The Individual Guide

The call of the wild can be seductive. The exquisite beauty of the
wilderness, the incomparable solitude, the simplicity of life on the trail,
and the rush of living a bit on the edge attract thousands of eager
backcountry enthusiasts. Sometimes enthusiasm gets in the way of
wisdom and adequate preparation. Hikers, campers and other nature
lovers can find themselves lost, unprepared or badly hurt. Colorado’s
Mountain Rescue Association reports its teams respond to more than
1,000 search and rescues per year. Victims often suffer from frostbite,
dehydration, shock or severe trauma. Not all emergencies can be
prevented, but many can. Poor preparation, poor judgment and hubris
can be a dangerous combination that can lead to pure misery, injury or
even death. Be wise and commit to the safety rules established by the
experts. The following 10 rules are promoted by the officials of The
Appalachian Club (www.outdoors.org) and the Colorado Mountain Club
(www.cmc.org) :

#1 Alert Others to Your Plans - Be sure to tell family or close
friends where you are going and when you plan to return. Fill out a hiker
log at the Ranger Station in the wilderness area that you intend to visit.
Know who can initiate a search and rescue in the area you are visiting. It
may be the County Sheriff, but in the National Park system it’s the Park
Ranger.

#2 Educate Yourself - There is an ethic of self-reliance in the
backcountry. You have to rely on your own abilities to stay out of a jam,
or get yourself out of one. You must know your own limitations. If you
are heading into a new area, study the guidebooks. Ask around to get
as much information you can on the terrain, the type of experience, the
topography, and any other features you may need to watch out for. Do
not overlook the option of traveling with an organized group with a
knowledgeable leader to give you at least an introduction.

#3 Expect Weather to Change Quickly - In many locations,
weather can be unpredictable and unforgiving. Seasonal changes can
add to this challenge most anywhere. Be sure to check weather reports
before heading out, and if the forecast is dismal, postpone your trip. The
trail will be there tomorrow.

#4 Dress to Prevent Hypothermia - Heed this advice, even if
you are planning a simple day hike. The chief reason that people die in
the backcountry is hypothermia or ‘exposure’ - a lowering of core body
temperature. Jeans and cotton t-shirts become a real problem when
they become wet and hold moisture next to the skin while drawing heat
away from the body. Polypropylene and silk wick moisture away from
the skin and help retain body heat. Next, consider insulating layers such
as synthetic fleece or wool, and an outer shell that protects from wind or
moisture. A hat will significantly help preserve body heat. Loose-fitting
clothing is better than tight fitting. Feet can become cold if your belt or
boots are too tight and impairing your circulation.

#5 Prioritize When Packing - The average survival experience
lasts three days. To negotiate that, you will need some sort of shelter
that provides a windbreak to keep you warm and dry, as well as water to
maintain hydration, a fire starter, a back-up fire starter, and a mirror for
signaling. Do not over-emphasize the usefulness of flares, strobes and
flashlights. Someone may possibly spot them accidentally at night, but
those intentionally looking for you will be searching in daylight. A fire is
more useful. It is reassuring when you are tired, panicky and cold. It can
warm you up, melt snow to keep you hydrated, or to treat a hypothermic
victim with warm liquid. A fire can be a signaling device during the day.
Remember the power of “3″ - three fires in a triangle, three columns of
smoke, three whistles and three gunshots, are the international signal
for distress.

#6 Know Your Equipment - If you are not quite sure how to use
your compass and topographical map, find the appropriate help or
course at an outfitter or in a book by experts. Maps, compasses, and
GPS devices are useless in your pocket. The time to read the
instructions on your emergency fire starter is not when it is dark, you’re
cold, and your hands are shaking. Using your equipment should be
second nature. Survival will be 10% equipment, 10% knowing how to
use it, and 80% will be your own intelligence and attitude.

#7 Stay Hydrated - Drink a minimum of two quarts of water a
day. Hydration is incredibly important in preventing hypothermia and in
maintaining the ability to think clearly. If you lose two percent of your
body’s fluid content through normal sweat and urination, and don’t
replenish it, you can begin experiencing headaches, nausea,
sleeplessness, increased heart rate and decreased muscle strength.
The body cannot generate heat if it’s dehydrated. If you are planning to
get water from a river or stream, bring a water filter or some method of
disinfecting or treating it. Some people boil it. In a survival situation,
keeping yourself hydrated makes drinking any available water worth the
risk. Although water-borne viruses do exist in rivers and streams, you
will probably be rescued by the time that virus makes you sick. Staying
hydrated is most critical.

#8 Feast on Carbohydrates - Carbohydrates provide quick
and sustainable energy. Complex carbohydrates are best, but a mix of
simple and complex carbohydrates is perfectly suitable. Bring foods
such as fruit and granola bars that provide concentrated energy for the
least amount of weight. Proteins, such as beef jerky, are the worst. Your
body needs time and energy to break down proteins, and they can
require a lot of water.

#9 Remain Calm - Keeping your wits about you in an
emergency situation will prolong your life and greatly increase the odds
of survival. Maintaining a positive mental attitude is the biggest
advantage in a survival situation. This is especially important if you
have an injury, a fatality, or someone who is hypothermic or giving up.
These situations will have a debilitating effect on the group. Rescuers
report that they have had people run away from them because they’re in
a hysterical, threatened mindset. Be cool and calm to help you survive.
(Remember, the average situation lasts three days.)

#10 Stay Put - If you become delayed, don’t take off in a
different direction or try a shortcut. Alpine rescuers say that the biggest
problem they have is that people are not where they are supposed to
be. They are often miles from where they said they were going to be. If
you become badly lost, settle down and stay put.

Get Wild…Stay Safe!

Copyright 2005 Karen B. Cohen All rights Reserved.

Karen B. Cohen is a performance and wellness coach living in a college
town in rural Virginia. A lifelong outdoor enthusiast, Karen enjoys a
variety of pursuits in the Upper Shenandoah Valley and the Blue Ridge
Mountains. She is an expert yoga instructor and occasionally leads
yoga hikes near her home. She is available for seminars, workshops
and individual coaching, and can be reached through her latest project
http://www.RockbridgeMag.com

(Karen@RockbridgeMag.com)

Many of God’s people struggle financially because they have a worldly view of financial prosperity which is summarized by the bumper sticker that says, “The one who dies with the most toys wins”. Understanding the true nature of financial prosperity will bring great spiritual and financial blessing. I encourage you to practice and preach the following principles.

ACCORDING TO THE BIBLE, YOU ARE FINANCIALLY PROSPEROUS WHEN THREE THINGS ARE TRUE OF YOU:

1. YOU NEVER WORRY ABOUT MONEY.

“Do not be anxious then, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘With what shall we clothe ourselves?’ For all these things the Gentiles eagerly seek; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things” (Matthew 6:31, 32; all Scripture quotations are from the NASB original edition).

Financial prosperity, according to Jesus, means that you never lie awake worrying about how to pay the bills, you aren’t distracted by money worries during the day, and you don’t fight with your spouse over money. This freedom from worry is available to every child of God who trusts His heavenly Father to provide all his needs.

2. YOU ALWAYS HAVE ALL THE MONEY YOU NEED.

• “And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

• “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that always having all sufficiency in everything…” (2 Corinthians 9:8a).

God says you are financially prosperous when you always pay all your bills on time and all your needs are always met. And God promises to keep you in this happy conditionif you are a generous giver.

3. YOU ALWAYS HAVE EXTRA MONEY TO GIVE TO GOD’S WORK.

“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed” (2 Corinthians 9:8b).

Financial prosperity includes always having an excess amount of money to give away to the work of God.

Scripture clearly teaches that God wants to bless His people with financial prosperity. That doesn’t mean we’ll all drive a Lexus or take a Caribbean cruise every year. But if we live and give according to biblical principles, we will never have to worry about money, we will always have all the money we need, and we will always have extra money to give away.

That’s true financial prosperity.

Copyright 2006 Rod Rogers

Rod Rogers, D.Min., is a stewardship consultant, speaker, and author. His ten-step Dynamic Giving System has helped over 900 churches worldwide biblically increase their giving 10% - 300% in five weeks. Get a FREE twelve-page eSermon when you sign up for his FREE monthly e-zine. http://www.profitautomation.com/app/contact.asp?id=64228

Hair loss for men and women can be devastating and there are several hundred different types of officially recognized hair diseases that can cause this problem.

Clinical Dermatologists are unlikely to see more than 20 different hair diseases during their careers. The most common diseases that Dermatologists are likely to see are androgenetic alopecia, alopecia areata, telogen effluvium, trichotillomania alopecia, hair shaft defects from cosmetic processing and excess hair growth (hirsutism or hypertrichosis). Most hair diseases are very rare and occur in less than 1% of the population.

One of the main criticisms from patients is that their dermatologist just does not understand their particular disease but because of the limited research into hair disease it is very difficult to make a specific diagnosis. Because of limited research there are very few diagnostic tests or treatments available other than for the most common diseases.

To define a disease and appropriate treatment a dermatologist uses a process of deduction from clues that he gets from the patient. There are three main methods of information gathering. A dermatologist will ask questions regarding the history of your hair loss and questions in regards to your life style. He will conduct a visual examination of your hair and occasionally take sample of hair, skin and blood for further testing and examination.

The first most common question will be ‘How long have you had hair loss?’. This will determine if you were born with it or acquired it in later in life.

The visual examination of the hair only takes a couple of minutes, as hair loss is clearly visible. The first thing a dermatologist will check is the pattern of the hair loss and then the form of the hair loss.

If a fungal infection is suspected the dermatologist may look at the hair under a light source called a Wood’s Lamp.

A hair pull test may also be conducted. The dermatologist gently pulls on a few strands of hair to see if the fibers pull out easily.

A few fibers of hair may be taken for a microscopic analysis. The hairs have to be pulled out rather than cut so that the roots of the fiber as well as the shaft can be examined.

If it is suspected that the hair condition is the result of bacteria, yeast or fungi the dermatologist will take scrapings of skin from the affected area. Some of these scrapings will be covered with special staining chemicals that bind to certain types of bacteria or fungi.

Occasionally a dermatologist will take a scalp biopsy. This he will send to a histologist who cuts the biopsy into thin sections and lays them on a microscopic slide. The skin sections can be stained in different ways depending on what is being looked for.

Internal body dysfunction may also cause hair loss or excess hair growth. If a dermatologist suspects that hormones or the immune system are involved he may take a blood sample and may even ask you to see an endocrinologist/immunologist for further testing.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Hair Loss

Herbal treatment is termed as ‘alternative’ medicine and this branch of herbal science will always remain evergreen. It is renowned worldwide for treating such patients who do not respond to any other form of treatment. It is mostly suited for adults.

Most of the practitioners have disregarded the importance of healthy diet to build a healthy skin texture (with the exception of food allergies). Diet lacking necessary supplements will not affect the skin quality in any way. But if you want to tone your skin and make it healthy, then fatty acid foods are essential. Efa’s are commonly found in the form of flax, oil supplements, along with a diet rich in fiber.

A multivitamin treatment also plays a vital role, but mega doses should not be taken unless prescribed by a reputed health practitioner. Most of the people know Vitamin A is an essential nutrient for healthy skin, but only a few are aware that excessive dosages can lead to a liver damage.

Besides, there are many remedies that enter into the market. Some of them are highly priced but do not work effectively. It would be wise if one chooses the right treatment, especially those that are the extracts from natural sources. There are few treatments that are popular since ages such as the use of tree oils, neem soap, tea tree oil etc. Lavender and chamomile are meant for producing ‘calming’ effect. Besides you can read different books on herbal sciences where you can study various means of treatment. If you wish to change your eating habits you can call upon a physician and adhere to his or her suggestions.

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