Types of Awareness Ribbons

By the passage of time awareness ribbons got more popular, and now numerous awareness ribbons are available as people have to look for an elegant way to gain the attention of people and highlight issues that concern them most. In this article I am presenting some of the traditional awareness ribbons along with the cause they are associated with.

Gray Ribbon

Awareness ribbons such as gray ribbon is an international symbol for Diabetes awareness, Brain Cancer, Asthma and as a political statement. Sometimes, it is also used for Vote annulations.

Pink Ribbon

Pink Ribbon represents a symbol of breast cancer awareness. The pink ribbon expresses the moral support for women suffering from or suffered with breast cancer.

Silver Ribbon

Silver ribbon is a simple way to express combined interests of peoples affected from Brain disability or Brain disorders. Usually Silver ribbon is used to aware peoples about the need for governmental support, social support and emotional support with these individuals.

Autism Ribbon

The Autism ribbon has been used to raise the awareness about Autism Spectrum Disorder. These are used to wear with shirts, pins and on car bumper as well.

Green Ribbon

The green ribbon represents a symbol of Bipolar Disorder, HIV/Aids Testing, Lymphoma, Cerebral Palsy, Celiac Disease, Gastro paresis, Kidney Cancer and sometimes for legalized forms of pornography and sexual content.

Pink & Blue Ribbon

Awareness ribbons such as pink and blue ribbon are symbols for promoting Pregnancy and Infant Loss, Genital integrity, Male breast cancer awareness, Male testicular cancer awareness and also for Pro-life views to intact dilation and extraction.

Teal Ribbon

The Teal ribbon is worn to raise awareness about Ovarian cancer, Polycystic Kidney Disease, Gynecological cancer, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, Myasthenia Gravis awareness and sometimes for Sexual Violence awareness and support. Teal ribbons are also used for Tsunami Victims support, Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia awareness, Batten Disease and Anti-bullying.

Light Blue Ribbon

Light blue ribbon represents a symbol Prostate Cancer support, Behcet's Disease, Addison's disease and for Lymphedema.

Purple Ribbon

A purple ribbon is worn as a symbol to raise various causes, such as; Eating Disorder Awareness, Pulmonary hypertension, Thyroid cancer, Overdose Prevention, Fibromyalgia, Domestic violence, Pediatric stroke, Macular degeneration, Epilepsy, Pancreatic cancer, Wildland Firefighters, Crohn's Disease, Cystic Fibrosis, Animal abuse, Ulcerative Colitis, Lupus, Huntington's disease, Proportional representation voting system for UK elections, Gastrointestinal cancer, Alzheimer's disease, Xenophobia and Homophobia (Austria 2009), Homelessness, Religious tolerance and Victims of 9/11

White Ribbon

White ribbon represents different meanings which are depended on the context. For instance, if we mixed it with other colors it represents political movement to speak on their behalf for a certain cause. Sometimes these are represented on garments, posters and on leaflets. White ribbon also represents the Woman's rights and it also adopted by Woman's Christian Temperance Union in 1873. It also a non-sectarian organizations and uses bow rather than "remembrance" which they think symbolizes purity.

Red Ribbon

Like White Ribbon, the red ribbon has different meanings depending on the context. These awareness ribbons are mostly known for solidarity with peoples suffering from AIDS. Red Ribbon also represents the drug prevention awareness, tobacco uses and Alcoholic effects on society.

Yellow Ribbon

The Yellow Ribbon is a symbol of Freedom. It also supports troops in missions, show solidarity with peoples affected from riots and chaos. In Japan, it is used in Medal of Honor which represents the acknowledgment towards the professionals those become role model to the society. Yellow Ribbon also known as a symbol of press freedom and it's also used to represent suicide awareness. In USA, it is a symbol of support for the hostages which were held by Iran in U.S embassy.

Orange Ribbon

In Tibet, Orange Ribbon is an Icon of human right awareness. These are also worn to represent United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. In few other countries, an Orange ribbon is a symbol of Harmony day and Cultural Diversity. Orange Ribbon is also a symbol of Racial Tolerance as well.

How Can I Become More Alkaline Easily?

To make the body more alkaline, there are a lot of things to change, especially in the lifestyle. But most people fail to accomplish the dietary plans it is, perhaps, because of too much requirements in lifestyle change.

If you aim to succeed in changing your lifestyle in a long term basis, you should use the simpler and easier techniques as these are most effective most of the time.

One of these simple techniques is to drink lemon water throughout the day. Just by using fresh cut lemons and water as your water therapy will surely make your bloodstream and system alkaline. Since this is quite a simple technique, you can do it every day. But you can also go for a full Master Cleanse Diet if you want to attain maximum benefit from this detoxification and cleansing process.

The main ingredients of the Master Cleanse Diet for your detoxification are lemon juice, raw maple syrup, and cayenne pepper.

The lemon is naturally rich in acid but it is also rich in minerals that are very helpful in alkalizing the body, especially after it has been digested. The juice neutralizes and wards off the free radicals and toxins to clean the blood as the juice contains diuretic and diarrheic effects keeping away all the wastes and toxins from the body.

Drinking lemon water is as easy as cutting a small piece of a lemon and putting it into a glass of water anytime of the day in your home. If you are going out, to the office or somewhere else, you can also bring a lemon anywhere. It does not only taste good, it also helps your body to detoxify, especially after eating heavy meal. Just make sure to add not any sweetener or sugar to avoid making it acidic.

Drinking this lemon water everyday will help improve your metabolism for a healthier and more alkaline body. And with an improved metabolism, losing weight will never be a problem for you anymore.

But although this simple process is very good for the health, this can also harm those people who have an acidic digestion tract problem, such as ulcerative colitis. They should avoid taking lemon and other citrus fruits because of its citric acid content because it stirs up excessive acids in their digestive system. What they should try is the vegetable juice cleansing diet which also helps the body to gently detoxify the excessive acids and toxins. After this, they can drink lemon juice or water.

There is also a simpler and much easier way to achieve detoxification, and that is to have your own alkaline water ionizer at home. You can alter your choice of drinks, from soda, tea, coffee, or any other drinks to alkaline water, starting from the time you wake up to the time you are going to bed. Your body will be hydrated and detoxified.

Aloe Vera Cures Mouth Ulcers

Patients of Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD) including Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Disease usually have certain symptoms like mouth ulcers. Two of them are Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis (RAS) and Recurrent Intra-oral Herpes (RIH). It is not exactly clear why ulcers occur along with IBD but they are usually concurrent with flare ups and remissions of the disease.

Mouth ulcers can be caused due to microbial causes like herpes, infectious mononucleosis and chickenpox; gastrointestinal causes like Coeliac, Crohn's, and Ulcerative Colitis; skin causes like erythema multiforme and liche planus; blood causes like neutropenia and leukaemia; rheumatoid causes like systemic lupus erthematosus, Reiter's syndrome and Behcet's disease or due to drugs like Nicorandril, cytotoxic agents, NSAIDs and oral nicotine replacement therapy. Other than these ulcers are also related to nutritional deficiencies or food sensitivities.

As a part of the macrobiotic food regime followed by ulcer patients in which nutritious yet bland soft foods are included patients are increasingly resorting to topical application of aloe vera. British Journal of Dermatology has published a study report confirming that use of aloe vera can aid treatment of mouth ulcers. The healing properties of aloe vera has been found to exceed expectations in terms of oedema control, pain control and quick healing.

Aloe vera has also been used in inflammation control. Due to its anti-bacterial attributes its been used in chemical burns, after tooth extraction, traumatized gum tissue, periodontal surgery sites etc to soothe the area and prevent violent swellings. As medication for mouth ulcers depend on contact time, Aloe users should keep this fact in mind. Aloe in any form should be given at least five minutes to engage the area before it is washed out. These are only few of the many medicinal properties of aloe vera. It is also used for its anti-fungal, laxative, astringent, anti-viral, anti-bacterial properties.

Ulcerative Colitis Diets - Food Combining

Foods fall into the 3 categories:

Fruits which should be eaten separately.

Proteins (nuts, seeds, beans, meat, fish, poultry) and starches (grains, pasta, breads, cereal, rice, carrots)

Starches.

Most people can eat a variety of foods without it causing health problems but if you do suffer then "Great Taste No Pain" may be the answer.

A lot of people do not know about the differences between proteins, starches and fats so as a result often consume more starch than protein, as starches tend to be more filling and satisfying.

Combining of protein and starch can be beneficial.

Sherry Brescia a Natural Health Researcher has created a FREE white paper. She had not heard of food combination until she was told about it while having an evening meal. She was told that common food combinations can spell big health problems, especially for people prone to digestive issues. She had suffered and had tried everything, all the tests, drugs, pills and medical advice and purely by chance found the solution.

After following the food combining diet she suffered no symptoms after years of suffering.

She states that no longer did she suffer from the usual digestive problems of cramps, bloated stomach, excessive gas, acid reflux or constipation.

She thinks by eating the "Great Taste No Pain Way" you could change your life for ever.

Sherry had no negative side effects to endure. The enhanced digestion made her feel more satisfied with her meals. Since following the food combining plan she has never looked back.

Digestive Health: How Does Your Bowel Health Affect Your Relationships With Loved Ones?

At first this might seem like a stretch...connecting your bowel health to your loved ones...but hear me out. I have seen first hand how the internal health of your bowel can seriously impact your relationship with all of the loved ones in your life - family, friends and significant others. Not everyone shares these same issues, but this article comes from my personal experience in the hopes to encourage us all to become more understanding and compassionate of all our individual needs.

The first way in which your bowel can affect your relationships with loved ones...mood. Your digestion is your first line of defense against mood swings. By now, it is common knowledge that processed sugar, for example, can have a serious impact on your moods and emotions. Sugar creates a pendulum-like swing between emotional highs and lows that can come with side-kicks such as hyperactivity and depression. If your digestive system is compromised by illness, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), dis-ease, such as Ulcerative Colitis (UC) or Chrone's, or the Standard American Diet, aptly dubbed SAD, then you could be mood-swinging like Tarzan through the jungle. This can wreak havoc on any relationship, but can have catastrophic outcomes on those you live with because they will be witness to ALL mood swings.

Unfortunately, not everyone is able to keep up with the Tarzan-esque mood-swinging, and therefore brush off your down-swings as hormones or irritability. (When you combine these mood swings with PMS and a bad mood...WATCH OUT!) This is where communication is key. If you are blessed enough to have an open line of communication with your loved ones and they are willing to discuss your needs, be grateful! Not everyone has that ability to openly discuss such concerns, so be sure to express your gratitude for your supportive environment. Still, the conversation can be an emotional one. First, the issue can make you feel that something is wrong with you. You are not broken and do not need to be fixed; all that may be needed is a little TLC and understanding in order to take the stress out of the situation. Second, you may not necessarily know WHY these moods strike...you just feel like crudmuffins!

*Now, I am not saying that a healthy bowel will eliminate ALL mood changes - nothing is a cure-all. However, making sure your digestive system is in tip-top shape will enable your body to absorb nutrients and keep you nourished, which can help to avoid nutrition-based mood swings. In addition, your body will be eliminating waste properly, which will reduce the amount of toxic build up. If your body is in a toxic state, chances are your mood is too!

The next way in which your bowel can affect your relationships with loved ones: co-dwelling. When you live with others and share meals, it can be isolating when your diet has to be altered to keep your body healthy. From the viewpoint of those around you, it may look like you are being picky or trying to make them feel badly about their food decisions. Yet, every time you have to decline a food offer, and deal with the consequential "remarks", it puts a small tear between you and those around you, making you feel isolated on your journey. SO, rather than be an inconvenience or offend someone, you eat what is available, and suffer in silence.

Folks, this is just the tip of the iceberg. When you really think about all the areas of your life that your bowel rears its head (I just realized the true humor in that statement!) it affects so much more than we first think! When you feel bloated, constipated or are frequenting the powder room squeezing your cheeks, your self-confidence and body image do not exactly sky-rocket. This can literally infiltrate every aspect of your day! What will you choose to wear on a day when you feel like a balloon? How will your posture be when your stomach hurts? How will you treat people who get in your way on your (numerous) bathroom runs? What will your response be when your partner gets "in the mood"? The outcome of any of those situations is usually not your most stellar or empowering one...and definitely not a sexy one.

In order to truly appreciate the statement below, first spend time with a baby. A baby can be completely inconsolable, yet as soon as they unload in their diaper, life is good! I bet you feel the exact same way...it is just not socially acceptable to wear a diaper...yet!

All in all...a healthy pooper makes a happy person!

During this month, send a little love to your other end and I am sure it will return the favor. Simply thank your stomach (and other digestive organs) for all they do at each and every meal. Take a moment before you eat and prepare your body for food. Listen...Smell...Admire. After a meal, or at the end of the day, rest your palms on your stomach and send "gratitude vibes" to your digestive system for the work it has done throughout the day. A simple "Thank You" can go a long way.

I hope this article provided comfort if you are someone with digestive distress. You are not alone on your journey; support is all around you. On the other hand, if you are the loved one of someone with digestive issues, I hope this article provided insight to some of what they may be experiencing. The best thing you can do is open the space for conversation in a supporting, loving and non-judgmental environment.

Battling Chronic Pelvic Pain Disorders With Acupuncture

Frequently, the diagnosis and treatment of chronic pelvic disorders is conducted in error because of difficulty to diagnose the actual condition responsible for the pain. In these cases, the patient is denied an effective rational treatment aimed at the underlying disease.

Sometimes, undiagnosed proctitis is the cause of the pelvic pain. Term proctitis generally means inflammation of the lining of the rectum, called the rectal mucosa. Proctitis can be short term (acute) or long term (chronic) and may have many causes. It may occur as a side effect of certain medical treatments like a course of antibiotics. Inflammation of the rectal mucosa may be related to ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease, hemorrhoids, yeast infections, herpes, conditions that cause inflammation in the colon or small intestine. Other causes include rectal injury, bacterial infection, allergies, chronic pancreatitis and cholecystitis.

Some of the symptoms often correlate with chronic pelvic pain disorders, specifically anal and/or rectal pain, itching, left-sided abdominal pain, bloating, gas, indigestion, heaviness and discomfort after meals, constipation. It is easily explained because urinary bladder, prostate, rectum and colon share sympathetic, sacral parasympathetic nervous system and mucosal epithelium permeability.

In many cases that I have been involved in, occurrence of these symptoms is connected with particular occupation of the patient. My office is located in Northwest suburbs of Chicago, major transportation hub and I have seen significant above average numbers among Chicago area truck drivers, limo and taxi drivers that pursue my services. Based on these cases that is available in my practice, I've come to a subjective but logical conclusion that one of the possible overlooked causes of this problem is rectal traumatic injury caused by extended hours of prolonged seating in the same positions in addition to constant vibration and frequent bumps of the pot holes. These small but frequent and repeated traumas can cause neurological abnormalities and inflammation and/or irritation which lead to pelvic floor dysfunction and may be one of the underlying causes of these conditions: chronic abacterial prostatitis, prostatodynia, painful bladder syndrome, interstitial cystitis and chronic pelvic pain syndrome. All of the above have similar, overlapping urinary symptoms of the following: frequency, urgency, and pain.

All these pelvic conditions are considered to be non-manageable and incurable by conventional medicine. Unfortunately, pharmaceutical treatment and surgical procedures have proven to be insufficient and costly. In United States alone 10 to 15 million men and women suffer from these debilitating conditions. Luckily, there is hope to those people that are diagnosed with Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome and IC and Chronic Prostatitis. It is acupuncture, which have been around for thousand of years delivering great results without side effects and has been proven as effective treatment for chronic inflammation.

Specific acupuncture protocol will deliver great results. The use of multi-level approach and focus on addressing underlying cause of the problems, not just the symptoms, guarantees success.

Best Natural Anti Inflammatory Products That Work

There is an estimated 46 million people suffering from arthritis. Arthritis is just one of the inflammatory diseases that cause suffering and debilitation. Imagine just how many people suffer from inflammatory diseases, when you combine all the inflammatory diseases. Many people with inflammatory diseases have other health problems, that contradict prescription medication options. Over the counter options like- Ibuprofen have a number of gastrointestinal side effects. So, this leaves many people in search of the best natural anti inflammatory products that work. Here are some options:

Marshmallow root

The root is comprised of starch, sucrose, mucilage, asparagine, flavonoids, and phenolic acids. It has been used to relive inflammation of the mucus membranes. Typically found as a tea.

Turmeric

Turmeric is part of the ginger family. You can also find extracted curcumin, which is the same thing. Traditional Indian & Chinese medicine use it as an anti-inflammatory. Many U.S drug companies are doing studies on Turmeric, as a marketable treatment for rheumatoid arthritis & lung congestion, secondary to inflammation. It can be found in oral or topical forms.

Slippery Elm

It soothes the GI tract. Research studies show that it helps inflammatory bowel diseases like- Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Unfortunately, places like the UK, have had to ban the sell of the bark, as some women use the tree bark to induce abortion.

Parthenolide

You can find this naturally in the plant, Feverfew. It works by targeting arthritis on a cellular level and stopping the simulation of some of the genes that cause arthritis.

Fish Oil

Fish oil lessens the production and effectiveness prostaglandins, that can heighten inflammation.

Lyprinol(R)

If you are looking for the best natural anti inflammatory products that work, lyprinol is the most thoroughly tested, of all the natural products. Lyprinol is extracted from the New Zealand green-lipped mussel. It is a combination of Omega 3 fatty acids and lipids. Works for arthritis, inflammatory skin conditions, and premenstrual inflammatory symptoms. If you are allergic to shell fish, you should first discuss taking this with a doctor.

White Willow Bark

Willow bark has been used since 400 BC to reduce inflammation and pain. It works well for bursitis and tendonitis. The bark contains salicin, which is very similar to aspirin. The anti-inflammatory properties may be slower, but they typically last longer. Do not take with Bismuth subsalicylates (Pepto-Bismol, Maalox, etc..)

Cayaponia tayuya roots

There are many animal related test where two of the phytochemicals inside the root has been proven (in rats and dogs) to abolish inflammatory processes. There are sparse human research studies available, but they are not reputable. However, it is sold on the internet as a powder, to make tea, or stuff to empty pill capsules. So, use this cautiously.

There are many other natural choices for inflammatory conditions. You just need to have an open mind and do prudent research, before taking them. Type in best natural anti inflammatory products that work, in your search engine. You will be astonished at the alternative options to traditional medicine.