The nose, throat and eyes are literally the body’s external filtration system! Every day, billions of microscopic particles filter through the nose and throat. Although the nose has tiny delicate hairs to help filter these particles (and the eyes have eyelashes and eyebrows to trap particles) many billions still slip through to the lungs. The [...]
Feeling ‘stuffy’ and congested? When the membranes lining the nasal passages become inflamed, swelling can occur, causing the obstruction of easy airflow in the sinus walls. This obstruction is commonly described as nasal congestion and pressure on the upper cheeks and on either side of the nose. A dull ache is also commonly felt in [...]
Nose and chest congestion makes everyone uncomfortable from adults to babies. Although it is not easy, as you get older the discomfort is a little more tolerable, but very small babies that are unable to breathe properly fuss a lot. The immune system is triggered to fight invading germs, causing a build–up of mucus, phlegm [...]
Little ones and children rely greatly on easy breathing – particularly during the night. The nerves that regulate breathing are in the nasal passages. Tiny hairs help to ‘catch’ dirt and dust particles taken in during a breath, and also help to warm the air before it reaches the lungs. Furthermore each nostril independently moisturizes [...]
Little ones and children rely greatly on easy breathing – particularly during the night. The nerves that regulate breathing are in the nasal passages. Tiny hairs help to ‘catch’ dirt and dust particles taken in during a breath, and also help to warm the air before it reaches the lungs. Furthermore each nostril independently moisturizes [...]
There are a number of things that can be done to keep chests clear. At night, try propping children up with extra pillows. This will raise their heads and cause them to sleep at an angle,facilitating easier breathing through the night. You can also try using a plug-in device such as a vaporizer, which releases [...]
The immune system is an immensely complicated and intricate system, and like all systems in the body, it needs to be in top condition to perform optimally. For our immune systems to flourish, we need to ensure that we care for both our physical and emotional health– therefore it is essential that we adopt the [...]
If it weren’t for our respiratory system, we wouldn’t be able to live. By oxygenating the blood in our body, all our vital organs get oxygen – the key element we need to keep all the cells in our body alive! The action of breathing can be summed up as “the exchange of gases between [...]
The body is a battleground. The immune system is an amazingly intricate and complex system that keeps us healthy and protects us against all sorts of invaders including viruses, bacteria, microbes, parasites and toxins. Like with many things, we often don’t notice or think about our immune system until something goes wrong with it. A [...]
The body uses the bloodstream to distribute nutrients to cells and organs, and there should always be a certain amount of glucose circulating in the bloodstream. Glucose (a sugar) is the main fuel of the body, and using the bloodstream it delivers the energy a body needs to function. Insulin is a hormone which helps [...]
The pancreas is a large organ that is part of the digestive and endocrine systems. It is located deep within the upper abdomen, surrounded by the stomach, small intestine, liver and spleen. The pancreas is a vital organ that performs two important functions within the body. It produces digestive juices and enzymes to help digest [...]
The liver is found within the lower part of the rib-cage on the right hand side of the body. It has a huge variety of functions in the body and is the only organ that can repair and re-grow itself after damage. The liver is the second largest organ in the body and is often [...]
Hair is mostly made from a fibrous protein called keratin, which is also found in fingernails and toenails. The supply of nutrient-rich blood to the scalp and hair follicles is essential in promoting healthy hair growth and preventing hair loss. Many shampoos and other hair products may contain harsh chemicals that strip the hair and [...]
Most of us take the process of hair growth for granted. It is such a microscopic and imperceptible occurrence that we tend to go months before deciding we need a haircut. The fact is that hair forms in a small pouch-like structure below the skin called a hair follicle. An interesting and rather amusing fact [...]
Growth, development, metabolism, organ function, fertility and body temperature; these are all vital body functions we tend to take for granted. It may come as quite a surprise then, that the regulation of these vital tasks is due to one tiny endocrine gland – the thyroid – located in your neck just below your Adam’s [...]
The adrenal glands are two walnut-sized structures in the body, situated above each kidney. They consist of two separate regions: an inner adrenal medulla, surrounded by an outer adrenal cortex. The adrenal gland function is related to the wide variety of hormones released by these structures and is mostly directed by the body’s response to [...]
Support for your sensitive areas. The anus is a sensitive structure. While most of us never give this area a second thought, it plays a vital role in everyday activities. While we spend most of our time on our feet rushing around, every time we sit down, we put pressure on the anal area. Furthermore, [...]
The face harbors a large quantity of tiny blood vessels just under the surface of the skin. Facial flushing occurs when there is a sudden increase of blood flowing through these vessels causing them to swell. In time, ongoing dilation may cause blood vessels to get larger and appear like small red lines on the [...]
Be the life of the party. Rich food, sweets, wine, and over-indulgence mean quite a bit of multi-tasking for that unique and under-estimated organ, the liver. Everything that enters our body must be detoxified and refined by the liver. Blood is purified by the liver daily, thus removing harmful waste. As the main filtering organ, [...]
While they are a fact of life, pimples, boils, acne and blackheads are also inconvenient, bothersome, and unattractive. They also affect more than 85% of all people aged 12–24. Skin eruptions occur in 1–in–4 adults between the ages of 25–44, with women and teenagers especially vulnerable during hormonal changes. The skin contains oil glands to [...]
