Causes Of Sore Itchy Scalp

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There can be many causes of sore itchy scalp problems. In rare cases it can be put down to a lack of hygiene, though that is generally not the case for most people and it can in fact more likely be attributed to excessive washing or the use of harsh shampoos and conditioners that cause the scalp to dry out and leave the follicles open to infection (folliculitis). Many of today's shampoos and conditioners contain a number of toxic chemicals which dry out the skin, stripping it of its natural oils and thereby causing a sore, itchy scalp. Without these essential oils the skin is open to a number of infections and yeast organisms like Melassezia Globbosa (the fungus which causes dandruff) or Pitysporum Ovale - which result in dandruff and flaking of the scalp. An example of one of these toxic chemicals is Sodium Laureth Sulphate (SLS) which is an aggressive cleaning and foaming agent commonly used as an engine degreaser. Although proven to strip oils from and prematurely age your skin, damage eye membranes, retard healing, inhibit hair follicle growth and more, it is added to 90% of shampoos on the market. Silicon is also often added to conditioners as an artificial shine enhancer.

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Some other possible causes are:

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A skin condition, such as acne, which can occur for a number of reasons - often hormonal, but also via infection, ingrown hairs and blocked pores, or incorrect diet. A fungus like Ringworm (tinea capitis). This is a superficial fungal infection of the scalp and is caused by mould-like fungi called dermatophytes. It is more common in children and the symptoms include red, itchy patches on the scalp, which cause hair loss and leave bald areas. The skin might itch and be red and peel or be scaly, have swollen blisters or a rash (that can spread) and looks like black dots. The rash is highly contagious, and I would highly recommend seeing your doctor or dermatologist as soon as possible to get further advice and prevent it from spreading further. A cyst, such as an epidermal or sebaceous cyst, a sac beneath the outer layer of the skin that is filled with a greasy white material. These cysts most often appear on the scalp, ears, face or back and are caused by plugged ducts at the site of a hair shaft. An allergic skin reaction (contact dermatitis). This usually comes in two forms - Irritant Contact Dermatitis and Allergic Contact Dermatitis. The former is normally a reaction caused by the direct effect of an irritant substance on the skin, while the latter is a hypersensitivity reaction, acting through the body's immune system, due to a particular substance or group of related substances. This goes back to what I mentioned above about the harsh irritant chemicals that you find in many of today's shampoos and hair products. Stress - brought on by exhaustion, work pressures, emotional tension. Stress can also cause acne to develop. Viral infections, such as chickenpox and shingles

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(Please note that every case is different and if you have an extreme case of scalp problems or are worried and uncertain about anything I would highly recommend you consult your doctor or dermatologist).

To soothe the itching on your scalp there are a few things you can do. Natural oils such as Lavender, German Chamomile, Eucalyptus, and Avocado Oil are excellent at relieving the itchiness. Simply mix them together and add water (4 parts water to 1 part oil), then apply locally to the affected areas on your scalp for relief. This mixture can also be added to your shampoo or conditioner to give your skin an extra boost (try to use a pH neutral shampoo with natural oils such as Tea Tree - this will stop your scalp from drying out further and will help to prevent any infection).

Neem oil is an excellent dandruff preventative and is also great for relieving psoriasis and eczema. As above, it can be added to your shampoo to soothe and aid your scalp problem.

(As with all oils, consult your doctor first if you are pregnant. It is also recommended you patch test all oils/formulas before application or addition to your shampoos).

Causes Of Sore Itchy Scalp

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Red Bull Energy Drink and Its Side Effects

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Consumers are now interested in the composition and effects of what they consume. As with most things in life, moderation is the key to consuming the Red Bull energy drink. Red Bull energy drink side effects become a problem in cases where a consumer is drinking the Red Bull energy drink in excess, or fails to combine their consumption of the Red Bull energy drink with an adequate daily diet.

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The Red Bull energy drink side effects are a combination of the mixing of the herbs contained within the Red Bull energy drink with other substances, or medications. Although the herbs contained within the Red Bull energy drink are not enough to cause difficulties within themselves, they can prove harmful when combined with a prescribed medication.

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The most common prescriptions to cause Red Bull energy drink side effects are acne prescriptions and antibiotic prescriptions. Normally, your doctor will warn you of what to avoid while you are taking your medication, however, Red Bull energy drink side effects are only now being recognized.

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Some of the herbs and vitamins that are included in energy drinks include, ginseng, gingko, biloba, echinacea and Vitamin B. In energy drinks, these herbs and vitamins are usually said to have health benefits, which encourages people to drink in excess of what they otherwise should. If consumed in excess with other medications, these herbs and vitamins can be potentially harmful.

Red Bull energy drink contains both herbs and vitamins. Vitamins should only be taken to substitite a vitamin deficency in the body, or during times when you are undergoing laots of physical training where the body consumes more vitamins, fats and carbohydrates.

Red Bull energy drink contains sugar, taurine, glucuronolactone, B-complex vitamins and caffeine. Although Vitamin B is important for the human body to help maintain an effective defence system in order to prevent disease, it is usually only required if a person is ill, or deficient in that particular vitamin.

Overall, the Red Bull energy drink should be consumed in moderation and more than one, or two drinks a day is not recommended. The risks posed through high consumption of Red Bull include the raising of the energy levels within the body to dangerous proportions, medical complications and allergic reactions.

Red Bull Energy Drink and Its Side Effects

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Scalp Infections - Symptoms, Causes & Natural Options For Fast Relief & Treatment

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There are many definitions and symptoms commonly described as "scalp infections". There are in fact quite a few quite different reasons why your scalp may be sore, itchy, inflamed burning red or infected. If you are like many people with chronic scalp issues - it may be driving you completely up the wall and not knowing what it is or how to treat the problem effectively after many unsuccessful attempts to eliminate it can make it seem far worse - like you are never going to get to the bottom of the problem. Well that need no longer be so! It can be simple to diagnose and treat it now and for good.

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So if you are dealing with any of these symptoms lets first identify the problem and then some of the underlying causes.

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Firstly, if you want to get to the root of your problems, so to speak, you need to be able to identify what your problem actually is. Of course, many scalp infections & conditions look alike, so here is a brief description of some of the most common scalp conditions:

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Red burning itchy scalp can be characterized as any tingling,burning, prickly, and sensitive to the touch or a fiery hot sensation. Often associated with an allergy, sunburn, chemical burn (sensitization of the scalp),or fungal infection.

Dandruff as most of us know is the process of continual shedding of skin cells on our scalps. Often the cause of dandruff is simply the result of toxins, pollutants and products that have built up on the scalp particularly products like silicone- a cheap commonly used artificial shine enhancer in conditioners sold in supermarkets.

When the natural balance of our scalps is disturbed, this creates the perfect environment for the yeast fungus Melassezia Globbosa to move in and thrive. This is when the natural process of shedding our cells gets a little out of hand resulting in an unsightly condition known as "Seborrhoeic Dermatitis" (fancy name for dandruff) and we see the highly visible tell-tale signs of flaking and crusting.

The accompanying itch and urge to scratch are often made worse by the multiplication of the fungal yeast pityrosporum-ovale (having one big party on your scalp). Another follow on effect of this is that the relentless scratching by the sufferer can cause small lesions which weep and ooze or become infected resulting in scalp infections.

Lumps bumps and sores are also common when the scalp is highly irritated or sensitivity has been aggravated. Candida can be an underlying cause of yeast infections of the scalp.

Ringworm of the scalp (tinea capitols) is a superficial fungal infection of the scalp. Scalp ringworm is caused by mold-like fungi called dermatophytes. Ringworm infection occurs when a particular type of fungus grows and multiplies anywhere on your skin, scalp, or nails. It is far more common in children and symptoms include red, itchy patches on the scalp, leaving bald areas. The skin might itch and be red and peel or be scaly, have swollen blisters or a rash (that can spread) and looks like black dots. The rash is highly contagious. It is normally treated with over the counter products containing miconazole, clotrimazole, or similar. Sometimes prescription anti fungal skin medications, such as ketoconazole are needed to clear it up. There are also products direct from nature's factories that can aid the healing process and act as natural antibiotics, although it must be said that ringworm is an aggressive fungus which needs to be monitored closely and treated accordingly.

Dry scalp can feel "tight", a sensation that is sometimes accompanied by flakiness. It is often the result of natural oils being stripped from our scalps by the frequent use of shampoos, hair dyes and or other hair products.

Dermatitis of the scalp (Seborrheic dermatitis) is an inflammatory disorder affecting areas of the head and body where sebaceous glands are most prominent. It can vary from mild dandruff to dense flakey and greasy scale. Once again it is often an accumulation of toxins and products built up on our scalps that our body is trying to rid itself of.

Eczema of the scalp similar in appearance to Seborrheic dermatitis but instead has the name Atopic dermatitis.

Scalp Psoriasis commonly occurs on the back of the head however multiple areas of the scalp or the whole scalp may be affected. Scalp psoriasis is characterized by thick silvery white scales on patches of very red skin and can extend slightly beyond the hairline. Scalp psoriasis, despite being partially hidden by the hair is often a source of social embarrassment due to flaking of the scale and severe 'dandruff'. Scalp psoriasis may be extremely itchy or on occasion have no itch symptoms. It can also cause temporary baldness on the affected areas. It is a common, chronic, inflammatory skin disease and is associated with increased risk of melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and basal cell carcinoma.

Folliculitis of the scalp is a superficial bacterial infection of the hair follicles. It is characterized by pustules around the hair follicles and symptoms include painful brushing of hair and tenderness when rubbing your scalp around the hair follicle sites. Treating with antibiotics for the particular bacteria is the usual course of action but can eventually cause resistance to the antibiotic used. Options include applying Evoclin Foam which is topical. Folliculitis is commonly caused by staph bacteria which also reside inside the nose and sinus cavity. Natural oils such as tea tree and lavender have good antibacterial properties and can also be used to treat this condition.

If you have a bump or lump under the skin (commonly a lump behind the ears with no broken skin or rash developing, then this could be a cyst. Cysts are liquid filled pustules which can be painful when they become infected. If you have such symptoms I recommend seeing a doctor to be safe. Doctors can also treat cysts with antibiotics if they have become infected or incise them as a further but uncommon procedure if the antibiotics are not sufficient.

Stress Related Itching Stress can contribute to or worsen scalp itching as it plays havoc with our immune system and hormones which have an effect on production of sebum from your sebaceous glands. Although it can contribute to the problem it is still somewhat of a myth. It may appear that you have a"stress rash", but it is more likely that the problem was already there in a less noticeable way, then aggravated by increased stress levels making it harder for your body to deal with the problem on its own and eliminate the problem. Many of the treatments below include stress relieving properties - like Lavender oil for example which calms the mind and soothes the body.

Solutions - what YOU can do about it

Going to your doctor may be the best way to get an accurate answer to diagnosing your problem, but I understand that many of you may have already done this, been prescribed some form of medication of cream (even "heavy duty" cortisone based ones where the cortisone potency may need to be increased after time).

Often the problem either doesn't go away from the start - or seems to subside but comes back with full a vengeance later leaving you wondering with more unanswered questions and a VERY unhappy scalp! Well the good news is if you don't like using these expensive and often impotent products- or even want to help them along you can use natural remedies and essential oils known to be super effective anti-bacterial busters such as tea tree oil for instance to inhibit or stop the growth of the infection and assist healing/re balancing of the scalp.

Something that is also important to understand in curing scalp conditions and scalp infections - a factor that is missed by so many doctors, and something not disclosed by companies who sell hair products and treatments is the number of people who are allergic or sensitive to commonly used ingredients in shampoos, dandruff treatments and other hair products. In fact MOST hair products (as many as 90%) contain at least one ingredient that is used in engine degreasers, another is a common ingredient in antifreeze.

These ingredients are cheap to produce foaming agents that make shampoo foam up, and do a fantastic job of stripping dirt and oily build up from hair. Problem is that they sometimes do SUCH a good job that they remove all of the natural oils and sebum from the scalp thus removing the scalps natural against bacteria etc. Another little known fact is that the most common ingredient (Sodium laureth sulphate) is used to induce skin irritation in test patients by drug companies to test the effectiveness of their itch relief skin creams. When first produced and for year's afterwards manufacturers did not know that skin was not a barrier but an absorber of ingredients & that they caused skin irritation in so many people.

So sometimes the beginning of a scalp condition can have originated from something as simple as an imbalance to the skins (scalps) sebum or an allergy to an ingredient that can easily be rectified.

Like your immune system, if your skin has an opportunity to rebalance itself and not be subjected to "incoming foreign matter" and the daily stripping of its natural oils that further aggravates the problem you can allow your body to re balance and heal itself. Obviously buying products that do not strip your hair and scalp is an obvious step in the right direction.

Fortunately there are a lot of manufacturers such as Aveda and Akin (Purist Company) who know what consumers are suffering from these issues so have addressed this problem. They have applied this knowledge to produce some amazing products with all of the benefits of natural ingredients, with none of the side effects at a price we can afford (Akin especially). It need not be difficult, nor expensive to make these choices and a move to healthy hair and scalp long term.

So yes you can eliminate harsh shampoos containing sodium sulphates and go for natural Sulphate and paraben free shampoos that contain ingredients such as macadamia, wheat germ or jojoba oils. These oils mimic our natural sebum to some extent to help to re moisturize and nourish our scalp.

Then there are lavender, rosemary and tea tree oils which contain antibacterial, healing properties. Neem oil great for its antiquing and stops itching. You can apply these topically to your skin for fast relief, to assist healing as well as looking out for shampoos with these natural ingredients in them.

Lavender calms the skin (as does chamomile tea cooled and used as hair rinse).
As well as buying quality shampoos containing these ingredients, you can
create your own combinations of remedy or remedies to soothe your scalp.
You can also help it along by using natural remedies to treat your scalp such as this scalp treatment containing natural oils to assist healing, detoxify and stimulate hair growth: (Add to
water (4 parts water 1part oil) and spray onto scalp and you can add to your shampoo and conditioners also).

Oils To Relieve Itching: Lavender, German Chamomile and Eucalyptus Oils
(Mixed together and dabbed locally on effected areas has a soothing effect).

Neem oil is also a very good dandruff preventative which can be added to any of the formulas detailed below and is excellent for psoriasis and eczema & scalp infections.

Scalp massage with lavender oil (not scented - the real oil) is another
wonderful way to relieve the tension from a sore scalp as well as treat the
issue. It also helps to re grow hair and repair the damage done to your
follicles by chemicals in shampoos causing thinning hair. (Lavender is known to stimulate hair growth too).

There are many more powerful scalp remedies you can use to treat your scalp as well as many shampoos that are excellent value, contain no nasties to aggravate your scalp and hair follicles. It can be really simple to treat scalp problems by treating yourself to your own pampering session using natural oils to help heal your scalp infection. And then be kind to your hair and scalp by using only products that nourish your hair and scalp such as Aveda or Akin brand shampoos. You can assist the healing process and help restore balance back to your scalp and you hair will appreciate and reward you for it too by becoming less brittle, stronger and shinier.
As with all natural remedies please patch test first. It is not intended for this information to replace a doctors medical advice, so please see your doctor for diagnosis and treatment. The responsibility of obtaining doctors diagnosis and using remedies is yours.

Scalp Infections - Symptoms, Causes & Natural Options For Fast Relief & Treatment

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Pine Cat Litter - Advantages And Disadvantages

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Pine cat litter is one of the newer litters on the market. Unlike traditional clay or even newer clumping litters, pine litter has its own inherent odor control because of the natural odor-killing properties of pine. Therefore, it has become popular with cat owners because it greatly reduces box odor within the home.

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Many people initially are put off by the cost. And, as compared to the clumping variety, it's probably roughly twice the price by volume. However, it works by using pine pellets that are compressed wood, and as these pellets get wet, they turn into sawdust. This sawdust itself can then actually absorb even more liquid. Therefore, per use, it's about as cost-effective as more traditional types.

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However there is one disadvantage and that is that many cats do not like to use it. The pellets themselves can be rough on the feet, and many cats never get used to this. Therefore, of course, your cat's opinion is going to be the most important element in the end when it comes to choosing the type of little you'll use. However if your cat seems to avoid the litter at first, you can institute a "break-in" period. Mix your cat's regular litter with pine, starting with a small amount of the pine and a larger amount of the regular litter. Gradually reduce the amount of regular and increase the amount pine used until you're using all pine litter. Many cats do get used to using pine in this way, although some do not. If your cat does not, of course, then this will not be for you. Obviously there are no benefits if you cat won't even use the box.

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Some cat owners prefer to use mostly pine with a small amount of traditional litter sprinkled on top of that permanently. This gives them the odor control of the pine litter with its advantages, and yet keeps cats comfortable so that they'll use the box if they don't like pine.

One major concern about pine litter is that it smells quite strongly of pine. Although this is pleasant to humans, it can be unpleasant for cats' sensitive noses. Therefore, this litter may not be something your cat likes because of the smell it exudes. You should know, however, that there are no toxic pine oils within the litter itself anymore. They have all been removed and it is perfectly safe for cats to use.

Finally, if you live somewhere where your litter can be composted, pine cat litter is a compostable material once feces have been removed. This can be an environmental advantage to using pine over other types of litter. The final say, of course, will come from your cat. If he or she likes it, then it's a good and cost-effective way to manage odor in your home and make cleaning your box more convenient. If he or she does not, that is likely that you need to stick with your regular litter.

Pine Cat Litter - Advantages And Disadvantages

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Three Causes For Sweaty Palms and How to Get Rid of Them

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There are many causes for sweaty palms and by knowing exactly what they are it's easier to get rid of the sweating and cure it once and for all.

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The number one reason for sweaty palms is an overactive sympathetic nervous system. This means that when most people wouldn't sweat you will because your system responds to stimuli too easily.

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The interesting thing with this cause for sweaty palms is that it's somewhat possible to regulate your sweating just by mental training. Have you ever noticed your palms don't sweat at all when you aren't aware of them? Or have you ever noticed they don't sweat when you simply don't care about it?

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Now even though it's very much possible to lower the amounts of sweating it's almost impossible to completely stop it just with mental training. This is why it's important to search for cures that work directly on the cause of the sweating which is physical not psychical.

This is where iontophoresis comes into play. See, iontophoresis treatments originate from 1950 and to this date it's unknown why it really works. However it's the only treatment that's without any side effects and is completely safe. Another great thing with iontophoresis is that it works in just a few days and after that all you need to do is to do the treatments once every 3-4 weeks.

The only problem with iontophoresis machines is they are really expensive. This is why I've researched how exactly are they made and after I've cured my sweaty palms with it I've created a short step by step system that will show you just how to create one and how to properly use it.

Three Causes For Sweaty Palms and How to Get Rid of Them

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Are Indoor Humidity Levels Affecting Your Health?

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The ideal indoor humidity level is either 35% to 45% or 40% to 50% depending on who you ask. Thankfully, the human body is quite flexible and you do not have too aim at an exact figure. The important thing is to avoid extremes. Living indoors is not entirely natural. The artificial environments that we create for ourselves can sometimes cause extremes of humidity to occur. For short periods of time this is nothing to worry about, but the long term effects can be quite unpleasant.

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If the humidity level regularly exceeds 50% you are likely to experience a rapidly increasing dust mite population, which will affect allergy sufferers. Permanently damp rooms tend to have a musty smell. The damp air is a perfect breeding ground for mold, mildew and fungus, which can cause serious health problems. Where ever possible the cause of such conditions should be removed, but it is not always that simple and a dehumidifier may be required. A modern dehumidifier with built in humidistat can be programmed to maintain a humidity level below 50%. There are a wide variety available, so it is important to find the correct type for your situation. A useful guide to dehumidifiers can be found at DehumidifierTips.com

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Consistently low humidity levels are also bad. This tends to occur when the weather is cold outside and we turn up the heat in our homes. The most noticeable effects are a sore throat and sinus pain, symptoms that are common in modern society at certain times of year. You can also get dry skin and itchy eyes. The solution is to buy a humidifier that will put moisture back into the air. Like dehumidifiers, these can be programmed to operate automatically, and there is a huge range available that make the most of a variety of different humidification techniques. These techniques are explored in detail at HumidifierInformation.com together with everything else you need to know on the subject.

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If any of these symptoms sound familiar, maybe you should buy a hygrometer (humidity meter) and take some readings to find out if humidity is the cause. With modern technology at your disposal there is no need for your health to suffer.

Are Indoor Humidity Levels Affecting Your Health?

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Adrenal Fatigue: How it Affects Your Life and How to Heal it

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80 % of American society is afflicted with adrenal fatigue at some point in their life yet most are unaware of the problem. They simply know they don't feel well or perhaps symptoms lead them to explore other disorders; we do know that often symptoms denote multiple possibilities and sometimes overlap disorders. Do these symptoms apply to you?

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♠ Weight gain, especially in waist or stomach, and it stubbornly sticks to you

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♠ Fatigue ~ lack of energy ~ lethargy

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♠ Insomnia

♠ Brain fog ~ concentration difficulty

♠ Morning sluggishness ~ need for stimulants to get you moving

♠ Constipation

♠ Nervousness ~ anxiety

♠ Mild depression

♠ Dry skin and hair

♠ Arthritis

♠ Pain in upper back and neck

♠ Unexplained hair loss

♠ Cold hands and feet ~ or just plain cold

♠ Allergies ~ both inhalants and food

♠ Low body temperature

♠ Reduced sex drive

If you said "yes" to several of these symptoms there is a strong possibly that you are experiencing adrenal fatigue. If you said "yes" to half or more, your adrenals are fatigued.

What is adrenal fatigue?

Adrenal fatigue is simply the allowance of stressors to influence and perhaps take control over your life. Stress is a big issue in most people's lives and all too often the person has no idea how to deal with the stress. The result is adrenal fatigue as well as many other imbalances within the body, mind and spirit of the individual. Stress has many faces such as:

Anger ~ fear ~ guilt

Not enough sleep ~ chronic fatigue

Chronic illness

Chronic infection

Too much exercise

Improper diet

Gluten intolerance

Worry ~ anxiety ~ continually focusing on negative aspects and events

Exposure to large amount of toxins

Surgery

Caffeine

Excess sugar

Digestive imbalances

What happens when your body becomes stressed?

Your adrenal glands are located directly above the kidneys which are found in the back of you right above your waist. In this tiny gland is the most abundant hormone in your body - DHEA. Cortisol (often referred to as the hormone of death) is also found in your adrenal glands. The adrenals main purpose is to be a stress regulator. Here's an example.

You are traveling down the road and someone pulls out in front of you. You slam on your brakes, maybe say a few choice words, and are grateful that you avoided an accident. In the meantime you had probably stopped breathing momentarily, at the very least you only took shallow quick breaths. Your heart probably began racing and felt like it would pop out of your chest and maybe even your head started throbbing. What you probably don't know is that your cortisol also shot up to accommodate for the demand put on your adrenals. This is what we term flight and flight, and it is beneficial when something like this occurs. However, when our life becomes a continual fight and flight atmosphere, we can easily develop adrenal fatigue. The adrenals kicking in for a sudden trauma is meant to be temporary. From the stressors already mentioned, it is usually a combination of various stressors that create this syndrome for you.

As a result of continuous stress to your body, your cortisol remains elevated and thus the symptoms begin. It is very likely that at the same time your DHEA is declining, and if you are 40 or older, it is doing so naturally. We know that hormones do decline with age, but if we are stressed they will decline more rapidly. All of this not only tears down your health but ages you faster both internally and externally. And who wants to age faster!

As a result of experiencing adrenal fatigue, most individuals reach for stimulants to get and keep them going - coffee, sodas, pills, alcohol, chocolate, nicotine, etc. They are masking their problem and it continues to grow worse without their awareness due to the cover-up.

Here's the importance of cortisol.

It normalizes blood sugar ~ When a stressor occurs the cortisol increases the blood sugar level in your body, working with the pancreas to provide enough glucose to provide energy for your cells. Continuous increased blood sugar levels creates a blood sugar imbalance which can lead to multiple physical disorders such as diabetes.

Anti-inflammatory ~ Cortisol is a powerful anti-inflammatory agent. When trauma happens to our body the cortisol is released to reduce the swelling and repair the injury. Too much trauma produces too much cortisol. There are many disorders associated with inflammation such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, osteoporosis.

Immune system supporter ~ Cortisol influences most cells that participate in your immune system's regulation. Chronic high levels of cortisol suppress the immune system allowing an individual to be more susceptible to illness, especially to viruses.

Stress balancer ~ Cortisol helps to balance your stress reactions, but if stress becomes chronic then it can no longer maintain the balance. The result can be weight gain that is difficult to reduce, high blood pressure, estrogen dominance that can lead to uterine fibroids and even breast cancer, and much more.

So you can see how easy it is to find yourself in the throws of adrenal fatigue and yet suspect other disorders. I personally believe, as do many health practitioners, that it is imperative to repair your adrenals no matter what illness or disorder you have because the adrenals will always be affected if there is imbalance anywhere in your body.

Steps to repair your adrenals

1. First of all understand this. Traditional medicine testing cannot detect adrenal fatigue unless it has become severe. That's why so many physicians tell their patients - and you may have been one of them - to go home and relax or give them a prescription drug for anxiety to help. That's simply a band-aid approach and resolves little if anything, and it definitely doesn't cure the problem.

2. However, there is a saliva test that holistic practitioners and doctors are using that has excellent results in measuring your cortisol and DHEA levels. It is called the ASI, or Adrenal Stress Index. Although nothing is ever 100% accurate, this has very high accuracy. The reason is that your saliva is part of your tissues and can relate to the lab technicians what is being absorbed within your body as well as the level of your hormones.

3. Realize that all physical disorders have emotional cores. You may be able to "fix"
your adrenal problem temporarily by making some lifestyle changes, but if you don't release the negative emotion that underlies your stress it will simply come back again, perhaps in another form. We are multidimensional beings and it requires a balance in all four areas to be healthy. One tire on your car can cause quite an imbalance if it loses enough air. So it is with your body and health.

4. Remove your stressors. You might be laughing right now as you're thinking I don't know what your life is like and what you're going through. You might be surprised just how much I do understand. And yes, you can successfully become stress free. You see, I'm a recoveree of adrenal fatigue and had been experiencing it for decades but didn't know it. I gave birth to and raised five children, worked all through those years, was driven to succeed in my work, began having big health challenges, divorced, experienced major financial struggles for several years, found myself in a potentially destructive business arrangement from which I finally detached, and so on. We all have our stories but you don't have to stay in them. I left my old story and created a life free from stress and its affects on me. You can do it too! The key is in how you respond to the stressors. If you want to know more about how to live stress-free, click on my website http://www.drcarolynporter.com on the home page, and order my free eBook entitled Stress Free Living. There are many other products and services listed on my website that may help you as well.

5. Get enough sleep! This can be a real problem for many people. So many come into our health store begging for something so they can sleep. Insomnia often accompanies
adrenal fatigue yet it is most necessary for repair. 7-8 hours or more are necessary for healing and the adrenals repair most from 11pm - 1am. (some say the repair begins at 10 pm) So that means that you night owls might need to make some changes. I had to do this as well. Melatonin, 5HTP, herbs, magnesium, warm baths, reading before retiring, working with a coach to learn new ways to respond to your stress, listening to soft music, are all possible was to help you sleep. It is also essential to clean your liver and digest your food well to sleep well. Guides for this are mentioned below.

6.Change your diet. Follow these guidelines to allow for adrenal repair:

♦ Eliminate sugar, caffeine, and alcohol - these fight against adrenal repair

♦ Consider adding salt to you diet - but only Himalayan or Celtic types

♦ Consume many organic vegetables, at least 6 every day

♦ Consider juicing veggies several times a week for cleansing your body

♦ Drink 1 mug of warm water on empty stomach every morning with ½ organic
lemon squeezed in it - cleanses the liver easily and naturally

♦ Exercise, but only moderately at first. Rule of thumb is to stop if tired.

♦ Eat regularly, at least three meals per day - may benefit from 5-6 small ones

♦ Eat plenty of good protein as amino acids found in protein help restore adrenals

♦ Progesterone cream - promotes healthy adrenals and thyroid glands, helps to

balance estrogen overload
♦ Supplementation - this is an individualized process - there is no one protocol that works for everyone and what works for one can be toxic to another. Below are some suggestions but please do your own research and seek the help of qualified
practitioners for your repair process.

Note: When your adrenals are fatigued the immediate craving is for sugar, yet ironically it is the worst thing you could consume as it furthers the adrenal fatigue. Individuals who crave sugar or carbohydrates often find that adrenal fatigue is a root cause of their cravings.

Adrenals will be better served with organic vegetables, the darker and brighter the better, plenty of good quality protein to ensure enough amino acids, plenty of water and the inclusion of beneficial oils like refined, organic extra virgin coconut oil. This kind of coconut oil can actually cause weight loss and provide the good fats necessary for the conversion of ALL hormones in your body.

Supplementation that can support adrenal repair:

♦ Vitamin C and bioflavonoids - 1000 mg to 5000

mg daily, divided doses

♦ B-5, pantothenic acid, or panethine gelcaps - 1000 - 1500 mg daily, divided

♦ Vitamin E, mixed tocopherols - 400 iu's

daily, one gelcap

♦ Magnesium - citrate good form, 500 mg or

more daily, powdered form good

♦ Natural progesterone cream - men can also

benefit

Also may be beneficial:

♦ B complex, 50 - 100 mg 2 x's daily

♦ Multi-vitamin/mineral - once daily

♦ Antioxidants

♦ DHEA - be careful with this, especially

women, as only a little is needed to help

♦ Natural hydrocortisone - caution here as

well - prescription only

Additional suggestions:

Since most individuals with adrenal fatigue have compromised digestion, it is vital that they can digest food and supplement intake properly and have a good intestinal flora balance. You might want to include the following in your daily diet to assist in adrenal restoration:

♦ Probiotics - 2 - 3 times per day

♦ Digestive enzymes - with every meal

♦ Eating raw fermented vegetables - daily

Note: Often less is best, at least to begin. If your body is not functioning optimally, it may be necessary to introduce supplements and changes slowly so as not to "shock" the body or overload it. Of course, in the case of serious disease, it is often beneficial to saturate the body quickly to detoxify and ensure healing. Baby steps do best and know that adrenal restoration takes time, from 3 months to as much as two years, according to the severity of your adrenal fatigue.

Here are some websites that provide lots of good information on adrenal fatigue and a healthy lifestyle...

http://www.Mercola.com

http://www.themakersdiet.com

http://www.adrenalfatigue.org

http://www.drlam.com

Adrenal Fatigue: How it Affects Your Life and How to Heal it

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