INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Increased levels of nitric oxide are associated with swelling in the airways, so a pulmonary specialist may test your exhaled nitric oxide levels to check for asthma when other routine tests are not providing answers. Tell your doctor about any breathing difficulties you are having. Ask about the exhaled nitric oxide test, as it may not be available in all doctor's offices or hospitals.  Your doctor will usually make a separate appointment for your test so you can prepare for it. This test may be ordered if you have already been diagnosed with asthma if your doctor is testing your treatment progress or considering a new line of treatment. There are many things that can affect nitric oxide levels in your body, even in small doses. Alcohol and tobacco should be avoided for a full 24 hours before your test. Inform your doctor if you are a regular smoker. Long-term drinking habits can affect your nitric oxide levels significantly, so tell your doctor if you drink more than 1 drink a day, or drink more than 4-5 drinks a day at least once a month. While cardiovascular exercise is excellent for your health, it should be avoided for a full day before your test. Aerobic activity increases the levels of nitric oxide in your body, which may skew the results of your test. Skip any type of workout, including:  Jogging or running Bicycling Jumping rope Rollerblading Dancing Speed walking Allergy shots work by introducing allergens into your system to help it build a resistance to them. As a result, an allergy vaccination may affect your nitric oxide levels for 24-48 hours after it is administered. To ensure accurate results, avoid scheduling an allergy shot within 1-2 days of your nitric oxide test. Consuming food or beverages right before your test can affect the levels of nitric oxide being released. Plan ahead so you can go at least an hour without eating or drinking anything prior to your test appointment. This includes drinking water, which can also skew test results. Nitric oxide levels in the body may be affected by other health issues and treatments. Disclose any prescription or over-the-counter medications that you are taking. If you are sick with the flu, allergies, or another ailment, tell your doctor to rule out any other causes of your symptoms. Share the results of any other breathing tests you have undergone in the past. The exhaled nitric oxide test will last about 5 minutes. Allow the technician helping you to put clips on your nose and a mouthpiece in your mouth when you are ready to start the test. Inhale and exhale slowly until the technician or doctor tells you to stop.  You may have to repeat the test a few times to confirm the results. The amount of nitric oxide exhaled into the mouthpiece will be recorded for your test results.

SUMMARY: Speak to your doctor about your breathing problems. Avoid alcohol and tobacco for 24 hours prior to your test. Avoid aerobic exercise for 24 hours before your test. Do not get an allergy shot on the day before your test. Don't eat or drink within an hour of your test. Disclose any medications conditions that may affect your results. Follow the technician's instructions for breathing during the test.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Include your counselor and/or psychiatrist, your medical doctor, and some close family members and friends.  Be realistic about how each person can help you. It’s important to have more than one person on this list, because it is unrealistic to think that one person will be able to help you all the time. This will drain a lot of their energy and could potentially strain your relationship. Think about people who will be supportive and non-judgmental. People who might make you feel more anxious or upset may not be the best choice for your support network. You may choose to share your diagnosis of depression with close family members or friends. This will help them understand what you’re going through. This will also help them understand that you can’t just “snap out of it,” but that you have a medical diagnosis for your condition. Don’t exclude people because you “don’t want to worry them.” If they are close family members or friends, they want to know how you’re feeling and will be willing to help you. You may want to keep some of the details of your depression private, sharing them only with your counselor. If you don’t feel like sharing with other people, such as your coworkers, you can just say that you’re going through a difficult time but that you’re working on making things better. When you live with depression, it can periodically be difficult to go out and participate in activities. But it is important to continue doing the things that you enjoy in order to build supportive relationships. Identify a couple of activities that you like or things you’d like to try. This may be taking a class, volunteering at an animal shelter, or even going to a movie with a friend. Set goals for yourself to do at least one favorite activity per week. A pet can be another important part of your support network. Having a pet is recognized by the National Institute for Mental Health as beneficial for people living with depression. Pets can provide you with constant companionship. In addition, even if you don’t feel up to it, you still have to take care of them by, for example, taking the dog for a walk. If you can’t have a pet where you live, you can still get pet therapy by volunteering with an animal organization such as the American Humane Association.

SUMMARY: Make a list of people to include in your support network. Share your diagnosis with supportive family or friends. Only give details that you want to give. Stay connected with your favorite activities. Get a pet.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Don’t be tempted to settle back down under the covers when your alarm goes off.  As soon as you wake up, swing your feet onto the floor and get out of bed.  Here's what you can do to get moving.  Get the blood flowing.  Exercising stimulates the production of endorphins, which reduce stress and anxiety, and improves blood circulation, making you feel more awake.  Try high-intensity full body exercises like jumping jacks, push-ups or squats, which can be done in your bedroom as soon as you wake up. Experts also suggest getting outdoors and taking a morning walk or a morning run to wake up. Concentrating on taking a few deep breaths when you wake can improve focus and make you feel energized. Try some diaphragmatic breathing exercises or yogic breathing exercises, both can boost blood oxygen and energy. After sleeping all night the body is often dehydrated, so you may feel tired and low on energy.  As soon as you wake, drink a glass of water.  Some experts believe that drinking water first thing kick-starts the body’s metabolism and can even help you lose weight. The most important meal of the day, eating a healthy and nutritious breakfast in the morning can combat tiredness and improve your energy levels throughout the morning.  Pick something with protein and fiber.  Experts suggest a breakfast with a good combination of fiber and protein to boost your energy.  For example, nuts are a particularly good breakfast item because they contain both fiber and protein.  Avoid too much sugar.  A sugary breakfast may give you immediate results, helping you feel awake, but it causes your blood sugar to spike rapidly and will ultimately leave you feeling more tired for the rest of the day. Complex carbohydrates.  Although carbohydrates supply our bodies with much-needed energy, simple carbohydrates found in many breakfast foods such as donuts and pastries are quickly used up by the body and can leave us feeling fatigued.  Opt for complex carbohydrates (found in whole grains and fruits) instead, as these release energy slowly, preventing that mid-morning slump. A breakfast of complex carbohydrates combined with protein will also make you feel fuller for longer. Use your senses of smell and touch to feel revitalized and energetic in the mornings.  Smell the coffee. Scientists have found that just the aroma of coffee can reduce the effects of sleep deprivation.  Essential oils. It’s not just the smell of coffee that can wake us up, research suggests that essential oils like peppermint, eucalyptus and rosemary can also improve subjective feelings of alertness.  Take a cold shower. Taking a cold shower improves circulation and can make you feel wide awake.

SUMMARY:
Get moving. Breathe deeply. Drink water. Eat a healthy breakfast. Stimulate the senses.