What Over The Counter Medications Are Best For Hemorrhoids

Painful hemorrhoids are no fun to live with, and they can be hard to deal with. Sometimes it’s hard to focus on anything else when you are having a painful bout. This article will list some of the most effective techniques to both relieve the pain of hemorrhoids and to prevent future outbreaks.

Over the counter creams and ointments are one of the more affordable options for relief from the pain and discomfort of hemorrhoids. Look for soothing ingredients to treat different symptoms. Ingredients like hydrocortisone will reduce itching and swelling, while local anesthetics will provide effective, but temporary relief from pain and soreness.

When struggling with the symptoms of hemorrhoids, you can try the ointments or creams that are available at stores. These creams and ointments will not cure your hemorrhoids, but they will help make the symptoms more tolerable. You should not use the creams or ointments for longer than a week.

If you have come down with a case out hemorrhoids one of the best things you can do is apply a hydrocortisone cream or ointment to it. This will greatly reduce the amount of pain, itching, and inflammation. Hydrocortisone creams are available at nearly every pharmacy as a commercially available OTC product.

If you have not discussed things with a medical professional already than you shouldn’t be using any type of over the counter medication for more than one week. This includes the standard creams that you find, but also any kind of suppositories. After this period of time, it is better to discuss things with your doctor.

Your job or lifestyle may have an effect on your hemorrhoid symptoms. If you have a desk job or spend a lot of time sitting while you’re at home, make sure to give yourself some relief by walking around for a few minutes every hour. This takes the direct pressure off your hemorrhoids. Also, if your job involves a lot of heavy lifting, try to exhale as you bear the brunt of the load. Holding your breath exerts pressure on the hemorrhoids and may cause them to become more painful.

To prevent the development of hemorrhoids, avoid becoming constipated. Constipation can lead to straining during bowel movements, which is one of the primary causes of hemorrhoids. Eating plenty of fiber, drinking plenty of water and taking a stool softener as needed can all prevent constipation, as can daily exercise.

Don’t depend solely on some over the counter drugs such as laxatives. These are not a cure for constipation, and are meant to just be taken every once in awhile. Many times these types of drugs will help for one bowel movement, and then will end up leaving you more constipated after that.

To relieve the pain, itching and inflammation of hemorrhoids, try medicated witch hazel pads. These special pads are soaked in witch hazel and can be tucked against the hemorrhoid to soothe the irritated area while shrinking the swelling. Witch hazel towelettes are also available, if you prefer a swipe-and-go solution.

Lower the amount of salt that you take in. Too much salt in your diet can be dehydrating, which is the leading cause of constipation and hemorrhoids. Making choices that have less salt, and upping your fluid intake can decrease any chances that you have issues with using the restroom.

A great way to ease your hemorrhoid problems is to lose weight. The excess weight around your abdomen and waist areas increase the pressure put on the veins in and around the anus. If you lose this excess weight it will relieve the pressure in this area and help with your hemorrhoid problems.

In order to prevent hemorrhoids from beginning, be sure to get as much exercise as you can and avoid sitting for an extended period of time. By sitting on your rear end for too long, you are putting pressure on the veins in your anus that can cause hemorrhoids to form.

Keep it as clean as possible. If your hemorrhoid breaks open and bleeds, and then becomes dirty, it could get infected. You could eventually get an abscess in the are, requiring medical attention or surgery. Use a damp, clean cloth to gently clean the area when you bathe, so as not to inflame it.

A great tip for your painful hemorrhoids is to cut back on how much sodium you consume. This is essential because salt dries out your body, and this is the worst thing you can do to yourself if you are already suffering from difficult and painful bowel movements. On a side note, salt is not good for your heart health either.

Hemorrhoids are an unpleasant condition to deal with, but just knowing that there are ways to relieve the pain they cause and prevent their recurrence can really help you feel better. If you use the methods you’ve learned from this article, your hemorrhoids will soon be a thing of the past.

What Over The Counter Medications Are Best For Hemorrhoids was originally published on Spring

How You Can Effectively Fight Depression Without Medications

Depression is a common medical condition. Some of the various symptoms are sadness, hopelessness, sleep issues, and over lethargy. It can trigger suicidal thoughts and tendencies and can be very dangerous if the sufferer does not seek help. There are many treatment options and information available for those who suffer with depression.

Consider taking a dietary supplement. Studies have shown that vitamin deficiencies can affect brain function, leading to disorders such as depression. Especially implicated are B vitamins, including folic acid and B-12. A chromium supplement, while not fixing a deficiency, will also help boost energy levels and reduce junk food cravings.

If you are opposed to taking prescription medications for depression, try St. John’s Wort. This natural, herbal remedy for depression can be very effective. It works in much the same way as Prozac by increasing the availability of mid-brain serotonin. This helps elevate your mood and alleviate your feelings of sorrow.

When suffering from depression, it is important to create a positive social life. Depressed individuals should work to make their social interactions more positive by showing kindness towards others and taking an interest in other people’s lives. Depressed people should tell their friends and loved ones to ignore their depressed behaviors and not take pity on them.

Change the bad habits in your life that keep you depressed. Be ruthlessly honest with yourself as you try to identify what these habits are. Try using positive thinking, assertiveness skills, and problem solving skills to tackle these negative habits and thoughts. Try using humor to deal with life’s problems too, instead of letting the negativity drown you.

Have realistic expectations. Often depressed people fixate on some unrealistic goal that they believe will cure their depression. For some it is money, for others it may be longing for an idealistic Mr. or Miss. “Right” to spend the rest of their life with. While having a goal is good, keep it realistic. Instead of being unhappy with your current job and longing to win the lottery, take college courses or a vocational program to increase your income potential. If you are lonely, get out and get involved with activities you enjoy. Even if you don’t meet someone, you will have fun; and if you do meet someone, they are much more likely to have similar interests to you unlike a random stranger in a bar.

Don’t let your depression interfere with your normal life. Just as people who are having trouble with physical diseases shouldn’t stop everything, neither should you stop your life just because you are suffering from this problem. Find ways to motivate yourself to get out of the house and you may even find the your depression greatly reduces.

Do your best to develop and maintain a number of friends, so you do not rely on one good buddy on whom you unload all your problems. When you are depressed, you can drain the mood and emotions of even the closest friend. By sharing with more friends, you can spread this out.

Try to pamper yourself if your depression symptoms are bothering you. Going to a salon to have your nails done or going to a spa to have a massage can help relax your mind and body and thus, reduce your depression symptoms. You may also want to buy yourself a special treat, like a shirt you have been wanting.

Smile at yourself in the mirror even if you are feeling depressed. The simple act of smiling can actually make you feel happier. You can also try laughing hysterically in a ridiculously fake laugh. After a while, that fake smile or fake laugh might turn into a real one once you start to feel silly enough about what you are doing.

If you are mildly depressed or think that you “have the blues” the worst thing you can do is sit at home and think about it. Get out there and have some fun. Find a group to join or a new activity that seems interesting to you.

Consider joining a support group for people suffering from depression. Having a group of peers to talk to who are dealing with many of the same problems you are facing can be a tremendous asset. Additionally, being a part of a group can help reduce any feelings of isolation that you may be experiencing. By providing each other with support, encouragement and understanding, all of the members of your group can benefit.

Depression can affect anyone and can have devastating consequences if it is left untreated. The good news is that depression can be treated and cured through many different techniques such as the ones listed in the article above. Do not hesitate to seek treatment if you think you are suffering from depression or to help a loved one seek treatment if you see symptoms of depression.

How You Can Effectively Fight Depression Without Medications was originally published on Spring

Medications For Those Experiencing Memory Loss

Memory loss can be a very scary thing. It can be a gradual loss over time or seem more sudden to some, but one certain thing about it is that it can be the single most frustrating part of your day or even days. The good news is that there are things you can do to improve your memory and this article is full of great tips on how to do just that!

If you have noticed that your memory isn’t what it used to be, maybe you aren’t getting enough sleep. You need to be sleeping seven to eight hours each night in order to improve your memory. During your sleep cycle, your brain processes all new information to create these memories for you so you have them to recall later.

If you are looking to improve your memory a little bit, then use the knowledge that you have by teaching others. Doing this makes your brain fire in a different way, and it helps in increasing memory. The trick is to teach something that you are genuinely interested in sharing.

It’s a well known fact that stress is hard on a person’s body, but it is also very hard on a person’s memory. Chronic stress is detrimental to brain cells as it destroys them as well as the hippocampus, which is the part of the brain that retrieves old memories as well as makes new ones. Practicing stress reducing techniques are vital in maintaining a good memory.

The best way to improve your memory if you’re studying, is to add structure to what you’re attempting to learn. Categorizing and taking things one step at a time, will allow you to learn and to retain the knowledge of a previous subject, before you move on to the next. This is undoubtedly the best way to study.

It is important to get a sufficient amount of sleep if you are trying to improve your memory. Medical studies have shown that getting enough sleep every night can improve both short and long term memory. Your brain cannot absorb new information when your body has not gotten a lot of sleep.

Staying socially active can help keep your memory stay sharp. This will help keep your mind alert and focused, and your spirits lifted. When you are depressed or lonely, your brain is not being stimulated and your mind is not getting the exercise it needs to stay sharp. Stimulating conversation with friends can help keep your brain strong, leading to better memory.

Make a trip to your local library to obtain books that will assist you in improving your memory. A lot of books for improving brain function have been written by well known authorities, and they can provide you with some good techniques for remembering.

Putting information into categories will help you to remember it later! Everything has a category and compartmentalizing things in your memory by category can give you much greater recall. For example, chicken and hot dogs on your grocery list go into the category of meat and milk and water into beverages and so on.

When learning new information, try forming a visual image of it in your mind. When your brain is forced to come up with a picture to go along with the information, it has to analyze it more carefully that it otherwise would have. This attention to detail can help cement it in your mind. Not only that, but you can use the mental image that you formed to help you recall the information at a later date.

If memory loss or simply poor memory is your problem perhaps an Omega 3 deficiency is at the heart of the problem. Try taking an Omega 3 supplement, or a medication like Lovaza to help with this. Researchers have discovered in Britain that children who were supplemented with Omega 2 were more focused and had better memory.

Memory loss can be slowed down by strong, consistent friendships. The section of the brain that deals with memories can be strengthened by spending a few hours every week with friends and family.

If you are studying new information, try switching up your routine a little bit. Endlessly repeating the same sort of study session can get boring. You may find that, after a while, you are no longer retaining the information. So switch up your routine. Pick a new time and a new place to study. The novelty of the change will help you in remembering.

Hopefully, you have learned a few tips and tricks on increasing the potency of your memory and sharpening your thinking skills. Much of the time, memory deficiency can be attributed to stress and other daily ongoings that take a lot out of us. Practice some of the methods mentioned in this article and you should soon find yourself better able to remember before you know it!

Medications For Those Experiencing Memory Loss was originally published on Spring

Medications Are Just Relieve Symptoms, They Are Not A Cure For Depression

It may feel difficult to perform normal tasks when suffering from depression. It can affect every facet of life, making even the simplest activities difficult to do. This article will show you some simple ways you can deal with your depression or help others who are suffering.

A great tip that can help you fight depression is to make sure you’re eating a healthy diet. If you’re getting in poor nutrition, you might become tired and sluggish. This can lead to depression. Eating healthy can go a long way in helping you get out of your depression.

Balance your diet to control your depression. If you go too long between meals, you’ll end up tired and irritable, which makes your depression worse. Eating too much, however, will make you feel sluggish and guilty. Eat small meals on regular intervals to keep your energy levels up and your brain operating at its peak.

When you feel the telltale signs that your depression may be acting up, try taking a long bath. Sitting in the bathtub with your favorite book or listening to soft, soothing music can help to make you feel better. As well, try to make your water warm; warmth can help you relax your muscles.

Make sure that you understand all of the possible side effects before you decide to take any type of medication. Your doctor may be eager to prescribe you pills, and this may actually help you greatly, but you need to be sure that you are aware of exactly what you are taking ahead of time.

In addition to a healthy diet you should also invest in starting some kind of exercise that you enjoy. This can be something as simple as regular walks or even something as organized as a team sport. This will help you to feel better physically and will probably have effects on your mental life as well.

Looking toward the future is possibly one of the things that will help you cure your depression, just as looking to the past will definitely not help. Looking to the future brings hope, which can help ease they symptoms of depression, by helping you to look forward to something.

A great tip for anyone battling depression is to build an encouraging, supportive social structure. Try to be warm and positive toward those you encounter and work on involving others in the things you enjoy. By doing this, you will be able to avoid dwelling on feelings of sadness, which will lessen the sensation of helplessness that you may have experienced in the past.

Put down the bottle. Although you may feel temporarily better when you are slightly inebriated, alcohol is actually a central nervous system depressant. So aside from the inevitable hangover, alcohol only serves to make depression worse in the long run. A drink or two is fine if you do not have a history of alcoholism. However less is more, and it should be consumed in careful moderation.

No matter how depressed you feel, there is help available for you. Many people allow their depression to take control, and they lose hope about treatment. Having a good attitude is crucial.

When it comes to depression, be sure that you immediately consult professional help if you consider suicide. This is important because that can be a common feeling to have an if it is bad enough you may act upon it. This is never the best option for dealing with your temporary problem.

Develop a routine. Having an established routine can help lessen depression by keeping unwelcome surprises out of your life. Knowing what to expect in your life can help you feel better and more prepared to deal with any unexpected events. Having a good schedule and a back-up plan are great methods of preparation.

Control your thinking at all times. Completely remove the word “depressed” from your vocabulary. Try changing the way you are thinking and instead just call it a “low mood.” Depression sounds so permanent and can make you feel stuck. If you see that you have “low moods,” you should also see that you have “high moods.”

Clean your house, one room a day if necessary, when you feel depressed. It is normal to have little or no motivation when depressed and this contributes to a messy house. This is a vicious cycle though, as a messy house can lead to more depression. Cleaning your house leads to an improved mood.

Make time to spend outdoors in nature. You will find that the environment is quite soothing and not only can you become quite relaxed amid the nature that surrounds you, but you will obtain more clarity and a more positive feeling towards life and yourself as well, developing a stress-free mental state that nourishes happiness.

In this article, we have shared a number of tips to help you deal with depression. Prepare yourself for plenty of dedicated work in order to implement these suggestions into your life. You can beat depression; it is definitely possible. Be certain to enlist the support of your friends and family along the way.

Medications Are Just Relieve Symptoms, They Are Not A Cure For Depression was originally published on Spring

How You Can Effectively Fight Depression Without Medications

Many people might try to understand depression. Many people may try to label it and identify the reasons for why it exists. Many people suffer from it and try to understand why they have it themselves. There’s no single correct answer, but there are reasonable solutions. This article will provide some of these solutions to the uninformed outsider.

Getting an outside hobby or interest is a good way to lessen the effects of depression. Shutting yourself off and staying inside can definitely lead to depression. Plan activities that are exciting enough to make you want to fight against depression just to be able to enjoy them. Whatever pursuit you choose to follow, it will be a good road to outgrow your depression.

Get your personal life in order. When you suffer from depression, even ordinary tasks can get overwhelming. Get organized using small, easy to complete goals and you can keep from getting bogged down in the everyday duties that can keep you from working on your depression and can even make your symptoms worse.

If you have a good relationships with your family members then you should incorporate their help in overcoming your depression. Many times mothers and fathers are much more understanding than their children give them credit for. If you stop and tell them what is going on they will probably be happy to help.

Beware, although alcohol can feel like your best friend when you are fighting depression it actually may just be your enabler. If you feel yourself drawn to alcohol in your hardest moments – then you should avoid it completely! Alcohol and depression are very close cousins and love to team up on the unsuspecting!

One of the best ways to alleviate depression and change the way you feel, is to change your surroundings. When you feel bad, you may begin to associate your environment with those bad feelings. If you aren’t careful, your environment can become a constant reminder of your problems. The solution is to change your surroundings. It doesn’t have to be something drastic. Simply adding decorations to your bedroom or changing furniture can help you get out of a rut and feel better.

Continue doing your everyday routines even if you do not feel like participating in these mundane tasks. It is important to stay in control of your life. Try to live like normal and keep doing the things that are familiar to you. If you stop doing these activities, it will be much harder to rise out of the depression and start doing them again.

Go on a long walk to enjoy nature. Sometimes a change of scenery can help us appreciate life. Watch the animals leading their lives. Pay attention to the small details and try to find the beauty in nature. Breathe in the fresh air, relax, and let your mind wander as you walk.

If you fight against depression, consider developing new hobbies. Starting a new hobby can help to keep your mind busy and give you a reason to feel good about yourself. Building birdhouses, refinishing old furniture and journal writing are all hobbies that can help you to feel motivated again.

When it comes to depression, be sure that you immediately consult professional help if you consider suicide. This is important because that can be a common feeling to have an if it is bad enough you may act upon it. This is never the best option for dealing with your temporary problem.

A great way to deal with depression is to change your attire. It is true that the way you dress can often directly impact how you feel about yourself. Be sure that you always dress your best no matter what it is that you are doing and both you and others will have a more positive view about you.

Turn off the television. Overloading yourself with media can cause depression to worsen, because you are not only taking on the massive negativity portrayed in the media, but you are also isolating yourself from communication with other real people. Staying away from all forms of media for a time can help make you feel better.

If you find that you are in a rut, getting outside and engaging in a new activity can be helpful. The feeling of being in the rut can strengthen your depression and cause a vicious cycle. The negativity begins to feed on itself and you begin to think that is all there is. Going outdoors and experiencing something new helps you to differentiate between your perceptions of reality and reality itself.

It can be easy to get confused by the articles on the internet listing the many reasons, sometimes based on personal opinion and sometimes based on academic studies, for depression. Hopefully this article has provided you with a coherent, accessible introduction into understanding the psychological disorder, understanding the why and who.

How You Can Effectively Fight Depression Without Medications was originally published on Spring

Available Medications Used To Treat Panic Attacks

Not much is known about panic attacks and many people aren’t convinced they exist until they have one. It can be difficult to know what you can do about them, but here are some solid steps you can take to make sure you can handle these attacks when they occur.

If you are prone to getting panic attacks, try to surround yourself with the people that love and care for you the most. When you begin to have a panic attack, these people will help to relax you. This can really help to reduce the severity and frequency of panic attack.

Anticipate your panic attack. If you have been suffering for panic attacks, you have to have a plan in place for dealing with them when they happen. You don’t want to be caught unawares, so know what you will do before you even start having a panic attack in the first place.

Pretend you feel great when you have a panic attack. Say out loud that whatever is bothering you is just fine. For example, “My heart is NOT fluttering! It’s beating perfectly and smoothly and I am so thankful for that!” Rotate around your body and truly believe in the words you say and they’ll come true in short order.

If you understand how breathing can change your mood, you can control your anxiety. If you lengthen or slow down the speed of your exhalation, your body and mind will begin to relax. If you slow down the speed of your inhalation, you will stimulate your body and your mind.

If you are prone to panic attacks, you know that complete avoidance of panic-causing situations is not always possible. Learn out of body techniques to remove yourself from the situation and allow you to view it as if you were watching television. What would you tell yourself to do? How would you provide comfort? Often placing yourself in the role of mentor or guide trying to help someone else deal with panic issues will get you through the worst situations.

Many people who suffer from panic attacks find comfort and reassurance in a support group. These self-help groups allow you to share your fears and concerns with others who can completely empathize with your feelings and help you find ways to effectively deal with the attacks. Joining a support group allows you to help yourself and help others simultaneously.

Don’t just listen to music when you’re having a panic attack, get up and dance! Dance is a great way to exercise and get rid of the adrenaline absorbed by your body, ending your attack in a most enjoyable way. If you know that you get to dance when you have an attack you won’t feel so scared about it!

One good tactic to use while you are in the middle of a panic attack is to lower your gaze. When our bodies enter a state of hysteria, our eyes are ultra-sensitive. This means that the lights and other things that we see can make things even worse than they are.

Say NO to your panic attack! When it gives you a negative thought, say NO! When it makes your heart flutter, say NO! Just keep saying NO until the feelings pass and the physical symptoms subside. If you never say “yes” or “okay” you’ll find that your attacks pass really quickly.

Don’t worry about being perfect! Is anyone you know perfect? Perfection is the invention of people who want to hold you down, and your mind will grasp onto such an idea and torture you with it. Let perfection go and instead embrace “good enough.” As long as things are good enough you’ll get by!

Picture the feelings you will be experiencing after the attack, the lack of anxiety, and the return to normal feelings. Imagine yourself on the other side and how these feelings affect your well-being. Focusing your thoughts this way can relieve anxious feelings and prevent an attack or allow a current attack to subside more quickly.

The mere thought of panic attacks are enough to stir them for many. Focus on something else, preferably a pleasant thought, or find a task that keeps you busy. These thoughts can actually bring on an attack. For example, if someone tells you not to think about pizza, pizza will be all you can think about.

In order to work through unpleasant, anxious thoughts, you must face them. Feelings are unable to hurt you, and you should use them to try to understand exactly what is causing your anxiety. Once you learn to accept them, you will find yourself on the road to understanding your anxiety.

Having a panic attack can be a bit scary, but when you have the tips above, it can be a little easier. Make sure to try each step when you have an attack to see which method works best for you. Find one that helps and finally feel a little better.

Available Medications Used To Treat Panic Attacks was originally published on Spring

Over The Counter Medications And Your Pregnancy

One of the single most amazing occurrences in a lifetime is pregnancy. Despite all the nausea and other havoc that your body may go through, being pregnant is a magical experience. Take note of the following advice, in order to get through your pregnancy with a little less stress and aggravation. You will be able to enjoy this special time, even more!

Your nutrition now that you are pregnant, is more important than ever. Not only are you needing more energy and strength just to get through the day, but your baby also needs lots of vitamins and minerals to develop properly. Make sure you eat several solid meals each day and work in items from each major food group.

Try not to wear clothing that is too tight when pregnant. This kind of clothing can actually cause your fetus to not get enough oxygen and make you uncomfortable. There are maternity jeans available for pregnant women. Also, when at home, try to wear sweatpants or pajama bottoms with a loose T-shirt.

Avoid using over the counter medicines for digestive issues like heartburn, upset stomach and constipation. The more medicines we keep out of our bodies during pregnancy the better. Ginger tea, acupuncture and peppermint oils have all been shown to help with pregnancy stomach issues.

Shop around for a prenatal exercise class that you enjoy. You can take a yoga class that will teach you how to do exercises that are specialized for pregnant women. This will allow you to keep up your health and remain active, throughout your entire pregnancy. You could also make some new friends when you join a yoga class.

Take a childbirth class. Classes are offered in many doctors’ offices and online. Topics covered include nutrition, exercise, relaxation, epidural anesthesia, pain relief in labor, preparing for labor and childbirth, as well as breastfeeding and baby care. Classes are generally offered once a week over a six to eight week period. Studies show that couples that attend regular childbirth classes are prepared and relaxed during childbirth.

If you are pregnant, make sure to elevate your feet when you are resting at home. This helps to prevent swelling and take away the pains that pregnancy causes in the feet. Lay on your back, place at least 2 pillows underneath your feet and then put your feet up.

Taking prenatal vitamins is essential. Your body needs extra nutrition before, during and after your pregnancy. If you are planning on becoming pregnant, start taking these vitamins well before. If you are already pregnant, it’s not too late to start. You will still get the benefits of it. Keep taking them well beyond giving birth. At least until you stop breast feeding.

When you are pregnant, you will want to limit the amount of alcohol that you consume. This means that when you are out with your friends, you will need to become more responsible for the sake of your baby. Practice good drinking habits to maximize the success of your pregnancy.

Rest and relaxation are especially important during pregnancy to make sure that your baby is not stressed while slowly growing and developing inside. Take time for a break every day with soft lights and music to sooth away the stress of your every day routine. Even just a few minutes can make a big difference.

During pregnancy, regularly brush and floss. It is obviously important to do this even when you aren’t pregnant as well. Brushing and flossing is a vital part of taking care of yourself when you are pregnant. Pregnancy can leave women more susceptible to dental problems such as gum disease and gingivitis. When you aren’t caring for your teeth properly, these problems can escalate. Making sure to floss and brush two times per day can really help.

Pack your bags several weeks before your due date to reduce the chances of forgetting something important. Be sure to include your camera, insurance information, a copy of your birth plan, and so forth. You can always add or remove items from your bag as you think of different things.

If you are having trouble sleeping during pregnancy, you may want to try putting a pillow under one side of your back and laying on that side. Also, tucking a pillow between your knees and pushing your knees together can be helpful. If you still have sleeping problems, there are pillows you can buy made just for pregnancy.

Hopefully, this article has provided you with a bit of insight from those who have gone before you and learned how best to endure a pregnancy and celebrate the special moments. There is so much going on within your body and in your life, that it’s hard to keep everything from becoming one giant nine month blur. You can relax, put those swollen feet up and enjoy!

Over The Counter Medications And Your Pregnancy was originally published on Spring