11 surprising ways to prevent a heart attack

Chances are you’re still riding the New Year’s high and you’re motivated and committed to eating healthy and getting to the gym. Sure, it’s a good start for your waistline but there are other things that you probably never thought of that will also prevent a heart attack or stroke. Try these.

1. Take probiotics.
There’s more evidence than ever that the gut microbiome, or the collection of billions of bacteria in the GI tract, is necessary for digestion, strengthens immunity and regulates inflammation. Yet when the bacteria are imbalanced, it can lead to problems like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and may even lead to heart attack and stroke.

The good news is that taking probiotics daily and maintaining a healthy diet can help. In fact, a study in the International Journal of Cardiology found when patients with congestive heart failure took saccharomyces boulardii, a type of probiotic, their conditions improved.

You can also ask your doctor about the TMAO blood test, which measures how healthy your GI tract is and determine your level of TMAO, a chemical in the gut that directly damages the arteries and the heart, said Dr. Joel Kahn, a clinical professor of medicine at Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit, Mich. and author of  “The Whole Heart Solution.”

2. Get help for sleep apnea.
Obstructive sleep apnea, which affects more than 18 million people, significantly increases your risk for high blood pressure, especially at night. What’s more, people with sleep apnea may also have resistant hypertension, or high blood pressure that doesn’t respond to treatment and significantly increases the risk for heart disease and stroke, said Dr. Peter Jones, an associate professor at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Tex. and chief science officer of the National Lipid Association. Sleep apnea can also increase your risk for atrial fibrillation, which can lead to blood clots and stroke.

If you suspect you have sleep apnea or your partner complains about your snoring, talk to your doctor about having a sleep study, which you may be able to do at home, as well as treatment options.

3. Make a dentist appointment.
You already know that brushing, flossing and dental cleanings every six months is one of the best ways to prevent periodontal or gum disease, but it can also prevent heart disease.

Just like your gut, your mouth has bacteria that is either beneficial or bad for the blood vessels and the heart. So in addition to preventive care, ask your doctor about an oral DNA test which can tell you how much of each type of bacteria you have and help him customize a treatment plan for you, Kahn said.

4. Question cholesterol tests.
A standard lipid panel looks at total cholesterol, “good” HDL cholesterol and “bad” LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. Yet if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, are overweight or obese, have a poor diet, are sedentary and have a family history of heart disease, your doctor should also look at the LDL particle count and apolipoprotein B (apoB).

“Those are both better measures of your true risk related to bad cholesterol,” Jones said.

Plus, your doctor may also do a blood test to look at your C-reactive protein (CRP) level, a sign of inflammation.

5. Lose belly fat.
You might think your beer belly is just a sign of getting older, but excess belly fat can increase your risk for heart disease and death. In fact, a recent study in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine found that people with a large waist-to-hip ratio were more likely to die prematurely even if they had a normal BMI.

6. Check your homocysteine level.
If you’re deficient in vitamins B6, B12 or folic acid, you can have high levels of homocysteine, an important amino acid in the blood, which can increase your risk for cardiovascular disease and artery damage, Kahn said. Plus, a common genetic defect known as MTHFR can affect your homocysteine levels too.

The good news is that if your blood homocysteine levels are elevated or you have MTHFR, a B complex supplement is all that’s needed.

7. Make meals tasty.
A study in The BMJ found that eating a spicy meal once a week significantly reduced the risk from dying of heart disease. So experiment with cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, parsley, rosemary and thyme in your meals.

8. Look on the bright side.
Seeing the glass half-empty has a wealth of benefits and heart health is no exception. In fact, a study out of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign found that optimistic people have better cardiovascular health than pessimists.

9. Get help for anxiety and depression.
Studies show that both anxiety and depression not only lead to cardiovascular disease but in patients who already have cardiovascular disease, it can cause recurrent cardiovascular events and death. If you struggle with either, it’s important to talk to your doctor and get treatment and find ways to keep stress at bay.

10. Stand up.
Studies show that more time spent sitting leads to coronary artery calcification and damage to the arteries. Exercise during commercials, take frequent breaks from your computer or consider a treadmill desk.

11. Sleep.
Getting enough sleep lowers adrenaline and cortisol levels and heart disease risk. But more isn’t always better. Aim for seven hours a night, which studies suggest is the magic number.

How Does Alcohol Affect the Immune System?

The Facts
White blood cells are your body's internal defense system. There are five types of white blood cells. One type, in particular, the lymphocytes, fight and produce antibodies. They remove bad cells and help fight toxic chemicals and foreign substances. Unfortunately, when someone abuses alcohol, they hinder the production of white blood cells. Without healthy, active white blood cells, you run the risk of sickness and disease.

Common Misconceptions
Some people feel that a few drinks each night are no big deal; others feel that it's okay to binge drink a couple times a weak. The reality is that many people don't realize the damage they are doing to their bodies and immune system when drinking to get drunk. The body, particularly the liver and kidneys, has to work overtime to get the alcohol out of the system.

Consequences
Any time a person gets sick, one of the first things that doctors recommend is to drink plenty of fluids to help flush out toxins. Alcohol is extremely dehydrating -- which defeats the purpose as it pertains to hydrating the body. Without enough fluids to cleanse and hydrate your body, you can affect other vital organs, such as the liver and the kidneys. If these organs do not work properly, this can also weaken the immune system and exposes you to an array of other health problems.

Abusing alcohol offers no nutritional value, and constant drinking wears down your immune system so much that you risk getting sick about as much as a small child or elderly person. Your body doesn't have anything to help it fight. Once this happens, you are more likely to catch colds, or even develop disease like cancer. Also, alcohol ruins the lining of your stomach, as a result of too much stomach acid. This can bring on a host of other issues, such as heartburn, which can erode the esophagus.

Options
Drinking alcohol in moderation can be okay. Furthermore, some studies even show that there could be health benefits associated with alcohol consumption, particularly drinking red wine for improved heart health. However, in order to prevent damage to the immune system, the best bet is to reduce alcohol intake, stop drinking to get drunk and make sure to drink plenty of water. In addition, it's also good to exercise and eat properly for optimal overall health.

How Does Alcohol Affect the Heart?

Blood Pressure and Alcohol
Alcohol has serious effects on the body and a particular impact on high blood pressure. In a healthy individual, the heart functions by pumping blood through the body through the arteries out to the muscles and organs. When an excessive amount of alcohol is consumed, the heart has to pump at increased amount to get the organs to function normally. Since the heart is pumping at an accelerated pace, it generates pressure quickly, forcing its way through the arteries. When there is too much pressure, blood pressure rises and can cause the arteries to strain or rupture. This can eventually lead to heart failure under the increased strain. Additionally, alcohol can interfere with the effectiveness of certain blood pressure medications, which can eventually raise blood pressure.

Heart Disease
Excessive consumption of alcohol contributes to the production of fats in the blood called triglycerides. Over time, these fats acclimate around the arteries of the heart and cause heart problems such as abnormal rhythms, chest pain and symptoms of heart failure. If left untreated, heart problems can eventually lead to heart disease. The overall outlook for someone with heart disease is not good, eventually leading to death, unless drinking is completely stopped.

Alcoholic Cardiomyopathy
The long-term effects of alcohol on the heart can lead to alcoholic cardiomyopathy. Commonly seen in males between the ages of 35 and 50, this disease weakens the heart muscle so that it cannot pump blood efficiently. As a direct effect of alcohol on the heart muscle, the heart can eventually fail, and it can affect other parts of the body.

Positive Effects of Alcohol on the Heart
Although correlated with heart problems, it is believed that moderate amounts of alcohol can be beneficial to the heart by protecting against heart disease. Consuming moderate amounts can raise good HDL cholesterol and reduce plaque that accumulates in the arteries. Additionally, alcohol also has a mild anti-coagulating effect, which prevents clumping in the platelets so they do not form clots. For any benefits on the heart, individuals should monitor their consumption of alcohol to two drinks per day for men and one a drink day for women.

10 Presciption Diet Drugs

If you are significantly overweight or have been struggling with weight loss for an extended period of time, it may not be enough to simply change your eating habits or increase your physical activity. Consequently, your doctor may suggest a prescription diet pill to help treat obesity and some of the dangerous medical conditions it can cause. These diet pills may be prescribed for short-term or long-term use, and have been said to be effective when combined with healthy eating and regular exercise.

Phentermine
Phentermine is an appetite suppressant that is generally prescribed for short-term use. This pill decreases the appetite and intensifies the feeling of being full. It works by increasing serotonin. It is fairly inexpensive, compared to other types of prescription diet pills. Common side effects include diarrhea, restlessness, insomnia and sexual problems.

Meridia
Meridia is an appetite suppressant that increases serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. It is prescribed for short-term use and recommended for patients with obesity-related illnesses including high blood pressure and diabetes. Common side effects include abdominal pain, anxiety, dizziness, headache and nausea.

Xenical
Xenical works by blocking about 30% of dietary fat from being absorbed. It can be prescribed for short-term or long-term use and works best in conjunction with a healthy diet. Side effects include oily leakage, stomach pains, gas and fecal urgency.

Adderall
Although more commonly prescribed to treat ADD, Adderall suppresses appetite and is sometimes prescribed as a weight loss drug. It is an amphetamine and therefore has the potential to be addictive. Common side effects include dizziness, nausea and heartburn.

Bontril
Bontril is a short-term appetite suppressant that should definitely be combined with a healthy diet. It has been noted that many patients who take Bontril regain the weight they lost when they stop taking it. Some patients can build a tolerance to Bontril, and common side effects include restlessness, anxiety, dry mouth and changes in sex drive.

Didrex
Didrex is a short-term diet pill that works similarly to an amphetamine and suppresses the appetite. Anxiety, restlessness, insomnia and headaches are common side effects.

Adipex-P
Adipex-P is a popular kind of phentermine and works to emulate adrenaline, increase heart rate and decrease appetite. Side effects include diarrhea, restlessness and insomnia.

Ionamin
Ionamin is a diet pill that is often prescribed to patients with especially weak stomachs. It acts similarly to an amphetamine and can cause side effects like anxiety and sleeplessness.

Tenuate
Tenuate is an appetite suppressant that is prescribed to patients with extreme obesity and can help patients who also struggle with high cholesterol, heart disease and hypertension. Side effects include constipation, nausea and vomiting.

Sanorex
Sanorex depresses the appetite and is prescribed for short-term use. Common side effects include dizziness, nervousness, anxiety and stomach problems.

Warnings
Prescription diet pills should only be taken exactly as directed by a doctor or pharmacist. Pregnant women should not take diet pills. If you experience any side effects, speak to your doctor immediately.

How Long Does Nicotine Stay in Your System?

Despite the risks associated with cigarette smoking, millions of people across the globe continue to smoke. Although many will attempt to quit, research from the National Institute on Drug Abuse shows that these attempts are usually unsuccessful. As many smokers explain, the overwhelming craving for a cigarette often weakens their will to quit and, succumbing to the urge, they smoke. So what's the cigarette's secret ingredient? What causes such unstoppable cravings? The answer is nicotine.

Function
As with other drugs, when a person smokes cigarettes, nicotine begins to build up in the body and, over time, the smoker will begin craving it. When you become used to nicotine and then cut it out completely, your body wants it even more. And with nicotine, those cravings will continue until there is no more nicotine in your body.

Time Frame
Although most of the nicotine you consume (about 90 percent) is quickly metabolized by your body's liver and then excreted from your kidneys, the remaining amount of nicotine remains in your bloodstream for about six to eight hours after smoking. Therefore, the amount of time nicotine stays in your body depends on how much nicotine is in your system. Based on the amount of cigarettes you smoke each day, there may be a small or large amount of nicotine present in your body.

Effects
On average, one cigarette delivers about 1 mg of nicotine to your body. So someone who smokes an entire pack of cigarettes (20) a day will have much more nicotine in his system than someone who smokes only five cigarettes. In other words, the more you smoke and the more often you do so, the more nicotine remains in your body.

Significance
If you're only an occasional smoker (someone who smokes 10 cigarettes or less per day), it will most likely take only a few days for the nicotine to leave your body. However, for a heavy smoker (a pack a day or more), traces of nicotine can remain in the bloodstream for as long as 30 days after smoking--and that's if you stop smoking altogether!

Considerations
Although small traces of nicotine can remain in the bloodstream long after a person smokes her last cigarette, there are ways to speed up the body's clearing process. When it comes to ridding your body of toxins, water is your best friend. The more water you drink, the faster toxins such as nicotine leave your body. Since it speeds up your body's metabolism, exercise can make the process even faster. So just by drinking water and working out, you can help your body rid itself of the nicotine.

Causes of a Bloating Stomach

Stomach bloating can result from numerous medical conditions. According to the Mayo Clinic, "Bloating is a subjective sensation that the abdomen is larger than normal." As a result, pains, nausea and cramps are also commonly associated with stomach bloating. While many cases are the result of digestion or intolerance to food, other examples of stomach bloating may be the result of a larger medical problem. Learn the most common causes of stomach bloating among adults and children.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome
According to FlatStomachExercies.com, "Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a disorder of the gastrointestinal tract characterized by abdominal pain, diarrhea, gas, bloating and changes in bowel habits." Common among women (approximately 75 percent of all cases), male and female sufferers may go undiagnosed for years as symptoms are frequently misdiagnosed or ignored in mild to moderate cases. Common causes of Irritable Bowel Syndrome include foods like wheat, chocolate and milk products, caffeine and stress. Once diagnosed, sufferers can use over-the-counter medication to treat and prevent symptoms. For severe cases, prescription medications are also available.

Food Intolerance
Food intolerance is a common condition for many adults and children. Dairy products, nuts, gluten, wheat and sugar are commonly reported as the number-one foods associated with food intolerance. In addition to bloating, sufferers also experience gas, cramps, and nausea. According to WebMD.com, "There are many factors that may contribute to food intolerance. In some cases, as with lactose intolerance, the person lacks the chemicals, called enzymes, necessary to properly digest certain proteins found in food." Other causes include chemicals, dyes and flavor enhancers.

Gas
Intestinal gas is characterized by belching, bloating, and flatulence. It is generally the result of air that has been swallowed and then trapped in the stomach. Gas can also occur during the digestion process as stomach acid backs up into the esophagus. According to the Mayo Clinic, "When gas doesn't pass through belching or flatulence, it can build up in the stomach and intestines and lead to bloating." Reducing the intake of gas-causing foods and eating more slowly can limit intestinal gas, thereby reducing stomach bloating.

Menstruation
Menstruation can cause stomach bloating prior to, during and after menstruation. According to St. Luke's hospital, bloating associated with menstruation can be dramatically reduced with exercise and fiber-rich foods. The hospital's website advises, "If you have bloating associated with your menstrual cycle, exercise to sweat out excess fluids and eat more high-fiber foods to help prevent constipation." In most cases, stomach bloating is common and is generally not a sign of a medical disorder.

Warning
Never self-diagnose a medical condition. Even symptoms as non-threatening as stomach bloating can be indicative of larger health problems. Always consult a physician for chronic or severe stomach bloating. Be sure to provide information regarding its frequency and the level of discomfort and duration. If possible, record any foods, beverages or medications consumed prior to each incidence.

Home Remedies for Tattoo Removal

Tattoos are a popular method of body art. To create a tattoo, ink is injected into the skin to change its pigmentation. Many people find that after they have had their tattoo for a number of years, it no longer suits their lifestyle or personality. When expensive professional tattoo removal isn't an option, there are several at-home methods that can be used.

Try a tattoo removal cream. One of the most commonly advertised at-home tattoo removal methods are creams such as Tat B Gone and Tattoo-Off. Tattoo-OFF, for example, claims that it will fade tattoos almost entirely in as little as 6 months. User comments vary, and you will be spending money on the cream over a long period of time, so compare costs before choosing this method.

Sand the tattoo off. Because tattoos are located near the top layers of the skin, it is possible to remove them with abrasive materials. You can try using a pumice stone, sand paper, or a power sander. Keep in mind that this is not a particularly safe method of tattoo removal, and be sure to use antibacterial ointment to prevent infection.

Use an extreme method. If you have a high tolerance for pain and no worries about scarring, you might try to Magic Wand Home Tattoo Removal System, a product from Great Inventions. The Magic Wand is essentially a small iron that you apply to the tattoo to literally burn it off. After the skin is burned, you are instructed to wrap the area with bandages that must be changed every 30 minutes. This is a particularly dangerous method of tattoo removal (see Resources below).

Cover your tattoo. If you need to cover your tattoo only for work or certain occasions, consider using tattoo makeup. Often used by film and stage actors, tattoo makeup is heavily pigmented to hide tattoos. It is useful for smaller tattoos, and is an inexpensive, safe method. You can find tattoo makeup at stores which sell performing arts costumes and products, or online at retailers such as Ben Nye

Consider your options. At-home tattoo removal can be a dangerous endeavor, and you run the risk of infection and scarring. Consider the cost of your chosen removal method and the aesthetic and health effects before going through with a serious tattoo removal procedure.

What causes sensitive teeth, and how can I treat them?

When you have sensitive teeth, certain activities, such as brushing, flossing, eating and drinking, can cause sharp, temporary pain in your teeth. Sensitive teeth are typically the result of worn tooth enamel or exposed tooth roots. Sometimes, however, tooth discomfort is caused by other factors, such as a cavity, a cracked or chipped tooth, a recently placed filling or a side effect of other dental procedures, such as bleaching.

If you're concerned about sensitive teeth, start by visiting your dentist. He or she can identify or rule out any underlying causes of your tooth pain. Depending on the circumstances, your dentist might recommend:

• Desensitizing toothpaste. After several applications, desensitizing toothpaste can sometimes help block pain associated with sensitive teeth.
• Fluoride. Your dentist might apply fluoride to the sensitive areas of your teeth to strengthen tooth enamel and reduce pain. He or she might also suggest the use of prescription fluoride at home.
• Desensitizing or bonding. Occasionally, exposed root surfaces can be treated by applying bonding resin to the sensitive root surfaces. Local anesthetic might be needed.
• Surgical gum graft. If your tooth root has lost gum tissue, a small amount of gum tissue can be taken from elsewhere in your mouth and attached to the affected site. This can protect exposed roots and reduce sensitivity.
• Root canal. If your sensitive teeth cause severe pain and other treatments aren't effective, your dentist might recommend a root canal — a procedure used to treat problems in the tooth's soft core (dental pulp). While this might seem like a significant treatment, it's considered the most successful technique for eliminating tooth sensitivity.

To prevent sensitive teeth from recurring, your dentist might offer suggestions to help you maintain your oral health. Twice a day, brush your teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Floss daily. Avoid vigorous or harsh scrubbing, highly abrasive toothpaste, and excessive brushing and flossing. If you grind your teeth, ask your dentist about a mouth guard. Tooth grinding can fracture teeth and cause sensitivity.

You might also consider limiting acidic foods and drinks, such as carbonated drinks, citrus fruits, wine and yogurt — all of which can remove small amounts of tooth enamel over time. When you drink acidic liquids, use a straw to limit contact with your teeth. After eating or drinking an acidic substance, drink milk or water to balance the acid levels in your mouth.

It also helps to avoid brushing your teeth immediately after eating or drinking acidic substances, since acid softens enamel and makes it more vulnerable to erosion during brushing.

Ten Ways Hypnosis Can Help You Lose Weight

Close your eyes. Imagine your food cravings floating away. Imagine a day of eating only what's good for you. Imagine hypnosis actually helping you lose weight—because the news is: It does. Harvard Medical School psychotherapist Jean Fain gives you ten hypnotic suggestions to try right now.
When I tell people how I make much of my living—as a psychotherapist hypnotizing people slim—they inevitably ask: Does it work? My answer usually brightens their eyes with something between excitement and incredulity.

Most people, including my colleagues at Harvard Medical School, where I teach hypnosis, don't realize that adding trance to your weight loss efforts can help you lose more weight and keep it off longer.

Hypnosis predates carb and calorie counting by a few centuries, but this age-old attention-focusing technique has yet to be embraced wholeheartedly as an effective weight loss strategy.

Until recently, there has been scant scientific evidence to support the legitimate claims of respected hypnotherapists, and a glut of pie-in-the-sky promises from their problem cousins, stage hypnotists, hasn't helped.

Even after a persuasive mid-nineties reanalysis of 18 hypnotic studies showed that psychotherapy clients who learned self-hypnosis lost twice as much weight as those who didn't (and, in one study, kept it off two years after treatment ended), hypnotherapy has remained a well-kept weight loss secret.

Unless hypnosis has happily compelled you or someone you know to buy a new, smaller wardrobe, it may be hard to believe that this mind-over-body approach could help you get a handle on eating.

Seeing is definitely believing. 
So see for yourself. You don't have to be entranced to learn some of the invaluable lessons that hypnosis has to teach about weight loss. The ten mini-concepts that follow contain some of the diet-altering suggestions my weight management clients receive in group and individual hypnotherapy.

1. The answer lies within. Hypnotherapists believe you have everything you need to succeed. You don't really need another crash diet or the latest appetite suppressant. Slimming is about trusting your innate abilities, as you do when you ride a bicycle. You may not remember how scary it was the first time you tried to bike, but you kept practicing until you could ride automatically, without thought or effort. Losing weight may seem similarly beyond you, but it's just a matter of finding your balance.

2. Believing is seeing. People tend to achieve what they think they can achieve. That even applies to hypnosis. Subjects tricked into believing they could be hypnotized (for example, as the hypnotist suggested they'd see red, he flipped the switch on a hidden red bulb) demonstrated increased hypnotic responsiveness. The expectation of being helped is essential. Let me suggest that you expect your weight loss plan to work.

3. Accentuate the positive. Negative, or aversive, suggestions, like "Doughnuts will sicken you," work for a while, but if you want lasting change, you'll want to think positive. The most popular positive hypnotic suggestion was devised by doctors Herbert Spiegel and David Spiegel, a father- son hypnotherapy team: "For my body, too much food is damaging. I need my body to live. I owe my body respect and protection." I encourage clients to write their own upbeat mantras. One 50-year-old mother who lost 50-plus pounds repeats daily: "Unnecessary food is a burden on my body. I'm going to shed what I don't need."

4. If you imagine it, it will come. Like athletes preparing for competition, visualizing victory readies you for a victorious reality. Imagining a day of healthy eating helps you envision the necessary steps to becoming that healthy eater. Too tough to picture? Find an old photograph of yourself at a comfortable weight and remember what you were doing differently then; imagine resurrecting those routines. Or visualize getting advice from a future older, wiser self after she's reached her desired weight.

5. Send food cravings flying. Hypnotherapists routinely harness the power of symbolic imagery, inviting subjects to put food cravings on fluffy white clouds or in hot air balloons and send them up, up, and away. If McDonald's golden arches have the power to steer you off your diet, hypnotists understand that a countersymbol can steer you back. Invite your mind to flip through its Rolodex of images until one emerges as a symbol for casting out cravings. Heave-ho.

6. Two strategies are better than one. When it comes to losing weight and keeping it off, a winning combination is hypnosis and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which helps revamp counterproductive thoughts and behaviors. Clients who learn both lose twice as much weight without falling into the dieter's lose-some, regain-more trap. You've already tried CBT if you've ever kept a food diary. Before my clients learn hypnosis, they keep track of everything that passes their lips for a week or two. Raising awareness, every good hypnotherapist knows, is a key baby step toward lasting change.

7. Modify, modify, modify. The late hypnosis innovator Milton Erickson, MD, emphasized the importance of using existing patterns. To alter one client's lose-regain, lose-regain pattern, Erickson suggested she first gain weight before losing it—a hard sell nowadays, unless you're Charlize Theron. Easier to swallow: Modify your highest- calorie craving. Instead of a pint of ice cream, how about a cup of frozen yogurt?

8. Like it or not, it's survival of the fattest. No suggestion is powerful enough to override the survival instinct. Much as we like to think it's survival of the fittest, we're still programmed, in case of famine, for survival of the fattest. Case in point: a personal trainer on a starvation diet who wanted me to suggest away her gummy bear addiction. I tried to explain that her body believed her life depended on the chewy candies and wouldn't give them up until she got enough calories from more nutritious foods. No, she insisted, a suggestion was all she needed. I wasn't surprised when she dropped out.

9. Practice makes perfect. One Pilates class does not produce washboard abs, and one hypnosis session cannot shape up your diet. But silently repeating a positive suggestion 15 to 20 minutes daily can transform your eating, especially when combined with slow, natural breaths, the cornerstone of any behavioral-change program.

10. Congrats—it's a relapse. When clients find themselves, against their healthiest intentions, overindulging, I congratulate them. Hypnosis views a relapse as an opportunity, not a travesty. If you can learn from a real or imagined relapse— why it happened, how to handle it differently—you'll be better prepared for life's inevitable temptations.

How to Treat Acne Scars With Garlic

Garlic is one of those wonder foods that not only adds just the right spice to a number of your favorite recipes, but its healing benefits make it a powerful medicine for both internal and external use. Because garlic has natural antibacterial, anti-fungal and antiviral properties, it is a great way to treat and reduce acne scars.

Things You'll Need

• Mild cleanser
• Fresh garlic cloves
• Olive oil
• Honey
• Aloe vera

Wash your face with a mild cleanser twice a day. Make sure that you always use warm water when washing your face and then finish by gently patting the skin dry.

Grate a single clove of garlic finely and mix it with 2 tbsp. of water. Gently massage the mixture onto your skin after washing and rinse with warm water. The garlic helps to exfoliate dead skin cells, gently removes the top layer of scarred tissue and removes any bacteria and oils on the skin which cause acne. Do not leave the garlic on your skin longer than 5 minutes before rinsing thoroughly with warm water.

Treat yourself to a healing facial mask 2 or 3 times a week to help treat acne scars and combat future outbreaks. Crush a garlic clove and mix it with 2 tsp. of olive oil and 1 tbsp. of honey. Mix more if you are working over larger acne affected areas. Spread evenly over your skin and leave up to 20 minutes before rinsing with warm water. If you notice any burning sensation, rinse immediately and use less garlic the next time.

Apply aloe vera to your skin after each and every garlic treatment. Because garlic can irritate the skin as it removes scarred tissue and also dry the skin as it removes acne causing oils, it is important to hydrate the skin. Aloe vera is your best option, as it will not aggravate acne while moisturizing, rather it will add an additional skin healing and acne fighting agent to your skin care regime.

The Best Foods for Breast Cancer

In addition to other contributing factors, dietary choices may effect the development of breast cancer. There is considerable evidence that avoiding fatty foods can help prevent the disease, as well as eating foods that are rich in cancer-fighting vitamins, minerals and chemicals. Additionally, certain foods may diminish the recurrence of breast cancer and lessen the adverse effects of treatment once diagnosed with the disease. While eating foods loaded with antioxidants and other nutrients may stave off breast cancer, maintaining a healthy diet is key.

The Facts
According to Medical News Today, breast cancer is the seventh leading cause of mortality in the United States and results in approximately 41,000 deaths each year. Although genetic factors are important, there is considerable evidence that breast cancer risk is related to modifiable lifestyle factors, including dietary choices. While no single food or food substances can protect you against breast cancer, scientists believe that the right combination of foods may.

Preventative Foods
According to a new study conducted by the American Institute for Cancer Research/World Cancer Research Fund (AICR/WCRF), there is a link between body fat and the development of breast cancer. Therefore, to help prevent breast cancer, one should consume foods low in fat and calories. Also, fruits, vegetables and whole grains are especially rich in vitamins, minerals and chemicals that prevent the development of cancer. Specifically, green, yellow, orange and red vegetables such as broccoli, spinach, sweet potatoes and carrots contain substances which help to fight cancer. Red fruits such as tomatoes and watermelon are a source of lycopene, a cancer-fighting agent. Berries and green tea are rich sources of antioxidants. Additionally, flax, fish, beans, soy and nuts all contain nutrients which help to fight breast cancer.

Post-Diagnosis Foods
In addition to eating at least five servings of fruits or vegetables everyday, according to The Diet Channel, those that have already been diagnosed with breast cancer should replace white or processed carbohydrates with whole grain varieties to increase B vitamins and fiber. Post-diagnosis, patients should also eat two to three servings of low fat dairy daily because cancer treatment may negatively effect bone health. It is important to incorporate calcium-rich foods into one’s diet. Lean meats, poultry, fish, nuts, seeds, legumes and beans should be incorporated into meals to ensure an adequate amount of protein is consumed.

Foods to Avoid
Because of the link between obesity and breast cancer, ReduceBreastCancerRisk.com recommends that saturated fats found in meats, whole-fat dairy products, vegetable shortening and coconut and palm oils, as well as trans fats in fried foods, pastries, margarine, cookies, chips, crackers and many processed foods should be avoided. Additionally, because alcohol may act to promote cancer by depleting folic acid, having more than one drink a day increases one’s risk of developing breast cancer.

Considerations
According to the AICR/WCRF study, over 70,000 U.S. breast cancer cases could be prevented each year by dietary changes. Breast cancer rates vary in different parts of the world, and the incidence seems to be associated with the amount of fat in the diet. Even more striking, when women move from a country where the diet is low in fat to a country where fat consumption is higher, their risk for breast cancer increases. While foods rich in cancer-fighting vitamins, minerals and chemicals also help to prevent breast cancer, maintaining a healthy diet appears to be a key component in warding off the disease.

Home Remedies for Osteoporosis

Some of the most effective home remedies for osteoporosis include the use of beans, vinegar, spinach, milk, pineapple juice, salmon, tofu, red clover, black cohosh, yogurt, and calcium supplements, as well as behavioral modifications, including quitting smoking, cutting back on alcohol, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising, and reducing protein intake.

Osteoporosis
As we get older, there are a few things that we simply learn to “accept” as a part of aging, and there is one condition that seems to plague more people than any other. While cognitive decline and arthritis are also major issues for elderly individuals, osteoporosis, where the bones of the body begin to weaken, affects tens of millions of people around the world. Osteoporosis comes from the Greek word meaning “porous bones”, which is precisely what happens when you suffer from this condition. Your calcium levels drop and your bone density and strength decline. This makes breaking a bone much easier, and when combined with unsteadiness and chronic inflammation of elderly people, falls become a major health concern.

Over 70% of people over 80 suffer from some form of osteoporosis, and the rates of broken hips, forearms, and backs increase dramatically in older populations. These can be crippling accidents, and often signal the “beginning” of osteoporosis. The areas where bones have been broken often remain significantly weakened, and sufferers may also experience chronic pain. This can lead to reduced mobility, pharmaceutical dependency, and increased weakness. This creates a vicious cycle for sufferers, making it difficult to “recover”. Prevention is what gets significant attention when it comes to osteoporosis, which includes a healthy lifestyle and a regulated diet. If you suffer from osteoporosis, there are medications that can help increase bone strength and treat chronic pain, but keeping your bones strong and unbroken through home remedies is a very popular option in adults and more elderly populations. Let’s take a closer look at some of the home remedies for osteoporosis.

Home Remedies for Osteoporosis
Vinegar: One of the best ways to ensure that your bones stay strong is to increase your mineral intake, particularly calcium. This essential components of our bones must be continually replenished, particularly as we age, and vinegar has been linked to increasing calcium levels. It is believed that vinegar helps to increase the efficiency of calcium uptake from the other foods we eat, so be sure to pour some on your next salad!

Tofu: Soy is one of the most interesting new frontiers in the treatment of osteoporosis, namely due to its high content of phytoestrogens. These compounds resemble estrogens needed for women to maintain normal hormonal balance, and may also help increase bone density in women. Women are at significantly greater risk of osteoporosis than men, so this is an important new area of research.

Stop Smoking: Behavioral alterations like quitting smoking are also important. Smoking floods the body with carcinogens and increases likelihood of chronic diseases. It also can speed up the arrival of menopause in women, which often marks a significant increase in the risk of osteoporosis. By quitting smoking, you can delay menopause and hold back the onset of osteoporosis symptoms.

Don’t Lose Too Much Weight: Obesity has long been associated with a high risk of other diseases, but there is nothing wrong with having a bit of extra fat on your body, as long as its not excessive. Extremely thin people, particularly those who have suffered from eating disorders in the past, have a much higher risk of premature bone degradation, so maintain a healthy weight in a healthy way to keep your bones strong!

Red Clover: Similar to soy products, red clover is a powerful herb that also has certain estrogen-like effects. This can effectively prevent osteoporosis, but these compounds are also volatile and not fully understood, so it is important not to combine prescribed medicine with herbal remedies unless you speak with your doctor.

Salmon: Quite simply, this delicious variety of fish is particularly rich in calcium and vitamin D, as well as beneficial omega-3 fatty acids, so if you want to keep osteoporosis and other chronic conditions at bay, add salmon to your diet whenever possible!

Exercise Regularly: If you remain active, you will maintain muscle strength, which helps to boost bone strength and significantly lowers your risk of falling or accidentally breaking a bone. Remaining active will also keep energy levels up and prevent the onset of other age-related disorders.

Cut Back on Alcohol: Alcohol can actually improve calcium intake when consumed in moderation, but there is a clear line, and once your consumption is excessive, it has a sharp negative impact on bone strength and overall health, while also making you less steady on your feet and more likely to fall and possibly break something.

Spinach: One of the richest sources of calcium in the vegetable world, add a fresh spinach salad to your weekly health regimen (at least one!) and ensure a constant stream of bone-strengthening minerals to your system.

Milk: Arguably the most famous substance to help “build strong bones”, the calcium found in milk is a wonderful way to work a daily bone-boost into your diet and health regimen. A single glass of milk can represent one-quarter of the recommended daily amount!

Black Cohosh: Although research is still in its early stages, this herb has similar phytoestrogen compounds to soy, making it potentially beneficial for women who want to reduce their chances of developing osteoporosis as they age and experience menopause.

Pineapple Juice: One of the newest findings concerning osteoporosis has to do with manganese deficiency, so ensuring a high level of that mineral can seriously help fend off bone degradation. Freshly squeezed pineapple juice is a rich source of manganese – and a tasty one!

Lower Protein Intake: Research has suggested that human beings actually consume more protein than is necessary for a healthy life, and the excretion of protein often includes excreting calcium, which compounds the problems of osteoporosis. Speaking to a nutritionist about your protein intake can be a wise way to optimize your diet!

Calcium Supplements: You can find calcium supplements at almost every health food store and pharmacy. This is the most direct way to ensure a healthy calcium intake and prevent osteoporosis, or at least delay its onset.

A Final Word of Warning: Excessive consumption of calcium to prevent osteoporosis can cause other problems, like calcium deposition that leads to gout, gall stones etc. Be sure that you speak to a trained medical professional as you age to discuss your diet and lifestyle, and before adding any major home remedies for osteoporosis!

For Seniors, Poor Sleep May Mean Higher Stroke Risk, Study Suggests

Poor sleep may raise seniors’ risk of hardening of the brain arteries, and possibly contribute to the chances of a stroke, a new study suggests.

Researchers examined the autopsied brains of 315 people, average age 90, who had undergone at least one full week of sleep quality assessment before their death. Twenty-nine percent of them had suffered a stroke, and 61 percent had moderate-to-severe damage to blood vessels in the brain.

Those with the highest levels of sleep fragmentation — repeated awakenings or arousals — were 27 percent more likely to have hardening of the brain arteries. Among study participants, sleep was disrupted an average of nearly seven times an hour.

For each additional two arousals during one hour of sleep, there was a 30 percent greater likelihood of having visible signs of oxygen deprivation in the brain, the study authors said.

However, the study was not designed to prove a cause-and-effect link between poor sleep and stroke risk.

The findings were independent of other stroke and heart disease risk factors, such as weight, diabetes, smoking and high blood pressure, as well as other health conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, depression, heart failure and pain, according to the study published Jan. 14 in the journal Stroke.

“The forms of brain injury that we observed are important because they may not only contribute to the risk of stroke but also to chronic progressive cognitive and motor impairment,” lead investigator Dr. Andrew Lim, an assistant professor of neurology at the University of Toronto, said in a journal news release.

“However, there are several ways to view these findings: sleep fragmentation may impair the circulation of blood to the brain, poor circulation of blood to the brain may cause sleep fragmentation, or both may be caused by another underlying risk factor,” said Lim, who is also a neurologist and scientist at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center in Toronto.

While the findings suggest that sleep monitoring could help identify seniors at risk for stroke, further research is needed to clarify a number of areas.

One expert praised the research, but added that it wasn’t the last word on the topic.

“This is an excellent study, highly provocative, but not definitive because of the design, as mentioned by the authors themselves,” said Dr. Richard Libman, vice chairman of neurology at Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New Hyde Park, N.Y.

“There appears to be a clear association between poor sleep [sleep fragmentation] and hardening of the arteries and risk of stroke,” Libman said. “As noted, the direction of this association is uncertain.

“Sleep, to some degree, is within our control and we should all make attempts to improve the quality of our sleep,” he added.

How to Remove Pimple Scars Naturally

Generally, pimples should not cause scarring. If you pick, squeeze or irritate a pimple, it can permanently damage your skin, leading to scarring. If you have scars from pimples, there are many things you can do to remove them. Treatments such as laser skin resurfacing and microdermabrasion smooth the skin's surface, effectively removing pimple scars. These treatments, however, are painful and expensive. Thankfully, there are many natural treatment methods you can employ to remove pimple scars.

Things You'll Need

• Bleaching cream
• Facial scrub
• Body scrub
• Scar treatment cream
• Hydroxy acids
• Healthy diet

Apply bleaching cream to your pimple scars. Oftentimes, pimple scars feature darker pigmentation than surrounding areas. Bleaching creams will lighten the scars so they better blend in with the surrounding skin. You can find bleaching creams in most cosmetic and drug stores.

Exfoliate. Use either a facial or body scrub to exfoliate the area, depending on the location on your body. Exfoliation encourages cell turnover so that new skin cells more rapidly replace the damaged, scarred skin cells. Exfoliate the area at least twice weekly.

Use a scar treatment cream on your pimple scars. These creams are available over the counter and work to gradually fade scars. Follow your cream's specific instructions, but you'll generally need to apply it multiple times per day for at least 12 weeks before you see results.

Try products that contain hydroxy acids. These acids occur naturally and aid in skin cell regeneration. With regular use, your skin will look younger and smoother, and your pimple scars will be less noticeable. You can find hydroxy acids in a variety of skin care products, such as cleansers, serums and lotions.

Massage your pimple scars. Massage encourages circulation so blood and nutrients can more readily reach the scarred area. In addition, massage helps to break up scar tissue.

Consume a healthy diet, rich in vitamins and antioxidants. Solid nutrition is essential to overall skin health. If you are poorly nourished, your skin will not be able to heal itself properly, and your scars will be harder to remove.

Causes and Symptoms of a Weak Heart

Statistics from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention report an estimated 5 million Americans suffer from heart failure, with over 500,000 new cases appearing each year. Coronary artery disease, high blood pressure and diabetes are the leading causes for weakness in heart function. As of yet, there is no known cure; however there are steps that can be taken to improve this condition.

Identification
"Heart failure" is the medical term used to indicate the presence of a weak heart. This term refers to the heart's inability to circulate blood through the body. Blood flow is slower than normal, which places more pressure on the heart than usual. Slower blood circulation means body's cells don't receive the oxygen and nutrients needed for normal function. This added pressure on the heart causes its chambers to thicken, or the heart will expand so it can hold more blood. If this condition persists, the muscles that make up the walls of the heart will weaken.

Causes
A number of conditions can cause, or contribute, to a weak heart. Disorders that overwork the heart muscles, like high blood pressure, thyroid disease, kidney disease or diabetes can cause it to gradually deteriorate over time.
Coronary artery disease (CAD)--a condition brought on by a narrowing of the arteries--is another condition that causes the heart to work harder than normal. Narrow arteries prevent needed oxygen and nutrients from reaching the heart. In addition, the heart has to exert extra force to move blood through these narrowed passage ways.

Symptoms
The symptoms associated with a weak heart are fairly easy to spot. Cells that don't receive sufficient blood flow begin to break down from a lack of oxygen and nutrients. When this happens, fluids contained inside the blood vessels begin to seep into surrounding tissues. This can cause swelling in the ankles and legs, and water retention throughout the body. Excess fluids can also accumulate in the lungs and digestive track, causing shortness of breath and a loss of appetite. The heart's inability to circulate blood to the muscles leaves the body feeling tired and weak, making everyday tasks harder to do.

Testing for a Weak Heart
There are a number of tests used to determine how well a heart is functioning. Your doctor may order a cardiovascular stress test to see if the heart receives enough blood during stress or activity. Echocardiogram tests are administered to check blood flow and to measure valve function. A multi-gated blood-pool image, or MUGA scan, is used to gauge heart strength in terms of how well it pumps blood through its chambers. A cardiopulmonary stress test checks to see how your lungs and heart perform during exercise.

Prevention
As of yet, there's no known cure for heart failure, but there are steps that can be taken to prevent a weak heart from getting weaker. Diet and exercise are the most effective ways of warding off further problems. A low cholesterol diet can reduce the build-up of cholesterol in the blood and prevent blockage in the arteries. A regular exercise routine works to strengthen the heart muscle and reduces overall stress and tension in the body. Any extra weight will also put additional strain on the heart, so eating right and exercising to maintain a normal body weight is essential.

Watermelon Remedy for Kidney Stones

Kidney stones are known by a number of names, including renal stones and urinary stone disease. These are what end up being painful deposits of cyctine, uric acid, calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate. These stones can be small, but they can also be as large as a bird's egg. Usually kidney stones get dissolved in urine before they even form these hard substances, but if not, they can be incredible painful, sometimes resulting in hospitalization. There is an easier way, though, to remedy kidney stones--with watermelon.

Eliminating Kidney Stones
Watermelon is one of the best natural remedies for kidney stones available. It has the highest level of water among all types of fruit, and water is essential to being able to pass kidney stones. Watermelon is used as a diuretic, increasing the urine.

What's more important, though, is watermelon's high level of potassium. This substance is a form of salt that actually helps to dissolve the kidney stones, therefore easing the pain and helping to eliminate them. This whole process can take up to 15 days but the difference, of course, can be felt much sooner than that.

Preventing Kidney Stones
Watermelon can also be used in preventative measures against kidney stones, especially for those who already have a history of kidney stones. If you have a family history but haven't experienced stones yet, incorporate watermelon into your diet on a regular basis.

Because there are no side effects with using this as a remedy or preventative measure, it can be consumed at any time unless you have an allergy. Prevention is always the best method and with something so natural and effective, it's hard to see why more sufferers of kidney stones don't use watermelon.

Not Just the Fruit
There is another method to try if you want to use watermelon to prevent kidney stones, but don't want to eat the fruit. It is called watermelon seed tea. This helps to clean the kidneys and the bladder. The seeds, as well, are considered to be a diuretic, therefore increasing the amount of urine passed from the body.

It's very simple to make this tea. It is brewed by pouring 1 pint of freshly boiled water over 1 tbsp of watermelon seeds. The seeds will either need to be chopped or ground up first. Allow the tea to sit for about 15 minutes or until cooled. Strain it, making sure that all of the pieces of seed are taken out, and then drink the watermelon seed tea. This should be done once a day for three days in a row.

Recipe for Homemade Detox Foot Bath

Detoxing Through the Feet
For centuries, the feet have been recognized as healing focal points. Years ago, Chinese healers began defining reflexology points in the foot. These points are considered energy channels that connect to the rest of the body and major organs. During a detox foot bath, the hot water and ingredients in the foot bath stimulate these organs. They, in turn, release toxins and metals that have built up in the body through these channels to the feet and then out of the body. Detoxing through the feet not only benefits your internal organs, but also your lymph, circulatory and respiratory systems.

Detox Bath Recipe
One of the most effective detox foot bath recipes can be made right in your kitchen. Mix together 1 cup of sea salt, 1 cup of epsom salt, and 2 cups of baking soda. Mix together well and store this bath mixture in an airtight container. When you are ready for your detox bath, fill a foot basin with hot water. Make it as hot as you can comfortably stand it. As you are filling the basin, add 1/4 cup of the detox mixture. Find a relaxing place to sit, and sit with your feet in the water for 30 minutes. The hot water and salts combination works to leach toxins from your system and draw them to the reflexology channels and out of the feet.

After the Bath
As soon as you remove your feet from your bath, take a natural fiber foot brush and brush them. This will help remove any toxins that are clinging to the skin as well as brush off dead skin. After brushing, rinse with warm water. If you feel the need to soften your feet, rub with 100% aloe vera. This is also a good time to do a relaxing foot massage. Do not use lotions with additives as your feet quickly absorb what is on them. For maximum benefits, take a foot detox bath every night for a week, then twice a week for 30 days. After 30 days, once a week is recommended for maintenance.

How to Improve Vision Naturally

Good vision is an important part of overall health. As we age our eyesight tends to diminish. We suffer from eyestrain on a daily basis. Many of us spend several hours each day staring at a computer screen which is a major source of eyestrain. Many people depend on eyeglasses or contacts to improve the quality of eyesight. While we may continue to need our glasses or contacts there are other ways that we can improve our vision.

Ways to improve eyesight
Exercise your eyes. That's right. Do some eye aerobics. The only exercise most eyes get is that daily rubbing we give them when we're tired or suffering from eyestrain. But eye exercises are actually good for your eyes and can improve your vision. Give your eyes a workout with the following exercise. Blink as fast as you can for a few seconds then close your eyes tightly, open and repeat. Do this exercise 3 to 4 times daily.

Try palming. Sit upright in a comfortable chair. Close eyes and cover them with the palms of your hands. Cup your hands so that there is no pressure on your eyes. Let your fingers rest across your forehead. There should be no light entering your eyes. Palming should be done for a period of 5 to 10 minutes to start. Palming should be relaxing. It may help to do palming in a darkened room.

Alleviate stress. Stress is known to be a factor in many health conditions and eyestrain is no exception. Try meditation, yoga or other methods of stress relief to improve your vision and overall health.

Get adequate sleep. Skimping on sleep can cause blurred vision and eyestrain that can be damaging to your vision over time. Do your eyes a favor and give them plenty of shut-eye.

Get herb healthy vision with biberry, ginkgo and passionflower. These herbs help to improve night vision, strengthen capillaries in the eyes and may even prevent cataracts. They have many other health benefits as well.

Eat healthy. You probably hear that statement all the time but eating the right foods are imperative to good health. You may not be aware that your diet affects your vision but it does. Foods that are high in fiber, vitamin C, D and beta carotene as well as other vitamins and minerals can help improve your vision. Here are a few foods that can be beneficial to good vision: carrots, eggs, blueberries, spinach, kale, grapes, and fresh garlic.

Take a daily supplement. To ensure that you're getting the proper amount of vitamins and minerals that might be missing from your daily diet take a vitamin supplement.

Get your omega-3s. Omega-3s are fatty acids found in fish oil such as salmon, tuna and sardines. Omega-3s reduce the risk of macular generation which is the leading cause of blindness in the elderly. They have plenty of other health benefits too.

How to Get Rid of Migraines Without Medicine

A migraine is a painful experience that you will never forget. This excruciating headache can be disabling because the symptoms can be so severe. Some people may have a warning sign called an aura. This aura may be sudden flashes of light, weakness or tingling in your arm or leg, or blind spots. A migraine can cause nausea and vomiting. You may feel pain on one side of your head. It may also cause extreme sensitivity to light, sound and smells. A migraine can last for several hours or even days. Here are some tips to help you treat a migraine naturally.

Things You'll Need
Ice pack or cold compress Cloth Warm compress Peppermint, eucalyptus or Lavender massage oil Cup of coffee, tea or caffeinated soda

Stop any activity that you are engaged in. As soon as you feel any migraine symptoms, rest. Start treatment as soon as possible to minimize the severity of your migraine. Avoid walking or bending down if it worsens your pain.

Turn off the lights in the room. As soon as you feel the symptoms of a migraine coming on, turn off the radio or TV. Migraines can increase sensitivity to sound that can make even the slightest noise unbearable. Relax and lie down in a dark room. Try to sleep.

Wrap an ice pack in cloth. Place the ice pack on the back of your neck. Use the ice pack to apply gentle pressure to areas that are painful on your scalp.

Place a warm compress to your head or neck. Warm compresses can help to relax tense muscles around your neck and shoulders. Try a warm shower or soak in a warm bath.

Massage your neck, scalp and temples with peppermint, eucalyptus or lavender oil. Muscle tension in your shoulders and neck can worsen migraine pain.

Drink caffeine. Drinking small amounts of caffeine can help constrict dilated blood vessels that occur in migraines. Drink a cup of coffee, tea or caffeinated soda can help ease your symptoms.

Visualize removing the pain from your head. Imagine pushing the pain out of your head through your nose or mouth. Visualization can serve as a distraction from your migraine

How to Stop Toothache Tooth Ache Pain Fast

The pain of a toothache can be excruciating and if you cannot see your dentist right away, there are a few things you can do to ease the pain. There are medical conditions that can cause tooth pain such as sinusitis and even pain from the heart, called angina. If you are certain that the toothache is from a tooth, any one of the tooth sensitive tooth pastes may offer some relief. However, the most effective temporary remedy is clove oil. It is a natural pain killer and antibacterial.

Follow the suggested steps below for temporary relief.

Gently rinse out your mouth with warm salt water or a glass of warm water with a squirt of lemon or lime juice. This will get rid of any food residue and sugar. Brush any other teeth that are not painful. Repeat this rinse once or twice more.

Mix 2 to 4 drops of clove oil with 1/4 teaspoon olive oil. Soak a clean cotton ball with the mixture and place this compress against or on top of the aching tooth. If the affected tooth is in the back of your mouth, place the compress on the top of the tooth and bite down gently to hold it in place. Leave this compress in place for as long as possible until the throbbing pain is gone, or you have achieved a level of pain that you can tolerate.

You can also take aspirin to help alleviate the pain. Since aspirin is an anti-inflammatory, it will help reduce the swelling and therefore pressure on the nerves of the tooth. Other natural remedies include garlic juice, or chewing on a garlic clove. Garlic is one of nature's best antibiotics and may help forestall a more serious infection until you can see you dentist. Vitamin C is also one of nature's antibiotics and is helpful if there is also a component of sinusitis.

If you are able to stop the pain, do not cancel the appointment with your dentist, since the toothache pain may signal an abscessed tooth that requires treatment and a possible short course of antibiotics.