Natural Health and Herbal Remedies Blog – information on herbal medicine

Milk, as a rich source of vitamin D and calcium, is an important food which can reduce the risk of colon cancer. Both these nutrients suppress cancer in a powerful way. According to Dr. Cedric Garland, director of the Cancer Centre at the University of California at San Diego, blood levels of vitamin D can predict the risk of colon cancer. He examined 25,620 blood samples collected in Maryland in 1974, for vitamin D content and then he compared colon cancer rates over the next eight years. His conclusion was that those with high blood levels of vitamin D were 70 per cent less likely to develop colon cancer than those with low levels.

According to several studies, it appears that calcium suppresses harmful physiological factors leading to colon cancer. Dr. Cedric Garland has noted that men who drank a couple of glasses of milk daily over a 20 year period were only one-third as prone to developing colon cancer as non-milk drinkers. Dr. Garland estimates that 1,200-1,400mg of calcium per day might prevent 65-75 per cent of colon cancers. One reason is that calcium can suppress the proliferation of surface cells on the inner lining of the colon, thereby preventing the rapid cell growth which is a sign of developing cancer.

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The procedure known as female circumcision involves the removal of the clitoral hood. Apart from its history as an attempt to prevent or curb masturbation, this operation was a minor fad in the early 1970s for the purpose of allegedly enhancing female responsiveness. Similar in intent to the procedure occasionally performed a few decades ago of repositioning the clitoris closer to the vaginal opening, these maneuvers are based on a misunderstanding of female sexuality. They also carry their own risks, for example, development of scar tissue or loss of the protective function of the clitoral hood.

The clitoral hood is derived from the same tissue as the foreskin of newborn boys and uncircumcised adult males. Glands under the hood normally secrete smegma, the same white cheesy substance produced under the male foreskin. Gentle washing of this area removes the smegma, which, if allowed to accumulate, can cause adhesions under the hood. The vulval area is composed of delicate mucous membrane, much like the inside of the mouth. Soap and water, without unnecessarily vigorous scrubbing, are sufficient to keep it clean.

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Research clearly shows that the amount of cholesterol in your bloodstream and the proportions of the different types of lipoproteins have a definite impact on your future risk for development of coronary blockages. This evidence has been found in extensive studies of populations whose average cholesterol levels were compared with the incidence of coronary artery disease and in studies investigating whether the tendency for development of coronary artery disease could be influenced by lowering cholesterol.

In certain circumstances, the link between lipid levels and cardiovascular risk is dramatic. Because of genes inherited from their parents, some people lack certain parts of their cells which are vital to processing cholesterol and getting rid of LDL cholesterol. In this condition, called familial hypercholesterolemia, people have extremely high levels of cholesterol, especially LDL cholesterol. This makes them very susceptible to the development of angina pectoris or heart attacks very early in their lives, even in their 20s.

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GENTIAN Remedy given to persons in the negative state restores the connection with the Higher-Self, removes the energy block, and enables him to live with conflict, and see the difficulties without falling in despair over them. He can once more treat this earth with faith and confidence.

When children become nervous and despondent because of minor set backs in class and do not want to go back to school, Gentian will help them to overcome depression.

In any other case where depression is caused by a known cause i.e. death of dear friend, continued unemployment, children of divorced parents, loss of a pet, Gentian is found of immense help.

In the positive Gentian State, the person develops some such qualities.

(a) He accepts and faces the various challenges to life.

(b) He lives under the firm belief that if a person works sincerely and honestly, whatever the end result, it could never be termed as “failure”.

(c) He believes that obstacles can be overcome.

(d) Even in the darkest moments of his life, he does not lose faith in his Higher Self, and is sure of receiving Providential guidance at the right moment.

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For the first three months after his injury, Elliott recalls, he was told that he was going to walk. “When I first got hurt, I was fed a lot of lies. Maybe they thought I wouldn’t be able to handle it or they were doing me a favor by bringing it on slowly.” But Elliott felt that confronting the reality of his disability was just what he needed so that he could set goals and put his all into rehabilitation. “You need to know the truth, the facts. You’ve got to start dealing with it right away.”

Communicating with your doctor about these issues- what to expect now, what may be available in the distant future, and what you need to function in the immediate future – is probably the best way to develop an attitude of hopefulness combined with realism. This will help you focus on what you need to do now without taking away your motivating vision of a better future. Expressing your feelings and communicating your confusions and questions about your injury is the surest way to avoid a more entrenched denial that could prevent your getting full benefit from the rehabilitation program.

Jim hated using his wheelchair. Throughout his early rehabilitation he struggled with feelings of shame and depression about needing to use it. However, he rather quickly progressed to the use of forearm crutches, and because he had strong arms and was in excellent physical condition before his injury, he soon developed a relatively speedy and efficient gait. Jim’s doctors praised his accomplishment, while telling him that he would probably always need crutches. But Jim would not give up on his dream of walking “normally.” He became obsessed with this goal, spending many hours beyond his allotted therapy time on practicing his walking and exercising his arms, often to the point of exhaustion.

When he was discharged from the rehabilitation hospital, Jim requested a referral for several hours of daily outpatient physical therapy, much more time than most people would want. His doctor worried about lint’s denial of his limitations. He seemed to be spending all his effort on the elusive goal of “normal” walking, leaving little energy for dealing with important vocational and family concerns, Jim’s psychologist was also concerned with his social withdrawal and seeming inability to “lighten up” and enjoy himself during this period.

Working together, his physician and psychologist discovered that, in Jim’s mind, easing up on his physical therapy regimen would mean “accepting that I’m OK like this.” That meant giving up hope, and he still needed the hope of full recovery, or normalcy, in order to carry on both physically and emotionally. And being disciplined and perfectionist by nature, he needed to be absolutely sure that he’d left no stone unturned, that he’d put as much effort into his rehabilitation as was humanly possible.

The doctor agreed to prescribe extra therapy time, as long as Jim was showing progress in strength and efficiency, Jim’s psychologist helped him examine his negative self-image and fears of being rejected socially, and helped him accept the need to change to a less physically demanding career.

Ultimately, Jim gained a great deal of physical strength and confidence. He was able to use a single crutch or cane on occasion. He felt better about himself because of his persistence. As he became involved in other aspects of living and put himself in situations where people responded positively to him as a person, he became less focused on either denying or conquering his limitations. Jim no longer needed to hope for full recovery. He now had hope for living a full and satisfying life with his disability. He began to accept himself, pursue alternative job plans, and go out with friends again.

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1. Increase in sensitivity of muscles to insulin. Major site – Skeletal muscles, followed by adipose tissue to a lesser extent.

2. Increases in insulin action (could be mediated by several factors)-

i) Increase in insulin binding receptors sites in the muscles and increase in the number of receptors.

ii) Increase in cytoplasmic and mitochondrial activity.

iii) Increase in muscles, capillary density.

iv) Increase in GLUT -4 protein &mRNA.

RESPONSE TO EXERCISE DEPENDS UPON

Diabetic status of patient.

Blood glucose level.

Availability of insulin.

State of hydration.

EVALUATION OF THE PATIENT BEFORE EXERCISE

Before beginning an exercise program, the examination of diabetes patients should include careful screen for the presence of macrovascular and microvascular complications that may be worsened by the exercise.

A careful medical history and physical examination should focus on the symptoms and signs of disease affecting the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, nervous system and diabetic foot etc.

Before an exercise therapy is initiated a fair control of diabetes is to be ensured.

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When a blood vessel in the brain breaks so that bleeding occurs into or onto the brain, or when a blood vessel to the brain is suddenly blocked so as to produce paralysis and unconsciousness, the condition is commonly called apoplexy. When an apoplexy or stroke occurs, the first step is to put the person at rest, allowing him to lie flat on his side while unconscious in order to prevent the tongue from falling back and producing choking. After the first recovery from a stroke, certain parts of the body may be found to be paralyzed. As the person recovers, the blood vessels work their way through the clot, and a return of function to some of the paralyzed parts may occur. People who are unconscious for long periods of time are sometimes unable to drink or swallow. Fluids must then be put into the body according to the method suggested by the doctor. Feeding of such people may also be difficult. Proper attention should always be given to the skin to prevent bedsores, which includes a daily bath with soap and water, the use of powder, and the prevention of continuous contact of the skin at any one portion of the body with the bed-clothing, since continuous pressure of the body on any one portion of it where the bones are near the surface will break the skin and result in a bedsore or ulcer.

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One of the best ways to improve the quality of your indoor air is by cleaning without toxic chemicals. As an added bonus, ounce for ounce homemade cleaning formulas cost about one-tenth the price of their commercial counterparts. It’s easy and safe.

A commonly available mineral full of many cleaning attributes, baking soda is made from soda ash, and is slightly alkaline (its pH is around 8.1; 7 is neutral). It neutralizes acid-based odors in water, and absorbs odors from the air. Sprinkled on a damp sponge or cloth, baking soda can be used as a gentle nonabrasive cleanser for kitchen counter tops, sinks, bathtubs, ovens, and fiberglass. It will eliminate perspiration odors and even neutralize the smell of many chemicals if you add up to a cup per load to the laundry. It is a useful air freshener, and a fine carpet deodorizer.

A chemical neighbor of baking soda, washing soda (sodium carbonate) is much more strongly alkaline, with a pH around 11. It releases no harmful fumes and is far safer than a commercial solvent formula, but you should wear gloves when using it because it is caustic. Washing soda cuts grease, cleans petroleum oil, removes wax or lipstick, and neutralizes odors in the same way that baking soda does. Don’t use it on fiberglass, aluminum or waxed floors—unless you intend to remove the wax.

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“I restrict going places,” Jerry said. He was a 45-year-old man who’d had BDD for 20 years. “When I go out, I feel worse and uglier. It’s hard to go to the store. I have to boost myself to go. I’m afraid I won’t fit in. I constantly worry that people are scrutinizing me and criticizing me. I get incredibly anxious and panicked standing in line because I look so awful, and I think everyone is noticing how ugly I am. Emotionally, I feel like someone’s holding a gun to my head. I try to convince myself it’s not a big deal, but sometimes I leave the line in a panic, and I go and look at cookware because it calms me down.”

People with BDD typically avoid many types of situations and activities because they’re so self-conscious, depressed, anxious, or fearful—public transportation, clothes and food shopping, leisure activities, restaurants, going outside on windy days, and other types of everyday activities. Robert avoided all these. “I’m afraid if people see me they might say to themselves ‘Oh, gee, look at that guy. Isn’t he gross looking?’ I think people laugh at me. I avoid public transportation because of it. I can’t get on the subway without hyperventilating. I stay in my apartment more. And I postpone grocery shopping. I usually go at night, because people won’t see me on the way there, and there won’t be as many people in the store.”

Like Robert, some people get their mail, shop, and perform other necessary activities under cover of darkness. They avoid clothing stores and shopping malls because of the plethora of mirrors. “There are so many mirrors there— you can’t avoid them. Everywhere I look I see myself and how gross I am,” one woman told me. “Sometimes I suddenly leave stores when I see my reflection.” She eventually bought her clothes only through catalogs. Others keep their distance from mirrors when trying on and buying clothes. One man stood about 20 feet from the mirror when trying on clothes. “Or, if I get up close, I have to look at the clothes with my head down so I can’t see my face,” he said. “Otherwise I’ll freak out.” In my second series of 200 people with BDD, about three quarters said they had problems doing household duties, caring for their children, or doing errands because of BDD or another mental disorder (BDD was usually the reason).

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Malignancy

Malignancies of all varieties have been reported to be associated with fever. In most series, hematologic malignancies account for a high percentage of cases of FUO (Fever of Unknown Origin). The most common causes are Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma as well as leukemia. Of the solid tumors, renal cell carcinoma and hepatocellular carcinoma are well established causes of fever. Any patient with a prior history of malignancy should be investigated fully for recurrence of the malignancy or a secondary malignancy in the context of prior chemotherapy or radiation. A prior history of radiation therapy is also known to be associated with pneumonitis and pericarditis as a cause of fever.

Collagen Vascular Diseases

Collagen vascular diseases are an important cause of FUO. Once life-threatening infectious and malignant causes of fever are ruled out, prolonged observation may be necessary before the diagnosis of one of these diseases becomes apparent. Still’s disease is an important consideration and is characterized by the presence of lymphadenopathy, polyarthritis, myalgias, splenomegaly, and serositis. An evanescent salmon-colored rash and a sore throat are usual findings. Fever can precede other symptoms by as long as 1 year, thus making the diagnosis difficult. Laboratory abnormalities include highly elevated ferritin levels, leukocytosis, an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and mild abnormalities in liver-associated enzymes. Serologic markers for other rheumatologic diseases are negative. In elderly patients, polymyalgia rheumatica is another important consideration, particularly when stiffness or pain is present in the shoulder or hip girdles.

Drug Fever

All potential offending drugs should be stopped. Although some drugs are common causes of FUO, the list of etiologic agents causing drug fever is extensive. The drug may have been started many weeks before the fever began. There may be an associated rash or eosinophilia present. Typically, drug fever resolves within 48 hours of stopping the agent.

Factitious Fever

Factitious fever describes a fever that is simulated or induced. Although some patients with factitious fever may be malingering, a factitious fever is often a sign of very serious mental illness. The classic patient is a young woman with some experience in health care, although this is certainly not always the case. Clues that a fever is factitious can be gleaned from a constellation of symptoms that do not correlate with any known disease. Once the diagnosis is suspected, the patient should be handled with empathy, bearing in mind that this may be a presentation of major psychiatric pathology and instability. Given patient variability, it is difficult to formulate a standardized approach, and psychiatric consultation is recommended.

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