By Jonni Good

A leading cause of a yeast infection is the use of antibiotics. These drugs kill off bacteria that usually keep the yeast in check. The yeast population can then grow too quickly for your immune system to control it.

When this happens, yeast may then change over to its infectious form and go on the attack.

Women quite often experience their first yeast infections after taking a prescription for antibiotics, or after using soap containing disinfectants. Other women have no problems with most antibiotics, but may get yeast infections if they take specific types of antibiotics, or if they are treated for an extended time for chronic problems like acne.

Toddlers often have oral thrush after a course of antibiotics.

Some Antibiotics Can be Avoided

Some condoms have a spermicide containing nonoxynol-9, which has been shown to increase the incidence of yeast infections. If you get a yeast infection after having sex using a condom, check the package to see if it has an antibiotic or spermicide. If it does, you might consider changing brands.

Our food supply is also full of antibiotics, because beef and poultry are fed these drugs on a regular basis to keep them healthy in crowded conditions. Some health practitioners believe the widespread use of antibiotics in both humans and animals is the cause for both the recent increase in drug-resistant bacteria, and the increased incidence of yeast infections.

By Jonathan Chionh

Reading, and other �close vision’ work, is probably one of the greatest causes of poor eyesight – but it doesn’t have to be. Here, I’m going to tell you how to make reading a pleasurable experience which is totally safe for your eyes, and won’t result in progressively worse eyesight. Don’t read when tired or sick. The rule of thumb here is to read or perform close work only when your energy is high: when you are ill or tired, get plenty of rest and sleep. Yes, I know, if you have to read for your job, you may not have the option, but at least you can avoid making it worse by not using your eyes too much after work.

Don’t read for extended periods in poor light. Nature, or outside solar light, gives us about 10,000 watts of light. Inside lighting is very dim in comparison, about 150-200 watts at best. Most people read with 60-100 watt bulbs or less, and strain their eyes. If you have trouble reading in dim light, your eyes will strain and weaken even more.

It’s best to read in daylight, with the sun or outdoor light coming through the window onto your reading or working material. Or better yet, do your reading or close work outdoors! At night, shine a bright bulb - 150-200 watts - onto your reading material to make it clear, and lessen eye strain. Adjust the light so it does not cause glare on the page. Even better, use a FULL SPECTRUM LIGHT BULB. If you don’t know where to get these from, do a google search for �full spectrum lighting’ to find a supplier near you, or one that will ship to you. Keep a Good Posture Whilst Reading. Poor posture while reading is a major cause of weakened and fatigued eyesight. Avoid slumping or hanging or craning your head down while reading. Sit comfortably erect.

By Donald Saunders
www.stress-relief-and-anxiety-relievers.com

Feelings of stress are part and parcel of everyday life and in many situations stress can actually be good for us. In emergencies for example stress is nothing more than the body's instinctive reaction to defend itself. It is stress therefore that would cause us to jump out of the way if we saw a car hurtling towards us at high speed.

Stress however is not always a good thing and, if we find ourselves under stress for any length of time, it can start to result in physical symptoms such as headaches, back pain, shortness of breath, an upset stomach and insomnia, to name just a few. So, how can you manage stress in this sort of situation?

Here are 10 tips to help you to cope with life's challenges.