Serotonin is a monoamine neurotransmitter produced in the central nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract. Although nearly 80 to 90% of serotonin is found in the small intestines, it has a great impact upon the emotional health of an individual.

In the nervous system serotonin regulates aggression, anger, mood and sexuality along with other aspects like sleep, appetite and metabolism. It also stimulates vomiting. Serotonin, in the blood is stored in the platelets, which collect it for healing purposes. Recent studies indicate that serotonin also plays an important role in liver regeneration and division of cells.

High levels of serotonin in the brain have been associated with aggression, mood swings and an increased risk of suicide. Some of the drugs that enhance or restrict serotonin in the brain are used to treat psychological disorders, control vomiting and migraine. The various classes of drugs used for this purpose include:

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Unless there is something medically wrong with them, all women will have a menstrual cycle. The vast majority of women also experience premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Their hormones are all over the place. Many women want to know how to improve hormone harmony naturally during PMS. Some men may want to know, too, so they can help the women in their lives.

* Start with a low-fat, high fiber diet. Beans and lentils are great choices to add during your monthly cycle. They are rich in B vitamins, high in fiber, and provide a number of minerals your body needs. Some people also believe they increase the level of serotonin which calms the brain. If you’re eating lower fat foods, you’re also helping your body produce less estrogen which may ease some of PMS’s symptoms – including anxiety and irritability.

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If you’re feeling a little sleepy late in the afternoon, instead of taking an over-the-counter stimulant, you can have a caffeinated drink and get a little pick-me-up. If you’re planning on working out, you may wonder about caffeine and exercise. Is it a good idea to mix the two?

Caffeine is a stimulant, pure and simple; it is quickly absorbed into the body and begins to lose effectiveness after one to two hours. Stimulants increase your heart rate and blood pressure, and release glucose into your blood stream. This may explain the extra energy.

Scientists also explain how caffeine increases the level of dopamine in your system which activates the reward center of your brain. In short, caffeine makes you feel good. The stimulant effect may make you feel more awake and more energetic for a short time, but will it affect how well you perform if you participate in sports or exercise?

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Cancer of the tongue is only one of the cancers that can affect the oral cavity. Cancer is an overgrowth of cells when the ability of the cell to contain growth has been over ridden. Cancer can appear in any cell of the body from the blood to bone to organs and tissues. In 2004 the American Cancer Society estimated that 1700 deaths would be attributed to tongue cancer. Their data also indicated that there would be an incidence of cancer in that time would reach over 7000 new diagnoses. The ratio of death to diagnosis reaches 23%.

The tongue is actually divided into two separate areas. The oral part is the tongue most familiar, which you can “stick out” at someone. The base of the time sits behind this area and comprises the majority of the organ. The oral tongue and the base of the time developed from different tissue and are very dissimilar. However, the most common cancer of the time originates from squamous cells located in either portion.

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If you’re usually active during the warmer months, you may be looking for something to do during the winter months to keep you active. Have you considered the benefits of skiing – not only as an activity to enjoy, but also as a means to keep you in shape during cooler weather?

One of the biggest benefits of skiing is that it is a full-body exercise. You will work out every major muscle group from head to toe. It gives you an excellent cardiovascular workout while strengthening your heart. Skiing also improves the circulatory system and releases oxygen to the muscles.

Did you know skiing can help regulate your cholesterol levels? It sure can! Exercise helps a skier burn fat and lose weight, and that has to have a positive effect on cholesterol. In fact, skiing helps regulate the HDL (good) cholesterol which affects the LDL (bad) cholesterol.

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Sinus congestion and infections are common throughout the year and nearly everyone will have them at one point or another. Some people experience them so often the condition is considered chronic. Most people choose to treat chronic sinus infections with traditional methods, but some choose holistic treatments. What is the difference and is one better than the other?

If you’ve ever had a sinus infection, you know the symptoms: headache, facial pain and heaviness, low grade fever, fatigue, or stuffy ears. You may feel like your head weighs a ton and you’re miserable. You also want to find relief so you can get back to your life and feel better.

Doctors will often prescribe an antihistamine or decongestant if you see them for a sinus infection. These medications will help keep your sinus passages open; they also allow the congestion to drain.

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Most women around the world experience menstrual cramps from time to time. It seems to go with being a woman. However, women experiencing frequent and severe cramps during the first days of their monthly cycle may be suffering from a condition called primary dysmenorrhea.

You’ve probably heard of menstrual cramping but may not have heard of it called by its scientific name – dysmenorrhea. In the simplest terms, dysmenorrhea is a condition whereby a woman experiences severe and painful menstrual cramps and other pain associated with having a period. Dysmenorrhea falls into two categories: primary and secondary.

Primary dysmenorrhea often begins a couple of years after a young woman starts having a menstrual cycle and usually lasts her entire lifetime and has no obvious physical cause. The pain is severe and often happens frequently during a cycle. Doctors agree the severe pain is caused by abnormal contractions of the uterus and believe up to 90% of all women experience this condition at some point.

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Tea for nervous tension:

* 1 1/3 oz. St. Johns Wort
* 1 oz. Lemon Balm Leaves
* 1 oz. Valerian

Use 1 tsp. of the herb mixture per cup of boiling water. Steep for 10 min., strain, sweeten if necessary. Drink a cup of this tea before going to bed each night for several weeks to calm overwrought nerves, lift depression, and help you fall asleep more easily.

Tea for coughing fits:

* 1 1/3 oz. St. Johns Wort
* 2/3 oz. Thyme
* 2/3 oz. Linden Flowers

Use 1 tsp. of the herb mixture per cup of boiling water to soothe irritations of the upper respiratory tract that cause coughing. Steep for 5-10 min., strain, sweeten if necessary. This tea has proved helpful with bronchitis and whooping cough.

Tea for migraines:

* 1 2/3 oz. St. Johns Wort
* 1 oz Valerian
* 1 oz. Linden Flowers
* 1/4 oz. Juniper Berries

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As per the estimate of Surgeon General of the US, ADHD occurs in three to five percent of school going children. It is more common in boys than in girls. One of the most common ADHD treatments is the use of pharmaceutical drugs, though more and more people are willing to try out natural medicines for ADHD. Experts opine that for a maximum benefit, ADHD treatments should be have a combination of drugs with behavior modification techniques.

Ritalin (Methylphenidate) is one of the most commonly prescribed drugs and it is also one of the most extensively studied drugs prescribed for children. It has been around for more than fifty years and it is estimated that seventy to seventy five percent of children who are administered this drug benefit from it. Ritalin is a stimulant that affects the central nervous system. It is supposed to amplify the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter, thereby improving €˜attention ‘ and €˜focus ‘. What this means is that the brain can then focus on one thing at a time, thus reducing distraction. It is also supposed to improve the motor skills. It is a short acting medicine, which begins to work within fifteen minutes and its effect lasts for about four hours.

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There are certain unassailable characteristics of existence and among them there are two that are fairly common for all. The fact that change is inevitable and that change is likely to cause stress is almost a €˜given€™ in life today. Events, circumstances and people that make us happy at a certain specific time stop having that magical affect on us after some time. Even the happiness that we receive from accomplishing goals, acquiring material possessions and attaining status in life is temporary. All these aspects are bound to change with time and events that provided relaxation and happiness themselves become the source of stress.

Continuous emotional stress can be caused by the manner in which we think and the decisions that we choose to make. Constant stress can incapacitate you, sometimes permanently. It can cause physical and mental disorders including anxiety, gastric problems, back pain, depression, fatigue, tension headaches, weight gain/loss and cardiovascular diseases.

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