Weight loss and diet plan for a healthy lifestyle.

In the 1980s, doctors and patients found out that the drug minoxidil does help grow—and regrow—hair. It just didn’t work predictably well for many of those who tried it. Ten years and countless trials later, some dermatologists think that a three-drug regimen may be more successful in battling baldness.

This less common regimen involves mixing Rogaine {minoxidil), now available over-the-counter, with Proscar (finasteride), originally a medication for prostate enlargement, and thyroid hormone.

the application method is similar to what is suggested on the packages of minoxidil: Rub it into the scalp every day. Of course, this combination treatment will cost more— but early results are promising.

note: Finasteride should be avoided by men contemplating fatherhood. (Women should also avoid it before and during pregnancy.)

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Never store vitamins in the refrigerator. Each time you open the bottle, warm air from the outside will mix with the cold vitamins, causing condensation. Over time the pills will become sticky and may actually begin to dissolve.

also: Don’t store them in the bathroom, where heat and humidity can shorten their shelf life.

better: Store vitamins in a pantry or on the kitchen counter where they’ll stay dry and at room temperature.

exceptions: Supplements of intestinal flora, such as lactoba-cilli or bifidobacteria. These should be kept in the refrigerator.

These bony protuberances on the sides of the feet are caused by ill-fitting shoes and/or hereditary factors. They can lead to painful calluses, osteoarthritis and/or hammertoes.

self-defense: Wear loose-fitting shoes. New shoes should be purchased at midday, when the feet are slightly swollen. Make sure there’s a thumb’s-width space between the front of the shoe and your longest toe.

to reduce redness and to reduce swelling.’ Use ice around the bunion.

finger test: If a whitish area appears when you press down on a bump, you may not be suffering from a bunion but from bursitis, a condition that requires medical attention.

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Certain herbs and certain supplements have been shown to relieve allergy symptoms. In addition to a daily vitamin Ñ supplement, consider taking all of the following supplements a week or two prior to the onset of your pollen allergy season (trees, April…grass, May…ragweed, August), best choices…

Crapeseed extract is the most effective natural antihistamine. In France, it’s a popular choice for treating allergies. It contains proanthocyanidin, an antioxidant that helps reduce mucous membrane inflammation.

typical dose: 100 mg to 200 mg three times daily between meals.

Nettles, derived from the leaves, stems and roots of a perennial plant that grows throughout the US, is an effective natural antihistamine. It can be taken during an allergy flare-up but is more effective as a preventive.

typical dose: 300 mg three times daily with meals.

Quercetin, a bioflavonoid in many vegetables, is a powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. It helps reduce nasal congestion and inhibits the effects of histamines, body chemicals that cause allergy symptoms.

Take a quercetin supplement that includes bromelain, a digestive enzyme that improves the body’s ability to absorb quercetin.

typical dose: 250 mg to 500 mg three times daily with meals.

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Among the socially deprived, poor attendance at postnatal examinations is frequent. Such default is often attributed to fecklessness but this is not often the case and may be for purely logistical reasons such as difficulties with transport, especially where there are other children who cannot be left at home. Equally it may be a deliberate rebellion against authority where the doctor is seen as someone imposing her view on how many children the woman should have or how they should be spaced. Sometimes such rebellion is not recognized as such by the patient, who will blame the practical difficulties for her non-attendance. Even if domiciliary help is offered she is likely to be out when the doctor calls.

Those with poor self-esteem also tend to be among the patients who find it difficult to attend for routine postnatal and other medical appointments. It is as if they do not feel they have the right to the attention implicit in such routine care. At the same time it is difficult for them to believe that planning is possible in view of their chaotic lifestyle so far. They find it difficult to believe that professional people will heed their views and they can make a choice only when they feel their choice will be listened to.

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There is no doubt that dislike for the condom is common. The clearest description met was, ‘Once you have gone bareback, there is nothing like it!’ Men dislike having to pause, and may find losing their erection at this stage a problem, even after years of use.

On the other hand some men can be very fond of condoms. They are old friends and remind us of exciting times. One man told me their loving was dull until one family camping holiday when she asked him to get some to save messing their sleeping bag. Now when they can at last afford hotels they still take condoms with them on holiday to add a spice of excitement.

Conversely, as a means of slowing down excitement the use of the sheath is not always helpful.

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Counselling in the case of the unplanned pregnancy has to be brief and to the point. Psychosexual counselling is usually more open ended, allowing patients time to understand their unconscious feelings which may block their fulfilment and allowing a gradual move towards change in attitude. However, psychosexual doctors are trained to listen not only to what is said but what is not said, and to understand what is going on in the consulting room. The specific techniques associated with understanding the doctor-patient relationship and the genital examination can give rapid insight to the patient’s feelings which may have nothing to do with a detailed history of her circumstances, as in the case of Miss D. (p. 53) who had enormous financial problems but who still wanted a baby. The genital examination can give the trained doctor an insight into how the woman feels about her sexuality, as in the case of Mrs H. (p. 58), which was important in helping her to understand her feelings about her pregnancy and her contraception. This ability to perform a genital examination in a psychotherapeutic way is a skill which nonmedical counsellors may find difficult to accept or understand.

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If the history is taken thoughtfully, the younger patient perceives that care is being offered and that her needs are respected. In this context, patients in this group may be keen to find out their rubella status, and to discuss their weight and smoking habits vis-a-vis the Pill. The problem of weight gain may be the over-riding anxiety for the patient, and this is an area where her agenda may differ markedly from that of the doctor, who is concerned with the possible presence of pre-existing obesity as a risk factor. As regards diabetes and heart disease, the patients normally understand the need for their consultant physician to be involved in the final decision. If there is any family history suggestive of increased risks, they usually co-operate readily with any blood test thought advisable. With today’s focus on prevention and health checks, such patients do not find this alarming. The breast cancer issue is still awaiting clarification but must be discussed, and an informed choice made, to be reviewed in the light of any future evidence.

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Pregnancy itself compensates for feelings of inner emptiness, literally filling the woman with new life. Women who experience this emptiness often feel depleted after childbirth and may be anxious to get pregnant again soon afterwards, resenting any discussion of contraception. The baby can also represent one’s own baby self to love in a way that one was not loved. Being a mother enhances status and although mothers are not necessarily treated well, they are regarded as good. Children can counteract boredom and loneliness, providing interest and entertainment, and can satisfy the need to be needed. They can compensate for a lack of material possessions and give a sense of potency: ‘Something new created in a material world,’ as one unemployed and destitute young man put it when he was asked how he felt about the pregnancy of his girlfriend.

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Scarlet – The Colour of Arousal and Sexual Stimulation

Like red, scarlet is a powerful sexual stimulant that helps with impotence and frigidity. It increases blood pressure and is great for fluid retention. Scarlet works on stimulating the body’s hormones and blood.

Avoid Scarlet

Try to avoid scarlet if pregnant, as it may encourage uterine contractions.

Natural Sources of Scarlet

Plums, grapes, cherries, flowers and roses.

Magenta – The Colour of Universal Love, Divine Understanding and joy

Believed to be seen in the aura of pregnant women, magenta is a vitalizing colour that is particularly good for low energy. It has a stabilizing effect on the heart and adrenal glands. Magenta is a tonic and revitalize to the body’s ethereal field.

Avoid Magenta

Avoid magenta when in feverish and excited or hyperactive states.

Natural Sources of Magenta

Flowers, birds, clouds and jacaranda trees.

Violet – The Colour of True Devotion and Spirituality

Violet is believed to halt the growth of tumours. It is very useful in meditation and enhances the development of spiritual intuitive processes. It also has a soothing and tranquilizing effect on the body’s nervous system. Violet is great for people who are nervous or highly-strung by nature. Surrounding yourself in violet creates a peaceful environment.

Violet maintains the delicate balance between sodium and potassium in the body, thereby preventing fluid retention. Violet is good for rheumatism, cancer, kidney and bladder disorders, scalp problems and migraines. Violet has a subtle effect on the appetite, controlling excess hunger. It is therefore very good for weight loss programs.

This inspirational colour radiates inner wisdom, pure knowing and opens one’s heart to spirituality.

Avoid Violet

Avoid violet when suffering melancholic states, depression, chronic fatigue, low vitality, cold and negative conditions.

Natural Sources of Violet

The most enlightened and respected priests and monk’s robes are adorned with violet, lavender flowers, grapes, butterflies and flowers.

Gold – The Colour of Divine Wisdom, Forgiveness and Love

Gold is a great colour to use in any healing that requires forgiveness, love and acceptance. The golden rays assist with the deepest healing of the soul itself. This colour, used in conjunction with the breath and words of love and acceptance, can change and heal past mistakes, old patterns, resentments, blocks and fears. Gold connects us to our god within.

Avoid Gold

There is no time when it is necessary to avoid the beautiful colour, gold.

Natural Sources of Gold

Glowing golden light, firelight, golden haired children, gold jewellery, golden Buddhas, gold statues and deities.

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All human tissues and organs need oxygen in order to function efficiently. Cancerous cells breed in an oxygen-deprived environment. Tumours and cancer cannot survive in an oxygen-saturated environment and nutrients and healing methods that carry oxygen to the cancerous tissues are very effective in fighting cancer.

As a human being we can live without water for five to seven days, we can exist without food for weeks, but we are unable to live without oxygen for a matter of minutes. Every vital process that occurs in our body’s cells needs oxygen to allow us to survive. It cleanses our body and removes harmful toxins that can lead to disease.

Oxygen therapy can be given in a number of ways. Simply using liquid oxygen supplements saturates the body’s cells with life-giving oxygen. Breathing deeply in oxygen-rich environments or being administered oxygen at high atmospheric pressure are other successful methods of enhancing the body’s supply and efficiency of oxygen. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) saturates the body with oxygen by placing the individual in a chamber that delivers pure oxygen at three times the normal atmospheric pressure. It is most commonly used in cases of trauma, including burns, wounds and the death of tissues from radiation therapy. HBOT increases the rate of healing and speed of recovery after surgery.

Taking walks in the country, being in mountains, walking on the beach and visiting the ocean all enhances the body’s supply of life-giving oxygen and helps to remove carbon dioxide and harmful toxins from the lungs. Beautiful environments rich in negative ions help to maintain normal blood oxygen levels. Certain nutrients and herbs also improve the body’s utilization of oxygen and increase oxygen transport throughout the body. These include germanium, coenzyme Q10, vitamin B2, potassium, iron, magnesium, sulphur, gingko biloba, wheatgrass, chlorella, chlorophyll and ginseng.

The most beneficial way to improve the health of your lungs and absorb oxygen for healing is to undertake deep breathing exercises and relaxation techniques such as yoga, tai chi, qui gong and regular aerobic exercise. All of these natural forms of exercise enhance deep breathing and improve concentration, lung capacity, immunity and health.

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