Status: RO Your Life-Your Choice ISSN 1488-0253 ==================== January, 2000 issue 44 Section 1 PLEASE VISIT OUR SPONSORS HOW HEALTHY ARE YOU? FREE Online customized, confidential, health and weight management profile. Instant results. FREE health tips, FREE monthly health newsletter. Take your FREE Online Health Analysis and learn more to achieve optimum health! Visit: http://www.stop-aging.com/?=103 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Would you like to discover how to lose 10 pounds of fat in 5 weeks? It's easy! Get our "FREE Report Reveals 39 Truths about Nutrition and Weight Loss." Do it NOW! http://www.weightlossproducts.org/merchant/survey.htm ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ********************************************** Letter from the Editor Welcome to Your Life-Your Choice in the year 2000! As I mentioned in our last issue, we're adding a lot of exciting and informative new services for you. In fact, most of these ideas have come about as a result of the feedback from the survey you filled out. Many thanks again to all those who participated. Your continuous input and feedback will determine what the Your Life-Your Choice membership program becomes. In other words, you will be molding this program into the perfect Alternative Medicine resource for YOU! Just a reminder that this newsletter will ALWAYS remain FREE to all subscribers. We've hired extra staff to be able to provide the volume of services within the YL-YC Membership Program. Although this is a new program, there is already tremendous value right from the beginning! Naturally, there will be LOTS more services being added in the coming months. The response from members has been terrific so far. As soon as you become a member you'll be able to access the health message board. This is a TERRIFIC place to discuss alternative medicine with other members. Ask your questions and receive input from both professionals and people who have had similar experiences. You will see current information in the form of newsfeeds provided by various alternative medicine governing agencies. You will know right away what's happening; new discoveries, study results, cautions, and much more. You'll hear it all directly from the organizations that govern each modality and certify the practitioners. 6 Online seminars will be offered every year. Our first one is scheduled for the last week in January. We will be launching our seminars with Dr. Jacob Trager, DDS, a Holistic Dentist. This is a man that EVERYONE should hear! Dr. Trager believes in empowering YOU to "Become Your Own Dental Consultant". He has also authored the TMJ article in this issue of Your Life-Your Choice. Ask your questions directly to the practitioner... and get an immediate answer! All of this and more awaits you in the new Your Life-Your Choice Membership Program! This entire program has an annual value that exceeds $1,000. The regular price for this program is $99 for our one year membership. However Your Life-Your Choice subscribers can join the others in a limited special offer exclusively for Your Life-Your Choice subscribers. Many of you have missed our introductory special. But there is still TREMENDOUS savings waiting for you! +++ MINI-MILLENIUM SPECIAL +++ ++ PROCASTINATORS SPECIAL ++ + LAST CHANCE SPECIAL + SIGN UP NOW AND SAVE!!!! http://www.Life-Choices.com/Members/benefits.html Go for our +++MINI-MILLENIUM+++ Savings Jan 09 to Jan 15, 2000. One year memberships available for $59.00. All benefits of membership still apply. Don't forget our on-line seminars start the last week of January 2000. Don't miss this GREAT opportunity. Sign up NOW and still SAVE 40% off the regular rate. http://www.Life-Choices.com/Members/benefits.html ++ PROCRASTINATORS SPECIAL ++ O.K. so you meant to get to the sign-up but you got too busy and forgot. We don't want you to miss out on the savings, so from ***Jan 16 to Jan 23*** we can still offer you great savings. Join now and enjoy your membership for only $69.00 for your first year. Still a savings of over 30%. ! DO IT NOW ! http://www.Life-Choices.com/Members/benefits.html +LAST CHANCE DISCOUNT MEMBERSHIPS+ NOW IS THE TIME TO COMMIT. LAST CHANCE AT GREAT SAVINGS>>> Jan 17 to Jan 31. CUTOFF FOR SAVINGS!!!!!! Our valued memberships are still available for the next two weeks at the reduced price of $79.00 for your first year. Still a considerable savings for you to enjoy all the benefits of being a subscriber to Your-Life, Your Choice. SIGN UP NOW, enjoy a savings of 20% AND HAVE A WELLNESS YEAR. http://www.Life-Choices.com/Members/benefits.html REMINDER ON LINE SEMINARS START AT THE END OF JANUARY. INTERACTIVE, FUN, INFORMATIVE DON'T MISS THIS GREAT OPPORTUNITY, SIGN UP NOW. http://www.Life-Choices.com/Members/benefits.html Brigitte Synesael Editor of Your Life-Your Choice Traditional Medicine Isn't Enough Any More! Your life is your choice-don't make it the doctor's choice! http://www.Life-Choices.com ********************************************** @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @ @ IN THIS ISSUE: @ @ 1. PLEASE VISIT OUR SPONSORS @ Our sponsors make this @ newsletter FREE to @ subscribers. Please take a @ moment to visit them. @ @ @ 2. Big Pain for Tiny Ears @ This is the time of year where @ colds, viruses, and dampness @ cause our little ones so much @ pain. In particular during the @ winter months ear infections @ run rampant. @ @ @ @ 3. PLEASE VISIT OUR SPONSORS @ Our sponsors make this @ newsletter FREE to @ subscribers. Please take a @ moment to visit them. @ @ @ 4. The Psychological Aspects of TMJ @ If you are experiencing TMJ symptoms, @ it is important to not just treat the @ symptoms. We believe this for all @ diseases but especially in reference @ to TMJ. The jaw has psychological @ significance and is the most difficult @ part of the body to relax. The jaw is @ also one of the areas where people have @ a tendency to hold or repress feelings. @ @ @ 5. Asthma: @ Taking Control of the Indoor Environment @ It is a scary thing when you cannot @ breathe. Imagine the feeling of @ drowning, or literally "gasping for @ air". That is the picture of what @ many asthmatics have to deal with on @ a daily basis. In the US, some 15 @ million people are effected by this @ disease, 5 million of which are children. @ @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ Subscribe: You can subscribe by using the form at the Newsletter Headquarters: http://www.Life-Choices.com. Unsubscribe: You can unsubscribe by using the form at the Newsletter Headquarters: http://www.Life-Choices.com. Copyright 1997-2000 by Brigitte Synesael All rights reserved ******************************************** Section 2 Big Pain for Tiny Ears By Brigitte Synesael Editor/Publisher of Your Life-Your Choice http://www.Life-Choices.com Read about Brigitte Synesael on our Meet the Team page; http://www.Life-Choices.com/team.html ----- This is the time of year where colds, viruses, and dampness cause our little ones so much pain. In particular during the winter months ear infections run rampant. Ear infections are a result of either bacteria or viruses that invade the middle ear. This is the area located just behind the eardrum. In acute cases of ear infections pus builds up inside the middle ear causing pressure, inflammation, and considerable pain. As pus and pressure increase, the eardrum becomes inflamed and red, and it stops vibrating normally. This usually causes some temporary hearing loss. Ear infections (otitis media) are a very common occurance among children. In fact, two out of three children have at least one episode by the time they reach 3 years of age. And 20-40 % of children under the age of six share these experiences. As a precaution, ALL ear infection cases should be seen by your local certified health care provider. In the case of an acute infection, the child may also have a fever and pain. You may see an infant or small child pulling at their ears. Other times, an infection may develop gradually, making it difficult to know if the child has fluid in the middle ear. Signs which may indicate the presence of chronic or recurring fluid are: inattentiveness, turning the TV louder, difficulty following directions, pulling or scratching at the ears, listlessness or irritability, and delayed speech and language skills. Echinacea encourages a healthy immune system which can be very helpful in dealing with ear infections. Ear drops made with Mullein, St. John's Wort, and Garlic in an oil base are traditional remedies to ease the pressure in the middle ear. A few drops of Oil of Calendula on a cotton swab can also help to relieve painful earaches. Goldenseal is a natural antibiotic and an immune system booster. It has a long history of use for infections, including recurrent ear infections. Although any of these may be helpful in clearing up an ear infection, you are wise to see your local health care provider for proper dosages for your child and to ensure that there are no other health issues or medications that can conflict with the recommended treatment. ----- Resources: Integrative Health Care Healing Herbal Remedies Hearing Speech & Deafness Center ********************************************** Section 3 PLEASE VISIT OUR SPONSORS Wellness - or, simply put, good health - is not necessarily the result of what you put into your mouth. The extensive research of Joel M. Teutsch and Champion K. Teutsch has shown the real cause of sickness or other conditions: an adverse mind factor and unfavorable genetic predisposition. They have learned to modify them for their clients' benefit. This does not invalidate the use of diet, vitamins and medication. It merely enhances their potent affects on the consumer. We feel everyone has a perfect right to the same quick and lasting results as their many satisfied clients. Phone (310) 234-0274. Find out more at the following links: "From Here to Greater Happiness" http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0843103981/ref=rm_item Dr. Teutsch's Website http://www.champion-atim.com/index.html Your Life-Your Choice's Wellness Locator Listing http://www.Life-Choices.com/directory.html ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ eDiets - Lose your first 10 pounds by January 9th! Get your individualized diet based on your lifestyle. This is the most cost effective and thorough program you'll find both on and off the Net. Members receive weekly shopping lists, online support and much more! Copy and paste the entire url into the location bar of your browser. http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=qlxe3TEPrcI&offerid=6056&type=1&subid=0 ******************************************** Section 4 The Psychological Aspects of TMJ by Jacob Trager, DDS http://www.dentalwellness.net/ 888-758-8058 Jacob Trager, DDS, a 1962 honor graduate of the University of Maryland School of Dentistry, was a leader in preventive dentistry during the late 1960s. Recognizing the relationship of the mouth with the total person, Dr. Trager trained in the whole person psychological concept called Psychosynthesis, to facilitate the integration of the mind and body. He is also a licensed massage therapist (LMT) specializing in craniosacral therapy (a gentle manipulative technique that assists the body in maintaining and regaining balance). ---------- If you are experiencing TMJ symptoms, it is important to not just treat the symptoms. We believe this for all diseases but especially in reference to TMJ. The jaw has psychological significance and is the most difficult part of the body to relax. The jaw is also one of the areas where people have a tendency to hold or repress feelings. If you are experiencing a chronic emotional stressor in your life, the body usually responds with muscle tension. Your response of muscle tension will counteract the treatment process. A major part of TMJ treatment is relaxation of the muscles of the jaws, head, face and neck. It is important to be aware of your emotional self and any situations that may be contributing to your symptoms of TMJ. The following are examples of situations that may be contributing: 1) Lack of assertiveness in expressing yourself and your feelings. 2) Feeling depressed. 3) Low self-esteem; not feeling good about yourself. 4) Living in and with an unhappy relationship. 5) Dissatisfaction with your profession or job. 6) Loss of a loved one. There are many others. These are just examples for you to begin the process of awareness. These are all chronic stressors and your body may respond with any or all of the following symptoms: muscle tension tension headaches muscle spasms of the jaw, face, neck and back pain irritability mood swings clenching and/or grinding of your teeth tongue or cheek biting and many others. If your should choose to treat only the above symptoms and the chronic stressor remains in your life, you will, in essence, be working against yourself rather that enhancing the healing process by attempting to resolve contributing factors. As you can see, there is a strong interrelationship between TMJ dysfunction and psychological stressors. This is why we strongly suggest the importance of exploring and working with your emotional self in conjunction with the physical symptoms when receiving treatment for TMJ dysfunction. In determining what emotional factors may be operating for you, it is important to remember to treat yourself with love, trusting that you can work through this and that you do have alternatives. The body manifests symptoms when there is stress overload. These symptoms are the body's messages that your awareness and attention is needed. Our belief is that illness and/or pain is the body's attempt to cope and therefore a positive message because the body is trying to reestablish balance and harmony. Pain is an early warning signal and its message is important and needs to be explored rather than numbed, ignored or repressed. Our recommendation is to treat physically as stated above and psychologically with psychotherapy and a relaxation stress-management program. ******************************************** Section 5 Asthma: Taking Control of the Indoor Environment Healthy Environments, Seattle WA http:www.healthyenvionments.com Healthy Homes and Workplaces 800-511-7732 ----- It is a scary thing when you cannot breathe. Imagine the feeling of drowning, or literally "gasping for air". That is the picture of what many asthmatics have to deal with on a daily basis. In the US, some 15 million people are effected by this disease, 5 million of which are children. This number has doubled during the last 10 years and many researchers are both puzzled and concerned as to the reasons why. Asthma can strike anyone at any time, though children appear to be the most vulnerable. There is strong evidence of an inherited tendency to being allergic to allergens in the air. Those that develop allergies are more likely to develop asthma. Many children will outgrow asthma; others will face a lifetime of asthma management. The airways of an asthmatic are hyper-responsive to environmental triggers or allergens. There are a host of asthma "triggers," or substances in the environment that can set off asthma attacks. Some triggers cause an allergic reaction, a full-fledged immune response in someone whose immune systems is overly sensitive to normally harmless substances like pollen, or dust. Others directly irritate the lining of the airways and some do both. During an asthma attack the lining of the airways become swollen and filled with mucous. The muscles around the airway tighten, constricting airflow. Symptoms such as coughing wheezing and chest tightening can usually be relieved by a bronchodilator (such as VentolinAE). But the airway inflammation can remain, leaving the asthmatic vulnerable to many more attacks. Why the increase? Although no one knows for sure, there are a number of theories as to why asthma is on the rise: 1. Spending more time indoors, exposing one to more allergens and triggers. During the last decade we have built tighter, more energy efficient buildings. This has led to less natural air exchange, less ventilation and more build up of potentially harmful substances. 2. Homes are carpeted and have cloth furnishings. These are ideal places for dust, dust mites and other known allergens to live and breed. 3. Air Pollution, both indoors and out. Especially exposure to smoke. Every asthmatic needs a plan of action designed to help manage their asthma. This usually includes strong medications such as oral and inhaled steroids, airflow monitoring (so one knows if an asthma attack is pending.) And effective control of environmental triggers. AVOIDING ENVIRONMENTAL TRIGGERS AND IRRITANTS Controlling the home environment is a very important part of asthma and allergy care. DUST AND DUST MITES Encasing mattresses, pillows, and box springs with allergy resistant protective covers. Remove or regularly wash and clean dust catchers; stuffed animals, cloth blinds, knick knacks etc. A vacuum cleaner with an air filter or a central vacuum. Wash all bedding on 130+ degrees each week. POLLENS AND MOLDS Thoroughly clean bathrooms and other high moisture areas to reduce mold growth. Consider using mold protective sealers Immediate fixes all leaks, or water damaged areas. If Humidity is above 45%, consider a dehumidifier to reduce excessive moisture in the air. High levels of moisture lead to dust mite and mold proliferation. Keep windows closed during peak pollen times. Especially between 5am-10am. ANIMAL DANDER Keep animals from bedrooms. Wash animals frequently. COCKROACH DROPPINGS Through cleaning of kitchen, putting away food promptly. Utilize bait/traps. Avoid use of strong chemicals if possible, as they can also be a trigger, TOBACCO SMOKE Never allow smoking in the home or anywhere near an asthmatic STRONG CHEMICAL FRAGRANCES OR SPRAYS Utilize non-toxic, fragrance free products as much as possible, including household cleaners, deodorizers and the like. Use HVAC air filters, air conditioners, and air cleaners to make your home cleaner and more comfortable. ----- Resources: American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology http://www.aaaai.org/ American Lung Association http://www.lungusa.org/ National Allergy and Asthma Foundation/Mothers of Asthmatics http://www.aanma.org/ ******************************************** ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// Disclaimer All material appearing in this newsletter is provided for educational purposes only. It is provided with the understanding that authors and contributors are not offering medical advice or services. 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