Asthma

Asthma is a disease that affects your lungs. It causes repeated episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and nighttime or early morning coughing. Asthma can be controlled by taking medicine and avoiding the triggers that can cause an attack. You must also remove the triggers in your environment that can make your asthma worse

OUR HEALTH

Air Quality, Fires, and Volcanic Eruptions
Smoke from wildfires or burning debris after natural disasters is a mixture of gases and fine particles that can cause breathing difficulties or coughing and can harm your eyes. More »
Asthma
Asthma is a serious environmental health threat, but it can be controlled by taking medication and by avoiding contact with environmental "triggers" such as dust mites, furry pets, mold, tobacco smoke, and certain chemicals. More »
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Carbon monoxide (CO), an odorless, colorless gas that can cause sudden illness and death, is found in combustion fumes produced by cars and trucks, generators, stoves, lanterns, burning charcoal and wood, gas ranges, and heating systems. More »
Mold
Mold grows anywhere there is moisture but can be prevented. Exposure to damp and moldy environments may cause nasal stuffiness, throat irritation, coughing or wheezing, eye irritation, or skin irritation.

Environment and Health Group, Inc.

Environment & Health Group Inc. is a start-up company founded in 2000 with the express purpose of hastening the translation of the results of projects funded by the National Institutes of Health to commercial applications. Our core strength lays in the development of gero-technology - using the latest technology to translate scientific knowledge into innovative e-health tools for elderly populations and their health care providers. Through collaborations with public and private groups, we develop information services and e-technology products to provide education and training for health care professionals, and to meet the psychosocial needs of older adults and their families. Our current work is focused on geriatric behavioral health, minority health, and global aging.

Health through a better environment

Proper environmental management is the key to avoiding the quarter of all preventable illnesses which are directly caused by environmental factors. The environment influences our health in many ways — through exposures to physical, chemical and biological risk factors, and through related changes in our behaviour in response to those factors.
Thirteen million deaths annually are due to preventable environmental causes. Preventing environmental risk could save as many as four million lives a year, in children alone, mostly in developing countries.

Meditation... Towards a Stress Free Life

An ordinary person may consider meditation as a worship or prayer. But it is not so. Meditation means awareness. Whatever you do with awareness is meditation. "Watching your breath" is meditation; listening to the birds is meditation. As long as these activities are free from any other distraction to the mind, it is effective meditation.
Meditation is not a technique but a way of life. Meditation means 'a cessation of the thought process' . It describes a state of consciousness, when the mind is free of scattered thoughts and various patterns . The observer (one who is doing meditation) realizes that all the activity of the mind is reduced to one.
A Tibetan Lama was being monitored on a brain scan machine by a scientist wishing to test physiological functions during deep meditation. The scientist said - "Very good Sir. The machine shows that you are able to go very deep in brain relaxation, and that validates your meditation". "No", said the Lama, "This (pointing to his brain) validates the machine!".
These days it is commonly understood to mean some form of spiritual practice where one sits down with eyes closed and empties the mind to attain inner peace, relaxation or even an experience of God. Some people use the term as "my gardening is my meditation" or for jogging or art or music, hence creating confusion or misunderstanding.
The word meditation, is derived from two Latin words : meditari(to think, to dwell upon, to exercise the mind) and mederi (to heal). Its Sanskrit derivation 'medha' means wisdom.
Many years ago meditation was considered something just not meant for modern people, but now it has become very popular with all types of people. Published scientific and medical evidence has proved its benefits, but it still needs to be much understood.
Traditionally, the classical yoga texts, describe that to attain true states of meditation one must go through several stages. After the necessary preparation of personal and social code, physical position, breath control, and relaxation come the more advanced stages of concentration, contemplation, and then ultimately absorption. But that does not mean that one must perfect any one stage before moving onto the next. The Integral yoga approach is simultaneous application of a little of all stages together.
Commonly today, people can mean any one of these stages when they refer to the term meditation. Some schools only teach concentration techniques, some relaxation, and others teach free form contemplative activities like just sitting and awaiting absorption. Some call it meditation without giving credence to yoga for fear of being branded 'eastern'. But yoga is not something eastern or western as it is universal in its approach and application.
With regular practice of a balanced series of techniques, the energy of the body and mind can be liberated and the quality of consciousness can be expanded. This is not a subjective claim but is now being investigated by the scientists and being shown by an empirical fact

Yoga and Health

Yoga and Health are closely related. Yoga is a popular aid in improving both physical and mental health. This is basically the most common goal of people who practice Yoga - for health reasons. They want to ease their back pain, find a method to ease stress, or learn ways to deal with their health problems. This section takes a closer look on how your body functions and how Yoga practice can benefit your body.

Benefits of Yoga - Why Yoga Exercise is Good for YouFor years, Yoga is considered therapeutic. Researches were conducted to look at the effects of this practice in the body. Know the various health benefits brought about by practicing Yoga.

What Yoga can Do to Your HealthSome believe that Yoga is a science of health. When Yoga is practiced correctly, it helps reduce the negative effects of stress on the mind and body and can help the body cope with aging.

Yoga for MenThis section covers a basic Yoga routine designed for men. The exercises can go with weight training and can also help in obtaining a healthier body.

Yoga for WomenWomen should always be healthy so they can handle everything that they need to do. Know the different Yoga Exercises that can help women in coping with stress and hormonal changes.

Yoga for KidsKids today have to deal with outside pressures like after-school activities, peer pressure, and academic workloads. But with the help of Yoga, you don't have to worry anymore.

Yoga for the ElderlyGrowing old is also the time when you are more susceptible to some ailments. For senior citizens, stay fit and healthy by doing some Yoga Exercises.

Yoga & PilatesYoga and Pilates are becoming more and more popular nowadays. Both practices are considered as mind-body exercises. Learn more about Yoga & Pilates in this section.

Yoga for the Musculoskeletal SystemYoga practice and proper diet can help improve the flexibility and strength of our Musculoskeletal System. Learn what Yoga can do to your muscles.

Yoga for the Respiratory SystemYoga provides a holistic approach in coping with respiratory ailments by improving one's physical, mental, and spiritual health. Learn Yoga exercises that can help you deal with respiratory problems.

Yoga for the Circulatory SystemA healthy circulatory system is important to a person's health. Practice Yoga to help reduce risks of some circulatory ailments that can be triggered by physical, emotional, and mental stress.

Yoga for the Endocrine SystemPracticing Yoga, having a proper diet, and following a complete Yogic Lifestyle can take good care of the endocrine system, tone abdominal organs, and reduce stress.

Yoga for the Nervous SystemYoga can help in coping with several ailments or health problems. In this section, know the different Yoga Exercises that can help you in dealing with migraine and tension-type headache.

Yoga for Mental HealthYoga helps you achieve deeper knowledge of yourself which leads to self-acceptance. Do not let anxiety and depression get you. Know how to deal with them through Yoga practice.

Yoga for the Digestive SystemYoga practice can also be beneficial to your digestive system. In this section, know what Asanas can do to your digestive system and learn how to deal with heartburn and IBS through Yoga.

Weight Loss with YogaAre you among those people who tried all kinds of diet and exercise but still failed to lose weight? If your answer is yes, maybe you should try Yoga! In this section, learn how to lose weight with Yoga.

Treatment of Illnesses with YogaYoga has been shown to help relieve diseases such as chronic back pain, diabetes, stress, and fatigue. In this section, know how Yoga practice helps in treating certain illnesses.

Yoga TherapyYoga Therapy was borne out of the combination of Yoga and Western Medical Science. Learn about its benefits and what you should expect in a Yoga Therapy session by reading this article.

Yoga FacialsYoga Facials relieve tension, improve circulation, relax facial muscles, and improve the overall condition of your skin in the long run.

Yoga & SportsYoga Exercises can help athletes in preventing injuries and improving their strength and flexibility. In this section, learn more about the benefits of Yoga to people who are into sports.

Learning Disabilities & YogaYoga can be a very helpful tool for people who have learning disabilities. By simply doing some Yoga Poses, they can feel calm and centered.

Yoga and Soccer: Teaming Up For A Better PerformanceTake a closer look at the benefits of practicing yoga and soccer, read on and discover more about these activities.

Thai Yoga MassageDelve deeper into the healing art of Thai yoga massage. Discover more about the practice through this article.

Yoga and SwimmingThe secret behind being a good swimmer lies not only on your gift, dedication, physical strength. It has an integral part that serves as its core, which coordinates everything, from your strength, flexibility and respiration.

Wii Yoga - A New Way To Be FitGet ready to bring out the health buff in you with the release of Nintendo’s Wii Yoga. Know more about Wii yoga through this article.

Yoga and ADHDLearn more about ADHD and the benefits Yoga can do to improve one's health.

Yoga and AnxietyAnxiety is a common health problem that affects about 40 million Americans each year. Learn more about yoga and anxiety through this article. Yoga practice is beneficial - whether physically, mentally, or emotionally. Just keep in mind that there are guidelines in doing Yoga Exercises. Make sure that you do not push yourself in doing poses which are beyond your limits. Moreover, Yoga is not the sole treatment to many health problems. If you are practicing Yoga for health reasons, it is still wise to consult your physician.

Global Warming 101: Solutions

Global warming may or may not be a problem. Man may or may not be driving it. Given the uncertainties, a significant amount of global regret may apply if we divert too much of our global wealth to solving what may be a non-existent or trivial problem, especially if that diversion mires billions in poverty. On the other hand, we may also regret not doing anything if man-made global warming does turn out to be a problem. It is therefore prudent to examine what steps we can take that would prove beneficial whether or not anthropogenic global warming turns out to be a problem. These steps can be termed “no regrets” policies.
What makes a No Regrets Global Warming Policy? A global warming policy can be termed “no regrets” as long as it:
Reduces the amount of greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere, or
Mitigates, prevents or reduces a harm associated with global warming, or
Provides greater capacity for dealing with problems associated with global warming
Without imposing significant cost or diverting economic activity.
Top Five “No Regrets” Policies
1.) Eliminate all subsidies to fuel use.Subsidies to energy R&D cost taxpayers millions of dollars while producing minimal benefits. While these programs may be relatively small given the size of domestic energy markets, they serve little, if any, useful purpose while subsidizing large corporations at taxpayer expense. The potential threat of global warming, whether it is real or not, is simply one more reason to eliminate these subsidy programs. An international agreement aimed at ending energy subsidy with binding targets would be a significant victory for emissions reduction. Unlike Kyoto, which forces an energy starvation diet on its participants, such a treaty would be a move to combat energy obesity.
2.) Repeal the Federal Flood Insurance Program.Much of the concern over global warming’s potential for harm in the US relates to sea level rise and the flooding that will result. However, much of the investment in potentially vulnerable areas is a result of the Federal flood Insurance Program. This program encourages building in vulnerable areas by acting as a moral hazard: people take greater risks because the government has said it will help bear that risk. Reform would reduce the moral hazard connected with building on vulnerable land, transferring the risk from the taxpayer to the private sector, which is likely to take a more realistic view of the issue.
3.) Reform Air Traffic Control Systems.Greater demand for air travel means more flights, which means greater fuel use and increased emissions. Yet, the current government-operated system of air traffic control, based on a 1920s-era system of beacons, may hinder innovations that could reduce fuel use and emissions. As a general rule, the shorter the flight, the less fuel will be consumed. Yet neither airlines nor pilots have the freedom to choose the most direct and economical route. Giving pilots freedom to map their own course is an attractive and desirable change in the eyes of the industry, and the impact on the environment would be tremendous. As well as saving considerable amounts of greenhouse gas emissions, the policy will deliver significant benefits in terms of time and expense to the US economy. By obviating significant reductions in service levels associated with more routine applications of emissions reduction policy, it is to be preferred to that approach.
4.) Facilitate Electricity Competition.By rejecting the model of central regulation and allowing suppliers to meet their customers’ needs more exactly while relying on distributed generation, energy waste and the associated emissions will reduce considerably. This reduction in waste will prove economically beneficial even if emissions themselves do not cause problems.
5.) Reduce Regulatory Barriers to New Nuclear Build.There is no other technology than nuclear that is proven to be capable of providing emissions-free energy at the scale required to make significant reductions in carbon emissions. The problem is that thanks to anti-nuclear activism by environmentalists in the 1970s, it takes a very long time to build a nuclear plant. This pushes development and construction costs up to the level where it is not economically competitive with higher-emitting forms of electricity generation like coal and natural gas. According to the nuclear energy institute, it takes 10 years from concept to operation to build a nuclear plant, and only four of those are construction, the rest is permit application development (2 years) and decision-making by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (4 years).