A New Use for Botox

Botox is one of the anti-aging solutions that have been the current craze among people today. Botox involves injecting of very tiny amount of purified protein into specific muscles to treat and improve lines, wrinkles, furrows and crow's feet associated with facial expression.

But researchers have found a new purpose for the anti-aging injectable and it's not just for your granny's wrinkles. A teenager was suffering from hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating and even with constant use of antiperspirants and deodorants couldn't curb to his dilemma. His doctor suggested Botox injections, explaining that Botulinum toxin A has been successfully used to reduce excessive sweating.

In another case four years ago, a doctor injected Botox to paralyse the salivary glands of a 39-week-old child who was literally drowning in his own spit. Within ten days, excess secretions dried up, and the child was able to leave the hospital safe and sound. Studies have also revealed that Botox can also alleviate migraine headaches. Other newfound uses under study include treatments for overreactive bladders and tinnitus or ths sudden ringing inside the ears. So next time, don't assume your friend's Botox injections are for his wrinkles.

Laughing a total body workout!

Laughter is an expression of joy. It is a physiological response to humor. Humor researcher Peter Derks describes laughter as a "really automatic, quick, type of behavior. In fact, how quickly our brain recognizes the incongruity that lies at the heart of most humor and attaches an abstract meaning to it determines whether we laugh." Seriously now, many researchers believe that the purpose of laughter is related to making and strengthening human connections. Laughter occurs when people are comfortable with one another and when they feel open and free. The more laughter there is, the more bonding within the group. This feedback, combined with the common desire not to be singled out from the group, may be another reason why laughter is often contagious.

Laughing was long known to be helpful to those coping with major illnesses and the stress of life's problems. But researchers are now saying that laughter can do a lot more - it can basically bring balance to all the components of the immune system, which helps us fight off diseases. Laughter reduces levels of certain stress hormones. It provides a safety valve that shuts off the flow of stress hormones and the fight-or-flight compounds that swing into action into our bodies when we experience stress, anger or hostility.

What may surprise you even more is the fact that researchers estimate that laughing 100 times is equal to 10 minutes on the rowing machine or 15 minutes on an exercise bike. Blood pressure is lowered, and there is an increase in vascular blood flow and in the oxygenation of blood, which furthers assists healing. Laughter also provides your diaphragm and abdominal, respiratory, facial, leg and back muscles a workout. That's why you often feel exhausted after a long bout of laughter. Laughing can be a total body workout!

And the winner is...

Congratulations to Don of Rants of A Loony Toon!!! You are the lucky blogger who won my first ever Entrecard contest! I will be sending you 1500 Entrecard credits and a one month free ad space on my blog. Thank you again to all those who participated! Thanks also to random.org and Saphrym for his expertise in making my logo and for his support!

Watch out for more contests that I will be making in the near future!

Ends Tonight

Greetings fellow bloggers and silence breakers everywhere! My first Entrecard contest will be ending tonight and I would like to give my heartfelt gratitude to those who participated in the contest. I know there's always a first time for everyone, and even though only a few bloggers entered my contest, I'm still grateful to everyone who supported my contest and for sharing their time and efforts to help me in this contest. As my gift I will be giving 150 ECs to those who joined as a consolation prize and 1500 ECs (as promised) to the winner of my Entrecard contest! So with out further ado, here are the official bloggers who have qualified for my contest:

1. Brenda of meowlicious.blogspot.com
2. Devon of codingcollege.com
3. Don of rants of a loony toon
   
4. Mrs. Hannigan of mrshannigan.blogspot.com
5. Ukion of Detector

Another warm thank you for all Entrecard bloggers who have dropped their cards and advertised on my blog! Thank you so much and may we continue to break the silence!!!

Summer Lovin'

It’s summer or haven’t you noticed it yet? See how people seem more relaxed and easygoing during this season? Less traffic, no school anymore (yey!), bright colors, endless sunny days and the perfect time to soak some heat!

So take advantage of the lazy summer days to renew and refreshen your ties with family and friends starting with these “beat-the-heat” tips:

• Reminisce and Reunite. Here’s your chance to rekindle and get together with old childhood friends and schoolmates. Round up the ol’ gang and have a reunion! It doesn’t have to be expensive – you can whip up your regular siesta or afternoon snacks and bring back memories over a refreshing glass of iced tea, fruit shakes or even your favorite soda and ice cream!
  

• Make new friends. No one can have too many friends I must say. So why stop making new friends? Put a genuine and pleasing smile on your face and strike up a conversation with the person sitting beside you in the bus, MRT or even you’re the cute girl standing next to you in the elevator. Better yet, forge new friendships with people around your neighborhood. It doesn’t hurt to be sociable.
  

• Be something new! Reinvent yourself. It could be just a new haircut you’ve long been planning for or indulging in a new hobby, or doing some help with your community or a chosen charity. Befriend the orphans or even the elderly. Be a role model and enjoy the deep joys of finding a new you.
  

• Be thankful. Start out with a journal or prayer as a way of saying gratitude. Start out small – begin by writing what happened during your day and be thankful for it, whether big or small. Do this before going to bed and chances are, you’ll sleep way better. Make this a habit to remind yourself of just how much there is to be thankful for.