The Focus FCV is one of the industry’s first hybridized fuel cell vehicles combining the improved range and performance of hybrid technology with the overall benefits of a fuel cell.

Using a fuel cell powertrain supplied by Ballard Power Systems, the world leader in proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell technology, the FCV is hybridized with the addition of a nickel metal-hydride battery pack and a brake-by-wire electro-hydraulic series regenerative braking system. The fuel cell engine converts chemical energy into electric energy using hydrogen fuel and oxygen from air. The electric energy then powers the vehicle’s electric drive motor, producing only water vapor and heat as by-products.

Just like Honda’s Insight and Civic hybrids, the new battery ’assists’ the main powerplant by adding extra power when accelerating or climbing hills, and is charged by regenerative braking system when braking or decelerating. Of course, the Civic and Insight use a small gasoline internal combustion engine instead of a fuel cell, but the principle is the same.

“This Focus FCV is the most sophisticated environmental vehicle Ford has developed,” said Dr. Gerhard Schmidt, Ford Motor Company vice president, Research and Advanced Engineering. “As such, is a critical success in our long-term strategy to move toward high volume production of hydrogen powered cars and trucks.”

The Focus FCV has onboard sensors, which constantly monitor the fuel cell stack, trunk and the passenger compartment. If trace amounts of hydrogen are detected, the system will warn the driver. If a slightly higher level is detected, the system will transition to a limited operating strategy and then begin shutting down vehicle operations.

Its new battery pack, regenerative braking system and improved hydrogen gas storage tank help increase the driving range of the four-passenger Focus FCV to between 250 km (160 miles) and 320 km (200 miles) – about 30% better than the previous version,

The new Hydrogen Storage Tank Technology in the Focus FCV stores four kilograms of hydrogen, which is equivalent to four gallons of gasoline. It also features an in-tank pressure regulator, which lowers the pressure so the gas leaves the tank at approximately 150 psi to work its way through the fuel cell.

Ford is working closely within the industry and with fuel providers to help develop government codes and standards for a hydrogen-fuelling infrastructure and to help improve the commercial viability of fuel cell technology by bringing all stakeholders together in an effort to eliminate barriers to mass production and implementation.

“The launch of this Ford fuel cell demonstration fleet, together with the previously announced DaimlerChrysler deployments of cars, vans, and buses powered with Ballard® fuel cells clearly demonstrates the strength and leadership of our fuel cell alliance,” said Dennis Campbell, president and Chief Executive Officer, Ballard. “This unique collaboration between Ford, DaimlerChrysler and Ballard Power Systems is fielding the most extensive fuel cell vehicle demonstration ever undertaken.

With years of combined experience in selling premium quality auto parts, Partstrain has been the trusted and most reliable source of superb quality engine parts, electrical body parts and other auto parts. Shopping for excellent quality automotive parts here in Partstrain is easy and hassle-free. You can browse our accessible user-friendly online parts list at http://www.partstrain.com/ShopByVehicle/FORD either by make or part type. Ordering is a breeze, simply select the premium car parts you want and fill in your particulars at its secure checkout page.

Jenny McLane is a 36 year old native of Iowa and has a knack for research on cars and anything and everything about it. She works full time as a Market Analyst for one of the leading car parts suppliers in the country today.

You’ve read about it. Everyone talks about it. It’s been the buzzword as far as health is concerned for a while now. Antioxidants have become synonymous with living healthy today. So you have a long list of foods that are good for you, and one reads about what a protective influence they have on our system. However, it is just not possible to be sure that you’ve got your daily dose of vitamins or antioxidants from your daily food. So what is the option? Supplements of course.

And no, supplements are not a substitute for the antioxidants you get from your food. What they are, at best, or should be, is a top-up. A top-up that makes sure you get the optimum amounts you need. Because antioxidants are necessary to keep your body in good form.

What are the benefits that antioxidants give you? The main benefit is cell protection. These are the soldiers in the body that help prevent damage to the cell. They are the sentinels that keep out diseases and help you bounce back to health if you do fall ill. A right balance of vitamins and antioxidants in the body and you are sure to feel the difference in your health.

There are synthetic supplements and non-synthetic supplements. The synthetic ones tend to be absorbed more slowly and it takes a while before you actually see any positive results. The non-synthetic supplements however, get absorbed quickly into your system and very often, you notice that the results are almost immediate. What’s more, they do not have any side effects. Antioxidant supplements are available in natural and herbal variants. And here’s how they keep your system in great condition – they restore the libido, they prevent diseases and they also make sure that the blood clotting function in the body is kept under control.

Of course, supplements should be supplemented, or should we say supported, by good, wholesome, nutritious food. Your body needs this to stay well and to prevent disease. And you need supplements to be absolutely sure that you are getting enough. The same goes for vitamins and minerals. Supplements mean that you can rest easy knowing your body is not getting less of any of these vital ingredients but is getting the right amounts.

Remember that not getting enough of antioxidants through our food and supplements means that you could be setting yourself up for problems in your system. So take the right route to health, prevent disease before it hits you and include all that you need to in your diet. You’ll be well and truly on the road to a healthy future.

Miranda Thompsen is a staff writer at Retirement Planning Digest and is an occasional contributor to several other websites, including Aging Guide.

An Invicta Men’s Watch epitomizes the vision of founder Raphael Picard, established back in 1837 to produce world-famous Swiss timekeeping accessible at moderate costs. Above a century along with a half later, his descendants have expanded the label to offer designs not just for timekeeping but in addition as fashion statements. Thus we’re presented with some thing like I. Lupah watches, which could be regarded an Invicta men’s observe in spite of their rather unisex modern styling. A lot more or less it’s regarded as a unisex view and can be worn by practically each 1.

“Invicta” indicates “invincible” in Latin, and their new and enhanced watches are sturdy and sound for each day use. This view is hardly when compared with Timex or Casio watches that may possibly downgrade what it can be actually worth, and the functionality is regarded as different as well. But truth be told they may be practically nothing if in comparison to one thing like the Subaqua, that most manly of all of men’s watches, using a strong construct along with a total complement of useful instruments on board. This view can also be similar to the Invicta 8926 with both atomic and quartz built in as 1 with the most appealing characteristics that make the view what it is.

Perhaps more than any other timepiece created through the organization, the Subaqua may be the very portrait of an Invicta men’s view. With ruggedly handsome looks of ion-plating, stainless steel, or extremely polished titanium, they’re excellent companions for social occasions too as out-of-doors adventuring. Common qualities beloved of Invicta Subaqua watches include the brushed unidirectional ratcheting bezel with raised polished Arabic numerals at five-second intervals, a round sunray dial that could be ordered to match your strap choice of field brown or night black, and luminous index markers trimmed in silver tones that are situated at a number of hour positions, with subdials at two, six, and ten o’clock, with a date window at four, as a handy tachymeter for calculating speed above distance rounds out the whole dial.

The Invicta Subaqua Noma even offers water resistance rated at 50 ATM for all water-related activities.The high quality is incomparable, proper down towards the wrist strap or bracelet, found on an Invicta Speedway, as an example, having a flip-lock and heavy clasp but no sharp edges – meaning no more pulled hairs! The Invicta Speedway is one from the most elegant-looking timepieces they offer you, with extremely straightforward operations. Pushers allow it to function as a stopwatch. Hassle-free quartz movement assures timekeeping reliability.

Chrome hour markers have Invicta’s custom luminous paint, Tritnite, applied in their centers, set against a white watch face for a muted look, in contrast towards the hour and minute hands which element black piping together their length. A second-hand ends in an arrow-point to distinguish the 3 thin hands of your Speedway for the view. Yes it may possibly seem just like a rich watch nevertheless it performs more and better than what they could be really worth nowadays. They’re strong indeed but let’s attempt not to check their might!

What is the most effective method of losing weight? A school of thought advocates proper diets and regular exercise. And if you ask me, this group scored a bull eye because both these factors are the most crucial, and if you approach these in the proper manner, they will both will work together in boosting your metabolism. And what happen after this? You will shed off great quantity of fat thus increasing your energy level.

For the really obese folks who need to shed off some pounds, boosting your metabolism can be achieved by sticking to a strict regime of short walks every day.

Those who either injury or irregular exercise have rendered immobile can still be involved and can start with 10 or 15 minutes of leisure walk, a practice experts see as a good initial step towards boosting your metabolism.

But the instant you begin to lose weight, the regime will have to be intensified, this will entail adding more time and distance to your walks and incorporating some aerobic activities should also be part of your future considerations. This have the added advantage of boosting your metabolism and helping you maintain a constant weight.

However, boosting your metabolism will not be an easy ride for folks with very little weight to lose, though it is not out rightly impossible. But you will need to perform workouts that can raise your heart rate for more than ten minutes.

One other way of boosting your metabolism is by eating very small diets throughout the day as opposed to the traditional 3 daily meals, the logic behind this being the fact that there is an increase in body metabolism whenever digestion takes place, because if you take smaller but regular meals, your metabolism can be kept running at a higher rate.

Boosting of your metabolism can also be enhanced by lifting weights regardless of the gender. But many women avoid this because they are scared of being too muscular. In reality, nothing can be farther than the truth. The anatomies of both genders defer greatly, and while men tend to add more bulk, females generally maintain a svelte figure.

Some people simply have more faith in the special medications that are specifically for boosting your metabolism. There is a potential pitfall in this, so anyone who is fond of these supplements should be very careful about the way they use them. It is usually best to consult with a physician before embarking on any exercise, diet plan, or supplements.

Also, a careful and detailed study about the ingredients of the supplements should be carried before popping them. Though most of them will perform the task they were developed to do, but you cannot rule out side effects like jitters and nausea.

Regardless of the method you adopt in boosting your metabolism, the most important consideration should be your health. Thus the instant you start feeling uncomfortable with a supplement it is best to cease using it and there after inform your physician so that he can determine if no damage had been done to your health.

Benny Carlson boosting your metabolism.aerobic exercises

The gastrointestinal system, a complex network of organs and glands which extracts nutrients and water from the food that we eat so that they can be used by the body, processes the food in six phases. First, it mentally prepares the stomach for the meal that we are about to eat. Then, it takes food into the body, followed by moving that food through the GI tract. Next, it breaks down the food with both mechanical and chemical processes and then absorbs the digestive food into the vascular and lymphatic systems for distribution to the cells. Finally, the indigestible substances and waste products are eliminated from the body. Digestion itself is divided into two categories, those being mechanical and chemical. Mechanical digestion is the physical movement that assists chemical digestion. After the initial breakdown by chewing, food is churned by the smooth muscles of the stomach and small intestine, allowing it to mix with the enzymes that start the chemical reactions. Chemical digestion, on the other hand, is a series of chemical reactions that break down large carbohydrate, lipid, and protein molecules into smaller molecules that can enter blood vessels. In order for optimal digestion to occur, all of these processes must work together. If any part of the system under or over-performs, physical problems will most likely occur.

Enzymes are extremely important to digestion because without them digestion could not take place and the food we eat could not be absorbed into our bodies to be utilized. Enzymes, which are complex proteins that are produced by living cells and can be found in digestive juices, start chemical reactions in the body. They act on food by breaking it down into simpler components that can be used by the body for energy. If digestive enzymes don’t work adequately, inadequate digestion will result which is thought to be a significant cause of food allergies. When food is not digested completely it can initiate allergic reactions in the body, causing inflammation and immune sensitivity and lead to chronic inflammatory conditions and certain types of arthritis.

There are many enzymes that are part of the digestion process. However, there are three main enzymes that are involved in digestion. These are amylase, protease, and lipase. Other enzymes, including sucrase, lactase, and maltase are very important for secondary function in digestion. Amylase, which breaks down carbohydrates, can be found in saliva and pancreatic secretions. It initiates digestion of dietary starches and breaks down starch into several simpler molecules. Disaccharides including lactose, maltose, and sucrose, are broken down into simple sugars by lactase, maltase, and sucrase. These simple sugars can be absorbed through the small intestine to help with energy production. Proteases, which break down protein, cause protein digestion to begin in the stomach. The stomach’s acidic environment activates the protease pepsin, which is deactivated in the alkaline environment of the intestine. Proteins are further broken down by pancreatic enzymes into amino acids in the intestine. Lipases break down fat into essential fatty acids. Fat digestion speeds up in the second part of the small intestine with the help of the pancreatic lipases. These lipase enzymes are responsible for the absorption of vitamins A, D, E, and K.

Animal enzymes, especially those that are derived from pig enzymes are very similar to human digestive enzymes. Animal enzymes are much more sensitive to pH extremes; therefore many animal enzyme formulas sold as dietary supplements contain bicarbonates to protect the enzymes from stomach acid. Plant derived enzymes, on the other hand; come from fungal and botanical sources. They are able to survive a broad range of pH differences and provide a larger range of activity in the gastrointestinal tract. Plant enzymes are often preferred by those who wish to avoid animal-derived products.

Along with these, there are many other dietary supplements that are effective in supporting digestive health, specifically probiotic supplements, which offer numerous health benefits. Probiotics are non-toxic, live bacteria that are necessary for life and do not cause disease. The most commonly studied probiotics are those from the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium group. Because these two probiotic groups have the ability to break down lactose, they are known as lactic acid bacteria. These probiotics can be found in many foods and dietary supplements. In our intestines we have colonies of bacteria called microflora, which is associated with good health when they are normal. However, changes in intestinal health are often associated with a weakened immune function and an imbalance in the natural microflora is often linked with various diseases such as yeast infections and colon cancer. By orally ingesting probiotic bacteria, we help to support the composition and metabolic activities of the microflora found in the large intestine. These microflora help the digestive process through fermentation, protection against disease-causing bacteria, and stimulation of certain immune system components. Probiotic bacteria have also demonstrated anti-cancer properties in many studies. Results have shown that people taking L. acidophilus fermented milk have a much larger number of intestinal Lactobacilli, which in turn decreases the risk factors associated with colon cancer.

Lactose is an important sugar that is converted to lactic acid by lactic acid bacteria. Many people have lactose intolerance as a result of genetics, gastrointestinal disease, or a decline in the amount of intestinal lactase levels that are associated with aging. Lactose intolerance is caused by an inability to digest lactose because of a failure of small intestine cells to produce lactase (the enzyme needed to digest lactose). Those who are deficient in lactase accumulate non-absorbed lactose in the GI tract, drawing water and electrolytes into the gut. This leads to bloating, cramping, diarrhea, and malabsorption of nutrients. Lactic acid bacteria support the breakdown of lactose by enhancing the activity of lactase, therefore improving digestion and tolerance. Although probiotic bacteria usually survive passage through the stomach, they do not permanently colonize in the body. Therefore, to ensure optimal support of the digestive system, these probiotic bacteria need to be replenished. To do so, they should be ingested regularly in order for their health-promoting effects to continue. Digestive enzymes and probiotics can be found at your friendly online vitamin store.

Please visit VitaNet Health Foods, VitaNet sells digestive enzymes to boost health. Please link to this site when using this article.

The Timex Expedition is really a chronograph watch with a bezel that’s got a tachymeter engraved in it to be able to measure time over distance. From among its many features, the first thing to make an impression is most likely the tough he-man casing especially designed for sports or other rugged action-related applications. Generally there can be a boundary that watches can’t cross but fortunately for that Expedition its tactical benefactor provides the upper hand towards outdoor activities as well as the several wristband that combine well gives it a a lot more formal apparel.

This might be bad for Casio watches or even the Lupah collection as Casio’s Pathfinder doesn’t complete the full list as the Expedition and as for that Lupah collection, Switzerland did not make them powerful enough to endure an outburst or to handle heavy pressures. It certainly looks fantastic, and is meant for company attire as well as outdoor adventures as mentioned, as its name would suggest. It’s a Timex, right after all, from a single of the most legendary American businesses, inside the enterprise since 1854 and most famous for its classic slogan “it takes a licking and keeps on ticking.”

Much more than mere sloganeering, nonetheless, that line really does describe the Timex Expedition. A really practical watch, able to measure time to within 1/20 of a second, it also has a big round easy-to-read watchface that’s further assisted by luminous easy-to-read hands. For lighting conditions that are much less than ideal, Timex’ own brand of Indiglo electroluminescence backlights provides clear uniform illumination. Indiglo really requires less power than other lighting systems, which means prolonged battery lives for Timex watches. And there’s even a three-second Night Mode that enables for quick short bursts of subdued illumination, very helpful for the kind of tactical situations generally encountered by police and military forces. There’s also water resistance of up to three hundred and thirty feet, fantastic for casual swimming, snorkeling, and even shallow recreational dives.

The Timex Expedition line is one of the most popular on the marketplace these days. Practical and handy, it also has a actually macho look that makes it a single with the leanest and meanest offerings available. Its sporty digital design makes it equally at house within the boardroom or the locker room – or out in the field. Little wonder, then, that they have been such bestsellers, ever because their debut. Right after all, it is a Timex, a worker and a keeper. But it is all backed by their solid one-year warranty for great old-fashioned peace-of-mind reliability.

The Timex Expedition is created by an industry leader that produced a single with the world’s really first digital watches during the 1970s, and it had created the first ever Mickey Mouse clock in 1933. With such a combination of experience and expertise, the company remains securely positioned as a technological leader nicely into the 21st Century. If ever in the market for stylish, hardy, multifunctional watches, any with the thoroughly capable but surprisingly inexpensive Timex chronographs are sure to do.

For the legendary Lamborghini sports car stable of fantastic ultra high performance and styled vehicles it all started with ordinary Fiat automobiles and tractors.

Mr. Lamborghini – fully named – Mr. Ferruccio Lamborghini got his start with Fiats and then went on to a large successful manufacturing concern that grew from a small manufacturing shop into a major producer of tractors. However at a certain point in every person’s life they search out to complete what their real passion is. In the case of Lamborghini was finely styled and crafted motor cars. At 60 years of age, an established manufacturer of agricultural tractors – Mr. Lamborghini – decided that he could a better job of building a high end, beautifully styled, performance racing automobiles than either of the two dominant Italian auto firms of that auto industry sector – Ferrari and Maserati.

The first product out of the door had a chassis that was multi-tubular; the engine was front mounted sporting a 3.5 liter 12 cylinder V-12 engine. The V-12 engine itself was fitted with six Weber carburetors and ran four overhead camshafts. It all clocked at 360 ultra smooth horsepower with the transmission drive being through five speed stick shift. Suspension involved a coil and wishbone independent suspension set up. In one word it was wow – both in terms of performance of the hop as well as the automotive styling.

Although the styling of those early Lamborghini models may be considered standard Italian sports car design – designs which have worked their way into the so called standard “sport scar designs “and “sport scar flair”, at the time it was new and innovative and for the most part if was twenty five years ahead of anything produced in the good old U.S.A.. The one American sports car which might be considered an exception to that point was the Chevrolet Corvette. For years to come nothing else really matched or was similar to the clean aerodynamic lines and styling of the early Lamborghini classic autos.

Even then Lamborghini had such innovative products the establishment and reputation of the Lamborghini product line was no easy road to hoe. Although the first cars were produced in 1963 it was not for two years later – at the Turin Motor Show that the car began to attract solid interest and for the reputation of the car and its studio to grow and begin to become accepted for what it should be.

The first real product of record for Lamborghini was what was marketed as Miura T 400 model automobile. Its first year of manufacture was the 1966 model year. The basic layout and design of the Miura T 400 was a mid-engined coupe with a slightly larger version of the overhead cam engine – the classic V-12 laid out transversely behind the two seats of the car. The rear wheels were then driven by this engine through” spurs gears”. Interestingly the gear boxes and rear axles were Lamborghini products all by themselves -so they shared a lineage that was unique and not the same as any other of the competitor’s models.

What was performance of this little cat? The V-12 engine could pour out a total of 385 barrel horsepower. Top speed of this little coupe was over 180 miles per hour. It could more than carry its weight with the local Italian contenders – even the famed Ferraris.

If the was one complaint from drivers or riders it was of noise levels in the car’s cockpit. It can be said that this was the price to be paid for success or in this case speed and performance. If you cannot stand the heat don’t stay in the kitchen. Certainly the buyers of Lamborghini fine motor cars who bought the product and established the revered name for its performance and advanced styling and forgo this small shortcoming or foible as the car as an assumed fact – even a luxury.

The next model in the Lamborghini stable was introduced approximately two years later. The entire life of the production run of the popular Miura model was nine years – with two cars being produced a week ( a production figure of only 100 or so cars a year). The name of this vehicle was the Espada. For the new Lamborghini model, the Espada, Lamborghini went back to a more standard front engine layout. Perhaps this was in response to concerns over noise levels in the cockpit of the Miura and the need to produce a more “standard” or “civilized “vehicle product. No one really knows what went on in the mind of the genius Ferruccio Lamborghini. However what was retained for sure were the Lamborghini basics – the four liter V-12 massive highly tuned engine with whizzy overhead cams and multiple choke carburetors all putting out massive automotive performance and handling.

In the end it can be said that the Lamborghini automotive and automotive styling and performance legends are more than unique and reek of power, thrust and acceleration.

Terry Z. Voster Winnipeg Auto Financing Manitoba Car Finance, PR3 Bid Directory, Import Car Broker Canada

Aging, is just a natural part of life. But even if you’re getting older it doesn’t mean you have to appear like it. By taking a few simple steps you can look and feel younger than you actually are.

One of the most effective things you can do in the battle against age is to simply lead a healthy lifestyle. anti aging health is really all about your lifestyle, what you eat,your general level of fitness, and a few other factors which will affect how well you age. Keeping up this type of lifestyle does require a degree of commitment and dedication on your part.

A vital step in beating the effects of old age is having healthy eating habits, it’s very important not to eat too much of any one food type, particularly if it contains a lot of fat or grease. Each person is different in their dietary needs, and it’s very important to discover which food types that best suits you, there are several books that can help you to decide which foods will be of most benefit for your body type. As a general guide, a healthy diet of five fruits or vegetables per day, and grain along with moderate portions of meat is recommended for those want to live a more healthy life. A balance diet is one of the main factors in slowing the aging process to some measure, and the more effective and healthy your body, the less work it has to do to do to maintain health.

Perhaps the next most important thing in anti aging health is your lifestyle. Do you smoke, how about alcohol consumption, also some eating disorders may affect the way a person ages. I am not suggesting that you need to give up everything that makes life pleasurable, but it is vitally important that if you are concerned with your health and wish to reduce the signs of aging you must have a healthy lifestyle.

Exercise is considered by many experts to be one of the most important considerations in anti aging. Gentle Exercise taken in moderation provides the body with many benefits, for instance it stimulates the blood flow helping to clear those blocked veins and arteries,it builds healthier muscles,and increased bone stability so helping to off set the effects of osteoporosis. If you want to help reduce the effects of aging you will benefit from a regular exercise program. Set moderate objectives, trying to over do things at first is not a good idea and will probably cause more harm than good.

There are several thing to consider in the battle against aging, but if you are concerned with your age and health, these tips will be a very important help in adding a few more years to your life.

For more Anti Aging Product information and tips check out http://www.antiold.com

Nokia Cell Phones No Contract has gone, with one phone at least, the way of targeting on a certain group with their new 6700 plated in 18-carat gold. Not to mention their all new No Contract Cell Phones blooming up there as well. While the majority of cell phone companies to date have been focused on revving up their best smartphones for the market some firms are also trying their luck with niche and demographic specific phones, targeting certain groups rather than the general population. Both methods have had success in keeping the corporations competitive in an ever–widening market and both are undoubtedly helpful in making companies distinct.

Nokia Cell Phones 6700 “Gold Edition ” is plated totally with 18-carat gold and includes matching gold wallpapers. These are part of an increasing, though not large, trend of luxury cell phones on today’s market. LG Cell Phones have done similar such items as have designer brands, coming out with cell phones sold completely in department stores and shops. The Nokia 6700 “Gold Edition ” also has a great 5 megapixel camera that has vehicle focus as well as an LED flash, noise cancelling technology for disruptive outside noise and even Nokia maps for both driving and walking directions. So while this is going to be a luxury phone it is not all looks it does have excellent functionality, too.

It’s a luxury phone that has a slim, graceful design, attractive aesthetics and a fairly rich feature. When all is said and done this phone truly does typify balance. Even though it is sometimes known as a luxury phone the people at Nokia were very savvy in giving more than looks. They really delivered and it appears like which will pay incredible dividends for them.

What is so nice about this and other phones coming out today is that developers find new, exciting and interesting ways to make phones stand out while never shying away nor neglecting some of the basic functions and essentials that people have come to expect in a cell phone — that is cell phone call quality, coverage, and the likes. And that is of greatest signification today because one can’t make a cell phone that has the richest feature set to date then neglect call quality and expect the phone to be a hit. It simply doesn’t work in that manner.

So remember that today, a luxury could be lush but that does not imply that it can’t still function like every other quality cell phone out there. And that is precisely the way things should be, right?

Health anxiety refers to having a preoccupation with a fear of having a serious illness or disease, despite medical investigations that show the person is healthy. A person with health anxiety will often misinterpret normal physical sensations as a sign of serious illness. For example, flu-like symptoms may be misinterpreted as a sign of HIV and tests that indicate the person is HIV negative may be discounted as unreliable.

Health anxiety can be treated effectively with CBT therapy, Edinburgh. The approach used is very similar to that used for treating Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. This involves helping the person with the anxiety to realise that the current way they are dealing with the worrying health thought and feeling, actually keeps the problem going. Factors that keep the problem going include: trying to block the thought, giving health thoughts over -importance such as “It means I will never get better”, constantly seeking reassurance from others, reassuring self with certain phrases or thoughts, looking on the Internet, seeing numerous health practitioners, stopping life activities and giving the thought lots of attention.

CBT therapy, Edinburgh can help you to accept that in fact your problem is not that you have a health problem and must constantly check whether this problem is real, but that your problem is that you worry too much about your health and that this is what’s keeping your anxiety going.

A CBT therapist, Edinburgh, will help you become habituated to your anxious health thoughts, which basically means learning to accept your thoughts, let them come and welcome them in. They are just thoughts, not the truth or a prediction of your future. Accepting and letting our thoughts in, will trigger more anxiety at first but if you practice this regularly then your anxiety will naturally fade. This is called exposure therapy and must be done alongside a technique called response prevention, which means not seeking reassurance or trying to make the thoughts feel better!

Practising a form of meditation called mindfulness can help you develop the tools to accept unpleasant thoughts and feelings without trying to change them. This acceptance will mean that you will be able to overcome your problem. It’s the worry that is keeping it going.

Karen Hastings is a NHS experienced senior mental health occupational therapist, Master NLP practitioner and hypnotherapist. Karen uses hypnotherapy in Edinburgh, along with cognitive therapy and NLP approaches. For more information visit http://www.karenhastings.co.uk