Hypoglycemia

Dear friends, I was requested to write on a good hypoglycemic diet and my research on the subject has taken me far and wide. I have plenty of jotted notes, I have contacted some of the experts who have graciously responded and allowed me to quote them as well as post their links on this blog; however (always a however!) my notes are not in order and therefore (good companion to however) I will not be posting all the results until mid or the end of next week. Let's be patient - I promise that after I finish with hypoglycemia, I will be posting some very interesting and "easy-to-do" information on skin care.

Talk to you soon!!

Insomnia

In the last few weeks I have found that more and more young women suffer from insomnia; it used to be that insomnia was exclusive to people with tremendous responsibilities, horrible problems or extremely bad habits. Well, it is a misconception.

The women I have met are very young and in one of the cases with almost no cares in this world, so I have decided to investigate into the matter and this is what I have found:

According to the National Heart, Lung & Blood Institute in the page of US Department of Health and Human Services, one in three adults suffers insomnia occasionally and one in ten adults suffer of chronic insomnia. Not get this, more women suffer from insomnia than men (no wonder we are loosing our hair!!).

Symptoms (daytime hours):

1. Tiredness
2. Lack of energy
3. Difficulty concentrating
4. Irritability

Possible risks:

1. Depression
2. Poor health
3. Accidents
4. Poor relationships
5. Poor job performance
6. Lower grades

Insomnia is perceived as a difficulty to fall asleep or a difficulty staying asleep.

The US Department of Health and Human Services describes only two types of insomnia:

1. Primary
   
2. Secondary

Other sources describe up to four:

1. Transient insomnia (short time)
2. Intermittent insomnia (on and off)
3. Acute insomnia (3 weeks to 6 months)
   
4. Chronic insomnia (years)

Common complaints of insomniacs:

1. Inability to rest their minds
   
2. Unable to close their eyes

Insomnia also has different patterns:

1. Difficulty falling asleep at the beginning of the night
2. Wake up in the middle of the night or too early in the morning and having difficulty to go back to sleep
3. Wake up in the middle of the night or difficulty to stay asleep

Causes for insomnia:

1. Psychoactive drugs (cocaine, ephedrine, amphetamines, etc.)
2. Stimulants (coffee, tea, chocolate, some herbs, etc.)
3. Hormones (such as menopause, PMS or menstruation)
4. Emotions (fear, stress, anxiety, anger, emotional pain)
5. Unsatisfactory sex life
6. Mental disorders (depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder)
7. Post surgery effects on our sleep pattern
8. Jet lag (frequent travelers)
9. Shift work
10. Brain lesions or injuries
11. Hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism
    
12. Abuse of sleep aids
13. Lack or poor sleep hygiene
14. Nightmares
15. Sleepwalking
16. Believe it or not, full moon is also blamed for insomnia
17. Fatal familial insomnia
18. An overactive mind
19. Physical pain
    

Do not confuse insomnia with Delayed Sleep Syndrome or Sleep Apnea

Things to do:

1. Keep a sleep diary (at least one week) with your sleep patterns, your routine, how you feel while awake, food intake, any of the 19 circumstances above
   
2. Consult and discuss with your doctor the notes on your diary
3. Try to go to bed at the same time each night
4. Try to get up at the same time each morning
5. Avoid any stimulant either late in the day or at night, better yet, avoid them (coffee, cigarettes, alcohol, tea, etc.)
6. Exercise regularly and better if in the morning
7. Eat early dinners (2 hours before going to bed)
8. If light is a problem, keep your bedroom dark or use a sleeping mask
   
9. If noise is a problem, keep your bedroom quiet or use earplugs or a table water fountain
10. Establish a routine that will relax you and stimulate sleep such as reading, listening to music, taking a bath, etc.
11. If you cannot fall asleep within 15 to 20 minutes of going to bed get up and do something peaceful as reading, drawing, etc. and then try again.
12. If worry does not let you sleep, make a to-do list before going to bed.
13. Do not use your bed for anything else but sleep and sex
14. Avoid having a TV in your bedroom
15. Choose soothing colors for your bedroom
16. Avoid overcrowded bedrooms (for example too much furniture)
17. Keeping a clean and orderly bedroom helps (I know it by experience)
18. Drink soothing herbal teas such as Linden or Chamomile about 30 minutes before bedtime
    
19. Making a tea with the core or two leaves of lettuce has proven to be fantastic
    
20. Include in your diet foods that help relieve stress such as turkey and potatoes and of course, lettuce!

Call the doctor if:

1. Your insomnia lasts more than four weeks
2. You suspect your insomnia is a symptom of another medical condition

Visit the emergency room if:

1. You notice poor coordination and attention lapses
2. If you suffer pain
   
3. If you experience any difficulty when breathing

In a nut shell, you might need to:

1. Improve your sleep habits
2. Correct your sleep misconceptions
3. Control your environment
4. Manage your behavior
   
5. Attend therapy
6. Take medications

Always consult your physician before taking any medication, over the counter or prescribed, it is very important! And, please, follow his instructions.

I will continue to investigate to keep us up to date.

Licorice (Regaliz in Spanish)

Also known as sweet root, it is said to be fifty times sweeter than sugar; licorice candy has been popular for centuries.

But being sweet and looked after in its candy form is not all there is to licorice; licorice is also known for its medicinal effects and can be used over a long period of time with no toxic effects.

Studies done on licorice indicate that it has anti inflammatory, antiviral and anti allergic properties. It is said to be good for:

• Reduce pain caused by peptic ulcers
• Bladder ailments
• kidney ailments
• Arthritis
• Congestion due to colds
• Sore, hoarse throat
• Tuberculosis
• Heartburn caused by reflux
• Inflammatory disorders
• Skin diseases
• Stress relief
• As an expectorant
• To lower LDL "bad" cholesterol and triglycerides
  
• 
  

In addition:

• It is being studied as a retardant to the growth of certain cancerous tumors
• It is said to help prevent cavities
• Its role in the treatment of heart disease and HIV is being studied
  

And if I were to continue pointing out the many studies that are being conducted to analyze licorice's beneficial effects in countless ailments, I would not finish tonight.

Before using, please consult with your health provider as it has been known to cause:

• Headaches
• Fatigue
• High blood pressure
• Water retention and/or bloating
  
• Deplete the potassium levels in the body (extremely dangerous!)
• Muscle pain
• Numbness in arms and legs
• Weight gain
  

Do not use if:

• You suffer from PMS - avoid during those specially difficult days!
• Suffer from high-blood pressure
• You are pregnant or breast feeding
• By men with decreased libido or any sexual dysfunction
• You suffer from obesity, diabetes, heart or liver conditions

Remember, always consult with your physician before use.

Flatulence

You don't have to suffer from painful gas and you really don't have to depend on over the counter medicine that eventually becomes ineffective. There are several natural and easy ways to help relieve flatulence.

• Change your coffee for tea
• Reduce fats and sugar
• Exercise daily (low impact such as walking or biking, swimming is good too)
• Do stretching exercises.
• Chew your food slowly and completely
• Try not to drink soda or at least limit its consumption
• Consider being lactose intolerant; try eliminating milk from your diet or consult your doctor for an alternative.
• If you discover that certain foods aggravate this condition reduce or eliminate their consumption
  
• Chamomile tea, one cup before going to bed. It will help relax you intestines and therefore reduce spasms.
• Ginger is also a good antispasmodic and good for most digestive ailments. Peel about one one inch of a ginger root, slice and boil in 3 cups of water for some 15 to 20 minutes. Drink through the day. Of course, you may take ginger capsules instead - just follow the directions on the bottle.
• You might want to try chewing on fennel seeds or use them to make tea.
• Star anise tea, used commonly for women right after delivery and for newborn babies; it is not only good for your tummy, but good to your palate.
• Massage your tummy clockwise for 10 minutes - this will relieve discomfort and push gas out.
• Take Yoga classes, it does relieve from gas.
  
  And, last but not least, lay on your back, pull your knees to your chest and then rock in a circular motion.
  

Hair is a never ending story!

A few more things about your hair.

• Did you know that perms can cause allergic dermatitis on yours scalp, your forehead and your neck?
• Don't forget a well-balanced diet to keep your hair healthy and shiny, especially if you like to perm, dye or iron it constantly.
• Always rinse your hair after swimming in the ocean or the pool.
• If Chlorine changes the color of your hair (if you are blond, it will turn green) rinse your hair with this mixture:
• 4 crushed aspirins in two onces of water; leave on your hair for no less than 10 minutes.

• I was told many years ago that it is important to have several shampoos in use so you can alternate them and avoid residue; I have to report that it has worked very well. Keep in mind that it is said that regular shampoos contain around 15 ingredients, whereas the ones that have the conditioner included might have up to 25 ingredients. This is a lot to put on your hair. I should say that unless you really need the conditioner, avoid it. It might be a green measure as well...
• Remember to rinse your hair for at least one minute after shampooing, that helps to eliminate residue.
• Make sure to choose the shampoo with the right PH. The ones that are said to be better are the neutral or the acidic PH. Keep in mind a PH 7 is neutral, if you want it acidic look for a lower PH. And, to use lower PH for damaged or chemically treated hair. The problem is that in all the bottles I have bought, I never saw the PH specified. If any of you know how to identify the PH, please let us all know!
• Avoid an alkaline PH for they will weaken the hair and will make it look dull. Again, where do I find the PH on the bottle??!!
• Since most shampoos do not specify the PH, I read that you could test shampoos with litmus paper (used commonly in chemistry and found in drugstores). Litmus is extracted naturally from lichens and reportedly has been in use since the 1300s AD.
• All I know is that if I use a shampoo that does not make my hair look good after the first wash, I never buy it again.
• Please, please do not shampoo everyday unless absolutely necessary. If you can't go a day without washing your hair use a non-fragrant shampoo to avoid more ingredients than you should have.
• Also, use medicated shampoos wisely; it is not good to shampoo with them on daily basis.
• Did you know that conditioners, gels and mouse weight down your hair and attract dirt? One more reason to use them sparingly.
• An the last but not the least, want to give more body to your fine and oily hair? Condition it before the shampoo, not after.

Y, colorín colorado, the hair story se ha acabado - the hair story has ended!!

About hair again!

My dear friend Freya shared with me the other day a prescription to get rid of dandruff that her cousin, who used to be a stylist in New York, shared with her some years ago and that worked very well:

Listerine
About 24 aspirins
A small amount of peroxide

Make a paste and apply with a tooth brush on the scalp. Do it as many times as necessary until dandruff disappears. The only thing though, is I forgot to ask how often... I will and will report.

And here some more good advice:

1. Did you know that the sun can change our hair color? Well, according to the experts, it is so, therefore we should do as in the movies from the 40's, use a scarf (or a hat) whenever we go outdoors, even if you are using products with ingredients to block ultraviolet rays, their protection is not enough.
2. Remember what our old aunt used to say? Do not rub your hair with a towel after shampooing, blot only. Hair is very vulnerable when wet and rubbing will only damage it.
3. Do not brush when wet, use a wide-toothed comb and like grandma used to say, better if tortoise shell, otherwise rubber should be our second choice; plastic combs so popular due to their price are a big "no-no" and don't even think of metal!
4. And here goes what we all know very well but pay very little attention to: Blow driers, hot rollers, curling irons, straightening irons and all those fancy items that helps us look orderly and neat ARE NOT GOOD! Let's be smart and choose a hairstyle that will be easy and attractive to maintain without those harmful aids - I used to be smart, I am letting my hair grow long once more, I suppose I should prepare to look my worst most days not to go bold before I turn 80; I would not be ready to use a wig at that age.
5. But, if you insist (like most of us) on using a blow dryer, do not use it when it is still dripping water because you will get split ends due to the excessive amount of heat needed to dry your hair.
6. Do not use your blow dryer when your hair has dried either, it is as bad.
7. Set your blow dryer on medium or low, never use the high setting, even if you are late to work; what is worse, a nasty look from your boss and co-workers or no hair on your head?
8. Remember they use to tell us to brush 100 times every night? Well, they were wrong, 15 to 20 strokes should suffice, according to my sources more can damage your hair instead of helping it.
9. Brushing at night is a very good idea, as normally your hair is totally dry and that is what we need to distribute the oils from the scalp to the tip of our hair, which will make it look shiny and healthy. Of course a natural bristle brush is what we need to use, no fake stuff for the hair miladies! Or, gentlemen too, of course!
10. Want to get rid of that dreadful static? Apply a drop of hand cream to your palms, rub well and run your hands over your dry hair, or... get this... rub your hair lightly with a fabric softener sheet! I rather use the cream or put hair spray on my hairbrush or buy one of those miracle bottles that the hairdresser insists is a must for a hair as electric as yours.

Well, that is it for tonight, more on hair to come soon, but please don't forget: Brush gently, brush gently, brush gently - your hair can be either your best friend or your worst... (I won't say that ugly word) so, be nice to it.