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Learn how to manage your stress better

Stress is a part of everybody’s life. To simply put, Stress occurs as a reaction to changes. It can be mental, physical or emotional change. Most of us go through stress every day on different levels and our body has the ability to handle it to some extent. The actual problem will start to rise when our body can no longer take it resulting in negative and harmful stress. As a consequence, your body will start to show alarming signs and symptoms such as: Headache, fatigue, stomach upset, increased blood pressure, chest pain, palpitation, sleep problem, panic attacks, depression, sexual dysfunction, dizziness, grinding teeth, weight fluctuation, muscle pain (neck, shoulder, face), cold sweaty palms, tiredness, trembling, diarrhea.  A healthy lifestyle will support your body to cope with any kind of stress. Therefore one should avoid: • Bad food habit  • Smoking  • Consuming alcohol  • Inactive lifestyle  • Lack of time management and daily routine   To know your stress level one can take the Stress Analysis Test with the newest device at our clinic (Dr. Mulham Polyclinic). The test is painless and will take around 30- 40mins. The result will show how your body is responding to stress. Accordingly, our experts will plan individual therapy sessions.

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January 10, 2020
Dr. Anas Alsaleh
Dermatologist
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Beauty
Benefits of facelift without surgery

The sagging and loose facial skin makes us look older and by fixing this issue, a person can take 5 to 10 years off the actual age. Some people may not like to undergo a surgical procedure for a facelift. If you do not want to take facelift surgery, you can still lift the facial skin by taking a non-surgical facelift. This blog post aims at discussing the benefits of a facelift without surgery or non-surgical facelift.  What is Facelift Without Surgery? You might have read or heard about the traditional facelift procedure where a plastic surgeon cuts the skin, makes adjustments, and then stitch the skin. This option for a facelift is not cheap and the treatment site takes some time to recover after having this surgery. Besides, there are side effects as well. If a person does not want to go through this, there are options to lift the facial skin without surgery. How is it possible? There are safe and effective methods for skin tightening that can tighten and lift the facial skin effectively. These options involve less risk, cause minimal side effects, and deliver great results. Benefits of Facelift Without Surgery! Though a non-surgical facelift may not be able to deliver exactly the same results as a surgical procedure, it can manage to deliver similar results. There are plenty of benefits of a non-surgical facelift. Some notable advantages have been discussed below: A facelift without surgery can deliver similar results as facelift surgery. The person who takes it will look 5 to 10 years younger than the actual age. A typical facelift surgery costs way more than a non-surgical facelift treatment. As compared to the surgical options for a facelift, this technique takes less time to complete. By using an effective skin tightening technique this treatment will lift the facial skin properly. It is a safe and effective option that works for most people; it always delivers promising results. As it is a non-surgical and non-invasive option, there are no major side effects and risks involved. Some people do not like invasive and surgical options; it is a non-invasive and non-surgical option.

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February 06, 2019
Dubai Cosmetic Surgery
Wellness Partner
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Beauty
10 tips to keep your skin soft & smooth in winter

Whatever the weather, you have got to take care of your skin! As the seasons change so do our skincare routines. Summer is all about sunscreen, but winter, believe it or not, is all about moisturizing. During the colder months of the year, the humidity levels outside drop causing the air to become cold and dry which leads to any moisture on your skin to evaporate quickly. This is why it may feel dry and tight and appear flaky. Here are 10 tips to banish those chapped hands, cracked soles, and dry skin and keep you soft and smooth all season long! 1. Load up on lotion Different parts of your skin tend to dry up faster than others such as your upper arms. If they dry up too much, it can become rough and trigger other conditions such as keratosis pilaris (a condition that creates small hard bumps that may be red and itchy). Try smoothing on a lotion that contains salicylic acid which helps to exfoliate dead skin cells. Lotions are one of the basics when it comes to moisturizing skin care. 2. Got Milk? Ever notice when your skin starts to dry out it creates this kind of scaly pattern? Try using a lotion that contains lactic acid. This ingredient works as a moisturizer and exfoliates at the same time. You could also try taking a bath with a milk-based bath solution. 3. Layer it up. Yes, you should wear clothes that protect you from the weather but in this tip, it’s about bath time. Upgrade your skincare routine with some new products. If you use bath oil or moisturizing body cleanser, it leaves a creamy film on your skin when you rinse it off sealing in moisture. After towel drying, go back to tip #1 and slather on lotion. 4. Scrub with honey. You can create your own rich and hydrating scrub at home with just a dollop of honey and a spoonful of sugar. Combine the two and scrub to soften those dry patches like on your knee and elbows. Studies show that honey can help reduce inflammation and the grainy texture of sugar can increase circulation. 5. Gently buff away. Exfoliation helps to remove dead skin cells and brighten up your skin. In addition, exfoliating makes it easier for the moisturizer to penetrate your skin easier. Proper skincare maintenance is all about rejuvenating our skin and bringing back that circulation. 6. Polish your feet. Going down to your feet, if they feel rough around the edges, use an exfoliating scrub and a pumice stone to smooth things off. Top it off with moisturizer and seal the deal with socks. 7. Sanitise with caution. When you constantly wash and dry your hands, you end up drying them out more than they should. To prevent chapped hands try using moisturizing wipe-off cleansers and sanitizers that are soap-free and alcohol-free. Then end with lotion right after. 8. Slip on some gloves. Wearing gloves can help lotions and cream to really soak into your skin and trap the moisture. Also, they protect you from the cold wind that dried out your hands in the first place. 9. Shower quickly. A long, hot shower or bath sounds like paradise after a long, cold winter’s day but all that heat might end up stripping the moisture out of your skin. Try to keep your shower sessions no more than 10 minutes and no more than once a day. 10. Dress up for bed. Soft sheets plus soft sleepwear will do wonders for your skin. Try investing in silk or tightly woven natural fabrics such as cotton or cotton flannel. Avoid mixed materials and synthetic fibers as these can irritate your skin. There you have it! Hope these tips and tricks will help you keep that silky soft skin of yours supple all year round! Which one is your favorite? Got any others? Let us know in the comments section below!

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February 04, 2019
Lifeline Hospital
Health & Wellness Partner
Therapies
Yes, detox is crucial – but avoid detox scams

Makers of today’s popular detox products present a tempting offer: undo a lifetime of unhealthy habits by drinking a special juice or tea for three days. Sounds great, doesn’t it? But I’m afraid it doesn’t work. These simple products are everywhere, offering a one-size-fits-all approach to detoxification (the removal of toxins from your anatomy) which is not only scientifically unfounded but can actually be harmful. Official dietetic organizations suggest that detox diets can cause the loss of vital electrolytes and damage the gut’s protective bacteria layer. But the detox fad masks a serious underlying truth. Detoxification is an important practice for remaining healthy, as we absorb an alarming number of toxins from our environment, but in order to be effective, it must be carried out properly. That means treating each patient as an individual case, carrying out a thorough analysis of their physiology, and prescribing treatments for their specific need. This is where naturopathy comes in. As a naturopath with almost two decades of experience in the field, I can attest to the power of naturopathic detoxification in improving numerous conditions, ranging from obesity to arthritis and chronic fatigue. The practice leaves no stone unturned. Why do you need to detox? The liver, kidneys, bowels, and skin naturally remove waste products (known as toxins) from the body via sweat and excretion. This natural detoxification is very effective for passing out waste such as the indigestible parts of food or by-products of metabolism, but it is less effective at dealing with toxins from artificial sources such as pollutants and chemicals. And there are a lot of them. In 2009, the research found traces of close to 200 toxic chemicals in the tissues of 2,500 people tested. Further studies noted that our bodies are resorting to ineffective and harmful strategies in their attempts to manage these toxins. Excess toxins are stored in fatty tissue which presents two key problems: firstly, the toxins are released back into the body when a person loses weight; and secondly, toxins such as organic pollutants have been found to trigger inflammatory reactions when stored in fatty tissue, which can affect normal body metabolism. Some toxins remain in the bloodstream and disrupt normal body function, leading to weight gain (by upsetting appetite-regulating and fat-storing hormones), poor concentration and chronic fatigue. We absorb toxins from the food we eat, the water we drink and the air we breathe. Mercury is a common offender, shown to be absorbed through eating fish and shellfish, working in proximity to industrial incinerators, or from the amalgam used in dental fillings. The presence of heavy metals such as mercury can create a condition known as ‘electrosensitivity’, which reacts with electromagnetic fields (EMFs) from mobile phones, phone masts, wireless Internet, power lines and household electrical wiring to trigger headaches and fatigue. Other environmental toxins include food preservatives such as butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), pesticides and bisphenol-A (BPA), a chemical used in plastic bottles and food tins, which has been linked with prostate and breast cancer. Then there are recreational toxins, like cigarette smoke and alcohol. Around seven million people die from tobacco use annually, nearly one million of them from second-hand smoke exposure. So all these toxins gradually build up in your body, hampering body and brain function and leaving you feeling below par. How to detox for real results The focus of all naturopathic detox programs is to remove toxins and restore the body’s healthy terrain. This is your entire physical portrait, comprising medical history, genetics, and personal history. Balancing this terrain is integral to successful detoxification and it really is impossible for a one-size-fits-all detox kit to deliver effective results. As with conventional medicine, the first step in treating toxin overload is uncovering any problems the patient is experiencing. This begins with a thorough consultation, followed by tests for environmental toxins, which are administered via blood, urine or hair strand analysis. Once a patient’s toxin levels are known, nutritional imbalances are assessed. Because we are all genetically different and have different nutritional requirements, these assessments are performed with personalized tools, such as a Nutribody Analysis, which analyses for signs of nutritional imbalance, allowing your naturopath to determine the best diet and supplements for you. Once armed with this information, treatment can begin. It is a process that follows the set steps. Step one: This involves removing toxins from the body using a range of techniques, such as colonics and sauna sessions. Substances that assist the removal of toxins, like chelators, which bind specifically to heavy metals in the body and are passed out in urine, can be given to the patient through a series of intravenous detoxification sessions, using the same protocols that were used in the US National Institute of Health study covering thousands of patients that proved the value of detox when performed by an experienced physician. Homeopathic remedies that facilitate detoxification also have a role to play. Berberis, for example, helps to remove kidney stones that have formed from a build-up of uric acid. Step two: This is dedicated to the restoration of specific nutrients required for healing and preventing future toxin build-up. This is achieved using dietary supplements and a personalized nutrition plan. Step three: This involves education to minimize further exposure to toxins. Effective strategies include eating organic foods, avoiding BPA-containing food packaging and eating low-mercury seafood varieties. Proactivity is vital for wellness today The modern world leaves us exposed to countless toxins that build up in the body over time. This is why detoxification is essential for your body to function at its best. While it may be tempting to reach for a cleverly marketed juice cleanse when symptoms like low energy and weight gain arise, this will not tackle the problem adequately and may leave you feeling worse than before. Your physiology is unique – the result of your genes and everything you have encountered throughout your life. As such, it can only be properly assessed using a personalized strategy created by a qualified expert, such as a naturopath, whose knowledge and comprehensive approach can help to truly restore balance and achieve the vitality you desire.

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February 02, 2019
Novomed Integrative Medicine
Health & Wellness Partner
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Therapies
IV therapy to help fight coronary artery disease

A therapy for eliminating toxic metals from the body is becoming increasingly popular as a tool to fight heart disease. In the US, the FDA has approved chelation (pronounced ‘key-LAY-shun’) therapy for treating lead poisoning and toxicity from other heavy metals, but it’s estimated that more than 100,000 adults receive the therapy each year as a form of complementary medicine. Spurred on by the increased use of chelation therapy for treating heart disease, plus positive reports and small-scale case studies, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), part of the US National Institutes of Health, decided to conduct a lengthy clinical trial to research the phenomenon on a large scale. The aim was to test the safety and effect of the disodium EDTA chelation agent in patients with cardiovascular disease. The positive results of the study, particularly among diabetic patients (where death rates were 43% lower in patients receiving chelation), led the NHLBI to fund a second long-term research project, which began in 2016. To evaluate the usefulness of EDTA as intravenous therapy, let’s examine how chelation helps in cases of coronary artery disease (CAD), what the research has shown, and what the treatment involves. What is chelation therapy and EDTA? The term chelation has its origins in the Greek word for ‘claw’, and means ‘to grab’. This aptly describes the process involved, since a chelation agent binds with heavy metals, creating a compound in your bloodstream that can leave your body through urination. Chelation was developed during the Second World War to remove poison from dyes but was later adapted for human use to extract toxic metals, for example in cases of chronic lead poisoning. It was during these treatments, in the 1950s, that doctors noticed an interesting side effect: patients felt a notable relief from angina pectoris. Some doctors started to use the treatment for patients with atherosclerotic peripheral vascular and coronary disease, and the benefits were reported in a few studies. Initially, it was thought chelation worked simply by removing calcium – a major component of artery-blocking plaque deposits – thus breaking up the plaque itself. Without its removal, the plaque would build up and harden, leading to atherosclerosis, which can cause cardiovascular disease and strokes. It is also thought the drop in calcium serum stimulates parathyroid activity, with the resulting hormone release mobilizing calcium from the soft tissue deposits. Over the years, scientists have put forward several more complex explanations of how chelation therapy helps in CAD cases, but there is no general consensus on which is the most important contributing factor. One notable theory focuses on chelation’s ability to reduce the activity of cell-damaging free radicals. In chelation therapy for CAD, a dose of a preparation called disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (na-EDTA) is distributed into your bloodstream through an intravenous (IV) line. This chelates, or eliminates, metals that are known to increase the risk of vascular disease through increasing free-radical activity. By reducing the amount of these heavy metals, for example, iron and copper, inflammation is reduced and, with it, the likelihood of the rupture of unstable plaque. Similarly, a one-time skeptic but now head of the most significant studies on the effects of chelation on CAD, Dr. Tony Lamas thinks the benefits come from the fact that EDTA eliminates both lead and cadmium (a toxic metal found in mobile phones). Dr. Lamas, who is also chief of Columbia University Division of Cardiology at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Florida, US, explains that cadmium and lead can damage the circulatory system in several ways. Examples include inactivating the body’s antioxidant defenses and damaging the cells that line the blood vessels Another important factor is that disodium EDTA lowers the level of calcium in your blood and so inhibits platelet aggregation and this anti-clotting effect has cardiovascular benefits. In addition, there is the role played by antiatherosclerotic nitric oxide. EDTA not only helps increase nitric oxide by itself; it also removes the lead that inhibits its formation. What does the research show? As far back as 1956, a group of Detroit doctors was conducting a small study on people with heart disease. Of 20 patients, 19 experienced “unusual symptomatic relief” following chelation, and six showed improvements on their electrocardiograms. From these humble beginnings, further small case studies and reports followed, until the National Institutes of Health decided to conduct the first of two major studies into the effect of chelation on cardiovascular disease: Trial to Assess Chelation Therapy (TACT). The results were released in 2012 and the study found chelation was safe and appeared to be effective. All 1,708 patients in the trial had experienced a previous heart attack, 32% had diabetes, and the participants were followed for an average of 55 months. Overall, those receiving chelation had an 18% reduced risk of subsequent cardiac events such as heart attack, stroke, hospitalization for angina, or coronary revascularization. A cardiac event occurred in 26% of the chelation group and in 30% of the placebo group. The results were particularly significant for diabetics. Among patients with diabetes, those receiving chelation had a lower risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attack, stroke, hospitalization for angina, or coronary revascularization. Events occurred in 25% of the patients with diabetes who received EDTA chelation and in 38% of those who received the placebo. Death from any cause was 43% lower in those patients with diabetes who received chelation. How do I try it? Before I recommend EDTA to my patients, I make a detailed study to ensure it is a suitable approach for their health issue. While EDTA is used in thousands of food products (it is in most canned foods) and its toxicity is known to be extremely low, it must be administered slowly and through IV, with calcium levels being monitored for safety. At Novomed Integrative Medicine, we offer the Na-EDTA protocol. In the consultation, I will review the patient’s medical case history and my examination will include a comprehensive personal and family history detailing all aspects of previous health problems and current status. I will ask about diet, habits, emotional status, exercise, stress levels, and symptoms. If the patient and I agree that chelation will be beneficial, we will begin the infusions as part of their treatment. Depending on their circumstances, patients will have between 10 and 30 weekly sessions, and their progress will be monitored using our ultra-fast CT scanner, which measures calcium deposits in the coronary arteries.

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February 02, 2019
Novomed Integrative Medicine
Health & Wellness Partner
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