How to Get Rid of Lethargy
Most people feel tired now and then. Lethargy is a common problem shared by people all over the world. Science has discovered that the largest period of lethargy appears to be between two and three in the afternoon. This time period coincides to the time at which most people are digesting their lunches. As the carbohydrates are broken down the body begins to feel more sluggish and in need of sleep. This effect subsides after an hour or so and the person will return to normal.
Typical afternoon lethargy symptoms include:
- lack of concentration
- fatigue
- body ache
- changes in appetite or bowl movements
- difficulty performing daily activities
- difficulty falling asleep
What if you are always tired?
If you are feeling tired and you did not eat recently or you are feeling lethargic all the time, there may be other causes such as depression, constipation, too high or too low blood pressure, thyroid gland disorders, diabetes or even nutritional deficiencies at work. For this article we are focusing on the normal afternoon lethargy associated with the after lunch sleeping bouts. If you are always tired, something is wrong: seek medical help!
Beating Afternoon Lethargy
1. Learn something new
Try visiting interesting web sites, watching a documentary, or reading a book. Keeping the mind busy while the body rests will help you stay more alert.
2. Try some caffeine
When used in moderation a little caffeine can provide just enough jolt to get the body running again. A cup of tea or coffee should be all it takes.
3. Work on a personal project
We all have things we need to get done. Try working on that project you keep putting off, especially if it’s one that you enjoy doing!
4. Drink lots of fresh water
Dehydration can cause you to feel lethargic faster than normal. Drink lots of water every day. By water we mean water- sodas, energy drinks, alcohol, and other drinks do not have the same effect on the body.
5. Eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables
Eating less carbohydrates is actually easier for the body to digest which will lead to less lethargy during the day. The simple sugars found in fruits and vegetables are great for energy levels, too!
6. Stay active
If you are out doing something during the day you are more likely to be alert instead of sleepy.
How To Get Rid Of Low Blood Pressure
Many people are afraid of high everything. We are scared of high blood pressure, high fat food, high stress, high blood sugar, and even high fructose corn syrup! With so many bad things being “high” it’s easy to think that low is good. However, low blood pressure is not a good thing.
What is low blood pressure?
As blood is pumped through our bodies by our heart, it puts a little pressure on the veins as it goes rushing through. This pressure along with body temperature, breathing rate, and heart rate are all important signs of life. When the blood pressure is too low, it means not enough blood is making it to all parts of the body. If left untreated the body can go into shock leading to death.
Symptoms of low blood pressure include:
- Nausea
- fainting or dizzy spells (lack of blood to the brain)
- chest pain or heart attacks (not enough blood to the heart)
- pale, cold, clammy skin (lack of blood flow to the skin)
- lack of concentration (not enough blood to the brain)
- fatigue
How to get rid of low blood pressure
1. drink more water and avoid alcohol
Alcohol, even in small amounts, will dehydrate the blood so avoid it. Drinking water adds more mass to the blood which can help the body have enough pressure to move the blood effectively.
2. Eat a healthy, well balanced diet
Eating a good diet will contribute to better overall health including more healthy blood circulation. Whole grains, fruits, and vegetables are good as are lean meat like chicken and fish.
3. Eat more salt
Salt helps the body retain water which will increase blood pressure. If you dislike adding more salt to your food, try adding soy sauce or sea salt to your meals instead.
4. Eat less grain (wheat, rice, ect)
Carbohydrates take longer to digest than vegetables or fruits which means more blood will be diverted to the digestive system for longer time periods. Eating less carbohydrates such as grains will help the blood pressure stay level.
5. Try eating smaller meals at regular intervals
When the body digests a large meal more blood is moved to the stomach which can cause a sharp decrease in blood pressure. Smaller meals at regular intervals will keep the blood pressure more regular than large meals three times a day will.
How to Get Rid of Plugged Milk Ducts
The pleasure you have because you have your new baby home can be quickly dampened by painfully swollen breasts that have reddened areas on them, and hard lumps in them. One of the most natural things on this earth is the production of milk a mother has to feed her young, and when something interrupts the natural flow of this milk, plugged milk ducts can occur.
What Causes a Plugged Milk Duct?
Of course the main cause of a plugged milk duct is milk that has gotten trapped in the breast. Some of the factors that contribute to this condition are:
- Infrequent nursing
- Not emptying the breast during nursing
- Wearing constricting clothing
- Illnesses
- Stress
All of these things can factor in and cause a milk duct to become plugged. The main reason for getting them is having your breast engorged with milk. When the breasts become filled with milk and it is not expelled properly the result can be an inflammation of the breast, or a plugged milk duct.
Should I See A Doctor?
Typically this is a minor problem that can be handled by you at home without seeing the doctor. If you are running a fever, or having nausea, or excruciating pain along with the engorged breast you should consult the doctor because these could be signs of infection that will require antibiotics to remedy them.
How to Treat the Condition
You must get the milk out of the breast in order for the condition to improve. You can manually remove the milk with a breast pump, or while you are standing in the shower allow the warm water to run over the breast and gently massage them so the milk begins to freely flow. This will be slightly painful for the next 24 hours after you get the plugged milk duct opened and freely flowing.
Applying warm towels to the breast while you are resting will also help to make the milk flow more freely. Wear a supportive nursing bra, but do not wear a constricting bra.
Preventing a Plugged Milk Duct
The very best way to prevent a plugged milk duct from occurring is for you to have a strict feeding schedule for the baby. Stick to your schedule, and while feeding, encourage the baby to completely empty the breast of milk.
If the baby begins to stop suckling and the breast is still full try repositioning the baby on the breast to encourage further feeding.
If the baby leaves milk in the breast expel the remaining milk through the use of a breast pump. This can make it possible for you to store some of the milk and allow the father, or grandparents to share in the joy of feeding the baby as well.
If you are not breast feeding then you will either have to pump your breast, or you can massage them during a shower like was discussed earlier. There are no medications that can be safely given to make your breast quit producing milk, so it will just take a little time.
How to Get Rid of Overeating
Many people eat more than they should. Typically this eating occurs in bursts connected to emotional stimuli or happens as a “reflex” done out of boredom. Overeating can be a serious problem as it leads to weight gain, heart disease, obesity, diabetes and many other diseases. Luckily, both habitual and emotionally triggered overeating can be combated.
Dealing with Emotional Overeating
This form of overeating happens because you are feeling something. Being happy, sad, or lonely are a few examples of emotions that can trigger the urge to eat.
1. Get a support group
Try talking to others instead of eating. A formal support group or even just a few good friends can help a lot! The support of others will help you be able to resist the urge to start eating.
2. Learn what triggers the urge to eat and avoid it
Find out when you get the eating urge, try to understand why it does this, and work out ways around it. For example, if you eat on the way to work because the drive stresses you out, try driving a different way to work or starting the drive half an hour early.
3. Keep a rubber bracelet around your wrist and snap it to remind yourself to not overeat
Not only will this give you something to do with your hands, snapping the bracelet can help you remember that you are trying to not overeat.
Dealing with Physical Overeating
The physical triggers associated with overeating can be just as bad as the emotional ones. A good treatment plan should take into account mental, physical, and emotional reasons you are overeating.
1. Eat all meals in one location
Choose one place to eat and stick with it! This will prevent you from snacking in the car, in front of the TV, and at the computer. This place should not be somewhere you relax in order to break the mental connection between relaxing and eating.
2. Do not shop when hungry
Eat before you go shopping to avoid picking up fattening snacks and munching while you shop.
3. Do not go near the kitchen unless you are eating.
If you avoid the kitchen unless eating something, you are less likely to eat.
4. Keep all food in the kitchen but out of plain sight.
If you do not see food, you will think less of food. This also discourages snacking.
How to Get Rid of Dry Eyes
This condition is caused when an imbalance in the natural production of tears within the eye is caused. It can be mildly irritating or it can absolutely be painful.
Symptoms of Dry Eye
- Eyes become reddened
- Itchy eyes
- Sensation of having sand or grit in the eye
- Eyes are stinging
- Eyes have a burning sensation
When the eyes are not producing enough lubrication to keep them moving freely they become very irritated and sensitive. People often make the condition worse by rubbing at their eyes in an attempt to relieve the discomfort.
What causes dry eyes?
There are actually many different causes of this condition. The most common causes of dry eyes are:
- Side effects of medications like antihistamines, and some birth control medications
- Eyelids that do not close properly
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Collagen vascular disease
- The process of aging
- Menopause
- Being in a building with central heat and air
- Prolonged exposure to wind
- Stress from staying awake for too long
There are actually more diseases that can cause the condition. If you experience the occasional symptoms of dry eyes this is considered to be normal. Everyone will at some time be exposed to extreme winds, or take a medication that temporarily causes this to occur. However, there are people who suffer from chronic dry eyes and this condition needs to be assessed by a doctor. There are medical treatments to help alleviate chronic dry eye that only your optometrist can prescribe for you.
How to treat dry eyes
If you have the occasional problem you can purchase artificial tears over the counter that should help to alleviate the painful symptoms you are experiencing. There are also ointments that can be placed in the eyes to prevent them from becoming dry, but the ointments have a tendency to cause people to suffer from blurred vision. It is advised that if you want to use the ointments you do so at night when you are going to bed, and never when you will be operating a car. The natural tear replacement drops can be used as a preventive measure if you are going to be engaged in an activity that has caused you to have the condition previously.
When you are purchasing over the counter medications to use for this purpose make certain that you are buying a product that contains no preservatives. The preservatives in this type of medication can cause problems over time, and some people are allergic to them and make their condition worse.
Can dry eyes cause permanent damage?
Basically the only thing the condition causes is irritation, but for people who have the chronic condition there can eventually be serious consequences to having it. If you experience the condition at all you need to mention it at your next eye exam. No amount of advice or over the counter relief is a substitute for the advice of the eye doctor that knows your eyes and your complete medical background.
If you suddenly begin to experience the condition you need to call for an appointment. This is an indication that something has changed with in your body, and needs to be addressed.
How to Get Rid of Bladder Stones
Bladder stones are painful, and can be a serious condition if they are left untreated. Most people who have had the condition will agree that this is something that causes excruciating pain.
What are bladder stones?
Bladder stones are actually naturally occurring crystallized minerals that are formed from urine being retained in the bladder for an extended period of time. The minerals and proteins in our urine start to bind together when the urine is kept in the bladder for too long. When these minerals and proteins become bound together they form the crystals that are known as bladder stones. These stones can be in different shapes, and they come in different sizes. After the stone has formed it is hard for your body to expel it, and sometimes it causes back ups of urine, which in turn causes the presence of more stones, so they create a vicious cycle.
Why do bladder stones form?
Before you can truly understand the cause and the treatment of this condition you must understand how your body processes fluids. The liquids you take in are sent to the kidneys to be filtered, and then processed. The things the fluid contains that could be beneficial to your body are sent on to the blood stream, and all other parts of the fluids are considered waste products and they are sent to the bladder so they can be expelled from the body.
You have two slender tubes connecting your kidneys to the bladder. The bladder is a shaped much like a balloon, and when the waste product comes from the kidneys, through the ureters, it is stored in the bladder until there is enough urine collected for the bladder to need to be emptied.
When you go to the restroom to evacuate the bladder the urine flows from the bladder down a tube that is called the urethra, and out of the body. This process occurs several times a day. The trouble starts when you do not go empty your bladder when it signals that it is full, and you allow the contents to stay in the bladder and form those crystals.
Symptoms and Signs that you have bladder stones
There are several warning signs your body sends to alert you of the presence of these crystals. Some of them are:
- Pain when you urinate
- Having the urge to urinate more frequently
- Only passing small amounts of urine when you go
- Pain in the lower portion of your abdomen
- Pain in the lower back
- Incontinence
- Urine that is colored a dark yellow or orange
- Urine that appears cloudy
- Presence of blood in the urine
- Fever
- Nausea or vomiting
You may experience any of these signs when you have bladder stones. Men frequently also complain of having a pain in their penis. This is because the urethra is located in the penis. If you do have any of the above mentioned symptoms seek out medical attention. The quicker you start to receive treatment for the stones the easier they will be for you to get rid off, if you wait then you increase your chances of not only having a larger number of the stones, but of having larger stones.
How to Wash a Milky Way Weave
A Milky Way weave has long been appreciated by people nowadays. It portrays uniqueness of style that is viewed in some social and professional circles as fun and sophisticated.
It helps provide people with thinning or balding hair a way to have longer and fuller locks. It also helps correct a short haircut gone wrong.
Intro and Supplies Needed:
The process of washing a Milky Way wave fortunately does not require expensive solutions. All you need for this procedure is some mild shampoo and deep conditioner.
When you do this, remember that excessive hair washing has a negative, drying effect on the hair. Therefore, you should wash your hair no more than once every 2-3 days.
Using the shampoo and conditioner, you would follow these steps: 
- Wash the hair like you normally would. While you do so, work the shampoo following the natural flow of your hair.
- While washing your hair, do not forget to wash the scalp area underneath. Otherwise, dirt, oil, and bacteria could build up and you could experience dandruff or other dryness. During this washing process, do not pull or loosen the weave.
- Rinse thoroughly. Then, follow the washing step with a deep conditioner to protect the extensions.
- Rinse thoroughly after allowing the deep conditioner to sit for a few minutes. Then wrap the hair loosely in a towel. If your hair is still quite drenched you may want to wrap small sections of it in a towel and squeeze gently but do not pull or rub the hair
- Add gel, mouses, or oil. Of these three, the oil is often recommended to keep the weave soft and shiny. Do not use too much oil or lubrication because it can cause the weaves to slip out.
Further Instructions:You are advised to wash your weaves once every 7 to 14 days at least. When washing at home, make sure you always follow the natural direction of the hair as advised above. Furthermore, gentle shampoo and conditioner is recommended.
You should also keep in mind that the chlorine in your pool could dry out your hair weave. This could cause damage to both the weave and your hair. The best thing to do is to wash your hair right after you go swimming. child, or another affected person should lather up with soap and use a bristle brush to scrub away the mess.
As you wash, most of your focus should be placed on the areas of your body where the spraying originally occurred. After all, this is the area that has the highest concentration of oils present on it.
The cleaning solution that you have prepared for this process is safe for use on both skin and hair. However, you should not leave the solution sit on your hair for more than a couple of minutes.
Otherwise, you may accidentally bleach your hair. This is true especially if you leave the hydrogen peroxide sit on it too long without rinsing.
Additional Tips and Advice:Do not scrub vigorously while you wash your hair. Furthermore, if you are using running water for the washing and rinsing processes make sure you do not turn it up too high.
Also realize that whatever you do, a hair dryer should not be used on your weaves. Just let them dry naturally. At night time, you should wrap your waves and make regular salon visits to have them maintained.
If they are weaves that are well taken care of they can last for months. If you want to further protect your weaves, one thing you can do is wrap them at night. In addition, regular visits to your salon helps maintain the weaves while prolonging the life of them.
How to DeSkunk a Human
Whenever you are outside and not paying attention to where you’re walking, there is a chance that you or your child will get sprayed by a skunk. Learning how to deskunk a human requires using some careful strategies.
Skunk Spray Issues:
The putrid smell that is endured after a person is sprayed by a skunk is the main reason for wanting to find ways to get rid of the smell. This problem is not much more than a nuisance in most cases. However, if a small child is sprayed in the nose or eyes then the urgency of this issue increases dramatically.
The main time to be concerned is after your child or anyone else experiences an adverse reaction after being sprayed. Your doctor should be contacted immediately, or you should take the affect individual to the emergency room right away.
On the other hand, if it is just a minor eye irritation, just flush out your eyes with lukewarm water for a couple minutes. This is protocol can be used on both children and adults.
Preliminary Tips:
If you or another individual you know has been sprayed by a skunk you or that person should not go into the house. That is, you or that person should not if another option for washing off can be achieved. For instance, if you have an outside hose with a sprayer especially if it sprays warm water that you can use that would be great.
You might also be able to go straight to the basement from a back door. Either that or if you have go inside the home just head straight to the laundry room without touching anything, with small exceptions.
While you go into the house, only touch what you need to help deskunk yourself or another person. You will need these supplies:
Hydrogen peroxide (one quart bottle), baking soda or vinegar, and dish soap for hand washing. You also need a large bowl mixing bowl, dish pan, or washing basin.
If you don’t have one of these supplies as shown above, it is highly advised that you send someone else to get them. That is, unless the store that carries these supplies is within walking distance. Whatever you do, you don’t want the stinky oils spreading around the inside of your car.
The three major steps of this deskunking process are shown below:
1. Mix the Cleaning Solution. The cleaning solution is fairly simple to make. Just take the entire bottle of hydrogen peroxide and pour it in the bowl. Then add a fourth of a cup of baking soda (or vinegar) and about a teaspoon of the dish soap. Mix them together with your hands. (Does it really matter if they smell like peroxide at this point?)
2. Wash thoroughly.After mixing your solution it is time to start the washing process. Tither you, your child, or another affected person should lather up with soap. Once the spray-infested areas of your body are covered with soap, use a bristle brush to scrub away the mess.
As you wash, most of your focus should be placed on the areas of your body where the spraying originally occurred. After all, this is the area that has the highest concentration of oils present on it.
The cleaning solution that you have prepared for this process is safe for use on both skin and hair. However, you should not leave the solution sit on your hair for more than a couple of minutes.
Otherwise, you may accidentally bleach your hair. This is true especially if you leave the hydrogen peroxide sit on it too long without rinsing.
3. Rinse your hair, and repeat if necessary. After you’ve scrubbed thoroughly, rinse off the solution with lukewarm water. Then, the washing step can be repeated to help further remove this prepared home cleaning remedy from your hair.
Sometimes a home solution may not be strong enough. In that case, if necessary try to find a commercial cleaning solution to use for this process. You also may need to find a solution to use to help get your clothes clean.
How to Clean a Baby’s Fingernails
A baby’s fingernails are small but dirt can still accumulate under them. It is the fact that a baby’s nails are so small that makes them so challenging to clean.
You may have already attempted to clean the baby’s nails and are in some need of some help. You can know that you do not need to be ashamed to ask for help. After you have received the instruction you need this process should not take long at all.
The Trimming Process:Keeping your baby’s nails trimmed will make it easier for you to clean them come time to do so. Remember, you are going to need to do this every 3 to 7 days
For this job you need: 
A baby manicure set complete with scissors, nail clippers, and emery boards, and to put your baby to sleep.
Here is how to trim your baby’s nails:It probably is obvious the reason why it is recommended you do this step while your baby is sleeping. The baby will not be restless and wanting to move around then.
Please use these trimming steps:
- Gently hold your baby’s finger. First, you would grasp the hand. Then you would grip onto the finger you plan to trim.
- Press down lightly on the nail. This will help you be sure where to cut. Just be very careful and try to shine a soft light onto the baby’s hand without getting the light in it’s eyes.
- Grab the scissors or nail clippers. It is up to you which you should use. Most people recommend and use clippers, because they are designed to fit around the shape of a baby’s fingers. Remember, a baby’s manicure kit provides smaller tools than you would use for an adult.
- Soften sharp edges. You could do this while your infant is awake or asleep. Either way, it is best done when the little one is calm.
- Blow air on the nails periodically. This will help rid of the cut nail pieces so you do not have to stop what you are doing.
- If your baby wakes and fusses, distract him/her. You could sing a song or a funny noise. Either that or maybe you can play music in the background. If your baby can grip items, maybe put something in the child’s other hand.
- Sweep up the nail clippings afterward. Or you can vacuum them up if you are on a carpet. Of course, this process can be done on the other hand as well as on the feet.
Cleaning the Nails:The cleaning process is very important. It will help prevent infection as infants are always placing their hands in their mouths.
For this cleaning process you need:
A soft toothbrush and warm water.
Here are the steps for cleaning your baby’s nails:
- Gently grip onto a finger. Of course, you would do the entire hand this way. Just view again the steps above for grasping for further instruction.
- Wet the toothbrush, and scrub. It is best if you use warm water. You are going to use the warm water and toothbrush to scrub against the dirt that is found underneath the baby’s nails.
- Rinse, and repeat if necessary. You can scrub the fingernails as many times as you want to make sure they come clean. Just remember your baby’s hands are delicate so do not use too much force.
How to Remove Dread Wax
Dreaded locks are not as popular as they used to be so people are more than ever wanting to get rid of them. However, dread wax can be hard to remove.
Some people may have found attempt at removing dread wax very frustrating. The source of this frustration is most likely because they have tried to find a way to remove the wax to no avail.
Purpose of the Wax
The original purpose of the wax was to make it easier for people to have dreads without having to spend hours trying to remove it. This was meant to be a way for people to quickly develop the dreaded look (no pun intended).
However, this kind of hairstyle has been losing its appeal. Therefore, many people are looking for a way to get rid of it.
Intro to Removal Methods
Two removal methods are often used. In other words, people who have dreads either wash them out or melt them out. This process can be time consuming, especially if the hair is loaded with wax.
The two main wax removal methods are explained below:
Washing Method
You may find variations of these instructions circulating around. However, this is something to start with as far as gaining knowledge that will help you remove wax from your hair. You are not obligated to use these suggestions but they are known to help people.
To wash out wax from your dreads you need these supplies:
Apple cider vinegar, hot water, Bee and Flower Chinese bar soap (or Good bar soap), and ProSolve cleaner. The Bee and Flower Chinese bar soap is available in many oriental stores or it can be purchased online.
The Good part soap is available if the Bee and Flower bar soap is not. The ProSolv cleaner can be found at Wal-Mart.
Several different steps could be used to wash out wax, but the success of this procedure varies. The success of this process highly depends on what type of wax was used. For instance, using Knotty Boy beeswax will take much more work to dissolve and remove than other kinds.
The process of removing wax often requires the application of several different cleaning products. This process also is best carried out using hot water which softens the wax to make it easier to remove. In fact, it is highly recommended that you use the hottest water possible.
To complete the Washing out the wax involves carryout these steps: 
- Fill a sink or bowl with hot water.Add apple cider vinegar to the water. The amount of this solution should be estimated according to how much wax is in the hair. The length of the locks is another huge consideration.Place the waxy dreads into the vinegar solution. Then, allow the dreads to soak for at least a half hour.
- After the soaking process is completed, wash the locks immediately with hot water and a high quality shampoo. While you do so, it is recommended that you rub the dreads together. This will further make it easier to remove the softened wax.
- Then, you can wash off the hair with Chinese bar soap. This product works best on beeswax soap. This soap should be applied with hot water and scrub well to remove.
- You should repeat the above steps until all of the wax is removed.
- As a last resort the ProSolv cleaning product can be used to remove the wax. However, it will most likely cause damage to the hair. In any case, it should be applied to the hair with hot water, and then you should scrub and rinse just like as above.
Iron Method:This method is best applied using great caution and the help of a friend. You should not use too hot of water when doing this and you should not use these steps on super-short dreadlocks.
First, you will need these supplies:Cotton cloths, brown paper bags, iron, and ironing board (or flat surface). You also need the help of a friend or family member (an assistant).
Once you found the above supplies, follow these steps:
- This method involves melting the wax out of the hair and should only be completed with the help of a friend while using great caution not to burn the scalp. If the dreads are short, do not attempt this method at all.
- The person with the dreadlocks should draped the strands of hair over the ironing board
- Then, the person assisting the person with the wax in the hair should take a small section of the dreads and wrap them in a piece of brown paper.
- Once the brown paper is laid in the appropriate spot, a warm iron with NO steam should be run over it. As you do this, the wax is transferred to the paper.
- If not all the wax is removed, repeat the above steps using a clean piece of paper. Keep up this process and continue on all sections of your hair.
- One warning during this procedure is to use great caution. Make sure you do not allow the iron to become too hot and do not let the iron plate make too close of contact with the scalp. Both actions could cause serious burns.