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	<title>Need to Know &#187; Health</title>
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	<link>http://need-to-know.net</link>
	<description>Your Source for Must-Have Information</description>
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		<title>How to Heal Cold Sores</title>
		<link>http://need-to-know.net/how-to-heal-cold-sores</link>
		<comments>http://need-to-know.net/how-to-heal-cold-sores#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 06 Mar 2010 12:55:25 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://need-to-know.net/?p=71</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[If there is one thing that everyone can agree on, it would probably be the fact that everyone hates getting a cold sore. Let&#8217;s face it they are uncomfortable and they don&#8217;t go with any of our outfits or fit into any of our daily plans at all. The trouble with cold sores is getting [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>If there is one thing that everyone can agree on, it would probably be the fact that everyone hates getting a cold sore. Let&#8217;s face it they are uncomfortable and they don&#8217;t go with any of our outfits or fit into any of our daily plans at all. The trouble with cold sores is getting them healed up, so here are a few tips.</p>
<p>There are many over the counter and prescription medications that one could take. Abreva is one, Orajel, Zovirax, Denavir, Valtrex, Famvir and Viroxyn are some others. There are many other ways to help heal your cold sores, one of these is Lysine. Lysine is very inexpensive and you can usually find it in the vitamin section. Take four 500mg Lysine at the first sign of a cold sore. Take one each morning and one each evening. If you catch it early enough it will go away completely. If you don&#8217;t catch it early enough it will still reduce the amount of time and the severity of the outbreak. Also recommended during the time of an outbreak is to get a new toothbrush. </p>
<p>Since a cold sore is a virus you could possibly be exposing yourself to it every time you brush your teeth. Boosting your immune system is also a good way to help prevent them, since they are triggered by stress. Try taking some vitamin C about three times a day. Also use a sunscreen on your lips, because exposure to sunlight can also be a factor in triggering cold sores. Zinc has also been proven to reduce the duration of cold sores. Applied topically, it can help speed the healing. Lemon balm has also been known to reduce the syptoms and speed up the healing process. If you like yogurt, then eat it also, it is high in Lysine, but make sure to get some that is gelatin-free.</p>
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		<title>How to Heal Lower Back Pain</title>
		<link>http://need-to-know.net/how-to-heal-lower-back-pain</link>
		<comments>http://need-to-know.net/how-to-heal-lower-back-pain#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 30 Dec 2009 01:03:47 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://need-to-know.net/?p=48</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[You&#8217;ve done it again&#8211;hurt your lower back.  Admit it, you are not 25 any more.  Let a few ground balls go through your legs once in awhile in softball.  Don&#8217;t worry, you can blame your errors on your eyesight.  That&#8217;s another problem for the more mature blokes.
Rest, Ice &#038; Heat
Lower back [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>You&#8217;ve done it again&#8211;hurt your lower back.  Admit it, you are not 25 any more.  Let a few ground balls go through your legs once in awhile in softball.  Don&#8217;t worry, you can blame your errors on your eyesight.  That&#8217;s another problem for the more mature blokes.</p>
<h2>Rest, Ice &#038; Heat</h2>
<p>Lower back pain is no joke.  Your injury can stem from physical activities, repetitive tasks on a job or even sitting too long, a problem an athletic guy or gal like you might not admit.  Lower back injuries run the gamut.  The most common injury is a back strain.  You can also sustain more structural problems such as bulging or herniated discs.  Tendinitis and arthritis are also common problems in the lumbar or sacral vertebrae of your lower back.  All lower back problems can be alleviated through various treatments.  First and foremost, you need to stop all physical activity for awhile and rest your back.  If you have severe pain, use a back brace when you need to be mobile, or if you sit in front of a computer at work.  During the first 48 to 72 hours, use ice on your back.  Ice will help reduce any inflammation or swelling.  It narrows the blood vessels and temporarily restricts the flow of blood.  This is important during the early stages of a lower back problem because of possible broken blood vessels, which can increase swelling and pain.  When the swelling has subsided, a heating pad will help promote blood flow to your lower back.  Blood carries oxygen and nutrients such as vitamin C that are necessary for healing.</p>
<h2>Medication</h2>
<p>No treatment would seem right without a little medication.  An anti-inflammatory such as ibuprofen or naproxen should do the trick.  These medications can also help heal your lower back pain.  They are Cox-2 inhibitors, which limit the effects of Cox-2 enzymes on prostaglandins (chemicals).  The interaction of the enzymes and chemicals are the body&#8217;s natural response to injuries.</p>
<h2>Massage</h2>
<p>Massage is another effective treatment for healing lower back strain or structural problems.  Massage also increases the flow of blood to the lower back.  Have your significant other spend five or ten minutes several times a day massaging your back.  It may just do more than relieve your ailing back.  Finally, stretching and strength-building exercises can help cure lower back problems.</p>
<h2>Exercise</h2>
<p>Exercise is the best way to increase blood flow to the muscles and bones in the lower back.  However, you should not start exercising until you have your inflammation and pain under control.  Stretching will increase flexibility and mobility in your muscles.  Muscles do tighten with age.  It is also important to build strength in your lower back and adjacent muscles, which will add stability to your spine and lower back.  This will help alleviate pain in your lower back.</p>
<p>These lower back remedies should be used in the order outlined above.  There is no set time frame curing lower back pain, but you can enhance your recover the more proactive you are in your treatments.</p>
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		<title>How to Treat Hypertension</title>
		<link>http://need-to-know.net/how-to-treat-hypertension</link>
		<comments>http://need-to-know.net/how-to-treat-hypertension#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 28 Nov 2009 12:24:16 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://need-to-know.net/?p=34</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[What is High Blood Pressure?
High blood pressure or hypertension describes the force your heart exerts to pump blood throughout the body.  This is measured by a ratio of systolic pressure over diastolic pressure.  High blood pressure is sustained blood pressure over 140/90.
See Your Doctor
If you have high blood pressure, you should seek routine [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h2>What is High Blood Pressure?</h2>
<p><strong>High blood pressure or hypertension</strong> describes the force your heart exerts to pump blood throughout the body.  This is measured by a ratio of systolic pressure over diastolic pressure.  High blood pressure is sustained blood pressure over 140/90.</p>
<h2>See Your Doctor</h2>
<p>If you have high blood pressure, you should seek routine medical care and treatment.  Expect your doctor to ask you questions about your lifestyle and family history and perform various tests.  Some lab work may be involved.  This is important to rule out any underlying conditions.  Your doctor may treat you with medications to combat your high blood pressure.  Whether you are prescribed medication or not, lifestyle changes and home monitoring allow hypertension patients to take control of their treatment and improve overall health.</p>
<h2>Exercise</h2>
<p>After your doctor gives you clearance, start an exercise program.  Cardiovascular exercise, such as running, walking, or biking often produces immediate reductions in blood pressure. Exercise results in improved cardiovascular health and lower over all blood pressure.  Exercise assists in weight loss.</p>
<h2>Control Your Diet</h2>
<p>Limiting salt intake can in many cases reduce blood pressure, as excess salt causes your body to retain fluids.  Avoiding processed foods and refraining from using salt as a condiment will make for a great start.</p>
<h2>Maintain a Healthy Weight and BMI</h2>
<p>By controlling diet and exercise, weight loss can occur over time.  Obesity makes the heart work harder.  By maintaining your Body Mass Index in a healthy range, you reduce your chances of hypertension.</p>
<h2>Monitor Your Blood Pressure at Home</h2>
<p>Any pharmacy will sell a home blood pressure monitor.  Check your pressure several times per day and write down your results.  Show these readings to your doctor.  For some people, blood pressure readings at the doctor will always read high, and home monitoring is the best way to see accurate blood pressure.</p>
<h2>Relaxation Techniques</h2>
<p>Many people with <strong>hypertension</strong> will find that relaxation can lower blood pressure.  In fact, many cases of hypertension result from excess stress.  Take the time to sit comfortably and breathe.  Formal relaxation methods exist, such as yoga or meditation.</p>
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