Goldfish do the weirdest things when they have swim bladder problems. I knew that my little fantail had this most awkward of ailments when she lay on top of the water on her side. For a terrible moment I thought she had died, and then even worse, I thought I was watching her die. But once I realized she had swim bladder problems I knew, we could sort out the sitiuation without too much of a problem.

Peas seem to be the best food ever invented for goldfish. They are cheap and always easily available. Peas help with many health problems including swim bladder disease.

Swim bladder problems are caused when the gas filled sac in the dorsal area has too much pressure put on it form over eating, or from constipation.

Goldfish love to eat. They have insatiable appetites and would eat all day long, if you let them. But feeding them too much food isn't good; it can cause all sorts of problems including swim bladder disease. I know this so, I deliberatley don't overfeed my pet fish, therefore the only other culprit to the problem in this case was that she was constipated.

Peas help with constipation, as so do Spirulina Algae Tablets. Spirulina is a single celled algae full of nutrients for humans as well as for our pet fish. The tablets are pretty big and stick to the side of the aquarium. This was perfect for my little fish, as she couldn't swim to the lower depths of the tank because of her bouyancy control problem.

Once the fish realized that this strange object in their water world was food they were addicted. It tasted great, and they fought over who was going to eat next. I couldn't believe how they nibbled, and nudged to get at the food. The algae tablet didn't last long, nor did the swim bladder problem.

One pill made such a difference to my little sick goldfish. She was swimming and playing like usual within a day. I now give my little pets a tablet about once a week as a treat, and to make sure we don't have any more constipation problems.

Many people who develop asthma as adults had breathing problems as children. Asthma is a breathing problem that can start at any age. There are also people who have asthma as children and it goes away as they grow older. It may come back later in life. Some people get asthma for the first time when they are older.

Asthma is a breathing problem that makes it more difficult for you to get air in and out of your lungs. When a person has asthma, the breathing tubes are sensitive. This extra sensitivity triggers reactions to smoke, pollen, dust, air pollution, and allergies. The breathing tubes may tighten, become inflamed and swell. When the breathing tubes react or get inflamed, they become narrow and this makes it harder for you to breathe fresh air in and stale air out.

In older people, it is sometimes difficult for the doctor to determine whether the problem is asthma or another lung disease or heart disease. Other lung diseases, particularly in people who smoke, which cause similar problems, are:

• Bronchitis
• Emphysema

The most common symptoms of asthma are:

• A wheezing sound when you breathe, sometimes only when you have a cold.
• Cough: You may cough up mucus; the cough is present often and may last more than a week.
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing only now and then, or you may have problems often. The feeling is as if you can’t get enough air into your lungs.
• Tightness in the chest may occur in cold weather or during exercise.
• Chest tightness may be one of the first signs that your asthma is getting worse.

Asthma is a serious and continuing health problem. There is good news for those who suffer with asthma. It can be treated successfully. People with asthma can live normal, productive lives with regular medical care from an experienced doctor. Without proper treatment, however, asthma can be extremely dangerous and even fatal.

Scientists are unsure why some people have asthma and others do not. The tendency to have asthma may be inherited. Other factors may also be involved. Those factors may include:

• Smoking cigarettes, cigars, pipes or anything else increases the risk of developing asthma symptoms. Secondary smoke increases the risk of asthma for children or anyone around the secondary smoke. It is wise to avoid smoke and people who smoke.

• Asthma can run in families. It may be more common in certain Hispanic people, such as those who come from Puerto Rico.

• Having a blood relative such as a father, mother, sister, brother, son, or daughter with asthma creates a higher risk of getting asthma.

• People who are allergic to pollen, pets, or dust are at higher risk of developing asthma.

• Some medications such as those to treat heart disease and high blood pressure may cause asthma symptoms or make asthma worse. Be sure your doctor and pharmacist know all the medications you are taking. Keep an up-to-date list of all medications you use, both prescriptions and over-the-counter medicines.

Source: American Lung Association

Disclaimer: *This article is not meant to diagnose, treat or cure any kind of a health problem. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Always consult with your health care provider about any kind of a health problem and especially before beginning any kind of an exercise routine.

This article is FREE to publish with the resource box.

© 2007 Connie Limon All Rights Reserved

There seems to be a myth that's been accepted by everyone and that is that asthmatics have weak lungs. Why is that and what if it's wrong?

I know from reading some stories of people, who have asthma, they feel that maybe they are inferior because they have to rely on their inhalers to keep up with everyone else. Not just in sport but also in everyday life. In one article I read, one young teenager used to use hide away and use his inhaler in private because he didn’t want anybody to know that he needed one. That it was a type of affliction. Why was that?

Was it because he felt that he’s was weaker or sicklier person for having asthma? Like one of those old Dickenson novels where a child coughs and splutters in the corner of the room and all the adults look over and mumble to each other... “tut, tut, poor Jimmy’s a weak lad and he’s just going to have to accept he’ll never be as good as the rest of the kids.” Is this still the way we think of asthmatics?

But I think that’s starting to change the more we are discovering about asthma and the more people we see in the news and from the sport world that have bettered them selves and have helped to do away with this stigma. Heck, it’s even become a bit cooler and more mainstream to use an inhaler in public, even the baddie in the last “James Bond – Casino Royale” relied on one.

But what if all that thinking was wrong? What if asthmatics actually are better than us, non- asthmatics? What if their asthma is just their body’s way to draw attention to something that needs to be sorted out urgently? But non asthmatics bodies don’t draw attention to this and just carry on. Could this be the true?

Believe it or not this seems to be the case. Did you know that the level of carbon dioxide in your body is just as important as the level of oxygen? We all assume that because carbon dioxide is a waste product of breathing it’s a bad thing and must be removed from the body. But the levels are very important for our breathing. The level of carbon dioxide in our alveoli of the lungs controls how long we can go between breaths. The higher the level the longer the space between breaths.

Your body was given a natural mechanism to control this but if we over breathe the level of carbon dioxide can go quickly down. Over breathing is when you breathe in more oxygen and breathe out too much carbon dioxide which puts the balance out of whack. Our body reacts to a lower level of carbon dioxide by closing down and narrowing the airways in the lungs to prevent any more carbon dioxide from escaping.

So what can you do to cut down on over breathing? Mouth breathing is usually the starting place of over breathing. Using the mouth rather than the nose allows more oxygen to enter the lungs and a higher amount of carbon dioxide to escape. The reason for this is that the nose has a smaller opening which limits the amount of air that can enter and exit. This could also be the reason why breathing through the nose is 50% harder than using the mouth as this extra resistance causes the body to slow down its breathing and stops the tendency to over breathe. Also mouth breathing allows the airways to cool down and lose moisture which can be a trigger for an asthma attack.

So rather than the idea of asthmatics having weak lungs it's been found that this natural mechanism works better in their bodies compared to everyone else. People with asthma have this mechanism in a high gear idea and they're bodies respond faster to sort this imbalance out, where as other people bodies continue on working on an unhealthy low level of carbon dioxide. (Some experts believe that this could be the link to where a lot of modern diseases and conditions have come from).

Shiatsu massage, also known as acupressure, is a point-pressure massage using the fingers. It is designed to help regulate the flow of energy within the body. During a shiatsu massage, thumb, fingers, palms or feet to the body apply pressure. This type of massage helps produce a deep relaxation increases energy levels and brings balance to the body.

The history of shiatsu massage lies within the ancient Chinese. They used the principals of shiatsu in both their medical philosophy and practice. It was developed around 530 B.C. Later, shiatsu massage was exported into Japan, Southeast Asia, and Korea where it was widely practiced. In the 20th century, this therapy was used for treating simple muscular tension and providers were licensed. Shiatsu became popular in the United States, Europe and Australia in the 1970s.

Shiatsu massages last anywhere from forty minutes to one hour. It usually takes place on a padded mat on the floor. This type of massage begins with gentle stretching and manipulation of the skin to allow the stimulation of energy and relax the muscles. Depending on the need of the person receiving the massage, it can be very gentle and calming or used with high pressure, but should never hurt or feel painful. Acupressure massages are usually given using a rapid circular motion with medium pressure. The massages can last from five to fifteen minutes and include techniques such as rubbing, kneading, percussion, and vibration.

Today, shiatsu massages are performed not only for relaxation, but to aid a wide variety of ailments and symptoms. The following are five benefits of shiatsu massage.

Skin: Shiatsu massages, or acupressure, help stimulate circulation in the capillaries of the skin’s soft tissues. The massage also serves to stimulate the secretion of the sebaceous glands and keeps skin moist and smooth. This helps give skin resilience and helps prevent wrinkling. A shiatsu massage will help improve the look and glow of the skin with improved blood circulation.

Rheumatoid Arthritis and Muscle Pain: Shiatsu and acupressure massages can help alleviate the symptoms caused by arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammation of the body’s tissue and it attacks the linings of the joints. This disease affects one percent of the world’s population. Shiatsu applied to the hands and feet are most effective when suffering from arthritis. Pressure from the massage can also be applied directly to any area affected by Rheumatoid arthritis. Shiatsu can also be used to improve the overall health of muscles throughout the body. Shiatsu helps limber muscles and gives muscles nutrition by improved circulation. It also helps reduce muscular pain.

Migraine Headaches: Migraines are usually caused by a rapid widening and narrowing of the blood vessels in the brain or head, causing irritation and pain. Common symptoms of migraine headaches include nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, weakness, numbness and vision problems. Migraines are thought to be cause by changes in weather, stress, hunger, foods containing nitrates and sometimes caffeine. Shiatsu massages helps aid migraines by relaxing the body and increasing blood flow and circulation throughout the body.

Pregnancy: Shiatsu massages have been used for thousands of years to aid women during monthly cycles to alleviate symptoms such as menstrual cramps and depression. This kind of massage has also been used for years for also for pregnancy as well. Shiatsu has been known to help women in labor and help babies turn in the womb. It can induce labor in women who are overdue and help ease morning sickness and swelling often caused by pregnancy.

Circulatory and Digestive System: Shiatsu massages are also found to help aid the circulatory and digestive system. A gently massage helps improve circulation and cellular nutrition throughout the body. A massage also benefits the digestive system allowing food to digest more easily and aids in the elimination of waste products. A shiatsu massage also increases stamina by storing energy reserves and assists in fat metabolism and removal.

Learning basic shiatsu techniques at home is easy with a book or video. It can also reap huge benefits to practice basic techniques at home. When looking for a practitioner experienced with shiatsu, look for one that has at least three years worth of experience. Feeling comfortable with the provider is also important. A session of shiatsu massages generally last from thirty to ninety minutes and can cost anywhere from to for a more experienced practitioner.

As you age time creates change on the body’s organs and systems. Everyone is unique in the aging process. How you age is unique as well as when you age. There are some typical changes, however, common to everyone. In this article you will learn about some of those changes that take place during the aging process.

The cardiovascular system, your heart muscle, becomes less efficient and will work harder to pump the same amount of blood through your body.

Bones reach a maximum mass between ages of 25 and 35. The aging process causes bones to shrink in size and density. You might notice yourself becoming shorter. The bones can become more susceptible to fracture. Muscles, tendons and joints lose some strength and flexibility.

The digestive system experiences changes through the aging process. Swallowing may become slower. The motions that automatically move digested food through the intestines slows down. If you have ever watched an elderly person eat, you will sometimes notice it seems as though they are having great difficulty getting their food chewed and swallowed. This is a lot due to the aging process.

Other changes in the digestive system during the aging process are:

•Amount of surface area within your intestines diminishes slightly.
•Flow of secretions from the stomach, liver, pancreas and small intestine decreases

Since the above changes generally do not disrupt your digestive process you may never notice them other than you might notice more constipation as you age.

As time goes on the kidneys become less efficient in removing waste from the bloodstream. Any kind of chronic disease you have like diabetes or high blood pressure and even some medications can damage the kidneys further.

It is estimated that about 30 percent of people age 65 and older experience some loss of bladder control. Urinary incontinence can also be caused by obesity, frequent constipation and a chronic cough. Women are more likely than men to experience urinary incontinence.

An older man may experience urinary incontinence because of an enlarged prostate. An enlarged prostate can block the urethra. If this occurs you may experience difficulty emptying the bladder and small amount of urine to leak.

Changes you can expect in the brain and nervous system during the aging process are:

•Memory becomes less efficient.
•In some areas of the brain the number of connections between cells increases, which helps maintain brain function.
•Reflexes become slower
•You may become less coordinated during the aging process.

During the aging process the eyes become less able to produce tears, the retinas thin and the lenses turn yellow and less clear. A person in their 40s may experience problems focusing on objects that are close up. You may experience difficulty adapting to different levels of light, and driving at night may become a problem. Three common problems of aging eyes are cataracts, macular degeneration and glaucoma.

One of the most common conditions affecting middle-aged and older adults is hearing loss. It is estimated that one in three people older than 60 and half of all people older than 85 have a significant hearing loss.

If you have cared for your teeth and gums over the years you should be able to maintain your natural teeth all your life. However, even with extremely meticulous brushing, flossing and dental exams the aging process may still cause your mouth to feel drier and your gums to pull back from your teeth. The teeth may also darken slightly and become more brittle during the aging process.

Your skin thins and becomes less elastic and more fragile during the aging process. You might even bruise more easily. The natural oils of the skin decrease significantly leaving your skin drier and more wrinkled. The hair usually turns gray and thins. As you age you will most likely perspire less, which makes it harder to stay cool in high temperatures. This puts you at risk of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. How fast your skin ages depend on many factors.

The more sun your skin has been exposed to the more damage you may attain. Smoking causes skin damage and wrinkles. Skin cancer is also a concern as you age.

Maintaining a healthy weight or losing weight if you are overweight becomes more difficult as you age. This is partly due to a slower metabolism. A slow metabolism means your body burns fewer calories and will start to be stored away as fat. If the level of activity decreases you will experience unwanted weight gain.

During the aging process sexual needs, patterns and performance may change. For women, vaginal dryness may be a problem, which can make sexual intercourse painful. Impotence problems become more common for men as they age.

Today our life expectancy is around 77 years. The longest documented human life span is 122 years. With improvements in medicine, science and technology during the last century more and more people are expected to live longer, healthier lives.
It is never too late to stop unhealthy habits such as smoking or eating a variety of fruits and vegetables and getting health benefits from taking daily walks.

If you are living a healthy lifestyle now it can dramatically improve how and when the aging process will affect you.

Source: Mayo Clinic

Disclaimer: The information in this article is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition.

This article is FREE to publish with the resource box.

Most people think they are not constipated because they have a bowel movement almost every day, accomplished without straining. I have even had clients tell me that they have a bowel movement once a week and they are quite certain that they are not constipated. The most surprising thing to novice fasters is that repeated enemas or colonics during fasting begins to release many pounds of undeniably real, old, caked fecal matter and/or huge mucus strings.

Constipation refers to infrequent or hard stools, or difficulty passing stools. Constipation may involve pain during the passage of a bowel movement, inability to pass a bowel movement after straining or pushing for more than 10 minutes, or no bowel movements after more than 3 days. Infants who are still exclusively breastfed may go 7 days without a stool.

Constipation is defined as having a bowel movement fewer than three times per week. With constipation stools are usually hard, dry, small in size, and difficult to eliminate. Some people who are constipated find it painful to have a bowel movement and often experience straining, bloating, and the sensation of a full bowel.

Causes of Constipation: - Theoretically, constipation can be caused by the slow passage of digest food from side to side any part of the intestine. More than 95% of the time, however, the slowing occurs in the colon.

* Not enough fiber in the diet
* Lack of bodily activity (especially in the elderly)
* Medications
* Milk
* Irritable bowel syndrome
* Changes in life or custom such as pregnancy, aging, and travel
* Abuse of laxatives
* Ignore the urge to have a bowel movement

Symptoms of Constipation: -