ARTICLES
Title: Take a Day Trip to Harpers Ferry National Historical Park Keyword Phrase: Harpers Ferry Day Trip Description: An overview of the historical national park and the activities it has to offer families and individuals. Harpers Ferry National Park is nestled between the Blue Ridge Mountains and shares borders with Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia. The Potomac and Shenandoah rivers flank the park making them a prominent feature to the landscape. Steeped in history, Harpers Ferry will transport you back in time while educating you about our nations history. The National Park Association has dedicated itself to preserving the parks history since the early 1950’s. The town of Harpers Ferry was founded by Robert Harper in the mid 1700’s and through expansion became a major settling point. Harpers Ferry’s most famous historic event came in 1859 when John Brown raided the town to capture arms and free the slaves. This raid, though a failure, was monumental in propelling the country into the Civil War. Parking is available at the entrance of the park. There are also shuttle buses that will take you into town and then back to your vehicle. The town of Harpers Ferry consists of a lower and an upper portion. Shenandoah road in the lower town offers a rest area and various live exhibits. One live exhibit, the Dry Goods Store, offers a look back into time to what the earlier settlers bought and needed to sustain life. Guides dressed in authentic garb will walk you through the exhibits as if you were a settler living in the town. The street also has a blacksmith’s shop and the Park Bookshop, the perfect place to grab a souvenir. Deadly floods because of its proximity to the rivers, have also plagued the lower town. A wall marked with flood levels is one of the many informational plaques you will find while exploring the area. The upper portion of the town is filled with more museums, exhibits and charming little shops. John Browns wax museum resides here as well an African American museum called “Black Voices”. The shops range from wine, books, old-fashioned candy, new age and even an art gallery. The park offers many restaurant choices from quick bites to full dining. Those who wish to stay overnight can do so at one of the B&B’s located at the top of the town. A steep stair climb up steps made of natural shale will bring you to Harper House the oldest standing building in town. St. Peter’s Catholic Church is the next attraction and even farther is Jefferson’s Rock. The top of the hill stands a cemetery and the first African American college.
The parks natural landscape makes it the perfect place to enjoy hiking, camping, bicycling and white water rafting. The scenic river offers the perfect place for an afternoon picnic. The park is open every day from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (closes at dusk in the winter) except for Christmas day. The visitor center located on Cavalier Heights one mile west of the Shenandoah Bridge is a great place to start your visit. The visitor center will provide you with valuable information about your trip and about the many events held at the park throughout the year. Harpers Ferry National Historical Park is truly a national treasure. Whether you are taking in the history and visiting the museums, or taking part in the outdoor activities, you will feel the history as it surrounds you. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Title: Costochondritis Keyword: Costochondritis Description: Information about Costochondritis - Causes, Risk Factors, Symptoms, Treatments and More Costochondritis is an inflammation of the cartilage that connects a rib to the sternum. The condition causes a localized sharp pain in the chest area that can radiate around the back and in the stomach region. Costochondritis pain may also alarm people since it may indicate a heart attack and other serious heart conditions. The disease occurs most often in women and people over age 40. However, costochondritis can affect anyone, including infants and children. Costochondritis can be a singular condition or sometimes can be a feature of a more widespread condition. Illnesses that can feature costochondritis include fibromyalgia, anklosing sponsylitis, psoriatic arthritis, reactive arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. When the pain of costochondritis is accompanied by redness and swelling, it is called Tietze Syndrome. Causes and Risk Factors Most doctors do not know what causes costochondritis. There are particular cases that have a clear cause. An injury or blow to the chest, a viral infection of the chest and Fibromyalgia, a chronic pain condition, are definitive causes. Disease of the lung, such as chronic pulmonary disease and respiratory infection can aggravate the condition due to the constant coughing.
Repetitive motion of the upper body and strenuous heavy lifting will cause the condition to flare. Surgery to the chest, scoliosis, osteoporosis or spinal arthritis can cause pressure on the costochondral joints, causing costochondritis. Symptoms Costochondritis causes tenderness and pain in the fourth, fifth, and sixth ribs. Sharp pain is common, a dull or gnawing pain can also occur. The chest area may also be sore to the touch or exhibit redness and swelling. The left side of the chest wall is the most common area affected, though it can occur on both sides. Other symptoms that can occur are:
Pain when taking deep breaths Pain when coughing Pain when touching affected area High fever Difficulty breathing
Treatments Costochondritis is a relatively harmless condition and usually goes away without treatment but in rare cases, it can become a chronic condition. Easing the pain associated with Costochondritis can be done by using Nonsterodial anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, naproxen or Advil. Antidepressants are used if the pain is causing sleeplessness and muscle relaxants are used to alleviate stress. A therapy alternating between ice and heat pack have been instrumental in alleviating topical pain. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) may also be helpful in the treatment of costochondritis. This form of electrical therapy uses small electrical impulses to inhibit pain signals. Another potential therapy is electro acupuncture, a form of acupuncture that incorporates small electrical currents. In more serious cases, cortisone shots can be injected into the pain site and surgery can be performed to remove the sore cartilage.
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An alternative treatment of supplementation using ginger root, evening primrose oil, bromelain, vitamin E, omega-3 oils, and white willow bark are used to reduce inflammation. Glucosamine can also be used to repair the cartilage that is damaged.
Massage therapy and traditional acupuncture have shown to ease the pain associated with this condition. Chest pain is a serious concern, if pain is present, it is wise to consult your doctor to rule out other serious conditions. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Title: Heart Murmurs Keyword: Heart Murmurs Description: Information about Heart Murmurs - Causes, Risk Factors, Symptoms, Treatments and More Heart murmurs are abnormal heart sounds generally heard by a doctor using a stethoscope. Most heart murmurs are harmless and do not need treatment, but some heart murmurs may require follow-up tests to be sure the murmur isn't caused by a serious underlying heart condition. Treatment, if needed, is directed towards the underlying cause of the heart murmur. Causes and Risk Factors There are two forms of heart murmurs, innocent and abnormal murmurs. Innocent heart murmurs may occur when blood flows faster than normal through the heart and its attached blood vessels. This type of murmur is most common in newborns and children and goes away over time. Conditions or illnesses that may cause an innocent heart murmur include fever, hyperthyroidism, anemia, physical exercise and pregnancy. Pregnancy is the most common cause due to the massive amounts of extra blood flowing through the heart. The main causes of abnormal murmurs are congenital heart defects. These are problems within the hearts structure and are usually present from birth. The defects can involve the valves inside the heart, the veins and arteries and the interior walls of the heart. Congenital heart defects cause the normal blood flow through the heart to become labored. Heart valve defects and the diagnosis of having holes in your heart, are commonly associated with heart murmurs. Defects of the valve may include leaky valves that do not close correctly or narrow valves that limit blood flow.
Abnormal murmurs also have a connection with infection and conditions that may damage to the structures of the heart. For example:
Rheumatic fever – An inflammatory condition. Mitral Valve prolapse – The hearts valves do not close properly. Valve calcification – Hardening of the valves. Endocarditis – An infection causing inflammation in the lining of the heart.
Symptoms Innocent murmurs do not have signs or symptoms. If the murmur is a result of a condition, such as fever or hyperthyroidism, the murmurs will go away once that condition is treated. Abnormal murmurs usually are detected when an abnormal heart sound is diagnosed. Further tests should be conducted if the following symptoms are present:
Blue coloring of the skin, especially on the fingertips and inside the mouth Poor eating and abnormal growth (in infants) Shortness of breath Swelling Enlarged liver Enlarged neck veins Weight gain Heavy sweating Excessive sweating Chest pain Dizziness or fainting Fatigue
Treatments An innocent heart murmur generally does not require treatment because the heart is considered normal. If you have an abnormal heart murmur, the doctor will determine treatment. If treatment is necessary, it depends on the heart problem that is causing your murmur and may include medications or surgery.
The medication your doctor prescribes depends on the specific heart problem you have. Some medications your doctor might prescribe are:
Digoxin - Helps the heart squeeze harder Anticoagulants - Prevents blood clots Diuretics - Removes excess fluid Beta Blockers - Lowers blood pressure (ACE) inhibitors – Lowers blood pressure Statins - Lowers cholesterol
Surgical options depend on the specific heart problem. Treatments using various cardiac catheterization techniques are sometimes needed. These treatments include:
Patching holes in the heart Repairing or replacing a valve Rebuilding a damaged blood vessel Widening a blood vessel by inserting a stent
More Information While there is not much one can do to prevent a heart murmur, it is reassuring to know that most are harmless. If an underlying condition is causing the murmurs, consulting a doctor to determine treatment options is recommended. Protecting the heart by eating healthy, stopping smoking and getting regular exercise is essential in maintaining a healthy heart. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BLOG TYPE POSTS List of Emergency Information You Should Know about Aging Parents
This may be a somber article, but the truth is, everyone should know this information. I have lost both of my parents, my Dad 12 years ago and my Mom only 2 years, 1 month ago. My Mom had Congestive Heart Failure, coupled with Diabetes. I watched her go from a vibrant, spunky spitfire to a shell of a woma deeply depressed. She lived with me, so I had to have all of the information that the Doctors needed to try and save her life. Sadly, my sister and I had to take my Mom off of life support in the end, sending her to be with her one true love, my Dad. No one is ever prepared for illness, but I hope you follow these tips. I suggest a notebook to compile the following information: 1. Doctors name - This is extremely important to have so you can provide a history of your parent’s health. 2. List of allergies – Could mean the difference between life and death, literally. Write down all allergies and keep. This is especially important if one of your parents is allergic to medication — penicillin, for example. 3. Advance directives – This is a tough one, but it is good to know what your parent’s wishes are regarding life-support. 4. List of medications and all supplements – This is good to know so the doctors can assess how to provide treatment and not interact adversely with current medication. 5. Religious affiliations – In case of blood transfusions, this could be a deciding factor. 6. Insurance Carrier – Know the name of your parent’s health insurance providers and their policy numbers.
7. Prior operations or major medical procedures – Especially if a pacemaker or defibrillator was inserted. 8. Daily habits – If your parent smoked or drank, give this information to the Doctor.
Are you Hungry? Visit Hungy-Girl.com for Healthy Tips!
Hungry Girl was created by Lisa, who like a lot of us, has struggled with her weight. The site came from her constant search for healthy alternatives to a lot of her favorite ―bad‖ foods. Chock full of the latest health and diet news, Hungry Girl informs us of the latest trends in dieting, health news and new products. Hungry Girl also shares in ―Chew the Right Thing‖, ways to take your favorite food and make them healthier by using substitutes for the various fats and calorie-laden ingredients. This part of the site ROCKS! Making a healthy blueberry muffin, come on, who wouldn’t want that???? ;)
―Weekly Weigh-In‖ will delve into the the true nutritional value of the foods we eat. Ever wonder how many calories are in that Chicken Salad from your favorite fast food restaurant? Check it out here and you will be shocked! Girls Bite Out also sheds light on the thousands of new products touting low fat, low calorie, etc. See how they stack up in this informative section. Overall, if you are concerned about your health, and let us face it, who isn’t these days?, you will love all of the information on Hungry Girl. Lisa has made this site easy to navigate and really FUN to explore. You really should check it out, after all we ALL are Hungry Girls ;) ** Be sure to sign up for a daily newsletter that covers her entire site. The emails are greatly informative and you will learn plenty ―Tips and Tricks for Hungry Chicks.‖ ** What are your personal tips to eating healthy?
Protect Your Skin From Stress
Do you know the first place stress rears its ugly head? Your skin! According to MSN Health Channel, stress goes for the skin first. Hmm, no wonder my face breaks out like a teenagers whenever I get stressed! Stress can lead to various negative skin reactions which include the following:
Itchy Rashes Acne Dermatitis Cold Sores Fine Lines Dryness Dullness Skin cancer
The top 3 recommended treatments that can repair the damage that stress causes are: 1. Moisturizer - My mother was a huge believer in this; she always had the most beautiful skin even at the age of 60. 2. Retinol - Sloughs away dead skin cells and also targets acne, age spots and wrinkles. 3. Glycolic acid/salicylic acid pads - Exfoliates and has been found to calm the skin. Now that you have your skin under control, you need to get a hold of your stress levels. Patricia Carroll, RN,BC, CEN, RRT, MS of the Nurses Notebook Website believes the following will help you de-stress your life.
Replenish Refresh Relief Revive Recharge Responsibility
My favorite way to de-stress is to put on my favorite 80’s tunes and dance my butt off, of course I do this when nobody is around ;) What are your favorite stress busters?
“Biggest Loser” to Biggest Winner!
Every week I tune in to the television show The Biggest Loser. I have watched it in all its incarnations since it’s debut in 2005. The show chronicles families, couples, husband, wives, and just average every day people trying to lose weight. I guess what really captured my attention is how brave, or day I say ―ballsy‖ these people are to go onto national television and agree to don bicycle shorts and an exercise bra, well the women anyway. I have to admire them for that alone! The contestants are real people with real weight problems and are truly inspiring. They don’t do it alone though, they have two trainers, Jillian Michaels, a hard-ass who doesn’t pull any punches and Bob Harper, the softie who can turn on you in a second. Those two really make the show what it is; they honestly care what happens to the contestants, unlike other reality based shows. The Biggest Loser also teaches the viewers with various cooking and exercise tips throughout the show. They have dedicated a website called ―The Biggest Loser Club‖ where you can join and follow along with the show. Seeing the before and after pictures posted there is enough to get your butt off the couch and join too!
How does the Biggest Loser motivate you?