Interesting Articles (Advice, Facts, FAQ, etc.)

Dental Tourism in Hungary »
Migraines »
Alternative Remedies - Are they good or bad? »
What is the best time to have my treatment? »
Different causes of back pain and their treatment »

Dental Tourism in Hungary

It has been on the t.v. and in the newspapers that many people pack their suitcases and get on a plane to Hungary these days to get high quality dental treatment at lower prices. Some people go there only to avoid long waiting lists for dental treatment in the UK, while some people enjoy a mini break and get their dental treatment abroad at the same time. Whatever the individual reason is, it is now increasingly popular to go to Hungary for all kinds of dental treatment. You can also get treatments there that are not carried out by the NHS, such as dental implants, dental whitening or bleaching, crowns fused to gold, composite fillings (white fillings - note that NHS will only use composite fillings on front teeth that are visible whilst for back teeth they use amalgam fillings. Dentists in Hungary only use white fillings for ALL teeth).

Whilst you are in between treatments at the dental surgery in Hungary you can visit and relax in one of the many spas in the capital city of Budapest. The spas have naturally occurring mineral water that comes from deep in the ground and when it reaches the surface the temperature can be 30-60*C. The water is very rich in minerals and can be beneficial to all sorts of muscle and joint problems. In fact, many Hungarians are sent to the spa by their GP's to treat some musculoskeletal problem.
By staying in the City of Budapest you are not far from countryside either, so if you enjoy walks and hiking you can visit the surrounding hills for some fresh air and exercise. For horse fans, there are riding schools and tracks that you can also check out.

The opportunity for you to go to Hungary for your dental treatment is now available locally from a local introductory service based in Warrington. This service can book your appointments for dental treatment and accommodation in Hungary, all you need to do is book your flights, however timetables of flights are available as part of the service. The flight from Manchester Airport to Budapest is about 2 hours and 40 minutes (it takes longer than that to go to London!). As part of the service you also receive a brochure with local information that you may need when you are in Budapest, Hungary.

Why choose this service over other agents? Well, for starters, we are Hungarians from Budapest, we know the area very well and we are close friends with the dentists. We are confident that we can not only arrange for your quality dental treatment in Hungary but give you valuable information about the area to make your stay just that little bit more enjoyable.

Migraines

If you are a sufferer then you are familiar with the sick feeling and the constant craving for a dark, soundproof room away from everything. If you live with somebody who has migraines then probably you've been wondering if there is something you can do for your loved one just to ease off the migraine attack. There are strong migraine tablets available without prescription these days that treat the symptoms fairly quickly. You can also opt for an ice pack around the areas of the back of the neck, back of the head, top of the head, forehead and around the eyes. There are also herbal remedies available from a qualified herbalist that may give good relief from the symptoms.

What causes them?

There are several causes to migraines and it is important to identify the causes in order to provide more efficient treatments for the sufferers. Hormonal fluctuations, diet and food allergy, exposure to heat and Sun, exposure to loud noises over a long time, cigarette smoking, poor air quality, sinus problems and even severe dehydration can all cause migraines. Many people get 'warning signs' before a migraine attack even up to 3 days! The common warning sign would be the 'aura' a sufferer sees prior to an attack. Flashing lights and stars are also common to see before an attack. Sinus or allergy sufferers may notice increased mucous production in the eyes and nose before an attack. Those with migraines related to dietary problems may notice that after eating certain foods, they will get a migraine attack.
The more scientific explanation of migraines is that nerve-rich arteries at the base of the neck go into spasm upon responding to a trigger (e.g. food, etc.) Blood vessels in the brain dilate and constrict at intervals too, as the restricted oxygen flow to the brain prompts other arteries to expand to meet the oxygen requirement of the brain. Lots of other hormones are released that may increase your sensitivity to pain.

What can we do about Migraines?

Well, it is important to identify what causes the problem. Once it is identified then it is easy to treat the root cause rather than the symptoms. Taking very powerful tablets may give instant relief from the migraine but it will not stop the next one coming when you least expect it.
Try to learn the warning signs. I know somebody who used to get migraines after a day of increased mucous production in the sinus areas (nose and eyes). That gave me an indication that the sinuses needed treating. Once the area was treated the migraines stopped.
There are several ways to treat migraines. Reflexology, for example, involves few sessions where the relevant areas, e.g. sinuses, are stimulated so that the general balance within the body is restored. This will, in return, stop the migraines. A more topical treatment would involve sinus drainage on the face and forehead (around the eyes) and at the back of the head and neck. There are lots of lymph nodes around the neck, ears and throat areas that can process the material drained from the sinuses. It also involves the use of essential oil blends, which help the drainage process.
Eucalyptus oil is a favourite in the use of sinus treatment.
Of course, the above is just an example of a migraine treatment. If your migraine is caused by something else, such as hormones, then the treatment must be tailored to those specific needs.

The main thing is not to panic because there is a solution for everything.

Here at pampami Holistics, you can buy a Migraine formula that was developed specifically for migraine headaches. Whilst it is not guaranteed that the product will cure the problem (as it may not treat your root causes) it will give you effective relief whilst you are receiving some treatment for the condition and before that treatment takes its effect. You can also discuss a suitable holistic treatment if you wish to tackle the problem on a longer-term basis.

What can I do to reduce or stop my migraines?

1. Get yourself checked out by your GP just to exclude the possibility of something more sinister.
2. Make sure you exercise enough, even just a half an hour walk on fresh air, can stimulate circulation to make sure more oxygen gets to your brain.
3. Avoid areas where the air quality is poor, stop smoking and ensure that your house/workplace is well ventilated.
4. Cut down on dairy food as it is believed to be a migraine trigger.
5. Avoid coffee and alcohol.
6. Make sure you drink plenty of water
7. Avoid the artificial sweetener Aspartame (it has been reported that Aspartame has caused black outs and pilots have lots their jobs as a result of that!)
8. Get enough rest and sleep.
9. Neck and shoulder massage is effective in relieving tension in the area.

Did you know?

1. The word 'Migraine', is although French, comes from the Greek 'hemicrania' meaning half the head because migraine headache usually occurs on one half of the head.
2. Migraine sufferers are termed 'Migraineures'.
3. Excessive yawning is a precursor for a migraine attack.
4. Strong cravings for chocolate is also a precursor that a migraine is about to attack.
5. Some people feel refreshed or euphoric once a migraine attack is over.
6. Wearing prism eyeglasses can reduce migraine attacks, although some professionals against it. Anyway, prism eyeglasses are effective in treating motion sickness and associated aura vision.

Alternative Remedies - Are they good or bad?

You wouldn't expect an article like this on a web site like this, would you? Well, the truth is that just because something is 'alternative', 'natural' or 'complementary' doesn't mean that it is perfectly safe and you can pump endless quantities of the stuff into your body. The truth is that substances such as aromatherapy oils, herbal teas, herbal tablets and even vitamins can be harmful for your body! Why? Because complementary medicines do work! If they didn't work they wouldn't pose even the tiniest of risks for your body whatsoever. Did you know that some of the conventional medicines are made from the same plants that us, complementary therapists use? Some of the medicines are made from synthetic copies of the ingredients in these plants. But you shouldn't be put off buying herbal remedies, aromatherapy oils or other non-medical substances for health improvement. These alternative medicines are a lot less harmful for your body than conventional medications and also, they don't have the undesired side effects that your prescription drugs may have. They are, of course, much more natural too. What I'm asking you here is that you pause for a thought before you lift that bottle of something off the shelves in the health food shop. It is very important to research the exact substance that you are thinking of using. Check if they are O.K. to take with your current medication. Ensure that you don't use lots of different remedies at the same time. Check if it's O.K. for you to go on the Sun after using the substance (or you might burn easily). There are several web sites where you can do your research on your chosen remedy. Even better if you consult a holistic therapist, who has good knowledge and experience in applying the substances. A holistic therapist will be able to assess, with the information you give on your medication, condition etc., which treatment is most suitable for you. For example, if you are receiving homeopathy treatments and visiting an Aromatherapist at the same time, then your Aromatherapist should be able to advise you which oils to avoid while you are being treated by your homeopathic practitioner. This is so, because some aromatherapy oils may cancel out the good effects of homeopathy.
Indeed, the web of complementary therapies is complicated but very well-woven. An informed choice is absolutely paramount, preferably with the help of your holistic therapist.

What is the best time to have my treatment?

To get the maximum benefits from your holistic treatment, timing may play an important part sometimes. There are several treatments that may prove to be more effective if done towards the evening. For example, if you are suffering from insomnia then it is perhaps better to have your treatment towards the evening rather than first thing in the morning. Similarly, if you are having a cellulite treatment, perhaps it is a better idea to have it in the morning or daytime because it may affect your natural sleeping pattern. Here are some recommended treatment times for different holistic massages, although these are just guidelines only and your treatment will still be effective if you decide to have them at other times:

Different causes of back pain and their treatment

If you suffer from back pain you probably did some research into the causes and treatments and you've come across endless articles listing many possibilities. Usually these medical articles state the same thing; that the best cure for back problems is to keep your back moving rather than rest it. True, exercise is very important to keep the bones, muscles, ligaments and tendons young and healthy but what the medical profession fails to investigate is why the individual has ended up with a back pain in the first place. What is true for one person may not be true for the other. But then the NHS does not pay your GP to spend a whole hour on you trying to find out why you are in this agony. This is how holistic therapies work: looking at the individual and finding out what causes the problem then treat him or her as a whole body for the causes. The human body is a very complicated physical-chemical-biological-spiritual structure. Let's look at some interesting facts about back pain:

Posture

When you were a kid, did your Mum and your Nana tell you off for slouching and looking like a 100-year old man? What did you do? Probably just laughed it off. What you didn't think was that your snotty teenager-type posture would give you some hell when you get into your late 30's! Ever since your 20's you've been working in an office, sitting at a desk all day, so your posture got even worse with some more damage to your back. So the ball was set to roll on… Poor posture can lead to imbalances within the body, so much so, that even your internal organs can be thrown out of balance! So you end up not only with a back pain but a horrible digestive disorder too (I bet you never put two and two together!). In the middle of all this, the back muscles have lost their tone too. This is a prime example that, while doing regular exercises and keeping your back active would be very beneficial, you are not treating the problem as a whole and it is rather one-sided. You are giving the physical stimulation that your back muscles need but you are not correcting a life-long habit of bad posture. That's why your back pain is not shifting. Treatment would include regular exercises, a visit to the physiotherapist to get some posture correcting exercises and of course some holistic massage treatments to relieve the pain and tension.

Wrong Shoes

Wearing the wrong shoes (e.g. high heels, too flat, too tight etc.) can give unwanted pressures on your body's alignment, the muscles and the bones too. In fact, some of your tendons may be over-stretched too as a result of incorrect footwear. Did you know that wearing killer high heel shoes all the time may give you a potbelly? That a potbelly in return, can give you lower back pains? When very high heels are worn your hips are thrown out of balance and you tend to tilt the pelvis to the back. A pelvis that is constantly tilted back will put strain on the stomach muscles, which will deform in time. A podge is then formed. This also weakens the stomach muscles, which means your back muscles have to work harder to keep the body upright. The extra work on the back muscles will result in over-exertion, tiredness and back pain. Treatment for this would include, stomach muscle strengthening exercises, investment in shoes that have heels no higher than that of court shoes, leaving the killer heels to special occasions, and of course some aromatherapy massage tretment to relieve the pain and to strengthen the muscle tone.