meat, eggs, white sugar and flour is acidic-as opposed to fruits and vegetables, which give an alkaline residue.

Notice that the symptoms of the panic attack mirror symptoms associated with acidosis. Metabolic acidosis symptoms:

•        Hyperventilation
•        Pale, clammy skin
•        Heart arrhythmias
•        Decreased heart rate
•        Dizziness
•        Cough
•        Mental confusion
•        Headache

The complex biochemical processes are an attempt to keep blood pH as near perfect as possible and are known as pH buffering systems. These buffering systems require a balance of minerals to work effectively. Inadequate mineral intake in our diet creates problems with our pH balancing systems. An unbalanced pH on a regular basis makes us vulnerable to degenerative disease such as arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, chronic fatigue, allergies, and obesity.  Acidosis interferes with the functioning of the glands and organs, as well as, decreasing vitality and increasing the danger of infectious diseases.

Because the main cause of acidosis of the blood is faulty diet, one can make different food choices, as well as life style changes. It is important to make changes that you will follow through on. First, you need to know which foods are more acidic and which are alkaline; this allows you to meal plan a balanced meal. There are many excellent websites such as http://www.acidalkalinediet.com/Alkaline-Foods-Chart.htm that provide guidance on food choices.

According to WebMD, http://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/guide/panic-attack-symptoms, panic attacks involve sudden feelings of terror that strike without warning. I question, do they really happen without warning? When we recognize the connection between our eating/lifestyle habits as possible triggers for panic attacks, we can make changes in our habits. This creates a less stressed condition in the body so the individual can put his/her focus on healing the thoughts and emotions that trigger panic attacks.

http://www.cmhc.utexas.edu/stressrecess/Level_One/fof.html http://www.breathing.com/articles/acid-alkaline-balance.htm

http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/GCSE_Science/Breathing_and_Respiration

http://members.iimetro.com.au/~hubbca/acidity.htm

Far Infrared Lamp

My near fatal brush with illness as a child created in me a serious, contemplative nature. My time in the hospital left me very empathetic and compassionate for anyone with an illness, or a disease of mind, body, or spirit. I have been on a life long vision quest--the search for good health. What does it mean to live healthy? I believe for every question there is an answer. My spiritual nature tells me the Creator has created an answer for illness and disease and that is my driving force. I may not be the person the Creator inspires with the healing innovation, but I can be the person to get the word out!

At first I questioned what kind of spiritual gift I had. If I am not the innovator, scientist or inventor, what did I offer the equation? My gift—I am a spiritual cheerleader! Has something made you feel dis-eased? You can find your ease—state of balance, centeredness and harmony! I believe this—I know this! This is self-empowerment.

I was surprised the first time I realized that some individuals have great difficulty choosing a course of action, or making a decision—because this is the complete opposite of my personality. We as individuals tend to think everyone else shares the same worldview—how naive we are sometimes.

One of the innovations I have tried is a far infrared lamp. All of my life I had had chronic muscle aches and a tendency to tendonitis. With aging, my ability to tough it out and convince myself all would be better tomorrow was no longer working. I had passed some kind of tipping point. My body was now in agony. My chiropractor was commenting on the fact that my lateral back muscles were so tight they were raising my right hip. Massage helped but I needed something daily—something I could do at home. I remembered my Mother had a heat lamp—maybe this is what I need. As much as I like to claim I am different than my mother, the truth is—we are practically genetic twins.

There are many companies selling therapeutic energy products. An individual has to do their homework before deciding how to invest their money. An individual might consider a far infrared sauna, lamp, or clothing. I chose the FIR lamp; it seemed to have the most utility in my lifestyle.

According to the manufacturer’s web site, my Far Infrared Mineral Lamp features a round plate coated with a proprietary mineral clay formation consisting of 33 earth elements essential to the human body. When activated by the built-in electric heating element, this mineral plate emits a special band of far-infrared waves ranging from 2 to 25 (microns) in wavelength that coincides with the wavelengths and intensity of the electromagnetic radiations emanating from the human body.  As a result, the far-infrared waves are readily absorbed.  The benefits are: raises temperature in tissue, Expansion of capillary vessels, Rejuvenation of cells, Promotion of blood circulation, Helps to move toxins from cells, Faster recovery from muscle strains, and Improvement in Lymphatic system.

Far Infrared Rays are invisible waves of electromagnetic radiation of wavelength greater than that of the red end of the spectrum, having wavelengths of 0.75-1000 μm. Infrared rays are sometimes subdivided into long-wave or far infrared (about 3.0-1000 μm) and short-wave or near infrared (about 0.75-3.0 μm). They are capable of penetrating body tissues to a depth of 10 mm. Sources of infrared rays include heat lamps, hot water bottles, steam radiators and incandescent light bulbs. Infrared rays are used therapeutically to promote muscle relaxation, to speed up the inflammatory process, and to increase circulation to a part of the body. Through the subtle heating, Far Infrared boosts our immune system, increasing the amount of white blood cells and killer T-cells.

It should be noted that the inflammatory process is the process of initiating healing by marshaling ones healing processes. It should be noted chronic inflammation is a reaction of tissue to irritation, injury, or infection, characterized by pain, redness, swelling, and sometimes loss of function.

FIR expands capillaries increasing oxygenation and regeneration of the blood deeply detoxifying and improving functioning of the major organs in the body. This deep detoxification dissolves or immobilizes toxins in the blood. FIR therapy may help in fat loss, chronic fatigue, water retention, skin disorders, as well as in the elimination heavy metals, poisons, and carcinogenic material from our bodies. FIR is beneficial in reducing muscle soreness, muscle spasms and provides relief for rheumatoid arthritis. Research by NASA has shown that far infrared on the cardiovascular system was a great way of keeping astronauts hearts’ in optimal condition. Far Infrared increases the enzyme activity in our digestive tract and boosts metabolism. An hour of this therapy can burn up to 900 calories helping to break down trapped fat, waste, cellulite and other forms of toxic substances. Far Infrared has been shown to help heal scar tissue.

Heart studies done by The Mayo Clinic and the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that infrared sauna therapy significantly improved blood vessel functioning in high-cholesterol, diabetes and smoking patients. The therapy also was found to increase circulation, lower blood pressure, lower blood sugar, and help in weight loss.

The online article by Brent A. Bauer, M.D. reports the far-infrared sauna uses light to create heat. "Far" describes where the infrared waves fall on the light spectrum. An infrared sauna heats your body directly without warming the air around you. An infrared sauna produces these results at lower temperatures than does a regular sauna, which makes it accessible to people who can't tolerate the heat of a conventional sauna. Several studies have looked at using infrared saunas in the treatment of chronic health problems, such as high blood pressure, congestive heart failure and rheumatoid arthritis, and found some evidence of benefit, however, larger and more-rigorous studies are needed to confirm these results. On the other hand, no adverse effects have been reported with infrared saunas.

In an online article by Justin Tobias, M.D., revised by Stephanie Neumayer, M.D., describes information supported by randomized, controlled trials in peer-reviewed, medically respected journals. Saunas are noted as contributing to the improvement in patients with congestive heart failure, heart disease, mild depression, and chronic pain. It is noted that Creighton University Medical School's AltMed website explains individuals with a history of multiple sclerosis, hemophilia, hyperthyroidism, systemic lupus erythematous or adrenal suppression should not use an infrared sauna. Those who are pregnant, nursing or experiencing their menstrual flow should not use a sauna. Those with artificial joints, metal pins and silicone implants should also avoid saunas. The effects of some prescription drugs may be altered due to the high heat in a sauna.

http://altmed.creighton.edu/sauna/research_supported_benefits.htm

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/infrared-sauna/AN02154

http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/health-benefits-of-far-infrared-therapy/

http://www.livestrong.com/

http://www.braintuner.com/tdp.htm

Black TOXIC Mold

A piece of moldy bread was my first science project in 3rd grade. Ever since I saw my first piece of moldy bread, the young science nerd in me has been fascinated. Bread mold does not turn into penicillin. Bread mold makes penicillin as a by-product of its metabolic processes. Penicillin is manufactured by growing bread mold in a nutrient and stripping off the produced penicillin in the same manner that alcohol is made by yeast and the alcohol recovered. http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_do_you_turn_bread_mold_in_penicillin#ixzz279fqOyu8

Well, it seems like there is always something new to learn. Now as an adult I have been introduced to the dark side of mold—black mold. My last work place, a public school, was infested. I ignored it—big mistake. I just tried to stay away from that office as much as possible. I blamed the increased headaches, dry eyes, allergy reactions, aches, pains, depression, and more, on aging and stress. To add to the problem my home, a 1929 craftsman bungalow, which I love, had a wet, leaky basement. I was also ignoring my black mold problem at home.

I was an ostrich with my head buried in the sand. I found myself with a bronchial infection where I did not sleep for three days because I coughed constantly. I went to the physician she put me on antibiotics. After six weeks of medication I began to make progress. But while I was laying on the couch reviewing my life, trying to figure out— how did I get to this state of depleted health, I realized THIS IS MOLD RELATED.

Luckily, I had left that toxic job behind but now I had to address my home. My contractor set to work to deal with the wet basement—French drains outside and in. A French drain can have perforated hollow pipes along the bottom to quickly vent water that seeps down through the upper gravel or rock. I could tell an immediate improvement in the interior environment after the mold remediation.

Later after a thorough wellness physical, my alternative physician remarked your blood shows markers for biotoxin exposure, she questioned what could that be? I said could it be black mold exposure?

People living with black toxic mold usually breathe in the mycotoxins. However they can also ingest them or absorb them through their skin. When mycotoxins end up lodging in the lungs this creates breathing problems. Inhaling mycotoxins is much more harmful than ingesting them. The main type of mycotoxins are called trithochecenes. These are some of the most toxic mycotoxins. It is suspected that trichothecenes can cause cancer and damage the immune system. This can lead to a wide range of symptoms. The seriousness of the symptoms depends on the amount of mycotoxins and length of exposure.

If you have a black toxic mold problem you might suffer some of these symptoms:

• Dry eyes • Vision problems • Mental impairment • Neurological symptoms• Memory loss • Anxiety • Depression • Confusion

• Balance problems • General discomfort • Pain • Joint pain • Muscle aches • Muscle pain • Tiredness • Fatigue • Headache • Nausea • Stomach pain • Abdominal pain • Internal lesions • Bleeding • Dermatitis • Rash • Breathing problems • Respiratory problems • Burning lungs • Bleeding lungs • Pulmonary hemorrhage • Wheezing • Shortness of breath • Sore throat • Burning throat • Vomiting • Diarrhea • Coughing • Coughing up blood • Sneezing • Flu-like symptoms • Cold symptoms • Fever • Nosebleeds • Rhinitis • Swollen lymph nodes • Heart palpitations • Yellow nails • Whitemarks under nail • Neck boils • Malaise • Seizures • Autoimmune disease • Acid reflux • Internal organ damage

A frequent musty smell in your home may be the sign of a mold infestation. If you suspect a musty smell, it’s a good idea to hire a professional who can assess your home. If you suspect you have a serious black mold problem call a professional mold remediation specialist to test the mold and make recommendations. The biggest mistake would be to try to kill or remove black toxic mold yourself. Disturbing black toxic mold can trigger the release of millions of spores and mycotoxins. These can contaminate your home, perhaps even beyond repair. The goal of black toxic mold removal is not to kill the mold, rather the goal is to completely remove the mold from your home.

For small, household mold clean up from nonporous surfaces, you can scrub mold from surfaces using water and detergent. Lightly wet the mold growth before you start scrubbing to stop mold spores from escaping into the air. Dead mold spores are still allergenic. So the main goal is to remove the mold, whether you kill it or not.

Does bleach kill mold? Bleach does NOT kill mold. It doesn't even disinfect mold spores. The only thing that bleach does is change the color of the mold by damaging the roots of it. Bleach is not an effective way to kill mold and provides only a temporary solution by slowing its growth. Chlorine bleach doesn't kill mold spores because bleach is made mostly out of water. Water is a main requirement for mold growth and trying to get rid of it with a product that is 99% mold (ie. bleach) isn't very effective.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1075538 

Natural mold removers:

Tea Tree Oil - which you can purchase at health food stores does a fantastic job as a mold remover. It is expensive but you only have to use small amounts to get great results. It can be used on walls, ceilings, shower curtains etc. Be aware that it does have a very strong odor which will take a few days to calm down - at least it's better than a musty moldy smell! Tea Tree Oil appears to remove and kill the vast majority of mold types.

First thing to do is mix 2 teaspoons of the tea tree oil with approximately 2 cups of water in a spray bottle. Shake gently to mix the two then spray the areas of mold with the solution. There is no need to rinse the mixture off simply leave to dry. You can keep the mixture ready for next time!

Vinegar - something which every household will most definitely have in the kitchen cupboard and it costs very little to buy. White distilled vinegar poured into a spray bottle and sprayed directly onto the area of mold will kill around 82% of molds according to reports. Again, don't rinse, allow to dry. This one is particularly smelly but a good, cheap mold remover!

Grapefruit Seed Extract - this one has a huge advantage over the others - it is

completely odorless. The down side is that like tea tree oil it is expensive but again only small quantities are needed. Put 20 drops of the grapefruit extract into a spray bottle and mix with two cups of water. Once again apply to the affected area, no rinsing is required just allow to dry. This mixture too can be kept indefinitely.

Borax- is a common cleaning chemical used by individuals and industrial companies alike. It does not emit any toxic chemicals when you use it, so you do not need to wear any sort of respiratory mask while using Borax. Mix one cup of the Borax with a gallon of water. Shake or stir the container you mix the solution in to thoroughly stir up the water and Borax. Dip a scrubbing brush into the Borax mixture and scrub the mold away with the brush. The Borax will loosen the mold's hold on the surface while the brush completely removes it.

http://www.ehow.com/how_5564625_use-borax-kill-mold.html#ixzz279ynpPVg 

http://EzineArticles.com/3582608

Facing Posttraumatic Stress: You deserve to feel better

When I was five years old, I had St. Louis encephalitis (SLVE). SLVE is a virus that can cause serious illness that affects the central nervous system. For those of us that had a severe case, symptoms often include fever, headache, stiff neck, disorientation, and altered level of consciousness. Coma, convulsions, and paralysis may also occur sometimes leading to death, or a permanent vegetative state. Those were the days before antibiotics and anti-virals; to this day there is no known medication that kills the SLVE virus.

I did not comprehend, or understand my experience in the children’s hospital. Those were the days when hospital personnel explained nothing to children. I would fall asleep then wake up in the morning unable to recall where I was. Since I was in a university teaching/research hospital, their primary concern was on drawing large tubes of blood daily; a process that was true torture.  My first memory of the hospital is floating above myself and looking down at my body; I had feeding tubes in my nose. My second memory was waking up in isolation alone with people standing on the other side of the window glass staring at me.

From the time I was five until far into my adult years I had nearly daily thoughts that the encephalitis would return and either leave me in a vegetative state, or kill me. Any thoughts that triggered me would cause panic symptoms. At times I would believe I had conquered my fears. But the fears would sneak back in at unexpected moments. It had been forty years since my traumatic hospital experiences. Once I decided to see a neurologist about my proprioceptive issues. The neurologist, who had an intern with him, had had me put on a hospital gown. When he started the cursory reflex testing using the little hammer on my knees, I began sobbing and hyperventilating. I was again the five-year old child unable to communicate to the doctor who was demanding that I conform to the needs of his day. I felt his judgmental attitude and I felt all the guilt I had as a child for fighting against them as they drew my blood.

Again I thought I had conquered all of these irrational fears (are such fears truly irrational?) until I was faced with needing breast cancer treatment. I made it through the treatments I chose. However, I realized I had developed a set of anxiety, panic and migraine behaviors that were adversely affecting my daily life. Life had become joyless, and hyper-vigilant. I had no emotional reserves to deal with increased work stress.

I had taken a class on the diagnosis of mental disorders as part of the requirements for becoming a licensed professional counselor. I realized that my childhood experiences did meet the criteria for post-traumatic stress. I also realized that left over guilt and irrational beliefs were keeping me from accepting the truth that I had a right and deserved to feel better. (I often would think of the other children in the ward—are they alive are they dead? Sick, or well—to me they are still children suffering.)

I had gone to a psychologist to deal with work stress four years previous. I decided I needed to go back to the psychologist and try to heal this PTSD issue and quit pretending it doesn’t exist. I needed to stop being a hypocrite with myself if I intend to be an effective counselor.

It is natural to feel afraid when we are in danger. Fear triggers many split-second changes in the body to prepare to defend against the danger or to avoid it. The “fight-or-flight” response is a healthy reaction meant to protect us from harm. But in PTSD, this reaction is changed or damaged. We may feel stressed or frightened even when we are no longer in danger.

Anyone can get PTSD at any age. The person has been exposed to a traumatic event in which both of the following have been present: 1. The person has experienced, witnessed, or been confronted with an event or events that involve actual or threatened death or serious injury, or a threat to the physical integrity of oneself or others. 2. The person's response involved intense fear, helplessness, or horror. Note: in children, it may be expressed instead by disorganized or agitated behavior.

PTSD can cause many symptoms. These symptoms can be grouped into three categories:

1. Re-experiencing symptoms:

•                Flashbacks—reliving the trauma over and over, including physical symptoms like a racing heart or sweating

•                Bad dreams

•                Frightening thoughts.

Re-experiencing symptoms may cause problems in a person’s everyday routine. They can start from the person’s own thoughts and feelings. Words, objects, or situations that are reminders of the event can also trigger re-experiencing.

2. Avoidance symptoms:

•                Staying away from places, events, or objects that are reminders of the experience

•                Feeling emotionally numb

•                Feeling strong guilt, depression, or worry

•                Losing interest in activities that were enjoyable in the past

•                Having trouble remembering the dangerous event.

Things that remind a person of the traumatic event can trigger avoidance symptoms. These symptoms may cause a person to change his or her personal routine. For example, after a bad car accident, a person who usually drives may avoid driving or riding in a car.

3. Hyperarousal symptoms:

•                Being easily startled

•                Feeling tense or “on edge”

•                Having difficulty sleeping, and/or having angry outbursts.

Hyperarousal symptoms are usually constant, instead of being triggered by things that remind one of the traumatic event. They can make the person feel stressed and angry. These symptoms may make it hard to do daily tasks, such as sleeping, eating, or concentrating. It’s natural to have some of these symptoms after a dangerous event. Sometimes people have very serious symptoms that go away after a few weeks. This is called acute stress disorder, or ASD. When the symptoms last more than a few weeks and become an ongoing problem, they might be PTSD. Some people with PTSD don’t show any symptoms for weeks or months.

Children and teens can have extreme reactions to trauma, but their symptoms may not be the same as adults.¹ In very young children, these symptoms can include:

•                Bedwetting, when they’d learned how to use the toilet before

•                Forgetting how or being unable to talk

•                Acting out the scary event during playtime

•                Being unusually clingy with a parent or other adult.

Older children and teens usually show symptoms more like those seen in adults. They may also develop disruptive, disrespectful, or destructive behaviors. Older children and teens may feel guilty for not preventing injury or deaths. They may also have thoughts of revenge. For more information, see the NIMH booklets on helping children cope with violence and disasters.

Many factors play a part in whether a person will get PTSD. Some of these are risk factors that make a person more likely to get PTSD. Other factors, called resilience factors, can help reduce the risk of the disorder. Some of these risk and resilience factors are present before the trauma and others become important during and after a traumatic event.

Risk factors for PTSD include:

•                Living through dangerous events and traumas

•                Having a history of mental illness

•                Getting hurt

•                Seeing people hurt or killed

•                Feeling horror, helplessness, or extreme fear

•                Having little or no social support after the event

•                Dealing with extra stress after the event: pain/injury, loss of a loved one, a job or home.

Resilience factors that may reduce the risk of PTSD include:

•                Seeking out support from other people, such as friends and family

•                Finding a support group after a traumatic event

•                Feeling good about one’s own actions in the face of danger

•                Having a coping strategy, or a way of getting through the bad event learning from it

•                Being able to act and respond effectively despite feeling fear.

Psychotherapy is “talk” therapy. It involves talking with a mental health professional to treat a mental illness. Psychotherapy can occur one-on-one or in a group. Talk therapy treatment for PTSD usually lasts 6 to 12 weeks, but can take more time. Research shows that support from family and friends can be an important part of therapy.

Many types of psychotherapy can help people with PTSD. Some types target the symptoms of PTSD directly. Other therapies focus on social, family, or job-related problems.

One helpful therapy is called cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT. There are several parts to CBT, including:

•                Exposure therapy. This therapy helps people face and control their fear. It exposes them to the trauma they experienced in a safe way. It uses mental imagery, writing, or visits to the place where the event happened. The therapist uses these tools to help people with PTSD cope with their feelings.

•                Cognitive restructuring. This therapy helps people make sense of the bad memories. Sometimes people remember the event differently than how it happened. They may feel guilt or shame about what is not their fault. The therapist helps people with PTSD look at what happened in a realistic way.

•                Stress inoculation training. This therapy tries to reduce PTSD symptoms by teaching a person how to reduce anxiety. Like cognitive restructuring, this treatment helps people look at their memories in a healthy way.

Other types of treatment can also help people with PTSD. People with PTSD should talk about all treatment options with their therapist.

Talk therapies teach people helpful ways to react to frightening events that trigger their PTSD symptoms. Based on this general goal, different types of therapy may:

•                Teach about trauma and its effects.

•                Use relaxation and anger control skills.

•                Provide tips for better sleep, diet, and exercise habits.

•                Help people identify and deal with guilt, shame, and other feelings about the event.

Focus on changing how people react to their PTSD symptoms. For example, therapy helps people visit places and people that are reminders of the trauma.

If you know someone who has PTSD, it affects you too. The first and most important thing you can do to help a friend or relative is to help him or her get the right diagnosis and treatment. You may need to make an appointment for your friend or relative and go with him or her to see the doctor. Encourage him or her to stay in treatment, or to seek different treatment if his or her symptoms don’t get better after 6 to 8 weeks.

To help a friend or relative, you can:

•                Offer emotional support, understanding, patience, and encouragement.

•                Learn about PTSD so you can understand what your friend or relative is experiencing.

•                Talk to your friend or relative, and listen carefully.

•                Listen to feelings your friend or relative expresses and be understanding of situations that may trigger PTSD symptoms.

•                Invite your friend or relative out for positive distractions such as walks, outings, and other activities.

•                Remind your friend or relative that, with time and treatment, he or she can get better.

Never ignore comments about your friend or relative harming him or herself, and report such comments to your friends or relative’s therapist or doctor.

If you are unsure where to go for help, ask your family doctor. You can also check the phone book under “mental health,” “health,” “social services,” “hotlines,” or “physicians” for phone numbers and addresses. An emergency room doctor can also provide temporary help and can tell you where and how to get further help.

If you are thinking about harming yourself, or know someone who is, tell someone who can help immediately:

•                Call your doctor.

•                Call 911 or go to a hospital emergency room to get immediate help or ask a friend or family member to help you do these things.

•                Call the toll-free, 24-hour hotline of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1–800–273–TALK (1–800–273–8255); TTY: 1–800–799–4TTY (4889) to talk to a trained counselor.

http://www.cdc.gov/sle/general/qa.html

http://www.ptsdsupport.net/PTSD_DSM-IV-TR_Diagnosis_&_Criteria.html

http://www.ptsdsupport.net/Spiritual_Alienation.html

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/complete-index.shtml

Jumpining for Joy: The mini-trampoline

I began using a mini-trampoline about five years ago after breast cancer surgery as part of my alternative wellness therapeutic approach. Rebounding was the technique my physician, who has allopathic, naturopathic and chiropractic credentials, suggested to address my sluggish lymph system. I followed her suggestion with minimal enthusiasm. The mini-tramp seemed like nothing but a boring child’s toy. 

To improve my negative outlook, I put the mini-tramp outside in the beautiful fall weather—bright blue skies, golden and red leaves, and clear, crisp air. I started jumping. Suddenly I realized the full potential of rebounding to improve my overall health. As I bounced I even noticed my stress and sadness began to dissipate.

Rebounding improves balance and coordination. Although the bouncing is low-impact it provides a good cardiovascular workout. The action quickens your pulse and works several muscle groups at once. Your heart and respiratory system work harder as both organs are forced to fight against the earth's gravitational pull. The mintramp can enhance your motor skills and help to build bone density,

A study published in "The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences"  (March 2009) reported stroke victims and elderly and fall-prone people could particularly get the benefit of mini-trampoline found it improved posture and gait, aided balance and helped to increase joint-position awareness in the ankle. A study published in the journal "Aviation, Space and Environmental Exercise"  (January 2006) found that trampoline exercise was a worthy alternative to strength training in helping to reduce neck strain and injury in pilots.

Rebounding is a type of plyometric exercise, a category that comes with a host of benefits. Plyometrics tone muscles, improve flexibility, enhance muscle response time and improve balance and posture. 

The human body needs to move for the lymph system to work. The lymphatic system is the metabolic garbage can of the body and rids the body of toxins, such as dead and cancerous cells, nitrogenous wastes, fat, infectious viruses, heavy metals. Lymph bathes every cell, carrying nutrients to the cell and waste products away. Contrary to blood, which is pumped by the heart, the lymph system depends on physical exercise to function. Without adequate movement, the cells are left stewing in their own waste products and starving for nutrients. This situation contributes to arthritis, cancer and other degenerative diseases. The rebounding motion stimulates all internal organs, moves the cerebral-spinal fluid, and is beneficial for the intestines. All cells in the body become stronger in response to the increased "G force" during rebounding. Cellular exercise results in immune cells being up to 5 times more active; immune cells are responsible for eating viruses, bacteria and even cancer cells. Rebounding directly strengthens the immune system. 

Rebounding is an exercise that reduces your body fat and is highly beneficial for diabetes and a host of other diseases, provides an aerobic effect for your heart, and gives your body energy when it's tired. Jumping on a mini-trampoline, along with yoga and deep breathing, is an excellent way to reduce stress. The bouncing person enters a trance-like state that provides a wonderful sense of relaxation. Jumping stabilizes the nervous system that helps maintain a relaxed disposition. One has increased resistance to environmental, physical, and emotional stress.

Since rebounding uses the force of gravitation to get it going, it aids weight loss efforts by raising the metabolism and burning a high number of calories. The heart is strengthened and conditioned this contributes to heart’s ability rate to regulate and beat at a slower rate. As the heart and circulatory system strengthens, cholesterol and triglyceride levels are lowered, along with blood pressure. Rebounding improves the immune system along with the circulatory and digestive systems. 

Personally, rebounding has improved the strength, coordination and stability of my knees and ankles. This is so very important for us as we age to counter the effects of osteoarthritis. For the sedentary office worker the mini-tramp is an easy, efficient way to counteract the sedentary nature of office work. For individuals who store the day’s stress in their bodies, the mini-tramp allows one to improve circulation and relax overworked, tense muscles.  It is also a joyful activity that can be done indoors or outdoors.

http://www.ehow.com/about_4565561_health-benefits-mini-trampoline.html#ixzz2619jxF8A

http://www.healingdaily.com/exercise/rebounding-for-detoxification-and-health.htm

http://www.livestrong.com/article/302850-the-benefits-from-using-a-mini-trampoline/#ixzz26165PObg

http://www.urbanrebounding.com/research.html