Had to share.... cannot help but smile...

NAIROBI ( AFP ) - A baby hippopotamus that survived the tsunami waves on the Kenyan coast has formed a strong bond with a giant male century-old tortoise in an animal
facility in the port city of Mombassa, officials said The hippopotamus, nicknamed Owen and weighing about 300 kilograms (650 pounds), was swept down Sabaki River into the Indian Ocean , then forced back to shore when tsunami waves struck the Kenyan coast on December 26, before wildlife rangers rescued him.



"It is incredible. A-less-than-a-year-old hippo has adopted a male tortoise, about a century old, and the tortoise seems to be very happy with being a 'mother'," ecologist Paula Kahumbu, who is in charge of Lafarge Park , told AFP



"After it was swept away and lost its mother, the hippo was traumatized. It had to look for something to be a surrogate mother Fortunately , it landed on the tortoise and established a strong bond. They swim, eat and sleep together," the ecologist added. "The hippo follows the tortoise exactly the way it followed its mother.

If somebody approaches the tortoise, the hippo becomes aggressive, as if protecting its biological mother," Kahumbu added.



"The hippo is a young baby, he was left at a very tender age and by nature, hippos are social animals that like to stay with their mothers for four years," he explained.



"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away."



This is a real story that shows that our differences don't matter much when we need the comfort of another. We could all learn a lesson from these two creatures of God,

"Look beyond the differences and find a way to walk the path together."






Save the Earth... it's the only planet with chocolate.
"Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others, cannot keep it from themselves."

WHEN A LIZARD CAN, WHY CAN'T WE?

This is a true story that happened in Japan . In order to renovate the house, someone in Japan breaks open the wall. Japanese houses normally have a hollow space between the wooden walls.

When tearing down the walls, he found that there was a lizard stuck there because a nail from outside hammered into one of its feet.

He sees this, feels pity, and at the same time curious, as when he checked the nail, it was nailed 10 years ago when the house was first built..

What happened?

The lizard has survived in such position for 10 years!!!!!!!!!!

In a dark wall partition for 10 years without moving, it is impossible and mind-boggling. Then he wondered how this lizard survived for 10 years! Without moving a single step--since its foot was Nailed!

So he stopped his work and observed the lizard, what it has been doing, and what and how it has been eating. Later, not knowing from where it came appears another lizard, with food in its mouth.

Ah! He was stunned and touched deeply. For the lizard that was stuck by nail; another lizard has been feeding it for the past 10 years...
Imagine? It has been doing that untiringly for 10 long years, without giving up hope on its partner.

Think, will u do that to your partner?
Think that will you do it to your Mom, who brought you after a big struggle of nine long months? Or at least to your Dad, Friends, Co-workers, brothers and Sisters?

Imagine what a small creature can do that a creature blessed with a brilliant mind can't. As information and communication technology advances, our access to information becomes faster and faster. But the Distance between human beings . .. . is it getting closer as well?

Please never abandon your loved ones . Never Say U R Busy When They Really Need You... You May Have The Entire World At Your Feet......
But You Might Be The Only World To Them....

A Moment of negligence might break the very heart which loves you thru all odds....

Before you say something just remember. It takes a moment to Break but an entire life to make... To Live Use Heart and to Survive use Brains. Then Life would be a paradise Unfurling only Love Joy and Happiness....





--------------------------------------------------------------------------------









l

CANDID CAMERA - The New Dentist

Temper tantrums: How to keep the peace

Temper tantrums are a normal part of growing up. How to respond to temper tantrums — and how to prevent tantrums in the first place.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You're shopping with your toddler in a busy discount store. He or she has spied a toy that you don't intend to buy. Soon, you find yourself at the center of a gale-force temper tantrum. Everyone is looking at you, and your face is burning with embarrassment.

Could you have prevented the tantrum? What's the best response? And why do these emotional meltdowns happen in the first place? Here are some tantrum tips:-

Why do tantrums happen?
A tantrum is the expression of a child's frustration with the physical, mental or emotional challenges of the moment. Physical challenges are things like hunger and thirst. Mental challenges are related to a child's difficulty learning or performing a specific task. Emotional challenges are more open to speculation. Still, whatever the challenge, frustration with the situation may fuel a child's anger — and erupt in a tantrum.

Consider this: Most 2-year-olds have a limited vocabulary. Parents may understand what a toddler says only 50 percent of the time. Strangers understand even less. When your child wants to tell you something and you don't understand — or you don't comply with your child's wishes — you may have a tantrum on your hands.

Do young children have tantrums on purpose?
It might seem as though your child plans to misbehave simply to get on your nerves, but that's probably giving your child too much credit. Young children don't have evil plans to frustrate or embarrass their parents. A young child's world is right there in sight, at the end of his or her nose. Your child doesn't enjoy throwing a tantrum any more than you enjoy dealing with a tantrum.

Can tantrums be prevented?
There may be no fool-proof way to prevent tantrums, but there's plenty you can do to encourage good behavior in even the youngest children:

Be consistent. Establish a daily routine so that your child knows what to expect. Stick to the routine as much as possible, including nap time and bedtime. It's also important to set reasonable limits and follow them consistently.
Plan ahead. If you need to run errands, go early in the day — when your child isn't likely to be hungry or tired. If you're expecting to wait in line, pack a small toy or snack to occupy your child.

Encourage your child to use words. Young children understand many more words than they're able to express. If your child isn't speaking — or speaking clearly — you might teach him or her sign language for words such as "I want," "more," "enough," "hurt" and "tired." The more easily your child can communicate with you, the less likely you are to struggle with tantrums. As your child gets older, help him or her put feelings into words.

Let your child make choices. To give your child a sense of control, let him or her make appropriate choices. Would you like to wear your red shirt or your blue shirt? Would you like to eat strawberries or bananas? Would you like to read a book or build a tower with your blocks? Then compliment your child on his or her choices.

Praise good behavior. Offer extra attention when your child behaves well. Tell your child how proud you are when he or she shares toys, listens to directions, and so on.

Use distraction. If you sense a tantrum brewing, distract your child. Try making a silly face or changing location. It may help to touch or hold your child.

Avoid situations likely to trigger tantrums.
If your child begs for toys or treats when you shop, steer clear of "temptation islands" full of eye-level goodies. If your child acts up in restaurants, make reservations so that you won't have to wait — or choose restaurants that offer quick service.

What's the best way to respond to a tantrum?
If you can, pretend to ignore the tantrum. If you lose your cool or give in to your child's demands, you've only taught your child that tantrums are effective.

If your child has a tantrum at home, you can act as if it's not interrupting things. After your child quiets down, you might say, "I noticed your behavior, but that won't get my attention. If you need to tell me something, you need to use your words."

If your child has a tantrum in public, pretending to ignore the behavior is still the best policy. Any parent who witnesses the scene will sympathize with you as you ignore the tantrum. If the tantrum escalates or your child is in danger of hurting himself or herself, stop what you're doing and remove your child from the situation. If your child calms down, you may be able to return to your activity. If not, go home — even if it means leaving a cart full of groceries in the middle of the store. At home, discuss with your child the type of behavior you would have preferred.

Should a child be punished for having a tantrum?
Tempter tantrums are a normal part of growing up. Rather than punishing your child, remind him or her that tantrums aren't appropriate. Sometimes a simple reminder to "use your words" is adequate. For a full-blown tantrum — or a tantrum that caused you to abandon an activity in public — try a timeout.

During a timeout, your child must sit someplace boring — such as in a chair in the living room or on the floor in the hallway — for a certain length of time, usually one minute for each year of the child's age. You can pretend that you don't even see your child during the timeout, but you can still assure his or her safety. If your child begins to wander around, simply place him or her back in the designated timeout spot. Remind your child that he or she is in timeout, but don't offer any other attention.

Eventually, your child may even take his or her own timeout at the first sign of a tantrum — before a negative cloud surrounds you both.

When might tantrums be a sign of something more serious?
As your child's self-control improves, tantrums should become less common. Most children outgrow tantrums by age 4. If your older child is still having tantrums, the tantrums seem especially severe or the tantrums have pushed you beyond your ability to cope, share your concerns with your child's doctor. These may be signs that something else is going on. The doctor will consider physical or psychological problems that may be contributing to the tantrums, as well as give you additional tips to help you deal with your child's behavior.

AMAZING HOTELS!!!‏

F.Y.I. Where to be During an Earthquake

Remember that stuff about hiding under a table or standing in a doorway?? Well, this guy has a completely reverse opinion. This is very interesting, different from what we were all taught.

Boy! Is this ever an eye opener. Directly opposite of what we've been taught over the years! I can remember in school being told to, 'duck and cover' or stand in a doorway during an earthquake. This guy's findings is absolutely amazing. I hope we all remember his survival method if we are ever in an earthquake!! !

Please read this and pass the info along to your family members; it could save their lives someday!

EXTRACT FROM DOUG COPP'S ARTICLE ON THE: 'TRIANGLE OF LIFE'

My name is Doug Copp. I am the Rescue Chief and Disaster Manager of the American Rescue Team International (ARTI), the world's most experienced rescue team. The information in this article will save lives in an earthquake.

I have crawled inside 875 collapsed buildings, worked with rescue teams from 60 countries, founded rescue teams in several countries, and I am a member of many rescue teams from many countries.

I was the United Nations expert in Disaster Mitigation for two years. I have worked at every major disaster in the world since 1985, except for simultaneous disasters.

The first building I ever crawled inside of was a school in Mexico City during the 1985 earthquake. Every child was under its desk. Every child was crushed to the thickness of their bones. They could have survived by lying down next to their desks in the aisles. It was obscene, unnecessary and I wondered why the children were not in the aisles. I didn't at the time know that the children were told to hide under something.

Simply stated, when buildings collapse, the weight of the ceilings falling upon the objects or furniture inside crushes these objects, leaving a space or void next to them. This space is what I call the 'triangle of life'.
The larger the object, the stronger, the less it will compact. The less the object compacts, the larger the void, the greater the probability that the person who is using this void for safety will not be injured. The next time you watch collapsed buildings, on television, count the 'triangles' you see formed. They are everywhere. It is the most common shape, you will see, in a collapsed building.

TIPS FOR EARTHQUAKE SAFETY

1) Most everyone who simply 'ducks and covers' WHEN BUILDINGS COLLAPSE are crushed to death. People who get under objects, like desks or cars, are crushed.

2) Cats, dogs and babies often naturally curl up in the fetal position. You should too in an earthquake. It is a natural safety/survival instinct. You can survive in a smaller void. Get next to an object, next to a sofa, next to a large bulky object that will compress slightly but leave a void next to it.

3) Wooden buildings are the safest type of construction to be in during an earthquake. Wood is flexible and moves with the force of the earthquake.
If the wooden building does collapse, large survival voids are created. Also, the wooden building has less concentrated, crushing weight. Brick buildings will break into individual bricks. Bricks will cause many injuries but less squashed bodies than concrete slabs.

4) If you are in bed during the night and an earthquake occurs, simply roll off the bed. A safe void will exist around the bed. Hotels can achieve a much greater survival rate in earthquakes, simply by posting a sign on The back of the door of every room telling occupants to lie down on the floor, next to the bottom of the bed during an earthquake.

5) If an earthquake happens and you cannot easily escape by getting out the door or window, then lie down and curl up in the fetal position next to a sofa, or large chair.

6) Most everyone who gets under a doorway when buildings collapse is killed. How? If you stand under a doorway and the doorjamb falls forward or backward you will be crushed by the ceiling above. If the door jam falls sideways you will be cut in half by the doorway. In either case, you will be killed!

7) Never go to the stairs. The stairs have a different 'moment of frequency' (they swing separately from the main part of the building). The stairs and remainder of the building continuously bump into each other until structural failure of the stairs takes place. The people who get on stairs before they fail are chopped up by the tair treads - horribly mutilated. Even if the building doesn't collapse, stay away from the stairs. The stairs are a likely part of the building to be damaged. Even if the stairs are not collapsed by the earthquake, they may collapse later when overloaded by fleeing people. They should always be checked for safety, even when the rest of the building is not damaged.


8) Get Near the Outer Walls Of Buildings Or Outside Of Them If Possible - It is much better to be near the outside of the building rather than the interior. The farther inside you are from the outside perimeter of the building the greater the probability that your escape route will be blocked.

9) People inside of their vehicles are crushed when the road above falls in an earthquake and crushes their vehicles; which is exactly what happened with the slabs between the decks of the Nimitz Freeway. The victims of the San Francisco earthquake all stayed inside of their vehicles. They were all killed. They could have easily survived by getting out and sitting or lying next to their vehicles. Everyone killed would have survived if they had been able to get out of their cars and sit or lie next to them. All the crushed cars had voids 3 feet high next to them, except for the cars that had columns fall directly across them.

10) I discovered, while crawling inside of collapsed newspaper offices and other offices with a lot of paper, that paper does not compact. Large voids are found surrounding stacks of paper.

Spread the word and save someone's life... The Entire world is experiencing natural calamities so be prepared!

'We are but angels with one wing, it takes two to fly'

In 1996 we made a film, which proved my survival methodology to be correct. The Turkish Federal Government, City of Istanbul , University of Istanbul Case Productions and ARTI cooperated to film this practical, scientific test. We collapsed a school and a home with 20 mannequins inside. Ten mannequins did 'duck and cover,' and ten mannequins I used in my 'triangle of life' survival method. After the simulated earthquake collapse we crawled through the rubble and entered the building to film and document the results. The film, in which I practiced my survival techniques under directly observable, scientific conditions , relevant to building collapse, showed there would have been zero percent survival for those doing duck and cover.

There would likely have been 100 percent survivability for people using my method of the 'triangle of life.' This film has been seen by millions of viewers on television in Turkey and the rest of Europe , and it was seen in the USA , Canada and Latin America on the TV program Real TV

Headaches and hormones: What's the connection?

Being female has some real health advantages, but not when it comes to headaches — particularly migraines. Fortunately, there's help.
In a given year, 18 out of 100 women age 12 and older experience at least one migraine headache, a misfortune that strikes only 6 pecent to 7 percent of men. What's behind the difference? The answer, in a word, is hormones, but the explanation is far from complete.

The role of hormones
Many factors contribute to headaches for both men and women, including family history and age. Women, however, often notice a relationship between headaches and hormonal changes.

Headaches often begin around the time of a girl's first period and accompany menstruation regularly throughout the reproductive years. Birth control pills and hormone therapy also can trigger headaches. During pregnancy, headaches often become less bothersome.

The simple explanation? The hormones estrogen and progesterone — which play key roles in regulating the menstrual cycle and pregnancy — may affect headache-related chemicals in the brain as well. Higher estrogen levels may improve headaches, while lower estrogen levels can make headaches worse.

What's a woman to do?
Fluctuating hormone levels may influence headache patterns. But you're not totally at the mercy of your hormones. Your doctor can help you treat — or prevent — headaches.

During menstruation
The drop in estrogen just before your period may contribute to headaches and increase your sensitivity to pain. Headache is a common symptom of premenstrual syndrome, and up to 60 percent of women with migraines report headaches before or during menstruation.

Over-the-counter pain relievers can relieve many menstrual headaches. Lifestyle matters, too. Eat healthy foods. Exercise regularly. Keep stress under control. Practice relaxation techniques. Get plenty of sleep.

If you have menstrual migraines, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs — such as naproxen (Aleve, others) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) — are often the first line of treatment. Sometimes it's enough to take one of these medications when you feel a migraine beginning. In other cases, a stronger prescription medication is needed. If you have three or more debilitating headaches a month, your doctor may recommend preventive treatment with these or other medications.

If your menstrual cycle is regular, it's often most effective to take preventive headache medication starting a few days before your period and continuing through the first few days of your period. If you have migraines throughout your menstrual cycle or your periods are irregular, it may be better to take preventive medication every day.

If you use birth control pills
Some women experience headaches for the first time after starting birth control pills or other hormonal methods of birth control. For others, hormonal birth control changes existing headache patterns — sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse.

If your method of birth control seems to trigger headaches or make them worse, consult your doctor. Sometimes it helps to use a monthly pill pack with fewer inactive (placebo) days or to eliminate the placebo days completely from most cycles. In other cases, you may choose a progestin-only birth control pill or another type of contraception.

During pregnancy
Estrogen levels rise rapidly in early pregnancy and remain high throughout pregnancy. Migraines often improve or even disappear during pregnancy. Sometimes tension headaches improve as well. After delivery, an abrupt decrease in estrogen levels may trigger headaches.

If you have headaches during pregnancy, ask your doctor about treatment options. Many headache medications may have harmful or unknown effects on a developing baby, especially if you take them regularly at the time of conception.

If your headaches get better during pregnancy, you may enjoy the same improvement while you're breast-feeding. Lactation stabilizes estrogen levels and increases the levels of other hormones that help reduce sensitivity to pain. Although you'll need to be cautious about headache medications while you're breast-feeding, you'll have more options than you did during pregnancy.

During menopause
Menopause is another prime time for changing headache patterns. For most women, migraines improve once their menstrual periods cease — but tension headaches often get worse. Hormone therapy can affect headaches, too. Menopausal hormone therapy worsens headaches in some women and improves headaches in others, in just about equal proportions.

If your headaches persist after menopause, you can continue to use the same medication and lifestyle measures as always. If you choose to use estrogen to manage the signs and symptoms of menopause, your doctor may recommend an estrogen skin patch. The patch provides a low, steady supply of estrogen, which is least likely to aggravate headaches.

Every woman is unique
Some women are more sensitive to the effects of hormones. If headaches are disrupting your daily activities, work or personal life, ask your doctor for help. Treatment is available.

Messages on Indian Roads...

How to remove water from ears

It can be annoying and sometimes painful to get water in your ears, and if left there, it can cause infections. Follow the steps given below to get rid of it.

Steps

1. Make sure water has entered your ears and is staying there. This can easily be checked by slightly tapping your temple with your wrist. You will feel very uneasy if water is stagnant in your ears.
   
2. Take a dropper and use it to put Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol (I use 70%) in your water cloogged ear then in about 3 seconds turn your head the other way. (If you don't have a droper skip this step).
   
3. Take a few more drops of water, in your hand or in a dropper.
   
4. Lie down/hold your head, with the affected ear on the top.
   
5. Drop the few drops of water into the affected ear.
   
6. You will feel the water getting into the ear drums. After a few seconds (3 to 4 seconds), turn around very fast, so that the affected ear now faces the ground. You should be able to feel the water coming out of the ears, and the ear should feel very warm.
   
7. If water is not fully removed, try the procedure again.
   
8. If that doesn't work, try this: stand on one foot, tilting your head so the offending ear faces the ground.
   
9. Hop on one foot until the water comes out.
   
10. You might also try using a hair dryer on the low setting. Use warm air.
    
11. Try sleeping with the affected ear facing downwards. After a while gravity might push the water out.
    
12. You can also try jumping on your bed with the affected ear facing downwards, make sure that your whole body is completely sideways and you get high enough. This will force the water out of your ear.
    
13. If none of these techniques work, consult a doctor.
    
14. The flush. This method involves removing all water from your ear by adding more. Firstly, pour a small amount of water into your ear while holding your head to one side.(Be sure that it is the OPPOSITE side from where the water is)Then quickly, tip your head to one side and the water should come out, if it doesn't try method #2.
    
15. The plunger. This method is a surefire way to work. The idea is that you get your finger, place it in your ear and make a vacuum with your finger by pushing and pulling rapidly, in a moment the water should come out of your ear very quickly. This is usually an effective method, but if it fails, see the next step.
    
16. The sleeper. This method is very simple and effective for the "water-trapped-in-the-back-of-my-ear-syndrome" All you do, is that when you go to sleep, turn on the side where the water is trapped and go to sleep, gravity will take care of the rest by draining your ear.(This will leave a puddle of gooey wax on your pillow/park bench/cardboard box so place a bath towel on your pillow/park bench/cardboard box to prevent wax stains).
    
17. The gnaw and tilt. Pretend you are gnawing on some food. Tilt your head to the side that doesn't have water in it and then sling your head as quickly as you can to the side that has water in it.
    
18. Make a lot of water go on your ear. That will make your ear feel better and might get rid of the water with the force.
    

Tips

• You can find a product at many drug stores which is 95% alcohol designed to get water out of your ears. It's used the same way, but is more effective than just using water (This costs more then alcohol and does the same thing).
  
• When using the plunger method, be sure to have the affected ear facing the ground
  

Warnings

• Do not try to poke deep in your ears, especially with cotton buds or q-tips.
  
• Don't lose your balance when hopping. (steady yourself)
  
• When using the gnaw and tilt do it as quickly as you can but don't snap your neck by accident.
  
• See a trusted doctor if none of these tips work out.
  
• These methods will most likely leave you with a mixture of warm ear wax and water coming out of your ear/s. Take caution not to get any of this on any easily-stainable fabrics!
  
• Make sure you don't get rubbing alcohol on your skin it may sting.
  
• Do not ingest anything go to the doctors immediately if this should happen.
  
  

Magic....David Copperfield...(must see!)

Magic.....london bridge had dissappeared?

Snoring

Loud and frequent snoring can be more than just a nuisance to your partner. Snoring may indicate a serious health condition, and it can disrupt your household.

Snoring is common. Almost half of adults snore at least occasionally. Snoring occurs when air flows past relaxed tissues in your throat, causing the tissues to vibrate as you breathe, creating hoarse or harsh sofestyle changes, such as losing weight, avoiding alcohol close to bedtime or sleeping on your side, can help stop snoring.

In addition, surgery is available that may reduce disruptive snoring. However, surgery isn't suitable or necessary for everyone who snores.



Causes

As you doze off and progress from a lighter sleep to a deep sleep, the muscles in the roof of your mouth (soft palate), tongue and throat relax. The tissues in your throat can relax enough that they vibrate and may partially obstruct your airway.

The more narrowed your airway, the more forceful the airflow becomes. Tissue vibration increases, and your snoring grows louder. Snoring may be an occasional problem, or it may be habitual.

What contributes to snoring
A variety of factors can lead to snoring, including:

Your mouth anatomy. Having a low, thick soft palate or enlarged tonsils or tissues in the back of your throat (adenoids) can narrow your airway. Likewise, if the triangular piece of tissue hanging from the soft palate (uvula) is elongated, airflow can be obstructed and vibration increased. Being overweight contributes to narrowing of your airway.

Alcohol consumption. Snoring can also be brought on by consuming too much alcohol before bedtime. Alcohol relaxes throat muscles and decreases your natural defenses against airway obstruction.

Nasal problems. Chronic nasal congestion or a crooked partition between your nostrils (deviated nasal septum) may be to blame.

Sleep apnea. Snoring may also be associated with obstructive sleep apnea. In this serious condition, your throat tissues obstruct your airway, preventing you from breathing. Sleep apnea is often characterized by loud snoring followed by periods of silence that can last 10 seconds or more. Sometimes, complete obstruction does not occur, but rather, while still snoring, the airway becomes so small that the airflow is inadequate for your needs. Eventually, the lack of oxygen and an increase in carbon dioxide signal you to wake up, forcing your airway open with a loud snort or gasping sound. This pattern may be repeated many times during the night.

When to seek medical advice
You may not be aware that you snore, but your bed partner likely is. Seeing your doctor about your snoring can help both you and your partner. For you, snoring may indicate another health concern, such as obstructive sleep apnea, nasal obstruction or obesity. For your partner, your seeking medical advice about your snoring may result in being able to get a restful sleep.

If your child snores, ask your pediatrician about it. Children, too, can have obstructive sleep apnea, though most don't. Nose and throat problems, such as enlarged tonsils, and obesity often underlie habitual snoring in children. Treating these conditions could help your child sleep better.

Screening and diagnosis
Your doctor likely will perform a physical examination and take a medical history. Your partner may need to answer some questions about when and how you snore to help your doctor assess the severity of the problem. Parents are asked about the severity of a child's snoring.

Your doctor may then refer you to an ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctor (otolaryngologist) or sleep specialist for additional studies and evaluation. This may require that you stay overnight at a sleep center to undergo an in-depth analysis of your sleep habits by a team of specialists

Complications
Habitual snoring may be more than just a nuisance and a cause of daytime sleepiness. Untreated, persistent snoring caused by obstructive sleep apnea may raise your lifetime risk of developing such health problems as high blood pressure, heart failure and stroke. In children, obstructive sleep apnea may increase the risk of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Treatment



Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
Your doctor will likely first recommend lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, avoiding alcohol close to bedtime and changing sleeping positions. If lifestyle changes don't eliminate snoring, your doctor may suggest:

Oral appliances. Oral appliances are form-fitting dental mouthpieces that help advance the position of your tongue and soft palate to keep your air passage open. If you choose to use an oral appliance, visit your dental specialist at least once every six months during the first year, and then at least annually after that, to have the fit checked and to make sure that your condition isn't worsening.

Traditional surgery. In a procedure called uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP), you're given general anesthesia and your surgeon tightens and trims excess tissues — a type of face-lift for your throat.

Laser surgery. In an outpatient surgery for snoring called laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP), your doctor uses a small hand-held laser beam to shorten the soft palate and remove your uvula. Removing excess tissue enlarges your airway and reduces vibration. You may need more than one session to get your snoring under control. Laser surgery isn't advised for occasional or light snoring, but it's an option if your snoring is loud and disruptive. Laser surgery generally isn't recommended for sleep apnea.

Radiofrequency tissue ablation (somnoplasty). In this type of surgery, doctors use a low-intensity radiofrequency signal to remove part of the soft palate to reduce snoring. It's an outpatient procedure performed using local anesthesia. The technique causes slight scarring of the soft palate, which may help to reduce snoring. The effectiveness of this newer procedure needs further study.

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). This approach involves wearing a pressurized mask over your nose while you sleep. The mask is attached to a small pump that forces air through your airway, which keeps it open. CPAP (SEE-pap) eliminates snoring and prevents sleep apnea. Although CPAP is the preferred method of treating obstructive sleep apnea, some people find it uncomfortable

Self-care

To prevent or quiet snoring, try these tips:

If you're overweight, lose weight. Being overweight is a common cause of snoring. Loose throat tissues are more likely to vibrate as you breathe, and extra bulkiness in the throat narrows your airway.
Sleep on your side. Lying on your back allows your tongue to fall backward into your throat, narrowing your airway and partially obstructing airflow. To prevent sleeping on your back, try sewing a tennis ball in the back of your pajama top.
Nasal strips. Adhesive strips applied to your nose help many people increase the area of their nasal passage, enhancing their breathing.

Treat nasal congestion or obstruction. Having allergies or a deviated septum can limit airflow through your nose. This forces you to breathe through your mouth, increasing the likelihood of snoring. Don't use an oral or spray decongestant for more than three days in a row for acute congestion unless directed to do so by your doctor. Ask your doctor about a prescription steroid spray if you have chronic congestion. To correct a deviated septum, you may need surgery.

Limit or avoid alcohol and sedatives. Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages at least four hours before bedtime, and let your doctor know about your snoring before taking sedatives or hypnotics. Sedatives and hypnotics (sleeping pills) and alcohol depress your central nervous system, causing excessive relaxation of muscles, including the tissues in your throat. In addition, if you stop breathing due to obstructive sleep apnea, it may take longer for you to begin breathing again because alcohol, sedatives and hypnotics blunt the brain's ability to arouse from sleep.

Complementary and alternative medicine
Didgeridoo. Playing the didgeridoo, a musical instrument that produces a droning sound, may help train muscles of the upper airway. A February 2006 British Medical Journal study evaluated use of the instrument by those with sleep apnea who complained about snoring. The research showed that those who played the instrument for about 25 minutes a day most days of the week experienced less daytime sleepiness — a complication of sleep apnea and snoring . However, this research is preliminary and needs more study.

Hypnosis. Some have suggested that hypnosis may help improve snoring. For example, a hypnotherapist can suggest to you under hypnosis that you turn on your side if you begin snoring.

MSM (methylsulfonylmethane). MSM is marketed in a nose drop formula to treat snoring, but there's no evidence it has any effect on snoring.

Singing. Singing can help improve muscle control of the soft palate and upper throat. One preliminary study found some decrease in snoring in participants who sang prescribed singing exercises for 20 minutes a day for three months. These participants all began snoring as adults, had no nasal problems and were not overweight. More study of this technique is needed.

Eggstreemly Amazing!

If you think setting up dominoes takes talent, take a look at this

Fast food: 6 ways to healthier meals

These six tips can help you make wise meal choices when going to a fast-food restaurant.
Can fast food be part of a weight-loss or healthy diet plan? You might not think so. In fact, you might even think that you can't have a meal that's both quick and healthy.

But this isn't necessarily so. An occasional stop at a fast-food restaurant can fit into a healthy diet plan. The key is to choose wisely.

Keep portion sizes small.
If the fast-food restaurant offers several sandwich sizes, pick the smallest or order half a sandwich, if available. Bypass hamburgers with two or three beef patties, which can pack more than 1,000 calories and 70 grams of fat. Instead, choose a regular- or children's-sized hamburger, which has about 250 to 300 calories. Also, skip the large serving of french fries or onion rings and ask for a small serving instead. This switch alone saves 200 to 300 calories. Or better yet, select a lower calorie option.

Choose a healthier side dish.
Take advantage of healthy side dishes offered at many fast-food restaurants. For example, instead of french fries choose a side salad with low-fat dressing or a baked potato. Or add a fruit bowl or a fruit and yogurt option to your meal. Other healthy choices include apple or orange slices, corn on the cob, steamed rice, or baked potato chips.

Go for the greens.
Choose a large entree salad with grilled chicken, shrimp or garden vegetables with fat-free or low-fat dressing on the side, rather than regular salad dressing, which can have 100 to 200 calories per packet. Watch out for high-calorie salads, such as those with deep-fried shells or those topped with breaded chicken or other fried toppings. Also skip salad extras, such as cheese, bacon bits, croutons and fried chips, which quickly increase your calorie count.

Opt for grilled items. Fried and breaded foods, such as crispy chicken sandwiches and breaded fish fillets, are high in fat and calories. Select grilled or roasted lean meats — such as turkey or chicken breast, lean ham, or lean roast beef.

Have it your way.
Don't settle for what comes with your sandwich or meal. Ask for healthier options and substitutions. For example, ask for reduced-fat mayonnaise or mustard on your sandwich. Or at a fast-food Mexican restaurant, request salsa with your meal instead of shredded cheese and nacho cheese sauce. Try to avoid special dressings, tartar sauce, sour cream and other high-calorie condiments
.
Watch what you drink.
Many beverages contain a large number of calories. For example, a large regular soda (32 ounces) has about 300 calories. Instead, order diet soda, water, unsweetened iced tea, sparkling water or mineral water. Also, skip the shakes and other ice-cream drinks. Large shakes can contain more than 800 calories and all of your saturated fat allotment for the day.
You can eat healthy away from home, even at fast-food restaurants. The bottom line: Be choosy. Make wise menu choices and focus on portion control.

High Tech Tools

What time.is it in ...Sicily?

Caltex..(Please turn your sound volume on)

Arthritis pain: Do's and don'ts

Will physical activity help or hinder your arthritis pain?
Will physical activity make your arthritis pain worse?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you already have joint damage, you can make your arthritis pain worse with activities that are stressful to your joints or that require repetitive motion.

However, if you have only minimal joint damage and most of your symptoms are related to the ligaments, tendons and muscles surrounding your joints — not the joints themselves — a gentle exercise program could improve your arthritis pain. Be sure to include stretching and muscle strengthening in your exercise program.

Work with your doctor to determine the right solution and exercise program for your specific situation. Arthritis varies a great deal from one person to another. Ask your doctor to carefully define the type and extent of your arthritis. Use that information to decide the best approach to your hobbies and activities.

What sorts of activities should generally be avoided,
and what types of activities are good for most people with arthritis pain?

Activities that put sudden pressure or stress on involved joints — such as running and playing tennis — are likely to make the symptoms of arthritis in the lower extremities worse and may cause increased swelling and inflammation. Activities that are likely to help include exercises that strengthen your muscles, protect your joints, and reduce stress and joint damage. For example, strengthening the muscles on the front and back of your thigh (quadriceps and hamstrings) helps protect your knee and hip joints. Your doctor might be able to teach you some exercises to increase your muscle strength without abusing your joints.

Do what you can to stay physically active while taking into consideration the condition of your joints. For example, you may be able to walk a mile or more at a comfortable pace with well-fitting, cushioned shoes. But you probably have to give up on high-impact activities — for instance sports such as soccer that involve running — which put a lot of stress on many different joints. If your joints are too painful or damaged to allow an activity such as walking, then swimming or other water exercise may be a better choice for keeping you active and getting toned.

How can you reduce the stiffness and pain that come from sitting for a long time?
Many people with arthritis experience stiffness after sitting or resting, especially if they've used their joints actively before periods of inactivity. Most people with rheumatoid arthritis have stiffness after rest, such as in the morning. These are common symptoms of arthritis. Movement will tend to diminish some of the symptoms.

If you must sit for a long time, adjust your position often to prevent or lessen stiffness. For example, turn your head at different angles, shift the position of your arms, and bend and stretch out your legs. Such slight movements may help prevent excessive stiffness. Many times the stiffness may be worse for a few days after you've used your joint strenuously.

When does arthritis pain indicate you should call your doctor?
If new pain develops or you have persistent symptoms — lasting more than several days — visit your doctor. Treatment is often more effective when arthritis symptoms are caught early. If you have symptoms that you know are from overdoing it and they disappear in a few days, you probably don't need to visit your doctor.

What medications are best for arthritis pain relief?
The good news is that there are now many medications available for arthritis. Most are relatively safe and well tolerated, but no medication is completely free of possible side effects. If your symptoms are a regular problem, you need professional advice from your doctor about what medications to take and how much.

If your pain is present only occasionally and follows some unusual activity, you could try one or two acetaminophen tablets (Tylenol, others), which are sold over-the-counter. Many such preparations are available. Ordinarily, all work equally well. Some people prefer aspirin instead. If you have a history of peptic ulcer disease, bleeding, asthma or allergies, talk to your doctor before taking aspirin or a drug such as ibuprofen.

If your symptoms are prolonged and are related to activities that you don't participate in all of the time, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) — such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) and naproxen (Aleve, others) — may bring relief. These drugs can be purchased without a prescription. Weekend tennis players, gardeners and others with mild osteoarthritis can overcome some of the disagreeable stiffness by taking only one or two over-the-counter NSAID tablets for one or two days after the activity, or even before the activity.

If your symptoms are more prolonged and severe, it may mean that the joint involvement is more advanced, and you may need larger doses of drugs on a regular basis. Until recently we prescribed COX-2 inhibitors for people who had stomach pain or other side effects from other NSAIDs. However, recent data suggest that COX-2 drugs may cause heart problems in some people. Consult your doctor if you aren't getting sufficient pain relief from your medications.

Are alternative treatments helpful for arthritis pain?
This question raises complex issues, and there's no short and easy answer that applies to all alternative arthritis treatments. Even the definition of alternative treatments varies from one source to another. For example, heat, massage and stretching — which help relieve arthritis symptoms for many people — have been listed as alternative treatment by some, but in reality these have been standard practice for many years.

The best treatments of this type are straightforward and have your doctor's or physical therapist's stamp of approval. Some activities may be more interesting and fun to do, such as tai chi. A good rule of thumb: If it keeps you active, then it's helpful.

The problem with many alternative preparations is that they haven't been adequately studied. In most people, arthritis symptoms vary from day to day. So if you take an herbal preparation, for example, on a day that you might have felt better anyway, you may become convinced that the herb made you better. In arthritis treatment studies, as many as 30 percent of people taking an inactive substance (placebo) improve, at least temporarily.

Finally, quality standards for over-the-counter alternative drugs don't exist. Research shows that there's a great variation in the amount of active substance in different brands and even different lots of the same brand. This alone may be reason to avoid them.

Finding an effective and safe medication for arthritis pain is a complex task that may take years. Trying to shortcut standard practices may lead to harmful effects and wasted money, time and effort.

The Devils Swimming Pool‏

In Zimbabwe, you will find the magnificent Victoria Falls at a height of 128 m The location is known as The Devils Swimming Pool.

During the months of September and December, people can swim as close as possible to the edge of the falls without falling over.

These falls are becoming well known amongst the radical tourist industry. as more and more people search for the ultimate experience.

Would you dare?

Acupuncture: Can it help?

Acupuncture involves inserting hair-thin needles into your skin to relieve pain. Find out how acupuncture works and what conditions it can treat.
************************************************************************************
Acupuncture involves the insertion of extremely thin needles through your skin, to various depths at strategic points on your body. Acupuncture originated in China thousands of years ago, but over the past two decades its popularity has grown significantly within the United States. Although scientists don't fully understand how or why acupuncture works, some studies indicate that it may provide a number of medical benefits — from reducing pain to helping with chemotherapy-induced nausea.

What happens during an acupuncture session?
Acupuncture therapy usually involves a series of weekly or biweekly treatments in an outpatient setting. It's common to have up to 12 treatments in total. Although each acupuncture practitioner has his or her own unique style, each visit typically includes an exam and an assessment of your current condition, the insertion of needles, and a discussion about self-care tips. An acupuncture visit generally lasts about 30 minutes.

Before the needles are placed, you'll lie down on a comfortable surface. Depending on where the needles are to go, you will lie facedown, faceup or on your side. Make sure that your acupuncturist uses single-use sterile packaged needles. You may feel a brief, sharp sensation when the needle is inserted, but generally the procedure isn't painful.

It's common, however, to feel a deep aching sensation when the needle reaches the correct depth. After placement, the needles are sometimes moved gently or stimulated with electricity or heat. As many as a dozen needles may need to be placed for each treatment. Once the needles are inserted, they're usually left in place for five to 20 minutes.

How does acupuncture work?
The traditional Chinese theory behind acupuncture as medical treatment is very different from that of Western medicine. In traditional Chinese medicine, health results form a harmonious balance between the complementary extremes (yin and yang) of the life force known as qi or chi.

Qi is believed to flow through pathways (meridians) in your body. These meridians and the energy flow are accessible through more than 350 acupuncture points. Illness results from an imbalance of the forces. By inserting needles into these points in various combinations, acupuncture practitioners believe that your energy flow will rebalance.

In contrast, the Western explanation of acupuncture incorporates modern concepts of neuroscience. Many practitioners view the acupuncture points as places to stimulate nerves, muscles and connective tissue. This stimulation appears to boost the activity of your body's natural painkillers and increase blood flow.

Who is acupuncture for?
Acupuncture seems to be useful as a stand-alone treatment for some conditions, but it's also increasingly being used in conjunction with more conventional Western medical treatments. For example, doctors may combine acupuncture and drugs to control pain and nausea after surgery.

Scientific studies generally test treatments against placebos, such as sugar pills. It's difficult to conduct valid scientific studies of acupuncture, because it's difficult to devise sham versions of acupuncture. In fact, several studies have indicated that sham acupuncture works as well or almost as well as real acupuncture.

This makes it hard to create a definitive list of the conditions for which acupuncture might be helpful. However, preliminary studies indicate that acupuncture may offer symptomatic relief for a variety of diseases and conditions, including low back pain, headaches, fibromyalgia, migraines and osteoarthritis.

In addition, research shows acupuncture can help manage postoperative dental pain and alleviate chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. It also appears to offer relief for chronic menstrual cramps and tennis elbow.

Pros and cons
As with most medical therapies, acupuncture has both benefits and risks. Consider the benefits:

Acupuncture is safe when performed properly.
It has few side effects.
It can be useful as a complement to other treatment methods.
It's becoming more available in conventional medical settings.
It helps control certain types of pain.
It may be an alternative if you don't respond to or don't want to take pain medications.
Acupuncture may not be safe if you have a bleeding disorder or if you're taking blood thinners. The most common side effects of acupuncture are soreness, bleeding or bruising at the needle sites. Rarely, a needle may break or an internal organ might be injured. If needles are reused, infectious diseases may be accidentally transmitted. However, these risks are low in the hands of a competent, certified acupuncture practitioner.


Choosing an acupuncture practitioner
If you're considering acupuncture, do the same things you would do if you were choosing a doctor:

Ask people you trust for recommendations.
Check the practitioner's training and credentials. Most states require that non-physician acupuncturists pass an exam conducted by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM).
Interview the practitioner. Ask what's involved in the treatment, how likely it is to help your condition and how much it will cost.
Find out whether the expense is covered by your insurance.
Don't be afraid to tell your doctor you're considering acupuncture. He or she may be able to tell you about the success rate of using acupuncture for your condition or recommend an acupuncture practitioner for you to try.

Bad breath: Could a tongue scraper help?

Answer
Tongue scrapers, which are available in most pharmacies in various shapes and sizes, have been touted as a way to reduce or eliminate bad breath. You simply put the tongue scraper at the back of your tongue and bring it forward along your tongue, repeating as often as needed. Research on the effectiveness of tongue scrapers is limited. What's been published thus far describes tongue scraping as only slightly more effective for bad breath than simply brushing the tongue with a toothbrush. And even then, the effect doesn't last long. Although there's no harm in trying a tongue scraper to treat bad breath, it's probably more effective to practice good dental hygiene overall. Brush your teeth and tongue after you eat, and floss your teeth at least once a day. It may help to drink plenty of water, too. If bad breath persists, consult your dentist.

The world's best of BEST........

WORLD'S BIGGEST CHURCH BUILDING.........NIGERIA
Winners` C hapel.......Canaanland .......... Otta........Nigeria
Inside Sitting Capacity......50,000 Outside Overflow Capacity......250,000
*************************************************************************************

WORLD'S WIDEST BRIDGE.........AUSTRALIA
Sydney harbor bridge, Australia........16 lanes of car traffic.....8 lanes in the upper floor, 8 in the lower floor
*************************************************************************************

WORLD'S COSTLIEST STADIUM.........ENGLAND
New WEMBLEY STADIUM, London....90, 000 capacities................cost.....$1.6 billion
*************************************************************************************

WORLD'S BIGGEST HOTEL.........LAS VEGAS
MGM Grand Hotel....Las Vegas....6, 276 rooms
************************************************************************************

WORLD'S BIGGEST PLANE...............AIRBUS
Airbus A380...........555 Passengers
*********************************************************************************************************

WORLD'S BIGGEST BUS
Neoplan Jumbo - cruiser........2 in 1 bus....double deck bus......170 passenger capacity
*************************************************************************************

WORLD'S TALLEST BUILDING.........DUBAI
Burj Dubai..........900 meters high. To be finally completed 2008
*************************************************************************************

MOST COMPLEX INTER-CHANGE.........TEXAS
Interstate 10 Highways Interchange......Houston, Texas
************************************************************************************

Basilica of our Lady of Peace, Yamoussoukro o.
Inside sitting capacity...........18,000 Outside overflow capacity....100, 000
************************************************************************************

WORLD'S BIGGEST OFFICE COMPLEX ............ CHICAGO
Chicago Merchandise Mart.....Illinois, USA
*************************************************************************************

WORLD'S BIGGEST SHOPPING MALL
South China Mall, Dongguan, China.........892,000 meter-square
Shops on 6 floors
************************************************************************************

WORLD'S BIGGEST PASSENGER-SHIP
MS Freedom of the Seas......4300 passenger Capacity Inside

*********************************************************************************************************

WORLD'S BIGGEST EXCAVATOR
Built by KRUPP of Germany.............45,500 tons......95 meters high......215 meters long
*************************************************************************************

WORLD'S BUSIEST AIRPORT...............NEW YORK
JFK International airport.......USA
*************************************************************************************


WORLD'S LARGEST MOSQUE..................PAKISTAN
Shah Feisal mosque.....Islamabad......Pakistan
Inside hall capacity ....35, 000 outside overflow capacity...... 150,000
************************************************************************************

WORLD'S BIGGEST ROMAN-CATHOLIC CATHEDRAL............IVORY-COAST
*************************************************************************************

WORLD'S LARGEST PALACE......................ROMANIA
Palace of the Parliament.....Bucharest, Romania .......... more than 500 bedrooms, 55 kitchens,120 sitting rooms
**********************************************************************************

WORLD'S MOST EXPENSIVE HOTEL ...DUBAI...U.A.E
Burj Al Arab Hotel, Dubai....only 7 Star Hotel in the World
Cheapest room...$1000 per night......Royal suit...$28,000 per night
*************************************************************************************


WORLD'S HIGHEST STATUE................BRAZIL
CHRIST THE REDEEMER STATUE.....RIO.D.J.........BRAZIL
************************************************************************************


WORLD'S BIGGEST STADIUM..........BRAZIL
MARACANA STADIUM............ RIO D.J............BRAZIL...............CAPACITY...199,000
*************************************************************************************


WORLD'S LONGEST BRIDGE...............CHINA
Donghai Bridge , China ........................32.5 kilo meters
****************************************************************************************



WORLD'S BIGGEST INDOOR SWIMMING-POOL
World Water Park.....Edmonton, Albert, Canada.............SIZE....5 Acres
*************************************************************************************