HEALTH HUB Latest Articles
What is a Stitch?
What is a Stitch? Most of us have had a stitch at some point while exercising. It is usually a localized pain felt in your side, below the ribs. Sometimes it is possible to exercise through the pain, however most people will feel the need to slow down or cease exercising. There are a few theories suggesting that a stitch is caused by a reduction in blood flow to the diaphragm (muscle used for breathing), irritation of the membranes inside your abdomen or ligaments which support organs. To avoid a stitch make sure you are adequately hydrated before exercising. If [...]
Illness and Exercise
Illness and Exercise Many people are confused as to whether they should continue to exercise when they are unwell. Of course common sense should be key here, if you cannot go to work then you are probably not I enough to exercise. But what if it isn’t that bad? I like to use the rule that if your symptoms are that of a common head cold & isolated in your head ie. Nose/throat/head ache etc. that if you feel ok you can still do some very low intensity exercise such as a 30min walk, cycle or stretch. If the symptoms [...]
6 Surprising Causes Of Acne
6 Surprising Causes Of Acne By naturopath Margaret Jasinska Acne is a skin condition that creates stress and embarrassment for many people. It is most common in teenagers; however you certainly don’t have to be a teenager to suffer with this problem. You can be in your 30s, 40s or even older and still struggle with acne. There is a great deal of debate over whether acne is caused by hormones or diet. The answer is acne can be caused by both, plus many other things. Certainly your hormone levels will determine the look of your skin, but what [...]
Celebrate Spring – BUT it can be achooo for some!
Celebrate Spring – BUT it can be achooo for some! "No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow." ~ Proverb Spring has officially arrived and while it can be a time of celebration for many, it brings with it spring allergies that cause misery to millions and a much less welcome start with a bout of hay fever. Approximately 15% of Australians or 3.1 million people report suffering from hay fever according to a recent Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) report. It’s a costly business too, with the amount of money paid by community pharmacies [...]
Simple Ways to Improve Your Indoor Air Quality
Simple Ways to Improve Your Indoor Air Quality When you hear the word pollution, outdoor air quality probably comes to mind. But the quality of the air we breathe inside our homes, offices and other indoor spaces is just as important, especially when a large majority of us would spend most of our time indoors. Indoor air pollution can be caused by many different sources, and can contribute to many health problems such as cancers, respiratory illnesses, and many allergic reactions. Sources include: home heating, tobacco products, damp carpet or building materials, household cleaning products, personal care products, pesticides, outgassing [...]
Alzheimer’s Disease – What Is Good For Your Heart Is Good For Your Brain
Alzheimer’s Disease – What Is Good For Your Heart Is Good For Your Brain Wisdom, peace and happiness should be the redeeming attributes of growing older and nothing is more important than a healthy and functioning brain. We can adjust to grey and thinning hair, a few aches and pains, less energy and skin that wrinkles. However losing mental dexterity and the ability to enjoy our own intellectual pursuits and passions is something that is very hard to accept - especially when there is so much you can do to save your brain. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative [...]
Staying Active
Staying Active Many people struggle to motivate themselves to begin exercising or stay active. The first thing to do is to set your self a goal that isn’t related to improved fitness or weight loss. Choose an event instead. This might be a walk, fun run, or a longer event such as a 10km or triathlon. Whatever it is sign up to the event as soon as possible to commit yourself and then work on a plan to get you there step by step. There are many coaching businesses or PTs partnered with events who provide guidelines & training tips [...]
Methods to Improve Your Memory
Methods to Improve Your Memory Have you ever suffered a mind blank? Maybe you have trouble recalling someone’s name or where you’ve left your car keys? Luckily, there are many methods you can employ to provide confidence in your recollection ability through everyday life. Focus If there’s something you need to learn or memorise, only focus on that one thing. This allows your brain to encode the information more thoroughly. You may need to train your brain to stay focused which may take some discipline, but anyone can achieve it. Rereading new information, repeating things out loud and paraphrasing [...]
Why Am I Always Hungry?
Do you often eat a meal, but still feel hungry afterwards? Although an increase in appetite is common post workout or during pregnancy, if neither of these fits your situation it is worth looking into the possible causes of your constant hunger. These are six hidden causes of hunger that may be affecting you: 1. Lack of sleep: There are many side effects of not getting enough sleep, but you may not know that sleep deprivation disrupts the production of the appetite regulating hormones ghrelin and leptin. Leptin is released to suppress appetite, and ghrelin is a hormone that stimulates [...]
17 breast cancer risk factors you need to know
By naturopath Margaret Jasinska After skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in Australian women. 42 women are diagnosed with the disease every day. Nearly everyone knows a woman that has been affected by the disease. Fear of developing breast cancer creates a lot of anxiety for many women. Interestingly, not many people know that more women actually die from heart disease than breast cancer. What causes breast cancer? The short answer is potentially many things. There are several well established risk factors, many of which are under your control. A lot of women feel powerless [...]