Dangerous glass fibers in cigarettes worsen lung damage for smokers

Shocking new research reveals that a specific type of lung cancer many smokers develop comes from tiny tears in their lung tissue caused by microscopic glass fibers, also known as glass wool, found in many conventional cigarette filters. These rips in the epithelial (soft) tissue fuel the development of tumors and cancerous cells due to the constant overload of toxins, namely pesticides, nicotine and ammonia, contained in commercial cigarette smoke.

The filters of typical commercial cigarettes contain microscopic, needle-shaped shards of glass wool (like fiberglass insulation) which escape into the mouth and throat, and then lodge with tobacco tar in the lung tissue, surrounding the alveoli (tiny air sacs) and lead to COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), emphysema and eventually lung cancer.

A physician's assistant (PA) and an intensive care nurse at a major hospital reviewed the damaged lung tissue of several cigarette smokers and said the x-rays looked identical to those of patients exposed to asbestos, and that diagnostic imaging revealed what looked like "ground glass" which settled in the soft tissue near the bottom of the lungs (GGO - ground glass opacity). The interviewed nurse said, "When lung tissue is damaged over and over, it develops lesions, and the cancer plants itself in there like seeds."

According to the PA, the tiny shards penetrate the "lipid bilayer, then embed in the lung tissue, causing the tissue to harden and eventually lose its ability to absorb oxygen." This damage fuels the development of the same type of lung cancer (mesothelioma) associated with asbestos poisoning. He also explained how smoking destroys the cilia (tiny hairs) that help push excretions/mucus out, and how when smokers sleep, their breathing patterns relax and the "tar deposits creep in on damaged air sacs called blebs, eventually rupturing and collapsing them." This is why when smokers awake in the morning they can experience unproductive coughing fits and/or bronchial spasms.

by: S. D. Wells

The Importance of Play in a Child's Life

It’s true that education is like a building block for a child’s future. All parents dream for a better career for their child’s life. Everybody wants their child to be doctor, engineer and wants to see them in high posts. In this cut throat competition children get pressurize with their activities to the extent that they don’t get spare time for their own entertainment. Teachers also keep the child busy during the holidays by giving them assignments and homework. Earlier children used to play with their siblings. So, the children easily got a play environment at the home. However, now the time spent by children in playing was very less as compared to the past two decades. Parents should understand that play is an important activity and they should not deprive their child from this opportunity.

Group games allow children to learn the values of team spirit. It also teaches them to cooperate with other members of the team and develop self discipline. This also enables them to face negative situation in life and make them strong when they get defeated. Many studies have proved that children playing games which have lots of violence are likely to be more short tempered and aggressive.

It is the duty of the parents to find out whether the child knows the difference between fantasy and reality. When this problem is not uprooted in the initial stages then it can take very ugly turn in child’s life and they will start presuming that real life is also like the games which they play. It will have a negative impact on children mind because inappropriate games will impart wrong set of values in them. Through play children develop essential life skills; they also learn how to interact with their peers and adults. It is through play that children develop essential life skills; they learn how to interact with their peers and with adults.

There are certain benefits that child get after playing. These benefits are given below: 1. Reduces fear, anxiety, stress, irritability 2. Creates joy, intimacy, self-esteem and mastery not based on other's loss of esteem 3. Improves emotional flexibility and openness 4. Increases calmness, resilience and adaptability and ability to deal with surprise and change 5. Decreases tactile defensiveness

In conclusion every child should be allowed to play as they learn so many skills from playing, and from defeating. Play is essential for every child’s development as it make them well balanced grown up and prepare with all the essential life skills needed.

by: Harry Yadav

Positive Thinking And Its Effect On Your Health

The first situation to consider is the relationship between thoughts and conditions like depression and stress. A crucial question is whether the person's thoughts are creating the physical depression or the physical depression is creating the negative thinking. When it comes to how you can use your mind to help, this can be accomplished consciously and subconsciously. When someone has a habit of imagining things turning out very badly, rational thinking can show show them that they often exaggerate. However, the unconscious mind is much more powerful in shaping our habitual behavior, oftentimes beyond our conscious control. Visualization and hypnosis can be very effective in modifying beliefs and, if you do this, the long-lasting effects can be more powerful than using logic only.

It is likewise true that positive thinking can have an impact on our physical health, and you may be aware of the placebo effect on people who feel ill. This is when individuals are given a pill which in reality does not have any healing value, and yet they claim to notice an improvement in how they feel. This is evidence of the connection between mind and body, and there are many examples of men and women with a positive outlook being able to recover faster from malady and injury. You can also use the power of your mind to help you in achieving your fitness goals. A historic example of this is when the four minute barrier for running the mile was broken, which had been considered as unachievable up to that point. Once the "barrier" had been broken, other runners also began to break through what had really been a barrier of belief.

The effects of aging are likewise influenced by how we think about the process. As you get older, do you talk to your friends about your "aches and pains" and your weakened capabilities? It seems there's a great deal of truth to the saying, "You're only as old as you think you are," and our thoughts can be used to undo a lot of the so-called effects of aging. Unfortunately, numerous individuals will continue to hold on to old beliefs about the unavoidable "decline" of health in old age, and not pay attention to the benefits of a positive outlook.

Now that you are aware that your attitude can bring you a much better state of health, it's up to you to take advantage of this information and set your intention to think positive thoughts whenever you remember.

by: Greg Riley

Hypnotherapy: Can It Be Used To Treat Alcoholism?

Hypnotherapy was first discovered in the ancient times by the Greeks, Romans and Egyptians as a healing art. Until today, it has evolved over the generations and has been used to treat a variety of illnesses, even alcoholism. It has been proven to be safe and effective and has been adopted by many healthcare practitioners as an alternative therapy. But till what extent is hypnotherapy effective in treating alcoholism? Let's find out.

As we all know, the therapeutic effect of hypnotherapy ranges from its hypnosis effects and relaxation abilities. It can help anxious and tensed people relax by putting them in a relaxed state of mind. The habit of alcohol drinking is something that has been incorporated into the minds by people who drink chronically due to their social upbringing. A variety of sources contribute to this habit such as the role of media and advertising, peer influence, and work related stress.

Unfortunately, many believe that hypnotherapy does not work directly on the causes, but instead help reduce the symptoms of alcohol cravings which lead to binge drinking. For example, we binge on alcohol because we want a form of escapism from the stress and frustrations of work/our boss/our spouses. The role of hypnotherapy is more to relaxing the mind of the subject rather than brainwashing the subject into being stress free.

We are also aware that many of the "triggers" of alcohol cravings and hence binging cannot be avoided. Therefore, hypnotherapy has a big role to play in this area. It can treat the symptoms of alcoholism such as alcohol withdrawal syndrome and relax the subject. Hypnotherapy coupled with counselling and the introduction of empowering thoughts and ideas can create a profound breakthrough in patients suffering from alcoholism.

In conclusion, a good hypnotherapy regimen coupled with adequate counselling can help alcohol addicts treat symptoms of withdrawal and prevent alcohol cravings. Counsellors and practitioners have an important role to play in helping patients set realistic goals and help them to achieve them.

by: Khaiyong Ng