Swine Flu Health Strategies for Atlanta

Gov. Sonny Perdue has signed a bill that gives him the power to declare a "pandemic influenza" state of emergency. There is a lot of talk in the headlines about the swine flu, the world's latest possible epidemic. Even the airline industry is limiting travel to Mexico. The answer to the big question about swine flu is simple. What can you do to avoid getting it? Boost your immune system.

The answer starts with your diet and strengthening your immunity by eating raw organic fruits and veggies to support your body. Avoid eating junk food and sweets. Too much sugar in your system will weaken the efforts of vitamin C and other antioxidants.

Exercise will also increase your immunity. Exercise is also a great way to decrease stress and combat against poor immune function. Reducing stress is a must in order to keep your immune system working at its optimal level. If possible, avoid being around sick people in public places like elevators, meeting rooms and restaurants. Be sure to pay attention to those coughing or sneezing around you and make sure to wash your hands thoroughly after touching common area surfaces like keyboards, door knobs, counter tops, etc.

While this flu virus is not in the Atlanta area at the moment you never know what the outcome of this newest strain will be. You also don't know how fast it will move or become a full pandemic.

For a homeopathic approach use products with quality ingredients above par manufacturing standards. A local manufacturer in Dahlonega, GA. produces an excellent product commonly used during flu season.

The Energetix Flu-Tone is one of the Drainage and Tonification formulas designed to tone and open the drainage pathways during the elimination of toxins.

There is no vaccine or medication to take to combat this virus so natural methods are all that can be depended on during times like this. Healthy mothers of newborns are encouraged to breast feed their baby for basic immunity support. The elderly should also be sure to take precaution and wash their hands frequently.

This flu will cause symptoms similar to the common flu. The CDC lists the symptoms of swine flu on their website and should be taken seriously if experienced.

For more info: Be sure to contact your primary care physician if you begin to have symptoms of swine flu.To learn more about Flu-Tone click the link.

Pinch your Headache Away with Acupressure

Most of the time when you get a headache it may be inconvenient for you to go to your chiropractor. There is a solution for those of you who don't want to take pain medicine but still need immediate decrease from the pain. There's an acupressure point that can give you relief when you are somewhere and can't do anything about making yourself feel better. This works great when you are at work, a restaurant or just can't get to a professional.

Acupressure is an ancient Chinese practice that has been in use for thousands of years and its roots stem from acupuncture. The difference is instead of using needles you are simply applying pressure to a specific area of the body.

There is an acupressure point on your hand that may help you with your headaches when you need to be discreet or can't get relief any other way. You take one hand, and at the "meaty" area between your index finger and thumb, find the tender spot with the index finger and thumb of your other hand. Then you apply pressure like you were pinching something.

You will notice that this area will be very tender and typically on the hand opposite the side of the headache pain. Hold the point for 1-2 minutes and then do the same thing on the other hand. You will notice that with each time you hold the pressure point your headache pain will decrease. If this doesn't make it disappear it should help greatly.

Remember to drink plenty of water too. Many times you may be dehydrated and experience a headache. Once the pain has subsided make sure you visit your Atlanta acupuncturist or chiropractor for further evaluation and to rule out any serious conditions.

For more info: Dr. Evans treats headaches at his Marietta chiropractic office. Feel free to contact him at info@evansclinic.com for a referral to an acupuncturist in the Atlanta area.

Simple Ways To Stop Your Sugar Craving: Protein

Many people have difficulty losing weight because they can't curb cravings. You know the craving that calls you at any given time of the day or night. Maybe you are the type who needs dessert right after dinner or a sweet treat in the mid afternoon. A great way to defeat your food craving for a sweet is to increase the amount of protein you consume.

Your body uses food as its primary source of energy. Foods that fit into the protein category like meats, beans,nuts, etc are the best source of protein and contain small amounts of sugar. Carbohydrate rich foods like pastas, baked potatoes and breads are not as good because they are converted into sugar, but are better than low quality sources of energy from a candy bar which is processed sugar. Just as high octane gas is supposed to be the best fuel for your cars energy consumption, the same is true for eating protein. If you eat a low fat protein then you are giving your body a better source of energy that will sustain you for a longer period of time. The benefit is you will not experience a sugar crash as if you ate a candy bar for your meal. Simply put, when you constantly crave sugar your body is asking you for a quick source of energy.

The simple way to stop your sugar craving is to snack on protein rich foods throughout the day. If you give your body a better source of energy it will not ask for the quick sugar fix. You must beat your body to the punch. If you find that you crave sweets on a continual basis, try eating more lean meats throughout the day for a week or so and you will notice the difference.

Remember there is also an emotional component to sugar cravings because they do release hormones that make you feel good. Many sweets are comfort foods. Discipline is needed in order to make this work especially if you are trying to lose weight. If you need a boost with controlling the cravings there are some herbal remedies to support your body in its effort to stop cravings. Don't forget to drink plenty of water eat fruit before you eat something with processed sugar.

For more info: Remember to consult your doctor before any changes are made to your diet. Feel free to contact Dr. Evans at info@evansclinic.com for more tips on how to defeat cravings.

Chiropractic is an Effective Solution for Headaches

The metro Atlanta area is no stranger to chiropractic care. Actually the largest chiropractic school in the world is located in Marietta, GA. Every day thousands of chiropractors improve the lives of headache sufferers using natural and effective methods. Headaches are caused by many different triggers. From the common headache to migraines, any type causes a large amount of undue stress for millions of people.

Stress from personal matters such as relationships, finances or work can manifest into a physical problem. What tends to occur when you have stress is the unconscious tightening of the muscles around our neck and shoulders. You may be completely unaware when you shrug your shoulders but it is a very common reaction to emotional and physical stress. The problem in doing this arises when your muscles are tense on a continual basis. Without knowing it you are training your muscles to overwork and stay in a shrugged position.

Each vertebrae of your spine is freely movable in comparison to the one above and below it. Your para-spinal muscles dictate the position of the bones in your spine. There are strong muscles at the back of your skull that connect to the bones in your neck. These muscles control movements such as turning your head from side to side, looking up and down, etc. When you have a repeated tightening of these muscles the bones in the upper area (cervical region) of your spine are pulled. This slight movement away from their normal position is many times the root cause of your common headache. The medical term for this improper movement is a vertebral subluxation, which simply means the bone is out of its normal place but it is not dislocated.

Chiropractors are trained to detect which bones in the spine are not in their proper position and how to gently align the spine to its proper position. Physiotherapy may also be used to relax the inflamed muscles that initially caused the problem. The chiropractic adjustment of these misaligned vertebrae has been very effective at reducing the symptoms from headaches. Many people experience relief from the adjustment very quickly and the results can last for months to years.

If you suffer from headaches you should visit a metro Atlanta chiropractor. The physical exam during your initial visit will help determine the underlying causes of your headache problem. Working with the natural solutions from the doctor will help your body better manage the effect of stress to your muscles and may eliminate the causes of your headache.

Get a proper evaluation for your headache pain sooner rather than later. Feel free to email Dr. Evans any further questions at info@evansclinic.com.