Applying for Social Security Disability can be an intimidating experience. Did you know that you can apply for disability benefits as soon as you become disabled? To apply for benefits you’ll want to contact the Social Security Administration (SSA). This can be done by phone, mail, online or by visiting a local Social Security office.

Note: You are eligible to receive benefits from the date that you become disabled. If you apply after one year of becoming disabled you will only be eligible for a maximum of one year of back benefits.

Social Security Disability has several names that you may or may not be familiar with. It can be abbreviated as SSD, but more often you’ll hear of it either as Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). The two programs are under the umbrella of SSD, but each function differently.

Supplemental Security Income is available for those who have not worked enough to be eligible for Social Security Disability benefits, are in fact disabled, and economically qualified. Social Security Disability Insurance acts more as a policy to help those workers who have been contributing to the Social Security pool during their working career. Both programs cover full (total) disability only.

Recent Work Test:

Part of the SSD application process involves a recent work test. During this test the SSA reviews the disabled person’s work history to determine if the person has worked long enough to quality for disability benefits. In general for those over the age of 31 passing the test means the person has worked 5 of the last 5 years prior to becoming disabled. Below are a few samples of recent work test requirements for a Social Security Disability application:

- < age 24: worked 1.5 of the last 3 years prior to becoming disabled

- Between age 24 and 31: Age when you become disabled minus 21, then divided by 2. Example a person age 27. This person would need to have worked 3 years from the time he turned 21 (math: 27 - 21 = 6. Then 6 / 2 = 3).

- Age 31 and older: worked 5 of the last 5 years prior to becoming disabled.

Lawyers and the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Application Process:

There is a very strict definition to quality for SSI Disability. Completing the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) application is the first step to winning benefits. It is suggested you consider working with an experienced SSI lawyer during the application process. A lawyer will be able to work with you an help assemble to cause to present it in a manor that helps fulfill the strict requirements necessary to win disability benefits.

Lawyers and the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) Application Process:

SSDI also has a strict definition. The first step a person needs to complete to win benefits is the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) application. Persons seeking SSDI benefits may want to contact an experienced Social Security lawyer for assistance with the application. A lawyer will be able to help gather the proper documentation and medical evidence necessary to present your case in the most favorable manor to the SSA.

Before submitting a SSD application it is important to remember that the SSA awards disability benefits around strict criteria. Those that are awarded benefits have documented that their condition will last at least one year or result in death. The process to win benefits can be significant from a time perspective, sometimes lasting two or more years. It is recommended to consider working with a Social Security lawyer to help increase your chances of winning benefits. Remember, the earlier you involve a lawyer the earlier the process can be affected.

Allergies are one of the leading causes of diseases in USA. The annual amount spent on allergies in USA is billion. Allergies could get complicated and even ruin a persons life. Allergies generally mean over reaction or hyper sensitivity to a certain substance or product. The substance could make a person sneeze, wheeze or create rashes etc.

Symptoms of Allergies:

Sneezing, itching and irritation of nose, ears, throat, skin.

Stuffy, runny or tingling nose.

Burning, watering, itchy or red eyes.

Cough, wheezing and shortness of breath.

Flu-like symptoms

Skin rashesEczema, Hives, etc.

Feeling of sinus pressure in and around the nose and cheeks.

Ear fullness and popping

Difficulty swallowing, throat hoarseness with soreness

Headaches and/or heart palpitations

Fatigue, Joint aches, Muscle pains.

Stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea

Swelling especially in the lips, other parts of the mouth and throat, eyelids, genitals, hands and feet (angioedema)

Anaphylactic Shock is a serious allergic reaction, which requires immediate attention.

Causes of Allergies:

The most probable cause why we get allergies is because of three things: the air we breathe, the weak immune system and too much chemical intake. There are a lot of natural allergy remedies you can use to all of those things. For example, getting an air purifier, humidifier or dehumidifier will improve the air you breathe.

Treatment of Allergies:

1] Consuming fruits and vegetables, namely those with antioxidants, have a number of benefits when dealing with allergies.

2] Some natural remedies you can take to minimize your allergies is taking more of C vitamin preferably eating the natural food such as oranges and lemon juice.

3] Garlic is a natural antibiotic and it is the best natural food to kill the bacteria.

4] Changing your diet habits is one of the best natural remedies to your allergies.

5] There are some foods that are extremely beneficial if you have allergies. I'd just list a few now.

6] By eating quail's eggs, people have recovered from asthma and allergies. You too can use it to your advantage in order to improve or get rid of your allergies.

7] The best and most effective herbs that I have used are ginger and turmeric.

8] Cinnamon is especially helpful in aiding and relieving allergies and asthma.

9] Camomile is an excellent herbal remedy for treating rashes and itches that accompany allergies.

10] Gingko contains several unique chemicals that can help to decrease the trigger response of inflammation, asthma, and allergies.

11] Feverfew is a known herbal remedy that is effective for treating migraines, but it can also be helpful in treating headaches and other symptoms of allergies.

12] Eating a spoonful of horseradish is excellent for clearing the sinuses.

13] Nasal symptoms can be treated by using freeze-dried stinging nettle.

14] Homeopathy is very effective in managing all the symptoms of Allergies and also plays an important role in preventing relapse of the condition and improving the general health of the person.

Allergies are one of the leading causes of diseases in USA. The annual amount spent on allergies in USA is billion. Allergies could get complicated and even ruin a persons life. Allergies generally mean over reaction or hyper sensitivity to a certain substance or product. The substance could make a person sneeze, wheeze or create rashes etc.

Symptoms of Allergies:

Sneezing, itching and irritation of nose, ears, throat, skin.

Stuffy, runny or tingling nose.

Burning, watering, itchy or red eyes.

Cough, wheezing and shortness of breath.

Flu-like symptoms

Skin rashesEczema, Hives, etc.

Feeling of sinus pressure in and around the nose and cheeks.

Ear fullness and popping

Difficulty swallowing, throat hoarseness with soreness

Headaches and/or heart palpitations

Fatigue, Joint aches, Muscle pains.

Stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea

Swelling especially in the lips, other parts of the mouth and throat, eyelids, genitals, hands and feet (angioedema)

Anaphylactic Shock is a serious allergic reaction, which requires immediate attention.

Causes of Allergies:

The most probable cause why we get allergies is because of three things: the air we breathe, the weak immune system and too much chemical intake. There are a lot of natural allergy remedies you can use to all of those things. For example, getting an air purifier, humidifier or dehumidifier will improve the air you breathe.

Treatment of Allergies:

1] Consuming fruits and vegetables, namely those with antioxidants, have a number of benefits when dealing with allergies.

2] Some natural remedies you can take to minimize your allergies is taking more of C vitamin preferably eating the natural food such as oranges and lemon juice.

3] Garlic is a natural antibiotic and it is the best natural food to kill the bacteria.

4] Changing your diet habits is one of the best natural remedies to your allergies.

5] There are some foods that are extremely beneficial if you have allergies. I'd just list a few now.

6] By eating quail's eggs, people have recovered from asthma and allergies. You too can use it to your advantage in order to improve or get rid of your allergies.

7] The best and most effective herbs that I have used are ginger and turmeric.

8] Cinnamon is especially helpful in aiding and relieving allergies and asthma.

9] Camomile is an excellent herbal remedy for treating rashes and itches that accompany allergies.

10] Gingko contains several unique chemicals that can help to decrease the trigger response of inflammation, asthma, and allergies.

11] Feverfew is a known herbal remedy that is effective for treating migraines, but it can also be helpful in treating headaches and other symptoms of allergies.

12] Eating a spoonful of horseradish is excellent for clearing the sinuses.

13] Nasal symptoms can be treated by using freeze-dried stinging nettle.

14] Homeopathy is very effective in managing all the symptoms of Allergies and also plays an important role in preventing relapse of the condition and improving the general health of the person.

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.

Hydronephrosis is distension and dilation of the renal pelvis and calyces caused by obstruction of free flow of urine from the kidney, leading to progressive atrophy of the kidney.

Hydronephrosis may be unilateral involving just one kidney or bilateral involving both.

A complication of hydronephrosis is decreased kidney function.

The increased pressure of extra fluid within the kidney decreases the blood filtration rate and may cause structural damage to kidney cells.

This decrease in function is reversible if the underlying condition is corrected but if the hydronephrosis lasts many weeks, the damage may be permanent.

Causes:

There are numerous causes of hydronephrosis that are categorized based on whether the cause is intrinsic (located within the urinary collecting system) or extrinsic (outside of the collecting system).

Examples of Intrinsic Causes of Hydronephrosis

Ureter

•Kidney stone: causes obstruction of the ureter as it moves from the kidney into the bladder via ureter so, urine will back up and cause the kidney to swell.
•Stricture or scarring

Bladder

•Bladder stones
•Cystocele
•Bladder neck contracture

Urethra

•The inability to empty the bladder for any reason may cause bilateral hydronephrosis.
• Urethral stricture

Examples of Extrinsic Causes of Hydronephrosis

Ureter

•Tumors or cancers that compress the ureter and prevent urine flow
•Retroperitoneal fibrosis
•Cancer of cervix
•Cancer of prostate
•Pregnancy
•Uterine prolapse
•Scarring due to radiation therapy

Symptoms:

Acute hydronephrosis:

1.Back pain radiating to groin
2.Nausea
3.Vomiting
4.Blood in the urine

Chronic hydronephrosis:

1.Weakness
2.Malaise
3.Nausea
4.Vomiting
5.Electrolyte abnormalities
6.Muscle spasms

Diagnosis:

Taking the history of signs and symptoms.

Reviewing the patient's past medical history and family history and Physical examination

Laboratory Tests

The following laboratory tests may be useful:

1.Urinalysis to look for infection or abnormal cells.
2.Complete blood count(CBC) may reveal.
3.Electrlyte analysis may be helpful in chronic hydronephrosis since the kidneys are responsible for maintaining and balancing their concentrations in the blood stream.
4.BUN(blood urea nitrogen), Creatinine and glomerular filteration rate(GFR) are blood tests that help to assess the kidney function.

Imaging Studies

1.CT scan of the abdomen can be performed to evaluate the kidney anatomy and make the diagnosis of hydronephrosis
2.Ultrasound is another imaging study that can be done to look for hydronephrosis.
3.Intravenous pyelography (IVP)
4.KUB X-rays (an X-ray that shows the kidney, ureter, and bladder)

Treatment:

The treatment for hydronephrosis is to restart the free flow of urine from the kidney and decrease the swelling and pressure that builds up and decreases kidney function.

The initial care for the patient is to minimize pain and preventing urinary tract infections.

Otherwise surgical intervention may be required.

Shock wave lithotripsy (SWL or extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy)

Bladder catheterization

Stent placement

Complications :

kidney infections (pyelonephrosis),
sepsis
complete kidney function loss
death

Prevention:

Since hydronephrosis is a situation that occurs because of an underlying cause, prevention depends upon avoiding the underlying cause.

For example, individuals with kidney stones that cause ureteral obstruction and hydronephrosis can be avoided by decreasing the chance of stone recurrence by keeping well hydrated.

Homoeopathic Treatment:

1.Berberis vulgaris:

a.cutting pain or a burning feeling that extends to the urethra
b.The passage may also burn at times when no attempt at urination is being made.
c.After emptying the bladder, the person feels as if some urine still remains inside.
d.Urging and discomfort are often worse from walking.
e.indicated mainly in left-sided renal stones.

2.Sarsaparilla:

a.Frequent urging is felt, with burning pain at the end of urination.
b.Urine passes when the person is standing up, but only dribbling occurs while sitting.
c.Flakes or sediment are sometimes seen in the urine.
d.excruciating pains from right kidney downwards.

3.Lycopodium:

a.This remedy may be helpful if a person has to urinate frequently during the night and passes large amounts of urine.
b.the person may feel a painful urge, but has to strain to make the urine flow.
c.Pain may be felt in the back before the urine passes

“Employment is nature’s physician and is essential for human happiness” Galen, ca 180 AD. In 2003/04 30 million working days were lost to illness that were caused by work related issues. Two million people believed they were suffering from a work related illness in 2003/04. ½ a million people were said to be suffering from stress/depression or anxiety. 183,000 claimed to have breathing or lung problems. Hearing problems were sustained by 81,000, skin problems by 31,000 and heart disease/attack by 66,000.

These harrowing figures are a shocking insight into the abuse of health and safety in the work place. Although these figures have improved slightly now; health concerns due to occupations are still a major problem.

An occupational disease is a chronic ailment that occurs as a result of work. It is when symptoms of diseases are more prevalent in bodies of workers than the general public.

Improving organization, work practices, addressing issues such as workload (over or under), matching workers skills to their jobs and having clear lines of accountability and responsibilities are all appropriate steps to prevent ill health occurring in the work place. The right work patterns, security and ensuring a ‘happy’ work place as well as good communication and safe working practices not only improve the safety of the work place but also creates a better working environment.

Examples of occupational disease are:

• Black lung disease – normally seen in coal mining industry

• Carpel Tunnel Syndrome - occurs when the median nerve, which runs from the forearm into the hand, becomes pressed or squeezed at the wrist. The symptoms are usually burning, tingling, or itching numbness in the palm of the hand and the fingers, especially the thumb and the index and middle fingers with some people even stating their fingers feel useless and swollen even though they appear fine.

• Radiation Sickness – seen in the nuclear industry

• Byssinosis – disease of the lungs caused by breathing in cotton dust or dusts from other vegetable fibers such as flax, hemp, or sisal while at work

• COPD, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease – the symptoms of COPD are a persistent cough/phlegm, shortness of breath and chest infections. Once the damage of COPD has taken effect it cannot be reversed. COPD is damaged airways in the lungs, causing them to become narrow, making it harder for air to get in and out of the lungs.

• Silicosis – The Oldest of all work related diseases. It develops over time when dust from Silica is inhaled into the lungs. A persistent cough, with or without sputum, shortness of breath and chest tightness are all symptoms of Silicosis. All of these usually appear over many years of exposure to high levels of Silica dust, with the tissue of the lungs becoming damaged by Fibrosis and being replaced with solid nodules of scar tissue. Even after the exposure stops, the disease still progresses.

• Asbestos – work related disease due to asbestos exposure can be highly serious. Mesothelioma is cancer of the pleura and asbestosis is a form of lung fibrosis, both of which are a direct result of asbestos, as well as bronchial cancer.

• Occupational Lung Disease - covers a range of damage, affecting things such as the tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs (airways), the tiny air sacs where oxygen is transferred from the air we breathe into our blood stream. Other damage may affect the thin lining between our lungs and ribcage. Symptoms include chest pain, prolonged coughing, breathlessness and wheezing

• Occupational Asthma – it has been said that by 2010, the cases of occupational asthma are to be reduced by 30%. Occupational Asthma remains the most common form of work related illness. Dust from flour and grain; Industrial baking, farm work, grain transport. Wood dust, from hard wood, western red cedar, carpentry, joinery and sawmilling. Colophony, mostly found in soldering fumes but also present in glues and floor cleaners Dust from latex rubber, from jobs involving latex gloves used in nursing and dentist work.
Dust from insects and animals are all causes of Occupational Asthma.

The above list is only a small section of work related illness and disease that can affect many employees.

Acupuncture is Helping People Say Goodbye to Allergies

Our immune systems fight anything that is seen as being out of place or abnormal. Allergies cause the immune system to react to substances that aren't usually a problem for the human body. This triggers watery eyes, sneezing, wheezing, respiratory problems, difficulty swallowing and other reactions which can include the loss of consciousness if the reaction is serious enough.

Because of these unpleasant reactions along with the possibility of death that comes with severe allergic reactions, most people will do everything they can do to stay away from the things they are allergic to. Simple allergies caused by dust, pollen and other substances in nature are nearly impossible to avoid at all times. These have to be treated when exposure happens.

Ways to Treat Allergies

The number of medications to treat allergies is always growing and still few treat severe allergies caused by ingesting allergens, especially food items. Ideally the causes of these allergies are either avoided entirely or medication is taken prior to exposure. Remembering to take medications and complete abstinence from favored foods often does not occur.

Acupuncture has been shown to have remarkable results in reducing allergies in allergy sufferers. This ancient Chinese practice works by using thin needles into specific points in the body to stimulate specific body systems.

Allergens are in the environment and will remain a threat; allergies are not curable and can only be held at bay for so long with one acupuncture treatment. Acupuncture may be required on an ongoing basis to control allergies. These treatments are for temporary relief and not for a cure; you will need to continue acupuncture as a form of relief as long as you continue to be exposed to allergens. Continued treatments will not cause the immune system to become tolerant and stop triggering allergic reactions when you are exposed to allergens.

Is Acupuncture Painful?

Some people are worried that acupuncture may be a painful way to treat allergies because of the needles that are involved. The good news is that this treatment doesn't hurt. People who have a fear of needles can close their eyes during a session, which is often relaxing, and the therapist does the work while you relax and reap the benefits.

Tips for Those Who Choose to Use Acupuncture for Allergies

Acupuncture is a highly skilled treatment that requires needles to be placed in an exact area and to be moved in a highly specific way. Only experienced, trained acupuncturists who are certified to administer this treatment should treat your allergies with acupuncture. You should never trust an amateur to administer treatment. Viewing credentials of these who offer these treatments for your allergies is an important way to protect your health.

If you suffer from allergies, acupuncture may hold the cure for you. Its important of course that you check with a qualified acupuncturist so as not to put yourself at risk. You may walk away with not only your allergies still intact, but with even more problems.

You may not know that, according to official medical statistic of the Buteyko Clinic in Moscow, over 110 thousands asthmatics have learned the Buteyko breathing technique in Russia and became cough-free. The Buteyko technique is officially approved by Health Minister of Russia for treatment of asthma.

The Buteyko therapy has been able to diminish signs and symptoms in all 6 medical trials, and coughing is the essential sign for asthma. As a result, elements of the Buteyko therapy can help other cough-sufferers to get rid of their coughing.

The core goal of the Buteyko respiratory therapy is to make one's unconscious respiratory pattern lighter and slower and improve O2 level in the tissues.

Does this breath therapy do the job for asthma? Here are the central results of all six published western randomized controlled medical trials of the Buteyko technique:
- reliever medication intake reduced by 75-90%;
- steroids lowered 50%;
- less symptoms of asthma and better quality of life after practicing some months of breathing exercises to eliminate their overbreathing, which lessens their tissues oxygen content.

Vast numbers of current people promote a ignorant fantasy that CO2 is a toxic and waste chemical. They also say that large basal breathing pattern (or chronic hyperventilation that is breathing more and/or faster than the normal breathing) increases tissue O2 level.

Hundreds of published medical studies have established that chronic hyperventilation DIMINISHES O2 content in the tissues. Besides, the chemical we exhale, carbon dioxide executes many critical functions for the human organism, such as: synthesis of hormones, proteins, immune cells and other chemicals, bronchodilation (dilation of airways), control of blood glucose, repair of alveoli in lungs, body weight monitoring, sleep regulation, relaxation of muscle cells, stability of the nerve cells, blood pressure maintenance, normal immunity, release of O2 in capillaries (the Bohr effect) and dozens of other crucial effects.

Cough destroys your health

During our normal breathing while sitting the air travels though the breathing passages at a speed of about 8 km/h. When we cough, the air dash out through the mouth at 70-110 miles/h. Coughing through the mouth produces an air pressure fluctuation that is enough to injury alveoli. Coughing is in particular destructive for people with bronchopneumonia, COPD, cystic fibrosis, lung cancer, asthma, bronchitis, bronchiectasis and other respiratory conditions with present damage to the lungs. Next, during constant coughing, you breathing frequency is over 35 exhalations in 1 min instead of normal 12. Your tidal volume for one cough is close to one liter of air instead of 500-600 ml. Perform some calculations to make sure that your pulmonary ventilation is much more than the tiny medical norm (6 L/minute). Bouts of coughing bring about cellular hypoxia; irritation of the constricted airways due to excessive mechanical friction; irritable state of cough-receptors in the tracheobronchial tree/larynx due to hypocapnia (lack of CO2 ); damage or rupture of alveoli due to sudden air pressure changes; chronic respiratory infections and inflammation due to suppression of the immune system; constriction of airways due to hypocapnia (CO2 is a bronchodilator); possible over-production of mucus and other pathological outcomes due to hyperventilation.

Examine the cell oxygen content using a simple test

After your expiration, close your nostrils and count your anxiety-free breath holding time. Observe that the respiration pattern following the check should always be similar to your respiratory pattern before the test: no stress in the least after the test.

This trial indicates two values at one time. To start with, the final result evaluates O2 level in the body. Second, it assesses how deep the individual respiration pattern is.

As long as the automatic breath pattern is currently standard, he or she should be capable to hold the breath hold for as much as 40 sec. If he or she has about twenty sec, this person breathes about double the physiological norm (and it is 6 Liters of air in one minute). With respect to the sick patients, their test result is further diminished: most likely roughly fifteen seconds or less resulting from hyperventilation.

Permanent solution to constant problem with coughing

When your involuntary breath pattern is so slow-moving that your concentration of O2 in the body tissues is above 25 s, you will not experience problems with constant cough. You should slow down your deep breathing in order to attain this goal.

Respiration normalization process requires constant regulation of breath including:
- constant nose breathing (hence, it is necessary then to seal your mouth with a surgical tape, if your mouth is usually dry in the morning
- avoidance of sleeping on your back (we breathe almost twice more air, when we sleep on our backs at night)
- physical exercise for (at least 2 hours daily with nasal breathing only, in and out, otherwise exercise is more or less a waste of time for most, especially sick patients)
- and many other lifestyle-related details so that your unconscious breathing pattern is restored back to our physiological norm.

“Employment is nature’s physician and is essential for human happiness” Galen, ca 180 AD. In 2003/04 30 million working days were lost to illness that were caused by work related issues. Two million people believed they were suffering from a work related illness in 2003/04. ½ a million people were said to be suffering from stress/depression or anxiety. 183,000 claimed to have breathing or lung problems. Hearing problems were sustained by 81,000, skin problems by 31,000 and heart disease/attack by 66,000.

These harrowing figures are a shocking insight into the abuse of health and safety in the work place. Although these figures have improved slightly now; health concerns due to occupations are still a major problem.

An occupational disease is a chronic ailment that occurs as a result of work. It is when symptoms of diseases are more prevalent in bodies of workers than the general public.

Improving organization, work practices, addressing issues such as workload (over or under), matching workers skills to their jobs and having clear lines of accountability and responsibilities are all appropriate steps to prevent ill health occurring in the work place. The right work patterns, security and ensuring a ‘happy’ work place as well as good communication and safe working practices not only improve the safety of the work place but also creates a better working environment.

Examples of occupational disease are:

• Black lung disease – normally seen in coal mining industry

• Carpel Tunnel Syndrome - occurs when the median nerve, which runs from the forearm into the hand, becomes pressed or squeezed at the wrist. The symptoms are usually burning, tingling, or itching numbness in the palm of the hand and the fingers, especially the thumb and the index and middle fingers with some people even stating their fingers feel useless and swollen even though they appear fine.

• Radiation Sickness – seen in the nuclear industry

• Byssinosis – disease of the lungs caused by breathing in cotton dust or dusts from other vegetable fibers such as flax, hemp, or sisal while at work

• COPD, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease – the symptoms of COPD are a persistent cough/phlegm, shortness of breath and chest infections. Once the damage of COPD has taken effect it cannot be reversed. COPD is damaged airways in the lungs, causing them to become narrow, making it harder for air to get in and out of the lungs.

• Silicosis – The Oldest of all work related diseases. It develops over time when dust from Silica is inhaled into the lungs. A persistent cough, with or without sputum, shortness of breath and chest tightness are all symptoms of Silicosis. All of these usually appear over many years of exposure to high levels of Silica dust, with the tissue of the lungs becoming damaged by Fibrosis and being replaced with solid nodules of scar tissue. Even after the exposure stops, the disease still progresses.

• Asbestos – work related disease due to asbestos exposure can be highly serious. Mesothelioma is cancer of the pleura and asbestosis is a form of lung fibrosis, both of which are a direct result of asbestos, as well as bronchial cancer.

• Occupational Lung Disease - covers a range of damage, affecting things such as the tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs (airways), the tiny air sacs where oxygen is transferred from the air we breathe into our blood stream. Other damage may affect the thin lining between our lungs and ribcage. Symptoms include chest pain, prolonged coughing, breathlessness and wheezing

• Occupational Asthma – it has been said that by 2010, the cases of occupational asthma are to be reduced by 30%. Occupational Asthma remains the most common form of work related illness. Dust from flour and grain; Industrial baking, farm work, grain transport. Wood dust, from hard wood, western red cedar, carpentry, joinery and sawmilling. Colophony, mostly found in soldering fumes but also present in glues and floor cleaners Dust from latex rubber, from jobs involving latex gloves used in nursing and dentist work.
Dust from insects and animals are all causes of Occupational Asthma.

The above list is only a small section of work related illness and disease that can affect many employees.

You may not know that, according to official medical statistic of the Buteyko Clinic in Moscow, over 110 thousands asthmatics have learned the Buteyko breathing technique in Russia and became cough-free. The Buteyko technique is officially approved by Health Minister of Russia for treatment of asthma.

The Buteyko therapy has been able to diminish signs and symptoms in all 6 medical trials, and coughing is the essential sign for asthma. As a result, elements of the Buteyko therapy can help other cough-sufferers to get rid of their coughing.

The core goal of the Buteyko respiratory therapy is to make one's unconscious respiratory pattern lighter and slower and improve O2 level in the tissues.

Does this breath therapy do the job for asthma? Here are the central results of all six published western randomized controlled medical trials of the Buteyko technique:
- reliever medication intake reduced by 75-90%;
- steroids lowered 50%;
- less symptoms of asthma and better quality of life after practicing some months of breathing exercises to eliminate their overbreathing, which lessens their tissues oxygen content.

Vast numbers of current people promote a ignorant fantasy that CO2 is a toxic and waste chemical. They also say that large basal breathing pattern (or chronic hyperventilation that is breathing more and/or faster than the normal breathing) increases tissue O2 level.

Hundreds of published medical studies have established that chronic hyperventilation DIMINISHES O2 content in the tissues. Besides, the chemical we exhale, carbon dioxide executes many critical functions for the human organism, such as: synthesis of hormones, proteins, immune cells and other chemicals, bronchodilation (dilation of airways), control of blood glucose, repair of alveoli in lungs, body weight monitoring, sleep regulation, relaxation of muscle cells, stability of the nerve cells, blood pressure maintenance, normal immunity, release of O2 in capillaries (the Bohr effect) and dozens of other crucial effects.

Cough destroys your health

During our normal breathing while sitting the air travels though the breathing passages at a speed of about 8 km/h. When we cough, the air dash out through the mouth at 70-110 miles/h. Coughing through the mouth produces an air pressure fluctuation that is enough to injury alveoli. Coughing is in particular destructive for people with bronchopneumonia, COPD, cystic fibrosis, lung cancer, asthma, bronchitis, bronchiectasis and other respiratory conditions with present damage to the lungs. Next, during constant coughing, you breathing frequency is over 35 exhalations in 1 min instead of normal 12. Your tidal volume for one cough is close to one liter of air instead of 500-600 ml. Perform some calculations to make sure that your pulmonary ventilation is much more than the tiny medical norm (6 L/minute). Bouts of coughing bring about cellular hypoxia; irritation of the constricted airways due to excessive mechanical friction; irritable state of cough-receptors in the tracheobronchial tree/larynx due to hypocapnia (lack of CO2 ); damage or rupture of alveoli due to sudden air pressure changes; chronic respiratory infections and inflammation due to suppression of the immune system; constriction of airways due to hypocapnia (CO2 is a bronchodilator); possible over-production of mucus and other pathological outcomes due to hyperventilation.

Examine the cell oxygen content using a simple test

After your expiration, close your nostrils and count your anxiety-free breath holding time. Observe that the respiration pattern following the check should always be similar to your respiratory pattern before the test: no stress in the least after the test.

This trial indicates two values at one time. To start with, the final result evaluates O2 level in the body. Second, it assesses how deep the individual respiration pattern is.

As long as the automatic breath pattern is currently standard, he or she should be capable to hold the breath hold for as much as 40 sec. If he or she has about twenty sec, this person breathes about double the physiological norm (and it is 6 Liters of air in one minute). With respect to the sick patients, their test result is further diminished: most likely roughly fifteen seconds or less resulting from hyperventilation.

Permanent solution to constant problem with coughing

When your involuntary breath pattern is so slow-moving that your concentration of O2 in the body tissues is above 25 s, you will not experience problems with constant cough. You should slow down your deep breathing in order to attain this goal.

Respiration normalization process requires constant regulation of breath including:
- constant nose breathing (hence, it is necessary then to seal your mouth with a surgical tape, if your mouth is usually dry in the morning
- avoidance of sleeping on your back (we breathe almost twice more air, when we sleep on our backs at night)
- physical exercise for (at least 2 hours daily with nasal breathing only, in and out, otherwise exercise is more or less a waste of time for most, especially sick patients)
- and many other lifestyle-related details so that your unconscious breathing pattern is restored back to our physiological norm.