Regular headaches? Get relief with natural remedies

(ARA) - What do millions of Americans have in common? Headaches.

Nearly everyone gets a headache at one time or another, especially during difficult economic times.

Tension headaches, migraines and “cluster” headaches account for 90 percent of all headaches, according to the Yale Medical Group’s Web site. While the vast majority of headaches are brief tension or cluster headaches, approximately 30 million Americans experience migraines, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke reports.

Most of us reach for over-the-counter remedies for headaches, but a growing number of Americans are seeking more natural options. June is National Headache Awareness month, and whether the rising cost of everything or the trend toward a more natural lifestyle is driving demand for non-medicinal headache remedies, there are many ways to handle the pain naturally.

Manage stress

Muscle tension is a leading cause of primary, non-migraine headaches. Stress is a leading cause of muscle tension. Reducing or managing stress may help you avoid the muscle tension that can lead to a headache.

Stress is the body’s physical and emotional reaction to changes in life, according to Medline Plus, a service of the National Institutes of Health and the U.S. National Library of Medicine. The service offers a few tips on how to avoid and manage stress:

* If you can, avoid everyday situations that you know cause you to feel stressed.

* While change can be good for you, it’s a good idea to plan ahead for major life changes.

* Know your own limitations for how much you can juggle at once and don’t be afraid to say no to new responsibilities when you already have enough on your plate.

* Communicate and talk with others about your feelings of stress.

* Eat well, exercise regularly and be sure to get enough sleep.

Focus on relaxation

It may be hard to do given the economy, but relaxing is one of the best ways to avoid headache. Deep breathing, biofeedback, meditation, stretching and muscular exercises and massage are all great ways to relax, according to Medline.

Massage can be particularly helpful, as it relaxes muscles and eases mental tension. You can easily self-massage your head, neck, temples, sinus areas to ease your headache. A bead-filled face mask can also provide the soothing benefits of massage.

The patented IMAK Eye Pillow Pain Relief Mask was designed by a physician to address multiple kinds of headache pain, from migraines and tension headaches to sinus pain and eyestrain. Imak’s bead technology, called ErgoBeads, inside the eye pillow create a gentle, massaging effect around the eyes. Use it at room temperature or as a cooling therapy by popping the mask in the freezer before putting it on. The mask is available in many retail drug stores online at imakproducts.com.

Improve your lifestyle

Promoting overall good health can also help prevent headaches. Regular aerobic exercise can help reduce the frequency and severity of tension headaches. Certain unhealthful foods have been associated with triggering headaches, and so has skipping meals. Cultivate the habit of eating regular, healthy meals and getting plenty of rest.

Be sure to stay hydrated -- dehydration can cause a host of health problems, including headaches. If you smoke, quit. If you’re a nonsmoker, avoid being around second-hand smoke, since headache can be among the myriad health woes caused by inhaling second-hand smoke.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Tips For Healthy Pregnancy Weight Gain

When you're pregnant, your doctor will most likely suggest that you gain somewhere between twenty-five and thirty pounds. Although many women report that they actually lose weight during the first trimester, you should try to gain around three and a half pounds during that time. Why is losing weight during the early months of your pregnancy even possible? Morning sickness of course. As long as your weight goes up normally throughout the second trimester, however, your doctor will probably not be overly concerned.

During the next, or second, trimester of your pregnancy, it is normal to gain the majority of weight. On average, a woman will gain about a pound a week with a total of about twelve to fifteen pounds. Gaining more during some months and less during another is not unusual.

When you reach your seventh and eighth months, you will continue to gain about a pound a week with a total of about eight to ten pounds during the last months. As the baby grows larger, your weight gain may slow down in the final month. Many folks believe that this slowed gain is a certain sign of impending delivery, so take solace in that. Now, keep in mind that if you do keep on gaining weight you could be retaining water, so speak to your doctor about that.

Your second trimester is where you will probably put on most of your weight. Most women put on about a pound a week, so roughly four or five pounds a month which brings their second trimester weight gain to about 12-15 pounds. Some women put on more while others put on less. Do not be surprised if you gain a lot of weight one month and not so much your next.

For the 7th and 8th month you will should probably continue about a pound each week or so. Look to gain between 8 and 10 pounds those months. Most women find that their weight gain slows down in the 9th month. You might find your weight gain coming to a end as your due date draws nearer. This can be a sign that labor is on the horizon. Or, you may find that your weight gain continues especially if you are retaining a lot of water.

Given that most newborns only weight about seven pounds, then where are all the extra pounds coming from? Remember that there is a lot of amniotic fluid and your breasts have enlarged not to mention the placenta. Not only that, but you now will have a larger uterus as well. During your pregnancy, you'll produce around four pounds of blood more than usual. Don't forget the added body fat too. With that said, there really shouldn't be a surprise that you gain so much weight.

Of course, not all women are alike and these numbers are only hypothetical. You really should focus on having a healthy pregnancy and keep a healthy weight during your entire gestation. Both you and your baby require more calories than usual and those calories should come from healthy food and nutrition. Try to keep away from empty calories and junk food that will not benefit either of you.

By following a healthy lifestyle during your pregnancy, you'll more than thank yourself later when you don't have a large amount of weight to get off after the baby is born.

Get free pregnancy and baby tips sent directly to your inbox each week plus bonus ebooks about getting rid of stretch marks and helping your baby to sleep through the night. http://www.yourpregnancyandbaby.com/

Summertime protection for mom and baby -- inside and out

(ARA) - Whether relaxing beachside on vacation, picnicking in the park or strolling through the neighborhood, warm weather offers many opportunities for outdoor fun. However, these activities can lead to dehydration, sunburn and fatigue if you're not careful.

Protect yourself and your little one with these tips:

Practice sun protection -- Use a baby-safe sunblock with a high SPF that has no artificial colors or unnecessary chemical additives.

Stay nourished -- It is important to maintain your overall health, especially in the heat. Sufficient hydration is essential because a lack of fluids can cause heat exhaustion and improper digestion. For babies who are using infant formula, use Similac Advance EarlyShield which is specially designed to support your baby's developing immune system. It's the only formula that has the EarlyShield blend of prebiotics, nucleotides and antioxidants -- nutrients found naturally in breast milk.

Refocus and recenter -- Summertime is meant to be carefree. Allow yourself some alone time to unwind.

Rest up -- Hot temperatures during the summer months can cause fatigue. Nap time is not just for your little one. Force yourself to drop chores and nap while the baby does.

For more information, visit www.earlyshield.com.

Protect Your Child from Bugs

Summer activities mean time spent outdoors. And you know spending time outdoors means the possibility of bug bites. You want to protect your child from bugs, but you don’t want to use sprays that could be dangerous. What are your options?

Even if your child is outside wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants, there are no guarantees mosquitoes won’t bite. In fact, mosquitoes can bite right through clothing. It’s important to teach your children not to swat at insects that sting or bite.

Bug sprays have used DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide) for years. This chemical compound, approved and endorsed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is effective for repelling insects. However, there has been some concern about using DEET on children. DEET-based products provide protection for two to ten hours.

If you cannot find an alternative, be very careful when applying DEET products to children; be sure to use the lowest possible dose, 10 percent DEET. DEET should not be reapplied and should not be applied to children younger than two months old according to The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

One alternative to bug repellents with DEET are products made with Picaridin. Picaridin lasts for four to eight hours, is recommended by the CDC, and has been in use in Europe and Australia since the 1990s. It is odorless, doesn’t damage synthetic materials, and feels light. Like DEET products, it is not recommended for use on babies younger than two months.

Products made with Lemon Eucalyptus can also be found as an alternative to those made with DEET. These products are not recommended for children younger than the age of three, however. Lemon Eucalyptus provides six hours of bug-repellent protection. As the only natural plant-based protection, you may want to consider using this type of product if you don’t have children younger than three in your family.

There are other DEET-free products on the market, but you’ll want to read the labels closely to ensure you’re getting a true DEET-free product. One product, Bug Band, comes in spray lotion, towelettes, and a glow-in-the-dark bracelet. Ingredients come from geranium, rosemary, soybean, and mint oils and extracts. They purportedly are water resistant, reusable, and work for 120 hours.

The American Academy of Dermatology does not recommend the use of hybrid products that contain both a sunscreen and bug repellent. They reason that sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours whereas but repellent won’t need to be reapplied for four more hours. Combining the two products may also reduce how effective the sunscreen is.

Children are going to spend time outside during the summer months. If they’re outside, they will most likely face being bitten or stung by bugs. Using a bug repellent is a great way to protect your child from bugs. Your only other choice may be keeping them indoors, and even that isn’t a guarantee that they’ll be bug-bite free.

Five Tips to Get Your Skin Ready for Summer

Summer will be here before you know it. Having beautiful skin to show off will make wearing sleeveless blouses and shorts much easier. These five tips to get your skin ready for summer clothing can help you feel more comfortable, not only in your skin but also in your clothes.

Thankfully, after a long winter, you can pack away your sweaters and pants. It’s time to let your skin breathe and give it the attention it needs. Here are some ways to care for your skin so you’ll look great in your spaghetti strap dress.

1. Exfoliate – This is probably one of the most important things you can do to help your skin get ready for summertime clothing. Since your body sheds skin cells each day, you want to get rid of them and do it in the right way. With a loofa sponge, gently rub your skin in a circular motion. Start at the top and work toward the bottom; be sure to use a facial exfoliator for your face and neck as that skin is more sensitive than the remainder of the body. Doing this several times a week, up to three, will help your beautiful remain beautiful year-round.

2. Shave – Even though your skin has been covered all winter, now is the time to break out a good razor and hydrating shaving cream. You’ll most likely be shaving regularly, so you want to use a razor that will keep razor burn to a minimum.

3. Moisturize – If you’re not using a moisturizing shaving cream, you’ll want to follow up with a great summer lotion. Summer lotions are lightweight and absorb quickly into the skin; gels and purees will also absorb quickly. Apply the lotion right after getting out of the shower and drying off.

4. Protect – Old sunscreen won’t protect your skin as well as new sunscreen. It’s not meant to be used for more than one season. Go out and spend the money on a new bottle; your body will thank you. Take the time to use sunscreen every day and reapply it every one to two hours while you’re in the sun. If you still want a summer tan, don’t forget that you can use sunless tanners to give you a summer glow without possibly damaging your skin in the process.

5. Feet – Don’t forget about your feet. They’ve been covered up all winter, too, and could use some special attention. Splurge on yourself and get a pedicure. Spend extra time scrubbing off dead skin so they’ll be ready for the cute sandals that are coming out.

Summertime skin is glowing and healthy. Remember, you’re going to be showing more skin than during the winter. By using these tips for getting your skin ready, you’ll be proud of how it looks.