How to Be Proactive About The Zika Virus

While the Zika virus has been around since 1947, it has not been recognized as a legitimate threat to the United States until quite recently. Zika is a potent virus that is carried by mosquitoes. Until 2007, the virus was limited only to Africa. Since then, it has spread to the South Pacific and into other tropical regions, such as the Caribbean. Zika is particularly concerning for pregnant women who may suffer birth anomalies, such as microcephaly, to their unborn children. However, it can also cause fevers, rashes, headaches and joint pain in anyone affected by it for up to one week. Zika Transmission Zika is transmitted by the bite of a mosquito. However, it can also be transferred between sexual partners. The species of mosquitoes that carry the virus include Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. Currently, only A. aegypti has been spreading Zika in the United States; this species is mostly present in warmer states with more tropical climates. However, it can come as far north as Ohio in the Midwest and Connecticut along the Eastern seaboard. While A. albopictus can carry Zika, it has not been known to do so as of yet in the U.S. The most recent information shows that the majority of Zika cases in the US are travel-related, meaning that they are due to a person having been bitten by an affected mosquito while traveling out of the country. The only place in the US that has been affected by locally-infected mosquitoes is a small area of Miami just north of the downtown district. Florida, Texas, California, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York have all reported more than 200 cases each with well over 600 reported in Florida. States reporting between 50 to 100 cases include Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia, Ohio, Illinois and Michigan. Being Proactive about Zika Because Zika is spread by mosquitoes, it is vital that you learn how to prevent mosquito bites no matter where you live and particularly if you travel out of the US. You should be aware that virus-laden mosquitoes bite during both the day and the night. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend using insect repellents with high levels of EPA-registered active ingredients, such as DEET, Picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol or IR3535. Some brand name examples of approved repellents include Off!, Cutter Advanced, Repel, and SkinSmart. These repellents are safe even for pregnant women to use as well as for all children over the age of two months. In addition, you will be best protected if you wear long sleeve shirts, long pants and repellent-treated shoes and socks when outdoors. In addition, cover baby carriers with netting to protect very young infants from being bitten. The only other way that you could get Zika other than from a mosquito bite is from sexual contact with a person having the virus. To protect this type of transmission, always use a male or female condom during sexual intercourse. Condoms should be used during vaginal, anal and oral sex to prevent transmission from semen or vaginal fluids. Beware that a person may transmit the virus before any symptoms begin and even after symptoms end. This is Only the Beginning of Zika The United States government is maintaining a close monitoring system of Zika cases throughout the US as well as in Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, and American Samoa. The local government of Miami has taken steps to contain and prevent future outbreaks by using aerial spraying in some neighborhoods. In addition, President Obama has asked Congress to approve emergency funding for vaccine development, virus testing and state and local financial aid. The government does not believe that the mosquitoes carrying Zika will travel much farther north than they already are, which is in Florida and Texas. However, travel-related cases could expand if people do not take proper precautions when traveling. Locally-acquired cases are most likely in Texas and Florida although the mosquitoes that can carry Zika can go as far north as Iowa and New Hampshire and as far west as California. Get Tested! If you develop symptoms that are consistent with Zika or have traveled to a different country affected by the virus, you should be tested. In addition, if you had unprotected sex with a person who has or had Zika, your doctor may recommend testing. This is particularly important for pregnant women. Testing can be done using blood or urine samples. A test known as real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction testing, or rRT-PCR, can be done within two weeks following the start of symptoms. It can also be performed on pregnant women who currently have no symptoms but who traveled to an affected country. While this new information about Zika should not be cause for panic, you should work consistently to prevent transmission of the virus by preventing mosquito bites and by practicing protected sex using condoms. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9570193

A Healthy Penis - 6 Simple Tips Keep Your Libido Strong

There are many products that claim to increase libido and keep your penis healthy, however a healthy penis and strong libido are normally a reflection of overall lifestyle. Many men look for miracle cures, when they should be looking at changes in lifestyle. These changes become even more critical as men pass the age of 40. Lets look at 6 simple liefstyle changes that can help you A healthy penis and overall health The human body is a totally integrated organism, it is virtually impossible to have a healthy penis if there are health problems elsewhere. Al healthy penis means, one without erectile dysfunction (ED). ED is not yet perfectly understood, and most studies are inconclusive if the causes are physiological or psychological, or both factors working together. A healthy penis and testosterone levels As men age, it is proved that the level of testosterone in the blood slowly decreases. This is a main cause of libido drop and if libido can effect erections, it is then a cause of ED. Check yourself, and see if any of the following symptoms apply to you. Do you have sleeping problems, hair loss, become tired quickly, gaining weight, depression, become irritable easily, Sweating and flushing without physical activity? So, if your testosterone is dropping, there is no way to have a healthy penis, and you must resort to the new generation of ED drugs (Viagra, Cialis, and so on) which may work, and may not and have unpleasant side effects. Getting an erection with an ED drug does not mean your penis (or you are healthy) Also, if your state of health has deteriorated, you veins and arteries are not open as they were when you were young, so your ED may be caused by a slowdown / breakdown in your circulatory system. A healthy penis 6 rules for increased libido For both levels of testosterone and your general state of health, you can follow the easy rules below. You will be healthier, and it will show with a healthy penis and a more virile you Rules 1, 2 and 3 are MUSTS! 1.If you smoke, stop now. Smoking damages every part of your body, especially the circulatory system, and introduces dangerous chemicals directly into the blood. 2.You need physical exercise, and every day. It is estimated that you need at least 30 minutes of strenuous exercise daily as a minimum. To get testosterone levels up naturally, put yourself on a good weight lifting program. See your doctor first, and then ask a professional trainer to give you a special program suited to your body type, age, and physical condition. The testosterone levels will rise naturally. This is a proven fact. 3.Diet. If you are overweight, your penis will pay the price, along with your heart and every other critical organ. Eat plenty of fruits (in season only), and vegetables, lots of roughage (in the form of cereals), and meat sparingly. Your weight will drop naturally (without a formal diet) and you will notice your libido returning and your ability to satisfy it as well. The next rules are SHOULDS; so keep as much to them as you can. 4.Moderate your alcoholic intake. Do not over-indulge in drinking. Hard liquor sparingly, and wines and beers with great moderation. 5.Find good vitamin and mineral supplements. It should contain most or all of the following: Vitamins A, B, B complex, C, D, and E. From minerals, look for Chromium, Selenium and Zinc. From protein, L-arginine. From enzymes, DHEA. From natural herbs, look for Damania, Dong quai, Ginger, Ginkgo Biloba, Ginseng, Gotu kola, Horny Goat Weed, Hydrangea root, Pygeum, Sarsaparilla, Saw palmetto, and Wild yam. 6.If you are alone, masturbate. You need to ejaculate often, and through masturbation, the chemicals and reactions required for keeping your penis healthy are put to use. Done properly (as in the technique called jelqing) the result is, if nothing more, an improved circulation to the penis, and use of the prostate gland for more than just continence. A healthy penis final words Remember the state of your penis is a good indication of your own state of health. Follow the rules above, and at any age, you will find increased testosterone in the blood, better circulation, relief from many symptoms that may now plague you, and of course, a healthier penis. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/174454

Nutrition Tips To Look And Feel Your Best

More and more people are trying to make better diet choices. Eating well will help you lead a longer and healthier life. Improve your health with these tips. It is crucial to consume proteins daily. You need protein because it promotes the health of muscles, blood, organs and skin. Protein is also crucial to maintaining your metabolism and repairing your muscles. Consuming plenty of protein also helps build up your body's immune system to fight off disease. You can find high quality protein in whole grains, dairy products, fish and fowl, meats, soy products, beans and legumes. If your goal is to cut down your sugar intake, you need to avoid foods that have corn syrup in them, because that is a form of sugar. There are a lot of condiments and similar foods that contain corn syrup, so check every label. When you try different things and they are from different places. You may become bored if you eat the same things all the time. Buying fruits and veggies in season is a good way to save money and eat well. Vegetables and fruits are rich with minerals and vitamins that you need for your body. When buying produce, always choose seasonal options in order to save money. Can you count to five? Then you have the tool you need to improve your nutrition. This represents how many individual servings of fruit and vegetables ought to be eaten daily. That might seem like a lot, however, a serving size probably is less than you may think. For fruit, a half-cup usually amounts to one serving. Vegetables like lettuce or spinach usually have a serving size of around one full cup. When you are dieting you should have the right nutrition. If you like comfort foods and have to choose between those and healthy foods, the less-healthy choice can be extremely tempting. In reality, if you get used to eating healthy foods, comfort foods will lose their control over you. This will enable you to stop thinking about your former unhealthy comfort foods and focus on foods that will benefit you. Eat garlic for more nutrients and illness prevention. Garlic acts like an antibiotic, because it is a natural one. It's a tasty additive to many different types of dishes. Another great way to use garlic is to roast it and use it as a spread on different types of bread or crackers. Do not eat things made with white flour, stick with whole grains. Whole wheat and other whole grains contain more protein and fiber than their refined counterparts. Whole grains will fill you up and keep you this way. Make sure you see the word "whole" as one of the initial grain items on the list of ingredients. " Eat a lot of meats with low fat and fish that has omega 3's, whole foods are good for you! A diet including such fare is one you will find extremely healthful. Now you see why making the changes discussed here are so advantageous. Use these tips to make the necessary life changes, and you will begin to see results right now. Article Source: http://www.streetarticles.com/nutrition/nutrition-tips-to-look-and-feel-your-best

How To Eliminate Sugar From Your Diet

Are you ready to get sugar out of your diet? Great! You've decided that you don't want anything to do with sugar and you're going to do whatever it takes to eliminate it so you can improve and protect your physical and mental health? Fantastic! Were you right all along when you thought sugar was bad for you and now you're going to demonstrate your personal integrity by getting sugar out of your life? Go go go! What are steps should you take to eliminate sugar from your diet? I'm going to show you. This is your Twelve-Step Program for eliminating sugar. 1. Do it cold turkey. That may sound extreme but it is really the best way. Did you know sugar was originally refined and kept under lock and key as a potent medicine? That's right. Sugar was originally considered to be strictly medicinal just like we would consider a controlled prescription drug. And sugar is addictive just like a drug too. "Tapering off" sugar is like saying you're tapering off heroin. No can do. It just doesn't work. 2. Right away, besides not dumping sugar into your coffee and onto your cereal, find out what alternative sweeteners there are that can be used. I will never recommend substitute fake sweeteners like the ones in the pink, blue and yellow packets. They are even more deadly than sugar! But there are whole grain sweeteners and herbal sweeteners made from stevia that you can start using. 3. As you are withdrawing from your sugar habit, you will probably feel the symptoms. To handle that get more exercise, drink more water and if things get really out of hand, you can use a little bit of organic, unpasteurized raw honey. This is not meant as a recommendation to start dumping honey, instead of sugar, in everything. Honey is still a sugar but not as refined. Consider it your "methadone" treatment but be aware that in the long run, honey will not get you where you want to go. 4. Learn what the different ingredients are that are essentially sugar. There is information about this on my other Street Articles and blogs as well as other sources. 5. Go through your pantry, cupboards and refrigerator and read those labels. Throw out everything that has sugar in it. You will likely be getting rid of a lot of food items including ketchup, peanut butter, jelly, bread and other baked goods, crackers, canned soups, fruit-flavored yogurt, low-fat and no-fat dairy products and much much more. Look at how much more room you have now! 6. Start shopping in a store that at least offers some non-sugar products. But beware! Even your so-called "natural food store" is jammed with products that have some form of sugar in them. You've got to be a regular Sherlock Holmes and read every label to be sure. One good way to be sure is to just buy real, whole food. There's no ingredient label on an apple or a stalk of broccoli. You only need to check that it is certified organic (preferred). 7. Eat less red meat. Red meat increases the craving for sugar. I know this from personal experience and observation. 8. Eat a lot more vegetables. Vegetables are naturally sweet and they have fiber, minerals and all kinds of phytochemicals (aka minute amounts of beneficial known and unknown nutrients) in them. In fact, to mitigate sugar cravings you can make what is called a "Sweet Vegetable Tea." Cut up pieces of sweet-tasting vegetables such as cabbage, onions, carrots, winter squash, parsnips, cauliflower and put them in a big pot of spring water with a pinch of sea salt. Bring it to a boil and let it simmer about an hour. Strain out the veggies and save them for soup. Chill the vegetable water and drink a half cup of that - chilled or warmed - whenever your sugar cravings are getting the best of you. What? Cabbage and onions are sweet tasting? Yes they are and you will appreciate their sweet taste once you've gotten sugar out of your system. 9. Reduce the amount of breads and baked goods that have refined flour in them. Look for the ones that have whole grains and whole grain flour (and of course, no sugar) in them. Your body responds to refined white flour products just like it does to sugar. So eating such things that are made with white flour is pretty much just like eating sugar. 10. Make it go right to cook your food at home more and more. Even the finest restaurant uses a multitude of ingredients that contain sugar (not to mention a lot of other ingredients that you would not include in home cooking.) For me, there is absolutely nothing like my own good home cooking. Not because I'm an amazing chef - I'm a pretty decent cook - but I use quality ingredients and I've learned how to make the most delicious whole food without sugar and chemicals. When you cook or prepare your own food, that is the only way to really be sure what is in it. Don't get me wrong, I do go to restaurants sometimes. But as much as I enjoy the experience of being served and spending time with my dear husband, more often than not I am at least slightly disappointed with the food because it is not as good as mine. Just saying. 11. Tell your family and friends about your new adventure. Let them know you are getting sugar out of your life and ask them to help you. No whining about how you can't eat that doughnut they have at work! Stay positive! Share your successes and if they pooh pooh it - well just fuhgeddaboudit and talk to someone else who can be more supportive. 12. And finally, use this article as a forum to share your wins, ask your questions and express your concerns. This is a very friendly group here on Street Articles and you will be surprised how many like-minded people there are who are also trying to eliminate sugar from their lives. Believe me I know it is not always easy. In fact, I know that many people struggle and struggle with sugar cravings. But if you follow these steps, you will not have such a hard time. Article Source: http://www.streetarticles.com/nutrition/how-to-eliminate-sugar-from-your-diet