Health & Nutrition Facts for Bodybuilders

Medical imaging tests have made important advances in early diagnosis and treatment. There are a few different options that may be best for certain diagnoses and individuals and allow physicians to see what was impossible to view only a few decades ago. However, these imaging scans can be harmful and not all dangers are yet known. X-Rays Are Best for Bone and Calcium Dense Tissue Scans X-rays are the oldest imaging scans and are created by beams of radiation through the body to create an image on photographic films or a digital recording plate. X-rays are best used to take high resolution images of bones and calcium dense tissue, such as in dental images and chest X-rays for pneumonia. It can be used to take images of organs and blood vessels with the use of fluoroscopy, which is the injection of contrast dye into the body. X-ray imaging is inexpensive and gives fast, high resolution images, as most people have experienced at the dentist. However, X-ray radiation is an ioniz...

High blood pressure (hypertension) is often called the “silent killer.” That’s because there are rarely any symptoms. Then a person may die as the result of the damage done over time by the presence of high blood pressure. For this reason, people need to have their blood pressure monitored routinely. Doctors prefer blood pressures to be 120/80 or lower. The top number, 120, is called the systolic number. That top number is obtained when the heart is working to pump blood. The bottom number, 80, is called the diastolic number. It is obtained while the heart is at rest. Both numbers are important. Diagnosing High Blood Pressure The diagnosis of hypertension is given to a person who has repeated readings of 140/90 or greater. A diagnosis of hypertension is not based on a single reading. Blood pressures vary over the course of the day. It’s usually lower during sleep and higher in the morning. Pain and stress may elevate a blood pressure reading. Primary or Secondary High Bloo...

At the beginning of the 1900s, popular treatments for colds were poultices and messy plasters. These were typically the same forms of mustard and mint products that had been used for over 5000 years. These products were applied on the chest and forehead , but due to the abrasiveness of the compounds, they often caused rashes and/or blisters. This was due is a large part because their main ingredients were skin irritants. The other prescribed method to cure a cold was to inhale hot herbal vapors. While this method was very successful in curing colds, it could also cause severe burns if children or patients placed their faces too close to the steam. Who is Lunsford Richardson? Lunsford Richardson , a druggist from Selma, North Carolina, was one of several druggists who sought a product that would provide relief without the drawbacks of the plasters and poultices. Two events occurred that led him to the perfect product. The first was the use of petroleum jelly as a safe base fo...

People who suffer from back pain usually can pinpoint those obvious causes for the problem. Usually back pain occurs from factors such as heavy or improper lifting, strained ligaments and muscles or sudden body movements. There are also structural reasons for back pain such as arthritis, osteoporosis, sciatica or ruptured disks. However, often back problems are due to hidden causes that are not as obvious. Shoes and Back Pain Because shoes support the entire body and are the only contact between the ground and a person, it’s important to wear the right shoes to avoid back pain. Shoes that are not aligned properly and don’t give proper support and ride quality can cause problems with backs. For example, high heels put added pressure on the foot which causes back pain . When wearing these shoes, a woman’s heels are placed unnaturally above her toes so even a slight change to the foot can affect body alignment. The spine has curves designed to distributed body weight and wearing ...

Dark spots on the skin, also called liver or age spots , usually appear on areas of the body that have the most sun exposure, like the face, arms and trunk. You may begin seeing dark spots at age 40, but they can occur earlier. Age spots are harmless, according to the Mayo Clinic, and don’t need treatment. But some people choose to have them lightened for cosmetic reasons. The best way to prevent dark spots is by minimizing sun exposure. Some sunscreens are infused with a host of ingredients that can lighten lighten liver spots and freckles. Hydroquinone is an organic compound that reduces melanin in the skin. Applying a sunscreen with hydroquinone to dark spots can lighten pigment. For all over freckling or several dark spots, applying the sunscreen all over provides a better chance of fading skin evenly. SkinTx: Sunbalance is an example of one product that contains four percent hydroquinone. Vitamin C is also known to lighten pigment. An article published in 2006 in the jo...

Sinus infections resulting in congestion, pain and pressure can last up to four weeks, or longer for chronic sufferers. Luckily, there are many prescription, over-the-counter and natural remedies available to ease the pain, as well as preventative measures to avoid future infections. Acute Sinusitis and Chronic Sinusitis Treatments Sinus infection , or sinusitis , is characterized by an inflammation of the sinuses and nasal passages.There are varying degrees of sinusitis, ranging from acute sinusitis to chronic sinusitis. Those suffering from acute sinusitis should only use over-the-counter decongestants for the recommended period of time. In some cases, a doctor may prescribe a decongestant or antibiotics. Use these medications as per the doctor's instructions. Pain relievers may also be used, as recommended. For anyone with long-term sinusitis symptoms, treatment options may also include decongestants or antibiotics, but these are only to control symptoms. For daily treat...

Two top neuro-scientists, Sandra Aamodt and Sam Wang, have written an engaging book titled Welcome to Your Brain (Bloomsbury USA, 2008). The book explains new discoveries in brain research, offers tips for enhancing brain health, and debunks many long-held myths about the brain. A few of these myths are: We Only Use 10% of Our Brain Capacity Not so, say Aamodt and Wang. Most of us use nearly 100% of our brains every day. The authors explain that nature doesn’t support structures that will never be used, so while the brain does have back up systems in the event of damage to critical areas, most of the brain is needed and used in day-to-day living. Mozart Makes Babies Smarter A small 1993 research project gave birth to the Mozart myth. The study showed that college students who listened to classical music prior to taking the SAT test scored a little better than their peers. The study has never been successfully replicated, and no one has ever published a report on the relatio...

According to MedicineNet in "Definition of Heat Stroke," heat stroke occurs when the body's core temperature rises above 104°F (40°C) and is accompanied by hot, dry skin and central nervous system abnormalities such as delirium, convulsions or coma. Since heat stroke is a life-threatening condition, it is important to watch people for heat stroke symptoms. MedicineNet states that heat stroke that results from exposure to high environmental temperatures is termed nonexertional heat stroke, and heat stroke that results from strenuous exercise is called exertional heat stroke. Regardless of the type of heat stroke a person experiences, heat stroke signs are life-threatening, and immediate medical attention is necessary when heat stroke symptoms begin. When the body cannot control its temperature, heat stroke occurs because the sweating mechanism fails. The body is not able to cool down. Body temperature can rise to 106°F (41.1°C) or higher within a few minutes. Hea...