INCHIC

Why is a square boxing area called a ring?

2011-02-14T20:19:00.000-08:00

The answer is that “ring” was first applied not to the boxing area but to the spectators who formed a ring around the combatants, according to Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. Although hand-to-hand combat was probably invented by the first two-year-old boy to discover he had a younger sibling, the first public boxing matches took place in early 18th century England. These were bare-knuckled affairs with no time limits, no ropes and no referees. The winner was the last man standing. The ring of bloodthirsty fans formed an enclosure for the pugilists.
Eventually, as boxers started to make more money for their efforts, small arenas were built that featured rings demarcated by wooden barriers or heavy ropes. The current ring, with four (or occasionally three) ropes tied to turnbuckles on corner posts, is the descendant.

Although sanctioning bodies mandate the size of boxing rings, professional wrestling has no such requirement. In many venues, the same rings are used for boxing and wrestling. Amateur wrestling is done on mats laid across a floor. Ironically, the action in amateur wrestling is demarcated by a circle, yet it isn’t called a ring. None of this makes sense without the historial perspective. That’s probably why the most common slang term for the ring in professional wrestling is ‘the squared circle’.

20 Tips To Help Prevent Medical Errors

2011-02-12T23:54:00.000-08:00

Medical errors are one of the Nation’s leading causes of death and injury. A recent report by the Institute of Medicine estimates that as many as 44,000 to 98,000 people die in U.S. hospitals each year as the result of medical errors. This means that more people die from medical errors than from motor vehicle accidents, breast cancer, or AIDS. Government agencies, purchasers of group health care, and health care providers are working together to make the U.S. health care system safer for patients and the public. This fact sheet tells what you can do.

What are Medical Errors?
Medical errors happen when something that was planned as a part of medical care doesn’t work out, or when the wrong plan was used in the first place. Medical errors can occur anywhere in the health care system: in hospitals, clinics, outpatient surgery centers, doctors’ offices, nursing homes, pharmacies, and patients’ homes. Errors can involve medicines, surgery, diagnosis, equipment, or lab reports. They can happen during even the most routine tasks, such as when a hospital patient on a salt-free diet is given a high-salt meal.
Most errors result from problems created by today’s complex health care system. But errors also happen when doctors and their patients have problems communicating.

For example, a recent study supported by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality found that doctors often do not do enough to help their patients make informed decisions. Uninvolved and uninformed patients are less likely to accept the doctor’s choice of treatment and less likely to do what they need to do to make the treatment work.

What Can You Do? Be Involved
in Your Health Care
The single most important way you can help to prevent errors is to be an active member of your health care team. That means taking part in every decision about your health care. Research shows that patients who are more involved with their care tend to get better results. Here are some specific tips, based on the latest scientific evidence about what works best:

Medicines
Make sure that all of your doctors know about everything you are taking. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, and dietary supplements such as vitamins and herbs. At least once a year, bring all of your medicines and supplements with you to your doctor. “Brown bagging” your medicines can help you and your doctor talk about them and find out if there are any problems. It can also help your doctor keep your records up to date, which can help you get better quality care.
Make sure your doctor knows about any allergies and adverse reactions you have had to medicines. This can help you avoid getting a medicine that can harm you. When your doctor writes you a prescription, make sure you can read it. If you can’t read your doctor’s handwriting, your pharmacist might not be able to either. Ask for information about your medicines in terms you can understand– both when your medicines are prescribed and when you receive them:
• What is the medicine for?
• How am I supposed to take it, and
for how long?
• What side effects are likely? What
do I do if they occur?
• Is this medicine safe to take with
other medicines or dietary supplements
I am taking?
• What food, drink, or activities
should I avoid while taking this
medicine?
When you pick up your medicine from the pharmacy, ask: Is this the medicine that my doctor prescribed? A study by the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Sciences found that 88 percent of medicine errors involved the wrong drug or the wrong dose.
If you have any questions about the directions on your medicine labels, ask. Medicine labels can be hard to understand. For example, ask if “four doses daily” means taking a dose every six hours around the clock or just during regular waking hours.
Ask your pharmacist for the best device to measure your liquid medicine. Also, ask questions if you’re not sure how to use it. Research shows that many people do not understand the right way to measure liquid medicines. For example, many use household teaspoons, which often do not hold a true teaspoon of liquid. Special devices, like marked syringes, help people to measure the right dose. Being told how to use the devices helps even more.
Ask for written information about the side effects your medicine could cause. If you know what might happen, you will be better prepared if it does–or, if something unexpected happens instead. That way, you can report the problem right away and get help before it gets worse. A study found that written information about medicines can help patients recognize problem side effects and then give that information to their doctor or pharmacist.

Hospital Stays
If you have a choice, choose a hospital at which many patients have the procedure or surgery you need. Research shows that patients tend to have better results when they are treated in hospitals that have a great deal of experience with their condition.
If you are in a hospital, consider asking all health care workers who have direct contact with you whether they have washed their hands. Handwashing is an important way to prevent the spread of infections in hospitals. Yet, it is not done regularly or thoroughly enough. A recent study found that when patients checked whether health care workers washed their hands, the workers washed their hands more often and used more soap. When you are being discharged from the hospital, ask your doctor to explain the treatment plan you will use at home. This includes learning about your medicines and finding out when you can get back to your regular activities. Research shows that at discharge time, doctors think their patients understand more than they really do about what they should or should not do when they return home.

Surgery
If you are having surgery, make sure that you, your doctor, and your surgeon all agree and are clear on exactly what will be done. Doing surgery at the wrong site (for example, operating on the left knee instead of the right) is rare. But even once is too often. The good news is that wrong-site surgery is 100 percent preventable. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons urges its members to sign their initials directly on the site to be operated on before the surgery.

Other Steps You Can Take
• Speak up if you have questions or concerns. You have a right to question anyone who is involved with your care.
• Make sure that someone, such as your personal doctor, is in charge of your care. This is especially important if you have many health problems or are in a hospital.
• Make sure that all health professionals involved in your care have important health information about you. Do not assume that everyone knows everything they need to.
• Ask a family member or friend to be there with you and to be your advocate (someone who can help get things done and speak up for you if you can’t). Even if you think you don’t need help now, you might need it later.
• Know that “more” is not always better. It is a good idea to find out why a test or treatment is needed and how it can help you. You could be better off without it.
• If you have a test, don’t assume that no news is good news. Ask about the results.
• Learn about your condition and treatments by asking your doctor and nurse and by using other reliable sources. For example, treatment recommendations based on the latest scientific evidence are available from the National

If you are having surgery, make sure that you, your doctor, and your surgeon all agree and are clear on exactly what will be done.

How to Lose Weight Easily & Naturally

2008-03-31T20:18:00.000-07:00

Author: Tommy Lee

Weight is not just a simple health problem and an easy weight loss treatment that works 100 percent of the time doesn't exist; many regimes do work very well, although a great deal depends on the user and their doctor.

It is important to be aware of just how harmful being overweight or obese is to health and many serious health conditions are caused as a result of excess weight.

Personal commitment to achieving a desired result is no different for people using an easy weight loss system as it is for anything a person tries to achieve. Your primary reason for losing weight must be clear whether it is too improve your looks or for health reasons; once you know this, then you must decide.

Effective weight loss programs require you take certain facts into consideration; for instance, the time you eat during the day as well as what it is you eat, how often and whether you exercise at all.

Some people are of the opinion that losing weight quickly is the best way but this often causes other medical problems like heartburn or even anemia and creates unrealistic targets.

To lose a realistic pound in weight each and every week all you need to do is reduce your food intake or exercise enough to loose 500 calories each day.

Most of us eat too much and definitely an excess of junk foods which we shouldn't rely on the way we do although it is not a good idea cut out everything you enjoy.

Another more subtle factor is the emotional reaction to stress and problems as many people simply start eating when they feel insecure or depressed. These poor eating habits are causing serious concerns within the medical community as the number of people contracting type 2 diabetes increases which is usually as a result of obesity, not too mention cancer and heart conditions.

If the psychological aspect of using easy weight loss methods and weight gain is not considered as part of the overall cure, but if we just rely on dieting then we will not be addressing the real issues of obesity.

Studies have shown that people who have started weight loss programs with a light-hearted determination are more likely to accomplish the looked-for results. It helps to provide an environment of positive mental attitude which is necessary for us if we wish to be successful in any endeavor.

Most people that loss those extra pounds claim they have more energy and are able to do things that their weight had stopped them from enjoying previously.

Easy weight loss programs are all about a person's ability to adapt to some demanding living conditions and once you embark upon it, it usually gets easier and easier.

Article Source: www.articlesbase.com/

About the Author:
Click here to find out how to lose weight easily.

Choosing the Right Fitness Accessories for Private Gym

2008-03-31T20:15:00.000-07:00

Author: Jason Stevenson

So you finally want to have that derriere that will be admired by one and all? What do you do to accomplish this? The working hours are getting longer, which leaves little time to go into the nearby gym. The first thing you need to do in order to achieve your objectives would be to choose the fitness accessories for use in your home. This will enable you to squeeze some time for fitness activities rather easily.

A visit to any fitness accessories store may be a little intimidating, from the whole range of equipment that is on display. From dumbbells to yoga mats to jump ropes, you would need to have done your homework well to buy the right fitness accessories for your program.

It should depend on your program
Many working class people just want to keep fit, not to accumulate bodybuilder-like muscles. So the fitness accessories mostly bought is for aerobic exercises. These are the kind of exercises that boost the metabolism rate and ensure that your heart is healthy. Aerobic exercises also help burn the excess fat. Fitness equipment that is designed to help one accumulate muscles are almost always bulky.

There is ample choice for aerobic fitness accessories , and this would include equipment like treadmills, exercising bikes, elliptical trainers, rowing machines and so on. For muscle building enthusiasts, they can choose dumbbells, barbells, and a workout table.

Experts tell us that it’s important to combine aerobics with the muscle building program for optimal results. Muscle building really helps in burning a lot of calories while aerobics increases metabolism. Thus even if your fitness accessories may be biased towards either aerobics or body building, the “hybrid theory” might actually prove to be the winner in practice.

Many people forget that apparels worn also deserve careful consideration. The designers of such apparel usually have safety considerations when designing them. When using your fitness accessories you need to choose the apparel that will work well with you, and not work against you. Apparently, looking great whilst exercising can be a great motivational factor, so, do consider the gym outfit as one of your fitness accessories.

For those people who are into yoga, perhaps the only fitness accessories that they need are apparel. When choosing the clothing, it’s advised that you select the subdued colors that are relaxing in nature, such as white or cream. Regardless of what program you want to be in, all clothing materials for exercising should be fitting and flexible to accommodate your bodily movements.

It must be said that even before trying any form of a workout on any of the fitness accessories, you should get a clean bill of health from your health care practitioner. The doctor might point out those kinds of exercises that you should do less, and those you may do as you please. For you may be surprised the way your body parts react to certain exercises.

One more thing, don’t be lured by advertisements which may mislead you into buying fitness accessories that you might not need, but rather evaluate the merits of all fitness accessories that you want to try out. There are numerous websites which can supply to you the information on fitness accessories and you don’t even have to pay for it.

Article Source: www.articlesbase.com

About the Author:
Jason Stevenson is a writer and researcher for health-advice organization. He writes informative articles for Hoodia , Fitness Accessories and hoodia weight loss subject. For more information on Powerball, Hoodia Gordonii please visit www.fitness-force.com

Sunscreen Steps-beauty

2008-03-18T12:32:00.000-07:00

Author: Robert Baird

Be sure to apply your sunscreen after you've applied moisturizer or use a moisturizer that contains sunscreen. If you have an uneven skin tone, sunscreens are especially important. They will help protect your skin from further discoloration and speed the fading of dark marks. To maximize your protection, follow these guidelines:

Always apply sunscreen twenty to thirty minutes before you're exposed to the sun to allow your skin to absorb the product and create a protective shield.

Use sunscreen generously on all exposed skin face, neck, and hands. Apply at least a shot glass (about one ounce) of the produc

Store sunscreen away from the sun and heat to prevent spoiling.

Reapply it after vigorous exercise or swimming even if the product is labeled "waterproof."

Take note of expiration dates. If a bottle does not have an expiration date, toss it after one year.

Today, you can find sunscreen in a variety of skin-care products and makeup.

However, one recent study demonstrated that sunscreen in foundation wears off after only a couple of hours. It's best to apply sunscreen separately, under makeup, or in moisturizers that say SPF 15 on the label.

Safe Beach Behavior
Tanning is never a safe activity. For Brown women, it often takes very little sun exposure to turn skin dark, and many experience a phenomenon known as "immediate tanning" or instant browning of the skin. But since many of us go to the beach with friends or family near home or while on vacation, we should be aware of the following sun-safe precautions:

Apply SPF 30 sunscreen thirty minutes before going outside.
Plan to spend all or most of your time at the beach before 11 A.M. or after 3 P.M., when the sun's rays are least intense.

Wear light colored clothing to reflect the sun's rays. Avoid wearing black clothing or black swimsuits, which absorb the sun's rays. Also consider washing your clothes in Sun Guard, a detergent that puts an SPF of 30 into the clothing.

Wear a hat or visor and sunglasses to protect the eyes from UV rays.

Stay under an umbrella in unusually hot weather.

FirstAid for Sunburn
To soothe the pain of sunburn, take two aspirin every six hours and apply a cool compress, a cooling gel (containing aloe vera), or a topical anesthetic spray, A compress containing cold milk will reduce discomfort. An additional trick is to put the cooling gel in the refrigerator so that it will be cold on the skin,

Article Source: www.articlesbase.com

About the Author:
Author has an experience of more than 4 years writing about facial skin care . He also holds experience writing about beauty secrets and diseases of the skin .

Best Moisturizing Hand Soap

2008-02-13T10:18:00.000-08:00

Author: Cherie Norquay

"Moisture Rich" is one of my most requested and best moisturizing hand soap recipes. I not only like to use this hand soap at my sink, I also like to use this soap in the shower because it is so moisturizing. What's the secret ingredient? Shea butter. Shea butter has special moisturizing qualities and I strive to preserve these qualities in my hand made soap. I like to think this soap is unique because the of the steps I take to create it. See for yourself below.

Best Moisturizing Hand Soap Recipe:

Ingredients:
25 oz. olive oil
10 oz. coconut oil
10 oz. palm oil
5 oz. shea butter
16 oz. water
7 oz. lye

Instructions:
I make this soap a little differently than my other soaps. I melt the coconut oil and palm oils together. Then I add the olive oil. When the oils and the lye/water (or lye/milk) slurry are both at about 110 degrees, I incorporate the slurry into the oils. When the soap is at very light trace, I then incorporate the melted shea butter. I like to incorporate the shea butter at this point, hoping that most of the shea butter will not react with the lye and retain it's moisturizing properties. I know there are still lots of free lye radicals in the soap, but hopefully most of them mixed with the other base oils.

I do not use any fragrance in this soap because I like to offer a few fragrance-free soaps. You can, however, use any fragrance you wish to in this soap. I always recommend using a fragrance that has been a good seller for you if you have been selling soap for quite a while. I have been very successful keeping this soap fragrance-free however (and this cuts the cost of producing the soap in half).

I like to use LIGHT olive oil so I get a very light (almost white) color bar of soap. If you use extra virgin olive oil, the bar will not look so white. If you use pomace oil, the soap will have a greenish look -- you will also need to consult a lye calculator because you may need to adjust the amount of olive oil if you are substituting pomace.

This recipe will produce 16 - 4 oz. bars of soap. If you reduce or increase the recipe size, be sure to double check your oil and lye amounts with a lye calculator. It always pays to be on the safe side. I usually make this soap in a large loaf mold that makes 64 bars of soap at a time.

Any soap maker would benefit from adding this best moisturizing hand soap recipe to their soap making repertoire.

If you are new to soap making you can check out my website at How to Make Soap where I have an on-line or DVD video soap making tutorial. You can watch me make soap right in my own kitchen. Dozens have learned to safely make soap. Many are now making money selling soap!

Article Source: www.articlesbase.com

About the Author:
Cherie Norquay

How to Make Soap

How to Make Goat Milk Soap

Herbal Medicines What is Old is New Again

2008-02-13T10:14:00.000-08:00

Author: Jim Freeman

Herbal medicine has been used for centuries all around the world. Relegated to the status of folk medicine for years by the medical establishment, herbal medicines are experiencing a resurgence in popularity due to the dangerous side effects of many of today's pharmaceutical drugs.

Herbal medicine has three traditional forms. Western herbalism began in Europe, and crossed over to North America with the European settlers. Some Native American influences can be found in some of its lore. Chinese medicine is herb-based, and breaks everything into yin or yang... cooling herbs or heating herbs are prescribed for illnesses that either cause the body to be cold or hot. Rounding out the herbal medicine trio is Ayurvedic medicine from India. With a history 5,000 years in the making, Ayurvedic medicine is based on balancing any imbalance found in the body.

Today, more people are turning back to herbal medicines, finding them more effective and gentler than pharmaceuticals. The entire pharmaceutical industry is based upon herbs and the medicines derived from them. Most of today's medicines however are made from synthetic compounds rather than those derived directly from plants.

Herbs are also whole foods. They offer nutrition, minerals and vitamins along with medicinal compounds. Herbs can be taken fresh as food, or made into teas, tisanes, tinctures, syrups, drops, poultices, salves, creams or dried and put in capsules. Depending on your illness, some methods of taking the herbs will work better than others.

Still other herbs are taken as supplements. An example would be alfalfa tablets, which can supply you with vitamin K (it helps your blood clot), among other nutrients. Supplements can be found at health food stores both in your local area and online. When buying supplements, look at the herbs for freshness. Any herb that is dried should still be a fresh green color, not brownish. If the color has deteriorated, it means the herb was dried using a method that removed nutrients from the herb.

If you are on pharmaceutical medications, please check with your physician or a certified herbalist before adding herbal medicines or supplements. Some herbs will interact with pharmaceutical medications and cause reactions or will counteract your regular medication. For instance, if you are prescribed blood thinners for a health condition, taking the aforementioned alfalfa supplement would be ill-advised, since vitamin K promotes clotting.

It is important to remember that just because herbal medicine is natural doesn't mean it can't hurt you. If you are not familiar with an herb and its effects, consult with a certified herbalist. Herbs need to be taken appropriately so you don't overdose or end up with an effect you didn't count on. Like any other medicine it is important to follow instructions for any herb.

Herbal medicines are a good way to treat quite a few illnesses and deficiencies. Do your homework and read about an herb and its actions before taking it. And before mixing herbs or adding a new herb, it doesn't hurt to consult an expert. Herbs have a lot to offer and can greatly benefit your health when taken appropriately.

Complementary and alternative medicine is the combined use of medical practices and products that aren't a part of conventional medicine. Many are using the CAM approach in hopes that they can prevent disease and live a more enhanced quality of life.

Article Source: www.articlesbase.com

About the Author:
Tired of the cost and side effects of traditional medicine?
Get your Free Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) Report and take control of your health care. Many CAM techniques focus on prevention. Stay well and cheat the medical establishment out of money.

hello world

2008-02-02T02:10:00.000-08:00

hello world, i INCHIC, i am coming to you