How To Get Healthy Skin - Get Clear Skin Naturally With These Easy Tips

If you're anything like me, you really care about your health. You are trying to live a healthy life even though it's not so easy all the time, try to eat right and get some exercise. Perhaps you even take a multivitamin or some supplements and make time to relax though your life is busy?



But are your lifestyle choices making your skin look as healthy and clear as you expect? If not, it could be that there are still some ways to get healthier skin that I might be able to teach you.

If you want to learn how to get clear skin naturally, try these easy tips:

1. Drink water, and I mean water!

Are you sure you are drinking enough? Even if your diet is OK, if you are not drinking enough of pure water, you are missing out on one of the best ways to get healthier skin there is! So be honest with yourself: are you drinking 8 big glasses of water (or unsweetened herbal tea) daily? Or is it juice, soda or coffee what you are drinking?

If so, here's my tough-love advice to you: cut down on your soda, juice and coffee consumption and up your water intake so that you are drinking 8 glasses of clear water daily.

2. Try exercise that gets your circulation going

I don't know about you, but many people today are exercising to lose weight, and often that means they are exercising in a very low intensity level. Exercise like walking, doing the elliptical in a light mode or swimming slowly are great ways to burn fat, but they fail to get your circulation going.

If your circulation is active, it means your skin is well taken care of too - the rapidly circulating blood cells bring new oxygen to your skin, making it clearer and more glowing. This effect stays if you work out on this level regularly. So next time at the gym set the elliptical to a higher level, jog a bit faster, or swim like you mean it, and in a few weeks you'll probably see improvement in your skin.

3. Use superior, natural skin care only

When you use truly good skin care products, getting clear skin naturally shouldn't be a problem.

"Truly good" has some properties which you will want to make sure your skin cream fills:

it's all natural, meaning 100% of the ingredients come from nature. These ingredients won't harm your skin or your health, and will be absorbed by your skin better than man-made ingredients
it's filled with effective ingredients which moisturize, nourish and heal your skin deeply, not just make it look nicer for a while
unless you're a teenager, it should be able to fight the signs of aging effectively and without any side-effects
Look for these properties in your skin care series and be amazed by the results!

These are my easy tips on how to get healthier skin; I hope they help you as much as they have helped me.

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How to Treat a Sunburn in simple steps - Health Care Solutions

How to Treat a Sunburn

It's that time of year again- summertime! Unfortunately, chances are that if you go out in the sun unprotected, you will get a sun-burn and it's never fun; you'll definitely need to know how to treat a sunburn. Sunburn is caused by the sun's UV rays which are wavelengths of sunlight too short for humans to see. Reoccurring sunburns can cause permanent skin damage, early aging of the skin, and eventually skin cancer.



It is extremely important to make an effort to protect your skin, but if you do end up getting burn, you can soothe it by following these tips:

1) Take an OTC pain medication
Nonprescription medications, like acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen and aspirin are all good choices for relieving pain from sunburn.

2) Apply aloe vera gel or lotion
Applying something to soothe your skin several times a day will help relieve pain and keep your skin moist. Use a non-scented product to avoid skin irritation and avoid heavy creams the require rubbing the skin a lot.

3) Use hydrocortisone creams
OTC hydrocortisone creams will help relieve inflammation and irritation that results from sunburn. Use this instead of benzocaine or lidocaine, which are products that can irritate your skin.

4) Apply ice
This is a great at home remedy that comes from your own freezer. Wrap ice or another frozen product in a damp towel for fast relief.

5) Take a bath
Certain food items, including oatmeal, cornstarch, or baking soda, can be added to bath water to bring your skin temperature down. You can also add vinegar to the bath (about 250 mL) to relieve pain.

Most of these tips are convenient for you to utilize in your own home; it is likely that you have some sort of pain reliever in your medicine cabinet and have ice in your freezer. But what happens when the burn begins to blister and is painful to the touch?

Here are some tips for how to treat a severe sunburn:

1) Bandage the burned area
If sunburned areas hurt when clothing touches then, loosely bandage the skin with a layer of gauze.

2) Wear lightweight clothing
Wearing heavier clothing can irritate the burn, causing more pain.

3) Seek medical attention
Extensive blistering from sunburn is never healthy, so it's important for you to see a doctor to rule out infection and other problems. Also, if your sunburn is taking a long time to heal, you may want to get further medical assistance.

Hopefully, by following all of these tips on how to treat a sunburn, you will have as pleasant an experience as possible. And remember... next time wear sunscreen!

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Skin Care: Coconut Oil Usage - Skin care Tips

Coconut Oil Usage

Coconut oil has become a common item on the table in some cultures for thousands of years. This tropical oil presents numerous benefits with its lipids and fats. It is considered to aid in healing several illnesses and diseases that affect individuals.



During the last few years, even the most advanced technologies from different places considered the use of more natural treatments and remedies. Many people are gradually turning to more natural treatments since most of these do not present harmful side effects. Because natural methods and cures are preferred, the use of this oil has not been overlooked. With the popularity of this oil, natural treatments have again gained their place in the worldwide market.

The intake of this oil is highly important and the topical use of this is likewise beneficial. Over the years, cream made from this oil also became quite famous for treating stretch marks as well as preventing them. Pregnant women has long benefited from this use especially after birth when the marks are more visible. Several people fail to see the benefit of this oil in treating the skin, sometimes because of its nature, as being an oil.

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Homemade All Natural, Healing & Moisturizing Eczema Body Wash

Eczema is a term for describing different types of skin conditions that result in inflammation of the skin. Many people suffer from eczema. Eczema is also known by its more medical term Atopic Dermatitis, which means ‘inflamed skin.’ It is not a contagious condition. It can also be easily triggered by environmental factors like smoke and pollen.

This skin condition is quite common for children, but adults can get it too. About 20% of children all over the world suffer from eczema. People with eczema have sensitive skin. And the treatment focuses on healing damaged skin and alleviating symptoms.

It is often so difficult trying to find a soap or lotion that doesn’t irritate sensitive skin. This homemade eczema body wash is surprisingly amazing for allergies and skin reactions.

I encourage on this blog to embrace all things natural. Yes. This post will teach you just how easy to make your own homemade natural body wash for eczema.

Benefit Of Each Ingredient

• Liquid castile soap – Liquid Castile Soap is a versatile natural soap that can be used in beauty recipes like shampoo and body wash and in cleaning and baby care It is good for sensitive skin types including eczema affected skin.
• Coconut oil – This oil is wonderfully moisturizing and soothing to eczema. It has antibacterial, anti-fungal, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties that can help soothe your skin when it’s itchy. It can also help reduce the inflammation.
• Goat Milk – Goat milk is wonderful for people with dry or sensitive skin or conditions such as eczema and psoriasis
• Raw honey – Keep the skin moist which helps to reduce or remove the incidence of eczema flare-ups.
• Vitamin E oil – This vitamin is a strong antioxidant. It also lubricates the skin, speeds up the rate at which cells renew and regenerate. Vitamin E oil is necessary for a soft, smooth and youthful skin.
• Lavender oil – Using lavender oil for eczema is very common, as lavender oil is a traditional treatment for many skin conditions. Did I mention that it will also give this body wash an incredible uplifting scent?
• Black Cumin Seed oil – Black cumin seed oil can help with a variety of skin ailments including, acne, psoriasis, and eczema
• Tea tree oil – Tea tree oil may help relieve itchiness and inflammation associated with eczema. The oil has been proven in medical studies to benefit acne, eczema, psoriasis, warts, fungus and skin cancer.

What you Need

• 2/3 cup liquid castile soap
• ¼ cup coconut oil 
• ¼ goat milk
• ¼ cup raw honey 
• 2 tsp vitamin E oil
• 5 drops lavender oil 
• 10 drops black cumin seed oil
• 10 drops tea tree oil 
• Measuring cup
• Flip top bottle 
• Pot of hot water
• Whisk for mixing 

Directions

• Add the coconut oil to the measuring cup and gently melt it down. You can do this by using the cup to do a double boiler.
• Once melted, add the black cumin seed oil, raw honey, goat milk, and vitamin E oil. Whisk well until mixed together.
• Add the liquid castile soap and essential oils and whisk again.
• Now pour the mixture carefully into your flip top bottle.
• That’s all! Your Homemade eczema body wash is ready!
• Store in a cool dry place and make sure not to get any water into it. 
  
  Share your experience below. 

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Quick Review of the Alkaline Diet for Weight Loss

t's the ultimate fitness mantra of many celebs. People swear by its benefits. So, what's the hype all about? The alkaline diet, also known as the acid ash diet, is known for being a natural diet. It can promote weight loss, and some claim the diet can prevent even cancer. Does it work? Below are some of the aspects you need to know.

The Dos and Don'ts:

Let's start by saying that the alkaline diet is completely natural, and therefore, it is surely better than some of the fad diets that we all know about. If you are on this diet, your meals will be all about fruits, veggies and soy products. Some nuts, seeds and lentils are allowed, while you have to skip most of the common grains, dairy products, eggs and poultry. Red meat is also banned on the list. Thankfully, there are a good number of credible cookbooks that may come handy. Also, most books on the diet suggest to avoid alcohol and caffeine. This is also a gluten-free diet, so wheat is not allowed, but keep an eye on the labels because a lot of packaged foods do have gluten. You can also include vitamin enhanced water or alkaline water in your plan.

Will You Lose Weight?

Yes, you will lose weight in a healthy way with the alkaline diet, simply because the diet is clean and free of processed foods, carbohydrates, and gluten. However, you need to understand the process of weight loss is not because of the reason claimed. Alkaline diet says that eating foods and drinking beverages can change the pH score of your body, which isn't true. Human blood is slightly alkaline, while the stomach is high acidic. This is because the acids in the stomach help in digesting food. However, nothing you eat can affect your blood pH considerably. If weight loss is your only motto, the alkaline diet is a good place to start, but do not expected miracles.

Other Points to Note:

A lot of critics have talked about the lack of focus on exercise. In fact, the alkaline diet doesn't say anything about exercise at all. For comprehensive and sustainable weight loss and other health benefits, an active lifestyle is equally important. Researchers are also not sure of the other long list of other claims made, although limited studies have shown some positive results with regards to eating low-acid producing foods and beverages. It is also important to understand that this is not some sort of miracle diet. It would require considerable effort, and most of the foods that you are otherwise used to must be avoided completely. If you are someone who has been surviving on hamburgers, bacon and English breakfast, you need to think for a while before considering the diet. However, you can always try one of the handbooks or cookbooks to learn more about cooking alkaline meals at home, which can save money.

Check online now to find more on alkaline diet, and if you have any chronic health condition, consult your physician first.

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Does UV radiation cause cancer?

Yes. In fact, most skin cancers are a direct result of exposure to the UV rays in sunlight. Both basal cell and squamous cell cancers (the most common types of skin cancer) tend to be found on sun-exposed parts of the body, and their occurrence is typically related to lifetime sun exposure. The risk of  melanoma, a more serious but less common type of skin cancer, is also related to sun exposure, although perhaps not as strongly. Skin cancer has also been linked to exposure to some artificial sources of UV rays.

Studies in people

Sun exposure

Basal and squamous cell skin cancer: Many observational studies have found that basal and squamous cell skin cancers are linked to certain behaviors that put people in the sun, as well as a number of markers of sun exposure, such as:

• Spending time in the sun for recreation (including going to the beach)
• Spending a lot of time in the sun in a swimsuit
• Living in an area with a high amount of sun
• Having had serious sunburns in the past (with more sunburns linked to a higher risk)
• Having signs of sun damage to the skin, such as liver spots, actinic keratoses (rough skin patches that can be precancerous), and solar elastosis (thickened, dry, wrinkled skin caused by sun exposure) on the neck

Melanoma: Observational studies have also found links between certain behaviors and markers of sun exposure and melanoma of the skin, including:

• Activities that lead to “intermittent sun exposure,” like sunbathing, water sports, and taking vacations in sunny places
• Previous sunburns
• Signs of sun damage to the skin, such as liver spots, actinic keratoses, and solar elastosis

Other cancers: Because UV radiation does not penetrate deeply into the body, it would not be expected to cause cancer in internal organs, and most research has not found such links. However, some studies have shown possible links to some other cancers, including:

• Merkel cell carcinoma (a less common type of skin cancer)
• Cancer of the lip
• Some types of eye cancer, such as  melanoma of the eye and squamous cell carcinoma of the conjunctiva

Artificial sources of UV rays

Indoor tanning: Studies have found that people who use tanning beds (or booths) have a higher risk of skin cancer, including melanoma and squamous and basal cell skin cancers. The risk of melanoma is higher if the person started indoor tanning before age 30 or 35, and the risk of basal and squamous cell skin cancer is higher if indoor tanning started before age 20 or 25.

Welding and metal work: Some studies have suggested that welders and sheet metal workers might have a higher risk of melanoma of the eye.

Phototherapy: People exposed to UVA as a treatment for skin conditions such as psoriasis (as a part of PUVA therapy) have an increased risk of squamous cell skin cancers.

Treatment of skin conditions with UVB alone (not combined with PUVA) has not been linked to an increased risk of cancer.

Studies in the lab

Studies of cells

Studies of cells in lab dishes and test tubes have shown that sunlight and simulated sunlight (for example, from xenon or xenon-mercury arc lamps) can cause DNA damage (mutations).

Studies in animals

Exposure of mice, rats, and some other lab animals to sunlight and artificial sources of UV rays has been shown to lead to skin cancers. Most of these cancers have been squamous cell carcinomas. Some exposed animals have also developed cancers of the eye (affecting the cornea and conjunctiva).

No type of UV radiation has been shown to be safe – cancers have developed after exposure to UVA (alone), UVB (alone), and UVC (alone).

What expert agencies say

Several national and international agencies study different substances in the environment to determine if they can cause cancer. (A substance that causes cancer or helps cancer grow is called a carcinogen.) The American Cancer Society looks to these organizations to evaluate the risks based on evidence from laboratory, animal, and human research studies.

Based on animal and human evidence like the examples above, several expert agencies have evaluated the cancer-causing nature of UV radiation.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) is part of the World Health Organization (WHO). Its major goal is to identify causes of cancer. Based on the data available, IARC classifies UV radiation as “carcinogenic to humans.”

The National Toxicology Program (NTP) is formed from parts of several different US government agencies, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The NTP has classified UV radiation as “known to be a human carcinogen.”

What about tanning beds?

Some people think that getting UV rays from tanning beds is a safe way to get a tan, but this isn’t true.

IARC classifies the use of UV-emitting tanning devices as “carcinogenic to humans.” This includes sunlamps and sunbeds (tanning beds).

The NTP has stated that exposure to sunlamps or sunbeds is “known to be a human carcinogen.”

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which now refers to all UV lamps used for tanning as “sunlamps,” requires them to carry a label that states, “Attention: This sunlamp product should not be used on persons under the age of 18 years.” The FDA also requires that user instructions and sales materials directed at consumers (including catalogs, specification sheets, descriptive brochures, and webpages) carry the following statements:

• Contraindication: This product is contraindicated for use on persons under the age of 18 years.
• Contraindication: This product must not be used if skin lesions or open wounds are present.
• Warning: This product should not be used on individuals who have had skin cancer or have a family history of skin cancer.
• Warning: Persons repeatedly exposed to UV radiation should be regularly evaluated for skin cancer.

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How to Get Soft Smooth Skin On Your Face - Skincare Tips

Lots of people want smooth skin regardless of their gender. The good news is that achieving smooth and clear skin is not exactly rocket science. Regardless of their genes, it is perfectly possible for them to enjoy clear skin even if their family has a history of acne. That being said, following are some tips on how to get soft smooth skin on face.



Concentrate on Hygiene

The most important thing to consider when it comes to smooth skin is the hygiene. Individuals must eliminate the dirt and dust from their facial skin every day. Depending on how often their exposed to these materials, women should wash their face with water at least three times a day. Even simply wiping the face with a wet cloth would help make sure that the skin is not overwhelmed by dirt.

Remove Make Up

This is something women should always take into account. Prior to sleeping, always remove the make-up and wash the face with water. Make up can clog up the pores, resulting to pimples or at the very least rashes. The type of make-up used by the female is also crucial to smooth skin. Ideally, it should complement their skin type and shouldn't trigger any allergies.

Use Cleaners and Exfoliants

Using cleaners and exfoliants also help you to get smoother skin. Cleaners go through the skin, efficiently removing dirt and dust from the pores. Exfoliants however are responsible for getting rid of the dead skin cells festering on the surface.

Eat Right

Diet also plays an important role in getting flawless skin. Keep in mind that the skin is an organ the largest one of the body. Hence, it only makes sense that everything a person eats or drinks would have much to do with their skin appearance. That being said, the best diet for the skin would be fresh fruits and vegetables instead of processed food items.

Exercise

It might not seem like it, but exercising adds to healthy skin. It helps the body sweat off waste while leaving the surface flushed and blood pumping. When done on a routine basis, exercising could promote healthy skin growth not to mention burn off fat and boost the immune system as whole.

Of course, those aren't the only tricks people can use for smooth skin. Depending on the type of skin a person has, they might need to adopt various methods in order to have an excellent dermis.

One of those methods is to use natural cleaners and exfoliants that help your skin and not harm it with dangerous compounds which irritate your skin causing unsightly blemishes, rashes and acne.

The biggest mistake you can make is buying skin care products without knowing what's in them.

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4 Tips On How To Get Healthy Skin Naturally - Skin care Tips

Everybody wants to have healthy, glowing skin. However, most people are hesitant to apply chemicals to their skin for fear of suffering adverse and unwanted effects. This makes skin care a very difficult task, despite the many available cosmetics in the market today.



For those who are not comfortable using manufactured products, there are still numerous ways through which one can take care of their skin. One just has to know how to get healthy skin naturally. These are just some tips:

Eat Healthy -
You must remember that the skin is best nourished from the inside. To know how to get healthy skin naturally, one should start with what he eats. This is done by making sure that what you eat is good to your skin.

Specifically, foods rich in Vitamin A and C and Omega 3 will have good effects to your skin. Vitamin A keeps your skin smooth by reducing oil production. So you have to see to it that foods like sweet potatoes, carrots, eggs and milk are part of your daily diet. Vitamin C on the other hand is essential in collagen formation which is responsible in reducing wrinkles.

Some Vitamin C rich foods are oranges, kiwis, apples, grapefruits and red peppers. Omega 3 prevents skin inflammations and helps your skin absorb more vitamins and nutrients. You will get a significant amount of Omega 3 from fishes and nuts. Other skin-friendly foods are tomatoes, dark chocolates, green tea and cranberries.

Exercise Regularly - 
Exercising is not only good for weight-management and blood circulation but is also a good tip on how to get healthy skin naturally. It gives the skin a certain radiant glow as it provides the skin with needed oxygen. Most importantly, exercising is one good stress reliever. Studies show that one major cause of acne and wrinkles is stress. Put one and one together, you'll get a healthier, young-looking skin.

Don't Smoke - 
Smoking is not only a cause of lung cancer. It also increases the risk of skin cancer. Also, smoking hastens skin aging. That is why most smokers have really saggy and wrinkled skin. Dark spots also appear. By not smoking, you don't only protect your internals but also makes you radiate from the outside.

Keep hydrated -
You have probably been told that you have to drink at least six cups of water daily. This cleanses your body from toxins which causes most skin infirmities. Apply body lotion to ward off dryness if necessary.

The foregoing are just some of the many methods on how to get healthy skin naturally, which are very easy to follow and has very significant good effects to your skin. Go natural and you can never go wrong.

In addition to the above natural tips, the use of natural skin care products also prove to be helpful in attaining healthy clear skin.

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DIY Acne Gel With Essential Oils

Aloe vera is the perennial plant growing primary in the tropical part of the world. Traditionally aloe vera is often used as the potent medicine in various part of the world. It is the small herb, which can attend the height of around hundred centimeters in height. The succulent plant has weird waxy leaves that contain gel in the inner part. The gel is used for the various purposes.

Various studies have been conducted found out that aloe vera does, in fact, have several amazing properties that are effective in treating a variety of skin conditions.

Benefits of Aloe Vera Gel for Skin

• It treats sunburn.
• It acts as a moisturizer.
• It treats acne.
• It fights aging.
• It lessens the visibility of stretch marks.

Ingredients Used & Their Benefits

• Aloe Vera Gel –Acne is the skin is marked by the inflamed and infection in the sebaceous gland leading to reddish in the skin. The antibacterial quality of the acne is beneficial in the soothing the occurrence of the acne.
• Tea Tree Essential Oil – Tea tree essential oil is renowned for its powerful, purifying, antibacterial properties. It is a popular remedy for acne and pimples. It is good for acne because it has potent disinfectant properties that fight off acne-causing bacteria. The astringent properties in tea tree tighten large pores and reduce excess oils on the skin.
• Juniper Berry Essential Oil – This amazing has natural antibacterial and antimicrobial abilities, making it one of the most popular natural remedies for fighting skin irritations and infections. It is one of the most favored natural remedies for skin problems especially acne. It also reduces stretch marks and helps other skin conditions that occur because of hormonal imbalance
• Lavender Essential Oil – Lavender essential oil also has antibacterial properties and can be used directly on the skin to fight acne. It’s useful for reducing acne inflammation and as well as fading away acne scars.
• Clary Sage Essential Oil – Clary sage works wonders in healing hormonal acne.  Clary sage contains a particular chemical called linalyl acetate which works to reduce inflammation and prevents acne scarring.  It balances skin sebum and promotes clear skin. This oil also regulates the oil production of the skin, which can help future acne from forming.

DIY Acne Gel

What you need:

• ½ cup aloe vera gel
• 10 drops tea tree essential oil
• 7 drops lavender essential oil
• 10 drops juniper berry essential oil
• 7 drops clary sage essential oil
• 4 oz amber glass jar for storage
• Small bowl
• Whisk

Directions:

• In a medium-sized bowl, add ½ cup aloe vera gel.
• Add drops of all the essential oils required
• Mix by whisking the contents to evenly distribute the essential oils into the aloe gel.
• Transfer your DIY Acne Gel into a jar. (Remember to use an amber colour or blue jar; because exposure to light can make your gel spoil faster. Also, glass storage containers are the best for storing any essential oil products)
• Store in a cool dry place.
• To use, get a dime-sized amount on your clean palm and apply on your freshly washed damp face.
• Let it dry

This DIY acne gel feels incredibly good on the skin. Please try it out and let me know how it goes!

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Weight Loss - Creating Your Personal Weight Loss Plan

Has needing to lose weight been on your mind? If so, you are in the process of following a weight loss plan or not doing anything at all. There is no middle ground. If the latter applies to you, it pays to take a moment to consider why you are not making an effort to reach your goals. Is it because of a lack of guidance and instruction? Surely you want to lose weight; otherwise, you would not be thinking about it. Perhaps the need to lose weight is more significant than your desire to get lean. Often this is the case for many adults, who realize being overweight is more problematic than it initially seems.

You may need some guidance. So let's talk about some tips for creating a weight loss program that will work for you. If you are already making an effort, the following might still be of use to you...

1. Outline your objectives

 First, you must outline your goals. Don't focus so much on the specifics. It is not nearly as important to set how much weight you ought to lose, as it is focusing on the process itself. It is better to focus on losing weight generally, not how much.

Have your "why" adequately figured out before you begin.

2. Eat well

Not surprisingly, it is vital to eat well when starting a weight loss program. Your food choices matter, more than you may think.

It becomes especially important to eat the right carbohydrates if you have high blood sugar. In any case, it will probably do you well to eat more fruits and vegetables than you already do, and eat a healthy balance of proteins and fats. They are all important.

3. Mind your portion sizes

Your portion sizes are just as important as your food choices. Even if you are selecting healthy carbohydrates such as brown rice and sweet potatoes, you can still overeat and losing weight will then be much harder.

Counting calories helps, but is too tedious for most people. By eating slowly, you will have a better idea of how much you should be eating. Always stop eating before you feel full, and don't hesitate to feel hungry for a part of your day.

4. Begin exercising

 If you have not already, start exercising. It will help, no matter which exercise program you chose. Even walking will help get the job done.

5. Anticipate setbacks

Setbacks will occur: know you will not make weekly progress forever. You will stall eventually. You will get frustrated. Relax and make adjustments if needed. Don't stress, and be patient: weight loss requires patience more than anything.

Lastly, remember to make your weight loss program your own. What works for other people will not necessarily work for you. Feel free to experiment with different diets and exercise plans. But know you will have to discover what yields the best results for you and your body.

Although managing your disease can be very challenging, Type 2 diabetes is not a condition you must just live with. You can make simple changes to your daily routine and lower both your weight and your blood sugar levels. Hang in there, the longer you do it, the easier it gets

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What Is Breast Cancer?

Breast cancer starts when cells in the breast begin to grow out of control. These cells usually form a tumor that can often be seen on an x-ray or felt as a lump. The tumor is malignant (cancer) if the cells can grow into (invade) surrounding tissues or spread (metastasize) to distant areas of the body. Breast cancer occurs almost entirely in women, but men can get breast cancer, too.

Cells in nearly any part of the body can become cancer and can spread to other areas. To learn more about cancer and how all cancers start and spread, see Cancer Basics.

Where breast cancer starts

Breast cancers can start from different parts of the breast. Most breast cancers begin in the ducts that carry milk to the nipple (ductal cancers). Some start in the glands that make breast milk (lobular cancers). There are also other types of breast cancer that are less common.

A small number of cancers start in other tissues in the breast. These cancers are called sarcomas and lymphomas and are not really thought of as breast cancers.

Although many types of breast cancer can cause a lump in the breast, not all do.  Many breast cancers are found on screening mammograms which can detect cancers at an earlier stage, often before they can be felt, and before symptoms develop. There are other symptoms of breast cancer you should watch for and report to a health care provider.

It’s also important to understand that most breast lumps are benign and not cancer (malignant). Non-cancerous breast tumors are abnormal growths, but they do not spread outside of the breast and they are not life threatening. But some benign breast lumps can increase a woman's risk of getting breast cancer. Any breast lump or change needs to be checked by a health care professional to determine if it is benign or malignant (cancer) and if it might affect your future cancer risk.

How breast cancer spreads

Breast cancer can spread when the cancer cells get into the blood or lymph system and are carried to other parts of the body.

The lymph system is a network of lymph (or lymphatic) vessels found throughout the body that connects lymph nodes (small bean-shaped collections of immune system cells). The clear fluid inside the lymph vessels, called lymph, contains tissue by-products and waste material, as well as immune system cells. The lymph vessels carry lymph fluid away from the breast. In the case of breast cancer, cancer cells can enter those lymph vessels and start to grow in lymph nodes. Most of the lymph vessels of the breast drain into:

• Lymph nodes under the arm (axillary nodes)
• Lymph nodes around the collar bone (supraclavicular [above the collar bone] and infraclavicular [below the collar bone] lymph nodes)
• Lymph nodes inside the chest near the breast bone (internal mammary lymph nodes)

If cancer cells have spread to your lymph nodes, there is a higher chance that the cells could have traveled through the lymph system and spread (metastasized) to other parts of your body. The more lymph nodes with breast cancer cells, the more likely it is that the cancer may be found in other organs. Because of this, finding cancer in one or more lymph nodes often affects your treatment plan. Usually, you will need surgery to remove one or more lymph nodes to know whether the cancer has spread.

Still, not all women with cancer cells in their lymph nodes develop metastases, and some women with no cancer cells in their lymph nodes develop metastases later

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